Dougie's MASSIVE Monday mailbag

DISAPPOINTED

hey dougie,
i’ve been reading your mailbag for about 7 years now, ever since i started following boxing about the time of roy jones peak. i’ve always enjoyed reading the mailbag to get the reaction of the real fans and a real writer after a fight weekend, but i’ve never felt i need to write in. that is until now, i am not going to say anything profound, i just wanted to say how desperately disappointed i am the greatest fight of my generation cannot be made. i just needed some sort of outlet, i am gutted. i just cannot believe a fight of this proportion can not be agreed upon. only in boxing can something so important and good for the sport be messed up in such a way.

in recent years i have come to love boxing as much i hate it. i come from a tiny village in scotland, and probably the only guy in my town that follows boxing religiously, but this experience has left me with the most bitter taste in my mouth, and i think i’ll a take a little break from the boxing. i am sure i’ll come back to it again soon... i hope so anyway. thanks dougie, keep up all the great work, boxing needs honesty. -- Andrew

I can understand your disappointment and bitterness. I hope the egos that were involved in Mayweather-Pacquiao falling apart realize that you are one of thousands of diehard fans around the globe who have had it with the B.S. and will take a step back from following the sport because it gets too frustrating at times.

Having said that, I hope you don’t stay away too long. You might miss a classic fight (or two).

THANKFUL?

Doug,
All the claims that boxing will suffer greatly because the Pac vs Mayweather fight is not happening are quite tiresome. I'm surprised to read such analysis from so many veteran writers when it is clear to me that boxing has survived so many worse things that actually happened (Tyson munching on Holyfield's ear, the Fan Man, the rigged Ring ratings scandal of the 1970's, etc).

To be honest, I am strangely relieved that the fight is not happening now, because while I certainly can envision a Pacquiao victory, I fear that a Mayweather victory seems more likely to me. A Mayweather victory most likely takes on an unsatisfying form while millions of people, many of whom normally don't watch boxing, have paid a steep PPV price to watch Mayweather do his best not to engage and tie up a charging Pacquiao. I can already hear the grumblings from the non-regular viewers, and can feel the embarrassment I'll experience as I try to defend the sport. I think that Mayweather vs De La Hoya did more damage to the sport by way of actually happening than if it hadn't. The only ones walking away satisfied in that one were the participants and their handlers. And any hopes of having a decent undercard for the Pac vs Mayweather fight would have been dashed simply as a result of the huge purses of the two main contestants. Where would the money have come from after that and promotional expenses to put meaningful fights underneath the top billing? In a way, maybe fans should be thankful that this fight isn't coming off at this time.

Thanks for being one of the few writers who kept a clear perspective during the whole process. I've run into you at several fights and you're always approachable and the fans appreciate that. -- JFM, Reno

Thanks for the kind words JFM.

I’m disappointed the big fight is off. It had the attention of casual fans everywhere and it was exciting to debate who would win with my neighbors, relatives, friends of my wife, grocery clerks, etc. I knew the event would post record PPV numbers, but I also believed the actual fight would deliver in terms of entertainment. No, it wouldn’t be Corrales-Castillo I, but I think Mayweather is “watchable” (and even enjoyable) when he’s in with a fighter who isn’t afraid to mix it up and has the talent and technique to do so with semi-regularity.

Unlike most of my peers in the media, I wasn’t that confident in Mayweather’s ability to contain Pacquiao because I don’t think he handles southpaws as well as he doesn’t orthodox fighters, and he’s never been in the ring with a lefty as dynamic and the Pac-monster. I know for a fact that Mayweather never wanted any part of Joel Casamayor and Steve Johnston and I can see why when I watch his fights with Demarcus Corley, Sharmba Mitchell, and Zab Judah. A southpaw doesn’t have to be Pernell Whitaker to catch Mayweather and make him miss more than usual.

I invite you to watch those fights on Youtube and ask you to pay particular attention to the first four rounds of each bout. To Mayweather’s credit, he figured out each lefty and made the right adjustments to beat them, but he was definitely not himself in the early rounds (even vs. Mitchell, who was shot). I can’t help but wonder how much damage a total badass beast like Pacquiao could inflict in that four to five round window that it would take Mayweather to “figure him out.”

I think fans -- both hardcore, casual and the just plain curious -- would have been treated to a competitive modern classic where Pacquiao stormed to an early lead and Mayweather would have to prove that he still has the cajones to climb his way out of a hole and dominate the late rounds in order to keep the “0” on his record.

Now we won’t know what will happen, at least for the first half of 2010.

However, even if the fight never happens I don’t think it will crush the sport. The fight cancellation hurts the sport’s credibility with the mainstream media, but they never cared for boxing anyway. The hardcore fans will still get their fill with bouts (that are done and scheduled) like Luevano-Lopez, Gamboa-Mtagwa, Mosley-Berto, Valero-DeMarco, Abraham-Dirrell, Froch-Kessler, and Vazquez-Marquez IV, and I believe at least two of these matches will be so darn good that casual fans who tune in (even if by mistake) will catch the boxing bug and get hooked on our wonderfully f__ked up sport.

So Mayweather-Pacquiao not happening sucks, but I don’t think it’s the end of the boxing world.

PACQUIAO-CLOTTEY

So Manny is fighting Joshua Clottey now. Good for both of them. Manny is fighting one of the toughest welterweights out there. Clottey has held his own against Margarito and Cotto so he deserves this fight. I bet Fraud wouldn't fight Clottey, he'd be like: "Who's Clottey fought?" Well, after March 13 the answer will be; "Margarito, Cotto, and Pacquiao, biaatch! What about you?"

Aside from that, do you really think Luevano has no chance against Juan Ma Lopez? My only concern is his ability to be able to stay strong at 126. If he can take the early barrage I think he takes Juan Ma....it is a big "if" though. -- Miguel, LBC

I thought Luevano had a legit shot at beating Lopez when the fight was first announced. After watching him train and interviewing him in Oxnard, Calif., last week I have to consider him a “live dog.” He’s in shape and he’s confident. Check out the RINGTV.com video by ‘Dynamic’ Daniel Morales:

http://www.ringtv.com/video/steven_luevano_sparringinterview/

Here’s a short story for ya. When Edwin Valero sparred with Erik Morales in early 2005 to help prepare ‘El Terrible’ for his first fight with Pacquiao, he met Luevano, who was also one of the sparring partners. Valero and Luevano sparred occasionally after their rounds with Morales. “My son,” who rarely compliments his fellow fighters, told me that he respects Luevano‘s skills. He said “That’s one crafty counter-punching S.O.B.”

Pacquiao-Clottey is not the event that Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been, but it’s a damn good 147-pound matchup. Pac-man is THE RING’s No. 1-rated welterweight and Clottey is the magazine’s No. 5-rated welterweight.

There’s been a lot of talk of boycotting the Pacquiao’s and Mayweather’s next fights from hardcore fans, but I wouldn’t boycott a legitimate matchup like Pac-man vs. Clottey.

MATTHEW HATTON!?

Hey Doug, first time writing in, long time reader...
Welp, the Manny-Floyd fight seems to be off but who in the blue hell is Matthew Hatton? At least Manny is fighting Joshua Clottley (tough fight for him by the way). The only better fight at 140 or smallish 147 fighter would be Tim Bradley. So since Jose Luis Castillo scared “I-Need-Money,” he has fought, Sosa, N'Dou, Corley, Bruseles, Gatti, Sharmba, Zab, Baldomir, DLH, Hatton, JMM, and now Matthew Hatton or Paulie Malignaggi. No offense to Oscar (3 years of inactivity and Ricardo Mayorga) but that is utter s__t. How can ANYBODY look at that and see an all-time great resume, never mind a decent one?

I picked Cotto to beat Manny, and the real fight lasted all of 3 rounds, but even so I thought he gave him hell for about 4 rounds. I still think Clottey would be a difficult fight for him. I see a tough, tough, tough MD/UD for Pac. I really don't understand Top Rank's agenda in that fight unless they see something I don't. Of course if Pac blows him out of the water, then it all makes sense :P.

Anyways, if you ever come to Indonesia to cover a fight, gimme a shout. You wouldn't believe how much they love boxing here and how much they worship Chris John. On the TV broadcast, the announcers were celebrating like crazy when the ref took 2 points from Marquez in that fight (I had JMM winning like 9-3). No question who won though here, though :P. Oh well, ciao. -- Adhi

If I’m ever in Indonesia I’ll definitely give you shot, Adhi. You have a damn good fighter in John. I’m wearing an official red-and-white “Chris John” hat that he signed (just before the Mayweather-Marquez fight) as I write this. It’s got a cool-looking dragon design on the brim and it’s sponsor patches from “Lihan” (whatever that is), RCTI (an Indonesian network?), Kuku Bima Ener-G! (an energy drink, right?), and Harry’s Gym (probably an Australian boxing club).

Anyway, if he gets matched with bantamweight boss Hozumi Hasegawa, I will definitely make the flight to Asia to witness that showdown live (although my guess is that fight would wind up in Japan and not Indonesia).

Forget any talk about Matthew Hatton fighting Mayweather. That ain’t gonna happen, at least not on March 13 because that’s not a matchup that HBO would clear for a PPV event. From what I hear the four fighters in the running to face Floyd are Paul Malignaggi, Kermit Cintron, Timothy Bradley and Nate Campbell.

I would LOVE to see Mayweather-Bradley because I think the young 140-pound standout has the youth, athletic ability and talent to give Floyd a hard time, but I’m not holding my breath on that matchup being made. I think Cintron is an interesting opponent because of his size and power, although stylewise, he’s made for Money May.

The fight I think will happen on March 13 is Mayweather-Malignaggi, and I’m not that interested in that matchup. Both guys are boring when they fight fellow boxers. Also, Malignaggi practically worships Mayweather. A few years back he was quoted that Mayweather would have beat Sugar Ray Robinson in a RING article.

I’d be surprised if Mayweather fought Campbell, but not shocked. Maybe Floyd wants to be known as the best welterweight who fights old lightweights.

We‘ll see what happens.

MAYWEATHER MIGHT BECOME INSIGNIFICANT

Can you imagine a scenario in which the winner of Pac-man vs. Clottey takes on the winner of Mosley vs. Berto and the winner of that takes on Antonio Magarito or Paul Williams? This may be a dream but I would love to see the welterweight division move on making the great matchups that are available and just leave Mayweather on the sidelines watching and taking garbage fights.

When I watched Friday Night Fights it was funny to me that Brian Kinney kept talking about how Pacquiao has more options than Mayweather, but not really saying what that means. Both guys are at the same weight class, why does one have more options than the other? Because one guy, Pac-man, is willing to take hard fights. Mayweather has fewer options because he is willing to fight fewer people.

Can you imagine Floyd vs. Malignaggi on PPV? Stink Fest 2010 is what it would be. Keep doing what you are doing. Late. -- Ronnie Charles

Let’s hope Mayweather feels some pressure to face a formidable foe since Pacquiao has agreed to fight a legit 147-pound contender like Clottey. Mayweather-Malignaggi would indeed be a stink fest.

I’m all for Mayweather-Bradley or Mayweather-Cintron. Those are fights I’d would love to cover as a member of the media and watch as a fan. However, Mayweather’s recent history (2003-the present) doesn’t leave me hopeful of those matchups taking place.

Pacquiao’s recent history gives me hope that if he beats Clottey (which is not a given) he’ll at least be willing to face the Mosley-Berto winner. Margarito needs to get his license back before we start factoring him into the 147-pound mix and P-Will needs to fight at 147 pounds (or at least 154) in order for me to believe that he can still make welterweight.

If the winner of Pacquiao-Clottey fights the winner of Mosley-Berto and Mayweather winds up fighting either Malignaggi or Campbell you will get your wish. Money will make himself irrelevant.

THE NEW OPPONENTS

Doug,
Keep up the great work on the columns and mailbags. You are 100% right, the only people hurt by this are the fans. The fighters and promoters are still millionaires, and they still expect us to shell $50-60 on PPV for Mayweather-Malignaggi.

Just like everyone else I'm hugely disappointed that Pacquiao-Mayweather fell apart. Just read on RingTV.com that Pacquiao is going to face Clottey, and Mayweather is in talks with Malignaggi. If Mayweather needs to find any other reason why the media and many fans dislike him, this is exactly why. For a replacement, Pacquiao picks a big strong and dangerous fighter in Clottey (though I have no doubt Pac's speed and skill set will be too much for Clottey), and Mayweather picks.... Malignaggi. Mayweather is again padding his record with a light-fisted, although slick junior welterweight, while Pacquiao is taking on legitimate competition. I would have rather Pacquiao go down to the loaded 140-division or take on the Mosley-Berto winner, but Pacquiao-Clottey is a fight that REAL boxing fans can appreciate.

Pacquiao earned back a little bit of the respect that I lost on him for not putting the fight together. I appreciate and admire Mayweather for all his skills, he is the best pure-boxer of our time, but when is he actually going to put those skills to the test? I like Malignaggi too, he's a legitimate 140 pounds, but a replacement for Pacquiao? Give me a break. It's brilliant strategy if Mayweather wants to limit his wear-and-tear when talks with Pacquiao inevitably rekindle, but from a fan's perspective, it's garbage. I'll tell you one thing though, the Mayweather-Malignaggi 24/7 series would provide the most entertaining, sound bite-filled episodes in the show's history! What do you think? Regards. -- Jeff Cruz, Chino Hills, CA

I don’t care for sound bites if I know the fight won’t deliver the kind of action and drama I crave.

Mayweather always talks a good game on 24/7 and HBO’s Countdown shows. He said he’ll “torture” Carlos Baldomir and “make him quit.” He said if he “doesn’t knockout” JM Marquez “it doesn’t count.” You know what happened in those fights. They were boring, one-sided contests and that’s what we’ll get with Mayweather-Malignaggi. ‘Nuff said on that s__t.

I agree that Pacquiao-Clottey is a real fight and further proof that the Pac-man is the pound-for-pound king because he’s not afraid to test himself.

Mayweather is what he is… wasted talent and potential.

Funny thing is, I think Pacquiao-Malignaggi and Maywethaer-Clottey would be interesting matchups. We haven’t seen Pac-man in with a fast, slick mobile boxer; and we haven’t seen Mayweather in with a quick-fisted welterweight with solid technique and superior physical strength. I think Clottey’s size, quickness and peek-a-boo style would give Money some problems. And I think Malignaggi’s jab and mobility would trouble Pac-man.

DRUGS IN YOUR SYSTEM

Doug,
I get not wanting to do anything unnatural like drawing blood days before a fight, but two weeks before seems like enough time for any possible effects to disappear. So is Pacquiao just refusing the compromise on the fact that he dislikes Mayweather and refuses to be told what to do by him, or is there a PED out there that can go into your system and then be out of your system in a 24 day window? Thanks. -- Tony, Conn.

I don’t know if there’s a PED that can cycle through the human body in less than 24 hours to 14 days and that’s why RingTV.com has commissioned Mark Ziegler (an award-winning investigative reporter who has written extensively on sports and performance-enhancing drugs) to write an article on the subject that scuttled the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.

I don’t think Pacquiao has anything to hide. I think his promoter wanted an out and Mayweather gave him one by not budging on his random drug-testing demand. Bob Arum is definitely more worried about Mayweather than Pacquiao was in my not-so-humble opinion.

MANNY'S FIGHT-NIGHT WEIGHTS

Hey Doug,
This is my first time writing to you but a long time reader. I understand that this is a tired subject but after reading your last mailbag I took it upon myself to review some of Manny’s fights that I have on tape to confirm what I and you already knew. Now, I have too many fights to review all tapes, so I chose the tapes that were readily available. Here is what I found:

Opponent -- Weigh-in -- Fight Night Weight

Barrera II -- 130 pounds -- 144 pounds

Marquez II -- 129 pounds -- 145 pounds

Diaz -- 134.5 pounds -- 147 pounds

De La Hoya -- 142 pounds -- 148.5 pounds

Hatton -- 138 pounds -- 148 pounds

Obviously as far back as October 2007, and perhaps even further, Manny has been fighting at welterweight on fight night. Considering his fight night weigh-ins, it is not hard to believe in his ability to carry his power to higher divisions. After all, you will drain your energy far less if you don’t need to dehydrate yourself as much to make weight.

One other thing, like Dre (from your last mailbag), I have also suffered a post-injection hematoma but unlike his, mine was extremely painful and limited my range of motion. Very respectfully. -- Guillermo

Thanks for doing the kind of leg work my peers in the media (some of whom are skeptical of Pac-man’s recent achievements) seem unable or unwilling to do. It’s clear to me that Pacquiao has been a natural junior welterweight for the past three years.

ARTICLE ON PACMAN'S FIGHT-NIGHT WEIGHT

Hi Dougie,
I think in a recent article you asked for a compilation of Pacquiao's weights on the night of his fights after weigh in? Anyway I found this article if it's any use to you:

http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/The_Rumble/entry/view/48832/is_pacquiao_impossible?_why_steroid_accusations_are_baseless

Keep up the good work! -- JK

Thanks JK. This is an excellent presentation. This is exactly what I was asking for in my last mailbag. This guy did a great job.

THE JOKE IS ON MAYWEATHER

Hi Doug,
If what I am hearing on the street is any indication, most boxing fans or casual fans I've spoken with have already decided that Mayweather is simply terrified of fighting Pacquiao. Only controversy-starved media types have asserted there is anything to the baseless allegations forwarded by the Mayweather camp.

No one in the public - save nuthuggers of possibly the most overrated undefeated fighter in recent history save Darius Michalczewski (no I'm not joking) - buy this contrived story.

The public only remembers Pacquiao handing far more effective ass-whoopings to both fighters' common opponents save the two-division overweight Marquez... I hope Pacquiao follows through on his lawsuit - jury-awarded punitive damages are a beeyotch and will be far more than the 75K stated in the complaint...

In the meantime, I think PBF has opened himself up to even more of the criticism of his legacy than he bargained for by forwarding this weak accusation. He won't get into Pacquiao's head, either.

Thing is, I still think PBF is too big for Pac Man - but Mayweather's cowardly actions speak louder than he ever could about his personal opinion on his chances for victory... Looking for an excuse prior to the fight does not do much to engender confidence in the Fraud.

I'm with you - the sooner this punkass is retired the better for us long-suffering fans who just wanted to know if PBF really ever was as good as he says/thinks he is. Last time I saw Mayweather taking a legitimate risk was over eight years ago... WTF??? Peace. -- Falcon

I live in Inglewood, Calif., a primarily black community in the southern half of the greater L.A. area, and the conversations that I’ve overheard and been a part of from/with casual fans on the breakdown of this fight in the past few days is that Mayweather just doesn’t want to get in the ring with Pacquiao. This is what I’m hearing from my neighbors and from the guys at the coffee and comic shops, all of whom are African-American casual fans who usually back Mayweather.

The only way I can see Floyd saving face is if he fights a legit opponent on March 13. We’ll see what he does.


Doug Fischer can be reached at dougiefischer@yahoo.com