Dougie's FAT Friday Mailbag

UPCOMING FIGHTS

Doug:
A few things.

1) Am I the only one out there that likes the two fights we're getting -- Clottey/Pac-Man and Mayweather/Mosley -- better than the one fight we missed (the fight that shall remain unnamed)?

2) I think Clottey with his solid defense will give Pac-Man fits. This one is going to the cards where I think Pac-Man wins a narrow but unanimous decision (although I wouldn't be shocked by people perceiving that Clottey won -- he ain't getting a decision)

3) Do we get to know which Mosley shows up before predicting the Mayweather/Mosley fight? I think the Mosley that laid a beat down on Margarito wins a narrow decision, the one that went life or death with Mayorga loses a stinker. The thing about this fight is that because of the way Mayweather fights, adapting his fight to who he's facing, the determining factor is which Mosley shows up.

4) The Devon Alexander that beat Juan Urango can hang with anyone from 135-152. Man, I don't know how to properly express how much that kid impressed me on Saturday night. I didn't care who won, I wanted a good fight, and man did they give me that. I haven't seen Tim Bradley, but I have to tell you, if Alexander can tighten up his defense a little, he's going to be pound for pound king before anyone expects it; the kid is the truth.

5) And while we're on the topic of Saturday, what the hell is Zab Judah doing hanging around calling Alexander out... Zab you haven't beat anyone of note in forever, Urango would have killed you, please go away.

Peace out, enjoy Dallas. -- Steve

I’m here in Dallas and I plan to have a good time (as I always do in Texas, which has some of the best boxing fans in the country). Thanks for writing in, Steve. I’ll respond to your statements in order:

1. I think the slight majority of hardcore fans agree with you that the two fights we got out of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fallout (oops, I named it) are better than the one mega fight we almost had. However, what made Mayweather-Pacquiao special was that it was a fight that casual boxing fans and general sports fans clamored for. That doesn’t happen very often in our sport. Having said that, I’m a hardcore fan and I’m excited about Saturday and I’m really hyped about May 1.

2. You and I see the same fight, although I envision Pacquiao winning a more comfortable (but competitive) decision. Bottom line, though, I think Clottey takes Pacquiao the distance.

3. Dude, come on, which version of Mosley do you think you’re going to see? Mosley is a competitor. He was 10 times more motivated to fight Margarito than he was Mayorga because the Mexican titleholder was a 3-to-1 favorite to beat him. Mayorga was considered finished. Margarito was considered the beast of the division. Now he’s fighting Mayweather, who most consider to be a superior boxer. He’s got something to prove on May 1, just like he did last January. I think he’s going to be 10 times more motivated for Mayweather than he was for Margarito. Expect to see a very happy and confident Mosley in the press events leading to the showdown and a brutally efficient version of the SugarMan on fight night.

4. I think Bradley is the truth at 140 pounds. Alexander might be. If the St. Louis native can beat Bradley he’ll be well on his way to the top of everyone’s pound-for-pound list.

5. Hey, Zab’s just trying to make a living. I’d favor him over Ricky Hatton. How’s this for an idea? Judah vs. Vivian Harris: Loser leaves town.

FRIDAY MAILBAG

Hey! Hope you are just as psyched up as I am for Pac-Clottey and as disgusted for the vomit-inducing undercard that Bag of Wrinkles has put together. My thoughts, and hopefully your take, on 'em -

1. Clottey has b***** in him and we've seen it come out against Margarito and Cotto. Against Margarito, he was more intent on shaking his hand, acting like it hurts than the task on hand. Against Cotto he
twitched around after Cotto gave him the business for hugging him. That b**** will come out again.

2. I don’t see Pacquiao's chin being dented by Clottey's punches although he might be able to bust up Manny’s face with his head - that noggin can smash through concrete. He has cut up almost everyone he fights. Clottey has sort of heavy hands but if you can’t put down Cotto or Judah with flush chin shots you can’t put Pac down.

3. I see Manny making him quit or TKOing him in 9-10 rounds. You can’t have a passive defense with Pac. The guy is not just blazing fast but extremely educated footwork to go with hand speed.

4. Gomez-Castillo? Really? Winner gets Morales? Soto-David Diaz? Duddy? This schmuck was about to go tell that wrinkled old geezer to go f*** himself but the wily old fart knows that Pacquiao was gonna
sell 99.9% of the tickets anyways.

5. Brother Naazim, Bernard and Shane in a ring together working on strategy? Can you think of more boxing IQ/square foot? I think Naazim is almost up there with Coach Roach when it comes to strategizing.

-- Asim

I’m psyched for Saturday, Asim. I’ll respond to your statements in order:

1. I think it’s a tad extreme to say Clottey’s got some b___h in him. Yeah, he overreacted when he hurt his hands vs. Margarito (and let’s not forget that Margarito came in with a bad left wrist and a sprained right ankle) but he stayed in there with the Mexican mauler, who broke the CompuBox record (for any division) for 12-round fight. If a fighter really has some b___h in him, I think he gets overwhelmed by Margarito. But we can’t deny that Clottey takes his foot off the gas pedal late in his fights, which won’t serve him well vs. Pacquiao.

2. Clottey’s head is his most dangerous weapon. You might be right about his inability to hurt Pacquiao. We’ll see. I still think he can hurt Pacquiao with his underrated left to the body.

3. I still see Clottey going the distance and having his moments, but if Pac proves me wrong it certainly wouldn’t be the first time.

4. Arum knows his customers better than any other active promoter. For some reason, I’m looking forward to Soto-Diaz. I like Diaz by decision in an upset.

5. Mosley’s going to be ready for Mayweather, believe that. I think Richardson can challenge Roach for 2010 Trainer of the Year if Steve Cunningham, Hopkins and Mosley all win their upcoming fights (which I think they will).

WHERE DOES CLOTTEY RANK?

What up Doug?
Hope the flight to big D was good. I can't wait for Saturday. It's gonna be a battle for as long as it lasts, but I want to know where does Clottey rank against his fellow fighters from Ghana. If he wins where does that put him? One of my all-time favorite fighters was Ike Quartey. How drastic of a change in his legacy had he got the nod over the Golden Boy? Is Azumah Nelson easily at the top of the list or is Quartey? What do you think? See you in Jerry's Palace. -- Sam

I’m looking forward to the fund raiser event in Monterrey, Calif., next Saturday, Sam. Please tell Eloy not to knock me out; it’s just an exhibition, right?

I think Nelson is definitely at the top of the all-time greatest Ghanaian fighters list, followed either by Quartey, who would be considered a first-ballot hall of famer had he handed Oscar his first defeat back in 1999, or by David Kotey (who I have as No. 2 because of his narrow points victory over Ruben Olivares). Clottey is a distant fourth behind those three. If he beats Pacquiao, he’ll be right up behind Nelson.

WILL YOU BE IN DALLAS

Hey Dougie,
Big fan, written you a few times.

I'm an SMU graduate (2002) who's flying back to catch the fight with a few friends. We'll be tail-gating and hitting up a few bars afterwards.

I figure I owe you a few Guiness' (Guini?) for the years of entertainment you've provided.

Hit me back if you're going to be out there.

(PS - What is Ellerbe going to give YOU if Sugar KTFO's Floyd?) -- Danny

I’m already here, Danny. If you see me, don’t be a stranger, and don’t be afraid to toss me a Guinness, either. LOL.

I don’t want anything from Ellerbe if Mosley blasts Mayweather. He’ll probably be crushed if that happens and I’m not the kind of person to rub it in. If Mayweather gets stopped but goes out on his shield, he’ll win more respect from than if he wins but stinks it out.

COMING TO DFW?

I know you always do the post-fight hang out with boxing fans and I'm never in NYC and fights never come to DFW so if you will be out here talking boxing please let me know and I'll make it a point to be there. I know it's in Arlington which is 45 minutes from my home and I know I don't drink so I would just sip on some soda while talking about how much PBF can suck monkey balls! LOL. Heck I haven't even figured out where I'll watch the fight. -- Fausto

Since moving to RingTV.com I don’t really hang out as much after the fights because I’m too busy writing up the post-fight columns and updating the website with co-editor Michael Rosenthal. But if you come by the Gaylord Texan Hotel on Friday you might see me at one of the bar/lounges. I write this all the time, but I’m being serious folks, don’t be a stranger. I’m a boxing writer who really loves the sport and enjoys talking about it with fans and people who read what I and other scribes write.

And FYI to everyone who wants to grab a drink (which doesn’t have to be an alcoholic beverage) with Dougie before a big fight, don’t feel like you have to bad mouth Floyd Mayweather Jr. If you’re huge fan of his, that’s OK. I don’t want to bad mouth the guy (especially now that he’s finally scheduled to fight a worthy opponent).

HBO'S ROAD TO DALLAS

Hey Dougie,
I'm a big fan and an avid reader of your mailbag. I just saw Road to Dallas on HBO and I was impressed. You looked natural in front of the camera. I hope you could have a similar role in all future 24/7 productions. Peace! -- Pinoy from LA

Thanks for the very kind words Mr. P.

Just so you know, “Road to Dallas” was a Countdown show. It’s not a 24/7, which is the multi-part series that doesn’t include sound bites from media know-it-alls. LOL.

I enjoy being interviewed for the Countdown shows and seeing how they turn out post-production. Whenever I’m asked to participate by one of the producers I try my best to make the shoot and to sound semi-coherent once the cameras are rolling.

STRIPPING PACQUIAO

Dougie,
I thought the whole purpose of The Ring titles was (well, not whole purpose) not to strip fighters like the alphabets do. Now they are going to strip Pac? Not saying Pac should not give it up, but stripping is stripping. I though there was a policy against that activity?

Is this the start of a slippery slope...? -- JB

The magazine isn’t going to strip Pacquiao. Editor in Chief Nigel Collins is simply going to ask Team Pacquiao what weight class he plans to stay in after the Clottey fight. Roach has gone on record saying that Pacquiao is staying at 147 pounds because that’s where the big fights and the HUGE money’s at. If this is true and Pacquiao has no intention of dropping back down to 140 pounds, there’s no sense in allowing him to hold onto the junior welterweight title. It’s not fair to young guns like Tim Bradley, Devon Alexander and Amir Khan, who could be fighting for it.

TERRIBLE STOPPAGE

I JUST WATCHED DEVON ALEXANDER/JUAN URANGO FOR THE 1ST TIME. I GOTTA SAY, I THINK THAT WAS A BAD STOPPAGE BY THE REF. JUAN WAS UP, WITH HIS HANDS IN THE AIR, FULL CONCIOUS. GIFT STOPPAGE, IMO. -- Tommy

Urango didn’t seem to have a problem with it.