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Dougie’s Friday mailbag

Fighters Network
25
Mar

Ward-&-Barrera_640

ANDRE WARD, GATEKEEPERS

Dear Doug,
As always your mailbag is the essential escape from work on Mondays and Fridays.

I’m really looking forward to the Andre Ward fight and I’m not sure why. I’m not a big Ward follower but I’ve got a feeling this is gonna be a proper barnstormer. And props to Barrera, he’s got an ‘0’ most fighters wouldn’t and aren’t willing to put on the line.



This fight has got me thinking, who is the ultimate boxing gate keeper? My limited boxing knowledge makes me a big fan of Darnell Boone, I even read someone describe Marcos Maidana as one but surely he deserves more respect than that.

MM: Sugar Ray Robinson v Pacquiao Trilogy

All the best. – Stephen, Manchester

Thanks for the kind words about the mailbag column and for sharing your thoughts, Stephen.

I’m also looking forward to Ward-Barrera. I’ve never been mistaken for an S.O.G. cheer leader and I’ve never been high on the Cuban, but Saturday’s matchup is intriguing to me. And that’s saying something because I don’t think we’re going to see a particularly entertaining fight (in terms of sustained action) and I’m pretty sure Ward will control most of the bout.

I think the fascination most fans have with this HBO Championship Boxing main event is that it should be a good gauge of how healthy/sharp Ward is, how he handles fighting at a 175 pounds against a real light heavyweight, and how he might deal with Sergey Kovalev.

I expect Ward to carry the weight well and to look sharp en route to a somewhat competitive unanimous decision, and I’m looking forward to fans and boxing media beating the drums for an eventual Kovalev-Ward showdown later this year.

Regarding Barrera, I also like his attitude and I hope he makes the best of this opportunity. I won’t be mad at him if he spoils the Kovalev-Ward plans with a monumental upset.

Regarding gatekeepers, I love ’em. They’re the most important fighters in the game. They may not be ranked in anyone’s top 10 but they let us know who the real prospects, contenders and future champs are. (I do not consider Maidana to be a gatekeeper because he was a major world titleholder and legit top-10 contender in two weight classes. If Chino is a “gatekeeper,” what does that make Floyd Mayweather Jr.?)

Boone is the dean of current gatekeepers. The Youngstown, Ohio native – who has a KO victory over lineal light heavyweight champ Adonis Stevens and close/competitive decision losses to Ward and Kovalev – is definitely the most accomplished of active gatekeepers. On a recent RingTVLive stream, I dubbed Boone the “Godfather of Gatekeepers” just before he dropped super middleweight prospect/fringe contender Schiller Hyppolite twice before losing a close 10-round decision to the Haitian-Canadian in Montreal. The 36-year-old veteran is no longer in his prime but he remains a threat.

Dashon Johnson is one of the better young gatekeepers out there. Like Boone, he’s got a .500 record, but nobody has an easy time with them, just ask Hyppolite and Jesse Hart.

The best gatekeeper of the last 20 years is probably “The Drunken Master,” Emanuel Augustus. He was always a pleasure to watch.

Emanuel Augustus Highlight – The Drunken Master from George Agor on Vimeo.

Two of my favorite gatekeepers of the last five years – Jesus Soto-Karass and Yoshihiro Kamegai – face each other in the main event of the April 15 “LA Fight Club.” I guarantee you that’s going to be a good scrap.

Your mythical matchup:

Sugar Ray Robinson v Pacquiao Trilogy – Trilogy? You think there would be three fights between Robinson and the PacMan? LOL. Oh no, no, no, my brotha. No disrespect to El Terrible, Barrera or Marquez, but there would be no need for one return bout (let alone two or three). Robinson vs. Pacquiao at 147 pounds would be a one-and-done deal and there’s no doubt in my mind that Sugar Ray would ice the PacMonster with a one-hitter-quitter by the mid-rounds.

RETURN OF THE RING GIMPS

Whut’s up Doug-E,

The theme for the upcoming weekend: Return of The Ring Gimps. Andre Ward and Kell Brook. Two guys who seemingly can’t complete a nose-pick without their bodies collapsing on them.

Let’s start with Andre, providing he actually makes it to his own fight. The big question here is what kind of fight can we expect. I barely know anything about this newest Barrera. If he were the Cuban version of Mexico’s Barrera then I think Dre might be in for an total ass-kicking. But that ain’t the case. If anything I wonder if that other Cuban, Yunieski Gonzalez, would be a tougher challenge since he did give Pascal all he can handle.

Another thing. Back in 2013 Ward would have been my pick over both GGG and Kovalev. Now I’m not so sure. For starters both GGG and Kov are constantly fighting and there’s one big thing they both do that Ward can’t seem to: train for a fight without rupturing themselves. You seen those guys train. Maybe you should give Ward some pointers whenever you next see him train. Or give him some Kov or GGG training videos.

Moving onto Brook I’m sure he’ll win his fight quite handily. I’m just wondering to what extent his run-in with that machete-wielding Jason Vorhees wannabe freako has affected his career and if that has anything to do with his sudden string of training injuries.

Anyhow, I hope both Ward and Brook can regain much of their own forms and get back on track for different reasons. In the case of Kell, I just want to see him give the rest of the welters some serious hell. He indeed might be the best and I’d like to him kick some heavy-duty ass. In Andre’s case, though, I just want to see him get punched in the face by my man Kovalev.

OK Dude. Gotta fly! Happy Easter! – Captain Ron

Happy Easter, Cap, ya nut case. Good to hear from you.

I agree that Ward’s and Brook’s inactivity due to injuries has been frustrating – in part because of how skilled and talented they are. Ward was THE MAN at super middleweight, and we know Brook could be the man at welterweight if he can get back on track and lure the other top 147 pounders into the ring. My hunch is that both men have had enough time to completely heal from their prior injuries and will remain healthy for the rest of 2016. (I have no idea if Brook’s recent injuries are related to his machete attack, but my guess is that they are not.)

The good news is that if both unbeaten standouts are victorious tomorrow – and both are decided favorites – they will set themselves up for significant fights later this year.

If anything I wonder if that other Cuban, Yunieski Gonzalez, would be a tougher challenge since he did give Pascal all he can handle. I’ve wondered that myself, but I really don’t know. Gonzalez is definitely the more battle-tested of the two Cuban light heavyweights even though he’s lost his last two bouts via close decisions to Pascal (which could have easily been a close win for him or a draw) and Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (in an under-the-radar slugfest), but his style and strengths are similar to Barrera’s and I think the unbeaten Abel Sanchez-trained fighter has better technique.

In the case of Kell, I just want to see him give the rest of the welters some serious hell. He indeed might be the best and I’d like to him kick some heavy-duty ass. I think he will if given the chance. Let’s hope a showdown with Errol Spence Jr. can be made this year if the unbeaten U.S. Olympian defeats Chris Algieri next month.

In Andre’s case, though, I just want to see him get punched in the face by my man Kovalev. If that fight happens, you’ll get what you want but just know that Dre will hit him back.

 

KELL BROOK

Hi Dougie!

This is my first time writing to you. No worries if it doesn’t make the mailbag, I won’t get offended like “Stan” on Monday!

I’m writing to ask if people can cut Kell Brook some slack? Obviously Bizier is nobody’s first choice of opponent but I have sympathy for his promoters at Matchroom and loads for Kell himself. Since he won his title he has been unlucky with injuries but on top of that I don’t really see a queue of fighters wanting to take him on.

It’s my perception that a lot of the American fighters aren’t as hungry as the Brits. A lot of our fighters have crossed the pond or gone elsewhere to win their straps in dangerous scraps (Brook, Degale, Fury, Haskins (sort of), and Stephen Smith (soon)) whereas from what I can tell it’s only Terence Crawford who has travelled. Is this fair? Or do we look more at the promoters guarding their investments too preciously? I’m sure the reasons Martin and Wilder are travelling isn’t for the kudos but for the big bucks. The Wilder purse bid must have been HUGE and Martin knows he has won the golden ticket and is looking to cash in ASAP.

I’d love for Errol Spence to show his world champion credentials by fighting Brook in UK this summer but I see more chance of Bradley taking another payday after the PacMan fight. Thurman and Porter seem a little busy, as is Khan. How possible would it be to match him with Danny Garcia? Would Brook vs Vargas sell?

Anyway, thanks for your time and keep up the good work! – Joel (UK)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions, Joel.

I think a Brook vs. Jessie Vargas showdown would sell (especially if it took place in the Sheffield). We’re talking about two supremely confident, strong, young welterweight titleholders at their peaks. How could that matchup not generate interest among hardcore fans on both sides of the Pond?

If Spence beats Algieri the next logical step for the uber-prospect/contender would be to challenge for a major world title. He’s the No. 1 contender for the IBF belt that Brook holds, so I think that matchup is a real possibility this year (unless Garcia or the Thurman-Porter winner decide they want to give the young southpaw a shot). Would Spence be willing to travel to the UK to get that shot? I don’t know. Ask Al Haymon.

My guess is that Garcia and the Thurman-Porter winner would be more inclined to challenge Brook than face Spence – there’s more money and more at stake with their fellow titleholder than against the dangerous up-and-comer.

Anyway, don’t expect too many hardcore boxing heads to cut Brook any slack until these sorts of high-profile matches are made. He can only live off of the Porter victory for so long.

It’s my perception that a lot of the American fighters aren’t as hungry as the Brits. A lot of our fighters have crossed the pond or gone elsewhere to win their straps in dangerous scraps (Brook, Degale, Fury, Haskins (sort of), and Stephen Smith (soon)) whereas from what I can tell it’s only Terence Crawford who has travelled. Is this fair? I think it’s fair if a world titleholder stays in his home country if that’s the best economic situation for him. I don’t think it’s fair when boxing fans and media criticize some homebody beltholders – such as the elite Japanese, Thai and German boxers – for not fighting outside of their native countries, but give others – such as American standouts Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Andre Ward – a pass when they refuse to dust off their passports. I also give extra credit to American fighters that are willing to travel to vie for world titles, such as Crawford, Bernard Hopkins and Tony Thompson.

 

THE CANELO/WARD HATE

Douglass,

Between all this “Canelo’s afraid of the Almighty GGGod” s__t and the nonstop anti-Ward craze I think I’m going to throw up.

I really don’t get it. What’s with all this hate thrown at Mexican and American fighters. Never mind all this GGG-hate. He has tons of fans kissing his ass and blabbing like he could have knocked out a prime Mike Tyson. All because he knocked out the likes of Matthew Macklin and David Lemieux. Both Canelo and Andre Ward have fought far better competition than the beloved GGG. So a lot of these people need to shut the f__k up already.

Ward never punched out the mother of his kids. And it’s not his fault that he canceled out of fights due to injuries. That’s like hating Vitali Klitschko because he took time off his reign to recuperate his injury-prone body. So he’s a little arrogant. So is GGG with his “big Drama Show” speeches.

And Canelo’s one of the most sportsmanlike fighters in the game. He doesn’t need to cheapshot a guy when he’s down in order to win. Unlike the frigging GGGoofball. So mark my words. Lets’ give fighters from this side of the globe some much needed respect already. Saul will indeed fight GGG because he fears nobody and I have no doubt that Ward will outbox both GGG and that obnoxious punk Kovalev. All Kov has done is beat up an old Hopkins and a used up Pascal. Little more than what his buddy GGG has done. F__k those guys! Give America some love! Have a good Easter and God bless. – Dave

I can give America love without giving Kazakhstan and Russia hate.

I don’t get the Canelo and Ward hate, but I can understand the frustration fans may have with both standouts. Both guys have some prima-donna aspects to their personality and the way they do business. Canelo’s not going to make any new fans if he puts off showdowns the boxing world wants to see or forces full-grown middleweights to fight under the division limit. Ward’s not going to make new fans by fighting once every nine months and playing hardball during the negotiations for every single fight (or by beginning every sentence with “What fans don’t understand isÔǪ” or “What people don’t realize isÔǪ”).

Still, I think both fighters should be respected for what they’ve accomplished in boxing and for the many top-notch fighters they faced on the way to winning their world titles.

Both men are gentlemanly and sportsmanlike in their behavior. (Although the subject of GGG clearly gets under their nerves as much as it bugs you. When I visited Canelo at his training camp in San Diego earlier this week he criticized Golovkin’s opposition – first time I’ve ever heard him do that – after his interviews and workouts. He’s definitely getting sick of having GGG tossed in his face by the boxing media and Golovkin’s fans.)

I don’t agree that Ward would outbox GGG, but I have no doubt that he would get into the ring with middleweight boss, and I have no doubt that Canelo will fight him.

Ward never punched out the mother of his kids. And it’s not his fault that he canceled out of fights due to injuries. That’s like hating Vitali Klitschko because he took time off his reign to recuperate his injury-prone body. Boxing fans and insiders DID hate on Vitali for taking time away from the sport to heal up.

So he’s a little arrogant. So is GGG with his “big Drama Show” speeches. I don’t think Ward is arrogant. He might be a little sanctimonious, but not arrogant. Golovkin doesn’t have an arrogant bone in his body

 

POUND FOR POUND

Hi Dougie,
Hope all is well with you.

I know a lot of people will probably roll their eyes upon reading this but I wanted to raise a few things about The Ring’s P4P rankings.

In general, I don’t really have probably with the list of fighters and I’m happy to see a few of my favourite fighters up there, especially Kovalev & GGG.

However, I’m slightly miffed as to the inclusion, or at the very least the high ranking, of Andre Ward and Guillermo Rigondeaux. Maybe I’m just one of those people but I look at The Ring’s rating regularly because I consider it an overall ‘mean’ of ratings published by each of four major organisations. I know that is NOT how The Ring determine their P4P or the weight ranking, I’ve read the policy a few times.

I don’t understand why Rigondeaux is still on the list after being stripped of his titles and not fighting anyone of note (come on, Nonito Donaire was nearly 3 years ago and Rico Ramos nearly 4). I’ve checked and he is only rated by one of the organisations and a champion in recess in another. I’m not disputing his pedigree, his outstanding amateur career or his skills but his willingness to fight and his desire to prove he is the best has to be questioned and taken into account. Just as The Ring takes into account ‘Performance. How a fighter performs in a victory or defeat can be a factor to determine his place in the ratings’. I think that ‘performances’ outside the ring should have a determining factor. Might be controversial here but ‘Senator’ Manny’s comments on homosexuality or FMJ’s on race should impact their fighting image.

I have similar issue with Ward being on the list or so high up. Again, no dispute to his pedigree or skills, he is a tremendous boxer and I hope we see the best of SOG in the next few years. He is highly ranked by all the bodies and rightly so but No.4 P4P? Stripped of his titles and no fights for nearly 2 years? Yes, yes contract/promoter disputes etc, etc. I don’t know about you but I don’t have sympathy for such situations. Boxing is about reputation and people know who they get involved with. They should know how they work and operate i.e. Haymon, Arum & DLH. His first fight back was with Paul Smith at basically L.Heavy and I don’t consider Smith a top 10 contender.

I would put Bradley, Canelo and maybe Crawford above both Ward & Rigondeaux. Crawford is fast becoming my favourite fighter, seriously impressed by his talent, but he has his work cut out to replace GGG. What a monster.

Would like to hear your thoughts on the above.

I would also like to highlight Thomas Hauser’s excellent series on ‘What we know about Al Haymon’. Bloody good read, please pass on my praise if you can. Keep safe. – Jordan, Manchester

Thanks Jordan. I will. And I’ll pass on your praise to Mr. Hauser. I’ve also enjoyed reading his five-part series on Haymon.

I hope you forgive me for not spending as much time or using as many words on the pound-for-pound rankings as you did in this email. It’s not that I don’t value your opinions, it’s just that I have a hard time getting passionate about something as subjective as the “mythical rankings.”

For the record, I think Ward and Rigo are rated too high on THE RING’s Pound-for-Pound Top 10. My reasoning is the same as yours, they’ve been inactive and they haven’t beaten an elite fighter in years. (That’s the reason both were stripped of their RING championships.)

But I understand why members of the Editorial Board and Ratings Panel have vehemently fought to keep them in the pound-for-pound rankings. Both boxing masters are smart, skilled, athletically gifted, unbeaten and possess the kind of styles that usually trump all others. In their minds, Ward and Rigo cannot be beat by any of the top fighters in and around their respective weight classes. I disagree, but I can’t prove them wrong.

I would put Bradley, Canelo and maybe Crawford above both Ward & Rigondeaux. Crawford is fast becoming my favourite fighter, seriously impressed by his talent, but he has his work cut out to replace GGG. What a monster. Crawford’s a beast, no doubt about it, but he has yet to step into the ring against an elite fighter (no, Yuriorkis Gamboa does NOT count). Bradley and Canelo are accomplished and battle tested but both have struggled against non-elite opposition.

 

RANTS

Hi Dougie,

My ps4 has broken so I need to rant.

Kell Brook is the best welterweight in the world.

AJ will become the next Lennox Lewis unless he faces Fury in his next 3 fights.

I’m sick of hearing boxing “purists” bang on about hit and not get hit, surely if you were a boxing purist you’d appreciate the many different styles that make our beloved sport so awesome. Seriously who wants to watch Mayweather fight himself.

Rant over. Later dude. – Pete, Sussex UK

Thanks for sharing your rants (and keeping ’em short).

Kell Brook is the best welterweight in the world. I agree.

AJ will become the next Lennox Lewis unless he faces Fury in his next 3 fights. I agree. (He may also want to steer clear of Luis Ortiz for a year or two, just to be safe.)

I’m sick of hearing boxing “purists” bang on about hit and not get hit, surely if you were a boxing purist you’d appreciate the many different styles that make our beloved sport so awesome. Seriously who wants to watch Mayweather fight himself. Certainly not Mayweather. I always crack up when the so-called purists swear up and down that the defensive/ultra-technical/counter-punching boxing style is the best in the sport and then proclaim Mayweather to be TBE. I ask them how many defense-minded, technical counter-punchers did Mayweather face during his near-20-year pro career. They don’t answer me. You would think the best pure boxer ever would have proven himself against other pure boxers, right? Oh well. Unlike my comic book-reading brethren, boxing’s purists lack the courage to identify themselves as they truly are – geeks!

APOLOGY

Hi Dougie,

Firstly, an apology for my email you craftily published in Monday’s mailbag (March 21).

I deserve to feel embarrassed and ashamed for my vitriolic attack, I was, however (here come the cliche’ excuses) very drunk and very angry.

Obviously not a good combination. I am an avid reader of your mailbag and also admire your style, including taking on criticism and being honest despite the cesspit of politics that boxing is.

I think my frustration is in part due to the pathetic scene we have here in Oz, and the lack of exciting fights world wide.

Once again my sincerest apologies, and I will make sure I don’t get drunk next time I write you an email! – Ki, Sydney, Oz

Hey, no worries, Ki. Boxing frustration is akin to road rage, add alcohol and you might crash!

I really wasn’t that offended by the email. And I’m happy to post this one because you manned up and apologized (which a lot of fight fans won’t do no matter how rude or insulting they occasionally act).

Thanks for the kind words. Please write again. (And don’t worry, exciting fights are just around the corner.)

 

Email Fischer at [email protected]. Follow his Twitter account @dougiefischer

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