INTRIGUED BY PACQUIAO-BRADLEY III

Hi Doug,

I am excited about Joshua-Martin this weekend simply because I know there will be fireworks and don’t have a clue who will win, although I favor Joshua slightly. We know only a little about how good Anthony Joshua can be and still have absolutely no idea how good Charles Martin is thanks to Vyacheslav Glazkov’s knee. It is indeed a beautiful thing.

I can’t say I’m jumping up and down with excitement over Pacquiao-Bradley II, but I am intrigued. For one, Bradley is a way tougher farewell opponent than a faded Andre Berto. Then there are the back stories that are so familiar to boxing.

Although thumping Bradley decisively could help Pacquiao regain some of his luster after the Mayweather stinker and give a happy ending to a story book career, it is not as if he absolutely needs to. He will be a first ballot inductee into the hallowed halls of Canastota, irrespective of what happens Saturday night. Agreed?

Not so for Timothy Bradley. His place in boxing history is not nearly as secure. If he wants to join Pacquiao in the Hall of Fame someday, he will need to beat him. He has the better momentum going into this fight and I think he will definitely be the hungrier of the two fighters.

Would you agree that Bradley will be the more motivated of the two?

Which brings us to the next question: Is this a new Bradley? Brandon Rios had an impressive victory over Mike Alvarado going into the Bradley fight and appeared dangerous. Instead Bradley wiped the floor with him. The Alvarado win therefore proved to be a mirage. Alvarado probably didn’t have much, if anything left after the wars he’s been in. So I wonder if Bradley’s win over Rios wasn’t also a bit of an optical illusion. He may have been more impressive against Rios than Pacquiao was, but that means nothing. There is no one quite like Manny.

If there is anything new about Bradley, I think it is the possibility that Teddy Atlas can keep him following the right strategy throughout the fight and not lose his cool.

Do you think Bradley can bring anything new?

As for Pacquiao, the shoulder has been repaired and there is talk that he now has another lethal weapon at his disposal. I don’t think so. At best, the shoulder will be as good as it was, but it won’t be better.

Can he be a better Manny? I don’t think so. In fact, he can be a little tad less than the fighter who beat Bradley in their last fight.

Do you think we’ll see any surprises from Pacman?

On the other hand, I do think that Bradley can do better. He needs to adopt the strategy that he had in the first fight which is to box, box, box and do just a bit more offensively in spots. His key to success will be to stick to the right strategy.

I have been leaning this way and that way on this fight. It doesn’t seem to make sense to pick a guy who has always been second to his opponent whenever they stepped into the ring. I wonder if riding with Bradley in this one isn’t perhaps depending too much on Pacquiao not being 100% physically and mentally. I don’t think for a moment that the outside the ring distractions like the gay slurs and politics will effect him, these things never have, but I wonder if he can regain that fire in his belly.

I have been badly wrong about this the last time, but I think that Bradley’s greater motivation, coupled with, for once, sticking to the right game plan will lead to him winning a competitive decision. There I go again. Regards. – Droeks Malan, South Africa

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us, Droeks. Man, for a guy who is merely “intrigued” about the third dance between Pacquiao and Bradley, you have A LOT to say and ponder about it. I don’t think I’d have room to print your email on the fight if you were “jumping up and down with excitement” for the rubber match.

Unless you’re betting your mortgage on the outcome of Saturday’s welterweight fight, don’t worry so much about being wrong about your prediction, Droeks. It’s just a prize fight. It’s meant to be enjoyed.

I’m also going with Bradley (by competitive but clear unanimous decision). Why? I think he’s familiar with Pacquiao (duh, he’s had 24 rounds and three training camps to prepare for the badass little booger), he’s still in prime (unlike the Filipino icon) and my gut tells me that he’ll finally get his s__t together once he steps into the ring.

Now, as you know, my gut has been wrong before when it comes to these two fighters. But if I’m wrong this time, so what? That’s why they fight the fights. If Pacquiao wins, props to you, Manny. Enjoy your retirement, Champ. See ya in Canastota in five years. Keep your chin up, Timmy. Pac’s just got your number. It happens in boxing.

Would you agree that Bradley will be the more motivated of the two? I think so. I would hope so! Like you said, a victory on Saturday could punch Bradley’s ticket to the hall of fame, as well as set up more big fights for the desert Californian. Honestly, I think every opponent Pacquiao has had since Miguel Cotto has been more motivated than he was.

Do you think Bradley can bring anything new? No, not really. I think he can be more focused, more poised/patient, and execute his game plan with sharper technique. But I don’t think we’re going to see a completely new style, mentality or boxing approach from Bradley tomorrow night.

Can he be a better Manny? Well, I think Pacquiao can be better than he was against Mayweather (provided the shoulder is truly healed). I think he can be a little better than he was against Bradley in their previous two bouts if he actually lets his hands go with bad intentions. I don’t think he really tried to hurt Bradley or gun for a stoppage in the first two bouts. But I don’t think he’ll be as sharp as he was in 2009, 2010 or even 2011. He’s getting old.

Do you think we’ll see any surprises from Pacman? No.

Bradley is a way tougher farewell opponent than a faded Andre Berto. No doubt about that.

Then there are the back stories that are so familiar to boxing. Meh. I’m bored with all of ’em. I don’t blame HBO for skipping the 24/7 on this fight.

He will be a first ballot inductee into the hallowed halls of Canastota, irrespective of what happens Saturday night. Agreed? Agreed. As far as I’m concerned, Pacquiao, Mayweather and Bernard Hopkins should be allowed into the hall of fame right now. Why wait five years from their final fight? We know they’re more than worthy.

We know only a little about how good Anthony Joshua can be and still have absolutely no idea how good Charles Martin is thanks to Vyacheslav Glazkov’s knee. True. Both heavyweights are unknown quantities, which is a bit of an indictment on this era’s big men if you ask me. But Martin is a total question mark, which makes him extra dangerous for Joshua. We know the St. Louis native is a rangy, athletic southpaw with decent pop to his punches, but we really don’t know anything about his ring mentality. Is he a boxer? A puncher? A boxer-puncher? Is he willing to gamble and try to check AJ’s chin early in the fight? Will he come forward and try to back the bigger/bulkier man up? Will he play it safe, use his legs and try to counter the favored British contender on the fly? We don’t know. And neither does AJ. But I’m going with Joshua by mid-to-late stoppage in a competitive and entertaining fight. I think the British sensation will wear Martin down with his body attacka nd inside combinations.

It is indeed a beautiful thing. Indeed. I’m looking forward to this fight more than Pacquiao-Bradley III.

WHERE’S MANNY’S MONEY?

I notice you’ve never said anything whatsoever about arums lies on mannys salary on nevada sheet.

But you’ve got plenty to say about haymon & mayweather!!

Where does the mysterious 13 million come from then dougie? – Ramsey

From Bob Arum’s secret – no, MYSTERIOUS – coffers buried deep within the basement – no, make that DUNGEON – of the sinister Top Rank office building in Las Vegas – no, Sin City! Oooooooh!

It’s like this, Ramsey. Pacquiao gets paid $7 million after the fight. That’s his official purse and that’s what he’ll pay U.S. taxes on. In two weeks, when all of the various revenues (pay-per-view buys, live gate, merchandise, Philippines and other foreign TV, etc.) of the Pacquiao-Bradley rubber match have been collected and accounted for, Pacquiao is supposed to get the rest of his guaranteed $20 million. But it won’t be $13 million because Manny reportedly got a $2 million advance. And if he happens to owe Uncle Bob for previous advances, well, that will also probably be taken out of the $13 million due.

If this Saturday’s event doesn’t bring in enough money to pay Pacquiao the balance of his guarantee (and it probably won’t), that dastardly Mr. Arum will just have to eat it and come out the pocket. Or maybe he writes Manny an I.O.U. How the hell would I know!?

Here, read about it in this article by ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael. You can trust D.T.M, can’t you? Or has he written too much about Haymon and Mayweather for your liking?

THE RUBBER MATCH AND CANELO HATERS

Hey Dougie,

I just wanted to give my thoughts on Canelo craziness and the Pacquiao-Bradley rubber match.

I understand where you’re coming from when you get exasperated with boxing fans freaking out about Canelo making a mockery of the lineal middleweight championship. Fans have always been hard on the freckled counterpuncher, and accusing him of taking the easy way out when he’s faced Mosley, Trout, Mayweather, Lara and Cotto all in the past four years – especially when slick boxers with movement seem to give him the most trouble – is indeed ridiculous.

However, I think the hysteria is linked to fan paranoia that is a byproduct of the Mayweather era. You’re right, fans don’t really care about the sacred history of the belts or whatever, they’re just afraid that Canelo is going to pull a Floyd and duck/try to leverage an advantage on the guy they view as the true badass: GGG. I personally think Canelo is too proud to not fight GGG, and will probably do so in the next year. I also think pride will cause the fight to be held at a catchweight. It may not even help Canelo in the fight – I think he just likes to dictate the terms for the sake of being the boss. Barring a flawless twelve rounds from Khan, I expect Canelo to clip the Bolton speedster and then negotiate a fight with GGG. Canelo has a great jab, but he’s not as active with it as GGG. Also, after their two most recent outings seeing GGG eat a few stray Lemieux bombs without getting stunned and then seeing Canelo fail to put away the smaller Cotto, I see little chance of Canelo winning the fight. He’s not busy enough to win on points and I don’t think he has the power to stop GGG, (though if he goes to the body it should be an entertaining fight while it lasts.)

As for the rubber match, I’m starting to lean towards Bradley. I’ve watched some footage of Bradley training with Teddy and he seems truly focused and listens to all of Teddy’s advice/commands. I’m expecting an extremely disciplined fight from Bradley devoid of the wild swinging that I think contributed in part to his injuries in the first two fights. I will always love Pacquiao, he was my hero in high school and got me into boxing (as a fan and an amateur) but his heart is no longer in it. I remember Emanuel Steward remarking once on Pacqcuiao saying what impressed him the most was his fighting spirit. It sustained him during his wild gun slinging years and once combined with the tightened technique Roach imbued in him, produced his legendary run. Now all he has is his natural talent and this time I don’t think it will be enough. A coasting Pacquiao won’t beat a dialed in Bradley.

Keep up the great work! – Jack

Thanks for sharing your views, Jack.

I agree that a coasting Pacquiao will not beat a dialed-in Bradley. What’s crazy (and an indication of the talent the Filipino fireball possesses) is that he was able to beat a tenacious two-division champ like Bradley twice (in the court of public opinion) while coasting.

I was amazed by the well-rounded boxer-puncher that Roach molded Pacquiao into by the David Diaz fight in 2008, but it’s the fighting spirit the featherweight/junior lightweight version of the PacMan displayed against Mexico’s Dynamic Trio – Marco Antonio Barrera (2003), Juan Manuel Marquez (2004) and Erik Morales (2005/2006) – that I will miss the most. To be honest, I’ve missed it for the past five or six years. As the late, great B.B. King sang, “the thrill is gone.” I really do hope Manny hangs up the gloves – win, lose or draw – after the Bradley fight.

Regarding the Canelo hysteria, I agree that it is linked to fan paranoia that is a byproduct of the “Mayweather era.” I understand fans having pent-up frustration from suffering through six years of promotional/network Cold Wars, waiting five years for Mayweather-Pacquiao to take place (only to be swindled with the overpriced mega-dud), and an infuriating string of star prima donnas from Mayweather and Pacquiao to Miguel Cotto and Wladimir Klitschko, as well as irritating “A-Side wanna-bes” like Danny Garcia and Adrien Broner.

But I don’t understand taking out all that frustration, angst and outrage on Canelo Alvarez. Even if he was a total d__k (which he isn’t), I wouldn’t be cool with that.

You’re right, fans don’t really care about the sacred history of the belts or whatever, they’re just afraid that Canelo is going to pull a Floyd and duck/try to leverage an advantage on the guy they view as the true badass: GGG. OK. I get that, but Floyd and Manny managed to avoid each other for five years and these same so-called hardcore heads and boxing purists bought most of Mayweather’s and Pacquiao’s PPV events from 2009-through-2014. Canelo won the WBC/RING/lineal middleweight championship on Nov. 21. To me it’s kind of ridiculous to worry about him “pulling a Floyd” with GGG when less than half a year has transpired since Cotto-Canelo. Canelo’s representatives (Golden Boy Promotions) and Golovkin’s reps (K2 Promotions) agreed earlier this year to allow the fighters to fight interim bouts before they entered negotiations for a Canelo-GGG showdown. I don’t see why Hardcore Harry, Diehard Danny and Paulie the Purist can’t wait until after Golovkin-Wade and Canelo-Khan before they start s__ting their shorts about what Canelo may or may not do. If Canelo-Golovkin doesn’t happen this year and it doesn’t look like it’s going to take place in 2017 THEN it makes sense to rip Canelo. THEN it makes sense to compare the red head to Floyd and Manny (and Cotto). But ’till then, to paraphrase EPMD, boxing fans gots ta chill.

I personally think Canelo is too proud to not fight GGG, and will probably do so in the next year. I agree. And if not this year, definitely in 2017. There’s too much money and pride on the line for it not to happen.

I also think pride will cause the fight to be held at a catchweight. It may not even help Canelo in the fight – I think he just likes to dictate the terms for the sake of being the boss. Sadly, I think you might be right. If and when that happens, I think he’s fair game in terms of criticism.

LOOKING FORWARD TO PACQUIAO-BRADLEY III

Hi Doug,I’m very excited about this weekend’s card, mostly because I’m attending it, but also because I’ll get to see two of the best fighters of the last 10 years go at it once again. I don’t care what people say, Bradley-Pacquiao is still a better matchup than Ward-Barrera or Brook-Bizier.

Yes, some of us wish that instead of getting a rematch of a so-so fight that had a conclusive winner, we should be getting either of them vs Crawford. In the end we know that Pacquiao is probably driving towards the sunset and needs a dance partner that he knows who he doesn’t consider as dangerous as the young lion from Omaha. And yes, we blood thirsty gouls probably want to see the Pacmonster knocked out by the hands of one of the up and comers but lets be real, it won’t happen, at least not now that he still has (or had) some leverage.

On to the matchup itself (if anybody else other than me cares) I do see some changes in both fighters, specially Pacquiao. I do think that his shoulder injury was real, I also believe that at this stage of his career, it probably didn’t heal 100%. That alone will make a big difference, specially vs an ultra motivated Bradley.

Now, I don’t know if you remember but some years ago when Juan Manuel Marquez fought Pacquiao the fourth time, nobody wanted the fight. Everybody thought that Marquez was going to get destroyed and that it was a story that was already seen too many times. Yet it delivered arguably the best fight of the series, including a devastating upset KO. Will this fight bring us the same kind of excitement? Probably not, but I do think it will be the most competitive and entertaining of the trilogy.

I would also love to see Bradley get the recognition he deserves. Tim is one of the most accomplished fighters of this generation and he almost always gets lost in the mix when we talk about the best of the best. I consider his resume as good as any in the game today, perhaps the best. I remember clearly when he went overseas (something Andre Ward has never done) and beat the champion, Junior Witter, in his own soil. For those who follow boxing history, they will know how hard this is to actually go to Europe and win a fight out there. Ask Muhammad Ali when he fought Henry Cooper, or how bout Gerald McClellan? Anybody remember Jeff Lacy? Didn’t Ray Robinson come back with some blemishes on his record when he did his European tour? Yeah, its tough flying out there; there’s a reason Ward asked not to have to leave his backyard during Super Six negotiations. I guarantee if he had to go to England or Denmark to fight Froch or Kessler, he probably would have a 1 on his loss column.

The undercard also seems to be ok, as I told you in a previous email; I’m not as impressed as some members of the media with the card, being that I did attend The Grand Slam of Boxing and Revenge The Rematches and will forever be spoiled. For today’s standards though, it probably is as good as it gets. I heard some bad things about Ramirez, do you think he wins against Abraham?

Finally, if Bradley wins, how do you see him fairing against the likes of Brook, Crawford and Danny Garcia? I think he can win 2 of those 3. Thanks Doug. – Juan Valverde, San Diego Thanks for weighing in with your thoughts on Pacquiao-Bradley, Juan (you and Droeks are never at a loss for words, God Bless You).

I would favor Brook to beat Bradley via UD in a competitive fight. I see Bradley-Crawford as an even fight, and I think Timmy handles Garcia.

I’ve never been that impressed with Gilberto Ramirez but I think he will rise to the occasion against Abraham and (perhaps with a help from the U.S. judges) score a close but unanimous decision.

The undercard bout I’m looking forward to the most is the Oscar Valdez-Evgeny Gradovich fight the most. I’ve got high hopes for Valdez and I hope to see him clash with Joseph Diaz Jr. and Diego De La Hoya (and perhaps Tino Avila, Julian Ramirez and Abe Lopez) in the near future.

I agree with everything you said about Bradley. He’s the epitome of a champion. Fact: he had never fought outside of Southern California (as a pro) before he took off to Nottingham, England to face defending WBC 140-pound titleholder (and huge odds favorite) Junior Witter. One fight later, Bradley unified WBC and WBO belts by outpointing dangerous Kendall Holt (getting up from two knockdowns in the process) in Montreal, Canada.

I don’t care what people say, Bradley-Pacquiao is still a better matchup than Ward-Barrera or Brook-Bizier. Um, yeah. True, but you’re not setting the bar very high, Juan.

And yes, we blood thirsty gouls probably want to see the Pacmonster knocked out by the hands of one of the up and comers… I’m a card-carrying Blood Thirsty Ghoul, and do not want to see Pacquiao get KTFO again. I want him to retire.

I do think that his shoulder injury was real, I also believe that at this stage of his career, it probably didn’t heal 100%. The shoulder injury was real and it’s unlikely that it will ever be 100% again.

That alone will make a big difference, specially vs an ultra motivated Bradley. We’ll see.

Now, I don’t know if you remember but some years ago when Juan Manuel Marquez fought Pacquiao the fourth time, nobody wanted the fight. I remember that. A fourth fight was almost unheard of in this era.

Everybody thought that Marquez was going to get destroyed and that it was a story that was already seen too many times. I don’t remember that. What I recall is most fans and media thinking the bout would go to another toss-up decision that Pacquiao would edge.

Yet it delivered arguably the best fight of the series, including a devastating upset KO. Will this fight bring us the same kind of excitement? Hell no.

Probably not, but I do think it will be the most competitive and entertaining of the trilogy. Probably. I certainly hope so.

DEFENDING CANELO

First and foremost I must state that I truly enjoy the mailbag especially as I happen to be in the boxing journalism.

Your insight is second to none and I like the way you put things into perspective in your responses.

However I must say I have been disappointed by your unabashed defending of Canelo Alvarez whenever people raise questions about his intentions not to fight above 155 pounds.

I am beginning to wonder if your defending him has something to do with the fact that he is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions whose owner is your boss.

I honestly feel people are raising legitimate questions about his insistence that GGG should come down in weight.

Therefore you cannot expect people to keep quiet about this when he or his handlers say that in public.

We cannot base his defence on speculation of what will happen with his weight after the Khan fight, but take what he or his management is saying right at this moment.

Otherwise his management must stop making these kind of remarks about how he will fight GGG because they are not doing Canelo’s stature any good besides inviting a backlash from boxing fans.

You can act like his PR officer all you like but I am afraid you are fighting a losing battle if he keeps putting his foot into his mouth like this.

Good luck with the mailbag. – Mesuli, East London, South Africa

Thanks Mesuli, but you’re fighting a losing battle if you think I’m going to take you and all of the other Canelo bashers seriously. You can claim “boxing journalism” all you want, but you’re no different from the fans who troll and bash Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao, Gennady Golovkin, Andre Ward, Al Haymon, the PBC, Bob Arum, Oscar De La Hoya and whoever else in boxing has a dedicated legion of haters.

You guys overreact to everything Alvarez says and does, and if you can’t see that, you’re just proving your own bias.

Now, please understand that what I’m about to say isn’t directed solely at you, and I’m going to TRY state it with as little malice as I can muster given the relentless (and annoying – no, make that INSUFFERABLE) whining, b__tching and bashing directed at Canelo from geeked-out hardcore boxing fans.

This is directed to everyone who’s got a hard-on for Canelo and refuses to tolerate anybody who takes a balanced and rational view on the fighter, his statements and his choices:

I don’t care if you think I’m mouthing “party lines” for Golden Boy Promotions (which does indeed own THE RING magazine and its brand, and we don’t hide that fact on RingTV.com) when I tell you to stop obsessing about what Alvarez MIGHT do after fighting Amir Khan and to stop bothering me with every little comment that Oscar De La Hoya, Eric Gomez, Eddy and Chepo Reynoso make in regard to Gennady Golovkin during various interviews with the media.

I think you’re all being silly. You don’t have to accept my opinion, but don’t expect me to argue with you twice a week in this mailbag column in regard to this particular subject. I’ve done my time arguing with silly people (at least 10 concentrated years of it with hopeless Mayweather and Pacquiao nut-huggers). It’s a big part of the reason I’m totally sick of those two future hall of famers. I’m not doing it anymore. (Seriously, I will skip over your emails if you’re going on and on about Canelo catchweights and the GGG fight prior to May 7.)

I have ALWAYS called this sport the way I see it, regardless of the promotional/managerial/network/social/racial/national affiliations that are connected to the subjects I cover or that I’m connected to. If you think that I am biased for Golden Boy Promotions or any other group or entity, you haven’t been following me long enough. If you don’t know me by now, that’s OK, but kindly f__k off until you do.

However I must say I have been disappointed by your unabashed defending of Canelo Alvarez whenever people raise questions about his intentions not to fight above 155 pounds. I’m disappointed in so-called boxing fans who obsess more about a fighter’s weight than they pay attention to actual fights.

I am beginning to wonder if your defending him has something to do with the fact that he is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions whose owner is your boss. Why do people gotta make me out to be a f__kin’ schill just because I don’t think Alvarez is the root of all evil in boxing? What am I defending about Canelo? You guys act like he brazenly killed somebody and I’m trying to tell you that he’s innocent. Get f__king real!

I honestly feel people are raising legitimate questions about his insistence that GGG should come down in weight. People need to chill. Let Golovkin and his handlers (who know what they are doing) deal with whatever Canelo and GBP “insist” upon once negotiations truly begin. If certain fans want to obsess about Canelo-GGG between now and May 7, that’s fine. That’s their choice. But it’s also my choice to ignore them or chastise them as I see fit.

Therefore you cannot expect people to keep quiet about this when he or his handlers say that in public. Dude. Calm down. This is boxing. This isn’t a civil or human rights issue. Your freedom of speech isn’t in jeopardy. Canelo is just a prize fighter. That’s all he is! He’s not an evil dictator hell bent on taking away your freedom of speech or any other freedoms you currently enjoy. And I’m not Herr Canelo’s Joseph Goebbel trying to put a positive spin on horrific acts. Golden Boy Promotions is not an evil empire and I’m not their minister of propaganda. I’m not trying to keep anyone “quiet.” I obviously don’t take all of this as seriously as you and others do. I don’t expect those who are all up Canelo’s ass to “be quiet” about whatever he’s doing to drive them crazy, and those same people – and yes, you’re one of them – can’t expect me not to poke holes in what I view as irrational fan reactions.

Anyway, good luck with your career in “the boxing journalism.” There’s not much money in it but it’s a lot of fun, especially when you keep in mind that it’s just a sport.

Email Fischer at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @dougiefischer