FEW QUICK HITS

Hello Doug,

1. JuanMa Lopez is fighting again. Hopefully this is his last and final fight. Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. should probably hang ‘em up as well for that matter. Hopefully they benefit from this money grab.

2. What do you make of the possible Felix Diaz vs Bud Crawford fight?

3. I feel as though boxing is about to hit a new golden era given the upcoming talent that will fill the ranks in the next 3-5 years. You?

4. New Pro To Watch: Tyrek Irby. He has videos on youtube.

Take Care. – JDB of Magnolia

Thanks for sharing your thoughts (and keeping it brief!), JDB.

I’ve heard of Irby. He’s a Maryland-area amateur standout that recently turned pro (late September). Irby looks a little raw and wild in a few of his amateur bouts that are posted on YouTube, but I like him and look forward to watching him develop as a young pro. He’s got a good boxing foundation coming out of the HeadBangers gym in Washington, D.C. that was co-founded by trainer-mentor Barry Hunter and spawned the Peterson brothers (former 140-pound titleholder Lamont and former lightweight contender Anthony). He was the top light welterweight amateur in the U.S. last year, and he’s got some semi-pro experience with the World Series of Boxing, where he went 2-2 in four bouts. Irby’s athletically gifted and has an aggressive style that reminds me of the Petersons (only he’s a southpaw). I hope he has the opportunity to be as active as the Petersons were early in their pro careers and I hope he showcased often in the Washington, D.C. area, which has a lot of passionate boxing fans.

JuanMa Lopez is fighting again. May God Bless and protect him (and keep the referee vigilant).

Hopefully this is his last and final fight. Amen to that. JuanMa, who is 4-5 in his last nine bouts, isn’t just on the slide, he’s been on a downward spiral since being on the s__t-end of two Fight of the Year candidate stoppages to Orlando Salido. He was stopped in four by Mikey Garcia, halted after three against Francisco Vargas and KO’d in two by Jesus Cuellar. I’ll give JuanMa credit. He hasn’t lost to any chumps. But his legs and his punch resistance are gone. He needs to hang ‘em up. Maybe we should let him borrow the #Final1 hashtag from the Hopkins-Smith fight.

Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. should probably hang ‘em up as well for that matter. Hopefully they benefit from this money grab. This fight, which will probably be pretty good/heated while it lasts, is the definition of a “loser-leaves-town” matchup. Vazquez, who is 4-6 in his last 10 bouts, hasn’t lost his punch resistance as Lopez has but his reflexes are clearly diminished. Whoever gets an ‘L’ on Saturday should retire. The winner should retire the next time he loses or takes a beating (which will probably be his next fight).

What do you make of the possible Felix Diaz vs Bud Crawford fight? I think it’s an interesting matchup if it is made for Dec. 10. I think Diaz is a credible opponent for THE RING junior welterweight champ. The Dominican is a 2008 Olympic gold medalist with an unorthodox athletic boxing style. And Diaz has been tested by solid fighters – gatekeepers, fringe contenders and a former titleholder – in his last five bouts. The only bout he lost – a 12-round decision to vastly more experienced Lamont Peterson last October – was competitive and somewhat controversial.

I feel as though boxing is about to hit a new golden era given the upcoming talent that will fill the ranks in the next 3-5 years. You? I think there’s more than enough talent for several excellent world-class matchups/round robins between former amateur stars/prospects that are still in their mid-20s over the next couple years (I’m already anticipating Oscar Valdez vs. Joseph Diaz Jr.). But what good is talent if it isn’t eventually tested against equal talent? Whether we are treated to a new Golden Age all depends on if the right fights are made (and if boxing’s power brokers – the promoters and networks – can work together).

THE GREAT B-HOP

Aww man, is it Christmas time? Your Bernard Hopkins coverage made my day. I first caught your periscope yesterday and while helping my daughter with her science test my computer just came on today and B-Hop was having the press conference.

I don’t think I need to tell you I am one of his biggest fans. He is just an all-time great. I remember when he, “not only almost caused a riot” he was almost KILLED in PR. He KTFO a few dudes on the way to the dressing room where he was eventually helicoptered out I believe from memory. But they were literally going to kill him. He didn’t just “slap the flag out of his hands” he snatched it and stomped it!!!!!!

I remember when he was thought to be DONE after he got _____ by JT (who is punch drunk and done and B-Hop is still kicking ass at 52), he went up to Tarver at the weigh-in straight gangster, and was in his a$$, he let it be known right there he was not coming to _____ around! Then went in the ring and kicked a$$.

I have been to many of his fights and he earned my respect when he tortured my favorite fighter Trinidad. Then went on to make me respect him and then love him (not literally). He will be missed by me. I even love watching him ply his craft, he is old school. It is what it is.

Keep the B-Hop news coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you. – Jason C. Brown

Will do, JCB, and thanks for sharing your admiration for the Immortal B-Hop. Believe me, the Hopkins Love Fest will continue here on RingTV.com. There’s an hour-long studio interview that I did with Hopkins coming soon (part of RingTV LIVE’s “In The Ring” series), plus a lot of other special videos that delve into the highlights of his very special career.

Until those features go live, here’s a new studio show I’m doing with my old MaxBoxing TNR partner, Steve Kim, “RingTV 5.” The first of our five segments is on – you guessed it – Hopkins:

I don’t think I need to tell you I am one of his biggest fans. He is just an all-time great. I know, you’re preachin’ to the converted, brotha.

I remember when he, “not only almost caused a riot” he was almost KILLED in PR. To paraphrase Canelo Alvarez (with a boxing rivalry twist) Puerto Ricans don’t f__k around, especially if you disrespect their flag on the island.

He KTFO a few dudes on the way to the dressing room where he was eventually helicoptered out I believe from memory. Your memory serves you well. THAT. S__T. REALLY. HAPPENED. Too bad it was 15 years ago and way before YouTube and social media. I’d love to be able to pull up a video of Hopkins and his team scrambling out of the auditorium where they held the press conference in Puerto Rico with about dozens of pissed off locals in hot pursuit. All I could find is this pixelated promo for the HBO/TVKO PPV show.

But they were literally going to kill him. He didn’t just “slap the flag out of his hands” he snatched it and stomped it!!!!!! Hopkins can be a real pisser. It cracks me up with fans wonder if he’d “have the balls” to do this or that. Hopkins is beyond fearless. He’s crazy.

I remember when he was thought to be DONE after he got _____ by JT (who is punch drunk and done and B-Hop is still kicking ass at 52), he went up to Tarver at the weigh-in straight gangster, and was in his a$$, he let it be known right there he was not coming to _____ around! I do remember that. And I remember thinking (and maybe even sharing this thought in a mailbag at the time): “Tarver is not one to be intimidated by another boxer, no matter how talented or respected, but Hopkins can turn on that prison-yard aura whenever he needs it.” (And having been on his s__t-list for several years I know from personal experience how uncomfortable his “hard stare” can be.)

Then went in the ring and kicked a$$. That’s what great fighters do. And he did it as a 3-to-1 underdog at age 41. That was supposed to be his last fight (remember, he supposedly promised his mother he wouldn’t fight past 40). Who knew he’d still be at it 10 years later? Nobody but Hopkins.

PARKER-RUIZ & HEAVYWEIGHTS

Hi Dougie,

I’m really looking forward to Andy Ruiz vs Joseph Parker. Hard to pick a winner there and that’s how it should be!

I get so tired of reading about Anthony Joshua and how he is going to beat everyone. My gut tells me that even though he looks great, his jaw will be like a lot of other UK Heavyweights. Frank Bruno looked awesome but when he got in with a heavy hitter his size his whiskers couldn’t take it. Even Lenox Lewis showed a weak chin to some degree. Dylan Whyte nearly knocked AJ out in their fight.

I think Wilder, Ortiz, Fury (If healthy), Klitschko and ‘Big Baby’ Miller would KO AJ with very little trouble. Of course, if he never fights any of these guys, we’ll never know!!!! – Mike

I think it’s definitely possible that the heavyweights you mentioned could knockout Joshua (except for Miller). With “very little trouble”? I don’t think so. I think AJ gives them all a lot of trouble, and I think he has the ability to turn their lights out as well. 

I’m really looking forward to Andy Ruiz vs Joseph Parker. As well you should be. What’s not to like about this matchup? We’ve got two young, undefeated heavyweights – Ruiz (29-0, 19 KOs) is 27; Parker (21-0, 18 KOs) is 24 – with quick hands, crisp body-head combos and loads of confidence rolling the dice. Both humble boxer-punchers have been developed very well. And I love their activity. The Dec. 10 showdown for the vacant WBO title will be Ruiz’s fourth bout of 2016; it will be Parker’s FIFTH. That’s how it should be with young up-and-comers in any weight class.

Hard to pick a winner there and that’s how it should be! Yes. I don’t have a favorite in this matchup, and I love it.

I get so tired of reading about Anthony Joshua and how he is going to beat everyone. Come on, man, don’t be mad at Black Colossus.

My gut tells me that even though he looks great, his jaw will be like a lot of other UK Heavyweights. Frank Bruno looked awesome but when he got in with a heavy hitter his size his whiskers couldn’t take it. Even Lenox Lewis showed a weak chin to some degree. Awwww, Mike, why’d you have to go and piss off all my UK readers? That’s just “hatering” as Steve Kim would say.

Dylan Whyte nearly knocked AJ out in their fight. That’s a ridiculous exaggeration. Whyte buzzed Joshua momentarily with a hook in Round 2 and I thought the current IBF beltholder dealt with the adversity well (despite eating more power shots – mostly to his body – before the end of the round).

STEVEN BUTLER FIGHT

Hey Dougie, thanks for the mailbag reply! Since you missed it, here’s Butler’s 1 round win on Saturday…as I said…he stole the show. – Hans O.

Butler has improved a lot since I saw him struggle to a majority draw against Jaime Herrera on the David Lemieux-Hassan N’Dam undercard last June. He paces himself better, he’s more controlled, and he appears to have improved balance and lateral movement, all of which helps to support his natural athleticism and punching power. Butler seems on his way. I like how busy Eye of the Tiger Management is keeping him (he’s only 21 and he’s compiled 19 bouts in three years).

NEED MORE CHOCOLATE

Hey Doug. Thanks for getting back to me last week regarding B-Hop’s last stand. (Or is it?)

Right now we have a lot of boxing nuts ready to throw themselves off the bridge if GGG doesn’t fight again this year. What about his co-star Roman Gonzalez? He probably wont fight again this year. But is there a rule now stating that Chocolatito has to fight only when a GGG fight is on the same card?

I find Roman definitely the most exciting elite fighter since Manny Pacquiao ruled the P4P ranks in the late 2000s.

And in my world he definitely will still be the current P4P king regardless of what happens between Andre Ward and Sergei Kovalev.

I also think that Chocolatito doesn’t need to ride GGGs band wagon in order to get real fans to watch his fights. I know a lot of folks don’t pay attention to guys smaller than welters. But that’s their loss. The little guys have often gave us the highest quality of fighting. And still do. And Roman is certainly the most exciting fighter to watch right now. He can carry his own show as far as I’m concerned. – Dave W.

He can now. But that wasn’t the case 18-to-24 months ago.

Being the co-feature to Gennady Golovkin on HBO here in the States for three of his last four bouts (and sharing the HBO broadcast for his last fight) helped the former flyweight champ and pound-for-pound king establish his name among American diehard boxing fans (like you).

He and Cuadras drew fairly well as the main event at The Forum in September. I think K2, Teiken and HBO know that they can build on that performance and growing fanbase (not only for Chocolatito, but Cuadras and the 115-pound division in general). If Gonzalez has a notable dance partner – such as a Cuadras rematch (which I hear is possibly next), Naoya Inoue, Juan Estrada or Luis Concepcion – my guess is that fight will be a main event; no need to play second fiddle to GGG. But if he’s in with a lesser opponent, or if there’s an opportunity to be on the undercard of a major PPV show topped by Golovkin, I don’t think he or his management will have a problem with sharing another show with his K2 stablemate.

(Gonzalez) probably won’t fight again this year. He definitely won’t fight again this year, which is too bad because, like you, I can’t get enough Chocolatito and I think the Nicaraguan is at his best when he’s fighting three-to-four times a year. However, he’s paid more than enough dues as a champion and if he wants to fight less and enjoy more downtime between bouts I won’t complain as long as he challenges himself (which he does).

I find Roman definitely the most exciting elite fighter since Manny Pacquiao ruled the P4P ranks in the late 2000s. I agree. Gonzalez is not as dynamic as the Pac-Monster was, but he’s more sound fundamentally and more consistent offensively speaking.

And in my world he definitely will still be the current P4P king regardless of what happens between Andre Ward and Sergei Kovalev. He might be in my world, too, depending on what happens on Nov. 19. One of the light heavies has to win in dominant fashion or they have to produce a great fight in order for me to allow one of them to supplant Chocolatito.

I know a lot of folks don’t pay attention to guys smaller than welters. But that’s their loss. Tell that to my good buddy BJ Flores.

The little guys have often gave us the highest quality of fighting. And still do. Yup.

And Roman is certainly the most exciting fighter to watch right now. Agreed.

THE MAGAZINE

Hey Doug,
Long time since I’ve written. Sorry about that. Life happens. I apologize because I’ve written you so many times over the years, I feel like we’re penpals by this point. And I’ve been greedy, only reading wo writing to ya. I just had a suggestion today.

Have you guys thought about another sister publication to The Ring for MMA? You could call it The Cage. I do love me some MMA. Not as much as boxing, but you get the gist.

I wish I had more to say about boxing, brother. GGG is great. Kovalev looks good. Love all the eastern euro guys.

Waiting for my next Mexican hero. Still wish that more fighters were like James Toney n less like Roy Jones. Am I remembering it correctly that RJJ stayed away that whole fight? I see Toney busting Roy up every time he was inside without running (apologies, using footwork).

I know a lot of people loved Roy and I can acknowledge his talent, but he left entirely too many fights on the table.
Whatever, I’m over it, I really am, lol! It’s only 25 years ago! Damn, we’re getting old…

Stay up, bro. Keep pushing your opinion. I’ll keep reading whether I agree with you or not. As its always been. Hopefully, I’m still writing you in another 25 years. Much love, brother. – Ritchie Manjarrez, Colusa, CA

Thanks for the love and for checking in, Ritchie. If boxing fans keep sharing their questions and opinions with me for another 25 years, I’ll try my best to keep answering them (heck, it will probably take that long for me to save enough money to be able to retire).

Regarding a RING sister publication that covers MMA, I think it’s a possibility. That idea has been proposed before but I think it’s finally being seriously discussed. If it happens, it won’t happen overnight. Maybe in a couple years. Meanwhile, you may have noticed that there’s been a little of MMA coverage creeping into the content rotation of the new RingTV.com. You can expect more of that, as well as some kickboxing, as we roll into 2017. Boxing will never take a back seat to any other combat sport on RingTV.com (in fact, the site will probably remain 95% boxing) but we are trying to spread our wings a little bit, so to speak, in an effort to appeal to a wider audience and our current readers who also enjoy MMA (as you do).

I wish I had more to say about boxing, brother. Be patient. There will be plenty to talk about in November, December and the first quarter of 2017.

GGG is great. Kovalev looks good. Love all the eastern euro guys. They’re representing (especially Lomachenko).

Waiting for my next Mexican hero. He’s coming. You’ll know who he is by the end of next year.

Still wish that more fighters were like James Toney and less like Roy Jones. Me too, but that’s being greedier than ole Lights Out at an all-you-can-eat ice cream sundae bar.

Am I remembering it correctly that RJJ stayed away that whole fight? Jones boxed very carefully. Here’s RJJ’s boxing philosophy during the 1990s: if he could hurt you, he would step on the gas and take you out. If you were leery of his power, he would keep you in check with the threat of it and allow the fight go the distance. If you could take his power and had the balls to walk to him, he would use his feet more than his hands and merely out-speed you from a safe distance. Jones obviously had respect for Toney, even the weight-drained, deflated-tire-looking slob that got in the ring with him way back in ’94.

I see Toney busting Roy up every time he was inside without running (apologies, using footwork). RJ knew better than to try to out-tough Toney.

I know a lot of people loved Roy and I can acknowledge his talent, but he left entirely too many fights on the table. Agreed.

Whatever, I’m over it, I really am, lol! It’s only 25 years ago! Damn, we’re getting old… I know, it’s only 2:30 a.m. and I can barely keep my eyes open!

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