Dougie's MASSIVE mailbag
Posted Dec. 10, 2008 at 11:35pm
By Doug Fischer
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Dougie’s MASSIVE mailbag
By Doug Fischer
Once reader requests for the mailbag surpassed 250 emails it was clear that my old twice-a-week column would have to be reprised in some form at my new home here at TheRing-Online.com.
Before I get to emails about my recent move and fan feedback on De La Hoya-Pacquiao, I want to lay down a few ground rules for the new mailbag:
No. 1, please keep your emails as short and concise as possible. I’m busier than ever with the new gig and I don’t have time to read through 10-15 KB-sized emails. Spare me the dissertations, folks and just get to the point or to your question. (If there’s going to be a long-winded bastard on this website it’s going be me!)
No. 2, include your first name (or “a name” or nickname) along with the city and state that you hail from. That way I’ll know that your email wasn’t intended to be private.
No. 3, until I get a thering-online.com email please send your boxing-related questions, comments and rants to dougiefischer@yahoo.com.
Thanks. Now let’s get to the bag!
DE LA HOYA GOT WHAT HE DESERVED
Doug,
Just noticed that you have made the switch over to "the Bible of Boxing." Congrats on the move. I look forward to reading your articles and mailbags at your new home. I think you and Michael Rosenthal give the site a solid core with lots of experience and growth potential. Hell, after I recover from the holidays, I'll probably pony up for a subscription. So keep up the good work and good luck...
Now for the boxing banter...
I was glad to see Manny Pacquiao dismantle and destroy Oscar De La Hoya. Not because I'm a De La Hoya hater (OK, maybe just a little bit), but because De La Hoya picked this bout because he thought it was an easy win against a smaller fighter. I thought Pacquiao would win, but not like that!!! Hopefully De La Hoya's fans will make the transition to Pacquiao, or some other young, exciting fighter, and we'll still see mega boxing events that rule the headlines.
Obviously next on the Pac-Man "hit list" is the Hit-Man himself. While Pacquiao will likely be the betting favorite as the faster, more explosive fighter, Ricky Hatton's rough, rugged style could be problematic for the Filipino powerhouse. How do you see this fight going down?
Lastly, is Chris Arreola really the next great American heavyweight? Or is he doomed to the same fate as guys like Rahman, Toney, or (even worse) Fres Oquendo as guys who showed promise at heavyweight, maybe even won a title, but ultimately failed to live up to lofty expectations? Thanks. – The one and only Ghetto Phenom from STL
Thanks for the well wishes, G.P. Mr. Rosenthal is currently the hardest working man in the boxing media and hopefully some of his work ethic will rub off on me. We’ve got some big plans for this website so please stay tuned and let your fight freak friends know that it’s up and running.
I was sad to see De La Hoya get the extreme a__ kicking he got Saturday night, and not just because he’s my new boss. I always find it sad when a once top-class boxer suddenly realizes that he doesn’t have it any more.
I don’t think De La Hoya was looking for an “easy” fight when he chose to fight Pacquiao. I think he was looking for the biggest event against an opponent that would motivate him. If De La Hoya wasn’t concerned about selling the event, he wouldn’t have bothered to come down to welterweight. If he thought Pacquiao was an easy mark, I don’t think he would have trained as hard as he did. He knew that Pacquiao’s speed and mobility would give him some trouble, but you’re absolutely correct if you’re saying that De La Hoya viewed the Pac-Man as a calculated risk that he would beat, one way or another, on Dec. 6th.
I live around many second-generation Mexican Americans who consider themselves De La Hoya fans but ordered the fight to root for Pacquiao. My next door neighbor bet on Pacquiao to win by knockout. He was a big De La Hoya fan 10 years ago and he says he still respects The Golden Boy, but going into the fight he felt it was past time for the East L.A. native to move on from fighting. He didn’t know much about Pacquiao prior to the fight, only that the Filipino was smaller, younger and faster. Now he’s a Pacquiao fan and he tells me that he can’t wait to see him fight again. So I believe that the 24/7 series preceding the fight and the manner in which he thrashed De La Hoya has won Pacquiao a new fan demographic (that of the casual or occasional boxing observer).
My neighbor, Jose, is already asking me if Pacquiao can beat Hatton. I told him that I favor Pacquiao by late-rounds stoppage but I think Hatton will be a lot more competitive than De La Hoya was.
Who specifically is referring to Chris Arreola as “the next great American heavyweight” aside from the big man’s promoter, Dan Goossen?
I think most fans and boxing media simply see Arreola as a fun guy to watch slug it out with mediocre-to-solid opposition. Some questioned if he had what it takes to become a real contender before his entertaining struggle with Travis Walker; now most observers are skeptical about “the Nightmare”.
I know that Arreola is a lot better than he showed two and a half weeks ago. That was Arreola at his worst fighting Walker at his best and the Riverside resident still won. In shape and motivated I think Arreola can definitely advance to top-10 contender status, but he still has to show me more if I’m to believe that he can win a world title.
GLAD WE FINALLY FOUND YOU
Feliz Navi-Doug! Obviously, congrats on being the co-editor of the The Ring's new website. I hope it's a promotion. Although I would like to say that you guys should think about changing the domain name - "thering.com" is not taken - "thering-online.com" is just too much to type. We are boxing fans not typists here.
Anyways - I started a thread on the Maxboxing forum a bit ago asking where you went before I realized you were at The Ring. Many replies converged on the same thing - people love reading your mailbag. So I hope the new role, while providing new challenges and opportunities, allows you to "keep it real" and not lose the voice so many people learned to depend on. I know I did. Mondays and Fridays just aren't the same without reading your mailbag Q&As. And if you can provide some clarity on the status of your relationship with Steve Kim (not that kind of a relationship, just curious if you both are cool with this new gig of yours), that would be even better. Holla back! – Boris
Kim and Thomas Gerbasi were very understanding when I informed them that I would be leaving the company for this venture. Still, it was a bittersweet transition. I’ve been traveling to the big fights with Kim for almost 10 years (going back to the HouseofBoxing.com). For more than four years, 230 episodes, we got together every Monday to film The Next Round. I’m not going to lie to you guys, I’m going to miss working with the ‘K-Hammer’. We made a great team. Calling him up to tell him about my decision to go to The Ring was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I was sad that week, but right now I’m focused on the future and I’m exited about the many opportunities and possibilities this partnership between The Ring and Yahoo! Sports can present to fight fans.
Of course, I’ll continue to “keep it real” and if fans want the mailbag then you better believe that it will be a part of my weekly coverage of the sport.
I know “thering-online.com” is a little cumbersome to type out (“thering.com” domain name is taken, it just doesn’t have a website) but I think you’ll find that the quality of writing and video programming we will provide on a daily basis will be worth the extra effort. Just bookmark it, or better yet, make it your homepage!
CONGRATULATIONS
Hi Dougie,
We met a couple of years ago at the BWAA dinner when it was in NYC. Lou DiBella said he liked my blazer when we bumped into him at Jimmy's Corner.
Anyway, I noticed that your mailbags and SCNs had disappeared from MaxBoxing and that you have a blog at Ring Magazine. I thought you were doing some spot reporting for them for the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight, but I just saw on the message boards that you've officially moved over to Ring Magazine.
I'm not as shocked as I was when I saw Pacquiao dominate De La Hoya (I picked Pacquiao to win because he's my favorite fighter, but I didn't think he'd do THAT). But just like the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight marked the end of the era, so does your leaving MaxBoxing. Monday and Friday mornings aren't going to be quite the same anymore without your mailbags. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays won't be the same without SCNs, TNR and Dougie putting Money May nut-luggers in their place. I suppose it's not all bad news: De La Hoya-Pacquiao also marked the beginning of a new era, just like Doug Fischer at Ring Magazine.
Thanks for all the MaxBoxing memories, Doug. I look forward to reading your work at TheRing-Online. You're my favorite boxing writer so I hope they give you the freedom that MaxBoxing did and adjust to you rather than the other way around.
Are you going to write original articles for the magazine or will everything be on the website? I gave up my Ring subscription years ago, but will sign up again if you're on board.
I wish and your family all the best. Hope we can hang out again the next time you're in NYC. Best. – Ben "Brooklyn Renegade" Chan
Thank you for the very kind words, Ben. The next time I’m in NYC for a fight, I’ll let you know. We’ll grab a drink at Jimmy’s, talk boxing and maybe I can some tips on how to dress sharp. (Now that I’m moving up in the world I need all the fashion advice I can get.)
Thanks to everyone who has emailed me with their heartfelt concerns (a lot of folks thought I was seriously ill when they didn’t see my stories on MaxBoxing) or congratulations over the past week and a half.
I’ve had to hit the ground running with this new gig since my first full week was the week of De La Hoya-Pacquiao. I’m still learning the new system and still gaining my bearings, which is why I haven’t fit a regular mailbag column into my routine yet. I’m sure with a few more weeks, I’ll settle into my old groove and provide the same kind of coverage and analysis for thering-online.com that I did at MaxBoxing, but I’ll also provide more standard pre- and post-fight features than I have in recent years.
Some of my articles that appear on thering-online.com will run in the magazine and some stories and regular features of The Ring will be posted on the website. Once we get this machine up and running full steam you’ll see that the two entities (with the help of Yahoo! Sports) will compliment each other.
THE GOLDEN OLDIE
Dougie-
Hey, there, congrats on adding writing for The Ring to your growing resume! Hey, I wanted to get your thoughts on Pacquiao-De La Hoya. I personally was one of those looking at this as somewhat of a farce. I thought the size difference was just too significant. I was figuring that the Pac-Man had never been hit by anyone as big as De La Hoya, and that once he started pushing Pacquiao around and landed some thudding left hooks, Pac would think better of his foray two weight classes beyond where he's ever fought.
Do you think this was a classic case of a fighter getting old overnight? It certainly appeared to me that De La Hoya, as Freddie Roach had said often prior, had difficulty letting his hands go. I also wondered when I saw he weighed in at 145, and only rehydrated two or three pounds, if he might be flat, a la Roy Jones after coming down in weight late in his career. He certainly didn't seem to have any bounce in his legs at any point in the bout. Your thoughts?
It was also notable how much more polished and refined Pacquiao is now than he was when he first started winning titles. His ring generalship, bobbing and weaving, slipping shots and countering beautifully, and his footwork were EXTREMELY impressive. He used to be much more of a kamikaze. That he appeared to be the skilled boxer-puncher in with one of the notably skilled boxer-punchers of the last 10 years was remarkable. I guess Freddie Roach really is an excellent teacher. Finally, what would you see happening in these potential matchups. I wouldn't throw Pac in with any of the big welters, but would love to see him take on Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, and Shane Mosley. Hope all is well! Regards. – JD
There can be no doubt whatsoever that Roach is an excellent teacher. If you read my Southern California Notebooks going into the fight, particularly the one detailing a 12-round mitt session between Roach and his prize pupil - http://www.maxboxing.com/Fischer/Fischer112008.asp - then you know that the masterful performance Pacquiao executed to perfection Saturday night had been practiced in the gym.
It was obviously a mistake for De La Hoya to be at (and sometimes below) the welterweight limit one full month in advance of the fight, and I think that failed strategy is why he only put on two pounds the day after the weigh-in instead of rehydrating back up to 154 to 160 pounds (the weight he’s fought at for the previous seven years). But then again hindsight is always 20-20. I can’t sit here and talk like I’m some kind of know-it-all fitness guru or boxing expert because I picked De La Hoya to win (by decision). Don’t get it twisted, I’m wasn’t one of those sports columnists who called the matchup a freak show or feared for Pacquiao’s safety. I thought Pacquiao would competitive; and I thought the fight would go the distance, but like you, I thought De La Hoya’s natural size (coupled with his good hand speed and experience) would tell over the course of the fight. I was wrong. De La Hoya looked listless and he fought a dumb fight. He tried to walk Pacquiao down and in doing so he played right into Roach’s gameplan.
If you asked me about a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown last year, I would have picked ‘Money May’ without hesitation, but now I’m not so sure. I see it as a toss-up fight if it were to take place at 147 pounds. At 140 pounds I might favor Pacquiao, but then again, I’ve never seen the Pac-Man fight at junior welterweight. But I’ve seen Mayweather fight a lightening-quick southpaw at welterweight (Zab Judah) and he had problems in the early rounds of that bout. Unlike Judah, Pacquiao has pound-for-pound poise to go with his elite-level talent. Make no mistake, Pacquiao is a dangerous opponent for a small, defensive-minded welterweight like Mayweather. However, I also think Mayweather’s intelligence, hand speed, footwork and sense of self-preservation will pose problems for Pacquiao. It’s a good matchup. I hope it happens next year.
I think Pacquiao and Hatton make for a decent scrap in the early rounds, but eventually the phenomenal hand speed, reflexes and the damaging nature of Pacquiao’s punches either rip up the Mad Hatter’s face or catch the brash Brit coming in cold.
I believe that Pacquiao’s speed and footwork would enable him to touch and outmaneuver Mosley to a close, unanimous decision.
PACQUIAO A TRUE FIGHTER
Boy was I wrong about his fight... De La Hoya looked so ponderous, so stationary, so slow of foot and hand... I couldn't believe this was the same De La Hoya who I thought beat Mayweather a year and half ago. In the seventh, I really thought he retreated to corner to take his punishment and get KO'ed--it truly looked to me like he wanted to just get it over with. There are plenty of De La Hoya haters coming out of the woodwork now... but oh how boxing will miss him. He's literally carried it on his shoulders since George HW Bush was president. Now that he is gone (I hope)--we'll see who the next standard bearer is. Anyway....what a performance. What a fighter Manny is! – Louie
Pacquiao’s a real fighter, a fighter’s fighter, and a fan’s fighter, but he’s an underrated boxer, too. Don’t forget that. He beat De La Hoya as much with his ability to avoid getting hit as he did with his ability to hit and hurt the bigger man. And he broke the proud veteran down by sticking to the fight strategy orchestrated by his trainer.
De La Hoya will be missed, if this is indeed his last fight (something tells me it isn’t). I think fans will appreciate him more once he’s gone from the sport for a few years. He didn’t always win the big ones, but he fought more pound-for-pound top 10-rated boxers than any fighter in recent memory.
THE OBVIOUS QUESTION
Whatup D,
I'm sure you've gotten this a million times already but do you think Floyd Mayweather's ego would allow him sit out and let Manny Pacquiao get the praise and adulation that he has always yearned for (and gotten some of) without wanting to step in there and take a crack at Pacquiao himself? If it happened, how would you envision it playing out? Would a Pac-Man victory over Ricky Hatton (which I think would happen if they fought) be the straw that broke the camel's back? I am salivating at the mere thought of Mayweather-Pacquiao. What kind of purses do you think they could get?
Anyway, here’s a fond goodbye to my favorite fighter, Oscar De La Hoya. He looked like he didn't want to be in there, and even though he got paid, his legacy would have been much more significant (and less sad) had he gotten brutally KO'd by Antonio Margarito in my opinion. I think the only way he doesn't retire is if Mayweather-Pacquiao happens and the Hitman is left without a dance partner. I think that's still a winnable fight for Oscar, but only if he still has the passion to fight. Anyway, take it easy D and thanks again for all the great work. – V
After the beating he received from Pacquiao, I’m not sure De La Hoya could withstand Hatton’s in-and-out pressure and body attack. Judging from what I saw in their last fights (against Paul Malignaggi and Pacquiao) I would favor Hatton to beat De La Hoya – by stoppage. De La Hoya might be at the same stage Jose Luis Castillo was when he stepped into the ring to fight Hatton last year.
I think Pacquiao and Mayweather could split a guaranteed $40- or $50-million pot, and the fight would still be a smashing success.
And I do believe that a victory over Ricky Hatton (particularly if it’s more dominant than Mayweather’s win over the Hitman last year) would spark The Pretty Boy to end his retirement and challenge the current pound-for-pound king.
However, a victory over Hatton, which would earn Pacquiao THE RING junior welterweight title, would also likely prompt a challenge from the Pac-Man’s arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez, THE RING’s current lightweight champ, probably wouldn’t go all the way to 147 pounds to fight Pacquiao, but at 140-pounds a third match could be made to give the courageous technician an opportunity to avenge this year’s razor-thin split decision loss and to make Mexican history. No Mexican fighter has ever won world titles in four divisions; not Chavez, Barrera or Morales. Marquez could solidify his legacy as one of the best boxers Mexico has ever produced, gain some “get-back”, and restore some pride to Mexican fight fans with a victory over a 140-pound Pacquiao.
I know Pacquiao-Marquez III isn’t nearly as big an event as Mayweather-Pacquiao, but it’s still a hardcore fight fans dream and probably a much better fight.
10 WEEKEND OBSERVATIONS
1. PBF was not mentioned once during the De La Hoya-Pacquiao telecast
2. Oscar’s words don’t match his actions as a promoter or a fighter—“we are going to change boxing for the better at Golden Boy”, I never saw a worse undercard. “I want one of those fights where I go to war”, when the time came, he quit throwing punches and hoped someone would end it for him ala Zab Judah
3. Once again my friends left disappointed with the evening of fights and questioned why I love the sport of boxing so much
4. Ricky Hatton at the weigh-in was by far the palest person on the stage
5. I felt bad for Freddie Roach as he shook during Oscar’s pre-fight instructions in the dressing room
6. I would have liked to see some Bob Arum in the 24/7 Show
7. I think the HBO broadcast team did a good job handling the 45 minute delay before the Main Event
8. I wish Pacquiao would get rid of the ‘70s porn mustache
9. Not one time during 24/7 did anyone use the words “posse” or “hanger-ons” when describing Manny’s entourage
10. Other than curiosity in regards to who wins, I don’t have much interest watching Hatton fight Pacquiao or anyone else for that matter. – DKF, Pittsburgh
1)Why would anyone mention Mayweather? He’s retired and he wasn’t at the fight. Besides, the manner in which Pacquiao destroyed De La Hoya would make anyone forget about Mayweather’s uneventful out-pointing of the Golden Promoter.
2)That undercard did indeed suck a__, but we can’t put all the blame on De La Hoya and his company. There was a co-promoter (Top Rank) and a network (HBO) involved in the Dec. 6th event. They could have challenged the managers/advisors of the pay-per-view showcased fighters (Jacobs, Ortiz and Lopez) and pushed for better opponents. In defense of JuanMa, Medina was viewed as a solid fighter coming into Saturday’s match.
3)Can you blame them? Then again, they witnessed one of the all-time great performances/upsets in the sport. I hope you tried to explain the significance of Pacquiao’s showing. (My guess is that you pledged to become a full-time UFC fan.)
4)Hatton’s beyond pale; he’s fluorescent.
5)Don’t pity Roach; he’s dealing with his Parkinson’s as well as anyone can, plus he’s on top of the world with Saturday’s win (and even when he isn’t, he’s still being jocked by the loveliest of ladies you’ve ever seen).
6)Arum (and the story of his battle with GBP to represent Pacquiao) would have added some much-needed spice to the latest 24/7 series. I only enjoyed the fourth and final episode (except for that weirdness with Roach at the Hollywood hair salon).
7)That’s why they get paid the big bucks.
8)That stash is indeed some old-school Ron Jeremy/Frank James s__t, but I guess that’s how they roll in the Philippines.
9)Gee, maybe there’s a little truth to those allegations Mayweather made about his old network.
10)There aren’t many matchups that I care to see Hatton in, but Pacquiao is one of the few that interest me. Something tells me I’m not alone.
GOLDEN GOOSE LAYS AN EGG
Zup Doug,
I never thought that De La Hoya-Pacquiao would be close fight, and it wasn't. The only thing I was wrong on is that I did not think that De La Hoya would quit on his stool. I just thought he would take a beating for 12. Oscar did not even come close to winning a round, and his post fight interview was even worse than his fighting.
I hate these uncompetitive undercards. These kinds of fights are far from interesting and don't help the prospects at all. Once they step up they will get shocked, or else they'll get shocked accidentally by someone they’re cherry-pickin’ management does not think is that good (ala Amir Khan). Lopez looks like the goods, but they are setting Ortiz and Jacobs up for big disappointments in my opinion, I see way too many flaws that will not get worked out fighting stiffs. Bring on JuanMa vs. Celestino Caballero. Peace. – Steve C.
I like Lopez over Caballero by knockout, but the Panamanian may be the biggest threat to the Puerto Rican puncher at 122 pounds. I don’t think we’ll see this matchup unless showdowns with Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez or Jhonny Gonzalez fail to materialize next year.
I believe that Ortiz and Jacobs have a ton of talent, and both have a fighter’s instincts, but I agree that both need a lot of work, some of which must occur during the rounds of a competitive prize fight. Jacobs could use some competitive rounds against someone like Michael Walker before moving on to a Brian Vera or Miguel Espino. Ortiz could use rounds against a Juaquin Gallardo before graduating to an Emanuel Augustus, Edner Cherry or Henry Bruseles.
By Doug Fischer
Once reader requests for the mailbag surpassed 250 emails it was clear that my old twice-a-week column would have to be reprised in some form at my new home here at TheRing-Online.com.
Before I get to emails about my recent move and fan feedback on De La Hoya-Pacquiao, I want to lay down a few ground rules for the new mailbag:
No. 1, please keep your emails as short and concise as possible. I’m busier than ever with the new gig and I don’t have time to read through 10-15 KB-sized emails. Spare me the dissertations, folks and just get to the point or to your question. (If there’s going to be a long-winded bastard on this website it’s going be me!)
No. 2, include your first name (or “a name” or nickname) along with the city and state that you hail from. That way I’ll know that your email wasn’t intended to be private.
No. 3, until I get a thering-online.com email please send your boxing-related questions, comments and rants to dougiefischer@yahoo.com.
Thanks. Now let’s get to the bag!
DE LA HOYA GOT WHAT HE DESERVED
Doug,
Just noticed that you have made the switch over to "the Bible of Boxing." Congrats on the move. I look forward to reading your articles and mailbags at your new home. I think you and Michael Rosenthal give the site a solid core with lots of experience and growth potential. Hell, after I recover from the holidays, I'll probably pony up for a subscription. So keep up the good work and good luck...
Now for the boxing banter...
I was glad to see Manny Pacquiao dismantle and destroy Oscar De La Hoya. Not because I'm a De La Hoya hater (OK, maybe just a little bit), but because De La Hoya picked this bout because he thought it was an easy win against a smaller fighter. I thought Pacquiao would win, but not like that!!! Hopefully De La Hoya's fans will make the transition to Pacquiao, or some other young, exciting fighter, and we'll still see mega boxing events that rule the headlines.
Obviously next on the Pac-Man "hit list" is the Hit-Man himself. While Pacquiao will likely be the betting favorite as the faster, more explosive fighter, Ricky Hatton's rough, rugged style could be problematic for the Filipino powerhouse. How do you see this fight going down?
Lastly, is Chris Arreola really the next great American heavyweight? Or is he doomed to the same fate as guys like Rahman, Toney, or (even worse) Fres Oquendo as guys who showed promise at heavyweight, maybe even won a title, but ultimately failed to live up to lofty expectations? Thanks. – The one and only Ghetto Phenom from STL
Thanks for the well wishes, G.P. Mr. Rosenthal is currently the hardest working man in the boxing media and hopefully some of his work ethic will rub off on me. We’ve got some big plans for this website so please stay tuned and let your fight freak friends know that it’s up and running.
I was sad to see De La Hoya get the extreme a__ kicking he got Saturday night, and not just because he’s my new boss. I always find it sad when a once top-class boxer suddenly realizes that he doesn’t have it any more.
I don’t think De La Hoya was looking for an “easy” fight when he chose to fight Pacquiao. I think he was looking for the biggest event against an opponent that would motivate him. If De La Hoya wasn’t concerned about selling the event, he wouldn’t have bothered to come down to welterweight. If he thought Pacquiao was an easy mark, I don’t think he would have trained as hard as he did. He knew that Pacquiao’s speed and mobility would give him some trouble, but you’re absolutely correct if you’re saying that De La Hoya viewed the Pac-Man as a calculated risk that he would beat, one way or another, on Dec. 6th.
I live around many second-generation Mexican Americans who consider themselves De La Hoya fans but ordered the fight to root for Pacquiao. My next door neighbor bet on Pacquiao to win by knockout. He was a big De La Hoya fan 10 years ago and he says he still respects The Golden Boy, but going into the fight he felt it was past time for the East L.A. native to move on from fighting. He didn’t know much about Pacquiao prior to the fight, only that the Filipino was smaller, younger and faster. Now he’s a Pacquiao fan and he tells me that he can’t wait to see him fight again. So I believe that the 24/7 series preceding the fight and the manner in which he thrashed De La Hoya has won Pacquiao a new fan demographic (that of the casual or occasional boxing observer).
My neighbor, Jose, is already asking me if Pacquiao can beat Hatton. I told him that I favor Pacquiao by late-rounds stoppage but I think Hatton will be a lot more competitive than De La Hoya was.
Who specifically is referring to Chris Arreola as “the next great American heavyweight” aside from the big man’s promoter, Dan Goossen?
I think most fans and boxing media simply see Arreola as a fun guy to watch slug it out with mediocre-to-solid opposition. Some questioned if he had what it takes to become a real contender before his entertaining struggle with Travis Walker; now most observers are skeptical about “the Nightmare”.
I know that Arreola is a lot better than he showed two and a half weeks ago. That was Arreola at his worst fighting Walker at his best and the Riverside resident still won. In shape and motivated I think Arreola can definitely advance to top-10 contender status, but he still has to show me more if I’m to believe that he can win a world title.
GLAD WE FINALLY FOUND YOU
Feliz Navi-Doug! Obviously, congrats on being the co-editor of the The Ring's new website. I hope it's a promotion. Although I would like to say that you guys should think about changing the domain name - "thering.com" is not taken - "thering-online.com" is just too much to type. We are boxing fans not typists here.
Anyways - I started a thread on the Maxboxing forum a bit ago asking where you went before I realized you were at The Ring. Many replies converged on the same thing - people love reading your mailbag. So I hope the new role, while providing new challenges and opportunities, allows you to "keep it real" and not lose the voice so many people learned to depend on. I know I did. Mondays and Fridays just aren't the same without reading your mailbag Q&As. And if you can provide some clarity on the status of your relationship with Steve Kim (not that kind of a relationship, just curious if you both are cool with this new gig of yours), that would be even better. Holla back! – Boris
Kim and Thomas Gerbasi were very understanding when I informed them that I would be leaving the company for this venture. Still, it was a bittersweet transition. I’ve been traveling to the big fights with Kim for almost 10 years (going back to the HouseofBoxing.com). For more than four years, 230 episodes, we got together every Monday to film The Next Round. I’m not going to lie to you guys, I’m going to miss working with the ‘K-Hammer’. We made a great team. Calling him up to tell him about my decision to go to The Ring was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I was sad that week, but right now I’m focused on the future and I’m exited about the many opportunities and possibilities this partnership between The Ring and Yahoo! Sports can present to fight fans.
Of course, I’ll continue to “keep it real” and if fans want the mailbag then you better believe that it will be a part of my weekly coverage of the sport.
I know “thering-online.com” is a little cumbersome to type out (“thering.com” domain name is taken, it just doesn’t have a website) but I think you’ll find that the quality of writing and video programming we will provide on a daily basis will be worth the extra effort. Just bookmark it, or better yet, make it your homepage!
CONGRATULATIONS
Hi Dougie,
We met a couple of years ago at the BWAA dinner when it was in NYC. Lou DiBella said he liked my blazer when we bumped into him at Jimmy's Corner.
Anyway, I noticed that your mailbags and SCNs had disappeared from MaxBoxing and that you have a blog at Ring Magazine. I thought you were doing some spot reporting for them for the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight, but I just saw on the message boards that you've officially moved over to Ring Magazine.
I'm not as shocked as I was when I saw Pacquiao dominate De La Hoya (I picked Pacquiao to win because he's my favorite fighter, but I didn't think he'd do THAT). But just like the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight marked the end of the era, so does your leaving MaxBoxing. Monday and Friday mornings aren't going to be quite the same anymore without your mailbags. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays won't be the same without SCNs, TNR and Dougie putting Money May nut-luggers in their place. I suppose it's not all bad news: De La Hoya-Pacquiao also marked the beginning of a new era, just like Doug Fischer at Ring Magazine.
Thanks for all the MaxBoxing memories, Doug. I look forward to reading your work at TheRing-Online. You're my favorite boxing writer so I hope they give you the freedom that MaxBoxing did and adjust to you rather than the other way around.
Are you going to write original articles for the magazine or will everything be on the website? I gave up my Ring subscription years ago, but will sign up again if you're on board.
I wish and your family all the best. Hope we can hang out again the next time you're in NYC. Best. – Ben "Brooklyn Renegade" Chan
Thank you for the very kind words, Ben. The next time I’m in NYC for a fight, I’ll let you know. We’ll grab a drink at Jimmy’s, talk boxing and maybe I can some tips on how to dress sharp. (Now that I’m moving up in the world I need all the fashion advice I can get.)
Thanks to everyone who has emailed me with their heartfelt concerns (a lot of folks thought I was seriously ill when they didn’t see my stories on MaxBoxing) or congratulations over the past week and a half.
I’ve had to hit the ground running with this new gig since my first full week was the week of De La Hoya-Pacquiao. I’m still learning the new system and still gaining my bearings, which is why I haven’t fit a regular mailbag column into my routine yet. I’m sure with a few more weeks, I’ll settle into my old groove and provide the same kind of coverage and analysis for thering-online.com that I did at MaxBoxing, but I’ll also provide more standard pre- and post-fight features than I have in recent years.
Some of my articles that appear on thering-online.com will run in the magazine and some stories and regular features of The Ring will be posted on the website. Once we get this machine up and running full steam you’ll see that the two entities (with the help of Yahoo! Sports) will compliment each other.
THE GOLDEN OLDIE
Dougie-
Hey, there, congrats on adding writing for The Ring to your growing resume! Hey, I wanted to get your thoughts on Pacquiao-De La Hoya. I personally was one of those looking at this as somewhat of a farce. I thought the size difference was just too significant. I was figuring that the Pac-Man had never been hit by anyone as big as De La Hoya, and that once he started pushing Pacquiao around and landed some thudding left hooks, Pac would think better of his foray two weight classes beyond where he's ever fought.
Do you think this was a classic case of a fighter getting old overnight? It certainly appeared to me that De La Hoya, as Freddie Roach had said often prior, had difficulty letting his hands go. I also wondered when I saw he weighed in at 145, and only rehydrated two or three pounds, if he might be flat, a la Roy Jones after coming down in weight late in his career. He certainly didn't seem to have any bounce in his legs at any point in the bout. Your thoughts?
It was also notable how much more polished and refined Pacquiao is now than he was when he first started winning titles. His ring generalship, bobbing and weaving, slipping shots and countering beautifully, and his footwork were EXTREMELY impressive. He used to be much more of a kamikaze. That he appeared to be the skilled boxer-puncher in with one of the notably skilled boxer-punchers of the last 10 years was remarkable. I guess Freddie Roach really is an excellent teacher. Finally, what would you see happening in these potential matchups. I wouldn't throw Pac in with any of the big welters, but would love to see him take on Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, and Shane Mosley. Hope all is well! Regards. – JD
There can be no doubt whatsoever that Roach is an excellent teacher. If you read my Southern California Notebooks going into the fight, particularly the one detailing a 12-round mitt session between Roach and his prize pupil - http://www.maxboxing.com/Fischer/Fischer112008.asp - then you know that the masterful performance Pacquiao executed to perfection Saturday night had been practiced in the gym.
It was obviously a mistake for De La Hoya to be at (and sometimes below) the welterweight limit one full month in advance of the fight, and I think that failed strategy is why he only put on two pounds the day after the weigh-in instead of rehydrating back up to 154 to 160 pounds (the weight he’s fought at for the previous seven years). But then again hindsight is always 20-20. I can’t sit here and talk like I’m some kind of know-it-all fitness guru or boxing expert because I picked De La Hoya to win (by decision). Don’t get it twisted, I’m wasn’t one of those sports columnists who called the matchup a freak show or feared for Pacquiao’s safety. I thought Pacquiao would competitive; and I thought the fight would go the distance, but like you, I thought De La Hoya’s natural size (coupled with his good hand speed and experience) would tell over the course of the fight. I was wrong. De La Hoya looked listless and he fought a dumb fight. He tried to walk Pacquiao down and in doing so he played right into Roach’s gameplan.
If you asked me about a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown last year, I would have picked ‘Money May’ without hesitation, but now I’m not so sure. I see it as a toss-up fight if it were to take place at 147 pounds. At 140 pounds I might favor Pacquiao, but then again, I’ve never seen the Pac-Man fight at junior welterweight. But I’ve seen Mayweather fight a lightening-quick southpaw at welterweight (Zab Judah) and he had problems in the early rounds of that bout. Unlike Judah, Pacquiao has pound-for-pound poise to go with his elite-level talent. Make no mistake, Pacquiao is a dangerous opponent for a small, defensive-minded welterweight like Mayweather. However, I also think Mayweather’s intelligence, hand speed, footwork and sense of self-preservation will pose problems for Pacquiao. It’s a good matchup. I hope it happens next year.
I think Pacquiao and Hatton make for a decent scrap in the early rounds, but eventually the phenomenal hand speed, reflexes and the damaging nature of Pacquiao’s punches either rip up the Mad Hatter’s face or catch the brash Brit coming in cold.
I believe that Pacquiao’s speed and footwork would enable him to touch and outmaneuver Mosley to a close, unanimous decision.
PACQUIAO A TRUE FIGHTER
Boy was I wrong about his fight... De La Hoya looked so ponderous, so stationary, so slow of foot and hand... I couldn't believe this was the same De La Hoya who I thought beat Mayweather a year and half ago. In the seventh, I really thought he retreated to corner to take his punishment and get KO'ed--it truly looked to me like he wanted to just get it over with. There are plenty of De La Hoya haters coming out of the woodwork now... but oh how boxing will miss him. He's literally carried it on his shoulders since George HW Bush was president. Now that he is gone (I hope)--we'll see who the next standard bearer is. Anyway....what a performance. What a fighter Manny is! – Louie
Pacquiao’s a real fighter, a fighter’s fighter, and a fan’s fighter, but he’s an underrated boxer, too. Don’t forget that. He beat De La Hoya as much with his ability to avoid getting hit as he did with his ability to hit and hurt the bigger man. And he broke the proud veteran down by sticking to the fight strategy orchestrated by his trainer.
De La Hoya will be missed, if this is indeed his last fight (something tells me it isn’t). I think fans will appreciate him more once he’s gone from the sport for a few years. He didn’t always win the big ones, but he fought more pound-for-pound top 10-rated boxers than any fighter in recent memory.
THE OBVIOUS QUESTION
Whatup D,
I'm sure you've gotten this a million times already but do you think Floyd Mayweather's ego would allow him sit out and let Manny Pacquiao get the praise and adulation that he has always yearned for (and gotten some of) without wanting to step in there and take a crack at Pacquiao himself? If it happened, how would you envision it playing out? Would a Pac-Man victory over Ricky Hatton (which I think would happen if they fought) be the straw that broke the camel's back? I am salivating at the mere thought of Mayweather-Pacquiao. What kind of purses do you think they could get?
Anyway, here’s a fond goodbye to my favorite fighter, Oscar De La Hoya. He looked like he didn't want to be in there, and even though he got paid, his legacy would have been much more significant (and less sad) had he gotten brutally KO'd by Antonio Margarito in my opinion. I think the only way he doesn't retire is if Mayweather-Pacquiao happens and the Hitman is left without a dance partner. I think that's still a winnable fight for Oscar, but only if he still has the passion to fight. Anyway, take it easy D and thanks again for all the great work. – V
After the beating he received from Pacquiao, I’m not sure De La Hoya could withstand Hatton’s in-and-out pressure and body attack. Judging from what I saw in their last fights (against Paul Malignaggi and Pacquiao) I would favor Hatton to beat De La Hoya – by stoppage. De La Hoya might be at the same stage Jose Luis Castillo was when he stepped into the ring to fight Hatton last year.
I think Pacquiao and Mayweather could split a guaranteed $40- or $50-million pot, and the fight would still be a smashing success.
And I do believe that a victory over Ricky Hatton (particularly if it’s more dominant than Mayweather’s win over the Hitman last year) would spark The Pretty Boy to end his retirement and challenge the current pound-for-pound king.
However, a victory over Hatton, which would earn Pacquiao THE RING junior welterweight title, would also likely prompt a challenge from the Pac-Man’s arch rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez, THE RING’s current lightweight champ, probably wouldn’t go all the way to 147 pounds to fight Pacquiao, but at 140-pounds a third match could be made to give the courageous technician an opportunity to avenge this year’s razor-thin split decision loss and to make Mexican history. No Mexican fighter has ever won world titles in four divisions; not Chavez, Barrera or Morales. Marquez could solidify his legacy as one of the best boxers Mexico has ever produced, gain some “get-back”, and restore some pride to Mexican fight fans with a victory over a 140-pound Pacquiao.
I know Pacquiao-Marquez III isn’t nearly as big an event as Mayweather-Pacquiao, but it’s still a hardcore fight fans dream and probably a much better fight.
10 WEEKEND OBSERVATIONS
1. PBF was not mentioned once during the De La Hoya-Pacquiao telecast
2. Oscar’s words don’t match his actions as a promoter or a fighter—“we are going to change boxing for the better at Golden Boy”, I never saw a worse undercard. “I want one of those fights where I go to war”, when the time came, he quit throwing punches and hoped someone would end it for him ala Zab Judah
3. Once again my friends left disappointed with the evening of fights and questioned why I love the sport of boxing so much
4. Ricky Hatton at the weigh-in was by far the palest person on the stage
5. I felt bad for Freddie Roach as he shook during Oscar’s pre-fight instructions in the dressing room
6. I would have liked to see some Bob Arum in the 24/7 Show
7. I think the HBO broadcast team did a good job handling the 45 minute delay before the Main Event
8. I wish Pacquiao would get rid of the ‘70s porn mustache
9. Not one time during 24/7 did anyone use the words “posse” or “hanger-ons” when describing Manny’s entourage
10. Other than curiosity in regards to who wins, I don’t have much interest watching Hatton fight Pacquiao or anyone else for that matter. – DKF, Pittsburgh
1)Why would anyone mention Mayweather? He’s retired and he wasn’t at the fight. Besides, the manner in which Pacquiao destroyed De La Hoya would make anyone forget about Mayweather’s uneventful out-pointing of the Golden Promoter.
2)That undercard did indeed suck a__, but we can’t put all the blame on De La Hoya and his company. There was a co-promoter (Top Rank) and a network (HBO) involved in the Dec. 6th event. They could have challenged the managers/advisors of the pay-per-view showcased fighters (Jacobs, Ortiz and Lopez) and pushed for better opponents. In defense of JuanMa, Medina was viewed as a solid fighter coming into Saturday’s match.
3)Can you blame them? Then again, they witnessed one of the all-time great performances/upsets in the sport. I hope you tried to explain the significance of Pacquiao’s showing. (My guess is that you pledged to become a full-time UFC fan.)
4)Hatton’s beyond pale; he’s fluorescent.
5)Don’t pity Roach; he’s dealing with his Parkinson’s as well as anyone can, plus he’s on top of the world with Saturday’s win (and even when he isn’t, he’s still being jocked by the loveliest of ladies you’ve ever seen).
6)Arum (and the story of his battle with GBP to represent Pacquiao) would have added some much-needed spice to the latest 24/7 series. I only enjoyed the fourth and final episode (except for that weirdness with Roach at the Hollywood hair salon).
7)That’s why they get paid the big bucks.
8)That stash is indeed some old-school Ron Jeremy/Frank James s__t, but I guess that’s how they roll in the Philippines.
9)Gee, maybe there’s a little truth to those allegations Mayweather made about his old network.
10)There aren’t many matchups that I care to see Hatton in, but Pacquiao is one of the few that interest me. Something tells me I’m not alone.
GOLDEN GOOSE LAYS AN EGG
Zup Doug,
I never thought that De La Hoya-Pacquiao would be close fight, and it wasn't. The only thing I was wrong on is that I did not think that De La Hoya would quit on his stool. I just thought he would take a beating for 12. Oscar did not even come close to winning a round, and his post fight interview was even worse than his fighting.
I hate these uncompetitive undercards. These kinds of fights are far from interesting and don't help the prospects at all. Once they step up they will get shocked, or else they'll get shocked accidentally by someone they’re cherry-pickin’ management does not think is that good (ala Amir Khan). Lopez looks like the goods, but they are setting Ortiz and Jacobs up for big disappointments in my opinion, I see way too many flaws that will not get worked out fighting stiffs. Bring on JuanMa vs. Celestino Caballero. Peace. – Steve C.
I like Lopez over Caballero by knockout, but the Panamanian may be the biggest threat to the Puerto Rican puncher at 122 pounds. I don’t think we’ll see this matchup unless showdowns with Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez or Jhonny Gonzalez fail to materialize next year.
I believe that Ortiz and Jacobs have a ton of talent, and both have a fighter’s instincts, but I agree that both need a lot of work, some of which must occur during the rounds of a competitive prize fight. Jacobs could use some competitive rounds against someone like Michael Walker before moving on to a Brian Vera or Miguel Espino. Ortiz could use rounds against a Juaquin Gallardo before graduating to an Emanuel Augustus, Edner Cherry or Henry Bruseles.
