IS IT WRONG TO BUY CHAVEZ-DUDDY?

Sup Dougie,
First time writer, long time reader. Lemme just say that after being converted from a casual fan to a pretty hardcore fan by the first Pacquiao-Morales fight, that your blogs have helped me understand the sport and its history. I appreciate the work, keep it up sir.

I never liked Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and John Duddy — both hype machines that “Top Incest” has groomed to a ridiculous extent. But somehow, I have unfortunately found myself tempted to buy this fight on PPV. They are both club fighter material and while they'll pretty much suck, it's so bad, it’s good. Chavez will be somewhat polished up by Freddie Roach, but I doubt that the Trainer of the Year is that much of a miracle worker. Duddy lost to a journeyman and is a brawler at best. I can see Chavez getting sloppy and desperate to start fighting like most Mexicans and begin to ignore Roach's commands since Junior is so adamant about fighting like his father.

But is it wrong of me to wanna buy this fight? It's two horrible fighters, but I can't help to see who might win this one. I have the extra dough lying around, but I'm really torn about buying it. Am I sucker for Bob Arum's deceiving ways or do you think this fight will actually turn out pretty well?

Finally, good job on the commentating duties last night on Fight Night Club. Frankie Gomez isn't much of a talker is he? I still think Jose Benavidez has a better future in hold. What do you think of them? — Chris, SoCal

I think both Gomez and Benavidez are immensely talented prospects and worth following. Benavides looks more polished than Gomez at this very early stage of their pro careers but that doesn’t mean he’s any more effective than the East L.A. native. I think Gomez is physically stronger and may have the edge in hand speed. What will really key us in to how bright their futures are will be when we find out how good the teenage phenoms take a punch. We’ve yet to see either kid get hit by someone who can crack a little bit and is actually coming to win.

Thanks for the kind words, by the way, and thanks for finally writing in.

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

Dear Doug,
Assuming Barrera gets past his opponent on Saturday, what's next for him? Why would Juan Manuel Marquez give him a rematch considering that he hasn't won a fight of note since the Rocky Juarez rematch nearly FOUR years ago? What other potential good fights are out there for Barrera?

I wish he'd have stayed retired after Pac II. Take care. — Patrick in Chicago

Me too, or at least after the Amir Khan loss. Barrera is one of my all-time favorite fighters, a first-ballot hall of famer and arguably an all-time great.

Beyond a fourth bout with Morales, nothing really makes any sense for Barrera. Anyone vs. Michael Katisidis would be a fun fight, but what would Barrera get out of it aside from a better-than-average payday and a lot of pain? Barrera might have enough savvy to compete with aggressive young guns like Urbano Antillon and Brandon Rios but there’s no money in those fights and he has everything to lose in those matchups. I think it’s ‘El Terrible’ or bust for Barrera.

SPECULATION TIME

Hey Dougie,
Hope the boxing world is treating you well. At the moment I'm watching Fight Night Club (whoever is doing the commentary is doing a pretty good job), and this Jamie Kavanagh character got me wondering: in five, perhaps 10 if necessary, years who will have graduated from FNC to being a bona fide champ? Don't cheat and say Abner Mares.

Elsewhere in speculation world, where would a win leave Chavez Jr? On the other hand, where would a win leave Duddy?

Lastly, in the coming rather quiet weekend (and week ahead) of boxing, what is your favorite boxing book to turn to? I've read Liebling’s “The Sweet Science” and “A Neutral Corner,” both fantastic. Keep up the good writing/speaking! — Robb

I like the biographies (authorized or not) on the all-time greats and my personal favorites, Robb. Three such books that I enjoyed reading over previous summers are Floyd Patterson’s “Victory Over Myself” (written with Milton Gross), Aaron Pryor’s “The Flight of the Hawk” (with Marshall Terrill), and “The Ageless Warrior: The Life of Boxing Legend Archie Moore” by Mike Fitzgerald. When I get some time I want to read Moore’s authorized biography “The Ole Mongoose” by Marilyn G. Douroux.

I was impressed with Kavanagh last night. He needs some work in a few departments (as can be expected with a guy with only two pro fights), but I see a bright future for the 20-year-old Irishman. Russell’s speed, poise and accuracy was breath taking. The featherweight southpaw has got serious talent. I want to see him in with better competition next time.

ANDRE WARD OVERRATED?

Whassup man:
1. I hate to go off-topic but I could of swore I heard your voice in the E3 expo videos. Were you there? Did you see anything that you liked? Maybe Fable 3, LOL.

2. I remember watching Ward-Green and the whole night I was getting pissed off because well it was boring and Green wasn't showing much. But at no other time was I more angry then when I heard Gus Johnson say that Ward would be the next Sugar Ray Leonard. Now I know a lotta people give Johnson s__t, but this has been buggin' me for a while. Was it justified?

3. I'm pretty sure David Haye is gonna end up fighting Audley Harrison, and to tell you the truth, I don't really mind. I'm not even English. But I mean, Vitali might fight Nikolai Valuev which is interesting because he's actually bigger that him and Baby Bro is gonna fight Povetkin. Sooner or later Haye vs Klitschko will happen I'm sure. Thanks for reading. — Adilton, MD

Thanks for writing. I’ll answer your questions in order:

3)I agree with you. I think Haye-Harrison will be competitive and fun. I’m also looking forward to Klitschko-Povetkin. I’m not that interested in Klitschko-Valuev because I think Vitali will brutalize the Russian giant. The best heavyweight matchup in my mind is between the former cruiserweight champs — Haye and Adamek. That’s a great fight that would create a great atmosphere, especially if it’s held in New York City or New Jersey.

DOUGIE AND PMS

Hey Dougie you’re a great editor. I love your articles. I wish I could be like you one day! Ya know like hate Mayweather and Mayweather fans, take every letter extremely personal, be a complete smart-ass and a little Ms. Know-it-all and call everyone that writes a letter to you that is a Mayweather fan an idiot, moron, pathetic, stupid, dumb, ignorant and whatever makes them seem mentally impaired to you. Just make sure you change your Tampax every hour because the way you PMS you must be bleeding profusely. Your biggest fan!

(P.S. Take Midol for cramps.) — Roland

Oh RollyÔǪ Rolly, Rolly, Rolly, what am I going to do with you and your fellow Floyd fanatics? I don’t hate Mayweather and I don’t hate you. I just can’t take most Mayweather fans seriously. You guys can’t write a single sentence without insulting everybody whose last name isn’t Mayweather and then you get mad when somebody tells you to f___ off. You want to proclaim Mayweather the G.O.A.T. but you get flustered when I ask you to provide your list of top 10 or 20 all-time greats and tell me WHY your hero deserves to be ranked among them. (By the way, not a single Mayweather fan has done so.) And the main reason I can’t respect you guys is that you tell me how biased I am and how much I suck but you CONTINUE TO EMAIL ME. You guys claim to think I’m a waste of time but you read every freakin’ mailbag I write. Hey, try reading some of my other columns and stories. No, most of those features aren’t about Mayweather but guess what? There’s a 200-year-old international sport that you’re missing because your head is so far up Mayweather’s ass. (I could make an obvious Leonard Ellerbe joke here, but I won’t. I don’t hate Leonard or anyone else who is a part of Team Mayweather. I actually kind of like Ellerbe. He’s doing his thing, and hey, I wouldn’t want his job. It’s got to be stressful dealing with your favorite fighter on a day to day basis.)