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Dougie’s Monday mailbag

Fighters Network
08
May

ODE TO THE NAYSAYERS

My guy,

I don’t think there is enough seats nor crow for all the naysayers…

“Canyellow will never fight him”



“GBP is using every excuse imaginable”

“They’ll wait until Triple G is 90”

Welp, go have a seat and enjoy the crow modern boxing fan(s).

Whatever though, I’m super pumped for 9/16 as it’s a scintillating matchup and just adds to what’s already shaping up to be a special year in boxing. Later brutha. – Reggie Woodard

I can’t think of a better matchup that can be made in boxing in terms of U.S. drawing power, international recognition, significance and the potential for an exciting fight. Maybe Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder comes close, but Wilder (the decided B-side in that matchup) doesn’t bring as much respect and drawing power as GGG (the obvious B-side vs. Canelo) brings to the Sept. 16 showdown.

This past Saturday, we witnessed a huge boxing event – an excuse to party hard in Vegas, really, and the perfect platform to announce the Canelo-GGG showdown – but on Sept. 16 we’ll be treated to an even bigger event that should also deliver a real fight.

Still, I don’t expect certain segments of hardcore fandom to celebrate the consummation of Canelo-Golovkin. The same folks who said it would never happen, or that it wouldn’t be made this year, or that Canelo would force GGG to come down in weight, or that Canelo would face David Lemieux next, or that Golden Boy Promotions and Team Canelo never wanted to deal (fairly) with Team GGG will now find some reason to crap on the superfight that they demanded last year. They’ll say it’s too late (as though Golovkin is now a feeble old man), they’ll say it’s just a money grab (and a slap in the fans’ faces) if it lands in Las Vegas, they’ll refuse to support it because they hate Golden Boy or Tom Loeffler, they’ll come up with something and they’ll bitch and moan about every aspect of the promotion while trying their best to piss on the enthusiasm of those who are looking forward to it.

Ya know why? Because they’re a bunch of mopes and that’s just what they do. They’ll never change and they’ll never fully enjoy anything. And that’s THEIR problem. Not mine or yours. I’m hyped for this matchup (which I think is happening at the right time). I can’t wait to cover the build-up to the fight and witness what happens in the ring.

 

THAT SUCKED

Jesus, what an abysmal fight. I hope we’re never subjected to Junior or his Mexican Mr. Potatohead trainer ever again – that was the worst game plan since Gatti tried to outbox Mayweather. There should be some rule where if the boxers are making more than a million bucks for the night, they’re required to throw more than 10 punches per round. Otherwise, their purse is forfeit and goes to pay back all the unfortunate suckers who shelled out good money for weak trash.

I didn’t think it was possible, but the promoters actually killed my interest in GGG vs. Canelo by charging for this mess. Trotting out Golovkin at the end to join Alvarez in the ring, with the pre-canned video clips and music, was just weird and kind of insulting in a bait-and-switch type of way. I half-expected Vince McMahon to pop up and hit someone over the head with a chair. At least that would’ve been interesting. – Jay

OK, Jay. So I guess you won’t be saying anything more about Canelo-GGG from here on out, and you won’t be watching the fight, right?

Am I supposed to believe that?

How else was Golden Boy and K2 supposed to announce that Canelo-Golovkin was a done deal? No matter what happened in the ring on May 6, all of the talk/questions (from the media and the fans) would have turned to GGG (and when will Canelo face him) immediately after the fight.

I agree that the theatrics and pageantry during the announcement of the Sept. 16 event immediately following the Canelo-Chavez Jr. fight was a bit corny and overblown, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that this is a significant championship bout and a very good style matchup.

Jesus, what an abysmal fight. It was bummer. I really thought Chavez would bring some fire to this fight and that it would be a competitive distance bout, but I overestimated Junior and I underestimated Canelo.

I hope we’re never subjected to Junior or his Mexican Mr. Potatohead trainer ever again – that was the worst game plan since Gatti tried to outbox Mayweather. Beristain does kind of look like Mr. Potato Head, doesn’t he? An old, bitter, over-baked version of that classic toy. But yeah, trying box from a distance was not a good idea against Canelo. I think a little lateral movement here and there would have been smart, but pressure and volume punching was his key to victory (or just being competitive). The only reason for Beristain’s game plan that I can come up with is that the hall-of-fame trainer thinks Canelo sucks ass. He was dead wrong, if he thought that. Oh, and regarding Junior, you know damn well he’ll be back.

There should be some rule where if the boxers are making more than a million bucks for the night, they’re required to throw more than 10 punches per round. I can get behind that.

Otherwise, their purse is forfeit and goes to pay back all the unfortunate suckers who shelled out good money for weak trash. Nah, it’s buyer beware when it comes to movies and pay-per-view shows.

 

STINKO DE MAYO

Hi Doug,

That fight sucked. From Canelo’s personality and boxing style to Chavez’s aura (he should have just come into the ring wearing a hospital gown). After the 4th round, I said to my party “If Canelo doesn’t knock him out, he’s NOT the truth” and I stand by my words. After watching this BS for 12 rounds, I

Photo by Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos / Golden Boy Promotions

knew that something extra was about to go down when Chavez was interviewed first. And then after some WWE-esque pageantry, out comes the good boy in a suit, speaking with good manners and smearing charm all over everybody’s face. Maybe I was salty from watching the scrubs do what they did for 12 rounds but the hype effort didn’t make me more interested than before.

I give GGG a 60/40 chance of being victorious against Cinnabon but I am going for GGG 100%. I legit can’t explain or quantify my dislike for

Cinnabon. GGG is on the decline and Canelo looks even more sturdy (I wish that translated into power) at 160… I miss Trinidad at 160.

Scoop, what’s the word on Marcos Reyes? Might you have any gossip that you can feed us? The guy looks serviceable. If he had a different training team, do you think that he could be a somebody or did my excess of Corona affect my perception? Thanks – Alex

I think you were s__t-faced, Alex. Reyes is a serviceable gatekeeper (at least he was before he was subjected to Lemieux’s brutal onslaught for 10 rounds) and that’s pretty much it. He’ll be back and I wouldn’t complain at all if appeared on one of Golden Boy’s ESPN shows against a super middleweight up-and-comer (maybe D’Mitrius Ballard in a couple of fights). He’s got a world-class chin and massive balls. Too bad Chavez Jr. didn’t carry the same mentality Reyes had against Lemmy into the ring against Canelo. We would have had an entertaining scrap in the main event.

That fight sucked. Duh.

From Canelo’s personality and boxing style to Chavez’s aura (he should have just come into the ring wearing a hospital gown). Damn, that’s cold. But I guess some would say Canelo’s personality is rather cold. His boxing style, on the other hand, is just fine in my opinion. I thought he looked razor sharp on Saturday and if he had a willing (and more capable) opponent I believe his stalking style would have made for a very good fight.

After the 4th round, I said to my party “If Canelo doesn’t knock him out, he’s NOT the truth” and I stand by my words. You’re setting the bar pretty damn high. It’s one thing to outclass Junior, it’s quite another to stop him or make him quit, especially if you’ve been fighting around the junior middleweight limit. Canelo shut him out, gave him a beating and forced him to play keep away for most of the fight. That’s not bad at all.

Maybe I was salty from watching the scrubs do what they did for 12 rounds but the hype effort didn’t make me more interested than before. Oh, come on! Would you be more interested in Canelo-GGG if they DIDN’T announce it on Saturday?

I give GGG a 60/40 chance of being victorious against Cinnabon but I am going for GGG 100%. Nothing wrong with that, even if you’re of Mexican heritage.

I legit can’t explain or quantify my dislike for Cinnabon. Why bother? This is boxing. Hate is an integral part of sports fandom. It’s probably part of the reason why you purchased Canelo-Chavez Jr.

GGG is on the decline and Canelo looks even more sturdy (I wish that translated into power) at 160… I miss Trinidad at 160. I love Tito, but you are aware that the Puerto Rican star was about as effective as Chavez Jr. was against Canelo during his middleweight fights with Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright, aren’t you?

 

NOSTRADAMUS I AM NOT

Well, not exactly the ghost of Eddie Futch am I? LOL. Oh well, totally pumped for the super fight; hard to see how it won’t deliver explosive action for as long as it lasts. GGG and Canelo are a couple of high artillery tanks. – Jack E.

No doubt. They are compact, strong, durable boxer-punchers. They also possess world-class jabs and accurate power shots. GGG, the better pressure fighter, has the edge in power. Canelo, the better counter puncher, has the edge in speed. I think Golovkin blocks punches better, but Canelo is better as slipping punches. My hunch is that GGG takes a better shot. I’m not sure who has the superior technique, timing or reflexes. Looking forward to finding out, though.

And don’t beat yourself up for picking Chavez Jr. He was the decided underdog for a reason but the catchweight and his training team presented a lot of x-factors in the matchup.

 

A REAL MEXICAN-STYLE FIGHT, LEMIEUX’S NEXT MOVE

Dear Mr. Fischer,

A 12-round fizzle of an announcement for a real “Mexican style” fight. I’m disappointed that the weight and the layoff seemed to drain Julio Cesar Chavez Jr so much, but pleased that HBO didn’t take my money to watch it. I left the bar where I was watching the fight in the second round, when Chavez Jr still hadn’t broken a sweat (to my eyes) and Canelo started to come on strong.

I’m not too surprised by the outcome, but I do think that if Chavez Jr would have dealt with the weight and layoffs better, we could have had a slightly more entertaining fight. That said, I still don’t think a prime Junior could beat a prime Canelo (and Canelo is certainly in his prime), combine that with the catchweight (Canelo learned certain advantages of the business side of boxing in one fight with the other Junior) and there wasn’t a contest.

As for GGG, I believe he has enough of his dominant form remaining to end the fight in September inside the distance (unless Canelo’s untested chin proves as solid as GGG’s). How do you feel about last night’s money-grab/ buildup?

I’d like to give the fight and the card more credit, and Matthysse and Diaz looked very good, but it is really hard to see last night as much more than a failed attempt to fabricate rivalry and action from a faded past and an exceptional fanbase.

Photo by Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos-Golden Boy Promotions

I do want to draw attention to David Lemieux, who looks more the monster by the fight. He may not have gotten the knockout, but he beat up a bigger man almost as convincingly as Canelo. Where do you think the September megafight leaves him? I doubt Golden Boy Promotions can make a really exceptional match for him, for example, a fight between him and Daniel Jacobs seems almost impossible. I also don’t know if Ryota Murata or Hassan N’dam will want another big test after their match on May 20. And if Billy Joe Saunders fights anyone of note after Anvil Khurtsidze, I’ll eat my hat (I hope Saunders repeats his recent efforts and Khurtsidze takes his belt, just to bring it into play). What would you like from the rest of the middleweight division?

Last night was another feather in 2017’s hat in terms of action outside the squared circle. Hopefully enough fans can get the taste of Oscar’s marinade out of their mouths to appreciate the upcoming action (and GBP’s efforts to actually make the best fight in boxing). I hope you were paid well to do the online commentary (which I really enjoyed, thanks as always). I hope also that this finds you well and I send the very best, with warm wishes for you and yours. Very Respectfully. – John

Thanks for the kind words, John. I had a fun time working with Beto Duran and the producers of the international broadcast/English online PPV show (although I do wish I hadn’t celebrated as much as I did on May 5, commentating with a slight hangover is challenging).

I think the international interest in Canelo-Chavez Jr. and the brisk business that event did is another indication of boxing’s worldwide resurgence, but it was even more important that Canelo-GGG get made because that matchup is just as healthy for the sport as it is for the industry.

Regarding Lemieux’s future plans, I think his situation is another example of why the sanctioning bodies matter in boxing. Lemmy is ranked in the top five of the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, and if Golden Boy (and Eye of the Tiger Management) are unable to negotiate a significant matchup for him with the promoters of the other top middleweights, they will simply push him to mandatory challenger status with one of the alphabet groups.

Lemmy is No. 2 in the WBO (the belt that Saunders holds). The WBO’s No. 1 contender (Murata) is fighting for the WBA’s “regular” belt later this month, so Lemmy might climb to that top spot – or, perhaps he can fight the organization’s No. 3 or No. 4 contenders (Rob Brant and Willie Monroe Jr.) for the right to face the winner of the BJS-Khurtsidze fight. Or GBP could go after Lemmy’s old IBF strap (currently held by GGG), seeing that they promote the IBF’s No. 1 contender Tureano Johnson (who the organization ordered to fight No. 2-rated Sergiy Derevyanchenko). Lemmy could aim for the Johnson-Derevyanchenko winner, or many GBP could lobby the IBF to make David (their No. 4-rated middleweight) vs. No. 3-rated Jermall Charlo a semi-title elimination bout.

Or maybe he just stays busy against tough gatekeepers like Reyes until Canelo and GGG settle their business on Sept. 16 and then he calls out the winner. Either way, he’s got options.

I’m not too surprised by the outcome, but I do think that if Chavez Jr would have dealt with the weight and layoffs better, we could have had a slightly more entertaining fight. I agree.

That said, I still don’t think a prime Junior could beat a prime Canelo (and Canelo is certainly in his prime), combine that with the catchweight (Canelo learned certain advantages of the business side of boxing in one fight with the other Junior) and there wasn’t a contest. True.

As for GGG, I believe he has enough of his dominant form remaining to end the fight in September inside the distance (unless Canelo’s untested chin proves as solid as GGG’s). Canelo looks pretty darn sturdy to me, plus he’s got a sharp jab to match with GGG’s and he’s a good inside fighter. I think this fight does the full 12.

Photo by Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions

How do you feel about last night’s money-grab/ buildup? I’ve got mixed feelings, obviously. I was happy to see so much interest in the fight from fans and the mainstream sports media, but I was letdown by Chavez Jr.’s effort. Still, I think it was good that the fight was made because it forced Canelo to leave his comfort zone of weighing in at 154 and 155 pounds, and let him know how strong and sharp he can be around middleweight. His dominant showing against Chavez Jr. (along with GGG’s difficult outing against Daniel Jacobs) also makes the Sept. 16 event look like a competitive matchup on paper and that will be important in the promotion of the fight. (And for the record, I think it’s legitimately a competitive matchup.)

I’d like to give the fight and the card more credit, and Matthysse and Diaz looked very good, but it is really hard to see last night as much more than a failed attempt to fabricate rivalry and action from a faded past and an exceptional fanbase. The rivalry was real – at least in the minds of the fans that showed up in Vegas and those who bought the PPV – but one of the fighters failed to show up.

 

MOST BORING HIGH-PROFILE FIGHT EVER?

Hey Doug,

I’ll keep this short and sweet.

Canelo vs Chavez jr. was trash. Have you ever seen a more boring high profile bout in your life (serious question)? That was waaaay worse than Mayweather vs Pacquiao and Klitschko vs. Fury.

Also, is it possible that Chavez Jr. essentially threw the fight? He didn’t even try to win, ever. Seemed like the only fight he tried to win was the one with the scales (to ensure that payday).

On a brighter note, props to Matthyse for a quality win. – Thavius

The Machine looked strong, maybe he’ll be part of the Canelo-GGG undercard.

I don’t think Chavez threw the fight. I think he trained hard to boil his body down to 164 pounds and hoped that he would feel strong enough on fight night to beat Canelo. However, he didn’t feel 100% by fight night and Canelo quickly took his confidence with his sharp jab and debilitating body shots in the first two or three rounds. At that point, Junior had a decision to make: try to make it a shootout or try to survive and hope that Canelo slows down over the second half of the bout (and then try to pick up the pace). Chavez chose the less valiant option and fans will never forgive him for doing so. It would have been better if he rolled the dice a little (like Wladimir Klitschko did after being dropped by Joshua) and went down swinging, but that’s easy for me to say. I’ve never been KTFO in public (or private).

Junior tried to salvage his pride by going 12 rounds with a much better boxer, but unfortunately for him most fans (and media) won’t give him credit for merely lasting the distance. We needed more effort. I’ve seen fighters who were far more depleted than he was at the weigh-in give their all come fight night and make for wildly entertaining scraps (win or lose). In fact, two that come to mind used to fight under the same promotional banners that he ounce did (Zanfer and Top Rank) – Erik Morales and Jorge Arce. But El Terrible is a great fighter. Arce is a born warrior. Chavez Jr. isn’t either of those things. He’s just a tough, solid pro who happens to be the son of a Mexican legend.

I know I’m in the minority but I still think he overachieved in his pro career.

Canelo vs Chavez jr. was trash. Well, one of them was trash.

Have you ever seen a more boring high profile bout in your life (serious question)? Sadly, yes. And you should know who the common denominator was in those stinkers.

That was waaaay worse than Mayweather vs Pacquiao and Klitschko vs. Fury. You are HIGH. When the drugs wear off, go check the CompuBox stats on those stinkers and compare them with Canelo’s output and connect percentages against Junior.

 

MATTHYSSE IS BACK

Doug E Doug,

Photo by Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos-Golden Boy Promotions

What’s up boss? Been a couple years. I was pleased to see the Machine Matthysse back in action and get a solid KO over Emanuel Taylor. He looked sharp offensively, but there were still gaping holes defensively. I guess that is who he is – but I don’t want to detract from his win.

What do you think is a good next fight for him? I think he wants a title but Errol Spence and Kell Brook are HUGE. Keith Thurman is big too, and Manny Pacquiao is just a bridge too far. I would personally like to see him vs Adrien Broner (an all action fight) or Tim Bradley. I think rangy 147s like Jessie Vargas, Amir Khan would be difficult like Viktor Postol was – altho Khan is always a risk to get chin checked. I think he needs to be matched carefully because he’s limited and I don’t see him fighting more than a couple more years.

I really thought Chavez Jr. was going to make a fight of it, and had a chance at an upset. I guess I was damn wrong. I have too much respect for fighters to say they took a fall, but DAMN…that guy looked like he had zero intent to win. And I don’t think it was just Canelo’s sharp punches that made him go that way — at no point did he look interested in attacking. And he had NO pop to his punches — so I’m not sure if that was based on weight drain or just intent. It was like it was known by all the stinkfest that was to come, so the GGG spectacle was planned…

I am giving some mythical matches that I think COULD actually turn into reality:

Khan v Bradley (my pix: Khan by controversial SD)

Matthysse v Broner (Matthysse coming off the mat for a late KO for most fun fight since Broner-Maidana)

Khan v Broner (draw)

Matthysse v Khan (Khan by UD)

Beterbiev v Kovalev (Beterbiev by late KO)

Who do you favor? – Omar, Miami

I’d favor Kovalev over Beterbiev by late KO, Matthysse over Khan by late TKO, Khan over Broner by close UD, and I agree with your other picks.

What do you think is a good next fight for (Matthysse)? How about a rematch with Danny Garcia? I also like the Bradley fight (that a bout where they would both weigh-in at 147 pounds and then fight at 160).

I really thought Chavez Jr. was going to make a fight of it, and had a chance at an upset. I didn’t think Junior could win the fight but I thought he could make it competitive – and entertaining. I must have been smoking the same s__t he was before the Martinez fight.

I have too much respect for fighters to say they took a fall, but DAMN…that guy looked like he had zero intent to win. I disagree. I just think he was outclassed and overwhelmed by a much better fighter (mentally, if not physically).

And I don’t think it was just Canelo’s sharp punches that made him go that way — at no point did he look interested in attacking. He tried to get something going the few times Canelo went to the ropes, but he was nervous about the return fire. I think the redhead’s sharp punches (particularly to his body) had A LOT to do with Junior’s trepidation.

And he had NO pop to his punches — so I’m not sure if that was based on weight drain or just intent. Both.

It was like it was known by all the stinkfest that was to come, so the GGG spectacle was planned… Um, no, I don’t think the folks who put on this fight (GBP, the host venue, the respective management, the many networks, the many sponsors, etc.) knew or wanted Chavez Jr. to lay a big fat stank egg against Canelo on Cinco De Mayo weekend. They wanted a good, entertaining bout (although I’m sure Golden Boy and Tecate didn’t want too grueling a match because they didn’t want to jeopardize the GGG showdown – and I’m not mad at them for that).

 

 

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

 

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