Thought I would bite at this thread if you don't mind?
For Friday Night, I honestly believe as good as Zab Judah is, he may be in for a tough night. Often times, Judah takes opponents too lightly, and this may be one of those times. On the other hand, Zab knows where the pay days are, and it's Not Friday Night Fights. He must look great, be sharp, win by KO, to even garner a second glance by Networks such as HBO or Showtime. It won't be easy for Zab, as Galvan has nothing too lose, but everything to gain. Will make for an exciting fight.
My Pick: Zab on the cards by Split
Saturday Afternoon ******************* From Germany, we ahve a World Title fight. Nikolai Valuev (-vs-) Ruslan Chagaev. Going to be very interesting. Sure, Valuev is big. Big deal. He hasn't been tested, he hasn't been hurt. He's still very green. Ruslan is a tough SOB, and he knows and has what it takes to win. This guy has done everything from Amateur to Pro. Safe money is of course coming in on Valuev, but not for me. Thanks to the MSG network, I will get to see a change of the title Saturday afternoon.
My Pick: Chagaev Wins World title by shocking KO
Saturday Night *************** Manny Pacquiao (-vs-) Jorge Solis will rock!! Can't wait. Not a Manny fan at all mind you. I feed off of his opponents. Nothing against Manny, he has just never done anything to win me over as a fan. He's good, not great. He's fast, not the fastest. Is he as good as Bob Arum wants us to believe? Not even close. While I want to see this fight more than anything, it should have actually been Manny against Juan Manuel Marquez. However Manny is scared to fight him again, and who would blame him. So we have Jorge Solis. Great fight. Solis is 32-0, and can he ever punch. This guy has been tested, and gone to war. He is ready. Manny brings the money and the fame, but to me, Solis brings the game and will to win. Sit back and enjoy this fight my friends.
My Pick: Solis Upsets Manny for the Win.
Saturday Night Different Channel ********************************* Bodog Fights presents it's second PPV event. Nothing to write home about, but enough to write about here. The card doesn't really offer Big Names, Minus the main event, but the talent is there. If you watch the show weekly, you know the guys and girls, and you can respect them for what they offer and bring. Every one is hungry and wants the win. The PPV is of course, and rightly so, based around the Main Event. Fedor (-vs-) Matt Lindland. On paper this is a lopsided, mismatch, or great lengths. But wait? Fedor isn't the Unstoppable machine. He has been tagged a time or two, though he has recovered very quickly. He can be taken down. We have to keep in mind that Lindland is one of the World's Best 185 pounders, while Fedor is the at this moment, the World's Best Hvt. Excitement, yes. Better than Silva/Cro Cop? Hell yeah. Will it live up to what we think, hope, and want it to be? No, because we are never happy. We always want more, can't be pleased, and never settle for less. I just want to see a good old fashioned butt kicking and fight.
My Pick: Matt Lindland really shocks the world when he wins, but the true hardcore MMA fighters and fans will say, see, Lindland is that Damn Good! Matt all the way.
I always go for the under dog, unless I really like or care for the other fighter. For this weekend, it looks like an Under Dog weekend for me. I don't bet, so that is always a good thing. But I stick to me thoughts, feelings, and picks. This weekend, all the way with:
Matt Lindland is very good. Most people don't really know who he is but he has beaten the best, and some of them quite easily. I do hope that he beats Fedor. Should be a good one.
John Paul, Pacman was NEVER scared of fighting Juan Manuel Marquez again. The fight was offered to Juan, he didn't like the money, and therefore went on to take an easier fight for even less money. Pacman was open and willing to take Juan Manuel Marquez on again. Pac/Solis was a good fight, Solis was game but he got taken out as expected. Lindland put up a decent match against Fedor for a blown up 185 lb fighter. Although Matt is a strong guy with some great wrestling skills.
After watching the pacman destroy Solis in 7 I am saying he's not afraid of anybody. Solis might have gone 12 had he not head butted Manny and pissed him off. It was all search and destroy after that. Oh...btw...who was it that picked Solis in an upset? Hope you didn't bet any money.
Well, not a bad weekend for my picks, but not great. Judah and the no contest, what can you do? Chaguev did win the world title, so that was great. Lindland tried so hard, and it was good while it lasted.
As for Manny? Yeah, he won, and I lost. I gave Solis alot more credit than he showed last night.
As for Manny NOT being scared to fight Marquez? Come on friend. Manny has had (3) years to give this guy a rematch, and instead he has taken other fights, even (2-3) fights that made no sense. He chose at times Nobodies, with no name value on the records, all the while Marquez was waiting.
As for the Money issue? Yeah, Marquez deserves more money, and for that (1) time, he held out for more money. Did Manny and Promoter offer more money? No. Why? Scared of him.
Manny dropped him (3) times in round one when they fought, and Marquez got up, came back, and kicked his butt for the next 11 rounds. The Boxing writers, commentators, and fans alike, all know, and feel Marquez won that fight. Manny ducks him, and has since that night.
Manny can't run anymore. Marquez will tear him apart when they meet again. If Manny from last night is the Manny that shows up against Marquez, it'll be over in less than (4) Rounds.
Tell me why Manny in the eyes of some fans and readers is so great?????
He beat Barrera, and never gave a rematch? Hell, Junior Jones beat Barrera (2) times. Does that make Manny & Jones special?
He lost to Morales, then beat Morales? So why does that make Manny better than Morales?
Next? Yeah, there is nothing next. One win over Barrera, and one win over Morales. Doesn't make Manny that big of a deal.
His win over Marquez, a gift from above. Watch the fight, score it open minded, and you see that Marquez won the fight.
Until Manny Beats Marquez faier and square, clean on the cards, or by KO, he's not the man for me. Never has been.
Lindland did look good, but man, did Fedor ever look great.
As for the guy who picked Solis in an Upset? That's me. I picked him. Don't worry, I don't bet. I just love making selections, and talking about them. I would never bet. Nothing is safe money when it comes to betting.
John Paul, why do you think it's Pac who's running scared? Do you hear Marquez yelling "Give me Pacquaio" left right and center? Do you hear Marquez thirsting for the blood of Pacquaio? No! Until we see or hear of Marquez demanding Pacquaio in the ring for a rematch, we should not bother with the subject. Don't go putting all the heat on Pacquaio's shoulders. From the looks of it, you seem to be a Mexican-supporter and dislike Pacquaio because he's branded as "The Mexicutioner!"
As for Pacquaio vs Marquez II not happening, After their match in '04, both expressed interest in a rematch. Pacquiao signed on the dotted line, Beristain/Marquez priced themselves out asking for much more money ($1.25 million). To be noted (and something that often fails to be mentioned) the Pacquiao camp were also quite unhappy with the money on the table, though they were reportedly willing to fight. It was a bone-headed move by Team Marquez. They had a very real shot at beating Manny in the rematch. In '05, Manny went to 130 lbs. to fight for Erik Morales' title and he's been there ever since.... Marquez kept his WBA/IBF titles and stayed at 126 lbs and defended it twice more before losing to Chris John in Indonesia. Marquez fought for a purse of $30,000 which shows his lackluster drawing power as a boxer. Marquez just moved up to 130 now to fight Barrera. They should have rematched in '04, and if not, in '05, definitely. Beristain/Marquez were idiots and deserve all the flack they get for not going all-out to make it happen. At the end of the day, they couldn't agree on purses. But it's obvious who is making the real money here. And it's not Juan Manuel Marquez. $30K for a title fight? That's pretty bad I must say. Whereas Pacquaio just fought Solis last night for $5 million with Top Rank. It should also be noted how far the featherweights have come along. They were never making in the millions just 10 years ago. At least not until Prince Naseem Hamed burst on the scene and rejuvenated interest in the featherweights, making the 'little men' key players in the PPV market.
Manny is strong, unorthodox and tough. Some say his style opens up lots of weaknesses...tell that to the guys that he Knocked Out. How can you not admire him? He is a hero to his homeland and all the Filipinos around the world!
Not to take anything away from Fedor, but he did make good use of the ropes when The Law was trying to take him down. Fedor ended up on top of Matt and that was the beginning of the end. At least Fedor had a few stitches to remember Matt by.
Anybody who knows anything about boxing knows that there is no such thing as "fear" or being "afraid or "scared" of another fighter..one may have "respect" for anothers particular abilities such as their "left hook" or "overhand right", foot speed, reach advantage, trash talking mind games, etc, but there never is FEAR!...once a fighter has "fear', he no longer is a fighter and would retire..and any trainer and stable can smell "fear"..
First off, I want to thank not only the person who started this, but everyone who has added to it. It's one think to talk Satellite everyday, and argue who's right, who's wrong, etc. To be able to spark some great talk, and opinion about Boxing, is wonderful. Thanks for everyone's input.
Let me first clear the air on Manny for my behalf. I don't have a problem with Manny as a fighter. I have a problem with Manny as a man. Having had lunch yesterday with a Filipino, who also had just watched the fight, and has always cheered for Manny, and shared her DVD's of past fights of Manny with other natives just this past January, when she was back there on business, she couldn't agree more with me that not only was his performance Saturday Night poor, and lackluster, he needs to fight Marquez to prove his worth.
Yes, Indeed, Marquez had a chance to fight Manny, and he chose against the money. My defense there for calling Manny scared of Marquez? Don't want to fight someone, offer low money. Don't present an offer worth taking. Disrespect them. Nobody on this board, or any other board will convive me that Promoters/Fighters haven't done that in the past to avoid certain fights. If you do believe that, then you are the one who isn't educated.
Was Marquez stupid for taking the John fight, for only $30K? Yes and No. Of course looking back on it, he was stupid, because it was only $30K, and he lost. However, a real fighter at times, for the right fight, a stepping stone, something that could help them out in the long run, will take that type of a fight for that low of an income. He showed to me Marquez wanted to fight, fight someone good, and was willing for the low figure.
So then, if willing to take that low figure, why not take the money that was offered by Manny/Promoter? Because that wouldn't be fair. The gate that would have been generated with the Rematch, would have grossed huge. Why take so little of a pie, that you are helping bake 50% of. Tito Ortiz walked from UFC when he couldn't guarentee certain figures to be paid, for certain fights. Why settle for less, if you know you can make more for that situation.
You are so correct in saying they should have rematched in '2004, or '2005. In '2007, it is a bit too late, and likely won't happen. Moving up in weight classes obviously doesn't help either. However, win or lose, learn from Trinidad, Corrales, De La Hoya, and Holyfield. Great fighters, who make great fights, make great choices. At times they have to stake out others out of their comfort zone. A catch weight, or something else. The weight shouldn't be a stumbling block.
I have some disregard for Manny for not only the Marquez situation, and claiming an affirmed win over him, when it is highly disputed, but for him, as a fighter, not pushing the promoter aside and saying, stop all of this BS, and let me just fight this guy. If he really wanted to fight Marquez, he would have done so. Manny ONLY let's his Promoters speak for him, and they tell him what to do. Real fighters will do somethings they want. They will at times, step aside and demand certain fights, regardless. He hasn't, and doesn't.
I also can't respect a Man/Fighter who meets with a Promotion Company, talks about the contract and deal, shakes hands and verbally agrees, leaves the office with cash in hand, then gets a call from another promoter, promising bigger money, and he then renigs on the first verbal agreement.
Manny going to Golden Boy Promotions, guaranteed Rematches with Barrera and Marquez. Now, instead, with going the Top Rank route, those fights won't happen. Bob Arum will NOT deal with Oscar, therefore, a Promoter, has secured Manny from NOT having to fight those two fighters. Instead, this so called great Manny continues on against the likes of Solis???????
As for him making $5 Million? Yeah, that's pretty easy when the fight purses are 75% to 25%. How hard is that? A Top Rank Manny fight generates let's say $10 Million. Give Manny $5 Million to keep him happy and feel this is the better deal, then pay the loser he's fighting who's just happy to be in the ring with a big name on a low end PPV broadcast, his 25% share, and thank him for coming.
Does Manny win long term? No. Not at all. You can't continue to sell and market someone such as Manny, in the States, against the likes of that. People won't buy in to it. He couldn't even sell out the show Saturday Night. There was still walk up tickets available and the event at the last minute was heavily papered. What drawing power does he have against those names?
Manny is in the boat that once, we found Mayweather Jr. in. Years back, atop the Boxing world, considered Pound for Pound the Best, headlining another fight in Las Vegas, Mayweather and Promoter were entering the Vegas Strip. As they were approaching the hotel/casino, Mayweather spotted this something like 100 Feet Tall, 50 Feet Wide, poster/banner of Britney Spears on the side of the hotel.
Mayweather says to his promoter, now that's where it's at. Why is my face not up there? Why is that not for me? I fight here tomorrow night, yet this dame Britney Spears poster is up? His promoter looked at him and said that's easy, Sell the Place out and we'll hang your picture up.
Mayweather couldn't sell out, though he was the best. He made great money for himself, but because he was being paid so high, his opponents were being paid so low. Therefore, the calibur of fighters he went against were lower than he, and didn't generate the large gates, record numbers, and he wasn't a PPV draw. Mayweahter had to change, take control of himself, be promoted differently, to get to where he is. Now, The World Awaits.
Bob Arum can pay Manny the high figures. Bottom line is, when he's fighting that level of a fighter, he won't sell, he'll grow old very fast in a Country that he has only drawn well in, when pitted against Huge Mexican Name Fighters, who have the local support, and cross borded support. Take him to Texas, against Solis, and please, tell me the buy rate for Saturday Night?
Not a problem with Manny as a fighter. Not a favorite of mine, but I can't and won't knock him as a fighter. He's not great. Barrera is great. Morales is great. Jones is great. Holyfiend is great. Hopkins is great. De La Hoya is great. Trinidad is great. Manny isn't there yet.
A win over Barrera, a Card Win over Marquez, and a Loss and Win over Morales, doesn't make you great. Become a (1-5) Time World Champion. Have a record that boasts a who's who of fighters you have beat. Put "Butts in the Seats", and fight to Sell Outs everytime. Be the Highest Buy Rate Draw for PPV. Stick to your word. Grant rematches when there is the feel and need for them to clear the air. Great fighters take chances, high risks, gambles, and often times have great rematches, and even triliogies. Manny is far from great. We will see great fighters, on May 5th!!
Very lastly here because I never intended for this to be so lengthy, I just wanted to touch on what LK posted. I have the utmost respect in this world for LK, based on his satellite knowledge from this board. He's second to none.
As far as his piece about a Fighter doesn't know "Fear", or doesn't have "Fear", and if so, they then aren't a fighter and should retire? Can't agree, sorry. A fighter can fear someone in the ring. It might mean they are beat before the bell sounds, but it's a fact.
You can't tell me, that through the course of time, one Fighter hasn't feared within himself, for whatever reasons, the guy he was in the rignt against that night? Nobody feared Ali standing across from him? Nobody feared Big George Formean when looking at him? Nobody ever Feared staring across the ring and seeing Mike Tyson waiting to come across and rip your heart out? Nobody has ever taken the pay day to make a fight, but inside were so scared and full of Fear for whom they are fighting? Don't believe it, can't believe, never will believe it.
I agree with you, that if a fighter does fear their opponent, they shoulnd't be there. However, it happens, it will continue to happen, and it is a way of life in Sports. You feed from Fear. If you don't fear something, about anything or anyone, then you aren't fully ready.
You have to fear everyone, for one thing or another, to stay alert, be prepared, be wary of, and to be on top of your game. When you don't fear anything about someone, and believe you just have no worries at all, well, history tells us you then will likely lose.
Tyson didn't fear Douglas. Jones didn't fear Tarver. Trinidad didn't fear Wright. Frazier didn't fear Foreman. Lewis didn't fear McCall. Barrera didn't fear Jones.
Now I can't say those guys didn't infact fear something about those other fighters. What I mean by that is, in those fights, the fighters who infact lost, came in very confident, and leading up to all fights, never really seemed worried about anything.
I love Hockey. I live for the NHL Playoff's. Every day, those teams have meetings, practices, and go over video, to learn about the other team, the players, their strengths and weakness'. Why? They have to Fear something?
