Articles of 2009
More Merchant: Larry On The Importance Of Arreola
Some of us have a hard time getting excited about Chris Arreola.
The California heavyweight hasn’t been paired up with a foe above the B- class to this point, and even more worrisome is the Mexican-American’s inclination to come into the ring much heavier than he should be.
Arreola is on the cusp of securing a meaningful money fight, and yet he has been having trouble bearing down, and getting into tip-top condition. After weighing in at a reasonable 239 pounds to fight Chazz Witherspoon in June 2008, he inexplicably tipped the scale at 258 ½ pounds three months later when gloving up against Carlos Garcia. He heard it from his corner for sending a message that he has road work and nutrition issues. So one would think that for his next fight, in November 2008, Arreola would get the message, and pare down that midsection. Not really—“The Nightmare” came in at a too-generous 254 pounds, and nearly gave his team an aneurysm when Travis Walker whacked him around in the first round and knocked him to the mat in the second round before he got down to business and took out Walker in the third.
TSS isn’t trying to go overboard in the criticism. We do concede that it isn’t easy winning 25 bouts in a row, even if your opponents aren’t a murderous row of pugilists. And we of course duly note that the point of the exercise is to stay on your feet long enough to do more damage than the other guy, and Arreola showed ample heart in getting to his feet, and scratching back against Walker.
TSS will be watching with a little extra intensity when Arreola takes on Jameel McCline on the undercard of the Winky Wright-Paul Williams tussle on HBO on Saturday night. That’s because McCline, even at this advanced age—he turns 39 on May 20—and diminished capacity (he lost three straight, to Nico Valuev, Samuel Peter and John Ruiz before getting a W against Mike Mollo last November) is probably still better than a B- heavyweight. And in this Bronze Age of heavyweights, his imposing presence, and coordination even brings him to the B+ range in his best rounds. So a win over McCline will get me a step closer to believing that Arreola has a sliver of a chance to do anything against the inelegant but effective Klitschkos.
But there are those out there that are considerably more sold on the 6-4 Californian, who turned 28 on March 5. Or, if not sold, let’s say slightly more disposed to investing significant principal, in the form of hope and expectations. Larry Merchant, for example, admits that he’s more jazzed for the Arreola-McCline faceoff than he is the Williams-Wright match.
“Arreola is the one who holds my interest,” said Merchant in a phoner. “Because the US hasn’t produced a serious heavyweight product since Riddick Bowe.”
I expressed some surprise at Merchant’s excitement level, since I am more curious to see how Long Tall Paul fares against the defensive wizard Winky Wright. So Merchant explained his reasoning, after I wondered aloud if he was more of a heavyweight hound than I’d realized.
“I love the lighter weight fighters,” he said. “But the notion of a heavyweight Oscar De La Hoya is appealing, if that’s what we get.”
Hey, just because I have been swayed more by what I haven’t seen from Arreola, I’m not in the Rush Limbaugh vein. He wishes for our President to fail. I don’t root against Arreola to validate my gut instinct. I too hope he’s the goods, and that we aren’t overrating his talent because the class of prospects and contenders is so dreadful.
In other time periods when the heavyweight division has been in the dumps, Merchant said, lighter weight standouts like Hagler, Hearns and Leonard have more than ably picked up the slack. Tony Canzoneri, Mickey Walker and Barney Ross did the same in the 1930s. But with boxing existing as a niche sport, “almost as a cult,” the HBO analyst said, it is even more important for a heavyweight horse to gallop ahead of the pack of American stallions. “A dynamic US heavyweight at this time would be important,” he said.
If Wladmir Klitschko handles David Haye in June, he’s next slated to meet his IBF mandatory, Alexander Povetkin. Arreola could be next in line after that, HBO’s poet laureate said. Or, perhaps a tangle with Vitali Klitschko could materialize, though Vitali is most interested in a title fight with Valuev, who holds the WBA strap. (Stay tuned for a TSS chat with Vitali next week.) Merchant hopes that if given that opportunity, Arreola fares better than the recent slate of Americans who impersonated week old roadkill against Wlad: Rahman, Thompson, Brewster and Austin all stunk out the joint when beefing with Baby Brother K.
I am dubious, but no Limbaugh, I reiterate: I hope Arreola is slim come the weigh in, in fighting trim, and has embraced the opportunity that is at his fingertips. If he can beat McCline, he will have elevated himself to a whole ‘nother level of earning power. So far, he hasn’t shown that he gets the stakes, that he wants, needs, demands a graduation to that neighborhood. His comment to David Avila about being bored in Big Bear didn’t indicate to me that he’s truly dialed in, and gets what it means to be a 24-7 professional, and understands the need to reduce the carb loading going into his bouts, so he is able to move his feet and torso enough to be an adequate defender. But as an unabashed heavyweight homer, I hope Arreola is all his backers and fans say he is.
Merchant thinks Williams has the edge going into the Wright battle. His age edge (27 to 37) and higher level activity (this is Williams’ fifth fight in 14 months, Wright’s third bout in a 34-month span) should help LTP against the Floridian. But, Merchant noted, vets have shown they aren’t ready for the rocking chair in recent months: Hopkins and Mosley both flipped the bird at popular notions of what a late 30s or 40-something fighter could and should do. A lesson in pugilism by wily Winky wouldn’t surprise TSS in the least, though we think LTP is ready to wrest the torch, and graduate to the upper tier with other PPV driving fighters.
Merchant did watch the Ali-Frazier doc which unspools on HBO before the live bouts. He noted that the film is top heavy with the Frazier POV, which our own Ron Borges also noted in his review. “Frazier’s the one who seems to want to carry his bitterness to his grave,” Merchant said, ruefully. For the record, Merchant wasn’t in Manila for the third go between the legends. To his recall, he’d left the NY Post, and was between full-time gigs. He was living in California, and had just sold a screenplay, so he had some endeavors keeping him busy, and wasn’t crushed that he didn’t see the Thrilla live. He’d missed the Ali-Foreman classic on Oct. 30, 1974, after he was denied re-entry into Kinshasa for the rescheduled bout. Foreman had been cut in training, and all press went home while his face healed. Merchant had written some critical copy about Don King, and he thinks that King may well have requested that his presence wasn’t welcome for the reset match. Merchant saw both events on closed circuit. He had the same reaction to all who have seen the Thrilla. He was amazed that these two slightly-past-their-prime hitters were killing each other.
Finally, Merchant is still thinking that Oscar won’t fight again, and that the Golden Boy will tell all next week that he’s done as an active fighter. We discussed the likelihood that he’d wave adios, because we haven’t heard any rumors of Golden Boy negotiating an Oscar return. “I think against the right opponent, Oscar could still do well. But my guess is retirement,” Merchant said.
Weigh in, TSS faithful, you kings of commentary, on the potential or lack thereof of Arreola, Williams-Wright and Oscar’s April 14 announcement.
Articles of 2009
UFC 108 Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva
Former champion Rashad Evans meets Brazil’s venerable Thiago Silva in a non-title belt that can lead to a return match with the current champ, but first things first.
Evans (15-1-1) and Silva (14-1) meet in Ultimate Fighting Championship 108 in a light heavyweight bout on Saturday Jan. 2, at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A win by either fighter could result in a world title bid. The fight card is being shown on pay-per-view television.
Events can change quickly in the Octagon and anybody can beat anybody in the 205-pound weight division. Just ask Silva or Evans.
Silva and Evans are both experienced and can vouch firsthand about the capriciousness of fighting in MMA and especially as a light heavyweight. On one day this man can beat that man and on another day, that man can beat this man. It can make you absolutely daffy.
Evans, 30, is the former UFC light heavyweight world champion who only defended his title on one occasion and lost by vicious knockout to current champion Lyoto Machida of Brazil. It’s the only defeat on his record.
Silva, 27, is a well-rounded MMA fighter from Sao Paolo, Brazil who is versed in jujitsu, Muy Thai and boxing. He can end a fight quickly in a choke hold just as easily as with a kick or a punch. His only loss came to who else: Machida.
Evans and Silva know a win can push open the door to a rematch with current UFC light heavyweight champion Machida.
“A win against Rashad would put me in the track against Lyoto,” said Silva, in a telephone conference call. “That's what – what I want to do.”
When Silva fought Machida the two Brazilians were both undefeated and feared in the MMA world. The fight took place in Las Vegas and with one second remaining in the first round a perfectly timed punch knocked Silva unconscious.
“I was humbled big time, man,” says Silva who fought Machida in January 2009. “I learned a lot from that fight. I think I can correct the mistakes from that fight, not overlooking anything else right now, but just I want to get the chance to fight him again.”
For Evans it was a different circumstance. The upstate New Yorker held the UFC title and was defending it after stopping then champion Forrest Griffin by knockout. Still, many felt Machida was far too technically versed. Evans was stopped brutally in the second round.
“I've made it a point to not – to not get distracted on what I want to do, because you know Thiago (Silva) is a very hungry fighter,” said Evans who has not fought since losing the title to Machida last May. “My focus is just on Thiago so much. You know I don't want to overlook him, you know, not even a little bit.”
Dana White, president of UFC, says the winner of this fight could conceivably fight Machida in the near future. Evans and especially Silva are motivated by the open window.
“I learned a lot from that fight. I think I can correct the mistakes from that fight,” says Silva. “Not overlooking anything else right now, but I just want to get the chance to fight him again.”
What a prize. The winner gets to face the man who beat him: Machida.
Articles of 2009
Paul Malignaggi Explains Why He Thinks Manny Has Used PEDs
In theory and in practice I am vehemently opposed to people tossing out unfounded allegations against someone. Supply evidence, then we can talk. But saying someone is using steroids, or EPO, or HGH, based on a theory, or your gut instinct….I have to consider, what if the allegation were thrown at me, and I was 100% innocent. I'd be mightily irked. And so too would you be.
Manny Pacquaio has been hammered from all sides with folks insinuating and coming right out with the contention that they think he's been cheating, that he's been using illegal performance enhancers to give him an edge in competition. Floyd Mayweather Sr, Paulie Malignaggi, Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron have either accused Manny, or insinuated that he's been using PEDs. One has to wonder, where's all this smoke coming from? Is it possible that there's fire lurking? That these folks aren't just lobbing unfounded barbs at Manny, that their allegations and hints aren't just sour grapes, or posturing, or a ploy to lure Manny into a fight?
By and large, there hasn't been much in the way of coverage from the standpoint of: what if Manny is using PEDs, or was using PEDs? I think that is rightly so; I'd be more comfortable if none of us trafficked in the innuendo and speculation, and worked within the realm of evidence, and facts. But it's out there, and a topic of conversation and speculation. Perhaps it's a symptom and sign of the times we live in…
TSS reached out to Malignaggi, just off a solid win in his Dec. 12 rematch with Juan Diaz. The Brooklyn-based pugilist has never been shy about speaking his peace (I picture him exiting his mom's womb and barking at the labor and delivery crew to get the room cleaned up, stat!), and he shared with TSS what he bases his allegations, which he's careful to label opinion, upon.
First off, Malignaggi is of the belief that if the Pacquiao-Mayweather negotiations are at a fatal impasse, Yuri Foreman, and not he, will get the coveted date with Pacquiao. Malignaggi has been mentioned as stand-in for Mayweather.
He started off by insisting that ” I have nothing against Pacquiao” but then went from mellow to madman in a 30 second span.
First off, the boxer wonders why Team Pacquiao isn't going after big-time newspapers, with deep pocketed owners, for libel, for insinuating that Pacquiao is drug cheat.
“If Pacquiao's so sue happy, why not sue the New York Daily News?” he asked. “Maybe they know the steroid allegations are true.”
By and large, Malignaggi thinks it is impossible, utterly impossible, for a boxer to put on 15 or more pounds between March 15, 2008, when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez and weighed 129 pounds at the weigh in, and Nov. 14, 2009 when he fought Miguel Cotto and was 144 pounds at the weigh in, and more on fight night.
“It's not natural looking,” Malignaggi said. But, I countered, what if Manny's supremely blessed, that unlike some other fighters who go up in weight, and look a bit bloated, and lack definition, he's just a special creature?
“He's not supremely blessed,” Maliganngi said. “I know body builders. They can't put on 17 or whatever pounds of muscle in a year. It's not doable, in my opinion. These are my speculations, my opinions based on certain factual evidence. Does his weight gain look normal to you? And his head looks like it has blown up in size, too.”
I offered to Malignaggi that perhaps we should be attacking the system, if we believe it to be lacking, rather than the individual.
“We can blame the system a little bit, but if you were Manny, wouldn't you want to leave no doubt? Or speculation?” said Maliganngi, who believes that by not agreeing to the terms set forth by Team Mayweather, and opposing a blood test within 30 days of the bout, Pacquaio appears guilty.
Pacquiao has agreed to take 3 blood tests: the first during the week of the kickoff news conference in early January, the second random test to be conducted no later than 30 days before the fight, and a final test after the bout. A video making the rounds from the HBO 24/7 series shows Pacquiao submitting to a blood test two or three weeks before he was due to fight Ricky Hatton, and that has cast doubt on Team Pacquiao's stance that Manny is disinclined to get a blood test too close to a bout, for fear he may be weakened. Originally, it was reported in error that that test was taken 14 days before the Hatton bout, but subsequent reports pegged the test as being taken 24 days before the scrap. Malignaggi feels Pacquiao has been caught lying, that the report from Team Pacquiao that he “has difficulty taking blood” is a cover story. “Why is he effing lying?” Malignaggi said, heatedly.
The New Yorker doesn't believe too many fighters in the lighter weight classes are using PEDs, but thinks usage isn't uncommon in the heavyweight division. “That's hard to do and make weight,” he said.
The question is asked of Malignaggi: why does the issue make him so steamed?
“I don't like cheaters,” he said. “This is not baseball. You're not just hitting home runs. You have to worry about peoples' lives. Miguel Cotto in my opinion has been beaten by two cheaters. Manny if he's cheating is taking away from guys who are doing things the right way. His team is reneging on their words.”
And what if you're wrong, Malignaggi? What if Manny is clean, and you are hurting his rep with these allegations?
“I bet everything I own that I'm not,” he said. “But we'll never find out. Hey, I would take the test in a heartbeat. I would want people to know I'm clean. He wants to leave doubts!?? His entire legacy is being questioned, he's willing to hurt his legacy and leave $40 million on the table?”
Maliganngi, after reminding TSS that he was correct in predicting he'd be gamed by judges in the first fight with Diaz, insisted that he isn't singling out Pacquiao for a personal vendetta. “”I've never had anything against him. But that's enough now. I call it like I see it.”
What about those who'd say he's just trying to anger Pacquiao, to lure him into a fight?
“No. I expected he'd take the random tests to get this fight. No way I thought he'd throw away everything. That blew me away. It was cool to have my name mentioned.”
Malignaggi thinks the boxing media has dropped the ball, and not exercised due diligence in examining the possibility that Manny has used PEDs.
“I understand most people like Manny, and not Floyd. Just cause that's the case doesn't mean Manny might not be cheating. It's nothing to do with him personally. But I call a spade a spade. Too many people avoid the possibilities because Manny's a likable person. He's got that front, his country loves him. That front works like crazy. Floyd plays the bad guy, but he's natural. Just don't downplay the fact that Manny might be cheating. You have to open your eyes and at least be willing to look at it. This is bigger than me. The fact that the fight is not being made, you have to question the integrity of Pacquiao.”
Malignaggi then offered an analogy to the Manny-refusing-to-be-subjected-to multiple-random-drug-tests prior-to-a-fight-with-Mayweather deal. “It reminds me of the drunk guy who's pulled over at 3 AM. He has a field sobriety test, the cop knows he's drunk, he looks and acts drunk. But he refuses a breathalyzer test. That don't mean the cop don't haul him to the police station.”
I reiterate…I don't think anyone should be casting aspersions based on circumstantial evidence. But with so many people ganging up on Manny, I think fight fans are owed some details on why people are accusing Pacman of using PEDs.
Articles of 2009
Ten Boxing Wishes For 2010
As 2009 comes to a close, one reflects on what went well and what went wrong during the year in boxing. There were many highlights. Pacquiao vs. Cotto and Showtime’s Super Six tournament were part of the best that boxing had to offer. But there were some low points too therefore the industry has some work to do in order to keep generating fans. Here are some suggestions for 2010:
10. Better pay per view cards
Paying 40 to 50 bucks to watch the main event gets old real quick. Why do we have to sit through a horrible under-card to get to the main course? It’s like being fed spam appetizers before the Thanksgiving turkey. It seems that the pay per view promoters just don’t get it. Are they watching what they put on or do they only watch the “big fight” as everyone else is slowly being conditioned to do so?
9. Time to make Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight
Okay, I understand he’s the son of one of the greatest fighters that ever lived. But he’s had 42 fights against low to mid level competition and has never managed to look spectacular. It’s time to throw the 23 year old out of the nest to see if he can fly. My suggestion is a fight against Sergio Mora or maybe even Yuri Foreman. Neither of these guys can punch. They may outbox Junior but they won’t totally humiliate him.
8. No more ridiculous Pay Per View mismatches
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez should’ve never been made. It was a ridiculous fight when it was announced and it was more ridiculous when it took place. Unable to bring Manny Pacquiao to the bargaining table for a third match against Juan Manuel Marquez, someone figured that pairing up the 135 pound champion against a natural 147 pounder like Mayweather would be a great idea. The pay per view generated over a million buys but the fact that millions of people were treated to an incredibly boring mismatch is what’s truly worrisome. I can guarantee you one thing about this card. The sport of boxing lost fans once the show was over and done with. Talk about short term thinking.
7. Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola shows up for a fight in amazing shape
It was painful to see Chris Arreola take a beating from the Ukrainian giant, Vitali Klitscho. The champion certainly earned his “Dr. Ironfist” moniker as he plowed his powerful shots into the former #1 WBC heavyweight contender’s face. He reddened and bloodied the young Mexican American with an assortment of weapons and foot movement seldom seen on a six foot seven inch heavyweight. Arreola was brave and unrelenting in battle. He never stopped coming forward and took chances when he could. His work in the ring at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles wasn’t the problem. Where Arreola let himself down was outside the ring. His unwillingness to condition himself into a finely tuned athlete cost him certain immortality as the first ever heavyweight champion of Mexican descent. Arreola has the heart and skills but it was his mental fortitude that broke down. Anyone who’s followed the Riverside fighter knows that his best weight is somewhere in the 230 pound range. It certainly isn’t at the 252 pounds he registered on the scale at the Staples Center. Those fifteen to twenty extra pounds might have made all the difference in the world. Maybe he would’ve been a little quicker, maybe he could’ve sustained a faster pace in order to tire out the champion. In his most recent fight against Brian Minto, Arreola weighed in at a career high 263. It looks like “The Nightmare” isn’t willing to change for anyone. At this pace, the only nightmares he’ll be providing will be to the management of Hometown Buffets all across Riverside. Just kidding “Nightmare”!
6. More respect for the lighter weights
Real boxing fans know that the most exciting fighters in the sport are usually found toiling in weight divisions south of 154 pounds. Pacquiao, Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Edwin Valero, Israel Vazquez, Juan Ma Lopez, Vic Darchinyan, Rafael Marquez and countless others have been the real driving force behind this sport. It’s those great fighters that have made boxing fanatics out of casual fans. The heavyweights may get all the money and glory but it’s the little guys who make the sport shine and it’s time they received greater compensation. It’s dismaying to think that a mediocre heavyweight can make three or four times as much as the great Rafael Marquez.
5. An American Heavyweight champion
Speaking of heavyweights, two Americans tried and failed at dethroning Vitali Klitschko this year. Both Kevin Johnson and Chris Arreola did their best to wrestle the belt away from “Dr. Klitschko” but came up short since they were easily outclassed. What happened to the great American Heavyweight? Where’s our new Joe Frazier or Ali? Even a new Gerry Cooney or a Ken Norton would do at this point. I’ve got a feeling that the only way we’re going to see an American champion is if Klitschko retires. My money is on Arreola. Although undisciplined and rough outside the ring, he’s got tons (no pun intended) of natural talent. He’s without a doubt the most talented American heavyweight on the scene.
4. More ShoBox
The Showtime Cable network gave us the best boxing on TV for the price of a cable television subscription. Their ShoBox series has been a proven hit for Senior VP of Sports Programming Ken Hershman. The concept is simple yet brilliant. Match up two up and comers with great records and let’s see what happens. Sometimes the results are surprising. Many have passed the ShoBox test and went on to bigger and better things. Others have been exposed as having padded records and eventually their careers stall and take a dive.
3. More safety in Mexico so I can attend a show without a gun battle breaking out
Having lived near the Tijuana border all my life I’m dismayed at the war zone that the city has evolved into. Every day there are reports of shootings fueled by the drug war trade. Believe it or not, there was a time when Tijuana was safe and most wouldn’t have thought twice about crossing the border for some seafood and nightlife. No more. Having covered several boxing cards on Revolucion Avenue many years ago, I got a taste of just how important the sport is to Mexican fans. It’s also important to me but not that important. For now I’ll stick to covering shows at the Pechanga Casino and in the less dangerous city of L.A. I never thought I’d say that.
2. Pac Man vs. Mayweather
This is the fight everyone wants to see. Seeing how Mayweather dominated Pac Man’s arch enemy, Juan Manuel Marquez, you have to wonder if the Filipino can handle Lil’ Floyd’s speed and size. One thing is for sure, betting against Pacquiao doesn’t usually work out for me. It never has. There’s no future in it. So if the fight gets done it’s Pacquiao by TKO in ten.
1. And finally
One final wish is reserved for all the readers of TheSweetScience.com I wish you all a healthy and happy 2010. Thank you for your continued loyalty to the site. It’s very much appreciated.
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