Articles of 2009

George Foreman: Possible Trainer, Definite Manager

Published

16 years ago

June 7, 2009

Last night George “Monk” Foreman III (1-0) made his pro boxing debut, scoring a first round knockout over Clyde Weaver (0-2). As is the case with all fighters there's not much to be learned from a quick stoppage in their debut. However, one of the corner men for the fight was George Foreman – the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Along with working the corner for his son's fight, Big George is also his manager and trainer. As we all know boxing history is littered with the sons of past champions and greats trying to emulate their father's ring success.

I can't imagine the pressure it must be carrying the Foreman name into the ring. Think of the monumental attention the fighter who is the first to defeat George “Monk” Foreman III will get. I remember fighting as an amateur in the late seventies with Joe Frazier's son, Marvis Frazier. Every time he fought the buzz before the fight was centered on Marvis and who he was fighting. His opponents always thought by beating him they'd make an instant name for themselves. If it were the finals of either the Golden Gloves or an AAU tournament most assumed that his father the former heavyweight champ would be there – thus giving his opponents even more incentive.

By all accounts “Monk” Foreman was put through the grist-mill as was Marvis Frazier by their fathers before they were even allowed to think about becoming a fighter. To test his son's desire and will, Foreman Sr. worked Monk hard in their gym after he passed a test of running 10 miles unannounced. Marvis Frazier had to shadowbox and do floor work for six straight months before he was allowed to box for the first time; the difference being Marvis was 15 when he started, Monk is 26. Marvis compiled a 56-2 amateur record and was the National Golden Gloves and AAU heavyweight champ. Getting amateur experience is something Monk Foreman won't pursue. According to his father they couldn't get any amateur fights for him because every potential opponent withdrew when they realized who they were fighting. Foreman Sr. felt once there was a paycheck involved there'd be plenty of fights for them to make. Oh how right he is!

Having another Foreman fighting in the heavyweight division will provide boxing fans with the hope of reincarnating the memories of former champ George Foreman. They'll be looking for the heavy-handed one punch power from his son. That said, I'm here to tell you not to. George Foreman was probably the strongest and most powerful heavyweight champ in history. In reality he was an arm puncher and seldom connected with full weight or got good leverage on his power shots. It just so happened to be that George was a physical freak of nature. He didn't need to land clean to hurt an opponent; he scored a lot of knockouts and stoppage wins by just grazing them on the chin.

As it is the case with all past champs when one of their sons starts boxing it's assumed the son will possess the same physical gifts as the father. I've read and seen during an interview where George said Monk is faster than he was and moves and uses his legs more. He also added that Monk is heavy-handed. Could be, he is 6'5″ 240 and I've heard that he was a pretty good athlete, not that that makes him a fighter. In fact I did a cable TV show with George's younger brother, Roy, in Atlantic City circa 1997. I remember Roy saying from time to time that his nephews were good athletes, but their father didn't want them to ever think about boxing for a living. Well, that was years ago and now George “Monk” Foreman III is 1-0.

Here's what we know beyond all doubt: talent isn't hereditary.

There's no guarantee that the latest Foreman can emulate anything close to the success his father had. However, if the Foreman gene pool doesn't extend to being a great fighter this time, he will be greatly aided by the name. Having his father train him isn't a given to be a plus, but it can help him in the early stages of his career. The version of George Foreman who fought during the late sixties and early seventies was an over-anxious wrecking machine in the ring. But the second time around during the eighties and nineties it was obvious that Foreman picked up and learned a lot about fighting and was more of a thinking fighter – in order to compensate for his physical limitations.

I believe Monk will benefit from the experience and wisdom his father picked up during the years 1987 through 1997. Therefore I think there's a good chance that George Sr. has the potential to be a good trainer for his son, at least in the early going. On top of that, if it turns out the son has real potential, I think George is smart enough to bring in a topnotch trainer to teach him things that he may want to but knows he can't.

I also believe Foreman Sr. has a high boxing aptitude and is cognizant that he can't teach his son to fight anywhere close to the way he did during any stage of his career. I'm not saying that's what happened with Marvis Frazier. What I am saying is Marvis was a very good boxer with quick hands and moved well in the ring. Under his original trainers George Benton and Val Colbert, Marvis beat a lot of bigger fighters in the amateurs and in the gym by using his own style fighting in and out. The tendency to attack was always there, but it was more under control and measured. In my opinion once his father took over, Marvis looked for the knockout a lot more instead of setting it up.

With only one fight under his belt there's a lot to unfold down the road regarding Monk Foreman the professional fighter. It'll be interesting to see how George Foreman the trainer and cornerman pans out. I know there are pluses that come with George Foreman managing him and working his corner, one of them being Foreman really knows and understands how the business side of boxing operates and works. He is probably only surpassed by Bernard Hopkins as a fighter when it comes to negotiating the terms of a fight. When Don King publicly states that he gets out of Dodge when he sees that he'll be sitting down with George Foreman to try and come to an agreement for a fight, that's says something about Foreman at the bargaining table. It’s something that can only help and benefit Monk.

Another plus having George Foreman with you before and during the fight is simply the fact that he is George Foreman. All fighters are worried and scared in one way or another especially early in their career before they go into the ring. Having George Foreman telling you how nervous and scared your opponent is and how there's no way he's Muhammad Ali or Joe Louis in disguise, so everything will work out, is a big plus. When I fought in a few tournaments along with Marvis Frazier, I usually fought first because I was a middleweight. When word got out that Joe Frazier was back in the dressing room working with him before the fight, some guys wondered if Joe was gonna show up in place of Marvis.

Over the years I often think about what a huge advantage Mike Tyson had fighting as an amateur and having Cus D'Amato, Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres in his dressing room to help calm him down before he fought and convince him that his opponent was sweating more bullets than he was, thus enabling Mike to come out fighting at the onset.

It's priceless having a fighter of note with you before you fight. I remember having guys like Randall “Tex” Cobb, Tim Witherspoon and Dwight Muhammad Qawi sit with me before I fought – boosting my confidence and help with the pre-fight jitters. Having a fighter like George Foreman working with you and giving you confidence makes you realize it's just another fighter in the other dressing room. There's no magic or secret tricks going on in the dressing room of your opponent that'll help him beat you. Because if there were, George would know of it and you've already been taught a few little things that the other guy can't know because there's only one George Foreman and he's in your dressing room.

Obviously, George Foreman can't fight for his son, Monk, but just by him being there and who he is will give him a confidence boost that he couldn't get anywhere else. And that's a big thing for a fighter at the start of his career.

George Foreman is unknown as a trainer, but we already know he's a great manager. Above all else he'll be a tremendously calming influence for his son in the upcoming months and bouts at a time when he'll need it most.

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Frank Lotierzo

Articles of 2009

UFC 108 Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva

Published

15 years ago

December 31, 2009

David A. Avila

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.

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Articles of 2009

Paul Malignaggi Explains Why He Thinks Manny Has Used PEDs

Published

15 years ago

December 30, 2009

Michael Woods

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.

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Articles of 2009

Ten Boxing Wishes For 2010

Published

15 years ago

December 30, 2009

Ralph Gonzalez

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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