Christian
Julio César
by on 07-02-2010 at 03:37 AM (465 Views)
View Profile
View Forum Posts
View Forum Threads
Show All Albums
Private Message
View Blog Entries
Uh OH…well God dam. Is it that time again? I would apologize for being out of range this past month but many of you know why and quite honestly I could care less if you don’t. Boxing is in the midst of a truly putrid schedule so my focus has been drawn to other sporting events such as the World Cup and a classic NBA final. As the dust begins to settle on my other indulgences I wanted to use this particular blog to spin the wheels of opinion and banter as we move about this dreadful summer of boxing. I also will use this blog to answer some questions that have been emailed to me in recent weeks. If you have come to this blog searching for interviews I am sorry but that will not be the case this time. Enough BS. Lets go
1. Julio Caeser Chavez Jr: Baloney or Filet?
BALONEY! One of the first interviews I ever did was a feature on Pulitzer Prize nominee Thomas Hauser. At the time Oscar had just been raped by Manny Pacquiao and was contemplating one last fight or retirement. Among the fighters mentioned at the time as a farewell fight for Oscar was none other then Chavez. I asked Thomas his thoughts on that fight at the time and he told me
TH: Julio Caeser Chavez is nothing but a glorified club fighter, if Oscar has to resort to fighting people like that then he should retire.
Julio Caeser Chavez Junior is a walking talking indictment on the sport of boxing and what can be achieved if you can convince the public to buy your bullshit. He is a poor mans Jerry Cooney. His entire career has been a farce, he was 40-0 before he actually got punched, he already has been featured as a main event fighter going on 4 years now, and before Saturday had yet to be in with someone with half a name. The first time I actually watched him fight a full-length tilt was on the Manny/Cotto undercard. It was an absolutely horrendous performance. No movement, no ring savvy or anything even remotely resembling generalship. His punches lacked pop and he appeared so easy to hit that the HBO commentators were trying their best to gloss over the situation. This kid, this attraction, is a product of his father’s career and Bob Arums business acumen.
The scary thing is the WBC (who is based in Mexico) has gotten in on the act and has now ranked Julio as a top contender in two different divisions. I believe that the WBC put the squeeze on Sergio Martinez in an effort to sanction the Duddy fight as a title fight. When Sergio made the announcement that he was staying at 160 the WBC got desperate and announced that Chavez’s fight this past weekend would be for the WBC Silver Middleweight title. ESPN’S Dan Rafael put a humorous bow on this disgraceful development so refer to his blog for in depth coverage but the whole situation stinks to high heaven. It’s appalling to me as a boxing purist to watch Top Rank parade this young man around the boxing scene as a contender. I have kept quiet about this but after all the hoopla and delusions of grandeur that I have read or been texted in the last couple of days, I can no longer continue my reticence. Bob Arum unfortunately has spent so much time harvesting the Chavez Apple tide that he no longer can hide him or put him in the ring with irrelevant fighters. With a 41-0 record and a high profile trainer Chavez will finally have to step into the ring with a serviceable fighter. I have heard many different directions that Julio could do from here during conversations I have had with folks within the industry but to me, and this is just me, the first time this product faces someone who is a mid level talent he will be exposed and the Chavez sitcom will be at an end. Book it.
2. How do you feel about the way the Super Six has panned out?
The Super Six tournament in its infant stages looked to change the landscape of the sport. Its format, its complicated yet lucrative contracts, and most of all the elite fighters that were selected seemed to represent the dawn of a new era in boxing television. The Super Six hoped to create a template for networks and other loaded weight classes to follow. I was very excited about the idea from the onset and was looking forward to something never seen before in the sport. After two rounds I have to say that the tourney has failed to meet the expectations that it levied upon itself. The Super Six has produced some dramatic moments, Direll being robbed in Wales, Jermain Taylor’s crushing knockout loss, and the rise of Andre Ward. I have appreciated the efforts of Ken Hershmen and the promoters that made all of this possible. I believe that they really went for broke and tried something unprecedented and innovative. But after looking at the desultory overnight ratings, the dilapidated quality of the fighters involved, and the prolonged nature of the competition. I have to go ahead and say that a single elimination format much like Don King’s middleweight tournament perhaps would have been a better call and would not tie up 6 fighters for the better part of 2 years. Lucian Bute, the best Super middleweight in the world, not being a part of the event also does not help. However, it’s fair to say he did not really peak as an elite fighter until the draw had already been decided.
3. How tired are you of classic foreign policy that is employed by Top rank Promotions?
Tired is not a proper adjective. This is a clever question because it implies that Top rank does not do business with anyone not named Top Rank. I have painted this picture far to many times fellas. Bob Arum keeps all money and shine in house with the exception of the current and developing Mayweather situation. I will give Bob Arum partial street credit for attempting to not involve the media and keeping his lips tight in the interest of the Mega fight’s basic health. What I am annoyed with however is Manny’s announced recourse in the event of discourse with Camp Mayweather and his avenging angels over at Golden Boy. A Cotto fight would entertain and sell, it would appeal to boxing fans by and large but to some would be seen as a convenient contingency. Marga-whats his name is something I am having trouble getting my head around. As we speak that Snake is lying in the weeds hoping for a $/Pac blow up and according to reports is TOTALLY convinced that he is line for the fight. Bob Arum among other things has taught us that he will do anything for a buck. He once tried to get Wilt Chamberlin to fight Ali and was going to stage it at a legitimate heavyweight encounter. Given that type of Bally whoo, a Tornado/Pacman clash is a very real possibility, much to my chagrin.
4. Sugar/Sergio Mora: Buy or sell?
Sell. I thought it about extensively over the last couple of days. After proper meditation I have come to some troubling conclusions about this situation. The most glaring part of this move by Shane Mosley is his selection. In taking an average Sergio Mora over Andre Berto and Paul Williams, Shane Mosley has for the time being conceded that he is not longer a type flight fighter. This move tells me that the Floyd Mayweather fight has hurt Shane Mosley mentally. It’s changed everything. Why not Andre Berto? The sticking post in those conversations was the fact that Berto wanted 50 percent. To my money what’s wrong with that? Shane Mosley AND Andre Berto are both pitfall draws unto themselves. Neither one really has a claim right now as to who is the bigger attraction. Give me a break. Berto’s homecoming on HBO was easily the worst crowd I have ever seen on the Flagship program of the Network. The last time Shane Mosley headlined a fight he drew a Junior varsity crowd to a soccer stadium. It’s a safe bet that if the fight were made the HBO licensing fee would be larger then the live gate. The point being the fight would not be a huge event, but it would but would make both of them more money then they currently are considering. Given all that it can’t be about money. Shane in his heart of hearts does not believe he can beat a hungry Andre Berto and is using Berto’s slight contract demands to deflect the real issue here
As for Paul Williams that fight will never happen. Shane Mosley has been ducking that fight for about 2 years now so it is impractical for us to believe that he is going to magically reform himself. At maybe the lowest point of his career it is desperate times in his camp. Shane is not a total moron. He knows he has 2 or 3 fights left in him at best. He is taking on this lesser opponent to see if he still has it. He is going to use Sergio Mora as a truth machine. More power to him but it does make me sad to realize what Shane is indicating by his actions.
Random Randoms
- David Haye sucks big fat Donkey dick. You know it. I know it. We all know it
- Yeah right! Who is Alex Arzia dude? I keep reading his predictions and prognostications of how the fight game will unfold. Is this the same Ariza who gets smacked around by the entire Pacquaio camp literally. Why would any self-respecting writer invest in his”boxing” opinion. Providing insight on the actual training camp that he works is the only use he has to us. That’s it. “How’s Manny looking Alex?” .That’s his only card in this game and the key to his new found credibility.
- The Pacquaio people are totally convinced that Manny is going to win this fight. They are loud and confident while the usually combative Mayweather lies in wait. Silent. He is not speaking to the media or anyone else. He has made no bold proclamations. It’s astounding really given his personal history. It makes me wonder what is going on behind closed doors. He must really want the fight to come off. I think he wants to get Manny in the ring and punish him. If the fight gets signed next week, it is a historic moment and should be enjoyable for everyone. Who am I picking? Let me hit that press tour that is rumored to be on the way and I will give yall my pick then
- Celestino C! If you friends will remember upon interviewing him I did an extensive Blog concerning the cowardice that surrounds this fighter. HE is the most avoided man in boxing. All of the top featherweights, Gamboa, Lopes, Marquez, John, Every time they get asked that Celestino question they opt for the next question or deflect it to their handlers. Arum is ducking Celestino at this point in time. He is opting instead to invoke the rich and storied Mexican/ Puerto Rican tradition by matching Lopes with Marquez. Gamboa’s people simply did not want the fight. They didn’t even attempt to hide that. They came right out and said no to HBO. Chumps. Sissys. Bob Arum yet again is acting like a spineless jellyfish. I am tempted to do a sequel to my initial report.
- Derek Goinatta of Secondsout.com and I recently engaged in a little text message war on the UFC and Boxing. This is a heated debate that I am finally going to explore. Stay Tuned
- My friend Josh who I have know for a long time is utterly convinced that Kobe Bryant is the greatest Laker of all time. His argument would have merit if Kobe were actually responsible for 3 of his 5 rings. You hear me Josh? You need to fall back. Kobe rode Shaq’s Coat-tails dog.
Christian is the Senior writer for Unifiedchamp.com; He can be reached at Christian@Unifiedchamp.com
Email Blog Entry
Mark as Read
