There will be a temptation to look past Mtagwa, to a bigger bout over the horizon.
Juan Manuel Lopez Weighs In Ahead Of Saturday Scrap
Undefeated world champions JUAN MANUEL “JuanMa” LOPEZ and YURIORKIS GAMBOA will be serving hard shots of tropical punch when they defend their titles, in separate fights, headlining “Island Warriors: Latin Fury 12,” Saturday, October 10, broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View from the WaMu Theater in the “Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden. Lopez will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight title against top contender and Tanzania native ROGERS MTAGWA. Gamboa will be defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight belt against Panamanian strongman WHYBER GARCIA. The televised portion of this boxing extravaganza will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT with two exciting 10-round bouts – undefeated Top-10 heavyweight contender ODLANIER SOLIS of Cuba against two-time world title challenger FRES OQUENDO of Puerto Rico, and super welterweight contenders PAWEL WOLAK of Poland against CARLOS NASCIMENTO of Brazil. These eight sluggers boast a combined record of 182-25-2 (132 KOs), a winning percentage of 87% and a victory by knockout ratio of 73%.
Top-10 middleweight contender and New York fan favorite IRELAND’S JOHN DUDDY will also be featured, on the non-televised undercard in a 10-round middleweight bout.
JuanMa gave his thoughts on the upcoming bout, and what might come next, on a conference call last week.
TODD DUBOEF (President, Top Rank): We are real excited about this event. As you know, we have a real forte of developing fighters and having young prospects. Even though we are in the middle of football and in the middle of the baseball playoffs, we think this is the right place to be. I am going to use October like we are at the beginning of the year for guys like JuanMa and Gamboa and Solis, Wolak and Omar Chavez, guys that are all going to be on this great show. We think this is a significant show for everyone to see their progress.
PETER RIVERA (PR Best Boxing, JuanMa co-promoter): We are very excited. We all know that Top Rank has done a great job building fighters such as Miguel Cotto and it has worked. We are expecting a lot of Puerto Ricans at the fights.
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I just want to let everyone know that I am very grateful for this opportunity to be on this great show. I have worked very hard preparing myself for anything and everything that can happen in the ring. I know Rogers Mtagwa is a tough guy but I am ready for him and I am more than ready to do battle.
Is there an incentive fighting on the same night as Israel Vazquez knowing that may be a future fight?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: Without a doubt I am going to be rooting for him to win. I am going to win on the same night and I do look forward to fighting him in the future. I know there are a lot of good fights out there and my company is going to be making those great fights for me. Yes, that is one guy I would look forward to fighting if there is an opportunity to do so.
Caballero has been saying a lot of things about you…
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: Right now I am just concentrating on my fight with Mtagwa. I know he is out there and I’m looking forward to shutting his mouth up once and for all. I am just looking forward to October 10 and there are some big names out there that I can fight and whoever is next, is next.
Fighting in New York?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: The opportunity to fight in New York is obviously a pinpoint market for a Puerto Rican. It is a great opportunity for me and I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. I am just very happy that it is going to be coming up and I am going to fight in such an important arena.
Gamboa in the future?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: As you may know I am doing this and maybe one more fight at 122 and I am looking forward to going up to 126 and it is a fight that has been mentioned and a fight that is out there and if it can be done, great. It is a great challenge for me and I think it is a great fight for both of us.
Will he watch Gamboa fight in the dressing room or watch later?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I will be focused on my fight in the dressing room but I may take a couple of glances at the TV. If the fight comes and it happens…I do know him very well. I have had the opportunity to see him fight a few times and I know how he fights and I know what he likes to do. There is no doubt in my mind that when we do fight I can beat him but it will be a tough fight.
TODD DUBOEF: I just want to mention that this will be the first time that there will be a TV blackout into the locker room so he doesn’t get distracted. Yes, I was joking, but obviously he has to perform and I wouldn’t throw away not considering it because he’s got a big road a head of him. He may just have one more fight at 122 and October 10 is a big performance for him.
Is JuanMa excited that he is the centerpiece and all fighters want to fight him and no one else?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It is a big compliment when people talk to me like that, about me being the centerpiece. It is not only me, my company has worked and my team has worked to put me at this point in my career and now it is up to me to do what they expect me to do.
TODD DUBOEF: It is true that he has to do what he has to do but through our relationship with Peter Rivera or PR Best Boxing. We develop these business models around these young men that they become the epicenter of where the storm is. There are people out there that know where the money is and the fighters are the biggest attraction.
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: We take this one step at a time and we make sure everything is right and everything is correct as we move ahead. The opportunities are out there but we have to take them one step at a time. We can’t run to them, I know I am not a rookie any more but I am not at the elite level yet and I need a big fight that will put me at the elite level. I am working towards that we are all working towards that. Just take my time and make it right and make it perfect.
Strengths and weaknesses of Mtagwa?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: He is a guy that comes at you and throws a lot of punches. He is kind of awkward and throws punches from a lot of directions and he plans to overwhelm you with punches. But he also leaves himself open so you can counter-punch him and you can get some real good punches at him – he’s not a good defender. I think if I put my punches together I think he is a guy that I can knockout.
How is this going to be different for you to fight in the Mecca of Boxing?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It is very important for me to look great and to show everyone in New York, not only the Puerto Ricans but everyone that is there who comes to see our fights that I am a good fighter and I can do something special. I am looking forward to doing something very impressive because I do want to go back to the big building. I do want to fight in the big building and hopefully soon. Not only that, but I want to show all the people watching these great fights on TV.
Define great…
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I like to show them a little bit of everything. I know I’m a great defensive fighter. I know I’m a great offensive fighter. Everyone knows my power. I like to show them a little bit of everything that I can do.
Fighting in the Garden atmosphere…
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: We all want to be like Cotto fighting in the big arena at Madison Square Garden, that’s what we all look forward to. That’s what I look forward to and I have to work hard to get there, but don’t doubt me, I will get there. I will have one of those great fights there.
They always talk about the great Puerto Rican fighters that fight at the Garden, how do you feel being compared to that?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It is a great honor to be compared to Trinidad and Cotto and Gomez. People that compare me to them – it is a great honor. I know they have heart to get to where they did. I know how hard I work to get to where I am. I know if I work harder I will be at the same level as those guys.
TODD DUBOEF: There are two kinds of clock with these young fighters in this business. One is their marketability clock and one is their boxing ability clock. When we have a guy that is in the epicenter of these big fights being done with the different types of opponents that he has in front of him, we have to take both of those things into consideration. Mtagwa is going to be a fight that you are on pins and needles with. He had a run of three or four first round knockouts and that was great for his marketability, but the truth is what did it do for his boxing ability? We don’t know. So these types of matches are the types that will test him, make him a better fighter and an attraction at the same time.
Have you done anything different to prepare for Mtagwa?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: I think of a couple of guys that were bigger and stronger that have moved down to fight me, I’m thinking of (Gilberto) Bolanos (2006) and (Hugo) Dianzo (2007). They were tough fights and difficult fights but I think I am very prepared for those types of fighters now.
I have not had the opportunity nor the opponent that has made me use all of my skills that I have. I think that I have all the skills that I need in the ring, I just haven’t had a fighter pressure me to make me use all of my boxing skills yet. There will be a time in my career and if I go up to 126 I’m sure there will be some guys there that my take my power away but I will be the same action fighter that I am now.
Do you worry about taking too many punches with his high-action style?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: It is a style that has done well for me and I don’t think I’ve been in trouble in any of my fights. I don’t think I’ve been in any unnecessary wars yet. I like to give the fans a good show and I do the best that I can, but if there comes a time that I have to do something else to win, I will.
What is the difference preparing to fight in the Garden compare to Puerto Rico, if any?
JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ: The fight preparation is the same. Obviously the night of the fight because all of my family can be there and all my kids can be there. We do feel that we are away. I do love fighting in Puerto Rico and having the great backing of my family and everyone involved. But I do know that it is important to go outside and get people to know me.
ali:
Lopez is a damn good fighter but if he fight Gamboa I think he will lose he also has power and is much faster then Lopez. Gamboa does fight with his hand down and that could get him in trouble either way I think it would be a great fight I hope it happens no later then a couple of years.
Sunday Oct 4, 2009 07:01:01 PM
Radam G, a most humble PacManite waiting n Manila 4 d arrival of Jose Luis Castillo, PacMan next spa:
Gamboa will be quite smart to stay away from JuanMa. Gamboa is a Cuban overhype job. JuanMa is truthfully a Puerto Rican whup-a$$. The only boxer that may give JuanMa a test is the long, tall Panamanian. JuanMa would have a problem with him for about eight rounds before figuring him out and dominating him. With that said, JuanMa would stop Gamboa in two or three rounds, unless the superhype job runs. Holla!
Sunday Oct 4, 2009 07:26:04 PM
riverside:
mtagwa has lost 12 times, why is lopez fighting him on pay per view?????
Sunday Oct 4, 2009 08:11:01 PM
Anony:
:::: MAKE ROOM FOR THE NEXT WILFREDO GOMEZ!!!! JUANMA WILL ROCK THE BOXING WORLD BECAUSE HE REPRESENTS PURE BOXING EXCITEMENT!!!! :::
Sunday Oct 4, 2009 10:26:26 PM
brownsugar:
I think it's possible for the fight to go exactly like Radam says,.. a clear win for Lopez,.. but I don't think anybody has the pure speed and athleticism of Gamboa,.. he's faster than anybody at his weight,. and he can float effortlessly around the ring like he has wings on,... he's almost as incredible to watch as a young Roy Jones,.. but fights more conventional,.. Gamboa has been dropped and is guilty of being impatient and sometimes wreckless,.. but I'm sure he'll be very focused for Lopez,.. Lopez is one of my favorites,.. I'm not sure if Gamboa is yet,.. but I can't deny his peerless abilities,.. this Latin Fury is a joke,.. with both guys facing somewhat weak opponents,.. but I'm glad they are going to meet,.. that's rare in boxing when two young guns go at it this early in their carreers,.. I'm not sold yet on Caballero,.. he's got balls,.. but his record is spotty and his performances are inconsistant,.. many people thought Cabellero got a gift decision on one of his recent fights,.. and I'm not sure he's good,.. or just lucky,.. time will tell... one thing about Lopez,.. he's sharp and he fights better against better opposition,.. both these guys have sparred in the amateurs,... and both claimed they embarrassed the other man..
Monday Oct 5, 2009 03:34:29 AM
MisterLee:
Juan ma is damn intelligent. More intelligent than i thought he'd be, so is malignaggi and JMM (aka- Canvas Kisser). Holler! What's next for the Canvas kisser guys? I say he clears out the lightweight division. He can still fight on PPV or BAD events, and kick valero's arse. There's quite some talent in the lightweight division. Holler!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 10:22:12 AM
MisterLee:
Let's not forget Penalosa's valiant effort agst this guy. Penalosa himself was a world champion in a lighter weight class, and being the older guy and slower and smaller, he really showed guts, a good chin (never went down), and never gave up. Aight, pc! He also went fought other big guys in jhonny gonzalez (who went 11 rounds with El Magnifico) and Daniel Ponce De Leon. Pc!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 10:43:31 AM
Anony:
Gerry Penalosa's fight against Juanma is the best fight so far in Juanma's career. Gerry and him went toe to toe and exchanged big time for rounds. That was the last risky fight Juanma took because Gerry really tested his chin there. I guess Bob Arum decided to slow down the pace on Juanma's career before facing Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez, Gamboa or the next possible victim - Caballero. Of course, if he wins Mtagwa. I hope he wins and fight Caballero here in Puerto Rico cause I'm planning to go to the event to watch how the Panamanian impersonate the "wobbling dance" before getting KTFO. Juanma is hot for this fight and mad. His punches will weight more against Caballero. Go to youtube and look for Caballero's videos calling on Juanma.... HE ASKED FOR IT!!!!!!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 11:27:45 AM
#1 PacFan "KO's Cotto in 7":
Gamboa-Lopez...now that's a fight! I think Gamboa will handle Lopez in 10 rounds. Gamboa is just too fast for Lopez who sometimes can be sloppy. I'm looking forward to that fight when it happens.
Monday Oct 5, 2009 11:59:44 AM
Matthew:
Honestly, I'd rather see Lopez take on Caballero than Gamboa. That fight is the best one that can be made at 122, especially as much as Caballero has called out JuanMa. Let's see that fight before he comes up to 126.
Monday Oct 5, 2009 02:15:09 PM
Anony @ #1 PacFan:
Please define "SLOPPY". Last time I checked Juanma's record it was 26 Wins, 0 Losses, 24 Knockouts.... that's sloppy??
Monday Oct 5, 2009 02:32:14 PM
donputo69 chilling in caguas puerto rico:
@Anony....you are 100 pct right...."SLOPPY"?....i've been watching juanma fighting for a while now.....and i have not seen juanma fighting sloppy....Lazy?....maybe....he'll probably take a round or two ....but thats about it....i just think #1Pacfan is a puerto rican hater...lol....first cotto, and now juanma.....but its all good....i dont pay mind to that anyway....as for caballero?....this mofo is talking alot of $#!t....I hope juanma cancelled his next fight against gamboa and fight that tall toothpick....after he KTFO of caballero, then he'll fight gamboa....thats just my opinion....holla back!!!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 03:19:19 PM
Anony @ donputo69:
Saludos donputo. I have to say I'm sure #1Pacfan do not hate on Puertoricans. This dude is extra cool and is one of the peacemakers here. So maybe he was asleep during Juanma's fight against Penalosa. LOL. That's a much recommended fight for anyone who doesn't know Juanma still. I'm his official internet promo manager now, please make donations at www*anonypromotions*com. Sorry, we only accept $20 up donations at the moment.
Monday Oct 5, 2009 04:08:22 PM
donputo69 in caguas puerto rico:
My bad #1Pacfan....i take that back....lol...maybe he hasnt seen juanma too much....Juanma is our next puerto rican hope after my boy cotto retires....holla back!!!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 04:12:39 PM
donputo69 :
BTW....wow....chavez jr record is 40-0....i dont know....i just had to bring that up man.....lol....same record as scareweather....lol....so that means chavez and scareweather are the best fighters out there?...lol....holla back!!! lmfao....
Monday Oct 5, 2009 04:16:10 PM
donputo69:
mexico has the best boxers....holla back!!!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 04:54:39 PM
donputo69 @the moron clone:
Like if i would ever say mexico has the best boxers....thats like me saying scareweather has a lion heart...lmfaooooo....but then again, i dont blame that loser clone for posting my name...lmfaooo.....like i said before....CHAVEZ JR IS THE BIGGEST BUM I'VE EVER SEEN....LOL...as of now he has fought 40 parking lot attendants or should i say 40 doorman...lol....holla back!!! THE REAL DONPUTO69....
Monday Oct 5, 2009 05:09:28 PM
Radam G, a most humble PacManite waiting n Manila 4 d arrival of Jose Luis Castillo,PacMan next spa:
I have a change of heart. Im sorry to say this, but Miguel Cotto is going to destroy my boy Pacquiao. After watching Cotto sparring, it made me change my mind real fast. Anony, Would you forgive me? Lets squash this beef and be happy. Shout out to my boy eastar! Im out! Holla!
Monday Oct 5, 2009 05:23:24 PM
Isaiah:
Chavez Jr is a bum. A bum who I think was past 30-0 and still couldn't even fight Alfonso Gomez, I believe. Chavez SR. will always be so far superior to his son, it isn't even funny. Can't say I'm not trying to be fair, because there's no way Chavez Jr. should ever be put in the same sentence as Mayweather. As many flaws as I see in Mayweather's opponent picking, it's still way more legit then "Lil Chavez" can spit out. By the way Radam, you're right man. I saw Miguel Cotto on some kind of Jacka## type reality show recently and it's true UNFORTUNATLY. Cotto WILL BE too much for Manny to handle. I HATE saying that, but it's just true.
Monday Oct 5, 2009 06:54:26 PM
brownsugar:
Arum is already posting possible dates for Pacman vs Mayweather,.. March 13 being available if they can get thru negotiations,..They secretly believe Cotto is damaged goods and will be further hampered by the weight loss,.... but if Cotto can find a way to fight hard in a 145lb body,..he has way too much pride to take the bottom bunk from a super featherweight,.. the only thing deciding the winner is how much Cotto has to work with,.. when he enters the ring at 145,.. I'd rather see Cotto vs Mayweather anyway,.. that a fight that should have happened 3 years ago... but you have to consider Pacman extremely live in any fight..
Monday Oct 5, 2009 08:57:18 PM
Twinkle D:
Shoot! These sorry haters should stop the cloning of Radam. He would never say that. Cotto is going to get knocked out quickly and really early. Maybe quicker than Hatton. Cotto is a damaged fighter. He will being seeing Margarito face on PacMan.
Monday Oct 5, 2009 11:15:00 PM
Eastar:
Sup everybody! Im back and stronger than ever. Did my boy mayweather retired again? Are my mexican fighters doing there thing? Eastar! im out. Peace!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 05:09:08 AM
Anony @ Radam's clone:
INCREDIBLE!!!!... I had such a big laugh cause I'm sure RADAM G will never say that. As much as I differ and don't like the "TSS madman", one thing I have come to understand about him is that he is stubborn as he can be and will never EVER change his prediction. Just to think he will choose Cotto over his idol in INSANE!!!!!! NICE TRY CLONE!!!!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 08:06:50 AM
Salt lover@Anony and donputo69:
Guys, I've watched Juanma Lopez, and dudes, the guy has great boxing skills. He's like a Trinidad, but with better boxing skills, better defense, and more speed. I'm looking forward to seeing him a lot more........Anony, Juanma ain't sloppy. He just rushes for the KO, instead of focusing on Victory and thus takes unneccesary punches, but he can correct that. And don, yeah, Caballero's been talking a tremendous amount of trash and the Hispanic boxing community is makin' a lot of noise between the two. There are rumors that they will fight in Puerto Rico in january 2010. Let's see what happens.
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 08:50:29 AM
#1 PacFan "KO's Cotto in 7":
Yo Don, how can I be a PR hater when Cotto is one of my favorite active boxers behind MP? When I mean sloppy I mean that he can get a little bit careless at times. @Anony, his record speaks for itself and I was targeting his record. I thought Gamboa was PR also. What is he?
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 09:01:51 AM
Anony @ #1 Pacfan:
Gamboa is from Cuba and Cuban and Puertoricans are bonded forever by history BUT in this case, BOXING, the rivalry has been forever. Kind of the same as mexican boxers and now the Pinoy's who, to my limited understanding, are growing exponentially in the percentage of boxers and giving all of us Latino's "problems". Starting with Pacquiao who will cement his legacy as a "mexican assasin". Now Donaire and Sonsona... that's why we can't say boxing is dead. It really has been reinventing itself to the finest EVER.
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 09:52:22 AM
#1 PacFan "KO's Cotto in 7":
@Anony, boxing has always been global. It's just that the higher weight classes ruled the scene at the time. Philippines has always been there as well just been on a surge of fighters lately. Correction...I wasn't targetting his record. Latin and Mexican boxers have already made their mark in the history of boxing in numbers, now it's our turn.
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 11:05:35 AM
Radam G, a most humble PacManite saying that it been Pinoy TIme 4 long b4 Manny:
News to whomever it may concern, and whoever doesn't give a darn! Those are tons of Pinoy world boxing champions who fought out of Mexican, Texas, California, New Mexico, Arizona and even Cuba and Panama. They listed as Mexicans, Mexican Americans, Cubans, Panamanians and Americans. Maybe somebody will and should write about the world champions and contenders of Filipino extraction. I won't do it because these haters and posers wouldn't believe it anyway. Yall don't nuffin' about Pinoy greats! Holla!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 02:13:27 PM
Radam G, a most humble PacManite:
Oops, let me not forget! From the same block in New Orleans, La. famed "Little Manila," five Pinoys, aka Fil-Ams, world titles back in the day. Because of the racist laws of Louisiana, they are and were put down as "colored" or "white." In the Texas cities of Fort Worth, Houston, Dallas and El Paso, there has been about 12 world titlists who are Pinoy, but are down as Mexican, Black and White. Holla!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 02:24:54 PM
#1 PacFan"KO's Cotto in 7":
@Anony, im with Radam G, Im gonna change my mind and go with cotto. Cotto is training likenan animal. But i think he would lose to mayweather. Mayweather will ko cotto in 7.Mayweather is pound for pound the best!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 02:42:51 PM
donputo69 @TSS U:
wow...i see alot of change of hearts....whats going on here....then again, it could be that the clone is back....or the easter rotten egg is back...anyway...back to boxing....@Salt Lover...you are right...juanma reminds me alot of a young trinidad....but with better skills than tito...although i cant see any puerto rican boxer taking over his legacy just yet....but juanma is not too far from that....as for cotto?....keep on saying he's damage good....come nov.14 and ya will see who would be leaving the arena DAMAGE GOOD....and it wont be cotto....holla back!!!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 03:12:33 PM
Salt lover@donputo69 :
Hehehehehehe, chill, homie. I've never said Cotto was "damaged goods". That's what some people have said, but definitely not me. Peace man!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 03:45:14 PM
Radam G a most humble PacManite:
Anony, can we finally cut the beef between me and you? I would really appreciate that! having said that, i still think your boy cotto would stop pacquuiao inside of 11 rounds. I cant see pacquiao beating cotto. But cotto would get ko by my main man and Pound 4 Pound king mayweather. And thats a fact. Holla!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 03:50:22 PM
Salt lover@donputo69 :
Hehehehehehe, chill, homie. I don't know if the clone has tought of me lately, but I've never said Cotto was "damaged goods". That's what some people have said, but definitely not me. After Margarito, he took Clottey's shots pretty well, plus he didn't quit with that bloodrain over his left eye. He's not "damaged" physically, nor mentaly. Peace man!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 03:59:01 PM
donputo69 :
MAYWEATHER IS THE BEST BOXER ALIVE.COTTO IS A BUM ANS SO IS PACQUIAO. MAYWEATHER WILL KNOCKOUT THESE 2 CLOWNS IN 3 ROUNDS.HOLLA BACK!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 04:09:13 PM
Anony watching Sponge Bob square pants:
I agree with donputo69. Mayweather will ko cotto and pacquiao in 3 rounds.true story.
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 04:11:32 PM
Anony @ the clone:
Hummm... Eastar is back and so is the clone... Coincidence?
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 06:10:24 PM
#1 PacFan "The Real One":
Clone is back and so is the bunny easter that is. Let's launch special ops "Collateral" War on Clones!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 07:09:26 PM
Radam G, a most humble PacManite:
Eastar, why don't you try growing up. One minute you are talking about TSS Universe being racist, then the next minute you are up to your immature shenanigans. And for the one cloner -- like nobody can follow you right to your computer -- there has never been "a beef" between anybody and me. I'm too grown up for that nonsense. That is why I have the ability to jive and shake up da wirrlllllddddd and those fools! Reader Marco, why don't you tell that knucklehead how easy it is to follow him to his computer, and if I were a knucklehead like him I'd disable his computer passage to the whole internet. YUP! #1 PacFan, I hate to say that I told you, but I told you! Now you are being cloned by this blanka-d-blank with the mind of _______! Holla!
Tuesday Oct 6, 2009 07:29:40 PM
Smiley C:
Maybe log the clone's IP address and block his access. Even an eight-year-old kid can did that to juvenile-acting jerk fo' sure!
Wednesday Oct 7, 2009 05:56:53 AM
MisterLee @ Anony:
yo man! you're right, it was juanma's best fight, but it can't be the biggest risk, or a huge risk, tho being a penalosa fan... let's look at this formula: get older fighter, make sure he has a big name, make him go up in weight and fight you, you get his name on your resume and get more titles and p4p accolades. Let's test this formula; Khan vs. Barrera, Juanma vs. Barrera, Mayweather vs. Marquez... I'm sure there are dozens of other examples. But it's a workable formula in fight promotion, just like other gimmicks: fighting the weakest belt holder (khan's last fight, pacquiao david diaz), bringing a guy who's been in one weight division under you for his entire career and then bringing him up in weight and hyping it up as a legit title defense (mayweather vs. hatton, berto vs. urango, bradley vs. campbell) also known as glorified tune up fights, the Top Rank special: making fans pay $40 for tune-up fights that they'll market and hype up 2 weeks before the fight (pavlik vs. rubio, cotto vs. jennnings), and the HBO special: glorifying crap fights using the 24/7 hype engine (while letting the REAL boxing matches slip to BAD events with no promotion or backstory/fight promotion, shotime/shobox, or some obscure tv station or a fallout: dawson johnson II [the johnson vs. adamek fight was not bought by anyone b/c of mayweather marquez fight bought up the budget], taylor vs. froch, JMM vs. Juan Diaz, Berto Collazo, Casamayor katsidis, marquez vs. casamayor, Mosley vs. Margarito, Cotto vs. Clottey] ). Lightweight Lightning was an exception. And the hype job of Ortiz and Taylor and Juan Diaz are classic. Looking for the next "Great Mexican Fighter" or the next "Oscar De La Hoya". At least Angulo is not a victim of being "exposed". HBO, you oughta be ashamed of yourself. You guys (minus the announcers) are real prostitutues to the boxing BUSINESS, to GBP, and worst of all, the FANS are the last ones you think of when making productions. You are like the Miley Cyrus of the boxing business, just trying to market and force fans to like your garbage through media over exposure and marketing (no one in their right mind if they listened to a miley cyrus cd or a britney spears cd blind would enjoy those P's Of S... but proximity and exposure leads to some admiration or enjoyment). Oh and did I mention part of the boxing business are unfair decisions and robberies: malignaggi vs. diaz, the cintron vs. martinez "draw" etc. Anyway, 80% of all fights are promotion marketing Piece of Craps. *Sigh* anyway, what can i say, I LOVE this sport!!!
Wednesday Oct 7, 2009 08:34:53 PM
Twenty three years later after they seconded Marvin Hagler and Ray Leonard in Las Vegas, Goody Petronelli and Angelo Dundee crossed paths again. This time, it was at Foxwoods. Photo/friend of TSS "The Iceman" John Scully reports there were only pleasantries exchanged. Goody didn't debate the split decision victory enjoyed by Leonard, which to this day Hagler disputes.
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