How Does Floyd Mayweather Stack Up To The Greats?

So now a lot of people are irked that Floyd Mayweather has declared himself better than such luminaries as Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. That's understandable. Ali and Robinson are true icons, after all. The fact that they weren't undefeated, like Floyd currently is, almost ironically adds to their prestige. For here were men who knew how to come back from tough losses. The same can't be said of Floyd.

Still, I'm not so quick to write Mayweather off. Let's face it, the guy has earned the right to be considered one of the greatest ever, if not THE greatest. So, how good is Floyd, and - pound for pound - how does he stack up?

Let's start with Robinson. Frankly it may be tough to imagine Floyd beating the man. There was just something about Robinson - the way he was able throw numerous body shots in rapid fire fashion, the way he was able to last fifteen full rounds with incredible energy. Still, Floyd has proven himself to be incredibly disciplined in the ring. He also adapts well. Could he adapt to the endless energy and skill of the esteemed boxer-puncher? Perhaps not.

Then again, Floyd is more accurate and hits a lot harder than he's given credit for. Were he able to land clean when Robinson was going to the body with two fisted abandon...

As for Ali, it's almost hard to picture the heavyweight stepping into the ring with the welterweight Mayweather. Still, pound for pound and all things being equal, I think it all would come down to activity. Could Ali throw enough to beat "Money?" Fast as Ali was, I think Mayweather would have the edge.

Ali wouldn't be able to float like a butterfly against Mayweather. The question is: would he be able to sting like a bee? And if he could sting, how often would be able to?

Truth be told, there's other known legends who I believe could give Floyd real trouble. Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Roy Jones Jr, Willie Pep and Pernell Whitaker all come to mind. Whether or not they could actually beat the man (or if he could actually beat them) will always be a matter of conjecture.

Perhaps what's important is the fact that Mayweather's name deserves to be mentioned alongside those other men's. That and the fact that he's got a real life challenge against another real life legend just weeks away.

Why The Canelo-Kirkland Match Is Truly Fan Friendly

Sit and enjoy - without coughing up a hundred bucks. 

I know, I know. Your mind is on Mayweather-Pacquiao. Why wouldn't it be? After all, the May 2nd matchup will be one of the few great superfights in boxing history. By superfights, I mean fights that actually impact the culture outside of boxing's traditional fan base. Yup, there's good reason to be hyped about this much hyped fight. Don't let the cynics discourage you.

There's another fight on the horizon, however, that's far more fan friendly. Indeed, as I've watched the promotion for this bout unroll, I've found myself wondering if the promotion for Mayweather-Pacquiao could have taken a few notes.

For the Canelo-Kirkland bout on May 9th, exactly one week after the Floyd-Manny showdown, is truly being promoted as a fan focused affair. For one thing, it's being held in a HUGE outlet, Minute Maid Park in Houston, to be exact.

Let's just say it's doubtful serious ticket issues will arise in the lead up to this event. For not only are the tickets for this bout affordable, there's apparently plenty of them available to the public. Yet the good parts of this promotion don't just end with the seating.

For here is a fight where the press is literally being asked to attend pre-bout events. Compare that to Mayweather-Pacquiao, where promoter Bob Arum abruptly ended a conference call because too many journalists were on hand. While it's undoubtedly true the overflow of writers and analysts was frustrating for those behind the bout, ending a professional call in a tantrum does not make for good PR.

Indeed, Arum went on to bitch and moan afterward about irrelevant smaller blogs and outlets. This very blog would probably fit Arum's definition of a pissant operation perfectly. Yet some of the PR folks behind Canelo-Kirkland asked if I'd be interested in going down to Texas for some of the promotional events, regardless.

See the difference?

It's not like Canelo-Kirkland is a dud of a match, either. Just you wait and see how packed Minute Maid Park is for this one. Throw in a free showing for HBO subscribers and you've got a hugely popular and relevant match on your hands.

Make no mistake about it, Canelo-Kirkland is no Mayweather-Pacquiao. It isn't trying to be, either. What it's trying to be is a bout that boxing lovers will truly appreciate. It isn't a pop culture event. It's a boxing match. And one well worth looking forward to, at that.

Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is doing this one right.

Algieri's Influence Helped Matthysse Beat Provodnikov

A certain New Yorker's work was influential in Saturday's fight

Long Island's Chris Algieri proved to have a pretty significant influence over Lucass Matthysse leading up to last Saturday's bout between the Argentine and Ruslan Provodnikov. For Matthysse openly admitted he studied Algieri's win over the Russian last year. Picking up things that Algieri did effectively in his bout with Provodnikov ended up helping Matthysse in the ring.

"He moved and gave him trouble," Matthysse said of Algieri. It proved to be a technique which worked for both men, For one of the key points to Matthysse's victory on Saturday was the man's ability to keep just out of range of Provodnikov's formidable attack. Although the extremely game Provodnikov was able to push Matthysse to the limit, Matthysse's superior skills ultimately made all the difference.

It will be interesting to see how Algieri's style matches up against his own next opponent, Amir Khan, or if Algieri will even have to alter his usual style for the bout. Khan is extremely fast, after all, perhaps even faster than Manny Pacquiao. With John David Jackson in Algieri's corner, a unique game plan may be in order.

As for Matthysse, he's undoubtedly going to take a much needed rest after Saturday's grueling affair. The man is unquestionably a hot commodity right now. Surely, he'll be hoping to make the most of his rejuvenated status within the junior welterweight division. Who knows what fighter the guy will end up studying next.

In A Wild Weekend, Bud Crawford's Star Shines Brightest

It was some weekend for the sport of boxing. Lucas Matthysse showed just how good he is against a brutally game Ruslan Provodnikov while the once hugely popular Julio Caesar Chavez Jr was beaten to a halt by the determined Andrejz Fonfara. Yet it was one Terrence "Bud" Crawford who proved himself to be the most talented of the bunch.

Crawford stepped into a Texas ring on Saturday to face talented Puerto Rican fighter Thomas Dulorme. Already recognized as a true up and comer since having had what can only be considered a stunning 2014, Crawford was recognized by fans to be the favorite. Yet Dulorme had shown up to fight.

For it was indeed Dulorme who was the more active fighter in the early part of the bout. He wasn't doing great, but he was clearly earning himself some points. Crawford, on the other hand, appeared to be patient to the point of becoming inert.

Indeed, one had to wonder if the world was in for a replay of the previous week's Lamont Peterson-Danny Garcia fight, where a more active Garcia bested a more effective Peterson on points. Yet Crawford's patience payed off.

By the sixth, Bud found his mark, sending Dulorme to the mat not once, not twice, but three times; thus successfully putting an end to Dulorme's hope of an upset. If anyone who saw the bout wasn't convinced that Crawford was a man to be reckoned with, that person most likely never will be.

Matthysse was was impressive. Provodnikov was brave. Fonfara was powerful. But Crawford was simply brilliant. And even in the wildest of weekends, brilliance rises above most all other adjectives.

Will Trainer Marvin Somodio Be The Real Star Of The Provodnikov-Matthysse Bout?

So no, superstar trainer Freddie Roach will not be in Ruslan Provodnikov's corner when the Russian faces top notch junior welterweight Lucas Matthysse this weekend at New York's Turning Stone Casino. Roach, you see, is busy working on one Manny Pacquiao, a thoroughly obscure fighter who will be battling the equally obscure Floyd Mayweather in a quiet little event on May 2nd in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With that in mind, Roach's protege, Marvin Somodio, will be acting as Provodnikov's corner general for Saturday's bout. This is a big opportunity for Somodio, for all eyes will be on the Turning Stone for the Provodnikov-Matthysse matchup. If Provodnikov pulls it off, it will be a true feather in the Filipino trainer's hat.

Indeed, Somodio might be someone fans want to become familiar with. For if he learns well from his mentor, Roach, the future can be all his. Some of us remember a young Roach, after all, standing around with trainer extraordinaire Eddie Futch back in the 80s. Futch was Roach's mentor. And now Roach is arguably the top trainer in the sport.

Who's to say Somodio won't someday be a master corner man himself?

Truth be told, sometimes the marginal figures in boxing can be as impressive and colorful as the men and women who wear the gloves. Doc Kearns, Tex Rickard, Angelo Dundee, Emanuel Steward, Roger Mayweather, these are figures were (or still are) as prominent as the fighters they worked with. Will Somodio end up among that elite group? Saturday may offer some indication.  

Miguel Cotto Thinks Canelo Alvarez and GGG Should Stand Patiently In Line - Behind Daniel Geale

It's doubtful Cotto's next fight will generate the excitement his last one did.

It's good to be middleweight champion of the world. It seems you can pretty much make career choices with impunity. Face a major star who wants to throw down? Nah. Go head on with the most feared individual in your division? When you get around to it.

Give Miguel Cotto this - he's not overly concerned what others think of him or his choices. After frustrating fans by forgoing potential bouts with Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin, the legendary but aging slugger has decided to settle on Daniel Geale, who Golovkin mopped the floor with last summer.

Nothing against Geale, he's a talented guy and a game one, to boot. This is not the bout fans want to watch, however. It will be interesting to see how the ratings are for HBOs live broadcast of the fight on June 6th. Indeed, Cotto's recent comments are most likely not generating a whole lot of excitement for the throwdown.

"I had to wait sometimes in my career for my opportunities," the Puerto Rican legend said. "Canelo has to do the same. Golovkin has to do the same."

And there you have it.

"Just sit, be calm, and wait you turn," Cotto added.

Freddie Roach - Boxing's Greatest Trash Talker

I know, I know, Adrien Broner is boxing's reigning ruler of the obnoxious set. It's hard to argue that fact since I know of no one else who's flushed money - real or fake - down the toilet of a fast food joint. Still, outrageous as he is, Broner falls short in the trash talking category.

For the ruler of that particular realm is none other than trainer extraordinaire, Freddie Roach. Yup, the man who whispers in PacMan's ear can really talk some smack. And yeah, he's better at it than Broner. For Broner is cartoonish. Roach, on the other hand, says all sorts of things with seeming seriousness.

Here's a guy who really, REALLY wants to get in an opponent's head. That's why Roach has had so much to say about one Floyd Mayweather lately. While it may well be true that Roach feels "Money" is a bad influence for young people, or that Floyd really was ducking Pacquiao all those years, there's more at work here than Roach simply speaking his mind.

The one person Roach really wants to lend him an ear, however, is Mayweather himself. For Floyd is cool as ice in the ring. Seriously. The dude is unflappable. Any break in the emotion department, be it even a sliver, will be beneficial to team Pacquiao.

Truth be told, however, I don't see any of this frustrating Floyd in the least. He's heard it before. He'll hear it again. It's all a part of the business and he knows it. If Freddie were training Floyd instead of Manny, we'd all be hearing about what a decent guy Floyd is. Everyone knows it. You know. I know it. Floyd knows it.

And Freddie knows it, too. Not that he cares much.