By Ishe Smith

Finishing Off The Mayweather Journey

To touch even more so on my inside description on Team Mayweather’s Camp, I was certainly surprised when he sparred on Thursday of last week. Yes ladies and gents, that’s only two days before the biggest fight of his life, against Shane Mosley.  I was wondering 'what is Floyd doing, it’s so close.' And we’re not talking about light work here. He didn’t use me or Stevie Forbes that day, but surely the guy was capable of maybe hurting him or cutting him....you just never know in this business. 

I remember watching him spar on this day and hear him saying in the midst of sparring (while he was actually in the ring headgear and all) shout out, “see Shane can’t do this, I am in shape and I’m already on weight, I’m ready to go.”  I mean this was some intense stuff here. I was shocked. I couldn’t believe it. I remember me and Steve looking at each other like 'what is Floyd doing in there, there is nothing else to prove.'

It’s clear that Mayweather displays a confidence that many athletes would die for. I have never seen him rattled before.  All this talk that he held Shane after he was hurt, and if Manny had him hurt he would have finished him - well, let me tell you one thing. Floyd has the ability to adjust in any circumstance.  And what are you taught to do when you get hurt? To hold on. So what did he do that was so out of the ordinary?

Manny said he would have finished him, well I highly doubt Manny would be able to hit him with those wild looping shots he throws. And I will say this again, if he starts camp with mediocre fighters, he will lose just like Shane and Oscar did.  Roach now says Floyd's legs are gone?  Surprisingly Roach has all of a sudden become the Pope of boxing.

Let me say this, Floyd has fast hands, which we all know, and deceptive power. Not the kind of power of a Randall Bailey or a James Kirkland. What’s sneaky about Mayweather’s power is that it’s surprising, very good snap and if he hits you with something and you don’t see it, it could definitely be good night.  Don’t think for one minute Shane didn’t feel those punches. Trust me he did.  But back to the speed and footwork. We all know he has blazing hand-speed. What is even faster is his footwork. I am a pretty damn good counter-puncher and so is Steve Forbes. A lot of times this guy's legs and footwork was so fast that he was in and out before we could counter him. I have purposely tried to lure him into a trap by baiting him to throw a punch, but when I pulled the trigger he was gone. I’m going to let Freddie believe his legs are gone.

 

What is up With Alexander?

I was brought up in the old school; where guys fought the best, where you sparred the best, and you trained with the best.  Politics have been taking over boxing so much that a very talented fighter in Devon Alexander is not getting his just due.  The first man to stop Juan Urango, very likable, young in age, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and already he's a unified champion. 

Why wasn’t Bradley and Alexander made from the jump and how the hell is Victor Ortiz back on HBO after he admittedly bowed out of a fight? Politics, politics, politics ladies and gents, and its ruining boxing. It's time to get back to the old fashion roots of the sport - where the best fought the best and trilogies were created.

It seems like in today’s game it's all about who you are with and what color your skin is.  I hate to admit it but it’s the damn truth.  That’s why the Super Six is good for boxing because it took the best at 168-pounds and matched them all together.  Sure there are a few names they could’ve added but for the most part they got it right.  Only thing I am starting to hate is the home advantage some of the fighters are getting. Next time lets do all neutral sites and it will be perfect.

 

Names Who Don’t Live up To The Hype.

When I do these Shay Days, and Shacks...don’t look at me as a fighter, but look at me as a writer with no biased opinion either way because I will give props where props are due. Okay, back to writing. There is a saying out there...."the apple never falls too far from the tree." Well in the case of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, and Ronald Hearns, the apple fell and rolled about a quarter mile from the damn tree. Its all most disgusting to watch these guys be given so much credit because of their fathers. I honestly don’t know which of the two is worse, Chavez or Hearns. They’re both pretty damn bad if you ask me.  Maybe it’s me, but hell I’m just saying If I am wrong please offer me some constructive criticism.  I grew up watching Hearns and Chavez Sr. so I don’t think I am off track here. 

 

Wishing Kermit the Best

After sitting with Kermit for breakfast in Texas and shooting the stuff for about an hour, I came to realize he is a pretty cool dude.  I wish him the best of luck come this Saturday. Me and Kermit have taken shots at each other in the past, like 6-7 years ago, but now I think we both have respect for one another.  I like how he revamped his career after so many counted him out. Good luck champ. 

One more thing before I get off the Cintron subject; with the excuses that Alfredo Angulo was sick when Kermit beat him. If you are sick, then stay home. Don’t discredit Cintron’s win in any way, and I think Angulo showed us all he can be outboxed pretty damn easily. You say how can I say easily?  Glad you asked because Joel Julio is not a boxer at all, and his movement is not that of a boxer, and he seemed to be doing pretty damn well against Angulo.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned, Julio is not a boxer and tired down the stretch and got knocked out.  Props to Kermit Cintron for showing what Angulo really is. That’s across the board for me. Yes Angulo is in my weight division and it may seem that I’m taking a shot at him but I’m not, I will not discredit any win for any fighter who decides to step in the ring, so save the "Oscar De la Hoyawas drained and that’s why Manny stopped him" for someone elsel.

 

Magarito in Tough!

Don’t think for one minute that Roberto Garcia is a pushover. I had the pleasure of training with Robert a few years back. For a fighter who is coming off a long layoff, Garcia is not the typical opponent you would want him in against.  I am not saying he is going to win, but it’s far from a walk in the park. Magarito has his hands full and I wouldn’t be surprised if he lost.  Garcia is a pressure fighter who comes to fight. Magarito will have his hands full.

Quick Question?

If Floyd beats Manny....will the haters shut up?  I have never seen a guy get so much hate for being a solidified winner. Its amazing to me how much hate the guy gets.  I am starting to realize that the root of the hate against him and many other athletes for that matter, are from people who wish they could be where they are. They find the dumbest things to complain and moan about. Try to put someone down for their hard earned blood, sweat, and tears, but yet they only wish that they could do what they do.  The classic hater line is 'if I was him I would do this, or I would do that.' Lets get one thing straight, all you would do is get knocked the f**k out. You don’t know what it takes to be a boxer or the hard work and dedication put into it. That’s for all the haters out there! True fans offer constructive criticism, offer opinions, are willing to debate and prove their points in an adult manner, and not making a point by throwing some damn hissy fit. 

Closing Thoughts:

Now that the rust is off, it feels good to be back to work doing a couple of pieces a week. Sorry about my last tirade up above, but ignorant people seem to bother me a tad bit. Still playing the waiting game on my next fight. Hopefully I will know something soon regarding my next fight so stay tuned.  I don’t know if we should read more into the Bernard Hopkins absence from last weekwend at Golden Boy's big event. I heard from a very reliable source that he was in Las Vegas but was very sick. Don’t quote me on that though.  I have these ups and downs where I feel like writing, and then I don’t. This is one of those times where I do have the feeling so I hope you enjoy. This has been another edition of My Two Cents...God Bless.