“Fighting Words” – A Tamer, Lamer Fernando Vargas?

By David P. Greisman

A week after warriors Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales spotlighted a pay-per-view card, the Aztec Warrior, Fernando Vargas, made his return to action on HBO with a ten round bout against Raymond Joval.  In honor of the nature of the above fighters, this week’s edition of Fighting Words will pull no punches, as I tackle Vargas’s comeback, more of the upcoming fights in April, and reader responses to the Morales/Pacquiao showdown.

A Tamer, Lamer Fernando Vargas?

Broadcast on HBO’s Boxing After Dark program after a re-broadcast of the previous week’s fight between Morales and Pacquiao, Fernando Vargas’s return to the ring was being billed as a showcase event.

Vargas was returning from a fifteen-month layoff due to the rehabilitation of a bulging disk in his back, and his opponent was Raymond Joval, a light-hitting middleweight whose only major win was a decision over Sam Soliman.

It was to be Vargas’s only fight at 160 before he stepped back down to junior middleweight, a chance for him to show that he still had the skills and intensity that made him a young champion, leading to entertaining wars with Felix Trinidad and Oscar De La Hoya.

Under the tutelage of new trainer Danny Smith, however, we were advised that Fernando Vargas would now also be a more cautious, intelligent boxer.

Still, with a packed crowd at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, chanting Vargas’s name, the expectation was that “El Feroz” was there to put on a show with an opponent who was, in not-so-subtle boxing terminology, there to be hit.

Instead, Vargas went the distance with Joval, exhibiting signs of major ring rust while struggling to control an active but ineffective opponent.

It was a tamer, lamer Vargas that only occasionally flashed his offensive fire, interspersing popping left hooks and snapping jabs between stylish defensive posturing.  With his body angled and his chin tucked tightly on his chest, Vargas ducked and slipped punches rather than engaging.

If Joval had any power and accuracy whatsoever, it may have been possible to see Vargas in more difficult waters, or for the scorecards to have instead read for the thirty-six year old Dutchman. 

Judges Jesse Benavides, Ray Hawkins and Jesse Reyes turned in final scorecards of 98-92, 96-94 and 97-93, respectively, all in favor for Vargas, but the fight was less of a victory and more of just a man testing himself.

After all, when Felix Trinidad came back from his long sabbatical, he went against an easy-to-hit Ricardo Mayorga, looking impressive and cementing any doubts that Tito’s abilities had deteriorated.

With Vargas, though, his time off was involuntary, and the excruciating pain caused by the bulging disk often postponed the idea of a comeback.

Alas, I was not impressed with Fernando Vargas, but, really, I don’t think that I should have been.  It was ten rounds of work against a B- or C-level middleweight who would apply pressure and not make it an easy night; a chance for El Feroz to see just how much he will have to improve before entering the big fights once more.

Vargas called out WBC junior middleweight champ Javier Castillejo after the decision was announced.  The Spaniard was awarded the green belt by its sanctioning body after former beltholder Winky Wright decided to step up one weight class to meet Trinidad.

Hopefully Vargas will go back to the gym with Smith and continue to work out any kinks and shake off the rest of the rust, but I hope that a more cautious Fernando does not mean that his bouts will become boring.

The sweet science loves its warriors, but respects them when they try to extend their careers.  But as Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Arturo Gatti have exhibited, a warrior can and should still entertain while boxing.

Welcome back, Fernando, and here’s hoping the rest of the old you shall return soon, too.

One-Eyed Pacquiao

Lernydodong writes, “It seems to me that you were really impressed with [Erik] Morales’s performance.  Yes, I admit that Morales looked good because Manny Pacquiao was fighting with one eye from the fifth round to the twelfth round.  How about if Morales was the one fighting with one eye?  What do you think would happen to Morales?  Could he survive up until the twelfth round?  And even though Pacman was fighting with one eye, Morales was not able to knock him down.  It was Morales who almost got knocked down in the twelfth round.  I would be very impressed with Morales’s performance if he was able to knock down the Pacman and win without any head butts.  I congratulate both fighters for the very good fight, now let’s do it again.”

Pacquiao was indeed quite brave in continuing to fight after such a gruesome cut from the butt, and I don’t blame him at all for the panic he showed in the corner while the blood streamed down his face.  He was in with an extremely tough and experienced Morales, and proved that he was not going to quit like he seemed to want to against Agapito Sanchez years back.  I don’t think that Morales would have quit, either, but you can’t necessarily blame the head butt for Pacquiao coming up on the short end of the decision.  Morales earned Manny’s respect with his power, and even though El Terrible does not necessarily carry knockout power, it was clear from Pacman’s retreats that he could feel Erik’s punches.

Morales A “Hard Meat”?

CMinoza writes, “As a Filipino myself, I’m on Pacquiao’s side all the way.  Pacquiao obviously had a hard time with Morales, but surely if not for that nasty cut (which is accidental as the videos show, and of course part of the game), it would have been a different outcome.  I shall call Morales a “Hard Meat” since it is obvious that he is a well-trained, tough and smart fighter. 

“Pacquiao was not as clever as Morales in their showdown, and his come-what-may style of fighting did not pay off.  Morales can be seen ‘staying out of Pacquiao’s left’ by offering Pacquiao a long punishing jab every time the Filipino came in for the kill.  Morales was just too smart against Pacquiao, but power-wise, I will have to say that our Filipino fighter is still stronger. 

“Anyways, since no knockdown happened in the fight, I would have to say that a rematch is deserving, of course in due time.  And at that time, for sure, Pacquiao would have to know his personal weakness and would have adjusted by then.  And even though we lost, the entire Filipino race is still proud of our Pacquiao.  He sure has stamped his name and that of the Philippines in the boxing world.”

You should be proud of Pacquiao, as should the rest of the boxing crowd.  Neither fighter came out as the loser of the bout, Pacquiao just was the one who didn’t do as much to deserve the win.  Morales obviously did plenty of studying of the Pacquiao/Juan Manuel Marquez fight before stepping into the ring against the Filipino Firebomber, and carried out his game plan quite efficiently.  I think that if Manny is to overcome any of his perceived weaknesses in order to beat the top-notch competition like Morales, he will need to develop a better defense than just his offense and the rapid retreat.  Pacquiao could have won the deciding rounds had he been able to block or dodge Morales’s responses instead of ceding control of the ring back to El Terrible.

Erik Morales Won It in the Mountains

Glen Dimaandal writes, “Hi!  I’m a journalism student from the Philippines, and a big boxing fan as well.  I would say the bout lived up to the hype.  I’m a big Pacquiao fan, but the story of the night was truly the fact that “El Terrible” put together a technical masterpiece from the opening round to the eleventh.  It takes a special kind of boxer to not only weather, but back up Manny, considering how amazing his innate physical abilities are.  The counters that Morales showcased were among the finest in the business.  The night was clearly for the Mexicans and rightfully so. 

“Not to Manny’s discredit, of course.  This guy is a warrior who refuses to bow to anyone.  His talent cannot be questioned and on that night, he erected a testament to the kind of heart he has. 

“I believe the fight was won in the mountains of Mexico where Erik trained, where I contend that the more serious training took place.  The solitude provided the Mexican the focus that he needed to work at that brilliant stratagem which weaved the magic in the fight.

“The scary thing, however, is the fact that in this fight, Manny proved that even with bad breaks like a deep cut, unfamiliar gloves and an opponent who has an obvious advantage in skills, he can still hang with the best fighters in the world.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that Manny still hasn’t reached his full potential, and by the time he does, there will still be Hell to pay.”

You’re quite accurate with your argument of Pacquiao having “innate physical abilities” and unquestionable talent, Glen, and if Manny continues to get better, he could be even more frightening.  I would compare Pacquiao to Lebron James in that they’re both exceptionally talented, with even more room to improve.  Lebron James is not Michael Jordan yet, but it would be hard to deny that he has the potential to eventually be the Heir to Air.  As for Manny, he’s faced Morales, Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera in three of his past four fights, going 1-1-1 and proving that he belongs.  With Freddie Roach as his coach and mentor, the sky is the limit, and boxing fans, like the NBA audience with Lebron, are likely to be rewarded with exemplary showcases in the years to come.

The Gloves Do Not Matter

Antonio Infante wraps up this week’s mailbag by writing, “If you recall correctly during Erik Morales’s last loss [against Barrera], there was a similar controversy surrounding the issue with the gloves.  I do believe that Barrera, whom Pacquiao beat, was also very hesitant to wear those same types of Asian gloves.  Nevertheless, Marco Antonio used the gloves that apparently didn’t fit his big hands, and we know the outcome.

“The fact of the matter is that the gloves did not help Erik throw Pacman into the corner like a rag doll in the first round when Manny was trying to establish dominance as he had initially in the Marquez fight.  The fact of the matter is that the gloves had nothing to do with Erik hitting Pacman from angles that I doubt Manny’s trainer [Freddie] Roach even knew existed.  The fact of the matter is that gloves have nothing to do with pedigree.

“Erik, since the age of five, was a student of the sweet science, in the geographical epicenter of the world’s most offensive, rugged pugilism, Mexico.  Manny’s origins were that of a smoker, a gambler, whose lack of experience was obvious because of the fact that he had almost never fought outside his home.  Also, he demonstrated a tendency to hit men when they were down as he did in the Marquez fight.

“Pacquiao’s limited experience, which Marquez was the first to expose was completely denudated [uncovered – I had to look it up myself… -David] on the sad eve of Filipino boxing.  Even his unrealistic ambition of ending the Mexican monopoly of super featherweights was evidence of his lack of experience, and those same ambitions are now as damaged as his face, for which he is now undergoing plastic surgery.”

Wow, Antonio, for the amount of positive, balanced emails I got from Filipino fans complimenting Morales, it is obvious where your loyalties sit.  Still, you are entitled to your opinion, although I do wish you could find it in your Latino Heat to give props to Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s taken on some major opponents, and I especially hope you’re not forgetting the smackdown that Pacman opened up on Barrera.  Manny has been a breath of fresh air, providing us with entertaining exhibitions of his abilities for a few years now, and on that basis I cannot say that anything has been exposed.  Pacquiao simply got in the ring with an intelligent, capable Erik Morales, and was only behind by two rounds on all three judges’ scorecards before going into the twelfth stanza.

Noted trainer Emanuel Steward provided an intriguing feature on the differences between Winning and Cleto-Reyes gloves on the Vargas telecast, and while there are elements of the Reyes gloves that could have let Manny punch with more power, it is nice to see that Pacquiao and Roach are dealing with the loss gracefully and not throwing out excuses like a certain Wladimir Klitschko.

If and when Manny and Erik get back in the ring, hopefully all issues will be hammered out, and it will be just as interesting to see what happens and what the fans say afterwards. 

The 10 Count

1.  The first Saturday of April brings a unification match between cruiserweight champions Wayne Braithwaite and Jean Marc Mormeck.  I don’t intend to slight the two titlists, but aside from Evander Holyfield and James Toney, have any cruiserweights in recent years actually mattered?

2.   Just when your wallet couldn’t get any lighter, April 9 has an HBO pay-per-view that will definitely not be getting my cash.  With Marco Antonio Barrera facing Mzonke Fana (who?), Fernando Montiel meeting Ivan Hernandez, and Juan Lazcano beating down Justin Juuko, I recommend that you spend your money on Wrestlemania this weekend instead.

3.  Mind you, I’ve been a Barrera fan ever since he shellacked Naseem Hamed, but there’s a big difference between seeing Erik Morales face Manny Pacquiao and laying down the big bucks to see the Babyfaced Assassin against someone I’ve never heard of.

4.  The Montiel/Hernandez match, though, could turn out to be quite interesting, although not noteworthy enough to lead to a purchase.  Montiel, once a highly touted prospect, lost his previously unblemished record to Washington, D.C., native Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson in the summer of 2003.  Johnson, though, met Hernandez last September and was knocked out in eight rounds.  These are the kinds of fights that should be televised more often so as to spark American interest in the lower weight divisions.

5.  Does the name Justin Juuko seem slightly familiar to you?  It should.  The Ugandan lost to Miguel Cotto in only Cotto’s tenth fight back in June 2002 on the undercard of the second Barrera/Morales match (on an interesting and sad note, that was also the same PPV show that Fernando Montiel knocked out Pedro Alcazar.  Alcazar would die a few days later).  Since then, Juuko has fought only four times, and for him to be considered quality opposition for Juan Lazcano is ridiculous.  Then again, the Hispanic Causing Panic (I love that nickname!) hasn’t fought since losing a unanimous decision to Jose Luis Castillo last summer.  A pushover seems about right… for an ESPN2 card, not for PPV.

6.  Rounding up the April 9 PPV is another bout for Olympian prospect Abner Mares.  I’m glad the kid is staying active, and it should be interesting to see how he develops over the next couple of years.

7.  My wallet will definitely be opened for ESPN’s April 23 PPV, which will feature Kermit Cintron vs. Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley vs. David Estrada, Juan Diaz vs. Ebo Elder and Calvin Brock vs. Jameel McCline.  I want to hear your thoughts and predictions on this card.  Will Cintron/Margarito be a slugfest, and who will prevail?  Is Shane Mosley going to rule the welterweight roost?  Shall Diaz/Elder be an early candidate for Fight of the Year?  Is Calvin Brock the real deal, or will Jameel McCline finally win an important fight?

8.  Shame on Sports Illustrated for its lackluster boxing coverage.  While they rarely print anything on the sweet science, refusing to cover Pacquiao/Morales but featuring a blurb on Tonya Harding’s cancelled bout with a transvestite is just plain sad.

9.  The Ring Magazine has a storied history, but I’m not so sure if boxing periodicals as a whole are as relevant to the fans or the industry anymore.

10.  The Contender Update:  They picked their poison, and it came back and got them.  Last week, with Jeff Fraza dropping out due to chicken pox, the remaining fighters voted to bring Peter Manfredo, Jr., who lost in the first episode, back into the show for a second chance.  This week, Manfredo took a close unanimous decision over Miguel Espino, giving the team from the East their first one of the show.  Things are heating up and getting interesting (at least on the boxing front, the rest of the show is still bland to me), and three weeks from now we’ll know who will make up the eight remaining contestants.

I Write, You Write, But Really, Only One of Us is Right

Well that wraps things up for this week’s edition of Fighting Words, and I’d like to thank those of you who wrote in to me and provided the column with its first true mailbag.  Please feel free to keep it up by writing me at boxingscene@hotmail.com, and also don’t forget to check out my other articles by clicking on the link on my name next to the “Submitted By” listing on the upper right of the page.