By Pedro Fernandez
TITO DOES "KERRY-LIKE" NUMBER ON BUSH/RICARDO!The pugilistic pundits can be a cruel group when they want to be. And rarely do you ever get this clique to agree unanimously, but I’ve yet to hear or read a negative report on the comeback of Felix Trinidad . Having watched the fight intently, I couldn’t find myself being anything other than being amazed at the 31-year old Trinidad, who in my mind looked better than ever had in his prior 42 professional outings! And folks, this was after a 29-month hiatus!
Granted, ex-welterweight champ Ricardo Mayorga was a tough guy, but the Nicaraguan has "No Boxing Foundation" beneath him. Unable to do anything other than throw bricks at his foes, few fighters have been able to survive at a world-class level for a prolonged period of time. In other words, the now 27-5 Mayorga has overextended his 15 minutes of fame! Other than having Vernon Forrest’s number, Ricardo has little of note to really brag about. But his crude style is one that is pleasing to watch, be it if he’s winning, or, as was the case Saturday night, getting drilled!
DR. KLITSCHKO SIMPLY CANNOT FIGHT/BE DRIVEN!
Once a car has had its frame bent because of impact, rarely is it ever 100% or "Right" again. The same thing applies to 1996 Olympic Gold Medallist Wladimir Klitschko . Having been in one low-speed crash (TKO loss to Ross Purity ), Wladimir veered off the road to heavyweight glory and the result was a head on collision (TKO 2) with Corrie Sanders . After rest, rehab, and a hobo to lump up on, the so-called "Heir Apparent" again got behind the wheel. Seemingly in control, Wladimir again lost control and Lamon Brewster ran him right off the pavement (TKO 5) and into a pugilistic ditch.
TIME TO HANG THAT "LEMON" TAG ON WLAD
In California, we have a "Lemon Law" in regards to the sale of brand new automobiles. In other words, after the car has been sent to and then analyzed by a host of seasoned mechanics, the car is declared a "Lemon" when the consensus is that it can’t be fixed. The powers that be in boxing, they should realize that the younger Klitschko brother is a "Lemon!" The man that continues to believe in Wladimir is the Kronk Gym "Goldfather" Emanuel Steward . In a Monday afternoon conversation with Steward, I with all due respect said, "Not even the "Goldfather" can make chicken soup out of chicken spit!
When Wlad showed up for the Showtime Championship Boxing main event "Dime" with DaVaryll Williamson Saturday night, he was close to being a 5-1 favorite. With Williamson’s game plan to take Wlad deep into the fight, DaVaryll ran and counterpunched. In the fourth round of a yawner, a right hand caught Emanuel’s piece of fistic citrus on the point of his glass jaw. Rising and finishing the round, a few minutes later the bout was called when an accidental clash of craniums in the fifth left Wlad bleeding and unable to continue. Officially, the fight was given to the wussy from the Ukraine by "Split Technical Decision," this after five completed heats.
THOSE COCKY TOP RANK FOLKS SHOULDN’T BE!
When I finally got a hold of a Federal contact last week, he/she assured me that the "Operation Matchbox" case against Top Rank and some of its employees is going forward! "I don’t want to give you any more dates, because I’ve been wrong thus far. But the transcripts (of tapes, wiretaps, etc), they are voluminous." Again, I was told this is not a matter of whether or not the Government will jump. No, more like when!
Knowing somebody that called a number of Las Vegas Attorneys looking for representation in regards to this case, they inadvertently learned that one by one these "Top" of the line guys were defending, Top Rank VP’s Bruce Trampler & Toad Du beof, Sean Gibbons, to name just the first three contacted!
BE IT SULAIMAN OR SILLYMAN, THIS IS SO JOSE!
I’ve been made privy to some tape recordings and some emails that were sent by WBC President Jose Sulaiman in regards to the North American Boxing Federation . Once the minor league dance partner of the WBC and its President Jose Sulaiman, the NABF for years allowed Jose to manipulate things. Earlier this year Sulaiman and the WBC were inches from obliteration, this was the result of Jose’s losing $32 million judgment to Graciano Rocchigiani .
PEOPLE LOOKING TO COVER THEIR OWN BUTTS!
Sulaiman was the person who for no apparent reason other than he wanted Roy Jones wearing his green belt, he stripped Graciano. For the "WBC Officers," there could have been some financial obligation on their part, even though Jose yanked the title from Graciano. Earlier this year everybody in the line of litigation fire began looking for cover. Rex Walker did so and formed the "Youth World Boxing Commission," because he thought the end of the WBC was near. But when people in the NABF questioned Sulaiman’s modus operandi, they were kicked to the curb!
Some of the emails have the WBC offering to pay for the airline, hotel, and expenses of members of the Canadian contingent of the NABF, as well as the Mexican’s who are in the NABF . The way Jose’s boys wanted it was that the Canadians and the Mexicans would denounce the NABF this week in Thailand at their annual convention. Then Booking Agent Don Majeski, who for years has enjoyed an almost incestuous relationship wit Sulaiman, he phoned Canada and is heard on the tape plotting the demise of the NABF .
HEY JOSE, YOU AREN’T THE WBC "WE ARE!"
People not in attendance I’m told at the WBC Convention this year include Arlen "Spider" Bynum, Dickie Cole, Sam Macias, and Claude Jackson, all longtime figureheads in the WBC’s history. Another person who stayed away from this year’s get together was yours truly. Having been to a number of Conventions, each year they kept getting smaller. This resulted from the events being held in obscure locations throughout the globe, and Sulaiman’s recognized dictatorship has made people stay home!
WERE YOU EVER SHAKEN DOWN FOR ESPN MONEY?
Managers, Promoters, Booking Agents, take note! I have a canceled check written out to Matchmaker Ron Katz. These funds were part of an " ESPN shakedown," where Katz, who may have been operating with the aid of defrocked, disgraced, and fired ESPN suit Bob Yalen, he shook you OR somebody you know down for cash in order to get on ESPN ! If you wanted an ESPN date, and Katz arranged it for an " Under The Table " fee, you need to send me an E Mail. If we can prove a pattern, you can go to the bank by suing ESPN, as well as Katz, and Yalen personally! AND I have an interested Attorney for you! Send me a note Pedro@RingTalk.com Or leave a message at 650-266-9203.
CLIFF "24 KARAT" ROLD RINGSIDE AT THE GARDEN
The incomparable Cliff "24 Karat" Rold has a ringside report from the Tito Trinidad-Ricardo Mayorga clash at Madison Square Garden this AM for your consumption. Hit this to check out " 24 Karat" Rold www.RingTalk.com
MY OCTOBER "SCHEDULE, ODDS, & PREDICTIONS" ARE UP!
Having went undefeated Friday and Saturday nights, why not check out how much money you would have netted had you gone with Pedro’s picks! Here’s the October " Odds & Predictions " link http://ringtalk.com/Articles/schedule/093004.htm
HAVE YOU HEARD WHAT OTHER FANS ARE NOW SAYING?
If you’re looking to tap into the sentiment of real fight fans after Oscar De La Hoya and Roy Jones Jr. got knocked the puck out in successive weeks, hit this link http://ringtalk.com/Articles/pedro/092904.htm
Newly crowned IBF super middleweight champ Jeff Lacy, his Trainer Dan "The Man" Birmingham, are featured in FREE Vide o interviews today. This is in addition to my " Weekend Video Wrap " which covered the fights on both coasts. Hit this link
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is NOT your average boxing writer! A four-time San Francisco Golden Gloves champion, and formerly a Cop with the San Francisco Police Dept., few people have the unique combination of having a boxing background in addition to being a schooled Journalist. He can be reached with your comments at Pedro@RingTalk.com
LACY IN POST FIGHT VIDEO FROM "SIN CITY" TOO!
VINDICTIVE SILLYMAN SEEKS TO DESTROY NABF!
TOP VEGAS CRIMINAL LAWYERS HARD TO HIRE!
FIGHT LACKED FROM START TO PREMATURE END
HOW DO YOU SPELL MADE TO ORDER? "MAYORGA!"
By Pedro Fernandez
TITO DOES "KERRY-LIKE" NUMBER ON BUSH/RICARDO!