Dan Rafael

[cupcrazy01]

I like Dan, I think he generally has his finger on the pulse of the sport and breaks some good stories, but this ESPN Insider thing is KILLING me.

First, they made his P4P rankings Insider. No big deal, I can live without them (who doesn't have a P4P list these days).

Then of course his chat transcripts became insider, so if you missed the live chat on espn.com (usually Fridays at 1 PM CST), then you don't get to see what he had to say about what's going on or if he snuck in any rumors or tidbits (which he likes to do).

Last week or the week before he started blogging semi-regularly (twice or so a week, I suppose), but that too is Insider. Again, that makes me upset but I will reluctantly live with it. He loves teasing this stuff that we have to go pay for, and it drives me nuts.

Now, his latest divisional rankings are out and they, too, are Insider now! Incredible! So, what, does ESPN believe that the few boxing fans that visit their site (instead of the boxing specialty sites) want to read Rafael's work are all going to plunk down the 7-10 bucks a month for Insider priviledges (or whatever it costs)? Who wouldn't rather sign up to one of the premium boxing websites for less than Insider to get all kinds of boxing goodness? ESPN needs a clue. It's funny, too, because maxboxing.com is a corporate partner of ESPN (they even link there!).

I used to be an Insider, but with a family (wife, 4 children), it's not feasible to spend money of some blogs and rankings, when loads of that kind of stuff can be found for free elsewhere.

It's just frustrating. I guess access to live chats will soon be Insider as well...

[mikec]

I look foward to his division rankings every month. This ****in sucks...like espn doesnt make enough money...

[Smokin']

Dan Rafael is an idiot. He reminds me of every single other sports analyst. Just some fat moron who has never played the sports but studies alot of facts and can talk well. That is Dan Rafael. He knows nothing about the sport about boxing, the only thing he can read is stats when he discusses certain matchups. Stats never work in alot of matchups.

**** Dan Rafael. That fat piece of garbage.

[El Jesus]

Dan Rafael is an idiot. He reminds me of every single other sports analyst. Just some fat moron who has never played the sports but studies alot of facts and can talk well. That is Dan Rafael. He knows nothing about the sport about boxing, the only thing he can read is stats when he discusses certain matchups. Stats never work in alot of matchups.

**** Dan Rafael. That fat piece of garbage.

Have you ever produced music? have you ever rapped? have you ever directed a movie? Have you ever commented on how bad a movie was, or how much a rap album ****** or musical piece? Its unfair to say its because "he never played sports and studies alot of facts" when hes at the ****ing boxing matches and giving his opinion, which is what nearly 100 percent of sportswriters do.

[Smokin']

Have you ever produced music? have you ever rapped? have you ever directed a movie? Have you ever commented on how bad a movie was, or how much a rap album ****** or musical piece? Its unfair to say its because "he never played sports and studies alot of facts" when hes at the ****ing boxing matches and giving his opinion, which is what nearly 100 percent of sportswriters do.

Exactly, and Im stating that 100 percent of sportswriters are ****.

[El Jesus]

Exactly, and Im stating that 100 percent of sportswriters are ****.

then dont ever give critcism to a movie or a cd etc ever again until you have participated in both professions from a money making standpoint.

[chidave]

I don't even go to ESPN's website anymore to get any sports news because of all that Insider junk.They have definatley taken it to the extreme, if I want to pay for articles, I'll buy a magazine

[alphaqfrankie]

Dan Rafael Blog 2/9/07

• Welterweight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (29-0-1, 22 KOs), the 20-year-old son of the Mexican legend, faces Louis Brown (14-2, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder March 9 (Telefutura) in Hidalgo, Texas. A victory by Chavez will propel him into a fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Jorge Solis PPV undercard in San Antonio in April, and Chavez could be gunning for a little family revenge. Chavez could face Grover Wiley, the fighter who ended his father's career in September 2005.
• The March 2 welterweight elimination bout between David Estrada and Walter Matthysse is off. The were supposed to meet in Philadelphia to determine the mandatory challenger for beltholder Kermit Cintron, but Estrada got sick, which disrupted his training and forced him to pull out, according to matchmaker Eric Gomez of Golden Boy, which promotes Matthysse. "They e-mailed us a doctor's note," Gomez said. "He's sick and can't be ready for the fight."

• Israel "Pito" Cardona (36-6, 28 KOs) came out of a 3½-year retirement last year. The reason was to get a high-profile fight. After two wins on the comeback trail, Cardona got it, a fight against former undisputed welterweight champ Zab Judah on April 27 (ESPN2) in Southaven, Miss. Cardona, who owns victories against Ivan Robinson and Golden Johnson, lost a lopsided decision to Paul Spadafora when they met for a vacant lightweight belt in 1999. Now, Cardona, 32, has a chance with Judah, and he hopes to make the most of it. "I know I'm taking a big chance," said Cardona, works nights for a security company in Hartford, Conn. "I'm fighting a former world champion. I could have continued doing what I've been doing, waiting around for fights and hoping for a break, or jump right into a fight like this where a win will get me right back into the top 10. Hey, I only have a few years left and we decided to make the most out of this fight. I've got the right team behind me now and I have three months to get ready."

• Scottish junior lightweight Alex Arthur (24-1, 18 KOs), one of the sport's most exciting fighters, returns to action March 10 in Liverpool, England, to face Alexander Hrulev of Russia. Arthur has taken a liking to bumping off Russian opponents. He's already beaten four Russians in the past few years and hopes to make Hrulev No. 6. "I guess I'm used to their style now," Arthur said. "I've had some good wins against Russians in the past, but you can never take anything for granted against these guys because boxing is their way to a better life. I know Hrulev will put me under a lot of pressure. When I beat him, I don't think I'll be going to Moscow for my holidays." Arthur, who has given up the European title, hopes to fight for a world title before the end of the year. The card is headlined by junior welterweight titlist Souleymane M'Baye against mandatory challenger Andreas Kotelnik, who lost a split decision to M'Baye in a 2004 title eliminator.

• Russian cruiserweight Vadim Tokarev (23-0-1, 16 KOs) has been ordered to face Marco Huck (18-0, 14 KOs) of Germany in a title eliminator. The sides have until Feb. 16 to reach a deal or a purse bid will be called. The winner will earn a shot at the winner of the rematch between titlist Krzysztof Wlodarczyk and Steve Cunningham. Seminole Warriors Boxing, which promotes the dangerous Tokarev, hopes to bring the fight to its home base in Hollywood, Fla., or to take it to Russia if it makes a deal or wins a purse bid.

• The Feb. 23 main event on "Friday Night Fights" (ESPN2) has all the makings of a slugfest. It pits former cruiserweight titlist Kelvin Davis against Darnell "Ding-a-Ling Man" Wilson in a 10-rounder in Scranton, Pa. After a four-fight losing streak to top-level opponents, Wilson (20-5-3, 17 KOs) is on a nice run, having scored back-to-back knockouts of Daniel Judah and longtime contender Dale Brown. Since consecutive losses to top contenders Guillermo Jones and Steve Cunningham, Davis (24-4-2, 17 KOs) is on a 3-0-1 run.

[alphaqfrankie]

P4p rankings for Feb...

TOP 10

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (37-0, 24 KOs)

Welterweight champion
Hits: The May 5 mega-fight between Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya could be a great moment for boxing. It is generating more buzz than any fight in recent years this side of Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson. It is already sold out to the tune of a record $19 million-plus in ticket sales. And this is all before the hype really starts near the end of February, when the national media tour kicks off. De La Hoya is the most popular fighter in the sport, but Mayweather's talent and increasing fame also has something to do with the excitement.
Misses: With Floyd Mayweather Sr. out as De La Hoya's trainer, Mayweather Jr. is probably disappointed he won't have a chance to beat a fighter trained by his father. He seemed to relish the idea that many abhorred.

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2. Manny Pacquiao (43-3-2, 33 KOs)

Junior lightweight
Hits: For all of the drama that surrounds him outside the ring, and regardless of who promotes him, the Pac Man is the most exciting fighter in the world. That is why we're looking forward to him fighting in April and thrilled that it will wind up in the United States instead of Macau, China, where promoter Bob Arum had been trying to put a deal together.
Misses: Trainer Freddie Roach, who is close to Pacquiao and gets credit for a lot of his recent success, is going to Puerto Rico to train De La Hoya for his May 5 fight with Mayweather. That means Pacquiao will be without Roach for the training camp, which is expected to be run by Justin Fortune, Roach's loyal assistant.

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3. Winky Wright (51-3-1, 25 KOs)

Middleweight
Hits: Although he turned down a legitimate offer to fight a rematch with Jermain Taylor, it looks as though he will move up to a catch weight of 170 pounds to challenge unretiring light heavyweight king Bernard Hopkins this summer.
Misses: While Wright and Hopkins are great fighters, a match between them just doesn't figure to produce much action or entertainment. Styles make fights, and this is not a good style match. It is exacerbated by the fact that if the deal for the fight is finalized, Golden Boy Promotions and HBO will ask you to shell out $50 bucks to watch it on pay-per-view.

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4. Jermain Taylor (26-0-1, 17 KOs)

Unified middleweight champion
Hits: It appears the fight with "The Contender" star Sergio Mora will come off in April and on HBO, not on pay-per-view. Sure, it's not the biggest fight ever, but hey, there is nothing wrong with it. Mora will bring a lot of casual fans to the party because of his fame from the reality show. That is good for boxing, which means so is a Taylor-Mora fight.
Misses: Based on his December title defense against Kassim Ouma, Taylor looks as though he is regressing, which we just can't understand because he has a great trainer in Emanuel Steward in his corner. What are we missing here?

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5. Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4, 42 KOs)

Junior lightweight champion
Hits: No rematch with Pacquiao? No problem. When that fight didn't materialize, Barrera took the next-best fight available against featherweight star and Mexican countryman Juan Manuel Marquez. Many in boxing actually prefer to see Barrera vs. Marquez rather than a rematch with Pacquiao. The Barrera-Marquez pairing has a chance to produce a classic action battle.
Misses: Barrera has been so great for boxing over the past decade, but he says he wants to retire after a couple of more fights. We can't blame him, but we will miss him when he is gone.

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6. Rafael Marquez (36-3, 32 KOs)

Bantamweight champion
Hits: Quite simply, his impending move to junior featherweight to challenge world champion Israel Vazquez on March 3 is one of the best fights you can make in boxing. It will be action-packed for as long as it lasts.
Misses: As great a run as Marquez has had as bantamweight champ -- seven defenses in a four-year reign -- he never had that defining fight in his weight class. Since Marquez probably will remain at junior featherweight, win or lose against Vazquez, we will always wonder what could have been because he never unified titles or defended against an elite challenger.

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7. Jose Luis Castillo (55-7-1, 47 KOs)

Junior welterweight
Hits: At long last, Castillo made weight for a fight! The former lightweight champ came in a pound under the 140-pound limit for his Jan. 20 fight with Herman Ngoudjo. Castillo, of course, had blown weight for two fights against Diego Corrales, the second time resulting in the embarrassing cancellation of what was to have been their much-anticipated rubber match.
Misses: Although Castillo defeated Ngoudjo, he didn't look very good escaping with a split decision that could have gone either way. Castillo will need to be a lot better to beat junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton when they meet later this year.

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8. Joe Calzaghe (42-0, 31 KOs)

Super middleweight champion
Hits: The Welsh star's April 8 fight in Cardiff against Peter Manfredo Jr. of "The Contender" has surpassed 20,000 tickets sold, an extraordinary number -- especially considering the fight is still two months away. By fight time, there could be more than 30,000 roaring fans at Millennium Stadium and the fight could set a record for largest live crowd in the United Kingdom's storied boxing history.
Misses: It's fine that Calzaghe-Manfredo is a huge commercial hit, but Calzaghe should be fighting Denmark's Mikkel Kessler, the exciting puncher who also has a legitimate claim to the super middleweight title. Hopefully, that fight will happen if Calzaghe beats Manfredo and Kessler beats mandatory challenger Librado Andrade in March.

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9. Sugar Shane Mosley (43-4, 37 KOs)

Junior middleweight
Hits: Mosley, who is moving back down to welterweight, sounds excited and highly motivated for his fight with Luis Collazo. When Mosley is in the right frame of mind, he can still be one of the most exciting and dynamic fighters in the sport.
Misses: He preferred to fight titlist Kermit Cintron, an orthodox puncher with limited skills, instead of tricky, skillful southpaw Collazo. However, Cintron's rocky promotional situation knocked the fight out after everyone thought it had been agreed upon.

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10. Oscar De La Hoya (38-4, 30 KOs)

Junior middleweight titlist
Hits: In a career filled with massive event fights -- Felix Trinidad, two each with Mosley and Julio Cesar Chavez, Fernando Vargas, Bernard Hopkins, Ike Quartey and Pernell Whitaker among them -- the biggest one of all could wind up being the May 5 showdown with Mayweather. For one day, at least, boxing will be on the front pages, thanks to De La Hoya taking the fight the world wants to see.
Misses: In the end, De La Hoya said that the reason he opted to replace Mayweather Sr. with Roach as his trainer was because he didn't want to play a role in further dividing Mayweather Sr. from his estranged son. But one important question that De La Hoya has not yet answered remains: If that is true, why did he even offer Mayweather a $500,000 contract to train him (with a $500,000 bonus for winning) in the first place?

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Second 10
11. Ricky Hatton
12. Joel Casamayor
13. Diego Corrales
14. Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon
15. Chris John
16. Juan Manuel Marquez
17. Miguel Cotto
18. Israel Vazquez
19. Antonio Margarito
20. Antonio Tarver

[alphaqfrankie]

mosely chat from espn...

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jaime trejo boytnon beach FL: how did it feel to beat Fernando Vargas this last fight you had with him talking a lot of trash?

Shane Mosley: It felt great. It was a great accomplishment to knock him out.


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The Mile High Mosley Club, Denver, Colorado: Do you feel a little extra incentive to put on a show Saturday night, with all the attention that will be paid to the Mayweather/De La Hoya fight in May?

Shane Mosley: Every time I fight I want to look the best I can because I can give back to the world of boxing and enhance my legacy as a fighter.


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Isaac Ada (sydney Australia): Hey Shane, good day. My question to you is, now that your in your mid 30's how do train to keep your hand and overall speed so good even though your speed should of declined after 33?

Shane Mosley: To continue you have to continue to do what you did when you were younger. Even when I wasn't getting ready for a fight, I would continue training. To continue to stay the champ and continue to stay at the top, you have to stay consistent in your training.


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Leon (DC): How do you think the Pretty Boy and Golden Boy fight will turn out? Do you plan to fight the winner? I'm a big fan Sugar.

Shane Mosley: I only plan on fighting Floyd. I don't think the fight with Oscar will take place, we're both partners. I think Oscar will win against Floyd.


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Onsi (Edmonton Alberta, Canada): Hey first off I'd like to say that I'm a huge fan. Sugar, I was just wondering who your favorite boxer of all-time was? And if you could go back in time which boxer would you most like to fight?

Shane Mosley: Sugar Ray Robinson.


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Mac (Stamford): Sugar Shane, How about moving up to fight Taylor? I think you'd give him a real hard time. Knock Collazo out, please.

Shane Mosley: I never really thought about it, but anything's possible.


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The Mile High Mosley Club, Denver, Colorado: Do Collazo's recent comments about his hand speed over yours, and you aren't the same fighter you used to be you, light your fire even more, or is it just another trash talking fighter in front of you that you've dealt with before?

Shane Mosley: No, I just realize that he's young and has a young corner feeding him this information. Once we get into the ring, he'll realize that I'm faster than he is and with more power. It's going to be a shock to him.


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Jeremy Lee Ft. Worth Tx: Shane. When De La Hoya KO'S PBF. You know he will take a year off and want a rematch. Who will you fight after you beat Collozo? Please tell me AM. Since he says you are ducking him.

Shane Mosley: No, not really. HBO has a list of people that they'd like me to fight and I'll choose from that list.


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Shane (Selah, WA): Shane, other than Collzao and Cintron, who were the other fighters mentioned as possible opponents for you?

Shane Mosley: Those were the two guys, except for Baldomir. I had offered him, but HBO wouldn't approve that fight for me.


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Evan (NYC): Shane, you've been my favorite fighter for years. I hope you realize fans appreciate an honest well spoken person, who doesn't sound overly full of himself and who puts forth an outstanding effort in every fight. Now, after Collazo, please ktfo pretty boy fraud mayweather.

Shane Mosley: Thank you.


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Chad (Austin, TX): Sugar, What is your greatest accomplishment? Thanks!

Shane Mosley: I think the greatest accomplishment is beating Oscar for the first time.


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Josh (Lincoln, NE): Shane, any thoughts about moving up and taking another shot at Winky, or are you done with that?

Shane Mosley: Like I said, anything's possible. If there's a fight that's out there. I think Winky's moving too heavy now. I've been hearing that Winky and Bernard were talking about linking up. But we'll see.


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Chris, Ann Arbor, MI: Shane, Are you concerned about weighing 147 again taking something out of you? Do you feel drained at all? Thanks... -Chris

Shane Mosley: Actually, as we're speaking right now, I woke up today at 148 even. I don't feel drained at all. I feel just fine and there's one more day before the weigh in.


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Brian (Boston): Shane- Who is your favorite non-boxing athlete in sports today?

Shane Mosley: I love Kobe Bryant, the way he plays. Also LaDainian Tomlinson, he's a great athlete and he's self-motivated and at the top of his game.


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Clay (Indy) : Shane, who has been the most difficult fighter that you have faced?

Shane Mosley: I would have to say Winky Wright.


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Marcus, Orlando: Shane I respect you, but you know that PBF is the undisputed best fighter in boxing based on skills alone. Give me your Top 10 pound for pound?

Shane Mosley: Well, right now, looking at everything, Floyd is a tremendous fighter. He has done a lot of great things in moving up the divisions. I would have to say a guy like Manny Pacquiao. He's done a lot of damage moving up the ranks.


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Leon (DC): What do you eat when training for a fight? Does the food change closer to fight night?

Shane Mosley: My food in-take definitely changes. I had two boiled eggs and a little bit of oatmeal for breakfast today. I probably won't eat much tonight. I will have some nibbles until later tonight.


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Ethers (england): De la hoya and Mayweather have said they would travel to england to fight Hatton....Would u ??

Shane Mosley: Definitely, at 147. I thikn that Ricky Hatton's a tremendous fighter, but he might be a little smaller for me. I think a fight with Mayweather may be more even, because they're around the same size.


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Norman: (Houston): Shane what's your walking around weight when you are not training?

Shane Mosley: When I'm not fighting, my walk around weight is 165. That's because I keep myself active playing basketball with the kids in the neighborhood.


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Jack (Duquesne, PA): I am a big fan of your career. What's still driving you to work so hard when it seems you have a Hall of Fame career already? And Good luck on fight this coming week-end.

Shane Mosley: I love the sport and I'm competitive. I think that my legacy is driving me. I want people to know that Sugar Shane was here and he was one of the best fighters of the day.


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Wales (Pensacola,Fl): Shane, good luck with the fight on Saturday. I have always thought that your strenth and body attack would be too much for Floyd. Do you think that you would implement those strengths on such a defensive and mobile fighter?

Shane Mosley: Definitely. Floyd beats a lot of guys because he's quick on his feet and they can't hit him. But I'm pretty quick on my feet, so if I can hit him, I can knock him out.


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! USA: Do you have something you like to do before fights?

Shane Mosley: No, just sit and relax. Put my feet up and watch some TV. Just do some of the things that I normally do. I try not to deviate and do anything different.


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! USA: Would you be in the NBA if your weren't so good at boxing.

Shane Mosley: If I was at least 6-5 or 6-6, I would have tried the NBA. That's probably one of the reasons why I didn't pursue basketball in high school and beyond, because I was too short.

Shane Mosley: Watch me Feb. 10. I won't disappoint you. It will be electrifying and sharp. It will be a good fight between me and Collazo.