Pacquiao's Choice of Mountains; Warren v. Palle

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Cliff Rold - Real history is hard to come by. Henry Armstrong was real history. It was 69 years ago that Henry Armstrong completed an impossible trifecta, adding the World lightweight title to his existing status as king at featherweight and welterweight. In the process he became the second and last man to hold three world titles in three weight classes at the same time (the other was Barney Ross). Other fighter since have won more titles in more classes, but few have been the undisputed king of all their domains.

Roberto Duran added titles at 154 and 160 to his amazing lineal reigns at 135 and 147, but those titles came against men who were easily not the best in their divisions. Roy Jones moved to heavyweight and was declared a champion without facing Lennox Lewis. Those were moments of modern, TV-made, watered down history. With the right career move following a must-win this Saturday night, (my choice for) Pound-for-Pound king Manny Pacquiao (42-3-2, 32 KOs) can stare real history in the eye by challenging World lightweight champion Joel Casamayor (34-3-1, 21 KOs).

Manny has already stamped himself with a piece of real history. Pacquiao, then only 19, captured the lineal World flyweight (112 lb.) championship in 1998 with an eighth round knockout of then-champion Chatchai Sasakul; Pacquiao, not yet then a Filipino icon, would lose that title on hostile foreign soil less than one year later on an uncalled and vicious low blow. Rebuilding from there, Pacquaio would win an alphabet belt at 122 lbs. before finding himself in the ring in 2003 with the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera for the lineal World Featherweight championship. [details]

[crold1]

The full details of the written offers between Palle and Warren are covered in this piece.

[.Mik.]

Some interesting bits in this article namely:

Further expanding on why July would not viable for Kessler regardless, Palle compared the Andrade fight, which he called “a tough twelve round fight against a real world contender,” to Calzaghe’s challenge from Manfredo. Palle stated that Calzaghe-Manfredo “was a mismatch against a cartoon fighter. Being in that reality show means nothing…that was all mediocre fighters. Not world class material that deserves to fight for a world title.” He stated that after the Andrade fight, Kessler would need more time to have proper training and wondered how many times Calzaghe has come back from one tough fight to another in only three months, stating that he often fights “with six, seven month intervals.” Digging in further to his rival promoter and the disappointing affair that was Calzaghe-Manfredo, Palle would offer that Warren should feel ashamed for having “cheated 35,000 fans” by offering them the fight he did.

Why dont they just call Warren's bluff then and say that they will fight in July? If Calzaghe can come back from a broken bone in his hand and a fight closer to the proposed date, why cant Kessler? I've accepted what Palle says about Warren ****ing about in the money negotiations and being a prick in the press instead of doing it all privately. But I cannot accept that a young Kessler needs so much more time to recover than a Calzaghe 7 years his senior. If you wanted this fight, then make the date.

While I personally hold the all of the sanctioning body belts in low regard, there is no doubt that they factor heavily into negotiations. Palle was quick to point out that Calzaghe’s WBO belt is only one versus Kessler two “most prestigious” title belts from the WBC and WBA. Palle gave little regard to Ring Magazine titles (Calzaghe is recognized by Ring as well) arguing that just “because two guys from Ring give out belts” does not make their titlists the true champion.

Thats rather harsh too. Champions make the belts. Calzaghe has made his. The Ring belt is largely accepted by boxing fans as being the most credible one in boxing. To disregard it like this shows a Frank Warren-esque aptitute for ignorance.

Palle pointed out that he offered $1.75 million pounds ($3.43 million dollars) along with British TV rights in the fall of 2006 for a March 2007 bout with Kessler in Denmark. An independently attained document dated November 7, 2006 verified this offer along with exhibiting a consistency from Palle as to acceptable terms for a bout in the UK (“the right amount of money plus exclusive Nordic country and German TV, radio and internet rights.”) Palle stated to me that Warren is “manipulating…he never replies accept through the press.” In conclusion on the issue of a Calzaghe-Kessler bout, Palle stated that, given the current state of negotiations, “I have no belief that the fight will happen at all.”

That says to me that negotiations are going to be on-going with this. Like the article says, the fight is getting too big and too in demand to turn down.

[PunchDrunk]

It's hard/****** to call someone's bluff with a bluff of your own. Kessler's hands looked like melons after the Andrade fight, so I think fighting in July would be premature for him, considering he should be going into training for that NOW.

You can't just say that one guy is younger, so he'll be ready faster, since we don't know what their exact physical status is.

Besides, you could turn it upside down and say; Calzaghe could call Kessler's "bluff" and agree to fight a few months later than July. He's got a broken hand, what's a couple more months of recovery going to harm him?

[PunchDrunk]

Which is all an academic discussion as long as they're as far apart, economically as they are.

P. S. Good work on that article Cliff. You really brought some valuable information to light there. Cheers.

[squealpiggy]

There's talk of the Taylor fight being acxceptable up to September, perhaps the same courtesy will be extended to Calzaghe. Having said that four months should be ample opportunity to recover and prepare, unless there is a serious break. Has Kessler had any surgery?

[SHB]

All that article tells me is that both Warren and Palle are both bull**** artists of the highest order. But then that's not news.

[squealpiggy]

I agree. If you're going to take sides take the sides of the fighters who want to be remembered favourably and want to make good money. I often hear of fighters "ducking" other fighters. Anyone with a World Title isn't scared of another fighter. They all think they can beat their opponent, they all think they are the best. Neither Kessler nor Calzaghe are scared of one another, if they were they wouldn't be in the business they're in. The promoters on the other hand are scared of losing their investment, and they will do what they can to involve the fighters in their public spats, especially Frank Warren and it seems Palle is just as di****able. Disparaging a fighter's achievements when the only time you step into a ring is to get your smug face on camera frankly stinks.

[PunchDrunk]

I agree. If you're going to take sides take the sides of the fighters who want to be remembered favourably and want to make good money. I often hear of fighters "ducking" other fighters. Anyone with a World Title isn't scared of another fighter. They all think they can beat their opponent, they all think they are the best. Neither Kessler nor Calzaghe are scared of one another, if they were they wouldn't be in the business they're in. The promoters on the other hand are scared of losing their investment, and they will do what they can to involve the fighters in their public spats, especially Frank Warren and it seems Palle is just as di****able. Disparaging a fighter's achievements when the only time you step into a ring is to get your smug face on camera frankly stinks.

Good points!

Palle's a scumbag, no doubt.

[crold1]

Wow Punchy...worst article ever to 'thanks' in one week.