Too Much on Your Mind When There's Plenty In Your Face

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Jake Donovan - It began as a long ago vision with HBO, at least according to an interview conducted with KO Magazine in the early 1990's. The idea that not only were there too many weight classes (which there are), but the fact that there are any weight classes at all.

While most were figuring out the best way to match champion versus champion (remember, this was a time when alphabet sanctioning bodies still received some shine and their claimants were universally regarded as world champions), the self-proclaimed Network of Champions wasn't interested in champions at all, but figuring out the best way to create a scenario where we're instead left with the last man standing.

It took nearly 20 years to make that dream come true, but here we are, foaming at the mouth anytime a fighter even ponders moving up, as we already have him moving up two more weight classes to fight one of the game's best.

Don't believe me? I offer Exhibit A, Bernard Hopkins' unanimous decision win over Winky Wright last July. The bout was billed as a pound-for-pound matchup, with both regarded by many as among the world's ten best fighters heading into the fight. One magazine (more on them later) even claimed the world light heavyweight championship to be at stake. [details]

[Thread Stealer]

Good article but there is no real hardcore bashing of Golden Boy Promotions so I question if Jake has been feeling okay lately.

I think Mayweather will fight Cotto if Cotto gets by De La Fishnet in May.

Too much money for Money May to turn down.

[Mr. Ryan]

I enjoyed reading this piece. Jake, I hope Ring Mag can get their stuff together and send you your magazines on time.

About fighters jumping weight divisions, I think it's acceptable in some cases and frustrating in other's. With Floyd Mayweather Jr and Bernard Hopkins, both are semi-retired and doing what they have to do to make sure they're wealthy after boxing. Do you think Floyd and B-Hop are interested with answering mandatory calls from Jose Sulaiman? No, they're taking the opportunities that will get them the most money with the least risk.

Due to a flaw in Ring Magazine's championship process, Mayweather and Hopkins can still claim to be champion even while not fighting contenders in their divisions. Mayweather's claim to supremacy at 147 has more legitimacy than say, Hopkins, but neither is too concerned with titles but instead with decorating their resume's.

With Pacquiao, he's always jumped weight divisions to find bouts that are financially lucrative (sparse in lighter divisions) and competitive challenges. With Barrera and Morales gone, and closure approaching with Marquez, for him to leap up and fight Hatton is ridiculous. It is, unfortunately, in pattern with the way he does business.

David Haye just has issues melting down to cruiserweight. I think after he fights Enzo Mac, we'll see him full-time at heavyweight.

[-Antonio-]

Nor does it fly, the demand that both need to fight the best, including each other, before warranting consideration for a fight against His Floydness. Cotto's faced four legitimate Top-10 welterweights in a span of 11 months, in an era where most top fighters can't even be bothered to show up more than twice, and not always against respectable opposition.

...............

[JakeNDaBox]

Good article but there is no real hardcore bashing of Golden Boy Promotions so I question if Jake has been feeling okay lately.

haha, sorry to disappoint on that front. I'll try to find something Golden to ***** about in next week's column.

[JakeNDaBox]

I enjoyed reading this piece. Jake, I hope Ring Mag can get their stuff together and send you your magazines on time.

About fighters jumping weight divisions, I think it's acceptable in some cases and frustrating in other's. With Floyd Mayweather Jr and Bernard Hopkins, both are semi-retired and doing what they have to do to make sure they're wealthy after boxing. Do you think Floyd and B-Hop are interested with answering mandatory calls from Jose Sulaiman? No, they're taking the opportunities that will get them the most money with the least risk.

Due to a flaw in Ring Magazine's championship process, Mayweather and Hopkins can still claim to be champion even while not fighting contenders in their divisions. Mayweather's claim to supremacy at 147 has more legitimacy than say, Hopkins, but neither is too concerned with titles but instead with decorating their resume's.

With Pacquiao, he's always jumped weight divisions to find bouts that are financially lucrative (sparse in lighter divisions) and competitive challenges. With Barrera and Morales gone, and closure approaching with Marquez, for him to leap up and fight Hatton is ridiculous. It is, unfortunately, in pattern with the way he does business.

David Haye just has issues melting down to cruiserweight. I think after he fights Enzo Mac, we'll see him full-time at heavyweight.

thanks, homie. Agreed with you on Haye, but it would be nice to see just one cat stick around and become bank at cruiserweight, and Haye is certainly the most qualified, as he's every bit flawed as he is exciting and punishing.

As far as Pac goes, I was hoping that 130, or even 135, would be the final leap for him. His run, basically from strawweight (though his first major play was at flyweight) to junior lightweight has been remarkable, but it's to the point where curiosity affects reality.

What he needed all along is better people surrounding him, making sure the only hands hitting his pockets were his own. To have to keep moving up in weight to atone for past financial screw jobs is both unfair and unrealistic.

[fabianc]

This is concerning Floyd, getting it on with the Puerto Rican Warrior. IT will
never happen. like Arum, said, if there is a prospect of him losing, he will not
take that chance. not out of fear, I reiterate just the prospect of him losing.
And in his heart, Floyd, is aware that Cotto, can put an END to his rain. He will
never take that fight, I am willing to gamble the most dear thing in my life
I will dare, to beat my Girlfriends ***** on it. Is anyone willing to put up their
Girlfriends pie ????? I am that certain, also in closing I will say if, and thats a big if, that fight were to transpire, the Rican warrior will destroy Floyd. Bank on it....... Yours Truly. FABIAN CORTEZ {New York City} HE WILL BE

[Mr. Ryan]

thanks, homie. Agreed with you on Haye, but it would be nice to see just one cat stick around and become bank at cruiserweight, and Haye is certainly the most qualified, as he's every bit flawed as he is exciting and punishing.

As far as Pac goes, I was hoping that 130, or even 135, would be the final leap for him. His run, basically from strawweight (though his first major play was at flyweight) to junior lightweight has been remarkable, but it's to the point where curiosity affects reality.

What he needed all along is better people surrounding him, making sure the only hands hitting his pockets were his own. To have to keep moving up in weight to atone for past financial screw jobs is both unfair and unrealistic.

Evander Holyfield is the greatest cruiserweight of all time, most casual fans don't even know he fought at any weight other than heavyweight. It's tough because he could be a great cruiserweight, he's certainly the best talent I can recall being in that division in some time. The incentive just isn't there like it is at heavyweight.

I agree on Pacquiao. He needs to devote himself to clearing out 130, which he can do if he can control his ADD for 6 months and come up with a fight schedule with it's grounding in reality. Pacquiao is too preoccuppied to confront the clutter his professional life has become.

[Mr. David]

I'm just here for the Coronas and Doritos.

[pbftxrs316]

This is concerning Floyd, getting it on with the Puerto Rican Warrior. IT will
never happen. like Arum, said, if there is a prospect of him losing, he will not
take that chance. not out of fear, I reiterate just the prospect of him losing.
And in his heart, Floyd, is aware that Cotto, can put an END to his rain. He will
never take that fight, I am willing to gamble the most dear thing in my life
I will dare, to beat my Girlfriends ***** on it. Is anyone willing to put up their
Girlfriends pie ????? I am that certain, also in closing I will say if, and thats a big if, that fight were to transpire, the Rican warrior will destroy Floyd. Bank on it....... Yours Truly. FABIAN CORTEZ {New York City} HE WILL BE

4 posts and you're already delusional, especially agreeing with bob arum. anyway, bet your girl's snatch if you want to, it's your lost. mayweather will not lose to cotto, and by the way, the word is reign, not rain. it just goes to show that even you don't believe what you typed in boy. take a nap, and wake up a new man, because what you posted would only happen in your dreams. welcome to reality, floyd defeats cotto, guarantee you.