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Next Article Manny Pacquiao archrival Marquez may block Valero, Guzman from jumbo jackpot
by Michael Marley
April 5, 12:40 AM ·
Edwin Valero is not pounding the table, screaming, “Bring me the head of Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao!”
There are good reasons for that and, despite his two-round wipeout of old (39) and in the way Antonio Pitalua for the vacant WBC 135-pound crown Saturday night, it would be difficult to make too little out of this victory.
In reality, due to his well-chronicled brain injury which caused New York State to ban him, the vicious Venezuelan is really the champion of Texas. I know the Lone Star State is huge but I don’t think is part of Valero’s dream of big fights, big money and, yes a showdown with Pacquiao.
Bob Arum, happily holding the contracts of Megamanny, Valero and in fruitful discussions with also undefeated Joan Guzman, generally prefers to keep his bigger income producing fighters away from each other.
Although both Valero and Guzman may wind up finishing their careers at 140 pounds, also known now as Pacland, it’s more likely they will fight each other next year under the Top Rank banner than having either one fight Pacman.
Arum has told me several times he is not trying to rattle anyone’s cage when it comes to getting Valero licensed elsewhere, in particular in Arum’s home state of Nevada.
Frankly, Valero and Guzman may also be on a collision course because neither one has the kind of huge, ticket and PPV buying fan base that lucky dogs Pacman and Ricky Hatton enjoy. If either or both were Mexican or Puerto Rican, they might have such a following but they aren’t and they don’t.
I say that factually without demeaning the disparate but strong talents of Hurricane Edwin or Guzrun.
But, as I say, Arum won’t sacrifice Valero or Guzman (should he sign the Dominican Dandy) unless he thinks he is fattening up a sacrificial lamb for his Main Manny.
Given Valero’s southpaw slugger style and Guzman’s speed merchant boxing skills, theirs could be a terrific matchup. Valero would begin his KO hunt early but he would have to contend with hand and foot speed the likes of which he’s never encountered.
It’s a tad ironic given how much both Guzman and Valero have lusted after a Pacquiao bout and the jackpot that goes with it but both fighters are more likely to wind up sharing a ring with the Exalted Ruler of the lightweight division, Juan Manuel Marquez.
Golden Boy has the Mexican Ringmaster, yes, but it’s Uncle Bob who has already has Valero (is he sharing him with GBP?) and may soon add Guzman.
They hate each other except when they love each other. When the money is right and the matches make sense, they become kissing cousins.
We’ve seen that before, we’ll see it again.
Valero and Guzman still both want to fight Pacman but they’re going low key on that desire now.
Either or both may still get into the Pacman Lottery but either or both may face a problematic hurdle first.
That hurdle is the Numero Uno peso ligero, the Pacquiao archrival, Juan Ma.
Valero-Marquez and Guzman-Marquez could both be compelling entertainment. The former would be a war of attrition, the latter more a Sweet Scientists' chess match.
Fighting and hurdling Juan Ma may be the one and only road to Pacquiao for the awesome puncher and for the Slick Rick boxer.
It's like Juan Ma is a toll road to Pacman. You safely negotiate that road and you just might get on the Pacman Superhighway to fame and fortune.
by Michael Marley
April 5, 12:40 AM ·
Edwin Valero is not pounding the table, screaming, “Bring me the head of Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao!”
There are good reasons for that and, despite his two-round wipeout of old (39) and in the way Antonio Pitalua for the vacant WBC 135-pound crown Saturday night, it would be difficult to make too little out of this victory.
In reality, due to his well-chronicled brain injury which caused New York State to ban him, the vicious Venezuelan is really the champion of Texas. I know the Lone Star State is huge but I don’t think is part of Valero’s dream of big fights, big money and, yes a showdown with Pacquiao.
Bob Arum, happily holding the contracts of Megamanny, Valero and in fruitful discussions with also undefeated Joan Guzman, generally prefers to keep his bigger income producing fighters away from each other.
Although both Valero and Guzman may wind up finishing their careers at 140 pounds, also known now as Pacland, it’s more likely they will fight each other next year under the Top Rank banner than having either one fight Pacman.
Arum has told me several times he is not trying to rattle anyone’s cage when it comes to getting Valero licensed elsewhere, in particular in Arum’s home state of Nevada.
Frankly, Valero and Guzman may also be on a collision course because neither one has the kind of huge, ticket and PPV buying fan base that lucky dogs Pacman and Ricky Hatton enjoy. If either or both were Mexican or Puerto Rican, they might have such a following but they aren’t and they don’t.
I say that factually without demeaning the disparate but strong talents of Hurricane Edwin or Guzrun.
But, as I say, Arum won’t sacrifice Valero or Guzman (should he sign the Dominican Dandy) unless he thinks he is fattening up a sacrificial lamb for his Main Manny.
Given Valero’s southpaw slugger style and Guzman’s speed merchant boxing skills, theirs could be a terrific matchup. Valero would begin his KO hunt early but he would have to contend with hand and foot speed the likes of which he’s never encountered.
It’s a tad ironic given how much both Guzman and Valero have lusted after a Pacquiao bout and the jackpot that goes with it but both fighters are more likely to wind up sharing a ring with the Exalted Ruler of the lightweight division, Juan Manuel Marquez.
Golden Boy has the Mexican Ringmaster, yes, but it’s Uncle Bob who has already has Valero (is he sharing him with GBP?) and may soon add Guzman.
They hate each other except when they love each other. When the money is right and the matches make sense, they become kissing cousins.
We’ve seen that before, we’ll see it again.
Valero and Guzman still both want to fight Pacman but they’re going low key on that desire now.
Either or both may still get into the Pacman Lottery but either or both may face a problematic hurdle first.
That hurdle is the Numero Uno peso ligero, the Pacquiao archrival, Juan Ma.
Valero-Marquez and Guzman-Marquez could both be compelling entertainment. The former would be a war of attrition, the latter more a Sweet Scientists' chess match.
Fighting and hurdling Juan Ma may be the one and only road to Pacquiao for the awesome puncher and for the Slick Rick boxer.
It's like Juan Ma is a toll road to Pacman. You safely negotiate that road and you just might get on the Pacman Superhighway to fame and fortune.
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