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Since this is such a hot topic I thought I would compose a list. Im a big Tapia fan and Hamed is my favorite fighter, so Ive been watching 112-126 divisions since the mid 90's. Also Since Hamed was my favorite fighter back then...I kept an eye on all the big name fighters and prospect during the so called manny duck fest becuase during that time hamed had a website that listed fighters from 115-126 that were potential prospects for future fights.
so here is my break down of these so called ducks and why manny didnt face these african american fighters
112 =This one is kinda of interesting. Mark Johnson one of the all time greats at the 112-115 range had just vacanted his belt to move up in weight to fight for a belt that Johnny Tapia had vacated because of him (tapia) going to 118. Just 3 months later after all of this Manny became champ at 112. But after a few defenses he ran into Medgeon Surgarat (sp) and lost in such a devasting way that I really thought Manny was overrated and over hyped. I remember an article in ring magazine that talked about it after it happened..so I search and rewatch the fight. Almost every punch in that fight rocked Manny and that fight really set him back. I really wanted him to fight Mark Johnson at 115 but after that everyone who thought of the potential fight wrote it off. Plus there were rumors of him being weight drained, and the fact that he didnt make weight and had to move up to 122 pretty much put a nail in the coffin for that potential clash.
Tim Autin Although the IBF champ was a rising prospect at 118 and was still considired green. Again Manny was just coming off a devastating loss in what ring magazine called "one of the most brutal body shots ever seen".
122 ledwaba (sp) Manny actually fought this fight. This happened a few years later after manny was able to get some of his buzz back with a few impressive victories.
126 Once great FW champ Kevin Kelley was not only considered done by the time manny was at FW, but also ironically suffered a TKO loss a few years later to Manny's sorry ass brother Bobby.
126 Junior jones was considered done especially after getting crushed by Morales, so the thought of him being a potential match would be laughable.
126 Derrick Gainer another good black fighter (Actually a guy I was rooting for before I eventually gave up on) Lost to JMM and then went on a 2 year Hiatus...so that fight coulnt happen
126 Freddie Norwood, around the time pac enter FW, lost to gainer then said **** and started to fight at 130-135. I even think He might have fought at 140
Lastly Zahir Raheem was at 135 when manny was at 130 and by the time Manny got to lightweight Raheem was on the down turn of his career.
so here is my break down of these so called ducks and why manny didnt face these african american fighters
112 =This one is kinda of interesting. Mark Johnson one of the all time greats at the 112-115 range had just vacanted his belt to move up in weight to fight for a belt that Johnny Tapia had vacated because of him (tapia) going to 118. Just 3 months later after all of this Manny became champ at 112. But after a few defenses he ran into Medgeon Surgarat (sp) and lost in such a devasting way that I really thought Manny was overrated and over hyped. I remember an article in ring magazine that talked about it after it happened..so I search and rewatch the fight. Almost every punch in that fight rocked Manny and that fight really set him back. I really wanted him to fight Mark Johnson at 115 but after that everyone who thought of the potential fight wrote it off. Plus there were rumors of him being weight drained, and the fact that he didnt make weight and had to move up to 122 pretty much put a nail in the coffin for that potential clash.
Tim Autin Although the IBF champ was a rising prospect at 118 and was still considired green. Again Manny was just coming off a devastating loss in what ring magazine called "one of the most brutal body shots ever seen".
122 ledwaba (sp) Manny actually fought this fight. This happened a few years later after manny was able to get some of his buzz back with a few impressive victories.
126 Once great FW champ Kevin Kelley was not only considered done by the time manny was at FW, but also ironically suffered a TKO loss a few years later to Manny's sorry ass brother Bobby.
126 Junior jones was considered done especially after getting crushed by Morales, so the thought of him being a potential match would be laughable.
126 Derrick Gainer another good black fighter (Actually a guy I was rooting for before I eventually gave up on) Lost to JMM and then went on a 2 year Hiatus...so that fight coulnt happen
126 Freddie Norwood, around the time pac enter FW, lost to gainer then said **** and started to fight at 130-135. I even think He might have fought at 140
Lastly Zahir Raheem was at 135 when manny was at 130 and by the time Manny got to lightweight Raheem was on the down turn of his career.
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