Comments Thread For: DiBella Puzzled By Pedraza's Comments, Hopes to Better Build His Brand

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

For a boxer with little public profile, Jose Pedraza has managed to remain in the spotlight more often than most others in the industry. The unbeaten super featherweight titlist from Cidra, Puerto Rico has seen more than half of his career bouts gain airtime and is now set for his third consecutive appearance on Showtime, when he faces England's Stephen Smith on April 16.

With a title in tow and a major cable network on board to showcase his talents, Pedraza has plenty of reason to smile these days. So it was met with bewilderment by Lou DiBella who serves as co-promoter along with Javier Bustillo and Gary Shaw that the unbeaten boxer took to the media to voice displeasure over the manner in which his career has been handled.
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[TheCell8]

There's only so much a promoter can do.

When you compare him to Verdejo, Verdejo is a charismatic fighter who has a nice smile, he's got the Tito Trinidad 'happy-go-lucky' and he looks like other Puerto Ricans, which is mulatto.

Pedraza on the other hand, is pale white, with a terrible hairline and no charisma at all. Like they mentioned, he doesn't interact with the fans either.

Pedraza has to get by being the loner and start interacting with the fans.

He's a much more complete fighter than Verdejo at this stage in their careers. But he has to realize that being good and winning fights isn't everything.

[Box-Office]

There's only so much a promoter can do.

When you compare him to Verdejo, Verdejo is a charismatic fighter who has a nice smile, he's got the Tito Trinidad 'happy-go-lucky' and he looks like other Puerto Ricans, which is mulatto.

Pedraza on the other hand, is pale white, with a terrible hairline and no charisma at all. Like they mentioned, he doesn't interact with the fans either.

Pedraza has to get by being the loner and start interacting with the fans.

He's a much more complete fighter than Verdejo at this stage in their careers. But he has to realize that being good and winning fights isn't everything.

Pedraza has a similar skin tone to Cotto.

[The Gambler1981]

He almost lost against Cherry, he should be concerned with winning fights more cleanly because a few more "wins" like that will create problems for him creating a fanbase.

[Corelone]

Smith is the underdog in this one and Pedraza has to look good. I don't mean a cute smile at the intros, or frustrating everybody with a stylistic masterpiece. Go to war with Smith and show everybody he's serious. I keep thinking about George Jupp, but this is on neutral ground, and I don't like soft touch blow outs anyway. I hope Smith comes loaded for bear, puts Pedraza through hell. Under those circumstances, a close decision is better than a no sweat KO.

[ShoulderRoll]

I found Verdejo boring in his last fight. Pedraza usually has a more interesting style.

[Teddy05]

I dont blame him. He's Pueto Rican, and yet they never try and get him to get him any fights there. he only seems to fight in the middle of nowhere Connecticut.

[Corelone]

I dont blame him. He's Pueto Rican, and yet they never try and get him to get him any fights there. he only seems to fight in the middle of nowhere Connecticut.

You hit the nail on the head. I don't have favorite fighters other than for what they do. Pedraza stays on the road, laboring in obscurity, a hard working guy. He's not getting the build up, the "learning" fights, the home town advantages, the screaming teenage girls. He's not pretty, but he's earning every penny.

[Tomasio]

There's only so much a promoter can do.

When you compare him to Verdejo, Verdejo is a charismatic fighter who has a nice smile, he's got the Tito Trinidad 'happy-go-lucky' and he looks like other Puerto Ricans, which is mulatto.

Pedraza on the other hand, is pale white, with a terrible hairline and no charisma at all. Like they mentioned, he doesn't interact with the fans either.

Pedraza has to get by being the loner and start interacting with the fans.

He's a much more complete fighter than Verdejo at this stage in their careers. But he has to realize that being good and winning fights isn't everything.

There's a whole lot promoters could do.. For example look at what De La hoya(Golden Boy) did with Canelo & what Arum(Top Rank) did with Chavez jr even before they were champs..

[TheCell8]

There's a whole lot promoters could do.. For example look at what De La hoya(Golden Boy) did with Canelo & what Arum(Top Rank) did with Chavez jr even before they were champs..

Yea but they had appeal... Canelo is a good looking guy (no ****). Chavez Jr. is the son of a legend.

Pedraza doesn't have the looks, or a legendary name, or any charisma for that matter. He's just a very good boxer.