The Way I See It 02.10.10: You've Got Questions, I've Got Answers
Posted by Joe Roche on 02.10.2010
Taking a departure from our regular formula this week our own Joe Roche answers "questions" about the hot topics in boxing over the last seven days.
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to another edition of "The Way I See It." I'm taking a little break of the usual column format this week to do a feedback column. I could give you a long diatribe about why I'm doing a feedback column but the truth is that I'm a bit rushed for time this week and I thought if nothing else this should spark some debate. These questions aren't necessarily from readers though you're all more then welcome to email me questions, comments or concerns (or hit me up on twitter @411JRoche). These questions come to me from various places throughout the week and I thought I'd address them now.
Joe I know I told you that I thought Jason [Estrada] would beat Tomasz Adamek on Saturday night and you laughed at me. But c'mon bro you have to admit that he put on a pretty good performance -- Edwin, Worcester, MA
I knew this question was coming. Those of you who follow me on twitter know that last Thursday night I had the opportunity to hang out with undefeated middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez at Victory Bar & Cigar (my favorite spot in Worcester). It was a pretty solid night and we spent most of it talking boxing well Edwin was convinced that Estrada would beat Adamek on Saturday night and I have to admit that he did far better then I could have ever imagined. There is a lot of dissention amongst 411 Staffer's about the fight but I honestly had the bout scored 115-114 in favor of Adamek when it was all said and done (though I thought the 116-112 score was probably closer to accurate).
I thought Jason came out really well he used his hand speed and tried to bring the fight to Adamek early which is how I thought he'd approach the fight. Adamek for his part gave away rounds early but turned it up at the end of three and dominated from four through eight. I thought 9 and 12 were toss up rounds with Estrada taking the 10th and 11th as Adamek seemed to run out of gas. For Adamek it was a good win Estrada brought a lot of things to the table that Adamek won't see against Arreola and "Big Six" seemed to present problems to Adamek (remember his worst professional fight was against Chad Dawson). In the end the loss might actually help Estrada as he has now held his own against Adamek and Aleksander Povetkin two very highly touted heavyweights and Estrada can make the argument that he should be getting shots against some of the mid/upper tier heavyweights in the future (cough:Kevin Johnson:cough). In the end the fight played out how I thought it would except I never anticipated Adamek getting tired at the end and doing so much running good win for Adamek, great crowd for Main Events and decent showing for Estrada, all in all it was a good fight and one that goes in the memory bank for year end awards for heavyweights.
Joe can you drum up some support for Antonio Margarito to be re-instated in Texas please? - Uncle Bob, Las Vegas
Sorry Uncle Bob but you're barking up the wrong tree here. As I write this column we are all waiting on the official word from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on whether or not the "Tijuana Tornado" will be able to fight on the March 13th Pacquiao-Clottey undercard. I've heard all of the arguments in support of Margarito but I'm not buying them.
Yes, Margarito was "banned" by the California State Athletic Commission for one year. However, it wasn't a one year and you're back suspension it was a one year ban before you are eligible to re-apply for the license. I have no problem with Margarito re-applying for his license to fight what I have a problem with is any commission granting him a license to fight. People like Kevin Iole and our own Ryan Bates have taken to the claim that "do the crime, do the time" applies to Margarito which is also bullshit. Texas itself has a history of not playing by that convoluted rule perhaps you've all forgotten that in 2002 Mike Tyson tried to get a license to fight in Texas and Governor Rick Perry (who is still in charge) refused to grant the license citing Tyson's rape conviction as a reason for the denial. At the time Tyson applied for the license he wasn't on the run from the law the fact is Tyson had done the time for the crime so under the Margarito banner shouldn't he have been licensed?
Not necessarily. Requiring a fighter to obtain a license to fight means that it is a right much like driving a car, and carrying a weapon. Just because you have the right to apply for a license doesn't mean that you are entitled to one. In this case Margarito should be allowed to re-apply for his license to fight every six months, and every six months he should be denied. If he wants to go down to Tijuana and fight in Mexico that's fine but don't expect me to pay for and don't expect me to argue that he's a pariah. He has never shown remorse for what he did, and what he did (had he not been caught) could have resulted in tragic results. Texas has taken a stand against things like this before and they should do it again, sorry Uncle Bob but I'm on the other side of this argument.
- This should be the last image we all have of Margacheato
Juan Urango and Devon Alexander are going to fight at Mohegan Sun really? -- Peter, Boston, MA
I'm as confused as you are Peter. It's not unprecedented to have non-local fighters fight in the northeast. Hell last year Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch fought at Foxwoods but this one seems especially strange because every other venue seemed to make more sense. I know Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing is co-promoting the show with Don King and I know it'll be shown on HBO Boxing After Dark so perhaps there is enough local(ish) flavor to generate some support for the fight but I'm skeptical. What I do know is that Mohegan Sun is my favorite place to cover a fight and I'm very excited to be going to this one so even though it doesn't make sense count me among the limited group of supporters of this idea right off the bat.
Joe, speaking of that King show at Mohegan Sun why don't the East Coast writers ever throw tweetups like the West Coast crew? - Carlos, NY
This is a fine question and one that I am fixing to change. I always get the feeling that the West Coast writers are more pro-active then us East Coast guys holding tweet-ups and hanging out together. Other then the fact that there are far fewer East Coast regulars I think we're slower on the uptake because it's negative five effing degrees outside and it's tough to get motivated when you're hands will shatter if someone shakes it. With that in mind there is something in the works for March 6th so let me put this in its own paragraph so we know the score.
If you intend on being at the Juan Urango-Devon Alexander fight at Mohegan Sun either hit me up on twitter (twitter.com/411jroche) or send me an email because we are going to start making plans very soon (this week) about doing something before the card.
My friend Joe even I have to admit that this Roy Jones Jr. Bernard Hopkins thing is a bit stupid. -- ODLH, Las Vegas
I think I'm in the minority here but I don't mind the Jones Jr. Hopkins fight much, especially if it leads to both of them hanging up the gloves when it's all said and done. I maintain that Jones Jr. nine times out of 10 would beat Danny Green. RJJ fell victim to a perfectly placed, lucky punch that threw off his equilibrium and left him out on his feet. Had RJJ been able to survive the first round I still think he wins that fight. Now that being said I don't think either of these guys are world class fighters anymore and that includes Hopkins who I think is just to old and is getting by on reputation alone. The fight makes sense for Hopkins because it's a chance to get his win back from RJJ even though anyone with a brain would tell you that a win over RJJ now isn't the same as a win over Hopkins then. After this fight win or lose for either guy I just don't see many fighters out there who would be scared of either of them. I know Chad Dawson would love to fight Hopkins but that fight will never happen and outside of that fight what is out there? Frankly I support the RJJ-Hopkins fight based solely on the prospect of these guys are going to fight anyways it might as well be against each other because nothing else interests me either.
Does Edwin Valero have what it takes to be the next Manny Pacquiao? -- F. Roach
Well Mr. Roach with the right coaching I don't think it's far fetched to say that Valero could be very dangerous at lightweight or junior welterweight. It's tough to ignore the comparison between Valero and a younger Pacquiao and if Valero can put some boxing behind his power he could be a super dangerous threat. If he showed nothing else on Saturday night he showed that he's incredibly durable and that's going to be a trait that he'll have to lean on when he makes the jump to 140 as I don't think he's going to be fast enough avoid someone like Timothy Bradley. That being said Pacquiao is a once in a lifetime talent and "El Inca" while exciting and a new name on the block is already 28 years old I'm just not sure if we'll ever see him reach the top of the mountain. As a matter of fact if they were to sign a Bradley/Valero fight for the middle of this year I would take "Dessert Storm" to win convincingly.
Joe isn't this just a cop-out idea to do a quick and easy column while avoiding any real research and don't you think it'll be hard to end this column? -- Ramon Aranda, Right Behind You
Good question Ramon
The Way I See Quick Hits
- I was not going to do this section today because I'm really trying to keep my columns shorter then they've been in the past but I had to take a moment to send my thoughts and prayers to Robert Guerrero and his wife Casey. Guerrero was in preparation for a March 27th bout with Michael Katsidis but had to back out of the fight due to Casey's leukemia (which was in remission) coming back. Guerrero is one of those guys who you never, EVER hear a bad thing about and I just wanted to take a moment to say that the thoughts and prayers of my family are with the Guerrero's as they battle this tough period.
