Inside the Ropes 09.07.10: Mayweather’s Mouth, Martinez vs. Burns, Super Six, More

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 09.07.2010

Will Floyd Mayweather shut up and fight? Plus, a Fight of the Year candidate hits us from Glasgow, the Super Six is set to continue and more in this week’s 411 Inside the Ropes!



"Open mouth; insert foot." – Directions Floyd Mayweather Jr. sure knows how to follow.

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. speaks; the boxing world usually takes notice. It's something he likely forgot when he made some off-remarks last week concerning Manny Pacquiao. By now, most of you have probably seen the original video in which Mayweather gets on USTREAM and gets in a few racist licks on Pacquiao, calling him "Pooch-iaou" among other outlandish things. If you don't recall exactly what he said and you really feel like finding out, then watch the video here.

The video, which was uploaded to YouTube garnered him plenty of attention; something he loves to have, though perhaps not with the kind of semi-positive light that he would have liked to get. It's the type of behavior that has not allowed him to endear himself to the media and public. Sure, Floyd at times shows a likable side; one who's humane, down to earth and lighthearted but those moments are too far and few in between. Mayweather likes the bad boy image but he's taking it a little too far. Let's be honest, Floyd is probably the best pure athlete/boxer of his generation. The things he can do in the ring are amazing and not because he's explosive or over exciting. He's a magician, technician and a genius all wrapped into one when he's in his element but it's his mouth that we could really do without.

Sure he went back a few days later and offered an apology and you can argue that at least he was man enough to do so but the damage was already done. Besides, the video seemed more like a PR move than anything and who knows how sincere he really was.

I truly enjoy watching Floyd perform in the ring but outside of it, I wish I could turn the channel. What made this recent charade worse is his complete lack of presence during the final negotiation period for a Nov. 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao. I've never seen Floyd remain so silent in all my years covering and following his career. To merely brush it off by saying "we ain't worried about that" is a slap to the face of boxing.

Now before the onslaught of comments start coming in labeling me a Mayweather hater; know this – I'm a fan point blank. I appreciate the skills Mayweather shows inside the ring and I'd even go as far to as to say that I'd favor him slightly (very slightly) over Pacquiao but the crap that's been coming out of his mouth lately has made it difficult to swallow.

Simply put; Floyd, you're a great fighter, and the way you handled Shane Mosley was very impressive. Now Manny wants a piece so it's time to shut up and fight.

Great Scott!, What a Good Fight!

Going into last weekend's junior lightweight bout between WBO titlist Roman Martinez and Ricky Burns, I had chosen this particular fight as the one I had to see, even if I could only watch one bout. I've been a fan of Martinez' work and had seen enough clips of Burns that I felt it would be a perfect blend of styles. Even so, what I and other boxing aficionados witnessed on Saturday night was a pleasant surprise. In a year where we've been starving for anything even remotely resembling a fight of the year, Martinez vs. Burns turned out to be a fine candidate. It's somewhat strange that nothing has even come close to it until 2 weeks ago when Giovanni Segura unified the junior flyweight championship with a TKO win over the previously unbeaten Ivan Calderon. It was a war and an unexpected one.

To have yet another FOTY candidate only one week later is a rarity but Martinez vs. Burns delivered. I happened to be watching the middleweight title fight between Felix Sturm and Giovanni Lorenzo when the Martinez-Burns bout was kicking off in Glasgow, Scotland. The crowd was electric and as the first round was coming to an end, I knew something good was brewing. A right hand from Martinez only solidified it as Burns kissed canvas, only to get up and bring the fight right to Martinez.

The two would go on to leave it all on the line as they traded punches round after round. It was as if they were throwing a party with a buffet of leather to eat and everyone was invited. You could see as the rounds wore on that the champion was eating some of the harder punches and Burns was coming on. There was a feeling in the air that this would be Burns' night but Martinez would not go quietly. On more than a few occasions, both fighters hurt the other with blistering uppercuts and it appeared that either of them could get laid out at any minute but alas, a knockout never came. Perhaps that was for the better as they tried their best to make it happen for twelve full rounds and when it was all said and done, we had all witnessed a beautiful fight. For the record, I had Martinez winning 114-113 but some of those rounds were too close to call and I had no problem with Burns getting the nod. Truly, this was a fight where there were no losers and I'd love to see a return bout on either HBO or Showtime. Let's hope they make it happen.

For now, we have the comfort of having another fight from which to choose a Fight of the Year.

Super Six Take 3

One of the best things of 2010 has been the continuing drama that is the Super Six World Boxing Classic. For any criticism that the tournament has gotten, Showtime deserves plenty of kudos for making it happen. Unfortunately there was another casualty a few weeks ago when Mikkel Kessler withdrew from the tournament due to an injury in one of his eyes. It was a major setback especially when you consider he was in the running to advance, whilst holding the WBC 168-pound title. That of course left Allan Green without an opponent and although Showtime hasn't made any announcements just yet as to what happens next; we do know that the tournament will go on. Perhaps Green will be taken out with the promise of a notable fight later this year and we can move on to the semis but until then, we can simply look forward to the October clash between Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham.

It's one of the more intriguing matchups of the tournament and one I'm very excited to see. You can bet there will be plenty of bombs.

On the downside, the scheduled Sep. 25 showdown between Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell doesn't appear to be happening due to a conflict on the choice of venue. Neither side wants to go to the other's hometown nor has a neutral site been agreed upon. Showtime and the promoters haven't budged on the Sep. 25 date but with only three weeks left, we can only assume that it's not happening. Here's hoping they can get this one going soon as it's a fight I have plenty of interest in.

Random Thoughts

• With James Kirkland set to be released from prison, I truly hope he stays away from any further problems. He's exciting to watch and although he'll likely get a tune up bout later this year and possibly shortly thereafter, I can't wait to see him in the ring with the likes of Miguel Cotto, Alfredo Angulo, Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez.
  
  
• Again, my condolences to the Arum family for the loss of John Arum. A father should never have to bury his son.
  
  
• Paging Kelly Pavlik!