Ask 411 Boxing 12.24.08: Pacquiao's Future, Mayweather's Retirement, Marquez-Diaz, More

Posted by Carlos Calderon on 12.24.2008

This week, we answer your questions concerning some of the biggest names in the sport. What's the deal with Mayweather's retirement and how should Pacquiao approach 2009? Carlos Calderon answers your questions in this week's Ask 411 Boxing.



It's about that time once again to dip into the boxing mailbag and this week, Carlos Calderon opens up the bag to answer your burning questions.

We welcome you to keep sending in those questions and we'll be sure to answer them in due time!

Now let's get to those questions.

Buck I, Tampa, FL - How would you map out the rest of Pacman's career in an ideal situation? I figure he should reside at 140 to face Hatton, and whoever else will challenge him there. I think he should only go up in weight for Mayweather if it's available.

Either way I'd love to see him retire within 3 years. What do you think?

I think that Pacquiao will simply stay at 140 lbs if he wins against Ricky Hatton, but I doubt he will stay there for long. He is clearly after "big money" fights from here on out. After a win over Hatton he will lean towards a fight with Floyd. If he wins against Floyd then anything is possible. Two things can happen either way. Pacquiao will lose against a bigger fighter or he will retire in a smooth way as few fighters do.


Travis Anderson, NA - Anybody ever figure out why Floyd retired so quietly, considering he was so flashy during his career?


Ahhhh......another Floyd Mayweather question. Why did he retire quietly? He became one of the few boxers to partake in the main event on a WWE Pay-Per-View, he knocked out Ricky Hatton, and he became one of boxings most paid fighters. That isn't all that quite to me Travis.



Jamie Rams, TX – Loso, Whats up with Diaz fighting Juan Manuel Marquez? If the fight happens who do you think will win?


Many fans will be happy with the news of the fight being signed a couple days ago. It looks like Juan Manuel Marquez stopped complaining about fighting in Houston. This will be a great fight. Both fighters are on top of their game. Diaz is the younger fighter and will be the aggressor. Juan Manuel Marquez is the older fighter, but he only seems to get better with age. I consider JMM to be the second pound for pound fighter in the world right now. I see him taking the win by late KO or a unanimous decision.

There is also news that the undercard will be featherweight weight champion Steven Luevano taking on Rocky Juarez. There is no information yet on weather Luevano-Juarez will be televised. There should be no doubt that both of those fights will be very exciting.


Todd McFadden, GA – Demarco vs. Kid Diamond. I love the match up! Who you got?


Antonio Demarco-Kid Diamond is definitely a great match up. Both fighters are exciting with good skills. Demarco is a rising prospect, but also has his flaws and still remains untested, while Kid Diamond is on the bleak side of his career he still might have what it takes to gain a win over the inexperienced fighter. This is a must win fight for both, but especially for Kid Diamond. He has had several bad showings since his lost to Nate Campbell. I think this an even match up. I will take Demarco just on freshness and the lack of competitiveness of Kid Diamond.



David Cornwell, AL – When DLH announced the Juan Manuel Marquez/Juan Diaz fight, he said it will "truly determine the best 135-pounder in the world." Is this because Pacquiao isn't anymore or is it because now that he's fought at 147 he's no longer the best lightweight?


Very good question David.

Lets first look at what status the Pacmonster has. He is without a doubt the best pound for pound fighter at this time with no signs of dropping off the list or slowing down any time soon. So we can pretty much say that if he can make the weight comfortably he has very good chances of beating anyone in any weight class. Regardless of that fact we are only talking about the lightweight division at the time so your question can only be answered by Pacman's actions. If Pacquiao decides to stay at the junior welterweight division, as speculated, and wins against current champion Ricky Hatton then he can't be regarded as the best lightweight due to the obvious fact that he is no longer campaigning at lightweight. The winner of Diaz-JMM will take on that title.



Matthew Parks, TN – I can't believe that they never made Abraham-Sturm fight. That would have been a huge fight next year. What a disappointment. What do you think is next for Abraham?



I had great faith that the fight would be made, yet the politics of the sport took another great match up off the map. Since talks between the two promoters are not over Abraham's team will now try to land a title unification match with fellow champion Kelly Pavlik. The fight will also make good money and will go good with American fans as well. If Top Rank is willing to take the fight after Pavlik's embarrassing loss to Hopkins will be the bigger question.



Chris Patterson, NJ – The heavyweights are boxings worst division I think in all the history of the sport. Valuev is the biggest joke in boxing. Klitschkos are just boring to me. I'm hoping Arreola really pulls though. What do you think of the kid?


I like Arreola. I like him a lot. He has many things that can help him become the messiah that boxing has been waiting for in the heavyweight division. He will be the first Mexican heavyweight so can touch base with the Hispanic and American fans alike, he has the personality to take over the hearts of many fans, he is an exciting heavyweight, and he also has the amateur background most elite fighters have yet Arreola lacks in many departments has well. He has signs unhealthy habits. He often comes into the ring over weight and has showed signs of slowing down due to conditioning. Though he has overcame all adversity he has ever faced that adversity has only been against average fighters at best. One is only to question how the Mexican will do against the like of the Klitschkos.

That'll do it for this week. We know you've got some questions or comments so don't be shy to send those in. Simply leave us a comment/question here or send them in at [e-mail].

Till then, see you next week!