Shantel Jackson vs Floyd Mayweather: A Look at Allegations and Counter-Points

09/05/201409/05/2014 Vivek Wallace

With so much information floating around about this latest saga in the life and career of Floyd Mayweather, it’s only fitting that we should look at the core elements and separate the unimportant peripheral matters. The suit was filed by Shantel Jackson as a basis for “General”, “Compensatory” ($$$), and “Punitive” damages against Floyd Mayweather. Here’s a glimpse at her allegations and the counter-points they’ll have to withstand to win in court:
(Ms. Jackson Allegation #1): “He bent her arm, restrained her, and pointed a gun at her foot, asking ‘Which toe do you want me to shoot?’ “He then demanded her to remove her 17 carat diamond engagement ring at gunpoint”. This action was one of many reported in which Mr. Mayweather attacked her and imprisoned her, preventing her from leaving….a few times in which a gun was present.

Countdown to Mayweather vs Maidana II: Why Maidana’s Mission Could Be Mayweather’s Downfall

08/31/2014 Vivek Wallace

(Note: Countdown to Mayweather vs Maidana II is an EastSideBoxing exclusive by resident scribe Vivek “Vito” Wallace who will take provide a glimpse into the epic showdown each week on Sunday, with a final prediction/analysis piece to be published on the day of the fight)

Floyd Mayweather’s resume boast a laundry list of formidable talent, yet each of those men carried one very flawed trait; one which Maidana has never owned or known. That one trait? Fear. The UK’s, Ricky Hatton also lacked fear, yet inadequate size blunted his best chance at achieving an upset. Oscar De la Hoya and Miguel Cotto were arguably the only fighters in Mayweather’s recent history with adequate size who didn’t enter the ring afraid, yet both made the mistake of trying to box, failing to realize that you can’t try to beat a master at his own game. Going into their initial showdown, fans and media alike viewed the Maidana matchup as a “classic case of Mayweather targeting a tailor-made opponent”, who had “no shot”. Less than a minute into the bout, that perception was far from the reality.

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Mayweather/50 Cent Beef, Kell Brook, & More!!!!

08/25/2014 Vivek Wallace

Kalvin N. (Washington, DC): I’ve watched this whole Mayweather/50 beef and as an African American man who has sacrificed a great deal, I think it’s absolutely sad to witness. I’d like to know, what are your thoughts, culturally, and personally, on this topic?

Vivek W. (ESB): I think the term “sad” is a major, understatement. It’s a very troubling sight to watch unfold, and although some don’t want to hear this, I’m gonna be very pointed in my assessment that it’s not only distasteful, but it’s a kryptonite that’s only present in one cultural demographic, and it speaks for why that demographic continues to fall apart. This may not be a popular position to some, but I’d rather be hated for being honest than loved for lying. These words need to spoken, and today, I’ve volunteered to be the messenger.

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Gennady G. Golovkin vs Daniel Geale, and A Look at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez’s Weight Struggles

07/28/201407/28/2014 Vivek Wallace

Dexter H. (Oakland, CA): I’ve reached the conclusion that GGG is a legitimate problem! I just can’t see this guy losing. What I like is that there are no steroid allegations, or no illegal hand-wrap allegations. Dude is just solid. He wants Cotto next. Do you think Cotto takes the fight? And how do you see that one going down?

Vivek W. (ESB): I admit, it’s becoming harder and harder for me to fight the urge of following his growing fan base in ordaining him as “that guy”! By the term “that guy”, I mean “that guy” who the media begins to conveniently place in sentences next to the words “most feared”, “most dangerous”, “next biggest star”, and “unbeatable”. He’s a heavy handed puncher, he likes to bang, and he’s proven that more often than not, he’ll be the last man standing if his opponent decides to do it with him. I can totally respect that and support him as a growing phenom in the sport. That being said, here’s my thoughts on a showdown between he and Cotto:

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Floyd Mayweather’s “Questionable” Past?, Maidana Glove Controversy, & Rigondeaux’s

07/21/201407/20/2014 Vivek Wallace

(Photo credit: Idris Erba) Kaleb G. (Boston, MA): I noticed that you’ve been pretty quiet on the topic of Floyd Mayweather and the way the media overlooks his past, as it relates to domestic violence and so forth. What are your thoughts on the recent article in “Deadspin”?

Vivek W. (ESB): I’ve received several emails from fight fans asking for my thoughts on this topic. I initially chose not to comment, for the simple fact that I prefer not to talk on topics in which I don’t have a complete education on. And furthermore, I’m not familiar with Deadspin, and have never seen them represented in a Boxing media room; so that’s a dead giveaway that their sources probably have limited facts, as well.

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: Canelo vs Lara – The Fight, The Score Cards, The Aftermath!!!

07/14/201407/14/2014 Vivek Wallace

Casey H. (Los Angeles, CA): I saw your Facebook post about the score cards and don’t necessarily agree, but I can respect that there’s a lot of depth to your points. Can you elaborate on how you scored the fight the way you did and why?

Vivek W. (ESB): I think the easiest way to address this question is to point out the fact that fans must realize one simple truth: The way we judge fights as fans is NOT the criteria in which judges are asked to judge fights professionally. If it were that easy, there would be no basic and/or extended requirements to do so. When we judge fights on a fan level, we look for guys landing, giving and taking, and basically the typical stuff. A judges job is far more in-depth and it requires a totally different mental approach, as there are three major things they have to account for, wherein the typical everyday fan is only looking for one (who’s getting hit the most).

Saul Alvarez vs Erislandy Lara: Keys to Victory, Four to Explore, & Official Prediction!

07/12/2014 Vivek Wallace

Tonight, the world of Boxing will watch closely as Mexico’s brightest star, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, attempts to solidify his position amongst one of the most hotly contested divisions in the sport. Standing in his way is a man who many have viewed as the “Dark Horse” for several years. He doesn’t bring the huge Mexican fan base or the mega-star personality, but if there’s one fighter in the sport who can officially put Cuba on the map, it’s Erislandy Lara, and tonight he’ll get his chance. As we prepare for this epic battle, we first take a look at “Keys to Victory”, “Four to Explore”, and an “Official Prediction”!

KEYS TO VICTORY – ERISLANDY LARA

For Lara, he’ll need to start fast and first, but one word will tell the tale of the night, and when the final bell sounds, that word will guarantee either victory or defeat. That word? Consistency…..and he’ll have to apply it all across the board, starting with his jab. A precision based jab will be vital – as it relates to him being able to blunt Canelo’s early onslaught – and it could effectively change the total dynamics of this fight. Aside from employing the jab, Lara will need to dedicate himself to body work, early and often. The jab and body work duo should be very effective, but neither will mean much without a killer instinct. To tie this plan together, Lara will need to be willing to walk thru the fire and go down to the wire! If he can do these things, victory is his, perhaps easier than many think!

Iron Mike Productions: “Judgement Day” – Live Tonight on FoxSports1 (8ET/5PT)

07/11/201407/09/2014 Vivek Wallace

Tonight, live on FoxSports1, Iron Mike Productions will offer fight fans a very interesting night of action in a card capped off with a rematch between Argenis “La Tormenta” Mendez (21-1-1, 1NC, 11KO’s) and Rances “Kid Blast” Barthelemy (19-0, 1 NC, 12 KOs). Don’t show up late for this one, as the stacked undercard will showcase the talents of two other studs under the promotional banner when Light Heavyweight Humberto “El Don” Savigne (12-1, 9 KOs) and Welterweight stud Erickson “Hammer” Lubin (5-0, 5 KOs) take center stage.

Martinez vs Cotto: Keys to Victory, Four to Explore, Official Prediction

06/07/201406/07/2014 Vivek Wallace

Tonight, the collective attention of the fight public will be planted squarely on Puerto Rican warrior Miguel Cotto and his newly-found Argentinean nemesis, Super Middleweight Champion, Sergio Martinez. Although these two men will enter the ring alone when the bell sounds, they’ll both carry two proud nations on their back when they do. While the Argentinean base is thriving on the strength of a solid Matthysse victory months ago and a strong performance from Maidana; the Puerto Rican contingent will do so with a heavy dose of anxiety. The last time Miguel Cotto took center stage at the Madison Square Garden, it was a humbling defeat to Austin Trout. This time around, he has a much more dangerous foe as he attempts to make history in the deep end of the ocean. As we get closer to the first bell, we examine the chances of both men:

SERGIO MARTINEZ (KEYS TO VICTORY)

Left-Hook Lounge Mailbag: A Look Back at Mayweather vs Maidana, A Measurement of the ‘New’ Amir Khan, & a Look at the Same Old Adrien Broner!!!

05/07/201405/05/2014 Vivek Wallace

Greg H. (Bronx, NYC): Going into the Maidana fight I thought Floyd Mayweather was in for an easy night, but I know you felt it would be tough from the beginning. What were your thoughts about both of their performance? And do you think a rematch is warranted?

Vivek W. (ESB): From the moment this fight was signed, I felt we would get precisely the fight we saw at the end of the night. I was shocked at the odds when they were initially announced, and I was even more shocked to see that they ballooned to the point in which they did by fight night (12:1). I don’t claim to know boxing any better than the next man, but what I learned once again is that the countless hours of film study in the still of the night does make a difference when giving educated feedback. Mayweather has always performed with a certain level of genius; but my logic from day one was that there was no way a precision based puncher who throws one shot at a time could get a decisive victory over a fighter who throws 70 punches per round with power at the end of each one.