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The GMAN and the Big Dog report live from Mandalay Bay during and after the fights

By Tom Vosicky - StraightJab.com
Post Fight Audio Interviews with Klitschko, McCline and Mayweather

09.12 - Everyone seems to be bashing Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Wladimir Klitschko after their performance or perceived "Lack there of" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. As I sat in press row the cynisism seemed to be contageous and all the Drones....oops I mean...reporters seemed to feed off of each other's negative energy frantically writing down each other's sarcastic bylines.

As usual the Gman and I had a more "independent" view of the FMJ fight as we both scored it 9-3. We divided our opinions on the Klitschko fight, as nothing the big Ukranian does short of tieing his hands to his hips and letting people test his head will be good enough for the GMAN!

I thought that Wladimir fought with control and a clear strategy and won virtually every round by sticking to his plan and listening to his corner. It's hard to have a fight when one of the participants doesn't really want to mix it up. The respect that Jameel McCline showed Wlad during the fight by staying outside like he did was evidence of Wlad's dominance and "Chessmaster" like patience.

The difference between Wlad and Floyd's performance was the direction in which they were fighting. Wlad walked forward the entire fight pressing McCline into the ropes and disrupting his game plan.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., fought most of the fight in reverse moving backwards, counterpunching and jabbing through slick angles and effective elusiveness. This won the fight for him as I saw it, but it didn't produce the fireworks that everyone there wanted to see.

After the Ward vs. Gatti II spectacle maybe a higher standard was expected from this fight. As boxing fans we have to remember that fights like Ward vs. Gatti come along once in a great while.

Even though nobody wants to give him credit for it Wlad did score a TKO and he moves on to greater things.

All you haters out there, take a step back and just look at these fighters for who they really are. Floyd is a brilliant fighter that is slicker, faster, more elusive than most. Wlad has it all; patience, power, speed, balance, and can punch with both fists equally well. Fighters with this kind of talent don't have to appease the crowd, they just do what they do and we will always watch.

As Smitty (a fellow boxing journalist) turned to me and in the 6th round sarcastically screeched; "Is this the future of the Heavyweight Division!"

I thought to myself what do we, as fans really want? Here are two big guys at the top of their game who are in front of huge audiences both live and on Television. Would they be happier with every fight resulting in a 30 second knockout? Would they like to see fighters not defend themselves or be cautious? Do they not want to see any defensive skills at all?

Whatever fans are looking for, the bottom line is the fighters who ignore these unrealistic expectations will succeed. There is a time to take chances and there is a time to guard your future. Wlad said it best,; "So, I'm sorry to disappoint the fans, but I thought Today was not the day to test my head."

Well Wlad, I think you did test your head.... and you passed. You did what you had to do to win and your strategy was correct, don't listen all the haters. As far as Floyd Mayweather Jr., you also ran away with the fight and proved to me that you possess the skills it takes to be another Roy Jones.

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