Richard H. (Toronto, CA): You have been very huge on Andre Ward, and one of the few to give him a chance against Kessler. What did you see in the past that me (and I’m sure others) failed to?
Vivek W. (ESB): Truthfully, there are two things that I think have to remain a focal point when looking at Ward. First off, you never underestimate the heart of champion. That sounds so cliche-ish, but I truly believe that. This guy won a Gold in the Olympic games for a reason, and when you look at that type pedigree (Ali, Oscar, Whitaker, Patterson, Leonard, Spinks, etc), there’s no question, categorically, something great is bound to happen when you land on that side. Secondly, (this is gonna sound cliche-ish as well), the guy has simply never learned how to lose. This is a fighter who had a 6 year stretch as an amateur in which he NEVER LOSS ONE FIGHT. He followed that effort by stepping on an Olympic stage and didn’t lose one fight against the best competition in the world, either.. So that tells me that there’s something in this guy’s DNA that has allows him to adapt to several different styles and find a way time and time again to conquer them all. That’s something special! I’ve compared him to Floyd Mayweather jr. several times in the past, saying that fundamentally, he (Ward) stands a close second in the sport. Against Kessler, we saw certain parallels, from the check-hooks to the shoulder rolls. Only difference is that Ward brings the fight to his opponents far more (than Floyd) and isn’t as safety-first, which is Mayweather with a twist! Anyhow, I won’t say he’ll take it to the top in the tournament, but if he does, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit! They call him “S.O.G.”, but to his opponents, he’s simply one dynamic “S.O.B.”! The kid’s skills are nice!
Sylvester M. (Bronx, NYC): I know that Kessler/Abraham was the fight you most wanted to see in the Super-6 Tournament. Has that changed? And if so, who would you rather see now?
Vivek W. (ESB): Kessler was my favorite fighter coming into the tournament, but I always liked Ward as easily the most fundamentally talented in the group. Now that Ward has proven that he can exist on that level, I think the fight to be made is Ward/Abraham, more so than Abraham/Kessler. Kessler/Froch will be a great one, but the money fight for me is Ward/Abraham. I want to see if Ward can use that speed to penetrate the mitts of Abraham, who we all know has a solid defense. Also, I would like to see Ward test his luck at slowing down that type of power. An interesting irony here (if my memory serves me correctly) is that Ward is the only fighter in the entire tournament scheduled to have every fight at home. So, how he performs moving forward could very well get a boost, but either way, I think the guy has the goods, and a bout with Abraham would test that theory the most.
Ashwar S. (Los Angeles, CA): I am a huge Manny Pacquiao fan, but I think his ego has really changed him. Do you think this recent cheating scandal will hurt his image in the sport?
Vivek W. (ESB): Personally, I think this is a family matter, and it should remain that way. The only people who should be speaking publicly on this issue are the 3 people involved in the alleged love triangle. (Pacquiao, Jinkee, and the actress Pacquiao’s allegedly involved with). What anyone else has to say should never be spoken. To the outside world, this type of chatter is fuel for thought; to those involved, it’s simply unnecessary heat which leads to fire for those involved, ultimately caused by that same ‘fuel’. What’s really troubling is that the public desire to stir such controversy has taken this episode in such a dark area that it has began to actually taint the image of a man many view as pure. Allegedly, this all got started when a few fight fans felt Pacquiao was rude for speeding off in his car at a Las Vegas club, rather than honoring photo and autograph request. There’s no way to tell if that’s true, but those bruised egos have apparently decided not to go away, and those now infamous details and photo’s circulating in the U.S. and the Philippines are quite incriminating, particularly considering the woman seen in Pacquiao’s personal vehicle was caught concealing her identity, as well as the fact that she held living quarters in the hotel Pacquiao’s tab covered leading up to the fight. It was further supported by the fact that Pacquiao allegedly chose to go back to Los Angeles separate from his family, choosing to stay in a private apartment, instead. It’s very easy for people to sit back and relish in such drama, but hearing the story of how Jinkee turned her back to Pacquiao in tears at a Sunday mass service shows that this is a very real issue, and a very painful one.
Personally, I think sensitive issues like this should be cut off from the media world, totally. There are kids involved, a man at the pinnacle of his career, and a woman who has had to watch a man she loves dearly compromise everything they’ve built over the years. No telling how it will effect Pacquiao, but the words of one Filipina certainly touch the core, as she stated that “Pacquiao went from the biggest celebrity to the lowest scum her country has seen in one night”! To answer your question, for whatever it’s worth, that may be her sentiments, but don’t expect the fellas to play ‘Adam’ and be led by the thoughts of this harsh speaking ‘Eve’! You know and I know when he laces up another pair, we’ll all be tuned in!
Teddy R. (Okinawa, JA): Freddie Roach has recently said that he will agree to a 50/50 split of the purse with Mayweather. Do you think that will pretty much solidify the negotiations and get the fight done? If not, what next for Pacquiao?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think Mayweather has to honor a 50/50 split. I would personally question him if he chooses not to. The numbers do support him getting a slightly larger split (based on head-to-head competition of like opponents) but I would save that leverage for other issues, such as avoiding a catch-weight, or being coaxed into a smaller ring size. Those issues will be very paramount for Mayweather. Even more so than the ‘dead presidents’ in my humble opinion. If the fight with Mayweather doesn’t push through, as much as I would love to see it for historical reasons, I’ve said from day one that the best fight stylistically would be Pacquiao against Mosley. Despite that there’s no history there and that the money won’t be as lucrative, I’d enjoy that fight as a fan much more! Hope one of the two happen.
Justin W. (West Palm Beach, FL): Looking at how Pacquiao performed at 145lbs, how do you think he would perform at 147lbs against someone like Margarito, Mosley, or Clottey?
Vivek W. (ESB): At the 147lb welterweight limit, I think all of those guys would give him troubles. All are winnable fights for Pacquiao, but Margarito presents height and reach issues, aside from the obvious workrate and chin of granite scenario; Clottey is very durable and has a near impenetrable defense; and Mosley brings speed and toughness as well. I think all of those are nearly pick ’em fights. Anywhere under 147lbs, I’d lean to Pacquiao, because these men would be out of their natural habitat. But at 147lbs, I think the playing field evens out drastically! Pacquiao may defeat a few of those guys on points, but no way in hell he KO’s either of them at the welterweight limit.
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Myspace, and Facebook).