Jason S. (Orlando, FL): Roy Jones jr. recently sided with Manny Pacquiao about the steroid controversy. How do you take his comments on the matter (if you have actually heard his comments)?
Vivek W. (ESB): I was able to read the comments Roy Jones jr. made on the issue, and my thoughts on his perspective are probably different from most. One thing I’ve learned about Roy Jones jr. is that regardless of how much he talks at times, if you actually stop to listen at what he’s saying, rather than cast it off because he’s the source, you will learn that Roy is an extremely intelligent man. I’ve heard Roy speak on several topics with an intelligence that goes far beyond the surface. That being said, in this case, I think clearly it was more a matter of what he was asked, as opposed to him siding with anyone, or letting his ego get in the way of his judgment of anyone.. He was asked what he thought about Pacquiao being asked to take the test? In his words he stated something that I think, categorically, we can all agree to. In principle, the request itself was wrong. It hasn’t been done to anyone else, and in the minds of many, he’s being singled out. In principle, most of us questioned about this matter would agree with that. That being said, I don’t view his response as pro-Pacquiao. If we want to see precisely how delicate this issue really is, a better question would have been “would he allow a $40M payday go to the waist-side as a result of not taking this test? With that question, I’m a million percent sure he would have appeared pro-Mayweather, as there’s no way he would have said “yes”. So, I think we have to use our best discretion with the info we receive, like any other matter in life. It’s easy for Jones to say “hell no” he wouldn’t take a test. But, if he knew the only thing separating him and a $40M deposit was random blood work, he’d sign up quicker than he landed those left-hooks on Lacy! No question…no doubt!
Matt R. (San Diego, CA): You have been very vocal about Manny Pacquiao needing to take the randomized blood testing. He can be seen on youtube talking about his fear of having blood drawn close to the fight. It began before the fight with Morales and he feels it was a “tactic” to make him weak. Do you understand his reasons better now?
Vivek W. (ESB): I am fully aware of the video that recently surfaced about Pacquiao’s concerns, but truthfully, I still don’t find them to be a valid excuse to deny randomized testing for two reasons. First and foremost, in that case, he was asked to take the test 2 days before the fight because it was discovered that his medical records were lost. The issue that time came about because he couldn’t drink water and hydrate himself (like every one else when they give blood) because he was on target to make weight and the extra water and food would have taken him outside of his desired weight plan. That’s according to his own words. In this case, he’s trying to make 147, not 130lbs. According to Freddie Roach, at this current weight (near 147lbs) he can actually eat the morning of weigh-in’s, and live normally, so a fear of not being hydrated properly isn’t nearly the same, as he would be at liberty to eat and drink, wherein before the Morales fight, due to a need to make a lower weight, he couldn’t.
Secondly, that test came random, but it was totally unexpected (if that makes any sense). He had already done the test, and was told 2 days prior to the fight that the records were loss, so he had to re-do them. That goes beyond a typical random scenario. He thought it was a done deal, only to meet the surprise of learning that it wasn’t, only days before the fight. In this case, he knows the test will be coming at some point, and he isn’t trying to starve himself to make weight, so regardless, if Roach’s statement is true, (about him eating the day of weigh-in’s) then he will be hydrated properly. So, I say again…..none of the reasons given seem to stick, as it relates to preventing him from this $40M payday and preventing us fight fans from seeing this epic battle. Some say the blame goes both ways, but the reason I lean towards Team Pacquiao being the issue is because each reason given to not do the randomized blood testing seems to have loopholes. I can see if his problem was not wanting to adhere to Team Mayweather’s odd request, but that isn’t what he’s saying, and those were his words directly. So nothing else fits. Why worry about being able to hydrate when you’re fighting at the weight you claim to walk around at? As it relates to this fight……he needs it…..we need it…..yet I cram to understand why we still don’t have it!
Robert O. (Charlotte, NC): Evander Holyfield is planning to fight Francois Botha in Uganda for an alphabet version of the heavyweight crown. Can anyone really justify him fighting at this stage in his career?
Vivek W. (ESB): There was a time when I was more against seeing Holyfield in the ring than any critic out there, but at this present moment in time, I actually beg to differ. I think the time to hang the gloves up for any man comes when he simply lacks the passion, ambition, and quite frankly, the results. In the case of Holyfield, critics can blast him for wanting to stay, but as long as he nets positive gains, I don’t think anything else matters. Truth is, had he not been jobbed over in Switzerland a few months back, he would already be a champ, because everyone outside of Switzerland felt he won that fight (against Valuev). When he was battling injuries and looking real bad, I think trying to banish him away from the sport was more justifiable. But now, he’s winning, he’s performing well, and he seems hungry, so I say let the man eat! He has yet to be blown out in a fight, and hasn’t been knocked down, let alone out, so without question, I think his mission is clear to continue……even at the ripe ole age of 47.
Joshua L. (Philadelphia, PA): What chance do you give Andre Berto to defeat Shane Mosley?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think this fight will come down to age, and little else. In the case of Mosley, he hasn’t fought in exactly a year, so we have no idea whether or not he can build on that amazing performance he gave us a year ago. Against Margarito, Mosley’s job was a bit easier because Margarito was a standing target who actually embraces powershots as a strategy to get in the mind of an opponent. Berto will be a totally different style, and as we know, styles make fights. Berto doesn’t have the chin of Margarito, so if he isn’t in position to inflict pain, he certainly won’t stand there to deliver any. If he uses his footwork, it could test the stamina and conditioning of Mosley. Two years ago, we saw Mosley struggle against another young and powerful fighter (Cotto) who had decent power and used just enough footwork to keep him on his toes. So, once again, I think age will be the deciding factor. Age, as in who’s will show the most? Will Berto’s age (youth) be too much for Mosley’s age (wear and tear)? Or will Shane’s age (experience) be too much for Berto’s age (inexperience)? Speed is about even…..power (according to who you believe) is about even…..Aside from the chin, there are no other make-or-break attributes to get in the way. Can’t wait to find out either way, though.
Walton I. (London, UK): Amir Khan is rumored to be facing Marcos Maidana. If this fight happens, who do you like?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think this will be a great gauge for both men. For Maidana, I think his durability and passion to succeed make him a very dangerous opponent. In the case of Khan, I think his evolution is proof that a great trainer can make a good fighter a great fighter. I love what we’ve seen in Khan lately, but in all fairness, much like Pacquiao’s KO of Hatton, his latest victory was a great spectacle, but did very little as it relates to measuring his true potential. How does he handle a man who can take that powershot and stay in his face to land a few of his own? How does he handle a man who’s durability will take him deep into the 12th round? Those are all operative questions here. Defeating a shop-worn Barrera and getting an early KO over Salita only tell half the story. I think Khan is a great, humble kid, but as it relates to the ring, the jury is still out on him. A career defining victory filled with ebbs and flows against Maidana could close the case! Stay tuned.
(Heartfelt condolences to the Cotto family. Miguel Snr. was a very noble man of integrity and will be dearly missed…May he rest in peace….forevermore!)
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, YouTube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook and Myspace).