‘Left-Hook Lounge’: Vivek Wallace’s mailbag feat. Pacquiao, Mayweather, Khan, Gamboa and Willams

Mayweather Jeff H. (Boca Raton, FL): I thought your welterweight article last Friday was spectacular. I previously viewed you as pro-Floyd and anti-Pacquiao, but in this case I think you were actually spot on in your assessment even though it wasn’t (pro-Floyd). I would like for you to go deeper into your thoughts on Floyd and Pacquiao, and talk about why you never seem to give Pacquiao a break?

Vivek W. (ESB): I think at some point everyone out there that follows my work is gonna learn that from day one, I’ve never been a scribe who has gone out of his way to show affinity to any ONE fighter over another. Never. Many of the men that I cover in this sport are very complex with many different angles to cover. At the end of the day, you have to realize that we’re (meaning me and the fight fans) gonna agree on some angles some of the time, but we’ll never quite agree on all the angles all of the time. As it relates to Mayweather, here are the facts. Yes, I think he’s an amazing talent. Yes, without question he’s EASILY the most purely talented fighter to step in the ring for quite some time. Yes, his self-promotional antics make him such a despised personality in the sport, but that doesn’t mean that I’ll use that and equate all things Mayweather as bad. As it relates to Pacquiao…..Yes, we can agree that Pacquiao is the most dominant force in the sport right now. We can even agree that he’s the most exciting fighter to watch. We can’t agree that he’s perfect, because he isn’t and he never will be..

If I decide to touch on one of the issues that display his imperfections (like any other man) it doesn’t mean that I don’t like him, it simply means that I can see the full spectrum, not just an aggregate of the whole. What has made me most disappointed is that many counter-thoughts that I receive as feedback are purely based on radical fanaticism. In other words, people who are more Pacquiao fans than fight fans. Ana ‘Hurricane’ Julaton is a female Filipino bantamweight who has become a unified champion in only 8 fights. Yeah, 8 fights! Yet with all the promotion I’ve done on her behalf, I can’t get 10 Filipino fight fans to add a credible comment of support about her, or even acknowledge her. Why isn’t she asked to fight on the Dallas Pacquiao/Clottey card? There’s no better display of the warrior-like Filipino spirit, yet the only one yelling her name is the one scribe perceived to be a Filipino hater. I can’t devote blind passion on that level to any man. I serve one God. My parting thoughts for those who seem to be permeated with Pacquiao would be to simply see the bigger picture. He’s great, but he’s only a player in the game….he isn’t the game. That reality (which holds true for all men in the sport) keep him, Mayweather, and all other boxers on the same playing field in my mind. That’s the reality.

Amir Khan is said to be considering a showdown with Marquez, but a week ago it was rumored that he would be facing Maidana. Who do you think he should face between the two?

Vivek W. (ESB): Few people love the transformation of Amir Khan better than I do, but as fond as I am about this talented bloke, I must say, I’m not quite sure that his evolution has carried him far enough to share the ring with either man just yet. Neither man is as talented, but both have key attributes that could set the stage for defeat. Both have solid chins and very solid work rates. In this evolution of Khan, I think we’ve seen him overcome a lot since his loss, but similar to the Pacquiao victory over Hatton, as smashing as the Salita and Barrera wins were, neither really showed us what Khan would be capable of doing in a fight that goes the distance against a man who he can’t pull the curtains on early. Not only that, but both Marquez and Maidana are durable enough to take his shots and pressure him over the long term. We haven’t really seen him conquer that type of fighter yet. Granted, you have to start somewhere, but I’m just not completely sold on him being able to defeat these two guys yet. I keep hearing about him being “introduced to America” and “showcased to American fight fans”, but I don’t think either Marquez or Maidana should be viewed as stepping stones or pawns in this process. A showdown between he and either one of those men at this stage in my book would be confirmed as more of an ‘up-set’ than a potential ‘set-up’ (fight). I just really don’t like the match ups for him at this stage. Many of us would like to see him step up his level of competition, but similar to a young Berto, despite his promising talent for tomorrow, today may not quite be his day. I hope I’m wrong, because I like the guy. I’m just not too sure that I am right now. Stay tuned.

Larry I. (Bronx, NYC): Do you think that Allan Green will make a splash in the ‘Super-6’ tournament, now that Jermain Taylor has stepped out?

Vivek W. (ESB): I like Allan Green and I have touted his ability for quite some time, but I’m not truly sure how well he’ll do in this tournament for the simple fact that it will pair him against a level of talent that I’m not sure he’s ready for. Granted, all it takes is hunger and opportunity to create a champion; but this is a whole different experience here. Kessler, Ward, Abraham, and company are truly the best of the best. There’s no time to learn at this stage. One bad move and you’re looking up at the ceiling wondering if it’s all a dream? I think his power in both hands and his hunger can make him a very dangerous opponent, but he has shown a few mental lapses and that type of inconsistency could be near fatal at this stage. I’ll be watching him and wishing him well, but Ward in a season opener (so to speak) can’t be good. I think he’ll be more competitive than Taylor, but truthfully, I don’t expect him to win the tournament.

Daniel L. (London, UK): Do you think we’ll actually see a Gamboa-Lopez showdown? And if so, who do you think will get the victory?

Vivek W. (ESB): I think the Gamboa/Lopez showdown will happen, and if what we’ve seen so far between the two men are any indications, I think I’m ready to pick a definitive winner. That man has to be Gamboa. Lopez has shown great power and some very good skills, but Gamboa provides that “wow” factor to me. Many will laugh when I say this, but his speed an reflexes remind me of a young Roy Jones Jr. I don’t know that he’ll ever reach that level, but at this stage in his career I’m totally wowed by what I see in him. He has great speed, great power in both hands, great reflexes, and on the D.L., even a slight hint of finesse and swag. I just find him to be a true star on the rise. Lopez seems to be somewhat stuck in his evolution at this time. I just haven’t really seen any progression in the last few fights from him. Seems as though some of the obvious adjustments needed have not been made. I was very eager to see him evolve and once spoke about him being the guy to bring Puerto Rican boxing back to prominence, but like Miguel Cotto in some respects, despite his better than average ability, his personality and limited diversity of his skill set may keep him from ever crossing that true pantheon of greatness. Stay tuned.

Jarrod B. (Washington, DC): Is there any chance that we see Paul Williams get in on some of this welterweight action?

Vivek W. (ESB): I have said for the longest time that P-Dub is in fact the X-Factor at welterweight. I think it would be awesome to see him finally get back in action at this level (if he can) and test his mettle against this deep pocket of fighters. As much as I’d like to see it though, I doubt that we will, and we have the politics of the sport to blame. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the midst of the only sport on the planet that will allow it’s top competitors to pick and choose who they want to take a risk with. I’m sure Paul Williams would love to be part of this rally in the welterweight division, but truthfully, what’s there for him? Who’s gonna fight him? Pacquiao turned down Foreman because of height an reach concerns. Should we really think that he’ll be cool facing Williams who has those intangibles plus a wicked work rate? Mayweather has had the opportunity to face him as well, but the high risk/low reward argument blares loud and clear – with some validity to it, may I add. Should we really think that he’s gonna take that challenge at this time? Williams has already faced Margarito. Cotto is on his way out. Clottey wouldn’t provide the type of purse worth coming back for. So really, what’s in it for Paul? Bottom line, I wish that he would return, but I’m not sure there’s a good enough reason to compromise the loss of weight and possibly a poor performance. Would be nice, but don’t hold your breath!

(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).