As most hardcore boxing fans know, Ring Magazine is the organization that carries out the task of crowning lineal champions in the sport. Given the discombobulating role that sanctioning bodies such as the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO have played in the decay of the organizational side of professional boxing, most observers still somewhat reluctantly cling to The Ring belts as a vestigial link to the sweet science’s honorable past. But there’s a reason that Ring Magazine’s ranking and crowning decisions are not enthusiastically embraced as the beacon of light amidst the fog of alphabet titles the publication considers them to be, and that is because of the usual dirty suspects of politics and money.

Golden Boy Promotions owns this famed publication; it holds the purse strings out of which its staff—including the decision-making Editorial Board—gets paid. And so it is impossible to ignore the potential conflict-of-interest implications of such an arrangement, as when Amir “King” Khan, a member of the Golden Boy stable, is ranked as the number two contender at 140 pounds. Above him we find only the champion Danny Garcia, and the Argentinean punching machine Lucas Matthysse. Inexplicably, below him are ranked the brutally fearless Top Rankers Mike Alvarado and Brandon Rios, and in even more bizarre fashion, the Brit’s also considered a better fighter than the same Lamont Peterson who handed him a heartbreaking loss with a painful beating to match back in 2011.

Starting with his shocking one-round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in 2008, following with his perilous, razor-thin points victory over Marcos Maidana, and continuing with his two losses in as many fights in 2012—first against Peterson and then by spectacular KO against Danny Garcia—Amir Khan has shown a penchant for the mosquito style of fighting. Starting out in every combat he resembles a winged bug—just out of a refreshing Red Bull soak—that flies too quick to be seen, much less caught, all the while buzzing past his opponent’s ears, stinging him, pecking at him, occasionally even dazzling him. But just like a maddened redneck who will swing his newspaper at an annoying creature until either his arm falls off or the insect gets crushed, Amir’s opponents also keep swinging until they inevitably make contact on his chin, cracking yet again the precious porcelain object that has already been tampered with and haphazardly put back together with lousy masking tape way too many times.

Those were the days

So it makes next to little sense to think so highly of such a fragile—if admittedly blazing—creature as to rate him the third best junior welterweight in the world. His high standing in the Ring sweepstakes makes no sense whatsoever unless the politics/money evil duo comes into play. Amir’s name recognition and his adoring British fans make him a valuable commodity to be peddled around as a tantalizing prize for both promoters and boxers. His name represents the chance for somewhat highly regarded fighters to pocket a nice sum of cash—win or lose—for a relatively nonhazardous night’s work.

Which is all well and good, some might say, since everyone’s allowed a freebie every once in a while. But the point to be made is that names such as Amir Khan’s, which remains popular despite the mounting case against any boxing pedigree he strove to sell the boxing public on, rob worthier fighters of the opportunity to bang with highly ranked contenders. This criticism comes even before contemplating the laughable notion that Amir Khan has somehow earned a shot at one of the finest boxers of this generation in Floyd Mayweather Jr. It is as much cause for concern that this tune is heartily sung by profiteers in chorus with Khan’s handlers, as it is cause for celebration that the ridiculous song’s merits are indistinguishable to the average boxing aficionado from that of the latest Justin Bieber stinker.

We’re not oblivious to the realities and grimness of the business side of boxing, such as the Cold War that will prevent some great matchups from ever happening. However, when the powers that be refuse to give up on a mediocre fighter just because he’s a solid earner, they condemn to the fringes a bunch of contenders that could turn out to make for better fights. Ironically, it was the Cold War that thawed Timothy Bradley from the freeze-out he suffered after the Pacquiao debacle, as he was more-or-less forced by Bob Arum to fight fellow stable mate Ruslan Provodnikov. But thanks to that dramatic engagement, the boxing audience suddenly found a new name with whom they were willing to engage on an emotional level. How many Provodnikovs are standing on the sidelines waiting for the glare of the limelight to shine on them, if only for a measly 12 rounds, in the hopes of proving their worth inside the roped square?

Khan be zapped

Businessmen are supposed to be risk-takers, just like capitalism is supposed to hold a decidedly pro-competition agenda. But those running the sport of boxing seem intent on preserving the status quo while refusing to embrace the forces of creative destruction, a concept which so clearly encapsulates and defines the kind of competition we should be seeing in a contact sport that—sadly and obviously— it only makes sense for the bigwigs to completely ignore. Promoters should always be looking to mix and match from a wider—not narrower—field of names in order to increase their chances of finding more stars. But by stubbornly holding on to a hopeless also-ran, the power brokers are hurting not only the sport’s reputation, but also their own pockets and the chances of an obscure fighter of making the next big splash… to say nothing of Amir Khan’s cracked excuse of a chin.  –Rafael García Quiñones

The post Khan we let him go? appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

“It’s unfortunate and inappropriate that he said this. You might bear in mind the stage, the biggest fight of his life and he’s hellbent on revenge—but he knows these things are wrong to say for a boxer, he’s a father for goodness sake. All this will be borne in mind when we look at the situation

We’re very disappointed that Carl should say that. He has always been a model professional and he understands the dangers of the sport as we all do.” — Robert Smith (BBBoC General Secretary)

The post In Boxing Veritas #26 appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

The Event
Cult favourite Lucas Matthysse met up with fellow junior welterweight Lamont Peterson at a 141 pound catch-weight contest in Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. The bout was deemed a tough challenge for both participants, pitting the Argentinean’s fearsome power punching against Peterson’s pressure-intensive style. The meeting was contracted one pound north of the division limit in the interest of preserving Matthyse’s WBC interim belt and Peterson’s IBF title. While the matchup promised bountiful violence and drama in itself, it would also ostensibly help find Danny Garcia’s next opponent in the ever evolving quest for junior welterweight supremacy.

The Result
Peterson dominated the first round of the fight based on mobility and deft handling of distance, working behind his jab and occasionally landing his right hand. “The Machine” Matthysse, meanwhile, limited himself to studying and timing his opponent, seldom letting his hands go. However, towards the end of round two, the South American closed the distance, roughing up the IBF titlist and landing a glancing—but rocking—left hook to Peterson’s forehead that knocked him off balance and sent him to the canvas.

In round three, Matthysse brought his full power to bear as he unleashed left hooks and hard right hands on Lamont, landing a couple of rabbit punches in the process, rattling him off his comfort zone. A wide left counter-hook from “The Machine” sent his quarry violently to the floor with Peterson falling flat on his back; a visibly hurt Lamont managed to get back on his feet only on wobbly legs. A final charge by Matthysse, who floored Peterson again with a fusillade of punches immediately following his beating of the ten-count, ended the affair at 2:14 of the third stanza.

The Take-Away
Matthysse’s impressive victory against Peterson provides further evidence that he belongs in the upper echelons of the division—something many have suspected for a while. However, nitpickers will find that he remains easy to hit, and the brutal ease with which he disposes of his victims may spur him towards complacency and over-reliance on his admittedly formidable punching power. So far, 32 of the 34 opponents he has defeated have failed to hear the final bell, but there’s a danger that going forward, Matthysse will focus too much on the highlight-reel ending. Neglecting the combinations and body work that can serve as insurance policy against the absence of a knockout would be a bad idea against certain styles.

That being said, the Argentinean has earned the chance—both officially and by popular acclaim—of facing the very best. Should a fight against Danny Garcia fail to happen, a plethora of recognizable names and tailor-made styles await in the welterweight division. Much like middleweight prospect Gennady Golovkin, Lucas Matthysse is a sensation waiting to happen. All it will take is an appealing matchup against a suitable, well-known opponent. But good luck to his promoter and advisor in finding someone willing to put up with Matthysse’s barbarous ways.

The post BBB Fight Report: Peterson vs. Matthysse appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

On Saturday night Floyd Mayweather thoroughly outclassed Robert Guerrero over twelve rounds. This was the result most expected given their contrast in talent. While the absence of any thrilling exchanges made for a fairly dull fight, the pound for pound king’s performance was exquisite, a supreme display of boxing skill and calculation, even though at various points the arena was serenaded by boos. These catcalls represented the uneasy attitude fans have towards Floyd’s dominance, which has been the only consistent feature of his long, successful, and ultimately strange career.

Floyd Mayweather is the world’s highest paid athlete but hardly its most beloved. Many sports fans evince disdain at the mention of his name even as they begrudgingly acknowledge his talent. They don’t care for his obnoxious persona and accuse him of handpicking his opponents. They make fun of his bizarre relationship with 50 Cent and invariably bring up his perceived dodge of Manny Pacquiao (the default boxing criticism of the cursory boxing fan). They have difficulty relating to his ‘Money’ image and its ceaseless, photo-and-video abetted emphasis on his wealth. Floyd worked tirelessly to turn himself into a villainous boxing capitalist, and this persona, in concert with his colossal talent and some very smart business decisions, has made him fabulously rich.

There is an emptiness to Floyd’s ‘Money’ image though, and it precludes fans from connecting with him. When playing ‘Money,’ Floyd becomes a distant, defensive, and humorless braggart. It’s a contrived and boring role since it’s predicated entirely on ostentatious celebrations of bling. Promotional segments involving the boxer loudly counting out stacks of money quickly become tiresome. In the lead-up to the Guerrero fight Floyd was less obnoxious than in the past, perhaps because he’s aware the conceit has become too old to shock. When he isn’t acting, or at least doesn’t appear to be doing so, he can be warm and genial, especially when speaking analytically about boxing. Floyd’s understanding and knowledge of the sport is peerless, which makes him an intelligent interview if he feels like playing along.

"Money May" served his time but refuses to acknowledge his mistakes in public.

The problem with the public’s reception of Floyd, which is ambivalent for someone of such immense talent, is that no one knows exactly who he is. His identity oscillates from entertaining, even likable, to annoying and loathsome, leaving no fixed public self that fans can attach themselves to. It is fundamentally a compound problem: one of style and personality. Floyd’s ring skills, however great, are too subtle to excite casual fans. And unlike with Mike Tyson for example, people appear unwilling to overlook Floyd’s perceived shortcomings or strangeness of character to appreciate his boxing brilliance.

If they knew him better and were comfortable with his personality, casual followers could more easily invest in the Mayweather juggernaut as sports fans are by nature infatuated with athletic dominance. In his terrific piece on the fight, Rafael García Quiñones noted how many seemed to be in attendance not because they were fans of either fighter, but since they felt that associating themselves with the event was a matter of social importance. Everyone knows what Floyd does is impressive, even if they can’t truly appreciate it, but outside of his most hardcore fans, there is no cult of personality. They don’t love and admire the person, but instead revere his work with the respectful detachment one approaches a famous painting with.

This is unfortunate as he is a virtuoso athlete who has mastered the nuances of an impossible sport. As so many have said, to watch Floyd box is to witness a performer in complete mental and physical control of his gifts. The lightning hand speed and graceful defense is beautiful to watch, and there are few more impressive highlights in sports than slow motion replays in which he perfectly anticipates an opponent’s punch and counters with precision while at the same time moving fluidly away from danger. That is Floyd’s genius, and the pronounced mental advantage he has over everyone turns facing him into a trek through a labyrinth that only gets darker and more confusing the deeper one gets.

Misappreciated genius at work

Floyd has five fights left on his deal with Showtime, after which he has said he’ll retire, though he’s promised this before only to renege on his word. His legacy as a fighter will be determined in this final chapter of his career, and it seems to me that how he authors it will depend largely on how he presents himself outside of the ring. To transcend his sport in the way he so desperately wants to Floyd must bring his true personality into starker relief, a process he seems to be halfway through if his recent sportsmanship and poise are evidence of positive change.

It would be foolish for me to suggest what or who the ‘real Floyd’ is, but I do think fans will be more interested in his career if they figure out who he is and what he wants to be. He seems more introspective now after his stint in jail and is perhaps less interested in self-manufacturing. He’s made his millions and can and should just be himself. Maybe then he’ll be known more for his awesome talents than his inconsistent behaviour. He doesn’t have to turn from a heel into a hero, but reveal himself only as a human.  

– Eliott McCormick

The post Will the real Floyd Mayweather Jr. please stand up? appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

The Event
After failing to land a showdown against Nonito Donaire, Mexican super bantamweight Abner Mares moved up in weight in search of bigger game. His fellow countryman and personal friend Daniel Ponce de León welcomed him to the featherweights by giving him a shot at the WBC title he took from Johnny Gonzalez last September. This bout served as the co-feature for the Mayweather-Guerrero card, and it was regarded as a potentially explosive confrontation between two technically proficient but offensive-minded fighters.

The Result
Going into the fight, one of the main questions was whether the smaller Mares would be able to take the punches of a big featherweight in Ponce de León. From the first round, Abner showed no concerns about the issue, as he willingly traded shots with the champion. Ponce de León worked behind a measuring right jab and his looping left cross, landing the power punch often but never hurting Mares. The challenger used his hand-speed advantage and ring mobility in controlling the tempo of the fight, sometimes scoring with lone left hooks, occasionally with stiff straight rights, and often with multi-punch combinations from inside the pocket.

Towards the end of round two, Mares landed a rocking left hook and a complementing right cross that sent Ponce de León to the canvas, in a telling sign that despite being the smaller man, Mares’s power was a force to be reckoned with. As the fight went on, Ponce de León’s game became more predictable, relying solely on his left hand as he pursued Mares around the ring, who fired back with his straight right and with combinations to the body.

After pulling ahead on the scorecards based on ring generalship and more efficient offense, Mares scored a second knockdown in the ninth round with a stiff right counter-punch that Ponce de León failed to see. It sent Daniel down again, and he remained visibly hurt as he got back up to his feet. The referee allowed the match to continue, only for Mares to go on the offensive with a flurry of punches as Ponce de León stood against the ropes. After a few solid shots from Mares, the referee stopped the action granting the challenger the TKO victory, despite the fact that Ponce de León was still defending himself and fully conscious on his feet.

The Take-Away
With his performance last weekend, Mares has shown he deserves more credit for his boxing nous than he has been given. The former Olympian completely changed strategy from his last time out against Anselmo Moreno, where he used a brawl-and-maul approach, to a measured and sophisticated boxer-puncher style that earned him his third title in as many weight divisions. In a perfect world, that would grant him a crack at lineal featherweight champion Mikey García. However, the promotional Cold War between Golden Boy and Top Rank will almost certainly prevent that match from happening, just as it has so far deprived Mares of the chance of fighting Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux.

A rematch against Ponce de León in the near future might be the most likely option, since Saturday’s confrontation was relatively close at the time of stoppage and the referee’s intervention was judged premature by most observers. However, should that not happen, a viable option for both would be a meeting with the rangy and wily WBA champion Chris John. But regardless of what happens next for Mares, the boxing world will be watching closely, as he has proved he’s one of the top active Mexican fighters in the game.

The post BBB Fight Report: Mares vs. Ponce de León appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

Last Saturday night at the MGM Grand Floyd Mayweather Jr. overturned all sorts of expectations. Many assumed his meeting with Robert Guerrero represented a stern test of the aging WBC champion’s mettle, finally challenged by a young, strong, smart—if not elite—welterweight. What actually transpired was a stark rebuttal to that flawed assessment. Floyd showed up ready to box and move for twelve rounds, and after the toll of the final bell, he was not short of breath, bruised, swollen or cut. The only signs that he had been in a fight were the flashy trunks he wore and the laced gloves he hadn’t yet removed.

His performance inside the ring was impeccable, even while fighting with an injured right hand for a portion of the match. His right-hand leads were spot on and snappy, using his arm like a whip, landing the punch from a distance in a split-second through Guerrero’s guard before “The Ghost” even realized he was supposed to react. Similarly the left hooks, which Floyd fired in retaliation to and on top of Robert’s slow jab, punished the challenger for daring to try to steal the spotlight from the “Mayday” star.

A segment of fans inside the Grand Garden Arena felt disappointed at both Guerrero’s opaque performance and Mayweather’s deliberate focus on defense. There were boos profaned from several sectors of the stands at different times during the night, and at least three times I heard a cry from someone sitting in the section to my left demanding his money back. Yet, if both Mayweather and Guerrero failed to deliver a competitive toe-to-toe encounter, “Money May” still put on a brilliant performance.

At 36 years of age, the Grand Rapids, Michigan native was supposed to slow down, not to show off his borderline clairvoyant reflexes and incredible hand-speed. He was supposed to be static, not to move around the ring for twelve rounds like a greyhound. He was supposed to be corralled against the ropes and pushed into a fist-fight, not to counterpunch his opponent into submission from a distance. He was supposed to fight as if his life was on the line, not to control his opponent like a dexterous puppet master.

Still, not all of those at the venue felt cheated out of their money ($1,500 for ringside seats at face value, before service fees and taxes; $200 for nosebleeds). Even when most attendees of the weigh-in ceremony on Friday boisterously expressed their distaste for Mayweather’s presence, a large portion of those at the fight celebrated the return and appreciated the performance of the cash king of boxing. If there was such a thing as an official pro-Mayweather section, I was sitting smack in the middle of it. What looked like hip-hop artists occupied the seats in front of me; sharply dressed high-rollers sat to my left; members of a boxing intelligentsia of sorts, offering running commentary on every Mayweather move, sat behind me; and three mates from Ireland, speaking with an undecipherable accent, were to my immediate right. All of them were there to see Mayweather do what he does best: box the ears off his opponent. Needless to say, that is exactly what they saw.

So no, those of us who expected drama, fireworks, a chance for Mayweather to show his capacity to overcome adversity, or simply for Guerrero to steal Mayweather’s 0 got none of that. We still don’t know what Mayweather will do under adversity because that test never seems to come, either due to careful matchmaking, prodigious talent, speed and skill, or a combination thereof. The closest approximation to that scenario came last year, when Miguel Cotto pressured and beat up Mayweather (relatively speaking) for a round or two. What did Mayweather do then? He adjusted and fought back, he found his optimal distance again, timed Cotto, and reminded him via left hooks and uppercuts he was only the supporting cast on that Cinco de Mayo of a year ago.

It’s a bizarre scene at the Grand Garden Arena when Mayweather fights. Scanning the stands, one gets the impression that many of the people there are not only rich, maybe obscenely so, but also that they are there more to be seen than out of any allegiance to boxing, or even to Mayweather himself. They dress in expensive designer clothes, and they wear watches and eyewear that are worth the sum of at least five of my monthly rent checks. They’re escorted by outrageously attractive women, sexily clad in eye-popping outfits that struggle to contain their curves. It’s a show in itself, at no extra cost, to observe these ladies struggling to keep their balance as they climb the steps of the arena on the impossibly steep stilettos they show a penchant for.

By the middle rounds the tense sense of anticipation of the early moments of the fight had largely dissipated. With Mayweather firmly in control and with the crowd growing restless, it was still possible to hear isolated cries of “Guerrero! Guerrero!” initiated by a lone dissenting voice in denial of what was happening. The fact that these cries failed to gain adherents to Robert’s cause—tied to the challenger’s inability to change the course of the fight—rendered such attempts curiously embarrassing, if not outright comedic. Denial can be a remarkably sad thing, like when “The Ghost” raised his arms after the final bell and no one could tell whether he was facetious or earnest in doing so.

After the scores were read and people were flowing out of the arena and towards the action awaiting them at the casinos, the mood resembled what might be found at a concert hall after a Bach recital. We all knew we had seen an athlete perform at the peak of his ability; after Guerrero failed to draw the champion into a battle, all we could do is sit back and enjoy the Mayweather show. Still, some questions slowly made their way into our heads: how long can he keep it up? will people keep buying tickets to a flawless recital when they were expecting a gritty rock show? Who, if anyone, is worthy of stepping into the ring with him?

A few hours later and many dollars poorer thanks to alcohol-induced bad gambling decisions, I walk through a packed casino trying to make my way back to my hotel through the throng of gamblers. Hard as it is to navigate through the dense mesh of gaming tables and slot machines, the task becomes herculean thanks to my flustered mind and to the tides of humanity that lively sway back and forth everywhere around me. I momentarily acquiesce to the scene, and with a serious buzz on, I take in the kind of action only a big fight night can bring to Las Vegas. But eventually I realize that despite my stupid childlike grin, I’m feeling tired. My wallet is thinning to a precarious degree; my stomach is beginning to growl and there’s writing to be done. It’s time to go back to my room.

There’s still a couple of hours to go before dawn and I’ve had a quick bite and a shower that almost made me want to fall asleep under the warm water. But I make it back to the laptop to watch an online copy of the Mayweather-Guerrero broadcast that a kind soul has uploaded for those who missed it and for those who refused to pay the $70 PPV price tag. I jump back and forth between rounds in search of those perfect right-hand leads thrown from way outside that land flush on the challenger’s face, the equivalent of nothing-but-net three-pointers. I see a counter-uppercut in slow motion, with the champion ducking an incoming jab and coming back up with his own piercing blow, all in one smooth, seamless, fluid movement.

There’s no controversy and no conflict; it’s a monologue and not a debate. But the champion’s moves are like a symphony of motion, pure and accomplished and a work of art onto itself. You bet there’s no drama as to what the end result will be, but I’ll be damned if the execution isn’t elegant and beautiful.  It’s like poetry or music, or like the first sun rays of the day touching the Las Vegas Strip as you see them pouring in through your hotel window.  –Rafael García Quiñones

The post A beautiful monologue in Las Vegas appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

The Event
The first fight of WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s brand new Showtime deal took place last night at the MGM Grand Garden of Las Vegas against mandatory challenger Robert Guerrero. In front of what looked like a sold-out crowd (despite tickets to the fight still being available the day of the weigh-in), “Money May” wanted to prove that he still has the skills and speed to defeat any opponent. Robert Guerrero was widely seen as a legitimate challenge to Floyd, to whom many gave a significant chance of improving upon Cotto’s strong showing against Mayweather exactly a year ago.

The Result
For most of the scheduled 12 rounds “Money May” dominated and outclassed a game but slow Robert Guerrero, who showed no variation in his game despite repeatedly failing to make contact with Mayweather. Contrary to expectations, the champion had no discernible trouble in landing copious right-hand leads and left hooks on the southpaw Guerrero from round one. “The Ghost” tried, especially in the early rounds, to fight on the inside, rushing Mayweather and scoring occasionally with his straight left hand and with right jabs, but he failed to mount a sustained attack that could earn him more than a couple of rounds.

While the final scores all declared the champion the winner by only six points, the contest never felt competitive, and fans were once again treated to a clinic on masterful defense and counterpunching by the 36 year old Mayweather. His right-hand sharp-shooting caused a cut above Guerrero’s left eye, and his body and feet movement baffled the challenger even when the action took place against the ropes. As Robert fired combinations in the hopes of landing one or two punches, Floyd twisted his torso, rolled with the punches, or flat out ducked and re-appeared at an angle to Guerrero, from where he would shoot on target a short, sharp hook or a quick, accurate uppercut to make “The Ghost” back away.

Round eight was the best of the fight for Mayweather, who went on the attack as he chased a stumbling Guerrero, who caught a healthy dose of right-hand crosses on that round. In the final round, a tired and worn Robert pressed forward with all he had left, but Floyd welcomed him into exchanges where he easily got the best of the challenger. In the end, Mayweather was just too fast, too hard to hit, and too accurate for the visibly slower and flat-footed Guerrero.

The Take-Away
The lack of sustained action resulted in a chorus of boos from onlookers at several moments throughout the fight, but truthfully, Mayweather’s display of elusiveness, hand-speed, and sheer ring intelligence is as remarkable as any performance we’ve seen from him in his career. Robert showed great heart and a solid chin given the punishment he received, but he and his corner were unable to come up with an alternative plan once Mayweather timed him. Even if “The Ghost” succeeded in pinning Mayweather to the ropes and cornering him, he refused to let his hands go due to the fear of immediate retaliation from the champion. In fact, things could’ve been even worse for Guerrero, as we learned after the fight that Mayweather hurt his right hand sometime during the middle rounds, which kept him from doing more on offense.

It is telling that even though Robert is a solid, legitimate welterweight (ranked at number three in the weight class going into the fight), Floyd made him look like a novice contender who does not belong in a championship fight. This was no “bum of the month” fight for Mayweather, but given his desire to climb back into the ring this September, he may be nearing that phase of his career by now. A money-making match with “Canelo” Alvarez looks highly winnable —and highly lucrative—for Floyd after last night, but ego and politics may disallow that fight from happening in the near future, much as it happened with Manny Pacquiao.

At this point, the only difference between Mayweather’s reign at welterweight and the Klitschkos’ at heavyweight is that most of the heavyweights not named Kltischko are not good enough to be champions to begin with, but there are many welterweights not called Mayweather who are of championship level. However, all of them would probably be outclassed the same way Guerrero was were they to face “Money May”.

For all that, Guerrero’s future still shines bright. There is already talk of his serving as Victor Ortiz’s comeback dance partner sometime in September. However, “The Ghost” is already beginning to chafe a section of the boxing public by accusing Mayweather of “getting on his motorbike” in refusing to engage with him, and by demanding a rematch against the Pretty Boy. He would do much better by signing up for winnable matches to keep adding to his fan-base and to his bank account, as there is no need for him to take a second beating at the hands of the still talented, still quick, still undefeated Floyd Mayweather.

–Rafael García Quiñones

The post BBB Fight Report: Mayweather vs. Guerrero appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino where Mayweather vs. Guerrero will take place in a few hours labels itself “The City of Entertainment”, and that it is, as its premises are awash in amusement and fun—at the right price, of course. The same applies to some degree to the rest of Las Vegas, or at least to the portion residents and visitors alike call The Strip. But more than simple entertainment and diversion, what Sin City really offers at every turn is stimulation to a largely unrivalled degree.

Walking on the strip at night must be a surreal experience for first timers. The amount of things loudly begging for your attention is enough to baffle the mind. And what makes Vegas different from other all-action meccas like, say, New York City, is that the whole experience of Vegas was designed with the visitor in mind. It’s a town that aimed from the beginning to target and overwhelm the senses of visitors with its bombardment of lights, colours, sounds and tastes. Everything and anything is available for any kind of budget at any time of day.

If during the day the city resembles a hung-over giant, slumbering and clumsy as it struggles to regain consciousness, weirdly out of place in the middle of the dessert, at night The Strip comes alive with a vengeance. Neon signs, light bulbs, and digital ads and screens everywhere on The Strip blink, flash, light up, and naughtily flirt with the attention of thousands of passersby. The glowing spots behave as fractals, with the little bulbs that adorn slot machines and illuminate black jack tables inside the casinos melding into a radiant sheet that envelops the whole indoor space, made up of thousands, millions of pixels, multicoloured and vividly shiny.

But the phenomenon repeats itself inside every hotel and every casino, and it continues as the visitor steps out of the casinos and onto the street, with the marquees and the signs and the screens becoming the forming particles of the larger mosaic that makes up the night view of The Strip. This final echelon of the fractal process is best appreciated from a vantage point of view, like the top of the fake Eiffel Tower, or staring down the whole of The Strip from the bridge that connects the New York-New York Hotel with the MGM Grand.

It can’t be denied that the interplay of light and sound, the tantalizing illusions, are dazzling and mesmerizing. And the constant flirting quickly leads to feeling flattered when we’re told over and over that our attention means so much. But the whole scene can also become dizzyingly frustrating. How to decide where to focus one’s regard? What to pay attention to? To the slot machines and their enticing promises of riches at the pull of a lever? To the nearly naked girls dancing on a stage set between blackjack tables in the middle of the casino? To the black jack tables themselves? To the sexy, intimidatingly chic nightclubs filled with hyper-attractive people in search of the extremes of fun?

For all that, at least for one night in Vegas, this particular boxinghead knows exactly what his attention will settle on. Mayweather vs. Guerrero is a mere hours away, and those who attend and those who watch the broadcast will be looking for more than mere entertainment, more than mere promises or illusions. They want to see a challenge for “Money May”. They want to see Guerrero accomplish the feat of a lifetime in staining Floyd’s undefeated record definitively and forever. They want the real thing, the emotional stimulus that is unlike any other, the kind only professional boxing has proved—time and again—it can provide.

They want to see a fight, and so do I.  –Rafael García Quiñones

More on Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero:

Mayweather vs. Guerrero: The BBB Picks

At the weigh-in — Mayweather vs. Guerrero

In Vegas, again

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for The Ghost

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for Floyd

The post Can Vegas give us the real thing? appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

Rafael García Quiñones: I think Guerrero is the biggest challenge Mayweather’s faced since he returned against Marquez in 2009, and perhaps since Zab Judah. His youth relative to Mayweather, his strength, and his stylistic diversity make him a stiff test for Floyd’s capacity to adapt. On top of that, Mayweather’s reduced mobility and the possibility of his reflexes not being as sharp due to his being 36 years of age also work against him. That said, Floyd has history in his favour, as well as acumen, and the sharper ring intelligence. He’s also the more accurate puncher and the more talented man.

I expect Guerrero to come out with guns blazing from the opening bell, pocketing some rounds based on aggressiveness and activity, but he will be increasingly bothered by Floyd’s sharpshooting. I see Floyd scoring a knockdown sometime in the middle rounds, and then dominating the second half of the fight. I pick Money May on points.

Garrett Nash: As much as Oscar de la Hoya, Richard Schaefer, and the Golden Boy crew would like to convince us otherwise, Guerrero cannot match Mayweather’s boxing skills or ring smarts. Sure Guerrero looked impressive against Berto, and Mayweather did look a bit slower than his usual self against Cotto, but Floyd remains a far more talented and skilled boxer than Guerrero and will win by clearcut unanimous decision.

Eliott McCormick: As tough as he is, I can’t see Guerrero winning. He doesn’t have the speed or skillset to compete with Floyd. Unlike Andre Berto, Mayweather is too smart and defensively sound to be dragged into a brawl. Floyd aptitude’s for escaping pressure is first-rate and he won’t allow Guerrero to contain him along the ropes or in the corner. He will keep the fight in the center of the ring and dominate with his precise punching. The dirty tactics Guerrero employed against Berto (grabbing Berto’s head with one hand while he punched with the other) won’t work this time. Robbed of this advantage, Guerrero will be exposed by a superior boxer. Mayweather by decision.

Michael Carbert: While I, like most fight fans, want to see Mayweather seriously challenged for the first time in years, there is simply not enough evidence to support the idea that Guerrero is the man to do it. If the challenger manages to conjure up the best performance of his career, and Mayweather starts to show some serious erosion in his hand speed and sharpness, then we have the makings of an upset. But even so, Mayweather’s greater experience and ring intelligence should make the difference. Floyd by decision.

Robert Portis: This is it. Say goodbye to your precious undefeated record, Pretty Boy. Guerrero is smart enough to know he has to mix up his tactics against Mayweather, using his jab to set up his attack and throwing punches from odd angles. Constantly moving forward, the challenger will anticipate both the shoulder roll and the counter uppercut and neutralize both, making it his fight, a slugfest. It will be close but a late round knockdown will seal the deal. Guerrero by unanimous decision.

More on Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero:

At the weigh-in — Mayweather vs. Guerrero

In Vegas, again

Guerrero speaks

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for The Ghost

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for Floyd

Too much “Money”

“Money” Mayweather speaks

The post Mayweather vs. Guerrero: The BBB Picks appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.

The final act of foreplay is over and the weights are in. Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. tipped the scales at a ripped 146 pounds, while challenger Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero arrived at the division limit of 147 and looking in good shape. The participants of the supporting featherweight contest, Daniel Ponce de León and Abner Mares, both sporting–as expected–lean, athletic physiques, weighed 126 pounds each. All the main fighters are thus cleared for fighting little more than 24 hours before finally stepping into the ring at the MGM Grand Garden.

The lack of surprises in the data collected at the weigh-in mirrored the lack of drama and ambiance at the arena today. A few thousand observers entered the venue to see Floyd and Robert strip to their underwear and step on the scales. However, in contrast to other such occasions, the crowd was subdued and even bored during most of the ceremony. Despite the best efforts of a mediocre mc in arousing a lethargic audience, onlookers refused to invest themselves into the goings-on on stage until the very last stretch of the protocol.

This may largely be due to the fact that Robert Guerrero remains, despite his increasingly appealing resume, a sidelined fighter without much of a fan-base of his own. Before today’s ceremony started, we heard from the host himself that there are still unsold tickets to Mayweather vs. Guerrero. A quick search on the Vegas edition of Craigslist shows that tickets are being resold for less than face value. On top of that, the portion of the arena that was used for the weigh-in today sported several spots completely devoid of fans, despite the fact that entrance to the weigh-in is free of cost.

Another thing that stood out from the weigh-in is the degree to which Floyd Mayweather is “hated” by the boxing fans who pay his exorbitant prizefighting fees. Almost the totality of those in attendance today booed and jeered their hearts out the moment the Pretty Boy’s visage showed up in the big screens at the arena, before he had even set foot on the stage. It seems that many of those rooting for Guerrero today did so not necessarily because that’s with whom their predilection rests, but because they would cheer for literally anyone who stands opposite Mayweather.

It’s hard to keep oneself from speculating that all this is also somehow connected to Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and his refusal to participate in tomorrow’s card as support for Mayweather. The Mexican’s showing against Austin Trout in San Antonio two weeks ago was a success at the live gate, drawing in the vicinity of 40,000 paying customers into the Alamodome. Could “Canelo” headline a one million buys pay-per-view event in Las Vegas while selling out the MGM Grand? Perhaps. Would his fighting in Sin City in support of Mayweather vs. Guerrero make the event a much bigger “event” than it will turn out to be? Absolutely.

One more chapter is thus added to the budding Floyd-Canelo rivalry. Saúl will supposedly sit ringside tomorrow night in an attempt to remind Floyd that he’s his most commercially appealing rival besides Manny Pacquiao. Also, as in the Pac-man, in “Canelo” the qualities of being a major financial draw and a seriously dangerous opponent overlap. It may just be enough to again make “Money May” veer from his profit-maximizing path in order to face a less risky proposition.

But all that for now belongs to a post-Ghost future. What lies directly in front of “Money May”, and of the boxing public, is Mayweather vs. Guerrero tomorrow night. That is a pretty tasty dish in itself, regardless of the general public’s perception of the fighters personalities, of their storylines or dramas. Guerrero has the drive and perhaps enough skills to give Mayweather one tough fight. That’s what us aficionados should focus on. Let’s leave the number crunching and future matchmaking for a later time. –Rafael García Quiñones

More on Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Robert Guerrero:

In Vegas, again

Guerrero speaks

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for The Ghost

Mayweather vs. Guerrero – The Case for Floyd

Too much “Money”

“Money” Mayweather speaks

The post At the weigh-in — Mayweather vs. Guerrero appeared first on Best Boxing Blog.