19.05.05 – By Chris “Irish Coffee” Ireland – ThunderGatti88@aol.com – Come one, come all! Chris’ debut mailbag is hot off the presses. See what I had to say about Tito’s retirement, Kassim Ouma vs. Ricardo Mayorga, Zab Judah vs. The World, Nicolai Valuev, Pretty Boy Floyd, and the one and only “Iron” Mike Tyson…..
Rushin’ Russian here. One question in which I’ve been wanting to ask people: Are you really technically flawed if you can get away with it? What I mean is, why do people always criticize Vitali for being so technically flawed,but yet no one can figure him out?
Chris’ Response: Technical flaws, by themselves, will not necessarily cause a fighter to lose a fight. Many fighters with “flawed” styles have abnormal qualities that allows them to get away with it. For instance, Vitali Klitschko’s height lets him get away with his awkward look. For years, Roy Jones did a lot of things wrong in the ring, but because he was so fast, he was practically unbeatable. To answer your question, yes, they are technically flawed, but the fighters you speak of posses abnormal qualities about them that allow them to win anyway.
Thunder, I am glad that you have mail bag on your esteemed boxing web. My qusetion is about IBF champ Kassim ouma, I had he was a big time exchange of words with Mayorga on winky-Trinidad weigh in. Who do you think would among the two? Kagonyera Samson
Chris’ Response: As much as I love Mayorga’s raw grit and machismo, I’d take Ouma in a blowout. The wild man from Managua showed absolutely no defense against Tito in October, and Ouma’s constant attack would have Mayorga TKO’d before the night is over.
Great idea for a mailbag. Eastside is the best forum for boxing, no question. Question: Reports today say Felix Trinidad has announced his retirement (again). Do you think this is a good decision or a bit premature? Regards, Tim Austen
Chris’ Response: Trinidad would have lost to the Winkster no matter what age he is. Tito isn’t an “old” fighter. The problem is, Wright showed the world Saturday how one dimensional Tito’s game is. Felix demonstrated against Wright, Hopkins, and for the most part, Oscar De La Hoya that the top level technicians can do a paint job on him. If Trinidad decided not to go through with this retirement, I don’t see him taking control of the middleweight division any time soon. Retirement is probably the best option.
Thank you for taking my call…I would simply like to get some closure….will there ever, ever be a rematch between Judah and
Tszyu….million dollar question?…we know Judah’s thoughts, or at least he would have us believe he is dying for the chance. But what does Tszyu stand to gain? Am I waiting in vain??? Wilco
Chris’ Response: Right now it looks like Zab’s attention is turned towards De La Hoya, and possibly a September showdown. That match appears likely, since Oscar said he’d either like to fight Judah then, or have a tune-up for Zab on that date. Tszyu has also hinted towards a showdown with “The Golden Boy” if he gets past Hatton June 4. If it happens, Wilco, it will happen some time next year, after Judah gets DLH (and wins) later this year. I’d call it a 50-50 chance. If the megafight does go down, I’ll take Zab by decision. I haven’t seen “Super” this focused and sharp before in his career, and if ever there was a time when he could take out King Kostya, it’s now. However, if Tszyu looks impressive on Hatton’s turf in a few weeks, my opinion may change.
Were you impressed by Nicolai Valuev’s KO win over Etienne, or was this simply a case of the Rhino being a weak opponent? Who do you see as a likely next opponent for Valuev? Who should his opponent be? I am hoping that soon he gets a shot at a titleholder of one of the heavyweight belts – How long do you think it will be before that happens, if ever? Stephen Staedtler, Warminster, PA
Chris’ Response: Impressed may not be the word. However, I do give some credit to Valuev, Etienne is clearly a step up from most of his European tomato cans and a 3rd round KO over “The Black Rhino” does indicate that Valuev is ready to take on at least a top 25 heavyweight. Whether that happens or not, I don’t know. Valuev’s management seems to be very content on moving him along at a pace slower than erosion, and it may be another year or two before we see him in a meaningful heavyweight fight.
With Tito’s loss to Wright, does this add credibility to Fernando Vargas as a fighter or take from it considering Vargas beat Wright on one of the worst nights of his career, but was not smart enough to exploit Tito’s one dimensional style?
Chris’ Response: Let’s be real here, Vargas did not deserve the decision he got against Winky Wright. I give Fernando all the credit in the world for having Gatti-like courage, but he should have lost to Wright, and he might have been ruined by Tito and Oscar. Vargas is a good fighter who comes up just a little short against the great fighters.
Floyd stays in the ring to long with bums and has not established himself as of recent as a dangerous puncher. His last fight with Brusseles was the worst and I do believe he can dance all night long with a flat footed Gatti but will be in danger if he stops dancing to get knocked out very quickly. If he escapes the worst do you see him A) Trying to unify the 140lb division or B) Moving up to face the ever dangerous Zab Super Judah? BigFaces
Chris’ Response: PBF has a man on his hands June 25 against a one Arturo Gatti, but if he displays the same kind of speed his has throughout his entire career, I expect Floyd to survive more punishment than he has taken in a while to decision “Thunder.” As for Mayweather-Judah, I’ll again take Zab in a superfight scenario. If Floyd and Zab ever do get in the ring together, it will feature as much talent as De La Hoya-Whitaker, Jones-Hopkins, or Jones-Toney. Judah may be the only man in the world who can handle Floyd’s speed, put up some serious D in the process, and dish out major power. I think Floyd is skilled and fast enough to avoid a knockout, but I think Judah wins a decision.
Is Jeff Fenech the one to give us a glimpse of the old tyson we know and love, i was surprised to hear that Tyson was only sparring 3 rounds for most of his fights recently, what kind of proffessional is this?? apparently Fenech has Tyson sparring up to 6 rounds and hopes to get him up to 10. do you think that Tyson can now start a legitimate run at a belt, with fenech in his corner??? or like we have heard many times before, its just alot of hype?? from Oz, Glenn!!
Chris’ Response: Tyson sparring 3 rounds shows he has no intentions of his fights going into the middle rounds. What you’ll see June 11 is a mirage. Tyson will look great in taking out a slow, lumbering heavyweight named Kevin McBride. If you saw McBride’s last fight on ESPN 2, you’ll the man has no talent. As for a run at the top 10 heavy’s, if Tyson’s leg injury was the legitimate cause for his loss to Danny Williams, I may take him over a few big names (Wladimir Klitschko, Brewster, maybe Golota in a rematch), but I don’t see “Iron” Mike becoming a serious threat the the real heavyweight title ever again.