By Ted Sares – I’m getting ready to head south for a spell but before I go, I want to have one more club session. Now then, get comfortable and light up a nice Nub Maduro (Size: Ring: 60, Length: 4.00). The pre-light draw is free with just a hint of resistance. The initial flavor on the cold draw is mildly sweet, and the body hits the ground running, while the finish is smooth and creamy and lasts about a minute before fading. There is a bitter chocolate flavor that gradually gets overshadowed by a woody flavor. If you are a fan of the Nub Line, I manifestly recommend giving these babies a shot.
Our Scotch this session is Springbank Marsala Wood Single Malt. It is thick and rich on the palate with hints of fruit and nut chocolate, Hell, forget dessert, just have this instead!
In the background, I have John Lee Hooker doing “Boogie Chillun ,“ and One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.. I also am featuring Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers playing non-stop energy boogie and blues, humor, and raunch, hard and loud. I like 55th Street Boogie, Roll Your Moneymaker, and Give Me Back My Wig. This was the embodiment of Chicago’s South Side “juke-joint” music that I grew up on. Of course, as always, any reasonable request will be entertained.
I have listed a few boxing subjects that might spark your interest or some controversy, but as always feel free to inject your own topic.
1. Who do you think comes the closest to being a “perfect fighter?”
I have been debating this with a number of very dedicated fans during the past week and have been steadfast in my three picks which I will disclose as we move along (although the photo above should give a clue). The debate has been heated at times. What do you think about this?
2. My Pound-4-Pound Top Dozen Right Now
I dislike doing these kinds of lists (except the ESB divisional rankings which are a labor of love) because they are, at best, simply a snapshot at a particular moment in time and are subject to constant change. Here is mine as of today (July 21, 2009):
1) Manny Pacquiao
2) Juan Manuel Marquez
3 Juan Manuel Lopes
4 Paul Williams
5. Bernard Hopkins
6) Shane Mosley
7) Nonito Donaire
8) Chad Dawson
9) Miguel Cotto
10) Jorge Linares
11) Celestino Caballero
12) Lucien Bute
Look for things to change after Mayweather beats Marquez, but until then, the only major adjustment I have made is to drop, albeit reluctantly, Vic Darchiyan out of the top 12.
What do you think? How about a “better” list?
3. Who should Amir Kahn fight next?
If Ricky does decide to fight again and continue his career then he’s made for my guy and I’d take that fight in a heartbeat
–Freddie Roach
From my point of view Ricky shouldn’t be fighting – it’s not good for boxing and it’s not good for him more importantly…
–Frank Warren
As fellow writer James Slater says, “Amir Khan has barely had time to celebrate his superb points victory over Andriy Kotelnik, but talk has already turned towards his next fight.” And Ricky Hatton’s name looms prominent, but I would rather see some one like Zab Judah. As for Erik Morales being the opponent, that would be a disgrace in my opinion. Hey, how about Maidana? I mean, shouldn’t the best fight the best?
Speaking personally, I don’t want to see Ricky get hurt and/or have his legacy tarnished, but if he decides to fight on, he would best be served by taking on someone he could handle with his improved boxing skills—someone like Paulie Malignaggi. Kahn would be too much for him at this point.
4. Where Should Arthur Abraham be Ranked in the Super Middleweight (168 lbs) Division?
On July 1, 2009, I ranked what I consider to be the strongest division in boxing as follows:
Super Middleweight (168 lbs)
1. Mikkel Kessler
2. Lucian Bute
3. Carl Froch
4. Librado Andrade
5. Anthony Mundine
6. Andre Ward
7. Sakio Bika
8.Allen Green
9. Danny Green
10. Andre Direll
11. Karoly Balzsay
12.Jermain Taylor
13. Denis Inkin
14. Robert Stieglitz
15. Mads Larsen
Now that Arthur Abraham has moved up, where would you rank him? In my opinion, he could replace Librado Andrade at number 4, but others might argue that he needs to prove himself first. Still, he beat Miranda twice and Miranda beat Green, so he certainly should be ranked above Green. Of course, that was then and this is now.
5. Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Initial Reactions
They’re great fighters. Cotto and Pacquiao are gutty guys. If you want blood and action and excitement, this is the fight
– -Bob Arum
We will be hearing a lot about this one, because the fight is scheduled for the fall. Given his superb performance against Ricky Hatton and given Miguel’s not-so-superb performance against Joshua Clottey, my initial reaction is that Manny will be a solid favorite to beat Cotto—maybe within the distance. Cotto will not like the variety of weapons Manny has in his considerable arsenal, including a strong jab, right hooks to the head, left hooks to the jaw, brutal uppercuts (remember Margorito), speed, and in-and-out movement the likes of which Cotto has never before gone up against. Cotto, on the other hand, will show Manny nothing he has not seen before. In some respects, this has the makings of a Pacquiao-Hatton repeat
My intent is to break it down and make a firm prediction in October, but one thing is certain; this will be a blood and guts type of affair.
6. R.I.P Arturo Gatti
Visit the author’s site at www.tedsares.com for stories, photos, and cool music.