Richard E. (Northridge, CA): I had a chance to see your recent Youtube video about the troubles in Team Pacquiao, and felt you made some exceptional points. What are your thoughts about his camp after seeing the latest HBO 24/7?
Vivek W. (ESB): In that video clip, I basically tried to analyze a lot of the not-so-positive things that have gained attention lately in the Pacquiao camp. After seeing the latest 24/7, I think each of those points I made grew in size, yet there’s a side of me that’s totally convinced that the plan of either HBO or Team Pacquiao (if not both collectively) is to get the fans and perhaps Team Cotto to buy into this notion that that Pacquiao is supposedly overly distracted and not up to par. At least I hope that’s what’s going on.. If the things I’ve heard and seen lately from Team Pacquiao are true, it would not surprise me to see Pacquiao KO’d before the 7th round, because every single time those cameras roll there’s nothing other than pure chaos and flat-lined chemistry. Everything from the over-exposed drama between camp members, to the sparring session, where (with the exception of a nifty move to get out of the corner), Pacquiao got his butt handed to him like a hot towel at the pool! I think it all shows something gravely wrong and/or dysfunctional in that camp.
When has Roach EVER had to chastise Pacquiao about not showing passion in training? Aside from a prime Mike Tyson and comparable to Mayweather, this is one of the most passionate fighters in training I’ve ever seen, under normal conditions. I just think that there’s no way in hell things are even capable of falling apart this close to such a high profile fight with so much at stake in a fight camp consisting of Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao, two men known for immense preparation. Some people say Pacquiao feeds off of that, others say he really is distracted. Only God knows the truth, but one thing for sure, when the headlines print on the morning of November 15th, we’ll all know precisely what was true and what was false, as well as who was right, and which fighter is left! Stay tuned.
Basal W. (Bronx, NY): I’m sure you’ve heard the recent interview with Floyd Mayweather and the radio personality “Rugged-Man RA”. I thought he served Floyd well. What was your thoughts?
Vivek W. (ESB): Personally, I thought the interview was truthfully classless. I use those two words collectively because I think RA echoed the sentiments of most fight fans, (which represents the truthful part), but that being said, I loss respect for him for deliberately creating an atmosphere that bred heat when all he had to do was simply be cool to get his point across, (which is where the ‘classless’ perspective comes in). When it all boils down, I think both he and Floyd did little more than reduce their character. Floyd is arguably the best fundamental fighter in the sport, bar none, but think about it this way…..When Ali left, he was replaced….when Tyson left, he was replaced. That wheel will keep on moving because no man is or will ever be bigger than the sport itself. So, I can see Floyd being called out on that, among other things. With regards to RA, I think his antics were straight from the book of how-to-get-publicity 101. It just all came off as pretty desperate to me. What’s sad is that we live in an era that puts a heavy premium on guys who have “swagga”, so many try to either live up to or build up a certain street image. Maybe I’m old school, but age age 33, rather than trying to be ‘street’, I prefer to stand on the sidewalk, which is a place where grown men watch that kind of juvenile behavior at a pass by, only attempting to cross those drama boulevards when absolutely necessary.
I’m far from perfect, but in that scenario, I could have asked Floyd that same set of questions and ended the call with the very same respect from Floyd that RA tried to get, but subsequently lost because he went about it the wrong way. Few was more critical of Oscar De la Hoya than I was with his late career antics, but despite those feelings, I shake his hand every single time we cross paths because at the end of the day, the man is legendary, it took blood, sweat, and tears for him to get there, he has a family that loves him like I do, and his unpopular business decision may have very well been the same one I chose had I been walking in his moccasins at the time. It’s easy to say someone should do something else when you’re on the outside looking in. Bottom line, I found nothing ground breaking about the interview and to be honest, didn’t even listen to all of it. Before now, I had never even heard of RA. All I know is that he’s a boxing fan and fan of Rakim, so those common links would give us much to talk about. If that day ever comes though, don’t look for me to be like Floyd. That was the result of two competing ego’s, wherein I’m humble enough to lay back and actually help a man feel bigger than me, knowing full well that a bigger ego doesn’t always translate to bigger success. For Floyd, I hope the lesson was learned.
Jackson S. (Chicago, IL): What are your thoughts on the return of Mike Tyson to Don Kings camp?
Vivek W. (ESB): Unlike many others, I think the tandem of King and Tyson is great for them and great for the sport. Great for them from the standpoint that these are two of the most iconic names to ever grace the sport, and after so many years of triumph, you just hate to see them end it in failure. There is a reason why they were both individually and collectively huge in the sport, and these dynamic personalities can only help what some already view as a dying sport. Tyson’s role currently is assisting on the broadcasting team of Don Kings DonKingTV.com, but from the sounds of it, with the help of a few millions, strenuous training and a few “minerals”, there’s a growing chance that Mike may be back in the ring, as well. If it ever came down to it, I don’t see him ever reaching his hey-day skill level again, but if properly trained, I wouldn’t rule out the odds of him making a splash and earning a shot at one of the “K” bros in what I predict would be a losing battle.
Tavis B. (Miami Lakes, FL): Who do you like in the Dawson/Johnson rematch, and what do you think lies ahead for the winner?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think the fight will live up to every ounce of hype it’s receiving. The first fight was debatable. Now both men get a second chance to decide who the winner was all along. Despite the wicked talent of Dawson, I think he still has a lot to prove and this type of fight is one that he needs to not only answer questions, but open a few up as well; which gets into my response to the question of “what do i think lies ahead for the winner”? When I say Dawson can open up a few questions as well, I mean that by winning and winning decisively, there’s only one logical direction he can go in. And that’s a showdown with the Jones/Hopkins winner, who will have the question looming over their head relative to their ability to handle today’s top stallion as a pass prime Thoroughbred. The man that emerges from that fight (Hopkins/Jones)with a victory will have perhaps the final major obstacle of their career to overcome. The table is set. One man will eat! The other, I guess will simply eat Crow!
Donte B. (Boca Raton, FL): I know that you’re pretty big on fundamental boxing. I find Pacquiao to be the better fundamental boxer between he and Cotto. Would you not agree?
Vivek W. (ESB): To be honest, I think both men leave a lot to be desired fundamentally. It isn’t that they aren’t good boxers, because Pacquiao has gotten far better and Cotto is vastly improved, but fundamentals is a thing of discipline, and both men tend to lose theirs at certain points. In breaking down fight footage pretty heavy the last few weeks on these guys, I can’t help but notice certain trends. With Pacquiao, he’s totally susceptible to the right hand lead when it follows a left to the gut, and another major issue of his is the fact that he is practically ALWAYS out of position and off balance when he throws his left with some heat behind it. Cotto, on the other hand doesn’t have the footwork of Pacquiao, but his balance is far better, yet he tends to leave himself open for the uppercut regardless of how many times you catch him with it. If I had to assess the two, I would probably use Pacquiao’s own words to describe them both. In a recent interview, Pacquiao said was quoted as saying: “If I compare myself to other (great) fighters, Manny Pacquiao is really not as good. I win because I am very dedicated, my relationship with God is close, and I focus and discipline myself”. In other words, neither of these guys are text book fundamental fighters, but their warrior spirit and passion to succeed have produced equal or better results. It’s hard to say who’s more fundamental between the two, but like many of their opponents found out, it won’t matter one bit when they meet.
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), www.vivekwallace.com, Facebook, and Myspace)