Sports News Now

You can follow Kevin Iole on Twitter at @KevinI

For at least the next two months, and perhaps the next six or eight, we’re going to hear a lot about how Manny Pacquiao might fare against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In light of another lopsided Pacquiao win, the inbox is filled with questions on that topic and others related to the two greatest boxers in the world.

Let’s get right to it as I respond to your questions and comments in this week’s edition of the boxing mailbag.

Kevin, you are so pro-Pacquiao these days it almost makes me nauseous. Quoting people like Pacquiao’s promoter (Bob Arum), trainer (Freddie Roach) and his beaten opponent (Joshua Clottey), who, by the way, has never stepped in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. what would you expect them to say about a Manny-Floyd fight? It’s about as meaningful as asking Manny’s mother who she thinks would win. You just know they’re going to hype their fighter and business interest. You state that Pacquiao is at least Floyd’s equal? Are you out of your mind? Based on what? Mayweather is the one that destroyed Marquez, a fighter who arguably beat Pacquiao twice. I have no doubt in my mind that Floyd would beat Manny Pacquiao, but I give all the credit in the world for Manny being a great fighter and having the best fan following in the world. Pose the Manny versus Floyd question to objective boxers with no axe to grind and with no financial interest, in the fight and post that as an article. to me that would carry much more weight.

Jason R. Wallace Dublin, Calif.

Jason, I’m not going to complain about being impressed by a fighter who is willing to take chances, who will fight anyone and who cares not only about winning but about putting on a show for the fans. If that makes me pro-Pacquiao, buy yourself some Pepto-Bismol. That said, I still favor Mayweather slightly to win a fight with Pacquiao, though I think it will be a much closer fight than I once believed.

Are you retarded or just stupid? Manny Pacquiao will demolish Floyd Mayweather, who is a chicken, plain and simple. “The Chicken” will just wait until Pacquiao is older and slower and fight him then, just like he does with everyone he fights. Don’t you know by now that Mayweather never fights anyone in their prime? Idiots like you keep giving “The Chicken” praise, like he has beaten anyone decent. Slower, older fighters who move up in weight to fight “The Chicken” just for a paycheck do not count as a boxer in his prime. No wonder no one cares about boxing anymore.

Joe Carmel, Calif.

It’s fair, Joe, to admire Pacquiao for chasing the best competition he can find. But it’s ludicrous to refer to Mayweather as a chicken and act as if he hasn’t beaten anyone in their prime. Ricky Hatton was unbeaten, as I recall, when they met. So, too, was Diego Corrales. He’s got 15 wins over men who were world champions. he defeated the No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer in his last fight and is facing the No. 4 ranked fighter in May. He’s far from a chicken.

If Pacquiao is so great, then why won’t he take a real fight with Mayweather? Why would he let a drug test stand in the way of such a big fight? he seems to be all mouth and no guts and knows he can’t hang with Floyd. Personally, I think he’s a chump and needs to step up and show us what he’s working with.

Charles Johnson Akron, Ohio

It goes both ways, Charles. I think Pacquiao should have taken the test when Mayweather demanded it, just as a way to make the fight happen. That said, Mayweather isn’t bigger than boxing and doesn’t get to set the rules, and Pacquiao wasn’t going to let him push him around.

Mayweather is a very skilled fighter, but so is Manny. Mayweather is quick and fast, but so is Manny. The difference is Manny hasn’t “picked” his opponents. Manny was an underdog against Oscar de La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Joshua Clottey gave Cotto one hell of a fight. Clottey was bigger and supposedly stronger than Manny. Manny overwhelmed him. I guess it comes down to toughness. There is physical toughness, and there is mental toughness. do you think Mayweather is “tough” enough to beat Manny? In my opinion, Mayweather gets knocked out late. It has been my experience that people who run their mouth usually fold when the going gets tough. The running of the mouth is usually fear-based.

Tony Brice Burlington, Vt.

The biggest complaint I have about Mayweather is that he hasn’t faced the best at 147. he deserves the criticism that comes his way for that, but it’s unfair to suggest he’s hand-picked opponents his whole career. I think Mayweather wins a decision if he fights Pacquiao, but it’s a very tough call and is an extremely even fight.

Manny Pacquiao’s accomplishments since moving up from junior lightweight are considerable – very impressive wins over bigger men in David Diaz, Oscar de La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto. That said, I think that what he doesn’t get enough credit for the quality of the opposition he faced at featherweight and junior lightweight. he beat Marco Antonio Barrera twice, Erik Morales twice, and earned a draw and a split decision over Juan Manuel Marquez (although I thought that Marquez won both of those fights). also, speaking of Morales, I am amazed he has a fight scheduled for March 27. I find it sad that he keeps fighting when there is clearly nothing in the tank. what do you think?

David Jackson Heights, N.Y

.I’m impressed with Pacquiao’s record, but it all depends upon your point of view. Check out the next letter to see what I mean.

I don’t think Pacquiao has really fought anyone, and he is way overrated. Most of the past fights were against guys who were past their prime. I don’t care what they scored the last Juan Manuel Marquez fight, either. to me, Pacquiao didn’t win that. I think a fight with Mayweather would end Pacquiao’s title run. he has never fought anyone like him. what do you think?

Bill Green Chicago

I think you’re way off base, Bill. Marco Antonio Barrera was hardly over the hill in 2003 and was considered a major favorite when Pacquiao routed him. Pacquiao’s beaten the best or among the best all along the way. I concede Mayweather might beat him, but that would prove he’s just human.

In your column on the Pacquiao fight, you wrote, “And if Pacquiao is Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith, then Mayweather is, say, Jerry Rice and Walter Payton.” how can you write such nonsense with a straight face? It’s quite obvious that Floyd Mayweather is much too frightened of Manny Pacquiao to ever fight. Jerry Rice and Walter Payton? LOL! You should look for another line of work.

Doug Rutherford, N.J.

The sad thing, Doug, is that years from now, you’ll realize how wrong you were and how good these two men are. We’re watching greatness.

Kevin, Mayweather is allowed to fight inferior opponents because you sports writers don’t call him out on this practice! He’s been afraid to fight the best opponents since his 2002 scare with Jose Luis Castillo. call him out on this, please.

Rod Commerce, Calif.

I only wish I had that kind of influence. If I did, you wouldn’t have seen the lousy undercard you did on Saturday.

Are you sure that was Joshua Clottey fighting Manny Pacquiao? I couldn’t really tell, as he spent almost all of the fight hiding his face behind those gloves. I’m really disappointed in Clottey. I had great respect for him until last night. I think it’s a disgrace that a boxer will go into a fight and not even try to win. It robs the people who paid their hard-earned money to see a real fight and, ultimately, it robs the sport.

Jim V. Bordentown, N.J.

I didn’t expect Clottey to win, but I expected him to fight. he did neither. It was a horrible exhibition and his excuses are lame. It’s hard to escape the notion he showed up just for a paycheck, and that’s one of the worst things you can say about a fighter.

Why does the HBO announcing crew insist on discussing the main event while the undercard fighters are fighting? Humberto Soto and David Diaz were putting on a fairly good fight, yet the commentators completely ignored the fight and instead discussed the main event. Not only is it disrespectful to the fighters in the ring, but it also distracts the viewers who are trying to enjoy the fight.

Mazen Sarwar Detroit

Obviously, you’re right and they should focus on the fight at hand. But they also know the majority of boxing fans are buying the show for one fight and they feel they’re building that up.

Could you tell me what happened to Julio Cesar Chavez’s son? I remember hearing some good things about him a year or so back. Has he stopped fighting or is it that he just wasn’t as good as his record looked?

Mike Saylor Philadelphia

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is 24 and is 40-0-1 with 30 knockouts. he was suspended seven months by the Nevada Athletic Commission after testing positive for the diuretic Furosemide in November, and isn’t eligible to return to competition until June. He’s not particularly highly regarded, despite his record, which was compiled against very weak opposition. He’ll likely fight John Duddy upon his return. Chavez Sr. has another son, Omar, who is a pro boxer. Omar Chavez, 20, is 20-0-1 with 15 knockouts.

digg add to facebook del.icio.us more

• fark
• mixx
• StumbleUpon
• Google Bookmarks
• Yahoo! Bookmarks

Related posts:

1. Does Pacquiao lack the ring expertise to beat Mayweather and Mosley? I also have something to say about Mayweather, Mosley,...
2. Boxing: Pacquiao trainer urges fighter to retire this year Source: ReutersManny Pacquiao WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao should...
3. Pacquiao primed for title clash against Clottey Pacquiao primed for title clash against Clottey DALLAS Manny...
4. (Video) Freddie Roach on the Jim Rome Show, talks Pacquiao – Mayweather Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, sits down with ESPN’s...
5. Oscar De La Hoya: 'Floyd Mayweather Is King of the World … LAS VEGAS -- Oscar De La Hoya couldn't help...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.