rokko
06-01-2011, 12:02 AM
Scoop: Not Your Typical Boxing Column
May 31st, 2011
By Scoop Malinowski
Antonio Margarito’s eye problems are not actually with the eyeball itself but the surrounding orbital bone which was pulverized by the fists of Manny Pacquiao. Margarito’s career is temporarily on hold, as his manager Sergio Diaz told me: “Tony is good. We just need to make sure his orbital is completely healed before we move forward.”
One of the bright lights of the next generation of American boxers is St. Petersburg, Florida power puncher Keith Thurman, a 15-0 (14 KO’s) junior middleweight who is trained by Dan Birmingham, the longtime coach of future Hall of Famer Winky Wright. Birmingham provided update info on Thurman: “Keith had a bruised bone in his left hand and a hand specialist told him to take of four months. He will be back in the gym within two weeks. His manager is the best in boxing – Al Haymon. He is ranked in the top 15 and was promised some TV dates this year. He has been promoted by Golden Boy for the past few years. We are working on movement, defense, using his jab, getting position, feinting, strength & conditioning, stretching, yoga, diet and other things.”
I asked about the rumored sparring session where Thurman supposedly got the best of former WBC Welterweight champ Andre Berto, also managed by Haymon but Birmingham would not confirm or deny. “Keith and Berto and I and his trainer are all friends and even if he did, I wouldn’t broadcast it, anyone can go down and Keith has dropped many guys, including heavyweights in the gym – he has great power.”
Tony Thompson looked very sharp in scoring a dominant KO of Maurice Harris, the veteran Newark, NJ heavyweight who was once called by Floyd Mayweather Jr. his favorite heavyweight boxer to watch. Thompson, now 39 but looking fresh and awkwardly effective out of his southpaw stance, will take on Eddie Chambers for the IBF #1 mandatory ranking.
Chris Arreola has lost about 30 pounds but somewhat surprisingly, he did not appear considerably quicker or better than he was at around the previously flabby 250 weight. I was expecting him to look a lot more impressive. Arreola, a confessed Oreo addict, is still a threat in the heavyweight division, if the Klitschkos Brothers both retire after their upcoming fights against Haye and Adamek, as has been rumored.
If Floyd Mayweather is such a great defensive fighter, why is he so worried about his health and future of taking care of his family? Doesn’t the greatest defensive fighter of all time know how to handle a one-dimensional midget?
From my old Biofile interview archives, I’d like to share this anecdote about how former Middleweight champ Vito Antuofermo felt his staredown with Marvin Hagler helped him defend his belt: ”Most of the opponents I fought, they don’t like to look at me. Maybe it was my stare. Some people say I have a very mean stare. And I knew I had a mean stare and psychologically it helped me. So if I tried to stare them down, it made me feel good. An example – I remember when I fought Hagler. I remember all the while before the fight, I used to get together with him, take pictures, press conferences, he knew and I knew we were gonna fight each other someday. We’d always stare at each other. He never backed down and I never backed down either. At the fight itself, I remember before the first round at the referee’s (Mills Lane) instructions, he stared at me for like ten seconds. Then all of a sudden, I saw his eyes go down. And for some reason I felt so great at that. When he couldn’t look at me no more. I said, Wow, I felt great, confident.”
Reader Bill Ma sent this very well written note regarding Mayweather, Atlas and Pacquiao: ”There are some American preferences, but when Manny is done from boxing, I guarantee most Americans will embrace Manny and finally appreciate for what he did while boxing also for what he brought to boxing. Honor. Because every time when he is interviewed he always talks about bringing honor to boxing. When was the last time we heard that from the fighters? In fact when was the last time we heard that from any American fighters? Honor is big word and carries big responsibilities. Because it spells unselfishness and willing to put yourself second to the sport. When we all look back and think about Manny’s legacy, we will be so proud for what he brought to our people and to the sport of boxing. He remained active even while serving as a public servant for the people. It is hard thing to juggle. Committed to the people and committed to the sport of boxing. Nobody in the history of boxing has able to do this kind of commitment. We can not name a single athlete in the history of sports that was at the top of their sport and also serving as a full time public servant. Name anyone? It doesn’t exist. Only after they are retired from the sport is when they pursue politics. People like Atlas, the Mayweathers, and all the Pac critics can’t appreciate what Manny has done. And I am flabbergasted by that. Beside being an 8-time world champion of different weight class and Fighter of the Decade, just look what this guy is trying to do for the people of the Philippines. Atlas who has a Foundation, constantly discredits Manny’s accomplishments. Jealousy? Yes. Envious? Yes. Atlas should see what Manny’s has done for the poor and what is funny, Atlas and Manny have something in common, they both share an importance to helping people. Atlas is just too consumed on his hatred to both Manny and Freddie. It has clouded his mind.”
May 31st, 2011
By Scoop Malinowski
Antonio Margarito’s eye problems are not actually with the eyeball itself but the surrounding orbital bone which was pulverized by the fists of Manny Pacquiao. Margarito’s career is temporarily on hold, as his manager Sergio Diaz told me: “Tony is good. We just need to make sure his orbital is completely healed before we move forward.”
One of the bright lights of the next generation of American boxers is St. Petersburg, Florida power puncher Keith Thurman, a 15-0 (14 KO’s) junior middleweight who is trained by Dan Birmingham, the longtime coach of future Hall of Famer Winky Wright. Birmingham provided update info on Thurman: “Keith had a bruised bone in his left hand and a hand specialist told him to take of four months. He will be back in the gym within two weeks. His manager is the best in boxing – Al Haymon. He is ranked in the top 15 and was promised some TV dates this year. He has been promoted by Golden Boy for the past few years. We are working on movement, defense, using his jab, getting position, feinting, strength & conditioning, stretching, yoga, diet and other things.”
I asked about the rumored sparring session where Thurman supposedly got the best of former WBC Welterweight champ Andre Berto, also managed by Haymon but Birmingham would not confirm or deny. “Keith and Berto and I and his trainer are all friends and even if he did, I wouldn’t broadcast it, anyone can go down and Keith has dropped many guys, including heavyweights in the gym – he has great power.”
Tony Thompson looked very sharp in scoring a dominant KO of Maurice Harris, the veteran Newark, NJ heavyweight who was once called by Floyd Mayweather Jr. his favorite heavyweight boxer to watch. Thompson, now 39 but looking fresh and awkwardly effective out of his southpaw stance, will take on Eddie Chambers for the IBF #1 mandatory ranking.
Chris Arreola has lost about 30 pounds but somewhat surprisingly, he did not appear considerably quicker or better than he was at around the previously flabby 250 weight. I was expecting him to look a lot more impressive. Arreola, a confessed Oreo addict, is still a threat in the heavyweight division, if the Klitschkos Brothers both retire after their upcoming fights against Haye and Adamek, as has been rumored.
If Floyd Mayweather is such a great defensive fighter, why is he so worried about his health and future of taking care of his family? Doesn’t the greatest defensive fighter of all time know how to handle a one-dimensional midget?
From my old Biofile interview archives, I’d like to share this anecdote about how former Middleweight champ Vito Antuofermo felt his staredown with Marvin Hagler helped him defend his belt: ”Most of the opponents I fought, they don’t like to look at me. Maybe it was my stare. Some people say I have a very mean stare. And I knew I had a mean stare and psychologically it helped me. So if I tried to stare them down, it made me feel good. An example – I remember when I fought Hagler. I remember all the while before the fight, I used to get together with him, take pictures, press conferences, he knew and I knew we were gonna fight each other someday. We’d always stare at each other. He never backed down and I never backed down either. At the fight itself, I remember before the first round at the referee’s (Mills Lane) instructions, he stared at me for like ten seconds. Then all of a sudden, I saw his eyes go down. And for some reason I felt so great at that. When he couldn’t look at me no more. I said, Wow, I felt great, confident.”
Reader Bill Ma sent this very well written note regarding Mayweather, Atlas and Pacquiao: ”There are some American preferences, but when Manny is done from boxing, I guarantee most Americans will embrace Manny and finally appreciate for what he did while boxing also for what he brought to boxing. Honor. Because every time when he is interviewed he always talks about bringing honor to boxing. When was the last time we heard that from the fighters? In fact when was the last time we heard that from any American fighters? Honor is big word and carries big responsibilities. Because it spells unselfishness and willing to put yourself second to the sport. When we all look back and think about Manny’s legacy, we will be so proud for what he brought to our people and to the sport of boxing. He remained active even while serving as a public servant for the people. It is hard thing to juggle. Committed to the people and committed to the sport of boxing. Nobody in the history of boxing has able to do this kind of commitment. We can not name a single athlete in the history of sports that was at the top of their sport and also serving as a full time public servant. Name anyone? It doesn’t exist. Only after they are retired from the sport is when they pursue politics. People like Atlas, the Mayweathers, and all the Pac critics can’t appreciate what Manny has done. And I am flabbergasted by that. Beside being an 8-time world champion of different weight class and Fighter of the Decade, just look what this guy is trying to do for the people of the Philippines. Atlas who has a Foundation, constantly discredits Manny’s accomplishments. Jealousy? Yes. Envious? Yes. Atlas should see what Manny’s has done for the poor and what is funny, Atlas and Manny have something in common, they both share an importance to helping people. Atlas is just too consumed on his hatred to both Manny and Freddie. It has clouded his mind.”