Dan Rafael chat wrap 5/6:
Canelo vs. Khan (and GGG because he is the winner's mandatory):
- The atmosphere in Vegas is pretty good.
- Plenty of UK fans there, but not nearly as well represented as when Lennox, Calzaghe, or Hatton fought in the US.
- If Khan wins it is not as big of an upset as when SRL beat Hagler.
- Respects Canelo, but it is stupid of him to say GGG hasn't earned a shot at his MW title. Just as stupid as Hopkins saying GGG should fight Kovalev (Hopkins has his agenda and would not allow facts to stop his argument).
- What is next for Khan if he wins? Doubts he defends his 160 title vs. GGG. Likely could go back down to 147 and find the biggest fight available. Possible to try and lure Floyd back for the MW lineal championship with a catchweight fight.
- GGG is too respectful to jump in the ring and face off with Canelo and demand a fight. He will be at the fight watching.
- Likely that after the fight Max will ask Canelo about fighting GGG and Canelo will say he wants the fight and the crowd will go crazy...only to see the fight not happen next.
- Post Canelo vs. Khan will be the WBC's Sulaiman's moment of truth. He says there is an agreed to contract stipulating that Monday or Tuesday a letter will be sent to both camps (GGG and the winner of Canelo-Khan) stating they can begin free negotiations, they would then have 30 days to agree to terms, or else a purse bid is ordered. If the Canelo/Khan side does not agree then the WBC by contract has said they will strip the winner. The only way for this not to happen is if the WBC breaks the contract they set up...this situation will have a huge affect on their credibility (Dan believes the WBC will strip the winner if they do not make a fight with GGG).
- It is ODH and Hopkins steering Canelo away from GGG.
- Conventional wisdom is that Khan's only chance is to box from a distance and win a 12 round decision. One issue is Khan lets himself get suckered into brawling more than he should. ODH listed that as a key for Khan to win the fight.
- Does not think Khan's chin is as bad as people say. You don't go the distance with Maidana if your chin is as bad as people say Khan's is. Weighing more could help.
- 155 to 160 is MW. Many think Canelo vs. GGG should be at the MW limit. Canelo wouldn't be the first A-side to force a catchweight. From what he hears, most people believe the fight should take place at 160.
- Over/under PPV buys of 500k? Over.
- Undercard rating? Solid B.
- Picking Canelo by mid round KO, Gomez, and Teixeira.
- Canelo is an underrated boxer. He has pretty good fundamentals and is a good counter puncher.
- Internet PPV stream will have the international announcers, not HBO.
- What looks worse for Canelo: losing to GGG (potentially by KO) or ducking a fight? Ducking.
- Gomez is probably the favorite vs. Herrera, but you can never count out Herrera's veteran craftiness.
- Lemiuex vs. Tapia should be a great slugfest and may the best chin win.
- If Lemiuex wins, a fight at 168 vs. Bute would be huge in Canada. For Lemiuex's future, guesses he is going to hold out for a Canelo fight.
- Khan says that Brook needs to step his game up and take some big fights to build his marketing presence. If they fight now it is a big UK fight, but Khan wants Brook to become bigger internationally so it is a worldwide mega fight.
- When he first met Canelo he spoke and understood zero English. Now Canelo can understand English and can speak a little, but prefers to have his Spanish be translated so he does not embarrass himself. He will continue to get better.
- The new arena that this fight is in is fantastic.
The rest of boxing:
- Floyd vs. Connor McGregor? Zero chance.
- Joshua signing to Showtime is a huge success for them. HBO should consider it a failure they didn't sign Joshua. Their budget issues probably hurt their chances.
- If Wilder and Joshua keep winning they certainly could fight each other, but he is not certain it will happen.
- Showtime is still working to get rights to televise Wilder vs. Povetkin, but the Russian promoter's are being very difficult.
- Garcia is not afraid of fighting Brook or Vargas.
- Would like to see Broner vs. Garcia.
- Would also be down to see Broner vs. Brook. Broner's schedule will be interesting depending on his legal issues (may wind up in jail).
- Broner vs. Peterson would be a great DC fight at the Verizon Center.
- HBO has a contract with Klitschko, but how many fights remain on it likely depends on the outcome of his rematch with Fury. If he wins, HBO likely has an option for his next fight.
- Klitschko will certainly be motivated vs. Fury, but can he pull the trigger on his punches?
- Thought Jack beat Bute 116-112 pretty easily. Jack was disappointed with the draw, but was excited to unify with DeGale. Jack said he didn't get any credit from the judges for the body work he did.
- Victor Ortiz is the biggest quitter in boxing. Ortiz is done.
- Disgraceful for the fans to throw stuff at Victor Ortiz.
- GGG may be able to lure Saunders into a fall fight or Jacobs.
- No desire for GGG vs. Bute. GGG KO'd Bute in the amateurs.
- Who would be a favorite vs. GGG from 154-168? No one.
- The AWE show tomorrow is a good lineup of fights, too bad it is very limited in availability.
- Believes that Ward needs another tune up before Kovalev.
- Favorite Legendary Nights episodes? Chavez-Taylor and Leonard-Hearns.
- Does not know why Anthony Peterson hasn't fought anybody worthwhile for years. He actually at one point was considered the better prospect between him and Lamont.
- The Top Rank/Turner Sports boxing series is still being discussed, nothing concrete.
Canelo vs. Khan (and GGG because he is the winner's mandatory):
- The atmosphere in Vegas is pretty good.
- Plenty of UK fans there, but not nearly as well represented as when Lennox, Calzaghe, or Hatton fought in the US.
- If Khan wins it is not as big of an upset as when SRL beat Hagler.
- Respects Canelo, but it is stupid of him to say GGG hasn't earned a shot at his MW title. Just as stupid as Hopkins saying GGG should fight Kovalev (Hopkins has his agenda and would not allow facts to stop his argument).
- What is next for Khan if he wins? Doubts he defends his 160 title vs. GGG. Likely could go back down to 147 and find the biggest fight available. Possible to try and lure Floyd back for the MW lineal championship with a catchweight fight.
- GGG is too respectful to jump in the ring and face off with Canelo and demand a fight. He will be at the fight watching.
- Likely that after the fight Max will ask Canelo about fighting GGG and Canelo will say he wants the fight and the crowd will go crazy...only to see the fight not happen next.
- Post Canelo vs. Khan will be the WBC's Sulaiman's moment of truth. He says there is an agreed to contract stipulating that Monday or Tuesday a letter will be sent to both camps (GGG and the winner of Canelo-Khan) stating they can begin free negotiations, they would then have 30 days to agree to terms, or else a purse bid is ordered. If the Canelo/Khan side does not agree then the WBC by contract has said they will strip the winner. The only way for this not to happen is if the WBC breaks the contract they set up...this situation will have a huge affect on their credibility (Dan believes the WBC will strip the winner if they do not make a fight with GGG).
- It is ODH and Hopkins steering Canelo away from GGG.
- Conventional wisdom is that Khan's only chance is to box from a distance and win a 12 round decision. One issue is Khan lets himself get suckered into brawling more than he should. ODH listed that as a key for Khan to win the fight.
- Does not think Khan's chin is as bad as people say. You don't go the distance with Maidana if your chin is as bad as people say Khan's is. Weighing more could help.
- 155 to 160 is MW. Many think Canelo vs. GGG should be at the MW limit. Canelo wouldn't be the first A-side to force a catchweight. From what he hears, most people believe the fight should take place at 160.
- Over/under PPV buys of 500k? Over.
- Undercard rating? Solid B.
- Picking Canelo by mid round KO, Gomez, and Teixeira.
- Canelo is an underrated boxer. He has pretty good fundamentals and is a good counter puncher.
- Internet PPV stream will have the international announcers, not HBO.
- What looks worse for Canelo: losing to GGG (potentially by KO) or ducking a fight? Ducking.
- Gomez is probably the favorite vs. Herrera, but you can never count out Herrera's veteran craftiness.
- Lemiuex vs. Tapia should be a great slugfest and may the best chin win.
- If Lemiuex wins, a fight at 168 vs. Bute would be huge in Canada. For Lemiuex's future, guesses he is going to hold out for a Canelo fight.
- Khan says that Brook needs to step his game up and take some big fights to build his marketing presence. If they fight now it is a big UK fight, but Khan wants Brook to become bigger internationally so it is a worldwide mega fight.
- When he first met Canelo he spoke and understood zero English. Now Canelo can understand English and can speak a little, but prefers to have his Spanish be translated so he does not embarrass himself. He will continue to get better.
- The new arena that this fight is in is fantastic.
The rest of boxing:
- Floyd vs. Connor McGregor? Zero chance.
- Joshua signing to Showtime is a huge success for them. HBO should consider it a failure they didn't sign Joshua. Their budget issues probably hurt their chances.
- If Wilder and Joshua keep winning they certainly could fight each other, but he is not certain it will happen.
- Showtime is still working to get rights to televise Wilder vs. Povetkin, but the Russian promoter's are being very difficult.
- Garcia is not afraid of fighting Brook or Vargas.
- Would like to see Broner vs. Garcia.
- Would also be down to see Broner vs. Brook. Broner's schedule will be interesting depending on his legal issues (may wind up in jail).
- Broner vs. Peterson would be a great DC fight at the Verizon Center.
- HBO has a contract with Klitschko, but how many fights remain on it likely depends on the outcome of his rematch with Fury. If he wins, HBO likely has an option for his next fight.
- Klitschko will certainly be motivated vs. Fury, but can he pull the trigger on his punches?
- Thought Jack beat Bute 116-112 pretty easily. Jack was disappointed with the draw, but was excited to unify with DeGale. Jack said he didn't get any credit from the judges for the body work he did.
- Victor Ortiz is the biggest quitter in boxing. Ortiz is done.
- Disgraceful for the fans to throw stuff at Victor Ortiz.
- GGG may be able to lure Saunders into a fall fight or Jacobs.
- No desire for GGG vs. Bute. GGG KO'd Bute in the amateurs.
- Who would be a favorite vs. GGG from 154-168? No one.
- The AWE show tomorrow is a good lineup of fights, too bad it is very limited in availability.
- Believes that Ward needs another tune up before Kovalev.
- Favorite Legendary Nights episodes? Chavez-Taylor and Leonard-Hearns.
- Does not know why Anthony Peterson hasn't fought anybody worthwhile for years. He actually at one point was considered the better prospect between him and Lamont.
- The Top Rank/Turner Sports boxing series is still being discussed, nothing concrete.