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Dan Rafael's chat wrap 7/31:
- No interim or regular champion should be allowed to market themselves as "world champion".
- Ward vs. Kovalev thoughts? Kovalev isn't a fighter who has to have other fighters stand right in front of him. Ward won't run. He may move a lot, but he will fight. Ward would be his favorite to win, but Kovalev can beat anyone at 175 and under.
- Adonis Stevenson's resume has been embarrassing lately and Karpency doesn't help.
- Lack of enthusiasm for Kovalev in Las Vegas was expected. Duva mainly promotes on the East Coast and her getting further west is new for her and Kovalev needs to build a larger fan base. Give him 18 months and see what Kovalev as an attraction looks like as he gets promoted more across the country.
- Showtime says they will have some good stuff for the final 1/3 of the year. Thinks it may happen.
- Garcia just fought Peterson, that isn't soft matchmaking.
- Spoke with Huck last week and he wants to defend his title and set the CW record. Possibly a fight with RJJ. Then he would like to move up to HW and fight good opponents, possibly a rematch with Povetkin.
- Talked a lot with ODH lately and he is very focused on being committed to his business.
- Likely we see Bradley vs. Rios by the end of the year.
- Ali is Bradley's mandatory, but he does not have to take that fight next.
- Canelo vs. Cotto has everything, rivalry, personality, two great fighters, and hype.
- Loves GGG vs. Lemiuex. Perfect fight for both fighters and at the right time. Reminds him of how he felt when Trinidad vs. Vargas was announced.
- One reason why GGG vs. Lemiuex is on PPV is because HBO's budget possibly would not allow this fight on regular programming. PPV creates extra revenue.
- The deal made for the GGG vs. Lemiuex on PPV was based on 150k buys.
- Matthysse vs. Postol is another fight he is really excited to see.
- Canelo vs. Cotto is 100% on November 21.
- Schaefer's non compete agreement expires sometime in August...not on August 1.
- Picking Luke Campbell by KO.
- Skeptical Maidana fights this year.
- Thoughts on Mosley vs. Mayorga rematch? Meh.
- Has not heard who Wilder's next opponent will be, but has heard it likely will not be Arreola. Expect a no name.
- Based on what Crawford's team has told him, it is likely Cuenca or Jean will be his next opponent.
- Nothing new on Mikey Garcia. He considers him retired.
- Roman Gonzalez's manager told him they would like to fight Estrada on the GGG PPV. TR has talked about making Estrada vs. Viloria.
- More interesting GGG vs. Lemiuex or Mares vs. LSC? GGG vs. Lemiuex.
- Thought Gonzalez beat Pascal and would like to see him fight again.
- Will check out the Jhonson fight, but his fights are usually not exciting.
- Shane Mosley handles his own Twitter account. He has said some wild things lately that is not the Mosley that he knew.
- Luis Ortiz will be on GGG's undercard. They offered the fight to Bryant Jennings. Jennings has turned it down because it wasn't enough money.
- Thoughts on potential Floyd undercard fights? Groves-Jack, decent fight. Martinez-Salido 2, very entertaining. Smith-Vanes, bathroom break.
- Popo a HOF'er? No.
- Beterbiev has a very good chance to beat Kovalev.
- No issue with GGG's fight being on PPV. It will be reasonably priced, HBO wants to mold him into PPV credibility, and they will find out if people will pay to see GGG fight. Suspects it will be successful enough to make the PPV a success.
- Hopkins wants to fight Abraham. No actual talks have started.
- Hearn says Brook will fight again in October. He heard a rumor it was going to be Bundu, but Hearn told him it absolutely would not be.
- The winner of GGG-Lemiuex is the mandatory for Canelo-Cotto.
- Quillin can still make 160.
- Caballero has not recovered from foot surgery. He will fight Lee Haskins next, they agreed upon a negotiated deal. Possible it could appear on the Canelo-Cotto undercard.
- DiBella said the fight tomorrow at Barclay's is scaled to seat 6,000. He expects 5,000 to 5,500.
- Does not cheer during fights while in the press section. Something respectable journalists do not do.
- Unlikely that Porter's next fight is in Cleveland.
- The Andrade lawsuit against Roc Nation tells one side of the story. It is not necessarily fact.
- Trinidad vs. Joppy was one of the best atmospheres ever. The noise from the cowbells sticks in his mind.
- Does not like fighters who run, don't engage, hold, or just stink guys out (like Rigo).
- ODH admits his career would have been better without all his personal problems.
- Doubts we get the Frampton vs. Quigg matchup.
- Since Mandalay Bay seats less than MGM and T&M, the Canelo vs. Cotto ticket likely will be a hard one to get. The Mandalay Bay will be fine for a venue as ODH-Trinidad and ODH-Vargas took place there and those where bigger fights.
- Boxing promoter wrote in and said: local fights are great for fight fans because seats are generally affordable, attendance is smaller so you can be closer, often times bigger named boxers are in the crowd, it is the feeder system to the bigger events, and they don't have the money or promotion - so they truly rely on fan support.
- A Fonfara vs. Stevenson rematch is possible, but Fonfara's next fight will be vs. Cleverly.
- Had ODH beating Whitaker. Was not a boxing writer at that time. Watched it on PPV.
- Worse decision: ODH-Trinidad or ODH-Mosley 2? They both stunk.
- Garcia KO11, Jacobs W12.
- Fights asked from a fan listed in terms of atmosphere: Mayweather-Hatton, Tito-Joppy, Pacquiao-Marales 2.
- No chance of Ward vs. Abraham 2. Ward already schooled him 12-0.
- Thinks Mayweather vs. Berto is a very hard sell. People are upset from paying $100 for the Pacquiao fight and there are two other good PPV's (Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemiuex) which could steal viewers. 750k buys would be a success for a Berto fight.
- Froch vs. Bute makes his top 10 list for best atmospheres.
- Doubts there is a Pascal-Gonzalez rematch. Not enough money and Pascal doesn't need the fight.
- Ward likely could be on Canelo-Cotto PPV.
- Flores made comments about not wanting to watch Chocolatito, yet Chocolatito's fight had better ratings.
- If he could prevent one fight from happening (past): Jesus Chavez vs. Leavander Johnson.
- If Tito didn't hit Vargas with low blows could the fight have turned out differently? Very possible.
- Cried during the Gatti-Ward documentary.
- Didn't score Shumenov-Flores, but thought Shumenov was the rightful winner.
- Most his comments are praising the GGG-Lemiuex PPV. Very few negative comments. No one has complained about the matchup itself.
- Possibly could start writing his "random boxing thoughts" again in the future.
- Does not know what Arum is talking about when he says Pacquiao may fight later this year. Does not think Pacquiao fights again this year.
- Filmed a mockumentary 30 for 30 on Rocky vs. Drago. Was done for collegehumor.com, and was told it would release end of July. Obviously did not happen. Could be released next month.
- Judah is not retired, but has nothing scheduled. Not with GB anymore.
- Linares will defend his title in October in Venezuela.
- Likes boxing weight class tournaments, if they make sense to do it.
- JMM has said he would like to fight one more time in Mexico City.
- He does not hate Stephen Espinoza and Stephen Espinoza doesn't hate him. They just don't agree all the time. Text several times this morning.
- Adamek for the HOF? No.
- Loves Beterbiev vs. Kovalev. Skeptical it happens.
- Would he rather see Beterbiev vs. Kovalev or Stevenson vs. Kovalev? Beterbiev vs. Kovalev.
- Centeno Jr. split with ODH's brother and signed with Haymon. Expect him back sooner than later.
- ESPN3 will air one undercard fight tomorrow at 7 pm.
- Maidana has said he has lost motivation since the Mayweather fight. He is going to start working himself back into shape (wants to be back in Garcia's gym on Aug/Sept) and see how his motivation goes. When he comes back he wants to fight a top opponent.
Dan Rafael's chat wrap 7/31:
- No interim or regular champion should be allowed to market themselves as "world champion".
- Ward vs. Kovalev thoughts? Kovalev isn't a fighter who has to have other fighters stand right in front of him. Ward won't run. He may move a lot, but he will fight. Ward would be his favorite to win, but Kovalev can beat anyone at 175 and under.
- Adonis Stevenson's resume has been embarrassing lately and Karpency doesn't help.
- Lack of enthusiasm for Kovalev in Las Vegas was expected. Duva mainly promotes on the East Coast and her getting further west is new for her and Kovalev needs to build a larger fan base. Give him 18 months and see what Kovalev as an attraction looks like as he gets promoted more across the country.
- Showtime says they will have some good stuff for the final 1/3 of the year. Thinks it may happen.
- Garcia just fought Peterson, that isn't soft matchmaking.
- Spoke with Huck last week and he wants to defend his title and set the CW record. Possibly a fight with RJJ. Then he would like to move up to HW and fight good opponents, possibly a rematch with Povetkin.
- Talked a lot with ODH lately and he is very focused on being committed to his business.
- Likely we see Bradley vs. Rios by the end of the year.
- Ali is Bradley's mandatory, but he does not have to take that fight next.
- Canelo vs. Cotto has everything, rivalry, personality, two great fighters, and hype.
- Loves GGG vs. Lemiuex. Perfect fight for both fighters and at the right time. Reminds him of how he felt when Trinidad vs. Vargas was announced.
- One reason why GGG vs. Lemiuex is on PPV is because HBO's budget possibly would not allow this fight on regular programming. PPV creates extra revenue.
- The deal made for the GGG vs. Lemiuex on PPV was based on 150k buys.
- Matthysse vs. Postol is another fight he is really excited to see.
- Canelo vs. Cotto is 100% on November 21.
- Schaefer's non compete agreement expires sometime in August...not on August 1.
- Picking Luke Campbell by KO.
- Skeptical Maidana fights this year.
- Thoughts on Mosley vs. Mayorga rematch? Meh.
- Has not heard who Wilder's next opponent will be, but has heard it likely will not be Arreola. Expect a no name.
- Based on what Crawford's team has told him, it is likely Cuenca or Jean will be his next opponent.
- Nothing new on Mikey Garcia. He considers him retired.
- Roman Gonzalez's manager told him they would like to fight Estrada on the GGG PPV. TR has talked about making Estrada vs. Viloria.
- More interesting GGG vs. Lemiuex or Mares vs. LSC? GGG vs. Lemiuex.
- Thought Gonzalez beat Pascal and would like to see him fight again.
- Will check out the Jhonson fight, but his fights are usually not exciting.
- Shane Mosley handles his own Twitter account. He has said some wild things lately that is not the Mosley that he knew.
- Luis Ortiz will be on GGG's undercard. They offered the fight to Bryant Jennings. Jennings has turned it down because it wasn't enough money.
- Thoughts on potential Floyd undercard fights? Groves-Jack, decent fight. Martinez-Salido 2, very entertaining. Smith-Vanes, bathroom break.
- Popo a HOF'er? No.
- Beterbiev has a very good chance to beat Kovalev.
- No issue with GGG's fight being on PPV. It will be reasonably priced, HBO wants to mold him into PPV credibility, and they will find out if people will pay to see GGG fight. Suspects it will be successful enough to make the PPV a success.
- Hopkins wants to fight Abraham. No actual talks have started.
- Hearn says Brook will fight again in October. He heard a rumor it was going to be Bundu, but Hearn told him it absolutely would not be.
- The winner of GGG-Lemiuex is the mandatory for Canelo-Cotto.
- Quillin can still make 160.
- Caballero has not recovered from foot surgery. He will fight Lee Haskins next, they agreed upon a negotiated deal. Possible it could appear on the Canelo-Cotto undercard.
- DiBella said the fight tomorrow at Barclay's is scaled to seat 6,000. He expects 5,000 to 5,500.
- Does not cheer during fights while in the press section. Something respectable journalists do not do.
- Unlikely that Porter's next fight is in Cleveland.
- The Andrade lawsuit against Roc Nation tells one side of the story. It is not necessarily fact.
- Trinidad vs. Joppy was one of the best atmospheres ever. The noise from the cowbells sticks in his mind.
- Does not like fighters who run, don't engage, hold, or just stink guys out (like Rigo).
- ODH admits his career would have been better without all his personal problems.
- Doubts we get the Frampton vs. Quigg matchup.
- Since Mandalay Bay seats less than MGM and T&M, the Canelo vs. Cotto ticket likely will be a hard one to get. The Mandalay Bay will be fine for a venue as ODH-Trinidad and ODH-Vargas took place there and those where bigger fights.
- Boxing promoter wrote in and said: local fights are great for fight fans because seats are generally affordable, attendance is smaller so you can be closer, often times bigger named boxers are in the crowd, it is the feeder system to the bigger events, and they don't have the money or promotion - so they truly rely on fan support.
- A Fonfara vs. Stevenson rematch is possible, but Fonfara's next fight will be vs. Cleverly.
- Had ODH beating Whitaker. Was not a boxing writer at that time. Watched it on PPV.
- Worse decision: ODH-Trinidad or ODH-Mosley 2? They both stunk.
- Garcia KO11, Jacobs W12.
- Fights asked from a fan listed in terms of atmosphere: Mayweather-Hatton, Tito-Joppy, Pacquiao-Marales 2.
- No chance of Ward vs. Abraham 2. Ward already schooled him 12-0.
- Thinks Mayweather vs. Berto is a very hard sell. People are upset from paying $100 for the Pacquiao fight and there are two other good PPV's (Canelo-Cotto and GGG-Lemiuex) which could steal viewers. 750k buys would be a success for a Berto fight.
- Froch vs. Bute makes his top 10 list for best atmospheres.
- Doubts there is a Pascal-Gonzalez rematch. Not enough money and Pascal doesn't need the fight.
- Ward likely could be on Canelo-Cotto PPV.
- Flores made comments about not wanting to watch Chocolatito, yet Chocolatito's fight had better ratings.
- If he could prevent one fight from happening (past): Jesus Chavez vs. Leavander Johnson.
- If Tito didn't hit Vargas with low blows could the fight have turned out differently? Very possible.
- Cried during the Gatti-Ward documentary.
- Didn't score Shumenov-Flores, but thought Shumenov was the rightful winner.
- Most his comments are praising the GGG-Lemiuex PPV. Very few negative comments. No one has complained about the matchup itself.
- Possibly could start writing his "random boxing thoughts" again in the future.
- Does not know what Arum is talking about when he says Pacquiao may fight later this year. Does not think Pacquiao fights again this year.
- Filmed a mockumentary 30 for 30 on Rocky vs. Drago. Was done for collegehumor.com, and was told it would release end of July. Obviously did not happen. Could be released next month.
- Judah is not retired, but has nothing scheduled. Not with GB anymore.
- Linares will defend his title in October in Venezuela.
- Likes boxing weight class tournaments, if they make sense to do it.
- JMM has said he would like to fight one more time in Mexico City.
- He does not hate Stephen Espinoza and Stephen Espinoza doesn't hate him. They just don't agree all the time. Text several times this morning.
- Adamek for the HOF? No.
- Loves Beterbiev vs. Kovalev. Skeptical it happens.
- Would he rather see Beterbiev vs. Kovalev or Stevenson vs. Kovalev? Beterbiev vs. Kovalev.
- Centeno Jr. split with ODH's brother and signed with Haymon. Expect him back sooner than later.
- ESPN3 will air one undercard fight tomorrow at 7 pm.
- Maidana has said he has lost motivation since the Mayweather fight. He is going to start working himself back into shape (wants to be back in Garcia's gym on Aug/Sept) and see how his motivation goes. When he comes back he wants to fight a top opponent.
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