Dan Rafael chat wrap 5/20:
Canelo - GGG:
- Canelo said very clearly he would face GGG at 160. Loeffler said catchweights or rehydration clauses weren't even discussed in negotiations so far (question in regards to GGG weight). Besides, Canelo rehydrates more than GGG.
- If Canelo vs. GGG does not get made, suspects that Canelo will fight Lemieux to get used to 160. Lemieux has stated he will not fight below 160, he physically cannot make weight any lower.
- Believes the WBA will let the Canelo-GGG situation play out a bit more before they order GGG-Jacobs. Jacobs already has a July 30th fight scheduled.
- Heard from GB about his article detailing the negotiations and his opinion on them. They understand it isn't personal and understood what he wrote. They had one issue with the article (but didn't say what it was).
- Hoping that Canelo demands ODH to make the fight.
- If Canelo fought Lemieux next, it would be on PPV.
- Outside chance Cotto fights Canelo in the fall. If not Cotto may still try and make a fight with JMM (fight would be around 150 lbs).
- GGG will not be moving up to 168 any time soon. He makes 160 easily and still has plenty of things to accomplish there, he wants to unify the division and break Hopkin's defense record. There also isn't any fights at 168 that fans are demanding more than any fights at 160.
- Does any current MW have a good chance to beat GGG? No.
- Believes that even if Canelo lost to GGG it doesn't hurt his brand as much as many think. ODH lost many big fights and his star power was fine. As long as Canelo didn't get blown out in a couple rounds (which he thinks would not happen), then Canelo would get credit for taking a tough fight.
- His stance on Canelo/GGG/Khan. Had no problem with Canelo-Khan because Canelo negotiated an interim with GGG. But Canelo knew the GGG fight was expected after Khan. If you need another fight after Khan, you deserve to be criticized.
- If ODH and Canelo feel like the business side of the fight isn't right (risk too big or want it to marinate) they should just say that is the reason the fight isn't happening. Quit giving us B.S. answers.
- Does not believe Canelo vs. Lemieux is a bad fight...just not the fight we want to see.
- ODH claims they will still talk to K2 about making the fight and K2 said they are open to hearing what GB has to say.
- Possibility for GGG vs. Eubank Jr. in the fall? Highly unlikely.
- How late could negotiations go before a Sept. Canelo vs. GGG fight cannot be made? Early July.
- How many Mexican fighters have given up the WBC belt without changing weight class or retiring? Can only think of Canelo.
- We cannot call it a duck by Canelo yet.
- The worst part of Canelo's situation is that he called out GGG on TV and so far hasn't backed any of it up.
- Canelo does not lose his MW lineal title as long as he continues to fight at 155, because that is a MW.
- Charlo brother's vs. Canelo? Doubtful with the political divide.
- Will Canelo fight GGG? Eventually yes.
The rest of boxing:
- If Haymon and Arum can start doing fights together, Featherweight and Welterweight has some real good opportunities.
- Thoughts on the Arum vs. Haymon lawsuit? Believes Arum filed the suit to scare off Haymon's investors so PBC would go bankrupt. Once Waddell & Reed were released from the lawsuit, it appeared that Arum lost interest. The settlement is confidential, but if he had to guess believes that it likely was that both sides agree to stop the lawsuit and pay their own legal fees.
- Will PBC have a network paying them good money to show cards by the end of the year? No.
- Next big fight? Entirely possibly Wilder could fight Klitschko if he beats Fury. And still likely the Thurman-Porter winner could get Garcia.
- It does not look good for Fury with his weight gain.
- Why isn't Fury a top PFP fighter? Because his one big win appeared flukey and a guy like Klitchsko dominated for a long time.
- Picking Lara, both Charlo's and Lebedev.
- Which Charlo is better? To him they are pretty much the same.
- Would love BoxNation to be available in the US, but right now doubts it happens.
- HBO did have extra money from Mayweather-Pacquiao (about $10 million), which they reinvested into Canelo-Kirkland on regular HBO and brining Wlad to the US to fight Jennings. That money is gone. Since then there have been budget cuts that happened after Nelson took over and is sure he was surprised to have that happen.
- The winner of Vargas vs. Brook fighting Bradley? Good fight.
- Vargas vs. Brook should take place either Aug. 20, 27, or Sept. 3 at Brammal Lane in Sheffield.
- Arum said HBO is interested in Showing Vargas vs. Brook. The rights wouldn't be too expensive.
- Broner vs. Garcia is an interesting fight. Suppose a lot depends on Broner's legal issues.
- What is next for Wilder is totally up in the air at this point. Too bad because it would have been a good fight. Was leaning towards Wilder by KO.
- Sammy Vasquez vs. Lamont Peterson? Peterson wins easily.
- Heard that Peterson likely will fight in August at the DC Armory with his brother on the card.
- Could Anthony Joshua sell tickets in the US? Yes, he could sell a lot.
- Joshua vs. Haye? I would watch that.
- Parker vs. Takam? Parker by KO.
- Believes Charlo-Trout should be the main event. Lara vs. Vanes is a bad fight.
- Should Glen Tapia retire? Probably.
- The recent news from NY's commission worries him about the future of boxing in NY, although he does believe the legislation will get fixed.
- Who will Danny Jacobs fight in July? Someone mediocre who fits the budget.
- Fighters who jumped up 2 weight classes and won a belt? RJJ, Hopkins, SRL, and Inoue.
- Thoughts on Callum Smith? Tremendous potential, thinks he wins a world title someday.
- Nothing official on DeGale vs. Jack. Showtime says it should take place in September.
- Kovalev did not duck Stevenson on the purse bid. That situation was far more complicated to be called a duck.
- Bigger star: Tyson or ODH? Tyson.
- Abel Sanchez told him that Gassiev was manhandling HW's in sparring and that he would KO Shimmell within 1 or 2 rounds.
- Winner of Leonard vs. Hagler? Leonard.
- Emanuel Steward would be disgusted in the competition Stevenson has chosen to fight since winning the title.
- Mancini vs. Pryor? Pryor. Not even a close fight.
- Where is JCC? Probably smoking dope, eating ding dongs, in pink undies.
- Molina vs. Provodnikov? Should be a war, but Molina is basically shot and Provodnikov should win.
- Favorite Teddy Atlas metaphor? Water in the basement.
- Still not sure if Ward gets another fight before Kovalev.