Hello, Mr. Mark. Thanks for your questions:
1. "Do you think George Foreman will fight again?" and 2. "Are you finally sick of seeing Vinnie Pazienda fight?"
A: I can answer both of these questions, initially, with an old saying. I'm a former light heavyweight myself (non-pro), but we used to say, "The last thing a fighter loses is his punch." That's why they stick around too long - plus, even though it's among the most demanding sports imaginable, you make a LOT of money "per hour." ;)
With regard to Foreman: I hope he doesn't fight again, and not because he'd definitely lose. No, in fact, I think he might win, and that'd be bad for all the older guys - or lousy fighters - who don't know when to quit. In the early nineties, George had spoken about fighting Tyson which, in my opinion, would NOT have been a pretty picture. I doubt we'll see George step in the ring in other than a tuxedo ever again, but money talks.
Vinnie Pazienza. I think he should hang it up, to be honest. In fact, I think being knocked out by Roy Jones, Jr. in 1995 should have ended what then would have been a 12 year career. But, like I said previously, as long as they have the punch, even if everything falls apart around them, many fighters don't know when to say when.
3. "Who's going to clean Prince Naseem Hamed's clock?"
A: Hmmm. If anyone has a chance, it will be Erik Morales - they fight later this year, I can't remember what month. I personally don't hate the Prince, and I find his weird, off balance style interesting, but I can do without the bump and grind.
4. "Will Andrew Golota ever acquire the discipline to go all the way?"
A: My opinion: the guy has no heart. He should have finished Grant off when he had the chance in the first round last year and saved me $500 to see Lennox Lewis affirm what many suspected and I didn't want to believe: that Grant has a glass jaw. Nonetheless, I predict - with no major effort, LOL - that Golota will never, ever, wear a Championship belt, but will be there for those on their way up to one for at least a few more years. I'm personally waiting for a Tyson-Golota fight one day.
5. "Did Angel Manfredy ever face Johnny Tapia?"
A: They have never fought since Tapia started his pro career in 1988. However, if you'd like, I can email Johnny and ask him if that's in the plans. PM me.
6: "Ron Lyle vs. Larry Holmes: how many knockdowns?"
A: Ouch, I don't even remember them fighting, to be honest. I do know that Ron Lyle retired in 1980, then came BACK in 1995 - again, that "punch" that never leaves - to fight 4 bouts, of which, at age 53, he knocked 3 of the competitors out in two rounds and the fourth in the fourth.
7. "Did Tony Ayala resume his career after getting out of prison?"
A: Yes he did. Since he got out last August, he fought three times, winning all three. From what I've read, the first two were warm-up fighs, KO's both in the 3rd and 4th rounds, respectively, and the third, in December, was against Meneffe, a very experienced fighter who Ayala stopped in the 8th. So, he's back in the sport.
8. "Do you remember Mike Rossman?"
A: Ugh, not offhand. Sorry. Should I?
9. "Do you think Roy Jones Jr. is the best pound for pound fighter out there right now?"
A: Well, that depends. I personally rate fighters on their power, speed, "artfulness," toughness, and "thirst for blood," which puts Roy Jones Jr. in my top 5 list. Along with him are Oscar De La Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Mike Tyson, and Arturo Gatti.
Thanks, Mr. Mark. Feel free to ask other questions or to savagely pummel my answers :)
LPS5 |
