Between the cockiness, the flaunting of wealth, the drama with his father, the two year retirement and his recent gun issues, Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. has created quite an image. Outside the ring.
For all of the hoopla that comes with the undefeated champion (40-0, 25 KO's) he is rarely tested and continuously dominates his opponents.
He is faster with his first punch. He is slicker with his counters. He is more selective in terms of timing his strike. He is the most elusive fighter today. He is tremendously fit.
"Money" made a world-class fighter look amateur. Yes, Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1) is obviously smaller and lighter. Yup, two years ago he was fighting at 130 lbs. Still, Marquez climbed two weight classes to compete against Mayweather and get paid. But in doing so, he was dominated.
Mayweather's jab won the fight on its own. He landed nearly sixty percent of his punches, while Marquez connected on only twelve percent. Each round grew more lopsided for Marquez, with only brief moments of success. After being knocked down in the second round, he did all he could to get through rounds. Jab after jab, and the occasional left hook controlled the fight for Mayweather. All while remaining committed to the low, defensive stance he has used his entire career.
There was a clear weight advantage. Mayweather was bigger, four pounds heavier to be exact. He missed weight, took a $600k fine and never re-weighed in. Therefore, the time after weigh-in, (when fighters often balloon up due to water intake) likely added even more to the differential between the two fighters.
Because of this, Mayweather was never in danger of losing a round, let alone threatened to be knocked out by Marquez.
Number 40, check.
Next up?
The world of boxing wants Manny Pacquiao.
However, before the biggest potential match-up can be inked and money percentages negotiated, Pacman needs to pass a formidable test in Miguel Cotto (34-1). A fighter who has a lot to prove after receiving his only loss to Antonio Margarito and those plaster-filled gloves. Likely the best fight in 2009, Cotto and Pacquiao will face off November 14th in Las Vegas. Winner gets Mayweather and a payday like no other.
Mayweather got his tune up fight out of the way, next will be a fighter sure to challenge him more. Weather it is Pacman, Cotto or even Shane Mosley, Pretty Boy Floyd's next bout will be a true test. At 32-years old there are only so many fights left. Does he want to fight Pacquiao and then retire for good? Does he want to squeeze in Mosley and then the winner of the November fight? Or does he love getting paid so much that he continues to pick smaller opponents that will never threaten his flawless record. Luckily for Mayweather, the ball is in his court.
For his entire career, Mayweather has toyed with his opponents. He has dominated with speed, smarts and strategic defense. He has talked and talked and talked, but always backed it up.
Pacquiao never talks. He just backs it up with powerful inside body shots and lightning quick hooks (ask Ricky Hatton). He is humble, respectful and beloved throughout the Philippines as an ambassador.
Am I looking forward to a potential match-up between these two opposites?
Just a little.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Patience Wears Blue & Orange
It has been many years since my New York Knicks have been competitive. Last year, under first year coach Mike D'Antoni, the team opened the season playing hard, determined ball (I was in attendance when NY beat a Deron Williams-less Utah Jazz team). However, the hot start and the level of play quickly vanished after Donnie Walsh traded away Jamal Crawford, Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins. At that point, the Knicks were a top-8 team in the east and a realistic playoff contender (to get in anyway). The new roster eventually included Al Harrington, Larry Hughes, Chris Wilcox and Tim Thomas. Not only did playoff positioning go out the window, but it became hard to connect with a team with so many new faces (coach, GM, listed players).
Or, both free agents may be forced to settle for qualifying offers, which would be in the neighborhood of $3 million.
This was the best thing that could have ever happened.
The Knicks were getting too comfortable giving out large contracts to average players and making lopsided trade offers that not only crippled any long term flexibility, but yielded projects, not guarantees. By making this move early in 2008, it took a first step to erase the poor moves of the previous front office. In doing so, Walsh checked off the first task on his "make the Knicks respectable again" list: Find ways to create available money for the FA class of 2010. Knicks fans are smart and they love the game. We understand sacrificing now, for the opportunity to contend tomorrow.
The mishmash Knick team of 2008 would finish with 51 losses. Yikes. Were there signs of promise, potential and eventual development? Sort of. David Lee finished second in the NBA in double doubles, behind only Dwight Howard. Chris Duhon proved to be a solid team leader and unselfish court general, averaging over seven assists a game. His promising numbers unfortunately would be overshadowed by a lack of stamina (2008 was his first year playing starter minutes) that took away from his burn later in the season. DePaul product Wilson Chandler may have been the biggest emergence on the roster. He doubled his points per game from his rookie campaign and also recorded solid percentages from all parts of the court. Chandler's potential is clear following a solid season and it may keep him around for years to come. Nasty N8 is always hit or miss. He is a modern day Vinny "The Microwave" Johnson. Can get you 20 points in a quarter, block Yao Ming or finish a game with eight turnovers. I am okay with Robinson, I just wish he would lose the attitude.
Eddy Curry was a non-factor last year, Jarred Jefferies played a similar role, Stephon Marbury lost his mind and first-round pick Danilo Gallinari was never himself due to back issues. So, despite the few players that did impress, the team overall had issues.
New York entered this summer's NBA draft with their hearts set on Davidson star Stephen Curry. A young man with a killer J, smart basketball IQ, clutch performances and the added bonus of a relationship with LeBron James. However, Curry was selected one spot before New York hit the clock. The front office settled for Arizona big man Jordan Hill. The pick wasn't what fans throughout the MSG audience were hoping for and acquiring Tony Douglas 29th overall didn't do much to help either. The Knicks would make one other draft day move. After the Memphis Grizzlies drafted UCONN center Hasheem Thabeet second overall it allowed them to get rid of a backup at the same position. The Knicks would trade Quentin Richardson to Memphis for Darko Milicic. The NYK would leave draft night with two big men and a solid point guard. No Curry.
Since the draft the Knicks have had two major issues to address before the 2009-2010 season begins. David Lee and Nate Robinson both want lengthy extensions with raises.
Lee's initial asking price was 4-plus years at twelve million per. Donnie Walsh wasn't feeling this and essentially allowed Lee to talk with other teams. Only a few teams (Portland was involved but not at twelve) showed interest, which has lowered the perceived value of the former Florida Gator. With the preseason quickly approaching it appears Lee will be offered no more than a 1-year deal to stay in New York in the neighborhood of $7 million.
This is exactly what happened to Ben Gordon in Chicago last year. After not being offered a contract he felt he deserved, Gordon played through the 2008 season and led the Bulls in scoring for the third consecutive season. Gordon, who was the first rookie to ever win the sixth man award, bolted to Detroit upon signing a 5-year, $55 million contract.
Robinson wants to stay in New York, he recently declined a two-year, $10 million offer from the Greek club Olympiakos. The New York Times reports he is likely to sign a one year deal for about the same money to stay in MSG.
Or, both free agents may be forced to settle for qualifying offers, which would be in the neighborhood of $3 million.
The Knicks have spoke for weeks with Milwaukee Bucks guard Ramon Sessions. A young player who has lots of upside and excellent passing abilities. He is asking for $16 million over four years, which if offered, would eliminate the Robinson signing and vice versa.
Personally if the Knicks only wanted to sign a guard for a one year deal, so to keep cap space open for the potential signing of a star in 2010, why no offer to Allen Iverson? He signed this morning with the Memphis Grizzles (not with Larry Brown in Charlotte), but would have likely preferred MSG. A one year deal, for an upcoming season where the Knicks likely won't be extremely competitive, why not bring in AI to sell tickets and excite the NYC fans. Just sayin'.
Entering the 2009 campaign, the Knicks have a nucleus of Duhon, Douglas, Chandler, Gallo, Harrington, Milicic, Hill and assumed signings of Lee and Robinson. All solid players that float around average. Not exactly the star studded depth charts a team may need to lure a mega star to NYC. However, take LBJ off the Cavs and compare the two teams...Knicks aren't that different.
There will be almost two dozen high quality players available a year from now. The Knicks have put themselves in position to sign at least one, if not more of these stud players. If Walsh is able to somehow package Jefferies and Curry into deals before the coming season ends, it would open up even more available money. I don't know if LBJ or Wade (who has already expressed zero interest in joining Knicks) will pan out, but Joe Johnson, Manu and Amar'e might.
Or, if by chance 2010 doesn't yield all the riches Knick fans are hoping for, we can turn our attention toward Kevin Durant in 2011.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A legend.
I know this video clip is not directly sports related, if at all. However, my buddy John Doyle (the kid jumping) is very athletic and clearly was utilizing his athleticism to attempt this leap. For the record, the gap he tried to clear was about 12 feet and none of us thought he had a chance. I love John, he is a legend and a friend for life. I don't know too many people that would volunteer to jump over a fountain at a park with hundreds of people walking through. I laugh every time I watch this and I hope you get a chuckle too, John won't mind.
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