Dave Smith

With reports that both fighters will make $60M, it’s hard to imagine why Floyd Mayweather allowed a deadline to pass to make a fight with Manny Pacquiao. From what I’ve read, Pacman has agreed to be urine tested, blood tested and examined extensively; so why won’t the Pretty Boy sign on the dotted line?….

It can’t be money, because a $60M payday would brek all boxing records. It doesn’t seem to be the drug testing issue, unless Floyd demands around the clock, 24/7 testing all the way up to fight time….

Could it be that Mayweather is so determined to be his own man and call the shots that he will not agree to any deadlines or demands? Or does he simply not want the fight?….

He knows this fight is what boxing needs and evidently is gambling he can stretch this thing all the way to 2011. The problem is neither one of these guys is getting any younger and Mayweather is playing a very dangerous game….

What if Manny loses to either Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto, who are rumored to be in line to replace Floyd? Both are dangerous and it will also be Pacman’s first fight at 154 lbs. A loss and Mayweather can kiss that $60M goodbye….

It’s funny how time changes things, because a year or two ago a Pacquiao-Margarito fight seemed inconceivable. The Tijuana Tornado had just knocked out Cotto and seemed like the strongest man on earth….

When I asked Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach if he’d allow Manny to fight Margarito, he replied “I’m brave, but not that brave.”….

Almost everyone in boxing believed Margarito would crush Pacman and the fight would never happen….

But after Antonio was caught cheating and then knocked out by Shane Mosley, everything changed dramatically. Margarito received a one year suspension for illegally placing plaster in his wraps and fell off the boxing map….

Now, then less than two years later, Pacquiao will be a heavy favorite if they fight….

This should be a lesson and Floyd to sign a contract, collect his $60M and make history. In my opinion, it will be an easy night for Mayweather and he’ll knock out Pacquiao in the late rounds….

The Pretty Boy is too quick, too slick and has too much boxing skill for Manny….

True, Pacquiao is a great fighter, but a look at his record shows no wins against world class, black American fighters. Almost everyone he fights (Barrera, Morales, Cotto, Clottey, etc) come forward and are easy to hit. He’s never seen the side-to-side movement, defense and hand speed Mayweather will display….

Hell, Juan Manuel Marquez gave Pacman two boxing lessons in their disputed fights and both Cotto and Clottey busted up his face….

Memo to Floyd Mayweather:

What if you’re correct about Pacquiao’s steroid use and the truth is revealed after the Cotto or Margarito fight? What if either you or Pacman suffers a career-threatening injury? What if Team Mayweather is on one of their notorious strip club adventures and some Pacman Jones trouble breaks out? What if Manny loses his next fight? What if the economy continues to tank and a year from now people simply cannot afford to buy Pacquiao-Mayweather? What if boxing fans simply lose patience with your stalling, the fight loses steam and interest wanes?

If any of this happens, your chance-of-a-lifetime payday is gone and you’ll be reduced to fighting second-rate fighters for chump change.

Remember the highly anticipated Lennox Lewis-Riddick Bowe heavyweight championship fight, which was supposed to happen around 15 years ago? After endless negotiating and posturing, Bowe called a press conference and threw his WBC Championship belt in a trash can. Both guys would have made $30M, but they threatened, stalled, delayed, fought over money and the fight never happened….

Bowe then slipped into oblivion after his two foul-plagued fights with Andrew Golota, battles with weight and family issues….

Lewis, on the other hand, became the gretaest heavyweight of his era and went on to fame and fortune. But looking back, I’m sure he wishes the Bowe fight happened; because would have won and earned the biggest payday of his career….

All of this should be a lesson to Floyd and his team. Sign the contract, do the fight and make your $60M. Things can change quickly and all this posturing could blow up in your face….

If just one thing goes wrong, your career could disintegrate overnight….

Tremendous win at the British Open for Louis Oosthuizen, as the young South African blitzed the field, finished at -16 and won by seven strokes….

But nobody should finish a major at -16, especially at legendary St. Andrews. This is not the Greater Greensboro or Palm Desert, it’s supposed to be one of the toughest courses in the world with the worst conditions….

Evidently, modern equipment and more athletic players have brought the course to its knees and it’s time for organizers to make some changes. Too many players were posting good scores and -16 is completely unacceptable. And 43 players finishing under par is also troubling….

Majors are supposed to be about the most challenging courses imagineable and par should be an excellent round. Instead, St. Andrews played more like your local public course….

Time to grow the grass, narrow the fairways, lengthen the holes and add more pot bunkers….

I watch majors to see the greatest players in the world struggling to make par, not play pitch-and-putt….

Watching Manny Pacquiao systematically take apart Miguel Cotto Saturday night was fascinating. I know Manny is the better fighter and was heavily favored, but just turn back the clock a year and remember how the “small” and “outgunned” Pacman, according to the “experts,” had no chance to win against Oscar De La Hoya….

Remember, Manny had just one fight at 135 lbs and was now moving all the way to 147 to challenge Oscar; who was expected to swat Pacquiao like a fly. The Golden Boy was heavily favored and I licked my chops at the prospect of loading up on Manny….

I picked Pacman to dominate the fight and win by knockout, for two reasons:

1) I was at the Home Depot Center for Oscar’s last fight, a struggle against journeyman Steve Forbes. Not only did the small, light-hitting Forbes hang in there with Oscar, he busted him up; bruising the Golden Boy’s face. Forbes lost the decision, but I knew Oscar was shot and would get destroyed by the next quality opponent he faced.

2) Yes, Manny was smaller than Oscar, but his move up in weight would take a lot less out of him than De La Hoya having to come down. Pacman was quicker, stronger, younger, in better shape and been fighting regularly. Oscar, on the other hand, was old, slow and a shadow of his former self. He also hadn’t been fighting and I knew from the Forbes fight he’d be an easy target. I went on the air, picked Pacquiao to win by a 10th round K.O. and begged my listeners to load up and make some money.

Manny then proceeded to knock Oscar out in the 8th round, after dispensing one of the worst beatings I’ve ever seen. De La Hoya was completely outclassed from the opening bell and a punching bag the rest of the fight….

One thing which impressed me about the Golden Boy that night was his willingness to absorb a savage beating and his ability to take a punch. Sure, his corner made him quit on his stool after Round Eight, but it was the proper and humane call. There was no reason to take further punishment and people who criticized De La Hoya were wrong….

I also believe Pacquiao would have beaten Oscar when both were in their primes. Certainly it would have been much more difficult to deal with a young De La Hoya, but Pacquiao is simply a better fighter. Even at Welterweight, Pacman hit harder, threw better combinations, possessed better hand speed and was much more disciplined in his training and personal life….

So it was no suprise that Pacquiao stopped Cotto Saturfay night….

But can you imagine people’s reaction had this fight been signed before Pacman fought Oscar? People wouldn’t have given Manny a chance and been criticizing Freddie Roach for accepting a fight with the much bigger Cotto….

Just a year later, Manny goes into the ring heavily favored and procees to destroy Miguel….

For the first four rounds, this was a great fight, with neither fighter giving an inch and both landing hard shots. Bert Sugar called the early rounds “another Hearns-Hagler” and he wasn’t too far off….

But from that point on, it was all Pacman. After giving Cotto a terrible beating in Round 9, Miguel’s corner wanted to stop the fight, but the strong-willed and courageous Puerto Rican would have none of it and walked out to take a further ass whipping….

By Round 12, Cotto was defenseless and referee Kenny Bayless mercifully stopped the fight….

All that’s left now, of course, is to match Pacquiao with Floyd Mayweather, who’s 40-0 and a great fighter. In my opinion, this fight will break the all-time PPV record and help bring boxing back to its rightful place as a major sport….

If you give fans the fights they want, boxing is healthy again….

So who wins Pacman-Pretty Boy? I know Floyd isn’t getting any younger and doesn’t fight enough, but I like Mayweather by unanimous decision. He has better boxing skill than Manny, is probably quicker and will dance circles around him all night….

Remember, Pacquiao has never faced a great, black fighter and will be in for a shock when he faces Floyd. Everyone Pacman has fought has come straight at him and been easy targets. Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Cotto are all slower than Manny and there to be hit….

Yes, Manny is very fast, but in there with those guys he’s going to look much quicker. Let’s see how he deals with a guy like Mayweather, who has incredible reflexes, hand speed and boxing skill….

Is Manny as fast as Floyd? No. Does he possess Mayweather’s boxing skill? No. Will he be able to walk through the Pretty Boy, impose his will and stop him? Maybe, but I don’t think so….

I think Floyd will move around the ring, pop Manny with combinations, move away and frustrate the hell out of him. Remember, Marquez outboxed Pacquiao over 24 rounds and many people thought Juan Manuel won both fights. So if Marquez can outbox Manny, what’s Mayweather going to do to him?….

I know I sound like a hater when I question boxing “experts” falling all over themselves praising Manny for his winning a “record” seven world championships in different weight classes, but we have to put it in perspective….

Sure, winning titles from Flyweight to Welterweight is remarkable and unprecedented. And getting stronger with each move up in weight is something unheard of. Nobody is questioning Pacquiao’s greatness, but in this era of multiple weight classes and sanctioing bodies it needs to be examined closely….

In reality, Manny could have titles in nine weight clesses, because he went straight from Flyweight to Super Bantamweight. Had he stopped at Super Flyweight and Bantamweight along the way, he would have easily picked up rwo more belts….

Without a doubt, what Henry Armstrong did was more impressive; holding the undisputed Featherweight, Lightweght and Welterweight world titles simultaneously. Since there were only eight weight classes back then, he held nearly 40% of the championship belts at the same time….

While holding all three belts, Armstrong came to Los Angeles to challenge Ceferino Garcia for the Middlewright Championship. Evidently the fix was in, as it was arranged the referee would be the only one scoring the fight. I have the tape of this match, which was sent to me by the two grandsons of Henry Armstrong….

Henry dominated the fight and won easily, but allegedly was told he needed to knock out Garcia to win. After the final bell, the referee walked over to Garcia, raised his hand and rushed out of the ring. It was absurd and Armstrong was robbed of the Middleweight Championship. Had the fight been honest, Henry would have won and held 50% of all the title belts….

Manny, on the other hand, has never been an undisputed champion in any weight class and three of his titles titles are in “Super” or “Junior” divisions, which shouldn’t exist and don’t count….

So while giving all credit to Manny for his great career, his titles in seven weight classes don’t compare to the old timers….

But he is the modern day Henry Armstrong, which is the highest compliment you can get….

Finally, as much interest as there will be in Pacquiao-Mayweather, neither is the best fighter in the Welterweight division. Paul Williams, the 6’2″ southpaw freak of nature, would beat either one of them and is the true champion. In a perfect and just world, the Punisher would be the one fighting Pacquiao or Mayweather; or at least be guaranteed to fight the winner….

But he’s not going to get either fight, for two reasons: 1) He’s too good amd 2) Nobody’s ever heard of him and it wouldn’t sell nearly as well as Pacman-Pretty Boy….

Unfortunately, Williams is going to be avoided like he has the swine flu….

This morning, I read all the “experts” predictions on the Lakers-Rockets series and only one is picked Houston to win. So here’s the question: Is this A) Simply a pick to look like a genius or B) An informed opinion based on the fact the Rockets legitimately have a chance to pull off the upset?….

My vote would be B….

While my pick is the Lakers in six, Houston certainly poses a threat and can win the series if Andrew Bynum continues his poor play and the Laker point guards can’t stay in front of Aaron Brooks….

Plus, the Rockets have two players who can effectively guard Kobe Bryant: Shane Battier and Ron Artest….

Finally, Yao Ming has improved greatly over his career and become a force on both ends of the floor. If he’s having his way with Bynum and the Lakers are forced to guard him with Pao Gasol, the Lakers could be going home early…..

In my opinion, the Lakers are deeper, more talented and have the game’s best finisher in Kobe…. Which hopefully will be the difference….

In the East, most of the attention will be on the Celtics-Magic series, which began last night. Despite the abscence of Kevin Garnett, I like Boston….

As good as Dwight Howard is, he’s a limited offensive player and can be slowed down by a team with a good defensive scheme. Sure, he’s a monster, but has no post moves, can’t make his free throws and needs the ball passed to him to be effective….

As for his teammates, they’re all soft jump shooters who will not like the physical stuff the Celtics will bring…. Celtics in seven….

Good to see Ricky Hatton lounging poolside at the MGM Grand on Sunday morning, just hours after he was brutally knocked out by Manny Pacquiao….

On Saturday night, I feared for his life as he lay motionless on the canvas for several minutes after taking a straight left flush on the jaw….

The next morning, however, he was poolside with a hot blonde in a black bikini, without a mark on his face…. Plus, he made a reported $12M for his trouble….

Sounds like a good deal to me….

Fighters rarely suffer permanent damage when knocked out early with one shot, as Hatton was Saturday night. The real damage comes when you take a prolonged beating over several rounds….

The frightening beating Oscar De La Hoya took from Pacquiao last year is what causes long term damage….

The Golden Boy showed an excellent chin and lots of courage in that fight…..

Maybe too much….

The word is that Oscar was having convulsions and throwing up in the hospital afterwards, which convinced him to retire and count his money….

I’d much rather get blown out early than take a horrendous beating for eight rounds….

By the way, it’s way too early to talk about Pacquiao-Mayweather in the fall, because the Pretty Boy has a very tough opponent on July 18th in Juan Manuel Marquez…

Marquez is a great fighter, who won the majority of the 24 rounds in his two fights with the Pacman…. He got a draw in the first fight and lost a controversial split decision in the rematch; which had boxing fans clamoring for a third meeting….

Our own Steve Kim, by the way, had Marquez winning both fights….

Yes, Marquez has to come up to 144 lbs. for the Mayweather fight, which will be 10 lbs. more than he’s ever weighed, but in his last fight he knocked out former lightweight champion Juan Diaz with a textbook uppercut and looked as good as ever….

There’s not a better pure boxer in the sport and Marquez throws combinations other fighters don’t even attempt….

If Pacquiao is the #1 ponnd-for-pound fighter in the world, Marquez is probably second….

I like Floyd to get on his bicycle and outbox the smaller JMM, but it will not be easy and he could lose….

To their credit, it’s a very smart move by Team Mayweather, because you simply cannot go into a fight with a wrecking machine like Pacquiao after a two year layoff. The Pretty Boy needs a tough fight to prepare for Manny, and Marquez is a perfect choice….

Because if he can’t beat a lightweight moving up two divisions, he’d get destroyed by Pacman….