Dan Rafael chat wrap 1/23:
- There is no contract written up, as far as he knows between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Just a checklist of things that need to be agreed upon that they are working through.
- Wilder was impressive vs. Stiverne, but still needs a lot of work to challenge Wlad.
- Canelo-Kirkland is all but done. ODH has said Kirkland has signed and he is working on Canelo's side. Fight will be at 155 lbs.
- Alvarado is a better boxer and does not want to lose at home again, but he thinks Rios has more left in him. Predicting a draw.
- Khan-Pacquiao is not out of the question, although difficult to make.
- Does not know if Showtime can opt out of Floyd's deal if he were to lose. Floyd has an opt out, but is not sure how it can be executed.
- BHop wants to fight before the end of June.
- ODH is working on Linares-Gamboa for the first part of this year.
- Believes it is very likely Jermain Taylor will never fight again. If his belt is stripped it will be up for grabs in a fight of N'Dam vs. next IBF contender.
- People have mentioned to him they think Taylor may have CTE.
- Alvarez vs. GGG in 2015? No.
- He thinks Floyd fights May 2 in Vegas on PPV (not vs. Manny) and Canelo fights Kirkland in San Antonio on May 2 on regular HBO.
- Would not be surprised to see Thurman-Porter made.
- The Alabama commission thought a Wilder fight in Tuscaloosa would be big.
- Wilder will be allowed one optional opponent before facing his mandatory: Perez-Povetkin.
- Believes that HBO asked GB not to announce Kirkland-Canelo until the Manny-Floyd negotiations play out. If Canelo-Kirkland is officially announced and Mayweather-Pacquiao has not been announced, expect the Manny-Floyd fight to not happen.
- One big sign that Floyd-Manny is not happening is the negotiations taking place through the press. Deals are rarely made that way.
- No idea who will be the NBC ring announcer.
- Does not see GB or TR buying airtime like Haymon.
- Crawford vs. Pacquiao late 2015? Might be too soon, but possible.
- PBC could award their own belts. Any organization can award belts. It wouldnt be a surprise if they did that in the future, like the UFC.
- Some estimate Haymon's investors have given him $100 million. With the slots they are buying they can sell commercial time, but estimates show that will barely or may not cover costs. Still not sure how Haymon intends to make money. It could be by securing ratings and then getting NBC to bid on his programming (like the UFC).
- Having Garcia-Peterson not be for the belt is disappointing, but still an exciting fight.
- He hopes PBC's endeavors force ESPN to invest in boxing more.
- If not Mayweather for Pacquiao who else could be mentioned? Provodnikov, Khan, and Matthysse.
- Still believes Manny-Floyd negotiations have been a charade and the fight wont be made...although he would like to be wrong.
- Imam showed he was talented and just needs opportunities.
- Brian Kenny was not on the Showtime broadcast because his contract ran out in 2014. He has been offered a new one, but is weighing his options.
- It is possible that Kenny could become involved in the NBC or Spike broadcasts.
- Fights that never happened, but should have: Tyson-Douglas 2 and Holmes-Foreman.
- Suspects Schaefer will be back in boxing before the end of the year.
- Believes JCC-Fonfara happens, despite TR's lawsuit.
- Is Floyd keeping quiet to announce a fight vs. Manny around the Super Bowl? Possible, but skeptical.
- Chris Arreola will be back around March.
- Fans at a recent Clippers game Mayweather attended chanted: Fight Pacquiao.
- If negotiating with Arum is a hang up, Floyd could negotiate this fight without ever talking or seeing Arum.
- Brook-Dan is a solid fight. Dan rates just outside his top 10 at 147.
- Expect Danny Jacobs to be on NBC sooner rather than later.
- After Murray, Lemieux is a very strong possibility for GGG.
- Expect to see Verdejo on HBO in the second half of this year.
- Thinks Gilberto Ramirez can be as big as Canelo.
