Dan Rafael chat wrap 2/12:
- Matthysse vs. Provodnikov 2 is a great fight, but it won't be happening anytime soon.
- Zero chance of a Matthysse-Garcia rematch.
- Has been going back and forth with Tarver via text all morning regarding his positive test. Does not believe he was set up. He is delusional and it is sad.
- Tarver keeps saying "they" are out to get him. He asked him who "they" is. He has no answer.
- The private agency that was used to test Tarver's sample was used because they test for more than what the NJ commission tests for. Similar to using VADA or USADA. These more sophisticated tests are what Haymon is saying he wants for his fights.
- Tarver will likely be suspended in NJ again for filling out his child care form wrong.
- Fan wrote in: regarding Tarver's child support the judge should say: You're the magic man, make the money appear.
- Spence likely to fight in April. One fight being discussed is vs. Algieri at Barclay's.
- The IBF rankings leave a lot to be desired when Wade is considered the mandatory for GGG.
- How many rounds will GGG vs. Wade go? As many as GGG chooses.
- Wilder and Povetkin are in the midst of discussing negotiation. If they don't come to terms in the next 10 days or so it will go to purse bid.
- Joshua vs. Martin? They are talking about the fight, but has doubts it gets done. Martin wants the fight.
- Odd that February is traditionally a slow month for boxing. It really has no real sports competition, it would be a great month to have fights in. Having two competing network cards on 2/27, when the rest of the month is slow is odd for sure.
- It would be a really bad look for Spike if they did not fire Tarver. Showtime fired him after 1 positive test.
- Thompson is a decent opponent for Ortiz. It is also reasonable because no one else would agree to fight Ortiz.
- Would HBO approve Briggs to fight Ortiz? Not sure, but Ortiz would destroy him.
- Talked with Yvon Michel at Kovalev vs. Pascal and there is a good chance Stevenson's next fight will be vs. Fonfara.
- Crawford vs. Postol is one of his top 5 best unification fights right now.
- Odds for the best unification fights? Gonzalez-Estrada is likely, hopeful on GGG-Canelo, no chance for Fury-Klitschko/Wilder, even less chance for Kovalev-Stevenson, and Crawford-Postol is possible but doubtful this year.
- Better defensively: Mayweather or Whitaker? Whitaker.
- Purses for Canelo vs. Khan? We will see when purses get filed with the commission, but is pretty sure Canelo is getting at least $10 million.
- Broner vs. Theophane is a horrible fight.
- Yes the PBC broadcast was late on a weekday, but it was still shockingly bad. Half of their previous lowest numbers. Attributes it to the fact it was: on too late, poor matchmaking, weak promotion, and unknown main event fighters.
- Vargas vs. Salido is still up to if HBO wants to purchase the fight. Both camps want it. Believes we may hear something about this fight by next week.
- Good chance Glowacki vs. Steve Cunningham takes place in April.
- Cunningham is a good dude who works hard and was never given anything. Very easy to root for.
- Zab Judah took a 25k signing bonus from Greg Cohen and then turned down numerous fights. The one fight he took he got into a fight at the weigh in, so it was cancelled. Cohen released him and Zab is supposed to give the signing bonus back. There is a reason Zab has been with a lot of promoter's. He wears out his welcome fast.
- Ramirez's chances vs. Abraham? Good. He will be the underdog, but he is longer, younger, fresher, and taller.
- ESPN will have a PBC show in April.
- Why are boxing fans down on Khan vs. Canelo? A lot of boxing fans aren't happy unless they are bitter.
- PPV prediction for Kovalev vs. Stevenson? 250k if they are lucky.
- Arroyo could be a tough test for Chocolatito. He is a quality contender whose only loss was in Thailand by split decision to Amnat for a title, who he dropped in the fight.
- If Chocolatito faces Estrada later this year, it potentially could be Chocolatito's first opportunity to headline a card.
- Most disappointing fight he ever covered? Mayweather-Pacquiao.
- By the WBA's new belt consolidation plan, Fury and Klitschko take their contractual rematch and Ortiz and Ustinov will be ordered to fight each other, the winner of Ortiz-Ustinov becomes the mandatory for Fury-Klitschko. If one of the fighters wants to take a unification vs. Wilder, the WBA would likely grant it.
- Who will Cotto fight next? TBA, but they have been talking with JMM.
- Should be an announcement next week for Beterbiev's next fight. Expects him to fight in March/April.
- Ward lost 2 years of his prime because he had a legally binding contract (that was upheld by California courts, technically the courts said his case had so little basis they threw it out, and the commission twice). He never had a case and tried to weasel out of it. He should have been a man and fulfilled the 2 fights and walked away.
- If Goosen had not passed away, it is very likely that Ward would still not be fighting right now.
- Ward's next fight on HBO will have a televised undercard. No word yet on who it could be.
- More growing hostility towards: Ward, LSC, or Stevenson? Ward.
- Main Events is worried that Ward will bail on the Kovalev deal.
- How does Ward rank in most high-maintenance fighters he has ever covered? He is up there.
- Will Margarito get a big fight in his return to the ring? Possible he may get one eventually, but he will get destroyed. He is done.
- Prime Holyfield vs. Lennox? Lennox.
- Duran vs. Mosley at 135? One of the greatest fantasy fights ever. Shane would give Duran everything he could handle, but Duran is the best ever at 135, so Duran.
- Hearns vs. Tito and Frazier vs. Holyfield? Both great fights. Hearns-Tito would be about whoever landed first and Frazier vs. Holyfield would be a war.
- Saddens him daily that Matthysse vs. Maidana has never been made. He and Eric Gomez from GB were talking yesterday and Gomez told him that they were 1 day away from making Matthysse vs. Maidana. Matthysse was negotiating with Alexander and Alexander turned down the fight. He was going to make the Maidana fight instead. Richard Schaeffer told Gomez to give Alexander one more day and the next day Alexander agreed to the fight, so Matthysse-Maidana was never made.
- Which division has the most talent? Welterweight.
- On a scale of 1-10, how confident is he that GGG-Canelo happens this year? 5.
- Wlad and Fury have agreed on a rematch, what needs to be decided is the site and date. They have to work with Sky, RTL, and HBO, so it isn't easy negotiations.
- Rank who had the most successful boxing career (ODH, RJJ, Hopkins, Mayweather, Pacquiao, and Tito): 1. Floyd, 2. Pacquiao, 3. RJJ, 4. Hopkins, 5. ODH, 6. Tito.
- What is the delay in making a fight for Lomacheknko? Money, finding an opponent, and the HBO schedule.
- Pretty sure Arreola didn't care if he tested positive for marijuana or not.
- Frampton vs. Quigg will be show live on Showtime Extreme and replayed later on regular Showtime.
- Sturm have anything left for Chudinov? Not really, but Chudinov isn't a world beater so anything is possible.
- Likes the idea of a potential Saul Rodriguez vs. Felix Verdejo fight.
- Doubts we see JMM vs. Pacquiao 5.
- Jesse James Leija a HOF'er? No.
- Israel Vasquez for HOF? Close, but probably not. Loved watching him fight.
- Better multi-fight series: JMM-Pacquiao or Gatti-Ward? JMM-Pacquiao.
- Which fight is bigger: GGG-Canelo or Fury-Wilder? GGG-Canelo.
- GGG never turned down a Ward fight. There were never any real negotiations and Ward was hamstrung by his contractual issues.
- Spinks vs. Moorer at 175? Spinks by KO.
- Prime RJJ vs. Spinks at 175? RJJ.
- Provodnikov vs. Herrera 2 talks are dying down.
- Castellanos vs. Escandon will be on the Ortiz-Thompson undercard.
- Bigger disappointment: Seth Mitchell or David Price? Price. Mitchell was football player who got into boxing late. Price was a decorated amateur with an Olympic medal.
- Potential undercards for Thurman-Porter: Mares-Montiel (co-main), Edwin-Rodriguez-Thomas Williams, and GRJ-Hyland.
- If you think Danny Garcia is avoiding good fighters you are a moron. He fought Matthysse when he was the boogeyman and just last year fought Peterson.
- Favorite Mexican fighter: Ricardo Lopez or Marco Antonio Barrera.
#TeamTarver
AB or
AB...I honestly never know which one will show up on fight night
..i wonder if its going to be non televised or hbo turning that into a televised tripleheader.
..that second fight didnt sit well with me at all
Thank you for coming thru again breh