Dan Rafael chat wraps 3/11:
- Wilder vs. Povetkin looking like it will take place in Russia.
- Provodnikov signed a multi-fight deal with Showtime. Showtime wants to use him against other top 140 and 147 lb fighters. An opportunity to create more fights.
- LSC vs. Frampton likely to take place in the US. Frampton's team wants it in NY (Irish population). If Frampton is going to "travel" outside of NY, most likely destination is Vegas.
- Loves the Mares vs. Cuellar fight.
- Bute gets a shot vs. Jack because JCC is injured and Bute turned in a great performance in defeat vs. DeGale. Prefers Jack vs. Bute over Jack vs. JCC.
- Edwin Rodriguez vs. Williams Jr. will probably be on an upcoming PBC card.
- Prefers seeing Garcia vs. Thurman/Porter winner, but Garcia vs. Provodnikov isn't a crazy possibility.
- Showtime's new schedule announcements are overall very good. Does not believe the increase in cards is because of HBO's boxing budget being tighter, most likely is because PBC's budget is tighter.
- Believe's Showtime and HBO's boxing budgets are about the same.
- After seeing the recent photo of Maidana, doubts we see him in action any time soon.
- Breazeale very possibly vs. Arreola on a PBC card.
- When a fighter pulls out of a championship fight due to injury (ie, Rocky Martinez) the sanctioning organization is usually sent medical documentation.
- Spence is close to being Brook's mandatory, so that fight is possible for the fall.
- Wonders if the Khurtsidze fight will hurt Antoine Douglas' career long term. He took a lot of punishment and his corner should have stopped it.
- What is faker: 50 Cent's money, Floyd's weed, or Haye's toe injury? 50 Cent's money.
- Canelo vs. Khan undercard is still TBD, but Luis Ortiz and Diego De La Hoya may be on it.
- Judah and his promoter are both suspended for providing fake licensing, pending a March 23rd hearing.
- Best fighter of the 90's? Tyson, Whitaker, RJJ.
- Cotto vs. Kirkland would be a pathetic fight (if it is on PPV). Prefers Cotto vs. Provodnikov, but that fight is not happening.
- Talk of JMM returning with a fight in Mexico in June or July.
- JMM vs. Cotto is still being discussed, but JMM wants a tune up fight first.
- Word is that Penagaricano is out as Cotto's manager. Cotto was upset of the GGG step aside fee and the WBC sanctioning fee he refused to pay and was stripped of his title.
- True of False, Andre Ward is the most talented fighter above 160? Probably true.
- Tito vs. ODH rematch didn't happen due to financial disagreements. Don King and Tito wanted the same split as the first fight, but Tito getting ODH's original split, even though ODH was still the A-side. TR said no.
- Biggest example of a stay busy fight that cost a fighter a lot of money? Morrison had a signed contract for $8 million to fight Lennox Lewis and fought a tune-up vs. Michael Bentt. He got KO'd and would get a Lewis fight later in his career, but for a lot less money.
- Tommy Morrison vs. Gerry c00ney? c00ney easily.
- Joe Cooper is by far the worst DC area ref.
- If Lomachenko beats Walters it will be due to being a superior boxer. We cannot forget Walters is a big puncher and Lomachenko is moving up in weight.
- Told that Berto vs. Ortiz 2 will happen this spring on a PBC card.
- Regarding Rigo's visa issues, the promoter usually makes the arrangements and by all accounts Warren and RNS did what they were supposed to do. For reasons still unexplained Rigo and his trainer left Moscow a day before it was supposed to be ready.
- Arguello vs. Floyd at 135? Floyd.
- Crawford's next fight likely will be in LA at The Forum. Fight expected in July and could easily fight again in the winter.
- Kamegai vs. Soto Karass is an excellent fight. It doesn't mean much, but will be fun to watch.
- Thoughts on boxing writers in general: very hard to make a living at it, a lot of talented writers and a lot of clueless writers. Too many are fans who do the work to get credentials and access with no basic skills in journalism. Saw credentialed journalists at last weeks HBO event desperately looking for selfies and autographs from fighters while ringside at the fight, something he views as unacceptable. There are people who get credentials to fights who literally just created a website so they can get credentials.
- Why doesn't Yankee Stadium host fights? It is extremely expensive to hold a fight there and you would need a huge crowd.
- Most stacked PPV card he remembers? Don King's card in AC, he had Hopkins-Jobby and Spinks-Mayorga, both for undisputed titles, plus 6 other fights.
- Most unnecessary 3rd fight in a trilogy? Winky Wright vs. Bronco McKart.
- Buy or Sell: Danny Jacobs vs. GGG to unify the WBA belts will happen? Doubts it happens.
- ODH told him Frankie Gomez is likely to be the co-feature for Salido vs. Vargas.
- Prime ODH vs. Pacquiao at 147? ODH.
i might be there for that
the nikka made the weight..what the fukk am i missing here? 
