Dan Rafael chat wrap 11/4:
Pacquiao vs. Vargas:
- Not much buzz in Vegas for Pacquiao vs. Vargas. Media presence is less than usual, seems a lot of people don't realize Manny is fighting.
- PPV prediction for Pacquiao vs. Vargas? In the 200k's.
- Pacquiao gets a percentage of the PPV's, but he also has a guarantee of $4 million.
- If Vargas were to win tomorrow, could definitely see a Vargas vs. Crawford fight.
- Roach says he could see Pacquiao vs. Canelo, thoughts? Bad night for Manny.
- Believes both favorites (Pacquiao and Donaire win), but thinks Donaire has the more likely chance to be upset.
- If Donaire wins tomorrow, would strongly consider him for the HOF.
- Who would Pacquiao fight next if he wins? Floyd rematch talk will certainly occur (as rumors), Crawford, or potentially a Haymon fighter.
- Shiming brings in Asian media to the Pacquiao fight. He was a fighter Steve Wynn wanted on the card as he brings in Asian gamblers.
- Supposedly ticket sales are very good.
- Arum loves the idea of a Pacquiao vs. Lomachenko fight. He said maybe at 138. Personally doubts Pacquiao would drop down that far. The fights isn't impossible, but wouldn't believe it until we saw it.
- Better storyteller: Arum or Don King? Arum by far.
- Thoughts on Steven A. Smith calling the fight? He knows about boxing, is polarizing, may be right to be concerned on the undercard fights, at the end of the day will be entertaining.
- Broner wanted a guarantee of $6 million, while Pacquiao's guarantee is $4 million. One of the problems in boxing right now.
- Donaire is making $400k and Magdaleno $90k.
- Arum and Donaire have wanted to be on a Pacquiao card previously, but Koncz vetoed the idea. Koncz thought Donaire brought no extra money (attracting the same Filipino fans as Manny) and would have cost a lot to put on the card, taking money out of Pacquiao's pocket. Donaire believes Koncz doesn't like him due to not signing with him and remaining loyal to Cameron Dunkin.
- Shiming's opponent looks like Manny and everyone there calls him mini-Manny. Expects Shiming to win.
- Thought the ref should have stopped the fights in Manny vs. Margarito and Algieri.
- People who he usually sits next to on PPV's are Iole from Yahoo, Dahlberg from AP, and a local writer from whatever city.
- A journalists seat placement is usually determined by readership numbers.
The rest of boxing:
- Bob Arum clarified that when he previously said Felix Diaz makes bad fights, he was going off of info provided by his matchmakers (who he relies on a lot). He personally said he has never seen Diaz fight.
- Prime RJJ vs. Ward? RJJ.
- Would give an organ to see prime Ricardo Lopez vs. Chocolatito.
- Froch vs. Stevenson at 168? Pick'em fight.
- Co-feature for Crawford's fight? Probably Juan Diaz vs. Ray Beltran.
- Briggs is going to fight Browne in a title fight. Briggs is massively undeserving and his ranking is a farce.
- Depending on the timing Showtime may show more than just the main event (Joshua-Molina). They may show Chisora-Whyte.
- Does he believe Tarver was on PED's vs. RJJ? Not sure, but Tarver has failed two drug tests. Likely those weren't the only two times he was dirty.
- TR wants to make Mike Alvarado vs. Jose Ramirez. Alvarado turned the fight down for December and they are going to try to do it early next year.
- Loeffler told him that he and Haymon are still discussing the GGG vs. Jacobs fight. It is absurd that a "normal" fight should take this long to negotiate.
- Should Garcia be criticized for taking a poor tune up fight before Fighting Thurman? He was healthy and there was no reason he could not have fought earlier. The fight is pure sewage.
- Freddie Roach will train fighters for as long as he can physically do it.
- Good possibility Usyk will be fighting on the Hopkins undercard.
- Only picked Mayweather to lose one fight, vs. Corrales.
- The NY insurance issue will get worked out so boxing shows can be held there. Small club shows will be affected.
- Very surprised if we see Povetkin vs. Stiverne this year.
- Fallout from JuanMa's brawl with the cornerman? Expects a suspension and fine.
- JuanMa vs. Vasquez PPV numbers? Didn't even do 10k in the US.
- Trinidad vs. Terry Norris at 154? Great fight and one King tried to make. Take Tito.
- Has not followed the Rios vs. Ortiz twitter beef. Both are done and basically have no other fight to make that gets them a good purse. It certainly is possible it could happen.
- Thoughts on Ayala Jr. and Ibeabuchi? Bad people who got what they deserved.
- Winner of Charlo vs. Williams fight Canelo next? No chance.
- Historically who ranks higher: Wlad or Vitaly? Wlad. Longer reign, bigger overall fights, and an Olympic gold medal.
- Rematches he wishes would have happened? Lewis-Klitschko, Trinidad-DLH, and Tyson-Douglas.
- Has not heard a location for Broner's fight yet. DC would make sense since he is a good draw there.
- Does he ever get bored with boxing? Sometimes he gets down because it seems like the people in power do everything they can to prevent great fights and they don't pay attention to their customer base. All it takes is a great fight to get excited again.
- Easter Jr. fight likely will be on Spike.
- Shields and Taylor can't hurt getting more interest in women's boxing. Ultimately they need quality opponents and exciting fights to bring people in.