Williams, Margarito, Cintron, and Ishe Smith talk about Mayweather-Baldomir

www.espn.go.com

Updated: Oct. 26, 2006
Boxing peers weigh in on Saturday's showdown
By Kieran Mulvaney
Special to ESPN.com

This time last year, "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather Jr. was widely acclaimed as the No. 1 fighter in the world, pound-for-pound. Carlos Baldomir was a name whose mention might elicit, at best, a blank stare from all but the most knowing of fans.

Twelve months later, Mayweather remains atop virtually every pound-for-pound ranking. But following two highly publicized fights in 2006, Baldomir has emerged from seemingly nowhere to become recognized as the true welterweight champion of the world. And it is a measure of his newfound stature that, in advance of Saturday's clash between the two men for Baldomir's WBC title at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, many fellow welterweight and junior middleweight titlists and contenders are hard-pressed to choose between the exceptionally talented Pretty Boy -- regarded by Las Vegas bookmakers as a 5-to-1 favorite -- and the gritty titlist from Argentina.

"It's really hard, I keep changing my mind back and forth on who's going to win this fight," said new IBF champ Kermit Cintron, who won his title (which Mayweather had vacated) with a fifth-round TKO victory over Mark Suarez on Saturday.

"To me, it's a toss-up," said Paul Williams, the undefeated WBO No. 1 contender, who will be fighting Mario Lucero on the undercard on Saturday, in what he hopes will be a final tune-up before challenging Antonio Margarito for that version of the title.

Margarito, however, must himself first get past a difficult defense in Atlantic City on Dec. 2 against Joshua Clottey, whose only loss was a disqualification against Baldomir in a 1999 bout he was winning on the scorecards. If Margarito prevails against Clottey, his eyes appear to be less on Williams than on the victor of Saturday's contest.

"The only two threats I see at 147 pounds are Mayweather and Baldomir," Margarito recently told ESPN.com over brunch in Las Vegas. He will have, he said, a rooting interest Saturday night.

"I hope Baldomir wins, because Mayweather won't fight me," he claimed.

As Margarito (and former Mayweather) promoter Bob Arum put it, "Mr. Pound-for-Pound ran like hell [from Margarito] even after being offered $8 million to fight him."

"I can't believe Mayweather would turn down so much money to fight me," Margarito added. "It's hard to believe. I don't want to say he's afraid of me, but it seems like he's scared."

Mayweather's seeming reluctance to face Margarito contributed to a growing chorus of criticism that Mayweather, for all his abundant skills, had been shying away from serious challenges and coasting on his earlier achievements since a tough, two-fight series with Jose Luis Castillo in 2002.

"I hope Baldomir wins, because Mayweather won't fight me."
-- WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito

That criticism abated when Arum announced plans late last year for Mayweather to face Zab Judah in 2006. Judah, like Mayweather, is possessed of almost unnatural skills and reflexes; but, unlike the pound-for-pound king, Judah had rarely displayed the focus or temperament to maximize his abilities. He appeared to have finally matured, however, with a dominant TKO victory over Cory Spinks in February 2005 to win the WBA, WBC and IBF welterweight titles -- and all Judah had to do to claim the reward of a clash with Mayweather was navigate a seemingly routine defense against Baldomir in New York this past January.

Instead, Baldomir mugged Judah, coming back from an early points deficit to rock and nearly drop and stop the defending champion, and winding up a unanimous points victor. Mayweather ignored the new titleholder to face off against Judah after all, justifying the bout by emphasizing that it was for the IBF belt -- which the sanctioning body had left around Judah's waist, despite his clear defeat by Baldomir, on the grounds that the challenger had not paid the requisite sanctioning fees.

At the Mandalay Bay in April, Mayweather handed Judah another defeat by unanimous decision in a fight that was marred by a brawl between the two corner teams after Judah hit Mayweather below the belt and in the back of the head in the 10th round. Three months later, on July 22, Baldomir knocked out fan favorite Arturo Gatti to cement his place as a legitimate champion rather than a one-fight aberration. Promoter Dan Goossen then stepped in to table a deal that contained enough money to make both sides happy (reportedly matching the $8 million Mayweather had been offered by Arum to fight Margarito), paving the way for Saturday's fight.

Despite an apparent gulf in skill between the two men, and despite the fact the celebrated Mayweather is unbeaten while the unheralded Baldomir has suffered nine defeats (albeit none since 1998), few are criticizing Mayweather for his choice of opponent this time -- including his fellow fighters.

"Floyd obviously has more talent, but a lot of people thought Gatti was going to walk right through Baldomir, and with Zab, people thought, 'Oh, it's just a tune-up for Zab,' but neither was the case," observed welterweight and junior middleweight contender Ishe Smith, whose promoters, Golden Boy Promotions, earlier this year offered him as a challenger to both Baldomir and Margarito.

"Baldomir comes down from 180-something pounds, and he can take a punch," Smith continued. "He's proven that he can fight elite fighters. He's going to be on Floyd. This fight, we're going to see if Floyd's going to be a welterweight. Floyd's not a big guy, he's not big at all, and that's the problem. Floyd could beat on this guy all night. But Baldomir's not known as a big puncher, and look what he did to Gatti. Gatti doesn't get knocked out easily. He just manhandled Gatti. He almost stopped Zab Judah. And Zab Judah doesn't get stopped many times. He doesn't have a great chin, but he doesn't get stopped."

In theory, the game plan for both fighters should be pretty clear, say their peers.

"If I was in [Baldomir's] corner, of course I'd tell him to use his size," said Williams. "Mayweather has to just box him."

"Both of them, to me, are small, especially Mayweather," said the 5-foot-11 Cintron. "Fighting Baldomir, I would just box him. [Trainer Emanuel Steward] has me boxing now, so I would just stay on my toes and just box him. Doesn't matter if I knock him out or not. I know he has a hard chin and I know it's not worth hurting your hands on his head, so I would just box and if it goes 12 rounds, it goes 12 rounds. It's a fight I'd take in a heartbeat.

"Against Mayweather, I would just rough him up. Push him around the ring and just rough him up, because I'm the bigger guy."

Smith believes that there are two, out-of-the-ring factors that could conspire to distract Mayweather and motivate Baldomir.

"You don't get Cinderella stories in boxing that often, and you can honestly say Baldomir is a Cinderella story," said the former first-season "Contender" contestant. "And when that Cinderella story does happen, they tend to not want to go back to living the way they were before. So I think he's going to be tough to beat right now, he'd be tough for anyone. Floyd's been on top, he's been on top for a while. But Baldomir's struggled, he's got nine losses, he probably didn't make too much money coming up, and I don't think he wants to go back to the way he was living before."

Perhaps more serious for Mayweather, Smith suggested, is his unsettled training situation. His uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, who had already been suspended from working his nephew's corner for instigating the in-ring melee in the Judah fight, has been in jail since Sept. 19 on a six-month sentence for an assault conviction. That has left Mayweather under the charge of Leonard Ellerbe, his adviser and strength coach, and Rafael Garcia, who wraps his hands.

"To be honest, I think it could be some trouble for Floyd, to come into a fight like this without a coach," Smith said. "With all that happening, and no one in your corner except Leonard -- no disrespect to Leonard, but he's more of a strength guy or a guy that makes sure your camp is running smoothly. I don't think he can take on the role of being Floyd's coach. I know Floyd is a great fighter and he doesn't really need nobody, but you need that motivation in your ear, telling you what to do and to get you right. I just think it's a bad time for this to happen, and I don't know how well he's going to perform under these circumstances."

Given all the variables, there is no consensus as to who will likely emerge the winner on Saturday night.

"Mayweather should be the favorite," Margarito said, "but Baldomir's a dangerous fighter. We'll see."

"It's a good fight," Williams said. "They're calling it 'Pretty Risky.' To me, it's a toss-up. It don't matter who you're in the ring with, it only takes one punch to change the whole night around."

"Like I said, it's a pick 'em," added Smith, although he marginally favors the underdog. "As the fight gets gritty, toward the later rounds, the championship rounds, I'd have to lean toward the bigger guy."

Cintron tilts the other way.

"My heart is going toward Mayweather on a decision," he said. "It's going to be a tough fight for him, but I think he's going to pull it off. I just think that Baldomir's toughness is going to take him through to the end of the fight."

One thing seems certain.

For the past few years -- since the days when Oscar De la Hoya fought Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosley, Pernell Whitaker and Ike Quartey -- the welterweight scene has been relatively moribund. Now, however, with title holders like Baldomir, Margarito, and Cintron; contenders such as Williams, Smith, and Carlos Quintana; superstars like Mayweather and Mosley; and the likes of Miguel Cotto moving up from 140 pounds, and Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo possibly moving all the way up from 135 pounds, the welters seem primed to reassume their place on center stage.

Provided, of course, that the established champions and emerging contenders prove as ready to fight each other as they say they are. In which case, whatever happens between Mayweather and Baldomir on Saturday night could be just the start of a renaissance for what has traditionally been one of boxing's glamour divisions.

Sounds like they're all jealous of the pound for pound king!

Except Cintron, he was the only one who spit truth and picked Mayweather. Still, I don't agree with anyone of them. I think Floyd is going to score a tko in 9.


Gotta love (or HATE) how Arum and Margarito use EVERY opportunity to spread lies about floyd being afraid >:mad


Ishe had some good points on the whole Cinderella role that baldomir has working for him. That is a strong mentality to have on your side, but it's not going to compensate for the wide skill differential.

Yea Im surprised that anyones giving Baldomir such serious chances, let alone favouring him.. Ah well, just makes the schooling he gives Carlos more impressive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dasamm

Sounds like they're all jealous of the pound for pound king!

Except Cintron, he was the only one who spit truth and picked Mayweather. Still, I don't agree with anyone of them. I think Floyd is going to score a tko in 9.


Gotta love (or HATE) how Arum and Margarito use EVERY opportunity to spread lies about floyd being afraid >:mad


Ishe had some good points on the whole Cinderella role that baldomir has working for him. That is a strong mentality to have on your side, but it's not going to compensate for the wide skill differential.

---

too many people think baldomir will win. why is this ? and margarito is a fool. why won't you fight paul williams ? coz you know you would lose to him and you would lose to mayweather as well

yeah it does like there alittle jealous. people keep talkin about baldomir beatin judah and gatti almost like PBF didn't beat judah and gatti.

The only thing in that article that surprised me was that PBF uncle is in jail. I didnt know that and just assumed thats who was in charge of training camp. Though I dont think it changes the outcome, I think it might make the fight a little tougher for PBF. Changes in camp can change a fighters preperations and the like. We will see soon how/if this affects PBF.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TyBuff

The only thing in that article that surprised me was that PBF uncle is in jail. I didnt know that and just assumed thats who was in charge of training camp. Though I dont think it changes the outcome, I think it might make the fight a little tougher for PBF. Changes in camp can change a fighters preperations and the like. We will see soon how/if this affects PBF.

---

Grr...I can't remember the article (it was posted here a couple weeks back) but it discussed how PBF's uncle roger was in jail and how it wouldn't be a problem or have an effect on floyd. The problem is I can't remember why. Or anything else about it. But I do remember that it was VERY convincing than it won't be a problem ;)

I think Floyds rival are being rather negative towards Floyd. Do they all seriously expect him to have trouble with Baldomir?

Maybe in their heads they have to minimise Floyd's talent in order to think they can beat him, hence they see him struggling with Baldomir.

But in my eyes Floyd will absolutely dominate Baldy, whether he's the cinderella man or not.

Once the bell rings I expect Baldy's clock to have chimed midnight and he'll be heading home fast.

Let's just hope he doesnt have to trade his car in for a pumpkin.....

Yeah of course they are talkin shit about Mayweather cause hes recognized as the best right now. Everyone wants a shot at the best, to make that money and to do that, they gotta make it sound like hes running away from them or that he could never beat them. Is Floyd scared to face Margarito? Of course not. None of these guys are really scared of eachother (it is always healthy and a good thing to be a lil nervous and scared anytime you step into the ring but to harbor a personal fear of another opponent is not something any good fighter has to worry about; it just comes with the territory). When you make a career out of confrontations and physical showdowns, fear is rarely a factor in the equation. Rather, Mayweather probably feels that Bob Arum and Antonio Margarito need him a lot more than he needs them (which is probably true). Because of personal problems between Arum and Floyd (they dont like eachother and Arum reputedly kicked Mayweather out of his gym), Mayweather is probably avoiding the fight because he doesnt want to give them the opportunity to make any money off his name. I dont think there is a welterweight in the world who can give Mayweather problems, personally, he's just too good at this point. However, anyone can get beat if the time and circumstances are right; if his head isnt in the right place; or if he makes a mistake. So factoring in the Roger Mayweather absence, will it make a difference in the fight outcome in Saturday's match up? I seriously doubt it. From what i understand, Roger is communicating with Team Mayweather and giving his advice as to how the fight should be fought and what tactics to emphasize in training. Let's not forget that Floyd is notorious for training himself and pushing himself harder than anyone else. I expect him to be ready to stick, move, set, throw awesome blurring combinations and move out and circle before Baldomir can even answer. In my opinion, the absence of Roger Mayweather won't matter...AND wtf is up with Ishe Smith throwing his name around like he's a boxing analyst? Margarito, Williams, Margarito, Cintron...and then Ishe Smith? LOL! I really hope he isnt considering fighting any of these guys...they would LIGHT him up...and as far as his commentary and fighter knowledge...I would rather hear what Trinidad or Marco Antonio Barrera had to say about it...and they dont even speak English...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by diamonddavestafford

Yeah of course they are talkin S*** about Mayweather cause hes recognized as the best right now. Everyone wants a shot at the best, to make that money and to do that, they gotta make it sound like hes running away from them or that he could never beat them. Is Floyd scared to face Margarito? Of course not. None of these guys are really scared of eachother (it is always healthy and a good thing to be a lil nervous and scared anytime you step into the ring but to harbor a personal fear of another opponent is not something any good fighter has to worry about; it just comes with the territory). When you make a career out of confrontations and physical showdowns, fear is rarely a factor in the equation. Rather, Mayweather probably feels that Bob Arum and Antonio Margarito need him a lot more than he needs them (which is probably true). Because of personal problems between Arum and Floyd (they dont like eachother and Arum reputedly kicked Mayweather out of his gym), Mayweather is probably avoiding the fight because he doesnt want to give them the opportunity to make any money off his name. I dont think there is a welterweight in the world who can give Mayweather problems, personally, he's just too good at this point. However, anyone can get beat if the time and circumstances are right; if his head isnt in the right place; or if he makes a mistake. So factoring in the Roger Mayweather absence, will it make a difference in the fight outcome in Saturday's match up? I seriously doubt it. From what i understand, Roger is communicating with Team Mayweather and giving his advice as to how the fight should be fought and what tactics to emphasize in training. Let's not forget that Floyd is notorious for training himself and pushing himself harder than anyone else. I expect him to be ready to stick, move, set, throw awesome blurring combinations and move out and circle before Baldomir can even answer. In my opinion, the absence of Roger Mayweather won't matter...AND wtf is up with Ishe Smith throwing his name around like he's a boxing analyst? Margarito, Williams, Margarito, Cintron...and then Ishe Smith? LOL! I really hope he isnt considering fighting any of these guys...they would LIGHT him up...and as far as his commentary and fighter knowledge...I would rather hear what Trinidad or Marco Antonio Barrera had to say about it...and they dont even speak English...

---

Good post have a CC and welcome to the board. I wonder if any of these guys will even want anything to do with Mayweather after tomorrow night. I doubt it.

If he performs like he is supposed to, his market value will only go up, so yeah they will probably want a piece of him even more. Thats the thing. These guys as fighters have to believe in themselves and be supremely confident. There is not a doubt in any of their minds that they can beat Mayweather. That doesnt mean they can; I would pick Floyd over any of them, but they all believe that they can and that they deserve the chance to prove it. I'd like to see Mayweather take on DelaHoya at 154 after this fight but who knows if that will ever happen...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by diamonddavestafford

Yeah of course they are talkin S*** about Mayweather cause hes recognized as the best right now. Everyone wants a shot at the best, to make that money and to do that, they gotta make it sound like hes running away from them or that he could never beat them. Is Floyd scared to face Margarito? Of course not. None of these guys are really scared of eachother (it is always healthy and a good thing to be a lil nervous and scared anytime you step into the ring but to harbor a personal fear of another opponent is not something any good fighter has to worry about; it just comes with the territory). When you make a career out of confrontations and physical showdowns, fear is rarely a factor in the equation. Rather, Mayweather probably feels that Bob Arum and Antonio Margarito need him a lot more than he needs them (which is probably true). Because of personal problems between Arum and Floyd (they dont like eachother and Arum reputedly kicked Mayweather out of his gym), Mayweather is probably avoiding the fight because he doesnt want to give them the opportunity to make any money off his name. I dont think there is a welterweight in the world who can give Mayweather problems, personally, he's just too good at this point. However, anyone can get beat if the time and circumstances are right; if his head isnt in the right place; or if he makes a mistake. So factoring in the Roger Mayweather absence, will it make a difference in the fight outcome in Saturday's match up? I seriously doubt it. From what i understand, Roger is communicating with Team Mayweather and giving his advice as to how the fight should be fought and what tactics to emphasize in training. Let's not forget that Floyd is notorious for training himself and pushing himself harder than anyone else. I expect him to be ready to stick, move, set, throw awesome blurring combinations and move out and circle before Baldomir can even answer. In my opinion, the absence of Roger Mayweather won't matter...AND wtf is up with Ishe Smith throwing his name around like he's a boxing analyst? Margarito, Williams, Margarito, Cintron...and then Ishe Smith? LOL! I really hope he isnt considering fighting any of these guys...they would LIGHT him up...and as far as his commentary and fighter knowledge...I would rather hear what Trinidad or Marco Antonio Barrera had to say about it...and they dont even speak English...

---

I like what you wrote man. I agree with what your saying.
Since we do have the modern day cinderella man here I wonder how many years its going to take them to make a movie about it lol.

I'm picking Mayweather by decision (you're crazy if you think Floyd will KO Baldomir). In terms of the article, those guys are pro boxers. Maybe they know something we don't. Also, there are lots of intangibles that may affect the outcome of this fight (Baldomir's recent successes/motivation, Floyd's corner situation, etc.). Perhaps Mayweather is going to have his toughest fight yet.

I'm getting tired of this most avoided man stuff Margarito keeps pulling.

He talks so much to not be doing anything. There are many fighters who haven't fought people with resume's or beaten prospects and people give them a hard time for not fighting anyone but they let Margarito get away from it by saying he's avoided. :dontknow:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Majesty

I'm getting tired of this most avoided man stuff Margarito keeps pulling.

He talks so much to not be doing anything. There are many fighters who haven't fought people with resume's or beaten prospects and people give them a hard time for not fighting anyone but they let Margarito get away from it by saying he's avoided. :dontknow:

---

:coolclick: Agreed. It amazes me that a fighter can overhype himself without doing jack shit in the mean time.

Truthfully...I hope that Clottey stops his ass so that I don't have to hear this shit anymore.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dasamm

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TyBuff

The only thing in that article that surprised me was that PBF uncle is in jail. I didnt know that and just assumed thats who was in charge of training camp. Though I dont think it changes the outcome, I think it might make the fight a little tougher for PBF. Changes in camp can change a fighters preperations and the like. We will see soon how/if this affects PBF.

---

Grr...I can't remember the article (it was posted here a couple weeks back) but it discussed how PBF's uncle roger was in jail and how it wouldn't be a problem or have an effect on floyd. The problem is I can't remember why. Or anything else about it. But I do remember that it was VERY convincing than it won't be a problem ;)

---

Everyone always says that outside distractions wont cause any problems with their performance until after they have lost and then use it as one of their excuses. The only way we will know for sure is when they get in the ring and start fighting. Till then it is all speculation on anybodies part.