ESPN

Dan Rafael

  (11:59 AM)

Greetings Fight Freaks to our weekly chat. Hope you take the time to read today's notebook, this week's blog and the updated schedule. Not a big weekend, but plenty of fights coming up. Let's get to it. And go Yankees!

Paul B (NY, NY)

VERY disappointed Pavlik/PWill is off again. I was really looking fwd. Who would you like to see him face? Dzindziruk? Sergio? Other?

Dan Rafael

  (12:03 PM)

We're all disappointed. With Williams still fighting on Dec. 5 and given the options, I'd prefer Martinez.

Ian (Pembroke Pines, FL)

I liked King Arthur's pre-fight entrance. The Scorpions rocked the house! Like George Foreman said during Naz's pre-fight entrance vs Kevin Kelley, "this is what boxing needs".

Dan Rafael

  (12:04 PM)

I agree. I love a good entrance. Why not make it a show? People pay a lot for entertainment and a good entrance is fun to watch.

Brooks (New Hampshire)

Any chance JMM faces Katsidis? Or is Marquez going to hold out for a bigger name?

Dan Rafael

  (12:05 PM)

I think that fight is certainly possible. A good comeback fight for Marquez off the loss to Floyd, a mandatory fight and probably a good fight in the ring.

Michael (New Jersey)

Dan in the wake of Jermain Taylor's recent knockout, does it make you go back to the 12th round vs. Froch and think, maybe his corner should have not let him take all of those shots from Froch. Personally I thought he was going to die in the ring vs. Froch that night. Your thoughts?

Dan Rafael

  (12:06 PM)

I think the Froch-Taylor fight was handled just fine. Obviously, now he has to think about what he wants to do but that Abraham knockout was not good.

anthony (bronx ny)

roach is predicting ko vs cotto in first round do you agree?

Dan Rafael

  (12:07 PM)

Freddie is a great trainer and a great hype artist.

Sean (NJ)

What side is holding up Mosley-Berto?

Dan Rafael

  (12:07 PM)

It's being worked out, nobody is "holding it up." It just takes time with some tricky stuff.

Jeff (Redondo Beach, CA)

Reading Haye's comment in the notebook almost made me spit my coffee. It is too early to read something like that at 9am on the west coast!

Dan Rafael

  (12:08 PM)

Sorry bro. But it was pretty funny.

Antonio Margarito (Tijuana)

I've asked KISS to play at my next fight. Can't wait to hear "Plaster Caster" as I walk into the ring.

Will (PGH)

Is Taylor done for? He has to be totally crushed mentally after his recent knockout losses.

Dan Rafael

  (12:08 PM)

I think that even if Jermain fights again, it will never again be at the top level.

Sean (Dunmore)

Who are Pavlik's mandatories? Can we start clearing up the middleweight picture?

Dan Rafael

  (12:09 PM)

There is no picture to clear up. Pavlik is the champion with no clear cut challenger other than Williams.

David (Hercules, CA)

Papa Dan, can I come to live with you and the Misses while I train to watch the Pacquiao-Cotto fight on Nov. 14?

Dan Rafael

  (12:09 PM)

No, go ask Gary Shaw.

Tom (Hollywood, California)

Dan,How close is this Arreola/Tua fight to reality?

Dan Rafael

  (12:10 PM)

Not close, just been discussed. Frankly, I think Tua and/or Arreola will price himself out.

Aaron (MA)

someone had a conspiracy theory that Pavlik is not hurt, he's trying to get into the Super Six if Jermaine Taylor decides to leave the tournament.

Dan Rafael

  (12:10 PM)

Complete nonsense.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

Dan, what fight was Gus Johnson watching last week? If you had just the audio without video of the fight, you would have thought Dirrell won it going away. Disappointed in the call of the fight from him.

Dan Rafael

  (12:11 PM)

I agree. Gus did not have a good night in my opinion.

phil (west seneca, ny)

Anything on chris arreola, and who he night fight next?

Dan Rafael

  (12:11 PM)

Cris will be back on Dec. 5 under Williams on HBO. Who he fights has not been determined.

John (PA)

any update on HBO getting the Klitschko fight?

Dan Rafael

  (12:11 PM)

The Klitschko people are talking to HBO about it but there has been no committment made yet by the network for or against it.

David (Hercules, CA)

David Haye's quote should get him automatic entry into a trash-talking Super Six, that was hilarious!

Don (Buffalo)

Caught the Tony Grano / Travis Kaufman fight on Showtime on demand last weekend. Is there a rematch scheduled?

Dan Rafael

  (12:12 PM)

That was a really fun fight. I'd like to see a rematch at some point, but right now there is not one scheduled.

Brandon (California)

I am not an Andre Dirrell apologist, But was wandering if the point deduction, that late in the fight was necessary /warranted?

Dan Rafael

  (12:13 PM)

A point deduction was warranted from someone in that dirty fight. Both guys pushed the envelope. Both got away with a lot of stuff for a long time. Eventually, the referee decided to take a point and Dirrell was the unfortunate one. But both guys could easily have had points taken at one time or another during the fight.

Brian (Brooklyn)

Being that Froch hardly landed any punches, what else in your eyes did he do to win that fight?

Dan Rafael

  (12:14 PM)

Well in my eyes, he did land some very good, hard shots. He was also the aggressor. On my card I had it even with Froch winning because of the point deduction. It was a close fight.

Walter (Albuquerque, NM)

The robbery last weekend wasn't that Dirrell lost, it was that people like you described his skillful boxing performance as "running and holding".

Dan Rafael

  (12:14 PM)

I'd tell you to go watch the fight again, but I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

Khalil (Atlanta, GA)

Dan, can you please have someone take down that picture of Pavlik's gnarly finger on the boxing homepage. I think I'd rather see Marquez drink his own pee than stare at that thing.

Jonathan Simon (Lafayette, la)

Hey, Dan whats up do you agree that after the Pacquiao/Cotto fight in Nov in the new year your opinion on a welterweight series with Mayweather, Mosley, Berto, Hlatshwayo with the Nov winner fighting anyone in the spring or early summer.

Dan Rafael

  (12:16 PM)

There's not going to be an official series because they don't need to committ to the fights with each one being worth so much money. And Hlatshwayo does not even belong in the discussion.

Rags (NYC)

Does Showtime have any plans to add the S6 t-shirt that the participants were wearing to their on-line store?

Dan Rafael

  (12:16 PM)

Good question. You should email them or call them and request it. I did get a Super Six hat.

Ryan (Pikeville, Kentucky)

What American Television Channel Will Cover The Valuev- Haye Fight?

Dan Rafael

  (12:17 PM)

The fight will air live on pay-per-view. It will cost $24.95.

Jesse (Washington, DC)

Can we just all agree that the only reason a tournament was even agreed to was because of the lack of big money fights. No one is agreeing to a tournament at 147

Dan Rafael

  (12:18 PM)

Exactly. At 168, it made sense because none of the guys brought big money. At 147, they don't need a tourney because of the money already being generated.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

How can anyone say that Dirrell's performance was skillful? If he had fought the entire fight like he did 10-12 then it would be accurate. He clearly did not want to engage Froch most of the fight.

Dan Rafael

  (12:18 PM)

I agree. He fought like an amateur for most of the fight and it cost him.

Snoop Dogg (Cali)

Danny Boy...Any mention of a possible fight with Felix Strum in the negotiations for the Williams fight? That would be a legit fight, am i wrong.

Dan Rafael

  (12:18 PM)

No, Sturm has not been mentioned at all.

Lou (Buffalo, NY)

Dan, I don't think I've seen Yohnny Perez fight. What is his style and does he have a decent shot against Agbeko?

Dan Rafael

  (12:19 PM)

Yes, he has a good shot. He's aggressive, he can bang a bit and he is fearless.

Yorkis (Philly)

I thought Dirrell won by landing more clean punches, but you can't say he got robbed when he initiated a lot of holds.

Dan Rafael

  (12:19 PM)

Exactly. He wasn't robbed. He lost a close fight.

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

It's not as though this is the first time Dirrell has stunk up a fight. He's entering Ruiz territory.

Dan Rafael

  (12:20 PM)

At least he didn't stink it up as much as when he "fought" Curtis Stevens.

Buzz (Chicago, IL)

Any word on whether Pascal-Diocanu will be on TV? Are you thinking of going to it if not? The Montreal fight scene looks electric.

Dan Rafael

  (12:20 PM)

I got a note from one of the promoters of the fight, who told me they are talking to ESPN about maybe doing the fight on Classic. But nothing is set.

Damjan (Charlotte, NC)

Dan, can HBO quit forcing Alfredo Angulo down our throats?

Dan Rafael

  (12:22 PM)

Forcing? He's fighting an undercard fight after a good, tough fight with Cintron. Who doesn't want to watch Perro fight? He's exciting and good to watch. What's your problem with him anyway?

Raul Jr. (Everett, WA)

Hey Dan, how would the Klitsckho- Johnson fight get on HBO if that date is held for the supposed Diaz-Malignaggi Rematch?

Dan Rafael

  (12:22 PM)

If, a big if, it winds up on HBO it would be a tripleheader with tapes coverage from Switzerland. It's been done before. What's so hard to understand?

Brian (scottsdale, az)

I thought the froch-dirrell fight was close with dirrell winning, but I was getting horrible flashbacks to the dirrell-curtis stevens fight. Though I have no issues with froch getting the victory.

C.M. (Toronto)

What's with Showtime? Slick graphics, a revolutionary tournament, two high-profile match-ups, the world's eyes on them...... and they show their commentators reading from their scripts? COME ON!

R! (Yay Area)

Chances we get the Miranda-Green rematch for the SMW sub entry on the line?

Dan Rafael

  (12:23 PM)

Unlikely.

Joe (NYC)

Damjan: Whats wrong with Alfredo Angulo? The guy comes forward to attack, gets hit in the process and continues to press. Wish there were more fighters like him... and he's still young.... many more years of Angulo to come... get used to it!

j (cherry hill)

do they have a date venue and opponent for juan manuel lopez next fight yet

Dan Rafael

  (12:23 PM)

Likely to be Jan. 23 back at the MSG Theater in New York. He probably will challenge Luevano for his featherweight belt.

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Haye's quote might have been more memorable, but I actually agree with Valuev's.

Phil Ellinger (C.A.)

Hey Dan, who do you think takes themselves more seriously in England, Queen Elizabeth or Carl Froch?

Dan Rafael

  (12:24 PM)

Toss up.

Steve (Harford)

If Paul Will fight Martinez will it be @ 154 for Martinez's Strap or at 160?

Dan Rafael

  (12:24 PM)

If Williams fights Martinez, it would be at 154 for Martinez's title I would imagine.

Dave (San Jose)

The super six is great for boxing, some of my casual boxing friends are really getting into it. one of them even told me the Froch-Dirrell fight was great, i think he's gonna be in for a treat the rest of the way

Dan Rafael

  (12:25 PM)

Good. Keep converting them.

State Penetentiary (Texas)

Don't ask. He's still here, and will be for a while.

Dan Rafael

  (12:26 PM)

LOL!

Aaron (MA)

do you think Shannon Briggs is an option for Arreola on 12/5? How about James Toney? I know Goosen promotes both Arreola and Toney.

Dan Rafael

  (12:26 PM)

I do not believe either is realistic for Dec. 5.

jeff (new haven)

dan, chances bute gets to enter super 6?

Dan Rafael

  (12:28 PM)

I want everyone to understand this and understand it clearly why Bute will not be in the tournament: He is fighting a mandatory against Andreade on Nov. 28. The fight will be on HBO. That will give HBO certain rights going forward if it wants them. You can take this to the bank: HBO isn't going to let Bute walk away to enter Showtime's tournament. Same goes for Andrade, who is with Golden Boy, HBO's closest partner among promoters. So while it would be great to see Bute in the tournament (or Andrade if he beats Bute), it's very, very, very, very unlikely to happen. So stop with that. This is business.

John (NJ)

Dan...the WBA just named Froch's girlfriend "Super Champion"

Dan Rafael

  (12:29 PM)

I love the WBA.

Matt (Spokane)

Larry Holmes did a chat yesterday and said the fight he never got which he wanted was with George Foreman. He claimed he would have knocked out George. Your thoughts?

Dan Rafael

  (12:29 PM)

I do not agree that Larry would have stopped Big George but that is a fight I would have loved to see.

Dominic (San Francisco)

Dan! You read my mind with your comment about Froch's wife!

Dan Rafael

  (12:30 PM)

You and every other red-blooded male Freak!

Matt (Lincoln, NE)

Dan, how about putting the Clottey-Quintana fight on the undercard of Pac-Cotto, it would be the best fight on the undercard

Dan Rafael

  (12:31 PM)

Lovely idea. A non-starter if you understood the business aspects in any remote way.

R! (Yay Area)

Any news on what's next for Nonito Donaire? Or still on the shelf because of the injury?

Dan Rafael

  (12:31 PM)

Not injured, but out until probably Feb. 13, the date Top Rank is planning to put on its next Pinoy Power PPV card.

mike (orlando)

will gamboa also fight on the jan 23 card with llopez and does he have any names for opponets yet

Dan Rafael

  (12:32 PM)

Yes, he is supposed to open that card. The two opponents being discussed are Bernabe Concepcion or Rogers Mtagwa.

Los (DC)

Not to jump on the band wagon and you also intitled to your opinion but I seen NOTHING Froch did to win, and Direll clearly landed the more solid shots, could he have fought more sure but he won the fight hands down.

Dan Rafael

  (12:32 PM)

Fine.

Nate (Jersey)

The Angulo/Shaw situation reminds me of Rocky V when Rocky invites Tommy Gunn to live with him causing a rift in his relationship with his own son. As such, is there any chance we get an Angulo-Shaw streetfight later this year, perhaps ending with Shaw uppercutting Don King and asking, "Sue me for what?"? Boxing needs that.

Dan Rafael

  (12:33 PM)

You have way too much time on your hands.

Josh (Lincoln, NE)

Think Floyd will pop up at Cotto-Pacquiao? He doesn't usually attend fights, but he loves attention so I could see him attend this one.

Dan Rafael

  (12:33 PM)

I'd actually be quite stunned if Floyd came to the fight. He won't.

Matt (Spokane)

Maybe Dirrell was confused and thought he was fighting Froch's girlfriend, and that's why he did so much grabbing and holding.

Dan Rafael

  (12:34 PM)

Freaks, we have a comment of the week. In the immortal words of one of my all-time favorite columnists, Norman Chad, pay the man Shirley.

Braindamaged2too (The Asylum)

D-T-M!,Gotta ask.....on average how often do you make it up to ESPN Headquarters in a year? That place is becoming the scandal zone...not the Sports Zone!!!

Dan Rafael

  (12:35 PM)

I get up there several times a year, mainly for my work on Friday Night Fights.

Joe (NYC)

Dan, I hate these people who think they can snap their fingers at 2 fighters and get them on a card without thinking about it.

Eric (Miami)

Have you seen the Ali 30 for 30 doc? If so, what are your thoughts? Worth viewing or a waste of time, like the USFL doc?

Dan Rafael

  (12:35 PM)

I have not seen it yet but my DVR is set.

George (Louisiana)

Has a date and venue been secured for Jones-Hopkins?

Dan Rafael

  (12:36 PM)

No, both need to win Dec. 2 before that stuff is figured out.

Joe (RI)

Will you be doing a chat after the Pac/Cotto Weigh-in?

Dan Rafael

  (12:36 PM)

I'll do a chat on that day, but the time is TBA. However, it will likely be before the weigh in.

Bert (Minneapolis)

Dirrell did look just like John Ruiz, sans 60 pounds. Great comparison.

Tim (St. Louis)

What's the word on Devon Alexander?

Dan Rafael

  (12:38 PM)

Devon is supposed to come back in around March on Boxing After Dark. Devon's manager/trainer, Kevin Cunningham, reached out to Top Rank offering Devon's services to spar with Cotto. I think that would have been great sparring for Cotto against a guy similiar to Pacquiao in terms of being southpaw and speed. Cotto's team rejected that idea.

mike (LA)

will espn.com be putting up a fight credential for the pac-cotto fight?

Dan Rafael

  (12:38 PM)

I believe we are. It's the biggest fight of the year.

Kieran (Alexandria)

There'd better be a fight credential. I booked my tickets already!

Brock (Belleville, IL)

DTM, who wins Adamek-Golota?

Dan Rafael

  (12:40 PM)

I like Adamek. Golota has never won a big fight. He'll find a way to screw this one up too.

christopher cina (orlando)

I had Dirrell winning the fight (114-113). But I won't argue with the decision. You have to take the title from the champ! What makes it doubley frustrating is that it appeared he had the ability but not the will and committment.

Dan Rafael

  (12:41 PM)

Actually, you don't have to "take" the title from the champ. I think that's the biggets load of BS ever. You have to win 7 rounds and not get knocked down. Period. You score each round one at a time. The notion of "taking" the title is a load of crap.

Matt (Spokane)

Any word on whether Adamek got an insurance policy from Lloyd's of London on his testicles?

Dan Rafael

  (12:42 PM)

I did investigate that. I apologize.

Joe (NYC)

What determines whether you do a RAD CHAT after a card? After Pac-Cotto? Probably not because you have "real work"-- articles and press conferences....

Dan Rafael

  (12:43 PM)

I determine it when it fits my schedule. If am home and not at the fight and am able to do it, I do it. When I am at a fight, like I will be for Cotto-Pacquiao, I can't do one because I am busy writing, going to the press conference, doing television work, etc...

Brandon (Florida)

Dan I was having a talk with my friend about Taylor and he had an interesting take on him. He thought that Taylor started to decline after the Ouma and Spinks fights, he was clearly better but struggled, and never seemed to get back to the level he was at against Hopkins. Do you agree?

Dan Rafael

  (12:44 PM)

I think that's reasonable, but I would say the decline began with the monster KO loss to Pavlilk. And I'm not even sure how much he declined because even though he lost a decision to Kelly in their rematch, I thought Jermain fought very, very well in that fight. And let's not forget, he also beat Lacy easily and was handling Froch relatively easily before he got waxed.

Jarrod (Indiana)

I read a couple of articles that were bashing the super six, saying that if Kessler wins easily against ward then the tournament is already lost. What more do these people want? The matchups that are forthcoming in the following rounds have FOY potential!!

Dan Rafael

  (12:45 PM)

You can't ever satisfy boxing fans. No matter what fights are made they'll bitch about something. Here we have Showtime putting together a series of 12 fights with top guys with no intervening BS fights and people still complain. It's amazing.

Derek (Edmonton, Alberta)

Dan, congratulations on having the integrity to be objective in scoring the Froch/Dirrell fight. Both myself and my friend scored a 2 point victory for Froch.Get over it people! It was a close, ugly fight. I can only imagine the reaction if the foreign fighter fought the way Dirrell did.

Dan Rafael

  (12:46 PM)

I score every fight the way I see it whether people want to believe it or not. If they don't, well I can't do anything about it and don't really care.

Anthony (Sacramento)

I agree with you Dan. It?s important to remember when scoring a boxing match that each round is actually a ?fight? and you judge it as it goes. Not after watching all 12 rounds, then deciding who you thought won more.

Dan Rafael

  (12:46 PM)

Exactly.

Don (Buffalo)

Is Arreloa going to be "showcased" or be in with a real opponent on 12/5?

Dan Rafael

  (12:47 PM)

I would hope a real opponent. He just got crushed by Klitschko. There is no reason for a showcase.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

Thanks for the comment on "taking" the title. I always thought just winning was enough.

Will (PGH)

I have officially merged Pacquiao and Cotto into a one word fight title: Pacqotto. Doesn't that just roll off the tongue?

Dan Rafael

  (12:48 PM)

I like it. What about Cotquiao?

Gerardo (AZ)

Dan, went to the U2 concert in Phoenix this week, and Bono saluted Ali, who was in attendance, not once, but twice during the show. He also made the band introductions "boxing style". Good stuff.

Dan Rafael

  (12:48 PM)

That's cool. KISS did not do that a couple of weeks ago when I went to their show in DC.

Mark (Brooksville, Fla.)

Dan,At a top fight like Pac/Cotto how many ringside seats are set aside for boxing scribes? And what is the average number of sportswriters covering a major event like this one?

Dan Rafael

  (12:49 PM)

I think for a major fight like this there might be in the neighborhood of several hundred media covering the event, maybe something like 400ish. However, not everyone is seated with the ringside media. Some are in auxillary or in the press room.

Wilkie (toronto)

whens the next episode of fight camp 360? i want to see abrahams celebration i imagine the guy likes to party

Dan Rafael

  (12:50 PM)

It will air sometime before Kessler-Ward Nov. 21, but the exact time and date have not been announced yet.

Kent (St Catharines)

Cotquiao sounds like something you'd order at your local Taco Bell. Can I get extra cheese on that?

Gerardo (AZ)

Dan, on a scale of -5 to 0, what are the chances we get a TV outlet for the Erdei Vs. Fragomeni fight in the U.S.?

Dan Rafael

  (12:51 PM)

-100.

JP (Columbus, OH)

It's been a month since he last fought....is PBF broke yet?

Dan Rafael

  (12:52 PM)

Good question. I would hope not, but you never know.

Roger Mayweather (Taco Bell Drive-Thru)

Can I have 2 Cotquiaos? With extra hotsauce!

Greg (VA)

Buy or sell: Haye backs out of Valuev fight due to smell?

Tomwit NJ [via mobile]

Dan Im surprised at how many folks think that Arreola gave Klitchko a good fight. Shouldnt a boxer be more proficient at administerring a beating than withstanding one?

Dan Rafael

  (12:53 PM)

Yes. I like Cris as much as anyone, but he got killed. It was not competitive at all.

Braindamaged2too (The Asylum)

D-T-M!,Got to agree with you on Antonio Tarver's emergence as a color commentator. Insightful and not afraid to speak up.....not just speak. Over the years who have been some of your favorite boxer-turned-commentaors?

Dan Rafael

  (12:54 PM)

I agree, Tarver has been very good. I always thought Roy Jones was excellent and even though he was as wacky as your nutty uncle, I always enjoyed Big George on HBO.

Tomwit NJ [via mobile]

Golota has crushed more nuts than people at Jif peanut butter.

frank (detroit)

where does dawson go if and i do mean if he beats glen johnson

Dan Rafael

  (12:57 PM)

Good question. As I mentioned in the new p4p rankings posted this week, Dawson does not have too many big fights options because he fights in a wasteland division. Nobody is well known, nobody brings big money. Only Hopkins-Jones winner would do that but I don't think either wants to fight him -- for what? Even if they didn, that fight couldn't happen until at least next summer anyway.

Gerardo (AZ)

Hey Dan, props to BHop on his charity pledge. Stuff like that really does make a positive impact in our society.

Dan Rafael

  (12:58 PM)

I respect BHop for giving to charity off his upcoming fight.

John (NJ)

Dan...Arthur Abraham have enough resume for the HOF yet?

Dan Rafael

  (12:59 PM)

LOL. He has no resume for the HOF yet. Beating a declining Jermain Taylor and beating Edison Miranda do not a HOFer make. Unless the HOF is for ring entrances.

Larry David (Santa Monica)

Wendy Wheelchair? .......... Denise Handicapped?

Dan Rafael

  (1:00 PM)

What a great episode last week. I nearly wet myself when he was making out with the girl on her lap in the wheelchair.

Brett (Northern Virginia)

Dan,Between the kick a** ring walk, the terminator like efficiency, and his very classy position about not celebrating his victory until he found out Jermain Taylor was ok...I dare say that I am an Arthur Abraham fan. But I still think Kessler can take him. What say you?

Dan Rafael

  (1:01 PM)

I say that is the final I envision in this tournament at this point.

The Critics ((Jersey))

Pavlik's staph problems are like droopy lid, he needs to find a new profession...

Dan Rafael

  (1:03 PM)

Let's clear one thing up -- the staph infection, from what Pavlik's team told me this week, is gone. It is out of his system and no longer an issue. The problem with the hand is because he had two surgeries related to the infection and the hand itself has not fully healed yet, which is why he can't make a fist with his left hand. At this point, it's like an ACL healing or a broken nose or a torn rotator cuff. His problem is not an infection any longer.

Chris (Kalamazoo, MI)

Dan, any word on who else is gonna be on the Diaz-Malignaggi undercard?

Dan Rafael

  (1:03 PM)

Victor Ortiz vs. Antonio Diaz.

Gerardo (AZ)

Hey Dan, your DVD pick of the week made me think: is Ray Mercer a HOF'er? He has a nice resume, but I'd vote no.

Dan Rafael

  (1:04 PM)

Not even remotely close. Come on.

Chris (Kalamazoo, MI)

Sorry I should have been more clear. Besides Ortiz-Diaz. Thanks

Dan Rafael

  (1:05 PM)

Nothing yet.

Jason (Chula Vista)

Pavlik, after all the hype, has by and large, been a huge disapointment.

Dan Rafael

  (1:07 PM)

I can't disagree. I still remember me and a few other writers had a bite to eat at the Johnny Rockets on the Boardwalk with Arum after one of Pavlik's fights in Atlantic City (either Taylor 1 or Lockett) and Bob going on and on about how Pavlik would be better than Hagler. We didn't believe him then and nobody believes him now. But dinner was good.

Mark (Brooksville, Fla.)

Your blog on the Pavlik/Williams cancellation was great. If a promoter still has other quality matchups going on why the urge to cancel those? You did a good job of explaining the collateral damage to other fighters but a good matchup is still a good matchup regardless of the main event .....yes?

Dan Rafael

  (1:10 PM)

Agreed. In the case of Quintana-Clottey getting called off, it is because now the card belongs to Williams' promoter, Dan Goossen, and he wants to put his guy, Arreola, on, who may help sell tickets. I know HBO is trying to figure out a way to keep the fight together for another time. Whatever happens, HBO will put Clottey back on in another fight, be it Quintana or somebody else. This whole thing just happened. Let's give them a few days to figure things out before getting too crazy.

Geovany (San Diego)

My GF watch the Dirrell / Froch fight with me, this is her first fight, at the end she said "Dirrel hit the other guy more, but how can he win if he ran and ran and complaint and complaint? He does not deserve it"...

randy ((nyc))

I like the Williams - Sergio Martinez fight. It is a quality, meaningful fight where the winner could face a healed Pavlik

Dan Rafael

  (1:11 PM)

I agree.

Geovany (San Diego)

Dan, maybe J. Julio should move in with you...

Dan Rafael

  (1:12 PM)

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the Love Child. He'd be welcome. We have a big house with plenty of room.

Rob C (Southern New Jersey)

What are the chances P-Will's rescheduled fight is in Atlantic City?

Dan Rafael

  (1:12 PM)

Highly unlikely since Williams means nothing in AC in terms of tickets.

Justin (New Orleans)

Why do we never see boxing in New Orleans? Seems like it would be a great fit, and the city could always use the boost.

Dan Rafael

  (1:14 PM)

Probably because there are no local attractions. The city has had some major fights over the years, just not too often. Actually, one of the best trips I ever had to cover a fight was in New Orleans. I went there to cover Roy Jones-Eric Harding and had a great, great time there. One of the best trips I ever had to cover a fight.

Aaron (AM)

do you think Ring Magazine will strip Pavlik of the Middleweight Championship?

Dan Rafael

  (1:15 PM)

No, because they don't do that. Read the rules. It's very, very clear. Besides, why should he be stripped? He fought in February and is injured.

Jason (Dallas)

I grew up reading Michael Katz in the NY Daily News. Is he still alive and do you speak with him?

Dan Rafael

  (1:16 PM)

I also used to read Uncle Mike in the Daily News when I was much younger. And, yes, Mike is still very much alive in retirement in Las Vegas. I see and talk to him when I am there for fights because he still comes to the big ones and writes from time to time.

mark (tampa)

do u think the rematch of dawson vs johnson be as good as the 1st

Dan Rafael

  (1:18 PM)

It will be hard to be as good as the first one, but I anticipate another good, competitive fight.

Josh (Richmond, VA)

In your opinion, why does Williams have such a hard time drawing on his own?

Dan Rafael

  (1:18 PM)

He doesn't have a home base of fans because he wasn't developed at home and he doesn't have a big personality or that sort of crushing power that excites people. He's a damn good fighter, just not a big draw.

nick (new york)

damn,had tickets bought and hotel booked for the williams fight and now its now even gonna be held in atlantic city? where than would it be held?

Dan Rafael

  (1:19 PM)

Could be anywhere, but I would imagine with Arreola probably on the undercard Goossen will bring it to somewhere in Southern California, where he puts on most of his shows.

Bing (Philly)

Look, I'm no Golota apologist but why do writers such as yourself attack him for quitting against Tyson? The guy had a fractured orbital bone and vertebrae in his neck. One more punch could have killed him.

Dan Rafael

  (1:22 PM)

LOL. He quit against Tyson, plain and simple, after two rounds. I'll let his own trainer speak to that one when he was so pissed off after the fight, he told us with regard to the mouthpiece, "Instead of trying to shove it back in his mouth, I should have shoved it up his ass." Golota is the most mentally weak fighter who ever lived and has self-destructed in fight after fight after fight. It is what it is.

Ryan (RI)

Any word on "The Contender" coming back for another season?

Dan Rafael

  (1:23 PM)

Nothing official, but it won't be back for another season, at least not in the form that it has been airing.

Steve (Hartford )

Do you think Ring will remove B-Hop from the rankings for being inactive for over a year, thus clearing the way for Dawson vs Johnson 2 to be a world title fight?

Dan Rafael

  (1:24 PM)

No, because Bernard has a fight scheduled for Dec. 2.

Phil Ellinger (C.A.)

Not that I am keeping track or anything, but isn't that two pets you've mentioned Lou Dibella losing in your Notebook the last month?

Dan Rafael

  (1:26 PM)

Well in my blogs anyway. It's been a rough month at DBE.

Rob C (Southern New Jersey)

Were you ever at a press conference or weight-in were the fighters started brawling, like with Tyson-Lewis or Morales-Barerra?

Dan Rafael

  (1:30 PM)

I was at the Lewis-Tyson press conference with the fight before the press conference. I was at the Jones-Ruiz weigh in, when Roy's trainer, Alton Merkerson, punched Ruiz's trainer, Norman Stone, in the face and knocked him out. I was on the stage when the brawl broke out during the Hopkins-Wright weigh in. There have been a few memorbale ones.

Dan Rafael

  (1:30 PM)

I was also at the Hopkins-Joppy press conference in Washington on the media tour when they got into a scuffle with Don King right in the middle of it and chairs started flying.

Andrew (Charleston, WV)

Dan-On my card, Dirrell clearly won. How many punches did Froch land? Aggression is nice and worth something, but if it doesn't result in landed punches, who cares (obviously judges in this case)? Dirrell won by at least 7 rounds to 5 or 8 to 4.

Dan Rafael

  (1:32 PM)

I'd say this is now a dead subject. Some of you think Dirrell won. Fine. I didn't. A lot of others didn't either. And two of the judges didn't. He didn't win and Froch did. It's over. Deal with it.

Brett (Northern Virginia)

Dan,You'll have to forgive me, but I just started avidly following the boxing chat a couple of months ago. What is the deal with the whole "Love Child" (Joel Julio) thing?

Dan Rafael

  (1:34 PM)

I suggest you go back and read some old transcripts unless a Freak cares to explain.

Dan Rafael

  (1:34 PM)

And, did I mention? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the Love Child.

Peter (Warsaw)

Golota eighted in at 256 pounds, his career high. Is now Adamek even bigger favourite ?

Dan Rafael

  (1:34 PM)

Not all. Golota looked really bad in the photos.

Keith (Indiana)

Your tired of hearing about Dirrell getting robbed because he did and your score card was terrible

Dan Rafael

  (1:35 PM)

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!

The Critics (Jersey)

Bad decisions will never be dead issues, they just linger and follow a fighter for his career you know that...

Dan Rafael

  (1:36 PM)

Kind of like an odor follows you?

Chris (Vancouver BC)

Yank's will win back home in game 6. Dont worry.

Dan Rafael

  (1:37 PM)

They better. Last night's loss was horrible.

R! (Yay Area)

Miranda's sweet KO from last night --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcA4yyD6RA

Dan Rafael

  (1:37 PM)

Nice one.

Damjan (Charlotte, NC)

HA!!! nice one D$! NJ STINKS!

brian (scottsdale, az)

Has Jorge Arce officially called it a day? Or is he still fighting (I hope not)

Dan Rafael

  (1:39 PM)

Arce is supposed to have a rematch with Simphiwe Nongqayi. Why? I have no idea. But it is in the works, possibly for December on Latin Fury.

Michael (Long Beach, CA)

Re: The Critics and odor comment. That was harsh, but damn funny.

Bing (Philly)

That Judah/cassamayor card looks pathetic

Dan Rafael

  (1:39 PM)

Looks pathetic? It IS pathetic. Absolutely horrible to make pure garbage like a ppv.

JJD (Seattle)

Am I wrong or was Taylor ahead of Froch on the scorecards? If so, I feel for Jermain - 20 seconds away from a win over Froch and a respectable loss to Abraham, and instead two devastating KO losses.

Dan Rafael

  (1:41 PM)

Yes, he was on his way to a decision.

Phil Ellinger (C.A.)

Lennox Lewis may stink, but he has never proclaiming anything as preposterous as Gus Charles' saying "they call Andre Dirrell the Matrix, and like a young Neo, he is about to find out if he is the chosen one..."

Dan Rafael

  (1:42 PM)

Gus is a bit over the top for my liking.

Gerardo (AZ)

"Oh my God, another idiot in our world". --Valuev, on Haye's trash talk. Classic!!

shawn (atlanta)

how are ticket sales going for the dawson fight in hartford

Dan Rafael

  (1:44 PM)

I have no idea. How about you call the XL Center and ask? Get back to us.

Jermaine Taylor (Berlin)

That's the last time I take a Mexican's advice about drinking my own urine!!!

Taylor (SLC, UT)

Dan, my job is quite busy and pretty intense right now, but I couldn't miss the chat so I came up with a solution...I'm sitting on the can in the men's room. Messed up? No question. But a true fight freak?

Dan Rafael

  (1:44 PM)

I don't have words. But please wash your hands.

jeff (new haven)

so dan$, last week i told you of my freak status and how i broke up with my girlfriend on our 3 year anniversary so i could wathc super six. well now im depressed, not because i lost my girlfriend of 3 years, but because when i called her monday, she sold my chad dawson-glen johnson tickets!Freak status?

Dan Rafael

  (1:45 PM)

No. Idiot status.

John Ruiz (LV)

I thought the Dirrell fight was totally awesome. I've watched it ten times already!

Kelly Pavlik's Hand (Youngstown OH)

While I can't make a fist, I can still hold a beer can. All is not lost!

JE (Indiana)

Dan, I'm trying to recall the name of a particular fighter. He had an extremely awkward style, but fun to watch. He changed his name part way through his career. Do you think you could help me out. Enjoying the chat as always.

Dan Rafael

  (1:48 PM)

I believe you are thinking of Emanuel Burton, who changed his name to Emaniel Augustus.

El Gato (Tijuana, Mexico)

Who wins b/t Salita and Khan?

Dan Rafael

  (1:50 PM)

In my best Capt. Kirk voice: KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN!

Shower Door (())

Maybe I can get in on the undercard of the Casamayor/Judah PPV card...

Matt (Spokane)

Dan, I'm trying to recall the phone number of this woman I met at a bar down the street...

Dan Rafael

  (1:51 PM)

867-5309?

jeff (Phoenix)

Dan,Vitali continues to impress with his recent schule and outcomes...if he puts Johnson down in December will he move past Wlad in your rankings?

Dan Rafael

  (1:51 PM)

No.

Neil (Queens, NY)

It is a good thing Andrew Golotta isn't fighting Carl Crotch this weekend!

Rick (MA)

DTM, if a fighter entered to a live performance of War Machine by KISS, would you change your stance on rooting for a specific fighter to win?

Dan Rafael

  (1:53 PM)

Yes.

dave (detroit)

dan, do you get to preview 24/7 before it airs? i've heard good things about the first episode

Dan Rafael

  (1:53 PM)

I've only heard stuff. I have not seen the episode. I will tune in on Saturday night (or via DVR on Sunday) and enjoy it.

Horn (Vegas)

Am I the only freak that sorely missed Compubox statistics last weekend?

Dan Rafael

  (1:56 PM)

It would have been nice to have them but Showtime can't use CompuBox. HBO pays a lot of money for premium cable exclusivity for use of its service.

Pete (Austin, TX)

Loved the piece about Angulo moving in with Gary Shaw in advance of his next fight. Barney Rubble now has his own Bam-Bam!

Romeo (DC)

Will the WBO and WBC crown interim middleweight champions since Pavlik is injured?

Dan Rafael

  (1:57 PM)

The disgusting WBC already has an interim titleholder.

Rob (Halifax, Canada)

Does Winky wright have a promoter nowadays? I know he has Winky Promotions but does he use GB as his handlers? And I said Wright so don't ask "Winky who?" lol

Dan Rafael

  (2:01 PM)

Winky does have his own company but he works closely with Golden Boy. However, other than maybe helping out with the undercard, Golden Boy is not involved with Winky's December fight in Puerto Rico. I asked Richard Schaefer about this the other day and he said that if Winky asks for help with anything related to the show Golden Boy would be happy to help out.

Koichi (NYC)

Richard Schaefer talked about a potential Mayweather vs Saul Alvarez fight. As big as this kid is in Mexico what's the point of that? Floyd won't gain anything, at least JMM is a known and accomplished fighter.

Dan Rafael

  (2:02 PM)

Richard is doing his thing and talking about the kid to get him publicity. But the fight is not happening for Floyd next. No chance. It means absolutely zero in the US since Alvarez is completely obscure.

Fernando (Los Angeles)

Dan, excellent blog on pavlik and williams. One of the things that really caught my attention was Dunking saying JC Salgado was the "greatest prospect" he ever signed. How do you feel about Salgado's future?

Dan Rafael

  (2:03 PM)

He's young, he's undefeated, he scored a great win over Linares to win a title and he's Mexican. That's a good foundation.

Dan Rafael

  (2:03 PM)

He's young, he's undefeated, he scored a great win over Linares to win a title and he's Mexican. That's a good foundation.

Carlos (Los Angeles)

What's next for that kid from the philippines Sonsona?

Dan Rafael

  (2:04 PM)

He fights in Canada next month.

Brent (NoVA)

Did ESPN report the results of the Abraham-Taylor fight when it happened? I taped a strip of toilet paper across the bottom of my TV so I wouldn't accidentally see what happened.

Dan Rafael

  (2:05 PM)

I have no idea. From the time the fight began German time, I turned off my cell phone. I did not check my Internet. I did not put on any sports network and I literally made my wife answer all of the phone calls to our house so I could avoid the result and watch the fight on Showtime.

Luke T. (Berkeley)

Great idea about Hatton v. Marquez last week. Has there been any talk?

Dan Rafael

  (2:07 PM)

Nothing serious. It was just a thought.

javier (puerto rico)

dan any chance we get this triple header on jan 23 lopez vs luevano mtgtawa vs gamboa concepcion vs santiago

Dan Rafael

  (2:08 PM)

No. It's not a tripleheader and there are no plans for a Concepcion-Santiago bout, at least not on HBO.

Dan Rafael

  (2:10 PM)

OK, Freaks, thanks for the chat. Enjoy the notebook and blogs and rankings. And your weekend. Talk to you next week. Peace.