Hello and welcome to another Thursday edition of Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack, the only boxing mailbag column penned by a writer blocked by Boxingscene and Dan Rafael (among others). This week, we have comments/questions regarding Demetrius Andrade, Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin, blame for the Spence-Crawford collapse, and the future of Naoya Inoue.
Spence-Crawford, Who’s to Blame?
Hi Paul.
Longtime reader and lurker here. I don’t recall you going into detail over the failed Spence-Crawford negotiations and what you think happened (and who may be most to blame). If you’ve written about this before, please disregard this email and I will go sit myself in the corner with a dunce cap on. Thanks for all the years of hard work and bravery you’ve put into telling us the truth and fighting the good fight.
– Tony from Jersey
Hey Tony.
As I’ve said before, it’s hard to formulate a valid opinion if you don’t have direct knowledge of the situation and weren’t one of the parties personally involved in the negotiations. Anyone with a firm take on what happened and who may be to blame for things going south is just taking a guess and picking a side based on whatever bias they may have. Pay these people no mind-- especially if they work in the boxing media. Any info leaked to media about this situation has come directly from one side or the other and is being used to influence public opinion by someone with a vested interest in protecting their guy. I mean, seriously, asking me to take sides in this is like asking me about who was right when you fought with your wife in your bedroom last night. How the hell could I formulate any sort of opinion if I wasn’t even there to hear both sides-- or ANY sides? It shouldn’t need to be said that the boxing media is mostly made up of dupes, dummies, and pretenders. Outside of those few with direct, personal knowledge of the talks, NOBODY knows the real story.
I know, that answer is a real buzzkill, but, as the kids say, I’m just “keeping it real.” All we know is that the fight isn’t happening now and may not happen in the immediate future, either (or ever). I think everyone involved-- including those that perpetuate boxing’s rancid business model, as well as the fans and media who give cover to the guilty parties by taking sides-- deserves a hefty dose of blame.
I will say, though, that the interviews given by Terence Crawford since the Spence fight collapsed and the Avanesyan fight emerged have not reflected well on Bud’s ability to handle the complexities of big-fight negotiations or his ability to display the diplomacy needed to put together a deal. I don’t mean that as a dig solely at Crawford. I’m sure Spence, if he had been giving interviews, would look just as bad. There’s no shame in not being a business man and not being particularly fit to make a deal work. You should see how poorly I handle that kind of shit when I’m negotiating a gig. That’s why people have people to specifically handle business.
But, then again, is it bad business for a fighter to make a boat load of money for a less risky fight? That’s not bad business at all. It’s bad for boxing and the fans, but it’s not “dumb.” The question is how to make smart business line up with what’s good for the sport.
Boo Boo and the PBC
Hey Magno.
What do you think about Demetrius Andrade signing up with PBC and fighting on the Tank Davis-Hector Luis Garcia undercard? Andrade is still in his prime and he’s in a good place for super middleweights with PBC having Plant, Benavidez, Morrell, Dirrell, and maybe Jermall Charlo down the line. Can Boo Boo have a late career resurgence and make up for lost time?
– Lee
Hey Lee.
My take on Andrade remains the same, no matter where he’s fighting. He’s got outstanding skill, but he’s absolutely hobbled himself with bad business decisions and a penchant for delivering uninspiring ring performances. I understand that he’s lacked the connections to get the big fights he wants, but that means he has to create a buzz to get the fans behind him, to make himself a draw who can bring more reward to the risk he presents for the big names. He hasn’t done that, at least not consistently. It’s not too late and, like you said, he’s probably aligning himself with the right crew if he wants the bigger fights at 168 that could eventually bring him into the Canelo picture.
I’m not sure what the deal is with him and PBC, but I’ll be watching, regardless. I’ve always pulled for him to become what he has the potential to become. Having one more star in the mix is good for boxing as a whole.
Teofimo-Sandor Upset?
Hi Paul.
Any chance of Sandor Martin pulling off another upset this Saturday against Teofimo Lopez? Nobody gave him a shot against Mikey Garcia, either.
– Juan Pablo Sorriento
Hey Juan Pablo.
Putting an awkward southpaw mover like Martin in the ring against a methodical fighter like Mikey Garcia, coming off a 20-month layoff, was shitty, shitty matchmaking. I didn’t think Mikey would lose, but I knew he wouldn’t look good. Teofimo is a different animal than Mikey, though. Teofimo comes right at you and is not going to sit back and wait to find the rhythm and opportunities that may not come. Still, Sandor is awkward to handle and doesn’t appear to be intimidated one bit by the task at hand. I don’t see an upset happening, but I do see some rough patches for Lopez, who still very much gives off the vibe that his head is not where it should be.
The Monster’s Future
Hey Paul.
Appreciate all that you do. Keep up the good work.
What's your take on 'The Monster'? Mr. Naoye Inoue is obviously only getting better as he destroys opponents. And I'm sure he will run through the UK’s Paul Butler. But what's going to happen when he moves up in weight and starts fighting the American opposition? Like a Stephen Fulton.
Thanks
– B.C
Hey B.C.
Inoue is a special fighter, but even “special” has its limitations. At some point, most of the lighter weight greats bite off more than they can chew by taking a step too far up in weight and/or crossing that line where the competition becomes more “Americanized” and style changes significantly. Inoue could struggle with a guy like Fulton, who is fast, physically strong, and bigger than anyone he’s faced. He could also struggle with Murodjon
Akhmadaliev, who is big and physical. 122 is not a deep division at the moment, so beyond Fulton and Akhmadaliev, Inoue may do okay. But, eventually, even as good as he is, he’ll take a step too far and meet his match-- if he moves past 118 (which may not happen). One thing is for certain, though-- he’s going to absolutely crush Paul Butler.
Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.