Dan Rafael chat wrap 9/11:
- This is the final Friday chat in the current format. There will be a new format/platform announced soon. No idea when it will take place.
Floyd vs. Berto - or just Floyd related:
- Favorite Mayweather fight? Enjoyed the first fight he covered of his (Augustus) and Cotto.
- Floyd's IV-Gate is over in his eyes. Floyd did nothing against the rules of USADA or the Nevada commission, although it was against WADA code.
- Has no info on why Floyd took the IV. Some insiders told him it is a legitimate way to try and mask PED's, which is why the scandal makes some people suspicious of Floyd. Seems a bit sketchy that photos show Floyd within a pound or two of the contracted weight a month out, yet needs an IV for dehydration. We should think differently about the rumors regarding Floyd failing multiple drug tests in the past.
- Seems a bit hypocritical that Floyd is okay to take these IV's, yet Pacquiao was criticized for wanting a Toradol shot.
- Has not heard anything in regards to the rumor of the PPV price being dropped (from $75 in HD).
- Despite both having 3 losses, Khan is more deserving of a Floyd fight than Berto. Khan's losses are better and he has looked better recently than Berto.
- His choice for Mayweather's opponents based on who deserved it and who was available would have been Khan.
- Mayweather says he wants to KO Berto. Doesn't buy it. We'll get the same Mayweather as usual and a Mayweather win by UD.
- Believes Floyd will retire temporarily and probably get pulled back in from the lure of the ring. ODH says not a day goes by that he doesn't feel like fighting again. Roger also said he believes the retirement doesn't stick.
- The buzz is almost non-existent in LV.
- Ellerbe actually asked (in regards to Berto as an opponent): What's the difference between Berto and Thurman?
- Biggest upset: Berto over Floyd, Zefara over Quillin, or Karpency over Floyd? Berto beating Floyd.
- If he could choose one fighter he wished Floyd would have fought: Freitas, Tszyu, or Casamayor? Casamayor.
- Expects this PPV to sell less than Mayweather's vs. Guerrero.
- Had Floyd-Castillo 1 a draw.
- The other Floyd fight that got a lot of criticism was Bruseles.
- If he could only buy one, which one: Berto-Mayweather, GGG-Lemieux, Cotto-Canelo? Cotto-Canelo.
- A seasoned Mayweather who once fought at 154 vs. a very early RJJ who initially started at 154? RJJ.
- Floyd vs. GGG at 154? GGG by stoppage.
- Best atmosphere he has ever witnessed in person? Mayweather-Hatton, maybe Mayweather-Canelo.
- The MGM really did run out of beer during Mayweather-Hatton.
The rest of the chat:
- Imam is a big player at 140 if he fights regularly.
- Doubts Stevenson and Kovalev ever fight.
- Groves vs. Jack? Groves.
- Texted with Khan and he is absolutely not taking a fight vs. Provodnikov. He is talking with TR about making a fight with Pacquiao when he returns early 2016. Amir said that Haymon would sign off on the fight if the deal was right.
- Has not decided on his official Cotto-Canelo pick, but is leaning towards Canelo.
- Valdez vs. Avalos? Valdez.
- Not sure what is next for Thurman, but hoping it is Porter.
- Joshua vs. Klitschko will not happen any time soon.
- Wilder vs. Briggs would not interest him.
- Would like to see Trout vs. Julian Williams fight.
- No opponent yet for Ortiz on GGG's PPV. Stiverne is definitely out.
- Picking Salido KO10.
- Martirosyan UD over Smith in a terrible fight.
- Expects K9 to lose.
- Last year the organizing bodies (WBO excluded) said they were only going to have 1 belt per division. Nothing has been done on that front and doubts it ever will.
- Chris Arreola vs. Andy Ruiz would be a delightful mess of a fight.
- Moving PBC on ESPN to Wednesday nights will probably affect viewership quite a bit.
- Best fighter he has ever seen in person? RJJ.
- Who is better: Margarito or Cotto? Cotto.
- No idea who Lomachenko will fight next. They are having a hard time finding a quality opponent willing to fight him.
- Worst excuse he has heard from a fighter on why he lost? #toe
- Verdejo likely fights late October in Orlando.
- Brook vs. Chavez seems like a no brainer for Showtime International boxing...but no word on if they are picking it up.
- Wlad vs. Fury will have attendance over 50k.
- Best one punch KO fighter? Kovalev.
- TR is still working on Donaire vs. Quigg.
- Favorite Gatti fight (outside of Ward)? Wilson Rodriguez. Gatti told him (and Malignaggi) that when he was dropped in the Rodriguez fight his first thought was "I just bought a new Viper and I haven't paid for it yet".
- Buy or sell Brook vs. Mosely if Brook beats Chavez? Sell.
- Pacquiao's KO of Hatton is one of the best he has seen live, along with Martinez-Williams 2.
- GB resigned Canelo to a multi-year contract.
- Allakhverdiev has a good chance to beat Broner. He is a good boxer.
