Dan Rafael chat wrap 12/4:
Klitschko-Fury:
- Absolutely gives Wlad a good chance in the rematch. Both guys can fight a lot better. Fury and Klitschko both looked awful, Fury just less awful.
- Hard to believe Fury's feints caused Klitschko so many problems.
- Fury's camp said they are willing to fight the rematch wherever the most money is. A lot of venues are calling them, even the UAE. Betting it probably takes place in England or Germany.
- Probably won't be long before people wish Klitschko was champ again over Fury. Klitschko is a classy champion, Fury is not.
- Possible it was a bad night for Klitschko or he is just getting old.
- Believes Fury would prefer to fight Joshua over Wilder because the Joshua fight would be huge money.
- Klitschko dominated all 18 of his successful title defenses. He would beat Joe Louis because of his size difference.
- Banks should have been more forceful with Wlad earlier in the fight.
- Not the worst HW fight ever. Byrd-Williamson and Moorer-Bean were far worse. At least Klitshcko-Fury had some tension that something might happen.
- Losing to Fury and if he losses the rematch won't hurt Wlad's legacy. You cannot change what he already has accomplished. Ali's legacy isn't tarnished by the fact he wasn't the same when he was old.
- Fury is dropping the IBF belt because they are forcing a purse bid for Glazkov by Dec. 11. They would not allow a rematch with Klitschko. Fury could have asked for an rematch exemption, but the IBF negated that when they demanded a purse bid. The IBF follows their rules very strictly.
- Klitscko overpaid Fury for the right to have a rematch and Fury's team is very happy about the deal they struck.
- Entirely possible that Klitschko's personal life may have affected his performance.
- Does not think any of Fury's antics outside the ring affected Klitschko's performance.
- HBO is interested in buying the rematch.
The rest of boxing:
- Bradley is one of three opponents on the table for Pacquiao, but no announcement yet. Any reports saying such are false.
- Personally prefers Crawford or Khan to be Pacquiao's next opponent. Has no desire for Pacquiao-Bradley 3.
- If Khan misses out on the Pacquaio fight, his biggest fight available is vs. Brook.
- Spence is an A+ prospect and can beat a lot of the best guys at 147.
- If he had to guess, no chance of GGG-Canelo happening in May. If it happens in 2016, it will be in September.
- Likely that GGG fights Feb/March (with Chocolatito on the undercard) and Canelo fights in May. GGG will fight again in the summer and then the possibility of them fighting in September.
- Strongly suspects that GGG, Canelo, and the WBC are working on a deal with the WBC that will allow Canelo to take another fight as long as it involves the framework for them to eventually fight.
- GGG vs. Froch would be an interesting fight, obviously the weight situation would have to get figured out.
- Fights he would like to see: Brook-Khan, GGG-Canelo, Stevenson-Kovalev, Gonzalez-Estrada.
- Quillin vs. Jacobs is a tough fight to pick. Leaning slightly towards Quillin.
- Hearing Thurman vs. Porter may not get made.
- See's why people like Thurman and why others think he is overrated. He shows skills that make him competing and beating top fighters a real possibility, but he has yet to prove it.
- Would like to see Cotto fight someone at 154 who is closer to his size. A Bradley fight is interesting as a fan. Doubtful that TR and RN will work together.
- Cotto vs. Andrade? No chance. There is nothing for Cotto in the fight. Andrade is not a big name and no public interest. Cotto also probably loses that fight.
- Favors Paulie to win the European championship.
- Andy Lee could beat any MW opponent and also lose to any fighter. He is wildly inconsistent. His flush right hook can put anyone to sleep.
- Doubts Grandados gets a title shot vs. Postol after beating Imam.
- Hopes Imam can bounce back, but it will be tough after getting beat up like that.
- Floyd vs. Canelo 2 next may? Zero possibility.
- With Ward moving out of 168, DeGale is probably the best fighter in the weight class. He has not proven it yet.
- DeGale vs. Jack? DeGale.
- Peter Nelson was at HBO when they banned Haymon fighters. He was part of the decision making process that made that business move. He may think about changing the policy, but cannot do it without talking to his bosses. Doubts there will be any changes anytime soon, unless it is for a huge fight (Stevenson-Kovalev).
- Dana White said on ESPN that boxing has no up and coming talent. He obviously isn't paying attention if he believes that.
- Most people believe Floyd will fight again. No idea on when or how it would happen.
- Nothing new on LSC.
- Ward will not be on the Pacquiao PPV undercard. He is with Roc Nation and that was the only reason he was put on the Canelo-Cotto undercard.
- Bute looked good in losing to DeGale and certainly has something left in the tank.
- What is next for Broner? Hopefully not Theophane, as that is the rumor.
- Does not think he is an HBO fanboy. HBO has fighters ranked in 9 of the top 10 PFP spots (ESPN's list), they have 42 years of history putting on big fights. Not everything they do is great, but overall they do a good job. Giving them credit for being positive to boxing is not being a fanboy.
- Crazy that Michael Grant is still fighting.
- Favorite George Foreman fight? Ron Lyle.
- Any rumors of Canelo and JCC fighting are complete nonsense.
- The Winky Wright School of Boxing really should be named after Rahman. His decision to sign with King instead of taking the HBO deal and the Lewis rematch was the worst boxing decision he can think of.
- Likes the Charlo brothers, but unlikely either fights Canelo.
- Hopkins wanted a big fight in 2016 vs. Arthur Abraham, but that is looking unlikely as Ramirez became Abraham's mandatory and they say they will not step aside.
- Japan has great fighters. Uchiyama has the 130 belt, Yamanaka is probably the best at bantamweight, and Inoue is spectacular.
- PBC on Fox will be hosted by Brian Kenny and Gus Johnson will call the fights.
- Dusty Harrison's opponent had licensing issues, so that fight is off HBO Latino.
- Could possibly write a book one day, but nothing in the works or any plans at this time.
- Possible Lara could move to MW and fight the winner of Quillin-Jacobs.
- Cotto vs. Canelo is the first PPV since 2002 that has 900k PPV buys that didn't involve Floyd, Pacquiao, or ODH.
- Mark Taffet with HBO said that Canelo-Cotto did 900k PPV buys (the 650k number is false). He has known him his entire career and his word is gold, maybe the most reliable person he has ever dealt with.
- ODH has not told him how he feels about Jay-Z's lack of promotion, but is sure he can't be happy. Dan feels sorry for the Roc Nation employees who worked really hard, but their boss (Jay Z) did nothing.
- Francisco Vargas said he would like to make a few title defenses and then move to lightweight.
- Spoke with Schaefer not too long ago and Schaefer is in no hurry to get back into boxing. He is working on some real estate business. If he were to announce a return to boxing it could happen at any time.
- Picking Ortiz to beat Jennings.
- Which fighters does he wish he could have watched fight in their prime? Ali, SRL, SRR, and Duran.
- Jose Ramirez has already sold around 10,000 tickets to his local fight in Fresno. He is a serious draw in his home region.
- Oquendo vs. Cuellar? Cuellar in a good fight.
- TR is willing to put Margarito back in fights, but they are way apart in money. Margarito wants premium money for a tune up on UniMas.
- Prime Pacquiao vs. Tszyu at 140? Pacquiao.
- Broner vs. Crawford is a quality matchup, but won't happen due to promotional differences.
- Nothing new on Provodnikov, but his manager said Provodnikov will fight anyone HBO or Showtime wants him to.
- Does not think Hershman or Taffert go to Showtime.
- Lomachenko wants a rematch vs. Salido.
