Richard ‘The Boxing Prophet’ Solomon’s Picks Of the Week (4/30/15)
By Richard Solomon, RCM Boxing Radio Panel-Host
Richard’s love of boxing preceded his love of solid food. Doctors report he came out of his mother’s womb throwing a jab. As a child he would only ever count from 1 to 10, and his favorite superhero didn’t wear a cape- he wore leather gloves that were A Thrilla In Manila. With his uncanny ability to predict fights, his parents gave up dreams of him becoming President and set their sights higher: Boxing Prophet.
His claim to fame: telling the whole world in Feb of 1990 that James Buster Douglas was going to beat Mike Tyson. Through jeers and laughs he stuck to his prediction. Rich was an overnight sensation. A folk hero in his town. The prophet was born. His parents wept.
For every 10 fights Richard predicts – he guarantees 8 out of 10 are correct. He prides himself on not only picking the winner of the fight, but also whether it’s by decision or knockout – being so bold as to even pick the exact round.
Richard went to Adelphi University and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education. He teaches preschool children with learning disabilities and special needs. His kids are fighters and Richard genuinely appreciates and nurtures that spirit in them.
Richard started his career on Adelphi radio in a weekly sports talk show and went on to co-host other boxing radio shows during his career. He is now the RCM Boxing Radio Co-Host since April 2013.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26KO) vs. Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38KOs)
For more than five years, both men have been separated by an imaginary fence of their own creation. They denied themselves and the public a definitive answer to the question so many have asked during what seemingly was destined to go down as the fight game’s longest running tease: Who would win if they fought? Finally, this Saturday night, hopefully, we’ll get the answer to that question.
Even the most hard-bitten scribes are looking forward to the possibility of a fight that brings back memories of past extravaganzas that made boxing the most compelling sport to cover. The money and media machines were in sync, more symbiotic than confrontational. Now, all through fight week, the spotlight is moving in another direction, illuminating the darkest side, Mayweather’s history of domestic violence. Make no mistake about it, the pent up demand for a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao, two fighters not at their peak but still perceived as legends is expected to drive record PPV sales. And with the added element of Mayweather playing the role of villain, it could actually propel sales even higher. The stage has been set. Mayweather-Pacquiao is good vs. evil.
The status of this super-fight was born when Pacquiao stood over a sparked-out Ricky Hatton in May 2009. Any genuine awe still left was seemingly killed off in December 2012 when Juan Manuel Marquez stood over a sparked-out Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand. The “Pac Man” lay on his face totally motionless. It was as if Ricky hatton had been rolled over on his front three and a half years earlier. Like Hatton’s girlfriend in 2009, Pacquiao’s wife cried in distress at ringside, in an invasion of privacy and trauma that the viewer had no wish to intrude upon.
Manny people feel that losing his unbeaten legacy will take away any claim Mayweather has on being the greatest of all time. Not that an unbeaten record is totally unique, as Rocky Marciano and Joe Calzaghe were world champions who both retired undefeated. But that alone, is not enough to claim to be the best. At one stage in his career, Willie Pep was undefeated in 134 fights. He would finish his career with 11 losses, but whose record is better: the guy who retires undefeated on 50 fights? or the guy like Pep who lost 11 times, but won 229? The great Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez was undefeated up to his 89th contest. Does that loss in his 90th fight mean that he’s less of a fighter than Mayweather, who if he beats Pacquiao will move to 48-0? Manny Pacquiao does not have an unbeaten legacy to lose. Instead of being a burden, the five career defeats proved that Pacquiao could lose to Mayweather and still retain his selling point as one of the most exciting, attacking and dangerous fighters in the world. Manny could lose and people would still respect him, not least because he has a polite and humble personality, which is a complete contrast to the wealth-spouting Mayweather.
When interviewed, Pacquiao always comes across well and seems genuinely polite and respectful. Meanwhile Mayweather seems to get flustered and argumentative with every reporter who asks him a mildly challenging question. While Manny built up an image of helping the poor in the Philippines, Floyd got filmed burning $100 bills in a nightclub. In his day, Muhammad Ali earned more than anyone, but there’s no footage of him boasting about his wealth. In contrast, Ali built up an image of fighting for the little guy and Pacquiao follows the same lead. When Ali fought with reporters it was entertaining and on many occasions extremely thought provoking. When Mayweather gets into spats with the media very little transpires other than schoolboy spite. If Mayweather’s unlikable image is a clever ploy to get people to pay to see him lose then it’s worked a treat. The contrast in personalities of Mayweather-Pacquiao had clear transparency and certainly will make for an interesting twist in regards to who the American public will get behind and support this Saturday night. Normally, if an American fights a foreigner in the US, then home support would be expected, but for this fight I expect a fascinating split in the American crowd.
How will the two future first ballot Hall of Famers match up in the ring? let’s take a look. Mayweather has near-perfect foot placement and excellent footwork while Pacquiao is sublimely coordinated with nimble feet that he often uses to befuddle boxers. Mayweather slightly edges Pacquiao in one-punch hand speed and reflexes. However, Pacquiao still possesses world-class hand speed and appears to deliver multi-punch combinations a bit more quickly than Mayweather. Mayweathers jab is technically perfect and his go-to punch. Pacquiao’s jab is sharp and educated. he expertly uses it to set up his powerful straight left. Mayweather’s lead hand is more of a tactical tool than a damaging weapon. He uses his jab and left hook to set up or compliment right-hand power shots. Pacquiao’s right isn’t his primary power hand but it carries a lot of force. Pacquiao’s left has always been his bread-and-butter punch and is still a force, as Algieri can attest to. Mayweather’s right hand carries underrated pop but its effectiveness has more to do with its accuracy than its power. Mayweather showed some signs of slippage with his ability to slip and block punches against Maidana but he’s still one of the sport’s best defensive ring generals and will go down as one of the best in boxing history. Pacquiao’s head-and upper body movement isn’t as good as it was six or seven years ago but his in-and-out footwork makes him hard to hit. Mayweather appears to be the better preserved of the two veterans. He struggled at times with the free-swinging Maidana but exhibited prime speed, reflexes and mobility against Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez in 2013. Pacquiao is no longer in his prime but he’s a once-in-a- generation athletic talent, as evidenced by his ability to compete at the world-class level from flyweight to welterweight.
Summary And Prediction: Let’s just hope and pray Manny doesn’t suffer leg cramps during the fight or Floyd has to deal with his hurting hands. I feel Manny will throw more punches than Floyd but land a similar number of shots. It will come down to Manny’s aggression and activity against Mayweather’s more accurate and flush counters. Mayweather will use his jab early and score with clean right hands. However, in the middle rounds, Manny will use his quick southpaw combinations to back up Floyd against the ropes. Mayweather will experience a wobbly moment or two. The key to the entire fight is: will Floyd be able to figure out how to contain Pacquiao with his jab-and-grab tactics down the home stretch of the fight. Honestly, I don’t know what the judges will be thinking. Do they want to hand Mayweather his first loss and witness good triumph over evil? or will Mayweather fans simply say: Thank you Al Haymon?!!!!! Never forget: Even the most anticipated fights can and often do go wrong. Also, never underestimate the fallibility of fight judges. Quick Disclaimer: For the first time ever, if I feel this fight reeks of corruption, I will not count it on my win-loss record. Just saying!!!! My Pick: Pacquiao wins by Split Decision.
Here are my other picks for this weekend: Takahiro Ao (27-3-1, 12KOs) over Raymundo Beltran (29-7-1, 17KOs) by Majority Decision. Konstantin Ponomarev (27-0, 13KOs) over Mikael Zewski (26-0, 23KOs) by an 8th Round TKO. Leo Santa Cruz (29-0-1, 17KOs) over Jose Cayetano (17-3, 8KOs) by a 6th Round TKO. Vasyl Lomachenko (3-1, 1KO) over Galamlier Rodrguez (25-2-3, 17KOs) by a 7th Round TKO. Takashi Miura (28-2-2, 21KOs) over Billy Dib (39-3, 23KOs) by a 10th Round TKO.
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