Froch pretty much said the Ward rematch has to take place in UK or no fight. #boxing16 minutes ago
Carl Froch on Ward: "He's not an entertaining fighter... He doesn't get the TV public excited. But it's a fight I can win if I get right." 17 minutes ago
RT @Pacman453323: Lampley is an idiot. Ward beat him so it makes no sense to fight in uk? Kessler beat froch, but he fought him a 2nd time … 19 minutes ago
lol Ok, Andre Ward. Play hardball and stay in Oakland rather than fighting Froch in the UK -_- #boxing21 minutes ago
The music world is once again in mourning over the death of Al Goodman, who passed away on Monday (July 26) of heart failure.
Goodman was a member of the highly popular trio The Moments, which later became known as Ray, Goodman & Brown. In this edition of Know Your Samples, I trace their musical legacy from Ghostface Killah to supplying Jay-Z with one of his biggest singles.
The original group was formed in 1965 as a foursome with none of the later members. The most popular lineup of Harry Ray, Al Goodman and Billy Brown did not surface until 1970 immediately following their chart-topping smash hit “Love On a Two Way Street.” The track shot to #1 on the R&B Charts and #3 in the country.
The song would find new life 39 years later in the hands of producer Alexander Shuckburg, and writers Janet Sewell-Ulepic and Angela Hunte. Their creation would yield a #1 single for five consecutive weeks in Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind.”
In another Hip-Hop connection, the Moment’s composition was produced by Sylvia Robinson, who would go on to found SugarHill Records and release the first commercially successful rap song in SugarHill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” Al Goodman oversaw many of the daily operations at label’s recording studio in Englewood, New Jersey. There he was essential for getting many early rap classics records like Melle Mel’s “White Lines.”
Consequence got in on the action for his joint “So Soulful”
”Love on a Two Way Street” was released on their album A Moment with the Moments. That LP was tapped by the Jungle Brothers, who used “I’ve Got to Keep On Loving You” for “My Jimmy Weight a Ton.”
Jungle Brothers “My Jimmy Weighs a Ton”
For their sixth studio album, Those Sexy Moments, the group dropped an absolute scorcher of a love song in “Sexy Mama.” With lines like “I wanna open up those love gates to my heaven,” I think it’s safe to say 1974 was a very active year in a lot of people’s bedrooms.
The arrangements on this one didn’t need much tweaking among Hip-Hop artists ranging from the Firm to Kam.
Orchestral ballads always have a big, sprawling sound that I love. And of course, they are perfect templates for Hip-Hop records, Check what Jay-Z and Snoop did with the gem “What’s Your Name.”
By 1979 The Moments were at odds with their label Stang. They secured a release but were unable to keep their original name. Undeterred, the group relaunched that same year under their real names as Ray, Goodman & Brown. They had an immediate impact with their gold-selling, self-titled album on Polydor.
The project’s big single “Special Lady” would become “Jellyfish” off Ghostface Killah’s acclaimed Fishscale album.
Of course I have to end with a personal favorite of mine, also from their self-titled album. Bassline is jaw-dropping.
Ray, Goodman & Brown recorded their final studio album in 1989. The group charted 39 times throughout their career. Harry Ray passed away in 1992. With Goodman’s death, Billy Brown is sole surviving member of the group.
In speaking with CNN, Chi-Lites singer Marshall Thompson put it best.
“There’s mourning all over the world- in England, in Germany and in Japan. We’re all mourning for Al Goodman,” he said.
On behalf of Beats, Boxing and Mayhem I send my deepeset sympathies to the Goodman family, friends and fans. Rest in peace brother, you’ve done well.
The Moments
Not on the Outside, But on the Inside, Strong! (1969)
Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez met for the final time before their anticipated rematch tomorrow night.
Marquez made his return to lightweight by coming in at a trim and cut 133 ½ pounds. Diaz, who is said to have had a phenomenal camp, looked very lean right at the 135 pound limit. Gone was the Baby Bull’s usual pudgy stomach. However, it remains to be seen how much weight he puts on tomorrow.
Both men looked as if they made the weight comfortably. The fight will be for Marquez’s WBO and WBA titles.
In the first fight their weights were 134 ¼ for Marquez and 134 ½ for Diaz.
The middleweight division has failed to have a dominant champion since the Bernard Hopkins left the weight class several years ago. HBO invested much time and money trying to create new legends in Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik. But lackluster defenses, career-threatening injuries and shocking upsets have effectively ended the chances of those two being crossover stars.
Enter Danny Jacobs, a 23 year old rising prospect out of Brooklyn. Undefeated in 20 fights (with 17 KOs) with balanced speed and power, Jacobs has the skills and personality to engage the public while thriving in a wide open division. Tomorrow (July 31), he seeks his first belt in a WBO title match against slick Dmitry Pirog on the Diaz-Marquez II undercard. Is he looking to unify immediately? Is he comfortable with the now controversial Al Haymon’s handling of his career? Read on.
Ismael AbduSalaam: Since you’re still building your name, explain for people who don’t know you how you got into boxing over more popular sports like football and basketball.
Danny Jacobs: I used to play football but had a defining moment where I decided I should go into this boxing program. It was the last play and we were down, and if we would’ve scored a touchdown we would’ve won it. I was in the end zone and the quarterback decided to run instead of throwing me the ball and we lost the game. He got sacked.
As of that moment, I chose boxing because I wanted to have my fate and my destiny in my hands. And I’ve stuck with boxing ever since.
Ismael: Was it easy for you to find a gym and get mentored?
Jacobs: It was easy for me, I lucked up I guess. Being an inner-city kid I went to the local PAL which was free because I didn’t have any money or my family. It wasn’t the top trainer guys, but we worked with what we had. Me starting from ground zero shows you can make it when you set your mind to do something.
Ismael: Even from the start you’ve gotten work on the big PPV cards, beginning with Mayweather-Hatton in 2007. Being around all those stars, have you been able to interact with them and get advice?
Jacobs: Luckily I’ve been able to interact with all those guys. I never dreamed that I’d be sitting next to Mayweather just lounging and talking, or Oscar De La Hoya coming to me in the dressing room to see if I’m ok going into my fight. These are the guys I looked up to and couldn’t imagine being in my corner as I come up the professional ranks. It’s definitely a blessing; a lot of people don’t have this opportunity and I want to make the best of it.
Ismael: Before you, HBO put a lot of time in building up Jermain Taylor and Kelly Pavlik as the next middleweight stars. It didn’t pan out that way for them. Based on the way you’re carrying the weight, do you see middleweight as a division you’ll spend a lot of time at?
Jacobs: Well, it’s a business at the end of the day. If I have to go to 168 to get a big fight that the fans want to see, I’ll do that. But I plan to campaign at 160 for a number of years. It’s not easy to make, but it’s good because it makes you work harder to lose the weight. So I think we’ll campaign at 160 for a little while and then move on up to 168 in a couple of years.
Ismael: Being that you mentioned the weight challenge, what is your normal walk-around weight when you are not fighting?
Jacobs: I walk around maybe 173 to 174. That’s where I was after my last fight so that would be probably it. So it’s not that hard to lose 15 pounds for a fight if you have five to six weeks to do it.
Ismael: This fight will be for the WBO strap. Just looking at the middleweight division if you win, is your team planning on making a few defenses or immediately trying to unify?
Jacobs: Well we’re taking it one step at a time. My manager Al Haymon has a plan, [but] I don’t know the whole plan as he doesn’t give it to us. We don’t like to look ahead; we look to focus on the near future. And the near future is July 31. Whatever he has in store after that [I’m ready]. He’s full of surprises so I’m blessed. I don’t know at this point what he wants to do with my career at this point, or what my team has planned, but my job is to just train hard and fight. Whatever success I have after that is in the hands of them. I just have to do my job.
Ismael: I hadn’t seen much of your opponent Dmitry Pirog before this fight was announced. He has a good knockout record at 16-0, 13 KOs. What’s your impression of him as a fighter?
Jacobs: I wouldn’t categorize him as a knockout puncher. He has a very large arsenal of just a volume of punches. He has good angles. He has a Mayweather-like defense. It’s not as good as Mayweather but he tries. So he’s a very awkward, strong Russian. But I think my speed, power, and ability to adjust will play a big factor in this fight.
Ismael: Your style is pretty versatile in that you can fight going forward or backward and still retain your power and speed. Was there anyone you modeled yourself after when you first training?
Jacobs: Well, I’d like to think I emulated the top amateurs. I loved the amateur system and a lot of the top guys were so finesse and fluid, so I watched a lot of their tapes. But as a professional I don’t think I modeled myself after anyone. I pick up things here and there from watching old and new fighters. But nobody in particular; I just train hard and try to form my own style and perfect.
Ismael: A lot of people say your toughest fight so far was against Ishe Smith. But I wanted to get your take on your toughest opponent.
Jacobs: My toughest test is between the Ishe fight and the Michael Walker fight. [With the Walker bout] I took that fight on like a week’s notice and then I fought the following week. So I fought two fights like within a week. That was pretty cool. But Ishe Smith was a rugged, defensive guy with crafty movement. I definitely learned a lot with him. You want to see a good prospect in fights like that to see if he’ll fold or make it. And I made it. Hopefully we’ll continue to climb up the ladder and have those tough fights to where I’ll have mastered every style and it’ll be nothing new to me.
Ismael: People and particularly networks believe you have to have strong back stories and characters to sell fights today. As someone coming up has your team brought that up to you, or have you been allowed just to focus on fighting?
Jacobs: They really don’t stress regarding the media because I think my personality speaks for itself. I think I have a very cool personality; I’m an outgoing guy. So it kind of goes along with it. If I was a real dog guy then maybe they’d pick up and say hey you got to get the people’s attention. I’m a respectable young gentleman so that’ll take me a long way. People like the positive but they also like the villain. But you’ll go a lot further if you’re the good guy. And it flows natural.
Ismael: Being that you loved the amateur style what was your biggest adjustment moving to professional boxing?
Jacobs: Taking my time because in the amateurs you fight two minutes as opposed to three. And the guys in the professional ranks have smaller gloves, no headgear, and no shirts. You have to get adjusted to being hit by grown men with man strength. You also have to get adjusted to running more miles and training harder. All around you have to train to have a bigger arsenal because these are not four two-minute rounds. Those were the biggest things. It wasn’t that hard but it’s a never-ending learning process.
Ismael: Looking at your last few fights, what is the biggest facet of your game that you want to improve on?
Jacobs: I think my offense is superb, it’s flawless. But there are defensive things I can work on; like gym habit things like pulling back with your hands down. Things you can get away with in the gym. But in the fight you have smaller gloves and the punches are coming a lot faster as opposed to sparring. Little stuff like that I have to get better at.
Ismael: Did you have a prediction for a main event between Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez?
Jacobs: Both those guys are great champions. They’re both coming off two losses. But they’re both as hungry as ever to get back to that level. It’s makes for a great show but I don’t have a prediction yet. But I’m looking forward to a great night of boxing.
Ismael: Young, creative ideas are always essential to any industry. What are the top changes you would make in the sport to make boxing better?
Jacobs: [Pauses] Well I could only bring what I possess, and that’s bringing a positive light to it. The true boxing fans know my skills. But if the opportunity comes to be in the spotlight more, I think the people would draw a liking to me and it would be a great, positive impact on the sport. A lot of guys talk trash and a lot of people don’t see their positive side because they’re so focused on trying to sell a fight. I bring a different approach. When De La Hoya came up he was like the best thing. He was the Golden Boy. And that’s why they call me the Golden Child [laughs]. I’m trying to follow in those footsteps but just put a little more spice to it.
Ismael: Are you comfortable with the pace you’re being brought along with?
Jacobs: I think the pace is perfect. The opponents have been stepping up every fight. The superstardom comes with time. So I can’t get mad and want it to come fast because it may come too fast and I won’t be able to handle it. I want to acclimated to it. I still young and hopefully we’ll get this WBO belt on Saturday. Everything is going according to plan.
Ismael: Anything you wanted to add to close?
To my fans you can follow me on Twitter @danieljacobstko and on Facebook through my email heavyhitter404@yahoo.com. Just come on this journey with me. I’m always in tune with my fans and like to interact. I really appreciate it, man.
Hip-Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa is troubled by how Hip-Hop music is presented on the radio.
The Zulu Nation founder was one of the early proponents of viewing Hip-Hop as a culture that manifests in various artistic expressions like music, breaking (dancing) and visual art.
He is concerned that this viewpoint has been diluted by radio program directors who chose to utilize repetitive playlists that don’t reflect the versatility of the music.
“What worries me are these so-called radio stations with program directors who don’t play all the different flavors of Hip-Hop. They should play the old with the new, 24/7, 365 days a year. A lot of these program directors are just jiving around and not playing all the good music for the people,” Bambaataa explained to the Huffington Post. “A lot of times, when people say Hip-Hop, they don’t know what they’re talking about. They just think of the rappers. When you talk about Hip-hop, you’re talking about the whole culture and movement. You have to take the whole culture for what it is. “
Bambaataa’s Universal Zulu Nation is recognized at the first Hip-Hop organization due to its founding in 1973. He is responsible for several landmark early singles in Hip-Hop history including “Planet Rock,” “Looking for the Perfect Beat,” and “Renegades of Funk.” His sampling of electronic groups like Kraftwerk lead to the creation of electro funk and eventually a song collaboration with James Brown in 1984 called “Unity.”
It bothers Bambaataa that many Hip-Hop practitioners today do not know the history of the genre nor care to seek it out.
“It’s very frustrating, because many people who keep claiming ‘I’m Hip-Hop’ don’t really know jack-crap about Hip-Hop,” he said. “They’re just following what they see on MTV or what they’ve read in some magazine. But they never come back to the architecture of hip-hop and the pioneers of Hip-Hop.”
Afrika Bambaataa is still active on the DJ front. Last week, he performed at NYC’s HighBar for the Manchester City Football Club.
Bambaata’s viewpoint is not without merit. Over the past month I’ve went on several road trips up and down the East Coast. Even going through several states I heard the same 7-10 songs on every station. And that small group of songs were all similar to each other. To say it was horrible would be a gross understatement.
But even so, the “keepers of the culture” are always going to be small in number. The reality is most people do not care to engross themselves in music or anything else for that matter. It is up to those who are passionate and love the art form to make sure they record the history as it should be . So years from now when people look back and wonder what we were doing musically, they’ll be able to have a stronger reference point than Soulja Boy and the other radio artists.
Even back in the “good ol’ days” it was no different. Whether you look at the Bebop jazz artists in the 1940s or the great funk groups of the 70s, most of them were not killing the charts. Their talent was revered by a select few, and then much later after their heyday the mainstream praise started coming in.
So Bambaataa should not fret. Expecting mainstream radio to represent Hip-Hop culture is downright laughable. But for those who have the desire to learn, the deep history of this culture is a mere few clicks away on the Internet. Hell, if Soulja Boy can start listening to Nas and doing his homework, there’s hope for everyone.
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson thinks the public has been too hard on top pound for pound boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
In light of a second negotiation collapse this year with Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather has been slammed in the press for apparently brushing off the fight in favor of a vacation.
In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Tyson defended Mayweather as a smart fighter playing a toned down version of his villain role from the 90s.
“I always wanted to be that guy who said, ‘fuck you.’ When I see people doing that, trying to imitate me, these tough guys trying to emulate me, I’m sitting there thinking, like, ‘This guy’s an idiot, so I know I’m an idiot,’” he said. “Floyd Mayweather doesn’t stand a chance as far as that idiocy. He’s not even in my league as an a–hole. He’s a good kid. Everyone’s hard on him, but this is a great kid. He’s just a kid having fun, living in a fantasy world.”
Many fans have noted Tyson’s recent dramatic weight loss. In the years immediately following his retirement in 2005, the former champ revealed that he had ballooned too well over 300 pounds. The extreme weight gain from his prime fighting weight of 215-218 pounds motivated him to get back in shape.
“I don’t want to be grotesque, but when you’re 330 pounds, it’s hard to wipe your ass. You know?” Tyson admitted. “I didn’t like living like that. I felt like an animal. I’m more active than I have been in years.”
The Brownsville, Brooklyn native famously converted to Islam while serving four years in prison from 1991-1994 for rape. He expressed disdain at the “sick people” who have used religion, God and prophets to justify atrocities against their fellow man.
“You know, people say, ‘My god is better than your god.’ But how do we prove whose god is better? And this is when it gets really interesting,” he explained. ‘This is how we prove whose god is better than whose: [by saying,] ‘I’m going to kill you, or you’re going to kill me first.’ And that’s real godly. That’s real godly. Yeah. I bet you people think, I wonder who would win a fight with the Prophet Mohammad and Jesus? These are sick people. This is crazy, you know what I mean?”
As a 20-something year old, I grew up thinking Mike Tyson was invincible. I vividly remember joining other kids in the playground where we took turns alternating between playing Mike Tyson and his many hapless KO victims. And who can forget playing Mike Tyson’s Punchout for hours on the NES (Tyson code 007-373-5963 lol)?
Mike Tyson was also the fighter that made me realize the imperfect humanity that affects us all. As a kid I witnessed the Robin Givens fiasco and walked around in an unbelieving haze after seeing his KO loss to Buster Douglas in 1990. And of course, his 1991 rape conviction.
Instead of looking at him and wondering what could have been if he was more focused and stable, I just pray that he has finally found the peace of mind he could never get in the boxing industry.
He’s given us enough thrills and shocking moments to last a lifetime. No longer does he have to be “Iron” Mike Tyson.
Rick Ross is hoping to ink a deal that would bring rising Pittsburg emcee Wiz Khalifa to Maybach Music Group.
Preceding the release of his Teflon Don album, Ross reached out to Khalifa and Curren$y on Twitter and secured a “sativa remix” to “Super High.” He was so impressed with their performances he told MTV News that he’s had informal discussion to bring Khalifa to his own Maybach Music group, which currently houses Triple C’s.
“You know, Wiz, what’s happening, this is the Boss, Ricky Ross, Teflon Don. You know we spoke of this in the last week or two, but my question is even more personal that I’d love to ask you right now,” Ross began. “What would it take for us to close the deal, Wiz Khalifa and Maybach Music? I feel like the homie is a superstar. We discussed this last week. He’s most definitely loyal to his team. But like I told him, there’s always more to get.”
Khalifa has had a breakout year, receiving accolades from Bun B and now Rick Ross. His recently announced a national tour featuring Big K.R.I.T. and Yelawolf. The positive reception for his Kush X Orange Juice mixtape resulted in MTV crowning him the 2010 Hottest Breakthrough Artist of the Year with nearly 70,000 votes. Wiz almost doubled the votes to his closest peer Nicki Minaj.
New York magazine has reported that Wiz Khalifa already signed a major label deal in secret to Atlanta Records in April. Khalifa has yet to confirm or deny the report. But he has maintained that he is still looking for a label home.
At press time, he has not commented on Rick Ross’ offer.
Can’t blame Rozay for trying, but we all know good and well Khalifa isn’t signing to no Maybach Music group.
The word going around in the insutry is that many of the new indie emcees secured their major label deals months ago. They maintain the indepedent tag to help with their credibility. The labels are thus relegated away from public view but still assist the artist behind the scenes.
Atlantic Records has an inconsistent history with Hip-Hop acts, but they’ve done well with another young emcee recently in B.o.B.. If Khalifa has already signed with them, that may have helped sway his choice.
So far I prefer Wiz’s mixtapes to his albums. It’s difficult to discern whether his past album quality was due to label interference, or if he is just better in the mixtape format.
This situation will become clearer when he announces the distributor of his next project.
Sam Peter has agreed to terms to face IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko in a heavyweight championship rematch on September 11 in Germany.
The agreement was announced last night (July 22) by Bob Arum, whose Top Rank outfit will promote the fight.
The bout is rematch to their 2005 encounter, where Klitschko survived three knockdowns to win a decision (114-111 on all cards) and hand Peter his first loss. Since then, Klitschko has made nine successful defenses with 8 knockouts. Peter has gone 10-2 since then, losing by corner stoppage to Vitali Klitschko in 2008, and by clear decision to Eddie Chambers last year.
Peter has won 4 consecutive fights since the Chambers loss, including an IBF title eliminator in March against Nagy Aguilera. His eliminator win sets up the Klitschko rematch following the second pullout of #1 contender Alexander Povetkin.
In regards to his strategy, Peter revealed that he plans on delivering any early knockout.
“Klitschko knows who won that fight. This time I am going straight in and take him out. It’s not going to last real long,” vowed the 29-year-old former titlist. “I punched hard while growing up in Nigeria. A big punch can turn around a fight real quick.”
HBO announced they would not be televising the fight prior to Povetkin’s pullout. Showtime is unable to pick up the contest due to scheduling conflicts.
A promising fact to gain from this press release picture is that Peter already looks to be in good shape. Weight has been a career problem from the Nigerian Nightmare. At various times he’s ranged from the low 220s to over 260 pounds. Coming in at a healthy weight will definitely improve his chances.
Peter is also being realistic in knowing that his only chance to win is by knockout. Aside from the three knockdowns, he was out boxed in every single round. He must be aggressive and make Klitschko uncomfortable. If he doesn’t, he’ll get bashed with heavy jabs and occasional right hands to ensure a late knockout.
Can a lean, experienced Peter finally end Wladimir Klitschko’s reign?
I sincerely doubt it.
Peter may come in in better shape, but I believe his punch resistance has been considerably diminished. He took some heavy shots in their first fight, particularly in the 12th when Wladimir almost got the knockout. Against Jameel McCline, he was dropped and almost KO’d very early. And Vitali Klitschko put him in a shell almost immediately but landing a hard right hand in the first round.
Viewing how he reacted to Vitali’s shots, I don’t see Samuel Peter being able to walk through the bombs Wladimir will land. He would have to be able to take those punches in order to land his own home run shot. Couple that with the sub par head movement Peter possesses and Wladimir’s improved fundamentals, and I envision another late Klitschko TKO in a fight that has a few isolated tense moments early.
Still, it’s a decent matchup and its unfortunate Showtime cannot pick it up. As of now, fans in the U.S. will have to look for a stream that day.
Someone go hop in the DeLorean and get back Mike Tyson from ’88. That or retirement are the only way I see the Klitschko’s reign ending anytime soon.
10 days ago Duck Down held a concert at NYC’s BB Kings to celebrate their 15th anniversary. The night was hosted by Angela Yee and Amanda Diva, and the estimated 800 fans saw were treated to performances from the Boot Camp Clik, Torae, Kidz In the Hall, Pharoahe Monch, and Marco Polo. There were also surprise non-Duck Down sets from Large Professor, Jean Grae, Styles P, Masta ce, Pete Rock, Immortal Technique, and Tony Touch.
All in all, a very strong night of Hip-Hop. Duck Down was here before the indie boom, and they’re still here after it. Check out the highlights.
Skyzoo & Illmind
“Too lyrical for me…”
The amusing comment above was made on YouTube regarding this new video “Frisbees” from Skyzoo and producer Illmind. Their album Live from the Tape Deck hits stores via Duck Down Records on October 5. Video directed by Derek Pike.
Pack Leak
People are still waiting for this Pack/Lil B phenomenon to run its course. But 17 million MySpace plays and a few more million YouTube views later, the movement appears to be gaining momentum. This leak is called “Based Boys” and will be on their August 24 album Wolfpack Party. “We can hang like orangutan titties.” You can always count on some laughable lines on their joints.
The Pack “Based Boys”
Schizophrenic Minaj
Nicki Minaj already has the Roman Zolanksi alter ego. I wonder which this is. Nicki Poppins? The accent kicks in around the midway point.
Dante Ross Interviews DJ Muggs
Producer DJ Muggs gives some insight into past work and info on his upcoming Ill Bill collaboration album Kill Devil Kills (August 24).
It’s rare that a fighter faces a potential career-ending bout at 26 years old. But that is the case with Juan Diaz, whose career as an elite fighter rests on his rematch showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez this Saturday (July 31). While an exciting pressure fighter, Diaz has lost the majority of his fights over the past two years. And the Baby Bull has made it clear that retirement is a better option than becoming a division stepping stone or going through a prolonged rebuilding phase.
The task in front of him is daunting. In Marquez, Diaz is fighting the best counter-puncher in the sport. Diaz’s pressure style and lack of punching power gives his opponent the opportunity to time him with precision shots as the fight progresses. But one thing you can’t quantify is Diaz’s will, and with a few strategic adjustments he explains why July 31 will redeem his career.
Ismael AbduSalaam: Thank for making time Juan I know the scheduled is tight with the fight coming up. Has it been difficult for you to adjust to the criticism you’ve been getting over the past year or so? Before the losses it was straight glowing accolades from the fans and the media.
Juan Diaz: No problem. I haven’t really bothered paying attention to any of the criticism or what the critics have to say. There’s always going to be people criticizing [and] those that love you and those that hate you. It comes with the territory. And I know internationally that’s how history has been in the past. Even the great fighters of the past decades have been criticized when they don’t look so good. Most of the time the spotlight is on me since I’m in the main event. I just have to take it and roll with it.
Ismael: How would you rate Marquez’s punching power? You’ve said before you felt you had the edge until the later rounds. Did his punch surprise you any?
Diaz: I definitely need to worry. But it’s not so much his punching power; it’s his accuracy. All the punches you think you’ve going to block, you don’t block them. He has tremendous accuracy with every punch he throws and lands, so I have to be careful. That’s what I’ve been concentrating on for the rematch.
Ismael: This is something you can’t really “prepare” for, but people before have talked about how you’ve reacted to cuts in the first fight and the Campbell fight. You were rattled, but of course if you can’t see that’ll rattle any fighter. Have you thought about any way you could retain your calmness if God forbid that happened again?
Diaz: I definitely can. With the fights and being cut you learn from the experience how to deal with it. The first time I got seriously cut [with Nate Campbell] I went into defensive mode. I was waiting too much. The time I got cut with Marquez I was too aggressive and put on a lot pressure. It cost me the fight. If it ever does occur again then I know exactly what I’m going to do, and that is not get too aggressive but not go completely defensively minded.
Ismael: You and Ronnie have talked about the importance of the jab in this fight. In the first one, you were able to drive Marquez to the ropes with it. But we also know the difficulty that comes with trying to hit Marquez repeatedly with the same punch. What provision have you guys put in place to prevent him from being able to counter your jab as the fight goes on?
Diaz: One of the things we’ve worked on is not getting hit with so many clean punches over and over and being an open target. The concentration is on not being an easy target too hit. I might be applying the same amount of pressure, but I’ll be smart about it.
Ismael: Management is always looking at the next matchups that can come out of a fight. Has Golden Boy indicated to you who they want to see you fight next should you win?
Diaz: Well right now there haven’t been any talks of a next fight or potential fight because I didn’t want to hear anything about that. Whenever they mention a potential opponent I just kind of change the conversation, because I know without beating Marquez there is no next opponent.
And by beating Marquez that opens up the doors to many opponents.
Ismael: You’re still a young fighter at 26. But have there been any changes to your body or stamina that have stood out to you in the last year or two? Or do you feel the same as you did in your late teens and early 20s?
Diaz: I definitely feel some changes. My body has matured a little bit more. I feel a little bit stronger than I did in the past, especially at lightweight. But I get a little bit sorer nowadays; before that wouldn’t happen as much. I can definitely tell the years of fighting and training is beginning to take its toll.
Ismael: Everyone is aware of your law school aspirations. Did you already take the test or is that on hold because of the fight?
Diaz: It’s on hold right now. I haven’t taken the test yet. I have to properly prepare for something like that, so I’ve put it on hold for now.
Ismael: Looking at the lightweight landscape, how do you rate the overall health of the division? Outside of you and Marquez, do you think the weight class is strong or in transition?
Diaz: The light weight division is really competitive right now. You have a lot of guys making the transition from junior lightweight to lightweight. And you have a lot of guys coming up and a lot retiring. So I think we’re in the transition phase but still have good fighters.
Ismael: You mentioned earlier you feel stronger now. Pertaining to Marquez, did you feel that you had a strength and speed advantage in the first fight?
Diaz: In the first fight I let my ego take control of the fight. And I think that’s why I lost the first fight so big. My heart was just content on moving forward and not listening to the trainer or strategy, just fighting. This past year has helped me out in the way I think and listen to my corner.
Ismael: Who are your favorite fighters to watch personally?
Diaz: When I’m not training for fights I like watching Shane Mosley. I think he’s a real talented fighter. Another guy is Miguel Cotto, who is also a great fighter I enjoy watching.
Ismael: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions fans and critics are having of you going into this fight?
Diaz: The biggest misconceptions to date are that people think my skills are diminishing and that I don’t belong in the sport of boxing anymore. My biggest goal to myself is not prove to anybody anything, because people are going to believe what they want to. But I want to prove to myself that I belong here and I can still be world champion.
Ismael: Thanks very much Juan; I think we’ll have another Fight of the Year candidate on July 31.
Diaz: Thank you very much and have a good one
Marquez-Diaz II aires live this Saturday July 31 at 9PM on HBO PPV.
Fayetteville North Carolina native J. Cole has responded to officials from Fayetteville State University who denounced their cheerleader’s participation in the rapper’s “Who Dat” video.
Last month, the school’s chancellor James Anderson said that their cheerleading director used “poor judgment” in allowing their students to be a video with profanity and sexual lyrics.
“After talking to several individuals we have learned that the FSU employee who directs the cheerleaders gave them permission to participate in the video and to wear the Bronco uniforms. Her intention was to provide positive PR for the campus,” he wrote to the school’s alumni. ”She previewed a brief trailer (30 seconds) that was provided by the producer as did our general counsel and the athletic director, but the trailer did not include the presentation of the cheerleaders as they would appear in the full video. Moreover, they were led to believe that the cheerleaders would be used in the clean video only.”
Boward County Superintendent Frank Till on Cole’s went further in demanding that the video be removed from the Internet and TV, saying that it reflect very negatively on the city.
““I think it shows the school and the city in a negative light,” Till told the Fayobserver.com. “I think it was a legitimate mistake on the school’s part.”
J. Cole views the entire controversy as a clear example for the generational divide that exists between young and old.
“[This] is something that happens all the time in the black community; it’s like a generational gap,” Cole explained on MTV. “They don’t get it. They can’t really see the good out of the situation. That a kid from Fayetteville made it out and made something for himself. And [now] wants to come back and represent to the rest of the world. But they can’t see past the curse words.”
The young emcee admitted the criticism from his hometown initially bothered him. But that anger dimmed when he factored in the mentality of his detractors.
“I’m not mad anymore. I understand where they’re coming from and where their mindset is at,” he said. “If they had a better grasp of the situation they wouldn’t feel how they felt.”
To date, J. Cole’s “Who Dat” single has reached #93 on Billboard’s Top 100, and #19 on its Hot Rap Songs list.
His debut studio album Cole World is expected to be released on October 26.
I thought I had passed out and dreamed myself back to the late 80s and early 90s. We’re still being outraged by profanity and sex in 2010?
As a HBCU (Historically Black College or university) grad myself, I’m scratching my head at this school’s stance considering that the majority of these institutions invite the biggest urban music stars for their homecoming concert. My school (Morehouse College) was no different. In my four years there, our concerts featured the Hot Boyz, Eve, Mya, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, Kool G. Rap and Jadakiss.
And Fayetteville St. University appears to be no different. Before 2009, the school has hosted Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, T.I., T-Pain and Plies. From that list, it appears that FSU can tolerate goons and trap music more than J. Cole’s shocking potty mouth.
Last year, FSU’s concert featured the man who invented sex himself, Trey Songz. But again, I guess J. Cole’s “sexually themed” lyrics are just too much.
Here is the truth. The only reason the school’s officials are upset is because they didn’t get paid for Cole’s video. People like Jeezy and Plies are “acceptable” at a homecoming concert because they usually yield a good financial return. The FSU cheerleading director allowed her squad to participate in the video for good exposure, not money. And apparently for some of the FSU administration, that is the real objectionable offense.
I am going to be keeping a real close eye on who FSU invites to this year’s homecoming. And if it’s Gucci or Waka Flocka, chancellor James Anderson is getting a phone call from me.
