Last night, HBO debuted an excellent Face Off between middleweight rivals Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Sergio Martinez. The latter held the advantage for most of the exchanges; he belittled Chavez Jr. for his preferential treatment from the WBC, lack of tough fights and riding his father’s coattails. Chavez Jr. framed most of his retorts on stating he’ll prove he’s worthy of the WBC strap that was stripped from Martinez. Be sure to take note of Martinez’s comment of focusing on Mayweather should he get past Chavez Jr.
The last Face Offs that really got me excited were Bernard Hopkins vs. Jean Pascal and David Haye vs. Wladimir Klitschko. I can now add Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to that list. As you’ll see in the below preview, there is a clear disdain between these two. I have interviewed Sergio Martinez several times and he’s always jovial. Even when on the wrong side of suspect decision losses, he never lost his care-free attitude. But here, Martinez has an brooding intensity and nastiness we’ve never seen before. It’s clearly personal; Martinez sees Chavez Jr. as a pampered brat who’s had the boxing world handed to him without paying dues.
Chavez Jr. knows his legitimacy is still in question (even with Martinez’s old WBC belt around his waist and a few wins against Top 10 guys). He had his own taunts for Martinez, who he feels his overrated and due for another loss to a Mexican (referencing Martinez’s early 2000s defeat to Antonio Margarito).
Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley recently sat down with HBO’s Max Kellerman for their edition of HBO Face Off. As expected, both men were very respectful of each other. Freddie Roach said Bradley’s come-forward style would be conducive to Pacquiao’s strengths. He hoped for the toe-to-toe battle that would favor his fighter. Bradley was coy on a specific strategy but didn’t refute an assertion that his accidental head butts might come into play. The big fight goes down June 9.
The new Face Off between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto is here. Floyd drops the “Money” persona and plays it nice (for the most part…) with Cotto regarding who will come out on top next month. Both give their feedback on their recent fights, with Mayweather having the most interesting quote claiming Cotto is basically an “undefeated fighter” due to Margarito hand wrap scandal and Pacquiao catchweight bout. Mayweather gets a little condescending by checking his March Madness gambling scores while Cotto was talking during the second half. Mayweather does back Cotto on the Margarito issue by stating the Tijuana Tornado should be banned for life. Mayweather vs. Cotto goes down on May 5.
“I guarantee you I will be the first one [to defeat Floyd Mayweather].”
A one-minute preview of next week’s Face Off between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto has leaked. The respect level is high between both men and there’s zero trash talk or condescending banter. Floyd calls Cotto ”solid competition” and a definite “future Hall of Famer.” Cotto declined Max Kellerman’s invitation to deliver any ominous final words and characterized the bout as simply two of the sport’s premier boxers handling business. Face Off: Mayweather vs. Cotto airs April 3.
Earlier this year, Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal delivered the best HBO Face Off yet. Last night, with obvious strong dislike from both, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito can now lay a solid claim to that title. Cotto is a very honest man and tried to be diplomatic, but it’s clear he believes that Margarito cheated in their fight. Kellerman had excellent questions for both about Margarito’s wraps and Cotto’s unwillingness to risk his life in the ring. Cotto vs. Margarito II will be live from Madison Square Garden on December 3.
HBO switched up the “Face Off” format this time around by having Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez recount moments from their first two battles. At times it works. Other times, not so much. But considering both men don’t have a great grasp of the English language, this was probably for the best. In addition, this is more so for the casual fans, as it’ll get them thinking this fight will be on the level of the first two despite the weight disadvantage for Marquez.
“The sport of boxing needs this fight: a young strong champion against a future Hall of Famer.”
“Nah, it ain’t Berto. It’s me, Mayweather and Pacquiao. That’s the combination”
Floyd Mayweather displayed his usual confidence against a brooding Victor Ortiz on last night’s airing of “HBO Face Off.” Mayweather is promising that he’ll stand in front of Ortiz like the Mosley fight. Ortiz starts out good by calling Max Kellerman and the media out for questioning his heart. He stumbles when he can’t really answer how he’ll fight Mayweather. You’ll hear in Mayweather’s voice that he really doesn’t take Ortiz seriously and thinks he’s not ready. At the end, Floyd treats Ortiz like a child, chuckling that “he’s a good little fighter… I’m finna get in there and destroy this kid.” Nonetheless, Victor Ortiz still exudes a quiet confidence. We’ll see if that translates into being competitive with Mayweather on September 17.
Victor Ortiz looks to have shed his nice guy routine for HBO’s Face-Off with Floyd Mayweather. As always, Floyd goes to his undefeated record as proof the fighter in front of him has no chance. No word yet from HBO when we’ll get the full video.
“You bitched: you ran, you didn’t fight [and] I forced the fight. From the fifth round to the 12th round I was in your ass and you were ready to quit…”
Now this is a face off. Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal rip into each other for 12 straight minutes with Max Kellerman for HBO’s latest Face Off. Hopkins by nature always has to create a little animosity for any opponent he meets. Now that he believes he was robbed in their draw, Hopkins really has issues with Pascal, feeling he is a paper champion. Pascal, of course, feels disrespected and is tired of hearing Hopkins complain about every decision that doesn’t go his way. Pascal’s best moment is when he mimics Hopkins’ style and mocks his reactions to rabbit punches.
What makes this so good is that they’re not just throwing out empty threats. Both guys have solid arguments for their points and Kellerman does an excellent job of moderating and keeping things focused. Lots of quotables in this one. And remember the historical mark Hopkins is going for again. If he wins, he becomes the oldest man in sports to win a title. The fight goes down on May 21.
