BOXINGTALK'S MINI-MONDAY MAILBAG
By G. Leon

This is the year of the off-and-on fights. I want to see Paul Williams and Shane Mosley get some fights. You would think Joshua Clottey was the victim [when two fights fell through for him] but Williams sounds correct. Clottey might tend to price himself out of big fights. As with Mosley he needs Andre Berto or any breathing boxer right now. Just defend your title. I'm  a Mosley fan and a Williams supporter. I will also become a big Berto fan once Shane retires. Their styles are very similiar. I hate to see them fight each other because they are both favorite fighters of mine. Well, maybe big fights get made in the next few days. Please forward any info.-Aaron "Precise" Blount

Leon's Response: At this point Clottey needs to jump on whatever major opportunities come his way. Shane Mosley could have and should have been back on HBO by now. Cheating got Margarito suspended for a year. Putting on a masterful performance against Antonio Margarito seems to have earned Mosley the same sentence while guys like Juan Diaz and Paul Malignaggi are fighting each other twice in four months. I expect Mosley-Berto to get done as well as Williams-Sergio Martinez.

Yo G.  Maaaaaaaaaan, good to see you are back in the mix.  I had my mind all set for Paul Williams vs. Kelly Pavlik, and now it is ruined since Pavlik is injured.  Paul Williams had his game plan all set for Pavlik's style at 160 pounds, but he has to destroy his plan and reconstruct an entirely new plan for a fight against a stylistic headache from Argentina named Sergio Martinez at 154 pounds.  G, Williams has to plan for a fighter (i.e. Martinez) who is defensively very rhythmic with his upper body movements, head movements and foot movements - Sergio Martinez has a rhythm which is very similar to the American style fighters (young and old schoolers).  Offensively, Martinez is a crafty lefty who has excellent hand speed and can punch in combinations at various angles.  Strangely enough, Martinez has a little deceiving pop in his fast, straight left hand as well.   It does not appear Williams is a big fan of fighting someone with this style because Williams tends to force the action too much, which may result in leaving himself too wide open and too off balanced for Martinez's solid counterpunching skills.  Martinez, in deep contrast to Pavlik, has too many ways to frustrate a fighter like Williams who strongly prefers a fighter to stay in front of him.  G, if Williams does not get the early KO, I believe Martinez is going to upset Williams - I can't wait for the odds on this fight because someone may win plenty of "ends" betting on Martinez to win.  Martinez's style may cause a great headache to Williams.   G, is Sergio Martinez's complicated style all wrong for Paul Williams? Thanks G.  E-Man.

Leon's Response: I liked Williams big over Pavlik as well. Regardless of what Jack Loew or anybody else says, I think Bob Arum took Al Haymon for a ride on that fight twice. In my opinion, Arum knew Pavlik wouldn't be able to perform and strung Team Williams along because he's not the biggest fan of Goossen or boxing's most prominent concert promoter. When we were trying to make Pavlik vs. Allan Green at a catch weight, our promoter was ready to give Top Rank options on Allan Green moving forward just to get the fight done. It was a no brainer for Arum because he would have still had Pavlik-Williams in the wing for the middleweight titles, and he would have added Allan Green, who is clearly moving in the right direction,  to his stable of talent. But perhaps Arum said no because Louie D and I are well liked and respected by The Bobfather. I think Williams is an absolute beast, but I agree that Martinez is the kind of guy who could make him look bad, or beat him on very short notice. I still favor Williams, but I believe Martinez is a much, much, tougher fight than Pavlik.

How's it goin Greg? As a true fan of my favorite sport, I'm a bit confused by the recent happenings in regards to the welterweight division. First and foremost, the ongoing Mosley/Berto 'beef'. Is there a fight or isn't there? Since each seem eager to prove their mettle, what's the hold up? Dollars? I find that comical. Does 'Mr. Everlast' really believe he has the resume to this point to claim the lions share over Shane? Perhaps it a promotional issue? Huge risk for little reward? I'm not sure I can see where the problem lies. 'Sugar' Shane Mosley the elder statesman throwback vs Andre 'Mr. Everlast' Berto the gifted young new jack. I see no problem with this fan friendly 'fighters fight'. Let's get it done gentlemen. I'm sure you can, considering this is a business after all.. Next, R.A. The Rugged Man vs Floyd Mayweather. While I respect the opinions of others, I can't seem to understand this whole 'fight the best' talk? Isn't Juan Manuel Marquez among the 'best' in the world? Fight guys you're own size? Apart from Shane Mosley, who does this guy consider to be the best? Margarito? Cotto? Clottey? That's 3-0 with 2KO's (Clottey goes the distance). "You don't knock guys out Floyd!" "You're not as good as Pernell Whitaker!" Seriously R.A.? You're contradicting yourself. Did Sweet Pea knock guys out? No. 17 KO's. Floyd has 25. What does that mean? Neither guy is a huge puncher like Hearns or Pryor, but it doesn't mean they're both not great. Floyd sometimes overstates his record, but facts are facts. Skills pay the bills and the man is great, plain and simple. His problem? He doesn't fight in the 80's. Fighters were better then than they are now, but the greats could fight in any era (at '47': Floyd, Mosley Pacquiao.. in that order). You don't have to like him, but you have to recognize skill when you see it. Speaking of Pacquiao why, if he's soooo good, can't he fight Cotto at 147 and not 145? I like the guy, he's good for the sport and is entertaining, but what gives? Why should Cotto have to shed 2 extra pounds to fight him? For a welterweight TITLE no less? Beat him at his best. I can see it now.. Roach calling out the winner between Roy and Bernard.. at 150. Enough with the unnecessary catchweights. If a Hopkins/Wright type fight is available, its one thing, but for a welterweight title? Go to 47. What's 2 pounds (I'm talking to you too, Marquez)? Oh wait, 600 stacks.. I don't feel sorry for you.. This is business after all.-Matt from NYC 

Leon's Response: I believe Mosley-Berto will get done in the near future. Isn't it always about the money? I don't think Berto is asking for a percentage. I think he has a number in mind and would glady make the fight if they come up with his number.  Mayweather's list of opponents for mega-fights is as follows, Pacquiao, Mosley, Cotto. Definitely the easiest 600k Marquez ever made. Kind of a make-up for Beristain blowing the Pacquiao rematch for 750k before Marquez found himself in the Indonesian jungles.

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