Letters to C. Rice | The Recent Gatti Piece that Caused a Stir
by
Carl Rice
3/17 - So apparently I’ve touched some nerves talking about Gatti, Dorin, and Mayweather, especially since the fight is back on. Here are some of the letters I’ve gotten thus far; if there is anyone who wants to respond, please be my guest, but there’s only one rule…treat me with respect and I’ll do the same. But if you come at me aggressively, expect something back in return. I have not edited the letters.
The original article from March 10th.
THE LETTERS
NUMBER ONE
you sound real stupid,like somebody that doesn’t even know boxing.your talking all that smack about gatti.if you knew what you were talking about you would know that micky ward ,branco,dorin,and yes even jesse james were all ranked in the top ten or top contenders when they got beat by gatti and very convincingly I might add.jesse james just got finished beating up highly rated francisco bojado who was also rated before gatti went through him.you think its funny to refer back to the de la hoya fight,well you know what ,gatti didn’t have buddy mcgirt as his trainer at the time,but he does now,and buddy has done great work with him.you make yourself look stupid when you put down gatti ,acting like hes this hyped fighter that hasn't fought anyone.for one thing ,look at who he has fought ,there are a lot of real fighters on that list ,not like most fighters today where you can only actually give them credit for just a few of the fighters they have fought and then just a bunch of bums ,also you should check how many times gatti has won a title,and how many times he got up off his back to win it or keep it,you insult boxing fans by saying that hbo pumped him up for us to pay attention to him.I have been a long time fan because he fights with heart and you cant count him out of any fight.for example I would say gatti is the underdog in this mayweather fight,but you know what I wouldn’t count him out of it for a second either,and that’s why I love to watch the guy fight,and then the other part of the article your talking all cutsie about julio diaz,you picked him to win the fight ,based on what,what has he done,I consider you just another guy that writes about boxing and doesn’t know s#*t,think before you write
- Jamie Himes
Dear Jamie-
Since you don't know me, I'll forgive your ignorance. But believe it or not I'm glad you decided to write back so we can talk about Gatti. Let's start with the people on your list...Micky Ward...Ward has fought for the title several times but never won. He's never had an influence on the title picture. Branco...the toughest guy he fought after Gatti is 41-4 George Scott. If you know who that is you're better than me. James Lejia...He's fought some tough guys in his day, but every single time he stepped up to the plate, after losing to Azumah Nelson in 1996. The 3rd time they fought was for some meaningless title and Nelson was way over the hill. After that win, he was KOed by Shane Mosley in 98. He didn't deserve a fight against Tszyu and he didn't deserve a chance to fight Gatti. Remember, in the Bojado fight, he was supposed to lose because he was over the hill; Bojado was the one stepping up, not Lejia.
Now let's say that Gatti did have McGirt in his corner for the De La Hoya fight...would that have made a difference at welter? That was a ridiculous point to bring up; he was well overmatched and that was supposed to be his cash-out fight from HBO. But McGirt has done a good job of continuing his career; the series of fights with Ward was the ONLY thing that resurrected his career. Gatti is a good fighter but he never was and never will be a great fighter. Now let's focus on Gatti.
His career began in 1991 and wins his first shot at a title against Tracy Harris Patterson in 1995. He defended that a few times against so-so competition, most notably a rematch with Patterson and Gabe Rueles, but lost the title through politics. But in 1998 he was stopped by Angel Manfredy. Everyone who knows boxing that Manfredy is a second-tier fighter. He then goes on to give up 2 straight UNANIMOUS decisions to contender Ivan Robinson. After spectacular KOs against lame competition, he fights De La Hoya in a fight that is is planned by HBO to be his last hurrah for good service. He gets KOed but he also gets broke off with some cash. He continues on, beating Terron Millet, a pretty much shot fighter at the time, then has the spectacular 3 battles with Micky Ward. Ward, a above average fighter, was obviously outclassed by Gatti, and yet he still gave Gatti 3 tough fights. He then goes on to beat Branco, whom we've discussed, wins the title against Dorin, who was out of his weight class and was mostly know for getting a draw with Spadafora and beating Raul Balbi.
Gatti is a good fighter, but without HBO's backing, he would not even be making the money he's getting now. He's exciting, a warrior, and a true gladiator and ambassador of the sport of boxing, but he’s not the best, not close to it, never was, and never will be. If you want to call the list of fighters he's fought the best or close to the best, be my guest, but none of them can beat Mayweather, Tszyu, Cotto, Vivian Harris, Sharmba Mitchell, Ricky Hatton, or even Oktay Urkal. And you can count Gatti out against every single one of those fighters I mentioned. You won't count him out against Mayweather? What are his advantages? Heart? Be real, dude. Mayweather is the better boxer, Mayweather is faster and Mayweather has the reach advantage. Gatti’s chance is a puncher’s chance and I'll bet you anything you have: Gatti won't finish the fight. He'll get cut up if he boxes or KOed if he tries to stand in and fight, straight up.
Now to move on to my Diaz pick...I picked Diaz more because I felt that he had enough to beat the older and now fading Castillo. Diaz is a tough fighter and I felt that his youth would overtake his opponent, but it turned out that Diaz was not ready for the pressure of Castillo. I did not watch tape, which is why I did not do a full report on the fight. If you don't think that I know boxing, you have no idea what you're talking about. I've been personally watching fights since Ali fought Chuck Wepner in the Richfield Coliseum. My pick won't be wrong about the Pacquiao v Morales fight. I'll prepare for this one like I'm betting on it myself.
And by the way, the next time you attempt to challenge my knowledge, know what you're talking about. If you think Gatti's a great fighter, this conversation's over.
NUMBER TWO
Dear Mr. Rice; I took exception to your criticism with regards to one of my favorite boxers of the past few years Leo Dorin. First of all; let me point out that at the time that he fought Gatti, Leo was undefeated but unfortunately, his mind was no longer on boxing since the Government of Romania had offered him a lifetime position which is somewhat of an accomplishment considering the huge success that Romanian athletes have experienced @ the recent Olympics. Mr. Rice; let me also point out that Leo fought guys like Emmanuel Augustus/Burton, Raoul Balbi, Gary St. Clair & Paul Spadafora and handled himself pretty good against these top-notch fighters. He even totally dominated Spadafora (according to Compubox) and if it weren't for the 3 blind mice judging that fight, Leo would have had 2 of the 3 major belts @ lightweights. But then, being robbed is something that non-american fighters are used to expect when they fight a USA-born fighter @ home. Let me remind you also Mr. Rice, that your current #1 favorite fighter Floyd Mayweather definitely lost his first fight against JC Castillo and again, if the fight had been held anywhere else but in Las Vegas & Grand Rapids Michigan, Mr. Castillo would be the #1 P-4-P fighter right now... Perhaps if Dorin would have received a fair decision in Pittsburgh or if Spadafora had not backed away from his promise to fight a rematch either in Montreal or Romania, maybe Dorin would not have gotten fed up of boxing after all... But then, I will never forget his incredible performances against Balbi (specially the rematch held in Romania) and his fight with Spadafora live on HBO!
- Martin Beauchemin
Dear Martin,
I’m not saying that Dorin sucked as a fighter, but as 140, he was much too small. Gatti completely overwhelmed him and it wasn’t just his job waiting for him in Romania. At 135, he fought 2 excellent fights against Raul Balbi and beat a tough Emmanuel Augustus, but were either of those fighters considered the best at 135 or even in the top 5? Mayweather was in that class too and went after Dorin, but Dorin did not want the fight. And I’ll give it up to Dorin in his fight against Spadafora…he deserved the victory. But Spadafora was not the top guy at 135 either. I will never say that Dorin wasn’t a good fighter but I’ll never say that he was a great fighter either. I will say that Dorin was a good fighter that won a title at 135 and that’s it. And I cannot defend foreign fighters getting ripped off in the US, but this is a phenomenon that happens to many fighters that fight in a foreign country.
As for Floyd, I do like Mayweather; that much is obvious, but I think the Bernard Hopkins is the best fighter in the world with Pretty Boy #2. Furthermore, I think that the first fight against Castillo was closer than the second, but even Castillo has conceded that Floyd is the better man. Mayweather has sought out the best fighters in every division he’s been in. The same cannot be said for Gatti or Dorin. But we will agree on one thing…I will always remember Dorin as a warrior in the ring for his performances against Balbi.
Thanks for your comments…keep it coming.
NUMBER THREE
The 140 pounds are the category but quarreled in these moments but because nobody wants to figth with anybody jajaja that they speak so much and none faces and then not you if it will be fear or that but express says that if money ect... and never they face,because doesn't make a tournament between all the champions or candidates for this way saver who is the best 140 pounds. Kostya Tszyu vs Ricky Hatton already this, Cotto vs Gatti serious a great fight their styles are very similar he should finish for TKO that fight and are those that it wins in those encounters disputed in more good of the 140 pounds in September you wondered because he doesn't mention Floyd Mayweather?? Alone May wants money not to be the best if what you want is money that fights with Zap Judah or Oscar de la Hoya encounters with them they will give him a lot of money and maybe in December or January May that fights with the winner of those combats among Tszyu vs Hatton and Cotto vs Gatti. ( I believe that Cotto doesn't owe to fight the revenge with Corley but better to look for a fight with Gatti that your you believe it is rotted to give that fight in June). Vivian Harris nobody wants to figth with the he doesn't have the recognition or the fame of the other ones I believe that it will continue waiting a good fight with somebody of name and he won't appear.
- Rayo
What’s up Rayo?
I agree that no one at 140 seems to want to fight each other, but they all are calling out other top fighters. Money is the main reason for this; nobody wants to take the risk of fighting someone tough and losing because they think it will hurt them in terms of fighting for the championship. Even Mayweather is guilty of this…he’s had chances to fight Vivian Harris (who doesn’t have the recognition but does have the skill, bringing up the more money for less risk axiom). But he’s also called out Cotto and Tszyu and they’ve turned him down. So I believe Mayweather when he said that he wants to fight the best. And I think that he will eventually move up to welter to take on some of the big names in the next year or so for as you said, that’s where the big money is. Personally, I don’t think Hatton has done anything to warrant a title fight, but at least he’s in the top ten.
Speaking of Vivian Harris, he is waiting much too long to just take a fight. He’s waiting for top fighters and top money, but he’s going to have to take a chance like Judah and take a top fight for less money. After he proves himself in a fight like that, then he can actually command more money. No one wants to pay a guy top money when he’s biggest fight is Diobelis Hurtado; Harris just doesn’t bring enough to the table.
I don’t want it so seem like I don’t like Gatti because I do respect what he’s done throughout his career. But up to this point, he has not proven to be capable of beating the best fighters. As for Cotto, I would be shocked if he chooses to fight Gatti because he is having problems making weight. Besides, HBO wants to have their new Trinidad easy for the welterweight championship. In any case, this division is desperately in need of a tournament because there’s too much talent at 140 for no one to be fighting each other. Thanks for your e-mail, duke.
NUMBER FOUR
I'm sure by now you've heard that Gatti-Mayweather is back on, but I had to respond to some of what you wrote. I don't understand why no one's giving Gatti a shot against Floyd. And what's this garbage about Gatti looking for a way out of fighting Floyd? And you say Gatti hasn't fought anyone in the division worth anything? Gatti??!!
First of all, if anything, it's Floyd who clearly hasn't fought anyone worth a damn. I know I know--Corrales, Castillo, but that was at lightweight, not 140. Floyd's only had two fights at 140, and Corley and Bruseles can hardly punch like Gatti. Besides, you talk about Gatti not fighting anyone in the top 10 140's--Corley and Bruseles wouldn't make anyone's top 30, let alone 10. Yeah, Floyd looked pretty good against them, but Gatti wouldn't have had any trouble with those two either, and there's no way Corley could go the distance against Gatti. And if you saw Gatti decimate Leija--by boxing, not brawling--you saw that Gatti's getting better and better now that he's with Buddy McGirt.
And it's just plain ridiculous to blame Gatti for the delays in sealing the deal. It was Floyd who decided not to show up in AC at the Leija fight (and he also, for some reason only a boxer could understand, blew off his court date). It was Floyd who wanted more money, even though he could barely pack in 3000 in Miami, while Gatti could put 12000 in Boardwalk Hall if he signed on to fight a Cabbage Patch Kid. Floyd should consider himself lucky Gatti put up with his trash.
In any event, it'll be a good fight. Is Floyd the favorite? Everyone seems to think so, but I think they're all a bit too sure of themselves. Floyd's kidding himself if he thinks he can just walk over Gatti.
Anyway, that was the first of your articles I've read, and I'll be sure to keep following along. I just had to write because I can't handle all this Gatti-bashing anymore.
- Chris Chaberski
So let's talk about Gatti..(see 1st response)
I'll give it to you that Floyd hasn't fought the best at 140 yet, but throughout his career he's fought the best, so I think he'll be ready for whatever Gatti has to offer. I'll give Gatti props for stepping to the plate and taking this fight, and I have always respected what he’s given up in the ring, but there’s a lot of time for something to happen, like an “injury” or something and I'll never say that he a real title contender at 140, even though he has one of the belts, which he'll lose on June 24. It’ll be a good fight, but ultimately, Mayweather’s supremacy will become obvious.
Please send all comments/questions to crice@talkingboxing.com
Discuss this at our Boxing Forum
