Since my debut with BRC back in April I’ve taken to adding a taste of staccato one liners at the end of each of my articles. I called the sampling of quips, rants and musings “Padwork” after the focus mitt routines executed by some of boxing’s best trainers. In that short time (thanks to you the fan) I’ve received great response, some positive, some negative and a lot of laughter at my observations.

Now that I’m starting to feel at home and settling in at BRC I figure it’s high time I expand “Pad Work” to a full column format. This will allow boxing/ MMA fans to be informed, humored or just simply outraged at the same time. Most of the writers I read and admire have some form of pad work, so it was only natural that I try to add my own take on what I see happening in “The Sweet Science.” So without further delay and in the words of too many MC’s -as I proceed to give you what you need... The full Pad Work!
 

Mayweather Left on Ice...

Leonard Ellerbe says he ain't “fazed” by the Golden Boy's “ruling” that there will be no more eight-figure paydays courtesy GBP. Yeah, right. Listen, when someone tells you they ain't mad… they're mad. The so called retired P4P kingpin then sunk to the level of trying to play “big bank, little bank” with Sugar Shane Mosley. Uhhm Floyd, Shane just wants to fight, he knows the money will be there so the question is, do you? I wonder where are the “geniuses” who claimed Floyd toyed with Oscar to secure another check. Seems like the brotha whose mantra is “if it don’t make dollars it don’t make sense” is painted in a corner. In order to “unretire” he’ll have to face Cotto, Margarito or Mosley and for the first time since lightweight, make “historical” sense with his dollars. I told ya’ll he should have jumped all over Jermain Taylor. Oscar, on the other hand, will take his “moral victory” and back the Brinks truck up to the bank once again in May 2008.

My mamma once told me, “Baby, there ain't no straight A parents” and on Father's Day I thought of Big Floyd. Happy Belated Mr. Mayweather. I am a father myself (and therefore trying my best) and I will never cast a stone your way again.

Sergio, Kassim and Zab Too Soon...

Anybody get the distinct feeling that Kassim Ouma will run through Sergio Mora like OJ runs through an airport? I just believe the African is a “real fighter” and Sergio’s development is stunted by way of celebrity. Word is Zab Judah will be back by September 7th on ESPN. Not good, what’s the rush? Heal up and come back to a loaded Welterweight division by early winter. Zab should also get a trainer with more instruction to offer than “let your hands go” and “step to the bitch.” I know Zab’s financial difficulties are well documented but his performance on June 9th should be capitalized on properly. Hell, get a loan homey, just bring a tape of the Cotto fight and any lender will know you're good for it. There are compelling matches out there for Brooklyn’s finest; I just don’t want to see him get ruined in search of the “W.”

Grumpy Old Men, Big Floyd's Jones Diss & Toney Steroids...

After watching Chad Dawson dispatch of Jesus Ruiz and Antonio Tarver,  struggle with Elvir Muriqi, I’ve come to the realization that I’m (Florida Evans voice) tired, tired, tired. I’m so tired of all the “grumpy old men” holding the light heavyweight division hostage. Tarver, Jones, Wright, and Hopkins are all: Bob Arum's voice, “businessmen” who are trying to prolong their careers on the sheer power of name recognition. Tarver going after Lacy is a joke and Jones (if he gets by Hanshaw) will find a way out of facing the only “G.O.M” I want to see,  Glenn Johnson.

Hopkins/Wright despite the outcome is little more than a GBP infomercial because neither wants any part of “Bad Chad” Dawson. The winner of this fight will call out a certain Welsh super middleweight. Did anybody hear the classic Floyd Sr. cut at Roy Jones Jr.? Anthony Hanshaw's trainer, Big Floyd, basically said if the 28-year-old can't beat Jones he should fill out some applications. I couldn’t help but to think about a trainer bringing applications to a fight as a motivational tool. Look here playa, I took the liberty of filling out this UPS application since you obviously don’t wanna fight. Wasn’t James Toney featured on an ESPN 'Outside the Line' focusing on concussions? If I’m not mistaken he admitted to a condition that caused accelerated loss of testosterone due to the punches taken. Let’s just say “Lights Out” is getting the juice above board for this “condition.” How is he getting cleared to fight? why isn’t the condition  tested in pre-fight physicals? And they say we don’t need one federally connected governing body. ..

Get this…

Minnesota just appointed Scott LeDoux Boxing Commissioner  to serve in the same capacity for Mixed Martial Arts. To somehow placate the MMA community the state proposed a four-member panel to help LeDoux “govern” the sport. O.K. let me take a shot at this one, how about appointing someone from the sport to govern the sport? How about someone like Greg Nelson from the Mighty Minnesota Martial Arts Academy? www.mmaacombatzone.com/

I will continue to preach to all fans reading, resist the urge to adopt an “us vs. them” mentality when it comes to boxing vs. MMA. Don’t let the media make you feel like you have to choose to be viewed as “current” or “with the times.” A good fight is a good fight and the “mainstream” with its tokenism (one combat sport at a time) only cares about content and silly polls. Don't ever forget what they did to Biggie and Tupac, nobody peeped game until they both died.

Ode to Sweet Pea...

When I think of Pernell Whitaker I think about an innocent time in Hip Hop before it went “gangsta” to the diamond mines of Africa. Watching video of Sweet Pea drop, dip and spin away from opponents reminds me of the first time I heard Mary J Blige. I was a young man in my early 20’s managing Rap groups, going to sound checks and wearing s@%t that today makes me cringe. My days were filled with jazz samples, 40 ounces and running off 16 straight at Powder Horn Park - and a lot of the days ended with Sweet Pea. I remember where I was the night he got robbed against Chavez, what we said on the way home and my high top fade. If Ray Leonard was my childhood, Sweet Pea represents my long faded prime. Boxing fans are blessed that he is still around to instill his sublime boxing IQ into the next generation. Maybe even Zab Judah will see the light and give the master a call.

Pavlik/Taylor...

Pavlik/Taylor is close to being finalized and I commend both fighters for making it happen. Now that we have that out of the way, boxing fans don’t “Gerry Cooney” Kelly Pavlik. It’s 2007 and we should allow the young man to be who he is. The young man is a great kid with a lot to offer for “real” fight fans that go beyond skin pigment. Hopefully Bob Arum can resist the temptation to “promote” the obvious and emphasize the fact that two young studs are laying it on the line. Pacquiao /Soto appears to be on the horizon as well as Marquez/ Barrios. Close but no cigar, Top Rank and GBP should kiss and make up with the sole purpose of taking over the world. They can still maintain the rivalry because “team” rivalries provide sports great theatre. If the “Bobfather” and the “Golden One” choose to become boxing's Boston Red Sox/New York Yankees we would all be better off.

Before I Go……

If you like hot T-Shirts and want to show your love for Chico Corrales then go to the link below.

http://www.fighthype.com/corralesfund/