Fight Fans after laying back in the cut observing boxing with a not so keen eye I’m back with another session of the “full pad work.” As you know, this is my attempt at a column consisting of observations, musings and opinions similar to that of more esteemed fight scribes. You can call it my way of imitating that which I want to “become” so to speak. This is also a way of inviting counter opinions and discussions from the best fans in the world. We all know that nobody defends debates and just flat out antagonize like the rabid fan base of the Sweet Science. The best thing about “Pad work” is not me holding the Pads; it’s you the fan giving me the hair trigger response to keep time. So without further delay allow me to proceed to give you what you need!! The Full Pad work.

Bernard + Winky = Stinky

Aiiiiiiiiiiiigght Nard you got me again and I have no one but me to blame for what Comcast will put on my ass in a couple of weeks. Something told me that the high skill level of both fighters and the best fighter of this generation “stakes” was not enough of a reason to buy. An addict is always looking for a reason to get “high” so I even sunk to the level of asking myself “what if a real fight breaks out?” While half asleep (watching ESPN) the fake assed shoving match instigated by EX gave me false hope that something would go down. Until the fight started, is it me or does Hopkins get too much credit for being “wily” and not enough real scrutiny for being a “fight killer.”

Big Ups to Joe Calzaghe for checking Bernard on his “call out” and reminding Nard (as well we in Americans) that there’s “Big Things Poppin” in Cardiff Wales when he faces off against Mikkel Kessler. There’s no reason for him to dignify outlandish statements like “let's sell out Yankee Stadium” when he’s putting 60,000 asses in the seats back in Europe. “The Swiss Banker” says “Joe C” needs Nard for the legacy or he’ll end up another English fighter that never traveled. I thought recognition as a “world” champ means acknowledging and defending against the world. Ali was beloved worldwide because he actually used his passport.

Winky may end up a “name” for a young gun at 160 but why was Bernard so insistent on clinching a smaller, weaker fighter? It looked to me like he wore Winky down with his physical strength and will “not” to fight. Roy Jones can take him again, mark it down you heard it right here first. Roy is too crafty and too strong to fall for Bernard’s new “style” of falling in and clinching after throwing the right hand. Both fighters made bank (less 300K on Nard's end) but I may have lived to run my mouth another day. I bet “big Tommy” at the gym 20 push ups while sitting on the other guy's back that Nard would find a way. Thanks Nard, Tommy outweighs me by at least 100 pounds and I’m too lazy to switch gyms!

Word just in; 305,000 buys!! I don’t feel so alone and well…used up anymore.

The Young Studs Made PPV worth it?! ...

Where do I start? Unlike many “fight” fans I have an affinity for the “stylist” so I must rave about Jorge Linares. No, he’s not De La Hoya for lack of a monster left hook,  but he has a certain “bounce” (athleticism) that won’t leave him vulnerable to guys who are “speed” fighters. I also don’t recall ever squinting to try to count combinations when Oscar was a young buck. Linares is blessed with the kind of skills that make old brothas at the barber shop start arguments. I can see myself in 20 (OK ten) years being the ringleader; “Jorge Linares was so sweet I saw him whoop two cats at the same time! While arguing bout his cell phone bill with one hand tied behind his back!!

Seriously though, technique is one thing but maintaining composure while letting your hands go is a whole different category.

With Carlos Baldomir exiting stage left last Saturday this kid will become the face of Argentinean boxing. Oscar Larios is a hard style to deal with for anybody, this kid is 21 and he hung in and got the former titlist out of there. At 5'9" the stock in Linares is extremely high. If I’m one of the “names” at 130 lbs. I wouldn’t want to hang around too long trying to milk out a few more paydays, it could get embarrassing.

Hello? what’s that? Injin Chi just relinquished his WBC strap? Of course he did.

Michael Katsidis is somebody I would not want to see in a dark alley, but I would love to see him on TV immediately; or at least when he is healed. This is the kind of fighter that the UFC makes claims that we don’t have in boxing. His fragile skin and all action style will certainly put him on “Gatti time” but hopefully he will be matched for extreme entertainment while it last. Attention: If Michael Katsidis and Juan Diaz ever meet in the ring I will take the greyhound there and sit next to the “baby mamas” who yell at their damn kids! These two young guns are made for one another but they may produce a crazy spike on one another’s odometer. Best let that one marinate 18 months because neither man will be the same fighter in the aftermath.

My sentiments and prayers of a bright future away from boxing go out to Oscar Larios and Czar Amonsot.

Congrats to Vernon Forrest and Carlos Baldomir for engaging in an entertaining yet one sided scrap last Saturday night. Where Forrest goes from here is hard to foresee but it’s good to see him with a championship belt again. I’d watch him try to solve the Spinks “Jinx” if there’s absolutely nothing else to do that night. And I mean nothing, no “To Catch a Predator” re-runs (I like it when they cry) on MSNBC, no Michael Vick trial footage, no kind of drunk recently divorced woman at the Bar down the street… absolutely nothing.

Marquez vs. Vasquez...

Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera and Sugar Shane Mosley vs. Miguel Cotto will start off the “real” marriage to save boxing. So much for taking care of Antonio Margarito. If Cotto wins look for Oscar De La Hoya to tangle with the sturdy boricua on Cinco De Mayo 2008. In the meantime it's “season’s greetings” from Pretty Boy Floyd when he (gulp) comes out of retirement to face the British “Hitman” Ricky Hatton. Floyd will work the Roger Clemens retirement plan to weed out beatable “names” for the foreseeable future. The cynic in me wants to say great job on waiting for the hittable “name” junior welterweight Floyd but I have a hunch. The hunch is Hatton (knowing Floyd is a natural Jr. welterweight) won't be dumb enough to come in at 147.

Something tells me Ricky will come in at 142 with full intent on chasing Picasso out of the ring. Floyd is sneaky strong but Ricky has a rough style that you can’t shake. In other words Hatton will get close and put some miles on Floyd. I see Mayweather flashing the inside punching that made his stoppage of Jesus Chavez so impressive and finally reap grudging respect from the blood mongers. It will be one sided but Ricky Hatton will make it a hard night at the office for Floyd.

And Golden Boy will promote the hell out of this one, expect a scaled down version of “The World Awaits” campaign.

Floyd and Zab fought at a club.

I’m gonna leave that one right there folks because I’m as flabbergasted as you are. When I read that report I wore the same expression I had when some of my thug cousins tried to sneak into the family reunion banquet. And you want to know the kicker? Reports also say there was “blood” at the scene! No blood in the boxing match that many paid good money to see but blood at the damn club. Where’s Chris Rock when you need him?

Riddick Bowe will be fighting again August 19th

Remember that PPV some years back that featured old timers fighting 2 minute rounds? Bone Crusher Smith pulled a muscle or caught a cramp and lost to Larry Holmes. In 2007 I believe the pool is HUGE for that kind of spectacle to actually work. Joe Mesi can promote it and Viagra can sponsor the championship belts. Bring on Bowe/Mercer and Holyfield/Tyson 3 and while you’re at it Camacho needs to heap a little “La Venganza” on Julio Caesar Chavez.

That is if his probation officer will allow him out after 8 pm, ya’ll know the “Macho Man” need supervision.

Questions? Comments? Email Martin Wade here