Dan Rafael chat wrap 2/10:
- McGregor would get embarrassed by a C level boxer, let alone Mayweather.
- If Mayweather vs. McGregor happens it will be the biggest fraud of a fight ever made. If you pay $100 for it (or whatever they ask) you are a moron. Don't complain about buying it after the fight.
- Matthysse will be on the Canelo vs. JCC undercard. Since he is coming off an injury and moving up in weight, don't expect it to be a tough opponent.
- If GGG beats Jacobs, his team is looking at fighting BJS in Kazakhstan on June 10, and Canelo in September.
- He isn't making up a GGG vs. BJS fight. Both sides are in discussions and trying to plan a unification fight. That doesn't mean it will officially happen.
- Money would not be an issue in a GGG vs. BJS fight in Kazakhstan. It would tie into the governments Expo 2017. Huge event.
- BJS is working on a step aside deal with his mandatory Khurtsidze in order to face GGG.
- No big fights currently at 168 for GGG to move up for. At 160 he has Jacobs, BJS unification, and Canelo.
- Believes GGG vs. Jacobs sells more PPV's than the Lemieux fight. Andy Lee will be on the free "PPV" fights.
- The GGG vs. Jacobs card is a good card, not great. The main event is excellent, the Chocolatito fight is legit, the Cuadras fight isn't very exciting.
- Has said since day 1, no matter what the guarantee for GGG to fight Canelo, it is not a serious offer until GB negotiates a percentage split.
- Tapia vs. Chocolatito at super flyweight? A really good fight, but Chocolatito.
- Olympian fighters tend to sign with Top Rank because they have a long history of developing fighters into stars or money makers. If you want the biggest signing bonus and the highest minimum purses, don't sign with TR. If you want to build a career through marketing, PR, and having someone invest into you, then TR is a great option and you can make more money in the long run.
- How does a promoter-fighter investment work? Not 100% sure, but wouldn't doubt there is: an initial bonus, monthly salary for a certain period, minimum purses, maybe another bonus for milestones. Someone like TR is likely into a fighter for roughly low seven figures before they ever come close to making a dime. If the prospect is a bust, they just eat that cost.
- Inoue should not be a priority for HBO. He is a junior bantamweight from Japan. What should be a priority is putting on good cards that aren't PPV's.
- Soon GB will announce the publicity tour and tickets sales for Canelo-JCC. They should be doing a 4-5 city tour (LA, NY, Mexico City, somewhere in Texas, and maybe one other city).
- The Riddikk Bowe who beat Holyfield for the title, in that frame of mind and physical shape, might beat any HW in history.
- If Rau'shee Warren wins tonight he should do with his career whatever makes him the most money. He is a 29 year old bantamweight with no major fan base. If doing a third fight with Payano is the most lucrative option he should do it.
- Easter is ready to take on the top fighters in the division.
- Thinks that both Easter and Garcia give each other problems. Best fight to be made at 135.
- Would love to see Mikey Garcia vs. Broner. Believes Garcia would do very well vs. Broner.
- Hoping that with Cotto vs. Kirkland cancelled, that Cotto makes a deal with JMM or Bradley.
- Kirkland says he fractured his nose, reason why the fight is off.
- Doesn't doubt that Hearn is trying to find the best fight for Brook while the deadline for a fight with Spence approaches. Brook vs. Cotto would be a good fight.
- Arum has said he prefers to have Crawford outside of Omaha (to develop more of a fan base), preferably NY. Hopes his next fight is vs. Felix Diaz, best opponent available.
- Not interested in seeing Crawford vs. Orozco. Thinks Crawford beats him easily.
- Shakur Stevenson vs. Conlan, who wins right now? Stevenson.
- TR plans on having Stevenson fight in the Newark and DC area (where he lives and trains).
- Ward is co-manager for Stevenson, what does that say about Roc Nation (or Andre Ward) as a promoter vs. Top Rank? No comment.
- Glad to see Shields on the Showtime card. There are people interested in watching her.
- Avanesyan vs. Peterson is a pretty interesting fight on paper. Good undercard fight.
- Hoping Gervonta Davis' next fight is in Baltimore.
- Mayweather vs. Tszyu in their primes? Mayweather.
- No news on Ward vs. Kovalev 2. In fact they are days away from the random drug testing date for a June fight (outlined in their contract). According to Main Events, Roc Nation is not responding to emails or calls.
- How long will Roc Nation remain a promoter? As long as they want to continue losing money.
- Lomachenko vs. Jason Sosa is signed.
- Joshua vs. Klitschko being compared to a Hopkins vs. Pavlik fight isn't a bad comparison. Whether the older fight can beat the younger talent is TBD, but Wlad can knock anyone out with one shot.
- Wlad stays in shape year round so he usually does an eight week camp. Four weeks of strength and conditioning and four weeks focusing on boxing.
- Tommy Morrison's son certainly has potential (big guy, power, and a top trainer - Roach), but the jury is out if he will develop.
- David Benavidez's team wants a top contender, but they haven't been able to lure anyone into the ring. He probably is 3-4 fights away from a title shot.
- Salido might end up fighting a small fight in Mexico in late April.
- Loves Toney vs. Jirov, but his favorite CW fight in Holyfield-Qawi 1.
- Doesn't believe Chad Dawson can make a serious comeback.
- Wilder fighting the Klitschko vs. Joshua winner this year isn't impossible, but wouldn't bet on it.
- Jeyvier Cintron may make his debut March 17 on the Conlan card.
- PBC's fight schedule on ESPN is supposed to resume in April.
- Will Canelo vs. JCC break one million PPV's? Not even close.
- Schaefer most likely will have a March 14 PBC card on FS1 in LA, with many of the kids he signed, including Carlos Balderas.
- Vinnie Paz for HOF? Love Vinnie Paz, but not a HOF'er.
- Gary Russell Jr.'s younger brother is supposed to make his debut on GRJ's undercard March 11.
- Believes Mendoza will eventually eliminate all the WBA belts down to one per division, but would like to see him pick up the pace.
- Spike currently has no more PBC cards scheduled.
- Predicting an easy night for Easter, probably not as easy for Warren.
- What is Easter like personally? He is a cool guy.
- Michel still has until Feb. 17 to finalize Beterbiev vs. Barrera.
- Ray Mercer vs. Bert Cooper was a sick fight.