Dan Rafael chat wrap 7/18:
- Doesn't think Algieri is much of a threat for Pacquiao. Because of the cold war, Pacquiao is basically out of new opponents.
- Cotto-Canelo could happen, but will not be their next fight.
- Hopkins future depends on what happens with Duva's lawsuit. B-Hop will be allowed to fight either Kovalev or Stevenson by the IBF, because it is a unification, but if the lawsuit prevents him from making a deal he will be forced to fight his mandatory.
- Hopkins is not in talks to fight Kovalev yet. Basically Hopkins says he is open to fight either Stevenson or Kovalev, whichever can get made. HBO has pre-approved Hopkins to be on their network, despite being a GB fighter in part of Kovalev's contract with them.
- No Canelo-Lara PPV numbers yet.
- Wilder-Stiverne probably going to happen in Nov/Dec.
- Andrade is not contractually obligated to either network...HBO may hold an option for his next fight.
- Chances of Canelo-Kirkland - decent.
- Herrera-Garcia rematch? Don't hold your breath.
- Didn't think much of the Mayweather article in terms of breaking news. He believes himself and his colleagues have always covered Mayweather's legal and personal issues.
- Agreed that detailing Mayweather's personal issues was fine, but the attack on the boxing media was false and agenda driven.
- Froch-JCC is becoming more and more unlikely for the Fall. (said JCC is in his own little world)
- RJJ is the most freakish athlete he has ever seen fight in person.
- He has told RJJ in person he wishes he would retire.
- Says the gloves for Mayweather-Maidana have not been settled yet...(but he was also duped like everyone else in the Cotto-Martinez fight).
- Confirmed multiple times the glove situation still has not been negotiated.
- Good possibility for Beltran-Crawford in November.
- Cotto-Canelo negotiations haven't started, but there will be plenty to negotiate. ODH and Arum have agreed to work together, but they haven't agreed on network rights. Arum would want the fight to be on HBO, DLH Showtime.
- Over under Pac-Algieri 375k buys: Under.
- Oscar owns Ring Magazine.
- Floyd Mayweather gets special treatment for mandatories on his 154 lb titles. His fights generate so much revenue the WBA and WBC will not force him to do anything.
- Believes we never see a Ward-Froch rematch.
