R.A. the Rugged Man, the underground Long Island rapper that counts old school greats such as Kool G Rap, Melle Mel, Big Daddy Kane, Super Lover C, and Rakim among his influences, has found himself in the unlikely position in the center of the boxing world's attention. Following his now famous exchange of verbal jabs with Floyd "Money" Mayweather at Satellite Radio's Shade 45, the artist behind "Legendary Classics: Volume 1" has been brushing up on his boxing debates. Taking time out from promoting his latest release and preparing for his upcoming tour, R.A the Rugged Man sat in with the OnThEGRiND BOXiNG Team both to clarify his position on Mayweather and to speak with one of his all-time favorite fighters, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins.
Prior to R.A. getting reacquainted with future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, Rugged gave his take on some of the fighters that he would like to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. face, and why...
Sugar Shane Mosley
""What would be beautiful would be if he would fight Shane Mosley. Ok. That would be the 1st one. Because what Shane brings to the table is power, and speed that is almost as quick as Floyd. I think Floyd's still quicker than Shane, but power, size, and a chin. Floyd can not hurt, or do any damage to Shane...a guy who's gonna keep fighting, and a guy with tremendous heart, and I think it would be a great challenge for Floyd. That's what I think Shane brings to the table."
Miguel Cotto
"I think Cotto brings size, power, pressure, and skill. I think Cotto's a little underrated in the skill department...and he might not have the leg work so much, but I think Cotto would be a nice challenge for him."
Manny Pacquiao
"Pacquiao is a little small, you know? But Pacquiao brings that speed, because Pacquiao is actually probably faster than Floyd, you know? I don't know that for a fact, but I believe he might be faster than Floyd. When you watch the Zab Judah vs Floyd fight, Zab was giving him trouble with speed in the first 4 rounds...and Pacquiao is the kind of fighter that can keep that speed coming for the whole 12 rounds. So you know, Pacquiao possibly can give him trouble."
Paul Williams
"And then what I would like is for him to end his career on you know, the masterpiece performance, by either him (Pacquiao) or Paul Williams. Go up and fight a guy that nobody thinks you can beat, and prove to the world that you're actually as great as you say, and beat a guy that's bigger and taller than you like a Paul Williams...and fight him at the weight class your comfortable at."
Hit up R.A. the Rugged Man's official website at www.ratheruggedman.com and get his new Double CD/DVD "Legendary Classics: Volume 1" in stores now!
To hear R.A.the Rugged Man and Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins together OnThEGRiND, be sure to check out OnThEGRiND BOXiNG Podcast #115 and tune in every Thursday and Sunday for your opportunity to speak live to more guest fighters, trainers and the entire OnThEGRiND BOXiNG Team.
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