Pacquiao-Clottey was a well-oiled bust, wasn't it? When you combine a bad undercard, some of the worst commentary in any live sporting event I've ever seen, and an HBO quality main event, what don't you get? Your money's worth! All the credit to Pacquiao for at least dazzling us with his work effort, but it was as early as the fourth round that Pacquiao wasn't taking the fight seriously anymore. The soon to be immortalized "Bang" tirade by Jim Lampley was absolutely hilarious. As a matter of fact, if you threw in some "pows," "whammos" and "zort's", it'd be right out of the old Batman show.
INTRIGUE OR CONCERN FOR VAZQUEZ-MARQUEZ IV
I'd expect a lot of buzz for Vazquez-Marquez IV, which is scheduled for May 22, but I think a lot of people are concerned as much as they are intrigued. All three fights have been absolutely brutal on both fighters. Vazquez is not only coming off of retinal detachment surgery, but he was pushed to the limit by an undersized gimme in Angel Priolo. I hope that Vazquez seriously considers hanging them up soon before he is the recipient of permanent damage.
NYSAC OPEN TO BLOOD TESTING
As reported on FightHype earlier this week, this New York State Athletic Commission is open to blood screening as part of their testing protocol. I, for one, am happy for this development. If amateurs in the Olympics are subjected to more thorough testing than paid athletes, it's definitely time for a change.
MARTINEZ ANOTHER POTENTIAL STYLE MISMATCH FOR PAVLIK
HBO has been hoping to match Kelly Pavlik with IBF Super Middleweight champion Lucian Bute for quite some time now, but stylistically, they're putting him in one mismatch after the other. Pavlik punches in straight lines and stalks his opponents, while Sergio Martinez and Bute are both very slick fighters. It's hard to see either one of them losing to Pavlik unless they want to slug it out with him.
POTSHOT PICKS
Wladmir Klitschko (53-3, 48 KO) vs. Eddie Chambers (35-1, 18 KO)
While it's a shame that nobody is excited about a good American Heavyweight going for the belt, it's also understandable seeing that he's going up against Wladmir Klitschko. Chambers is going to be the fastest and most durable opponent Klitschko has fought in years, but he's too undersized and will most likely go into a shell when he realizes he can't hurt the giant. Klitschko by wide unanimous decision.
PARTING SHOTS
In closing, I have a novel idea for all you loyal FightHype readers. Seeing that Bob Arum is going to make it tough for Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather and is more content with reaping in the profits of matching him up against stablemates, the most likely contenders are "The Master of Plaster" Antonio Margarito, current lightweight titlist Edwin Valero and Juan Manuel Marquez. Send me an e-mail at dhoward@fighthype.com to tell me 1.) Who you think Pacquiao should fight and 2.) Should Pacquiao continue fighting Top Rank expendables or take the initiative, put his foot down and demand that Arum deliver him the Mosley-Mayweather winner next? I already know that my e-mail will be flooded by lame statements saying "Gayweather," "Crackio" or whatever typical hate comments that flood the message boards, so as a plead of sanity, please have a courteous and appropriate response. I'll post my favorite ones with my commentary in next week's "Pillar to Post."