Your Questions...My Answers...

[IceJohnScully]

YOUR QUESTIONS...MY ANSWERS...

Which fighters are you currently involved with?

NABF cruiser champ Matt Godfrey, former NABF/USBA lightweight champ Israel Pito Cardona, USBA 122 champ Mike-Mike Oliver and former WBA 154 champ Jose Rivera. I also help in the corner with WBC Youth 130 champ Matt Remmilard. I have amateurs, too.

Ice, What is Lawrence Clay-Bey doing these days? Talented guy who never seemed to get in good enough shape to be a serious contender.

Lawrence is still working full time as a C.O. His main problems with conditioning probably came from, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, the fact that he worked too hard sometimes in and out of the gym. Dont go by body appearances, everybody doesnt have the make up to look Adonis-like. Clay trained too hard sometiems, running two times a day (5 miles at a clip) and I used to have to try and get him to stop doing too much. He also worked as a C.O., often training for fights and having to skip workouts due to the fact that he would often get held over (he worked the midnight shift) and be forced to do doubles unannounced whenever they said he had to.

Since you seem to know so much about Chad. Do you think that his "lack" of discipline will be his downfall eventually? Or is it just a talented youth thing, that will improve once he grows wiser?

When I trained Chad he definitely did everything I asked of him and was a pleasure towork with. When I say Maske was more discimplined I meant in an actual fight Maske held to his plan 100 percent and would not stray. Maske was the type who would have a guy hurt but would not go for a KO because he was committed to staying behind his jab and using his height, reach and patience to break you down on points. Chad could be lured easier into a slugfest by certain guys I think.

Whom do you consider to be Dawsons biggest threat (besides himself, if that is)

I haven't really watched the 175 pounders too much. But I think Tarver is being writen off a bit prematurely right now. When motivated I think Antonio could still be a real handfull


Ice from a skill standpoint who does Chad Dawson remind you of?

Chad on his best day has skills reminiscant of a younger Roy Jones. Probably more like a young Michael Nunn


Ice,
What are your picks on these upcoming fights?
Taylor v Pavlik PAVLICK
Pacquiao v Barrera MANNY
Maskaev v Peter PETER
Cotto vs Mosley MOSLEY
Calzaghe v Kessler CALZ
Mayweather v Hatton MAYWEATHER
Jones-Trinidad JONES

(NOTE: Be advised...I am TERRIBLE at picking fights!! :smile:

Hey John. Good to see you here. Too bad about Willie....RIP. Have you talked to Marlon Starling lately? What do you think of Chad Dawson....he's from New Haven, right? I always wondered if you were on this forum....I guess you are now. :good

I talk to Marlon here and there but at this time we are on somewhat rocky terms LOL (It's all in my book :smile:

hey ice aren't you partners with ross enamait or something like that? your the boxing coach and he is the conditioning coach?

Ross is a good friend of mine... he does some work with my fighters here and there. Right now he is mainly working with Godfrey and Cardona

[Zakman]

Are you in fact John Scully, or are you just posting this interview here?

[IceJohnScully]

Hey, what's happening? Yes, I am John Scully. I saw recently that my man Ding-A-Ling was posting here so I figured I would join, too. I posted my first topic last night and some guys asked some questions so I figured it would be easier to answer them all at once

ICE

[Rumsfeld]

Hey, what's happening? Yes, I am John Scully. I saw recently that my man Ding-A-Ling was posting here so I figured I would join, too. I posted my first topic last night and some guys asked some questions so I figured it would be easier to answer them all at once

ICE

How do you think your man Ding-A-Ling would perform against Andrew Golota?

[JETSKI]

How do you think your man Ding-A-Ling would perform against Andrew Golota?

Or better yet, against Adamek?

[Zakman]

Hey, what's happening? Yes, I am John Scully. I saw recently that my man Ding-A-Ling was posting here so I figured I would join, too. I posted my first topic last night and some guys asked some questions so I figured it would be easier to answer them all at once

ICE
Welcome aboard then! :goodI'm from New England myself and probably around your age, so I followed your career from the early days, as well as Moochie's. Sorry to hear you guys aren't getting along these days, but I'm sure there's reasons for it.

Glad to see you're picking Pavlik - I'm with you on this one. Say, are you of the opinion, as many of us are, that Taylor didn't deserve the nod against Hopkins, or the draw against Wright?

[therealdeal]

Ice, What is Lawrence Clay-Bey doing these days? Talented guy who never seemed to get in good enough shape to be a serious contender.

Lawrence is still working full time as a C.O. His main problems with conditioning probably came from, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, the fact that he worked too hard sometimes in and out of the gym. Dont go by body appearances, everybody doesnt have the make up to look Adonis-like. Clay trained too hard sometiems, running two times a day (5 miles at a clip) and I used to have to try and get him to stop doing too much. He also worked as a C.O., often training for fights and having to skip workouts due to the fact that he would often get held over (he worked the midnight shift) and be forced to do doubles unannounced whenever they said he had to.


Come on now, he went from the mid 220's up to 260 because he was working out too hard? His work rate decreased over his career too as his weight went up. Nobody is saying you have to have the body of Adonis. Juan Diaz is in great shape and nobody will ever confuse him with Adonis. But, there is no doubt he is in shape. There was plenty of doubt from Clay-Bey's performances combined with his weight gain that he wasn't.

On a separate note, I like your work on the ESPN Classic fight rebroadcasts.
How hard is it to ignore what you already know about the fight and try and broadcast it like you were there?
Do you have to do a lot more prep work on the fighters to be able to give background that would have been relevant at the time of the fight?
Finally, any opportunities for you to do regular current fight commentating? Did you apply for the open slot on Boxing After Dark?

Good luck and thanks for posting here.

[IceJohnScully]

Come on now, he went from the mid 220's up to 260 because he was working out too hard? His work rate decreased over his career too as his weight went up. Nobody is saying you have to have the body of Adonis. Juan Diaz is in great shape and nobody will ever confuse him with Adonis. But, there is no doubt he is in shape. There was plenty of doubt from Clay-Bey's performances combined with his weight gain that he wasn't. On a separate note, I like your work on the ESPN Classic fight rebroadcasts. How hard is it to ignore what you already know about the fight and try and broadcast it like you were there? Do you have to do a lot more prep work on the fighters to be able to give background that would have been relevant at the time of the fight? Finally, any opportunities for you to do regular current fight commentating? Did you apply for the open slot on Boxing After Dark?
Good luck and thanks for posting here.

Well, one thing is that... things aren't always as they seem. You say LCB went from the 220's up to 260. Couple things. 1... He started boxing and was successful as an amateur weghing 275. He got down to the 220's and was weak when ge got there,,,he REALLY had to do some crazy thigns to make it that low, he did it because people thought he should be that low. When he went back up in weight he didnt get to 260...he would weigh-in for fights at 257, 258, 259....and he always weighed in wearing clothes and shoes. Take my word for it, OK, I WAS THERE. The guy trained hard.. we had guys in camp with us, contenders (some who are VERY well known), and they used to tell him he was working TOO hard, training too hard. I have seen Clay train alongside top class fighters and he trained harder than some of the most famous heavyweights in the world. If anything, like I say, he worked to hard, focused too much onweight etc and it hindered him.

As for the ESPN Classic show. I never did any kind of preparation because I felt it was better for me to go in blind and just comment on what I saw as it unfolded. Most of the fights I did I had never seen before (I dont watch a lot of boxing anymore to tell u the truth) so it worked out well becauase even though I knew who was going to win at the end it was just my job to tell what BOTH guys should do and needed to do to win. I have heard that there MIGHT BE something very big brewing for me in the capacity of an on-air analyst but nothing for sure yet.

[Brickhaus]

Good luck with everything and thanks for the answers. Oliver looks like he has some real potential.

[IceJohnScully]

Good luck with everything and thanks for the answers. Oliver looks like he has some real potential.

Thanks a lot, my man. Yes, Mike-Mike (Oliver's nickname) definitely has potential. Looks like we will go for IBO title in November and hopefully take our turn after that against Molitor for the IBF.

[Astola]

Hey ICE - good to see you on here. Im Impressed:good


Im very curious to hear your opinion about the upcoming Calzaghe-Kessler fight. To me this fight seems to be a 50/50 fight - a bad bet.

Why you pickin' Calzaghe?

[DanePugilist]

Thanks for taking your time to answer mine and the others' questions, Ice. Once again - welcome aboard.

[brooklyn1550]

Thanks for the response:good

[IceJohnScully]

Hey ICE - good to see you on here. Im Impressed:good


Im very curious to hear your opinion about the upcoming Calzaghe-Kessler fight. To me this fight seems to be a 50/50 fight - a bad bet.

Why you pickin' Calzaghe?

I can only go by what I have read, the site of the fight etc as I have never seen Kessler fight. I wouldn't bet either way, though. Fights like that are too risky

[Pimp C]

Great to have you here.

[IceJohnScully]

oh no! dont tell me you're going to start to suck up to him too?

Come on now. Everybody's just being cool and welcoming me. Its not sucking up.

[box03]

What fighter of yours do you see going the furthest in there respective division? good to have you here also

[IceJohnScully]

What fighter of yours do you see going the furthest in there respective division? good to have you here also

Good question. Mike Oliver is ultra talented and has shown great skill and progress. Looked real good inmaing an easy fight (on the cards) out of what I really thought was going to be a very tough fight with Cruz Carvajal on ESPN this summer. We are in a deep division, though. Ialso think Matt Godfrey has a better than average chance at a legit world title

[emanuel_augustus]

Come on now, he went from the mid 220's up to 260 because he was working out too hard? His work rate decreased over his career too as his weight went up. Nobody is saying you have to have the body of Adonis. Juan Diaz is in great shape and nobody will ever confuse him with Adonis. But, there is no doubt he is in shape. There was plenty of doubt from Clay-Bey's performances combined with his weight gain that he wasn't.

I think Clay was only really out of shape for his last fight with Bryant. He just didn't have it for that one. He looked pretty good just 6 months before that against Sinan Samil Sam.

The thing to remember too about Clay is that he was always a spot fighter, even at the lower weights. That was just his style. His fights with Robert Daniels and Clifford Etienne were both very entertaining. The Etienne fight is one of the best heavyweight scraps of the decade.

[IceJohnScully]

I think Clay was only really out of shape for his last fight with Bryant. He just didn't have it for that one. He looked pretty good just 6 months before that against Sinan Samil Sam.

The thing to remember too about Clay is that he was always a spot fighter, even at the lower weights. That was just his style. His fights with Robert Daniels and Clifford Etienne were both very entertaining. The Etienne fight is one of the best heavyweight scraps of the decade.

Clay honestly trained as hard or harder for the Bryant fight as any other. The differences? He was almost 40 years old at the time. And he was often times having to stay over at work for 16 hour (unnannounced overtime) shifts before training. So there were days when his whole sleep and training got all fouled up. Bryant on the other hand trained for that fight out in Vegas in training camp.

[allenko1]

ICE whats going on man. I use to talk to you all the time on AOL. How you been?

[rendog67]

ice please to meet you

who in you career do you wish you had fought? and was there anyone you wish you didn't?

[IceJohnScully]

I wish I got a chance to fight Michael Nunn again and I definitely wish I didnt (I shouldn't have considering the circumstances) fought Drake Thadzi. (I go into detail on both fights in my book, too). And ALLENKO, whats up, my man? Good to see you on here, too. I still have u on my boxing emaill list

ICE

[rendog67]

I wish I got a chance to fight Michael Nunn again and I definitely wish I didnt (I shouldn't have considering the circumstances) fought Drake Thadzi. (I go into detail on both fights in my book, too). And ALLENKO, whats up, my man? Good to see you on here, too. I still have u on my boxing emaill list

ICE

Thanks for your time i would love to here your views on some of your fights especially the thadzi one. I will try and get a copy of the book.

[IceJohnScully]

Well, I tell you what... I have a link somewhere on my comp that has links to EIGHT excerpts from chapters of my book. I will get it and post it

ICE

[box03]

Ice were you surprised to see James Toney knock Nunn out so late in the fight, coming in who did you feel was going to win that fight?

[IceJohnScully]

EVERYBODY was surprised at that...remember, at the time James was a little known guy while Nunn was arguably the pound for pound best in the world. That was a shock to everyone, especially when you factor in that Nunn was winning the fight pretty easily up to that point

[Boxfanman]

Ice...you are a class act. Question:Who are your top 5 all time fighters?

[IceJohnScully]

Thanks, my man. As for my top 5... it's so hard to REALLY say...people often throw out names of people they have never seen or only seen on very bad quality video tape, u know? I suppose either way you have to have Robinson in there somewhere. Willie Pep for sure. Nicolino Locce could be there. Duran. Monzon. Ali. Louis. Too hard to limit it to just five and even harder to put in any real order. I will say this, though, the recordsof Willie Pep will never be broken.I remember when everyody was going crazy over Chvez and his chase for 100 straight wins... but, man, Willie Pep at one point was 134-1-1 !!! Later he was 152-2-1.

[box03]

Thanks, my man. As for my top 5... it's so hard to REALLY say...people often throw out names of people they have never seen or only seen on very bad quality video tape, u know? I suppose either way you have to have Robinson in there somewhere. Willie Pep for sure. Nicolino Locce could be there. Duran. Monzon. Ali. Louis. Too hard to limit it to just five and even harder to put in any real order. I will say this, though, the recordsof Willie Pep will never be broken.I remember when everyody was going crazy over Chvez and his chase for 100 straight wins... but, man, Willie Pep at one point was 134-1-1 !!! Later he was 152-2-1. I wonder if its true that Pep won a round by not even throwing one punch? If you had to pick one person who amazed you in most in skill, power, or speed who would you say? thanks for answering my questions from before.

[IceJohnScully]

Well, you know...I say that when you watch Roy Jones Jr. in his prime, especially in person, he was so dazzling and sharp and athletic... I am talking around the time he fought Toney, Hopkins, Percy Harris. etc... RJ showed you things that NOBODY ha shown you. Love him or hate him you have to admit..he is one of the few fighters who could leave you breathless while he threw punches in combination. Tommy Hearns left you breathless when he KO'D guys cold (like vs Duran) but RJ did things in the ring that made you say "HOW DID HE DO THAT?"

[IceJohnScully]

Yeah, Willie used to carry copies of newsclips from the local paper there where that fight with Jackie Graves was fought and the writer says it happened, yes

[brooklyn1550]

Hey Ice,

How is Jose Antonio Rivera's training going? What is the gameplan to beat Daniel Santos? I'm looking forward to seeing this fight at the Garden.

[IceJohnScully]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

OK, JUST TESTING TO SEE IF THE URL WORKS

[IceJohnScully]

Hey Ice,

How is Jose Antonio Rivera's training going? What is the gameplan to beat Daniel Santos? I'm looking forward to seeing this fight at the Garden.

Will you be there live? Should be a good show. Yea, we have a plan in place pretty much... but just in case you are Daniel I will keep it to myself :)

[brooklyn1550]

but just in case you are Daniel I will keep it to myself :)

You got me:D


Yup, I will be there live

[Boxfanman]

Thanks for the response. I can agree that it is pretty hard to place 5 fighters at the top of the list....if you consider how many great fighters have walked into a ring. Some of the best talents I've seen are perhaps "would have beens" if you know what I mean. Not to put him in that section, but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Walcott's development was different. (This is not to take away from his greatness....I admire him deeply. He was a victim of the times, nevertheless). I look at this guy Emanuel Agustus, who can box the ears off of a fighter, and wonder the same thing. You mentioned PEP. He is a great fighter. Some may say that fighters aren't of that breed anymore. What is your take on that? Are fighters today a different breed than those of yester-year? And why?

[rendog67]

Could you have beaten michael nunn in a rematch?

[IceJohnScully]

Some may say that fighters aren't of that breed anymore. What is your take on that? Are fighters today a different breed than those of yester-year? And why?

Because years ago they fought for money...to feed the family, to pay bills. Check out Sandy Saddler, He beat Willie Pep in November... one of the biggest fights ever....and he still fought FOUR MORE TIMES by the end of that year!! AndfYES I could have beaten Michael Nunn in a rematch....some would say I might havebeaten the first time..but after being in with him and overcoming his persona and aura, etc.... the experience i gained was HUGE. But...still, you never know :)

[doublesuited]

How much do you get paid for commentating on the ESPN Classic fights? What's that like?

[IceJohnScully]

Bu-Ku dollars, my man. BUKU!! :)

[box03]

Who was the best fighter you fought skills wise, Im guessing Nunn?

[Relentless]

could you beat ross enamait in an arm wrestling match?

[IceJohnScully]

I'd say Nunn and Maske were the best skill wise

[IceJohnScully]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

I don't know...you tell me :)

[box03]

I have a question that I have asked a few boxing trainers but always seem to get different answers. In your opinion do you think being Heavyhanded is something your born with or is it something can attain from many years of practice in the gym? If you could give me some tips or workouts I could do to better my punching power I would greatly apprieciate it. Thanks for answering my question from before also.

[IceJohnScully]

Box..well, guys like Jackason, McClellan, Bob Foster, Echols etc..I belieev they are born with that power for the most part. Guys that dont even box can hitu and u feel sheer POWER in their punches. But technique proper is the way to go. Take a guy with natural power and give him awesome mechanic and technique (Mcclellan had that, for example) and WATCH OUT!!

[box03]

Box..well, guys like Jackason, McClellan, Bob Foster, Echols etc..I belieev they are born with that power for the most part. Guys that dont even box can hitu and u feel sheer POWER in their punches. But technique proper is the way to go. Take a guy with natural power and give him awesome mechanic and technique (Mcclellan had that, for example) and WATCH OUT!! Yeah thats true, Julian Jackson had to be one of the most devastating punchers I seen in at 154, I would give anything to have punching power like that. Who had the most power you felt in the ring?

[IceJohnScully]

Yeah thats true, Julian Jackson had to be one of the most devastating punchers I seen in at 154, I would give anything to have punching power like that. Who had the most power you felt in the ring?

Rarely do you see a guy like Julian Jackson who literally one-punched so many good fighters. OUT, u know? Tommy Hearns was up there, too. And Bob Foster. But Julian was special

[box03]

Rarely do you see a guy like Julian Jackson who literally one-punched so many good fighters. OUT, u know? Tommy Hearns was up there, too. And Bob Foster. But Julian was special Do you feel UFC will be bigger than boxing anytime soon, I really feel concerned about the sports state it seems every channel on tv has some type MMA shit on.

[IceJohnScully]

Do you feel UFC will be bigger than boxing anytime soon, I really feel concerned about the sports state it seems every channel on tv has some type MMA shit on.

I don't know if it can actually "overcome" boxing.... but it has and will contiue to sway many fans. I just think die hard boxing fans will stay as boxing fans because in reality the two sports are SO different.

[IceJohnScully]

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

"Ever wonder how the fighters involved got to where they are now?, it obviously take’s a lot of hard work from the individual fighters but initially they need to be pointed in the right direction, they need to be taught the basics, how to train and how to focus their talents. The people who are responsible for this are usually over looked, under paid and usually replaced with big name trainers once the fighter has learned all they have to offer"

[box03]

In your opinion ICE does boxing give you great edge in a street fight, I have been in my fair share and it seems my first two punches are quite effective but it seems if they could take my first couple clean shots my boxing ability goes out the window. Has boxing gave you the upper hand in street fights?

[IceJohnScully]

I had two street fights, one when I was 11 and the last when I was 14. So I have n oidea :)

[box03]

I had two street fights, one when I was 11 and the last when I was 14. So I have n oidea :) Yeah I guess Zab Judah would know more about that, So did ever meet Mike Tyson or any other Great heavywieghts?

[IceJohnScully]

Yeah I guess Zab Judah would know more about that, So did ever meet Mike Tyson or any other Great heavywieghts?

So far... I have met Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Tyson, Berbick, Holmes, Cooney, Thad Spencer, Chuvalo, Patterson, Lewis, Bowe, Moorer, and quite a few others actually come to tihnk of it

[box03]

So far... I have met Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Tyson, Berbick, Holmes, Cooney, Thad Spencer, Chuvalo, Patterson, Lewis, Bowe, Moorer, and quite a few others actually come to tihnk of it So do you think Tyson acted like an animal with alot of rage just to sell tickets, or do you think thats the real Mike Tyson?

[IceJohnScully]

So do you think Tyson acted like an animal with alot of rage just to sell tickets, or do you think thats the real Mike Tyson?

I think it is a very complex question.... he has had the life of 20 men, u know? I met him a few times..and I think THIS is more the real him than anything else to be honest....

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

and

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[box03]

I think it is a very complex question.... he has had the life of 20 men, u know? I met him a few times..and I think THIS is more the real him than anything else to be honest....

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

and

[Only registered and activated users can see links] True, I feel there are many sides of mike alot of people will never see. Did you work on any trap exercises when training for a fight and if so, do you know any I could do to widden my traps so I could help to absorb a punch better in the ring.

[IceJohnScully]

True, I feel there are many sides of mike alot of people will never see. Did you work on any trap exercises when training for a fight and if so, do you know any I could do to widden my traps so I could help to absorb a punch better in the ring.

My BEST reccomendation with stuff like that is to conact my boy Ross at [Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

AWESOME stuff on there for everything to dow ith working out, traps included :)

[box03]

My BEST reccomendation with stuff like that is to conact my boy Ross at [Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

AWESOME stuff on there for everything to dow ith working out, traps included :) Yeah thats a great site, they had Tysons old workout regimine on there, I tried to do some of it but that shit was pretty tough. I like to lift wieghts, but my boxing trainer said theres no use for it in the ring. He told me to stick with pushups and chinups and stomach exercises, did you do any wieght training when you were boxing?

[IceJohnScully]

Yeah thats a great site, they had Tysons old workout regimine on there, I tried to do some of it but that shit was pretty tough. I like to lift wieghts, but my boxing trainer said theres no use for it in the ring. He told me to stick with pushups and chinups and stomach exercises, did you do any wieght training when you were boxing?

Your coach is right..and if i did any it was real light suff...reps..like 15 pounds at the most

[box03]

Your coach is right..and if i did any it was real light suff...reps..like 15 pounds at the most Thats cool, I dont bench heavy or anything god forbid a blow a shoulder or something, whats your take on some of these boxers being implicated being users of steroids like Holyfield and toney. Do you think alot of fighters use steroids or just a select few?

[IceJohnScully]

Personally I never seen anyf ighter use a steroid. I dont think they help anyway.

[box03]

Personally I never seen anyf ighter use a steroid. I dont think they help anyway. Yeah me niether, I was just wondering if you ever came across it during your career. Did you ever consider coming back to fight again or is managing rewarding for you at this point in your life?

[MSTR]

Well, you know...I say that when you watch Roy Jones Jr. in his prime, especially in person, he was so dazzling and sharp and athletic... I am talking around the time he fought Toney, Hopkins, Percy Harris. etc... RJ showed you things that NOBODY ha shown you. Love him or hate him you have to admit..he is one of the few fighters who could leave you breathless while he threw punches in combination. Tommy Hearns left you breathless when he KO'D guys cold (like vs Duran) but RJ did things in the ring that made you say "HOW DID HE DO THAT?"
Nothing like prime Roy.