Chicos words of wisdom to all elite boxers...

[achillesthegreat]

"I just want to fight the top guys. It is not about the money. You just want to see where you place. Where is your standing in your current time with all the best? The only way you can do that is by fighting the best, and that is what I do. I want to know where I place. Where do I rate with these guys? Am I really one of the best fighters out there, or am I a flash in the pan? So far, I have proved that I am one of the best out there, and I am fortunate for that. I am not a flash in the pan."
- Diego "Chico" Corrales

[Decebal]

"I just want to fight the top guys. It is not about the money. You just want to see where you place. Where is your standing in your current time with all the best? The only way you can do that is by fighting the best, and that is what I do. I want to know where I place. Where do I rate with these guys? Am I really one of the best fighters out there, or am I a flash in the pan? So far, I have proved that I am one of the best out there, and I am fortunate for that. I am not a flash in the pan."
- Diego "Chico" Corrales

Does anyone know Carl Froch's email address?

[achillesthegreat]

Does anyone know Carl Froch's email address?
Don't hate. Froch is no pussy. Froch has been continually stepping up. A bit slow but he's always stepping up. Next he wants the Euro champ. He is just going a different way about being the number 1. Euro guys do it a little different sometimes. They become national and then euro champ and then they go for the big honours.

Froch wanted Reid and Calzaghe years ago. Stupidly so but he still wanted them.

[FlatNose]

Hey, give him Roy Jones address.

[Snakefist]

Hey, give him Roy Jones address.

Nice, who did roy not fight, that he was supposed to, or who didn't actually TURN him down?

[Motor City Sam]

Fine words from Chico, who had a very entertaining style in the ring. But I would also say to all elite boxers that even if it's not ALL about the money, it's at least partly about the money. I have no problem with a guy making as much as he can in the ring and no one wants to leave the game with less to show for it than they should. I guess the best scenario is being able to challenge the top fighters out there and make a ton of money in the process. But everyone can't be Oscar De La Hoya.

[acb]

"I just want to fight the top guys. It is not about the money. You just want to see where you place. Where is your standing in your current time with all the best? The only way you can do that is by fighting the best, and that is what I do. I want to know where I place. Where do I rate with these guys? Am I really one of the best fighters out there, or am I a flash in the pan? So far, I have proved that I am one of the best out there, and I am fortunate for that. I am not a flash in the pan."
- Diego "Chico" Corrales

Excellent post Achilles, and a great quote from Chico, a true fighter.

[Thread Stealer]

"I just want to fight the top guys. It is not about the money. You just want to see where you place. Where is your standing in your current time with all the best? The only way you can do that is by fighting the best, and that is what I do. I want to know where I place. Where do I rate with these guys? Am I really one of the best fighters out there, or am I a flash in the pan? So far, I have proved that I am one of the best out there, and I am fortunate for that. I am not a flash in the pan."
- Diego "Chico" Corrales

A great mentality, except money IS important.

Look at the financial problems his family has.

[achillesthegreat]

Personally I'd say its a fact that if you are as good as you say and fight the big fights you do get paid. Even if you stay competative you'll still keep getting paid.

What Ali, De La Hoya, Leonard etc got wasn't just because they were loved, it's because they fought the main fights. If you are THAT loved you get paid like Gatti but few can really get great followings. To have the legacy, the REAL money, the adulation etc you need to watch guys like Ali, DLH, Leonard etc

Look at Floyd for example. He gets paid much more than guys who are more loved than him. Cos he fights big fights and keeps progressing his legacy be it big fights or new divisions. Floyds progressively been getting more money since he fought Hernandez. Literally every fight he gets more because he is stepping up in some shape or form.

Look at the guys who moan about their money, had they fought so and so or done so and so then their money would have shot up.

You will get guys who fight the big fights but get done i.e. Casa, Castillo, Corrales etc those guys got to keep chipping away, eventually Castillo and Corrales did break through and made some millions.

[Decebal]

Don't hate. Froch is no pussy. Froch has been continually stepping up. A bit slow but he's always stepping up. Next he wants the Euro champ. He is just going a different way about being the number 1. Euro guys do it a little different sometimes. They become national and then euro champ and then they go for the big honours.

Froch wanted Reid and Calzaghe years ago. Stupidly so but he still wanted them.

:good OK.

Froch has recently decided to step up slowly, taking his time, learning his trade properly. I was glad about this change of attitude - not long ago, he had been calling out for Bute, then Kessler, then Calzaghe!...But now, he has changed again: he is calling out Taylor!

I was glad when I heard that Forch decided to take the sensible route to the top, and concentrate on fighting, rather than mouthing off. And then he calls out Taylor!...I do not hate him and I don't hate others either, although I do have my favourites. Also, some I respect more than others. But he cannot have his cake and eat it at the same time, can he? If he wants to fight the best, should he not start with Inkin?

Why is he calling out Taylor, or thinking about Reid, when Inkin is the big white elephant in the middle of the room? Alternatively, should he not stop calling top guys out, and concentrate quietly with dignity on raising his game? I would be fine with that too, although his fans seem not to be - they expect more from him, and he has done a lot to hype himself too. Am I wrong?

[achillesthegreat]

:good OK.

Froch has recently decided to step up slowly, taking his time, learning his trade properly. I was glad about this change of attitude - not long ago, he had been calling out for Bute, then Kessler, then Calzaghe!...But now, he has changed again: he is calling out Taylor!

I was glad when I heard that Forch decided to take the sensible route to the top, and concentrate on fighting, rather than mouthing off. And then he calls out Taylor!...I do not hate him and I don't hate others either, although I do have my favourites. Also, some I respect more than others. But he cannot have his cake and eat it at the same time, can he? If he wants to fight the best, should he not start with Inkin?

Why is he calling out Taylor, or thinking about Reid, when Inkin is the big white elephant in the middle of the room? Alternatively, should he not stop calling top guys out, and concentrate quietly with dignity on raising his game? I would be fine with that too, although his fans seem not to be - they expect more from him, and he has done a lot to hype himself too. Am I wrong?
Froch is so delusional he'd fight em all.

Froch has consistently stepped up from English title to British to Commonwealth and now is looking to Europe and title eliminators.

Inkin does not want Froch. Froch called him out, said lets do it and unify who the no1 contender should be. Inkin doesn't want it.

Froch needs Reid so whatever happens he can say I beat ALL my domestic competition (not including Calzaghe cos hes on the world stage).

[Decebal]

Froch is so delusional he'd fight em all.

Froch has consistently stepped up from English title to British to Commonwealth and now is looking to Europe and title eliminators.

Inkin does not want Froch. Froch called him out, said lets do it and unify who the no1 contender should be. Inkin doesn't want it.

Froch needs Reid so whatever happens he can say I beat ALL my domestic competition (not including Calzaghe cos hes on the world stage).

If Inkin doesn't want to fight Froch, than whom does he want to fight. I hope it's someone like Bute. Inkin, Froch and Bute are the guys that should NOT be dodging each other. They should NOT be afraid to clash and lose and fight again. What are they waiting for. Bute has Berrio, then, if he beats him, his first defence. I would expect him to call out someone decent. Would it not be great if it could be the winner of Froch v. Inkin?

[achillesthegreat]

If Inkin doesn't want to fight Froch, than whom does he want to fight. I hope it's someone like Bute. Inkin, Froch and Bute are the guys that should NOT be dodging each other. They should NOT be afraid to clash and lose and fight again. What are they waiting for. Bute has Berrio, then, if he beats him, his first defence. I would expect him to call out someone decent. Would it not be great if it could be the winner of Froch v. Inkin?
Inkin blatently wants to kill time then cash in with a loss to Calzaghe, Kessler or even Bute.

[Decebal]

Inkin blatently wants to kill time then cash in with a loss to Calzaghe, Kessler or even Bute.

well, then screw him...I always quote your words to people when dodging comes into play: putting everything on the line, daring to be great, this is what is important at world class level. That's why I was attracted to this thread and to Chico's inspirational words. I still have hopes that however talented or not Bute is, he will go this route, no matter what, not thinking of money first and foremost. If I'm wrong, I will not be more lenient with him than I am with Froch and Inkin in this thread. In fact, I am going to be much more harsh, as harsh as I am with Calzaghe...

[achillesthegreat]

well, then screw him...I always quote your words to people when dodging comes into play: putting everything on the line, daring to be great, this is what is important at world class level. That's why I was attracted to this thread and to Chico's inspirational words. I still have hopes that however talented or not Bute is, he will go this route, no matter what, not thinking of money first and foremost. If I'm wrong, I will not be more lenient with him than I am with Froch and Inkin in this thread. In fact, I am going to be much more harsh, as harsh as I am with Calzaghe...
You got two routes - both of which I'm cool with but give the latter more credit.

1) Slowly go through the levels ala Cotto. This is what Bute has admitted he will do. Become IBF champ, get a defence or two in and then look to Kessler v Calzaghe winner.

2) Step the fuck up and really dare. Look at guys like Ali or Mayweather. They did it early and against guys who had more experience, better wins, title etc

Option two comes with a strong backlash. It's not always wise. So if a boxer is take the safer (maybe smarter) route then so be it. As long as when the big stage comes calling they immerse themself in it and stay battling to be the best and maybe even the best ever. I'm think Taylor, I'm thinking DLH, I'm even thinking Pacquiao and some others.

[Decebal]

You got two routes - both of which I'm cool with but give the latter more credit.

1) Slowly go through the levels ala Cotto. This is what Bute has admitted he will do. Become IBF champ, get a defence or two in and then look to Kessler v Calzaghe winner.

2) Step the fuck up and really dare. Look at guys like Ali or Mayweather. They did it early and against guys who had more experience, better wins, title etc

Option two comes with a strong backlash. It's not always wise. So if a boxer is take the safer (maybe smarter) route then so be it. As long as when the big stage comes calling they immerse themself in it and stay battling to be the best and maybe even the best ever. I'm think Taylor, I'm thinking DLH, I'm even thinking Pacquiao and some others.

Right! The way I see it is like this. Bute wants to step it up steadily but courageously. He doesn't want to jump into the ring with guys that he doesn't feel he has a decent chance of winning against. This seems fair, because it's foolish to go in with guys you are not ready for, assuming that you will indeed get better in a short while and you will be better prepared soon. Bute has much to learn, yet. His defence is not so great!! He also lacks the experience to get to grips with guys's style early in the fight...it took him until round 6 against Bika before he was confortable...Will he be ready in 2-3 fights for the best out there. I think he can be pretty much as ready as he needs to be to have a decent crack at it. I'd rather he was 90% there and lost, fighting his best fight yet, then if he waited another 2-3 years to increase his chances of winning by only 10% or so. The thing is, if you fight be best and lose, sure, you'll fall down the ranks, but you know where you are, and what you have to do; it's better than keeping the "0" and staying untested at the highest level, until you are too old, I think.

Bute's trainer (Larouche) is a bright man. He knows how important it is to Lucian to feel that his career is not stagnating, that he's taking on harder and harder fights. He knows that in Montreal he has a steady following who will back him up even if he loses, as long as he stays true and dares to be the best, keeping the momentum. Also, Larouche will only let him loose against big guns when he feels he's ready - he won't burn him out. So far, he has steered the middle course well. Let's see what Bute does against Berrio. Let's see who is his first defence if he wins. Then we can decide what Bute has to do and whether he is ready to have a go against Calzaghe/Kessler. In any case, he would be wise to heed Chico's advice. Let's hope he does. :good