"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it."
- Lou Holtz
Today, think back on some of the best or worst sports events that you've ever experienced. When you recount it, you can probably feel the exact same emotions you felt at the moment. Whether it's "sports crying" at your team finally hoisting a championship or a bitter defeat in your local softball league against your rival, each memory is packed with emotions. And that is true of all of your memories. You see, your brain has no concept of time. So when a particular memory is recalled, your brain has the same response as it did at the time of the event. That is why certain events may "mean so much" to you. And also why you may respond differently then others to certain events. Don't run from these feelings. Embrace them, for they are as much a part of you as your arm or leg. Allow yourself to feel your feelings, even if it hurts. It's the only way to be truly connected to yourself.
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”
―
Helen Keller
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Rangers Pepper 6/7: No Canada, No Nellie, No Kirkman
By Dustin Copening
“#RangersThoughts” on Twitter can be seen by following me @dfwfanconnect, but those thoughts evolve every few days from 140 characters into what I have dubbed as “Rangers Pepper”. Here’s a very poorly executed game of pepper to get your mind right:
House Of TORrors - “The Rangers head to the Rogers Centre...” is on the list of phrases that cause Rangers fans to cringe. There’s not a lot to like about the place. The artificial turf is so callous and unyielding that it’s a certainty that Adrian Beltre and Nelson Cruz will be pulled from the field, if not benched for the majority of the series. Anyone else with the slightest hint of an issue with their lower body will surely get rest too.
Since 2010, the Rangers are 6-11 when playing the Blue Jays on the road, including last night’s loss. In those 17 games, the Rangers have scored an average of 4.2 runs, compared to the 5 runs per game they’ve averaged in the other 529 contests played outside of Canada. It’s a drop in production from the bats that you’d expect to see considering the strategy Wash uses to try and avoid long term injury to vital run producers.
Rogers Centre also plays as a hitter’s park, earning a favorable hitters rating in 8 of the last 12 full seasons according to ESPN’s MLB Park Factors (and well on it’s way to ranking as a hitter’s park again in 2013). Since 2010, Texas has allowed almost one full run per game more to the Blue Jays in Toronto’s home park (5.1 vs. 4.2).
Less runs scored plus more runs given up is a predictable formula for two more nauseating afternoons of baseball before the Rangers return to the more hospitable confines of Rangers Ballpark.
Life Without Cruz - The other day I wrote about how I doubt any suspensions from the Biogenesis scandal will start before the end of this year, and since then news about Tony Bosch trying to extract money from A-Rod (or others) to keep quiet only weakens the credibility of MLB’s primary witness.
The Texas Rangers can’t plan on that though. In the heat of a pennant race where key contributors continue to drop like flies due to injury, Texas must plan for a possible 50 or 100 game suspension for Nelson Cruz to drop in the near future. Jon Daniels could try to acquire a replacement through the trade market, but he’d be forced to overpay since other GM’s would know he’s backed into a corner. So for now, here are a few internal options that the organization could turn to if the worst case come to fruition:
- Kinsler to RF, Profar to 2B - The Rangers are looking for an excuse to convince Ian Kinsler that a move to another position is necessary for the good of the team. Like it or not, trying to tell him to move because Profar is extremely talented won’t fly in the middle of this season. However, it’s possible Kins agrees to make a midseason move if it’s to put the most productive lineup on the field in the middle of August after the team’s HR and RBI leader has just been suspended for the rest of the year.
A spot for Profar for the remainder of 2013 and the foreseeable future is opened up, but you’re asking Kinsler to take on a position that while he’s athletic enough to perform okay at, he’s not well prepared for.
- Profar to RF - There is no reason why he can’t do as good if not better a job defensively in RF than what Cruz puts out on a daily basis, but like Kinsler, he has not played the outfield before. The best way to help accelerate the learning curve for Profar would be to send him to Round Rock once Kinsler is healthy and ask him to play in RF every few days.
Texas doesn’t want to send him back though, at least not at this time. The Rangers would have to be motivated to demote him for this scenario to play out, which would mean Profar’s performance at the major league level has taken a turn for the worse. - Moreland to RF - Like Kinsler, Moreland will be available for a rehab assignment after he recovers from the strained hamstring that’s landed him on the 15 day DL. He’s played 44 games in RF as a pro, so a few nights/afternoons playing the outfield in Frisco before being activated should be enough to shake the rust off of his outfield mitt.
The issue created with this move is finding who to play at 1B once Mitch makes the move. A Lance Berkman/Jeff Baker platoon is one route to go, but Berkman’s time in the field would be very limited due to his balky knees and Baker has never excelled with regular playing time. - Mike Olt to RF - This is the choice I’d make if it were up to me. Olt was capable in RF this spring. He committed no errors and made a spectacular diving grab to keep a Yu Darvish outing against the Giants from getting out of hand. He’d need more regular playing time to determine if he’s a long term solution in RF, but he’s shown no signs of being any more of a butcher than Cruz.
Doctors figured out what the issues with his eyesight were, and with the help of eye drops he’s regained some of his top prospect swagger with 2 HR and 2 doubles (AA and AAA combined) since resuming his season in the minors. Look for him to start getting some time in RF as an indicator that JD and Wash are leaning this way as a possible Cruz replacement.
Berkman Is Right & Wrong - Michael Kirkman warmed up next to Joe Nathan last night in the top of the 9th inning of a 3-3 ballgame on Thursday evening. Nathan got loose in the event that Jurickson Profar scored from second to set up a save situation. Kirkman got ready to come in to ensure the game wouldn’t go to extra innings if it stayed tied, or so I joked on Twitter. Turns out I was correct.
After the game, Lance Berkman did what good teammates in tight knit locker rooms do, which was taking total blame for the loss for bouncing a ball to Elvis Andrus on a failed double play. The play was far from certain had his throw been true, but Berkman knows that the last thing the Rangers need is fractures inside the clubhouse with the majority of a 20 game stretch without a day off still in front of them.
The sentiment is nice, but the reality is that Berkman contributed positively by throwing Jacoby Ellsbury out at the plate in the 5th inning after making an impressive snag of a hard hit bouncer by Jonny Gomes. Kirkman hasn’t thrown one clean full inning of baseball since May 15th. In the 5 inning pitched since that game against Oakland, Kirkman has allowed 8 ER on 14 hits while walking 4 and striking out 4.
Kirkman has an electric arm, and the organization refuses to give up on him. Maybe that’s because they’re still charmed by the 0.73 WHIP and 2.45 ERA he put up over 11 innings of spring baseball, or they truly believe that he’s been “unlucky” so far in 2013.
Yes, someone will grab him off waivers if Texas attempts to send him to the minors, but the time for taking that risk is now. The Oakland Athletics are on a ridiculous 20-3 tear, and have taken a half game lead over the Rangers in the West. This team can’t afford to let games like Thursday night’s in Boston slip away because one guy hasn’t figured it out upstairs, and probably won’t anytime soon.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Daily Sports Affirmation 6/7/13
You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.
-Wayne Gretzky
Life is about taking risks. We hear that a lot, usually from people that have achieved some level of success doing such. But not all risks are equal. Should I go running into traffic because there is risk there? Uh no. So the nature of the risk is very important. Alright then, I will quit school and go chase my dreams by joining the circus? Uh probably not. It's always better to have a back-up plan or base to fall back on in case it doesn't go so well. Maybe you are allergic to elephant dung, who knows?!
Then what is the answer to risk taking? For far too many, life settles in to a happy (or sad) little routine of sleep, work, TV, sleep and eventually weekend. Perhaps there is a dream or pursuit you've always wished you had tried but just didn't. The current of Life's stream can be very powerful and sweep you years down stream before you know it. So standing up in that stream and swimming where you want to go is "risky." Ah, now we're getting somewhere. But which way to swim? And how far? That is a very important question. As one who has attempted to swim an entire lake because it didn't look THAT far, I will tell you knowing your limitations is good. It also may help to strap on a life preserver. Sound like we've got the makings of a list. Let's go with that:
1. Determine which way to swim (your passion and desire):
Make sure this is something YOU want, not what someone else may want for you. It must be a pursuit you are willing to do everyday, even when you are worn out to succeed in. Nothing is so powerful as the will to succeed. We know that is true in the world of sports and it is true for you as well.
2. Determine how far you can swim (your own limitations):
This part is tricky. In part because most of us have a blind spot in ourselves. Seek advise from those you trust and those in that area of interest. Present it sincerely and listen to negative feedback but do not be discouraged. Write down all the advise you receive, including your own opinions and read it to your trusted council and those you would be affected by the decision. You should be able to determine your aptitude and abilities for success. It is a tough lessen for many. I absolutely LOVED basketball as a young teen and played it every single day. But as a 5'9" white kid who couldn't jump that high, I had to accept that my future in the NBA was pretty unlikely. Part of the taking risks process is emotional as well, and mourning failure is just as important as celebrating success.
3. Put on a life jacket (make a back-up plan/safety net)
One of the biggest reasons education is so important is because it gives you a base to bounce off of if you fall. I know so many people who went to school for something completely different that what they actually do for a living. But it's a nice item to have in the back pocket in case you decide to change directions. In addition to having an education, acquiring more education is also important. You are never too old to learn something new, despite what talking dogs will tell you. Just like when you jump out of an airplane, having an extra chute packed isn't a bad idea, but maybe let a professional pack that one. Ask for help, seek knowledge and humble yourself to the process. If it were so easy that you could just jump up and become what you desire, you probably wouldn't still be reading this!
4. Don't be afraid (believe in yourself):
As previously stated, you are TAKING A RISK. That is not designed to be easy. NOT taking a risk would be easy. So know that the path you are choosing is more difficult. Stay grounded in your successes and your failures. Just like in baseball, if you go to pieces after losing on Opening Day, it's going to be a long summer for you and your fans. Embrace the grind of your passion, because 99.99% of the time, that's what your passion is. You think Tiger just shows up on Thursdays, pulls his clubs out of the trunk (of his plane) and plays? No! He puts in hours and hours of time on the practice green to be the best in the world. The synergy of (athletic) talent and mental determination is what leads to his success. Take out the parentheses and it can lead to all of us succeeding. So embrace the fear, the unknown and the toil of it all. That is what makes it exciting and ultimately truly rewarding.
5. Accept the consequences of choice
I feel this might be the most important element of this whole thing. If you go through the steps above and decide to take a risk in life, good for you. But also, know that every choice you make has a consequence. Some may be know and some not. But there will undoubtedly be one or more. So in order to succeed, you must accept the possibility of failure. And don't make choices for anyone else! I can't stress that enough. If you go out an invest your kids college fund or food allowance in a flying pizza-maker without consulting them, you have made a choice for them. That's not fair. If you decide to go back to school to pursue a degree, consult with those affected. Maybe you won't be able to spend as much time with your family. Weigh that cost in your mind and then let them weigh it in there's as well. It's very important. In the sports world, many new General Mangers in football take a risk on a new quarterback after the last GM was fired for drafting a QB who didn't pan out. That is a big risk and the consequences will be being fired. You must know that going in and do the due diligence necessary to make the best choice you can. You may succeed of fail but you will have tried. And probably become a better person for it.
Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.
-Wayne Gretzky
Life is about taking risks. We hear that a lot, usually from people that have achieved some level of success doing such. But not all risks are equal. Should I go running into traffic because there is risk there? Uh no. So the nature of the risk is very important. Alright then, I will quit school and go chase my dreams by joining the circus? Uh probably not. It's always better to have a back-up plan or base to fall back on in case it doesn't go so well. Maybe you are allergic to elephant dung, who knows?!
Then what is the answer to risk taking? For far too many, life settles in to a happy (or sad) little routine of sleep, work, TV, sleep and eventually weekend. Perhaps there is a dream or pursuit you've always wished you had tried but just didn't. The current of Life's stream can be very powerful and sweep you years down stream before you know it. So standing up in that stream and swimming where you want to go is "risky." Ah, now we're getting somewhere. But which way to swim? And how far? That is a very important question. As one who has attempted to swim an entire lake because it didn't look THAT far, I will tell you knowing your limitations is good. It also may help to strap on a life preserver. Sound like we've got the makings of a list. Let's go with that:
1. Determine which way to swim (your passion and desire):
Make sure this is something YOU want, not what someone else may want for you. It must be a pursuit you are willing to do everyday, even when you are worn out to succeed in. Nothing is so powerful as the will to succeed. We know that is true in the world of sports and it is true for you as well.
2. Determine how far you can swim (your own limitations):
This part is tricky. In part because most of us have a blind spot in ourselves. Seek advise from those you trust and those in that area of interest. Present it sincerely and listen to negative feedback but do not be discouraged. Write down all the advise you receive, including your own opinions and read it to your trusted council and those you would be affected by the decision. You should be able to determine your aptitude and abilities for success. It is a tough lessen for many. I absolutely LOVED basketball as a young teen and played it every single day. But as a 5'9" white kid who couldn't jump that high, I had to accept that my future in the NBA was pretty unlikely. Part of the taking risks process is emotional as well, and mourning failure is just as important as celebrating success.
3. Put on a life jacket (make a back-up plan/safety net)
One of the biggest reasons education is so important is because it gives you a base to bounce off of if you fall. I know so many people who went to school for something completely different that what they actually do for a living. But it's a nice item to have in the back pocket in case you decide to change directions. In addition to having an education, acquiring more education is also important. You are never too old to learn something new, despite what talking dogs will tell you. Just like when you jump out of an airplane, having an extra chute packed isn't a bad idea, but maybe let a professional pack that one. Ask for help, seek knowledge and humble yourself to the process. If it were so easy that you could just jump up and become what you desire, you probably wouldn't still be reading this!
4. Don't be afraid (believe in yourself):
As previously stated, you are TAKING A RISK. That is not designed to be easy. NOT taking a risk would be easy. So know that the path you are choosing is more difficult. Stay grounded in your successes and your failures. Just like in baseball, if you go to pieces after losing on Opening Day, it's going to be a long summer for you and your fans. Embrace the grind of your passion, because 99.99% of the time, that's what your passion is. You think Tiger just shows up on Thursdays, pulls his clubs out of the trunk (of his plane) and plays? No! He puts in hours and hours of time on the practice green to be the best in the world. The synergy of (athletic) talent and mental determination is what leads to his success. Take out the parentheses and it can lead to all of us succeeding. So embrace the fear, the unknown and the toil of it all. That is what makes it exciting and ultimately truly rewarding.
5. Accept the consequences of choice
I feel this might be the most important element of this whole thing. If you go through the steps above and decide to take a risk in life, good for you. But also, know that every choice you make has a consequence. Some may be know and some not. But there will undoubtedly be one or more. So in order to succeed, you must accept the possibility of failure. And don't make choices for anyone else! I can't stress that enough. If you go out an invest your kids college fund or food allowance in a flying pizza-maker without consulting them, you have made a choice for them. That's not fair. If you decide to go back to school to pursue a degree, consult with those affected. Maybe you won't be able to spend as much time with your family. Weigh that cost in your mind and then let them weigh it in there's as well. It's very important. In the sports world, many new General Mangers in football take a risk on a new quarterback after the last GM was fired for drafting a QB who didn't pan out. That is a big risk and the consequences will be being fired. You must know that going in and do the due diligence necessary to make the best choice you can. You may succeed of fail but you will have tried. And probably become a better person for it.
Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Those Were The Days
Join the crew for a jam packed 2 hour extravaganza! We pepper Dustin about the Rangers and Profar, get in the cage with Jeff Feltman and baseball talk, breakdown the NBA finals match-up and recap Game 7, discuss the disfunction with the Cowboys and other NFL notes with Darren and of course wet our whistle at Mick's Pub. How can you not want to listen? Wed night 8-10 PM CDT
Click HERE To Play!
Click HERE To Play!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Biogenesis Investigation far from over
By Dustin Copening
@dfwfanconnect
@dfwfanconnect
Social media has transformed the way that sports fans and the media react to big news stories. It’s placed an amazing amount of information just one click of the mouse or tap of the smartphone screen away. Such was the case yesterday evening when a tweet from T.J. Quin from ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” set off a wave of frenzy on Twitter that was still rippling this morning.
Rangers fans and the entirety of baseball have been holding their breath since Nelson Cruz and 19 other players were linked to the Biogenesis of America anti-aging clinic for purchasing PED’s in this Miami New Times report in late January. Now the news had broken that MLB will be seeking suspensions on the 20 players the public knows about, and probably more.
The legion of Rangers faithful that populate Twitter every game night were thrown into a panic. First Kinsler, then Beltre, and now this? Olt can’t possibly be expected to play RF after just returning to Round Rock from his rehab in Arizona. You can’t move Kinsler or Profar to a new position mid season, can you?With the immediacy of information comes the immediacy of overreaction.
Some form of sanity began to sink in this morning though, as the work of Ken Rosenthal and Jayson Stark’s appearance on “Mike and Mike” circulated and quelled some fears that a suspension of the players involved was imminent. Too much murkiness still surrounds the situation. What is clear is that this is not a slam dunk case, even with the cooperation of Tony Bosch.
Here’s what we know about the owner of the now defunct Biogenesis of America:
- He started peddling PED’s because he was broke. He at one time owed at least $20,000 to one ex-wife and $32,000 to another in unpaid child support. He foreclosed on the home he purchased with his first wife, leaving $184,000 unpaid. He failed to repay a $65,000 investment made in one of his first failed businesses. The lady who invested in Miami Med Management Consultants came up with the money by taking out a mortgage on her house.
- Even after the apparent success of Biogenesis, Bosch continued to rip people off. While his business was generating $25,000 per month, a former secretary claims to have worked there for two months without receiving a single paycheck, and that other employees went unpaid during that time. A client who became an investor and part-owner in the clinic became suspicious about the validity of the business when Bosch, “started being really squirrely about money.”
- Bosch constantly bragged about providing PED’s to Alex Rodriguez, and he kept detailed logs on his professional athlete clients. Some by hand and others on a computer. Despite this mountain of data and braggadocios behavior, no one has yet to come forward and place Bosch and anyone named in the documents in the same place at the same time. One former employee says athletes were never seen in the office.
- Bosch is not a licensed physician, and was not licensed to practice medicine in Florida while his clinic was open. He also publicly stated to ESPN that he didn’t, “know anything about performance enhancing drugs.”
In short, Tony Bosch’s credibility as a witness is as flimsy as any other drug dealer who decides to flip on his clients to save his own rear. Which is all that this sudden spark of honesty is about.
MLB has agreed to drop their lawsuit against Bosh, cover any financial or personal liability due to his cooperation, provide a security detail to physically protect him, and call him a really swell guy if the state or federal government decides to bring charges against him.
Bud Selig will need more than the word of a known swindling scoundrel and his boxes of notes if he plans to back up the suspension of several members of the most powerful labor union in America. Such an arduous task takes gobs and gobs of time.
The investigation into these alleged violations began long before the story broke in the Miami New Times. Major League Baseball started looking into connections between Bosch and players as far back as last summer, and became frustrated enough with the course of events to pay $5,000 to a former Biogenesis employee for information when the New Times refused to turn over their evidence (another credibility concern). Even after the league meets with Bosch for several days starting this Friday, they will have the job of corroborating the evidence he provides so that the case can stand up to the scrutiny of the appeals process.
In order to strengthen their case, MLB’s investigators are attempting to gain cooperation of two to three more people involved in Bosch’s operation. It should surprise no one if it takes several more weeks or months to accomplish this.
And now the MLBPA has issued a statement confirming that they will indeed defend every player involved in the investigation vigorously, and that the Commissioner’s Office has vowed not to make any disciplinary decision until every player named is interviewed. That’s a lot of face time that will need to be squeezed in most likely on player off days. Especially if the number of players involved climb from 20 to 40, and before the appeals process even begins.
What if MLB tries to skip the 50 game suspension and jump to 100 games for players like Cruz, who have no previous violations but have denied involvement with Biogenesis? It’s an option that is available to the league, but requires concrete evidence that the player purchased PED’s with the absence of a positive test. Rest assured that there is no receipt for HGH in existence with Nelson Cruz or Jhonny Peralta’s names on them. Connecting the dots to a purchase from Tony Bosch will take even more time.
Ultimately the Commissioner will find the evidence he needs to send a resounding message to everyone involved that cheating will no longer be tolerated. There’s too much smoke for the fire not to exist somewhere. In the meantime, Nelson Cruz and the other 19 players will continue about their business. The cloud over their heads will follow them around, but the final resolution is still a long way off.
Four Seams to The Wind
By Jeff Feltman
@thefeltman on twitter
I am not a baseball “fan”. Anyone who knows me will find that statement
hard to believe. I follow minor league
teams and players. I love the MLB draft
like most people love the NFL draft. I
love the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers.
I am as interested in the front office moves as I am about the
production on the field. So, if I am not
a fan, what am I?
Well first, I think it best to
describe a fan. The term fan is derived
from Fanatic. Fanatic, per
Dictionary.com: “A person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal.”
You all know a “fan”. I bet every single
person who reads this will be one. I am
not talking about the excitement at the beginning of a year. When you believe, if everything falls right,
this could be the year you win it all. I
am talking about the guy who loves every player on his team, proclaiming their
greatness, until they go to another team (god forbid a rival). When they do, that fan suddenly declares them
over rated, implicates them in global warming, and thinks they shot JR.
The best part of a fan is listening
to them around the trade deadline. They
have outlandish trade proposals that would be perfect if you didn’t take into
account salary, need of the other team, value of the prospects offered by the
team receiving, and value of the player requested. You know the trades I am talking about. Here in Texas where I live, everyone wants
Giancarlo Stanton, and for dang good reasons.
The guy is a beast, 23, and only now entering arbitration. He is currently getting paid 537,000 dollars
and has proven himself in the Majors for three full years. I have heard Rangers “fans” saying this trade
WILL happen, and Profar won’t be involved.
They just need to send Miami Mike Olt and three “good” pitching
prospects. Ignorant.
So if I am not a “fan” what am
I? Am I a baseball snob? A realist? I
don’t know. There just isn’t a word for
what I am, so I want to make one up.
First, the name has to be short for something. It has to show a love for the GAME, not a
team or a player. So, without further boredom on your part I declare myself a
Baseball Devo.
The word Devo is derived from the
word Devotee. The definition of Devotee
from Dictionary.com: “a person ardently
enthusiastic about or devoted to something.”
I think this is needed in today’s stat geek age to define between “fans”
and people who actually think about the game.
Here is a test to see if you are a fan or a devo:
Your favorite team is currently 15
games under .500. A person wearing your
teams’ rival logo comes up and says: “your team sucks!!” What is your response?
If, you start by denying the
statement, argue with the person, and defending your team, you’re a fan.
If you respond by agreeing, and
then explain how your team is making improvements while also complimenting your
rivals farm system, you’re a Devo.
Here is one more. For this one, let us use Stephen Strasberg
and his getting shut down last year. The
decision to shut down Strasberg was made.
He now has a grade 1 Lat strain.
If you can in anyway make a connection to the decision to shut him down
last year to this injury, you’re a fan.
However, if your response to the
injury is indifference, then you’re a Devo.
Here’s why: We don’t know if the Nationals would have won the World
Series last year with Strasburg. Though
I admit they would have had a better shot.
We also don’t know if he would have been injured by continuing to pitch.
Though I will admit he probably wouldn’t have.
And if I was running the Nationals, I would have pitched him and tried
for the World Series.
But, as a Devo, I see both sides of
the argument with no bias. I then make a
decision based on the facts and beliefs that I hear. I reserve the right to change my mind as new
data is presented, and most importantly, I know I will be wrong. I guess that’s the biggest difference between
a Fan and a Devo in my mind. If a fan is
wrong, there are excuses and long winded reasons. When a Devo is wrong, we say yep and find
where we made a mistake.
It’s a lonely world being the only
one of my kind. I hope to find more. If you are a Devo too, follow me at @thefeltman. If you're not, then @#$% you and good day.
The Sweet Science Update
by Darren Boyd
Fight Fans, a Super Fight is going to happen Sept 14, 2013 between Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Mayweather is a defensive wizard and Alvarez is a versatile fighter, meaning he can come forward and attack or box like he did in his last fight against Austin Trout. This fight to me is Mayweather's first fight in many years where he could lose. He has been feasting on hand picked opponents who were C plus fighters like Victor Ortiz and Robert Guerrero or big names way past their prime guys like Miguel Cotto , Shane Mosley and Oscar de La Hoya.
Lets take a look at Canelo. He is 42-0-1 with 32 KO's. Title holder at 154 although this fight is at a catch weight of 152. He turns 23 in July but has a ton of fights under his belt already. The only knock on him is the level of competition. He beat a faded Shane Mosley and won a tough fight against Austin Trout this April. Outside of speed, he will have all of the physical advantages over Floyd for this fight. The night of the fight after he rehydrates, he might enter the ring between 165-170. Floyd seldom ads weight after the weigh in. Canelo's game plan should be to pressure Floyd and attack the body early. Cotto had similar success but he was not able to sustain it. Canelo is younger, punches harder and throws more punches then Cotto.
Floyd is 44-0 with 26 KO's. He is coming off of a May 4 domination of Robert Guerrero. He embarrassed "The Ghost" all night, he might as well have been fighting a ghost that night because Robert just tried to load up with 1 punch all night and missed. Not a good strategy to beat the defensive minded Mayweather. At age 36, this is the first time Floyd has fought twice in the same year since 2007. Age is a cruel thing for fighters, some times they get old over night. Ill always remember the beating that Hector Camacho gave Sugar Ray Leonard back in 1997. It might not happen to Floyd here but he is fighting a young and dangerous fighter.
In envision the fight to go as the following. I see a cautious start by both fighters as they settle into the fight over the first few rounds. Canelo, who has been known to take rounds off, will have to be active the whole way to win on the judges cards in Vegas. If Floyd is able to run for 12 rounds he will have the victory but if he stands in and slugs with Canelo like he did against Cotto. Canelo will take him out in the later Rounds. I see Canelo stopping Floyd in 10 and becoming a superstar after this fight. The time is right to pass the torch to Canelo, just like Oscar did with Floyd, and lets enjoy the ride.
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