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Chat Reel: Nick Charles
"I think Vargas will rise to the occasion"
Posted: Thursday November 30, 2000 9:11 PM
Updated: Thursday November 30, 2000 9:13 PM
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Fernando Vargas is confident that he will stop Felix Trinidad. Al Bello/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to this evening's boxing chat with CNNSI anchor Nick Charles. Welcome Nick, and thanks for joining us.
Nick Charles: Thank you. I get revved up for every big fight. This could be the best fight of the year.
From FightKing: Is Trinidad's performance against David Reid a concern after Reid's controversial win over Kirino Garcia, a boxer who lost 20 times before the Reid fight?
Nick Charles: Great question. I thought the very same thing. Trinidad definitely showed great focus in coming off the floor in beating Reid. But Reid's last performance, regardless of how little he trained, told me that if he could hurt Trinidad, Vargas can too. Vargas has that killer instinct to finish the job against Trinidad.
From Boomer : What is the most entertaining undercard fight?
Nick Charles: I think the Christy Martin fight will be entertaining.
From mrmatt: If Mike Tyson trains hard, do you think he can defeat Lennox Lewis if he makes it a slugfest? Obviously a boxing match would go to Lewis, or do you think differently?
Nick Charles: I think that Tyson's skills are too far gone. I give Tyson as much as a puncher's chance in the fight. Tyson is 34, which hurts him. And Lewis is a better stylistic fighter than Tyson.
From Fightnite: If Trinidad wins, do you think he is serious about taking on Roy Jones Jr.?
Nick Charles: Oh yes. I think he's serious. He'll be seriously in over his head. There's lots of other competition out there. But the money would there for Jones-Trinidad fight. I would give Tito credit though to fight Jones. It was even hard for him to make the weight for this fight.
From Stiffjab: Do you see 'Sugar' Shane Mosley fighting either Trinidad or Vargas in the foreseeable future?
Nick Charles: You can make those kind of leaps if you have the goods. Shane Mosley jumped two weight classes in one year to fight Oscar De La Hoya. No I don't see him fighting either of them. If I were Mosley, I would wait for Oscar to snap out of his funk and fight him again. And maybe hope others from the class below would fight him. Those would include Zab Judah, Kostya Tzsyu. Those are bonafide fighters. They can hit you and hurt you. I wouldn't argue with anyone who says Mosley is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the world.
From Sal: Will Oscar De La Hoya be watching this fight closely?
Nick Charles: He should be. Vargas has, for the moment, replaced De La Hoya, with the Mexican-American fans in this country. If I were Oscar, I would think he would want to avenge his lost to Trinidad. Many, including myself, thought he won, although De La Hoya failed to go for it in those final three-to-four rounds against Tito. Vargas said he would never do that. This will be a much better fight.
From Slidestep: Since, we are talking about De La Hoya. Do you think he still has the heart to be a big player in the fight game?
Nick Charles: Yes, I think his pride has been badly burned. All the money in the world does not make up for any psychic wounds of losing his past two of three fights.
From Chris: Is there talk of a rematch regardless of the outcome?
Nick Charles: No. If Vargas knocks out Trinidad early, I don't think the public will clamor for one. If Tito handles Vargas as easily as he says he's going to, there will be no reason for a rematch. Those are the two longshots though. The better bet is that this will be a war. Intimidation is a non-factor in this fight. These divisions are where the best boxing is. From 140-154 pounds is where it's happening! It could be really good for fight fans for once.
From Lefthook: Nick, does Vargas have the discipline to win this fight?
Nick Charles: Good observation. What Vargas has to avoid is getting in this "macho" mindsetover aggression. That could lead to his demise. If he hurts Tito early, he could finish him. There's no need for him to get into the war of attrition. He could use his superior hand speed and movement to outslick Tito. If I'm Vargas, I know Tito is a plodder. He tries to walk you down, and his foot movement is not that great. I would be in and out. If Vargas keeps his "machismo" in check, he can win this fight.
From Flyweight: What can be done to restore the fan's faith in the heavyweight division?
Nick Charles: Better fighters from top to bottom This just isn't a strong division right now. Tyson excites for both good and bad reasons. Lewis is still a guy who will never get full respect because people want to see him vaporizing opponents and not outboxing them. All he does though is win ,and he's fighting his best right now. There's a big dropoff after Lewis. Evander Holyfield has turned a lot of people off. He's not a big sell in the States anymore which is way King is promoting him in China.
From Marty: Hello Nick, describe who you think will win Saturday's championship fight between Fernando Vargas and Felix Trinidad?
Nick Charles: I like the underdog. I think Vargas will rise to the occasion. He's the kind of boxer and puncher who can confuse Tito. He has major league guts, and he's very poised. His power and conditioning is stronger than Trinidad. I would not be surprised if I was wrong though. I'm worried about a decision though. They say Vargas has a better chance early, with Tito the edge late. I like Vargas in a decision, even in a Don King fight.
From Eric: Do you ever think Prince Naseem Hamed will ever give Floyd Mayweather Jr. a shot?
Nick Charles: Hamed is finally stepping up to the plate in his fight against Barrera. It's about time. He's putting himself out there against quality opponents. Who knows what the deal is with Mayweather. He needs to fight and fight often. It would be wonderful. Mayweather has other more immediate concerns -- Diego Corrales. Corrales has an excellent chance against Mayweather.
From Marty: Hello Nick, do you think promoter Don King is bad for boxing in general?
Nick Charles: I don't like middlemen. I have various feelings about him. I don't think we need promoters. They're needless middlemen. I think what's most dangerous for boxing is not Don King, but these endless options these promoters have on fighters. To get a title fight, you have to give up your rights to that promoter who could have you for an indefinite time.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Nick Charles. Nick, thanks for joining us, and enjoy the fight.
Nick Charles: It was a pleasure. I love to talk to fight fans, anytime.
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