John Scully: “There would be no greater way to end Mayweather’s career than with the blockbuster fight against Manny Pacquiao!”

I recently had a chance to speak with former light heavyweight boxer and current trainer, ‘Iceman’ John Scully, to get his views on the boxing scene. Scully has trained the likes of Chad Dawson and Mike Oliver and helped them on their roads to capture world titles. A variety of topics were discussed including the upcoming Pacquiao-Algieri and Mayweather-Maidana bouts. John also spoke about potential foes for both Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin. Here is what John Scully had to say in part 1 of his interview.

Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on Mayweather vs. Maidana 2, and what adjustments do you think the fighters will make? Who are you picking to win the fight?

John Scully: I like what Maidana did the first time and respect him a great deal for it but my gut feeling is that Floyd does what he does in a situation like this and comes through with extreme focus and an intelligent gameplan.

If age doesn’t catch up in September, then I’m feeling like Floyd is going to box the fight he’s supposed to have boxed the first time and he’s going to win a very clear decision. Floyd, when he’s on a mission, is going to be extremely, extremely hard to beat.

Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on Pacquiao vs. Algieri? Is Algieri a credible threat for Pacquiao?

John Scully: I think Chris showed a tremendous and impressive amount of grit, toughness, poise, heart and skills and perseverance last time out and that fight alone makes him as deserving as anyone else in the world right now.

I’m actually kind of surprised that some people are down on the fight now after seeing his performance against Provodnikov. It isn’t always about the biggest names or the most famous names or the particular guy that you like to see. For me, the kid earned the fight in the greatest manner and he’s getting it. End of story.

Robert Brown: Do you consider the Pacquiao-Algieri fight to be an ill-considered business move by Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao, considering the under whelming PPV numbers this fight will likely generate?

John Scully: I don’t really follow the business side of things like that but I do know what you’re saying. In cases like this, I always assume a man like Bob Arum knows exactly what he’s doing and that there’s got to be a method behind the madness.

Robert Brown: Should have Pacquiao chosen another opponent? If so, what other options should have been considered?

John Scully: Personally I think Algieri put on a great and unexpected performance over an extremely dangerous opponent and came through with flying colors. He showed so much in terms of resilience, boxing ability, and calm under pressure. His style and enthusiasm and grit alone make him a very worthy opponent in my eyes. Definitely.

Robert Brown: Who would you like to see Canelo fight next and who is the likely opponent?

John Scully: To be honest with you, with all the infighting and politics between promoters these days, I have no idea anymore who is signed with who and who is even able to fight who anymore. A rematch with the Cuban (Erislandy Lara) would go a long ways towards clearing some things up and as a former fighter, and now a trainer myself, that’s the scenario I like the best.

Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on Sergio Martinez deciding to continue his career? Was it the right move?

John Scully: I am generally not someone who calls for anyone’s retirement, I know how deep the love and the addiction to our sport gets into a fighter. But if his last fight is any indication then at his age it would at least appear that the time is right to call it a day. It obviously appears that his body is not holding up as well as he would like it to and his particular style requires that his legs and his maneuverability are not compromised in any way whatsoever.

If he absolutely wants to continue and if I was someone deep within his camp, I would probably try and implement a “let’s have another fight and see” situation. If he can’t compete at a high level in a 10 rounder against a solid contender next time out then it would appear the time has come to call it a day. And he could do so, I believe, with a very strong legacy intact.

Robert Brown: Who would be an interesting and challenging opponent for Gennady Golovkin and may he have to move weight classes to get that opponent?

John Scully: I am thinking that the only guy the overall boxing public will see as an honest to goodness real threat to him is Andre Ward at 168. I personally have a lot of respect for guys like ‘Kid Chocolate’ Peter Quillin and Danny Jacobs, among others, but I think ‘GGG’ is so highly thought of now that the one fight out there that could and would set him into the outer stratosphere should he win would be a match with Andre.

Robert Brown: If you chose Mayweather’s last two fights, who would you choose and why?

John Scully: In my own perfect world I would like to see him face Keith Thurman and if he is successful, then he of course, absolutely must face Pacquiao for his 50th. There would be no greater way to end his career than with the blockbuster fight against Manny. NO question.

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Stay tuned to Ontheropesboxing.com for part 2 of John Scully’s interview