John Scully: “If there is ever a time for Cotto to beat Canelo this might be it”

‘Iceman’ John Scully is a former light heavyweight boxer who amassed a record of 38-11 during his 12 year run as a professional. Scully is now a respected trainer who has taken multiple fighters to world championship fights. I recently had a chance to speak with John to get his views on some interesting topics going on in the sport. Scully speaks about Manny Pacquiao’s lack of KO’s, Andre Ward’s long layoff, the legacy of Bernard Hopkins, and the upcoming Hopkins-Kovalev title unification match. Here is what John Scully had to say in part 2 of my interview.

Robert Brown: Why do you think Manny Pacquiao has failed to knock out anyone in a number of years?

John Scully: Could be a number of things. My first thought and idea is that he may be trying to preserve himself a bit at his age with a more boxing oriented style. He has the type of movement and attack that allows for him to win comfortably against most opposition by decision.

He also seems to maintain his composure extremely well over the distance and those late rounds are keeping him extremely sharp and loose and in tune with his game. I personally love to see him box as expertly as he usually does over the distance.

Robert Brown: How much damage is being done to Andre Ward due to his long layoff and is he in danger of losing his prime during this period?

John Scully: It is a huge shame that Andre hasn’t been able to stay busy at this point in his career but my impression and assumption is that he stays in the gym, stays on the road and keeps sharp. I honestly feel he is the type of boxer who could have a longer than expected lay off and not be affected like most other boxers would be. I don’t see him experiencing ridiculous weight gains and things of that nature. If I’m correct in my guess, I’ll say that he’s a true professional in the Hopkins mould who stays right as he should.

Robert Brown: Update us in some of the projects you are now involved with and how is your stable developing?

John Scully: I am currently training boxers at the UFC Gym in Winter Springs, Florida, just outside of Orlando. I have amateurs and professionals, including unbeaten pros Craig “Danger” Duncan (4-0 with 4 knockouts super middleweight) and “Phenomenal” Philip Penson (7-0-2 middleweight).

I am also seriously working along with former IBF Champ William Guthrie on an event for the end of this year and for next summer that would not only reunite some of the greatest amateur boxers from the 1980’s but would also financially benefit the former WBO and WBC champ and 1980’s amateur star Gerald McClellan.

It’s been a series of stops and starts and I’m always looking at different ways to reach potential sponsors and investors. I’m hoping to do this on a very large scale but if we have to we will settle at first for something simple so that people can see the potential for it after it goes down.

I’m actually in talks with some people this week about helping me with it and hopefully I get some concrete answers very soon. I’ve been in touch on a regular basis with some of the greatest and biggest names in amateur boxing from the 80’s and the response has been very positive.

Robert Brown: Where does Bernard Hopkins legacy now sit, and how does it compare with the legacy of Archie Moore?

John Scully: I think most people think of Archie Moore as a legend among legends and I do too, but the fact is that Bernard at his age is no less than comparable with Archie in terms of what he’s able to do in the ring compared to what he was able to do when he was 15 years younger.

Bernard is a guy who in thirty years from now people will see him in the light of the Archie Moore’s and the Willie Pep’s. In a way he has exceeded them, although he isn’t fighting nearly as often as they did at this age. But he’s extremely consistent and able to execute what he wants to get done and he’s very successfully and brilliantly and scientifically highlighting the experience gap between himself and some very good fighters.

People like to think of “legends” as guys from 50 years previous but Bernard is a legend among us right now. I don’t think people truly realize what he’s actually doing right here today.

Robert Brown: Who fought tougher opponents Mayweather or Pacquiao?

John Scully: I think overall, at the time he’s fought them, Floyd has fought the overall tougher opposition (compared to Pacquiao). They’ve both been in tough for a long time but you’ve got to give the edge to Mayweather on this aspect of it all.

Robert Brown: How would you see a fight between Canelo and Cotto playing out?

John Scully: I think that has the potential to be an extremely competitive and high intensity fight. Whenever you get the greatest current Mexican in with the greatest current Puerto Rican champion you are going to see some real intensity in and out of the ring.

Cotto with that amazing victory and performance last time out is on a huge high while I’m sure Canelo is maybe not so confident and happy with things after such a tough and controversial fight last time. If there is ever a time for Cotto to beat Canelo this might be it, while he’s on that mental upswing he’s enjoying right now.

Robert Brown: Can you give your breakdown and prediction for Hopkins vs. Kovalev?

John Scully: Initially I was really hesitant for Bernard to take this fight, as most people are or were. But I also think that with Bernard’s boxing brain and his mentality, especially his mentality, this is something that could unfold as a shock to a lot of people.

If Bernard was to box the fight of his life, if he were to ignore the crowd as he usually does and maintains his composure he could frustrate Kovalev in a big way. I kind of picture three possible scenarios for this one. I could see Bernard doing what he does so well and stealing a decision.

I could see Bernard feeling his age and having to resort to maneuvering and hustling his way to a decision loss. And finally the third possibility is that Bernard gets caught with some huge shots and the deadly Russian doesn’t allow him off the hook and he gets a referees stoppage. The only scenario I cannot imagine is a Bernard win inside the distance.