Nick Charles and wife earlier this year
NICK CHARLES FINAL INTERVIEW(S)
San Francisco, CA– This is a continuation of two interviews, an occasional phone call and Nick Charles’ final email to me about six weeks ago. He died from Cancer last week. Here he talks about sports, death and the squabble over Manny Pacquiao taking “drug” tests.
Nick Charles (NC)- I still want to see young fighters like Chris Avalos go for the title so there’s a lot of motivation for me but at the same time I’m at peace with myself. I thank God I didn’t get to nauseated like the horror stories of that and not being able to eat, but I was able to eat and keep the weight on.
Ring Talk (RT)– VIctor Conte was on the show a few weeks ago, the man who ran Balco Labs and went from rock musician to mad scientist and Federal prisoner, he tried to make me understand EPO and it’s use. Victor says EPO increases the amount of oxygen in an athlete’s blood from 25 to 30 percent, if not more. He said Shane Mosley admitted taking it under oath for the Oscar De La Hoya rematch, and guys could take this and it increases the endurance in athletes dramatically. Nick, imagine having 30-40 percent more Oxygen (gas) in your tank than your foe in the tenth round and you’re both equals in stature. What I’m trying to say is that I think there is merit to what Floyd Mayweather said about wanting Manny Pacquiao, seeing how Mosley agreed to the same type of testing.
NC– Sure Mosley did, he tested positive before like you said, but I think the important thing here is look at the racetrack a jockey has to have the assurance of innocence because your betting on the game that was always the premise of horse racing if there wasn’t gambling, there wouldn’t be horse racing, but in boxing the thing is you know as well as I do Pedro that there are no regulations if you do a small show at a hotel in St. Louis or something like that they don’t do all of the proper medicals or pay for the tests for every fighter I think it would be fabulous, but how much would it cost we are talking about? A promoter does a little card in Oklahoma off TV may not be inclined to run a show if he has to pay $200 for every fighter’s blood test.
RT– Well I’m talking about the mega fights worth millions of dollars.
NC– Where do you draw the line at one million dollars or more? I want tests and assurances, but I was at the feel good story the year in baseball with Mark McGwire and followed him around the country and people turning a blind eye to his steroid use and saying it was good for the game. Almost the same thing applies with Pacquiao, being too good for the game now that he’s crossed over a bit with people following him who aren’t in boxing and are now interested in the game. With that being said, if he didn’t do drugs, take the tests or is Mayweather trying to get in his head or doesn’t want to fight him, he couldn’t have known Pacquiao wouldn’t do it. He’s not afraid of the guy and there’s too much money involved and Floyd has been out to preserve that carefully constructed perfect record. Although I did pick him to beat Pacquiao and I can tell you my reasons later. But yeah I’d like to see testing across the board; it wouldn’t hurt anything it would be good to see. Not another scandal for the sport, especially at the level of a Manny Pacquiao, we don’t need it!
RT– ‘Pound for pound’ the greatest guy around, Nick Charles of Showtime I wish you well and congratulations on your comeback, say hello to your wife and from the bottom of my heart, I wish for you the very best.
NC– Same to you and I hope to see you sooner rather than later buddy.
EMOTIONAL FINAL EMAILS BETWEEN ME & NICK CHARLES
Pedro to Nick Email
Nick,
It’s 4 am pt and I can’t sleep after seeing the CNN story on you tonight. It made me cry and made my realize that I’m not half the man you are. Peace be with you and your family. I’ll never forget you Nick. You were always kind and thoughtful with me.
Respectfully,
Pedro
Nick to Pedro Email
Hey Pedro, how about this fight night! Pedro-just keep god in your life-all you have to do is look. It’ll always sustain and elevate your heart and soul. Thanks for the kind words and your total objectivity towards me through the years. Hey, it’s the late rounds but remember in boxing you can hit a 9 run homer and win in the 11th, it’s called a miracle.
Peace,
Nick
Note: The bulk of these interviews were transcribed by Edwin “Ace” Ayala.