Unless Floyd Mayweather Jr. has an epiphany – which is highly unlikely – the stage is set for Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley to settle their unfinished business on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, an industry source told the Bulletin yesterday.
The formal announcement will be made next week and a whirlwind press tour will follow in the first week of February with Los Angeles as the first stop on Feb. 4 and New York on Feb. 5.
A visit to Philadelphia for a similar gig is also on the calendar as Top Rank is determined to drum up interest for Pacquiao’s much-awaited return to the US.
Pacquiao only fought once last year and it took place in the gambling haven of Macau against Brandon Rios.
The last time US fight fans saw the Filipino icon in the flesh, it was against Mexican maestro Juan Manuel Marquez in Nov. 2012 and the 35-year-old fighting congressman has been terribly missed over there.
While everyone is wishing that Pacquiao and Mayweather get to face each other, the choice of Bradley as a backup opponent is still an attractive alternative since there is bad blood between them.
Bradley was awarded a controversial 12-round split decision against Pacquiao in June 2012 and just about everyone who saw it live and on television around the world thought Bradley was more than fortunate to have been awarded the verdict.
But since then, the 30-year-old Bradley has distinguished himself after withstanding the all-out assault of Russian slugger Ruslan Provodnikov and outsmarting Marquez.
Bradley (31-0 with 12 KOs) is now regarded as a worthy entrant in the mythical pound-for-pound Top 10.
Pacquiao (55-4-2 with 38 KOs) resurrected his career following his masterful win over the rugged Rios and he was successful in proving to everyone that it was premature to count him after the Marquez knockout.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao adviser Mike Koncz is returning to the country from the US this weekend with all the paperworks for the Bradley fight.
Koncz also flew to the US early this month to attend to Pacquiao’s tax woes, something the fighter’s Canadian right-hand man said are being handled properly by their lawyers.
With Koncz setting foot in Manila soon, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will have a few days to come up with a catchy one-liner to hype the rematch.
But knowing that Pacquiao is going to be the headliner, Arum should have no problems crafting one.
Source: http://sports.tempo.com.ph/2014/01/pacquiao-bradley-rematch-april-12/#.Ut6mRUBPuQ8
Bob Arum: Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley ‘not done’
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Although Top Rank CEO Bob Arum acknowledged that negotiations are ongoing for a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Tim Bradley on April 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the 82-year-old promoter vehemently dismissed reports that a deal has been reached.
"That's the one that we're working on now, and it may not be the one that takes place. Although I believe that the issues are being narrowed down, and I'm optimistic," said Arum. "But this process takes time and you can't just make it happen. Obviously, if I didn't think that it had a possibility of happening, then I wouldn't bother negotiating."
Pacquiao, who turned 35 in December, is coming off November's unanimous decision over Brandon Rios, who made his welterweight debut in the bout.
In victory, Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 knockouts) rebounded from a sixth-round KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December of that year. He had lost a controversial split decision to Bradley last June.
The 30-year-old Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs) won his last two fights by rising from a 12th-round knockdown to unanimously decision Ruslan Provodnikov last March before earning a split-decision over Marquez last October.
Provodnikov, 30, is another fighter who has been considered to be in the mix to face Pacauiao. A former sparring partner of Pacquiao's, Provodnikov (23-2, 16 KOs), bounced back with two knockdowns during a 10th-round stoppage that detehroned Mike Alvarado as WBO's junior welterweight titleholder.
"I've been involved in this business for so long that I know that until everything is agreed to, then there's no fight. If it ends up blowing up in our face, and he ends up fighting Provodnikov, then you look like a horse's ass. So the process is ongoing. It's not done. These things take a long time to finish the negotiations," said Arum.
"Now, are we talking to the fighters about that fight and trying to get everything done? Yeah. But it's not done yet, and it will never get done if we don't reach an agreement with those fighters. There are all of these points and all of these side issues, and you've got to sort through it all and hopefully, eventually, it will get done. There's no guarantee."
Source: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/313681-bob-arum-manny-pacquiao-tim-bradley-not-done
"That's the one that we're working on now, and it may not be the one that takes place. Although I believe that the issues are being narrowed down, and I'm optimistic," said Arum. "But this process takes time and you can't just make it happen. Obviously, if I didn't think that it had a possibility of happening, then I wouldn't bother negotiating."
Pacquiao, who turned 35 in December, is coming off November's unanimous decision over Brandon Rios, who made his welterweight debut in the bout.
In victory, Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 knockouts) rebounded from a sixth-round KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in December of that year. He had lost a controversial split decision to Bradley last June.
The 30-year-old Bradley (31-0, 12 KOs) won his last two fights by rising from a 12th-round knockdown to unanimously decision Ruslan Provodnikov last March before earning a split-decision over Marquez last October.
Provodnikov, 30, is another fighter who has been considered to be in the mix to face Pacauiao. A former sparring partner of Pacquiao's, Provodnikov (23-2, 16 KOs), bounced back with two knockdowns during a 10th-round stoppage that detehroned Mike Alvarado as WBO's junior welterweight titleholder.
"I've been involved in this business for so long that I know that until everything is agreed to, then there's no fight. If it ends up blowing up in our face, and he ends up fighting Provodnikov, then you look like a horse's ass. So the process is ongoing. It's not done. These things take a long time to finish the negotiations," said Arum.
"Now, are we talking to the fighters about that fight and trying to get everything done? Yeah. But it's not done yet, and it will never get done if we don't reach an agreement with those fighters. There are all of these points and all of these side issues, and you've got to sort through it all and hopefully, eventually, it will get done. There's no guarantee."
Source: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/313681-bob-arum-manny-pacquiao-tim-bradley-not-done
Rumors Abound: Pacquiao-Bradley II Is Set
Their first fight was mega controversial, with the majority of watchers coming away believing that Manny Pacquiao had beaten Timothy Bradley. But the judges, two out of three, said different. Duane Ford and the egregiously flawed CJ Ross gave Bradley, a California-based boxer who used movement and volume to impress the arbiters, the victory on June 9, 2012 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao, it looks like, will get a chance to scrub that stain, and show fight fans and Bradley that the loss was an aberration, a mistake of monumental proportions, as the Congressman has chosen Bradley as his next foe, in a rematch to be held April 12 in Las Vegas.
So says the rumor mill, though official word hasn't come from Team Pacquiao or Pacman's promoter, Top Rank.
I reached out to a publicist who does work for Top Rank in the late AM, and that person said that bout wasn't set to his/her knowledge. Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz, via text, said the bout wasn't official, either. "Cannot confirm that yet," he said. But word has leaked out, and tellingly, I'd say, the lack of a refutation from Top Rank or Team Pacquiao is telling.
Bradley's star has grown brighter since that first Pacquiao tangle, as he got a W over rumbler Ruslan Provodnikov last March, and followed that with a masterful effort against Juan Manuel Marquez last October, handling him with relative ease comparing to how Pacquiao has dealt with the Mexican counter-puncher.
Bradley is now 31-0, with 12 KOs, and there will be a solid minority of fightwatchers who will tab him the favorite against Pacman, with their reasoning being that at 30, he's a bit fresher than the 54-3-2 Pacman, who turned 35 on Dec. 17. Then again, Manny worked all the angles and his hand speed and stamina looked spot on in his last effort, a wide UD12 over Brandon Rios in Macau on Nov. 23.
Readers, your thoughts please. Do you like the choice of Bradley over Pacman pal Provodnikov, if indeed rumor turns to fact? Is Manny the odds on favorite here or are you picking Bradley? Weigh in!
Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17882-rumors-abound-pacquiao-bradley-ii-is-set
So says the rumor mill, though official word hasn't come from Team Pacquiao or Pacman's promoter, Top Rank.
I reached out to a publicist who does work for Top Rank in the late AM, and that person said that bout wasn't set to his/her knowledge. Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz, via text, said the bout wasn't official, either. "Cannot confirm that yet," he said. But word has leaked out, and tellingly, I'd say, the lack of a refutation from Top Rank or Team Pacquiao is telling.
Bradley's star has grown brighter since that first Pacquiao tangle, as he got a W over rumbler Ruslan Provodnikov last March, and followed that with a masterful effort against Juan Manuel Marquez last October, handling him with relative ease comparing to how Pacquiao has dealt with the Mexican counter-puncher.
Bradley is now 31-0, with 12 KOs, and there will be a solid minority of fightwatchers who will tab him the favorite against Pacman, with their reasoning being that at 30, he's a bit fresher than the 54-3-2 Pacman, who turned 35 on Dec. 17. Then again, Manny worked all the angles and his hand speed and stamina looked spot on in his last effort, a wide UD12 over Brandon Rios in Macau on Nov. 23.
Readers, your thoughts please. Do you like the choice of Bradley over Pacman pal Provodnikov, if indeed rumor turns to fact? Is Manny the odds on favorite here or are you picking Bradley? Weigh in!
Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17882-rumors-abound-pacquiao-bradley-ii-is-set
One of boxing's best has his sights set on Manny Pacquiao
Mikey Garcia is unquestionably one of the world's greatest fighters, but it seems like he's walking into a trap.
He'll face the 30-1-2 Juan Carlos Burgos on Saturday for the WBO super featherweight title in the main event of an HBO-televised card at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.
But little talk is centered on Burgos, who after winning 30 of his first 31 fights has, oddly, drawn the last two.
Rather, much of the pre-talk conversation about Garcia has been about big fights down the line, primarily one against Manny Pacquiao.
It's not out of the question that Garcia, 33-0 with 28 KOs, could wind up facing Pacquiao later this year or early next. Pacquiao is having difficulty finding an opponent for his April 12 date in Las Vegas, and assuming he wins against whomever he fights, it won't be easy to match him when he opts to fight again.
Though Garcia is fighting at just 130 pounds now and Pacquiao is at welterweight, Pacquiao himself has proven it is possible to make that jump.
On March 15, 2008, Pacquiao edged Juan Manuel Marquez in a bout at 130. He moved to lightweight to defeat David Diaz in June, and then in December, he utterly destroyed Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight.
There's an eerie similarity between the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight in 2008 and a potential Garcia-Pacquiao bout in late 2014.
In 2008, Pacquiao was the rising fighter who was opening eyes and zooming up the ratings. He was facing the veteran De La Hoya, who had been in decline and was looking for one final big payday.
Now, the roles are reversed. It is Pacquiao who is much closer to the end than the prime of his career, and it is Garcia who is making the big name for himself and is looking to move up in weight.
Read More: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/one-of-boxing-s-best-has-his-sights-set-on-manny-pacquiao-190235166.html
He'll face the 30-1-2 Juan Carlos Burgos on Saturday for the WBO super featherweight title in the main event of an HBO-televised card at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.
But little talk is centered on Burgos, who after winning 30 of his first 31 fights has, oddly, drawn the last two.
Rather, much of the pre-talk conversation about Garcia has been about big fights down the line, primarily one against Manny Pacquiao.
It's not out of the question that Garcia, 33-0 with 28 KOs, could wind up facing Pacquiao later this year or early next. Pacquiao is having difficulty finding an opponent for his April 12 date in Las Vegas, and assuming he wins against whomever he fights, it won't be easy to match him when he opts to fight again.
Though Garcia is fighting at just 130 pounds now and Pacquiao is at welterweight, Pacquiao himself has proven it is possible to make that jump.
On March 15, 2008, Pacquiao edged Juan Manuel Marquez in a bout at 130. He moved to lightweight to defeat David Diaz in June, and then in December, he utterly destroyed Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight.
There's an eerie similarity between the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight in 2008 and a potential Garcia-Pacquiao bout in late 2014.
In 2008, Pacquiao was the rising fighter who was opening eyes and zooming up the ratings. He was facing the veteran De La Hoya, who had been in decline and was looking for one final big payday.
Now, the roles are reversed. It is Pacquiao who is much closer to the end than the prime of his career, and it is Garcia who is making the big name for himself and is looking to move up in weight.
Read More: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/one-of-boxing-s-best-has-his-sights-set-on-manny-pacquiao-190235166.html
ANDRE WARD: “GOLOVKIN’S WHOLE REPUTATION IS BUILT ON BEING THIS FEARLESS PUNCHER, THIS GUY WHO WILL FIGHT ANYBODY, ANYTIME, BUT NOW THEY SAY THEY WANT TO STAY AT 160!"
When pound for pound talk starts, there is one fighter that everyone has at the top of their list, the being Floyd Mayweather Jr. When it comes to the second best, there is just as little debate, as Andre ‘S.O.G’ Ward has fought the very best in his weight class and remained undefeated while doing it. The only debate revolving Ward is whether or not the best fighters below his weight class should come up in weight to face him.
In part 1 of my interview with Andre Ward, I get his thoughts on 2013 in which he made his comeback to the sport and ask him about when he thinks he will be returning to the ring. I also talk with Andre about his promotional issues that have caused him to file suit against his promoter and could effect his ring return. Additionally I speak to Andre about possible fights with both Carl Froch and Gennady Golovkin, and which of those fights is more likely. Here is what Andre Ward had to say.
JENNA J:
Andre, you had just 1 fight last year, how did it feel to return against Edwin Rodriguez?
ANDRE WARD:
My 2013 was rough, but you can’t just take the peaks, you gotta take the valleys too, and a lot of times with years like I had last year in 2013 from a physical stand point, a business standpoint, that just made me stronger.
I learned a lot, I matured a lot, and it really stretched me and my faith in God and the things that I talk about. I actually had to walk them out because we had some rough challenges in 2013, but we got through it.
I fought only once, but I physically in the ring, I felt great. I appreciate all the positive feedback that I got, but let me tell you, we’re working to turn that up and take that to another level. What people saw in my last fight, we’re getting ready to turn it up in 2014.
JENNA:
So when will fans see you return to the ring?
WARD:
We’re in the process of trying to lock down a date and as a team figure out what the next move is gonna be. You know there’s always periods before a fight is made where there are several options, several dates, several directions we can go.
We gotta eliminate what’s not realistic and focus on what is realistic. That’s what we’re in the process of doing. As always, as soon as something becomes solid and as soon as I’m able to talk about it, the fans will be the first to know.
JENNA:
Edwin went in with the style to try to rough you up, similar to what Sakio Bika did. What allowed you to be prepared for what he was gonna do in the ring, and why didn’t it give you troubles like it did with Bika?
Read More: http://otrboxingradio.com/?p=2921
In part 1 of my interview with Andre Ward, I get his thoughts on 2013 in which he made his comeback to the sport and ask him about when he thinks he will be returning to the ring. I also talk with Andre about his promotional issues that have caused him to file suit against his promoter and could effect his ring return. Additionally I speak to Andre about possible fights with both Carl Froch and Gennady Golovkin, and which of those fights is more likely. Here is what Andre Ward had to say.
JENNA J:
Andre, you had just 1 fight last year, how did it feel to return against Edwin Rodriguez?
ANDRE WARD:
My 2013 was rough, but you can’t just take the peaks, you gotta take the valleys too, and a lot of times with years like I had last year in 2013 from a physical stand point, a business standpoint, that just made me stronger.
I learned a lot, I matured a lot, and it really stretched me and my faith in God and the things that I talk about. I actually had to walk them out because we had some rough challenges in 2013, but we got through it.
I fought only once, but I physically in the ring, I felt great. I appreciate all the positive feedback that I got, but let me tell you, we’re working to turn that up and take that to another level. What people saw in my last fight, we’re getting ready to turn it up in 2014.
JENNA:
So when will fans see you return to the ring?
WARD:
We’re in the process of trying to lock down a date and as a team figure out what the next move is gonna be. You know there’s always periods before a fight is made where there are several options, several dates, several directions we can go.
We gotta eliminate what’s not realistic and focus on what is realistic. That’s what we’re in the process of doing. As always, as soon as something becomes solid and as soon as I’m able to talk about it, the fans will be the first to know.
JENNA:
Edwin went in with the style to try to rough you up, similar to what Sakio Bika did. What allowed you to be prepared for what he was gonna do in the ring, and why didn’t it give you troubles like it did with Bika?
Read More: http://otrboxingradio.com/?p=2921
Ring Ratings Update: Jean Pascal climbs light heavyweight rankings
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Former light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal made a large leap up THE RING’s 175-pound rankings following his unanimous decision over Lucian Bute. The magazine’s Ratings Panel also saw fit to update and reshuffle the light heavyweight top 10.
Here is the summary of this weekend’s ratings:
Light heavyweight: No. 10-rated Pascal (29-2-1, 17 knockouts) mostly dominated Bute, the No. 3-rated super middleweight, for the first 11 of the 12 rounds of their Montreal showdown. Pascal, who was dropped from the ratings due to inactivity caused by injuries, re-entered at the bottom of the top 10 late last year, following a victory over a journeyman. However, with a good performance against a world-class fighter (Bute), his history – such as winning THE RING title from Chad Dawson, scoring two victories over former contender Adrian Diaconu and being competitive in two bouts vs. Bernard Hopkins – merited a move up the rankings. Pascal landed at No. 3, while Nathan Cleverly, Dawson and Tavoris Cloud – the previous Nos. 3-, 4- and 5-rated contenders – all of whom suffered KO losses in their last bouts, were dropped several spots. The new ratings in the light heavyweight division are as follows:
Champion: Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs)
Super middleweight: Since Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) has fought his last two fights at light heavyweight, he will be dropped from the 168-pound division ratings. Everyone previously rated below Bute will move up one spot and former title challenger Marco Periban (20-1-1, 13KOs) will move into the No. 10 spot.
Middleweight: Darren Barker (No. 5) announced his retirement due to a recurring hip injury. He will be removed from the ratings and everyone below elevated a spot, with Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (28-1, 17 KOs) returning to the list at No. 10.
Junior bantamweight: No. 9-rated Felipe Orucuta (29-2, 24 KOs) was busy with a 10th-round stoppage over unrated Gabriel Pena. No changes.
Source: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/313613-313613#/slide/1
Here is the summary of this weekend’s ratings:
Light heavyweight: No. 10-rated Pascal (29-2-1, 17 knockouts) mostly dominated Bute, the No. 3-rated super middleweight, for the first 11 of the 12 rounds of their Montreal showdown. Pascal, who was dropped from the ratings due to inactivity caused by injuries, re-entered at the bottom of the top 10 late last year, following a victory over a journeyman. However, with a good performance against a world-class fighter (Bute), his history – such as winning THE RING title from Chad Dawson, scoring two victories over former contender Adrian Diaconu and being competitive in two bouts vs. Bernard Hopkins – merited a move up the rankings. Pascal landed at No. 3, while Nathan Cleverly, Dawson and Tavoris Cloud – the previous Nos. 3-, 4- and 5-rated contenders – all of whom suffered KO losses in their last bouts, were dropped several spots. The new ratings in the light heavyweight division are as follows:
Champion: Adonis Stevenson (23-1, 20 KOs)
- Bernard Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KOs)
- Sergey Kovalev (23-0-1, 21KOs)
- Jean Pascal
- Beibut Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs)
- Juergen Braehmer (42-2, 31 KOs)
- Chad Dawson (31-3, 17KOs)
- Tavoris Cloud (24-2, 19 KOs)
- Nathan Cleverly (26-1, 12 KOs)
- Tony Bellew (20-2-1, 12 KOs)
- Isaac Chilemba (21-2-2, 9 KOs)
Super middleweight: Since Bute (31-2, 24 KOs) has fought his last two fights at light heavyweight, he will be dropped from the 168-pound division ratings. Everyone previously rated below Bute will move up one spot and former title challenger Marco Periban (20-1-1, 13KOs) will move into the No. 10 spot.
Middleweight: Darren Barker (No. 5) announced his retirement due to a recurring hip injury. He will be removed from the ratings and everyone below elevated a spot, with Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam (28-1, 17 KOs) returning to the list at No. 10.
Junior bantamweight: No. 9-rated Felipe Orucuta (29-2, 24 KOs) was busy with a 10th-round stoppage over unrated Gabriel Pena. No changes.
Source: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/313613-313613#/slide/1
Is Floyd Mayweather running scared from Gennady Golovkin?
IT was interesting to read in the current edition of Boxing News that the team picked Floyd Mayweather v Gennady Golovkin as the fight it would most like to see in 2014, ahead of quite a few potential classics.
Which fight fan wouldn’t want to witness Mayweather’s super slick skills tested by the relentless controlled aggression of “GGG”? There’s more than a few who suspect the Kazakh’s power might enable him to inflict a first professional to defeat on “Pretty Boy Floyd”.
Leaving aside that they box for different promoters and are aligned with different TV companies, there’s one other stumbling block: Mayweather has made it pretty clear he doesn’t want to tackle a full middleweight like Golovkin. He has a strong case in that he is the sport’s biggest star, and the one who will bring most money to the table in the event if the match being made. In other words, Golovkin should shed a few pounds to even up their chances.
But hold on a minute. If Floyd were to delve in to the history of the sport that has rewarded him so handsomely, he would see there have been precedents for welterweights biting the bullet and going up to full middleweight.
In 1974 Jose Napoles was an outstanding world champion at 10st 7lbs/147lbs, who had reigned since 1969 (with a six-month interruption in 1970-71 caused by a cut-eye loss to Billy Backus, subsequently avenged). He could have gone on making good money against a crop of solid challengers; instead, the Cuban-born Mexican tested himself in the hardest way possible, stepping up two weight divisions to challenge Carlos Monzon.
The Argentine hardman was equally dominant in his class (11st 6lbs/160lbs), having reigned since 1970 with an awesome blend of strength and power. No doubt Napoles was tempted as much by a substantial payday as by writing a page in the history books; this was professional boxing after all.
But when considering Mayweather’s excuses about Golovkin’s greater size we should consider the size of the task Napoles faced. He had first reached world class at lightweight back in the mid-1960s and had scaled as light as 144lbs for some defences. Monzon, meanwhile, had been a middleweight since turning in pro back in 1963.
As it turned out, the 5ft 7 1/2ins Napoles came in at 153lbs, one pound inside the light-middleweight limit, for their February 1974 clash in the Paris suburbs. Monzon, a listed 5ft 11 1/2ins, scaled 11st 5 3/4lbs and was simply too big for poor Jose, who after receiving a pasting failed to come out for round seven.
There was no shame in the defeat, with Carlos continuing to reign until retiring undefeated in 1977 and going down as one of the top middleweights in history. But the fact remains, Jose Napoles made a bold bid to add to his legacy as a boxer rather than merely his bank balance – does Floyd Mayweather really want to end his career without making a similar attempt?
Source: http://boxingnewsonline.net/latest/blog/is-floyd-mayweather-running-scared-from-gennady-golovkin
Which fight fan wouldn’t want to witness Mayweather’s super slick skills tested by the relentless controlled aggression of “GGG”? There’s more than a few who suspect the Kazakh’s power might enable him to inflict a first professional to defeat on “Pretty Boy Floyd”.
Leaving aside that they box for different promoters and are aligned with different TV companies, there’s one other stumbling block: Mayweather has made it pretty clear he doesn’t want to tackle a full middleweight like Golovkin. He has a strong case in that he is the sport’s biggest star, and the one who will bring most money to the table in the event if the match being made. In other words, Golovkin should shed a few pounds to even up their chances.
But hold on a minute. If Floyd were to delve in to the history of the sport that has rewarded him so handsomely, he would see there have been precedents for welterweights biting the bullet and going up to full middleweight.
In 1974 Jose Napoles was an outstanding world champion at 10st 7lbs/147lbs, who had reigned since 1969 (with a six-month interruption in 1970-71 caused by a cut-eye loss to Billy Backus, subsequently avenged). He could have gone on making good money against a crop of solid challengers; instead, the Cuban-born Mexican tested himself in the hardest way possible, stepping up two weight divisions to challenge Carlos Monzon.
The Argentine hardman was equally dominant in his class (11st 6lbs/160lbs), having reigned since 1970 with an awesome blend of strength and power. No doubt Napoles was tempted as much by a substantial payday as by writing a page in the history books; this was professional boxing after all.
But when considering Mayweather’s excuses about Golovkin’s greater size we should consider the size of the task Napoles faced. He had first reached world class at lightweight back in the mid-1960s and had scaled as light as 144lbs for some defences. Monzon, meanwhile, had been a middleweight since turning in pro back in 1963.
As it turned out, the 5ft 7 1/2ins Napoles came in at 153lbs, one pound inside the light-middleweight limit, for their February 1974 clash in the Paris suburbs. Monzon, a listed 5ft 11 1/2ins, scaled 11st 5 3/4lbs and was simply too big for poor Jose, who after receiving a pasting failed to come out for round seven.
There was no shame in the defeat, with Carlos continuing to reign until retiring undefeated in 1977 and going down as one of the top middleweights in history. But the fact remains, Jose Napoles made a bold bid to add to his legacy as a boxer rather than merely his bank balance – does Floyd Mayweather really want to end his career without making a similar attempt?
Source: http://boxingnewsonline.net/latest/blog/is-floyd-mayweather-running-scared-from-gennady-golovkin
The King of Laval: Jean Pascal W12 Lucian Bute
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
There was plenty to fight for but very little fighting last night, as Jean Pascal scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Lucian Bute at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
While billed by some as a Superfight (!), many of the characteristics of such an event were missing from Pascal-Bute. Neither man, for example, had any momentum heading into the bout. Pascal’s last big fight was in May, 2011, when he was mind-melded and tamed in a rematch against Bernard “Ancient Alien” Hopkins; and Bute, pounded out in five rounds by Carl Froch in May, 2012, spent the last 14 months on the shelf with a hand injury. These were not two locomotives colliding so much as a couple of rusty Saturns jockeying for a parking space. Nor was there anything like a mandate for the fight outside of Quebec: Pascal-Bute took place in a division whose intrigue lay in other fights and other fighters (and that remains the case after Saturday night).
But a Superfight (!) is also supposed to resonate with the paying public. Pascal-Bute, as shown by the almost 21,000 fans who churned the turnstiles in the Bell Centre, certainly did that. A Superfight (!) should be a high stakes affair, and with both men fighting not only for the distinction of being the best fighter in Laval, Quebec—a title that matters in the province’s rich fighting culture—but for relevance in a division passing them by, the stakes could hardly be higher. Finally, a Superfight (!) should deliver a violent and dramatic spectacle. Unfortunately, as far as entertainment goes, Pascal-Bute was anything but “super.”
A member of the generation that grew up idolizing Roy Jones, Jr., Pascal, left hand dangling at his waist, right hand cocked just above his sternum, began the fight leaping in with lead rights to the body and spastic flurries upstairs. Bute did little more than paw timidly in response, and even in those moments when he scored, any retaliation—effective or otherwise—forced him to bail and reset. Yes, it made sense that Bute—schooled at catching opponents coming in—would look to maintain distance; but from the beginning he was timid. Counterpunching demands a degree of danger, a willingness to bait and linger, and Bute showed very little interest in doing either.
Did Pascal’s awkwardness unnerve Bute? Was there still water in Bute’s lungs from being waterboarded by Froch? These are questions only Bute, Laval, Quebec, via Romania, can answer. That he looked decidedly less confident than the fighter who subdued the awkward and dirty Sakio Biko, however, is impossible to deny. Anxious and inactive, Bute allowed Pascal’s sparse but earnest blows to carry the action.
Notorious for gassing in fights, Pascal, Laval, Quebec via Haiti, showcased improved conditioning over the late rounds, which reflects both the level of comfort he found against Bute and the calming presence of Jones in his corner. Pascal’s activity picked up with his confidence, and while he was hardly going for broke, he was controlling the fight and firing back whenever Bute found the mark. Already leery of engaging, this threat of recompense seemed to diminish the already shrinking Bute further. That Pascal, 175, could strike his opponent with lead right uppercuts, that he could throw both fists at Bute simultaneously like the Drunken Master, and execute these brazen moves without ceding the least penalty, showed just how lost Bute was.
Implored by his corner to pursue the knockout he so obviously needed, Bute, 173 1/2, charged out for the twelfth, pinned Pascal in the corner, and lashed away. Despite looking wobbly, Pascal managed to spin out and return the favor. Asked whether he was hurt in the only heated exchanges of the night, Pascal demurred, saying that he chose to look vulnerable to help sell a rematch (perhaps determining that twelve more rounds with Bute are preferable to a scheduled twelve with Adonis Stevenson or Sergey Kovalev). Offering far too little, far too late, Bute, now 31-2 (24), dropped a unanimous decision to Pascal by scores of 116-112, 117-110, 117-111.
Now the boxing king of Laval, Quebec, Pascal, 29-2-1 (17), having staved off the ever-creeping promise of irrelevance, was pressed about his future plans, and specifically a fight with fellow transplanted Haitian, Adonis Stevenson. Rather than entertain participating in yet another Superfight (!), one that would rival Pascal-Bute for glory in Quebec and outdo it in action (though not duration), Pascal merely praised Stevenson for his recent success. Sergey Kovalev, another HBO-friendly fighter whose stock rises with every fallen opponent, was not even mentioned. Make of that what you will.
Source:http://thecruelestsport.com/2014/01/19/king-laval-jean-pacscal-w12-lucian-bute/
While billed by some as a Superfight (!), many of the characteristics of such an event were missing from Pascal-Bute. Neither man, for example, had any momentum heading into the bout. Pascal’s last big fight was in May, 2011, when he was mind-melded and tamed in a rematch against Bernard “Ancient Alien” Hopkins; and Bute, pounded out in five rounds by Carl Froch in May, 2012, spent the last 14 months on the shelf with a hand injury. These were not two locomotives colliding so much as a couple of rusty Saturns jockeying for a parking space. Nor was there anything like a mandate for the fight outside of Quebec: Pascal-Bute took place in a division whose intrigue lay in other fights and other fighters (and that remains the case after Saturday night).
But a Superfight (!) is also supposed to resonate with the paying public. Pascal-Bute, as shown by the almost 21,000 fans who churned the turnstiles in the Bell Centre, certainly did that. A Superfight (!) should be a high stakes affair, and with both men fighting not only for the distinction of being the best fighter in Laval, Quebec—a title that matters in the province’s rich fighting culture—but for relevance in a division passing them by, the stakes could hardly be higher. Finally, a Superfight (!) should deliver a violent and dramatic spectacle. Unfortunately, as far as entertainment goes, Pascal-Bute was anything but “super.”
A member of the generation that grew up idolizing Roy Jones, Jr., Pascal, left hand dangling at his waist, right hand cocked just above his sternum, began the fight leaping in with lead rights to the body and spastic flurries upstairs. Bute did little more than paw timidly in response, and even in those moments when he scored, any retaliation—effective or otherwise—forced him to bail and reset. Yes, it made sense that Bute—schooled at catching opponents coming in—would look to maintain distance; but from the beginning he was timid. Counterpunching demands a degree of danger, a willingness to bait and linger, and Bute showed very little interest in doing either.
Did Pascal’s awkwardness unnerve Bute? Was there still water in Bute’s lungs from being waterboarded by Froch? These are questions only Bute, Laval, Quebec, via Romania, can answer. That he looked decidedly less confident than the fighter who subdued the awkward and dirty Sakio Biko, however, is impossible to deny. Anxious and inactive, Bute allowed Pascal’s sparse but earnest blows to carry the action.
Notorious for gassing in fights, Pascal, Laval, Quebec via Haiti, showcased improved conditioning over the late rounds, which reflects both the level of comfort he found against Bute and the calming presence of Jones in his corner. Pascal’s activity picked up with his confidence, and while he was hardly going for broke, he was controlling the fight and firing back whenever Bute found the mark. Already leery of engaging, this threat of recompense seemed to diminish the already shrinking Bute further. That Pascal, 175, could strike his opponent with lead right uppercuts, that he could throw both fists at Bute simultaneously like the Drunken Master, and execute these brazen moves without ceding the least penalty, showed just how lost Bute was.
Implored by his corner to pursue the knockout he so obviously needed, Bute, 173 1/2, charged out for the twelfth, pinned Pascal in the corner, and lashed away. Despite looking wobbly, Pascal managed to spin out and return the favor. Asked whether he was hurt in the only heated exchanges of the night, Pascal demurred, saying that he chose to look vulnerable to help sell a rematch (perhaps determining that twelve more rounds with Bute are preferable to a scheduled twelve with Adonis Stevenson or Sergey Kovalev). Offering far too little, far too late, Bute, now 31-2 (24), dropped a unanimous decision to Pascal by scores of 116-112, 117-110, 117-111.
Now the boxing king of Laval, Quebec, Pascal, 29-2-1 (17), having staved off the ever-creeping promise of irrelevance, was pressed about his future plans, and specifically a fight with fellow transplanted Haitian, Adonis Stevenson. Rather than entertain participating in yet another Superfight (!), one that would rival Pascal-Bute for glory in Quebec and outdo it in action (though not duration), Pascal merely praised Stevenson for his recent success. Sergey Kovalev, another HBO-friendly fighter whose stock rises with every fallen opponent, was not even mentioned. Make of that what you will.
Source:http://thecruelestsport.com/2014/01/19/king-laval-jean-pacscal-w12-lucian-bute/
Manny Pacquiao Tries New Strategy to Smoke out Floyd Mayweather
No more Mister Nice Guy. That’s Manny Pacquiao’s new message to Floyd Mayweather. If the Philippines Congressman can’t entice the champ out of his hole with the fragrance of fresh currency, he’ll set a brushfire and try to smoke him out.
Since Floyd says he refuses to do business with Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, said Pacquiao, then why not take business out of the equation entirely and fight for charity? That’s a scenario he posed to The Inquirer, a Philippines news outlet.
Floyd was off his verbal game this week because he was touring South Africa on a goodwill tour, which left him wide open to questions from members of the South African news media trailing after him. When Mayweather is back in the States he and his handlers take questions only from carefully selected people who basically agree with everything he says.
So when Floyd got caught flat-footed by new queries about his reluctance to fight Pacquiao, he responded by saying Pacquiao wants the fight because he’s desperate to solve his financial problems. His Philippines bank accounts have been frozen by the government there, which is run by his political opposition. The government claims the step was necessary in order to investigate Pacquiao’s tax situation.
“All of a sudden, he loses to Timothy Bradley, he loses to Marquez … he has tax problems now,” Mayweather told reporters in South Africa. “So, two losses and tax problems later, now he all of a sudden wants to say: ‘You know what? I’d do anything to make the fight happen,’ when he’s really saying, ‘Floyd, can you help me solve my tax problems, get me out of debt?’”
Pacquiao, hearing the accusation, shot back that he’d be willing to forego any purse whatsoever if Floyd will do the same. “I’m not desperate to fight him just for the sake of money or material things,” he told The Inquirer. “I’m not the one seeking this fight. Rather, it’s the boxing fans all over the world.”
He added, “I am ready to submit myself to any kind of stringent drug testing. Above all, I challenge him to include in our fight contract that both of us will not receive anything out of this fight. We will donate all the proceeds of the fight – guaranteed prize, should there be any, gate receipts, pay-per-view and endorsements – to charities around the world.”
He strongly hinted that if Mayweather, who owns pieces of both the welterweight and super welterweight world titles, won’t fight him under these conditions he has clearly run out of excuses and must be “afraid.”
Pacquiao, 55-5-2 (38 KOs), who in recent years appears to have taken Christian teachings to heart, has been going to great lengths to say nothing negative about anybody, including Floyd. He even congratulated Timothy Bradley on a questionable split decision victory over him in June 2012 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao refused to say anything derogatory about judges Duane Ford or C.J. Ross, who both scored it for Bradley. Jerry Roth had it for Pacquiao. The WBO later had the decision reviewed by a five-judge panel. All five judges scored it for Paqcuiao, but the Las Vegas decision was allowed to stand.
Read More: http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/manny-pacquiao-tries-new-strategy-smoke-floyd-mayweather/
Since Floyd says he refuses to do business with Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, said Pacquiao, then why not take business out of the equation entirely and fight for charity? That’s a scenario he posed to The Inquirer, a Philippines news outlet.
Floyd was off his verbal game this week because he was touring South Africa on a goodwill tour, which left him wide open to questions from members of the South African news media trailing after him. When Mayweather is back in the States he and his handlers take questions only from carefully selected people who basically agree with everything he says.
So when Floyd got caught flat-footed by new queries about his reluctance to fight Pacquiao, he responded by saying Pacquiao wants the fight because he’s desperate to solve his financial problems. His Philippines bank accounts have been frozen by the government there, which is run by his political opposition. The government claims the step was necessary in order to investigate Pacquiao’s tax situation.
“All of a sudden, he loses to Timothy Bradley, he loses to Marquez … he has tax problems now,” Mayweather told reporters in South Africa. “So, two losses and tax problems later, now he all of a sudden wants to say: ‘You know what? I’d do anything to make the fight happen,’ when he’s really saying, ‘Floyd, can you help me solve my tax problems, get me out of debt?’”
Pacquiao, hearing the accusation, shot back that he’d be willing to forego any purse whatsoever if Floyd will do the same. “I’m not desperate to fight him just for the sake of money or material things,” he told The Inquirer. “I’m not the one seeking this fight. Rather, it’s the boxing fans all over the world.”
He added, “I am ready to submit myself to any kind of stringent drug testing. Above all, I challenge him to include in our fight contract that both of us will not receive anything out of this fight. We will donate all the proceeds of the fight – guaranteed prize, should there be any, gate receipts, pay-per-view and endorsements – to charities around the world.”
He strongly hinted that if Mayweather, who owns pieces of both the welterweight and super welterweight world titles, won’t fight him under these conditions he has clearly run out of excuses and must be “afraid.”
Pacquiao, 55-5-2 (38 KOs), who in recent years appears to have taken Christian teachings to heart, has been going to great lengths to say nothing negative about anybody, including Floyd. He even congratulated Timothy Bradley on a questionable split decision victory over him in June 2012 in Las Vegas. Pacquiao refused to say anything derogatory about judges Duane Ford or C.J. Ross, who both scored it for Bradley. Jerry Roth had it for Pacquiao. The WBO later had the decision reviewed by a five-judge panel. All five judges scored it for Paqcuiao, but the Las Vegas decision was allowed to stand.
Read More: http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/manny-pacquiao-tries-new-strategy-smoke-floyd-mayweather/
What We Learned From Canada’s Mega Fight: Bute-Pascal
Going into the fight between Lucian Bute and Jean Pascal there were many questions about both fighters that needed to be answered and while some of the questions were answered other questions arose.
Lucian Bute and his future had to be the biggest question going into the fight. After suffering a devastating knockout loss to Carl Froch in 2012 Bute’s career was in jeopardy. Could his chin take a punch and could he still compete at the top level and could he continue fighting on as a top seeded fighter?
In the loss to Pascal some questions were answered. His chin could take the blows from the heavier Pascal but had Pascal of been more active could he have of finished the fight on his feet? Bute was able to compete at times but his confidence in himself is not there. He could still possibly fight top ten fighters at 168 pounds but not against Andre Ward or Carl Froch and he seems too small for light heavyweigt. He can continue to fight but now he is more just a name until he can rid himself of his self doubt and pick up a couple credible wins.
For Jean Pascal the biggest qestions going into the fight was his activity and his conditioning. He has been known to gas out and was making weight for light heavyweight getting to be too much for him?
Pascal looked to be in terrific shape but that is just part of the battle. The lack of activity and the punch output from the Haitian born fighter won’t sell any more tickets for his next fight even though he was victorious. One week prior to the weigh-in he seemed well off enough that making weight would not be an issue. The biggest question that arose from Pascal came after the fight and it was a question that he avoided. Is Adonis Stevenson next for Pascal? The victory over Bute should say yes but does Pascal really want it or will he move up in weight because he claims it is difficult to make weight?
One question that can apply to both fighters, “was two million dollars too much for each fighter to receive?”
Had the fight taken place anywhere else in the world there is no way in hell that either of them would have been paid that type of money.
Source: http://thaboxingvoice.com/what-we-learned-from-canadas-mega-fight-bute-pascal/21714
Lucian Bute and his future had to be the biggest question going into the fight. After suffering a devastating knockout loss to Carl Froch in 2012 Bute’s career was in jeopardy. Could his chin take a punch and could he still compete at the top level and could he continue fighting on as a top seeded fighter?
In the loss to Pascal some questions were answered. His chin could take the blows from the heavier Pascal but had Pascal of been more active could he have of finished the fight on his feet? Bute was able to compete at times but his confidence in himself is not there. He could still possibly fight top ten fighters at 168 pounds but not against Andre Ward or Carl Froch and he seems too small for light heavyweigt. He can continue to fight but now he is more just a name until he can rid himself of his self doubt and pick up a couple credible wins.
For Jean Pascal the biggest qestions going into the fight was his activity and his conditioning. He has been known to gas out and was making weight for light heavyweight getting to be too much for him?
Pascal looked to be in terrific shape but that is just part of the battle. The lack of activity and the punch output from the Haitian born fighter won’t sell any more tickets for his next fight even though he was victorious. One week prior to the weigh-in he seemed well off enough that making weight would not be an issue. The biggest question that arose from Pascal came after the fight and it was a question that he avoided. Is Adonis Stevenson next for Pascal? The victory over Bute should say yes but does Pascal really want it or will he move up in weight because he claims it is difficult to make weight?
One question that can apply to both fighters, “was two million dollars too much for each fighter to receive?”
Had the fight taken place anywhere else in the world there is no way in hell that either of them would have been paid that type of money.
Source: http://thaboxingvoice.com/what-we-learned-from-canadas-mega-fight-bute-pascal/21714
Alvarez excited to face Angulo
Monday, January 20, 2014
Former junior middleweight titlist Saul "Canelo" Alvarez said Friday he is putting his September defeat against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. behind him and is anxious for his March 8 ring return against brawling Mexican countryman Alfredo Angulo.
"This is a great fight for me and for the fans and I can't wait to get back in the ring on March 8," said Alvarez, of the fight that will headline a Showtime PPV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. "Angulo is a true warrior and I have to be alert every second of every round when I fight him. I expect that we will put on a fight no one will ever forget."
Angulo is also coming back from a loss -- a 10th-round TKO against Erislandy Lara on June 8 in a fight in which he suffered a badly damaged orbital bone – and looking to re-establish himself.
"Canelo is a great young fighter who has earned his way to the top," Angulo said. "That being said, I know I'm hungrier than he is right now and I will take him to places he has never been. Our fans in Mexico and around the world will see what we're all about when we fight."
Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer and Alvarez's team talked about various opponents, including junior middleweight titleholder Carlos Molina and interim titlist Lara. But Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) picked Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs), the opponent Golden Boy was pushing for.
Read More: http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/7170/alvarez-excited-to-face-angulo
"This is a great fight for me and for the fans and I can't wait to get back in the ring on March 8," said Alvarez, of the fight that will headline a Showtime PPV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. "Angulo is a true warrior and I have to be alert every second of every round when I fight him. I expect that we will put on a fight no one will ever forget."
Angulo is also coming back from a loss -- a 10th-round TKO against Erislandy Lara on June 8 in a fight in which he suffered a badly damaged orbital bone – and looking to re-establish himself.
"Canelo is a great young fighter who has earned his way to the top," Angulo said. "That being said, I know I'm hungrier than he is right now and I will take him to places he has never been. Our fans in Mexico and around the world will see what we're all about when we fight."
Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer and Alvarez's team talked about various opponents, including junior middleweight titleholder Carlos Molina and interim titlist Lara. But Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) picked Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs), the opponent Golden Boy was pushing for.
Read More: http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/7170/alvarez-excited-to-face-angulo
Mexican Superstar Canelo Alvarez Returns on March 8 To Face Countryman Alfredo Angulo at MGM Grand, Live on SHOWTIME PPV
Former World Champion and Mexican boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez returns to the ring on Saturday, March 8 to face the fierce and rugged Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo in the headline attraction of a stacked four-fight event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, presented live on SHOWTIME PPV®.
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the pay-per-view card offers matchups that promise to be exciting, all-action bouts. The most anticipated match of the night features Canelo, as he looks to reassert himself as the best young fighter of this era. Rounding out the card are two outstanding 12-round fights: Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Two-Time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s); exciting young star Omar “Panterita’’ Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KO’s) will risk his WBC Interim Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s) and former Two-Time World Champion Jorge “Niรฑo de Oro” Linares (35-3, 23 KO’s) will face Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KO’s) in a lightweight clash.
Tickets are on sale and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
March 8 is a hallowed date in boxing history as in 1971; “Smokin” Joe Frazier first met Muhammad Ali in the ring to begin their epic series. Now, eight fighters, including two of the most exciting Mexican stars of today, will attempt to do their part to add to its lore.
“This is a great fight for me and for the fans and I can’t wait to get back in the ring on March 8,” said Canelo, who will be making his first ring appearance since his mega-fight with pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather last September. “Angulo is a true warrior and I have to be alert every second of every round when I fight him. I expect that we will put on a fight no one will ever forget.”
“Canelo is a great young fighter who has earned his way to the top,” said Angulo. “That being said, I know I’m hungrier than he is right now and I will take him to places he’s never been. Our fans in Mexico and around the world will see what we’re all about when we fight.”
“When we presented opponents to Canelo for his return fight, he immediately took the man who he expected would give him the toughest challenge in the ring and who also would help him give the fans the most exciting fight possible,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Alfredo Angulo fits the bill on all counts and this will not only be a stern test for Canelo, but I know fight fans are going to see all action from start to finish. I can say that about all the fights on the card, and in keeping with Golden Boy Promotions’ promise to fans, we're making sure to deliver the most competitive and compelling matchups that we can."
“We are very excited to welcome back Canelo Alvarez to MGM Grand for what’s sure to be a fierce battle with Alfredo Angulo,” said Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International. “These two fighters are sure to bring their best performances to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a thrilling evening of epic boxing.”
“This is the type of stacked, all-action fight card that SHOWTIME has become known for,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We are proud to present this excellent main event and compelling co-features on our preeminent platform, SHOWTIME PPV. Last year, this network emerged as the premiere destination for boxing’s biggest events and most competitive fights. The men and the matchups on this fight card embody our commitment to deliver the best the sport has to offer.”
A superstar in his native Mexico who has gone international with his appeal over the last two years, Canelo Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KO’s) is a former super welterweight world champion whose talent, fighting style and charisma is likely to keep him on top for years to come. Only 23 years of age, the Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico native turned pro in 2005 and he hasn’t looked back since he defeated the likes of Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir, Lovemore Ndou, Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron and Sugar Shane Mosley. In 2013, Canelo packed nearly 40,000 fans into the Alamodome in San Antonio for a win over Austin Trout to unify 154-pound titles. Canelo’s last fight, the main event bout vs. Mayweather, shattered pay-per-view revenue records, largely due to the growing popularity of the bright Mexican star. On March 8, Canelo is back.
A vicious puncher with a crowd-pleasing and aggressive style, Mexicali Baja California, Mexico native Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KO’s) produces exciting fights every time he steps through the ropes, as evidenced by knockouts of Gabriel Rosado, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, as well as his classic 2011 showdown with James Kirkland. Owner of 2012 wins over Raul Casarez and Jorge Silva, the 31-year-old appeared to be on his way to his first world championship in June 2013 when he knocked down Erislandy Lara twice in their interim WBA title fight. However, a controversial stoppage due to an eye injury postponed Angulo’s ascension to the top, something he hopes to rectify starting with his bout against Alvarez.
More: http://philboxing.com/news/story-91171.html
Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the pay-per-view card offers matchups that promise to be exciting, all-action bouts. The most anticipated match of the night features Canelo, as he looks to reassert himself as the best young fighter of this era. Rounding out the card are two outstanding 12-round fights: Two-Division World Champion Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KO’s) will defend his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title against former Two-Time World Champion Cristian “El Diamante” Mijares (49-7-2, 24 KO’s); exciting young star Omar “Panterita’’ Figueroa (24-0-1, 17 KO’s) will risk his WBC Interim Lightweight Title against Canelo’s brother Ricardo “Dinamita” Alvarez (23-2-3, 14 KO’s) and former Two-Time World Champion Jorge “Niรฑo de Oro” Linares (35-3, 23 KO’s) will face Nihito Arakawa (24-3-1, 16 KO’s) in a lightweight clash.
Tickets are on sale and are priced at $600, $400, $200, $100, $50 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes, with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
March 8 is a hallowed date in boxing history as in 1971; “Smokin” Joe Frazier first met Muhammad Ali in the ring to begin their epic series. Now, eight fighters, including two of the most exciting Mexican stars of today, will attempt to do their part to add to its lore.
“This is a great fight for me and for the fans and I can’t wait to get back in the ring on March 8,” said Canelo, who will be making his first ring appearance since his mega-fight with pound-for-pound kingpin Floyd Mayweather last September. “Angulo is a true warrior and I have to be alert every second of every round when I fight him. I expect that we will put on a fight no one will ever forget.”
“Canelo is a great young fighter who has earned his way to the top,” said Angulo. “That being said, I know I’m hungrier than he is right now and I will take him to places he’s never been. Our fans in Mexico and around the world will see what we’re all about when we fight.”
“When we presented opponents to Canelo for his return fight, he immediately took the man who he expected would give him the toughest challenge in the ring and who also would help him give the fans the most exciting fight possible,” said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. “Alfredo Angulo fits the bill on all counts and this will not only be a stern test for Canelo, but I know fight fans are going to see all action from start to finish. I can say that about all the fights on the card, and in keeping with Golden Boy Promotions’ promise to fans, we're making sure to deliver the most competitive and compelling matchups that we can."
“We are very excited to welcome back Canelo Alvarez to MGM Grand for what’s sure to be a fierce battle with Alfredo Angulo,” said Richard Sturm, president of sports and entertainment for MGM Resorts International. “These two fighters are sure to bring their best performances to the MGM Grand Garden Arena for a thrilling evening of epic boxing.”
“This is the type of stacked, all-action fight card that SHOWTIME has become known for,” said Stephen Espinoza, executive vice president and general manager, SHOWTIME Sports. “We are proud to present this excellent main event and compelling co-features on our preeminent platform, SHOWTIME PPV. Last year, this network emerged as the premiere destination for boxing’s biggest events and most competitive fights. The men and the matchups on this fight card embody our commitment to deliver the best the sport has to offer.”
A superstar in his native Mexico who has gone international with his appeal over the last two years, Canelo Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KO’s) is a former super welterweight world champion whose talent, fighting style and charisma is likely to keep him on top for years to come. Only 23 years of age, the Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico native turned pro in 2005 and he hasn’t looked back since he defeated the likes of Jose Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir, Lovemore Ndou, Matthew Hatton, Ryan Rhodes, Alfonso Gomez, Kermit Cintron and Sugar Shane Mosley. In 2013, Canelo packed nearly 40,000 fans into the Alamodome in San Antonio for a win over Austin Trout to unify 154-pound titles. Canelo’s last fight, the main event bout vs. Mayweather, shattered pay-per-view revenue records, largely due to the growing popularity of the bright Mexican star. On March 8, Canelo is back.
A vicious puncher with a crowd-pleasing and aggressive style, Mexicali Baja California, Mexico native Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-3, 18 KO’s) produces exciting fights every time he steps through the ropes, as evidenced by knockouts of Gabriel Rosado, Joel Julio and Joachim Alcine, as well as his classic 2011 showdown with James Kirkland. Owner of 2012 wins over Raul Casarez and Jorge Silva, the 31-year-old appeared to be on his way to his first world championship in June 2013 when he knocked down Erislandy Lara twice in their interim WBA title fight. However, a controversial stoppage due to an eye injury postponed Angulo’s ascension to the top, something he hopes to rectify starting with his bout against Alvarez.
More: http://philboxing.com/news/story-91171.html
Floyd Mayweather is Both Right and Wrong for Ruling Out a Manny Pacquiao Fight
How you view Floyd Mayweather depends a lot on how you see the sport of boxing and how you define an athlete's role in the sport.
Those with a more pragmatic, business-like approach to the boxing world, tend to be able to cut Mayweather some slack for his current stance of no Pacquiao fight unless it's completely on his own terms. On the other hand, those with a romantic, nostalgic view of the sport only see Mayweather as someone standing in the way of a bout that could, finally, get made.
Looking at it like that, it's easy to understand why the five-division world champ and current pound-for-pound best can be loved by so many fans, yet hated by just as many, if not more.
Throughout the four years of back and forth nonsense involved in trying to make the mega-fight, Mayweather and Pacquiao have exchanged blame for the failure to get together. However, the truth of the matter is that neither side of this fiasco is as innocent as they claim and both bear considerably more blame than they care to accept.
Now, though, Mayweather is fine with putting himself out there as the bad guy and as the one keeping 50-50 negotiations from happening.
The way Mayweather sees things, he is now the sport's undisputed PPV king as well as the undisputed pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. Manny, on the other hand, is 1-2 in his last three bouts, no longer a world champ, and is coming off a poorly received, poor-selling PPV event. So, according to business man Mayweather, Pacquiao is no longer his equal to be dealt with on equal terms. Pacquiao has to come to him, hat in hand, and be willing to make some major concessions before even being considered a worthwhile possibility.
From a business perspective, Mayweather is a hundred percent right.
If Pacquaio were the one sitting pretty and Mayweather just rebounding off some tough times, you can bet that for any talks to begin, Mayweather would have to bring himself humbly to the table with a willingness to fight on Manny's terms. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume that Mayweather would even have to, at least temporarily, fight under Pacquiao's Top Rank promotional banner.
Away from boxing, a dominant company at the head of its industry wouldn't be badgered into bending over backwards to facilitate a business deal that would benefit its chief competitor. A McDonalds that works its way to the no. 1 spot in the fast food industry would never enter into a business deal that would graciously benefit no. 2, Burger King.
Mayweather is in the odd spot of having claimed his undisputed no. 1 position after so many years of neck and neck competition with Pacquiao, only to have fans and media demand that he make the concessions needed to put together a bout with Pacquiao. Obviously, Mayweather balks at this notion and, as a fighter concerned with the business bottom line, he has every right to put the brakes on this type of thinking.
More: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/floyd-mayweather
Those with a more pragmatic, business-like approach to the boxing world, tend to be able to cut Mayweather some slack for his current stance of no Pacquiao fight unless it's completely on his own terms. On the other hand, those with a romantic, nostalgic view of the sport only see Mayweather as someone standing in the way of a bout that could, finally, get made.
Looking at it like that, it's easy to understand why the five-division world champ and current pound-for-pound best can be loved by so many fans, yet hated by just as many, if not more.
Throughout the four years of back and forth nonsense involved in trying to make the mega-fight, Mayweather and Pacquiao have exchanged blame for the failure to get together. However, the truth of the matter is that neither side of this fiasco is as innocent as they claim and both bear considerably more blame than they care to accept.
Now, though, Mayweather is fine with putting himself out there as the bad guy and as the one keeping 50-50 negotiations from happening.
The way Mayweather sees things, he is now the sport's undisputed PPV king as well as the undisputed pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. Manny, on the other hand, is 1-2 in his last three bouts, no longer a world champ, and is coming off a poorly received, poor-selling PPV event. So, according to business man Mayweather, Pacquiao is no longer his equal to be dealt with on equal terms. Pacquiao has to come to him, hat in hand, and be willing to make some major concessions before even being considered a worthwhile possibility.
From a business perspective, Mayweather is a hundred percent right.
If Pacquaio were the one sitting pretty and Mayweather just rebounding off some tough times, you can bet that for any talks to begin, Mayweather would have to bring himself humbly to the table with a willingness to fight on Manny's terms. It wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume that Mayweather would even have to, at least temporarily, fight under Pacquiao's Top Rank promotional banner.
Away from boxing, a dominant company at the head of its industry wouldn't be badgered into bending over backwards to facilitate a business deal that would benefit its chief competitor. A McDonalds that works its way to the no. 1 spot in the fast food industry would never enter into a business deal that would graciously benefit no. 2, Burger King.
Mayweather is in the odd spot of having claimed his undisputed no. 1 position after so many years of neck and neck competition with Pacquiao, only to have fans and media demand that he make the concessions needed to put together a bout with Pacquiao. Obviously, Mayweather balks at this notion and, as a fighter concerned with the business bottom line, he has every right to put the brakes on this type of thinking.
More: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/floyd-mayweather
WBC PRESIDENT SULAIMAN HAS PASSED AWAY
Sunday, January 19, 2014
A good friend of the Philippines and supporter of Filipino boxers through the years, Sulaiman succeeded the late Justiniano Montano Jr, the former chairman of the Games and Amusements Board as president of the pre-eminent boxing organization in the world whose constitution and by-laws were crafted by the late Rudy Salud, the WBC’s first secretary general who was a close friend of Don Jose who worked with Salud when the esteemed Filipino was chairman of the Ratings Committee.
Sulaiman was unanimously elected WBC president in December 1975.
Sulaiman last visited the Philippines during the highly successful WBC Annual Convention hosted by then GAB chairman Eric Buhain in November 2007 and had an most enjoyable lunch with Salud’s family in his home in La Vista.
It was the abiding friendship between Sulaiman and Salud that enabled former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa to remain as No. 1 flyweight contender despite two controversial losses which Sulaiman recognized and gave Penalosa, based on the appeals of Salud, successive shots at the world title.
In one of his last acts, Don Jose elevated “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao to No.1 welterweight contender in an effort to push champion Floyd Mayweather Jr into facing the Filipino sports hero in a fight the world has long wanted to see. But Mayweather balked and even indicated he would relinquish the title.
Sulaiman, in one of our many overseas telephone conversations told us he was quietly trying to move negotiations forward to get the megabuck fight to happen but he passed away before his efforts bore fruit, if they ever will.
Pacquiao was a particular favorite of Sulaiman who always told us that Manny may have won the belts of other organizations but he would always remember him as a WBC champion whose first title was the famous green and gold belt he won with a spectacular 8th round knockout of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul on December 3, 1998 on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Don Jose underwent major heart surgery at the UCLA Medical Center last October and after an early setback, his son and WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman told us he had apparently, like a true fighter, turned things around. But Mauricio disclosed he had suffered complications and in the end succumbed.
The delicate surgery, his age and his bulk ultimately took its toll on the legendary WBC president who has done more to strengthen the WBC and to enhance the sport of boxing than any other individual.
A Mexican of Lebanese descent Don Jose Sulaiman fought tooth and nail to prevent the world amateur boxing organization's efforts to encroach on the pro ranks and discriminate against professional boxers who declined to come under the AIBA aegis.
Sulaiman was an amateur boxer and later became a trainer, referee, judge and even a promoter. He made his mark as an administrator who earned the support and respect of not only the board of directors of the WBC but also the top executives of various boxing organizations.
It was under Sulaiman’s stewardship that several new measures were introduced to ensure greater safety for boxers and to look after their post-career lives.
One of the major changes was reducing world championship bouts from 15 rounds to 12 with the official weigh–in taking place 24 hours prior to a fight.
Sulaiman was instrumental in the creation of intermediate weight divisions while one of his crucial efforts was geared towards the establishment of the World Medical Congress.
He ensured the funding for a brain research program at UCLA and under his dynamic leadership the WBC broadened its global reach to include over 160 affiliated national organizations. In his time the WBC sanctioned over 1,100 world title fights.
Don Jose was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2007.
In November 2007 we had a lengthy TV interview with Don Jose Sulaiman in which he made what we felt was an emotional statement and spoke of his desire to bring China into the mainstream of pro boxing.
Read More -> http://philboxing.com/news/story-91142.html
Sulaiman was unanimously elected WBC president in December 1975.
Sulaiman last visited the Philippines during the highly successful WBC Annual Convention hosted by then GAB chairman Eric Buhain in November 2007 and had an most enjoyable lunch with Salud’s family in his home in La Vista.
It was the abiding friendship between Sulaiman and Salud that enabled former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa to remain as No. 1 flyweight contender despite two controversial losses which Sulaiman recognized and gave Penalosa, based on the appeals of Salud, successive shots at the world title.
In one of his last acts, Don Jose elevated “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao to No.1 welterweight contender in an effort to push champion Floyd Mayweather Jr into facing the Filipino sports hero in a fight the world has long wanted to see. But Mayweather balked and even indicated he would relinquish the title.
Sulaiman, in one of our many overseas telephone conversations told us he was quietly trying to move negotiations forward to get the megabuck fight to happen but he passed away before his efforts bore fruit, if they ever will.
Pacquiao was a particular favorite of Sulaiman who always told us that Manny may have won the belts of other organizations but he would always remember him as a WBC champion whose first title was the famous green and gold belt he won with a spectacular 8th round knockout of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul on December 3, 1998 on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Don Jose underwent major heart surgery at the UCLA Medical Center last October and after an early setback, his son and WBC executive secretary Mauricio Sulaiman told us he had apparently, like a true fighter, turned things around. But Mauricio disclosed he had suffered complications and in the end succumbed.
The delicate surgery, his age and his bulk ultimately took its toll on the legendary WBC president who has done more to strengthen the WBC and to enhance the sport of boxing than any other individual.
A Mexican of Lebanese descent Don Jose Sulaiman fought tooth and nail to prevent the world amateur boxing organization's efforts to encroach on the pro ranks and discriminate against professional boxers who declined to come under the AIBA aegis.
Sulaiman was an amateur boxer and later became a trainer, referee, judge and even a promoter. He made his mark as an administrator who earned the support and respect of not only the board of directors of the WBC but also the top executives of various boxing organizations.
It was under Sulaiman’s stewardship that several new measures were introduced to ensure greater safety for boxers and to look after their post-career lives.
One of the major changes was reducing world championship bouts from 15 rounds to 12 with the official weigh–in taking place 24 hours prior to a fight.
Sulaiman was instrumental in the creation of intermediate weight divisions while one of his crucial efforts was geared towards the establishment of the World Medical Congress.
He ensured the funding for a brain research program at UCLA and under his dynamic leadership the WBC broadened its global reach to include over 160 affiliated national organizations. In his time the WBC sanctioned over 1,100 world title fights.
Don Jose was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2007.
In November 2007 we had a lengthy TV interview with Don Jose Sulaiman in which he made what we felt was an emotional statement and spoke of his desire to bring China into the mainstream of pro boxing.
Read More -> http://philboxing.com/news/story-91142.html
The Pascal vs. Bute clash pick & next weekend’s prediction rundown
Jean Pascal (26-2-1) vs. Lucian Bute (31-1) - To the naked eye, Bute is a better all around fighter. But this fight will be pushed by the more aggressive fighter which is Pascal. I love the way Bute steps in and throws a straight right then he turns on you with a fierce left uppercut. Pascal however is a dog and a very live one at that, I feel he will out hustle and beat Bute in a fun scrap. Give me Pascal by split decision.
Saturday, January 25 2014 on Showtime Live from DC Armory in Washington, DC
Lamont Peterson (31-2-1) vs. Dierry Jean (25-0) - Jean is a very solid fighter that is not really too known, those type of fighters a lot of times are the most dangerous fighters that you will ever cross paths with. In his case however, it appears to me that his 25-0 unbeaten record may be blown up. But that does not mean that Peterson should sleep on Jean, Jean is still able to shake you up. In this bout, I just see Peterson’s big fight experience being too much for Jean. Look for Peterson’s right hand and body shots to give his opponent more than he can handle. I will take Peterson by unanimous decision.
Jermell Charlo (22-0) vs. Gabriel Rosado (21-7) – I absolutely love Charlo’s fast stabbing jab. The thing shoots out so fast that by the time you think of moving away, it would have already stabbed you twice. But just like the Peterson/Jean fight, I see Rosado’s grit and experience giving Charlo the type of opponent that he hasn’t seen before. Charlo is a very talented fighter that can rumble and his left hook is also deadly, but as I mentioned before, Rosado will win this match because of the adversity that he has already faced in his past fights. Charlo has yet to experience that type of adversity in the ring. Rosado by split decision, in what will more likely be the fight of the night.
Saturday, January 25 2014 on HBO Live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in NYC
Mikey Garcia (33-0) vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2) – Burgos is a very game fighter and has a straight up style that can trouble most when his jab is popping. But Garcia is a patient sharp shooter that kisses danger on the lips in a very calm manner. Garcia will counter Burgos and will end up catching Burgos with a left hand late in the fight. My pick is Mikey Garcia by tko in the 9th.
Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/news/archives/16233
Saturday, January 25 2014 on Showtime Live from DC Armory in Washington, DC
Lamont Peterson (31-2-1) vs. Dierry Jean (25-0) - Jean is a very solid fighter that is not really too known, those type of fighters a lot of times are the most dangerous fighters that you will ever cross paths with. In his case however, it appears to me that his 25-0 unbeaten record may be blown up. But that does not mean that Peterson should sleep on Jean, Jean is still able to shake you up. In this bout, I just see Peterson’s big fight experience being too much for Jean. Look for Peterson’s right hand and body shots to give his opponent more than he can handle. I will take Peterson by unanimous decision.
Jermell Charlo (22-0) vs. Gabriel Rosado (21-7) – I absolutely love Charlo’s fast stabbing jab. The thing shoots out so fast that by the time you think of moving away, it would have already stabbed you twice. But just like the Peterson/Jean fight, I see Rosado’s grit and experience giving Charlo the type of opponent that he hasn’t seen before. Charlo is a very talented fighter that can rumble and his left hook is also deadly, but as I mentioned before, Rosado will win this match because of the adversity that he has already faced in his past fights. Charlo has yet to experience that type of adversity in the ring. Rosado by split decision, in what will more likely be the fight of the night.
Saturday, January 25 2014 on HBO Live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in NYC
Mikey Garcia (33-0) vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2) – Burgos is a very game fighter and has a straight up style that can trouble most when his jab is popping. But Garcia is a patient sharp shooter that kisses danger on the lips in a very calm manner. Garcia will counter Burgos and will end up catching Burgos with a left hand late in the fight. My pick is Mikey Garcia by tko in the 9th.
Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/news/archives/16233
WBO jr. middleweight champ Demetrius Andrade waiting for 1st title defense date
World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior middleweight champion Demetrius "Boo Boo" Andrade (20-0, 13 KOs), fresh off of his convincing title-winning performance on HBO over previously undefeated 2004 U.S. Olympian Vanes "Nightmare" Martirosyan (33-1-1, 21 KOs), is riding high in 2014.
The 25-year-old Providence native became the first member of 2008 Team USA Boxing to capture a world title as a professional, as well as the first native New Englander to be world champion of a major governing body since Massachusetts-born heavyweight John "The Quietman" Ruiz in 2005. Andrade also became the first Rhode Islander since Cranston's light middleweight Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz in 1991 to capture a major world title.
"It's settling in," Andrade spoke about being a world champion as a pro. "This is a result of what I did for five years in the pro ranks; taking things slowly, being patient and taking advantage of my opportunity when it came. Everything's good! I have a little more love and support in my life and a lot more fans know who I am."
The judges' scoring for Andrade vs. Martirosyan was criticized by many observers for being much closer (117-110, 114-113, 112-115) than it appeared. "I was definitely shocked when I heard the scorecards read," Andrade admitted. "That was a flash knockdown in the first because I was off balance as I went backwards, but I got up and fought like a true champion. I whooped him for 12 rounds and one judge still gave the fight to him? It isn't fair to the fighters or fans and something needs to be done."
Before Andrade can position himself for a high-profile, lucrative showdown in 2014, his next fight and first title defense will be against WBO No. 1-rated mandatory challenger Brian "The Lion" Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs).
"We are looking forward to defending the title and giving everyone a chance to see Demetrius in action as World Champion," Andrade's manager Ed Farris commented. "We didn't care who his next opponent is, Demetrius is ready to show the world that this is his time. We're glad to have the opportunity to show it."
More -> http://philboxing.com/news/story-91125.html
The 25-year-old Providence native became the first member of 2008 Team USA Boxing to capture a world title as a professional, as well as the first native New Englander to be world champion of a major governing body since Massachusetts-born heavyweight John "The Quietman" Ruiz in 2005. Andrade also became the first Rhode Islander since Cranston's light middleweight Vinny "The Pazmanian Devil" Paz in 1991 to capture a major world title.
"It's settling in," Andrade spoke about being a world champion as a pro. "This is a result of what I did for five years in the pro ranks; taking things slowly, being patient and taking advantage of my opportunity when it came. Everything's good! I have a little more love and support in my life and a lot more fans know who I am."
The judges' scoring for Andrade vs. Martirosyan was criticized by many observers for being much closer (117-110, 114-113, 112-115) than it appeared. "I was definitely shocked when I heard the scorecards read," Andrade admitted. "That was a flash knockdown in the first because I was off balance as I went backwards, but I got up and fought like a true champion. I whooped him for 12 rounds and one judge still gave the fight to him? It isn't fair to the fighters or fans and something needs to be done."
Before Andrade can position himself for a high-profile, lucrative showdown in 2014, his next fight and first title defense will be against WBO No. 1-rated mandatory challenger Brian "The Lion" Rose (25-1-1, 7 KOs).
"We are looking forward to defending the title and giving everyone a chance to see Demetrius in action as World Champion," Andrade's manager Ed Farris commented. "We didn't care who his next opponent is, Demetrius is ready to show the world that this is his time. We're glad to have the opportunity to show it."
More -> http://philboxing.com/news/story-91125.html
Mikey Garcia Talks More Pacman, Gamboa & A Little About Burgos
Saturday, January 18, 2014
You probably know WBO junior lightweight world titlist Mikey Garcia (33-0, 28 Kos) is scheduled to face Tijuana’s Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2, 20 Kos) on Jan. 25, at Madison Square Garden Theater. HBO will televise the world title challenge.
The Moreno Valley resident, who moved there several years ago from Oxnard, traveled 100 miles north to set up the final weeks of training camp in his old haunts. With no other major fights on his brother Robert Garcia’s agenda, it would seem to be easier to have preparation in the Riverside area. But it’s not a major concern.
During the media day held in Oxnard, most of the questioning focused on Garcia’s possible future match up with Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Tons of questioning regarded the junior lightweight jumping up to junior welterweight or welterweight to meet the seven division world champion from the Philippines.
“I was his sparring partner for several weeks. Three or four weeks. He was very quick, very fast I was more concerned with his speed than his strength,” said Garcia, 26, about a sparring session with Pacquiao in 2006. “I did pretty well. I don’t know if he remembers the sparring session. I never beat him up, but he never beat me up either. It was just a very good sparring session at Wild Card.”
Garcia added that it would not be this year but next year if the fight with Pacman was made. He cited a need to build more muscle and weight plus maintain the speed, and a need for three or four more fights.
Another opponent whose name popped up was Cuba’s Yuri Gamboa, who tweeted acidic taunts and declarations to Garcia recently.
“If his (Gamboa) promoter can’t get the fight he has to do something to get the fight himself,” said Garcia with a chuckle, regarding Gamboa’s attempts to lure a title fight. “If it happens it makes for a better fight. More expectations. You all remember Ricardo Mayorga.”
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17857-mikey-garcia-talks-more
The Moreno Valley resident, who moved there several years ago from Oxnard, traveled 100 miles north to set up the final weeks of training camp in his old haunts. With no other major fights on his brother Robert Garcia’s agenda, it would seem to be easier to have preparation in the Riverside area. But it’s not a major concern.
During the media day held in Oxnard, most of the questioning focused on Garcia’s possible future match up with Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. Tons of questioning regarded the junior lightweight jumping up to junior welterweight or welterweight to meet the seven division world champion from the Philippines.
“I was his sparring partner for several weeks. Three or four weeks. He was very quick, very fast I was more concerned with his speed than his strength,” said Garcia, 26, about a sparring session with Pacquiao in 2006. “I did pretty well. I don’t know if he remembers the sparring session. I never beat him up, but he never beat me up either. It was just a very good sparring session at Wild Card.”
Garcia added that it would not be this year but next year if the fight with Pacman was made. He cited a need to build more muscle and weight plus maintain the speed, and a need for three or four more fights.
Another opponent whose name popped up was Cuba’s Yuri Gamboa, who tweeted acidic taunts and declarations to Garcia recently.
“If his (Gamboa) promoter can’t get the fight he has to do something to get the fight himself,” said Garcia with a chuckle, regarding Gamboa’s attempts to lure a title fight. “If it happens it makes for a better fight. More expectations. You all remember Ricardo Mayorga.”
http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17857-mikey-garcia-talks-more
Is Mikey Garcia Top Rank’s Manny Pacquiao replacement?
It is not clear when "The Mikey Project" began, but certainly it took off in full sometime in the first few rounds of his breakout win over Orlando Salido about one year ago. What is The Mikey Project? It's Top Rank's plan to make Mikey Garcia the heir apparent to Manny Pacquiao, a pay-per-view caliber star and a fighter you can't miss watching. Now, this project is without a doubt entering its most pivotal phase, calendar year 2014.
Bob Arum has an aging superstar on one end of his stable and several young former Olympians and high-end prospects on the other. In the middle is Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia, the most viable option to become Top Rank's next main attraction.
For the better part of six years, Manny Pacquiao has controlled Top Rank’s pay-per-view market. Now, the Filipino superstar is coming off an unanimous decision victory over Brandon Rios, an important comeback win over his devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. Still, Manny's reign is nearing its end and there is no young heir apparent waiting in the wings, or is there?
Superstars are hard to come by, and while Top Rank has an excellent group of former amateurs with gold medals and other credentials, they are simply not ready to assume such a role. Timothy Bradley is still undefeated and has earned some cred with his brawl against Ruslan Provodnikov and win over Marquez, but the casual fans have not gripped onto him. Elsewhere, Nonito Donaire suffered a setback, and the man who beat him, Guillermo Rigondeaux, has had even more difficulty becoming an appealing attraction than Bradley.
In order for Top Rank to continue to compete in the PPV market against Golden Boy Promotions they need someone to crossover from being an elite fighter and become a superstar, exactly what Pac-Man did almost six years ago -- to the Golden Boy himself.
Garcia took major strides in 2013, and was in fact a runner-up for the 2013 Fighter of the Year, but it's up to Arum and his team to properly lead him through the ranks in order to arrive at the right moment on the biggest stage, and it is no easy task. The project continues on January 25th, when Garcia (33-0, 28KO) faces off in New York City against fighter Juan Carlos Burgos.
Read More ->
Bob Arum has an aging superstar on one end of his stable and several young former Olympians and high-end prospects on the other. In the middle is Miguel Angel “Mikey” Garcia, the most viable option to become Top Rank's next main attraction.
For the better part of six years, Manny Pacquiao has controlled Top Rank’s pay-per-view market. Now, the Filipino superstar is coming off an unanimous decision victory over Brandon Rios, an important comeback win over his devastating knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. Still, Manny's reign is nearing its end and there is no young heir apparent waiting in the wings, or is there?
Superstars are hard to come by, and while Top Rank has an excellent group of former amateurs with gold medals and other credentials, they are simply not ready to assume such a role. Timothy Bradley is still undefeated and has earned some cred with his brawl against Ruslan Provodnikov and win over Marquez, but the casual fans have not gripped onto him. Elsewhere, Nonito Donaire suffered a setback, and the man who beat him, Guillermo Rigondeaux, has had even more difficulty becoming an appealing attraction than Bradley.
In order for Top Rank to continue to compete in the PPV market against Golden Boy Promotions they need someone to crossover from being an elite fighter and become a superstar, exactly what Pac-Man did almost six years ago -- to the Golden Boy himself.
Garcia took major strides in 2013, and was in fact a runner-up for the 2013 Fighter of the Year, but it's up to Arum and his team to properly lead him through the ranks in order to arrive at the right moment on the biggest stage, and it is no easy task. The project continues on January 25th, when Garcia (33-0, 28KO) faces off in New York City against fighter Juan Carlos Burgos.
Read More ->
Canelo Alvarez vs Alfredo Angulo: Will this dog have his day?
Friday, January 17, 2014
No sooner than when loss numero uno came for the twenty three year old boxer were the calls of "too much and too soon".
The box office receipts from a particular Saturday evening last September weren't too proud to beg to differ. Live gate and pay TV records were surpassed monetarily more than quantifiably and that is what Las Vegas is all about.
Canelo is back and he's skipping a tune-up sort of contest for his return, unless the potential for getting his pretty face mangled by a maniacal type of fighter is his idea of refreshing.
Enter Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo on March 8, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
There will be times before the fight to compare and contrast beyond the obvious. The "Cinnamon versus The Dog" matchup will of course pit two Mexican combatants within the ring, however many of the similarities slam head on into a granite slab after that.
Alfredo Angulo was steamrolling through most of his competition and had compiled a 15-0 professional record with twelve knockouts (many early KO's) until he faced Kermit Cintron nearly five years ago. He lost because Cintron respected the power of "El Perro" and kept him at jab's length for much of the HBO televised contest. But Angulo rebounded less than three months later on ESPN and absolutely crushed middleweight contender Gabriel "King" Rosado in two rounds and placed Harry Joe Yorgey inside a vertical nap later on in 2009.
Much like a guts before glory battle, the man who punched last would go on to win.
Two fights came after his seven month lockup at a United States Immigration detention center and then he would go on to lose a heartbreaking stoppage loss to Erislandy Lara. After nearly ten rounds of back and forth action, Alfredo suffered a ghastly eye injury and could not continue, although he likely wanted to do so.
His reward seems to be a shot at knocking off a Mexican anomaly in Vegas. To label him as a Mexican warrior is fair and accurate, but to tag him as several rungs down the ladder is a mistake.
Hopefully, toe-to-toe is what we'll get, although the fighters are not so easily tagged. Canelo doesn't always push the action early, but "El Perro" could easily change his mind. The scary thought is of another possible debacle similar to Alvarez's April 2013 bout with Austin Trout. The ringside tally of a wash was actually more of a dusting. Unless Angulo absolutely guts his opponent in March, count on neither a decision victory nor the chance for a rematch.
Read more at http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4027-Canelo-Alvarez-vs-Alfredo-Angulo
The box office receipts from a particular Saturday evening last September weren't too proud to beg to differ. Live gate and pay TV records were surpassed monetarily more than quantifiably and that is what Las Vegas is all about.
Canelo is back and he's skipping a tune-up sort of contest for his return, unless the potential for getting his pretty face mangled by a maniacal type of fighter is his idea of refreshing.
Enter Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo on March 8, 2014 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
There will be times before the fight to compare and contrast beyond the obvious. The "Cinnamon versus The Dog" matchup will of course pit two Mexican combatants within the ring, however many of the similarities slam head on into a granite slab after that.
Alfredo Angulo was steamrolling through most of his competition and had compiled a 15-0 professional record with twelve knockouts (many early KO's) until he faced Kermit Cintron nearly five years ago. He lost because Cintron respected the power of "El Perro" and kept him at jab's length for much of the HBO televised contest. But Angulo rebounded less than three months later on ESPN and absolutely crushed middleweight contender Gabriel "King" Rosado in two rounds and placed Harry Joe Yorgey inside a vertical nap later on in 2009.
Much like a guts before glory battle, the man who punched last would go on to win.
Two fights came after his seven month lockup at a United States Immigration detention center and then he would go on to lose a heartbreaking stoppage loss to Erislandy Lara. After nearly ten rounds of back and forth action, Alfredo suffered a ghastly eye injury and could not continue, although he likely wanted to do so.
His reward seems to be a shot at knocking off a Mexican anomaly in Vegas. To label him as a Mexican warrior is fair and accurate, but to tag him as several rungs down the ladder is a mistake.
Hopefully, toe-to-toe is what we'll get, although the fighters are not so easily tagged. Canelo doesn't always push the action early, but "El Perro" could easily change his mind. The scary thought is of another possible debacle similar to Alvarez's April 2013 bout with Austin Trout. The ringside tally of a wash was actually more of a dusting. Unless Angulo absolutely guts his opponent in March, count on neither a decision victory nor the chance for a rematch.
Read more at http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4027-Canelo-Alvarez-vs-Alfredo-Angulo
Gonzalez vacates title to move up
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, one of the best fighters in the world, has his eye on winning a world title in a third weight division, which is why he formally renounced his alphabet junior flyweight title this week in order to pursue a flyweight belt.
Gonzalez, 26, of Nicaragua, is one of boxing’s heaviest hitters pound-for-pound and fought three times in 2013, winning all by knockout. But he did not defend his 108-pound world title in any of the bouts, instead fighting once as a bantamweight and twice as a flyweight in nontitle fights.
A protรฉgรฉ of the late Hall of Famer and countryman Alexis Arguello, Gonzalez won a strawweight world title in 2008 and made three defenses before moving up to junior flyweight, where he won a title and made five defenses, including a decision against Juan Francisco Estrada in 2012. In his next fight, Estrada moved up to flyweight and won two alphabet belts against Brian Viloria.
A rematch between Estrada and Gonzalez would make a lot of sense at flyweight, but Gonzalez does not yet have a fight planned.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/7160/gonzalez-vacates-title-to-move-up
Gonzalez, 26, of Nicaragua, is one of boxing’s heaviest hitters pound-for-pound and fought three times in 2013, winning all by knockout. But he did not defend his 108-pound world title in any of the bouts, instead fighting once as a bantamweight and twice as a flyweight in nontitle fights.
A protรฉgรฉ of the late Hall of Famer and countryman Alexis Arguello, Gonzalez won a strawweight world title in 2008 and made three defenses before moving up to junior flyweight, where he won a title and made five defenses, including a decision against Juan Francisco Estrada in 2012. In his next fight, Estrada moved up to flyweight and won two alphabet belts against Brian Viloria.
A rematch between Estrada and Gonzalez would make a lot of sense at flyweight, but Gonzalez does not yet have a fight planned.
http://espn.go.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/7160/gonzalez-vacates-title-to-move-up
Ruslan Provodnikov Likes His Chances Against Manny Pacquiao
His March 2013 fight against Timothy Bradley turned out to be one of the most entertaining fights of the year, with the Russian rocking "Desert Storm" multiple times during their showdown, sending him to the canvas during the 12th round.
Provodnikov (23-2-0, 16 KOs) followed that up with an even more impressive performance against Mike Alvarado, flooring "Mile High" a couple of times during the eight round, forcing his corner to stop the contest after ten rounds, snagging the WBO light-welterweight title.
With the eye-opening performances he had in 2013, Provodnikov is determined to follow up with another dominant performance against a respected opponent. If he has his way, his next opponent will be his training partner, Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs).
Provodnikov feels it's a good matchup for him, and an excellent opportunity to add a big-name opponent to his list of victims. He doesn't seem particularly worried about how a fight would affect his relationship with the Filipino congressman, and he's confident he'll emerge victorious.
"First, there is nothing wrong with this [fight], it's business," Provodnikov explained during a recent interview. "Boxing history has shown us many examples where best friends go out and fight with each other. Although we can't really call ourselves [best friends] with Manny - we were friends, we knew each other and we were always talking when we met."
After getting knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez late 2012, Pacquiao bounced back with an imposing performance against Brandon Rios. It was a relatively good showing for Pacquiao, but he failed to put Rios away, settling for a unanimous decision. Provodnikov wasn't impressed with Manny's performance.
"In that fight [against Brandon Rios], Manny showed that I have a good chance [to win]," he added.
Pacquiao's handlers made a feeble attempt to organize the highly-elusive super-fight against Floyd Mayweather following the win against Rios, but no progress was made. With that out of the picture, Pacquiao's options for his next fight seem to be dwindling down to Bradley or Provodnikov. His trainer, Freddie Roach, prefers the idea of this two top students going at it.
Bradley was awarded with a controversial decision after his 2012 tilt against Pacquiao, and he's racked up wins against Provodnikov and Marquez since then. Given Bradley's wins against Pacquiao and the last man to knock out the Filipino statesman (Marquez), he seems to be the most logical opponent.
However, a matchup against Provodnikov would likely lead to fireworks, and, given his aggressive style and punching power, the "Siberian Rocky" is good enough to pull off the upset.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ruslan-provodnikov-likes-chances-against-manny-pacquiao
Provodnikov (23-2-0, 16 KOs) followed that up with an even more impressive performance against Mike Alvarado, flooring "Mile High" a couple of times during the eight round, forcing his corner to stop the contest after ten rounds, snagging the WBO light-welterweight title.
With the eye-opening performances he had in 2013, Provodnikov is determined to follow up with another dominant performance against a respected opponent. If he has his way, his next opponent will be his training partner, Manny Pacquiao (55-5-2, 38 KOs).
Provodnikov feels it's a good matchup for him, and an excellent opportunity to add a big-name opponent to his list of victims. He doesn't seem particularly worried about how a fight would affect his relationship with the Filipino congressman, and he's confident he'll emerge victorious.
"First, there is nothing wrong with this [fight], it's business," Provodnikov explained during a recent interview. "Boxing history has shown us many examples where best friends go out and fight with each other. Although we can't really call ourselves [best friends] with Manny - we were friends, we knew each other and we were always talking when we met."
After getting knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez late 2012, Pacquiao bounced back with an imposing performance against Brandon Rios. It was a relatively good showing for Pacquiao, but he failed to put Rios away, settling for a unanimous decision. Provodnikov wasn't impressed with Manny's performance.
"In that fight [against Brandon Rios], Manny showed that I have a good chance [to win]," he added.
Pacquiao's handlers made a feeble attempt to organize the highly-elusive super-fight against Floyd Mayweather following the win against Rios, but no progress was made. With that out of the picture, Pacquiao's options for his next fight seem to be dwindling down to Bradley or Provodnikov. His trainer, Freddie Roach, prefers the idea of this two top students going at it.
Bradley was awarded with a controversial decision after his 2012 tilt against Pacquiao, and he's racked up wins against Provodnikov and Marquez since then. Given Bradley's wins against Pacquiao and the last man to knock out the Filipino statesman (Marquez), he seems to be the most logical opponent.
However, a matchup against Provodnikov would likely lead to fireworks, and, given his aggressive style and punching power, the "Siberian Rocky" is good enough to pull off the upset.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ruslan-provodnikov-likes-chances-against-manny-pacquiao
Juan Manuel Marquez ducking top welterweight contenders
Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez has rejected offers to face fellow welterweight fighters Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Alvarado, two of the rated welterweight challengers who are his stablemates at Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions.
Not only did Marquez drop these two top challengers in the division but he also dismissed the idea of having a fifth encounter with long-time foe Manny Pacquiao.
Yet Marquez wants two more fights before retiring for good. He also aims to capture a fifth world title before his grand exit after more than 20 years as a professional boxer.
"Neither Alvarado nor Provodnikov are in my plans. I'm going forward," Marquez earlier told Boxingscene. "They are great fighters, and I'm not putting them down, but I gain nothing by fighting with them. If I beat Provodnikov I win a title that was already mine and Alvarado is not a champion. I have nothing to prove. I want a fifth world title and that's my goal."
"Right now I'm knocking on the door of retirement, but I want to have two more fights," Marquez explained. "But, behind that decision is my family, my team, the people who are with you always. Some people who I consider friends, they tell me to stop boxing, and if I decide to do that at this point - I will retire satisfied," he added.
If Marquez wants another world title in the welterweight division, he needs to face Pacquiao again. That is of course if the Filipino star wins over Timothy Bradley in a possible rematch on April 12.
He has at least two more options which could land him a title in the division and that is to face either Marcos Maidana, who currently owns the WBA title, or the new IBF titleholder and former Pacquiao sparring partner Shawn Porter.
In the case of Maidana, it appears that the rematch option in his last contract has been exercised by Adrien Broner and he would have no other option but to face Broner again in a rematch.
Porter, who recently stopped Devon Alexander to win the IBF welterweight title is likely to face Kell Brook, his mandatory challenger, who is unbeaten in 31 fights.
Seemingly, Marquez would have to wait a while in order to have a crack at another major title that he wants before retiring.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/juan-manuel-marquez
Not only did Marquez drop these two top challengers in the division but he also dismissed the idea of having a fifth encounter with long-time foe Manny Pacquiao.
Yet Marquez wants two more fights before retiring for good. He also aims to capture a fifth world title before his grand exit after more than 20 years as a professional boxer.
"Neither Alvarado nor Provodnikov are in my plans. I'm going forward," Marquez earlier told Boxingscene. "They are great fighters, and I'm not putting them down, but I gain nothing by fighting with them. If I beat Provodnikov I win a title that was already mine and Alvarado is not a champion. I have nothing to prove. I want a fifth world title and that's my goal."
"Right now I'm knocking on the door of retirement, but I want to have two more fights," Marquez explained. "But, behind that decision is my family, my team, the people who are with you always. Some people who I consider friends, they tell me to stop boxing, and if I decide to do that at this point - I will retire satisfied," he added.
If Marquez wants another world title in the welterweight division, he needs to face Pacquiao again. That is of course if the Filipino star wins over Timothy Bradley in a possible rematch on April 12.
He has at least two more options which could land him a title in the division and that is to face either Marcos Maidana, who currently owns the WBA title, or the new IBF titleholder and former Pacquiao sparring partner Shawn Porter.
In the case of Maidana, it appears that the rematch option in his last contract has been exercised by Adrien Broner and he would have no other option but to face Broner again in a rematch.
Porter, who recently stopped Devon Alexander to win the IBF welterweight title is likely to face Kell Brook, his mandatory challenger, who is unbeaten in 31 fights.
Seemingly, Marquez would have to wait a while in order to have a crack at another major title that he wants before retiring.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/juan-manuel-marquez
Why Timothy Bradley should get whatever he asks to fight Manny Pacquiao
In considering opponents for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight, the biggest obstacle to a rematch with Cathedral City’s Timothy Bradley’s asking price. I’m not sure what the number is, but he had turned down a reported $6 million, according to the Pacquiao camp.
When Bradley first fought Pacquiao, it was reported for $5 million, which was the standard purse for Pacquiao’s opponents. And that’s been a generous amount, since Floyd Mayweather reportedly pays his opponents less when they don’t have a pay-per-view market.
Pacquiao lost to Bradley and the decision was controversial because many thought Pacquiao dominated the fight. It caused a huge uproar that’s still written about today, 18 months after the fight. Pacquiao passed on the rematch to fight Juan Manuel Marquez at the end of 2012, where he got knocked out.
So when Pacquiao was considering an opponent in the fall of 2013, they said they offered $6 million that was turned dow. This was after Bradley was coming off his Fight of the Year performance against Ruslan Provodnikov.
All Bradley did in 2013 is solidify his standing among the elite boxers and built a stronger audience. In a year that Showtime analyst Al Bernstein said was the best in the past 25 years, Bradley won the consensus Fight of the Year honors for his win over Provodnikov.
Now this is all preliminary. It’s still early enough in the new year and I’m sure the Pacquiao camp hasn’t decided who they should fight next. But it looks more and more like it will be Bradley. There’s just not a lot of attractive options for Pacquiao. And Bradley has a perfect record, Fight of the Year honors and the WBO belt.
More: http://voices.mydesert.com/2014/01/15/why-timothy-bradley-should-get-10-million
When Bradley first fought Pacquiao, it was reported for $5 million, which was the standard purse for Pacquiao’s opponents. And that’s been a generous amount, since Floyd Mayweather reportedly pays his opponents less when they don’t have a pay-per-view market.
Pacquiao lost to Bradley and the decision was controversial because many thought Pacquiao dominated the fight. It caused a huge uproar that’s still written about today, 18 months after the fight. Pacquiao passed on the rematch to fight Juan Manuel Marquez at the end of 2012, where he got knocked out.
So when Pacquiao was considering an opponent in the fall of 2013, they said they offered $6 million that was turned dow. This was after Bradley was coming off his Fight of the Year performance against Ruslan Provodnikov.
All Bradley did in 2013 is solidify his standing among the elite boxers and built a stronger audience. In a year that Showtime analyst Al Bernstein said was the best in the past 25 years, Bradley won the consensus Fight of the Year honors for his win over Provodnikov.
Now this is all preliminary. It’s still early enough in the new year and I’m sure the Pacquiao camp hasn’t decided who they should fight next. But it looks more and more like it will be Bradley. There’s just not a lot of attractive options for Pacquiao. And Bradley has a perfect record, Fight of the Year honors and the WBO belt.
More: http://voices.mydesert.com/2014/01/15/why-timothy-bradley-should-get-10-million
He May Be Forty-Nine, But Bernard Hopkins Represents The Future
Thursday, January 16, 2014
As of this Wednesday, Bernard Hopkins will be forty-nine years old. The fact that the man remains one of the top boxers in the world is nothing short of amazing. What’s more amazing, however, is the fact that one day, probably in the near future, there will be many others like Hopkins.
Well, not EXACTLY like him. There’s only one Hopkins, after all. Still, we can expect other top boxers to succeed in the ring well into their fifth – and even sixth – decades in the years to come. Detractors may see Hopkins as a relic, but in truth, he’s a pioneer. In short, this aging athlete is the face of the future.
Look about if you don’t believe it. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are both closer to forty than they are to thirty, yet they remain on top of the game. Vitali Klitschko recently stepped away from the ring at the age of forty-two, not because there was anyone out there who could beat him, but because he wanted to enter politics. In other words, he gave up the heavyweight title by choice…and while being on top.
Let’s not forget Sergio Martinez. There’s a guy who didn’t start boxing professionally until he was well over twenty. Martinez not only still rules the middleweight division, he remains one of the most popular figures in the sport. Oh, and the man who may replace Martinez as middleweight king? He’s over thirty. That’s right, folks, Mr. Golovkin, the biggest up and comer in boxing, is no kid himself.
So what’s the reason for this notable slowing down of boxing’s aging process? Well, it partially has to do with the development of the human species. People keep living longer, after all. Therefore, boxers are now excelling well past what would have recently been considered their prime years.
More: http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/may-forty-nine-bernard-hopkins-represents-future/
Well, not EXACTLY like him. There’s only one Hopkins, after all. Still, we can expect other top boxers to succeed in the ring well into their fifth – and even sixth – decades in the years to come. Detractors may see Hopkins as a relic, but in truth, he’s a pioneer. In short, this aging athlete is the face of the future.
Look about if you don’t believe it. Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are both closer to forty than they are to thirty, yet they remain on top of the game. Vitali Klitschko recently stepped away from the ring at the age of forty-two, not because there was anyone out there who could beat him, but because he wanted to enter politics. In other words, he gave up the heavyweight title by choice…and while being on top.
Let’s not forget Sergio Martinez. There’s a guy who didn’t start boxing professionally until he was well over twenty. Martinez not only still rules the middleweight division, he remains one of the most popular figures in the sport. Oh, and the man who may replace Martinez as middleweight king? He’s over thirty. That’s right, folks, Mr. Golovkin, the biggest up and comer in boxing, is no kid himself.
So what’s the reason for this notable slowing down of boxing’s aging process? Well, it partially has to do with the development of the human species. People keep living longer, after all. Therefore, boxers are now excelling well past what would have recently been considered their prime years.
More: http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/may-forty-nine-bernard-hopkins-represents-future/
Manny Pacquiao Unloads, Calls Floyd Mayweather a Coward, Envious
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Eight-division world champ and former pound-for-pound top fighter, Manny Pacquiao, usually has a legion of people speaking for him. From promoter Bob Arum to advisor Michael Koncz to a whole slew of other helpers and spokespeople, there's no shortage of voices at the ready when Manny wants a message delivered.
This past Thursday, however, the Filipino icon opted to deliver his message himself on the subject of arch-nemesis, Floyd Mayweather.
"[Mayweather] is just a coward, insecure and envy my accomplishments," Pacquiao told The Manila Times via DZAR Sunshine Radio. "I don't like to bite his gimmicks and I just want to understand him, although it's too much…But I'm really thankful that he always remember me in some ways."
This uncharacteristically direct attack from Pacquiao comes after several weeks of Mayweather deriding Pacquiao's qualifications for a bout and diminishing his overall accomplishments. According to various published statements, Mayweather, who has referred to Pacquiao as a "desperate dog," seems to feel that the bout should no longer be negotiated on even terms and that Pacquiao, after having suffered two losses and diminishing buy rates on pay-per-view outings, now needs to make some deep, deep concessions before being considered as a possible foe. Among those concessions seems to be that Pacquiao must leave long-time promoter and former Mayweather hype man, Bob Arum.
"All the cards are in my hand," Mayweather recently told Ben Thompson of Fighthype.com. "Pacquiao got pay-per-view number problems. Pacquiao's boss name is Rob Arum. Pacquiao owes $68 million in taxes. Pacquiao's got 5 losses. He still got Timothy Bradley problems and Marquez problems...So this guy's got all these problems and he wants Floyd Mayweather to solve them for him, huh? First he didn't need me; now he needs me."
Pacquiao, on the other hand, holds steadfast in the assertion that he has been pursuing the mega-bout in good faith all along, but that Mayweather and his team keep creating obstacles to kill the possibility of making the fight.
"Top Rank already allowed us to directly negotiate with them [Mayweather] before but they never communicated with us," Pacquiao said. "Mayweather Jr. is saying a lot of negative things against me but he doesn't like to fight.
"We will consider everything but until now, they don't like to fight. At the same time, people are saying the fight between us needs a trilogy, but how can it be possible if he's not going to fight me first."
Read More
This past Thursday, however, the Filipino icon opted to deliver his message himself on the subject of arch-nemesis, Floyd Mayweather.
"[Mayweather] is just a coward, insecure and envy my accomplishments," Pacquiao told The Manila Times via DZAR Sunshine Radio. "I don't like to bite his gimmicks and I just want to understand him, although it's too much…But I'm really thankful that he always remember me in some ways."
This uncharacteristically direct attack from Pacquiao comes after several weeks of Mayweather deriding Pacquiao's qualifications for a bout and diminishing his overall accomplishments. According to various published statements, Mayweather, who has referred to Pacquiao as a "desperate dog," seems to feel that the bout should no longer be negotiated on even terms and that Pacquiao, after having suffered two losses and diminishing buy rates on pay-per-view outings, now needs to make some deep, deep concessions before being considered as a possible foe. Among those concessions seems to be that Pacquiao must leave long-time promoter and former Mayweather hype man, Bob Arum.
"All the cards are in my hand," Mayweather recently told Ben Thompson of Fighthype.com. "Pacquiao got pay-per-view number problems. Pacquiao's boss name is Rob Arum. Pacquiao owes $68 million in taxes. Pacquiao's got 5 losses. He still got Timothy Bradley problems and Marquez problems...So this guy's got all these problems and he wants Floyd Mayweather to solve them for him, huh? First he didn't need me; now he needs me."
Pacquiao, on the other hand, holds steadfast in the assertion that he has been pursuing the mega-bout in good faith all along, but that Mayweather and his team keep creating obstacles to kill the possibility of making the fight.
"Top Rank already allowed us to directly negotiate with them [Mayweather] before but they never communicated with us," Pacquiao said. "Mayweather Jr. is saying a lot of negative things against me but he doesn't like to fight.
"We will consider everything but until now, they don't like to fight. At the same time, people are saying the fight between us needs a trilogy, but how can it be possible if he's not going to fight me first."
Read More
Erik Morales returns vs. Jorge Paez Jr.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Erik Morales will end a 17-month ring absence against Jorge Paez Jr. in a welterweight bout on March 22 at Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, according to Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions.
Morales (52-9, 36 knockouts), a 37-year-old former four-division titleholder who has lost three of his past four fights, was last in the ring in October of 2012 for a fourth-round knockout loss to RING junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia.
Paez (37-4-1, 22 KOs), the 26-year-old son of the popular former featherweight beltholder, has won 10 straight fights, five of them by stoppage, since losing split decision to Jose Lopez in May of 2001.
Morales-Paez will be contested at a contracted weight of 144 pounds.
Morales had blamed his first loss to Garcia, a unanimous decision in March of 2012, during which he was dropped in the 11th round, on gall bladder surgery that he endured in December of 2011.
As a result of the surgery, Morales had withdrawn from his originally scheduled match up with Garcia that was slated for January of 2012 and came in overweight for their return bout at 142 pounds.
Prior to the loss to Garcia Morales became Mexico’s first fighter to win four belts over as many different weight classes with last September’s 10th-round TKO over the previously unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano.
Morales' glorious career has been highlighted by his winning one of three bouts in separate trilogies with eight-division title-winner Manny Pacquiao and three-division title-winner Marco Antonio Barrera.
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311747-erik-morales-returns-vs-jorge-paez-jr
Morales (52-9, 36 knockouts), a 37-year-old former four-division titleholder who has lost three of his past four fights, was last in the ring in October of 2012 for a fourth-round knockout loss to RING junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia.
Paez (37-4-1, 22 KOs), the 26-year-old son of the popular former featherweight beltholder, has won 10 straight fights, five of them by stoppage, since losing split decision to Jose Lopez in May of 2001.
Morales-Paez will be contested at a contracted weight of 144 pounds.
Morales had blamed his first loss to Garcia, a unanimous decision in March of 2012, during which he was dropped in the 11th round, on gall bladder surgery that he endured in December of 2011.
As a result of the surgery, Morales had withdrawn from his originally scheduled match up with Garcia that was slated for January of 2012 and came in overweight for their return bout at 142 pounds.
Prior to the loss to Garcia Morales became Mexico’s first fighter to win four belts over as many different weight classes with last September’s 10th-round TKO over the previously unbeaten Pablo Cesar Cano.
Morales' glorious career has been highlighted by his winning one of three bouts in separate trilogies with eight-division title-winner Manny Pacquiao and three-division title-winner Marco Antonio Barrera.
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311747-erik-morales-returns-vs-jorge-paez-jr
Sergio Martinez vs. Miguel Cotto: Say It To My ******* Face
During a recent Knicks game at Madison Square Garden, something gave me a slight adrenaline rush for a split second. I saw what looked to be a high octane portrait of the cast from one of my favorite action movie series at courtside [click here to see this].
Then I realized I wasn't looking at Vin Diesel- or the same picture at all.
Not long removed from a domestic disturbance call made to authorities by his wife, Miguel Cotto didn't look too comfortable sitting next to the wild actress Michelle Rodriguez from “Fast and Furious” fame. But Cotto really isn't a man engineered for nonsense, drama, or too much talking from a distance.
Especially bitching from Sergio Martinez.
On the attack and feeling some kind of way because of contentious negotiations, the on-the-mend WBC middleweight champ had a few choice words for the ballsy Puerto Rican product.
"He should never forget that I'm the champion. He has a lot of demands but I'm the champion. I'll say it, I don't think that he'll last five rounds. I would like to fight Cotto, but he is showing signs that he doesn't want to (fight), by asking for complicated conditions and he does not respect boxing history. I'm ready to knock Cotto out in five or six rounds and I know I will. He can not resist me. Disrespecting me is a very unfortunate thing. He should not forget that I'm the champion," Martinez said, in an interview with notifight.com
Now- I don't know about you, but he has a lot of nerve making those remarks. Let’s remove how crass and obnoxious they are, and point out a few facts.
For starters, Cotto doesn't really need Martinez. This is a fight that Martinez has been lobbying for- and for obvious reasons. It is a big fight with an opponent who has name recognition and star power.
More: http://www.examiner.com/article/sergio-martinez
Then I realized I wasn't looking at Vin Diesel- or the same picture at all.
Not long removed from a domestic disturbance call made to authorities by his wife, Miguel Cotto didn't look too comfortable sitting next to the wild actress Michelle Rodriguez from “Fast and Furious” fame. But Cotto really isn't a man engineered for nonsense, drama, or too much talking from a distance.
Especially bitching from Sergio Martinez.
On the attack and feeling some kind of way because of contentious negotiations, the on-the-mend WBC middleweight champ had a few choice words for the ballsy Puerto Rican product.
"He should never forget that I'm the champion. He has a lot of demands but I'm the champion. I'll say it, I don't think that he'll last five rounds. I would like to fight Cotto, but he is showing signs that he doesn't want to (fight), by asking for complicated conditions and he does not respect boxing history. I'm ready to knock Cotto out in five or six rounds and I know I will. He can not resist me. Disrespecting me is a very unfortunate thing. He should not forget that I'm the champion," Martinez said, in an interview with notifight.com
Now- I don't know about you, but he has a lot of nerve making those remarks. Let’s remove how crass and obnoxious they are, and point out a few facts.
For starters, Cotto doesn't really need Martinez. This is a fight that Martinez has been lobbying for- and for obvious reasons. It is a big fight with an opponent who has name recognition and star power.
More: http://www.examiner.com/article/sergio-martinez
Juan Manuel Marquez: The title seeker
In October, Marquez dropped a close split decision to WBO Welterweight Champion Tim Bradley, failing in his quest to a win a fifth world title.
But as the old adage says: If you don't succeed at first, try try again.
If Manny Pacquiao opts to face Bradley in April, the current WBO welterweight champion will not be available anytime soon. And if Bradley loses his title to Manny, Team Marquez will be forced to evaluate other options.
Newly-crowned WBO Jr Welterweight Champion Ruslan Provodnikov is one fighter who'll be happy to accommodate Marquez. However, the Mexican has no interest in fighting the Russian who owns a title at 140 lbs but not 147.
"My career is all about challenges. Right now the challenge [for my career] is to get a fifth title. And if can not get a [fight for] the title under the World Boxing Organization (WBO), there are others," Marquez told BoxingScene.
"I have to see the possibilities and if the opportunity opens - why not go get it. There is the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA), and the World Boxing Council (WBC)," said Marquez.
Also, title nor no title, Marquez is hellbent on not giving Pacquiao a rematch.
Read more at http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4008-Juan-Manuel-Marquez
But as the old adage says: If you don't succeed at first, try try again.
If Manny Pacquiao opts to face Bradley in April, the current WBO welterweight champion will not be available anytime soon. And if Bradley loses his title to Manny, Team Marquez will be forced to evaluate other options.
Newly-crowned WBO Jr Welterweight Champion Ruslan Provodnikov is one fighter who'll be happy to accommodate Marquez. However, the Mexican has no interest in fighting the Russian who owns a title at 140 lbs but not 147.
"My career is all about challenges. Right now the challenge [for my career] is to get a fifth title. And if can not get a [fight for] the title under the World Boxing Organization (WBO), there are others," Marquez told BoxingScene.
"I have to see the possibilities and if the opportunity opens - why not go get it. There is the International Boxing Federation (IBF), World Boxing Association (WBA), and the World Boxing Council (WBC)," said Marquez.
Also, title nor no title, Marquez is hellbent on not giving Pacquiao a rematch.
Read more at http://www.fightsaga.com/news/item/4008-Juan-Manuel-Marquez
Alfredo Angulo ‘dangerous’ to Canelo Alvarez
Alfredo Angulo asserts that he will be the biggest, strongest and hardest-punching fighter that former junior middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez will have faced when the Mexican rivals meet on March 8 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, site of Alvarez's first career loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September.
Angulo (22-3, 18 knockouts), a well-traveled 31-year-old veteran, scored two knockdowns during his exciting 10th-round stoppage loss to Erislandy Lara last June.
Other than left-hander Austin Trout, whom Alvarez dropped in the seventh-round of a unanimous decision victory in April, Alvarez had been criticized for largely taking on undersized competition such as Josesito Lopez and Alfonso Gomez, and for facing past-their-prime or over-the-hill fighters such as former welterweight beltholders Shane Mosley, Carlos Baldomir, and Kermit Cintron. Alvarez knocked out Lopez, Gomez, Baldomir and Cintron, and unanimously decisioned Mosley.
"I don't like to say who is and who isn't a real fighter," said Angulo, whose career has been mostly contested as a junior middleweight, unlike Mayweather, also THE RING 147-pound champion.
"But I know that both in size and in weight and power, that I'm a real 154-pounder, and I believe that I'm the first one in this weight class with that combination of experiences to be facing Canelo."
Lara (19-1-2, 12 KOs) had also lobbied for a shot at the 23-year-old Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) after vanquishing Trout, whom he floored in the 11th round of a unanimous decision in December.
"Let’s get into the ring…I’m the best fighter at 154 pounds, and I’m going to continue to show that to the world," said Lara, 30, during an interview with RingTV.com after his triumph over Alvarez.
"I hope that it happens, 100 percent…I hope that they work on it. But the reality is that if Canelo doesn’t fight me, then Canelo is scared. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. If Canelo doesn’t step up to the plate like he did against Austin Trout, then he’s a joke, plain and simple. He’s a joke."
Angulo isn't sure whether Alvarez or Lara is the better fighter.
"Lara is an amazing fighter with a great record and he's a great technical fighter who comes from that Cuban style, which is very difficult," said Angulo.
"Lara has a lot of good fights under his belt. But Canelo has also proven to be a great fighter, and he's also very dangerous. I think that any fighter in the ring is a dangerous opponent."
More: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311597
Angulo (22-3, 18 knockouts), a well-traveled 31-year-old veteran, scored two knockdowns during his exciting 10th-round stoppage loss to Erislandy Lara last June.
Other than left-hander Austin Trout, whom Alvarez dropped in the seventh-round of a unanimous decision victory in April, Alvarez had been criticized for largely taking on undersized competition such as Josesito Lopez and Alfonso Gomez, and for facing past-their-prime or over-the-hill fighters such as former welterweight beltholders Shane Mosley, Carlos Baldomir, and Kermit Cintron. Alvarez knocked out Lopez, Gomez, Baldomir and Cintron, and unanimously decisioned Mosley.
"I don't like to say who is and who isn't a real fighter," said Angulo, whose career has been mostly contested as a junior middleweight, unlike Mayweather, also THE RING 147-pound champion.
"But I know that both in size and in weight and power, that I'm a real 154-pounder, and I believe that I'm the first one in this weight class with that combination of experiences to be facing Canelo."
Lara (19-1-2, 12 KOs) had also lobbied for a shot at the 23-year-old Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs) after vanquishing Trout, whom he floored in the 11th round of a unanimous decision in December.
"Let’s get into the ring…I’m the best fighter at 154 pounds, and I’m going to continue to show that to the world," said Lara, 30, during an interview with RingTV.com after his triumph over Alvarez.
"I hope that it happens, 100 percent…I hope that they work on it. But the reality is that if Canelo doesn’t fight me, then Canelo is scared. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. If Canelo doesn’t step up to the plate like he did against Austin Trout, then he’s a joke, plain and simple. He’s a joke."
Angulo isn't sure whether Alvarez or Lara is the better fighter.
"Lara is an amazing fighter with a great record and he's a great technical fighter who comes from that Cuban style, which is very difficult," said Angulo.
"Lara has a lot of good fights under his belt. But Canelo has also proven to be a great fighter, and he's also very dangerous. I think that any fighter in the ring is a dangerous opponent."
More: http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311597
Trainer: Adrien Broner must start early vs. Marcos Maidana
Now that Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer said that Adrien “The Problem” Broner has exercised his rematch option for a return bout with Marcos Maidana, Broner's trainer, Mike Stafford, insists he knows what the Cincinnati-based fighter has to do to regain his WBA welterweight title.
Maidana (35-3, 31 knockouts ) floored Broner (27-1, 22 KOs) once each in the second and eighth rounds of a brutally physical unanimous decision victory on Dec. 14 on Showtime at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Broner could face Maidana as early as April 19 or April 26 at either the Alamodome or the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., which was a sellout for Maidana's sixth-round stoppage of Josesito Lopez in June of last year.
When they meet for the second time, Stafford said that Broner must not only dictate the pace earlier in the fight, but also sustain his offensive attack against Maidana, a 30-year-old whose relentless pressure, accurate punching and brawling and mauling style proved to be too much for his 24-year-old adversary.
Maidana landed 120 more overall punches (269-to-149) than Broner (27-1, 22 KOs), connected on 109 more power shots (231-to-122), and 11 more jabs (38-to-27). Maidana also punished Broner downstairs, where the Argentine connected on 101 body blows, according to statistics provided by Showtime statisticians.
"You know, Adrien, we're going to do it, this time," said Stafford of Broner, who lost 115-110, 116-109 and 117-109 on the cards of Judges Stanley Christodoulou, Nelson Vazquez and Levi Martinez, respectively.
"This time, Adrien can do it if he does early like he did in the later rounds. If Adrien starts out in the fight like he did in the later rounds, then he wins the fight. He can't have the second and eighth rounds. The second and the eighth rounds killed him."
Within a week of the fight's completion, Stafford said, "We knew that he was going to be strong for six or seven rounds, but we had him out a few times," adding, "Adrien just didn't pull the trigger. Definitely in the 11th round. I thought that maybe we could have had him out in the 12th."
Stafford also lamented another moment in the eighth, during which Maidana was penalized for what referee Laurence Cole called a fllagrant and deliberate intention to hurt somebody outside of the rules of boxing.
"He got elbowed and there were different things…It wasn't no bad night, it was a bad first round…I had to settle him down because he had never been in that territory before," said Stafford. "He had never gotten hit like that, and when he did get hit like that, it was like, 'I want to retaliate and make it a street fight'…He's good, and he'll be back."
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311531-broner-7
Maidana (35-3, 31 knockouts ) floored Broner (27-1, 22 KOs) once each in the second and eighth rounds of a brutally physical unanimous decision victory on Dec. 14 on Showtime at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.
Broner could face Maidana as early as April 19 or April 26 at either the Alamodome or the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., which was a sellout for Maidana's sixth-round stoppage of Josesito Lopez in June of last year.
When they meet for the second time, Stafford said that Broner must not only dictate the pace earlier in the fight, but also sustain his offensive attack against Maidana, a 30-year-old whose relentless pressure, accurate punching and brawling and mauling style proved to be too much for his 24-year-old adversary.
Maidana landed 120 more overall punches (269-to-149) than Broner (27-1, 22 KOs), connected on 109 more power shots (231-to-122), and 11 more jabs (38-to-27). Maidana also punished Broner downstairs, where the Argentine connected on 101 body blows, according to statistics provided by Showtime statisticians.
"You know, Adrien, we're going to do it, this time," said Stafford of Broner, who lost 115-110, 116-109 and 117-109 on the cards of Judges Stanley Christodoulou, Nelson Vazquez and Levi Martinez, respectively.
"This time, Adrien can do it if he does early like he did in the later rounds. If Adrien starts out in the fight like he did in the later rounds, then he wins the fight. He can't have the second and eighth rounds. The second and the eighth rounds killed him."
Within a week of the fight's completion, Stafford said, "We knew that he was going to be strong for six or seven rounds, but we had him out a few times," adding, "Adrien just didn't pull the trigger. Definitely in the 11th round. I thought that maybe we could have had him out in the 12th."
Stafford also lamented another moment in the eighth, during which Maidana was penalized for what referee Laurence Cole called a fllagrant and deliberate intention to hurt somebody outside of the rules of boxing.
"He got elbowed and there were different things…It wasn't no bad night, it was a bad first round…I had to settle him down because he had never been in that territory before," said Stafford. "He had never gotten hit like that, and when he did get hit like that, it was like, 'I want to retaliate and make it a street fight'…He's good, and he'll be back."
http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/311531-broner-7
MUHAMMAD ALI, THE ORIGINAL TRASH TALKER
Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the number one boxer pound-for-pound in the world today is the number one trash talker in boxing, too. In the age of social media he also used the internet through his Twitter and Instagram to taunt his prospective opponents especially Manny Pacquiao. But when there were no world wide webs and when radio, TV and newspapers were the only means of correspondence, the most popular trash talker in the prize fighting business was Muhammad Ali.
Ali revolutionized the sport through arduous attraction and influence of his personality. He entertained his audience with outrageous and oftentimes ridiculous ranting at his opponents. During those times, most of the managers would do the talking for their fighters. But Ali would grab the spotlight of every interview and press conference to the extent of being vocal even on issues not related to boxing.
Calling himself the "Greatest," Ali regularly taunted his opponent with sarcasm before and even during the bout itself. He would amuse his fans with pre-fight dramatics all made to promote interest in the fight. But most often it is too degrading to his foes and aimed at affecting him psychologically to lose focus on the bout.
He called Joe Frazier "too dumb to be champion." He threatened to whip Sonny Liston "like his Daddy did." He called Ernie Terrell as "Uncle Tom" and Floyd Patterson a "rabbit." Ali was a master of insult and indignity, and when he fought Liston, he reversed his underdog tag when the champion was disturbed by his anger. Still Cassius Clay at that time, he called Liston as "the big ugly bear." "Liston even smells like a bear," Clay said. "After I beat him I'm going to donate him to the zoo."
Referring to Ali's unique but successful strategy, one sportswriter commented that "the most brilliant fight strategy in boxing history was devised by a teenager who had graduated 376 in a class of 391."
In the lead-up to the "Thrilla in Manila" and on each of their other two previous encounters, Frazier received several verbal insults from Ali but he was able to withstood them. Ali called Frazier "The Gorilla" and he always chanted it in a rhyme "It will be a Killa and a Thrilla and a Chilla when I get The Gorilla in Manila." He did this as he punched a gorilla doll who he symbolized as Frazier.
Read More: http://philboxing.com/news/story-90990.html
Ali revolutionized the sport through arduous attraction and influence of his personality. He entertained his audience with outrageous and oftentimes ridiculous ranting at his opponents. During those times, most of the managers would do the talking for their fighters. But Ali would grab the spotlight of every interview and press conference to the extent of being vocal even on issues not related to boxing.
Calling himself the "Greatest," Ali regularly taunted his opponent with sarcasm before and even during the bout itself. He would amuse his fans with pre-fight dramatics all made to promote interest in the fight. But most often it is too degrading to his foes and aimed at affecting him psychologically to lose focus on the bout.
He called Joe Frazier "too dumb to be champion." He threatened to whip Sonny Liston "like his Daddy did." He called Ernie Terrell as "Uncle Tom" and Floyd Patterson a "rabbit." Ali was a master of insult and indignity, and when he fought Liston, he reversed his underdog tag when the champion was disturbed by his anger. Still Cassius Clay at that time, he called Liston as "the big ugly bear." "Liston even smells like a bear," Clay said. "After I beat him I'm going to donate him to the zoo."
Referring to Ali's unique but successful strategy, one sportswriter commented that "the most brilliant fight strategy in boxing history was devised by a teenager who had graduated 376 in a class of 391."
In the lead-up to the "Thrilla in Manila" and on each of their other two previous encounters, Frazier received several verbal insults from Ali but he was able to withstood them. Ali called Frazier "The Gorilla" and he always chanted it in a rhyme "It will be a Killa and a Thrilla and a Chilla when I get The Gorilla in Manila." He did this as he punched a gorilla doll who he symbolized as Frazier.
Read More: http://philboxing.com/news/story-90990.html
Op-Ed: Floyd Mayweather's litany of excuses keeps Pacquiao exasperated
For over three years, pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather had made a litany of excuses in order to avoid facing Manny Pacquiao in the ring for fear that he may suffer his first loss in his professional boxing career.
That is what many of Pacquiao's fans are saying after spending close to four years waiting for Mayweather to accept Pacquiao's invitation to fight.
Over the weekend, Pacquiao confirmed his fans' observation that indeed Mayweather is scared to face him in the ring.
Pacquiao was reacting to Mayweather's statement calling him a "desperate dog" in the wake of unconfirmed reports that he has agreed to face Pacquiao in September this year.
Aside from having likened Pacquiao to a desperate dog, Mayweather thinks Pacquiao wants to fight him for the big bucks that he needs to pay off his BIR and IRS dues.
In a recent interview on Fytehype, Mayweather belittled Pacquiao's win over Brandon Rios, saying he is a "blown up lightweight" that would not be hard to beat, though he said he like Rios because he's got a heart.
“So this guy's got all these problems and he wants Floyd Mayweather to solve them for him, huh?” said Mayweather, having dismissed rumors of a September date with Pacquiao as “a lie.”
“He's got 68 million problems and he wants me to solve them. First he didn't need me; now he needs me. He's willing to do anything now after his career done took a major setback.”
Then he went on to blame Pacquiao for the lost opportunity to fight when he offered him $40 million but refused because he wanted 50-50, thinking that he was on "the same level with me."
Read more
That is what many of Pacquiao's fans are saying after spending close to four years waiting for Mayweather to accept Pacquiao's invitation to fight.
Over the weekend, Pacquiao confirmed his fans' observation that indeed Mayweather is scared to face him in the ring.
Pacquiao was reacting to Mayweather's statement calling him a "desperate dog" in the wake of unconfirmed reports that he has agreed to face Pacquiao in September this year.
Aside from having likened Pacquiao to a desperate dog, Mayweather thinks Pacquiao wants to fight him for the big bucks that he needs to pay off his BIR and IRS dues.
In a recent interview on Fytehype, Mayweather belittled Pacquiao's win over Brandon Rios, saying he is a "blown up lightweight" that would not be hard to beat, though he said he like Rios because he's got a heart.
“So this guy's got all these problems and he wants Floyd Mayweather to solve them for him, huh?” said Mayweather, having dismissed rumors of a September date with Pacquiao as “a lie.”
“He's got 68 million problems and he wants me to solve them. First he didn't need me; now he needs me. He's willing to do anything now after his career done took a major setback.”
Then he went on to blame Pacquiao for the lost opportunity to fight when he offered him $40 million but refused because he wanted 50-50, thinking that he was on "the same level with me."
Read more
Roy Jones Jr. looks at Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan as two of the few fighters who can trouble Floyd Mayweather
Saturday, January 11, 2014
While up in Big Bear, Calif. recently, I was able to have many conversations with the great Roy Jones Jr., who was in camp assisting his friend Jean Pascal ahead of his HBO showdown with Lucian Bute two weekends from now.
When the topic of Floyd Mayweather came up, Jones instantly paid his respect to the Grand Rapids native as the best in the game today.
“In boxing today he’s the best,” Jones said without hesitation. “He’s the best marketing-wise. The best skill-wise right now. He’s just the best out there right now. And none of these guys are really equipped with enough tools to really give him problems.”
Jones did mention Mayweather’s rival Manny Pacquiao as perhaps one man who could possibly test him but is keen enough to sense that such a match likely won’t occur anytime soon.
“Expect maybe Pacquiao and that fight aint really happening,” Jones stated. “One or two other guys who could make it interesting.”
If Mayweather does end up facing off with British star Amir Khan this coming May as has been suspected, Jones doesn’t see it being as easy of a fight as many as expecting.
“It’s a good match for him,” Jones explained. “People don’t think so, but people don’t know that Amir Khan, when he’s a boxer, he’s a very good fighter. Amir Khan the slugger is no good, because his chin is a little bit suspect. But as a boxer, Amir Khan can give anybody problems.”
“And if he gets his old self back together and boxes, it will be an interesting fight because he’s tall enough, rangy enough to make it hard for Floyd to get to him,” Jones added. “Floyd is a better boxer of course, and probably a better puncher, but this kid has a big heart and this kid will make it interesting if he comes in with the right training method and comes in and tries to win.”
More: http://hustleboss.com/roy-jones-jr
When the topic of Floyd Mayweather came up, Jones instantly paid his respect to the Grand Rapids native as the best in the game today.
“In boxing today he’s the best,” Jones said without hesitation. “He’s the best marketing-wise. The best skill-wise right now. He’s just the best out there right now. And none of these guys are really equipped with enough tools to really give him problems.”
Jones did mention Mayweather’s rival Manny Pacquiao as perhaps one man who could possibly test him but is keen enough to sense that such a match likely won’t occur anytime soon.
“Expect maybe Pacquiao and that fight aint really happening,” Jones stated. “One or two other guys who could make it interesting.”
If Mayweather does end up facing off with British star Amir Khan this coming May as has been suspected, Jones doesn’t see it being as easy of a fight as many as expecting.
“It’s a good match for him,” Jones explained. “People don’t think so, but people don’t know that Amir Khan, when he’s a boxer, he’s a very good fighter. Amir Khan the slugger is no good, because his chin is a little bit suspect. But as a boxer, Amir Khan can give anybody problems.”
“And if he gets his old self back together and boxes, it will be an interesting fight because he’s tall enough, rangy enough to make it hard for Floyd to get to him,” Jones added. “Floyd is a better boxer of course, and probably a better puncher, but this kid has a big heart and this kid will make it interesting if he comes in with the right training method and comes in and tries to win.”
More: http://hustleboss.com/roy-jones-jr
Provodnikov REALLY Wants To Fight Marquez
The Siberian Rocky is in LA, plotting out his near future. Ruslan Provodnikov really wants to tangle with Juan Manuel Marquez, and it is glaringly apparent, in speaking to his manager Vadim Kornilov, that he'd rather meet the Mexican for less money than fight Manny Pacquiao for two or three or five times more.
"Ruslan went to the Wild Card to see trainer Freddie Roach last night," Kornilov told me. "Tonight (Thursday) we're meeting promoter Artie Pelullo. We're stuck on the Marquez fight."
I asked if more money from a Pacman fight wouldn't be more attractive if, say, a guy wants to hit that lotto jackpot, and give his family financial security in one fell swoop. "His priority is not money, and mine isn't either," Kornilov said. "My fiduciary responsibility is do what Ruslan wants."
And what the 29-year-old boxer, who was an ESPN Friday Night Fights standout before leaping up in stature with a stellar showing against Tim Bradley (on March 16, 2013) and a win over Mike Alvarado in his last outing, on Oct. 19, desires is not a bout with Pacquiao. They became pretty tight, with mutual respect overflowing, from sparring sessions, and Kornilov said that it is important to Team Provodnikov (23-2 with 16 KOs) that all elements of the machine stick together. That wouldn't be the case if Roach, who trains Manny, were to choose the Congressman, and be in his corner, not Ruslan's, on a Manny-Ruslan fightnight.
"We think a fight with Marquez is a great fight, a candidate for Fight of the Year," he continued. "We think a Pacquiao fight is great too. But we're not running after the biggest payday."
Kornilov, who grew up in Siberia 17 years ago, and now lives in LA, said they should know no later than the end of next week if Marquez wants to play this brand of ball, or they need to consider a Plan B or C.
Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17835-provodnikov-really-wants-to-fight-marquez
"Ruslan went to the Wild Card to see trainer Freddie Roach last night," Kornilov told me. "Tonight (Thursday) we're meeting promoter Artie Pelullo. We're stuck on the Marquez fight."
I asked if more money from a Pacman fight wouldn't be more attractive if, say, a guy wants to hit that lotto jackpot, and give his family financial security in one fell swoop. "His priority is not money, and mine isn't either," Kornilov said. "My fiduciary responsibility is do what Ruslan wants."
And what the 29-year-old boxer, who was an ESPN Friday Night Fights standout before leaping up in stature with a stellar showing against Tim Bradley (on March 16, 2013) and a win over Mike Alvarado in his last outing, on Oct. 19, desires is not a bout with Pacquiao. They became pretty tight, with mutual respect overflowing, from sparring sessions, and Kornilov said that it is important to Team Provodnikov (23-2 with 16 KOs) that all elements of the machine stick together. That wouldn't be the case if Roach, who trains Manny, were to choose the Congressman, and be in his corner, not Ruslan's, on a Manny-Ruslan fightnight.
"We think a fight with Marquez is a great fight, a candidate for Fight of the Year," he continued. "We think a Pacquiao fight is great too. But we're not running after the biggest payday."
Kornilov, who grew up in Siberia 17 years ago, and now lives in LA, said they should know no later than the end of next week if Marquez wants to play this brand of ball, or they need to consider a Plan B or C.
Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/17835-provodnikov-really-wants-to-fight-marquez
What Skip Bayless, Stephen A. Smith say about Pacquiao vs.Bradley
TV Hosts Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless of the popular ESPN sports show "First Take" were visibly bothered by the controversial decision of judges favoring Bradley over Pacquiao during their fight in June 2012 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This particular segment of "First Take" is relevant in the wake of speculations that the contract for a rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley has been finalized.
"I have never been more shocked and in this case saddened by the outcome of the event," Co-host Skip Bayless said during the show.
According to Bayless, he had it 11-1 by the rounds in favor of Pacquiao and 119-109 on his scorecard.
Bayless also said that Bradley talked to his promoter Bob Arum during the break saying: "Bob, I gave it may all, I just couldn't beat the guy." Bayless then wondered whether the fight was a set-up because a rematch had been set up with a date right after the fight though Arum qualified later that a rematch was not set in stone.
Bayless ventured further saying that the judges must have been irked by Pacquiao's delayed entry because he left the dressing area to watch his favorite NBA team Boston Celtics live on TV. He said he could not think of any valid reason for the one-sided scoring.
The scoring controversy led to a decision by the sanctioning body to constitute five seasoned judges to review the video of the fight. After the review, all judges declared Pacquiao the winner.
Unofficial scorecards by members of media covering the fight showed that 53 of the 56 sportswriters who voted, favored Pacquiao over Bradley by a wide margin.
Despite the controversy, Bradley said he deserved the win but offered Pacquiao an immediate rematch.
Read more
This particular segment of "First Take" is relevant in the wake of speculations that the contract for a rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley has been finalized.
"I have never been more shocked and in this case saddened by the outcome of the event," Co-host Skip Bayless said during the show.
According to Bayless, he had it 11-1 by the rounds in favor of Pacquiao and 119-109 on his scorecard.
Bayless also said that Bradley talked to his promoter Bob Arum during the break saying: "Bob, I gave it may all, I just couldn't beat the guy." Bayless then wondered whether the fight was a set-up because a rematch had been set up with a date right after the fight though Arum qualified later that a rematch was not set in stone.
Bayless ventured further saying that the judges must have been irked by Pacquiao's delayed entry because he left the dressing area to watch his favorite NBA team Boston Celtics live on TV. He said he could not think of any valid reason for the one-sided scoring.
The scoring controversy led to a decision by the sanctioning body to constitute five seasoned judges to review the video of the fight. After the review, all judges declared Pacquiao the winner.
Unofficial scorecards by members of media covering the fight showed that 53 of the 56 sportswriters who voted, favored Pacquiao over Bradley by a wide margin.
Despite the controversy, Bradley said he deserved the win but offered Pacquiao an immediate rematch.
Read more
Alvarez, Angulo set March 8 bout
Former junior middleweight titleholder Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, whose decision loss to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. in September set the all-time pay-per-view revenue record, is ready to return to the ring.
Alvarez will face brawler and Mexican countryman Alfredo "Perro" Angulo on March 8 in the main event of a Showtime PPV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Thursday, minutes after Angulo signed his contract. Alvarez had already signed for the fight, Schaefer said.
"The fight is done. Signed, sealed and delivered," Schaefer said. "Both guys are excited and ready to put on a show. These are two Mexican warriors and two of the most exciting fighters in the sport and it will be a toe-to-toe battle. That is what we are calling the card, 'Toe to Toe.'"
Alvarez and Golden Boy had already announced March 8 as one of the three dates that Alvarez intends to fight on this year -- the others are July 26 and Nov. 22 -- but they locked in Angulo as the opponent over the other candidates, junior middleweight titlist Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KOs) and interim titlist Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12 KOs), who scored a knockout win against Angulo last summer.
There had been heavy discussion in recent days that Angulo would get the fight, mainly because Alvarez told Mexican media members that Angulo was his preferred opponent of the three, but the deal was not finalized until Thursday.
The 23-year-old Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs), Mexico's most popular active fighter, lost a majority decision -- although most viewed the fight as one-sided -- to Mayweather at the MGM Grand on Sept. 14 in the richest fight in boxing history.
Because of Alvarez's popularity with Hispanic fans, he was hugely responsible for the event's success. It sold 2.2 million pay-per-view subscriptions, second-most all time, but raked in an all-time record $150 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue. Among other records the fight set was for the biggest live gate in boxing history, $20,003,150, from the sold-out crowd of 16,146.
That's why, despite the one-sided defeat, Schaefer has no qualms about putting Alvarez back on pay-per-view as a headliner. With the 31-year-old Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs) as the opponent, fans figure to get an action-packed fight.
"Canelo is a huge star, so going on pay-per-view was not an issue," Schaefer said. "You see it when he goes somewhere in Los Angeles or Mexico. He has that charisma where people are drawn to him. I saw that in San Antonio in December when he came to the (Marcos Maidana-Adrien Broner card). The ovation he got was crazy. People embrace him. The fans go nuts, the females love him. You win some and you lose some. He had his first loss against Mayweather, the best fighter in the world, and there is no shame in that.
"But just because you lose to Floyd doesn't mean you lose. He's been exposed to so many people because of it, and that increased exposure is a good thing for Canelo and his career."
Angulo has been in several slugfests, although he lost his last fight, getting stopped in the 10th round by Lara in an interim title fight on June 8 in Carson, Calif. Angulo knocked Lara down twice, in the fourth and ninth rounds, but suffered serious damage to the orbital bone by his left eye and quit because of the injury during the 10th round of the brutal fight.
Read More: http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/10271073/
Alvarez will face brawler and Mexican countryman Alfredo "Perro" Angulo on March 8 in the main event of a Showtime PPV card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com on Thursday, minutes after Angulo signed his contract. Alvarez had already signed for the fight, Schaefer said.
"The fight is done. Signed, sealed and delivered," Schaefer said. "Both guys are excited and ready to put on a show. These are two Mexican warriors and two of the most exciting fighters in the sport and it will be a toe-to-toe battle. That is what we are calling the card, 'Toe to Toe.'"
Alvarez and Golden Boy had already announced March 8 as one of the three dates that Alvarez intends to fight on this year -- the others are July 26 and Nov. 22 -- but they locked in Angulo as the opponent over the other candidates, junior middleweight titlist Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6 KOs) and interim titlist Erislandy Lara (19-1-2, 12 KOs), who scored a knockout win against Angulo last summer.
There had been heavy discussion in recent days that Angulo would get the fight, mainly because Alvarez told Mexican media members that Angulo was his preferred opponent of the three, but the deal was not finalized until Thursday.
The 23-year-old Alvarez (42-1-1, 30 KOs), Mexico's most popular active fighter, lost a majority decision -- although most viewed the fight as one-sided -- to Mayweather at the MGM Grand on Sept. 14 in the richest fight in boxing history.
Because of Alvarez's popularity with Hispanic fans, he was hugely responsible for the event's success. It sold 2.2 million pay-per-view subscriptions, second-most all time, but raked in an all-time record $150 million in domestic pay-per-view revenue. Among other records the fight set was for the biggest live gate in boxing history, $20,003,150, from the sold-out crowd of 16,146.
That's why, despite the one-sided defeat, Schaefer has no qualms about putting Alvarez back on pay-per-view as a headliner. With the 31-year-old Angulo (22-3, 18 KOs) as the opponent, fans figure to get an action-packed fight.
"Canelo is a huge star, so going on pay-per-view was not an issue," Schaefer said. "You see it when he goes somewhere in Los Angeles or Mexico. He has that charisma where people are drawn to him. I saw that in San Antonio in December when he came to the (Marcos Maidana-Adrien Broner card). The ovation he got was crazy. People embrace him. The fans go nuts, the females love him. You win some and you lose some. He had his first loss against Mayweather, the best fighter in the world, and there is no shame in that.
"But just because you lose to Floyd doesn't mean you lose. He's been exposed to so many people because of it, and that increased exposure is a good thing for Canelo and his career."
Angulo has been in several slugfests, although he lost his last fight, getting stopped in the 10th round by Lara in an interim title fight on June 8 in Carson, Calif. Angulo knocked Lara down twice, in the fourth and ninth rounds, but suffered serious damage to the orbital bone by his left eye and quit because of the injury during the 10th round of the brutal fight.
Read More: http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/10271073/
2013 Trainer of the Year: Freddie Roach
For Freddie Roach, 2012 was rather disastrous for his training career. His good friend and star pupil Manny Pacquiao was controversially upset by Timothy Bradley in a lackluster performance, and then was later frighteningly put to sleep by Juan Manuel Marquez. Also in 2012, Roach was unable to motivate the talented young diva, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., to train properly for the biggest challenge of his career versus Sergio Martinez. There were also whispers from some in the boxing media that his deliberating physical condition was worsening, and perhaps hindering his effectiveness as a trainer. Professionally, 2012 was a mess of a lost year for Freddie Roach.
Turn the calendar to 2013, and things drastically improved. Due to his success in reinvigorating the careers of Ruslan Provodnikov, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach is the 3morerounds 2013 Trainer of the Year. The year was quite a surprising success.
When Provodnikov got the opportunity to challenge Timothy Bradley in March of last year, it first seemed like easy pickings for Bradley. The Siberian was an “action fighter” and ESPN Friday Night Fights staple—mostly at junior welterweight I should add–but his seemingly limited skill-set made for an uninspiring choice of an opponent for Bradley’s welterweight belt. Little did we know how much effective work Roach was doing with Ruslan at the Wild Card gym. They worked on technique and brought out even more of the monster within the monster.
Ruslan Provodnikov gave Timothy Bradley a savage beating, and survived enough dangerous spots of his own that Roach considered stopping the fight on a couple different occasions. Most media outlets chose this as the fight of the year and round 12, when Ruslan went for broke and nearly knocked Bradley out, was the 3morerounds Round of the Year. Nobody expected this type of performance from Provodnikov and Roach deserves a lot of the credit for that. Similarly, though Pacquiao related commitments kept him away on fight night, Roach deserves credit for the work in the gym later in the fall that allowed Provodnikov to devilishly dine on heart and soul in beating what was left of Mike Alvarado and taking a share of the 140 pound title.
As we have written before in great detail, it was quite a surprise when Miguel Cotto fired Pedro Diaz and asked Freddie Roach to train him for the rest of his career. On October 5, 2012, in Orlando, Florida, we saw the fruits of their labor together against Delvin Rodriquez. As he predicted, Freddie Roach was able to bring back the latent aggression in Miguel Cotto, including a re-commitment to the body attack. The result was a devastating 3rd round TKO. It was an awesome performance.
More: http://3morerounds.com/blogs/2013-trainer-of-the-year-freddie-roach/
Turn the calendar to 2013, and things drastically improved. Due to his success in reinvigorating the careers of Ruslan Provodnikov, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach is the 3morerounds 2013 Trainer of the Year. The year was quite a surprising success.
When Provodnikov got the opportunity to challenge Timothy Bradley in March of last year, it first seemed like easy pickings for Bradley. The Siberian was an “action fighter” and ESPN Friday Night Fights staple—mostly at junior welterweight I should add–but his seemingly limited skill-set made for an uninspiring choice of an opponent for Bradley’s welterweight belt. Little did we know how much effective work Roach was doing with Ruslan at the Wild Card gym. They worked on technique and brought out even more of the monster within the monster.
Ruslan Provodnikov gave Timothy Bradley a savage beating, and survived enough dangerous spots of his own that Roach considered stopping the fight on a couple different occasions. Most media outlets chose this as the fight of the year and round 12, when Ruslan went for broke and nearly knocked Bradley out, was the 3morerounds Round of the Year. Nobody expected this type of performance from Provodnikov and Roach deserves a lot of the credit for that. Similarly, though Pacquiao related commitments kept him away on fight night, Roach deserves credit for the work in the gym later in the fall that allowed Provodnikov to devilishly dine on heart and soul in beating what was left of Mike Alvarado and taking a share of the 140 pound title.
As we have written before in great detail, it was quite a surprise when Miguel Cotto fired Pedro Diaz and asked Freddie Roach to train him for the rest of his career. On October 5, 2012, in Orlando, Florida, we saw the fruits of their labor together against Delvin Rodriquez. As he predicted, Freddie Roach was able to bring back the latent aggression in Miguel Cotto, including a re-commitment to the body attack. The result was a devastating 3rd round TKO. It was an awesome performance.
More: http://3morerounds.com/blogs/2013-trainer-of-the-year-freddie-roach/
Op-Ed: Mayweather continues to attack Pacquiao for wrong reasons
Friday, January 10, 2014
Pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather has started to hype his upcoming fight scheduled for May 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, possibly against British fighter Amir Khan, by continuously attacking Manny Pacquiao for the wrong reasons.
But late last year Mayweather advised Pacquiao to trash his promoter Bob Arum so that the fight that every boxing fan wants to see can be made.
Pacquiao has a live contract with Top Rank Promotions which will expire at the end of 2014.
Mayweather, who was once promoted by Arum's Top Rank Promotions said he will never do business with Arum again. Obviously Mayweather knows that Pacquiao isn't getting a fair share of his partnership with Arum.
Of all the things that Mayweather wants Pacquiao to do before he signs a fight contract with the Filipino star, his latest call for Pacquiao to leave Top Rank and become a free agent, is by far the most sensible condition he has put forward.
For over three years, Mayweather has been demanding and setting up conditions for him to face Pacquiao in the ring. These include, the random blood and urine testing to be done all the way up to the day of the fight, the sharing of the fight purse, venue of the fight, among others.
To critics and observers, these demands are nothing else but a camouflage or an excuse by Mayweather to evade Pacquiao because of the danger of actually losing to the Filipino fighter, who is known for his power and speed.
Others say Mayweather has no intention of facing Pacquiao in the ring and would be happy retiring with his unblemished record. For marketing purposes, Mayweather believes that being undefeated in his professional career makes his fights even more salable to the public.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/op-ed-mayweather
But late last year Mayweather advised Pacquiao to trash his promoter Bob Arum so that the fight that every boxing fan wants to see can be made.
Pacquiao has a live contract with Top Rank Promotions which will expire at the end of 2014.
Mayweather, who was once promoted by Arum's Top Rank Promotions said he will never do business with Arum again. Obviously Mayweather knows that Pacquiao isn't getting a fair share of his partnership with Arum.
Of all the things that Mayweather wants Pacquiao to do before he signs a fight contract with the Filipino star, his latest call for Pacquiao to leave Top Rank and become a free agent, is by far the most sensible condition he has put forward.
For over three years, Mayweather has been demanding and setting up conditions for him to face Pacquiao in the ring. These include, the random blood and urine testing to be done all the way up to the day of the fight, the sharing of the fight purse, venue of the fight, among others.
To critics and observers, these demands are nothing else but a camouflage or an excuse by Mayweather to evade Pacquiao because of the danger of actually losing to the Filipino fighter, who is known for his power and speed.
Others say Mayweather has no intention of facing Pacquiao in the ring and would be happy retiring with his unblemished record. For marketing purposes, Mayweather believes that being undefeated in his professional career makes his fights even more salable to the public.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/sports/op-ed-mayweather
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