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Watch Nonito Donaire vs Omar Narvaez Live Online Free

2011-10-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

A Donaire left hook from hell flattened pound-for-pound entrant Fernando Montiel last Feb. 19, elevating the profile of the "Filipino Flash" from talented world champion to emerging superstar. Boxing fans salivated over potential mouth-watering matchups against the likes of Abner Mares, Joseph Agbeko and Yuriorkis Gamboa. Donaire attempts to do that when he defends his WBC and WBO bantamweight titles against undefeated Argentine Omar Narvaez at Madison Square Garden in New York (8:30 p.m. today, HBO).

Watch Julio Cesar Miranda vs. Brian Viloria Full Replay Free

2011-07-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

Manila, Philippines - For challenger Brian Viloria, losing to WBO flyweight champion Julio Cesar Miranda of Mexico will likely mean the end of his boxing career. “It’s a must-win fight for Brian,” said Gomez in a phone interview from Honolulu yesterday. The way I see it, if Miranda wins, it’s over for Brian.”

Gomez’ assessment has upped the stakes for Viloria. Gomez has been in Viloria’s corner since he turned pro in 2001. As a cutman, he worked five fights with Manny Pacquiao, including the knockout win over Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF superbantamweight crown. For the Miranda bout, Gomez will be joined in Viloria’s corner by trainer Mario Morales and WBA female superfeatherweight titleholder Kina (Dinamita) Malpartida of Peru.

Fighting in Honolulu where Viloria was born has its good and bad points, said Gomez. Brian is very focused on winning. Gomez said Viloria is well-prepared for battle. “Brian’s a true trouper. Gomez said Viloria is on weight and right on target. As for his sparmates, Gomez said Viloria worked out with Alex (Hands of Steel) Solorio, Japanese switch-hitter Takashi Okada and superbantamweight Raymond Chacon. Viloria logged about 150 rounds of sparring.

“Okada fights just like Miranda who likes to switch-hit. Gomez said the atmosphere in Honolulu is festive. “Everywhere Brian goes, he’s mobbed by fans wishing him well,” he said. The fans are really supportive of Brian. It’s been a while since Honolulu hosted a world title fight so this is something special particularly as Brian is involved.”

Last February, Miranda disposed of Filipino challenger Arden Diale in four rounds. Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria moves up to conquer the Flyweight division against WBO Champion Julio Cesar Miranda July 16 at the Blaisdell Arena.

06.17.2011– ISLAND ASSAULT 2: BRIAN VILORIA V. JULIO CESAR MIRANDA - SATURDAY, JULY 16, 7PM BLAISDELL ARENA

Two-time World Champion Brian Viloria (28-3-0, 16 KOs) returns to his native Hawaii for the toughest fight of his illustrious career against World Boxing Organization (WBO) Flyweight Champion Julio Cesar Miranda (32-5-1, 28 KOs) of Mexico.

The July 16 duel will be Miranda's third defense of his title after a five-fight winning streak. Viloria is on an upswing as well after winning two straight fights, one by knockout. Now the Filipino-American is ready for a title shot amidst the support of his home state and Filipino community.

"We've supported Brian Viloria through thick and thin and we are excited that he will get his chance to win another world title for himself and for the country," said Peter Chanliong, CEO of Solar Entertainment Corporation. "We've always believed that Brian is capable of winning another world title."

Watch Marco Huck vs Hugo Garay Free Online Stream

2011-07-15T16:11:00.000-07:00

It is now officially confirmed that current WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck (32-1, 23 KOs) of Bielefeld, Germany, will defend his title against former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Garay (34-5, 18 KOs) of Tigre, Argentina. The bout will take place on July 16th in Germany. Huck’s last bout took place on April 2 in Germany, where he scored a unanimous decision over Ran Nakash.

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco “Captain” Huck (32-1, 23 KOs) has promised his fans another exciting victory on July 16 when he faces Argentinian ex-champion Hugo Hernan Garay (34-5, 18 KOs) at Munich´s Olympic Park. I have been working out in Berlin with my coach Ulli Wegner. My fans love my explosive style and my punching power. Q: It will be a special weekend in Munich, with the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) racing in the Olympic Park. MH: “Absolutely. I love cars and I am a huge DTM fan. It will indeed be a great, great weekend for sports fans in Munich. Q: The fight against Garay will already be your seventh title defence in less than two years. MH: “I just love to be in the ring. Q: In the co-featured main event, Eduard Gutknecht will make a first defence of his European Light Heavyweight Title. MH: “Eddy is a great guy. Huck would not comment on Garay´s harsh words. With the support of my fans, I will make another exciting title defence. The belt remains in Germany! I will get married as world champion on July 30.”

Garay´s public work-out session was a short one which only featured some light shadow boxing. Marco needs to stick to our game plan.

Watch Ricky Burns vs Nicky Cook Free Online Stream

2011-07-15T08:55:00.000-07:00

Scotland's Ricky Burns will make the third defence his WBO Super-Featherweight world title against former belt holder Nicky Cook at Liverpool's Echo Arena on July 16.

Burns 28, won the WBO belt in September 2010 beating Purto Rican Roman Martinez on points. Martinez had taken the title off Cook the previous year when he stopped the Essex man in the fourth round.

Cook 31, a former British, European and Commonwealth champion at featherweight, returned to the ring after a two year layoff on Saturday night, shaking off some ring rust with a six round points win over Youssef Al Hamidi at the O2 Arena. But questions will be raised as to whether Cook should have taken another couple of fights in preparation before taking on Burns?

"I'm still hurting from that night," Cook told SkySports.

"The only way to heal the pain is to beat Ricky Burns. Burns has done well as champion, but believe me, I'm going in their all guns blazing to win back my old belt.

"There's always something special in the air when England and Scotland clash, and this fight will be no different," said Burns.

"Nicky wants his title back, but even if he produces the performance of a lifetime, he won't beat me."

WBO SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE: ECHO ARENA, LIVERPOOL, SATURDAY JULY 16, 2011, 2210 BST

Ricky Burns may seem to be Britain's forgotten world champion but the unassuming Scot has his chance to shine as he makes his first defence south of the border against former world champion Nicky Cook.

Cook held the WBO title before Roman Martinez, whom Burns defeated to become champion, relinquished him of the crown in 2009.

WBO super-featherweight champion Ricky Burns could be fighting for the last time at 130lbs tomorrow night, according to trainer and mentor Billy Nelson.

The 28 year-old makes the third defence of his title at the Echo Arena in Liverpool this Saturday against former champion Nicky Cook and Nelson says the Coatbridge fighter will seek a unification bout next if victorious.

The IBF has stripped Fana of his title because he refused to make a mandatory defence but that should just make that fight easier to make.

Burns took the title from the number one fighter in the division at the time, Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez and is yet to be tested since claiming the title in September 2010.

Watch Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye Full Replay Free

2011-07-02T23:48:00.000-07:00

For quite some time, the heavyweight division has failed to give fight fans a reason to tune in. After years and years of limited action it appears the time has come, as this Saturday night two of the sports biggest stars collide when Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49KO's) takes on former cruiserweight David Haye (25-1, 23KO's). As we prepare for this epic showdown, we'll take a look at "Keys to Victory", four critical game-changing elements to explore, as well as an official prediction:

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO - KEYS TO VICTORY

For Wladimir, the fight will basically come down to two things contained within one word: Nerves. Several marquee fighters throughout the history of the sport have suffered from (for lack of better words) performance anxiety; able to execute well under certain conditions, yet anxious and awkward as the stakes grow higher. In the case of Wladimir, this once highly pronounced flaw from the early days has seemed to be cured in recent times, yet none of us have seen him on a stage this grand at any point in his career.

How Wladimir handles the bright lights and the kind of pressure known to burst pipes in this career defining moment will be key and ultimately dictate his level of success. A relaxed Wladimir is as good as it gets, and considering the fact that his opponent is a bit out of his league in this colossal affair as well, the ability to calmly and patiently execute will come at a high premium. The other element to weigh heavy in the final outcome can also come down to that word "nerves". Only in this case, perhaps "nerves" of a different variety....closer to what the Latinos would call 'juevos', or more simply put, 'cajones'.

Not only will Wladimir need to calmly execute against the fast and powerful David Haye, but the operative question here is does he have "nerve" (or 'cajones') to stand in the pocket and risk the potential onslaught from a man who's ability may rival his? Will he be willing to stand in the pocket and face the fire, or will he melt out of sheer fear of being burned? This question could be more grand than the initial, because a scared Wladimir will no doubt result in a defeated Wladimir. Strategically, Haye has marginal footwork and questionable stamina. If Wladimir has the "nerves" to stand in the pocket, keep Haye on the end of a stiff jab, and execute calmly, it'll be an easy night for him. Maybe even easier than we've seen in recent times.

DAVID HAYE - KEYS TO VICTORY

For David Haye, the plan of attack is not so simple. Haye has faced a few giants in his brief and somewhat unfulfilled tenure at Heavyweight, but none with the total package, equipped with a level of athleticism this rare in a big man. For David Haye, it will be very important to start out fast and strong, using good head movement and solid footing, as one flush shot in the wrong position could land put him on his back quicker than he knows. Haye will have to prevent Wladimir from gaining confidence early. A confidence bearing Wladimir is the equivalent Jekyll and Hyde, as he literally becomes a beast.

One other major concern for Haye will be stamina. Past fights that involved heavy action has left him breathing quite hard on his stool. Limited stamina in front of Wladimir would make him a dead man walking. If Haye can start fast, land crisp to the body early and often and set the tone, his chances of winning this fight increase by the round, as questions also surround Wladimir's ability to fight at a face pace over the distance as well.

FOUR TO EXPLORE

3's THE CHARM: When you analyze video of these two men, one common thread is the often used one-two combination. For Haye it's more of a quick flurry, for Wladimir, it's often one and done, as the second shot to land flush typically seals the deal on the heals of the first. When it isn't enough, Wladimir is known to do a 'wrap up hug', preventing return fire from the opponent. Although both men have had great success with the one-two, conventional wisdom tells me that the one who's limited defense keeps him frozen long enough to allow a third shot to land will undoubtedly be the one looking at the ceiling for a full 10 count. Keep an eye out for the trio-combo, as neither man is expected to survive it.

Lights, Camera....Action?: David Haye has become more of a talker than any of us ever knew he was, and similar to Wladimir Klitschko, even the great Mike Tyson recently went on record to say that David Haye "talked himself into this fight". Just the other day, veteran Floyd Mayweather jr. told the young Victor Ortiz in so many words that "there's more people at the press conference than he's used to having at his actual fights. So all the talking is good, but question is will he be able to perform on a par to support those words with 17000+ screaming to the top of their lungs when the lights turn on"? Operative question: When the lights come on and the camera starts to roll, is David Haye truly capable of performing to the level of his mouth which has yet to stop? It'll be interesting to find out.

Start of the End?: There's much to be said about the state of the heavyweight division, but one thing few are talking about is "what happens if Haye loses"? A Haye victory sets up a sequel, as Vitali awaits. But if Haye loses, is the party over, because we know that Vitali won't be facing brother Wladimir. More and more in the sport we see dead-end issues like this tilt the scorecards. Could such a tilt be in the works here? NOT A CHANCE. As Lennox Lewis stated, "Haye's only chance to win is a KO". That being said, Where does the momentum of the division go if he loses? Stay tuned.

Thunder or Lightening?: Legend has it that "speed kills", while "power thrills". In the case of these two potential "legends-in-waiting", it'll be intriguing to see which of the two is more prominent in the outcome. Wladimir has decent speed and exceptional power. Haye has exceptional power and better than average speed (for a heavy). The lone X-factor here is the fact that Wladimir's speed and power are both proven on this level; while Haye has shown speed at the heavyweight level, yet his power has only been able to net him a few TKO's, all stemming more from accumulation than immediate disintegration. In the end, will Haye's "Lightening" be enough to withstand the wrath of Wladimir's ominous and deceptively fast "Thunder"?

OFFICIAL PREDICTION

For one of these men, tonight's fight will culminate into the proverbial watershed moment that every fighter in the sport hopes for. For Wladimir, it's a chance to help himself solidify a legacy that has a defined body of work, but no true exclamation mark to punctuate the journey. For Haye, it's a chance to prove that confidence breeds cockiness, and belief in self can propel even the most questionable to new heights.

I believe that both men will put forth a solid effort and the fans will get their monies worth. In the end, despite the speed and power of Haye, as well as the bravado, better judgement tells us that history is our best indicator of who exactly will have their hand held high in the end. This year has been the year of the upset and aside from the sports co-P4P king Manny Pacquiao, no man has been spared. Unfortunately for David Haye, he is no Pacquiao, and it's highly conceivable that he won't be spared like the incredible fighting Filipino. The stiff jab, reach, and athleticism of Wladimir will be too much over the distance.....unless Haye has it in his to conquer this mountain and shock the world. But don't bet your money on it. The jury is back, the votes are in.........the final verdict.........

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VIA STOPPAGE: RD9

Watch Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale Live Online Free Replay

2010-12-04T13:43:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale free live Replay

The Ultimate Fighter:Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale, also referred to as TUF 12 Finale will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States this December 4, 2010 9pm. Don't miss to watch TUF 12 Finale live

Watch TUF 12 Finale Fight Card
* Light Heavyweight bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac
* Lightweight bout: Leonard Garcia v Tyler Toner
* Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Kendall Grove
* Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Rick Story

Watch The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale Live Online Free

2010-12-03T06:38:00.000-08:00

The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale

The Ultimate Fighter:Team GSP vs Team Koscheck Finale, also referred to as TUF 12 Finale will take place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States this December 4, 2010 9pm. Don't miss to watch TUF 12 Finale live.

Event: Watch TUF 12 Finale Live – Bonnar vs. Pokrajac – Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck
Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010
Venue: The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: Live on Spike TV at 9:00 p.m. E.T.

Watch TUF 12 Finale Fight Card
* Light Heavyweight bout: Stephan Bonnar vs. Igor Pokrajac
* Lightweight bout: Leonard Garcia v Tyler Toner
* Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Kendall Grove
* Welterweight bout: Johny Hendricks vs. Rick Story

Watch Andre Ward vs Andre Dirrell Live Online Free

2010-11-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

Andre Ward vs Andre Dirrell boxing online live
source: eastsideboxing

NEW YORK (Sept. 24, 2010)–The Group Stage 3 matchups in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, the unprecedented boxing tournament from SHOWTIME Sports® featuring the world’s best super middleweights, have been rescheduled for Nov. 27, it was announced today by Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager for sports programming on the network. The matchup between breakout American stars and friends, Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell, will headline the SHOWTIME® telecast on Saturday, Nov. 27, live at 9p.m. ET/PT. Ward vs. Dirrell, one of the most talked about matchups of the year, will be contested for Ward’s WBA championship and the newly vacated WBC belt, adding yet another dramatic layer to an already captivating fight..

Ward has already locked up his Semifinal berth, but will be protecting his title and undefeated professional record. Dirrell, conversely, needs a win to guarantee his place in the Semis. Dirrell conceivably could get in with two points but he would need help from fellow tournament competitors.

On the same night, Saturday, Nov. 27 from Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland, Arthur Abraham will meet former WBC titlist Carl Froch for their pivotal Group Stage 3 fight. Promoters Kalle Sauerland and Mick Hennessy are working with the Hartwell Areena to finalize details for the event. This bout, matching arguably the two toughest and most aggressive punchers in the Super Six, has been rescheduled from Oct. 2 due to a back injury to Froch.

Allan Green, whose Group Stage 3 bout with Mikkel Kessler was waylaid when Kessler withdrew from competition with an eye injury, has left the perennial contender without an opponent. A decision on Green’s Group Stage 3 bout is expected in the coming days.

The third and final Group Stage will complete the round-robin portion of the tournament and determine the four fighters who will advance to the single-elimination Semifinals. Through the first two Stages, the WBA world champion Ward is the only fighter to have secured a berth in the Semis. No fighter has been eliminated from contention creating a virtual win-or-go-home scenario for each of the men.

Hershman said, “We have asked these fighters to challenge themselves against the best fighters in the world; not in one mega-fight, but in a consecutive series of career defining fights. Injuries and delays are inevitable. However, each one of them has accepted the challenge and brought a level of intensity to the ring that, in my estimation, is unmatched in all of sports.”

“We are still on pace to complete the tournament in 2011, at which time we will have delivered to boxing fans around the world a number of the most compelling and meaningful matches in the sport.

“So, the drama continues with all the fighters still alive heading to Group Stage 3. I couldn’t have scripted this any better.”

Watch Arthur Abraham vs Carl Froch Live Online Free

2010-11-25T01:33:00.000-08:00

Arthur Abraham vs Carl Froch free online live
source: eastsideboxing

LONDON (Sept. 27, 2010)– SHOWTIME Sports, Hennessy Sports and Team Sauerland are delighted to announce that Helsinki will host the decisive Super Six World Boxing Classic Group Stage 3 clash between Carl “The Cobra” Froch and King Arthur Abraham. On November 27, the two superstars will lock horns at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, which seats 14,000 people and is known for its passionate Finnish sports fans..

The fight was originally scheduled for Monaco but Froch was forced to pull out two weeks ago when he informed Showtime that a back injury would force him to sit out training for four weeks. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille in Monaco, the event has been moved to Finland.

Watch Juan Manuel Marquez vs Michael Katsidis Live Online Free

2010-11-23T18:28:00.000-08:00

Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Michael Katsidis free online live
by Robert Brown

On the 27 of November 2010 Juan Manuel Marquez will defend his WBO 135 pound title against Michael ‘The Great’ Katsidis, at the M.G.M Grand in Las Vegas . This match stands to be a stern challenge for the aging legend Marquez, despite his many failed attempts to get a rubber match with pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao. This match defines boxing in its purist form with a master boxer versus a raging slugger. If all the ingredients together come this should provide a spectacle to satisfy the most battle hardened boxing fans.

This fight represents fighters at two different stages of their careers, one looking to cement what will be a Hall of Fame career, the other looking to put a multiple time champion in multiple divisions away and send him possibly into retirement. Either way this will be a career defining match for both fighters..

It is time to take a closer look at the challenger to the Marquez title, Michael Katsidis. His best weapon is without doubt the devastating right hand but does posses power in both.He is a pure pressure fighter who will cut off the ring and back his opponent against the ropes to launch devastating power, that disposed of up and coming undefeated prospect Kevin Mitchell in three rounds leaving British fans in a state of shock.

His defense is suspect however, evidence of this is when the previously undefeated and former WBO champion went after the then 36 year old Joel Cassamayor's WBC belt, ripe for the picking it would seem considering people at the time thought he was nowhere near the best lightweight in the division and possibly on a major decline. Katsidis rushed forward and got caught twice early, but then fought back during the middle rounds before he got caught again and lost the fight. Katsidis is vulnerable to uppercuts. This was also as was demonstrated in the Diaz fight where he got hit with several inside exchanges during the fight.

Marquez has got one of the best uppercuts in the sports and can deliver it on the inside and at a distance. This is the most dangerous punch to watch out for in regards to Katsidis. If he is able to cut the ring off and get Marquez in the corner, which he has to do to win the fight as he will not outbox him, and if he lands the right shots Katsidis can win. That is the question because Marquez has magnificent ring intelligence and boxing ability, so it will be a tough task.

Let’s take a look at Juan Manuel Marquez.

For so long this great Mexican warrior lived in the shadows of his more dynamic and exciting counterparts Eric ‘El Terrible’ Morales and Marco ‘The Baby Faced Assassin Barrera’, particularly because of the unbelievably exciting and memorable wars those to fighters had. With those two fading away into the mist, although Morales has recently made a successful comeback to the ring, Marquez after his to great showdowns with Pacman and gallant challenge against Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is finally getting the respect he is due amongst general and casual boxing fans as a great champion.

Die hard boxing fans have always known about Marquez and respect his great talents in the ring but it has taken a lot of years of hard toil and frustration on his part to gain it. Marquez has brilliant counter punching abilities and great accuracy combined with exquisite boxing skills and timing and it has been shown that Katsidis is vulnerable to counter shots. He was hit with counter rights at certain stages that wobbled him in that fight and Diaz hit him with several counter uppercuts on the inside in his win over Katsidis. Marquez however has showed signs of slowing down and whether he will be able to keep up with the young hungry contenders pressure is a big question for Marquez at this stage of his career, the type of pressure that was applied against Mitchell Amrosi and Earl in particular.

KEYS TO VICTORY

Marquez would be well advised to use his skill to outbox Katsidis and keep the fight in the center of the ring as much as possible keep the fight out of the domain of his younger opponent because Katsidis does not have the tools to cope with the boxing skill of his seasoned opponent.

Katsidis key to victory is to fight in a phone booth apply constant pressure and try and land that powerful right concentrating on that 39 year old body, keeping his head tucked into the chest of Marques avoiding counter punches and uppercuts from Marquez.

Watch Paul Williams vs Sergio Martinez II Live Online Free

2010-11-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

Paul Williams vs Sergio Martinez II live online
by: eastsideboxing

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - (September 28, 2010) - 3-Time World Champion Paul Williams (39-1, 27 KO) and reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 KO) shared their thoughts on their scheduled fight that is to take place on Saturday, November 20, at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

As the main event of the evening, Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez will defend his title against Paul "The Punisher" Williams in a rematch of their December 5, 2009 slugfest which had both fighters knocked down in round one and Williams winning by majority decision after twelve back-and-forth rounds..

Goossen Tutor Promotions and DiBella Entertainment in association with Caesars Atlantic City and Corona are presenting this evening of boxing Martinez vs. Williams II will be broadcast on HBO's World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:00 PM ET/7:00 PM PT.

Watch Danny Green vs BJ Flores Live Online Free

2010-11-16T18:41:00.000-08:00

Danny Green vs BJ Flores
by: Eugene Carnachan

Tonight BJ Flores 24 (KO 15) + lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 1 and Danny Green 30 (KO 27) + lost 3 (KO 0) go head to head at Challenge Stadium, Mt Claremont, Western Australia. Greens home patch.

The fight is for Greens IBO Cruiserweight belt.

Greens last two outings have been the blowout of faded legend Roy Jones Junior and the farcical outing against and even more faded and cerebrally challenged Paul Briggs.

Flores as an opponent was enlisted to provide stern opposition to a fighter, Green, whose once impervious domestic reputation is somewhat dented and in need of panel beating given the nature of his last two fights..

Flores hasn’t fought since August of 2009; a win over Argentinean Epifanio Mendoza.

However Flores hasn’t been inactive in the last fourteen months and has spent time as a sparring partner with David Haye and one time light heavyweight king Chad Dawson.

Flores has also served time as the principle sparring partner with the likes of Hasim Rahman, Sergei Liakhovich and Ruslan Chagaev.

Comparatively, compared to Green, Flores has far more experience in dealing with big fighters. Flores 2003 professional debut was at heavyweight. Fighting sixteen times as a heavyweight before seeing riper career pickings in the cruiserweight division given the size of modern heavies; particularly those from Eastern Europe.

Green debuted as a middleweight. Flores will not be intimidated by Green.

Missing from Flores resume is a big name. Flores has fought a lot of mid-range to lower tier opposition; fighters primarily of this level. Green far outstrips Flores in the level of opposition faced.

In 2003 Green was the interim WBC super middleweight champion after stopping Canadian Eric Lucas. In 2007 Green beat Stipe Drews winning from Drews his WBA World light heavyweight title. Greens only losses have come against champions in Marcus Beyer (twice) and fellow Australian Anthony Mundine.

Flores understands Greens record reads far superior to his. He wants Green to be the fighter and name that takes his career into the upper echelons of the sport.

In Green, Flores will be fighting a renowned slugger. That said there is method to Greens aggression and while he looks to pressure fight he too has very good base skills. He will need them.

Flores is a big cruiserweight. He struggles to make the two hundred pound (200 lb) limit. Green on the other hand has fought his last two fights, Jones and Briggs, at one hundred and eighty five pounds (185 lb).

It is expected his weight will be the same for this fight. Flores post weigh in, hydrated and eating properly, could enter the ring at around 210-215 pounds. Giving him a weight advantage of around twenty pounds.

In Sundays bout between Pacman and Margarito the latter had a similar weight advantage. Pacman was able to negate the weight disparity with speed. Green will not be able to employ the same type of speed Pacman did (but who can) and he instead will look to smother and outwork Flores.

Flores will look to make use of his weight advantage. He will try to bully the smaller Green. The approach of both men will see a lot of leather traded.

Greens chin has stood the test of time. Flores hasn’t been in the dog fights Green has and so the question of how sturdy his whiskers are is yet to be determined.

Given Greens volume punching style that very question will be answered and the answer could be the significant determinant in the outcome of the fight. If Greens power cannot keep Flores at bay the weight advantage and power of the much bigger man may prove a difficult proposition for Green to handle.

Flores covets recognition as one of the premiere fighters in the sport.

Flores is known as a very astute self-promoter. Very media savvy and articulate Flores can be seen as a commentator on ESPNs Friday Night Fights. It’s now time for Flores to convert the self-promotion and ring side astuteness into in the results he covets.

Many think this fight will be a one sided cake walk for Green. Can Flores win this fight? If he can walk through Greens power I think so. I think the size advantage is to big a bridge for Green to cross.

Watch Pacquiao vs. Margarito Live Online Free

2010-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:00

Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao is set to fight Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito for the vacant super-welterweight title on November 13, 2010 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

It will be an action-filled fight come November 13 as Pacquiao and Margarito will give the audience their money’s worth. This will be the first fight of Manny Pacquiao since winning a congressional slate in the Province of Sarangani in the Philippines, and it is perhaps the first time that an elected official will be fighting in a high-profile boxing match. Antonio Margarito on the other hand, will also be fighting again since losing the world boxing title to Sugar Shane Mosley.

American trainer Freddie Roach reiterated his prediction of a Manny Pacquiao knockout win over Mexican Antonio Margarito during the second leg of the media tour for the November 13 fight.Roach said that his ward “will be the winner by knockout” at Chelsea Piers in New York City.“It’s a bold statement, but his skills are gonna be too much for Margarito,” the acclaimed trainer said as quoted by Michael Woods of TheSweetScience.com.

Margarito’s trainer, Robert Garcia, earlier proclaimed that they will score an upset over the 7-division world champion.

Watch Shane Mosley vs Sergio Mora Live Online

2010-09-17T06:34:00.000-07:00

Shane Mosley vs Sergio Mora live online

LOS ANGELES, August 3 – The Mexican Independence Day Bicentennial celebration will be a big boxing weekend as Golden Boy Promotions presents “200: CELEBRATE AND DOMINATE” featuring Five-Time and Three-Division World Champion Sugar Shane Mosley against former World Champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora in a junior middleweight showdown. Also appearing on the card will be rising Mexican phenom Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who squares off against former World Champion Carlos “Tata” Baldomir, and top junior welterweight contender “Vicious” Victor Ortiz who will face former World Champion “Vicious” Vivian Harris, all part of a great night of fistic action on Saturday, September 18 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles which will be televised live on pay-per-view..

Watch Cotto vs Foreman Boxing Fight Livestream Free

2010-06-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Cotto vs Foreman free online stream

Two formidable opponents with intriguing backstories square off in a junior middleweight title clash when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: YURI FOREMAN VS. MIGUEL COTTO AND VANES MARTIROSYAN VS. JOE GREENE is presented live SATURDAY, JUNE 5 (10:15 p.m. ET/7:15 p.m. PT) from the new Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, exclusively on HBO. The broadcast team of Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Roy Jones Jr. will be ringside for all the action, presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino. Roy Jones Jr., who worked as an analyst on the Boxing After Dark series from 1996 to 2005, will be pinch-hitting for Emanuel Steward on the telecast. Steward, who serves as Cotto’s trainer, will resume his HBO broadcast duties in July. Other HBO playdates: June 6 (8:30 a.m.) and 7 (12:45 a.m.)- HBO2 playdates: June 6 (4:30 p.m.) and 8 (11:00 p.m.)

Watch Sylvester vs Karmazin Full Boxing Fight Free Stream

2010-05-31T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sylvester vs Karmazin free live streaming

IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester (33-3, 16 KOs) will face mandatory challenger Roman Karmazin (40-3, 26 KOs) in Neubrandenburg on June 5. It will be the Hurricane´s fifth fight in the East German city, having won all four previous bouts at the Jahnsportforum. “I am thrilled to be back,” Sylvester said. “The support of my loyal and euphoric home fans will help me to win this tough mandatory defence. They can certainly make the difference in a fight – once things get rough, everybody will see what I mean by that..”

Watch Angel Hernandez vs Peter Manfredo Boxing Fight Free Livestream

2010-05-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

Angel Hernandez vs Peter Manfredo Full Boxing Fight Free

PAWTUCKET, RI (May 10, 2010) Middleweight contender Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo Jr. has heard it all from Chicago’s Angel “Toro” Hernandez in the press leading up to their vacant IBO Middleweight Title showdown on Saturday, May 22nd at the Mohegan Sun Casino in and it doesn’t faze him.

“I’m glad that he’s excited and coming here to win. I expect nothing less. It’s a great fight for the fans and I knew when I agreed to fight Angel that it would be a war. Truthfully, I can’t wait until May 22nd because he’s going to get the best Peter Manfredo Jr. there is” said Manfredo. “There’s a lot at stake for each of us in a title bout like this. He can say what he wants about me back in Chicago, but when we touch gloves before the fight all that stuff goes out the window. I’m glad he’s confident, but I’m putting in all the work ahead of the fight and I’m more than ready for Toro.”

The 29 year old Manfredo Jr. is wrapping up camp this week with his father Peter Manfredo Sr. in Pawtucket as he prepares to once again fight in front of his legion of fans at the Mohegan Sun Casino in nearby Uncasville, CT..

Watch Chagaev vs Meehan Full Boxing Fight Free LIvestream Online

2010-05-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

Chagaev vs Meehan

Kali Meehan’s promoter Don King sent over the following video message to Ruslan Chagaev: „Meehan will knock out Chagaev! He is not prepared for the Aussie. He will come, he will seek, he will destroy Chagaev. May 22 that's the date. Mark it down, we want everyone to be there. It's going to be a great night, great fights. I feel so good to be back home in Germany. Get me the Eisbein and we will drink a beer! Ich liebe dich, Rostock. Ich liebe dich, Peter Kohl - mein Bruder!!.“

Ruslan Chagaev replied to this video from the USA: „Don King has a big mouth but to me this is just a show. I'm ready for this fight and I'm in the best shape of my life. I must win and I will. I'm always thinking positiv and to me this is a big chance to have a shot for the world title once again. Some time in the future I want a rematch fight against Wladimir Klitschko but only under the circumstances of a regular preparation. It has been a long time, having not fought in eleven months but I needed this time. I took time to think and to do changes. I'm very optimistic and fit. I'm looking forward to Rostock! I like to fight against taller opponents and it's not a problem for me.“

Watch Abner Mares vs Yonnhy Perez Full Boxing Fight Free Stream

2010-05-18T15:39:00.000-07:00

Abner Mares vs Yonnhy Perez full boxing free stream

Los Angeles, CA (May 10, 2010) Undefeated IBF Bantamweight World Champion YONNHY PEREZ (20-0, 14 KO’s) held a media workout earlier today at the Santa Fe Springs Community Activity Center. After the training session the press had an opportunity to speak with the world champion about the preparation for his upcoming title defense against top-rated contender Abner Mares (20-0,13 KO’s). Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, Espinoza Boxing Promotions and Zanfer Promotions, the Perez-Mares world title tilt will be the co-main event to Vazquez-Marquez IV: Once and Four All, which will take place Saturday, May 22, at STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, Calif.

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING will televise both Perez vs. Mares and the 12-round featherweight Vazquez-Marquez IV rumble live nationally at 9 P.M. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®.

Watch Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez Boxing Free Online Streaming

2010-05-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez free livestream

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 18, 2010 — Following three epic battles, three-time World Champion Israel Vazquez and two-division World Champion Rafael Marquez will face off in the fourth installment of what is perhaps the greatest boxing trilogy of all-time on Saturday, May 22, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, live on SHOWTIME at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast). In the co-feature, Yonnhy Perez will defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight World Title against unbeaten top contender Abner Mares.

The historic SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Gary Shaw Productions, Espinoza Boxing Promotions and Zanfer Promotions and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate..

Watch Darchinyan vs Barcelona Boxing Fight Free Online Stream

2010-05-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Darchinyan vs Barcelona Free Boxing Fight Livestream

The biggest night of boxing ever seen on Fox Sports will happen in a little under 2 weeks at Parramatta Leagues Club when Gary Shaw Productions , Pain Away Australia & Nitro Boxing present Vic Darchynian in a World Title Bout on Thursday May 20. "It can be 12 or 18 months with out a fight' Darchinyan said , " I love to fight and must fight regular to stay at my best and stay on top this fight has been made possible by major sponsors coming on board, Painaway Australia and my Russian sponsors TASHIR.This fight will be beamed live to Russia and Armenia, and will be taken on delay in the US on the CBS - Showtime Television Network..

The reigning WBC Super Flyweight and WBA Super World Super Flyweight Champion will be involved in a World Title Bout against Filiopino warrior Eric Barcelona. Never before has a reigning UNIFIED World Champion headlined a show on Fox Sports and this show will be a block-buster. Other stars featuring on this card include , current UNDEFEATED Aussie sensation Will Tomlinson, former World Title Challenger Noufel Ben Rabah, the return of the 2008 Prospect of the Year Willie Kickett, Sydney favorite Zac Awad and a future boxing star that will be making his professional debut - Mostyn Niemann who will battle the Carl Webb Destroyer, giant killer Scott Lewis in the battle of the heavyweights. Also making his heavyweight debut will be BIG Willie Felippe, taking on Kickboxing sensation Andre Popovic.

Video: Khan, Malignaggi brawl during weigh-in

2010-05-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

Amir Khan and Paulie Malignaggi were at the center of a brawl during the weigh-in for their title fight today. Both fighters began exchanging words and a pushing match ensued, with close to a hundred people rushing toward the stage. Super lightweight titleholder Amir Khan (22-1, 16 KOs), of Bolton, England sets sail across the Atlantic for his first contest on U.S. shores, defending his crown against Brooklyn native Paulie Malignaggi (27-3, 5 KOs) in a 12-round showdown. Khan, 23, displays a combination of dazzling speed and remarkable timing, and is coming off a 76-second knockout of Dmitriy Salita. Loquacious former titleholder Paulie “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, one of the sport’s toughest outs, is prepared to shut the door on Khan’s American dream. The 29-year-old Malignaggi used his great agility and determination to defeat Juan Diaz in December, and will have lots of hometown support when he returns home to fight in The Garden.

Watch Sergiy Dzinziruk vs Daniel Dawson Free Boxing LIvestream

2010-05-12T16:29:00.001-07:00

Sergiy Dzinziruk vs Daniel Dawson Full Boxing Fight Free

NEW YORK (May 7, 2010) – European superstar Sergiy Dzinziruk will make his United States. professional debut and the fifth defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Junior Middleweight title against once-beaten challenger Daniel Dawson on Friday, May 14, on ShoBox: The New Generation at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) live on SHOWTIME®. The telecast will originate from the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif., and will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC.

The 34-year-old Dzinziruk is arguably the world’s top junior middleweight, but is largely unknown in the U.S. The southpaw, who is currently training in Los Angeles for his first world title defense in more than 17 months, was inactive in ’09 due to a contract dispute with his European former promoter.

Watch Diaz vs. Ngoudjo Full Boxing Fight Live Free Online Stream

2010-05-10T16:43:00.000-07:00

Diaz vs Ngoudjo Full Boxing Fight Live Free

Primm, Nevada (April 13, 2010) – It is now or never for two of the junior-welterweight division's most experienced contenders as former two-time lightweight champion Julio "The Kidd" Diaz meets former title challenger Hermann Ngoudjo with potential championship implications in the balance. The ten-round main event will headline an evening of boxing action 6 p.m. Friday, May 14. Presented by Guilty Boxing in association with Vega Boxing and Thompson Boxing Promotions, the event will be held in The Star of The Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill's Casino & Resort in Primm, Nev. and will be televised by ESPN2's Friday Night Fights..

Watch Williams defeats Cintron Fight Replay

2010-05-08T21:12:00.000-07:00

Williams defeats Cintron

Paul Williams defeated Kermit Cintron by a 4th round technical decision tonight at the Home Depot Center, in Carson, California after Cintron fell out of the ring in the 4th round and couldn't continue fighting.

Other results on the card:

Argenis Mendez MD 12 Martin Honorio
Mike Dallas Jr. TKO 2 Daniel Gonzalez
Jeremiah Wiggins UD 6 Juan Carlos Diaz
Stan Martyniouk SD 6 Brian Ramirez
Michael Ruiz Jr TKO 2 Jose Pacheco

Watch Paul Williams vs Kermit Cintron Full Boxing Fight Free Online Stream

2010-05-06T16:55:00.000-07:00

Paul Williams vs Kermit Cintron Free Online Livestream

Set to clash at light-middleweight, Williams and Cintron could well meet in ring centre and trade bombs. Both guys have proven they can bang, Puerto Rico's Cintron especially, and both men have also shown considerable boxing skill, Georgia's Williams especially. So, with these two very much proven world class operators going at it in a fight both men will be ultra-determined to win, fans sure look set to wind up getting a memorable and pleasing clash..

Watch Mitchell vs Katsidis Full Boxing Fight Free Livestream

2010-05-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Mitchell vs Katsidis Full Boxing Fight Free

Tickets are now on sale for Kevin Mitchell's historic world lightweight title clash against Michael Katsidis at West Ham United's world famous Boleyn Ground on Saturday 15th May. 'Hammer Time' is set to be the sporting event of the summer as Mitchell aims to be crowned world champion at the ground where football legends Bobby Moore and Sir Geoff Hurst plied their trade.

Undefeated Mitchell faces his toughest test yet against the power-punching Australian who is well known in England from his thrilling fight against Graham Earl. A quality packed undercard includes the British and Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship between Danny Williams and Sam Sexton; Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale challenges for the first title in his career - the WBA International Super-Middleweight Championship; unbeaten heavyweight star Derek Chisora; and Britain's hottest young prospects Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders. Plus more fights to be added..

Watch Khan vs Malignaggi Boxing Fight Free Livestream

2010-05-04T22:04:00.000-07:00

Khan vs Malignaggi Full Boxing Fight Free

Their war of words has captivated the boxing world, but on Saturday, May 15, the time for talk will be over when two of the brightest stars in the super lightweight division - WBA Super Lightweight World Champion Amir Khan and former world title holder Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi - finally settle their score at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The bout, which will be televised live on HBO's Boxing After Dark in the United States, also marks Khan's United States debut which will be taking place in the back yard of Brooklyn's Malignaggi.

In the evening's co-feature, it's a true crossroads fight when former World Champion Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell tries to halt the rapid rise of hard-hitting rising star "Vicious" Victor Ortiz in a 10 round super lightweight showdown.

"Paulie Malignaggi did a great job of talking his way into this fight and I commend him for that," said Khan. "But on May 15he'll have to pay for the things he's said about me and I will have no problem teaching him a lesson in his own hometown. I'm excited for my United States debut and plan on giving the great fans of New York an exciting show on May 15.."

Watch Paul Williams vs Kermit Cintron Free Livestream

2010-05-03T16:58:00.000-07:00

Paul Williams-Kermit Cintron Boxing Fight Free

Talk about a match-up that has the look of a fight that cannot possibly be anything but entertaining and fan-friendly! For some time now there has been talk of exciting warriors Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron meeting on an HBO card on May 8th, and now it looks as though the fight will indeed take place (the bout is up as happening on BoxRec, while ESPN.com reports how the fight is all but a done deal).

Set to clash at light-middleweight, Williams and Cintron could well meet in ring centre and trade bombs. Both guys have proven they can bang, Puerto Rico's Cintron especially, and both men have also shown considerable boxing skill, Georgia's Williams especially. So, with these two very much proven world class operators going at it in a fight both men will be ultra-determined to win, fans sure look set to wind up getting a memorable and pleasing clash..

Froch vs Kessler Weigh-In Video and Photos

2010-04-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Here are the weights from Herning, Denmark: Super Six World Boxing Classic, Second Round: - Carl Froch (WBC Champion) – 75.9 kg vs Mikkel Kessler (Challenger) – 75.8 kg

Mikkel Kessler: “I have had a great preparation and I am ready. It was not the real Mikkel Kessler in the ring against Andre Ward. I have learned my lesson. In life, you have to bounce back from defeats, you have to get back up. That is what I am about to do. This fight means everything to me. There is a lot of pressure but that is no problem. I need a win. And I will get a win – I will get the first three points in the Super Six tournament.”

Jimmy Montoya: “Mikkel is in great shape. The Cobra will be in for a hell of a night and a hell of a fight. Mikkel is just too skilled and too powerful for him. And we have not seen the best of Mikkel yet. I expect a clear win on Saturay night.”

Kalle Sauerland: “This is the biggest fight in Danish history. Mikkel has become a mean fighting machine – he has learned from Oakland. He is like a wild animal. He is hungry for success, hungry for a victory over Froch. With 10.000 enthusiastic Danish fans behind him, he will knock Froch out. After all the trouble the Cobra has given me in the last days, I cannot wait for Mikkel to take revenge on Saturday night..”

Watch Marco Huck vs Brian Minto Boxing Fight Online Livestream

2010-04-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

Marco Huck vs Brian Minto

25-year-old Marco Huck, the reigning WBO cruiserweight champion, sure is keeping himself busy. Huck, 28-1(21) fought four times last year, and it looks as though the Serbian-born German will match that activity rate here in 2010.

Next up for "Kap'n Huck," according to a number of sources including FightNews, is a May 1st defence of his belt against crowd-pleasing former heavyweight Brian "The Beast" Minto.. Less than two months on from making relatively easy-looking work of Adam "Swamp Donkey" Richards, who he stopped inside 3-rounds back on march 13th, Huck will make the third defence of his title against the gutsy slugger from Butler, PA.

Minto, now aged 35 and 34-3(21) as a pro, is coming off an exciting, yet losing battle with the much bigger Chris Arreola; who TKO'd him in the 4th-round in December. Immediately following that loss, the very first stoppage loss of his pro career, Minto vowed to drop down in weight so he could, "fight guys his own size." Now, in somewhat surprising news, Minto has landed this big fight.

Set to take place once again in Germany (the scene of Huck's last eleven outings), the May 1st clash figures to be exciting; while it lasts at least. I say while it lasts because, though Minto has proven his ability up a weight and will naturally feel he will be the stronger man over Huck at a more comfortable weight of 200-pounds, the overall skills of the champion have been looking formidable recently. Fast approaching his peak, Huck is a vastly improved fighter from when he lost to Steve Cunningham.

Watch Alfredo Angulo vs Joel Julio Full Boxing Fight Free Livestream

2010-04-20T16:57:00.000-07:00

Alfredo Angulo vs Joel Julio Full Boxing Fight Free

Light-middleweights Alfredo Angulo and Joel Julio are set to rumble on April 24th on HBO, possibly with heavyweight contender Chris Arreola sharing the card against an as yet unannounced foe (whispers say it could be former cruiserweight titlist Tomasz Adamek, assuming "Goral" gets past the upset-minded Jason Estrada on Feb. 6th). Fighting for the interim WBO light-middleweight title Angulo won last time out, when he smashed Harry Joe Yorgey to painful defeat inside just three rounds, Angulo and Julio could put on a great action fight.

Mexico's 27-year-old Angulo, 17-1(14) is a fine pressure fighter who has genuine punching power; while 25-year-old Julio of Colombia, 35-3(31) is also heavy-handed and aggressive. With the styles of the two men being what they are, the April fight promises to deliver! But who will win?

Angulo has bounced back well from his sole pro loss, on points to Kermit Cintron back in May of last year. Crushing Gabriel Rosado inside a couple of rounds in August of 2009, and then taking Yorgey out in impressive style also, the Mexican warrior is back looking like a genuine future world champion.. But in the thrice-beaten and once stopped Julio, "El Perro" will be meeting a tough test indeed.

Floyd Mayweather vs Shane Mosley Boxing Fight Free Livestream

2010-04-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Floyd Mayweather vs Shane Mosley Full Boxing Fight Free

It's official. Boxing's biggest superstar and six-time world champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather made his upcoming fight with welterweight mega-star and five-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley, official today when he signed the contract that pits the two fighters against each other on Saturday, May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a mega-bout which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

Watch Tomasz Adamek vs Chris Arreola Boxing Fight Livestream

2010-04-19T03:24:00.000-07:00

Tomasz Adamek vs Chris Arreola Full Boxing Fight

On Saturday, April 24 Goossen Tutor Promotions and Main Events in association with Ziggy Promotions will present “RING OF FIRE” on HBO’s Boxing After Dark. Tomasz Adamek is a Polish professional Heavyweight boxer best known for his incredible punch resistance. His record is 40-1 (27 KOs). He is the former WBC world light heavyweight champion and the former IBF, IBO and The Ring magazine cruiserweight champion. As of the end of 2009, Ring Magazine has ranked Adamek as the 30th best boxer in the world.

Chris Arreola is a US Mexican-American heavyweight boxer once regarded by some as a "prospect", or potential future champion. He was defeated by Vitali Klitschko by a 10-round TKO, in a bid to win the WBC Heavyweight Title.

Watch Serio Martinez vs Kelly Pavlik Full Boxing Fight Replay

2010-04-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

Serio Martinez vs Kelly Pavlik Full Boxing Fight
by: James Slater

35-year-old Serio Martinez proved beyond any doubt last night in beating and bloodying a brave Kelly Pavlik that he is one of the very best middleweights in the world. Perhaps that's not sufficiently high praise; maybe the southpaw from Argentina is THE best 160-pounder in the sport today. Certainly, the new middleweight champion of the world has achieved plenty at the weight - in just two fights!

Just over a year ago, Martinez, 45-2-2(24) was defending his WBC 154-pound belt against Kermit Cintron (being awarded a draw in a fight most people felt Martinez actually won) - now, however, he has made a huge name for himself with two great fights; one against Paul Williams and last night's win over "The Ghost." The question now is, what next for the boxer who goes by the nickname of "Maravilla?."

Watch Froch vs Kessler Boxing Fight Free LiveStream

2010-04-15T17:03:00.000-07:00

Carl Froch vs Mikkel Kessler Full Boxing Fight Free Stream

Team Sauerland and Hennessy Sports are proud to announce that the Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament group stage 2 fight between WBC Super Middleweight Champion Carl Froch and the Viking Warrior Mikkel Kessler will take place at the MCH Messecentre, Herning in Denmark on the 24th April 2010. The fight will be televised in the United States on SHOWTIME® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT. In Denmark, the fight will be broadcast on Viasat. Hennessy Sports will be announcing the UK TV broadcaster over the next week.

Watch Kelly Pavlik vs Sergio Martinez Boxing Fight Live

2010-04-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Kelly Pavlik vs Sergio Martinez Boxing Fight

World Middleweight Champion KELLY “The Ghost” PAVLIK returns to his old haunt, Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, on Saturday, April 17, to defend his titles against World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight champion SERGIO “Maravilla” MARTINEZ. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and Caesars Atlantic City, Pavlik vs. Martinez will be broadcast live on HBO World Championship Boxing.

“It’s great to be back training and it’s great to be defending my titles in Atlantic City where my world title reign began,” said Pavlik, who had been sidelined for much of last year by various problems stemming from a nagging staph infection in his right hand. “I feel terrific and training camp has been great. I am taking nothing for granted. I saw Martinez’s fight against Paul Williams and I thought he won it. His world title may be at super welterweight but he is a legitimate world-class middleweight and I am 110% focused on Sergio Martinez.”

Watch Jason Estrada vs Tony Thompson Boxing Fight

2010-04-12T17:15:00.000-07:00

Jason Estrada vs Tony Thompson Free Livestream

A solid and intriguing heavyweight match-up will take place in Memphis on April 16th, as contenders Jason "Big Six" Estrada and Tony "The Tiger" Thompson will clash in a fight to be televised on ESPN 2's Friday Night Fights series. This is the word according to Dan Rafael's "Quick Hits" column over on ESPN.com.

Very much having the look of a 50-50 fight, fans will likely get a good, watchable bout here. Estrada is the younger man by a considerable nine-years at age 29, and he is coming off that better-than-expected (in the opinion of a good number of people anyway) showing against former cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek - the February fight being one the Providence, Rhode Island man felt very strongly he had won on points..

While southpaw Thompson of Washington D.C is coming off his impressive 9th-round TKO win over Chazz Witherspoon, a fight that took place back in December. Both guys remain hungry and determined, and both fighters will know that a loss in April will very possibly demote them to journeyman status.

Holyfield stops Botha in 8th round! Watch Full Replay Free

2010-04-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

Holyfield vs Botha Full Replay Free

Hall of Fame-bound Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield added the World Boxing Federation heavyweight title belt to his overcrowded trophy case, stopping defending champion Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 8th round last night in the main event on “The Legend Returns” card, promoted by Crown Boxing, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Complete Results

HEAVYWEIGHTS
Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs), Atlanta, GA WTKO8 (2:05) Frans Botha (47-5-3, 28 KOs), Newport Beach, CA
(Holyfield wins World Boxing Federation title)

CRUISERWEIGHTS
Henry Namauu (6-3, 4 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WTKO7 (2:43) Rayford Johnson (5-5, 3 KOs), Longview, TX
Arthur Williams (47-16-1, 30 KOs), Pensacola, FL WDEC6 (59-55, 59-55, 59-55) Valente Tinajero (8-1, 4 KOs), Roy UT

LIGHTWEIGHTS
Lawrence Hughes (4-0, 3 KOs), Las Vegas, NV DC4 (40-36, 40-36, 39-37) Juan Alcolea (2-2, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

FEMALE SUPER FEATHERWEIGHTS
Jennifer Han (1-1-1), Tucson, AZ WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Crystal Hoy (3-21-2, 2 KOs), Las Vegas, NV

FEATHERWEIGHTS
Rocco Santomauro (4-0, 0 KOs), Las Vegas, NV WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-26) Karl Hammer (1-3, 0 KOs), Clearfield, UT

SUPER BANTAMWEIGHTS
Alexis Santiago (3-0-1, 1 KO), Phoenix, AZ WDEC4 (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) Brice Yeniki (0-5), Las Vegas, NV

Andre Berto vs. Carlos Quintana Boxing Fight Livestream Free

2010-04-09T17:23:00.000-07:00

Andre Berto vs. Carlos Quintana Watch Full Boxing Fight free

The co-feature will showcase WBA Junior Featherweight champion Celestino Caballero (33-2, 23 KO's), who will be moving up to take on unbeaten WBA #2 contender Daud Yordan (25-0, 19 KO's). Caballero is the former Unified Junior Featherweight champion. Yordan is the WBO Oriental Featherweight champion, his title won't be on the line. Two time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, Guillermo Rigondeaux (5-0, 4 KO's) will also
appear on the undercard..

Berto (25-0, 19 KO's) now faces Carlos Quintana (27-2-0, 21 KO's), who was born and still resides in Moca, Puerto Rico. Quintana is a hard throwing southpaw who likes to challenge fighters by coming straight at them. Berto,
who also punches hard and is lightning quick, has to be careful and dictate the fight from the start. In February of 2008, Quintana was a huge underdog, and upset then-WBO champion Paul Williams. Quintana lost the rematch. Since 2005 he has fought three unbeaten fighters scoring two victories, with the only loss coming to Miguel Cotto.

Evander Holyfield - Frans Botha Quotes and Video

2010-04-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

Evander Holyfield - Frans Botha Watch Video

Evander Holyfield: “I’m happy to have the opportunity to fight in Las Vegas again. Everything that’s happened to me has been here – in 1984 I had to win Saturday and Sunday to make the Olympic team. In 1990, 1993, 1996 and 2000 I won the heavyweight title here. Las Vegas has been the place that’s given me the opportunity to be the person I am. I’m thankful for Botha giving me an opportunity to fight for a title again. My goal has simply been to be undisputed heavyweight champion. I’m a person – I think my attitude is good when people tell me I can’t do something -- I’m driven by what people say I can’t do to prove I can. I’m not disappointed by decisions. I felt I beat Valuev. I won’t quit seeking to do my best and Saturday night you’ll see me give my all. If not enough, I’ll make adjustments.

“To be perfect is to reach my goal. I thought I did it in 1999 against Lennox (Lewis). Here, in 2010, and it’s going to be a great fight. I’m telling you, Saturday night, I’ll look better than I used to be..”

Watch Bute vs Miranda Online Stream Boxing Fight Live

2010-04-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

Bute vs Miranda Boxing Fight Live Free

“With the signing of this fight, we continue our tradition by bringing into Montreal a world class event with two world class athletes in Lucian Bute and Edison Miranda. The pre-sale of tickets is going strong and indicates we will have an amazing crowd and ambiance at the Bell Centre the night of April 17th,” states InterBox president Mr. Jean Bedard. “Power is a shortcut to win. Miranda can put out the lights with any punch…One week after his fight with Librado Andrade, Lucian was back in the gym. He’s training hard, taking Edison Miranda seriously and he’ll do everything he has to do to stay World champion for a long time. Lucian is an ambitious fighter, he wants to be a hall of famer and it’s a privilege for me to work with him.

Mosley vs Mayweather: Sugar Shane Camp Notes

2010-04-06T16:51:00.000-07:00

Mosley vs Mayweather Watch Boxing Fight

For Sugar Shane Mosley, his May 1 mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather cannot come soon enough. Having longed for this fight for many years, he is mentally and physically ready for battle, with training preparations well underway. Following a three-city media tour which wrapped up in Los Angeles on March 4, Mosley immediately returned to Big Bear, Calif., where he owns a home and has trained since 1996. In the serene mountain environment, Mosley is relaxed, but working extremely hard in preparation for what he knows will be one of the toughest battles of his career. The fact that Mayweather steps into the ring with a record of 40-0 is not intimidating to the former pound-for-pound champ who is ready to take back his throne.

Watch Holyfield vs Botha This Saturday Live Boxing Fight

2010-04-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Holyfield vs Botha Boxing Fight Live

by James Slater - There was a time, back in the mid-1990s, when a fight between Evander Holyfield and Francois Botha would have been pretty big news. Here in 2010, however, the match-up - which takes place this Saturday night in Las Vegas - is nothing much more than a curiosity fight. And though the scheduled 12-rounder (the bout will contest something called the WBF heavyweight title) will be covered by a number of T.V and internet outlets (the fight will be available on iNDEMAND in the U.S, on Prime Time in the U.K and via Viewers Choice in Canada), it's likely not too many fans will bother to tune in..

Certainly, those fans who are today regretting how they were somehow persuaded to fork out for this past Saturday's awful Hopkins-Jones II will think twice before going ahead and ordering this latest battle between ageing, past their best warriors. If the 17-years-in-the-making rematch between the two light-heavyweight legends was bad, there is a real chance
Holyfield Vs. Botha could be even worse!

Both guys are at least talking a good fight; with the 47-4-3(28) "White Buffalo" promising to end "The Real Deal's" career once and for all, and with Holyfield claiming his win will steer him towards yet another run at the "world" title. And, it must be said, knowing Holyfield's heart, courage and sheer, stubborn desire to win, chances are the 47-year-old will TRY to give it his best on Saturday. Botha's real motives for fighting on at age 41 are not known, but Holyfield - as delusional as he may actually be - fights on because he still believes he is one of the best heavyweights out there.

Basing things purely on the desire Holyfield, 42-10-2(27) still possesses, I think he will get the win on Saturday, most likely via a fairly wide points win. But what then? No way will Evander retire if he wins; that much is a given - but who will he face next? There has been a little talk that suggests Holyfield could even wind up in the ring with reigning WBA heavyweight boss David Haye. Hopefully this talk will prove to be nothing but talk, and the scary mismatch will not happen. But it could.

To be fair, Holyfield did look pretty good in his last fight, when he lost a close, controversial decision to then WBA heavyweight ruler Nikolai Valuev. But that fight was well over a year ago; how much further have Holyfield's skills eroded since December of 2008?

Watch Andre Berto vs Carlos Quintana Boxing Fight Live

2010-04-05T06:18:00.000-07:00

Andre Berto vs Carlos Quintana Boxing Fight
source: eastsideboxing

NEW YORK, March 23- On Saturday, April 10th at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., WBC World Welterweight Champion Andre Berto will defend his title against former WBO champion Carlos Quintana. This is Berto's first bout since last May when he successfully defended his title with a 12-round decision over Juan Urango. The card is being billed as "Fighting For Haiti" which is being promoted by DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Champs Sports, Where Sports Lives, will be televised "LIVE" on HBO World Championship Boxing beginning at 10:30pm (ET) / 7:30pm (PT). The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD.

The co-feature will showcase WBA Junior Featherweight champion Celestino Caballero (33-2, 23 KO's), who will be moving up to take on unbeaten WBA #2 contender Daud Yordan (25-0, 19 KO's). Caballero is the former Unified Junior Featherweight champion. Yordan is the WBO Oriental Featherweight champion, his title won't be on the line. Two time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, Guillermo Rigondeaux (5-0, 4 KO's) will also
appear on the undercard..

Berto (25-0, 19 KO's) now faces Carlos Quintana (27-2-0, 21 KO's), who was born and still resides in Moca, Puerto Rico. Quintana is a hard throwing southpaw who likes to challenge fighters by coming straight at them. Berto,
who also punches hard and is lightning quick, has to be careful and dictate the fight from the start. In February of 2008, Quintana was a huge underdog, and upset then-WBO champion Paul Williams. Quintana lost the rematch. Since 2005 he has fought three unbeaten fighters scoring two victories, with the only loss coming to Miguel Cotto.

"He's a tough veteran," Berto said. "If you give him too much room or a little too much confidence he will take advantage of that. You have to impose your dominance early."

Berto knows he can't take Quintana for granted, though he was surprised by the Williams loss, which he saw in person. However, Berto feels there is much to gain in the welterweight division with a victory on April 10th.

"I'm in a tough situation. Realistically I train hardest when a lot of people expect me to win. He's a spoiler and he did the same with Paul Williams and I have to make sure I stay sharp and do a good job and dispose of him,"
said Berto.

"Andre Berto and Carlos Quintana represent two of the very best fighters in the world," said DiBella. "They are willing to risk it all to fight each other. And for the winner another boxing great, the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., or Shane Mosley could await."

Berto was scheduled to face veteran "Sugar" Shane Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion in January 2010, but the earthquake in Haiti, forced him to withdraw from the bout. Berto went to Haiti to provide aide and find
his sister and ensure her safety.

"My brother Cleveland and I made a trip there a couple of weeks after the earthquake," Berto said. "We lost eight family members in the earthquake, but my family is in good spirits and they continue to support me. The devastation that affected Haiti impacted the world. It is inspiring to see so many people show support and lend a helping hand."

Watch Holyfield vs Botha Boxing Fight Live

2010-04-04T20:14:00.000-07:00

Holyfield vs Botha Boxing Fight Live

LAS VEGAS (Mar. 18, 2010) – Four-time world heavyweight champion Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield plans to make a strong statement April 10 when challenges World Boxing Federation heavyweight title-holder Frans “The White Buffalo” Botha in the 12-round main event, headlining “The Legend Returns” pay-per-view event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. “I’m not finished, yet,” future Hall of Famer Holyfield emphasized the statement he plans to make against Botha. “I will be champion of the world again.”

Watch Jones vs Hopkins II Boxing Fight Live Free Online Stream

2010-04-03T17:49:00.000-07:00

Jones vs Hopkins II Boxing Fight LIve

Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and Roy “The Terminator” Jones stayed true to their reputations as two of the most outspoken boxers in the history of the sport as they announced The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II, which will take place April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. The debate style format of the press conference was the perfect setting for these two living legends to prove why their nearly two-decade long rivalry is stronger than ever. Below please find a sampling of their bold statements, setting the stage for what will surely be a great night for boxing and a hotly contested fight.

Watch Michael Sportt vs Audley Harrison Boxing Fight

2010-04-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

source: eastsideboxing

MICHAEL Sprott has vowed to win the European Heavyweight Championship and dedicate the title to his late sister Ginette. Sprott, a former British and Commonwealth Champion, fights Audley Harrison for the vacant European belt at London’s Alexandra Palace on April 9. However, Sprott, 35, has only recently returned to the ring after Ginette Sprott died in September when she was hit by a train. “I still think she will walk through my door now,” said Sprott.

“It’s been a tough time and it’s something that’s never going to go away. It will always be there. I remember getting a phone call on the day and one of my other sisters was crying on the phone.

“Ginette came to a lot of my fights and always supported me.

“She always wanted me to do well and her memory does inspire me so I would definitely dedicate this victory to my sister.

“It will be an emotional night on April 9th but I’m going to be very strong and carry it with me..

“We were already a very close family and we’ve been sticking together.

“Everything that’s happened has made me a stronger person and I’m in my prime and feel strong both physically and mentally.”

Ginette’s death led to Sprott withdrawing from Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, which Harrison won to set up his European title shot.

Harrison, 38, was due to fight ex-title holder Albert Sosnowski but the Pole decided to fight WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko instead.

After winning Prizefighter, Harrison donated the trophy to Sprott’s family and, although grateful for the gesture, Sprott insisted he would take care of business.

“Had I been in Prizefighter then I would’ve won,” said Sprott, who beat Harrison with a third round knockout when the pair fought in February 2007.

“Audley did what he had to do at Prizefighter and won but some of the guys he fought weren’t at my level.

“Donating the trophy to us was very touching and very nice of Audley. I didn’t really expect it and it surprised me but my mind wasn’t on Prizefighter.

“I wasn’t thinking about boxing, I was only thinking about my family - they always come first.

“But hands up to him, it was a nice gesture, he’s a nice guy and I’ve always got on well with him.

“But this is business and you have to put these things to one side when you’re in the ring.

“I’m very confident that what happened last time is going to happen again – only this time I will knock him out quicker.”

Tickets for the show at Alexandra Palace on April 9 cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.

Harrison: "I’m calling this revenge or retirement”

AUDLEY Harrison will quit professional boxing if he fails to win the vacant European Heavyweight Championship on April 9. Ex-Olympic gold medalist Harrison insists he will hang up his gloves if he loses against Michael Sprott at London’s Alexandra Palace. “I’m calling this revenge or retirement,” said 38-year-old Harrison in an interview with Sky Sports News. “If I can’t get revenge over Michael Sprott then my career can’t go forward. “If I can’t beat him then there’s nowhere else to go. That’s the mentality I’m going in the ring with – I have to go and win this to move to the next level.

“I will retire if I don’t win this so we know what’s going to happen – I’m going to win this fight, no doubt.”

Harrison and Sprott fought in February 2007 with Sprott winning with a third round knockout.

But Harrison, who saved his career by winning Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, is adamant the result will be different this time.

“I was scheduled to be fighting Albert Sosnowski for the title but he got poached by (WBC Champion) Vitali Klitschko so we had to find the next available challenger,” added Harrison.

“That man was Michael Sprott and he is ranked seventh in the European rankings but I feel like I’ve been blessed to get this opportunity.

“I made some major errors in my first fight with Sprott and he was able to knock me out.

“I’ve been looking forward to avenging that defeat and the fact it’s for a European title is a double boost for me.

“Albert Sosnowski didn’t even defend his European title and he only won it in December so fighting for a world title is definitely a reality for me.

“Everyone is talking about the Klitschko brothers (Vitali and IBF / WBO Champion Wladimir) so these are the guys that I will be targeting.

“I would love to fight (WBA Champion) David Haye but I want to get one of the belts and the real champions are the Klitschko brothers.

“The recent fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Eddie Chambers, even though it wasn’t a good one, was still sold to 110 countries so it shows the Klitschkos are who the world is talking about.

“Michael Sprott has beaten me once but this is going to be a real fight and a real tear-up as I’ve got something to prove.”

Tickets for the show at Alexandra Palace on April 9 cost £30 and £60 and are available from www.seetickets.com or 0871 230 7148.

Harrison vs Sprott

OLD rivals Audley Harrison and Michael Sprott will fight for the vacant European Heavyweight Championship next month. Ex-Olympic gold medalist Harrison and former British and Commonwealth title holder Sprott will clash for the belt at London’s Alexandra Palace on April 9. The pair have fought before in February 2007 and Harrison will be keen for revenge after he was knocked out in the third round. Harrison, 38, who saved his career by winning Prizefighter Heavyweights 3 in October, had been scheduled to meet Poland’s Albert Sosnowski for the title. However, Sosnowski will now face WBC Champion Vitali Klitschko in May and is set to vacate the European belt to set up the mouth-watering all-British clash.

“When Albert pulled out, I told Matchroom I don't care who accepts the fight as there are no easy fights at this level and I’d be ready for anyone,” said Harrison.

“To have the opportunity to rectify my loss against Sprott is a blessing that is better than my expectations.

“I’m glad I get a chance to correct the mistakes I made in that fight. In 2007, had I beaten Sprott I would’ve fought for the world title that year.

“Now I’ve gone full circle and I will show I’m finally ready to fulfil my destiny and fight for and win a world title.

“I have nothing or no one to fear in the division and 2010 will be the rise, redemption and glory of Audley A Force Harrison.”

The bout, which will be the main event of Matchroom sport’s next boxing show, gives both fighters one last shot at the big time.

Sprott was due to take part in the same Prizefighter tournament as Harrison before he withdrew following the death of his sister.

After winning Prizefighter, Harrison donated the trophy to Sprott’s family, although there will be no love lost on April 9 in what will be a make-or-break night in both boxers’ careers.

Sprott, 35, returned to the ring after a nine-month absence in stunning fashion on Saturday with a knockout victory inside 60 seconds against German Werner Kreiskoff.

“When I suffered the tragic loss of my sister, I had to pull out of the Prizefighter tournament that Audley went on to win,” added Sprott.

“I have no doubt in my mind I would’ve won that tournament. I’m confident the result against Audley will be the same as last time.”

Matchroom Sport Chairman Barry Hearn was expecting a fantastic contest. He said: “This is a fight the public wants to see between two of Britain’s best heavyweights

“Albert Sosnowski getting a shot at the WBC belt has shown how close these boxers are to fighting for a world title if they win on April 9.”

Watch Jones vs Hopkins II Boxing Fight Live

2010-03-26T16:53:00.000-07:00

source: eastsideboxing

New York City (February 9) –Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and Roy “The Terminator” Jones stayed true to their reputations as two of the most outspoken boxers in the history of the sport as they announced The Rivals: Hopkins vs. Jones II, which will take place April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be broadcast live on pay-per-view. The debate style format of the press conference was the perfect setting for these two living legends to prove why their nearly two-decade long rivalry is stronger than ever. Below please find a sampling of their bold statements, setting the stage for what will surely be a great night for boxing and a hotly contested fight.

BERNARD HOPKINS

“To not watch this fight would be a disservice because we will be making history.

“Roy Jones Jr. had nothing to do with my legacy and career up until now, but I will be the final chapter [of his]. We probably would have been here earlier if he would have taken the fight when we were debating through the media.

“My statement is simple. This fight is very important to me because it is personal. We have 17 plus years of on and off history. I want to show the world that when our legacy is put together and analyzed, this fight will be the reason. So to me, not only am I a better fighter today, I will prove my legacy on April 3. I have a lot of incentive to win. I have waited 10 plus years to come to this debate.

“Everyone has it in their spirit to get somebody back. Whether it is justified or unjustified. This fight is redemption in a lot of ways - to finish him once and for all.

“I can’t speak for Roy, but my name is ‘The Executioner.’ I execute. I am going for his head.

“He (Jones) won that fight. I have watched that tape a million times. What Roy has to understand is that I got better. I have a resume to show that I have gotten better. That is the difference between then and now. Come April 3, Roy Jones Jr is going to realize that his worst nightmare has come true.

“It is important to get the knockout. There is a financial incentive. I want to finally close a chapter personally. This is a 17 year rivalry.

“I am going to kick his ass.”

ROY JONES

“Now, ‘Big Head’ (Hopkins) has got to get it in his mind. We both went on to do good things in this sport. Mine was great early. His was great late. The facts won’t change I am still going to beat him.

“I only hit with one hand last time. I’ve got two hands now. With two hands, I’m going to beat the hell out of this old man.

“I never have dodged ‘Big Head’, and I never will. That is why this fight is so important to me.

“We are long time rivals. We waited a long time to fight again. We went our separate ways. I haven’t had a rival as long as I have had ‘Big Head’ sitting around.

“This is like putting on an old pair of pants that still fit after a bunch of years. They probably look better on me now too.

“Have you ever seen somebody run from somebody who he has already whooped? Does that even make sense? Duh!

“I have been trying to fight the bastard for five years. I know Bernard Hopkins. I know him very well. I have never taken anything lightly [and given him reason] to say he hopes I am ready.

“I don’t duck and dodge anyone. I was the test he had to pass to get out of high school. He didn’t pass that test. Now he wants to retake the test!

“Like I said I am still me. I can care less about how much better he has gotten. My job is to knock him out on April 3 and that is what I am going to do.”

Watch David Haye vs John Ruiz Boxing Fight Live

2010-03-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

by James Slater

It's official: WBA heavyweight champion David Haye will make the first defence of his title against mandatory challenger and former champ John Ruiz in Manchester, UK on April 3rd. Haye was at a press conference in Manchester earlier today to formally announce the bout. The venue will be The MEN Arena in the city, and Haye is very happy to be fighting there in April.

"It's been ten years since the heavyweight championship has been fought in Britain," Haye said today. "Everyone knows I had to go to Germany to take the [WBA] title from Nikolai Valuev. Now it's time to showcase my skills again in front of the great British public. I'm delighted to have the fight at The MEN Arena. I've been there on many nights to watch Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe, even Mike Tyson, and the atmosphere was always tremendous."

As excited as "The Hayemaker" is about the upcoming match, it's known how a good number of fans are not quite as thrilled at the thought of Haye-Ruiz.. Ruiz, though tough and capable, has been involved in a number of pretty awful-to-watch fights in his time, very much making him "public enemy number-one" in the eyes of some fight fans. Will the April clash also be a stinker? Of course, Haye has no choice but to face "The Quiet Man," as he would lose his title otherwise, but fans may well stay away in droves when fight night comes - we will have to wait and see.

Haye has promised to get the job done in exciting fashion, saying he plans to take Ruiz out "in style." But saying it is far easier than doing it, as all Ruiz' opponents bar David Tua, over fifteen years ago, are only too aware. Haye certainly has no easy first defence.

But as tricky as the fight may be, this does not necessarily mean the fight will be fan-friendly. Still, Sky Sports are hoping the fans will be intrigued by the fight, as they are going to make the bout a pay-per-view attraction on Sky Box Office. Is such a fight really worth a fee of approx £15.00 (around $30.00) though?

Haye managed big numbers last time out, when the British public were enthralled by the very idea of him tackling a man so much bigger and taller than him in Valuev. I'm not sure the Ruiz fight will prove so irresistible, however.

Hopefully, though, in the interest of excitement, Haye will win in April, and then make good his promise to tackle one of the two Klitschko brothers later in the year. That fight would have NO trouble getting the fans to shell out their hard earned cash!

Watch David Tua vs Friday Ahunanya Boxing FIght Live

2010-03-24T19:47:00.000-07:00

by James Slater

Two exciting punchers will collide in New Zealand on March 27th, in David Tua and Friday "The 13th" Ahunanya. For quite a while the 38-year-old Nigerian with the 24-5-3(13) record has wanted a fight with the 37-year-old Tua, 50-3-1(43) and now he has what he wants. Currently training hard and wanting no distractions (Friday even cut short the following interview so as to get back to work, so hugely motivated is he for the big fight), Ahunanya who now lives in Las Vegas, is confident he will win in March. Going even further than that, Friday has been predicting a KO win over the never-stopped "Tuaman."

Very kindly giving me a few minutes of his time yesterday afternoon (U.S time) the man who has wins over Shane Cameron and Alonzo Butler, and who has been in with names such as Alexander Povetkin, Sergey Lyakhovich and Sultan Ibragimov, had the following answers to my questions:

James Slater: I know you've wanted a fight with David Tua for a long time; now you have it, are you motivated like never before for a fight?

Friday Ahunanya: Oh, absolutely. I'm ready to go. I will come prepared for the fight and I will make the most of this opportunity.

J.S: Who will you be sparring with for Tua?

F.A: We're just getting ready, and I will begin sparring in a couple of weeks. I don't know who I will be working with, but I trust my manager, Luis [Tapia] to get the right guys for me.

J.S: You have said a number of times how you plan on plan on becoming the first to KO David Tua. When the fight starts, do you expect the both of you to go right at one another?

F.A: If I go right at him, that will be the fight that suits him. I have my strategy, and I plan to wear him down later in the fight and capitalise on his mistakes as he does grow tired.

J.S: Are you worried at all about how you have not fought since June of 2008? Are you worried about ring-rust?

F.A: No, not at all. Rust is all in the mind. I'm in the gym and that is the purpose of sparring, to get rind of any rust you may have. There's no doubt, I will be ready for Tua on March the 27th.

J.S: Why have you always wanted to fight Tua? Is it because you always felt you had the style to beat him?

F.A: No, it is what it is. I always want to fight the best, because if you can take the best - if you can beat the best - you know that you are the best yourself. You only know that if you can beat the best, and I will consider myself one of the best if I beat David Tua. I feel really humbled to have been given this opportunity. I will make the most of it, too.

(at this point, Friday wanted to get back into his current day of training. So Luis Tapia, Friday's manger, came in to answer questions)

J.S: Is Friday at all nervous for this fight, or is he merely motivated?

L.T: Trust me, Friday will beat Tua on March 27th! He's not nervous at all. He's really motivated and I wish this fight was tomorrow (laughs) - I really do. Friday is ready for him right now!

J.S: And assuming Friday does beat Tua, what then?

L.T: I have spoken to both of the Klitschko brothers, and Friday would fight either one. Other than those two, there are not too many big name heavyweights to fight - this is a money-earning business after all. I want my fighter to earn as much money as he can. I don't really think David Haye wants to fight anybody, not Friday anyway - but we will win this [Vs. Tua] and then see. This win will put us in a good position.

J.S: What would you say Friday's best punch is?

L.T: Believe it or not, but Friday's best punch is his left hook; just like Tua. But the difference is, Friday doesn't just walk in with his punches and try to get you to the ropes and knock you out - like Tua does. Friday likes to box, and he also has a good uppercut. He's been training to be more aggressive now, and I tell you, if Tua thinks he will win this fight in one-round, he is dreaming! That will never happen. It's been good talking to you, but now I must go and help Friday get ready. Thank you.

J.S: It's been a pleasure speaking with you and Friday. The last thing I wanted was to interfere with your fighter's training.

L.T: It's okay. Call us closer to the fight.

Pacquiao: I don’t need Mayweather

2010-03-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

By Dennis Principe

In what is so far his strongest message against bitter rival Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao said he considers his legacy in boxing as already cemented that he sees no need to fight the undefeated American boxer. Pacquiao made this declaration in a mini-press conference held during his courtesy call to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Malacanang Palace moments after the pound-for-pound king arrived in the country Monday morning. “Our records will show I have beaten far better fighters compared to Mayweather. I’ve stated before that I am willing to fight him if that’s what the fans want to see. But if the fight doesn’t happen, I’m fine with it,” said Pacquiao.

Late last year talks about a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout went full steam until a stringent demand by the undefeated American that they both undergo Olympic-style blood testing messed up what would have been one of the sport’s most anticipated match-ups.

Mayweather has made countless allegations that Pacquiao used Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PED) to increase the chances of the seven-time world champion against bigger foes in moving up in weight from a skinny light flyweight all the way up to the welterweight division.

“He needs me more than I need him. If he wants the fight then let’s do it. I’m clean because I get my strength through hardwork and my faith in God,” said Pacquiao.

Mayweather is out to prove his point both in boxing skills and his aim of establishing new standard in drug testing when he battles fellow American Shane Mosley on May 1 in Las Vegas.

For their 12-round battle, Mayweather and Mosley have agreed to a no-advance-notice urine and blood testing to be conducted by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

“I pick Mosley to win that fight because he can throw a lot of punches compared to Mayweather who’s a very defensive boxer. Defense can’t win fights especially against a fighter like Mosley who relies on speed,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao meanwhile has indicated his willingness to hang-up his gloves especially now that his already illustrious mother Dionisia is more vocal than ever in earnestly seeing his son retire for good.

“That’s something that I am seriously considering because I’m sure you do not want to see me end up being a beaten man, right? I know I can still compete but it’s better to retire while I’m still healthy and enjoy my success with our countrymen,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, a congressional candidate in the coming May elections, recently defended World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown via a 12-round decision winover Ghanaian Joshua Clottey in front of 51,000 paying fans last March 14 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Watch Abraham vs Dirrell Boxing Fight

2010-03-22T05:34:00.000-07:00

source: eastsideboxing

LAS VEGAS (February 19, 2010)—Super middleweight contender Andre Dirrell injured his back earlier this week while sparring in Las Vegas, preventing him from training for his upcoming Super Six World Boxing Classic super middleweight showdown with Arthur Abraham. Dirrell’s injury has forced the fight to be rescheduled for Saturday, March 27, to be televised live on SHOWTIME® (10:30 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast).

“Andre saw a specialist and he is going to be ready to fight on March 27,” said Gary Shaw, Dirrell’s promoter. “I know Andre is deeply disappointed about rescheduling but he IS determined to resume training for the super middleweight division’s most compelling fight..”

Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland said: “The most important thing is that Andre gets healthy. Arthur is ready to get in the ring with him and win the next three points in the tournament – no matter when and where. We look forward to March 27 and the next spectacular victory of King Arthur.”

Abraham, who has been training in the United States since February 8, said, “Of course I was disappointed when I first heard of the postponement, but I am happy to take on Dirrell on March 27. I want him to be in top shape so that he has no excuses once I am done with him. This is the Super Six World Boxing Classic, the best fighting against the best, so I can understand that he does not want to face me when he is not at 100 percent.

“My training has gone very well thus far,” continued Abraham. “I am in great shape and I will defend my tournament lead against him.”

Watch Erik Morales vs Jose Alfaro Boxing Fight

2010-03-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

source: eastsideboxing

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Integrated Sports Media, North America’s undisputed leader pay-per-view distribution of major boxing events, is teaming-up with KO Entertainment to bring American fans the ring return of Mexican great Erik “El Terrible” Morales, who headlines the March 27th “The Champion Returns” pay-per-view event live from Monterrey, Mexico. “We’re excited to bring U.S. boxing fans the return of Erik Morales, one of boxing’s all-time greats, and the last man to defeat Manny Pacquaio,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “He is a living legend who has beaten many, many world champions. The entire card is stacked from top to bottom with world champions, top contenders, and hot prospects..”

“The Champion Returns,” presented by KO Entertainment, is being distributed in the United States by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV and DISH Network, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.

Three-division world champion Morales (48-6, 34 KOs), who hasn’t fought since Aug. 4, 2007, faces former WBA lightweight titlist Jose “Jicaras” Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs), fighting out of Nicaragua, in the 12-round main event for the WBC Intercontinental welterweight crown.

One of the most revered Mexican fighters of all-time, Morales’ list of victims over the years reads like a Who’s Who list: Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Pauli Ayala, Wayne McCullough, Junior Jones, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Guty Espada, Jr. (twice), Daniel Zaragoza and Kevin Kelly. Alfaro has defeated world champions Prawet Singwancha and DeMarcus Corley.

Fighting in the 12-round co-feature is another Mexican great, 2-time former world super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares (38-6-2, 17 KOs), presently rated No. 5 by the WBA and No. 14 by the IBF, against an opponent to be determined.

Two of the “baddest” strawweights in the world go at it in another 12-rounder, unbeaten WBA champion Roman “Chocolalito” Gonzalez (25-0, 21 KOs), representing Nicaragua, and world rated Mexican contender Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1, 12 KOs).

Also slated to fight on this explosive card is the best kept secret in the heavyweight division, El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs), in a Special Heavyweight Attraction.

Watch Klitschko vs Chambers Boxing Fight

2010-03-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

source: eastsideboxing

IBF-, WBO- and IBO World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko and his opponent Eddie Chambers met at ESPRIT arena Düsseldorf, where their fight will take place on March 20, for a press conference, yesterday, January 28.

Klitschko: ”This is a great arena and the idea of more than 50.000 spectator gives me additional motivation. After a break of 7 months I am really looking forward to stepping back into the ring. Chambers is a very strong and quick opponent; therefore he is the number 1 in the WBO ranking. But for me, there is no doubt that I will win the fight and keep my belts.”

Chambers: ” Sure, Klitschko is the favorite. But I will surprise him and shock the boxing world when I take his titles to the US on March 20.”

For the second time Klitschko will be fighting in a soccer stadium. The ESPRIT arena Düsseldorf, homefield of Fortuna Düsseldorf, will have a capacity of 51.000 seats on fight night. In his last fight, Champion Klitschko beat Ruslan Chagaev at Schalke Arena in front of 61.000 spectators in June 2009. Tickets for the highly anticipated fight are available at www.eventim.de or via phone +49-1805-570070. Price start at 20 Euro. VIP packages cost 350 Euro or 600 Euro..

Watch Pacman-Clottey Boxing Fight Replay

2010-03-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Pound for Pound King Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO) successfully defended his WBO Welterweight Championship with a dominant twelve round decision victory over former IBF Welterweight Champion Joshua “Grandmaster” Clottey (35-4-0, 20 KO) of Accra, Ghana in front of a massive crowd of 50,994 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The scores were 120-108, 119-109, and 119-109 all in favor of Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s work rate proved too much for Clottey for twelve rounds. Pacquiao landed 246 of 1,231 punches compared to Clottey’s 108 of 399, according to CompuBox.

Pacquiao took advantage of Clottey’s defensive style by ripping the Ghanaian with hard shots to the body. His sustained attack and blazing hand speed against Clottey was his key to this victory.

Clottey was on the defensive for twelve rounds by just keeping his guard high. His best round of the fight was the 6th round wherein caught Pacquiao with good counters to head and body. However, he never really got it going after that and was backed up by Pacquiao all throughout the rest of the fight.

The win over Clottey could probably set-up a match with the winner of the May 1st bout between undefeated boxing star Floyd Mayweather, Jr and WBA Welterweight Champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley later this year.

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Boxing Fight Live

2010-03-11T16:36:00.000-08:00

ARLINGTON, TX (January 19, 2010) – The stars will fight, big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!

Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of THE EVENT: MANNY PACQUIAO vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY World Welterweight Championship. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Clottey will take place, Saturday, March 13 and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

This marks one of the biggest world title fights to be held in a major U.S. sports stadium since the Muhammad Ali – Ken Norton World Heavyweight Championship in Yankee Stadium in 1976, also promoted by Top Rank.

Pacquiao and Clottey boast a combined record of 85-6-2 (59 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 91% and a victory by knockout ratio of nearly 70%..

Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Clottey go on sale This Saturday! January 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, tickets can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium box office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“I have wanted to bring a major boxing event to North Texas for many years, so why not bring in the biggest and the best?” asked Jones. “Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction and the world champion. Manny’s title defense against Joshua Clottey is not just a great fight, it is THE EVENT, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium. We’re going to promote this like it was the Super Bowl. This will be the fight to remember.”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for over 40,000 fans for THE EVENT with elevated floor seating similar to NBA games.

“Jerry Jones knows exactly how big and important THE EVENT is, which is why it was so easy to put this deal together,” said Arum. “As a lifelong Giants fan I had to receive special dispensation from Steve Tisch, the Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President, to bring this event to Cowboys Stadium and he blessed the deal. If Jerry could sell me on Cowboys Stadium and the North Texas market, you know he is going to have no problems selling out Cowboys Stadium on March 13. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and promote Manny’s debut as World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao is the Lone Star of boxing. There isn’t a more appropriate place in the world for him to fight! Like Yankee Stadium, when it hosted so many great world title fights, including Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Ali, I feel a new era in boxing is about to begin at Cowboys Stadium.”

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title he earned in his last fight, produced by a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years, Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Lopez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined.

Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), a native of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, NY, captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by trouncing three-time world champion Zab Judah. His career has been a highlight reel of thrills featuring victories over two-division world champion Diego Corrales and undefeated contender Richard Gutierrez and a close decision loss to world champion Antonio Margarito. In his last fight, Clottey lost a controversial split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

Pacquiao vs. Clottey Final Press Conference Photos and Videos

2010-03-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

by: eastsideboxing

DALLAS, TEXAS, March 10, 2010 – Surrounded by the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, seven-time world champion and “Fighter of the Decade” Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (L) and challenger Joshua Clottey (R) pose during the final press conference Wednesday for their upcoming World Welterweight championship on Saturday, March 13, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on HBO Pay-Per-View..

Can Joshua Clottey Find a Way to Beat Manny Pacquiao?

2010-03-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

by: Ben Cohen
The Final Bell

The upcoming fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey promises to be exciting. Why?

Because Manny Pacquiao is fighting.

The dynamic Filipino could be in the ring with a miniature version of John Ruiz (the most boring fighter in recent history) and it would still make for compelling viewing. Pacquiao’s relentless aggression, speed, power and movement are enough to crack most defensive fighter’s shells, and his ability to knock an opponent out with one punch guarantees an action packed bout.

And in his fight with Joshua Clottey we can probably expect even more.

The teak-tough Ghanaian is not afraid to mix it up and has good power, particularly with his left hand. Despite being somewhat defensively minded, Clottey can switch to outright aggression instantaneously, and has a very keen sense of territory in the ring. Clottey likes to intimidate his opponents physically, and his frame is abnormally dense for 147lbs. Clottey could easily compete at 154lbs and be just as effective, and he will be the biggest, strongest fighter Pacquiao has ever faced.

Stylistically speaking, Clottey has perhaps one of the better ones for facing the Pac Man. He has no problems with south paws (see his performance over Zab Judah), and loves to go toe to toe with aggressive fighters (see his bout with Antonio Margarito). Clottey throws very fast lead right hands that bother southpaws, and his left hook and left uppercut are feared weapons in the division. Clottey also jabs southpaws very well, a very difficult thing to do, particularly against elite level fighters.

Pacquiao has ironed out most of his technical flaws and presents a very difficult challenge for any fighter in the sport. His jab and right hook are now just as potent as his lethal left, and his lateral movement has improved almost beyond recognition. Pacquiao doesn’t just move in and out like he used to, he side steps, pivots and turns as well as any of the greats. But Pacquiao is often a victim of his own extraordinary fighting heart and tends to go toe to toe when he doesn’t have to, and can sometimes get caught while unloading his power shots. Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto both caught Pacquiao with well timed hooks and uppercuts while Pacquiao steamed in with his trademark aggression.

If Clottey can keep Pacquiao on the end of his jab and fire out consistent lead right hands, he may be able to control the action for good parts of the bout. Clottey may also find success if he bulls Pacquiao to the ropes and unleashes his uppercuts and hooks. He must be careful to stop him from ducking and swiveling out (a trick Pacquiao has learned extremely well over the years), but Clottey’s wide frame and unusual physical strength will give him a better chance than most.

It is hard to see Clottey effectively catching Pacquiao between punches because the African fighter tends to cover up while his opponents are punching and wait for his turn to start his own offense.

And this is why Clottey probably doesn’t have what it takes to dethrone the pound for pound king.

While Clottey may be able to control the pace for portions of the bout, Pacquiao’s incredible speed and movement will force Clottey into his shell. When he does that, Pacquiao will begin to step around and attack Clottey’s body to bring his hands down. Pacquiao’s unorthodox punches will begin to find their target, and Clottey will either have to blend offensive punching with his defense, or lose more rounds than he wins. Freddy Roach will insist that Pacquiao doesn’t stand infront of Clottey for too long, and by the time the Filipino is done punching, Clottey will be swiping at thin air.

Fighters who have mastered the art of counter punching have a chance of beating Pacquiao, and as it stands, only Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley operate at a high enough level to make it work (and maybe Juan Manuel Marquez at a much lower weight). Miguel Cotto fought on even terms for three rounds with the Pac Man due to his effective counter punching, but his chin wasn’t good enough to keep him competitive throughout. Clottey’s chin is world class, but his counter punching isn’t, and for those reasons he won’t be the pick this Saturday.

It is difficult to see Pacquiao scoring a knockout over Clottey, but it might start to look pretty bad for the Ghanaian in the later rounds as Pacquiao’s speed and rhythm take over.

My prediction: Pacquiao via unanimous decision.

Pacquiao confident speed can trump Clottey's size

2010-03-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

by: (Reuters)

Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey's size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday.

Sports

"My quickness will be the key, my speed," the seven-time world champion told Reuters as he prepared for a public workout in front of a throng of fans.

However, the WBO welterweight champion is not taking his Ghanaian opponent lightly.

"You cannot underestimate Joshua Clottey," he said. "He's a good fighter, and he's bigger than me, and I have to be very focused in the fight."

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach acknowledges that former IBF title holder Clottey, a natural welterweight, has a size advantage over the champion, who began his career forty pounds lighter.

"But I don't think size wins fights," he said. "I think skill does. He may be a little stronger than Manny on the inside, he might hit a little harder, but I think our speed will nullify that."

Roach said he has been watching footage of Clottey's fights, and has identified a few key habits that he and his fighter intend to exploit.

"He'll wait for you to throw a combination and then, when you've stopped, he'll throw back. So if you stand in front of him, you're an idiot," he said. "We're not going to do that. He's not going to be able to find us.

"Sometimes he uses his head," Roach said of Clottey, 35-3 (20 KOs), whose first defeat came when he was disqualified for headbutts.

"If you fall into the pocket with him, his best punch is an uppercut and his second best punch is a headbutt. So we're not going to go in there. We're going to fight him at distance."

A crowd of several hundred watched Pacquiao's workout, a turnout that a beaming Pacquiao, 50-3-2 (38 KOs), described as 'amazing'.

The fight will be the first to be held at Cowboys Stadium, with 45,000 spectators expected to attend, and the Filipino said he was looking forward to the opportunity to show his skills in front of such a large audience at a new venue.

"I'm very excited to fight in Cowboys Stadium, especially because this is the first fight there," said Pacquiao. "It's an honor to fight in Dallas. I can't wait until Saturday. This is for the fans. This is my chance to show them what I can do."

Pacquiao and Mayweather: One Bout Away from the Big One?

2010-03-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

By Gary Andrew Poole

It is 7:13 a.m. in Los Angeles and Manny Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, is jogging on a public high school track. There are palm trees in the distance, and the low hum of traffic on I-10 is starting to turn into a low roar as the Filipino boxer, clad in a red tracksuit, dashes around the dirt oval despite a painful shin splint. A handful of early-arriving students hang on the chain-link fence surrounding the track and watch him do his work. The Pac-Man is preparing for his March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey, a dangerous but relatively unknown welterweight from Ghana. The $49.95 pay-per-view fight is billed as "The Event" but could easily be called "The Letdown."

Just three months ago, boxing was preparing for its version of the Super Bowl. Fresh from his mega-fight win over Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao had begun negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr., a brash welterweight whom non-sports fans know best from his appearance on Dancing with the Stars. The proposed battle was being compared to some of the greatest matchups in boxing history. Even people who had given up on boxing or hadn't really thought about it much were talking about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, which would probably earn each boxer $40 million, the most lucrative match ever.

But negotiations became so acrimonious that they descended to the level of bad soap opera. Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style random blood testing, which Pacquiao refused, saying that drug-testing rules should be decided by boxing commissions, not individual fighters. Though suspicions were raised that Pacquiao was on some sort of performance-enhancing drug, the Filipino boxer — who has won an unprecedented seven belts in seven weight classes, putting on 40 lb. throughout his career — has never tested positive for banned drugs. He says he is willing to submit to random urine testing.

Pacquiao's camp says the boxer refused the blood testing because he is superstitious and doesn't want to give blood so close to fight time. He was blood-tested a couple of days before his fight with Erik Morales, and lost. "It made me weak," says Pacquiao, who is suing Mayweather for sullying his reputation. There is speculation in some boxing gyms that Mayweather knew about Pacquiao's aversion to pre-fight blood testing and used it as a tactic to duck him. But Mayweather insists that he simply wants to reform the sport's drug policies. "I am taking a stand," he says, adding, "I should get to choose who I want to fight." But by allowing the negotiations to collapse, Pacquiao and Mayweather quickly became defined as the boxers who wouldn't fight each other. "I think Floyd is scared of Manny," says Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer. "I think the public is disgusted by the controversy, but they still want the fight to happen."

To fill the vacuum and assuage dissatisfaction, each boxer decided to take on formidable interim opponents. Pacquiao will fight Clottey, and Mayweather will battle "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 1. The hope is that if Pacquiao and Mayweather both win their respective fights, they will work out their differences and fight in the fall. "My nails are going to be bitten down to the bone waiting until May 2," says Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, which is hoping to televise the Pacquiao-Mayweather spectacle.

Manny Pacquiao Vs. Joshua Clottey: How Good Is Clottey, Anyway?

2010-03-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

Written by Tim Starks

So continues our marathon coverage of one of the biggest fights of 2010, Manny Pacquiao versus Joshua Clottey on March 13, culminating in a live blog on fight night. Previously: Why and how Pacquiao-Clottey matters. Next: Keys to the fight.

Everyone knows Manny Pacquiao. Not everyone knows Joshua Clottey, the man Pacquiao is fighting Saturday.

Clottey (above left against Miguel Cotto, photo by Howard Schatz) has a very good reputation, for the most part. Some boxing writers consider him one of the 20 best boxers of today, and he's one of the top men in the welterweight division, clearly. He caught some flack for his showing at the end of the fight against Cotto, but there are a lot of people who thought he got robbed in that bout. And it wasn't that long ago that there was a highly viable theory that Clottey was underrated, the best fighter in the division not to be recognized as one of the best.

Yet the more I look at Clottey, the less convinced I am. I'd had that thought prior to Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach saying the same thing in the "Road to Dallas" documentary that aired Saturday (I swear! Ask the people I hung out with Saturday night, away from the television, when the documentary was airing). But that Roach said it made me feel confident about it, too. I think Clottey has become overrated.

This requires a bit of a preface, a disclaimer. I think Clottey's a really good boxer. I think he's a dangerous fighter for Pacquiao to take on, by virtue of his size and style. But when I look at his record and his review the video, I see a fighter who's a full notch below the best of the best.

Consider:

The best win of Clottey's career is probably his 2008 9th round technical decision over Zab Judah. Now, Judah's a talent. But Judah hadn't had a win over a non-journeyman since 2005, when he knocked out Cory Spinks. Judah was ranked in the top 10 of the division at the time, but there were a lot of smart people who think he didn't deserve to be. He'd been beaten by Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto and Carlos Baldomir from 2005 to 2008. He was competitive in all of them, but Judah's downward slide was clearly in full force. And you know what? It was a close fight, Clottey-Judah, even under the circumstances. Two judges gave Clottey the fight by a mere point.

The second best win of his career is over... well, there's a big drop off from the win over Judah. Is it Diego Corrales, who was moving up two divisions and had the look of damaged goods? Is it Shamone Alvarez, a decent welterweight but nobody who ever really much sniffed the top 10 of the division?

You can point to the almost-wins over Cotto and Antonio Margarito, but those only go so far. Clottey couldn't beat Cotto with one of the worst handful of cuts I've ever seen a boxer persevere through. Against Margarito, Clottey was doing well early before claiming hand injuries and slowing down. Clottey was ahead on the scorecards against Baldomir before being disqualified.

I'm doing something here that is reminiscent of the kind of thing I hate in boxing -- systematically diminishing a fighter's accomplishments. Honestly, you can do it with any fighter. But I'm doing it here despite fundamentally liking Clottey, and thinking he's good. It's only, as I said, that I think he's a notch lower than some of the best guys.

Cotto knocked out Judah, and Floyd Mayweather beat Judah more easily than did Clottey. Margarito and Pacquiao both knocked out Cotto. There's nobody on my pound-for-pound list whose best win is over Judah, and I don't think there ever will be. Almost-wins count for something, but only if the boxer has a proven record of beating top competition on the scorecards or via knockout.

That's steering us toward the root of where Clottey's problems lie. His style, as I mentioned, is difficult, and he's a dangerous opponent. His excellent defense, good counterpunching and rock-solid chin have made him a handful for the elite boxers he's faced. Yet they also are part and parcel about why he hasn't exactly excelled on the top, top level.

There's a feeling out there that I've long argued against that Clottey allowed Cotto to win in the late rounds, that he somehow took his foot off the gas. In actuality, as I see it, Cotto just exploited the flaws in Clottey's style in those late rounds. Clottey does good work behind his high guard, cutting off the ring and firing counters. But that style often requires Clottey to set his feet, wait for his opponent to punch, then return fire. Cotto, in the final couple rounds against Clottey, took advantage of that by moving and initiating contact and forcing Clottey to cover up, then moving again, preventing Clottey from planting. Clottey didn't know what to do, so he did what he always does, which is more of the same. He didn't give the fight away any more than any other fight he'd ever been in. His style did, with a little help from Cotto.

Judah, a less fundamentally sound boxer than Cotto, also exploited Clottey's style. Merely by punching at Clottey, he outworked him and won rounds. Clottey's style is economical to a fault. He doesn't take a lot of chances, thinking defense-first the way he does, and if you can hit him and get out of the way, you can have a lot of success against him. If Judah's footwork was better, and if he wasn't in the midst of a career slide, and if he wasn't inclined toward finding a way to lose despite his talent, maybe he wins that fight.

That's another issue with Clottey: He kind of finds ways to lose or get taken out of his game, rather than fighting through it all. There's a little bit of bitch in Clottey, at least compared to the top-notch guts of some fighters. I don't doubt his hand injuries against Margarito, but any number of fighters routinely injure their hands and fight through it, from Mayweather to fighters who lacked Clottey's talent, like Arturo Gatti. In the Judah fight, he winced and hammed it up when Judah landed a low blow. He spent about a half hour recovering from Cotto's body slam. I don't know if the disqualification against Baldomir was justified or not, but there's a trend here, no?

What I'm trying to establish is that while I think Clottey's a legit foe for Pacquiao, that he's definitely worth of being top-5 at welter, that his style presents unique problems to his foes and that he's good enough to hang with the best of the best... the best of the best he ain't. Or, at least, he hasn't proven himself to be in his career so far, owing to a variety of defects in his game and a dearth of wins against said best-of-the-best.

It doesn't mean that Pacquiao beating him will be insignificant or anything like it -- it's be another huge win in a historic career. It doesn't mean he can't or won't win against Pacquiao; sometimes, non-super fighters beat super fighters by virtue of the dynamic between those two fighters, and sometimes non-super fighters become super fighters with one key win.

Clottey Too Strong?

2010-03-08T03:48:00.000-08:00

By: Alex McMillan

Saturday night sees the next chapter unfold in what has become the gladiatorial career of Manny Pacquiao. Proudly and justifiably held as boxing’s poster boy, the sport seems in more need of his services right now than vice versa. Thankfully for the fight game and its needy, often disappointed fans Manny’s still here. Still accepting the bigger fights and the bigger challenges.

David Diaz was a stepping stone. I never for one moment doubted the Filipino’s ability to take what little he’d offer and come back with substantially more. That the American went 9 rounds is testament to his resolve. Manny couldn’t have hit him harder with a baseball bat.

Against Cotto there were doubts. It was clearly a fight in which Pacman would do well; Cotto likes to box but can’t seem to avoid fighting when in with a fighter. Manny’s feet would be quicker, it was generally accepted he hit harder, and Miguel had wilted before coming apart as the rounds wore on against the heavy-handed, anything but fleet-footed Antonio Margarito. This was the key consideration of the Cotto Paquiao matchup; how much had the Puerto Rican learned? However we may judge the David Diaz’s of this world, Cotto is an accomplished, genuinely world class performer. Though he’d been drawn into the odd crazy round or two (the Demarcus Corley fight springs instantly to mind) Cotto had shown his true colours in classy wins over the legendary Shane Mosley and once-possibly-future-legendary Zab Judah. At the time I thought Mosley was washed up. I still had hopes for Judah. It’s a funny sport to call at times..

Cotto had also impressed against the previously undefeated Urkal, Quintana and Torres. He was the real deal, no doubt. And Pacman blew him away. It was stunning. In July ’08 I was thrilled for Margarito. He was Rocky; he was everyone watching not ardently behind Miguel. For five or six minutes he walked through all the patience and pain of the previous 8 or 9 rounds and looked unstoppable. He was a boxing legend that night. He was boxing. Last November as the Puerto Rican clung on through the dying rounds and Manny just refused to stop taking him apart I could barely watch.

How quickly things change, and how difficult they are to call. Floyd Mayweather, though unquestionable legend himself, once again proved that he is definitely not boxing. He may be poster boy for half the sports and image rights agents who can clamour for his attention, but walking through 8 rounds of hurt to clutch all of our imaginations as he battles the odds in the dying rounds he is not. Would he fight Manny? Certainly. But the money, locations, gloves, ropes and anything else he could think of had to be his.

Mayweather’s loss. Our gain. Saturday night will be all about 2 great fighters fighting for greatness. For Clottey, it’s a deserved chance for recognition on the biggest of stages. For Pacman, it’s just more fun. More fans, more lightning combinations, more singing. And we’ll miss him when he’s gone.

To fully appreciate the legacy he’ll eventually leave it’s necessary to bear in mind he’s fighting thousands of miles from home. Though the U.S. is fairly unchallenged as boxing’s big time venue (hoards of supporters of the likes of Hatton and Calzaghe in recent years cementing the point) it’s possible to underestimate the challenge faced by a fighter making such a move. When red-hot Juan Manuel Marquez dropped a hotly disputed decision to Chris John in Jakarta 2004 most observers were quick to dismiss the loss, citing hometown decision making as the most likely issue, yet when the Rocky Juarez scored an unquestionably generous draw 5 years later in Texas most tried to justify the decision as John’s own shortcoming, slowing down in the latter rounds. While it’s never prudent to isolate individual fights as comparisons, the challenges faced in fighting halfway round the world are nothing short of substantial. Both in and out of the ring. Fortunately, Manny’s had nothing to complain about. He’s had high’s and lows, fought an incredible round first time out with Marquez then learned a great lesson through the conclusion of the fight. But these days Manny doesn’t do decisions. These days he doesn’t take the chance.

He’s stronger, faster and more resolved than the electrifying but somewhat erratic pugilist who burst onto the scene with a breathtaking derailment of a then peak Barerra in 2003. So far he’s lost nothing of his speed and his power seems to increase naturally with his weight. So why should Clottey succeed where Cotto was found so wanting?

It’s an old cliché, but styles make fights. Records do not throw punches. If they did the Ghanaian would have came unstuck against the too-fast Judah. He didn’t. He’d have been out of depth against the world class Cotto. He certainly wasn’t. The Margarito loss raises eyebrows on the Clottey record, but that was nearly 4 years ago now. And Tony can fight, unquestionably. What seems to be of greatest interest here is the comparisons that can be drawn – though shouldn’t be – between Clottey’s fight with Cotto and Pacquiao’s. Wouldn’t life be great if it was as easy to assess an upcoming fight as that? Pacman’ll walk through him, right?

For Joshua Clottey, this is the culmination of a life spent building to this moment. It’s a payday but I don’t think that’s really the point. He’s a tough man, a hard fighter. He wants a piece of what Manny’s been getting. Loath though I am to bet against the Filipino, I think he’ll get it. I anticipate the same electric atmosphere, free foot movement and creative combinations from Manny, but I also see the Ghanaian getting on top of him at times and fighting the kind of fight Ricky Hatton hoped to conjure. In doing so I believe Clottey will present a stronger challenge than Manny’s been faced with so far. I see this as an exceptionally close call and I don’t see a stoppage. Saturday night might just raise a few more of those eyebrows picking future fights based on records.

Either way, Manny wins. Were he to lose and bow out only the sport and its fans would suffer. If he wins, if he scales more phenomenal heights and simply marches through everything Clottey offers? Then what? Perhaps well see ‘Money’ Mayweather travel halfway across the globe for modern day thriller in Manilla? Whatever happens come Saturday, however hard this game is to predict, I think we’re all safe betting Floyd just won’t take the chance.

Clottey Working His Butt Off For 'A Miracle'

2010-03-07T15:57:00.000-08:00

Source: boxing.fanhouse

A native of Ghana who is preparing for a March 13 challenge for the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) crown held by seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), Joshua Clottey (35-3, 20 knockouts) of the Bronx, N.Y., spoke to FanHouse recently from his sleeping quarters near his training facility at Fort Lauderdale's Contender Gym in Florida.

This is the third of four diaries for Clottey that will appear regularly on FanHouse as the 32-year-old Clottey enters the most lucrative and biggest fight of his career, one that will be aired live on HBO pay per view.

ad things just kept happening to one of boxing's good guys.

The initial thing was Joshua Clottey's first major fight against future world champion, Carlos Baldomir, in November of 10 years ago, when he was disqualified for head-butting in the 11th-round of a matchup he needed only to stay on his feet to win.

Clottey, to this day, believes he was the victim of foul play against Baldomir, but he never thought that it would be the story of his career.

"That was a very, very, big frustration for me. We were dealing with two promoters. Frank Maloney, he was the one who had the money. The other promoter, Panos Eliadis, loved us African guys. Too much for Maloney's tastes, in seemed like.

So Maloney was jealous because we always surprised him by winning. He didn't like that," said Clottey, who is 32.

"The day of the fight, I went to the bathroom, and I saw Maloney, and Baldomir's managers and trainers talking. Then and there, I thought to myself, 'Something bad's going to happen,'" said Clottey. "I think they did something to the referee, because he was all over me. You know, everything that I'd do, he warned me too much. It was painful to me."

Next up was his December, 2006 loss to Antonio Margarito, during which he led early before his two, injured hands betrayed him over the course of a unanimous decision loss and his bid to win the vacant WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title.

"I had planned out a good gameplan for Margarito, and it was working so perfectly. You could see the surprise in the place and in his face when I was winning, because nobody knew me. They didn't know me as a big fish. They were like,

'Wow,' where is this guy from?" recalled Clottey.

"But the first hand, my left, one, just went out on me. The knuckle in my left hand was experiencing a sharp pain," said Clottey. "And then I started to throw the right hand, and I was really trying to throw, but the pain was just too much in that one also."

Clottey rebounded, however, earning the IBF crown over southpaw, former world champion, Zab Judah via ninth-round technical decision stoppage in August of 2008.

Clottey was then informed that he would get a break against WBO king, Miguel Cotto, but the IBF would force him to give up the belt if he took the challenge rather than facing an organization mandatory.

With Cotto being his largest, career pay day, and a shot at seemingly endless possibilities in victory, Clottey bit the bullet and bagged the IBF crown.

Then, Clottey lost June's disputed, split-decision to Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), against whom he suffered a flash knockdown from a first-round left hook.

"After the fight with Cotto, I was shocked, and I was so, so, so sad. Because I felt like what they did to me was something," said Clottey. "I thought that I won the fight, and that they just took the fight away from me. I was really tired of these things happening to me in championship fights."

But it only got worse after the fight, when Clottey split with trainer, Kwame Assante, over money.

"On Sunday or Monday, I was having a discussion with the trainer [Assante,] and he just came out and started talking and telling me things [about paying him] that I don't even know anything about," said Clottey. "It's great in that he's the trainer, and that he's going to make so much money. But now, it's not going to go to him, because of his selfishness. Now, he's gone."

Adding to the problems, however, was the fact that two successive opportunities -- one against WBA welterweight super champion, Shane Mosley, and another opposite former titlist, Carlos Quintana -- fell through.

"You know, about that, there was yet another very big frustration. But I kept thinking to myself, 'One thing about life is that good things always come to good people,'" said Clottey.

"All of those fights that we talked about where they said I lost, and the fights that fell through, I figured that it had to end sometime. You never know what is going to happen," said Clottey.

"When they called off the fights, I just kept on training, and was continuing to think about the next option," said Clottey. "I'm patient, I'm very respectful to everybody, I'm very nice to everybody. I push myself. So, you know, I thought, 'Good things happen to good people."

This time, Clottey was right.

For in early January, things began to look up for a dejected Clottey, who received an offer from Top Rank Promotions' CEO, Bob Arum, to face seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, for anotther chance to earn the WBO crown.

More than that, the 31-year-old Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) represented the largest career payday for Clottey (35-3, 20 KOs), who arrived from his Ghana in New York in mid-January and informed FanHouse that he had signed the contract for the fight an hour earlier.

Nicknamed, "The Grand Master," Clottey's purse will surpass $1 million for the first time, with an upside to the pay-per-view.

But there still would be hurdles for Clottey, who was in need of a new trainer.

Clottey thought that for sure that he had had the perfect one in Godwin Nii Dzanie Kotey, a legendary father figure to his fighters who had worked with Clottey's countryman and former welterweight star, Ike Quartey.

But Clottey would receive yet another blow when Kotey was denied a work Visa to the U.S.

"That was very disappointing," said Clottey, who wept openly about the decision, "because I have my trainer in Ghana, and he doesn't get a Visa to come, that was unexpected."

Manager, Vinnie Scolpino, suggested Lenny DeJesus, who had worked as Clottey's cut man and an assistant to Assante during Clottey's loss to Cotto.

They had known of each other from John's Gym in the Bronx, where Clottey has trained, and DeJesus, worked with other fighters.

"That's why I chose Lenny. The training is going fine, because it's easy with me to connect with anybody. Lenny, he's a nice person. He talks to me. Lenny talks to me about boxing. Whenever your manager or your trainer feels for you, it's good. It's not like they just want money," said Clottey.

"Lenny's the guy who in it for me. So I love it that he's there for me, because I can go into the ring and fight. I'm okay with him, I'm nice with him," said Clottey.

"Lenny can tell me things like, 'Go into the ring, go to his body.' If I go to the body, and it doesn't work, I have to change my whole plan in the ring," said Clottey. "So sometimes, the trainers talk, and they work good the way they're talking, they become heroes."

Clottey said that he and DeJesus are on the same page.

"Everything is fine with me and Lenny," said Clottey. "We're nice, we're cool. I'm so happy with him."

And since he first received the call from Top Rank offering the bout with Pacquiao, Clottey has been looking for, and, finding positive signs.

The first one, said Clottey, is the fact that Pacquiao did not request a catchweight of 145 pounds, something that is a big help since Clottey has fought several times at weights higher than 147.

"They never talked about me moving to a catchweight. We're fighting at the welterwelterweight limit, so it's like, a miracle," said Clottey, who can concentrate more on technique than simply wearing himself down cutting weight.

"But you can't just be there and pray to God, 'Oh, God, I want money to buy food and eat,' and God will come from heaven and give you money," said Clottey. "No, have got to continue to work your a** off and go to work. So I know that I'm going to go there and that I'm going to be in a fight."

In Pacquiao, Clottey is facing a man who simply seems to have forgotten how to lose, and whose focus is unflappable.

He is running for congress, has made a movie, been the focus of features in major, crossover magazines, and even delivered food to his native Filipinos during a typhoon -- a move that briefly interrupted his training only days prior, but, nevertheless, did not affect his performance in his 12th-round knockout of that dethroned Puerto Rico's Cotto as WBO champ.

Pacquiao has been named Fighter Of The Year for the past three, and was recently honored as The Fighter Of The Decade, owing largely to an 11-0 record that includes eight knockouts since a March, 2005 loss to Erik Morales at super featherweight (130 pounds).

Pacquiao is in his 22nd, consecutive bout under Freddie Roach, who has been named a Four-Time Trainer Of The Year, and under whom Pacquiao is is 18-1-2, with 15 knockouts since June of 2001.

But for Clottey, there are just too many things that are positive for the Grand Master not to believe that this is not part of the grand, master plan.

"I never expected for me to be fighting on pay per view this early, and I never expected to be fighting with Manny Pacquiao this early, and I never expected to be fighting in March this early in the year," said Clottey.

"And you know one thing, I don't like any thing being around me when I'm training. That's the only thing I think about is the training. Nothing makes me happier now than thinking about the training and the fight, and believe me, I've trained so, so, so, so hard," said Clottey.

"When I'm in the gym, that's the time I fight more. My mind has always told me that "Everything is going to be fine,' and it might not work out the way that I want it to," said Clottey. "But I never expected to be in such a huge fight like this, which is the biggest pay day of the year. It's like a miracle, like something is being worked out. It's like a miracle, something is coming, and I'm so happy."

Mayweather spits in journalists' faces, tell them it's raining

2010-03-07T15:55:00.000-08:00

Boxing Examiner
Michael Marley

"I don't really have time to read the secondary sites. I know that Floyd Mayweather gave interviews. And I don't want to get involved in a back and forth with Bob Arum," said Schaefer. "I have nothing else to say about it."

Everytime I try to stand tall, to defend the Forces Of Evil when I think they might not be wrong, they kick me in the teeth.

That's Golden Boy's Richie Rich Schaefer, on the defensive about L'il Floyd completely dissing some Filipino journalists and refusing to even speak to them at the Thursday Mayweather-Mosley press tour shindig in Los Angeles.

Schaefer, in speaking to Lem Satterfield at AOL Fanhouse, is basically spitting in all our faces and then telling us it is raining.

Let's parse this brusque and supremely arrogant response from Oscar de la Hoya henchman:

1. Schaefer has no time for “secondary sites,” does that mean Examiner.com and does that mean all the Pinoy sites including that of huge TV network GMA (whose Chino Trinidad was among those brushed off by the petulant Mayweather? Pray tell what Schaefer has to do that is more important than taking the pulse of the boxing public as reflected on any and all sites? In other words, Richie Rich is too busy to survey what his paying customers are reading and thinking about? Bottom line, he could care less.

Manny Pacquiao helps Coach Freddie Roach celebrate his 50th birthday (Pete Susens Photo)

2. .Imagine if Mayweather and his minions had rejected ALL Mexican journalists, the shock, the horror, the weeping and gnashing of the Goldens. All RRS cares about is his solid information that the mercurial Mayweather granted SOME interviews. Ignoring journalists from the Philippines...well, who cares? RRS is a busy, busy executive who doesn't want to dirty his hands to probe this disturbing incident.

(See Paula Duffy's column in which Mayweather flack Kelly Swanson, respected boxing veteran who got her start working with Riddick Bowe and his mercurial promoter Rock Newman, contends that Mayweather refused to discuss Pacquiao or drug testing with ANYBODY Thursday in Los Angeles.)

3 RRS doesn't want to play verbal volleyball with Arum on this isssue because he knows Arum is in the right, not always, but is in the right but this time. On this issue, he is absolutely correct. Having just spent five successive days at Manny Pacquiao's Wild Card workouts, I did not see a journalist of any nationality, race, creed or religion (“No Buddhists or Mormons Allowed”), even those miserable wretches from the “secondary sites” were freely admitted and even on days besides the Media/Open Workout designated day. Basically, what I saw at Pacquiao Central was free, untramelled access for ALL boxing journalists. No questions, no subject was deemed taboo.

4. Schaefer dismisses the whole topic as in it's worthy of my important time and energy, he is such a puffed up important guy, you see. So what if a few guys from a Third World nation got no time from Mayweather, who really cares?

Schaefer is right about one thing, now it's time to let this issue go. Someone said the Pinoy journalists were late for the presser and that's why they were brushed pff by Mayweather. He couldn't spare a few minutes for guys who flew all the way from Manila to get to LA?

5 .But you Filipinos, whether you are journalists or just their readers or viewers, are on notice.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn't think you matter. He doesn't think refusing to speak to a respected, fair and balanced guy like Trinidad, someone who has millions upon millions of viewers, is any major deal.

Maybe you should not forget this public slight.

Maybe you can return the favor to him and to Golden Boy.

It might be impertinent of me to ask but when will Oscar The Grouch speak out, give his take on the situation?

My guess would be May, June or July...when Oscar hears about it!

By then, Oscar may have perused even the secondary sites, lol.

For Mayweather, for his hired, Golden hands, this is strictly a secondary issue.

It's not an issue of racism, or of discrimination, it's just thoughtless conduct borne of arrogance.

Second class treatment for second class journalists.

I mean, they're Filipinos, not Americans, right?

How important could they possibly be?

PACQUIAO IN GREAT SHAPE, NO PROBLEM WITH HIS LEG

2010-03-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com

Filipino boxing icon and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao no longer has any problems with his left leg that bothered him some weeks ago and looked in great shape when he sparred six rounds at the Wild Card Gym on Saturday.

Conditioning expert Alex Ariza said trainer Freddie Roach had problems holding Pacquiao back even though he will be allowed to spar on a non-sparring day which is Monday, before the entourage flies out to Dallas aboard a chartered jet.

Ariza told us that he was particularly happy because Pacquiao’s “footwork was great and Freddie was very, very pleased with his footwork. Today he (Pacquiao) focused on footwork in moving and lateral movements and was doing just what he was supposed to do and me, I’m so happy because I asked him about the leg and the leg is a hundred percent now.”

Pacquiao sparred six rounds with Abdullai Amidu, the undefeated Ghana fighter with 17 knockouts in 18 wins and longtime sparring partner David Rodela, the super featherweight who helped him prepare for the rematch with Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera and whose quickness and hand-speed are his assets.

Ariza said that before they leave for Dallas, they would taper off and “slow down a little bit” although Pacquiao will spar a few rounds on Monday after taking Sunday off .

The conditioning guru who together with Roach who refined Pacquiao’s fighting style helped add explosive power to Pacquiao. He has since Ariza joined the team scored devastating victories ovr David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

Meantime, the Texas Boxing Commission has picked former US Army boxer and a native of Puerto Rico, Rafael Ramos to be the referee in the Pacquiao-Clottey fight on Sunday (Manila Time) which will be telecast in the Philippines by Solar Sports.

Ramos was referee in the 2009 "Fight of the Year" between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz and also officiated in a couple of world title fights in Japan.

Ramos has refereed fights in Texas for over 20 years and was chosen over another Texas favorite Laurence Cole who handled the first Pacquiao fight against Marco Antonio Barrera at the Alamadome in San Antonio in November 2003 in which Pacquiao annihilated the Mexican legend in eleven rounds.

It was Cole who ruled that a slip by Pacquiao was a knockdown and a clear knockdown by Pacquiao a slip.

John Whisler of San Antonio Sports reported that the 53 year old Ramos was not the first choice as the WBO whose welterweight title held by Pacquiao is on the line, wanted Cole. However, Whisler reports that the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation which oversees boxing in Texas is said to over-ruled the WBO and assigned Ramos as the third man in the ring.

Internationally respected referee Bruce NcTavish of New Zealand who makes his home in the Philippines told Ramos was "a good choice."

Even in Las Vegas, the Nevada State Athletic Commission exercises its jurisdiction and assigns the officials often incurring the displeasure of world organizations such as the World Boxing Council.

However, the NSAC has come under some criticism for its failure to assert its position on the issue of random blood tests demanded by Floyd Mayweather Jr which torpedoed a mega-fight with Pacquiao. The "Fighter of the Decade" agreed to blood tests 24 days before the fight and immediately after the fight but Mayweather insisted on 14 days before, resulting in negotiations falling apart.

When we asked executive director Keith Kizer whether the NSAC will supervise or have anything to do with the random blood tests of Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley who will clash on May 1 at the MGM Grand, Kizer replied “we will review the results.”

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Boxing Fight Live

2010-03-01T11:41:00.000-08:00

Source: Eastsideboxing

ARLINGTON, TX (January 19, 2010) – The stars will fight, big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!

Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of THE EVENT: MANNY PACQUIAO vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY World Welterweight Championship. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Clottey will take place, Saturday, March 13 and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

This marks one of the biggest world title fights to be held in a major U.S. sports stadium since the Muhammad Ali – Ken Norton World Heavyweight Championship in Yankee Stadium in 1976, also promoted by Top Rank.

Pacquiao and Clottey boast a combined record of 85-6-2 (59 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 91% and a victory by knockout ratio of nearly 70%..

Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Clottey go on sale This Saturday! January 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, tickets can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium box office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“I have wanted to bring a major boxing event to North Texas for many years, so why not bring in the biggest and the best?” asked Jones. “Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction and the world champion. Manny’s title defense against Joshua Clottey is not just a great fight, it is THE EVENT, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium. We’re going to promote this like it was the Super Bowl. This will be the fight to remember.”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for over 40,000 fans for THE EVENT with elevated floor seating similar to NBA games.

“Jerry Jones knows exactly how big and important THE EVENT is, which is why it was so easy to put this deal together,” said Arum. “As a lifelong Giants fan I had to receive special dispensation from Steve Tisch, the Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President, to bring this event to Cowboys Stadium and he blessed the deal. If Jerry could sell me on Cowboys Stadium and the North Texas market, you know he is going to have no problems selling out Cowboys Stadium on March 13. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and promote Manny’s debut as World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao is the Lone Star of boxing. There isn’t a more appropriate place in the world for him to fight! Like Yankee Stadium, when it hosted so many great world title fights, including Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Ali, I feel a new era in boxing is about to begin at Cowboys Stadium.”

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title he earned in his last fight, produced by a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years, Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Lopez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined.

Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), a native of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, NY, captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by trouncing three-time world champion Zab Judah. His career has been a highlight reel of thrills featuring victories over two-division world champion Diego Corrales and undefeated contender Richard Gutierrez and a close decision loss to world champion Antonio Margarito. In his last fight, Clottey lost a controversial split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

About Cowboys Stadium
Cowboys Stadium is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world. Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world's largest HDTV video board, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Features
of the stadium include a capacity of up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round. In addition to being the new home of theDallas Cowboys, the stadium will host the 2011 Super Bowl, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and the 2014 NCAA men's basketball Final Four as well as high school and college football, concerts and special events. For more
information, go to http://stadium.dallascowboys.com.

Clottey defeats Pacquiao: With heavy odds against, is reality in favor?

2010-02-24T14:57:00.000-08:00

By: Vivek Wallace

On the morning of March 14th when headlines print across the world of boxing and beyond, what will they read?

Listening to most boxing circles, it appears to be a foregone conclusion that the phenomenal Manny Pacquiao will find yet another way to steal the show, but in a sport where anything is possible on any given night, will it really be that simple?

One of the major topics surrounding Manny Pacquiao to date is the issue of performance enhancing substances, yet it's a subplot found within that topic that probably deserves far more attention. For those of us that have followed the sport closely, it's common knowledge that Pacquiao has been a very gifted and talented fighter since well back in his early days, so there's very little reason to question him - as it relates to natural athleticism. But, beyond that, as we peak in that same rear view mirror and analyze a history containing countless wars and bloody battles, a body on the brink of a breakdown can shed light on yet another potential reason as to why this conversation is key..

When you look at the landscape of fighters currently in the sport that have amassed better than 50 fights by the age of 30, suddenly, the portrait becomes very intriguing. Barrera, Morales, and Marquez are three names in particular that fall within this echelon, and without question, we've all seen a great change in their ability to perform at peak levels, as the body became far more paramount than the head which was cruel enough to actually lead them to believe such a feat was possible. In Pacquiao, despite the many wars and the aging body, we continue to see him champion on, seeking new challenges as if his internal clock is permanently broken. For the third fight camp in a row, news has surfaced about injury which reminds us that no matter how super-human he appears, beneath the miraculous exterior, there's a heart that beats like every other man who walks the planet.

Clottey recently reminded us that "Pacquiao is no different than any other man", but for those that chose not to listen, the physical impairments which have suddenly become a mainstay in Pacquiao's pre-fight camps have a voice that can't go unheard.

An arm injury.....a leg injury....now another leg injury....with a ton of questions to follow. And when you follow that trail, the final destination takes an athlete to a place that most would rather not be. Former Major League Baseball slugger Mark McGwire recently went on record to state that his use of performance enhancing substances wasn't to help him hit the ball or perform better, but rather to aid him in recovery from a growing list of injuries. In the case of Pacquiao, there's no such smoking gun and considering that he's innocent until proven guilty, a greater logic says there never will be, but the mere questions surrounding him, paralleled with the frequent injuries truly bring to life a reality that tells us the end is very near.

Exactly how that final script in the career of Manny Pacquiao will be written is beyond any of us, but my money says it won't be from political pressure back at home or a failed drug test abroad. Many seem to lean in the direction of those two theories, but when you look at the physical wear and tear he carries after countless battles and consider the fact that - by his admission - he isn't using those same quick recovery substances that McGwire spoke of, the reality of this matter is truly in favor of his career ending at the hand of a totally unexpected defeat. One which will undoubtedly contain a source with the ability to initiate, explore, and further exploit the same wear and tear we now speak of.

Enter Joshua Clottey. The first bona fide welterweight to face Pacquiao who not only will tip the scales at 147lbs, but subsequently weigh-in unofficially on the night of the fight somewhere in the neighborhood of 170lbs. As if that isn't enough to tip the scales, (no pun intended), Clottey comes equipped with a granite chin and a defense known to pick off more enemy fire than a stealth bomber. The finishing touch in this long list of obstacles for Pacquiao to overcome is the quiet confidence of Clottey. One that speaks loudly, even when his words choose not to.

May not seem like enough attributes to slow the legendary Manny Pacquiao, but as another legendary figure once stated, (famed NBA head coach Pat Riley), "time waits for no man"!

Despite the heavy odds against Clottey, the physical wear and tear along with a unique challenge may very well place reality in his favor. According to trainer Freddie Roach, "this may be the last fight" we see the tandem take part in. As of right now, that sentence contains a particular meaning. Come the night of March 13th, the end analysis could send us all in search of understanding for what could be an unexpected revision, as few other options would exist after a brutal battle, particularly one that ends with a loss for the talented-but-quickly-tiring Filipino.

Clottey defeats Pacquiao........heavy odds remain against it.....but a look at the big picture places this potential reality greatly in favor.

Stay tuned.

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Fight

2010-02-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

source: eastsideboxing

ARLINGTON, TX (January 19, 2010) – The stars will fight, big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!

Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of THE EVENT: MANNY PACQUIAO vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY World Welterweight Championship. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Clottey will take place, Saturday, March 13 and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

This marks one of the biggest world title fights to be held in a major U.S. sports stadium since the Muhammad Ali – Ken Norton World Heavyweight Championship in Yankee Stadium in 1976, also promoted by Top Rank.

Pacquiao and Clottey boast a combined record of 85-6-2 (59 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 91% and a victory by knockout ratio of nearly 70%..

Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Clottey go on sale This Saturday! January 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, tickets can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium box office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

“I have wanted to bring a major boxing event to North Texas for many years, so why not bring in the biggest and the best?” asked Jones. “Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction and the world champion. Manny’s title defense against Joshua Clottey is not just a great fight, it is THE EVENT, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium. We’re going to promote this like it was the Super Bowl. This will be the fight to remember.”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for over 40,000 fans for THE EVENT with elevated floor seating similar to NBA games.

“Jerry Jones knows exactly how big and important THE EVENT is, which is why it was so easy to put this deal together,” said Arum. “As a lifelong Giants fan I had to receive special dispensation from Steve Tisch, the Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President, to bring this event to Cowboys Stadium and he blessed the deal. If Jerry could sell me on Cowboys Stadium and the North Texas market, you know he is going to have no problems selling out Cowboys Stadium on March 13. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and promote Manny’s debut as World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao is the Lone Star of boxing. There isn’t a more appropriate place in the world for him to fight! Like Yankee Stadium, when it hosted so many great world title fights, including Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson and Ali, I feel a new era in boxing is about to begin at Cowboys Stadium.”

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title he earned in his last fight, produced by a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years, Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Lopez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined.

Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), a native of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, NY, captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by trouncing three-time world champion Zab Judah. His career has been a highlight reel of thrills featuring victories over two-division world champion Diego Corrales and undefeated contender Richard Gutierrez and a close decision loss to world champion Antonio Margarito. In his last fight, Clottey lost a controversial split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

About Cowboys Stadium
Cowboys Stadium is the largest, most technologically advanced entertainment venue in the world. Designed by HKS and built by Manhattan Construction, the $1.2 billion stadium features two monumental arches, the world's largest HDTV video board, an expansive retractable roof and the largest retractable end zone doors in the world. Features
of the stadium include a capacity of up to 100,000, over 300 luxury suites, club seating on multiple levels and the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, open to the public year round. In addition to being the new home of theDallas Cowboys, the stadium will host the 2011 Super Bowl, the 2010 NBA All-Star Game and the 2014 NCAA men's basketball Final Four as well as high school and college football, concerts and special events. For more
information, go to http://stadium.dallascowboys.com.

From Timothy Bradley to Manny Pacquiao: The Targets of Edwin Valero

2010-02-22T02:23:00.000-08:00

By Daniel “Tex” Cohen

Edwin “Dinamita” Valero, 27-0, 27 KO’s, has been on the boxing scene long enough for many of the “mainstream” fans of the sport to finally develop some sort of opinion on him. Valero has become a somewhat polarizing figure for ironic reasons. You would think he would garner mixed reviews for his DUI charge, aggressive past, somewhat questionable medical history and support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Instead, in a twist of pleasantly logical events, Valero is judged as a boxer. The debate is at least fitting; you should always be judged by what you do professionally, right? Valero is not your role model or your teacher, but your resident Venezuelan knockout artist. The boxing public is judging him on that basis.

Valero’s claim to fame is his unanimous knockout record. Others have tried to substantiate their worth by racking up such accomplishments, but those same men achieved their feats against weak opponents and fell apart as soon as anyone with the least bit of pop or skill stepped into the ring. Valero once held the record for consecutive first round knockouts, but that margin was surpassed by Tyrone Brunson when Brunson ran through nineteen consecutive bums. Brunson’s fate? He fell in three rounds this past December to Carson Jones, a man that will likely serve as fodder for Antonio Margarito’s comeback fight on the under card of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey super-bout at the Cowboys Stadium in March. Similarly, Victor “The Destroyer” Oganov began his career with 23 straight knockouts before going 4-3, 2 KO’s, against actual opposition rather than career opponents. Oganov has been knocked out in his only two fights against tough opponents, falling to Fulgencio Zuniga by nine round stoppage in September of 2007 and Super Middleweight Tournament Contender Andre Dirrell by six round stoppage in November of 2008.

These examples serve as distinction for Valero. Where others have failed, he has (at least modestly) succeeded. Valero has gradually stepped up his opposition over the last three years. Since 2006, he has faced Vicente Mosquera, Nobuhito Honmo, Antonio Pitalua, Hector Velazquez, and Antonio DeMarco. That list may consist of B-Level also-rans, but it also has shown a consistent increase in the level of difficulty he has faced. Additionally, the type of fighter that Valero has faced were similar to the types of fighters that knocked out the likes of Brunson and Oganov. Since winning the Super Featherweight Title (and subsequently winning a lightweight belt), Valero’s opposition has a not-too-shabby combined record of 233-30.

Then again, critics have stated respectable cases against the knockout artist, pointing partially to his competition as a critique. That argument has begun to weaken with Valero’s recent domination of the tough and somewhat battle-tested DeMarco. It may also continue to weaken as Valero fights bigger and bigger names. The Boxing blogosphere is abuzz with possible future showdowns, and Gary Shaw has thrown out the concept of matching Valero with the fearless, proven Timothy Bradley in a junior welterweight matchup that would most certainly garner top-notch ratings. Bob Arum has even whispered about pairing Valero with the legendary Manny Pacquiao in the future.

Arum’s dream is not going to be a reality any time soon. However, Shaw’s idea might be more realistic than you think. Bradley, in a single year, faced down Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, and Lamont Peterson. Without an odd bit of politics following the Campbell bout, Bradley would have been credited with having bested all three and showing tremendous courage and skill in each of the fights. Facing a certified tough guy would hardly be a new trick for one of the more solid champions in the sport.

The fact that Bradley is a possibility suggests something bigger for Valero: His name has entered the mind of media and fans alike. Yet, Valero still has plenty to prove. Even those that admit that his competition has gradually gotten better still point to his lack of stamina and technique and pitch to every listening ear that he will one day wind up unconscious on the mat against someone who can actually fight. Many have floated the names of some warriors that would give him a run for his money.

For that reason, listed below are five of the possible opponents Valero could face and how he would fare against them if the fight was held today.

#1: Michael “The Great” Katsidis, 26-2, 21 KO’s

The Appeal: Katsidis-Valero is perhaps the best actual fight in this whole article. Talk about a bloodbath. Katsidis is never in a bad fight and he creates hell for a variety of different types of fighters. In an unforgettable splash, Katsidis made his name known to US fans by warring through several cuts to overcome great adversity and take a unanimous decision over Czar Amonsot on the undercard of the Winky Wright-Bernard Hopkins Pay Per View.

Outcome: If this fight were held today, Valero would eventually stop Katsidis on cuts or take a long, hard unanimous decision against him. The Aussie is one of the toughest men of the planet and is undoubtedly and undyingly carrying the mantle of the great Arturo Gatti. Both men have a great chin. However, Valero will land the harder blows, and that tends to impress more judges and cut more faces.

#2: Juan “The Baby Bull” Diaz, 35-3, 17 KO’s

The Appeal: Diaz is a fan favorite. HBO can always put him in a good fight because he always makes for one. Unfortunately, we may be seeing that he is somewhat one dimensional in his approach. Juan is far from a “natural” talent; he knows how to fight, and he relies on his stamina and volume punching to wear out his opponents, filling him with the wish that he would stop freaking hitting them before they finally give in to the flails of punches and retire on their stools ala Julio Diaz or Acelino Freitas. Diaz, like Katsidis, would be Valero’s best opponent to date. The action would be great.

Outcome: Valero either stops Diaz late or takes a clear unanimous decision. Diaz is built wrong for guys who can either stick and move (Paulie Malignaggi) or thump inside (Nate Campbell). Valero fits the second mold. Diaz would not be able to crack that chin because he has nothing to keep him away. Boxing is sometimes a game of rock, paper, scissors. While Diaz beat Katsidis rather comfortably, he would stand less of a chance than the Aussie would at surviving against Valero.

#3: Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, 50-5, 37 KO’s

The Appeal: La Guerra de las Dinamitas. While fighting Marquez would still leave doubters out there, this fight would go a long way in proving that Valero can compete against the best. Marquez is the best Mexican lightweight of his generation and as served as the number one foil for the great Manny Pacquiao. If Valero can figure out how to get around Marquez’s impassable timing, he is good enough to compete with many of the slick fighters he might come across.

Outcome: A really, really close fight. A young Pacquiao proved that a wild yet speedy fighter can get to Marquez and put him in serious trouble. However, Marquez also proved in his fights against the Pacmonster that he is indeed capable of beating someone with a tremendous amount of raw talent. If this fight happened today, after a full training camp, I have Marquez winning a razor thin split decision or the two men leaving it at a draw. However, with each passing moment, Marquez is getting a bit older and perhaps a bit slower. Over the next six months to a year, expect the odds to tip slightly in the other direction.

#4: Ali Funeka, 30-2, 25 KO’s

The Appeal: Funeka is one of the most underrated fighters in the sport. The long-armed contender was most recently robbed of a unanimous decision and a belt in a fight against Joan Guzman. In the bout directly prior to that, Funeka lost a very close majority decision against Nate Campbell in a highly competitive fight. The style matchup with Valero would be interesting because Valero has had difficulty getting at the chin of some of his taller opponents.

The Outcome: Funeka takes a decision. The South African Warrior represents an impressive physical challenge for a guy moving up in weight, and Valero might lose a bit of pop if he jumps two weight classes. The one caveat here is that Funeka was nearly knocked out against Nate Campbell. I could see a fight in which Funeka hits the mat once or twice but takes the decision. I could also see Valero scoring a stoppage.

#5: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 50-3, 38 KO’s

The Appeal: A Pacquiao fight always has appeal, and watching him in there with a power hitter is even more intriguing. This fight would be a bit like watching Pacquiao take on a younger version of himself.

The Outcome: Pacquiao would destroy him. Valero is in no way ready to take on the best Pound for Pound fighter in the whole sport. If this fight comes off in 2011, things could be different, but today we would be looking at a bloodbath.

As for Timothy Bradley? We’ll just see if the stars align for that showdown and judge it as it comes.

Assessing Steve Forbes as Pacquiao's sparring partner

2010-02-22T02:15:00.000-08:00

by: Chris Robinson

In a BoxingScene article by Ronnie Nathanielsz it was noted that one of Manny Pacquiao’s chief sparring partners is former Jr. Lightweight champion Steve Forbes. Forbes is helping Pacquiao prepare for his upcoming March 13th bout with Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboys stadium and is somewhat surprising of a choice because his style doesn’t completely reflect the Accra, Ghana fighter. While Clottey is a physically imposing bruiser, Forbes is much more of a slick boxer.

What’s slightly ironic is that of all the fighters today who Forbes’ style resembles, it would be that of Floyd Mayweather Jr., who Pacquiao was in discussion to fight originally on the 13th. It’s interesting to wonder how the sparring sessions are unfolding, as Pacquiao’s precise combinations from his unorthodox attack are surely tested against Forbes, who is a pro’s pro.

Trying to get some more insight into Forbes I broke him down as a fighter from a few different perspectives below…

A quick look at Forbes

Forbes is just a few days away from his 33rd birthday and he has compiled a respectable 34-7 record with 10 knockouts during his thirteen plus year career. He fought nine of his first twelve fights in Nevada while going undefeated as Jr. Lightweight and Lightweight contender. Forbes’ first loss was a March 2000 majority decision to former featherweight champion Alejandro Gonzales.

Forbes would bounce back in 2000 with victories over solid fighters in Ernesto Zepeda and David Santos before landing a shot at the vacant IBF title against rugged John Brown in December of 2000. While in reality it seemed as though Brown was starting to come on in the fight, the contest would be stopped when it was revealed that the stout fighter had a ruptured eardrum, as the blood began to pour following a Forbes connection. Despite trailing on two cards, Forbes was awarded the TKO victory after Brown was seen unfit to continue. In the immediate rematch Forbes would leave little doubt, taking a clear decision over Brown.

Forbes suffered an October 2003 loss to Carlos Hernandez and seemed to dip under the radar a bit. A few years would go by without as much noise but Forbes would end up making his presence known on an even grander scale by being a key participant on the second season of The Contender. Along the way Forbes would defeat the likes of Freddy Curiel, Nick Acevado, and Cornelius Bundrage before losing in the finals to Grady Brewer. Forbes’ appearance on the show also showcased his abilities in a new weight class, as his days at 130 pounds were a thing of the past.

In 2007 the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas was the host of Forbes’ only two fights that year, as he lost a slightly controversial split decision to Demetrius Hopkins in March before turning the tables to win a split nod against Francisco Bojado seven months later. Forbes was in the public’s eye again in 2008 as he performed respectably but still lost decisions to both Oscar De La Hoya and Andre Berto.

Forbes is currently slated to face Harrison Cuello this March 6th at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. It’s unknown whether or not Forbes can still comfortably make 140 pounds, but either way he will surely have his eyes on the evening’s main event as Jr. Welterweight champions Devon Alexander and Juan Urango clash.

While Forbes may never have crossed the line towards being a star in the sport he has always been a capable fighter with great ring instincts, boxing ability, and a reliable defense. During his run on The Contender Forbes’ personality was also on display for the world to see and he has always come across completely down to earth and modest in his approach.

Mayweather’s view

One man who knows Forbes all too well is Las Vegas based trainer Jeff Mayweather, who trained the Oregon native on and off during key moments in his career. When Jeff was told the news that Forbes has been serving as Pacquiao’s sparring partner he was at first slightly surprised.

“I think Steve is an ideal sparring partner to help Manny get ready for Floyd,” Jeff states. "I really don’t know about Clottey though. It doesn’t seem that his style is at all similar to Clottey’s. Not sure how much he could help. I’m sure he is handling himself well. He may even be holding his own with him. Steve is a professional through and through.”

Mayweather also added that Forbes is a very solid fighter whose only glaring weakness has been a lack of power over the years. When looking back on Forbes’ 2008 campaign, Mayweather feels that his losses to De La Hoy and Berto weren’t about skill as much as they were about size.

“I thought he gave a very good account of himself against Oscar,” Mayweather claims. “He came out with a good game plan but I just think that Oscar was the bigger fighter. I also think that was the case with [Andre] Berto, Steve fought well but he was just the smaller guy in both of those fights.”

In giving his closing comments on his former charge, Mayweather seems to find it ironic that Forbes’ time as a champion was more overlooked than his recent years as a contender. While Forbes often came up short in some of his biggest contests Mayweather takes satisfaction in knowing that he was able to reap some financial rewards in recent times.

“I remember when he was a world champion at one time but he never was able to capitalize on it. That’s the whole point of being a world champion, you want to make some money after that. Luckily Steve was able to land those bigger fights later in his career. I’m very happy for Steve. He’s a good guy and we still keep in touch.”

Pacman don’t need no ’roids, he’s got dynamite!

2010-02-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

By Mark Lee
Northwest Asian Weekly

The Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight has now been called off. Pacquiao has also filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather, his father Floyd Sr., his uncle Roger, and Golden Boy Promotions for allegedly accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

The controversy started after Pacquiao knocked out British boxer Ricky Hatton in the second round last year. Hatton was trained by Floyd Mayweather Sr. Before the Hatton fight, several British papers reported that Floyd Sr. was going to get fired by Hatton’s camp for problems that included showing up late for training.

Manny Pacquiao

After Hatton was knocked out, Floyd did not try to support his fighter. Instead, he signed autographs, and during the post-fight conference, he blamed Hatton by claiming that he did not follow his instructions about keeping his hands up. He also stated that Hatton should retire.

At some point, after the Hatton fight, Floyd Sr. also claimed that Pacquiao had to be on steroids given how hard he hit Hatton.

Fast forward a few months and a fight is scheduled with Floyd Sr.’s son. The steroid issue was raised again, and after lengthy negotiations, the fight was eventually called off. The Mayweather camp wanted blood tests by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which conducts tests anytime a fight is signed to the fight date. However, the Pacquiao camp refused to provide these samples. They were only willing to allow blood to be taken from Pacquiao at least 30 days before the fight date, as well as immediately after the conclusion of the bout. Freddie Roach, on the other hand, commented that he would allow a blood sample to be taken from Pacquiao at least one week before the fight.

None of the news reports I have seen ever mentioned any solid evidence of steroid use such as witnesses who claimed they supplied steroids to Pacquiao. Floyd Sr. started the whole controversy by insulting Pacquiao and insisting that he had to be on steroids. He has a pattern of obnoxious behavior. For example, before the Hatton fight, he called Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie “the joke” Roach. Pacquiao should not have had to go out of his way to accommodate Mayweather, and it is understandable that he eventually decided to not bother doing business with someone who is disrespectful.

Pacquiao’s physique does not appear to show signs associated with steroid use such as upper body acne. He did bulk up from fighting at 106 pounds when he was 16 to his current 147-pound fighting weight at age 31.

However, people ofen fill out as they get older. Pacquiao’s strength coach, the usually reserved Alex Ariza, felt compelled to defend his fighter to the press and detailed the boxer’s 7,000-calorie diet, approved supplemental intake, and natural physique.

His power comes from the combination of a number of factors. Basically, power is a product of mass times speed. The faster you punch, the harder you hit. But you also need to coordinate your motions so that you get the maximum weight behind the punch.

Pacquiao has a lot of leg strength, which he uses to drive his upper body in transmitting power into his fists.

He has developed the ability to hit from a variety of angles, and he has excellent footwork, which puts him into a position where he can blast through his opponents guard.

There are many factors that give the “Pacman” his winning edge, and steroid use is highly unlikely.

Pacquiao does not like to get his blood drawn shortly before a fight because of his belief that it weakens him.

Some news reports made it sound like taking blood is just a pin prick. I called up a local lab testing service and was told a minimum sample takes at least 3 milliliters. The sample size can vary depending on how the blood test is conducted. In some cases, the blood sample can fill up the whole collection vial and be as much as 8 milliliters. This is quite a bit more than just a drop.

Pacquiao is now scheduled to fight Joshua Clottey, who is from Ghana. Unlike Mayweather, who is more of a tactical defensive boxer, Clottey has a reputation as an aggressive fighter. He also comes across as polite and leaves out the tiresome trash talk you hear from a lot of fighters. At 5’9”, he has a substantial size advantage over Pacquiao. But as we know, that didn’t stop Pacquiao from annihilating Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto.

Watch Danny Garcia vs Ashley Theopane Boxing FIght

2010-02-17T04:44:00.000-08:00

source: eastsideboxing

LOS ANGELES, February 8 - Unbeaten Philadelphia phenom Danny "Swift" Garcia will begin 2010 with his toughest fight to date on Friday, February 26 when he squares off against British veteran Ashley Theopane in the 10-round junior welterweight co-main event of ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" at the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. Also on the February 26 card - which is headlined by the 10-round featherweight battle between El Paso favorite Antonio Escalante and Juarez's Mickey Roman - will be bouts featuring top Texas prospects Jermell Charlo and Omar Figueroa, Mexico's Luis Enrique Grajeda and Uganda's Sharif Bogere..

"King of The Border": Escalante vs. Roman, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions, will be broadcast live on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights" beginning at 10:00 pm ET / 8:00 pm MT / 7:00 pm PT on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com. Doors open at 6:00 pm MT, with the first bell ringing at 7:00 pm MT.

Tickets priced at $20, $30, $50 and $75 (plus convenience charges) are on sale now and available for purchase at the UTEP Box Office and all Ticketmaster Outlets. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketmaster.com and by phone through the UTEP Box Office at 915-747-5234 and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000.

21-year old Philadelphia native Danny "Swift" Garcia (15-0, 10 KO's) is coming off a huge 2009 that saw him continue to rise up the junior welterweight ranks in impressive style. With a record of 4-0 last year against a quartet of opponents that had a combined 114 fights of professional experience, Garcia is ready for another groundbreaking year in 2010 beginning with his showdown against Theopane.

Born and raised in London, England, charismatic Ashley Theopane (25-3-1, 7 KO's) has paid his dues over the course of his six-year professional career and he's amped up for his ESPN2 fight against Danny Garcia. Unbeaten in 17 of his last 18 bouts dating back to 2005, Theopane is coming to Texas with victory on his mind.

Also on the show is a six-round welterweight bout featuring unbeaten prospect Luis Enrique Grajeda (8-0, 7 KO's) of Chihuahua, Mexico. Grajeda is a former amateur star who is on his way to even greater success in the professional ranks. In his last bout, on December 12, he halted 5-0 Ruben Amezcua in six rounds.

Proudly waving the Texas flag on February 26 will be Houston welterweight Jermell Charlo and Weslaco junior welterweight Omar Figueroa. The 19-year old Charlo (10-0, 5 KO's), who takes on Missouri's Travis Hartman (11-15-1, 8 KO's) in an eight round bout, has knocked out two of his last three opponents, including 6-0 Abdon Lozano in his most recent bout on December 12. 20-year old Figueroa (8-0, 8 KO's) has lived up to his nickname of "Panterita" with a fast and ferocious style that has ended all of his professional bouts in three rounds or less. He will face Julian Rodriguez (17-17-4, 11 KO's) of Ciudad Juarez Chihuahua, Mexico in a six round contest.

Also in action will be highly-touted Ugandan prospect Sharif Bogere (13-0, 7 KO's), who will take on Jose Hernandez (10-1, 4 KO's) of Fort Worth, Texas in a six-round junior welterweight bout.

In the evening's opening fight, El Paso's own Eric Bautista makes his professional debut against unbeaten Albuquerque knockout artist Michael Brooks (2-0, 2 KOs) in a four round cruiserweight bout.

Watch Daniel Ponce De Leon vs Orlando Cruz Boxing Live

2010-02-14T14:43:00.000-08:00

source: eastsideboxing

LOS ANGELES, January 27 - 2010 is now upon us and boxing's hottest series is revving up for another spectacular year, as HBO Plus' "Next Boxing Generation" visits Mexico City for the first time on Saturday, February 20, for a hard-hitting night of world-class boxing at the Foro Scotiabank featuring fights sure to set the Mexico City night ablaze. The main event will see former Junior Featherweight World Champion and current featherweight contender Daniel Ponce De Leon battle Puerto Rican standout Orlando Cruz in a 12 round WBC Latino Featherweight Title bout. In action in the co-featured bout will be two of the junior welterweight division's most devastating punchers - Argentina's undefeated Lucas Matthysse and Brooklyn's former World Champion Vivian Harris - as they collide in a bout not likely to last the scheduled 10 rounds..

Undefeated Mexico City natives junior welterweight Pablo Cesar Cano and super middleweight Marco Antonio Periban will put their unbeaten records on the line against opponents to be announced in separate non-televised bouts.

De Leon vs. Cruz, a 10 round featherweight bout which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Producciones Deportivas de Ricardo Maldonado Jr., will air live on the HBO Plus service in Latin America beginning at 8:00 pm local time.

Tickets, priced at 300 pesos, 200 pesos and 100 pesos are on sale and available for purchase by calling Ticketmaster in Mexico City at 53259000 or by visiting the Foro Scotiabank Box Office.

Former Junior Featherweight World Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon (37-2, 31 KO's) has been quietly moving up the ranks in his new division at featherweight, putting together two big 12 round decision wins over Marlon Aguilar and Roinet Caballero that have him knocking on the door of a 126-pound title shot. Currently ranked third in the world by the WBA and WBO, De Leon must first get by Cruz if he is to keep his dreams of winning a featherweight title alive.

A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Orlando Cruz (16-1-1, 7 KO's) first made his mark in the boxing world with 179 amateur wins and a berth on the same 2000 Olympic team that launched the careers of World Champions Miguel Cotto and Ivan Calderon. Now on the verge of making his move up the professional ranks, Cruz hopes to deliver his best performance yet on February 20, topping the one he put on when he knocked out 30-0 veteran Leonilo Miranda in January of 2009.

The younger brother of former welterweight title challenger Walter Matthysse,

27-year-old Lucas Martin Matthysse (25-0, 23 KO's) has pounded out his own niche in the fight game thanks to crushing punching power that has led to knockouts 23 of his 25 wins. Born in Trelew, Argentina but now living in Buenos Aires, Matthysse tore through Florencio Castellano (KO4) and Luis Jose (KO2) in his last two bouts, setting the stage for a big showdown with Vivian Harris.

When the list of the most exciting junior welterweights is compiled, you can expect to see the name of Guyana native "Vicious" Vivian Harris (29-3-1, 19 KO's) to be prominently featured. The former World Champion claimed the WBA crown in 2002 with a second-round stoppage of Diosbelys Hurtado and went on to defend it three times in 2005. Since then, Harris is unbeaten in five of six fights, including wins over Stevie Johnston and Juan Lazcano. He begins his run for another shot at the championship on February 20.

"Next Boxing Generation," which was launched in August of 2008 by Golden Boy Promotions in association with HBO Latin America Group, features the top up and coming Latin American fighters in boxing today in exciting bouts that will appeal to fans across all demographics. The series has seen fights take place throughout Mexico as well as in Argentina, Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States and Uruguay.

Watch Paul Smith vs Tony Dodson Boxing Fight LIve

2010-02-09T15:52:00.000-08:00

source: eastsideboxing

British Super-Middleweight Champion Paul Smith enters into another Merseyside derby when he make the first defence of his title against Tony Dodson on Friday, March 12 at the Echo Arena. Smith won the title in October with a rugged points win over rival Tony Quigley and now takes on the Garston Warrior who previously held the title in 2003. It's the first Merseyside derby of the new decade and Smith believes it will be another glorious night in Liverpool.

He said, "The city has been starved of big-time boxing in recent years, mainly due to the lack of a big arena, but now with the fabulous Echo Arena firmly established and with my promoter Frank Warren putting on the big shows it's going to herald a new era for boxing in Liverpool,."

"We have the talent coming through from the city now like my brother Stephen and Liam, plus Tony Bellew who is fantastic prospect, and lot's of kids in the amateurs,"

"The arena was packed out with 9,000 fans for my fight against Quigley and it was fantastic to walk into the ring in front of my own fans in my home city with such an electric atmosphere,"

"It's going to be a hard fight against Dodson, he's got plenty of experience against the top names in the domestic division so I'm not going to underestimate him,"

The card will also feature the best in Liverpool talent from the Warren's stable including hot-prospect Tony 'Bomber' Bellew in his first championship title contest, plus Paul's younger brothers Stephen and Liam Smith, and Joe Selkirk.

Oldham hot-shot Ronnie 'The Razor' Heffron, this year's ABA light-welterweight champion, made his debut in Newcastle earlier this month with a second round TKO and will feature in a four-round contest.

Completing the card will be Tobias Webb, nephew of former WBO World Crusierweight Champion Enzo Maccarinelli, from Swansea.

Watch Pacquiao vs Clottey Boxing Fight Live

2010-02-08T15:26:00.000-08:00

Watch Juan Urango vs Devon Alexander Boxing Fight Live

2010-02-07T18:29:00.000-08:00

Jaime Castro-Núñez - IBF light welterweight titleholder Juan Urango of Monteria, Colombia will appear on March 6 against newly crowned WBC light welterweight champion Devon Alexander of Missouri. “I’ll fight Alexander in March, it’s gonna be an interesting fight and I’m ready to battle,” said the hard-hitting, who just came back from his native Monteria after a 2-week vacation in which he took the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends. On December 20, newspaper El Tiempo declared the two-time IBF champion “Colombia’s Sportsman of the Year.”

“I am honored to hold the IBF world title for the second time, but I think the fans deserve to find out who is the beast at 140. I call out the champions to help me unify the titles in our weight class and give boxing fans the holiday present they deserve” –expressed the 29-year-old fighter shortly after returning to the US. Devon Alexander, 22, captured the WBC belt in August by defeating Junior Witter at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, CA.

Watch Shawn Porter vs Russell Jordan Boxing Fight Live

2010-02-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

Arthur Pelullo’s Banner Promotions will present a sensational championship fight card on Friday, January 15, 2010, at the Laredo Entertainment Center, located at 6700 Arena Boulevard in Laredo, Texas. The main event, co-featured bout, and other selected fights will be televised live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, their Spanish-Language Network, and ESPN 360.com.

In the main event scheduled for 12 rounds, Juan Carlos Burgos, 23-0 with 16 knockouts, of Tijuana, Mexico, will defend the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) featherweight title against Juan Carlos Martinez, 15-10-1 with 5 knockouts, of San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

The 22 year-old Burgos is a five-year pro - he made his debut at 16 in Mexico. The young contender was born into boxing – his father was an amateur boxer and his uncle is the former IBF junior flyweight world champion Victor Burgos. Juan Carlos has given consistently impressive performances and climbed in the world rankings – he is currently ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBO at 126 pounds.

Martinez, now 28 years old, is a six-year professional veteran. He is coming off one of his career-best wins in his last fight on September 26, 2009, an upset 10 round unanimous decision against hometown favorite Jose Hernandez (22-4) in Chicago. Martinez is experienced against very good opposition and has gone the distance against WBC interim lightweight world champion Antonio De Marco and former WBC featherweight world champion Guty Espadas.

The co-featured bout will be a six-round junior middleweight fight between 2008 U.S. Olympian Demetrius Andrade, 8-0 with 6 knockouts, of Providence, Rhode Island, against Bernardo Guereca, 15-9-1 with 3 knockouts, of Albuquerque, New Mexico. A rising young star – ESPN.com ranks him as one of the top young prospects in 2010 - Demetrius is co-promoted by Star Boxing Promotions.

Several experienced veterans and young prospects will also be included on the card.

Garret Simon will make his professional debut in a four-round heavyweight bout. Simon is from Puyallup, Washington, and was the 2008 National Junior Olympic gold medalist at 201 pounds. He will be facing Zakhariah King of Ft. Worth, Texas, who is also making his professional debut.

Local favorite Rodolfo Gomez Jr., 5-0, 4 KOs, Laredo, Texas will fight an opponent to be announced be in a four-round welterweight fight. Gomez is the son of Manuel “Shotgun” Gomez.

Watch Nonito Donaire vs Gerson Guerrero Boxing Fight Live

2010-02-03T15:18:00.000-08:00

Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs), a native of General Santos City, Philippines who resides in San Leandro, Calif., is in his second reign as world champion. Donaire burst upon the scene winning the Upset of the Year with the Knockout of the Year, at the expense of previously undefeated International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan in 2007. Leading on all scorecards through the first four rounds, Donaire uncorked his vintage punch, “The Pinoy Noir,” known for its silky smooth delivery and powerful finish. And what a finish! It was a one-punch knockout that crumbled Darchinyan into oblivion. Darchinyan had to be shown the taped replay of the knockout he never saw coming because he had no memory of it. After three title defenses, Donaire vacated the title this year to capture the WBA interim super flyweight title, winning a 12-round unanimous decision over Rafael Concepcion in August. Riding an eight-year, 20-bout winning streak, 13 by knockout, he is a consensus Top-10 pound for pound fighter. He is now trained by former IBF junior lightweight champion Robert Garcia.

Guerrero (34-8 26 KOs), of Mexico City, has won 76% of his fights by knockout. He has won NABF, FECARBOX, WBO Latino and Mexican titles in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions. Unbeaten in 2009, he enters his challenge of Donaire on the heels of winning a WBC super flyweight title elimination bout, a ninth-round TKO of Enrique Ouevedo in June. He is currently world-rated No. 3 by the WBC and No. 10 by the WBA.

Montiel (39-2-2, 29 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, is a four-time, three-division world champion. He captured his first world title, knocking out Isidro Garcia in the seventh round, to capture the WBO flyweight title in 2000. After three successful title defenses, two by knockout, he vacated the title to capture the WBO junior bantamweight title, with a sixth-round TKO of Pedro Alcazar in 2002. After losing the title to Mark Johnson the following year he regained it 2005 by knocking out Ivan Hernandez. After two successful defenses of his crown, he vacated it in 2006 to unsuccessfully challenge Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO bantamweight title, losing a split decision. He regained the WBO junior bantamweight title for a third time, in 2007, winning a split decision over Zcy Gorres. He held the title through 2008, successfully defending the title four times, all by knockout before vacating it to capture the WBO bantamweight title in April, knocking out Diego Silva in the third round in March.

Morales (14-0, 8 KOs), of Bohol, Philippines, has been making it rough for all his opponents since making his professional debut in 2007. He captured the WBO Oriental junior featherweight title in only his 10th bout, winning a unanimous decision over Marangin Marbun in 2008. He successfully defended the title three times, two by knockout, through this year, elevating his rating to No. 8 in the WBO.

Santiago (21-1-1, 14 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico, is one of the brightest contenders to emerge from Puerto Rico. With knockout victories of tough contenders Cornelius Lock and Daniel Attah, Santiago earned his first world title shot, challenging WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano in 2008. A Fight of the Year candidate, Santiago and Luevano battled to a draw in a fight many thought Santiago had won. Since that fight Santiago has won both his 2009 fights while raising his world ratings to No. 4 in the WBA and No. 7 in the IBF.

Concepcion (29-2-1, 17 KOs), of Rizal, Philippines, captured the NABF super bantamweight title in 2007, by knocking out Gabriel Elizondo in the fourth round. He successfully defended it twice in 2008 before moving up in weight to capture the WBC International featherweight title with a fifth-round TKO of Sande Otieno. Concepcion’s four-year, 22-bout unbeaten streak came to a controversial end in August when he was disqualified after the seventh round in his first world title shot, against WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano, for hitting Luevano after the bell to end round. It was a close fight with Luevano ahead on two judges’ scorecards 67-66 while Concepcion led by the same score on the third judge’s scorecard.

The Las Vegas Hilton, with a long history of hosting numerous world championship fights over the years, ranks among the world’s most famous and popular resort destinations, located blocks from the Las Vegas Strip and adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center, offering 3,000 luxurious rooms and suites situated on 59 acres. The property is one of the largest hotels in the world and features top-name entertainment, 11 distinctive restaurants, a full-service health club and spa, and much more.

Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3 News Conference

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (December 22, 2009) – Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM will present World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE, former WBA flyweight champion and current No. 1 bantamweight contender ERIC “Little Hands of Steel,” MOREL and World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion FERNANDO “Cochulito” MONTIEL at a News Conference Luncheon announcing their world championship doubleheader in a special edition of "Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3." The news conference will take place Today! Tuesday, December 22, beginning at Noon PTat the Las Vegas Hilton

“Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3,” produced and distributed Live on Pay-Per-View by Top Rank, in association with PR Best Boxing, ABS-CBN and the Las Vegas Hilton, will take place Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Las Vegas Hilton. The four-bout pay-per-view broadcast will feature two-division world champion Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, defending his title against top-rated contender GERSON “El Nene” GUERRERO (34-8, 26 KOs), of Mexico City; Montiel (39-2-2, 29 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, defending his title against Top-10 contender CISO “Kid Terrible” MORALES (14-0, 8 KOs), of Bohol, Philippines; Morel (41-2, 21 KOs), of San Juan, Puerto Rico, taking on two-time world champion GERRY “Fearless” PEÑALOSA (54-7-2, 34 KOs), of Cebu, Philippines, in a 12-round WBO bantamweight title elimination bout; and a 10-round featherweight rumble between world title challengers, MARIO SANTIAGO (21-1-1, 14 KOs), of Ponce, Puerto Rico, and BERNABE CONCEPCION (29-2-1, 17 KOs), of Rizal, Philippines.

Tickets, priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, go on sale This Saturday! December 26, at 10 a.m. PT. They can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, online at www.LVHilton.com, by calling 1-(800) 222-5361 or (702) 732-5755, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Watch Eric Morel vs Gerry Penalosa Fight Live

2010-02-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (December 22, 2009) – The two entities that pioneered the marriage between professional boxing and Las Vegas casinos are reuniting to present a special edition of “Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3.” The Las Vegas Hilton, then known as The International, presented the first professional boxing card ever held at a Las Vegas casino forty years ago on December 6, 1969, with a card headlined by former world champion Sonny Liston and featuring a 20-year-old George Foreman, one year removed from winning an Olympic gold medal, on the undercard. Nine years later, Top Rank promoted the first world championship fight to ever take place in a Las Vegas casino venue, also at the Las Vegas Hilton, where Leon Spinks upset heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali on February 15, 1978..

Nearly thirty-two years later to the day, Top Rank and the Las Vegas Hilton are going back to the future with a world championship doubleheader, on Saturday, February 13, featuring former world champions and current top contenders ERIC “Little Hands of Stone” MOREL and GERRY “Fearless” PEÑALOSA, battling in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title elimination bout; two-division world champion NONITO “The Filipino Flash” DONAIRE defending his World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight title against knockout artist GERSON “El Nene” GUERRERO; WBO bantamweight champion FERNANDO “Cochulito” MONTIEL defending his crown against wunderkind CISO “Kid Terrible” MORALES; and world title challengers MARIO SANTIAGO and BERNABE CONCEPCION battling in a 10-round featherweight rumble.

These eight gladiators boast a combined record of 254-23-6 (163 KOs) – a winning percentage of 90% and victory by knockout ratio of 64%.

Latin Fury 13 / Pinoy Power 3,” produced and distributed Live on Pay-Per-View by Top Rank, in association with PR Best Boxing, ABS-CBN and the Las Vegas Hilton, will take place Saturday, February 13, 2010, at the Las Vegas Hilton. The four-bout pay-per-view broadcast will begin at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced at $250, $150, $100 and $50, go on sale This Saturday! December 26 at 10 a.m. PT. They can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, online at www.LVHilton.com, by calling (800) 222-5361 or (702) 732-5755, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Morel (41-2, 21 KOs), of San Juan Puerto Rico, captured the WBA flyweight title in 2000, winning a 12-round decision over defending champion Sornpichai Pisnurachank. His three-year reign as champion included five successful defenses. Since losing the title, Morel has won eight of his last night bouts, including two NABO junior bantamweight and one NABO bantamweight title fights, while elevating himself to become the WBO’s No. 1 bantamweight contender.

Peñalosa (54-7-2, 34 KOs), of Cebu, Philippines, first came to international prominence in 1997, capturing the World Boxing Council super flyweight by dethroning Hiroshi Kawashima via an exciting split decision. He successfully defended the title three times before losing it the following year to In-Joo Cho by decision. Nine years later, Peñalosa became the comeback story of the year, knocking out Jhonny Gonzalez in the seventh round to become the WBO bantamweight champion in 2007. After one successful title defense, Peñalosa tested the waters of a higher weight class where he unsuccessfully challenged WBO junior featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez In April. He is now back fighting in familiar territory fighting as a bantamweight.

Watch Tomasz Adamek vs Jason Estrada Boxing Live

2010-02-01T18:13:00.000-08:00

by: Geoffrey Ciani

Tomasz Adamek is fresh off his dominating performance against Andrew Golota in the “Polish Fight of the Century”. This was the cruiserweight champion’s first fight at heavyweight. He intends to stay there and ultimately has his eyes set on the heavyweight title. He is now planning to take his next step towards that goal when he faces Jason Estrada on February 6 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Both pugilists were in attendance for a press conference today at the Liberty House in Jersey City.

“I honestly think that Tomasz made a big, big, big mistake”, quipped a very confident Jason Estrada. “Going off a Golota win, Golota in his day was one of the best heavyweights, in my opinion. He had decent hand speed, great power, very strong guy, but that is not the same Golota from ’96. To me, that’s not really a fight that I would take as a justification to fight me”. Estrada continued, “I hear stories about him doing what no one else could do—put me on my ass? It’s not going to happen. In 300 and something amateur bouts, it’s never happened. In the gym in sparring, it’s never happened. In the street, it’s never happened. When I sleep, my bed is vertical. I stand up sleeping, so it’s not going to happen..”

Adamek seemed unfazed as Estrada resumed, “I’m not getting put on my ass. There’s nobody who is going to put me there. I work too hard in the gym, I work way too hard, my defense is good, and I’m just too fast for him. He’s based this whole thing on how much faster he’s going to be than I am. I’ve seen fast. I worked with Eddie Chambers I’ve worked with Matt Godfrey, now these guys are fast. And for him, I’ve watched the fights. I’ve studied them—back and forth, forth and back. Honestly, I have to put the DVD on fast forward to make him even faster.” Estrada than concluded, “Honestly, he’s a good fighter at light heavy, he’s a good fighter at cruiser, but at heavyweight he’s making a big mistake.”

Adamek appeared in good spirits when it was his turn to speak. A man of few words, he did not have much to say. After welcoming Jason Estrada and various members of the press, with a big grin on his face Adamek said, “It’s like my home, the Prudential Center”. He then mentioned how his ultimate dream is to become heavyweight champion and he noted that he expects a tough fight come February 6. As quickly as he started, he was thanking people and the more formal part of the press conference had come to an end. Later, I was afforded a brief moment to ask Adamek some questions.

Q: Was your fight with Golota easier than you expected it would be?

A: I always expect to win with every opponent, but I was too fast for Andrew.

Q: Did you think that he would put up a tougher fight?

A: He did give me a hard fight, but I had my own tactics and I was able to go around him.

Q: Were you surprised you were able to drop him in the first round?

A: No, because I’m strong. So once I caught him I knew he was going to hit the floor. I caught him and I knew what he was going to do.

Q: Now Estrada has said you made a mistake choosing him as your next opponent following Golota. How do you respond to that?

A: I think it will be a good fight. Estrada is fast. Everyone can talk, but when you get in the ring you have to do your job. That’s what I get paid for. Everybody says they’re going to win, but once you get in the ring you got to have heart. When the day comes, I show that.

Q: What kind of home field advantage do you think you will have fighting in Newark in front of all your fans?

A: It feels like I’m home. It feels like I’m back home at Poland.

Q: Estrada joked that he sleeps vertical and that nobody could put him down. Do you think otherwise?

A: Like I said before, once I catch you I’m going to put you down, so we have to wait until February.

Q: I’m curious what you thought of David Haye’s performance against Nikolay Valuev?

A: He won. David Haye had good tactics in his fight with Vlauev and he won.

Q: Is a fight with Haye something you might be interested in at some point?

A: If we get the offer from HBO, we may. I’m ready!

Whether or not Adamek is really ready for a title shot remains to be seen. We should have a better idea of where he stands in the heavyweight landscape after his upcoming fight with Estrada.

Watch Yusaf Mack vs Glen Johnson Fight

2010-01-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

By: eastsideboxing

Yusaf Mack v Glen Johnson has finally been confirmed as the main event on ESPN on the 5th February in Glen Johnson's home town of Florida at the NSU Center Arena in Miami. The Super Bowl weekend fight is almost guaranteed to be a cracker, both fighters know this is there big chance to get back on top with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to IBF champion Tavoris Cloud, a fight likely to happen in May. Yusaf Mack has been in camp since the 6th November after he was originally scheduled to fight Karo Murat in late December.

On speaking to Mack regarding all the changes of fight times and opponents we asked has this effected his preparation for the biggest fight of his life, his response "Hell no, I am in the best shape of my life, I have worked really hard and cut no corners and I am ready to light up the light heavyweight division. I was initially upset when the Murat fight was cancelled but that led to the Johnson fight which is a far better fight for me, if I had beaten Murat he is an untested fighter and I would not have been given the deserved credit, now I have Johnson he has won a world title a few times, he has been involved in a crazy number of title fights, he has been in with the best and beaten the best. When I beat Glen Johnson people cannot deny I am one of the top guys out there. In regards to the time I have been in camp, my trainer John Tandy has controlled my training superbly and only now I am ready to peak just in time for the fight, I feel great, look great and I will fight great..

Tandy was also spoken too in regard to how he has kept his man focused and not burned him out, he said "We were lucky to find out the fights were cancelled or postponed with enough time to adjust the training to ensure Yusaf didn't peak too early, Yusaf has worked his ass off and is in tremendous condition, my thanks go out to the others involved, Yusaf's chief sparring partner Prince Badi has done an impeccable job of impersonating Glen Johnson's style and Kris Andrews who has also helped out in sparring, thanks to Armstrong Performance and Treatment Centre who have worked closely with Yusaf, thanks to the Goossen's gym who have given us great work, guys like Edison Miranda and all the guys down there, Fortunes Gym in Hollywood as well, now we are going to win this fight because of all your help, it has been a real team effort. Yusaf is in the best shape I have seen him in since we got together in January 2008, he is now ready to show the world how good he can be.

Watch Helenius vs Brewster Live Boxing Fights

2010-01-29T01:36:00.000-08:00

Robert Helenius (10-0, 6 KOs) is facing the “biggest challenge” of his life when he takes on former WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster in Neubrandenburg, Germany on January 30. Coming off a spectacular third-round TKO victory over Taras Bidenko, the “Nordic Nightmare” is looking for the 11th victory in as many bouts. “I am excited to fight one of the biggest names in boxing at this early stage of my career,” Helenius said. “I have big plans and in order to accomplish them, I have to keep progressing. A victory over Brewster would be a giant stride into the right direction.”

Helenius, who finished second at the 2006 European Amateur Championships, looked impressive in his last fights. “I am in great shape,” the Scandinavian heavyweight hopeful said. “I am confident of success, even though I have never been in the ring with a star like Brewster. But I have a bigger reach than him and will keep him at bay with my jab..”

Brewster (35-5, 30 KOs) joined Team Sauerland in March 2009, comfortably defeating Michael Sprott in his first fight. His ambitious plan to fight for a world title again suffered a blow when Gbenga Oloukun clinched a points victory in Halle just five months later. “Perhaps he underestimated his opponent,” Helenius said. “However, I am sure he will not take me lightly. But I will be prepared for him. I am sure I will win the biggest fight of my life.”

The main fight of the night will be the clash between IBF Middleweight Champion Sebastian Sylvester and challenger Pablo Navascues.

Pacquiao/Clottey: Ghanaians rally behind Joshua Clottey

2010-01-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

By: Prince Dornu-Leiku

WBO Welterweight title challenger Joshua Clottey has received the full backing of his countrymen ahead of March 13’s big fight against Manny Pacquiao. Clottey goes into the fight as a huge underdog against the man who has won seven world titles in seven weight categories but Ghanaian boxing chiefs led by former world champion Azumah Nelson have reposed a huge confidence in the 32 year old Joshua Clottey.

“My fear is that Manny Pacquiao is a southpaw because they are hard to fight but Joshua has given us an assurance that he knows how to fight southpaws so I am relieved. I will advise Joshua to train hard but I know him and I know that he will not rest. We will be there to support him physically and mentally,” stated Hall of Famer Azumah Nelson at the press conference organized by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in Accra this morning to show support for Joshua Clottey..

Azumah, now Technical Director of GBA, was surrounded by the bigwigs of Ghanaian boxing as well as top government officials on the high table at the press conference as the nation formally threw support behind the boxer. Clottey who like many of the country’s top boxers have endlessly criticized the GBA for a lack of support, confessed that he goes into the fight against Pacquiao feeling like he is fighting for Ghana for the very first time. “I am encouraged by what I am seeing and hearing today and for the first time I am thinking about the nation which will make things harder for Manny Pacquiao. The nation didn’t support us much in the past but if now they are ready to get behind us, that is the best motivation I can get. And I promise to win the title for Ghana,” Clottey told the press conference at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra.

Joshua still battling US immigration officials in Accra for his trainer Godwin Dzanie Kotey and assistant Daniel Clottey to get visa clearances to travel with the boxer to the US, was very emotional on the issue pleading with the US Embassy to even issue a two-month visa for the trainers and it will be enough. He even made a plea to Ghana President Atta Mills to personally get involved to help with the visa application. “The nation is with you in spirit and we pray to God to guide you unto victory. The NSC will also take over the visa issue so that Alloway can travel with Joshua,” said Worlanyo Agrah, CEO of the National Sports Council (NSC) of Ghana before leaving the room of the press conference and returning few minutes later with the promise that the necessary contacts are being made for Clottey’s trainer to be issued with the visa.

Clottey meanwhile is scheduled to depart Accra for the US on Friday hopefully with coach Alloway to begin final preparations for the big fight on March 13. He has again assured his countrymen that nothing will stop him from beating Manny Pacquiao even if the stakes are highly placed against him. “I am taking this fight not for the money but to win the title. I know its Pacquiao but I don’t want people thinking that Manny is super, that nobody can beat him. He is a human being like me. He has lost three times and I have also lost three times. We speak, laugh and share jokes together. I promise that I will dethrone him,” Joshua Clottey said.

Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather JR: The Next Best Thing?

2010-01-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

By: Mike “Mykers” Boehm

The trials and tribulations of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather JR have no doubt brought fans some hard luck. We watched as the fight was signed, sealed, and well…almost delivered. While specifics are a bit unjust, and highly opinionated; a new story has evolved. That is, a potential Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather super fight. While this bout seems to present most of the community with a “eh” type of attitude, will this fight potentially become the next best thing for Floyd Mayweather, or even Shane Mosley?

For quite some time, Shane Mosley has eagerly been awaiting a super fight with the undefeated kingpin, Floyd Mayweather JR. This comes as no surprise to most, who witnessed Mosley intervening during the post fight chat, while Mayweather was conversing with Max Kellerman after the Marquez bout. True to his nature, Floyd was a bit disgusting with Shane’s relentless call-outs, and accused Mosley of disrespect. The flipside is Shane Mosley is a welterweight warrior. A true warrior who has never declined, dodged, or evaded the supreme beings of the lightweight, welterweight, and light middleweight divisions..

Of course most fans do not need my arguments to justify Shane Mosley’s disposition in boxing today. Though, it seems the Mosley versus Mayweather match should become the next best thing for boxing. Nonetheless, I would imagine that most onlookers would view this fight as erroneous, constantly bashing the ultimate demise of Mosley himself. It’s this aspect alone that will ultimately draw the fans, and cause the gears to turn on who will win, and/or dominate this matchup.

Most professional fighters who face Mayweather are simply mismatched, give or take a few opponents. Floyd Mayweather has proved that he is a supreme being in the welterweight division with his fast adjustments and work rate. Consequently, it seems strange that a Mosley/Mayweather fight has never ensued because Mayweather is known for hand-picking opposition he can fare well against. Call me crazy; doesn’t it seem strange that these two welterweight fighters have never squared off against each other in the ultimate welterweight showdown?

When you compare both fighters to each other it seems there is no contest. Floyd Mayweather has perfected his art of boxing under the tutelage of Roger and Floyd Mayweather SR. His fast adjustment rate, lodged with his supreme defensive tactics, makes Floyd the better fighter. However, both fighters in Mosley and Mayweather possess experience, power, knowledge, and a “can do” attitude in the ring. For veteran fighters alone, it seems Mosley’s only advantage would remain in his fists. No doubt, Shane has shown recently, that his power has not diminished at all. On the flipside Mayweather also has decent power, but nothing relative to Mosley.

A quick two step comparison to Mosley and Mayweather would be Antonio Margarito, and Juan Manuel Marquez. While these two prospects might not be the best comparison it will suffice for our fancy. How would Mayweather fair against Antonio Margarito? With Mayweather being a sound tactical technician, it seems Mayweather would have no problem blasting the “Tijuana Tornado.” On the opposite end of the ring, it would appear Mosley would most likely dominate, or even knockout Juan Manuel Marquez the same way Mayweather did. Nevertheless, it seems these comparisons would ultimately prove no one is the better man in this aspect.

Supposedly, the date for this welterweight clash is May 1, 2010. However, neither party has officially signed any paperwork just yet. According to Golden Boy Promotions, they already have the arena reserved for May 1at Mandalay Bay. Then again folks, this is boxing; anything can happen! Ultimately, the concept of this welterweight clash seems likely. Shane Mosley has been patiently waiting for this opportunity to get his crack at Floyd Mayweather. This, along with the fire burning inside of Mosley will no doubt cement a great fight for the year of 2010. As for the outcome; there are so many probabilities on who will win and/or dominate this fight. Either way, this is one fight that will ultimately solidify the welterweight division, and bring prized hopes to the winner of this welterweight clash.

Mayweather-Mosley: Atlas, Steward Break it Down

2010-01-20T00:59:00.000-08:00

By Rick Reeno

The news hit everyone like a ton of bricks. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer disclosed on Monday that he is aggressively trying to finalize a deal for one of the biggest fights in the last few years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Shane Mosley. If the deal gets done, the fight will likely take place on a May date in Las Vegas. To get some expert analysis on the fight, BoxingScene.com sat down with two of the better known trainers in the sport, Emanuel Steward and Teddy Atlas.

If the fight is actually made, Atlas will give Mayweather a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate. For the last few years, Mayweather has been criticized for cherry-picking his opponents. Mosley is regarded by most as the best welterweight in the division. Atlas views Mosley as the toughest opponent Mayweather could possibly secure. He respects Mayweather's move even more because the mega-Manny money is not involved. A very dangerous fight, but Atlas expects the younger Mayweather to pull it out.

"I think it's a very interesting fight. I think its a tough fight for Mayweather. For Mayweather it's the toughest fight that he could have taken. You have to give him credit. It's no Pacquiao fight. Mosley has never been a high cash register. I'm sure he's made a lot of money and he's set for life but he's not of those cash register guys who brings that kind of money to a fight. He was a good solid guy at lightweight who ran out of opponents and moved up, but Mosley never became a Sugar Ray Leonard type like he attached his name to. He's getting older now and he's still a terrific fighter but he never reached that level of automatic sale when people heard his name," Atlas told BoxingScene.

"I have to give Mayweather credit for going from a $40 million dollar fight to a guy like Mosley, who is every bit as dangerous. Maybe Mosley is not the same with the volume punching and the speed [of Pacquiao], but he has that strength and experience but brings a lot less money. I don't know if it's the smartest thing to from a business standpoint but it is an interesting fight."

"It's going to come down to who has that fire. Shane has enough left. He's strong, solid technically although I think Floyd is better technically. It's going to come to come down to who has more fire in the fight. When you get older, the thing that you lose the most is that "go get em fire" and people blame fighters for not pulling the trigger, but it's not just that. When you get older, you get to that point where you don't take the same risks that you did when you were younger. That energy to find at way to do those little extra things. The energy to find that rhythm. And there will be some dangerous moments for Mayweather, but I think he will skate by. It's a dangerous fight. A very risky fight for Mayweather, but I expect him to skate by."

Steward believes Mayweather was backed into a corner when Pacquiao selected Joshua Clottey as a March 13 opponent. He needed to do something big, or even bigger, and the biggest thing he could accomplish was to go after Mosley. Anything less than a Mosley fight would have been a disappointment. He predicts an excellent fight where both guys have a lot to prove to their critics.

"It's a very interesting fight. It's very intriguing. It creates a good situation where the two winners of those credible fights [Pacquiao-Clottey, Mayweather-Mosley] can meet in a major fight in the fall. They both have something to prove. Shane will be very emotional because it's his first chance to get into these super fights after being shut out for so long," Steward said.

"For Mayweather, it's the first fight [at welterweight] where the public has accepted his opponent as a real true challenge. Before this, it was little guy after little guy but the public will accept this fight as a true challenge. Mayweather gets to say 'I'm not a coward, I'm fighting a true welterweight.' He's been pushed back into a corner somewhat because after Pacquiao got Clottey, who is also a very credible opponent, he needed to come back with something big. He can't come back with something secondary. The fight is a toss-up."

One question mark in the fight is inactivity. By the time fight comes around, Mosley will be coming off a near 16-month layoff. In his last fight, on January 24, 2009, he wiped the floor with three-time welterweight champion Antonio Margarito. The same question mark applies to Mayweather. He returned last September, after a near 2-year layoff, to dominate an undersized Juan Manuel Marquez. In other words, Mayweather has only had one fight since December 2007. Atlas doesn't see the inactivity hurting Mayweather, but it may hurt Mosley.

"It will hurt Mosley as far as dealing with the immediate. It will hurt Mosley a little more because he's been inactive for a longer period of time. Mayweather may have had one fight and before that a long layoff but he fought a solid guy and went twelve rounds. For the immediate, I think his youth will serve him. Mosley will be hurt a little but his great experience will minimize the damage of being inactive. He will make it up, not completely but he will make up some of that damage with his experience," Atlas said.

Steward told BoxingScene that he doesn't see inactive playing a role in the fight. Maybe with other fighters. Not with Mayweather and Mosley.

"I personally don't think so. Both guys are training hard all the time. These are guys who are always in the gym and it will balance itself itself out. These are not guys who have to be in a fight to be in the gym. They love to be in the gym. They are not the kind of guys who stay away. You have guys, when they are off, they don't go near a boxing gym. These guys are different. We have two hard training guys. A very intriguing fight," Steward said.

Mosley, Mayweather sides open to bout

2010-01-19T00:58:00.000-08:00

By Dan Rafael
ESPN.com

Floyd Mayweather is ready to negotiate a fight with welterweight champion Shane Mosley in the wake of Mosley's fight with Andre Berto being canceled, Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe told ESPN.com on Monday night.

Mosley was due to face Andre Berto in a welterweight title unification match on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. However, Berto, a Haitian-American who had at least eight members of his family killed in the recent earthquake that devastated the Caribbean nation, withdrew from the fight earlier Monday because he was "mentally and physically exhausted" from dealing with the catastrophe and needed to be with his family.

"I know everyone is rushing to make this fight with Mosley, but I want people to know that Floyd feels awful for Berto and his family for what they and their country are going through," Ellerbe said. "That is first and foremost. But if, in fact, Shane Mosley is available, that's the fight that Floyd would love to make. It's no secret that Floyd has been trying to make a fight with Shane for the last 10 years.

"Our condolences go out to Berto and his family because that is the human side of this. Everyone is talking about us making a fight with Mosley, but Floyd wants people to know that his prayers -- all of ours -- are with Berto. But he also wants people to know that he is ready to fight Mosley. That's the fight he wants more than anything. And Floyd has instructed me and Al [Haymon, Mayweather's other adviser] to make the biggest fight possible. We will be talking with [Golden Boy CEO] Richard [Schaefer]. Floyd against Shane is the biggest fight in boxing right now that can be made."

Mayweather had been tentatively scheduled to fight Manny Pacquiao on March 13 before that bout fell apart when the sides would not compromise on the drug testing protocol for the bout. Mayweather insisted on rigorous blood testing, which he would also be subject to, but Pacquiao rejected it.

Instead, Pacquiao took a fight with former welterweight titlist Joshua Clottey, and they will meet on March 13 on pay-per-view at Cowboys Stadium. There is a news conference to formally announce the bout at the stadium on Tuesday followed by another news conference on Wednesday in New York.

Schaefer, who works with Mayweather, had said that Mayweather would fight a different opponent on March 13 in a competing pay-per-view from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

However, with Mosley becoming available, attention immediately turned to Mosley-Mayweather, which, aside from Pacquiao-Mayweather or Pacquiao-Mosley, looms as the biggest fight in boxing.

According to Schaefer, he has the MGM Grand Garden Arena on hold for May 1 and May 8. Ellerbe said that time frame is fine with Mayweather for a fight with Mosley.

"Most definitely," Ellerbe said. "Shane is a great fighter and if a deal could be made, Shane would be the toughest fight out there. That fight is tougher than the other fight [Pacquiao-Mayweather]. It's a mega fight if it can be made."

If the bout is finalized, it remains to be seen if Mayweather would insist on the same rigorous drug testing he wanted Pacquiao to undergo. Pacquiao denies he has ever used performance-enhancing drugs even though Mayweather has alluded to him using and Mayweather's father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., has said outright that he believed Pacquiao used PEDs, despite having no evidence. The accusation led Pacquiao to file a defamation suit against the Mayweathers and others, including Schaefer and Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya.

Mosley, however, has admitted to using PEDs and was connected to the BALCO scandal. Although he publicly denied using PEDs for years, Mosley admitted during grand jury testimony, which was later released, that he used designer steroids "the clear" and "the cream" and injected himself with EPO, a blood oxygen enhancer, during the leadup to his 2003 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), a five-division champion, and Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), a three-division champion, have seemingly been on a collision course for years dating to the late 1990s, when Mosley was lightweight champion and Mayweather was junior lightweight champion.

More recently, Mosley repeatedly called Mayweather out before he got involved negotiating the fight with Pacquiao. In fact, Mosley crashed Mayweather's post-fight interview in the ring following his September victory against Juan Manuel Marquez and publicly called him out to his face.

Schaefer said he would try to make the fight.

"That is a super fight, and now my next order of business -- to see if we can put [Mosley-Mayweather] together," he said. "That is what I am going to be doing in the coming hours. The sooner the better if we can get this potential fight done. With Shane now being available and Floyd being available, that's a fight all fight fans and sports fans would embrace. This would be a huge showdown. Shane has wanted that fight for a while. That's what I am going to try to do."

Door opened for Mosley-Mayweather

2010-01-18T15:34:00.000-08:00

By Dan Rafael

Overwhelmed by family loss in the Haiti earthquake, welterweight titleholder Andre Berto withdrew on Monday from his scheduled unification fight with Shane Mosley on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The cancellation of the fight could lead to Mosley instead defending his title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the spring.

"Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood," Berto said in a statement. "I lost several family members to the earthquake and, after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi, and her daughter, Jessica, survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents' eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.

"As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and, therefore, I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30."

Berto lost at least eight family members in the disaster.

Berto's parents were born in Haiti before emigrating in 1980 to Winter Haven, Fla., where Berto grew up and still lives. Berto (25-0, 19 KOs) also represented Haiti in the 2004 Olympic Games and has done charitable work there for the past several years.

"Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone's prayers for the people of Haiti," Berto said. "I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation. The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event."

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who promotes Mosley, said he told Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) about the cancellation of the fight, and he was understanding.

"It's just a very unfortunate situation," Schaefer said. "This is unbelievable. Everyone has seen the pictures from Haiti and followed this devastating situation. We all feel very bad for Andre. We know where his focus needs to be and that is with his family and his people. I talked to Shane. Obviously, he shares the sentiment. He feels bad for Andre and understands. But at the same time he is disappointed because he is in amazing shape with two weeks to go, and now this fight fell out. He is not happy about it, but he fully understands the situation. We just wish the best for Andre Berto."

The cancellation of the fight may open another door for Mosley. With the Manny Pacquiao-Mayweather fight falling apart and Pacquiao moving on to face Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, the date Pacquiao-Mayweather was supposed to take place on, it left Mayweather without an opponent.

Schaefer, who promotes Mosley and is working with Mayweather, had announced that Mayweather would also fight on March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on a pay-per-view that would compete with Pacquiao-Clottey.

However, behind the scenes, plans were being made for Mayweather to go on an alternative date. Now, Mayweather could wind up challenging Mosley for his title on May 1, a date Golden Boy has been holding for a pay-per-view event at the MGM Grand.

"That is a super fight, and now my next order of business -- to see if we can put [Mosley-Mayweather] together," Schaefer said. "That is what I am going to be doing in the coming hours. The sooner the better if we can get this potential fight done. With Shane now being available and Floyd being available, that's a fight all fight fans and sports fans would embrace. This would be a huge showdown. Shane has wanted that fight for awhile. That's what I am going to try to do."

Berto's schedule will remain up in the air while he deals with his family loss. He had stormed through his professional career to win a vacant 147-pound title via seventh-round knockout of Miguel Angel Rodriguez in 2008 and has made three defenses against Steve Forbes, former titleholder Luis Collazo and junior welterweight titlist Juan Urango. But the showdown with Mosley was by far the most significant bout of his career and a way to stamp himself as a star with a victory.

But the family tragedy was too much for him to continue training for the bout.

"I think he made a correct decision for himself," said Lou DiBella, Berto's promoter throughout his professional career. "Your mental health and physically health are more important than one fight. I know that Andre has been in agony since this happened. He has been really struggling. He is mentally and physically exhausted and I don't think he's been sleeping. He's been torn about whether to fight and had to make this decision. I think he's going to go to Haiti next week.

"It's the right decision. It's impossible to watch those pictures from Haiti even if you're not Haitian. But he and his family and his parents are suffering. It hits very close to home. How could any human being focus under those circumstances? I'm glad for Andre that he made this decision for himself."

The entire Jan. 30 card has been called off. The undercard included several notable bouts, including Glen Johnson against Yusaf Mack in a light heavyweight title eliminator, former junior welterweight titlist Vivian Harris facing Lucas Matthysse and former junior middleweight titleholder Sergio Mora ending a year-plus layoff to fight Jason Naugler in his first fight since signing with Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes Mosley.

Schaefer said he would huddle with matchmaker Eric Gomez to notify the fighters that the card was off and to discuss alternatives.

DiBella said everyone involved in the show, from his staff to Golden Boy to HBO, which was to launch the 2010 season of "World Championship Boxing" with the fight, was supportive of Berto's decision.

"Not one person involved in the promotion had any negative response to this decision," DiBella said. "Everyone empathizes with Andre and his whole family. The young man's well-being outweighs any one fight."

HBO's Kery Davis echoed DiBella.

"Andre Berto is a terrific athlete and an even better person," Davis said. "We can only imagine the pain the earthquake has caused the entire Berto family. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andre and we hope to have him back on HBO when he is ready to return to the ring."

Will Pacquiao's clean test results finally silence his critics?

2010-01-17T15:13:00.000-08:00

by: Rick Rockwell

Keith Kizer of the Nevada Sports Athletic Commission announced a few days ago that Manny Pacquiao’s drug test results came back clean. The test showed negative for performance enhancing drugs including steroids. But the questions remains will Pacquiao’s latest clean drug test silence his critics?

Unfortunately, we now live in a world where you are guilty until proven innocent. It’s also unfortunate that we live in a world where there has been so many athletes caught using performance enhancing drugs. This brings me to my point, it’s unfortunate that if you are a phenomenal athlete and arguably the best, the critics will say you cheat..

Pacquiao has been accused of taking illegal substances without any proof. In fact, his latest drug test shows one more time that he is innocent. Yet, his critics still accuse him. At first they claim that he is taking PEDs.Then, when clean drug tests come back they say that he’s using something that’s undetected by these tests.

His critics will point out that Shane Mosley fooled the tests for years but recently admitted that he took steroids. So, now that someone else has come out and admitted to tricking the system, these critics will automatically accuse Pacquiao of being a mastermind cheater and tricked the system.

To those critics, Pacquiao’s camp agreed to take blood tests, just not at the demanded times from Mayweather’s camp.
"We agreed with the blood test. Pacquiao can have a blood test after the fight. I mean, if he is using steroids those drugs will remain in his system even after the fight,"... Koncz in an interview with GMA News

So the world’s greatest boxer has never tested dirty, and will take a blood test, but the critics still say he’s guilty and he must be cheating. No matter how many tests come back clean, these critics have a lynch mob mentality and won’t stop until they get what they want and that’s to tear down Pacquiao.

Sometimes sports can sadly reflect the state a of humanity.

And what if Pacquiao is `CLEAN`?

2010-01-16T21:57:00.000-08:00

By Dezzie Lightbulb

Boxing has always been plagued with `what ifs`. What if Ali and Tyson had met in the ring, each in his prime? What if Cotto`s team had properly checked Margarito`s gloves before their fight? What if such and such a judge had bought himself a new pair of spectacles the day of yet another crazy decision? What if, what if, what if! These questions can never be fully answered. They can haunt us, and remain as cruelly tantalizing after twenty years as they were the first day. The latest `what if` that has stormed the boxing world is `what if Pacquiao has been using PEDs or steroids?` Even longtime, faithful Pacquiao fans must have asked themselves, although probably in the privacy of their most inner selves, what if it`s

true. What if Pacquiao has always been a cheat, his whole boxing career nothing more than a second-rate, shabby sham?

All boxing fans, must have given at least some thought to this question. The press has written what must amount to the equivalent of 100 War and Peaces exploring the possibility of Pacquiao juicing. In this article I wish to explore another, different `what if`. Because we must all by now have some level of doubt as to Pacquiao`s fair play, I think that it is in the interest of a balanced and open-minded view that we have a closer look at the alterative scenario. What if Pacquiao is clean?

Pacquiao in his early days was a very different fighter to the one we see before us today. He was a light, slight southpaw, had a truckload of confidence and self-belief, and a devastating straight left that put an early end to many a boxers` ambitions. Yet his confidence cost him dearly. His two early defeats can be put down to overconfidence. He lost to less talented fighters who caught him unawares as he played `cock of the ring`. While he definitely had talent, his losses underlined his need for more boxing skills, and more importantly, the need for a really good trainer. Both came to him later when he teamed up with Freddie Roach.

Roach took the raw diamond that was Pacquiao, and with all the skills and attention to detail of a master jeweler, shaped him to become the brilliant jewel of a boxer we see today. Pacquiao`s boxing arsenal has been transformed from a `one-shot-wonder` to that of an all-round, great boxer. Today it seems he can do just about anything in the ring. As far as I know there is no drug that can give you skills you don`t have, that is the work of a trainer.

There is a very good reason why Pacquiao and Roach get along so well. At some stage in his career Pacquiao must have admitted to himself that he was simply not a good enough boxer to become a legend. While most boxers would rather die than to have to admit to a shortcoming, Pacquiao obviously did. He knows he needs Roach, and he respects him enough to listen to every word he says. How many times, while watching a fight, have you heard a trainer telling his fighter in the corner between rounds to double up his jab or keep his hands up or some such, only to find that in the following round the obviously good advice has fallen on deaf ears, and the boxer goes right on doing what he should not be doing? More than once or twice I have been pleasantly surprised to hear Roach telling Pacquiao to do something different in the next round, and lo and behold, Pacquiao does exactly what he has been told. The best trainer in the world will achieve nothing with a boxer who won`t listen to him. Roach is as a brilliant trainer as Pacquiao is a trainee.

So, back to the `what ifs`; what if` the reason Pacquiao defeated Hatton had nothing to do with drugs, but was because he learned to use both left and right hooks, neither of which he used in his early years? And `what if` the only PED that Pacquiao has ever used is Mr. Freddie Roach, one of the best Performance Enhancing Dudes in the business? `

Michael Moorer gives us valuable insight into boxing, and particularly into training; “I see these guys that half-ass fight, and some of them down here in training, they half-ass train, and that`s not how I was brought up.” For Moorer training is obviously the key to success in boxing. He goes on to tell us how unbelievably hard Pacquiao trains. “I witnessed him go 26 rounds, nonstop hitting the mitts. That`s phenomenal. He just strives to be the best.” He also tells us of Pacquiao`s work ethic and his will to win, all in the most flattering of terms. Moorer was a world champion and is now a trainer, so his thoughts on the subject definitely carry weight. He has proved himself to be an honest, straight-talking guy with loads of integrity. That`s good enough for me.

So `what if` Moorer is right, and Pacquiao`s success comes from such a high level of hard work, discipline, and dedication, that steroids are simply unnecessary?

In many ways Pacquiao`s hunger for success in not as surprising as it may seem. In Pacquiao we have all the elements of the ultimate fairytale, `rags to riches` story. The lowly street urchin who makes it big in a world he may never even have dreamed of as a child. It is a well known fact that a disproportionate number of self-made success stories find their roots in deprived backgrounds. Could it be that the sting of near starvation once felt will forever haunt and drive a man, and may even drive him to exceptional greatness? Perhaps being born into abject poverty gives the lucky ones who manage to escape a sense of steely, stubborn self-determination that makes them fight every second of their existence to never have to return. Can we conceive that Pacquiao feels that he has a sacred `duty` to pay back for his good fortune by becoming the greatest boxer he can, and then to use his fame and fortune to help his fellow countrymen get a fairer deal than he got as a child? Could that be what has driven him to the top? Why not?

`What if` Pacquiao`s success is a result of an exceptional drive inherited from his background, and not some `two-day-washout` designer drug?

So why did Pacquiao refuse to take the damned tests? Pacquiao knows, the rest of us can only speculate. I feel that it is a combination of things. First and foremost he refused point-blank to get pushed around by Mayweather. Understandable! Secondly he did not want his all important training schedule interrupted by unannounced, invasive blood takes which could have weakened him at a time he needed all his strength. Thirdly he may believe that Mayweather needs this fight more than he does. Mayweather is reportedly close to broke. Even if Pacquiao only makes 10 million dollars from his fight with Clottey, 10 million dollars in Pacquiao`s hands in the Philippians is probably the equivalent of 100 million dollars in Mayweather`s hands in the US. Pacquiao took the best welterweight challenge available for March 13, leaving Mayweather with very little choice of landing himself a convincing match. This could all be part of a plan so that team Pacquiao can dictate terms if, and when negotiations are reopened between the two teams.

To those who claim that Pacquiao`s refusal to take the random blood tests is conclusive proof of his guilt, I ask you, `what if` one or all of the above are the real reasons why Pacquiao refused the tests, not because he is dirty?

It is very easy to understand why so many people have jumped on this `Manny`s a juicer` bandwagon. Our world has evolved into a dark, cynical place. In recent years we have been repeatedly betrayed by our elected leaders who have been serving their own nasty little agendas rather than serving the common good. Some of the Churches we worshiped in have fallen into damnable disgrace. Huge pharmaceutical companies have been caught doing far more harm to people`s heath than good. Soulless corporations bloody-mindedly and shamelessly rape our world. These days nothing more is sacred. Nothing is as it seems. Honesty has become rarer than the finest of gold.

And yet, `what if`, `WHAT IF` for once something was as it should be? `WHAT IF` Manny Pacquiao is simply the best boxer of his generation, no drugs required? Is that really so hard to believe? I hope not, and, call me a helpless romantic if you will, but I actually find it easy to believe the beautiful, magical, amazing story of the skinny little slum-kid who conquered the world.

Pacquiao – Clottey will be a tough war of wills

2010-01-15T23:42:00.000-08:00

By: Albert Alvarez

With Pacquiao/Mayweather now deep down below the Titanic, Even Stevie Wonder can see that it is deep, and seems to get even deeper the more and more it keeps getting discussed.

As soon as the plug was pulled to just kill the issue, I right away knew that now more than ever must Money May now step out of his element and face someone that can test him.

Pacquiao as he always does, struck first and will put it all on the line against the guy that nobody can seem to look good against in Joshua Clottey.

Pacquiao/Clottey will be a tough war of wills type of clash. Score one point for the Pac-Man as he takes the early lead. Now it’s time for Mayweather Jr. to answer and get his ass on the scoreboard.

Below, I list my list of the top 10 fighters that should get the call to face Money May come March or April. My feeling is that due to the delay in picking his opponent, the match will most likely take place in April.

Floyd would be out of his mind to even think about trying to compete against Pacquiao/Clottey on the very same night. The only way that Floyd can compete and possibly surpass Pac-Man/Clottey, is if Floyd pulls the balls out of his throat and calls out Paul Williams.

Mayweather/Williams will not happen for 2 big reasons. #1. The Punisher scares the crap out of Floyd, and #2. Both fighters are managed by Al Haymon, Haymon is alot smarter than this, why would Haymon want to make his 2 best race horses race one another? This is why I didn’t even bother to mention Paul Williams as a possibility to get the call to tangle with Floyd.

If Floyd wants to shock us all and take on a bigger foe

10. Winky Wright- Winkster and Floyd would have been great against one another some 3-5 years ago, many feel that Winky is done. Floyd may also think the same exact thing which is why Winky may now finally get the real call from Floyd.

9. Alfredo Angulo- Floyd never wanted any part of Margarito, so why would he want to face the young Angulo? Floyd’s answer- If Cintron boxed this boy silly, what do you think I would do? I would box this boy’s ears off.

8. Yuri Foreman- I can see Floyd calling Yuri out and then say that he will fight the man that Pacquiao’s team called too big for Pacquiao. Floyd will look at Yuri’s record and say that this boy can not hurt him so let’s do this. Will uncle Bob allow it to happen though?

7. Sergio Martinez- I know, I know, cold day in hell right? Well, by picking and beating Maravilla, Floyd can then claim to have beaten with ease the man that many feel beat Paul Williams. Bigger the man, bigger the reward.

If Floyd calls someone in his own weight-class

6. Carlos Quintana- Quintana once out boxed and out foxed Paul Williams. Yes, it’s very true that the Punisher came back to blast Quintana in one round, but Quintana still has a win over Williams. Floyd will only see that one win over Williams.

5. Luis Collazo- Collazo gave Berto fitts when they met last year. Floyd would love to out box Collazo to send Berto a message, in case Berto gets past Mosley. Yes, it’s true that Berto is also managed by Al Haymon, but Haymon wouldn’t mind Floyd vs. Dre because Dre is not a big of a threat as Williams is of taking that 0 away from his biggest money maker.

4. Kermit Cintron- Cintron has a style that is made for Money May to take apart. I have a feeling that Floyd thinks the same.

If Floyd goes smaller

3. Nate Campbell- Alot of fans will say that Nate is too old and now too slow and too small for Floyd. Thing is that you can not count a old school fighter like Nate out, his heart and hunger is good enough for me.

2. Paulie Malignaggi- Many of you out there and you know who you are, do not want to see this. I do for the simple fact that speed and a consistent jab will always trouble Floyd. Paulie has both and on top of that, Paulie now with Sherif Younan can stick to the game plan. I feel that Paulie’s mouth before the fight can throw off Floyd, and I would love to see how Floyd would react to that speedy jab.

1. Timothy Bradley- Bradley is the beast to see at 140. Bradley has shown time and time again that he can addapt to anything thrown his way. I would love to see Mayweather/Bradley.

Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto: A Chess Match?

2010-01-14T06:51:00.000-08:00

By Mike “Mykers” Boehm - In recent years, boxing has silenced all critics who say, “it’s a dying sport.” More specifically, the welterweight division has proved this alone with the fierce competition that has evolved from a day to day basis. Consequently, these allegations are constantly up for debate on cold hard facts; in which everyone has their immediate rendition. However, patience is a virtue…and with this, there is no question that we have quite the chess match in boxing at the end of this month.

Eagerly, we wait with anticipation for the great unification welterweight battle between Shane Mosley and Andre Berto on January 30, 2010. The beginning of this year promises to become another great year for boxing, and so it goes. The breakdown itself of the welterweight clash is an interesting one. There is so much speculation of who will leave the ring victorious and who won’t. Each fighter has plenty of magical tricks that will no doubt prove who’s the better man. However, let’s try to suppress some of the speculation by looking at the advantages and disadvantages of the art of war..

The community has become all too familiar with Shane Mosley and his rise. The stunning welterweight has reeked havoc on the sport since February of 1993.The road to welterweight supremacy was indeed a tough, yet arduous journey for Mosley. Ultimately, the years of experience, combined with the increased work rate has cemented Mosley’s place in the welterweight division. However, is this enough for the older fighter to conquer the speedier fighter in Andre Berto? More importantly, is age going to finally become a factor for Shane Mosley in his upcoming bout?

Speed has always been a huge factor in a fight. Just ask Andre Berto! The majority of the time, the young fighter in Berto, constantly outworks his opponents by landing the cleaner more effective punches. Hence, the undefeated record that Andre Berto strives to protect. However, when Andre Berto fought Luis Collazo we saw Berto in a bit of hot water. Both fighters were able to stun each other, and Collazo was able to catch Berto coming in. No doubt, Andre was the busier fighter in the bout, but weaknesses did seem apparent on Berto’s behalf. If Andre Berto expects the same treatment and power from Shane Mosley, it could become an early night for Andre Berto.

Age has become an interesting factor as well. Take fighters like Bernard Hopkins and Evander Holyfield; these might not be the best examples, but there decent enough to stake a claim. The two fighters in Hopkins and Holyfield have proved that there is life as an aging boxer. The age factor should not become an immediate disadvantage for Mosley, as proven in his recent bought with Antonio Margarito. Mosley managed to blast Margarito across the canvas throughout the fight and end with a ninth round TKO victory. Shane has proven his speed is apparent, and his strength has not diminished at all in recent bouts. Of course, with age comes experience. Shane Mosleys’ experience and fast adjustment rate should prevail over Andre Berto.

The work rate of Mosley will become an ultimate factor for Berto. Most likely, Berto will remain cautious, picking his shots with Shane. More specifically, Andre Berto has much more to protect; which is apparent in his undefeated record. Mosley on the other hand, will stalk, trap, and land several hard shots when the chance permits. Indeed the chess match seems logical. The only difference is Shane Mosley has been in numerous chess matches where the opponent has fallen short. Therefore, for the sake of this bout, age is just a number, and hopefully will remain suppressed until the end of the match up.

Personally, one of my major concerns is Andre Berto himself. That is, how Berto will fair in the ring. In Berto’s most recent match with Juan Urango, he was repeatedly criticized for punching Urango and falling into a clinch. Following this, Andre was repeatedly told by the referee to stop holding. Luckily for Mosley, he knows the advantages and disadvantages of this tactic, along with breaking through the defense of recent opposition.

Both fighters possess decent defensive skills. Although, at times; Shane Mosley is intent on using his chin for a defensive tactic. However, in Andre Berto’s recent matches against Luis Collazo, and Juan Urango; his chin has proved quite rock steady. But then again, no other welterweight hits like Mosley, and no other welterweight has the capabilities, and adjustment ratio like Shane. Either way, both fighters have a decent defensive game, but Berto’s seems more extensive with the speedy footwork.

While the public tends to slightly overlook each of the two fighters, it’s the ultimate anticipation that has nabbed our thoughts and speculations. Shane Mosley’s presence is stellar, constantly supported, honored, and appreciated in the sport of boxing. Andre Berto has quickly become a fierce opponent in the welterweight division and looks to make his mark on the sport. Nevertheless, Andre Berto looks to improve his unblemished records against one of the best welterweights in Shane Mosley. Ultimately, the unification bout will set the standards for the welterweight division, and possibly entice the next best thing to happen. That is, one of the two fighters to land a checkmate bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Exclusive Interview With Joshua Clottey - "I'm Ready To Shock The World!" -Pacquiao vs Clottey

2010-01-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

by: James Slater

Former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey landed the biggest fight of his career when the eagerly awaited Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Junior fight fell apart. The teak-tough 32-year-old from Ghana received the great news last week whilst in his homeland of Ghana, and yesterday the 35-3(20) warrior arrived back in New York. Having had some bad luck recently - what with his big fight with "Sugar" Shane Mosley, originally set for Boxing Day, 2009, called off - Clottey is at last the beneficiary of some fortune his hard work has earned him.

Very kindly taking the time to speak with me on the upcoming mega-fight with the pound-for-pound king, the always modest and easygoing Clottey had the following answers to my questions:

James Slater: Congratulations on getting the huge fight with Pacquiao! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, Joshua, I know you've got a lot going on. First of all, is this the best possible fight you could have hoped for? If you could have picked your dream fight, would this fight with Manny Pacquiao have been it?

Joshua Clottey: Thank you very much. Yes, this is the fight I have always wanted. I've always wanted fights like this - against the best fighters in the world. I really want to prove my point in this fight, prove to the whole world that I am the best. I'm so happy about getting this fight with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world..

J.S: After all the recent disappointments you've had, with the Shane Mosley fight falling through for one thing - have things turned out even better in the long run? You now have the Pacquiao fight, and everyone knows you deserve it.

J.C: Yes, you're right. I was upset when the Mosley fight fell through, but this is better. I'm most honoured to be getting this fight - this is what I've always wanted.

J.S: When did you get to the U.S from Ghana?

J.C: Yesterday. I had to come back to sign the contract today. It will all be wrapped up today.

J.S: I know you are a guy who is always in shape, but when will you begin camp for March 13th?

J.C: Right now, I have to do the press conference. I want to say thank you to Top Rank - they have been so good to me throughout my career. And I want to say thank you to Manny Pacquiao as well. Then, after the press conference, I will sort out my training camp. Right now I am running, I'm jogging in the morning and in the afternoon.

J.S: Is it too early talk about who you will be sparring with? Lots of southpaws though, obviously.

J.C: I will think about who I will spar with later, but one thing about me is, I know how to handle southpaws easy. [Miguel] Cotto switched to southpaw in the fight and it was no problem. So I'm not concerned about Pacquiao's stance. I can handle that good.

J.S: A key question, Joshua, is at what weight will the fight take place at? Will it be a catch-weight fight, like the Pacquiao-Cotto fight was?

J.C: It will be at full welterweight. Manny Pacquiao is a very nice person, and he wants to show the world he can fight a real welterweight, someone who is big like me.

J.S: If that did come about, though, and they asked you to fight at, say, 145-pounds, would you do it?

J.C: That's never been talked about. Bob Arum got him to agree to fight at 147, and I want to thank Bob Arum for that. If I had to [come in at 145] I don't think I could really do it. I wouldn't want to drain myself. Boxing is dangerous and I wouldn't want to fight while weakened.

J.S: Well, that's good news, the fight being at a full 147. As great as Pacquiao is, you think you can beat him. How hard do you see the fight being?

J.C: You know, this is not an easy fight at all. But you know me, I always come to do my job in the ring, and I come to make the people happy. I can handle southpaws well and I will beat Pacquiao. I'm ready to shock the world.

J.S: Do you yourself think it will be considered an amazing upset if you beat Pacquiao, or will people say, "well, Clottey was too big for Pacquiao?"

J.C: I don't know if people will be amazed, but I will beat him. If I do, people may then say that he [Pacquiao] can't beat real welterweights. But if he can win, they will say he has beaten a real guy at the weight. But if I beat him, they will say he wasn't able to beat the genuine welterweights.

J.S: You mean because of the way Pacquiao beat a weight-drained Oscar de La Hoya, and a 145-pound Cotto, the critics will say that?

J.C: Yes. I want to see myself, if Pacquiao beat those guys - De La Hoya, Cotto, Ricky Hatton, because of the weight they had to come down to. I also want to see if he beat those guys for real or if he beat them with something. I will show the world the answer to this question.

J.S: When you say with "something," do you mean what all the Floyd Mayweather thing has been about? I mean, we can't say anything about steroids, we could get in trouble, and we can't say Pacquiao uses or has used them.

J.C: No, I don't think he has used steroids, but I can't say for sure. But if he has, it's very unfair. I'm going up against him now, and I want to see if he can beat a real, big, natural welterweight.

J.S: How will you fight Pacquiao? And will he be the fastest guy you'll have ever fought?

J.C: It's too early to talk about my tactics, but I will follow him; I will come forward in the fight. Yes, he will be the fastest guy I'll have fought, but Pacquiao is also durable as well as fast. I'm concerned about his speed, of course, but every time I hit him he will feel it, and maybe this will break him down. I think this will be a nice fight. There's one thing about me; I hate losing.

J.S: This is a huge fight; do you feel any more nervous or excited than you have before any other fight?

J.C: I feel more happy with this fight than for any other. It's not easy to get a fight with Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound in the world. I want to see how good he and Freddie Roach are - I'm fighting them both and I want to see how they perform. I want to see what they can do against me.

J.S: The sky's the limit for you if you can win this one, Joshua. Has Pacquiao made a mistake by fighting you?

J.C: Well, we always ask that before a fight. People have asked me that - as I am bigger and stronger than him. In that regard, he has made a mistake. But he is fast and he wants to prove to the world he can beat someone as big and as strong as me.

J.S: Well, we all look forward to the fight. It's been a pleasure speaking with you, Joshua. Can I ask you finally: how do you see yourself winning - on points or by KO?

J.C: I think I'll win on points, but if a KO comes I'll take it and give it to the world.

Mosley vs Berto Undercard

2010-01-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

source: eastsideboxing

Boxing fans are well aware that the first big fight of 2010 will be the welterweight championship showdown between Sugar Shane Mosley and Andre Berto at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday, January 30, which will be televised live on HBO's World Championship Boxing. Now, they're also going to get the first big boxing event of 2010, as Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment are pleased to announce a series of intriguing undercard matchups to get the year started in an explosive fashion..

Two of the junior welterweight division's most devastating punchers - Argentina's undefeated Lucas Matthysse and Brooklyn's former World Champion Vivian Harris - collide in a bout not likely to last the scheduled 10 rounds.

An IBF Light Heavyweight World title shot will be on the line when New York's Yusaf Mack clashes with former World Champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson in a 12-round elimination bout.

Adding to the number of former title holders on the card will be former 154-pound World Champion Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora, who makes his Golden Boy Promotions debut in a 10-round bout against the always tough Canadian Jason Naugler.

Mosley vs. Berto, a 12-round welterweight title unification bout, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate. The bout will air live on HBO's World Championship Boxing from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nev., beginning at 10 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. PST.

Tickets priced at $300, $200, $150, $100 and $50 are now on sale and available for purchase at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith's Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

The younger brother of former welterweight title challenger Walter Matthysse, 27-year-old Lucas Martin Matthysse (25-0, 23 KOs) has pounded out his own niche in the fight game thanks to crushing punching power that has led to knockouts 23 of his 25 wins. Born in Trelew, Argentina but now living in Buenos Aires, Matthysse tore through Florencio Castellano (KO4) and Luis Jose (KO2) in his last two bouts, setting the stage for a big showdown with Vivian Harris.

When the list of the most exciting junior welterweights is compiled, you can expect to see the name "Vicious" Vivian Harris (29-3-1, 19 KOs) to be prominently featured. The former World Champion claimed the WBA crown in 2002 with a second-round stoppage of Diosbelys Hurtado and went on to defend it three times in 2005. Since then, Harris is unbeaten in five of six fights, including wins over Stevie Johnston and Juan Lazcano. He begins his run for another shot at the championship on January 30.

29-year-old light heavyweight contender Yusaf Mack (28-2-2, 17 KOs) has received no gifts on the way up the ranks; but after making a decision to compete full-time as a light heavyweight, the former USBA Super Middleweight champ kicked things into another gear. Unbeaten in his five fights at 175 pounds since 2008, Mack has parlayed wins over Daniel Judah, Omar Pittman, Chris Henry and DeAndrey Abron into a title eliminator against his toughest foe to date, Glen Johnson.

One of boxing's most respected competitors, Glen "Road Warrior" Johnson (49-13-2, 33 KOs) earned his reputation the hard way, with 17 years of battles against the best the game has to offer. A former Light Heavyweight World Champion and the consensus Fighter of the Year in 2004, a year in which he beat Clinton Woods, Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver, the 41-year-old Johnson is eager to get his title back in 2010. This quest begins with his title eliminator bout against Mack.

Former Junior Middleweight World Champion and the winner of the first season of NBC's "The Contender," Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora (21-1-1, 5 KOs) has gone on to prove that he's more than just a reality show winner. A slick boxing native of East Los Angeles with a warrior's heart, the 29-year-old Mora struck gold in June of 2008 when he defeated the late Vernon Forrest for the WBC Junior Middleweight World title. Though Mora would lose the belt in the rematch with Forrest three months later, a move to middleweight is expected to produce big things for "The Latin Snake."

Jason Naugler (18-11-1, 11 KOs), a Halifax, Nova Scotia native, is a tough out for anyone in the fight game and he's proven his mettle over the last 10 years in bouts against Joachim Alcine, Anthony Thompson, Chad Dawson, James McGirt Jr. and Jesse Brinkley. On January 30, the upset-minded Canadian will look to spoil Mora's first bout of the New Year.

In other undercard action, five of the game's hottest prospects will put their reputations on the line in what surely will be exciting bouts.

Eloy Perez (15-0-2, 4 KOs), from Salinas, Calif., will start 2010 with a 10-round junior featherweight clash against the pride of Oxnard, Calif., "Dangerous" David Rodela (14-1-2, 6 KOs). These California standouts combined for a record of 6-0 in 2009; but on January 30, somebody's winning streak will end.

In a middleweight bout scheduled for eight rounds, New England up-and-comer Edwin Rodriguez of Worcester, Mass. risks his perfect 13-0 (9 KOs) record against Los Angeles' Byron Tyson (9-1-2, 4 KOs).

Opening the event is a four-round junior welterweight bout featuring popular Norwalk, Calif. product Carlos Molina (9-0, 5 KOs) against an opponent to be announced in the near future.

Blame Enough For Everyone In The Foolish Failure To Deliver Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao

2010-01-11T15:53:00.000-08:00

Written by Tim Starks

If you were holding on to the dream that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao would fight in March, it's time to let it go. Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey is set for Dallas, and Mayweather's team, after insisting a deal could still be made, is now plotting Mayweather's next move. It’s actually moving from “unmitigated disaster” to “c.f.,” as right now, both fighters are planning to keep the March 13 date, which means dueling pay-per-views.

Everyone has their favorite culprit in the blame game for how each side walked away from an estimated total of $200 million and gave the sport of boxing and its fans the Abner Louima treatment. But I'm of the view that there's plenty of blame to go around. Everyone involved -- Top Rank, Golden Boy, Mayweather and Pacquiao -- is tarnished by this, and deserves deep, lasting scorn for it.

Top Rank

In an angry moment last year, promoter Dan Goossen said the practices of Top Rank boss Bob Arum were partly to blame for the long tailspin boxing had endured. Arum does a lot of things well, but it’s easy to see what Goossen means.

Toward the end, Arum always seemed more interested in prosecuting his personal grudge against Mayweather and Mayweather’s manager, Al Haymon, than anything else. What’s more, I never thought Arum was all that interested in having Pacquiao fight Mayweather. He has a tendency to milk his hottest commodities for years – see Juan Manuel Lopez – by avoiding putting them in risky fights that fans want to see, and I think he wondered whether Mayweather was worth the risk. Those two factors combined to make it so that when the fight hit the rocks over random blood testing, Arum appeared as if he’d rather rant and rave than work out any kinks.

His behavior was, for lack of a better word, hysterical. He kept making strange excuses, like saying Pacquiao was scared of needles, when Pacquiao’s body is covered in tattoos. (I am scared of needles. I have no tattoos.) He seriously misrepresented the other side’s positions on issues, fueling an unproductive war of words in the media and degenerating to name-calling, like saying Mayweather was a “coward.” He blamed the fight’s cancellation on insinuations from Mayweather’s side that Pacquiao was on steroids then turned his attention to making a fight with… Paulie Malignaggi, who’d insinuated that Pacquiao was on steroids. He kept acting like blood testing to detect performance enhancing drugs was a scientific hoax, when the consensus was that urine testing in conjunction with blood testing would catch more things than mere urine testing. And if the message he wanted to send was that cheating is beneath his side, it’s hard to fathom how he reportedly wanted to put Antonio Margarito (license revoked for loaded gloves) and Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (likely to be suspended for testing positive for a banned substance) on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard. For someone with a reputation for a fearsome intellect, none of this was the work of a smart businessman who cares about his customers.

Arum was doing some heroic work earlier this year when he castigated the media, in particular The New York Times, for ignoring boxing. But if the Times called, how would he defend his sport when he had a hand in killing the fight everyone in the world wanted to see more than any other? The Deadspin headline on this picture featuring Jerry Jones with George W. Bush read, “Just Two Horsemen Short Of An Apocalypse,” but in another picture, John Madden was hanging out with the Jones team, and you know who else was there? Arum.

Golden Boy

When Golden Boy started out, they talked a lot about doing things differently than other promoters, but everyone knows by now they’ve taken opportunities to do things the usual way. Their performance at one point during the negotiation in particular bordered on the thuggish.

Golden Boy boss Oscar De La Hoya used his blog on Ring magazine’s website to strongly suggest that Pacquiao was on steroids. Pacquiao’s punches, he said, felt like Shane Mosley’s and Fernando Vargas’, two boxers who without a doubt used actual PEDs against him in fights. Never mind how two-faced this was – early in 2009, De La Hoya insisted Pacquiao’s punches never hurt him, and I didn’t believe it when he said it – but consider how disgusting it is to make a claim like that out of nowhere. Compounding the horribleness is that he added another layer of tarnish to the publication he now owns – the self-described Bible of Boxing, and a publication with airs of integrity – by doing it. Doug Fischer recently defended De La Hoya’s blog to friend of the site Alex, saying that of course De La Hoya is advancing his interests as a promoter on his website, so what’s the big deal (he actually invoked the idea of Dana White writing a column on UFC.com or Oprah Winfrey writing a column in O magazine – I guess Ring doesn’t aspire to anything more than “house organ” any longer, if those publications are his point of comparison)? And, he said, Arum could have a blog on the website if he wanted, too. Except: 1. Arum doesn’t. And if one promoter is frequently offered prominent placement on Ring’s website to attack other promoters’ fighters, how fair is that? and 2. If any mainstream newspaper owner in the United States had a regular and prominent forum for advancing his own private business interests in the pages of his publication, he’d be ruthlessly criticized, and he’d deserve it.

It’s interesting in yet other ways that in that blog entry, De La Hoya invoked Mosley. Mosley is one of his business partners, and I wonder how thrilled he was about being used as a pawn in this debate. More importantly, Golden Boy’s Richard Schaefer in 2008 explicitly rejected a proposal that Mosley endure blood testing, arguing that Mosley was clean and state commission regulations would suffice. Why Mosley, a confirmed cheater, shouldn’t have to undergo tests that Pacquiao, for whom there is zero evidence of cheating, would, is hard to fathom. Mosley isn’t the only fighter Golden Boy promotes that the company has thrown under the bus – Golden Boy owns a small promotional interest in Pacquiao, too, and by undermining him and insisting no Golden Boy fighter would deal with Pacquiao without a drug test (I wonder what they’d do for Pacquiao-Mosley?), they’re hurting their bottom line. And for whom? Mayweather? Why? Mayweather has openly stated his desire to crush Golden Boy when he gets his own promotional company up and running, and he’s unreliable in other ways – they went to bat for him, and they came up empty-handed. Schaefer himself comes off as a pretty smart man, unencumbered by the extreme swings of emotion that rule the temperamental Arum, but this all was pretty stupid.

Pacquiao

Because Pacquiao usually is such a “good guy,” many are inclined to wash his hands for him of any guilt in the fight falling through. But Pacquiao is no innocent in this.

I don’t remember the last time Pacquiao didn’t turn into a complete prima donna during fight negotiations. He’s always making demands – catchweights! better purse splits! – and turning into a baby when he doesn’t get his way. This time, when someone made a demand of him – Mayweather wanting random blood testing – his refusal to accept it was the moment the fight became in jeopardy. It must be noted that Pacquiao’s team at first accepted random blood-testing, since trainer Freddie Roach said there would be no problem with Olympic-style drug testing, which by its nature involves random blood withdrawals. The official reason for rejecting the blood tests, so far as I can tell, is that he was “superstitious,” owing to him feeling drained after giving blood two days before a showdown with Erik Morales. OK. But the last offer on the table from the Mayweather side was 14 days, and we know for a fact that Pacquiao had blood withdrawn 24 days before the Hatton fight, and he wasn’t drained then; would 10 days have made that much of a difference? Then, Pacquiao made the fight yet more unlikely when he filed what looks to me like a frivolous defamation lawsuit that I expect to be thrown out in short order, complaining about things like Mayweather saying they have good PEDs in Pacquiao’s home country of the Philippines. So what. Man up. Life’s hard. Sometimes people are going to insult you. They may even insult your country. Get over it and do your job, which is to fight.

There’s been a lot of talk about how non-Filipinos don’t understand this “uniquely Filipino pride” that was at play, and I don’t doubt it was a factor. But while Pacquiao talks about fighting for the people of the Philippines, the fact remains that he allowed his wounded pride at being accused of cheating to take precedence over the $40 million or more he would have gotten from this fight, which would have bought a lot of flood relief for “the people.” And he definitely misjudged the culture of America, where many more people than before look upon him with suspicion because so many excellent U.S. athletes have later been busted for using PEDs. I want to be clear that I have no reason to believe Pacquiao is on any PEDs, nor do I think it’s a good thing for a society to assume someone is guilty for not agreeing to invasive tests. But if Pacquiao was concerned about his reputation, the fact of the matter is that he’s done some harm to himself by not agreeing to blood tests that might have vindicated him. And if it turns out that Pacquiao avoided this fight because he did have something to hide, he ends up the biggest villain of them all.

Mayweather

If I blame anyone above all others, it’s Mayweather. If he hadn’t introduced this blood-testing regime proposal, the fight happens. It was a wholly unreasonable request. Mayweather should know better than anyone that a 16-year-old fighter can rise from 106 pounds to 147 pounds by the time he gets into his 30s and still be great, because like Pacquiao, he did it, too. The only evidence Mayweather had was the suspicion of his shady dad, which isn’t worth a damn. Even if Mayweather truly thinks Pacquiao is on steroids – and Mayweather seems to think lots of people are on steroids now, like Mosley, for whom there also is zero evidence of ongoing PED abuse – I’m not sure what he’s so worried about. He’s said many times he can beat Pacquiao with ease, because Pacquiao sucks, basically. If you can make $40 million easily beating someone, steroids or no, why not just do it?

Ascertaining the true motives of Mayweather in any affair is nigh-impossible. But here’s what I think most likely happened: Mayweather wasn’t all that interested in fighting Pacquiao (I’ll get to why in a second); he posited the drug-testing idea as a win/win for himself; if Pacquiao walked away, he could say once again that he wasn’t the hold-up in making a fight happen – it was the other guy; if Paquiao accepted the fight, he’d come in angry and reckless, and Mayweather will have scored one in the head games department; and if Pacquiao won, even if he tested negative for steroids, there’d be enough of a cloud hanging over Pacquiao that Mayweather would have an excuse for losing; but when it came time to negotiate and either set aside the blood testing and fight or hold firm on his demand, egomania won the day, since Mayweather thinks he’s so very, very important and everyone should bow down to his whims. How cynical a ploy is it to mount a campaign that hinted Pacquiao was a big cheater for any one of those reasons, let alone all of them? Very.

If Mayweather wanted to avoid Pacquiao, it would very much be in character. He clutches at and cradles his undefeated record like Gollum and his ring, thinking, falsely, that his “0” makes him superior to all other fighters. Of course, it’s easier to have a “0” when you avoid challenges. Since 2003, Mayweather hasn’t fought one person who could be considered the best opponent in his division. He inhabited the junior welterweight and welterweight ranks when numerous pound-for-pound top-10 fighters have crossed through them over that time – Kostya Tszyu and Ricky Hatton at 140, Miguel Cotto, Mosley, Margarito and Paul Williams at 147 – and one way or the other, whatever the motives, he found a way not to fight them when they had no trouble whatsoever fighting one another. Now we can add Pacquiao to that list. I’ve called Mayweather a “joke” as a fighter, and I don’t mean his skill level – I mean this kind of repeated refusal to confront the top challenges or some facsimile thereof, as the trial balloons from his team of fighting Saul Alvarez or pug Matthew Hatton next (and, only marginally more defensibly among recent options, Nate Campbell and Paulie Malignaggi) point toward. When Mayweather returned to the sport in 2009 after a brief retirement, I said it was both a blessing and a curse. Right now, it’s looking all curse.

Others

HBO was supposed to put all its might and muscle into forcing Mayweather-Pacquiao, but if it’s had any impact at all, I’ve missed it. I’m guessing the reason why is that Mayweather and Pacquiao never worried that they’d be welcomed openly back into the bosom of the industry giant. It’ll be interesting to see how they come down in the March 13 duel over that date from both sides.

If Arum wanted to prosecute his grudge against Haymon, there have been reports as well that Haymon wanted to needle Arum in all of this. Despite defending Mayweather’s health and safety from marauding steroid addict Pacquiao, he has shown no such sympathy for another of his clients, Andre Berto, in advance of Berto’s May 30 fight against Mosley.

Boxing’s passionate fans make the sport fun, but if the blindest Mayweather fans and blindest Pacquiao fans hadn’t taken the side of their fighter so unconditionally, and instead had put pressure on the pair to fight, maybe both sides wouldn’t have gotten so entrenched. I wish boxing fans counted fewer zealots amongst their ranks. They may have gotten screwed by all this, but they sure helped themselves get screwed.

Pacquiao vs Clottey in Dallas

2010-01-11T04:03:00.000-08:00

by: ARLINGTON

The stars will fight, big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas! Jerry Jones and Bob Arum, owner of the Dallas Cowboys and chairman of Top Rank, respectively, announced today that Cowboys Stadium would be the site of the MANNY PACQUIAO vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY World Welterweight Championship fight taking place on Saturday, March 13 and broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View. Formal news conferences at Cowboys Stadium and in New York next week will provide details on tickets and the pay-per-view broadcast. Pacquiao vs. Clottey will be promoted by Top Rank, in association with the Dallas Cowboys and MP Promotions. Pacquiao and Clottey boast a combine record of 85-6-2 (59 KOs) -- a winning percentage of 91% and a victory by knockout ratio of nearly 70%.

“I have wanted to bring a major boxing event to North Texas for many years, so why not bring in the biggest and the best?” asked Jones. “Manny Pacquiao is boxing’s No. 1 pound for pound attraction and the world champion. Manny defending his title against Joshua Clottey is not just a great fight, it’s a great event, and one we can showcase to the fullest in Cowboys Stadium. We’re going to promote this like it was the Super Bowl..”

Cowboys Stadium will be configured for 40,000 fans for the event.

“Jerry Jones knows exactly how big and important this event is which is why it was so easy to put this deal together,” said Arum. “As a lifelong Giants fan I had to receive special dispensation from Steve Tisch, the Giants’ Chairman and Executive Vice President, to bring this event to Cowboys Stadium and he blessed the deal. If Jerry could sell me on Cowboys Stadium and the North Texas market, you know he is going to have no problems selling out Cowboys Stadium on March 13. We are ready to roll up our sleeves and promote Manny’s debut as World Welterweight Champion. Manny Pacquiao is the lone star of boxing. There isn’t a more appropriate place in the world for him to fight!”

Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, will be defending the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title he earned in his last fight, produced by a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao’s victory made him the first man to win seven titles in as many different weight divisions, with his last three world championships coming by way of knockout. The consensus Fighter of the Year for the third time in the past four years, Pacquiao’s resume features victories over future Hall of Famers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Lopez and Cotto. His knockout victories over Cotto and Hatton made him the 2009 pay-per-view king, exceeding two million buys combined.

Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs), a native of Accra, Ghana, now fighting out of Bronx, NY, captured the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by trouncing three-time world champion Zab Judah. His career has been a highlight reel of thrills featuring victories over two-division world champion Diego Corrales and undfeated contender Richard Gutierrez and a close decision losse to world champion Antonio Margarito. In his last fight Clottey lost a controversial split decision to defending WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden. Clottey is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBO and No. 4 by the World Boxing Association (WBA).

George Foreman III Wins Again, Now 5-0(5)

2010-01-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

by James Slater:

It's still way too early to expect George Foreman III, AKA "Monk" Foreman to take a testing fight, due to how the late-to-the-game son of a heavyweight legend had absolutely no amateur career. And the 26-year-old sure wasn't tested in the slightest last night in Tacoma, as he dispatched a quite hapless 41-year-old named Yul Witherspoon.

Despite sharing his surname with the former two-time alphabelt heavyweight champ Tim Witherspoon (no relation), Yul Witherspoon showed almost no fighting talent at all. Reportedly flinching from thrown punches immediately in the mismatch, the unknown who is now 1-3 was taken out, with barely a sweat from the huge Foreman, at just two-minutes and 39-seconds of the opening round. Now 5-0(5) and having been taken past the first round just once since beginning his pro career in June of last year, Foreman III looks sure to continue facing "soft touches" until his legendary father decides otherwise.

Always a great believer in quantity over quality - adopting this approach in the early days of his first career and in the early-to-mid days of his amazing comeback - Foreman Senior, who trains "Monk," seems to be taking this same approach with his son. And why not? It worked well for "Big" George, and the 1970's and 1990's heavyweight king had a most accomplished amateur career. Foreman III, on the other hand, had nothing but some gym sparring to help prepare him for the pro game. It makes sense to move the 6'5," approx 240-pound prospect slowly.

Due to his surname, Foreman III is going to receive a ton of publicity whoever and wherever he fights. Yet to face a fighter with anything like a decent record (just one of Monk's KO victims had a winning record), the genetically gifted fighter has met guys who were either old or who had zero KO's on their records. As such, and as much as the Foremans cannot be blamed for taking a huge safety net with them whenever Foreman III fights, it's almost impossible to know if the young heavyweight has any genuine talent.

Sure, Foreman III can punch, but the guys he's bowled over would have been flattened by any mediocre big man. As tough as it is to know whether or not the young Foreman has real talent, however, it's also tough not to hope he does have some. Foreman senior is rightfully hailed as a true great and his many millions of fans want to see his son go on to achieve even a fraction of what he did.

We can expect Foreman III to fight again soon - most likely taking a fight every month or two throughout the rest of the year - but we can't expect him to face anyone we've heard of. Possibly not for another two years or so. Until then, Foreman III will keep rolling over the guys his dad gets for him fight. And we'll keep on watching.

Watch Mundine vs Medley Tonight Live!

2010-01-10T04:46:00.000-08:00

By Tony Nobbs:

Two division world titlist Anthony Mundine (37-3, 23 ko’s) takes on fellow Sydney fighter "Deadley" Rob Medley (27-2, 17 ko’s) tonight at the Sydney Entertainment Center. On the line will be the WBA International middleweight title. Mundine won this title last February by out pointing Shannan Taylor, in his first appearance at 160 pounds.

Mundine won the IBO title against Medley gym mate Daniel Geale in May. He then relinquished and Medley and Mundine were initally scheduled to fight for the vacant IBO light middleweight title but that was canned last weekend after a dispute regarding officials. Most think Mundine can’t make 154..

Medley, 27, rated outside the top 50, was considered a good chance to defeat Mundine at the lower weight but Mundine will start a firm favorite in this his third appearance at middleweight. Medley is a handy local fighter whose two defeats came against the classy Issac Hlatschwayo for the IBO 147 pound belt. Mundine has bested Ring ranked Antwun Echols, Sam Soliman, Danny Green and Daniel Geale and comes in ranked #7 by the Ring, #1 WBA, #3 WBO and #5 IBF. He has won fourten straight since a WBA 168 pound tilt with Mikkel Kessler in 2005 but hasn’t scored a knockout in seven fights.

Kelly Pavlik and Felix Sturm have been mentioned as possible future foes for the 34 year old Aboriginal.

The main support sees the professional debut of Australian Rugby League Test player and State of Origin hard man Carl Webb. 28 year old Queenslander Webb faces Scott Lewis from West Sydney. Webb has a junior amateur victory over WBO heavyweight # 15 Alex Leapai.

Also on the bill is the Contender Australia Final between WBO # 8 super middle Kariz Kariuki and giant killer Garth Wood who upset Victor Oganov in the semi’s.

Fellow Contender Australia members Junior Talipeau and ex WBA title challenger Nader Hamden also face off.

After the Dust Has Settled – Pacquiao Still in Control

2010-01-09T01:13:00.000-08:00

By T.K. Stewart

Right now, boxing fans are feeling like a victim of Ashton Kutcher’s old television show Punk’d.

Since Nov. 14, better known as the night that Manny Pacquiao scored an electrifying 12th- round TKO win over Miguel Cotto, anybody that follows the sport has had their appetite whetted by the mouth watering prospect of seeing a showdown between the world’s two top pound-for-pound boxers – Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

But with the negotiations for that fight now having imploded like the demolition of The Sands Casino in Las Vegas, boxing fans are left with nothing more than a cloud of dust as they try to make sense of what it all means and what will be next for both Pacquiao and Mayweather.

By any measure one wishes to use, there is no doubt that Pacquiao and Mayweather are ranked #1 and #2 – in that order.

Pacquiao is the best boxer on the planet and Mayweather is further down behind him – lower on the list in second place.

Never mind that Pacquiao is ranked #1 in the ratings by every reputable boxing publication or Internet boxing Web site in existence and that he has been honored by the Boxing Writers Association of America as the fighter of the year for the past two years in a row.

What is probably more important is that Manny is also #1 at the box office. And in the sport of boxing, better known as the business of boxing, that is his most significant achievement.

It is Pacquiao that draws fans in droves to his live events. For comparison purposes, Pacquiao’s recent bout against Miguel Cotto attracted a standing room only crowd of over 16,000 to the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas. Less than two months earlier, Mayweather met Juan Manuel Marquez at the same venue and they failed to draw a paid attendance of 13,000 to a relatively subdued affair.

Ticket brokers and scalpers were able to charge upwards of ten thousand dollars for one Pacquiao vs. Cotto ringside ticket. The Mayweather-Marquez fight was lucky to get half that amount for the same seat. The MGM Grand was forced to offer special packages to attract customers to the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight – everything from discounted fight tickets, free meals and free limousine rides to and from McCarran International Airport. On the other hand, Pacquiao vs. Cotto was sold out weeks in advance and the night of the fight brought the city of Las Vegas to a virtual standstill.

Mayweather calls himself "Money" – but it is Pacquiao that attracted more fans this year to Las Vegas. It is also Pacquiao that caused more fans to push the pay-per-view buy buttons on their television remote control. His fight against Cotto earned nearly $14 million more in pay-per-view revenue than Mayweather’s fight against Marquez.

So, since boxing fans will not have the matter settled as to who the best boxer on the planet is with a match-up of skills between Pacquiao and Mayweather – the only other measurable manner available to them is the rankings of the various organizations that keep track of such things - and the latest box office receipts.

Using both of those measuring sticks, it is Pacquiao that easily comes out on top.

Mayweather and his supporters will point to his 2007 fights against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton as evidence of his supremacy on the pay-per-view front. However, the De La Hoya fight was nearly three years ago. The world was a different place then; money and credit were easy come and easy go. People thought nothing of making a weekend trip to Vegas or dropping a Grant on the pay-per-view. In the world economy of 2009, where funds were sparse, and folks searched for value in their entertainment dollar, they spent more in person and via their TV screens to see Manny Pacquiao.

Promoters spent an astonishing $20 million on marketing costs for the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight. The fight was also broadcast in 170 movie theaters around the country – yet Pacquiao still attracted more fans.

In the day and age of the Internet, any Web-site publisher will tell you that when a Manny Pacquiao news item or feature appears on their site, it is a good day for them in terms of the all important page views. Ask a boxing magazine publisher who sells more copies when Pacquiao or Mayweather appear on their cover and they will tell you that the Pinoy idol is "bank".

Mayweather and his backers will counter with the argument that both of his fights against De La Hoya and Hatton drew more than Pacquiao’s did – but again – we’re talking about numbers going on nearly three years ago.

Boxing would probably best be known as a sport of "What have you done for me lately?"

Using that simple question, it is Pacquiao that is clearly the more personable fighter/celebrity. Devoted fans flock to him, they smile, they pose, they rush to get an autograph or a picture.

Mayweather’s highly publicized open workout at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in the days before his bout against Marquez barely drew a crowd of 200 people. On the other hand, in the same town, just around the corner and down the street, Pacquiao attracts that many people every single day to watch him simply walk in and out of Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym.

Whether one wishes to blame the non-happening of the Pac-May fight on Pacquiao’s refusal to submit to Mayweather’s demand for the unheard of Olympic style drug testing is their prerogative. However, they should remember that based on the most recent accomplishments it is Manny that is universally regarded as the best boxer on the planet, Manny that is the more popular person with the public and Manny that is the recent box-office champion.

Based on all of that – it is Pacquiao that was clearly in the drivers’ seat of the failed negotiations. It is also Pacquiao that clearly sits atop the boxing world as 2010 gets underway. For Mayweather to lay claim to anything he will have to get in the ring, fight and beat a contender of consequence and perhaps win a title. It will be the only way to turn the tide in his favor.

In the Corners

The latest news is that Pacquiao will likely face the always tough, durable and rugged Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Texas. The Ghanaian is perhaps the toughest and one of the most avoided welterweights in the world. I will say that unless Pacquiao is totally focused he will not beat Clottey, who is a larger man who can take a great punch. Clottey will likely be a middleweight by the time he steps into the ring on fight night and he has a tight defense...Meanwhile, rumors persist that Mayweather will meet the smaller and light punching Paulie Malignaggi - or even worse – Matthew Hatton, the limited younger brother of Ricky. My view is that since Mayweather needs to make a statement of supremacy and gain more leverage in any potential future negotiations for a Pacquiao fight, that he should face the winner of the Jan. 30 Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto title fight…Nice to see the return of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights as well as the upcoming new series on FOX Sports. Who says boxing is dead?

Mayweather blames bout collapse on Pacquiao

2010-01-07T16:52:00.000-08:00

By GREG BEACHAM

Floyd Mayweather Jr. blamed Manny Pacquiao for the collapse of their prospective bout Thursday, claiming the Filipino boxer refuses to accept a reasonable compromise on drug testing concerns.

Mayweather also says he's still ready to sign a deal for the fight, which was slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas before Pacquiao promoter Top Rank declared it dead Wednesday night.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) made his first public comments about the negotiations in a written statement that began with Mayweather saying he's "thoroughly disgusted" by Pacquiao's representatives' attempts to blame him for the collapse of what's likely to be the richest bout in boxing history.

"In my opinion it is Manny Pacquiao and his team who are denying the people a chance to see the biggest fight ever," Mayweather said. "I know the people will see through their smokes screens and lies. I am ready to fight and sign the contract. Manny needs to stop making his excuses, step up and fight."

The sides went to mediation on Tuesday in Santa Monica in an attempt to resolve the drug testing issues that are the only remaining conflicts in the negotiation. Mayweather's demands for frequent blood testing beyond the Nevada Athletic Commission's requirements — and Pacquiao's reluctance to agree to those requests — have derailed the bout.

Mayweather initially demanded repeated blood testing right up to the day of the fight, while Pacquiao asked for a 30-day cutoff before the bout. Mayweather now claims he agreed to a 14-day cutoff compromise before the mediation session began, but Pacquiao still wouldn't accept those terms.

"The truth is he just doesn't want to take the tests," Mayweather said.

Pacquiao has filed a lawsuit alleging Mayweather and most of his representatives, including Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, defamed him by falsely accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Top Rank boss Bob Arum was brutally frank about his former fighter on Wednesday night, telling The Associated Press that Mayweather is "a psychological coward who doesn't want to fight anybody who has a chance of beating him."

After generating stellar pay-per-view revenue from their previous fights, both Pacquiao and Mayweather likely stood to make much more than $25 million apiece from their welterweight bout. Mayweather returned to the ring after a 21-month absence in September with a victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, while Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) pounded Miguel Cotto in November for his 13th straight victory since 2005.

Pacquiao is widely considered boxing's pound-for-pound champion, an unofficial title held by Mayweather before his aborted retirement. Their proposed fight was seen as the biggest moment in boxing since Mayweather's split-decision victory over Oscar De La Hoya in May 2007.

Daniel Weinstein, the retired federal judge who oversaw the mediation, also issued a statement Thursday saying little about the actual discussions.

"In the end, the parties could not agree on a testing protocol acceptable to all," Weinstein's statement read.