Thursday 8 October 2009

Floyd 'Money' Mayweather: Toe To Toe With The Best Boxer In The World

By Tim Kash, MTV.com

It's a little embarrassing to admit, but even with both the gorgeous Eliza Dushku and Olivia Wilde passing through our office this week, the one person I was most excited to meet was a dude. With a total of 40 fights, 40 wins and 25 KOs, Floyd "Money" Mayweather... READ MORE

The Mayweather Myth

By Jordan Stoddart, BoxingNews24.com

I thought I would write regarding the current and topical (and maybe frustrating issue to some) subject of Floyd Mayweather’s apparent refusal to fight Shane Mosley,... READ MORE

Video: CBS Sports Jason Horowitz interviews Floyd Mayweather Jr

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr at his best. Floyd talks about Mayweather (Mania) brand, his next possible opponent (Cotto, Pacquiao, or Mosley), about Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones fight, and Shane Mosley.



(Clip source: YouTube.com)

Your favorite boxing writer’s favorite boxers (Part 2)

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Want to know who’s the favorite all-time boxers and favorite active boxer of your favorite boxing writer? If you do, check this out:

Frank Lotierzo

“(My) favorite active fighter (is) Bernard Hopkins. (My) favorite all-time fighter is Muhammad Ali.”



Muhammad Ali

***
Frank Lotierzo has been considered by some boxing insiders to be one of the sport’s best fight analysts. His work has appeared in Fight Game, Boxing-Illustrated, and Uppercut magazine. Prior to his career as a writer, Mr. Lotierzo hosted Toe-To-Toe on ESPN Radio and trained at Joe Frazier's Gym in Philadelphia under the tutelage of the legendary George Benton. Between 1977-1982, he had over 50 fights as an amateur and pro in the middleweight division.
***

Raymundo Dioses

“My current favorite boxer is Chad Dawson. I adamantly watched all his fights when he was rising up in his division, and every time out he looked as sharp as a razor. I had the privilege to cover his first bout against Antonio Tarver, and it was like watching poetry in motion in the squared circle. Dawson is definitely the best light heavyweight in the world and also a top ten pound for pound boxer.”

“My favorite boxer of all time is Muhammad Ali. I became entranced with his story when I was really young, checking out books from the library that told of his epic fights that sounded more like theatre than fighting. His life seemed like a movie to me, and I started watching all of his fights on ESPN Classic. He transcended the sport and is not only my favorite boxer, but also my favorite athlete.”

***
Raymundo Dioses writes for 411mania.com.
***

Ali Shakoor

“(My) favorite active boxer is Manny (Pacquiao).”

“(My) favorite boxer of all time (is)Muhammad Ali. (Ali had) amazing skill and toughness inside and out of the ring. (He) risked his career and freedom for his beliefs. No heavyweight (boxer) before or since has matched his gifts (hand-speed, legs, chin) inside the ring. No boxer has matched his cultural relevance.”

***
Ali Shakoor writes for 411mania.com.
***

Geoff Poundes

“(My) favorite active boxer (is) Floyd (Mayweather Jr). (I) don't like him as a person, but as a fighter (he’s) genius.”

“(My) favorite (boxer of) all time has to be Ali. I grew up with him, and he transcended not only boxing, but sports itself, and did so with amazing grace and humor. Up until '71 when he lost to Frazier he was an unbeatable heavyweight machine, and they took his best years away from him.”

***
Geoff “The Professor” Poundes is RingsideReport.com’s Lead Writer in England. He is a member of The Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain, The International Sports Press Association, and Boxing Writers Association of America.
***

Ronan Keenan

“Among my favorite (boxers) of all time are Evander Holyfield, Larry Holmes and Oscar De La Hoya.”

***
Ronan Keenan writes for TheSweetScience.com
***

Gabriel Montoya

“My favorite active boxer right now is in jail. So I guess that makes him not active until he gets out in June. James Kirkland is a fighter I have followed for years. I like his chaotic style, his total aggression, and the way he overwhelms his opponents with sheer volume and pressure.”

"My favorite (boxer) of all-time is Felix Trinidad. I loved his mixture of one punch knockout power and vulnerable chin. He truly enjoyed fighting and his fans and it always showed through in his work.”

***
Gabriel Montoya writes for MaxBoxing.com.
***

Jim Amato

“My favorite fighter today would be Glen Johnson. He may not be the best but he is a warrior. Also Kelly Pavlik. I've met Kelly a few times. (He is) a real hard working and dedicated champion. He may have his hands full with Paul Williams.”

“My all time favorite is Roberto Duran. He is the best lightweight of my lifetime (1954 to present).”

***
Jim Amato writes for his own boxing site BoxingGreats.Multiply.com.
***

Chris Ackerman

“Juan Manuel Marquez, Cotto, Pac and Andre Berto (are my favorite active boxers)...but this is a list that could go on and on. I am one of the few that likes the Klitschkos, too. Toss RJJ in there for nostalgia. I'm thinkin' Jorge Linares is going places as well.”

“All-time...Marvin Hagler, RJJ, Sanchez...Tyson...too hard to nail it down to one.”

***
Chris Ackerman is a contributing writer for DoghouseBoxing.com.
***

Springs Toledo

“My favorite active boxer is Manny Pacquiao. He would do well in any era. Freddie Roach, his trainer, learned at the feet of Eddie Futch who is arguably the greatest trainer/strategist in the history of the sport (although I think Ray Arcel is way up there too). Roach has formed Pacquiao into something ferocious. In fact, Manny's ferocity is grounded in skill and athleticism although his courage is something special as well. If he keeps up his current level of performance, he will be inching toward that mythical list of top ten fighters of all time, by my estimation.”

“(My) favorite fighter of all time is Roberto Duran.”



Roberto Duran


***
Springs Toledo writes for TheSweetScience.com
***

Charles White

“My favorite active boxer and favorite boxer of all time...boy those are some tough questions....currently, I would have to say that my favorite active boxer is...well it seems to vary depending on a few factors, but right now probably Hasim Rahman or Evander Holyfield.”

“And my favorite boxer of all time...a tossup between Riddick Bowe and Larry Holmes.”

***
Charles White writes for EastSideBoxing.com
***

Marshall N. B.
Boxing Fan

Related Articles:

Your favorite boxing writer’s favorite boxers (Part 1)

Floyd Mayweather Jr. moving back to mainstream

By Dave Skretta, Associated Press

NEW YORK - Floyd Mayweather Jr. drops into a seat in an upscale restaurant in the heart of Times Square, the weariness of an overnight flight written across his face. READ MORE


Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Your favorite boxing writer’s favorite boxers (Part 1)

Boxing News World

Want to know who’s the favorite all-time boxers and favorite active boxer of your favorite boxing writer? If you do, check this out:

Richard Cloutier
“Favorite active boxer: Lucian Bute (IBF Champ)”

“Favorite boxer of all time: Roy Jones Jr.”

Freelance journalist Richard Cloutier is the Publishing Editor – Canada – of Netboxe.com, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, a member – Sanctioning Committee – of Quebec Boxing Council, and an associate member of Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec.

Coach Tim Walker
“My favorite fighter of all time Mr. Emile Griffith. Hands down. When you think raw power, awesome boxing technique, good defense and a general love and exuberance for the sport you have to consider Emile. His record wasn't unblemished but his boxing spirit was. He is, in my opinion, the quintessential boxing story. He was an immigrant to the United States from the Virgin Islands and was discovered totally by accident."


Emile Griffith

"His story goes like this. He lied at the age of 15 to get a job at a hat factory. On one of those really hot days he asked his boss if it was okay that he took his shirt off. The boss told him yes. When he took his shirt off his boss was thoroughly impressed with how physically fit Emile was and basically took him to Clancy's Boxing Gym (Gil Clancy). Emile had no idea that his boss was a former amateur boxer and had never thought of boxing. For the next 2 or 3 months Emile would work half days and then spend 3 to 4 hours in the boxing gym. After only 2 or 3 months of amateur training, he fought in and made it to the finals of the Golden Gloves. The next year he won it. Wow!"

"He won the welterweight title in 1962 when there were only 8 weight divisions and when there was only one championship title (WBA). The WBC came into existence in 1963, IBF in 1983, and WBO in 1988. In fact he won the title after only 4 to 5 years of boxing, total, including amateur and pro. He won the title by knocking out Benny Paret and won two of the three trilogy fights with Paret. Unfortunately, he holds the dubious distinction of having killed Paret in the ring of their 3rd fight. Barring that, discounting the loss of the title to Luis Manuel Rodriguez (he regained the title 3 months later against Rodriguez) he held on to the WBA/WBC welterweight title til 1969. He also was the WBA/WBC Middleweight title by defeating Dick Tiger. However, after killing Paret in the ring he seemed to never go after his opponents with the same fervor. This is very evident in his decrease in knockout ratio despite facing some lesser talent. Still, he is absolutely my favorite. Honorable mentions in that category are Roy Jones Jr, Floyd Mayweather, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore (very overlooked I think), Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. I like all of these fighters because each revolutionized the sport in their own way.”

Coach Tim Walker is a contributing writer for Eastsideboxing.com and TheFightCountdown.com.

Ralph Rimpell
“My favorite active and all-time boxer is James "lights out" Toney. Another favorite of mine was the late Diego "Chico" Corrales.”

Ralph Rimpell writes for Iron Boxing.

Brandon Estrict
“My favorite active fighter is Floyd Mayweather, followed closely by Miguel Cotto.”

“My favorite fighter of all time isn't so easy to narrow down. I'm much younger than most writers and journalists so obviously I don't go back to the days of guys like Muhammad Ali, Thomas Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Bob Foster, the young George Foreman and so on. That isn't to say I haven't seen plenty of their fights or (I haven’t) researched (about) them, (it’s) just that it'd be sort of generic for me to pick any of those guys when I wasn't alive to see their fights firsthand.”

My all-time faves, based on the guys I've actually seen from the beginning of their careers, are Pernell Whitaker, James Toney, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins and I'm sure a few more guys I'm forgetting.”

Brandon Estrict writes for DogHouseBoxing.com

Aaron Screen
“(My) favourite active (boxer is) Pretty Boy Floyd, 40-0 his fights are not just fights there events, I myself appreciate the technical skills of the sweet science, no body displays the overall skills like Mayweather do.”

“(My) favourite all-time (boxer) is Roy Jones Jr - the man they call Superman is by far one of the most naturally gifted fighters of all time.”
“Didn’t he almost invent the concept of Pound for Pound? Back when Roy was the real Roy he was simply untouchable, barely losing a minute never mind a round. His combination punching and hand speed was that of a world class featherweight.”

Aaron Screen is a young contributing writer for SecondsOut.com and UltimateBoxingResults.com.

Tony Nobbs
“Floyd (is my favorite active boxer). He is the best. A marvelous boxer.”

“(My favorite all-time boxer is) Lionel Rose. Why? 19 year old world champ, came from an Aboriginal settlement to conquer the world. Beat Hall of Famer Fighting Harada for the title in a great fight. Lionel was beautiful to watch.”


Lionel Rose

Tony Nobbs writes for The Fist, Australia’s leading boxing magazine, and EastSideBoxing.com and World Boxing Foundation media correspondent (Australia).

Frank Gonzalez Jr.
“My favorite fighter of all time... is a hard question to answer since there were so many fighters I thought were great. I'll say Marvin Hagler, a great warrior who ducked no one. Mohammad Ali, the great stylist HW who beat everyone in his era that was worth fighting. Currently, I'd go with Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez, two guys who fought great battles against each other; both have great boxing skills and can slug it out just as good. Also Glen Johnson, who has beaten many greats of his era even though he was robbed by the Judges, Johnson was always humble, didn't talk crap and never pretended he was the best but said he wanted to fight the best.”

Frank ‘Sharkie’s Machine’ Gonzalez Jr is a contributing writer for BraggingRightsCorner.com, DoghouseBoxing.com, and EastSideBoxing.com.

Jason Petock
“The question of who is my favorite active boxer is a difficult one. I have several fighters that I like to watch and many of them have contrasting styles, as well as personalities. Also, sadly many of the fighters that I really enjoy watching in the ring have either retired or met their demise tragically (RIP - Arturo Gatti, Vernon Forrest). But the answer to this question is actually fairly simple when I consider it.”

“My favorite active fighter is Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins (49 - 5 - 1 / 32 KOs). He is crafty, brilliant, skilled, elusive, and extremely tactical in the ring. He has all the tools in his arsenal and for him to still be fighting at 44 years of age and putting on performances like he did against Kelly Pavlik (which was nothing short of amazing) is a true testament to this great and fascinating boxer of our era.”

“My favorite boxer of all time is "Iron" Mike Tyson (50 - 6 - 0 / 44 KOs). He was a true throwback and simply incredible in the ring. He brought with him a modern display at the time of the ferocity of Jack "The Manassa Mauler" Dempsey (62 - 6 - 9 / 51 KOs), and he ran through the Heavyweight Division like a freight train, leaving fighters in his wake. He will always be the best of this generation, and no matter his troubles and turmoil outside of the ring, we can all appreciate his victories and performances in it.”

Jason Petock contributes writings to DoghouseBoxing.com.

Thomas Hauser
“(My) Favorite (boxer) of all time is Muhammad Ali.”

Thomas Hauser is the author of 34 books including 'Muhammad Ali: His Life And Times'. In 2005, he was honored by the Boxing Writers Association of America, which bestowed the Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence in boxing journalism upon him. He was the first Internet writer ever to receive the honor. Thomas describes writing for Secondsout.com as a chance to 'explore new frontiers and deliver cutting-edge material to website readers'.

PH Burbridge
“My favorite active fighter is Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is the type of fighter I prefer watching because he delivers excitement and he’s also a class act in and out of the ring.”

“He deserves our respect for his willingness to step into the ring with much bigger, world class fighters and he is clearly unmatched in that regard in modern boxing.”

“My favorite boxer of all time is Julio Cesar Chavez. Julio at one time in his career was 87-0 with 75 KO's and ranked as the P4P #1 fighter which says it all. He and Manny have a great deal in common. Perhaps no two fighters in history have meant more to their countries than these two.”

“Julio and Manny are my two favorite fighters of the last 20 years.”

PH Burbridge writes for EastSidbeBoxing.com.


- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr outthinks MTV’s Kash

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

In a recent DoghouseBoxing article Floyd Mayweather was asked by MTV’s Tim Kash if there was a blueprint to defeating him inside the boxing ring, ‘Money’ Mayweather’s response was right on the money – "There is no blueprint to beat me because I haven't lost yet." Yes indeed, how can there be a blueprint or a detailed outline or plan of action to defeat Floyd if no one has officially defeated him yet? Where would you get your ‘blueprint’?

Video: Manny Pacquiao - Miguel Cotto Face Off with Max Kellerman

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Watch the Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 teaser - Face Off with Max Kellerman. Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 premieres October 24.



(Video is taken from YouTube.com)

Pacquiao sticks to winning formula

By Nick Gionco, Manila Bulletin

Manny Pacquiao will answer the opening bell for the November 14 clash with Miguel Cotto armed with 150 rounds of tough sparring.

Top trainer Freddie Roach said on Wednesday from the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City that they will stick with the tried and tested training program which he and conditioning coach Alex Ariza devised in the buildup to the Cotto fight set at the MGM Grand. READ MORE

Highly Esteemed Boxing Writer Thomas says “I would rather see Mayweather take on somebody his own size”

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

According to a recent article by journalist Chris Robinson of Examiner.com, boxing expert and author Thomas Hauser offered his insight on the following interesting issues in an interview.

On Manny Pacquiao:

“The thing that impresses me most about Manny other than his skill is that he has always been willing to fight the tough fights. He’s fought Barrera, Marquez, Morales, and then he went up in weight and fought Oscar when a lot of people, including myself, thought Oscar was going to be too big for anyone. He hasn’t ducked anybody.”

On Miguel Cotto:

“Miguel is willing to go in tough. I think Cotto has fought the tough fights. Cotto has fought Mosley, he has fought Margarito, and he has fought Zab Judah, which was a pretty hard fight. He doesn’t back down from a challenge.”

On Floyd Mayweather and who should be his next opponent:

“I would rather see Mayweather take on somebody his own size. Floyd is an enormously talented fighter, he really is. But Floyd hasn’t fought Mosley, he didn’t fight Margarito when the opportunity was there, he hasn’t fought Paul Williams, and he hasn’t fought Cotto. Those were all guys who could have entered the ring with during some point in his career. He’s chosen not to do that and has instead fought a badly faded Oscar De La Hoya, he fought a much too small Ricky Hatton, and he’s fought Marquez. In addition to being a very good fighter Floyd is a very good matchmaker. To me, pound for pound means that you take on the best available challenges and Floyd hasn’t done that.”

On Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto showdown:

“It’s a very good, competitive fight between two elite fighters. It’s everything boxing should be. Each guy could win this fight and it’s a chess match for each man. If we had more fights like this than boxing would be a much healthier sport. It’s not a manufactured event. It’s a legitimate great fight.”

“People are excited and looking forward to the fight. The general view is that the odds are a little too long on Cotto. While Pacquiao does have the edge in speed Cotto is the bigger, stronger man. The general consensus is that it’s a much closer fight that the odds show. The odds aren’t set by insider knowledge; the odds are set by how the public perceives the fight.”



Thomas Hauser

Related Articles:

Majority of Boxing Writers Say Manny Pacquiao is the Best Boxer Pound-for-pound By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Some Comments on 'Majority of Boxing Writers Say Manny Pacquiao is the Best Boxer Pound-for-pound' By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Mayweather-Pacquiao is mission impossible, Arum barks

October 7, 6:48 PM, NY Boxing Examiner, Michael Marley

Unless you catch him wearing a sleeveless barong you never really know what’s up the slick sleeve of fight promoter Bob Arum. READ MORE

Why Manny Pacquiao can’t beat Floyd Mayweather Jr

By John Raspanti, DoghouseBoxing.com (Oct 7, 2009)

When Freddie Roach said “Floyd needs us – we don’t need him” I grinned and thought to myself “Yep, old fearless forecaster Freddie saw the same thing I did a couple of weeks ago”. READ MORE


Floyd Mayweather Jr

Pound-for-pound Best, Manny or Floyd: Late Mails from Boxing Scribes

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

Here are the late responses I received from boxing writers on my pound-for-pound best poll:


Mario Ortega

“Manny Pacquiao. You can't leave the sport for over a year and be placed back right at number one. Mayweather is still the best active boxer, but Manny has earned the spot with his recent activity, level of competition, and success.”

(Manny – 29; Floyd – 23)


Brandon Estrict

“Mr. Pacquiao is a great fighter and seems to have the bigger stones of the two, but talent-wise (which I believe is the way to judge any pound-for-pound ranking system when you've got guys of every weight involved who obviously wouldn't match up evenly in the ring) Floyd Mayweather is my number 1 guy. It's simple, he retired atop the pound-for-pound list and upon his return, all he had to demonstrate to me to regain his crown was that he hadn't lost much as far as his in-ring ability goes, and if nothing else, he more than answered that question by dominating Mr. Marquez.”

(Manny – 29; Floyd – 24)


Aaron Screen

“I can definitely see both sides of the argument for either Manny or Floyd - both deserve to be crowned pound for pound based on their merits. But in boxing there can only be one (pound-for-pound champ). Rather than "sit on the fence" and if you insist I MUST choose one then I would pick Floyd, I can fully understand people disagreeing with this decision but I stand by my decision although I have to admit that I am maybe slightly biased for two reasons. Firstly, because I believe that Floyd would defeat Manny if the two ever do battle. Whilst I accept (that) it may be uncomfortable for Mayweather at times, I strongly believe that Floyd has solved far trickier puzzles than Pacquiao. Secondly, my favorite current fighter is Mayweather, which makes it hard for me to pick against him. I understand that this shouldn’t cloud my judgment in deciding pound for pound but again Mayweather is my number one. Undefeated. Defensive Genius. Lightening Quick. Mentally strong. All these superlatives make it impossible for me to pick Manny over him, even though when considering their recent common foes Pacquiao wins 2-1 in terms of who was the most impressive (He defeated Hatton and De Hoya more impressively). Mayweather fans would argue he beat Marquez more impressively and defeated Hatton and De La Hoya before Manny. But I need to stop myself now before I get in too deep. Long story short - P4P = Floyd.”

(Manny – 29; Floyd – 25)


Amy Green

“My pick for best pound for pound has to be Floyd Mayweather Jr. Although Pacquiao is exciting, Floyd is the more complete fighter- his punches are more precise, his speed is greater, his defense is great and he is just the more thinking fighter. Manny is a daredevil, and Floyd is no less thrilling but more calculated. I admire both fighters greatly but Floyd just possesses the skills from birth while Manny continues to be Freddie Roach's work in progress.”

(Manny – 29; Floyd – 26)


Richard Cloutier

“Pound for pound best: Floyd Mayweather Jr. He’s too complete.”

(Manny – 29; Floyd – 27)


***

Manny still leads Floyd by two writer votes.

Marshall N. B.
Boxing Fan

Related articles:

Majority of Boxing Writers Say Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer pound-for-pound

Some Comments on 'Majority of Boxing Writers Say Manny Pacquiao is the best boxer pound-for-pound'

AskMen.Com Ranks Manny Pacquiao 24th in its Top 49 Most Influential Men List

By BoxingNewsWorld.blogspot.com

AskMen.Com, the very famous free online men's web portal and the leader in men's lifestyle space, placed Manny Pacquiao at number 24 in its Top 49 Most Influential Men list.

Pacquiao, the only boxer in the list, garnered an overall score of 82.1.  The Filipino bested Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (28th), golf sensation Tiger Woods (30th) and NBA stars Kobe Bryant (33rd), Lebron James (42nd), and Dwayne Wade (43rd).

Don Draper, a fictional character on AMC’s Mad Men, topped the list with an overall score of 91.1. UFC President Dana White landed 9th and US President Barrack Obama trailed Draper and sprinter Usain Bolt at number 3. SEE THE COMPLETE LIST


Manny Pacquiao