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Saturday, 21 November 2009
FightFan.com Video: Alejandro Hernandez and trainer speak on Sonsona fight1
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Sonsona loses title belt after weigh-in Saturday
TheStar.com
Three months ago Marvin Sonsona won the WBO junior bantamweight title in the ring at Casino Rama, but this morning he lost that belt on the scale.
Sonsona, an undefeated 19-year-old from the Philippines, weighed in this morning at 117.6 pounds, 2.6 pounds above the junior bantamweight limit. And while he will still headline tonight's Rumble at Rama boxing event, WBO rules force him to relinquish the title if he wins.
But the title is still at stake for Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez, who made the 115-pound limit and can win the belt if he defeats Sonsona tonight.
At Thursday's news conference Sonsona told his promoter, Allan Tremblay, that he weighed 120 pounds and seemed confident he could make weight.
That same day Tremblay told reporters that Sonsona – who has grown three centimetres since September – wouldn't remain in the 115-pound division much longer.
"He's a young guy exploding into a man," Tremblay said after Saturday's weigh-in.
Even after giving up solid food mid-week Sonsona couldn't slim down any further. When a Friday night workout only got him to 117, Tremblay decided to forfeit the title rather than try something drastic to make weight.
"He could have drained himself down to 115, but after six rounds he would have been a depleted fighter," he said, noting the danger in sending a dehydrated fighter into the ring. "Why kill him? Why take a possible loss when we have another plan for him anyway?"
That plan includes moving Sonsona up to the 122-pound division, where Tremblay currently promotes Filipino prospect Ciso Morales and former IBF champ Steve Molitor.
Tremblay also hinted Sonsona's move to a new weight class would foreshadow a similar move by Molitor, who is currently in line to fight for the IBF's 122-pound title.
Molitor looked lean and strong when he weighed for the co-main event Saturday morning. He weighed 126.2 pounds, 4.2 pounds above his normal fighting weight but easily below the 130-pound limit for Saturday night's bout against Argentina's Jorge Saez.
Source: thestar.com
Three months ago Marvin Sonsona won the WBO junior bantamweight title in the ring at Casino Rama, but this morning he lost that belt on the scale.
Sonsona, an undefeated 19-year-old from the Philippines, weighed in this morning at 117.6 pounds, 2.6 pounds above the junior bantamweight limit. And while he will still headline tonight's Rumble at Rama boxing event, WBO rules force him to relinquish the title if he wins.
But the title is still at stake for Alejandro "Payasito" Hernandez, who made the 115-pound limit and can win the belt if he defeats Sonsona tonight.
At Thursday's news conference Sonsona told his promoter, Allan Tremblay, that he weighed 120 pounds and seemed confident he could make weight.
That same day Tremblay told reporters that Sonsona – who has grown three centimetres since September – wouldn't remain in the 115-pound division much longer.
"He's a young guy exploding into a man," Tremblay said after Saturday's weigh-in.
Even after giving up solid food mid-week Sonsona couldn't slim down any further. When a Friday night workout only got him to 117, Tremblay decided to forfeit the title rather than try something drastic to make weight.
"He could have drained himself down to 115, but after six rounds he would have been a depleted fighter," he said, noting the danger in sending a dehydrated fighter into the ring. "Why kill him? Why take a possible loss when we have another plan for him anyway?"
That plan includes moving Sonsona up to the 122-pound division, where Tremblay currently promotes Filipino prospect Ciso Morales and former IBF champ Steve Molitor.
Tremblay also hinted Sonsona's move to a new weight class would foreshadow a similar move by Molitor, who is currently in line to fight for the IBF's 122-pound title.
Molitor looked lean and strong when he weighed for the co-main event Saturday morning. He weighed 126.2 pounds, 4.2 pounds above his normal fighting weight but easily below the 130-pound limit for Saturday night's bout against Argentina's Jorge Saez.
Source: thestar.com
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SONSONA FAILS TO MAKE WEIGHT, VACATES TITLE
By Rob Cruz, PhilBoxing.com
Note that this weigh-in takes place the same day as the fight due to the governing rules of the Ontario Athletic Commission.
Reigning WBO Junior Bantamweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (14-0, 12 KO’s) weighed in this morning at 117.6lbs and vacated his WBO World Title.
His opponent Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez (22-7-1, 11 KO’s, WBO#15) weighed in at 115lbs. Should Hernandez wins the match up tonight, he will win the WBO vacated Junior Bantamweight world tite.
Marvin did not make the contractual weight of 115lbs, however the fight is still on. After this fight, there are plans to move Marvin Sonsona up in weight for another world title. Marvin’s coaches and management did not force Marvin to lose the extra 2.6lbs due to further possible dehydration during the fight that will put Marvin at risk.
Former IBF Junior Featherweight champion “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (30-1, 12 KO’s, IBF #2) weighed in at 126.2 lbs. His opponent from Argentina, Jose “Pamperito” Saez (17-8-4, 8 KO’s) weighed in at 125.2lbs
The Molitor vs Saez is this evening's co-main event in an eight round bout.
Both the Sonsona-Hernandez and Molitor-Saez fights will be broadcast in Canada on TSN on Saturday, November 21st, beginning at 10:30 PM, as well as on Solar Sports in the Philippines, and on a national carrier in Mexico.
Making his Canadian debut is Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales from Bohol, Philippines weighed in at 121.4 lbs. His opponent of Mexico Miguel Gonzales weighed in at 122.2 lbs. The two are matched up in an undercard bout not televised in Canada.
Source: philboxing.com
Note that this weigh-in takes place the same day as the fight due to the governing rules of the Ontario Athletic Commission.
Reigning WBO Junior Bantamweight champion “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (14-0, 12 KO’s) weighed in this morning at 117.6lbs and vacated his WBO World Title.
His opponent Alejandro “Payasito” Hernandez (22-7-1, 11 KO’s, WBO#15) weighed in at 115lbs. Should Hernandez wins the match up tonight, he will win the WBO vacated Junior Bantamweight world tite.
Marvin did not make the contractual weight of 115lbs, however the fight is still on. After this fight, there are plans to move Marvin Sonsona up in weight for another world title. Marvin’s coaches and management did not force Marvin to lose the extra 2.6lbs due to further possible dehydration during the fight that will put Marvin at risk.
Former IBF Junior Featherweight champion “The Canadian Kid” Steve Molitor (30-1, 12 KO’s, IBF #2) weighed in at 126.2 lbs. His opponent from Argentina, Jose “Pamperito” Saez (17-8-4, 8 KO’s) weighed in at 125.2lbs
The Molitor vs Saez is this evening's co-main event in an eight round bout.
Both the Sonsona-Hernandez and Molitor-Saez fights will be broadcast in Canada on TSN on Saturday, November 21st, beginning at 10:30 PM, as well as on Solar Sports in the Philippines, and on a national carrier in Mexico.
Making his Canadian debut is Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales from Bohol, Philippines weighed in at 121.4 lbs. His opponent of Mexico Miguel Gonzales weighed in at 122.2 lbs. The two are matched up in an undercard bout not televised in Canada.
Source: philboxing.com
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Tourney gives Ward his first shot at pro title
By George Willis, New York Post
The best thing about the World Boxing Classic, also known as the Super Middleweight Tournament, is that each bout thus far could stand on its own, tournament or no tournament. Tonight the first round of bouts ends with WBA belt-holder Mikkel Kessler of Denmark wasthe defending against unbeaten
Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward. The bout will be in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, Calif., and televised on Showtime.
The moment of truth has arrived for Ward, whose climb from winning gold in Athens to his first shot at a world title has been a deliberate journey slowed briefly by injuries to his thumb and knee. In Kessler, Ward faces a two-time champion, whose only loss was to future Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe.
“This is what it’s all about,” Ward said. “I’ve been at the highest level as an amateur and now I’m preparing for my first world title fight as a professional. I see all you [media], and I know what a big fight is all about. I’m ready.”
Kessler-Ward is the third and final fight of the first round. In earlier bouts, Arthur Abraham of Germany knocked out Jermain Taylor in the 12th round in Berlin, Germany, and WBC Champion Carl Froch earned a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Andre Dirrell in Nottingham, England.
Each fighter will have at least three bouts during the round-robin portion of the tournament with winners by decision collecting one point and those winning by knockout earning two. The four fighters with the most points will meet in a single-elimination semifinal before moving on to the finals scheduled for 2011.
Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs) will face Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs) on Jan. 23 in the second round of the round robin. Taylor is expected to withdraw after suffering his third brutal knockout in his last five fights. Allan Green could be his replacement.
Though Ward is 20-0 with 13 KOs, Kessler has more than double the experience (42-1, 32 KOs) and said he thinks that gives him a huge edge.
“He’s a great, young fighter,”
Kessler said. “He reminds me a lot of myself when I was his age. I won my first world title at 24, but I’m more experienced in a lot of different ways. I can see that he is hungry, has good speed and good technique. But I think my strengths are also speed and my experience. You can pick things up from all kinds of bouts.”
Ward, 25, said he believes his preparation, ability and the hometown crowd will help him against the hard-punching Kessler, 30.
“We have a general plan, but at the end of the day it’s going to be about getting in there and being myself,” Ward said. “The days that you go in there and try to be perfect are usually your worst days, but the days that you go in there and say, ‘I’m going to have fun,’ and do are generally your best.”
*
Let’s see: Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for giving the middle finger
salute to fans during the Titans-Bills game Sunday. Meanwhile, Top Rank boss Bob Arum made the same gesture from the middle of the ring to a ringside reporter moments after Yuri Foreman of Brooklyn defeated Daniel Santos for the WBA junior middleweight title.
Arum gave the finger to ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael, who earlier had criticized the undercard of Pacquiao-Cotto by saying the Foreman-Santos matchup could be “potentially horrific.”
Because there’s no governing body in boxing like there is in the NFL, Arum will not be fined, and it’s not like the Nevada State Athletic Commission is going to do anything. Heck, it’s boxing.
george.willis@nypost.com
Source: nypost.com
The best thing about the World Boxing Classic, also known as the Super Middleweight Tournament, is that each bout thus far could stand on its own, tournament or no tournament. Tonight the first round of bouts ends with WBA belt-holder Mikkel Kessler of Denmark wasthe defending against unbeaten
Olympic gold medal winner Andre Ward. The bout will be in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, Calif., and televised on Showtime.
The moment of truth has arrived for Ward, whose climb from winning gold in Athens to his first shot at a world title has been a deliberate journey slowed briefly by injuries to his thumb and knee. In Kessler, Ward faces a two-time champion, whose only loss was to future Hall of Famer Joe Calzaghe.
“This is what it’s all about,” Ward said. “I’ve been at the highest level as an amateur and now I’m preparing for my first world title fight as a professional. I see all you [media], and I know what a big fight is all about. I’m ready.”
Kessler-Ward is the third and final fight of the first round. In earlier bouts, Arthur Abraham of Germany knocked out Jermain Taylor in the 12th round in Berlin, Germany, and WBC Champion Carl Froch earned a 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Andre Dirrell in Nottingham, England.
Each fighter will have at least three bouts during the round-robin portion of the tournament with winners by decision collecting one point and those winning by knockout earning two. The four fighters with the most points will meet in a single-elimination semifinal before moving on to the finals scheduled for 2011.
Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs) will face Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs) on Jan. 23 in the second round of the round robin. Taylor is expected to withdraw after suffering his third brutal knockout in his last five fights. Allan Green could be his replacement.
Though Ward is 20-0 with 13 KOs, Kessler has more than double the experience (42-1, 32 KOs) and said he thinks that gives him a huge edge.
“He’s a great, young fighter,”
Kessler said. “He reminds me a lot of myself when I was his age. I won my first world title at 24, but I’m more experienced in a lot of different ways. I can see that he is hungry, has good speed and good technique. But I think my strengths are also speed and my experience. You can pick things up from all kinds of bouts.”
Ward, 25, said he believes his preparation, ability and the hometown crowd will help him against the hard-punching Kessler, 30.
“We have a general plan, but at the end of the day it’s going to be about getting in there and being myself,” Ward said. “The days that you go in there and try to be perfect are usually your worst days, but the days that you go in there and say, ‘I’m going to have fun,’ and do are generally your best.”
*
Let’s see: Titans owner Bud Adams was fined $250,000 for giving the middle finger
salute to fans during the Titans-Bills game Sunday. Meanwhile, Top Rank boss Bob Arum made the same gesture from the middle of the ring to a ringside reporter moments after Yuri Foreman of Brooklyn defeated Daniel Santos for the WBA junior middleweight title.
Arum gave the finger to ESPN boxing writer Dan Rafael, who earlier had criticized the undercard of Pacquiao-Cotto by saying the Foreman-Santos matchup could be “potentially horrific.”
Because there’s no governing body in boxing like there is in the NFL, Arum will not be fined, and it’s not like the Nevada State Athletic Commission is going to do anything. Heck, it’s boxing.
george.willis@nypost.com
Source: nypost.com
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Is the new ‘Marvelous’ one Pacquiao’s successor?
By Martin Mulcahey, SecondsOut.com
One of the fortuitous consequences of Manny Pacquiao’s rocket ride to stardom is his single-handedly forging a new generation of fighters and boxing fans. Especially in his native Philippines, where Pacquiao’s success has inspired thousands of kids to take up the gloves and imitate their hero. Some like Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes have already fashioned themselves into champions, and Donaire is either on the cusp of or in most observers ‘pound for pound’ ratings. The Philippines will not lack for champions in the next decade. But can it produce another superstar like Pacquiao? Without dismissing Nonito Donaire, some believe ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Sonsona has a chance to become the next iconic figure in Filipino boxing.
Pacquiao will be thirty-one years old in December , and if he wishes can continue to fight for another three to five years. Boxing does not look too far into its own future, that comes with a sport where one bad beating can ruin a promising career, but still managed to make the star transition from Muhammad Ali to Ray Leonard, to Mike Tyson, to Oscar De La Hoya, and now Manny Pacquiao. Could Pacquiao hand over the reins to someone he inspired? At the tip of the young Filipino talent spear is 14-0 Marvin Sonsona, a 19 year-old southpaw who already owns the WBO jr. bantamweight title. Like Pacquiao he has knockout power (86% kayo ratio), and he displayed previously hidden versatility by outboxing veteran Joe Lopez (who had not lost in eight years) to win the title. At 5’7 Sonsona is just as tall as Pacquiao, but uses that size more in the controlled style of an Arguello than Pacquiao. Early returns and his physique indicate Sonsona possess the tools to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Let’s establish one fact immediately; there is only one Manny Pacquiao. A once-in-a- lifetime phenom to whom comparison can be made, but who will never be replicated. Much like the legendary Henry Armstrong differed from Ray Leonard, or Carlos Monzon from Ray Robinson. Both sets of men are great in their own unique way. Marvin Sonsona has legitimate power, and surprised many with his cunning against the more experienced Jose Lopez as the rounds wore on in their title fight. The youngster displayed a calm mind as well as judicious ring movement after getting cut, and absorbed nearly half a dozen low blows without retaliating. Stamina was a concern entering the Lopez fight, with Sonsona having only gone five rounds previously, but he was not worn down by the exceedingly tough scrap against a more physical foe.
Perhaps the only American journalist who has gotten to see Sonsona fight in person is boxing radio talk show host Bill Calogero (who broadcasts a 2 hour show every weekday at http://www.TalkinBoxing.com), and Calogero came away impressed by what he witnessed. “Sonsona has great hand speed. A good jab, and power in both hands. During his fight with Lopez you could tell he was trying to do the right things, work the body, throw meaningful punches, and for the most part was able to.” Calogero sat ringside for Sonsona’s title winning performance. “What a fight! I was thinking he (Sonsona) was way in over his head, but he showed poise for a 19-year-old. I think the most impressive point of his victory was his consistency. He came on when I thought the kid would wither. Everyone was on their feet by the final bell, there wasn’t one person in the arena that didn’t like this kid after witnessing his title win.”
The victory over Lopez established Marvin Sonsona as the youngest world titlist boxing has today, and he is the second youngest Filipino champion ever after Morris East (who held a jr. welterweight belt for a brief period in the early 1990’s). Sonsona grew up in the same General Santos City streets as Manny Pacquiao, where Marvin got into some juvenal fights that landed him in a holding cell on a couple nights. To direct excess energy and teach his son discipline Marvin’s father taught him how to box. A talent and passion were discovered. Writer Anson Wainwright, of 15.rounds.com, asked Sonsona about growing comparisons between he and Pacquiao. “There is only one Manny Pacquiao. However, both of us are making our own place in history. I certainly hope that with the grace of our Lord, as Marvin Sonsona, I will also have my name known as one of the greatest boxers of all times.”
For that to happen Sonsona must first defeat battle tested Alejandro Hernandez on Saturday night. Hernandez is not a big puncher, but he has a good chin and is a patient counterpuncher who prefers for an opponent to lead. The 23-year-old Hernandez enters with a record of 22-7-1, and it is never wise to discount or underestimate any young Mexican challenger. Sonsona says he is ready for Hernandez, having sparred with lightweights back in Manila, but let’s his team worry about the opponent until the bell rings. Telling Anson Wainwright, “I actually don’t know anything about him, have not seen any of his fight.” Sonsona even ventured a peak into his future beyond Hernandez. “I may sound bragging, but I just have too much self-confidence. I expect to stay at 115, and maybe after a year I’ll go up to 118 or 122.”
Sonsona returns to Ontario Canada’s Casino Rama, where he won the WBO belt, to make the first defense of his title against Alejandro Hernandez. The charismatic champion already has a solid fan base in Canada, both transplanted Filipinos and Canadians, and his style is sure to make him a hit in any American venue once he ventures south. Some thought the cold climate and time change could affect Sonsona adversely, but youthful resilience must have aided him because he did not show any adverse signs in the ring on his last trip to Canada. To become a true international star Sonsona will have to become used to the travel demands, as great Filipino boxers of other generations like Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde did. But, of course, all modern day comparison will be made to Manny Pacquiao.
An astute Bill Calogero has heard the comparisons of Marvin Sonsona to Pacquiao as well, and points to one early advantage Sonsona has over Manny Pacquiao. “They love him in the Philippines. They are touting him as the ‘Next Manny Pacquiao’. I am not sure about that yet, but at 19 he is certainly driving the same route. Except he has a solid team around him now, which is much earlier than Manny did.” That is a good point, with Sonsona trained by an undervalued Nonito Donaire Sr. and guided by the wise hand of veteran boxing insider Allan Tremblay. Calogero wrapped up his thoughts on Sonsona, “I think he will win belts in several weight classes by the time it’s all over. If there ever was a young prospect for fans to follow now, it’s him. On the personal side, he is soft spoken and respectful.“
Pacquiao is a rare exception in boxing, a lighter weight non-American boxer who achieved crossover appeal among mainstream sport fans. Lighting will have to strike twice for Marvin Sonsona to even reach headline PPV status. Not all is dependent on Sonsona either, since worthy competition is part of any star’s rise to greatness and the acclaim that comes with defeating high caliber opposition. For now all are content for Sonsona to gain more experience, and get a couple title defenses under his belt in the process. However, Pacquiao’s ascension has given rise to high expectations from Filipino audiences. Following in the wake of a legend is often more difficult than a man blazing his own path, and the route which Sonsona travels is largely in the hands of fate. The first step in that long journey begins tomorrow night.
Source: secondsout.com
One of the fortuitous consequences of Manny Pacquiao’s rocket ride to stardom is his single-handedly forging a new generation of fighters and boxing fans. Especially in his native Philippines, where Pacquiao’s success has inspired thousands of kids to take up the gloves and imitate their hero. Some like Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes have already fashioned themselves into champions, and Donaire is either on the cusp of or in most observers ‘pound for pound’ ratings. The Philippines will not lack for champions in the next decade. But can it produce another superstar like Pacquiao? Without dismissing Nonito Donaire, some believe ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Sonsona has a chance to become the next iconic figure in Filipino boxing.
Pacquiao will be thirty-one years old in December , and if he wishes can continue to fight for another three to five years. Boxing does not look too far into its own future, that comes with a sport where one bad beating can ruin a promising career, but still managed to make the star transition from Muhammad Ali to Ray Leonard, to Mike Tyson, to Oscar De La Hoya, and now Manny Pacquiao. Could Pacquiao hand over the reins to someone he inspired? At the tip of the young Filipino talent spear is 14-0 Marvin Sonsona, a 19 year-old southpaw who already owns the WBO jr. bantamweight title. Like Pacquiao he has knockout power (86% kayo ratio), and he displayed previously hidden versatility by outboxing veteran Joe Lopez (who had not lost in eight years) to win the title. At 5’7 Sonsona is just as tall as Pacquiao, but uses that size more in the controlled style of an Arguello than Pacquiao. Early returns and his physique indicate Sonsona possess the tools to win titles in multiple weight classes.
Let’s establish one fact immediately; there is only one Manny Pacquiao. A once-in-a- lifetime phenom to whom comparison can be made, but who will never be replicated. Much like the legendary Henry Armstrong differed from Ray Leonard, or Carlos Monzon from Ray Robinson. Both sets of men are great in their own unique way. Marvin Sonsona has legitimate power, and surprised many with his cunning against the more experienced Jose Lopez as the rounds wore on in their title fight. The youngster displayed a calm mind as well as judicious ring movement after getting cut, and absorbed nearly half a dozen low blows without retaliating. Stamina was a concern entering the Lopez fight, with Sonsona having only gone five rounds previously, but he was not worn down by the exceedingly tough scrap against a more physical foe.
Perhaps the only American journalist who has gotten to see Sonsona fight in person is boxing radio talk show host Bill Calogero (who broadcasts a 2 hour show every weekday at http://www.TalkinBoxing.com), and Calogero came away impressed by what he witnessed. “Sonsona has great hand speed. A good jab, and power in both hands. During his fight with Lopez you could tell he was trying to do the right things, work the body, throw meaningful punches, and for the most part was able to.” Calogero sat ringside for Sonsona’s title winning performance. “What a fight! I was thinking he (Sonsona) was way in over his head, but he showed poise for a 19-year-old. I think the most impressive point of his victory was his consistency. He came on when I thought the kid would wither. Everyone was on their feet by the final bell, there wasn’t one person in the arena that didn’t like this kid after witnessing his title win.”
The victory over Lopez established Marvin Sonsona as the youngest world titlist boxing has today, and he is the second youngest Filipino champion ever after Morris East (who held a jr. welterweight belt for a brief period in the early 1990’s). Sonsona grew up in the same General Santos City streets as Manny Pacquiao, where Marvin got into some juvenal fights that landed him in a holding cell on a couple nights. To direct excess energy and teach his son discipline Marvin’s father taught him how to box. A talent and passion were discovered. Writer Anson Wainwright, of 15.rounds.com, asked Sonsona about growing comparisons between he and Pacquiao. “There is only one Manny Pacquiao. However, both of us are making our own place in history. I certainly hope that with the grace of our Lord, as Marvin Sonsona, I will also have my name known as one of the greatest boxers of all times.”
For that to happen Sonsona must first defeat battle tested Alejandro Hernandez on Saturday night. Hernandez is not a big puncher, but he has a good chin and is a patient counterpuncher who prefers for an opponent to lead. The 23-year-old Hernandez enters with a record of 22-7-1, and it is never wise to discount or underestimate any young Mexican challenger. Sonsona says he is ready for Hernandez, having sparred with lightweights back in Manila, but let’s his team worry about the opponent until the bell rings. Telling Anson Wainwright, “I actually don’t know anything about him, have not seen any of his fight.” Sonsona even ventured a peak into his future beyond Hernandez. “I may sound bragging, but I just have too much self-confidence. I expect to stay at 115, and maybe after a year I’ll go up to 118 or 122.”
Sonsona returns to Ontario Canada’s Casino Rama, where he won the WBO belt, to make the first defense of his title against Alejandro Hernandez. The charismatic champion already has a solid fan base in Canada, both transplanted Filipinos and Canadians, and his style is sure to make him a hit in any American venue once he ventures south. Some thought the cold climate and time change could affect Sonsona adversely, but youthful resilience must have aided him because he did not show any adverse signs in the ring on his last trip to Canada. To become a true international star Sonsona will have to become used to the travel demands, as great Filipino boxers of other generations like Pancho Villa and Flash Elorde did. But, of course, all modern day comparison will be made to Manny Pacquiao.
An astute Bill Calogero has heard the comparisons of Marvin Sonsona to Pacquiao as well, and points to one early advantage Sonsona has over Manny Pacquiao. “They love him in the Philippines. They are touting him as the ‘Next Manny Pacquiao’. I am not sure about that yet, but at 19 he is certainly driving the same route. Except he has a solid team around him now, which is much earlier than Manny did.” That is a good point, with Sonsona trained by an undervalued Nonito Donaire Sr. and guided by the wise hand of veteran boxing insider Allan Tremblay. Calogero wrapped up his thoughts on Sonsona, “I think he will win belts in several weight classes by the time it’s all over. If there ever was a young prospect for fans to follow now, it’s him. On the personal side, he is soft spoken and respectful.“
Pacquiao is a rare exception in boxing, a lighter weight non-American boxer who achieved crossover appeal among mainstream sport fans. Lighting will have to strike twice for Marvin Sonsona to even reach headline PPV status. Not all is dependent on Sonsona either, since worthy competition is part of any star’s rise to greatness and the acclaim that comes with defeating high caliber opposition. For now all are content for Sonsona to gain more experience, and get a couple title defenses under his belt in the process. However, Pacquiao’s ascension has given rise to high expectations from Filipino audiences. Following in the wake of a legend is often more difficult than a man blazing his own path, and the route which Sonsona travels is largely in the hands of fate. The first step in that long journey begins tomorrow night.
Source: secondsout.com
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The night Pac Man became the Whack Man.. he took my breath away
By Barry Mcguigan, mirror.co.uk
Wow. No boxer has made me feel like that in more than 20 years. What Manny Pacquiao did to Miguel Cotto I did not see coming.
It was absolutely mindblowing, and sets up what I believe will be the biggest grossing fight of all time; Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
The last time a fighter took my breath away in the manner of the Pac Man was Roberto Duran against Davey Moore in 1983.
It was after the second 'no mas' fight with Sugar Ray Leonard. He had been beaten by Wilfredo Benitez and our own Kirkland Laing.
We thought it was over for Duran and then he battered poor Davey from pillar to post to claim the WBA light middleweight title.
The Cotto bout was as good as you will see; an encounter worthy of boxing's fab four, Leonard, Duran, Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns.
You could drop Pacquiao and Mayweather into that quartet and not lose anything in terms of skill, drama, power and excitement.
It would be interesting to ask Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach how he thinks his man would have gone against Duran. They were both superquick combination punchers, flying in and out, hitting hard as mules.
That's a parlour game for Christmas, send your winner on a postcard. And let's leave the Mayweather bout for another day. This is Pacquiao's moment.
I take my hat off to him for what he did to Cotto, a very, very good fighter.
Pacquiao just bullied him.
Cotto was backed up by Antonio Margarito, but this was even more impressive. Pacquiao threw him around.
I sat there gobsmacked. I could not believe what I was seeing, that a small guy coming through the divisions could do that to a bigger guy, a natural welter. I thought Cotto had a shout. I believe the referee might have been kinder and let him hear the final bell.
I know he took one hell of a shellacking. And I do not advocate unnecessary punishment in the ring. But on this occasion Cotto deserved to finish the contest.
As a tipster I have not had the best run of late. Let's hope for better tonight when Mikkel Kessler faces off against Andre Ward in the super middleweight series.
This is another tough fight to call. Kessler is rightly considered favourite, but Ward is a handful.
He's super quick and awkward. The quality that did for Kessler against Joe Calzaghe was speed. Ward has that to burn.
Saying that, Kessler is a terrific fighter. He is not fancy but he is exciting. He loves to fight. I have to go for Kessler, but only just.
There, you are now safe to go and put your mortgage on Ward.
Check Out My Website: www.barrymcguigan.com
Source: mirror.co.uk
Wow. No boxer has made me feel like that in more than 20 years. What Manny Pacquiao did to Miguel Cotto I did not see coming.
It was absolutely mindblowing, and sets up what I believe will be the biggest grossing fight of all time; Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
The last time a fighter took my breath away in the manner of the Pac Man was Roberto Duran against Davey Moore in 1983.
It was after the second 'no mas' fight with Sugar Ray Leonard. He had been beaten by Wilfredo Benitez and our own Kirkland Laing.
We thought it was over for Duran and then he battered poor Davey from pillar to post to claim the WBA light middleweight title.
The Cotto bout was as good as you will see; an encounter worthy of boxing's fab four, Leonard, Duran, Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns.
You could drop Pacquiao and Mayweather into that quartet and not lose anything in terms of skill, drama, power and excitement.
It would be interesting to ask Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach how he thinks his man would have gone against Duran. They were both superquick combination punchers, flying in and out, hitting hard as mules.
That's a parlour game for Christmas, send your winner on a postcard. And let's leave the Mayweather bout for another day. This is Pacquiao's moment.
I take my hat off to him for what he did to Cotto, a very, very good fighter.
Pacquiao just bullied him.
Cotto was backed up by Antonio Margarito, but this was even more impressive. Pacquiao threw him around.
I sat there gobsmacked. I could not believe what I was seeing, that a small guy coming through the divisions could do that to a bigger guy, a natural welter. I thought Cotto had a shout. I believe the referee might have been kinder and let him hear the final bell.
I know he took one hell of a shellacking. And I do not advocate unnecessary punishment in the ring. But on this occasion Cotto deserved to finish the contest.
As a tipster I have not had the best run of late. Let's hope for better tonight when Mikkel Kessler faces off against Andre Ward in the super middleweight series.
This is another tough fight to call. Kessler is rightly considered favourite, but Ward is a handful.
He's super quick and awkward. The quality that did for Kessler against Joe Calzaghe was speed. Ward has that to burn.
Saying that, Kessler is a terrific fighter. He is not fancy but he is exciting. He loves to fight. I have to go for Kessler, but only just.
There, you are now safe to go and put your mortgage on Ward.
Check Out My Website: www.barrymcguigan.com
Source: mirror.co.uk
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Andre Ward plans to power through Mikkel Kessler
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
Andre Ward doesn't have half the professional experience of his opponent tonight, world super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark.
What the 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist is banking on are the assets that made him an international champion as an amateur.
"I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm determined," said Oakland's Ward (20-0, 13 knockouts), who'll fight Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) for the World Boxing Assn. super-middleweight title tonight on Showtime in his hometown Oracle Arena. "I'm prepared to do what it takes to win. At 25, my strength, punching power and stamina are at all-time highs, and I'll need them."
Ward-Kessler is the final first-round fight of Showtime's Super Six tournament of super-middleweights. Last month, Carl Froch defeated Andre Dirrell by decision and Arthur Abraham knocked out Jermain Taylor. Ward will fight Taylor next.
Kessler's only loss is to the retired unbeaten Joe Calzaghe. In venturing from Denmark to Oakland, Kessler's coming to meet Kessler, who was warmly greeted by members of the Black Hole at Sunday's Oakland Raiders game and who beat Edison Miranda in the same arena in May.
"I know from the way his team talks they don't believe I can beat him," Ward said. "He can't fathom this, and he's not ready for what he's going to be involved with."
Pacquiao-Cotto TV sales
HBO announced Friday that last Saturday's Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto welterweight title fight in Las Vegas generated 1.25 million pay-per-view buys, making the bout the most lucrative one-night event in the U.S. this year and establishing record interest for a Pacquiao fight.
The pay-per-view revenue was $70 million, marking the first time since 1999 that two boxing matches in the same year had at least 1 million buys.
The numbers are expected to play an important factor in negotiating an anticipated showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0), whose September victory over Juan Manuel Marquez had 1 million PPV buys. Mayweather's advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, told The Times on Thursday that Pacquiao's big numbers were helped because he had a "dance partner" referring to the popular former world welterweight champion Cotto, a star in Puerto Rico.
The Mayweather camp points to Mayweather's common fights with Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Marquez and argue Mayweather outsold Pacquiao in each. Pacquiao's May fight with Hatton had approximately 100,000 less PPV buys than Mayweather-Hatton in December 2007.
Pacquiao's camp argues the buzz around the Filipino fighter is still climbing because of his thrilling performances in scoring a ninth-round TKO of De La Hoya, his second-round KO of Hatton (Mayweather needed 10 rounds to beat Hatton) and Pacquiao's 12th-round TKO of Cotto.
Ellerbe said he will authorize co-promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions to begin negotiations with Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum in the near future.
Vazquez-Marques at Staples?
Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, said Huntington Park's Israel Vazquez has signed to have a fourth fight with Mexico's Rafael Marquez on Feb. 27 at Staples Center. The super-bantamweight champion Vazquez engaged in two fights of the year with Marquez, but endured more than a year-long layoff after suffering a detached retina in their memorable third fight in March, 2008.
Marquez's promoter, Gary Shaw, and Showtime have expressed a strong willingness to make the fourth fight happen, and Schaefer expects it will.
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times
Source: latimes.com
Andre Ward doesn't have half the professional experience of his opponent tonight, world super-middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler of Denmark.
What the 2004 U.S. Olympic gold medalist is banking on are the assets that made him an international champion as an amateur.
"I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm determined," said Oakland's Ward (20-0, 13 knockouts), who'll fight Kessler (42-1, 32 KOs) for the World Boxing Assn. super-middleweight title tonight on Showtime in his hometown Oracle Arena. "I'm prepared to do what it takes to win. At 25, my strength, punching power and stamina are at all-time highs, and I'll need them."
Ward-Kessler is the final first-round fight of Showtime's Super Six tournament of super-middleweights. Last month, Carl Froch defeated Andre Dirrell by decision and Arthur Abraham knocked out Jermain Taylor. Ward will fight Taylor next.
Kessler's only loss is to the retired unbeaten Joe Calzaghe. In venturing from Denmark to Oakland, Kessler's coming to meet Kessler, who was warmly greeted by members of the Black Hole at Sunday's Oakland Raiders game and who beat Edison Miranda in the same arena in May.
"I know from the way his team talks they don't believe I can beat him," Ward said. "He can't fathom this, and he's not ready for what he's going to be involved with."
Pacquiao-Cotto TV sales
HBO announced Friday that last Saturday's Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto welterweight title fight in Las Vegas generated 1.25 million pay-per-view buys, making the bout the most lucrative one-night event in the U.S. this year and establishing record interest for a Pacquiao fight.
The pay-per-view revenue was $70 million, marking the first time since 1999 that two boxing matches in the same year had at least 1 million buys.
The numbers are expected to play an important factor in negotiating an anticipated showdown between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0), whose September victory over Juan Manuel Marquez had 1 million PPV buys. Mayweather's advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, told The Times on Thursday that Pacquiao's big numbers were helped because he had a "dance partner" referring to the popular former world welterweight champion Cotto, a star in Puerto Rico.
The Mayweather camp points to Mayweather's common fights with Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Marquez and argue Mayweather outsold Pacquiao in each. Pacquiao's May fight with Hatton had approximately 100,000 less PPV buys than Mayweather-Hatton in December 2007.
Pacquiao's camp argues the buzz around the Filipino fighter is still climbing because of his thrilling performances in scoring a ninth-round TKO of De La Hoya, his second-round KO of Hatton (Mayweather needed 10 rounds to beat Hatton) and Pacquiao's 12th-round TKO of Cotto.
Ellerbe said he will authorize co-promoter Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions to begin negotiations with Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum in the near future.
Vazquez-Marques at Staples?
Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy Promotions, said Huntington Park's Israel Vazquez has signed to have a fourth fight with Mexico's Rafael Marquez on Feb. 27 at Staples Center. The super-bantamweight champion Vazquez engaged in two fights of the year with Marquez, but endured more than a year-long layoff after suffering a detached retina in their memorable third fight in March, 2008.
Marquez's promoter, Gary Shaw, and Showtime have expressed a strong willingness to make the fourth fight happen, and Schaefer expects it will.
lance.pugmire@latimes.com
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times
Source: latimes.com
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Video: Mikkel Kessler – Andre Ward Weigh In plus press con
Marshall N. B., Boxing News World
Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler weighed in at 167 pounds while his American opponent tipped the scales half pound lighter at 166.5 lbs. The maximum weight limit for super middleweight is 168 pounds.
Andre Ward is hoping to break the American losing streak in the Super Six World Classic when he meets Kessler Saturday night at Oracle Arena. His compatriots Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrel both lost their first assignments. Taylor was knocked out by Germany’s Arthur Abraham in the final round while Dirrel lost by a close decision to England’s Carl Froch.
Source: YouTube
Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler weighed in at 167 pounds while his American opponent tipped the scales half pound lighter at 166.5 lbs. The maximum weight limit for super middleweight is 168 pounds.
Andre Ward is hoping to break the American losing streak in the Super Six World Classic when he meets Kessler Saturday night at Oracle Arena. His compatriots Jermain Taylor and Andre Dirrel both lost their first assignments. Taylor was knocked out by Germany’s Arthur Abraham in the final round while Dirrel lost by a close decision to England’s Carl Froch.
Source: YouTube
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Floyd Mayweather's adviser on Manny Pacquiao: 'We're trying to make a deal, not break a deal'
By David Mayo, The Grand Rapids Press
Floyd Mayweather’s adviser called the 1.25 million domestic pay-per-view sales for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight “great for the sport of boxing” but stressed they would have no impact on negotiations for a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao blockbuster.
Leonard Ellerbe instead emphasized Mayweather’s superior pay-per-view sales against three common opponents.
"If a deal can be struck, this is the biggest fight ever,” Ellerbe said. “The fans want it and Floyd wants it. That's all that really matters, that Floyd wants it. Now it comes down to does Manny want it. Manny obviously will be speaking through his promoter, because that's his boss. Floyd has made it clear he wants the fight."
Ellerbe pointed out that Mayweather outdrew Pacquiao in domestic sales for pay-per-view fights against Oscar De La Hoya (2.44 million to 1.25 million), Juan Manuel Marquez (1 million to 375,000) and Ricky Hatton (950,000 to 810,000).
"Floyd clearly is the biggest star in boxing, based on the numbers against the same three common opponents,” Ellerbe said. “And all six of those fights were in a three-year span. It wasn't any long period of time. This isn't difficult to figure out at all. Pacquiao's side has a distorted perception of facts. But numbers don't lie. People do."
Ellerbe said the Mayweather camp is in the process of formulating a negotiating plan and will relay that information through Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, when the time is appropriate.
That should happen next week, when the two sides are expected to begin negotiating in earnest.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, has said he would prefer to cut the deal with Schaefer’s involvement. Ellerbe said that avoiding personality conflicts is precisely why the Mayweather camp will comply.
“We're trying to make a deal, not break a deal," Ellerbe said.
Shane Mosley apparently is Mayweather’s backup option, just as a third fight with Marquez appears to be Pacquiao’s.
Mosley is scheduled to fight Andre Berto in January.
“If a deal can’t be reached, and if Shane beats Berto, we’ll look into the possibility of fighting him,” Ellerbe said.
There also has been unsubstantiated talk about Mayweather taking an interim fight in January, possibly in England against Matthew Hatton, Ricky Hatton’s brother.
“I've heard a lot of rumors and I don't pay a lot of attention,” Ellerbe said. “We're the ones making our decisions and Floyd has made it perfectly clear to us that he wants to make the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.”
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said after the Pacquiao-Cotto fight that the thought of either Mayweather or Pacquiao taking an interim fight before facing each other “makes me ill.”
“My response is that our focus is on trying to get a deal done,” Ellerbe said. “If we can't get a deal done, my responsibility is what's in the best interests of Floyd Mayweather. Ross Greenburg's responsibility is the best interests of HBO."
Ellerbe called Pacquiao “a good little fighter” but suggested a fight with Mayweather would be as big a mismatch in the ring as their pay-per-view numbers against common opponents have been outside of it.
"The numbers are great for the sport of boxing but he had a legitimate dance partner,” Ellerbe said. “Cotto is a very good fighter who's had a lot of visibility on pay-per-view, against (Antonio) Margarito, against (Zab) Judah, against Mosley, against Pacquiao."
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
Floyd Mayweather’s adviser called the 1.25 million domestic pay-per-view sales for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight “great for the sport of boxing” but stressed they would have no impact on negotiations for a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao blockbuster.
Leonard Ellerbe instead emphasized Mayweather’s superior pay-per-view sales against three common opponents.
"If a deal can be struck, this is the biggest fight ever,” Ellerbe said. “The fans want it and Floyd wants it. That's all that really matters, that Floyd wants it. Now it comes down to does Manny want it. Manny obviously will be speaking through his promoter, because that's his boss. Floyd has made it clear he wants the fight."
Ellerbe pointed out that Mayweather outdrew Pacquiao in domestic sales for pay-per-view fights against Oscar De La Hoya (2.44 million to 1.25 million), Juan Manuel Marquez (1 million to 375,000) and Ricky Hatton (950,000 to 810,000).
"Floyd clearly is the biggest star in boxing, based on the numbers against the same three common opponents,” Ellerbe said. “And all six of those fights were in a three-year span. It wasn't any long period of time. This isn't difficult to figure out at all. Pacquiao's side has a distorted perception of facts. But numbers don't lie. People do."
Ellerbe said the Mayweather camp is in the process of formulating a negotiating plan and will relay that information through Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, when the time is appropriate.
That should happen next week, when the two sides are expected to begin negotiating in earnest.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, has said he would prefer to cut the deal with Schaefer’s involvement. Ellerbe said that avoiding personality conflicts is precisely why the Mayweather camp will comply.
“We're trying to make a deal, not break a deal," Ellerbe said.
Shane Mosley apparently is Mayweather’s backup option, just as a third fight with Marquez appears to be Pacquiao’s.
Mosley is scheduled to fight Andre Berto in January.
“If a deal can’t be reached, and if Shane beats Berto, we’ll look into the possibility of fighting him,” Ellerbe said.
There also has been unsubstantiated talk about Mayweather taking an interim fight in January, possibly in England against Matthew Hatton, Ricky Hatton’s brother.
“I've heard a lot of rumors and I don't pay a lot of attention,” Ellerbe said. “We're the ones making our decisions and Floyd has made it perfectly clear to us that he wants to make the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight.”
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said after the Pacquiao-Cotto fight that the thought of either Mayweather or Pacquiao taking an interim fight before facing each other “makes me ill.”
“My response is that our focus is on trying to get a deal done,” Ellerbe said. “If we can't get a deal done, my responsibility is what's in the best interests of Floyd Mayweather. Ross Greenburg's responsibility is the best interests of HBO."
Ellerbe called Pacquiao “a good little fighter” but suggested a fight with Mayweather would be as big a mismatch in the ring as their pay-per-view numbers against common opponents have been outside of it.
"The numbers are great for the sport of boxing but he had a legitimate dance partner,” Ellerbe said. “Cotto is a very good fighter who's had a lot of visibility on pay-per-view, against (Antonio) Margarito, against (Zab) Judah, against Mosley, against Pacquiao."
E-mail David Mayo at dmayo@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/David_Mayo
Source: mlive.com
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Fatty Ricky should give it up
By Frank Warren, The Sun
RICKY HATTON claims he was on top in the second round when he fought Manny Pacquiao.
In Hatton World he was romping it until he took a three-minute kip on his back.
And in that same world he also believes he was winning his fight with Floyd Mayweather until the American got lucky.
Now Hatton is in talks with Mayweather victim Juan Manuel Marquez about a fight in June.
In Hatton's world, and that of his lawyer and so-called boxing expert Gareth Williams, it is a good fight for Ricky against an elite fighter.
It is a good fight for Williams and Hatton's promotional company - but a terrible one for boxing and the Hitman.
It would be nothing more than a money-grabbing exercise by a man with millions in his bank.
How many pictures have there been recently of him leaving nightclubs and pubs?
You have only got to look at him to see it will not be safe for him to fight, and for him to think otherwise is ridiculous and delusional.
He must be walking around at 14 stone. If the experts around him cared about his well-being they would stop him from boxing.
He needs to be saved from himself, and if he cannot see sense then the respected Boxing Board of Control should stop him.
Just one look at Ricky on the pitch at the Potters in his XXL Stoke City shirt should tell the Board all they need to know.
They don't need the money from sanctioning any fight with Marquez as they've just donated £10,000 to the WBC.
That forms part of the compensation it owes Graciano Rocchigiani for stripping him of his light-heavyweight title.
Ricky talks about the welfare of boxers and looking after them.
So it was surprising last week when Darren McDermott and other boxers appearing on his latest show in Stoke were asked to vacate their hotel rooms by 11am on the day of the fight. That left many of them with nowhere to go until the venue opened.
Jane Couch led the protests and got the decision reversed.
Source: thesun.co.uk
RICKY HATTON claims he was on top in the second round when he fought Manny Pacquiao.
In Hatton World he was romping it until he took a three-minute kip on his back.
And in that same world he also believes he was winning his fight with Floyd Mayweather until the American got lucky.
Now Hatton is in talks with Mayweather victim Juan Manuel Marquez about a fight in June.
In Hatton's world, and that of his lawyer and so-called boxing expert Gareth Williams, it is a good fight for Ricky against an elite fighter.
It is a good fight for Williams and Hatton's promotional company - but a terrible one for boxing and the Hitman.
It would be nothing more than a money-grabbing exercise by a man with millions in his bank.
How many pictures have there been recently of him leaving nightclubs and pubs?
You have only got to look at him to see it will not be safe for him to fight, and for him to think otherwise is ridiculous and delusional.
He must be walking around at 14 stone. If the experts around him cared about his well-being they would stop him from boxing.
He needs to be saved from himself, and if he cannot see sense then the respected Boxing Board of Control should stop him.
Just one look at Ricky on the pitch at the Potters in his XXL Stoke City shirt should tell the Board all they need to know.
They don't need the money from sanctioning any fight with Marquez as they've just donated £10,000 to the WBC.
That forms part of the compensation it owes Graciano Rocchigiani for stripping him of his light-heavyweight title.
Ricky talks about the welfare of boxers and looking after them.
So it was surprising last week when Darren McDermott and other boxers appearing on his latest show in Stoke were asked to vacate their hotel rooms by 11am on the day of the fight. That left many of them with nowhere to go until the venue opened.
Jane Couch led the protests and got the decision reversed.
- JOE CALZAGHE says that Strictly Come Dancing is a fix, claiming he was booted out even though the public kept voting for him.
- YURI FOREMAN became the first orthodox Jew for 30 years to win a world title when he beat Daniel Santos last weekend.
Source: thesun.co.uk
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JOE CALZAGHE SAYS: Manny and Haye leading the way
South Wales Argus
SO much is going on in the world of boxing at the moment. There are so many talking points, it is going to be difficult to fit everything into this column, so I had better crack on!
Firstly, I would like to wish a massive thanks to everyone who is coming to our show in Newport tonight, I am looking forward to it and hopefully people will enjoy it and be entertained.
I can’t wait to see Tony Doherty step back into the ring, he’s worked unbelievably hard to get back into shape and with the talent that he has, he is still young enough and capable enough to reach the top of the tree.
There is also so much Welsh talent on the undercard with Hari Miles, trained by my dad Enzo, starting to look like the real deal and leading the charge.
Two of Gary Lockett’s fighters, Ryan and Jeff Evans, are said to be top prospects as well and I often hear good things about the St Joseph’s stable, with two of their fighters, Justyn Hugh and Lee Churcher, also in action.
One fighter who isn’t on the bill is former world champion Gavin Rees, but we’re all pleased for ‘The Rock’ that he isn’t because he’s preparing to be on the next Prizefighter show.
Gavin is a world class fighter who has been starved of exposure since losing his title.
Obviously it’s a tough time for boxing with a lack of television interest, so it’s great that Gavin has a chance to make a name for himself all over again.
He is training fantastically well and I think that the format suits him because of his relentless style of boxing.
It’s going to be very hard for anyway to outwork Gavin over three rounds, or to land more punches, and I think that he has proved in his career that he has a good chin. In my opinion it all bodes well for him.
I haven’t had an opportunity yet to speak about either of the super fights that took place recently – David Haye against Nikolai Valuev and Manny Pacquiao’s clash with Miguel Cotto.
Let’s not pretend that Haye versus Valuev was a good fight because it wasn’t. It was a dour fight with very little action to speak of.
However, I don’t think you can really blame Haye for that. Valuev is absolutely awful, a poor fighter and a very poor champion.
Haye had a game plan and, I have to admit, watching it on television I felt it was too big a risk to throw so few shots, because as I know from experience, you don’t really want to leave it up to the judges in Germany.
However, I do think he won the fight and all credit to him, it’s an absolutely brilliant achievement for Haye and for British boxing in general, it does the world of good.
Not only that, but the whole heavyweight division will improve now and hats off to Haye for picking John Ruiz as his first opponent, the guy is made for his style and he’ll knock him out pretty convincingly.
Obviously then Haye will go after one of the Klitschko brothers and that’s a different story, because they are huge guys who can fight. But David has every chance.
Pacquiao’s fight on the other hand, was absolutely stunning to watch. Having seen Cotto live before, the fight went as I thought it would, because Cotto is prone to being caught too often and Manny is just so relentless.
I am so impressed with him, he just gets better and better and now I think it’s tough to say whether it’s Manny or Floyd Mayweather is the pound-for-pound king.
Surely, Mayweather is going to take the fight? It’s the one everyone wants to see in 2010 and if Mayweather doesn’t fight him because of money issues, he should just retire.
Unless he’s going to fight the best, why bother?
Speaking of the best, there is no doubt which boxing clip has been played most this week, my old mate Paul Samuels, now a YouTube sensation!
If you haven’t seen the story in the Argus, Paul was involved in a double knockdown last week and after winning the fight, is back in the news because of the amazing footage.
I am delighted for Paul, he’s at a journeyman stage in his career now, but hopefully, that exposure might see him get a couple of good paydays in the near future.
If that’s the best sporting action of the week, there is not doubt what the worst was, the miscarriage of justice in the France v Republic of Ireland game.
I can’t believe Ireland are going to miss out on the World Cup because of blatant cheating, it is appalling and doesn’t seem right.
Surely it’s time football followed rugby with video technology, because it’s just so wrong that France are going to the World Cup after a moment like that.
I wonder how Thierry Henry feels knowing everyone is now calling him a cheat?
I feel absolutely gutted for the Irish, I really do.
Source: southwalesargus.co.uk
SO much is going on in the world of boxing at the moment. There are so many talking points, it is going to be difficult to fit everything into this column, so I had better crack on!
Firstly, I would like to wish a massive thanks to everyone who is coming to our show in Newport tonight, I am looking forward to it and hopefully people will enjoy it and be entertained.
I can’t wait to see Tony Doherty step back into the ring, he’s worked unbelievably hard to get back into shape and with the talent that he has, he is still young enough and capable enough to reach the top of the tree.
There is also so much Welsh talent on the undercard with Hari Miles, trained by my dad Enzo, starting to look like the real deal and leading the charge.
Two of Gary Lockett’s fighters, Ryan and Jeff Evans, are said to be top prospects as well and I often hear good things about the St Joseph’s stable, with two of their fighters, Justyn Hugh and Lee Churcher, also in action.
One fighter who isn’t on the bill is former world champion Gavin Rees, but we’re all pleased for ‘The Rock’ that he isn’t because he’s preparing to be on the next Prizefighter show.
Gavin is a world class fighter who has been starved of exposure since losing his title.
Obviously it’s a tough time for boxing with a lack of television interest, so it’s great that Gavin has a chance to make a name for himself all over again.
He is training fantastically well and I think that the format suits him because of his relentless style of boxing.
It’s going to be very hard for anyway to outwork Gavin over three rounds, or to land more punches, and I think that he has proved in his career that he has a good chin. In my opinion it all bodes well for him.
I haven’t had an opportunity yet to speak about either of the super fights that took place recently – David Haye against Nikolai Valuev and Manny Pacquiao’s clash with Miguel Cotto.
Let’s not pretend that Haye versus Valuev was a good fight because it wasn’t. It was a dour fight with very little action to speak of.
However, I don’t think you can really blame Haye for that. Valuev is absolutely awful, a poor fighter and a very poor champion.
Haye had a game plan and, I have to admit, watching it on television I felt it was too big a risk to throw so few shots, because as I know from experience, you don’t really want to leave it up to the judges in Germany.
However, I do think he won the fight and all credit to him, it’s an absolutely brilliant achievement for Haye and for British boxing in general, it does the world of good.
Not only that, but the whole heavyweight division will improve now and hats off to Haye for picking John Ruiz as his first opponent, the guy is made for his style and he’ll knock him out pretty convincingly.
Obviously then Haye will go after one of the Klitschko brothers and that’s a different story, because they are huge guys who can fight. But David has every chance.
Pacquiao’s fight on the other hand, was absolutely stunning to watch. Having seen Cotto live before, the fight went as I thought it would, because Cotto is prone to being caught too often and Manny is just so relentless.
I am so impressed with him, he just gets better and better and now I think it’s tough to say whether it’s Manny or Floyd Mayweather is the pound-for-pound king.
Surely, Mayweather is going to take the fight? It’s the one everyone wants to see in 2010 and if Mayweather doesn’t fight him because of money issues, he should just retire.
Unless he’s going to fight the best, why bother?
Speaking of the best, there is no doubt which boxing clip has been played most this week, my old mate Paul Samuels, now a YouTube sensation!
If you haven’t seen the story in the Argus, Paul was involved in a double knockdown last week and after winning the fight, is back in the news because of the amazing footage.
I am delighted for Paul, he’s at a journeyman stage in his career now, but hopefully, that exposure might see him get a couple of good paydays in the near future.
If that’s the best sporting action of the week, there is not doubt what the worst was, the miscarriage of justice in the France v Republic of Ireland game.
I can’t believe Ireland are going to miss out on the World Cup because of blatant cheating, it is appalling and doesn’t seem right.
Surely it’s time football followed rugby with video technology, because it’s just so wrong that France are going to the World Cup after a moment like that.
I wonder how Thierry Henry feels knowing everyone is now calling him a cheat?
I feel absolutely gutted for the Irish, I really do.
Source: southwalesargus.co.uk
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