ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- An orthopedic surgeon is claiming that 7-time world champ Manny Pacquiao can smash his way through Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s “shoulder roll” defense with his power punches.
In fact, boxing and martial arts enthusiast Dr. Art Lee said, Pacquiao could even “disarticulate” or disjoint Mayweather’s shoulder roll at 147 pounds.
"Pacquiao can break that defense and his power shots can disarticulate Mayweather's infamous shoulder-rolling defense," said Lee in a report by the MaharlikanTimes.com.
Mayweather, who remains unbeaten in 40 fights because of his exceptional defense, heavily relies on his shoulder rolls to repel punches during fights.
The shoulder roll defense involves dropping one’s front arm to protect the body while keeping the chin protected by the shoulder, which will be used to ward off the incoming punches to the head.
Lee, however, said that this might not work against Pacquiao, who agreed to fight Mayweather at 147-pounds.
"Pacquiao should be much stronger and devastating at the pre-fight weight of 147 than he was at a catch-weight of 145," said Lee.
And a stronger Pacquiao means bad news to Mayweather’s shoulder.
Pacquiao, who recently won a seventh title from Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, has already compiled 50 wins against 3 losses and 2 draws. His 38-knockout record speaks much about his punching power.
"I believe he is too powerful, too fast and too sleek for Mayweather, Jr. at this stage of his improvement," said Lee.
Pacquiao-Mayweather is seen as a battle between two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world today.
Although the fight has yet to be announced, promoters are looking at a March 13, 2010 fight date. The fight purse is reportedly $50 million up front, at a US venue yet to be decided.
Source: abs-cbnnews.com
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Boxing review of 2009 -- Sky Sports
Rob Lancaster, Sky Sports
A year can certainly be a long time in boxing.
Back in December 2008, Floyd Mayweather was enjoying his retirement, Ricky Hatton was still hoping to be the pound-for-pound king and Amir Khan was facing a make-or-break year after his shock loss to Breidis Prescott.
Fast forward 12 months and Mayweather is back in the ring and set for the mother of all showdowns with Pac-Man, who hammered the poor Hitman.
Khan came through his acid test to become a world champion, while David Haye also got his hands on a major belt after overcoming the odds.
The future also looks bright on the home front, with the likes of Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchell, Rendall Munroe and Nathan Cleverly seemingly set to take the next step in 2010.
The past 12 months have once again provided plenty of highlights. Check out skysports.com's highs and lows of 2009 and share your thoughts on the past year using the feedback box below...
Fighter of the Year - Manny Pacquiao
What more can you say about the Filipino sensation? Having sent Oscar de la Hoya into retirement in 2008, Pacquiao has recorded victories over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Angel Cotto in the past 12 months. It seems to be a case of the bigger they come the harder they fall against Pac-Man, who became a champion at two more weights. The Hitman simply ended up getting hit, Pacquiao needing less than two rounds to KO the Brit, while Cotto was given a heavy beating before the fight was stopped. His blurring hand speed and high work rate has made him a modern-day legend of the sport and the only way his stock can rise any higher is by putting a first loss on Floyd Mayweather's unblemished record.
British Fighter of the Year - David Haye
Just as in the Bible, David managed to topple Goliath, albeit with a carefully thought-out plan rather than a slingshot of furious blows. Having missed out on the chance to fight Wladimir Klitschko due to injury, Haye turned his attentions to Nikolai Valuev, a 7ft Russian affectionately known as the 'Beast'. Many thought the size of the task was too much for the Londoner, who had spent almost his entire pro career at cruiserweight. But, following the wise words of trainer Adam Booth to the letter, Haye kept out of range of his giant opponent. At one point it looked like he might even stop the cumbersome Valuev in the last before settling for a points success that made him Britain's newest heavyweight champion of the world.
Fight of the Year - Rogan v Sexton I & II
Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton treated us to not one but two domestic classics in 2009. On both occasions it was Sexton who came out on top, though not before he had been pushed all the way by the cabbie from Belfast. Rogan went into the first bout as the Commonwealth champion and had the contender in trouble early on, only for some reason to let him off the hook rather than finish the job. He paid the price as Sexton recovered and eventually won in the eighth with the Irishman unable to see out of his left eye. The second bout saw Rogan hurt again, this time a nasty cut from an accidental clash of heads hampering his attempts to win back the belt. He was pulled out of the bout by the sixth after running out of steam.
Rising Star(s) - Kell Brook/Andre Ward
With an unbeaten 20-fight record at the age of 23, Brook seems to have the world at his feet. The latest boxing prodigy to emerge from Sheffield, the welterweight was named as Young British Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writer's Club. Only injury hampered his progress in 2009, with his fight with Michael Jennings delayed. Brook will hope to make up for lost time when the two meet in February at Wembley Arena.
On the other side of the pond, Andre Ward went from national secret to internatonal star when he handed Mikkel Kessler just a second loss. The 25-year-old enjoyed a stellar amateur career - at one stage going unbeaten for six years - and looks set to translate that success as a pro. He's won all 21 of his contests so far and is seen as a serious contender to win the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a round-robin event for some of the world's best super-middleweights. Kessler will certainly vouch for the American's skills after losing on points in November.
KO of the year - Hatton laid out
If it does happen to be his last fight, a second-round KO at the hands of Pacquiao is hardly a fitting finale to Ricky Hatton's fine career. Returning to the scene of his only other defeat, the Mancunian was sensationally flattened by Pac-Man, laid out on the canvas at the MGM Grand Casino having felt the full force of a left hand which left him seeing stars. The measure of the impact had family and friends at ringside fearing for his health, let alone his boxing future. The dramatic finish left the Hitman pondering whether the time was right to call it quits. He still hasn't made up his mind yet.
Trainer of the year - Freddie Roach
For the second successive year Roach gets the honour, no real surprise considering the continued success of his fighters. Pacquiao is the star name in his stable but the American has also worked wonders with Amir Khan since the Brit's decision to become a member of the Wildcard Gym. Khan arrived with mental and technical issues following his stunning loss to Breidis Prescott. In the four fights since he started working with the 49-year-old, the Bolton boxer has managed to beat a ring legend in Marco Antonio Barrera and then become a world champion who defended his title in just 76 seconds.
Comeback of the Year - Floyd Mayweather Jnr
Pretty Boy will make no bones about the reason he returned to the ring - money. Mayweather Jnr ended a 21-month retirement from the sport this year to dismantle Juan Manuel Marquez over 12 rounds in Las Vegas. Many thought the lengthy lay-off and the calibre of his opponent would cause the former Olympic bronze medalist problems. Instead, Mayweather simply toyed with his Mexican rival, showing he had lost none of his skills in his time away. Next up is a mega fight with Pacquiao, one he is adamant he will win. Love him or loathe him, boxing is definitely better off with Mayweather in it.
Shock decision of the year - Fury for McDermott
It seems there were only two people who thought Tyson Fury had done enough to get the decision, and the English heavyweight title, from John McDermott - Tyson himself and referee Terry O'Connor. Those watching at ringside or live on Sky Sports must have believed the much-hyped Fury was about to suffer his first professional defeat when the final bell sounded. Instead official O'Connor not only gave him the verdict but scored it 98-92, making Fury the winner by six rounds. McDermott stated afterwards, "I'm a nice man. What did I do wrong?". It wasn't the first time he has suffered either, having been robbed of a win in his first bout with Danny Williams in 2008.
Gone but not forgotten
Arturo Gatti - Italan born but raised in Canada, 'Thunder' will always be remembered for his trilogy against Mickey Ward. An old-fashioned brawler, Gatti was loved by the crowds but lacked the defensive skills required to mix it with the very best. After a TKO loss in 2007 to Alfonso Gomez he retired in the dressing room having won 40 of his 49 fights. On July 11, 2009 Gatti was found dead in a hotel in Brazil.
Vernon Forrest - Forrest enjoyed a successful amateur and pro career, the highlight of which was a pair of wins over Shane Mosley. He was a world champion at welter and light-middleweight and having made his debut in 1992, didn't suffer his first loss until being stopped inside three rounds by Ricardo Mayorga 11 years later. After being beaten in the re-match, 'The Viper' took a break from the sport but returned to rule the world again, his last fight seeing him regain the WBC light-middleweight title. Tragically, at the age of 38, Forrest was shot dead after being robbed at gunpoint at a gas station.
Darren Sutherland - The Irishman seemed destined for a successful career as a professional having done so well as an amateur, including two gold medals at the EU Championships and a bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where he lost to eventual winner James DeGale in the semi-finals. He was unbeaten after four pro fights - all won by KO - and was seen as a boxer with real potential. It came as a huge shock then when Sutherland was found dead in his flat in Bromley by his promoter Frank Maloney.
Ricky Hatton? The Hitman says he's getting the itch back, but will we really see him in the ring again? Having stepped up his work as a promoter since his second-round loss to Pacquiao, Hatton seemed to have donned the gloves for the last time. But, while his weight may have risen since, so too has the desire for at least one more fight, meaning one of the biggest names in the sport over the past decade could be set to return in 2010.
Source: skysports.com
A year can certainly be a long time in boxing.
Back in December 2008, Floyd Mayweather was enjoying his retirement, Ricky Hatton was still hoping to be the pound-for-pound king and Amir Khan was facing a make-or-break year after his shock loss to Breidis Prescott.
Fast forward 12 months and Mayweather is back in the ring and set for the mother of all showdowns with Pac-Man, who hammered the poor Hitman.
Khan came through his acid test to become a world champion, while David Haye also got his hands on a major belt after overcoming the odds.
The future also looks bright on the home front, with the likes of Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchell, Rendall Munroe and Nathan Cleverly seemingly set to take the next step in 2010.
The past 12 months have once again provided plenty of highlights. Check out skysports.com's highs and lows of 2009 and share your thoughts on the past year using the feedback box below...
Fighter of the Year - Manny Pacquiao
What more can you say about the Filipino sensation? Having sent Oscar de la Hoya into retirement in 2008, Pacquiao has recorded victories over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Angel Cotto in the past 12 months. It seems to be a case of the bigger they come the harder they fall against Pac-Man, who became a champion at two more weights. The Hitman simply ended up getting hit, Pacquiao needing less than two rounds to KO the Brit, while Cotto was given a heavy beating before the fight was stopped. His blurring hand speed and high work rate has made him a modern-day legend of the sport and the only way his stock can rise any higher is by putting a first loss on Floyd Mayweather's unblemished record.
British Fighter of the Year - David Haye
Just as in the Bible, David managed to topple Goliath, albeit with a carefully thought-out plan rather than a slingshot of furious blows. Having missed out on the chance to fight Wladimir Klitschko due to injury, Haye turned his attentions to Nikolai Valuev, a 7ft Russian affectionately known as the 'Beast'. Many thought the size of the task was too much for the Londoner, who had spent almost his entire pro career at cruiserweight. But, following the wise words of trainer Adam Booth to the letter, Haye kept out of range of his giant opponent. At one point it looked like he might even stop the cumbersome Valuev in the last before settling for a points success that made him Britain's newest heavyweight champion of the world.
Fight of the Year - Rogan v Sexton I & II
Martin Rogan and Sam Sexton treated us to not one but two domestic classics in 2009. On both occasions it was Sexton who came out on top, though not before he had been pushed all the way by the cabbie from Belfast. Rogan went into the first bout as the Commonwealth champion and had the contender in trouble early on, only for some reason to let him off the hook rather than finish the job. He paid the price as Sexton recovered and eventually won in the eighth with the Irishman unable to see out of his left eye. The second bout saw Rogan hurt again, this time a nasty cut from an accidental clash of heads hampering his attempts to win back the belt. He was pulled out of the bout by the sixth after running out of steam.
Rising Star(s) - Kell Brook/Andre Ward
With an unbeaten 20-fight record at the age of 23, Brook seems to have the world at his feet. The latest boxing prodigy to emerge from Sheffield, the welterweight was named as Young British Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writer's Club. Only injury hampered his progress in 2009, with his fight with Michael Jennings delayed. Brook will hope to make up for lost time when the two meet in February at Wembley Arena.
On the other side of the pond, Andre Ward went from national secret to internatonal star when he handed Mikkel Kessler just a second loss. The 25-year-old enjoyed a stellar amateur career - at one stage going unbeaten for six years - and looks set to translate that success as a pro. He's won all 21 of his contests so far and is seen as a serious contender to win the Super Six World Boxing Classic, a round-robin event for some of the world's best super-middleweights. Kessler will certainly vouch for the American's skills after losing on points in November.
KO of the year - Hatton laid out
If it does happen to be his last fight, a second-round KO at the hands of Pacquiao is hardly a fitting finale to Ricky Hatton's fine career. Returning to the scene of his only other defeat, the Mancunian was sensationally flattened by Pac-Man, laid out on the canvas at the MGM Grand Casino having felt the full force of a left hand which left him seeing stars. The measure of the impact had family and friends at ringside fearing for his health, let alone his boxing future. The dramatic finish left the Hitman pondering whether the time was right to call it quits. He still hasn't made up his mind yet.
Trainer of the year - Freddie Roach
For the second successive year Roach gets the honour, no real surprise considering the continued success of his fighters. Pacquiao is the star name in his stable but the American has also worked wonders with Amir Khan since the Brit's decision to become a member of the Wildcard Gym. Khan arrived with mental and technical issues following his stunning loss to Breidis Prescott. In the four fights since he started working with the 49-year-old, the Bolton boxer has managed to beat a ring legend in Marco Antonio Barrera and then become a world champion who defended his title in just 76 seconds.
Comeback of the Year - Floyd Mayweather Jnr
Pretty Boy will make no bones about the reason he returned to the ring - money. Mayweather Jnr ended a 21-month retirement from the sport this year to dismantle Juan Manuel Marquez over 12 rounds in Las Vegas. Many thought the lengthy lay-off and the calibre of his opponent would cause the former Olympic bronze medalist problems. Instead, Mayweather simply toyed with his Mexican rival, showing he had lost none of his skills in his time away. Next up is a mega fight with Pacquiao, one he is adamant he will win. Love him or loathe him, boxing is definitely better off with Mayweather in it.
Shock decision of the year - Fury for McDermott
It seems there were only two people who thought Tyson Fury had done enough to get the decision, and the English heavyweight title, from John McDermott - Tyson himself and referee Terry O'Connor. Those watching at ringside or live on Sky Sports must have believed the much-hyped Fury was about to suffer his first professional defeat when the final bell sounded. Instead official O'Connor not only gave him the verdict but scored it 98-92, making Fury the winner by six rounds. McDermott stated afterwards, "I'm a nice man. What did I do wrong?". It wasn't the first time he has suffered either, having been robbed of a win in his first bout with Danny Williams in 2008.
Gone but not forgotten
Arturo Gatti - Italan born but raised in Canada, 'Thunder' will always be remembered for his trilogy against Mickey Ward. An old-fashioned brawler, Gatti was loved by the crowds but lacked the defensive skills required to mix it with the very best. After a TKO loss in 2007 to Alfonso Gomez he retired in the dressing room having won 40 of his 49 fights. On July 11, 2009 Gatti was found dead in a hotel in Brazil.
Vernon Forrest - Forrest enjoyed a successful amateur and pro career, the highlight of which was a pair of wins over Shane Mosley. He was a world champion at welter and light-middleweight and having made his debut in 1992, didn't suffer his first loss until being stopped inside three rounds by Ricardo Mayorga 11 years later. After being beaten in the re-match, 'The Viper' took a break from the sport but returned to rule the world again, his last fight seeing him regain the WBC light-middleweight title. Tragically, at the age of 38, Forrest was shot dead after being robbed at gunpoint at a gas station.
Darren Sutherland - The Irishman seemed destined for a successful career as a professional having done so well as an amateur, including two gold medals at the EU Championships and a bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where he lost to eventual winner James DeGale in the semi-finals. He was unbeaten after four pro fights - all won by KO - and was seen as a boxer with real potential. It came as a huge shock then when Sutherland was found dead in his flat in Bromley by his promoter Frank Maloney.
Ricky Hatton? The Hitman says he's getting the itch back, but will we really see him in the ring again? Having stepped up his work as a promoter since his second-round loss to Pacquiao, Hatton seemed to have donned the gloves for the last time. But, while his weight may have risen since, so too has the desire for at least one more fight, meaning one of the biggest names in the sport over the past decade could be set to return in 2010.
Source: skysports.com
Joe Gallagher's 2009 review -- Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
SPARE a thought for me on Christmas Day. While you are tucking into your turkey I'll be down the gym.
Last year it was John Murray having his festivities interrupted by fight preparation and this year it's his brother, Joe, who is back in action in February.
It certainly proved worth the sacrifice for John, who's had an outstanding year, ending with that stunning British title victory against Jon Thaxton, which has now earned him a European title shot against Anthony Mezaache in 2010.
And I hope it will have the same effect on kid brother, Joe, who is one of my tips for the coming 12 months. I'm sure he will end it with a title.
That's for next year - but what about 2009?
We've seen David Haye, Carl Froch and Amir Khan all become world champions, while Manchester's favourite, Ricky Hatton, lost his title in incredible fashion against Manny Pacquiao and Junior Witter also saw his reign as world champion end.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Undoubtedly Manny Pacquiao. He was awesome against Hatton and outstanding against Miguel Cotto.
HIGHLIGHTS
Matthew Macklin destroying Amin Asikainen to win the European middleweight title.
Amir Khan's victory over Andriy Kotelnik was very impressive as well as he became WBA light- welterweight champion, while John Murray was stunning in reclaiming his British title against Thaxton.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Jamie Moore's defeat to Ryan Rhodes was a real blow. He could almost taste that world title shot and ended up losing on penalties. I am convinced he will come back stronger as a middleweight.
Matthew Hatton's draw with Lovemore N'Dou in their IBO welterweight title clash was a real let-down.
PREDICTIONS
I expect it to be a great year for our Olympians, Joe Murray, Frankie Gavin and Tony Jeffries, while I really like the look of Manchester's Karl Place.
Elsewhere I fancy John Murray, Macklin, Michael Jennings and Moore to make their names on the world stage.
But the big one is the return of Ricky Hatton. I fancy the Hitman to win another world title.
What do you think? Have your say.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
SPARE a thought for me on Christmas Day. While you are tucking into your turkey I'll be down the gym.
Last year it was John Murray having his festivities interrupted by fight preparation and this year it's his brother, Joe, who is back in action in February.
It certainly proved worth the sacrifice for John, who's had an outstanding year, ending with that stunning British title victory against Jon Thaxton, which has now earned him a European title shot against Anthony Mezaache in 2010.
And I hope it will have the same effect on kid brother, Joe, who is one of my tips for the coming 12 months. I'm sure he will end it with a title.
That's for next year - but what about 2009?
We've seen David Haye, Carl Froch and Amir Khan all become world champions, while Manchester's favourite, Ricky Hatton, lost his title in incredible fashion against Manny Pacquiao and Junior Witter also saw his reign as world champion end.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Undoubtedly Manny Pacquiao. He was awesome against Hatton and outstanding against Miguel Cotto.
HIGHLIGHTS
Matthew Macklin destroying Amin Asikainen to win the European middleweight title.
Amir Khan's victory over Andriy Kotelnik was very impressive as well as he became WBA light- welterweight champion, while John Murray was stunning in reclaiming his British title against Thaxton.
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Jamie Moore's defeat to Ryan Rhodes was a real blow. He could almost taste that world title shot and ended up losing on penalties. I am convinced he will come back stronger as a middleweight.
Matthew Hatton's draw with Lovemore N'Dou in their IBO welterweight title clash was a real let-down.
PREDICTIONS
I expect it to be a great year for our Olympians, Joe Murray, Frankie Gavin and Tony Jeffries, while I really like the look of Manchester's Karl Place.
Elsewhere I fancy John Murray, Macklin, Michael Jennings and Moore to make their names on the world stage.
But the big one is the return of Ricky Hatton. I fancy the Hitman to win another world title.
What do you think? Have your say.
Source: manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Pacquiao: I had a talk with God -- Philippine Daily Inquirer
By Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—This is something that the Mexicans Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera, the American Oscar De La Hoya, the Briton Ricky Hatton and the Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto—proud warriors who have fallen before Manny Pacquiao’s fists—could not have prepared or trained for.
For the first time, the Philippines’ most famous athlete and the world’s pound-for-pound boxing king has revealed the secret of his success: He had a conversation with God who promised him “strength and power.”
“In my 31 years here on earth, God appeared to me once and told me to have unconditional faith in Him,” the seven-time ring champion said in the vernacular before 1,500 guests during his birthday bash on Thursday night at the KCC Convention Center here.
“That is true,” Pacquiao—named “Boxer of the Decade” by Reuters news agency Monday—quickly added after the audience burst with applause.
“I was not yet very popular and world champion when our God appeared to me and assured me of strength and power,” he said.
Pacquiao gave no hint about where or when the apparition occurred.
Like a politician
As Pacquiao spoke, the audience sat quietly. Their excitement picked up when he told them of the secret behind his ring exploits.
He said: “This is the first time I reveal this ... although I was asked many times what are the secrets that made me very popular and world champion.”
Sounding more like a politician than a prizefighter who lets his fists do the talking for him, Pacquiao asked the crowd: “Would you like to know where I get my strength and power?”
The crowd yelled, “Yes,” then fell silent to catch every word he was saying.
He said God told him: “Just trust me, I will not leave you, I will not abandon you.”
Win or lose
Every time Pacquiao said that he drew his strength from God, the audience responded by saying, “Amen.”
He said this was why in every fight he fought, he would kneel and pray in his corner—to seek Divine Guidance.
“Win or lose, I will pray at the corner to thank God for all the blessings” he said.
“What about you, did you count your blessings?” he asked the crowd. “Remember to thank God for all that He has done. He will give you your needs.”
With the help of his catering partner, Pacquiao fed some 2,000 street children while holding a concert at the mall. He performed with singer-composer Lito Camo, entertaining his local and international guests.
In an expression of gratitude, he also held raffle draws, the smallest prize being grocery items and the grand prize a car.
Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, said she was very proud of her son, noting that, despite his worldwide fame and the fortune he had earned in boxing, he “still remembers God as his creator, protector and inspiration.”
Dionisia does her number
“My son is very humble, he was like that while he was young, I am very proud of you, Manny,” Dionisia told her son.
“Thank you, ma,” he responded.
Dionisia performed a dance number despite what she said were her aching feet as a result of wearing high-heeled shoes.
Pacquiao said he had other secrets that helped bring him to where he was and this would be read in a book he was writing, which would be released once he retires.
Another accolade
As if the honors he has reaped were not enough, Pacquiao Monday won another title: Reuters named him Boxer of the Decade.
The accolade might have had Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s name written all over it after he stepped out of the ring at the end of 2007 with a 40-0 record and five titles in five different weight classes.
Instead, it went to the Filipino southpaw so popular that he is now running for the congressional seat of Sarangani province in Mindanao in the May elections—under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.
Two Mannys
Sen. Manny Villar, NP standard-bearer, on Monday said the entry of Pacquiao into the party emphasized its campaign slant that focuses on success through hard work.
“We have very similar backgrounds,” Villar said.
“We both struggled and succeeded... This is the start of a long partnership,” Villar said at a political party meeting held in Mandaluyong City. With reports from Cathy Yamsuan and Reuters
Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
GENERAL SANTOS CITY—This is something that the Mexicans Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera, the American Oscar De La Hoya, the Briton Ricky Hatton and the Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto—proud warriors who have fallen before Manny Pacquiao’s fists—could not have prepared or trained for.
For the first time, the Philippines’ most famous athlete and the world’s pound-for-pound boxing king has revealed the secret of his success: He had a conversation with God who promised him “strength and power.”
“In my 31 years here on earth, God appeared to me once and told me to have unconditional faith in Him,” the seven-time ring champion said in the vernacular before 1,500 guests during his birthday bash on Thursday night at the KCC Convention Center here.
“That is true,” Pacquiao—named “Boxer of the Decade” by Reuters news agency Monday—quickly added after the audience burst with applause.
“I was not yet very popular and world champion when our God appeared to me and assured me of strength and power,” he said.
Pacquiao gave no hint about where or when the apparition occurred.
Like a politician
As Pacquiao spoke, the audience sat quietly. Their excitement picked up when he told them of the secret behind his ring exploits.
He said: “This is the first time I reveal this ... although I was asked many times what are the secrets that made me very popular and world champion.”
Sounding more like a politician than a prizefighter who lets his fists do the talking for him, Pacquiao asked the crowd: “Would you like to know where I get my strength and power?”
The crowd yelled, “Yes,” then fell silent to catch every word he was saying.
He said God told him: “Just trust me, I will not leave you, I will not abandon you.”
Win or lose
Every time Pacquiao said that he drew his strength from God, the audience responded by saying, “Amen.”
He said this was why in every fight he fought, he would kneel and pray in his corner—to seek Divine Guidance.
“Win or lose, I will pray at the corner to thank God for all the blessings” he said.
“What about you, did you count your blessings?” he asked the crowd. “Remember to thank God for all that He has done. He will give you your needs.”
With the help of his catering partner, Pacquiao fed some 2,000 street children while holding a concert at the mall. He performed with singer-composer Lito Camo, entertaining his local and international guests.
In an expression of gratitude, he also held raffle draws, the smallest prize being grocery items and the grand prize a car.
Dionisia, Pacquiao’s mother, said she was very proud of her son, noting that, despite his worldwide fame and the fortune he had earned in boxing, he “still remembers God as his creator, protector and inspiration.”
Dionisia does her number
“My son is very humble, he was like that while he was young, I am very proud of you, Manny,” Dionisia told her son.
“Thank you, ma,” he responded.
Dionisia performed a dance number despite what she said were her aching feet as a result of wearing high-heeled shoes.
Pacquiao said he had other secrets that helped bring him to where he was and this would be read in a book he was writing, which would be released once he retires.
Another accolade
As if the honors he has reaped were not enough, Pacquiao Monday won another title: Reuters named him Boxer of the Decade.
The accolade might have had Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s name written all over it after he stepped out of the ring at the end of 2007 with a 40-0 record and five titles in five different weight classes.
Instead, it went to the Filipino southpaw so popular that he is now running for the congressional seat of Sarangani province in Mindanao in the May elections—under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.
Two Mannys
Sen. Manny Villar, NP standard-bearer, on Monday said the entry of Pacquiao into the party emphasized its campaign slant that focuses on success through hard work.
“We have very similar backgrounds,” Villar said.
“We both struggled and succeeded... This is the start of a long partnership,” Villar said at a political party meeting held in Mandaluyong City. With reports from Cathy Yamsuan and Reuters
Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net
De La Hoya: Deal not signed yet -- ESPN.com
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
The deal is not done yet, but the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. welterweight title fight likely will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya told ESPN.com on Monday.
"It looks like it," said De La Hoya, whose company is promoting Mayweather for the fight, of the MGM hosting the much-anticipated March 13 showdown between boxing's top two fighters. "There is no other place you really want to do a big event. It has to be in Las Vegas. But there is nothing 100 percent yet. A done deal is a signed deal and there is no signed deal."
Various media reports over the weekend cited unnamed sources saying that a deal had been finalized for the March 13 HBO PPV fight to take place at the MGM Grand.
Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather's advisers, also told ESPN.com that the MGM Grand was likely but that "talks are ongoing. We haven't signed anything. We don't have a deal yet."
Richard Sturm, who is negotiating the deal as president of entertainment and sports for MGM Mirage, said through a spokesman, "It is not an appropriate time to comment."
Since a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather first became a serious possibility, the MGM Grand was considered the frontrunner. Its Grand Garden Arena has played host to boxing's biggest Las Vegas fights for more than a decade. Pacquiao and Mayweather have both fought there several times, including in their most recent fights.
Also, Golden Boy and Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoter, both have close ties to the casino.
There has been worldwide interest in hosting the fight from venues in such places as Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Atlanta, Miami, Dubai and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, for instance, offered a $25 million site fee -- the biggest in boxing history -- to host the fight at the new 100,000-seat Cowboys Stadium.
However, the promoters and fighters apparently believe they can generate more money by going to the MGM Grand, which seats only about 17,000, and scaling the ticket prices to produce a record gate of more than $20 million in addition to selling roughly 40,000 closed circuit seats in the city for $100 apiece.
Many believe that wherever the fight takes place, it will break the all-time pay-per-view record of 2.44 million buys set by De La Hoya's 2007 fight with Mayweather, which was at the MGM Grand. That fight also holds the record for biggest gate, generating $18,419,200 from a paid attendance of 17,078.
"We really appreciate Jones' interest in such a mega fight," De La Hoya said about the Dallas offer. "There was interest all over the world. It looks very bright for Mayweather-Pacquiao to possibly be able to break the records that I hold with Mayweather. If we do it right, Golden Boy and Top Rank, we can really shatter the existing record by hundreds or thousands of pay-per-views. It's really exciting."
Official announcement of the fight is expected any day with kickoff news conferences being planned for the first week of January.
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
The deal is not done yet, but the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. welterweight title fight likely will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya told ESPN.com on Monday.
"It looks like it," said De La Hoya, whose company is promoting Mayweather for the fight, of the MGM hosting the much-anticipated March 13 showdown between boxing's top two fighters. "There is no other place you really want to do a big event. It has to be in Las Vegas. But there is nothing 100 percent yet. A done deal is a signed deal and there is no signed deal."
Various media reports over the weekend cited unnamed sources saying that a deal had been finalized for the March 13 HBO PPV fight to take place at the MGM Grand.
Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather's advisers, also told ESPN.com that the MGM Grand was likely but that "talks are ongoing. We haven't signed anything. We don't have a deal yet."
Richard Sturm, who is negotiating the deal as president of entertainment and sports for MGM Mirage, said through a spokesman, "It is not an appropriate time to comment."
Since a fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather first became a serious possibility, the MGM Grand was considered the frontrunner. Its Grand Garden Arena has played host to boxing's biggest Las Vegas fights for more than a decade. Pacquiao and Mayweather have both fought there several times, including in their most recent fights.
Also, Golden Boy and Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoter, both have close ties to the casino.
There has been worldwide interest in hosting the fight from venues in such places as Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Atlanta, Miami, Dubai and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, for instance, offered a $25 million site fee -- the biggest in boxing history -- to host the fight at the new 100,000-seat Cowboys Stadium.
However, the promoters and fighters apparently believe they can generate more money by going to the MGM Grand, which seats only about 17,000, and scaling the ticket prices to produce a record gate of more than $20 million in addition to selling roughly 40,000 closed circuit seats in the city for $100 apiece.
Many believe that wherever the fight takes place, it will break the all-time pay-per-view record of 2.44 million buys set by De La Hoya's 2007 fight with Mayweather, which was at the MGM Grand. That fight also holds the record for biggest gate, generating $18,419,200 from a paid attendance of 17,078.
"We really appreciate Jones' interest in such a mega fight," De La Hoya said about the Dallas offer. "There was interest all over the world. It looks very bright for Mayweather-Pacquiao to possibly be able to break the records that I hold with Mayweather. If we do it right, Golden Boy and Top Rank, we can really shatter the existing record by hundreds or thousands of pay-per-views. It's really exciting."
Official announcement of the fight is expected any day with kickoff news conferences being planned for the first week of January.
Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
Pacquiao’s trainer sued by friend of boxer -- Los Angeles Wave
Los Angeles Wave
A friend of Manny Pacquiao, who is suing the boxer’s trainer/coach for allegedly punching him from behind, wants a judge to keep out any evidence during trial of any alleged infidelity by the plaintiff.
Gregorio Asuncion along with his wife, Allyson, sued Freddie Roach and his Wild Card Gym Boxing Club in Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2008.
The suit’s allegations include assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability and loss of consortium.
Roach — denying Asuncion’s claim that he hit him in the back of the neck — maintains in his deposition that he put his hands “softly” on the plaintiff’s shoulders, calling it a “friendly gesture.”
A final status conference is set for Jan. 6, when Judge Kenneth Freeman is scheduled to hear several pretrial motions. Among them is a bid by Asuncion’s lawyer, Robert H. McNeill, to keep out any allegations that his client broke any of his marital vows.
“Specifically, [the Asuncions] anticipate that [Roach] will attempt to introduce evidence that ... Asuncion was involved in an extramarital affair and engaged in sexual relations with a prostitute at a motel in Hollywood,” McNeill’s court papers state.
During a deposition last August, Asuncion denied being unfaithful to his wife, according to McNeill’s court papers. In any event, McNeill argues, the allegations are not relevant to Asuncion’s case, which deals with an alleged assault.
But Roach’s lawyers maintain the subject is fair game and that they should be allowed to present related evidence to a jury. They say it is relevant to the Asuncions’ claim that their sexual intimacy has decreased as a result of the alleged injury.
“Based on [Asuncion’s] loss of consortium claim ... the probative value of ... Asuncion’s extramarital affairs and sexual relations with prostitutes is very high and outweighs any prejudice to [the couple],” the Roach court papers state.
Both sides also are at odds over whether some witnesses should be able to testify that they believe Asuncion was faking his injuries.
Meanwhile, Roach’s lawyers want to bar evidence of any prior violent conduct by their client, saying it would be prejudicial to his case.
But McNeill wants the information about Roach’s alleged hotheaded past to be allowed. The lawyer’s court papers state that Roach admitted he paid money to settle a man’s claims that the trainer assaulted him at a Kinko’s store about five years ago.
McNeill also argues that another of his clients, writer Alex Pantinos Vidal, alleges in a separate lawsuit that Roach assaulted and battered him in Las Vegas in July 2008 and threatened to kill him if he wrote another story about the trainer.
The plaintiffs’ complaint alleges Gregorio Asuncion had just picked up Pacquiao and dropped him off at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood on Oct. 20, 2008, when Roach and a number of his associates “intentionally, willfully, wantonly and maliciously threatened to harm him.”
“Because of [Roach’s] skill as a boxer and his occupation as a boxing trainer, a reasonable person in [Asuncion’s] situation would have been offended by the threat of violence by Roach,” the complaint states.
Roach allegedly asked the 52-year-old Asuncion to get out of the gym because he did not want too many people inside. When Asuncion was about to leave, Roach allegedly hit him at the back of the neck, causing him to fall face first on the floor.
Asuncion was treated at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital for a neck sprain and a contusion to the head, according to his court papers. He is known as “Sheriff” within Pacquiao’s circles because he has worked for more than 25 years with the Sheriff’s Department.
Source: wavenewspapers.com
A friend of Manny Pacquiao, who is suing the boxer’s trainer/coach for allegedly punching him from behind, wants a judge to keep out any evidence during trial of any alleged infidelity by the plaintiff.
Gregorio Asuncion along with his wife, Allyson, sued Freddie Roach and his Wild Card Gym Boxing Club in Los Angeles Superior Court in November 2008.
The suit’s allegations include assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, premises liability and loss of consortium.
Roach — denying Asuncion’s claim that he hit him in the back of the neck — maintains in his deposition that he put his hands “softly” on the plaintiff’s shoulders, calling it a “friendly gesture.”
A final status conference is set for Jan. 6, when Judge Kenneth Freeman is scheduled to hear several pretrial motions. Among them is a bid by Asuncion’s lawyer, Robert H. McNeill, to keep out any allegations that his client broke any of his marital vows.
“Specifically, [the Asuncions] anticipate that [Roach] will attempt to introduce evidence that ... Asuncion was involved in an extramarital affair and engaged in sexual relations with a prostitute at a motel in Hollywood,” McNeill’s court papers state.
During a deposition last August, Asuncion denied being unfaithful to his wife, according to McNeill’s court papers. In any event, McNeill argues, the allegations are not relevant to Asuncion’s case, which deals with an alleged assault.
But Roach’s lawyers maintain the subject is fair game and that they should be allowed to present related evidence to a jury. They say it is relevant to the Asuncions’ claim that their sexual intimacy has decreased as a result of the alleged injury.
“Based on [Asuncion’s] loss of consortium claim ... the probative value of ... Asuncion’s extramarital affairs and sexual relations with prostitutes is very high and outweighs any prejudice to [the couple],” the Roach court papers state.
Both sides also are at odds over whether some witnesses should be able to testify that they believe Asuncion was faking his injuries.
Meanwhile, Roach’s lawyers want to bar evidence of any prior violent conduct by their client, saying it would be prejudicial to his case.
But McNeill wants the information about Roach’s alleged hotheaded past to be allowed. The lawyer’s court papers state that Roach admitted he paid money to settle a man’s claims that the trainer assaulted him at a Kinko’s store about five years ago.
McNeill also argues that another of his clients, writer Alex Pantinos Vidal, alleges in a separate lawsuit that Roach assaulted and battered him in Las Vegas in July 2008 and threatened to kill him if he wrote another story about the trainer.
The plaintiffs’ complaint alleges Gregorio Asuncion had just picked up Pacquiao and dropped him off at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood on Oct. 20, 2008, when Roach and a number of his associates “intentionally, willfully, wantonly and maliciously threatened to harm him.”
“Because of [Roach’s] skill as a boxer and his occupation as a boxing trainer, a reasonable person in [Asuncion’s] situation would have been offended by the threat of violence by Roach,” the complaint states.
Roach allegedly asked the 52-year-old Asuncion to get out of the gym because he did not want too many people inside. When Asuncion was about to leave, Roach allegedly hit him at the back of the neck, causing him to fall face first on the floor.
Asuncion was treated at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital for a neck sprain and a contusion to the head, according to his court papers. He is known as “Sheriff” within Pacquiao’s circles because he has worked for more than 25 years with the Sheriff’s Department.
Source: wavenewspapers.com
Jimmie Johnson is no Manny Pacquiao -- BadLeftHook.com
Bad Left Hook
Today, it was announced that NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. It is the first time in the history of the award that a race car driver has walked away with the honor.
Johnson received 42 first place votes, followed in line by Roger Federer and Usain Bolt.
No offense to any of them. Federer is maybe the greatest men's tennis player of all time, and Bolt is unbelievable. Jimmie Johnson drives a car. I'm not saying there's no athletic prowess required. You have to be in shape (and in Johnson's case, he stays in great shape), have to do a lot of things I can't imagine doing with that much horsepower and that much speed. I don't have anything in the world against NASCAR.
But friends, from where I sit, Jimmie Johnson is no Manny Pacquiao, and for the Filipino boxing phenom to not even get any real recognition in this race is a bit of a travesty.
This is not about downplaying Johnson's stunning dominance in his field. He's already an all-time great, and he's so good at what he does that he, like Pacquiao, has crossed over into the mainstream.
But Manny Pacquiao has done so in a sport that the rubes, know-nothings, dolts and sportswriters insisted was dead. Insisted. It's not what it was because their paper doesn't cover it and ESPN couldn't care less.
Pacquiao sold about two million PPVs in two fights this year. He blew out the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world in two rounds, and he later dominated a terrific welterweight in Miguel Cotto. He became a celebrity. HBO's "24/7" cameras caught the likes of Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg going to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles just to watch the diminutive destroyer work out.
If boxing was really dead or dying, Manny Pacquiao started taking it off of life support last December. (Of course, if you've been here, you know how I feel about the moronic notion that the sport was ever in any danger of "dying.") When Pacquiao dismantled Oscar de la Hoya, a lot of people who didn't know anything about boxing past Oscar took notice.
Who the hell was this guy? So he fought Ricky Hatton, who had gained a lot of international fame in recent years, particularly for a 2007 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., his only loss. Pacquiao took Hatton apart in scintillating, thrilling, jaw-dropping fashion.
And then came Cotto. And there went Cotto.
Now, Pacquiao has people who a year ago probably couldn't have named four active boxers salivating over the idea of a fight with Mayweather, boxing's other drawing card, who returned in September with a win over Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny and Floyd will fight on March 13 in Las Vegas, and the fight is being discussed as a potential blockbuster the likes of which the sport has never seen.
Who else has done something like that? Manny Pacquiao has changed the course of his entire sport. I'm not saying he did it single-handed, because there are a lot of other great fighters in the world. But he's clearly the new flag bearer for the sweet science, which is in the middle of a long-deserved renaissance.
Federer, Bolt, Johnson, and so many others are phenomenal at what they do. But if I could pick one guy in the world of sports that has transcended said world of sport in 2009, it's Manny Pacquiao. Nothing to do with being a massive boxing fan, even; Manny Pacquiao deserved the award.
But all congratulations to #48, too. He earned it and then some. All in all, with four guys out there like Pacquiao, Johnson, Bolt and Federer (among others), it's a pretty nice time to be a sports fan, isn't it?
Source: badlefthook.com
Today, it was announced that NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson was voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year. It is the first time in the history of the award that a race car driver has walked away with the honor.
Johnson received 42 first place votes, followed in line by Roger Federer and Usain Bolt.
No offense to any of them. Federer is maybe the greatest men's tennis player of all time, and Bolt is unbelievable. Jimmie Johnson drives a car. I'm not saying there's no athletic prowess required. You have to be in shape (and in Johnson's case, he stays in great shape), have to do a lot of things I can't imagine doing with that much horsepower and that much speed. I don't have anything in the world against NASCAR.
But friends, from where I sit, Jimmie Johnson is no Manny Pacquiao, and for the Filipino boxing phenom to not even get any real recognition in this race is a bit of a travesty.
This is not about downplaying Johnson's stunning dominance in his field. He's already an all-time great, and he's so good at what he does that he, like Pacquiao, has crossed over into the mainstream.
But Manny Pacquiao has done so in a sport that the rubes, know-nothings, dolts and sportswriters insisted was dead. Insisted. It's not what it was because their paper doesn't cover it and ESPN couldn't care less.
Pacquiao sold about two million PPVs in two fights this year. He blew out the undisputed junior welterweight champion of the world in two rounds, and he later dominated a terrific welterweight in Miguel Cotto. He became a celebrity. HBO's "24/7" cameras caught the likes of Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg going to the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles just to watch the diminutive destroyer work out.
If boxing was really dead or dying, Manny Pacquiao started taking it off of life support last December. (Of course, if you've been here, you know how I feel about the moronic notion that the sport was ever in any danger of "dying.") When Pacquiao dismantled Oscar de la Hoya, a lot of people who didn't know anything about boxing past Oscar took notice.
Who the hell was this guy? So he fought Ricky Hatton, who had gained a lot of international fame in recent years, particularly for a 2007 fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr., his only loss. Pacquiao took Hatton apart in scintillating, thrilling, jaw-dropping fashion.
And then came Cotto. And there went Cotto.
Now, Pacquiao has people who a year ago probably couldn't have named four active boxers salivating over the idea of a fight with Mayweather, boxing's other drawing card, who returned in September with a win over Juan Manuel Marquez. Manny and Floyd will fight on March 13 in Las Vegas, and the fight is being discussed as a potential blockbuster the likes of which the sport has never seen.
Who else has done something like that? Manny Pacquiao has changed the course of his entire sport. I'm not saying he did it single-handed, because there are a lot of other great fighters in the world. But he's clearly the new flag bearer for the sweet science, which is in the middle of a long-deserved renaissance.
Federer, Bolt, Johnson, and so many others are phenomenal at what they do. But if I could pick one guy in the world of sports that has transcended said world of sport in 2009, it's Manny Pacquiao. Nothing to do with being a massive boxing fan, even; Manny Pacquiao deserved the award.
But all congratulations to #48, too. He earned it and then some. All in all, with four guys out there like Pacquiao, Johnson, Bolt and Federer (among others), it's a pretty nice time to be a sports fan, isn't it?
Source: badlefthook.com
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