By Paul Strauss, Eastside Boxing
In medicine, a partial definition of idiopathic means a pain arising from an obscure or unknown cause. Floyd certainly isn't unknown, but the reasons behind his actions are what present the conundrum. For many boxing fans, it gives pause. Why would someone who seemingly is so obsessed with his legacy do what he did to snafu the biggest fight of his career? Why would someone who espouses greatness take actions that alienate him with fans? One can assume that at this stage of his career, he has been acting, saying and doing things in a certain way for so long that it has apparently become reality or truth for him. His behavior is not unlike the pathological prevaricator who gets so caught up in the situation that he has created that he is forced to continue to distort, bluff, mislead, and employ puffery to avoid punishment..
Let's examine little Floyd's plans for his next fight. Be honest now, does anyone have any real expectations for any of the purposed matchups being a real test for him? Apparently he has no plans to fight the winner of the Mosley vs. Berto fight. The possibilities mentioned are Timothy Bradley, who is a very good fighter, but yet another small light hitter. Or, maybe Paulie Malignaggi might be the one. But, Paulie is yet another junior welter and a really light puncher. His only real claim to fame is having gone the distance with Miguel Cotto. And, don't forget he once had his hair cut in the ring. Nate Campbell's name has also been mentioned, and now there's talk of a matchup with Kermit Cintron!
Early propaganda from Oscar de la Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions is that Cintron will make a good opponent because he held a version of the welter weight title, and has had only two losses, both of which came against Antonio Margarito. Anyone who ever lost to Margarito is now saying it was because of loaded gloves, and Cintron's backers are no exception. However, a look back at those two fights reveal Cintron was broken down early with body shots, presumably long before any alleged substance had a chance to harden.
The truth is Cintron also deserved a loss against Sergio Martinez. He got more favors in that fight than a salesman attending the annual hardware convention. Kermit also came close to running out of gas against the extremely hittable Jesse Feliciano. His best fight was probably against Angulo. That was a fight in which he stayed with the game plan and out boxed the more inexperienced Angulo. But, that win should not in any way generate false hopes of him presenting a true challenge to little Floyd, and to try and pass it off as such is nothing more than a marketing ploy.
Fans wanted to see little Floyd matched with Pac Man, and since that won't happen in March, most fans would like to see him fight Shane Mosley, the odds on favorite in the fight with Berto later this month. If Berto can pull off an upset, then fans would like to see him in there with Floyd. If that won't do, then how about Paul Williams, who just came off with a tough win over Sergio Martinez in what turned out to be a great fight. Fans would love either match up, and Floyd would be facing legitimate threats from either Paul or Shane. Aganst Mosley he would be dealing with a complete fighter who has been great for a long time. Sugar Shane has excellent speed, power and skill. In Paul Williams, Floyd would be facing someone who would make him fight, and whose great reach and volume punching could give little Floyd problems. Plus, both Mosley and Williams are tough, and they're not likely to be intimated by Floyd or the big show. Floyd might beat them both, but at least the risk of defeat would be there.
In fairness to Oscar and Golden Boy Promotions, their hands are tied by Floyd. It's a good bet they would like to see the better matchup, but don't have a cooperative client in little Floyd with the idiopathic pain. Consequently, they have to do the best job of trying to convince a doubting public of the worthiness of lesser opponents, but it's a hard sell.
Floyd has always seemed very conscious of his legacy, and wants to stay undefeated and be known as one of the greatest of all time. That's why it seems odd that he continues to sabotage his goal. How is it he fails to realize that? Is it really that obscure or unknown to him? Everyone else knows about the often repeated allegations that he has dodged the best fighters around at any given time such as Mosley, Margarito, Cotto, and Williams. Everyone knows he's failed to take out opponents that he easily should have because it involved risk.
His latest actions in screwing up the fight with Manny and now refusing to make a realistic alternative matchup don't do his reputation any good, but he is apparently incapable of grasping that fact. The more time he spends protecting his "0", the less significance it has in the grand scheme of things.
Little Floyd could learn something from Shane. After Mosley's last minute knockout of Mayorga, he said, "I always go for the knockout, because that is what the fans want." In that fight, Mosley was way ahead on the score cards, but he still wanted to give the fans what they wanted, so he took the risk. True greatness involves risk, and that fact should no longer be unknown or obscure to Floyd.
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Saturday 16 January 2010
Possibility of Cintron facing Mayweather Jr. 'very great' -- Reading Eagle
By Don Stewart, Reading Eagle
It's still unclear whom Floyd Mayweather Jr. will face next, but an area fighter has received a serious endorsement.
"Kermit Cintron is a great choice," said former superstar and current promoter Oscar De La Hoya, whose company, Golden Boy Promotions, will handle Mayweather's March 13 fight.
De La Hoya's comments were made Thursday to Puerto Rican boxing writer Carlos Rosario.
Paulie Malignaggi and Nate Campbell are also believed to be top candidates, and De La Hoya stressed that the choice won't be his.
"It's Mayweather's team who will have to decide," De La Hoya said. "But the possibility (of Cintron as the opponent) is very great.
"Mayweather Jr. wants to fight one of the best welterweights in the world, and Cintron is considered as one of them. He's a natural welterweight, and now that he's learned to box more, he looks like a tough opponent for Mayweather Jr."
Cintron, a Wyomissing resident, is rated No. 3 at junior middleweight by Ring Magazine. He has stated repeatedly that he would drop back down to welterweight, where he won a belt in 2006, in order to land a lucrative fight.
The 5-11 Cintron (32-2-1, 28 KOs) is the largest opponent among those reportedly being considered by Mayweather. Malignaggi and Campbell are both junior welterweights.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has come under fire in recent years for facing smaller opponents. In September he ended a 21-month retirement by beating lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez.
Cintron's team jumped on De La Hoya's comments late Thursday night by issuing a press release lobbying for the fight.
"There is no bigger fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s talent than myself," Cintron said in a statement. "But the whole world wants to see Floyd fight a big, strong welterweight, and that's where I step in.
"Everyone knows I can punch, and Alfredo Angulo will tell you I can box, too. If Floyd wants to prove he's a legit welterweight, I'm the guy he needs to fight."
Cintron, 30, revitalized his career by outpointing the previously unbeaten Angulo in May.
"Oscar and Richard (Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy) know me very well, and they know I'm easy to deal with," said Lou DiBella, Cintron's promoter. "We can have a deal made in a hour if this is the direction Floyd wants to take."
Mayweather began looking for a new March 13 opponent after his proposed super bout with Manny Pacquiao fell apart last week. Pacquiao instead will fight Joshua Clottey on a competing pay-per-view card March 13 in Dallas.
•Notes: Reading's Jason Cintron (11-1), the younger brother of Kermit, will meet Maurice Chambers (7-9-1) in the main event Feb. 27 at the Allentown Rodeway Inn.
On the undercard, Reading heavyweight Travis Kauffman (18-1) will make his return against Bernard Brown (6-5-2); Reading welterweight Keenan Collins (12-5-2) will face Jorge Delgado (4-8); and Hawaii's Van Oscar Penovaroff (4-0-1) will take on Elliud Torres (2-1-2).
Reading's Julio Cesar Mathews (9-0) is also slated for the undercard.
The show will include five amateur bouts pitting Reading fighters against Allentown boxers.
Meanwhile, tickets for the May 29 boxing show at the Sovereign Center went on sale Friday. Kauffman will fight in the main event, possibly against former amateur rival Nicolai Firtha (17-7-1).
Contact Don Stewart: fighthack@gmail.com
Source: readingeagle.com
It's still unclear whom Floyd Mayweather Jr. will face next, but an area fighter has received a serious endorsement.
"Kermit Cintron is a great choice," said former superstar and current promoter Oscar De La Hoya, whose company, Golden Boy Promotions, will handle Mayweather's March 13 fight.
De La Hoya's comments were made Thursday to Puerto Rican boxing writer Carlos Rosario.
Paulie Malignaggi and Nate Campbell are also believed to be top candidates, and De La Hoya stressed that the choice won't be his.
"It's Mayweather's team who will have to decide," De La Hoya said. "But the possibility (of Cintron as the opponent) is very great.
"Mayweather Jr. wants to fight one of the best welterweights in the world, and Cintron is considered as one of them. He's a natural welterweight, and now that he's learned to box more, he looks like a tough opponent for Mayweather Jr."
Cintron, a Wyomissing resident, is rated No. 3 at junior middleweight by Ring Magazine. He has stated repeatedly that he would drop back down to welterweight, where he won a belt in 2006, in order to land a lucrative fight.
The 5-11 Cintron (32-2-1, 28 KOs) is the largest opponent among those reportedly being considered by Mayweather. Malignaggi and Campbell are both junior welterweights.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) has come under fire in recent years for facing smaller opponents. In September he ended a 21-month retirement by beating lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez.
Cintron's team jumped on De La Hoya's comments late Thursday night by issuing a press release lobbying for the fight.
"There is no bigger fan of Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s talent than myself," Cintron said in a statement. "But the whole world wants to see Floyd fight a big, strong welterweight, and that's where I step in.
"Everyone knows I can punch, and Alfredo Angulo will tell you I can box, too. If Floyd wants to prove he's a legit welterweight, I'm the guy he needs to fight."
Cintron, 30, revitalized his career by outpointing the previously unbeaten Angulo in May.
"Oscar and Richard (Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy) know me very well, and they know I'm easy to deal with," said Lou DiBella, Cintron's promoter. "We can have a deal made in a hour if this is the direction Floyd wants to take."
Mayweather began looking for a new March 13 opponent after his proposed super bout with Manny Pacquiao fell apart last week. Pacquiao instead will fight Joshua Clottey on a competing pay-per-view card March 13 in Dallas.
•Notes: Reading's Jason Cintron (11-1), the younger brother of Kermit, will meet Maurice Chambers (7-9-1) in the main event Feb. 27 at the Allentown Rodeway Inn.
On the undercard, Reading heavyweight Travis Kauffman (18-1) will make his return against Bernard Brown (6-5-2); Reading welterweight Keenan Collins (12-5-2) will face Jorge Delgado (4-8); and Hawaii's Van Oscar Penovaroff (4-0-1) will take on Elliud Torres (2-1-2).
Reading's Julio Cesar Mathews (9-0) is also slated for the undercard.
The show will include five amateur bouts pitting Reading fighters against Allentown boxers.
Meanwhile, tickets for the May 29 boxing show at the Sovereign Center went on sale Friday. Kauffman will fight in the main event, possibly against former amateur rival Nicolai Firtha (17-7-1).
Contact Don Stewart: fighthack@gmail.com
Source: readingeagle.com
Pacquiao Saves Vegas Casinos -- 411mania
By Joe Roche, 411mania.com
Pacquiao helps increase gaming for the first time in 22 months.
Manny Pacquiao is widely recognized as the top pound for pound fighter in the world – but now it appears that he's also the pound for pound king of the casino. It turns out that Nevada casino's reported as 4.35 percent increase in gaming in November, the first time they've posted positive growth in 22 months. Much of the credit is being given to baccarat, which was widely played in Las Vegas casino's by people who had been drawn to the city for the Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto fight according to analyst Frank Streshley.
Saving boxing, running for political office, acting, singing, and now saving casinos – is there anything that Pacman can't do?
Source: 411mania.com
Pacquiao helps increase gaming for the first time in 22 months.
Manny Pacquiao is widely recognized as the top pound for pound fighter in the world – but now it appears that he's also the pound for pound king of the casino. It turns out that Nevada casino's reported as 4.35 percent increase in gaming in November, the first time they've posted positive growth in 22 months. Much of the credit is being given to baccarat, which was widely played in Las Vegas casino's by people who had been drawn to the city for the Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto fight according to analyst Frank Streshley.
Saving boxing, running for political office, acting, singing, and now saving casinos – is there anything that Pacman can't do?
Source: 411mania.com
So Who Will Floyd Mayweather Junior Actually Fight On March 13th? -- Eastside Boxing
By James Slater, Eastside Boxing
There is less than two months to go until pound-for-pound #2 ranked star Floyd Mayweather Junior's March 13th fight takes place, yet we are still in the dark about who it will be that opposes "Money" when the bell rings. It really is about time Team-Mayweather get on with it and announced the opponent. We know who Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound #1 is facing now that the super-fight everyone wanted to see is no more; Joshua Clottey - but what about Floyd?
The names that I keep hearing are Nate Campbell (not excited at all, as Nate is simply too small and doesn't hit hard enough), Paulie Malignaggi (a fraction more interested, but Paulie's lack of pop is a real concern), Timothy Bradley (slightly excited, seeing as how Tim is both undefeated and arguably as fast as Mayweather) Kermit Cintron (a decent choice, considering Kermit's one-punch KO power) and finally, Paul Williams (massively excited, for obvious reasons!)
The Williams fight looks a real long shot, even though "The Punisher" has made it clear he would be willing to take the fight; while the Campbell fight seems to be the most likely to be made for the 40-0 talent. But of course, we won't know for sure who it will be in the other corner in Las Vegas in March until the official announcement comes. What's taking so long?
To my way of thinking, there are two most likely reasons why Mayweather et all are taking so long to announce the opponent. 1: there is a big name being sought and until the potential big fight is a definite nothing can be announced for risk of being premature. 2: Mayweather and his team are keeping it a secret for as long as possible because the fighter Floyd will be meeting is a no-hoper and they know it.
But whoever it is Floyd fights, if the box office "war" with Manny Pacquiao is to be even close, the opponent had better be named fast. Otherwise ticket sales and TV sales are to have a hard time of being good. For unless there is a late demand for tickets when the fight is finally announced, the Vegas show doesn't figure to sell all that well now that there is less than two months to go and fans don't have a clue who the other fighter will be .
It will be depressing if it is apparent favourite Campbell who lands the fight - to everyone but "The Galaxxy Warrior, " that is. Past his best at age 37 and only one fight (a No-Contest) removed from being a lightweight, Campbell would have next to no chance to even win a couple of rounds against Mayweather. And what will happen to Floyd's rep if it's the former ruler at 130 and 135-pounds he does choose? How will it appear to the world if Mayweather opts to fight not even a fully fledged light-welterweight, but a lightweight who reached the point where he was simply unable to make the weight any longer?
Floyd has been given plenty of flak because of his reluctance to want to fight anyone his own size ever since he moved up to welterweight in late 2005, and rightfully so. If he faces a man who did his best stuff as a lightweight, this reputation may never ever fully recover. Fingers crossed Mayweather shocks us all and announces to a receptive audience that it will be tall southpaw Paul Williams for March 13th. (some hope!)
Source: eastsideboxing.com
There is less than two months to go until pound-for-pound #2 ranked star Floyd Mayweather Junior's March 13th fight takes place, yet we are still in the dark about who it will be that opposes "Money" when the bell rings. It really is about time Team-Mayweather get on with it and announced the opponent. We know who Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound #1 is facing now that the super-fight everyone wanted to see is no more; Joshua Clottey - but what about Floyd?
The names that I keep hearing are Nate Campbell (not excited at all, as Nate is simply too small and doesn't hit hard enough), Paulie Malignaggi (a fraction more interested, but Paulie's lack of pop is a real concern), Timothy Bradley (slightly excited, seeing as how Tim is both undefeated and arguably as fast as Mayweather) Kermit Cintron (a decent choice, considering Kermit's one-punch KO power) and finally, Paul Williams (massively excited, for obvious reasons!)
The Williams fight looks a real long shot, even though "The Punisher" has made it clear he would be willing to take the fight; while the Campbell fight seems to be the most likely to be made for the 40-0 talent. But of course, we won't know for sure who it will be in the other corner in Las Vegas in March until the official announcement comes. What's taking so long?
To my way of thinking, there are two most likely reasons why Mayweather et all are taking so long to announce the opponent. 1: there is a big name being sought and until the potential big fight is a definite nothing can be announced for risk of being premature. 2: Mayweather and his team are keeping it a secret for as long as possible because the fighter Floyd will be meeting is a no-hoper and they know it.
But whoever it is Floyd fights, if the box office "war" with Manny Pacquiao is to be even close, the opponent had better be named fast. Otherwise ticket sales and TV sales are to have a hard time of being good. For unless there is a late demand for tickets when the fight is finally announced, the Vegas show doesn't figure to sell all that well now that there is less than two months to go and fans don't have a clue who the other fighter will be .
It will be depressing if it is apparent favourite Campbell who lands the fight - to everyone but "The Galaxxy Warrior, " that is. Past his best at age 37 and only one fight (a No-Contest) removed from being a lightweight, Campbell would have next to no chance to even win a couple of rounds against Mayweather. And what will happen to Floyd's rep if it's the former ruler at 130 and 135-pounds he does choose? How will it appear to the world if Mayweather opts to fight not even a fully fledged light-welterweight, but a lightweight who reached the point where he was simply unable to make the weight any longer?
Floyd has been given plenty of flak because of his reluctance to want to fight anyone his own size ever since he moved up to welterweight in late 2005, and rightfully so. If he faces a man who did his best stuff as a lightweight, this reputation may never ever fully recover. Fingers crossed Mayweather shocks us all and announces to a receptive audience that it will be tall southpaw Paul Williams for March 13th. (some hope!)
Source: eastsideboxing.com
Commission tables request by Mayweather’s camp for March 13 fight -- Las Vegas Sun
By Anthony Fenech, Las Vegas Sun
A license for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s proposed March 13 boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena still hasn't been approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
During a Friday meeting at the Grant Sawyer State Building in Las Vegas, the commmission tabled a request from Mayweather's promotion team, Golden Boy Promotions, until the commission's February meeting because Mayweather's opponent has yet to be determined.
"It's not that we're rejecting this," said Pat Lundvall, the commission's chairman said. "We're just simply tabling it until we know who the contestants are, and how television and the rest of it lines up."
The date initially was conceived for the anticipated showdown between Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO), but talks broke down over methods of drug testing.
Pacquiao signed on two weeks ago to fight Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas, leaving Mayweather without an opponent.
"This is obviously a unique experience with the main event falling out very recently," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director. "Usually we wouldn't have this on the agenda without the main event set, the television rights set, in addition to the date."
And while Kizer said Golden Boy Promotions had assured him that Mayweather would be fighting on that date, the commission still tabled the request.
Dave Itskowitz of Golden Boy Promotions said via telephone that they are still in the process of finalizing an opponent for Mayweather. Reported opponents in consideration include former junior welterweight champions Paulie Malignaggi and Kermit Cintron or lightweight Nate Campbell, who also is promoted by Golden Boy.
"From my perspective, I don't see us not approving this at our next meeting," Lundvall said.
UFC fighters licensed
The commission granted mixed-martial-arts licenses to four fighters scheduled to compete in UFC 109 on Feb. 6 at Mandalay Bay.
Because they each are age 35 or older, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Matt Serra and Frank Trigg had to apply through the commission.
Couture will fight Coleman, while Serra will oppose Trigg night.
"If we want to fight at this age, this is what we have to do," said the 37-year-old Trigg, who attended the meeting. "There's a lot more stuff to check up on now and it goes a long way. It's great to see how smart and safe we have become."
Couture, 46, said via telephone that his training was going fantastic and that he's feeling very good.
Judges selected
Officials and judges were selected for the WBA/WBC welterweight boxing championship fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Bertoon on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay.
Veteran Joe Cortez was tabbed as the referee, and the judges selected were Adalaide Byrd, Robert Hoyle and Ed Kugler. Byrd and Hoyle are from Nevada and Kugler is from Colorado.
Source: lasvegassun.com
A license for Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s proposed March 13 boxing match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena still hasn't been approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
During a Friday meeting at the Grant Sawyer State Building in Las Vegas, the commmission tabled a request from Mayweather's promotion team, Golden Boy Promotions, until the commission's February meeting because Mayweather's opponent has yet to be determined.
"It's not that we're rejecting this," said Pat Lundvall, the commission's chairman said. "We're just simply tabling it until we know who the contestants are, and how television and the rest of it lines up."
The date initially was conceived for the anticipated showdown between Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO), but talks broke down over methods of drug testing.
Pacquiao signed on two weeks ago to fight Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Dallas, leaving Mayweather without an opponent.
"This is obviously a unique experience with the main event falling out very recently," said Keith Kizer, the commission's executive director. "Usually we wouldn't have this on the agenda without the main event set, the television rights set, in addition to the date."
And while Kizer said Golden Boy Promotions had assured him that Mayweather would be fighting on that date, the commission still tabled the request.
Dave Itskowitz of Golden Boy Promotions said via telephone that they are still in the process of finalizing an opponent for Mayweather. Reported opponents in consideration include former junior welterweight champions Paulie Malignaggi and Kermit Cintron or lightweight Nate Campbell, who also is promoted by Golden Boy.
"From my perspective, I don't see us not approving this at our next meeting," Lundvall said.
UFC fighters licensed
The commission granted mixed-martial-arts licenses to four fighters scheduled to compete in UFC 109 on Feb. 6 at Mandalay Bay.
Because they each are age 35 or older, Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Matt Serra and Frank Trigg had to apply through the commission.
Couture will fight Coleman, while Serra will oppose Trigg night.
"If we want to fight at this age, this is what we have to do," said the 37-year-old Trigg, who attended the meeting. "There's a lot more stuff to check up on now and it goes a long way. It's great to see how smart and safe we have become."
Couture, 46, said via telephone that his training was going fantastic and that he's feeling very good.
Judges selected
Officials and judges were selected for the WBA/WBC welterweight boxing championship fight between Shane Mosley and Andre Bertoon on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay.
Veteran Joe Cortez was tabbed as the referee, and the judges selected were Adalaide Byrd, Robert Hoyle and Ed Kugler. Byrd and Hoyle are from Nevada and Kugler is from Colorado.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Pacquiao's trainer wins jury verdict -- Los Angeles Wave
Los Angeles Wave
A Los Angeles jury Friday rejected a claim by a former member of boxer Manny Pacquiao’s entourage that the fighter’s trainer, Freddie Roach, assaulted and battered him at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in 2008 to get him to leave prior to the boxer’s sparring session.
The jury deliberated for part of Thursday afternoon and Friday morning before finding in favor of Roach and rejecting claims brought by Gregorio Asuncion and his wife, Allyson.
Roach denied Asuncion’s assertion that he punched him twice outside the locker room on Oct. 20, 2008, saying he put his hands on the man’s shoulders and only squeezed in order to keep his balance when he felt Asuncion leaning back.
Roach, 49, arrived in shorts and a sweat shirt just as the verdict was being read. He leaned back and looked upward in apparent relief as his lawyer, Arthur J. Chapman, told him the news.
Outside the courtroom, Roach personally thanked jurors, took a photo with at least one of them and offered them all tickets to Pacquiao’s next fight against Joshua Clottey in Arlington, Texas, on March 13.
Roach said he was relieved with the verdict.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night, but when I heard there was a verdict after such a short time I believed it was in my favor,” Roach said. “I’m not a bad person. I simply asked this man to leave and he didn’t. I don’t go around hitting people and if he wants to come back to the gym some time he can.”
In his testimony Wednesday, Roach told jurors he initially put his hands on Asuncion’s shoulders in a friendly way of telling him that he and others in the gym needed to leave so Pacquiao could spar in private. He said he only squeezed due to Asuncion’s subsequent reaction.
“He bucked back and he caused me to hold on so I didn’t fall down,” Roach said.
Roach said there was nothing hostile about his actions and that Asuncion — who he referred to in his testimony as “Sheriff” because the plaintiff is an X-ray technician for the Sheriff’s Department — never gave him any trouble when he asked him on previous occasions to leave the gym during sparring.
Roach testified he sometimes lets the crowds watch Pacquiao train if he feels his fighter needs the motivation from the gathering, but will excuse them during sparring so the boxer can focus on what he is being instructed.
Asuncion, 52, testified Tuesday that he was punched twice and hit so hard by the boxer’s trainer that he could not stay on his feet. He also said he suffered neck and shoulder pain and had to be hospitalized. He said the incident occurred after he went to ask Pacquiao if he could stay to watch him spar despite Roach’s order.
But Belinda Garcia, one of the jurors who was part of the 10-2 majority that favored exonerating Roach, said she was not convinced Asuncion’s injuries were anything other than mild.
The Asuncion couple sued Roach and his Hollywood gym in November 2008.
The suit’s allegations included assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence and premises liability. Allyson Asuncion asserted loss of consortium.
Source: wavenewspapers.com
A Los Angeles jury Friday rejected a claim by a former member of boxer Manny Pacquiao’s entourage that the fighter’s trainer, Freddie Roach, assaulted and battered him at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in 2008 to get him to leave prior to the boxer’s sparring session.
The jury deliberated for part of Thursday afternoon and Friday morning before finding in favor of Roach and rejecting claims brought by Gregorio Asuncion and his wife, Allyson.
Roach denied Asuncion’s assertion that he punched him twice outside the locker room on Oct. 20, 2008, saying he put his hands on the man’s shoulders and only squeezed in order to keep his balance when he felt Asuncion leaning back.
Roach, 49, arrived in shorts and a sweat shirt just as the verdict was being read. He leaned back and looked upward in apparent relief as his lawyer, Arthur J. Chapman, told him the news.
Outside the courtroom, Roach personally thanked jurors, took a photo with at least one of them and offered them all tickets to Pacquiao’s next fight against Joshua Clottey in Arlington, Texas, on March 13.
Roach said he was relieved with the verdict.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night, but when I heard there was a verdict after such a short time I believed it was in my favor,” Roach said. “I’m not a bad person. I simply asked this man to leave and he didn’t. I don’t go around hitting people and if he wants to come back to the gym some time he can.”
In his testimony Wednesday, Roach told jurors he initially put his hands on Asuncion’s shoulders in a friendly way of telling him that he and others in the gym needed to leave so Pacquiao could spar in private. He said he only squeezed due to Asuncion’s subsequent reaction.
“He bucked back and he caused me to hold on so I didn’t fall down,” Roach said.
Roach said there was nothing hostile about his actions and that Asuncion — who he referred to in his testimony as “Sheriff” because the plaintiff is an X-ray technician for the Sheriff’s Department — never gave him any trouble when he asked him on previous occasions to leave the gym during sparring.
Roach testified he sometimes lets the crowds watch Pacquiao train if he feels his fighter needs the motivation from the gathering, but will excuse them during sparring so the boxer can focus on what he is being instructed.
Asuncion, 52, testified Tuesday that he was punched twice and hit so hard by the boxer’s trainer that he could not stay on his feet. He also said he suffered neck and shoulder pain and had to be hospitalized. He said the incident occurred after he went to ask Pacquiao if he could stay to watch him spar despite Roach’s order.
But Belinda Garcia, one of the jurors who was part of the 10-2 majority that favored exonerating Roach, said she was not convinced Asuncion’s injuries were anything other than mild.
The Asuncion couple sued Roach and his Hollywood gym in November 2008.
The suit’s allegations included assault, battery, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence and premises liability. Allyson Asuncion asserted loss of consortium.
Source: wavenewspapers.com
Mayweather Looks For De Facto Win Over Pacquiao -- The Sweet Science
By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
Lets see, the most anticipated fight in three years has been canceled because one of the participants, Floyd Mayweather Jr., believes the other participant Manny Pacquiao has been beating the system and injecting HGH/PED's.
First of all there's no evidence that Pacquiao has circumvented the system and he has passed every drug test he's been required to take. Secondly, there's never been one fighter who's fought during the modern era who enhanced their punching power and punch resistance as a result of HGH/PED's. Not one. If Pacquiao has the magic secret/PED you'd think he'd share it with his brother who's also a boxer. And one who doesn't have a great chin nor is he a great puncher like Manny.
For the sake of argument - lets assume that Pacquiao has gained some size and strength via injecting HGH/PED's. And lets assume for the sake of argument that they have aided Pacquiao in moving up from featherweight to welterweight. So what? He's still a welterweight like Mayweather is. It's not like Pacquiao was a strong welterweight and then added x-percent of muscle and strength. On that there can be no disagreement. So in essence Mayweather fears a featherweight who may be on HGH. Only Floyd Mayweather Jr. would attempt such a reach and use it as a way to kill a super-fight. Mayweather is turning what should have been an intriguing, straightforward fight into something like a sideshow.
As of this writing Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Joshua Clottey later this year on March 13th. Which was the day the world was supposed to stop and we'd see Mayweather-Pacquiao. Instead we'll see Pacquiao take on another tough welterweight in Clottey (Cotto being the first) who Mayweather would more than likely never have fought for the BS reason that there's not enough money in it for him. And the Mayweather band continues to march on.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a very cunning man. But he can only fool those who want to be convinced that he's an upstanding and honest great fighter. The fact is he manipulated his way out of fighting Manny Pacquiao because he couldn't dictate the terms and condition's to which the fight would be governed and fought under.
So what happens now? What happens now is both fighters will go about doing what they've done best over the last three years. For Mayweather that's talk and brag but not meet a single fighter who has a legitimate shot to beat him. And for Pacquiao, he'll move onto the next challenge and continue to add to his legacy and fatten his bank account.
Personally, I've always felt Mayweather Jr. was a tad overrated when compared to the greatest of the greats from a skill-set vantage point. However, I underrated his ability to sell a fight and change the debate. And change the debate is exactly what he's done regarding a potential fight between he and Pacquiao. For the last month Pacquiao-Mayweather can't be discussed without talking about HGH/PED. And this is all because Pacquiao has looked too good in his last couple fights that Mayweather and Teddy Atlas just can't handle it. Pacquiao is overshadowing Mayweather and I guess Atlas doesn't like being upstaged by Freddie Roach as a trainer. Which is something being that Atlas knows more than anybody that in boxing it's 95% the fighter and 5% the trainer. It's just that the fighter must have that 5% a great trainer brings.
At this time Mayweather is looking for a de facto victory over Pacquiao. Floyd's hoping to string along Pacquiao's using HGH as long as he can hoping that if Manny looks impressive against Clottey (if the fight comes off) he can continue to make the accusations stick. And inside he'll hope that Clottey upsets Pacquiao so he can say afterward - "if Clottey with three losses beat Pacquiao, everyone knows I would've beat him easier."
Floyd will continue to accuse Pacquiao to be a steroid abuser and hope to diminish his victories - and if Manny stumbles he'll claim a de facto victory over him and ask, "who have beat me?" To which it can easily be retorted by saying, "who have you beat?"
Source: thesweetscience.com
***
Lets see, the most anticipated fight in three years has been canceled because one of the participants, Floyd Mayweather Jr., believes the other participant Manny Pacquiao has been beating the system and injecting HGH/PED's.
First of all there's no evidence that Pacquiao has circumvented the system and he has passed every drug test he's been required to take. Secondly, there's never been one fighter who's fought during the modern era who enhanced their punching power and punch resistance as a result of HGH/PED's. Not one. If Pacquiao has the magic secret/PED you'd think he'd share it with his brother who's also a boxer. And one who doesn't have a great chin nor is he a great puncher like Manny.
For the sake of argument - lets assume that Pacquiao has gained some size and strength via injecting HGH/PED's. And lets assume for the sake of argument that they have aided Pacquiao in moving up from featherweight to welterweight. So what? He's still a welterweight like Mayweather is. It's not like Pacquiao was a strong welterweight and then added x-percent of muscle and strength. On that there can be no disagreement. So in essence Mayweather fears a featherweight who may be on HGH. Only Floyd Mayweather Jr. would attempt such a reach and use it as a way to kill a super-fight. Mayweather is turning what should have been an intriguing, straightforward fight into something like a sideshow.
As of this writing Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Joshua Clottey later this year on March 13th. Which was the day the world was supposed to stop and we'd see Mayweather-Pacquiao. Instead we'll see Pacquiao take on another tough welterweight in Clottey (Cotto being the first) who Mayweather would more than likely never have fought for the BS reason that there's not enough money in it for him. And the Mayweather band continues to march on.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a very cunning man. But he can only fool those who want to be convinced that he's an upstanding and honest great fighter. The fact is he manipulated his way out of fighting Manny Pacquiao because he couldn't dictate the terms and condition's to which the fight would be governed and fought under.
So what happens now? What happens now is both fighters will go about doing what they've done best over the last three years. For Mayweather that's talk and brag but not meet a single fighter who has a legitimate shot to beat him. And for Pacquiao, he'll move onto the next challenge and continue to add to his legacy and fatten his bank account.
Personally, I've always felt Mayweather Jr. was a tad overrated when compared to the greatest of the greats from a skill-set vantage point. However, I underrated his ability to sell a fight and change the debate. And change the debate is exactly what he's done regarding a potential fight between he and Pacquiao. For the last month Pacquiao-Mayweather can't be discussed without talking about HGH/PED. And this is all because Pacquiao has looked too good in his last couple fights that Mayweather and Teddy Atlas just can't handle it. Pacquiao is overshadowing Mayweather and I guess Atlas doesn't like being upstaged by Freddie Roach as a trainer. Which is something being that Atlas knows more than anybody that in boxing it's 95% the fighter and 5% the trainer. It's just that the fighter must have that 5% a great trainer brings.
At this time Mayweather is looking for a de facto victory over Pacquiao. Floyd's hoping to string along Pacquiao's using HGH as long as he can hoping that if Manny looks impressive against Clottey (if the fight comes off) he can continue to make the accusations stick. And inside he'll hope that Clottey upsets Pacquiao so he can say afterward - "if Clottey with three losses beat Pacquiao, everyone knows I would've beat him easier."
Floyd will continue to accuse Pacquiao to be a steroid abuser and hope to diminish his victories - and if Manny stumbles he'll claim a de facto victory over him and ask, "who have beat me?" To which it can easily be retorted by saying, "who have you beat?"
Source: thesweetscience.com
***
Pacquiao-Mayweather Tests Come Back Negative -- 411mania
By Ramon Aranda, 411mania.com
Remember that random drug test that both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended up taking part in last month?
The Nevada State Athletic Commission asked for samples from both fighters on Dec. 28 and the commission's Keith Kizer told ESPN.com today that both samples came back negative. The drug test is part of the NSAC's protocol for fighters that are not currently in competition.
Source: 411mania.com
Remember that random drug test that both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. ended up taking part in last month?
The Nevada State Athletic Commission asked for samples from both fighters on Dec. 28 and the commission's Keith Kizer told ESPN.com today that both samples came back negative. The drug test is part of the NSAC's protocol for fighters that are not currently in competition.
Source: 411mania.com
Arum starts ball rolling on Foreman-Cotto -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
There are two significant reasons why Top Rank's Bob Arum will be in New York next week. One will be to oversee a press conference on Wednesday to promote the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey welterweight title fight, which will take place on March 13 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The other is for the final promotional push for next Saturday's outstanding HBO "Boxing After Dark" card at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
That card, which I can't wait for, features a pair of featherweight title bouts as Steven Luevano defends against junior featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez and the electrifying Yuriorkis Gamboa defends his sliver of the title against rugged Rogers Mtagwa.
That's a lot of business for one week, but apparently not enough for Arum.
He will also start the unofficial media blitz for another fight he intends to make for June. That fight would see newly crowned junior middleweight titleholder Yuri Foreman, the New York-based, Belarus native who is studying to become a rabbi, defending against former welterweight beltholder Miguel Cotto, who lost his title via 12th-round knockout to Pacquiao in November on the same card on which Foreman beat Daniel Santos to win his title.
"You will see Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 23," Arum told me the other day. "The reason they will both be there is to start the promotion for their fight in June. Miguel wants to fight Foreman. Yuri wants a big fight. Yuri will have the Jewish fans behind him. And we already know what a big attraction Miguel is in New York and how much the Puerto Rican fans support him."
The bout would take place at the Garden on June 12, the eve of the annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. Top Rank has made that weekend a regular fight date for Cotto for the past few years.
Arum said Cotto, who is still mourning the recent death of his father, asked to come to the Jan. 23 show and is interested in moving up in weight to challenge Foreman.
Foreman, too, is interested in the fight. He had been in the running to land the March fight with Pacquiao after the fight with Floyd Mayweather (I'm still not over that) fell apart. But Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, put the kibosh on the match over concern about Pacquiao again moving up in weight and facing the much taller Foreman.
So if Foreman couldn't get Pacquiao, he'll certainly take Cotto, according to manager Murray "Shpipples" Wilson.
Arum admits he hasn't yet talked to either camp about money, but he plans to next week in New York.
Arum also said he is unsure if he would present the fight on pay-per-view or try to make a deal with HBO. But either way, he intends to make the fight.
"That's why I am going to show them together in New York, to get this thing rolling," Arum said. "They both want the fight. It would be so big in New York."
If Lopez beats Luevano, Arum said he'd like to put him on the June 12 undercard. Arum's plan has been to eventually match Lopez and Gamboa, if they are both victorious, but not right away.
"We're saving that for later in the year if they both win," Arum said.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
There are two significant reasons why Top Rank's Bob Arum will be in New York next week. One will be to oversee a press conference on Wednesday to promote the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey welterweight title fight, which will take place on March 13 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The other is for the final promotional push for next Saturday's outstanding HBO "Boxing After Dark" card at the Madison Square Garden Theater.
That card, which I can't wait for, features a pair of featherweight title bouts as Steven Luevano defends against junior featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez and the electrifying Yuriorkis Gamboa defends his sliver of the title against rugged Rogers Mtagwa.
That's a lot of business for one week, but apparently not enough for Arum.
He will also start the unofficial media blitz for another fight he intends to make for June. That fight would see newly crowned junior middleweight titleholder Yuri Foreman, the New York-based, Belarus native who is studying to become a rabbi, defending against former welterweight beltholder Miguel Cotto, who lost his title via 12th-round knockout to Pacquiao in November on the same card on which Foreman beat Daniel Santos to win his title.
"You will see Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 23," Arum told me the other day. "The reason they will both be there is to start the promotion for their fight in June. Miguel wants to fight Foreman. Yuri wants a big fight. Yuri will have the Jewish fans behind him. And we already know what a big attraction Miguel is in New York and how much the Puerto Rican fans support him."
The bout would take place at the Garden on June 12, the eve of the annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. Top Rank has made that weekend a regular fight date for Cotto for the past few years.
Arum said Cotto, who is still mourning the recent death of his father, asked to come to the Jan. 23 show and is interested in moving up in weight to challenge Foreman.
Foreman, too, is interested in the fight. He had been in the running to land the March fight with Pacquiao after the fight with Floyd Mayweather (I'm still not over that) fell apart. But Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, put the kibosh on the match over concern about Pacquiao again moving up in weight and facing the much taller Foreman.
So if Foreman couldn't get Pacquiao, he'll certainly take Cotto, according to manager Murray "Shpipples" Wilson.
Arum admits he hasn't yet talked to either camp about money, but he plans to next week in New York.
Arum also said he is unsure if he would present the fight on pay-per-view or try to make a deal with HBO. But either way, he intends to make the fight.
"That's why I am going to show them together in New York, to get this thing rolling," Arum said. "They both want the fight. It would be so big in New York."
If Lopez beats Luevano, Arum said he'd like to put him on the June 12 undercard. Arum's plan has been to eventually match Lopez and Gamboa, if they are both victorious, but not right away.
"We're saving that for later in the year if they both win," Arum said.
Source: sports.espn.go.com
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