BBC Sport
Ricky Hatton has dismissed concerns he is putting his health at risk after confirming he will return to the ring.
The former two-weight world champion is set to make a comeback this year with WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, 36, the likely opponent.
Hatton, 31, was sensationally knocked out in two rounds by Filipino great Manny Pacquiao in May and has now seen his weight balloon to nearly 13 stone.
"I'm sick of hearing about my weight," Hatton told BBC 5 live's Sportsweek.
"I'm a little bit heavier than I am normally would be and I will do a few weeks extra to compensate.
"I have always had criticism of my weight, especially in the past four years.
"I would guess I'm about 12st 10lb and I would generally need to lose two stone for a light welterweight fight."
He added: "I want to do four or five weeks away from the gym shedding time and then doing my normal 12-week training camp."
Hatton was urged by many to retire following his crushing defeat to Pacquiao in Vegas last year.
He was sent to the canvas twice by the Filipino five-weight world champion before being knocked out cold late in the second round and was later taken to hospital for a precautionary brain scan.
It followed on from the battering he took from Floyd Mayweather in December 2007 when he was knocked out in the tenth round by the American.
Subsequent victories over Mexican Juan Lazcano and American Paulie Malignaggi failed to convince he had recovered from the first defeat of his career against Mayweather with the Pacquiao loss later confirming this.
But Hatton says he is not worried that he is past his best and is not worried he is putting his long-term health in danger.
"I've had 47 fights and I've lost two," said Hatton.
"Everyone is forgetting I have lost to the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
"Normally you retire when somebody who is not in your class beats you. I don't listen to people on the internet or who are sat in their armchair. I listen to my family, people in the gym and those behind the scenes who saw what went on in the training camp.
"It's nice that people are concerned about my health. You can't judge if I'm past it sat in your armchair watching a couple of rounds on the TV. If you had been in that training camp you would know what had happened."
Hatton admits he was close to retiring after his defeat to Pacquiao but felt he "owed it to himself" to give it another go.
The Manchester fighter also felt the training camp before the fight with Pacquiao was partly responsible for his defeat adding that his preparation left him feeling "overtrained" and like a "man walking to the gallows" as he entered the ring in Las Vegas.
"If I won the next fight I would probably call it a day," added Hatton.
"I don't want the last memory of me to be lying on my back. I want to come back and finish on the top.
"I want to have one fight, come back to prove the critics and doubters wrong so the last memory is that Ricky fought one of the best pound-for-pound fighters or a world champion and that's when he finished.
"That's the only thing I want to prove."
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Sunday 17 January 2010
Super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan earns unanimous desicion over Kassim Ouma -- Los Angeles Times
By Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Undefeated super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan earned a unanimous desicion over former world champion Kassim Ouma on Saturday night.
Martirosyan, a former Olympian and current NABF and NABO champion, used his speed and length to neutralize Ouma's aggression. The three judges scored the fight 97-93, 97-93, 97-92.
Martirosyan upped his record to 27-0 with 17 KO's and moved a step closer to a world title shot with a win over a quality opponent.
In the co-main event, super featherweight prospect Diego Magdaleno upped his record to 13-0 with a unanimous decision over Gerardo Robles. The former national amateur champion had his hands full with Robles but managed to pull out the win with the judges scoring the bout 80-72, 78-74, 78-74.
On the undercard, Ismayl Sillakh remained unbeaten, running his record to 10-0 after knocking out Julius Jackson in the first round, and Jose Benavidez won his pro debut with a first round TKO over Steven Cox.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Source: latimes.com
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Undefeated super welterweight contender Vanes Martirosyan earned a unanimous desicion over former world champion Kassim Ouma on Saturday night.
Martirosyan, a former Olympian and current NABF and NABO champion, used his speed and length to neutralize Ouma's aggression. The three judges scored the fight 97-93, 97-93, 97-92.
Martirosyan upped his record to 27-0 with 17 KO's and moved a step closer to a world title shot with a win over a quality opponent.
In the co-main event, super featherweight prospect Diego Magdaleno upped his record to 13-0 with a unanimous decision over Gerardo Robles. The former national amateur champion had his hands full with Robles but managed to pull out the win with the judges scoring the bout 80-72, 78-74, 78-74.
On the undercard, Ismayl Sillakh remained unbeaten, running his record to 10-0 after knocking out Julius Jackson in the first round, and Jose Benavidez won his pro debut with a first round TKO over Steven Cox.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Source: latimes.com
AMIR KHAN DUMPS FRANK WARREN -- Daily Star
By Nick Parkinson, Daily Star
AMIR Khan is splitting with top British promoter Frank Warren as he aims to become a mega-star in America.
The Bolton light-welterweight will make his US debut against Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden on May 1.
And Khan, who has been guided by Warren since he won silver at the 2004 Olympics, will sign for American promoters Golden Boy, the Daily Star Sunday can reveal.
To ensure he fi ghts Malignaggi next in New York, he is expected give up the WBA world title that he won last year by out-pointing Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik.
Khan, 23, blasted away Yank Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in the fi rst defence of his WBA title in Newcastle last month – but fans will have to travel Stateside see him fight next.
The WBA governing body ordered Khan to face mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana next – but the Briton’s American trainer Freddie Roach has never been keen on facing the Argentine dangerman.
Instead, Khan has opted to fight Malignaggi, 29, who was stopped in the 11th round by Manchester’s Ricky Hatton in November 2008.
But the New Yorker has rebuilt his career since losing to The Hitman and out-pointed Juan Diaz last month.
Khan, who trains in Los Angeles with Roach, has been desperate to fight in America and will now start working with Golden Boy, the company of ex-world champ Oscar De La Hoya.
Khan will be expected to box less in Britain and more in the States. It means Khan will not be promoted by Warren for the fi rst time as a professional after 23 paid bouts. Khan follows Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton by quitting Warren as a world champ.
Warren was unavailable for comment yesterday. Khan said earlier this month: “I believe I could outbox Paulie Malignaggi. When I am in England everyone knows my name. That’s what I want in America. I want to be like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.”
Fighting Malignaggi means Khan will follow a few British boxers who have topped the bill in their first fight in America, such as ex-world leatherweight king Naseem Hamed.
‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi sees similarities between Hamed’s US debut and himself fighting Khan. Malignaggi said: “We talk about Amir like he will be England’s next superstar, like Ricky Hatton or Naseem Hamed.
“The first live fight I saw was Hamed against Kevin Kelley and I was hooked.
Source: dailystar.co.uk
AMIR Khan is splitting with top British promoter Frank Warren as he aims to become a mega-star in America.
The Bolton light-welterweight will make his US debut against Paulie Malignaggi at Madison Square Garden on May 1.
And Khan, who has been guided by Warren since he won silver at the 2004 Olympics, will sign for American promoters Golden Boy, the Daily Star Sunday can reveal.
To ensure he fi ghts Malignaggi next in New York, he is expected give up the WBA world title that he won last year by out-pointing Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik.
Khan, 23, blasted away Yank Dmitriy Salita in 76 seconds in the fi rst defence of his WBA title in Newcastle last month – but fans will have to travel Stateside see him fight next.
The WBA governing body ordered Khan to face mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana next – but the Briton’s American trainer Freddie Roach has never been keen on facing the Argentine dangerman.
Instead, Khan has opted to fight Malignaggi, 29, who was stopped in the 11th round by Manchester’s Ricky Hatton in November 2008.
But the New Yorker has rebuilt his career since losing to The Hitman and out-pointed Juan Diaz last month.
Khan, who trains in Los Angeles with Roach, has been desperate to fight in America and will now start working with Golden Boy, the company of ex-world champ Oscar De La Hoya.
Khan will be expected to box less in Britain and more in the States. It means Khan will not be promoted by Warren for the fi rst time as a professional after 23 paid bouts. Khan follows Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton by quitting Warren as a world champ.
Warren was unavailable for comment yesterday. Khan said earlier this month: “I believe I could outbox Paulie Malignaggi. When I am in England everyone knows my name. That’s what I want in America. I want to be like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.”
Fighting Malignaggi means Khan will follow a few British boxers who have topped the bill in their first fight in America, such as ex-world leatherweight king Naseem Hamed.
‘Magic Man’ Malignaggi sees similarities between Hamed’s US debut and himself fighting Khan. Malignaggi said: “We talk about Amir like he will be England’s next superstar, like Ricky Hatton or Naseem Hamed.
“The first live fight I saw was Hamed against Kevin Kelley and I was hooked.
Source: dailystar.co.uk
VIDEO SPURS RICKY HATTON ON -- NOTW
By STEVE LILLIS, News of The World
RICKY HATTON decided to box again after seeing a video of his brutal defeat by Manny Pacquiao - but has ruled out a Battle of Britain clash with Amir Khan.
He ignored pleas to retire after getting knocked out inside two rounds by the Filipino last May, and will box again this summer.
Hatton, 31, finally watched the horror loss six weeks ago and admits: "I saw the video and thought I can't go out like that.
"It wasn't very nice to see myself laying there. A fighter who was half of Manny would have beaten me that night.
"Sparring partners were beating me up before the fight."
Possible Hatton opponents are Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and South African Lovemore N'Dou, a far easier option.
Hatton resumes training when he returns from a holiday in Australia next month.
He joked: "I've got weight to shift. My last drink will be a pint in Australia next month."
A showdown later this year against WBA light-welterweight champion Khan could generate £30million and become the biggest domestic fight ever.
Hatton said: "It's a natural, but Amir probably needs me and I don't necessarily need him.
"I say that with the greatest respect. He is my friend and what an absolute champion he is for bouncing back after a defeat.
"His promoter is Frank Warren and we've had our differences in the past so I can't see that working."
Source: newsoftheworld.co.uk
RICKY HATTON decided to box again after seeing a video of his brutal defeat by Manny Pacquiao - but has ruled out a Battle of Britain clash with Amir Khan.
He ignored pleas to retire after getting knocked out inside two rounds by the Filipino last May, and will box again this summer.
Hatton, 31, finally watched the horror loss six weeks ago and admits: "I saw the video and thought I can't go out like that.
"It wasn't very nice to see myself laying there. A fighter who was half of Manny would have beaten me that night.
"Sparring partners were beating me up before the fight."
Possible Hatton opponents are Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and South African Lovemore N'Dou, a far easier option.
Hatton resumes training when he returns from a holiday in Australia next month.
He joked: "I've got weight to shift. My last drink will be a pint in Australia next month."
A showdown later this year against WBA light-welterweight champion Khan could generate £30million and become the biggest domestic fight ever.
Hatton said: "It's a natural, but Amir probably needs me and I don't necessarily need him.
"I say that with the greatest respect. He is my friend and what an absolute champion he is for bouncing back after a defeat.
"His promoter is Frank Warren and we've had our differences in the past so I can't see that working."
Source: newsoftheworld.co.uk
Arum: “The fight [Mayweather-Pacquiao] will get made in two seconds if Mayweather comes to me and we talk” -- BoxingNews24
By Jason Kim, BoxingNews24.com
We might be finally seeing a softening of the stance from Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum pertaining to a possible fight between World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather. In an article at the Nydaily News, Arum says “The fight get made in two seconds if Mayweather comes to me and we talk.” However, Mayweather will likely still have to apologize to Pacquiao to get him to drop his defamation lawsuit. This is great news that Arum is still interested in putting this together. However, it’s unfortunately little late in the game now.
Pacquiao has already been set up for a March 13th fight against former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboy stadium, in Texas. Under the best circumstances, we likely won’t be seeing a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao until the summer, even if Arum could get Mayweather to apologize and drop his requests for random blood tests. I doubt that Mayweather will do either.
Mayweather feels strongly about the random blood tests and I would expect that he would still want them to take place if he’s to fight Pacquiao in the future. What Arum could do to make this fight happen is to get Pacquiao to agree to a compromise of five days or so, making the last blood test stop at 19 days before the fight instead of 24 days. Mayweather wanted to have the random blood tests stop at 14 days before the fight. If they split the difference, that would come out to 19 days. That sounds like an agreeable solution.
Source: boxingnews24.com
We might be finally seeing a softening of the stance from Top Rank’s promoter Bob Arum pertaining to a possible fight between World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather. In an article at the Nydaily News, Arum says “The fight get made in two seconds if Mayweather comes to me and we talk.” However, Mayweather will likely still have to apologize to Pacquiao to get him to drop his defamation lawsuit. This is great news that Arum is still interested in putting this together. However, it’s unfortunately little late in the game now.
Pacquiao has already been set up for a March 13th fight against former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboy stadium, in Texas. Under the best circumstances, we likely won’t be seeing a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao until the summer, even if Arum could get Mayweather to apologize and drop his requests for random blood tests. I doubt that Mayweather will do either.
Mayweather feels strongly about the random blood tests and I would expect that he would still want them to take place if he’s to fight Pacquiao in the future. What Arum could do to make this fight happen is to get Pacquiao to agree to a compromise of five days or so, making the last blood test stop at 19 days before the fight instead of 24 days. Mayweather wanted to have the random blood tests stop at 14 days before the fight. If they split the difference, that would come out to 19 days. That sounds like an agreeable solution.
Source: boxingnews24.com
ESPN AND ATLAS CONFUSE DISTINCTION BETWEEN “BLOGGERS” AND “REAL” JOURNALISTS -- Fight Hype
By Oliver Suarez, Fight Hype
Teddy Atlas criticized the internet and described it as dirty, but is it any worse than reporting something that can have a negative impact on someone without ensuring that it is factual first? For someone who hates the internet, he sure wasn’t hesitant about putting out information about an email that supposedly exists but he hasn’t seen. The truth is he’s no different than the people or things that he vilified.
I guess whatever comes from an email should be trusted. I just got an email claiming that I won a million dollars from a lottery in the U.K., I guess I better reply with all my personal information. In fact, I better stop writing for a minute and reply back to the email I received from ‘Yahoo’ telling me to send my password before they close my email account. Better yet, I should give all my savings to Mr. Sudu of Nigeria since he is guaranteeing me a million dollars, if I just claim to be the next of kin of his deceased client. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then read Lorne Scoggins’ article titled Teddy Atlas’s Rumor Mill Separating Facts From Fiction In Pacquiao E-Mails.
In last night’s episode of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, instead of apologizing for irresponsible journalism and showing any proof, their crew only put more blame on the Pacman. Maybe an apology was too much to ask, but surely showing evidence to protect their journalistic integrity wasn’t since ‘real’ journalists do research ‘facts’. Well, at least I thought they did.
Instead, they talked about how Pacquiao could have easily made the fight by agreeing to go through a non-mandatory testing procedure that has never been forced upon another fighter because Mayweather Jr. and his camp, who are of course the ‘epitome of righteousness’, mandated it.
The fact is Pacquiao’s compromise was more than enough considering his place in the sport as a superstar and that the Olympic style testing has never been part of a boxer’s routine. If Mayweather Jr. had a problem with the current testing procedures of the sport, then he should have went to the Nevada Athletic Commission. But I won’t go further in that issue since I already talked about that in my following articles: Manny and Steroids and Mayweather Jr.: The Most Talented But Not The Greatest Of His Generation.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but from the logic of their argument, I expect Atlas, Kenny and others who put the blame on Pacquiao to call out any fighter from now on who does not volunteer to go undergo Olympic style drug testing regardless if they are mandated or not. In fact, they should question each fighter’s credibility that participate in ESPN’s Friday Night Fight, if they do not voluntarily undergo the procedure and let their viewers know. Actually, they should mandate that every fighter must undergo the Olympic style drug testing in order to participate in their show. Don’t tell me that they shouldn’t because it’s not mandatory.
Some have said that Mayweather Jr. was not the first boxer to ask another fighter to undergo a more strenuous testing. But did any of those that were asked ever undergo the extra testing? Were they crucified as much as Pacquiao when they didn’t? Were they expected to undergo Olympic style drug testing that has never been part of a boxer’s routine?
Many fans advocate that athletes become more involved in the community, social issues and become a good role model. Manny Pacquiao is known for helping the less fortunate and is now entering politics in order to help his community despite the criticisms that may accompany it. But that should be forgotten of course and he should not be given the benefit of the doubt because very ‘credible’ sources have ‘proven’ that he had use steroids.
Pacquiao’s critics also point out that he must be hiding something, if he can let go a huge amount of money. Sometimes it’s about pride, integrity, dignity and not about money. Pacquiao already has enough money to secure future generations of his family. Pacquiao is one of the most sought endorsers and does not need Mayweather Jr. to make millions of dollars. In fact, he makes millions in endorsement in the Philippines alone.
Didn’t Mayweather Jr. leave behind about the same amount of money when he chose to retire instead of fighting De La Hoya for the second time? Was he ducking Oscar De La Hoya since he escaped with only a split decision in their first fight? But of course his fans will defend him by saying that he didn’t need the money. It was true that Floyd didn’t need the money and it’s the same case for Pacquiao.
For those who say’s the burden of proof is on Pacquiao, I asked if that is what you want to be the law of the land? If so, then be it, just don’t blame anybody else the next time you’re jailed for something you’ve never done without any evidence.
Source: boxing.fighthype.com
***
Teddy Atlas criticized the internet and described it as dirty, but is it any worse than reporting something that can have a negative impact on someone without ensuring that it is factual first? For someone who hates the internet, he sure wasn’t hesitant about putting out information about an email that supposedly exists but he hasn’t seen. The truth is he’s no different than the people or things that he vilified.
I guess whatever comes from an email should be trusted. I just got an email claiming that I won a million dollars from a lottery in the U.K., I guess I better reply with all my personal information. In fact, I better stop writing for a minute and reply back to the email I received from ‘Yahoo’ telling me to send my password before they close my email account. Better yet, I should give all my savings to Mr. Sudu of Nigeria since he is guaranteeing me a million dollars, if I just claim to be the next of kin of his deceased client. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then read Lorne Scoggins’ article titled Teddy Atlas’s Rumor Mill Separating Facts From Fiction In Pacquiao E-Mails.
In last night’s episode of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, instead of apologizing for irresponsible journalism and showing any proof, their crew only put more blame on the Pacman. Maybe an apology was too much to ask, but surely showing evidence to protect their journalistic integrity wasn’t since ‘real’ journalists do research ‘facts’. Well, at least I thought they did.
Instead, they talked about how Pacquiao could have easily made the fight by agreeing to go through a non-mandatory testing procedure that has never been forced upon another fighter because Mayweather Jr. and his camp, who are of course the ‘epitome of righteousness’, mandated it.
The fact is Pacquiao’s compromise was more than enough considering his place in the sport as a superstar and that the Olympic style testing has never been part of a boxer’s routine. If Mayweather Jr. had a problem with the current testing procedures of the sport, then he should have went to the Nevada Athletic Commission. But I won’t go further in that issue since I already talked about that in my following articles: Manny and Steroids and Mayweather Jr.: The Most Talented But Not The Greatest Of His Generation.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but from the logic of their argument, I expect Atlas, Kenny and others who put the blame on Pacquiao to call out any fighter from now on who does not volunteer to go undergo Olympic style drug testing regardless if they are mandated or not. In fact, they should question each fighter’s credibility that participate in ESPN’s Friday Night Fight, if they do not voluntarily undergo the procedure and let their viewers know. Actually, they should mandate that every fighter must undergo the Olympic style drug testing in order to participate in their show. Don’t tell me that they shouldn’t because it’s not mandatory.
Some have said that Mayweather Jr. was not the first boxer to ask another fighter to undergo a more strenuous testing. But did any of those that were asked ever undergo the extra testing? Were they crucified as much as Pacquiao when they didn’t? Were they expected to undergo Olympic style drug testing that has never been part of a boxer’s routine?
Many fans advocate that athletes become more involved in the community, social issues and become a good role model. Manny Pacquiao is known for helping the less fortunate and is now entering politics in order to help his community despite the criticisms that may accompany it. But that should be forgotten of course and he should not be given the benefit of the doubt because very ‘credible’ sources have ‘proven’ that he had use steroids.
Pacquiao’s critics also point out that he must be hiding something, if he can let go a huge amount of money. Sometimes it’s about pride, integrity, dignity and not about money. Pacquiao already has enough money to secure future generations of his family. Pacquiao is one of the most sought endorsers and does not need Mayweather Jr. to make millions of dollars. In fact, he makes millions in endorsement in the Philippines alone.
Didn’t Mayweather Jr. leave behind about the same amount of money when he chose to retire instead of fighting De La Hoya for the second time? Was he ducking Oscar De La Hoya since he escaped with only a split decision in their first fight? But of course his fans will defend him by saying that he didn’t need the money. It was true that Floyd didn’t need the money and it’s the same case for Pacquiao.
For those who say’s the burden of proof is on Pacquiao, I asked if that is what you want to be the law of the land? If so, then be it, just don’t blame anybody else the next time you’re jailed for something you’ve never done without any evidence.
Source: boxing.fighthype.com
***
Manny Pacquiao the Hypocrite -- Ringside Report
By Geoff “The Professor” Poundes, Ringside Report
I have a problem.
Never a bandwagon chaser, and wholly unwilling to disrespect the undeserving, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stay on board the Manny Pacquiao express.
I’ve made my feelings clear about the drug issue, and continue to maintain that Manny was, and is, wrong not to roll up his sleeve and offer a pin-prick of blood to any interested party that wants to clear his name. It seems that not doing so has cost him some $40m (at least for now), and that just doesn’t add up for me.
So be it. I’m no fan of Mayweather either, or of his odious entourage. They go their separate ways for now but everyone knows the financial imperatives will bring them together sooner rather than later.
I was pleased to see Manny name Joshua Clottey as the replacement opponent, who will challenge for the Pacman’s WBO welterweight title on March 13th. I was pleased because I rate Clottey highly and actually think that he’ll be a handful for Pacquiao, and even has an opportunity to walk off with the win.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when it was revealed that Manny’s team is seeking to make the fight at a catch-weight of 145 pounds. It was Pacquiao’s team who winged to the skies that by asking for irregular drug tests Mayweather was seeking to take unfair control of their negotiations, and here they are (not for the first time) trying to manipulate the rules to give their man an unfair advantage.
Of course, they know that Pacquiao is the biggest draw in boxing, that Clottey will enjoy his biggest ever payday, and that he’ll cave on their request because he won’t pass up the cash. They’ll know that Pacquiao won his welterweight title by beating Miguel Angel Cotto, who also agreed to boil down to 145 to accommodate his illustrious challenger.
The point is that the welterweight division has now, and always has had, an upper limit of 147 pounds. Weight limits are in place for the safety of boxers, and to demarcate between them. The governing bodies make fools of themselves, of the boxers, and of us, when they allow championships to be contested outside of the stipulated weight limits.
Sure, Pacquiao and Clottey can agree to fight at any weight they like, but the only possible weight limit under which the welterweight title should be at stake is 147 pounds. Otherwise, it’s a catchweight non-title affair, as was Manny’s contest with Oscar De La Hoya, when the Golden Boy crippled himself in favor of his bank balance.
But, of course, they need a title to attract the big bucks, so the organizations scrape and fawn, genuflect and compromise, and bow to the cash-cow. Lost in translation is the fact that Clottey is big even for 147 (he’s weighed in at 145 before - twice in the last ten years) who at 32 will have to starve himself down to make the weight.
Manny can do this because he’s Manny. He holds all the cards. If Clottey says “no” he loses the payday. It’s the height of hypocrisy for the Pacquiao camp to cry over the manipulations of Mayweather, and then seek to hamstring his replacement in this way.
If one were to draw a parallel with other sports, it’s akin to Roger Federer refusing to play unless the net is dropped a couple of inches on his side only, or Michael Jordan downing tools unless he’s allowed his own personal, wider hoop, or Tiger Woods even insisting on playing with a bigger ball. What they would effectively be saying is: I’m bigger than the sport, play by my rules or not at all.
Pacquiao’s proponents will say, hey, it’s just a measly insignificant two pounds. Yet if it’s significant enough for them to insist upon, then it’s significant enough.
By asking for it, Pacquiao is admitting he’s pushing the envelope in the size stakes. He’s able to do so because he is the finest fighter on the planet right now.
One of his predecessors, and former claimant to that title, was Sugar Ray Robinson, who had his own tilt at Joey Maxim’s light heavyweight title in 1952, when Robinson was world middleweight king and also at the top of his game. Back then, had Robinson asked Maxim to hit the scales at, say, 168 pounds, he would have been laughed out of the ring.
But of course the world has gone mad since then, and money talks. The other option for Pacquiao would have been to jump up yet another weight to challenge for Yuri Foreman’s recently acquired WBA light-middle title, and one wonders how far he’d expect Foreman to shrink to accommodate him.
Clottey, 35-3, 20 KO’s, will sign dutifully on the dotted line, dollar-signs flashing before his eyes. He’s a highly capable fighter who has an unfair reputation as a guy who loses when he moves into the top level. In truth he’s lost three times- the first was a controversial disqualification to Carlos Baldomir 10 years ago when he was thrown out for indiscriminate use of his head, the second was a decision loss in 2006 to a probably un-supplemented Antonio Margarito (the story goes that Clottey damaged his left hand early in the fight), and latterly in June last year when he completely out-fought Miguel Cotto for six rounds only to allow Cotto to out-point him with a skilful rear-guard action in the second half of the fight. There were many on-lookers who had Clottey the winner that night.
So assuming he’s allowed to compete unfettered, Clottey should give the Pacman a run for his money. He might even do so if asked to boil down to 145, but surely then a Pacquiao victory will have a hollow feel to it, and Manny will add yet another victim to his roster of world-class conquests who subjugated their own interests in pursuit of the mighty dollar.
Source: ringsidereport.com
***
I have a problem.
Never a bandwagon chaser, and wholly unwilling to disrespect the undeserving, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stay on board the Manny Pacquiao express.
I’ve made my feelings clear about the drug issue, and continue to maintain that Manny was, and is, wrong not to roll up his sleeve and offer a pin-prick of blood to any interested party that wants to clear his name. It seems that not doing so has cost him some $40m (at least for now), and that just doesn’t add up for me.
So be it. I’m no fan of Mayweather either, or of his odious entourage. They go their separate ways for now but everyone knows the financial imperatives will bring them together sooner rather than later.
I was pleased to see Manny name Joshua Clottey as the replacement opponent, who will challenge for the Pacman’s WBO welterweight title on March 13th. I was pleased because I rate Clottey highly and actually think that he’ll be a handful for Pacquiao, and even has an opportunity to walk off with the win.
Imagine my disappointment, then, when it was revealed that Manny’s team is seeking to make the fight at a catch-weight of 145 pounds. It was Pacquiao’s team who winged to the skies that by asking for irregular drug tests Mayweather was seeking to take unfair control of their negotiations, and here they are (not for the first time) trying to manipulate the rules to give their man an unfair advantage.
Of course, they know that Pacquiao is the biggest draw in boxing, that Clottey will enjoy his biggest ever payday, and that he’ll cave on their request because he won’t pass up the cash. They’ll know that Pacquiao won his welterweight title by beating Miguel Angel Cotto, who also agreed to boil down to 145 to accommodate his illustrious challenger.
The point is that the welterweight division has now, and always has had, an upper limit of 147 pounds. Weight limits are in place for the safety of boxers, and to demarcate between them. The governing bodies make fools of themselves, of the boxers, and of us, when they allow championships to be contested outside of the stipulated weight limits.
Sure, Pacquiao and Clottey can agree to fight at any weight they like, but the only possible weight limit under which the welterweight title should be at stake is 147 pounds. Otherwise, it’s a catchweight non-title affair, as was Manny’s contest with Oscar De La Hoya, when the Golden Boy crippled himself in favor of his bank balance.
But, of course, they need a title to attract the big bucks, so the organizations scrape and fawn, genuflect and compromise, and bow to the cash-cow. Lost in translation is the fact that Clottey is big even for 147 (he’s weighed in at 145 before - twice in the last ten years) who at 32 will have to starve himself down to make the weight.
Manny can do this because he’s Manny. He holds all the cards. If Clottey says “no” he loses the payday. It’s the height of hypocrisy for the Pacquiao camp to cry over the manipulations of Mayweather, and then seek to hamstring his replacement in this way.
If one were to draw a parallel with other sports, it’s akin to Roger Federer refusing to play unless the net is dropped a couple of inches on his side only, or Michael Jordan downing tools unless he’s allowed his own personal, wider hoop, or Tiger Woods even insisting on playing with a bigger ball. What they would effectively be saying is: I’m bigger than the sport, play by my rules or not at all.
Pacquiao’s proponents will say, hey, it’s just a measly insignificant two pounds. Yet if it’s significant enough for them to insist upon, then it’s significant enough.
By asking for it, Pacquiao is admitting he’s pushing the envelope in the size stakes. He’s able to do so because he is the finest fighter on the planet right now.
One of his predecessors, and former claimant to that title, was Sugar Ray Robinson, who had his own tilt at Joey Maxim’s light heavyweight title in 1952, when Robinson was world middleweight king and also at the top of his game. Back then, had Robinson asked Maxim to hit the scales at, say, 168 pounds, he would have been laughed out of the ring.
But of course the world has gone mad since then, and money talks. The other option for Pacquiao would have been to jump up yet another weight to challenge for Yuri Foreman’s recently acquired WBA light-middle title, and one wonders how far he’d expect Foreman to shrink to accommodate him.
Clottey, 35-3, 20 KO’s, will sign dutifully on the dotted line, dollar-signs flashing before his eyes. He’s a highly capable fighter who has an unfair reputation as a guy who loses when he moves into the top level. In truth he’s lost three times- the first was a controversial disqualification to Carlos Baldomir 10 years ago when he was thrown out for indiscriminate use of his head, the second was a decision loss in 2006 to a probably un-supplemented Antonio Margarito (the story goes that Clottey damaged his left hand early in the fight), and latterly in June last year when he completely out-fought Miguel Cotto for six rounds only to allow Cotto to out-point him with a skilful rear-guard action in the second half of the fight. There were many on-lookers who had Clottey the winner that night.
So assuming he’s allowed to compete unfettered, Clottey should give the Pacman a run for his money. He might even do so if asked to boil down to 145, but surely then a Pacquiao victory will have a hollow feel to it, and Manny will add yet another victim to his roster of world-class conquests who subjugated their own interests in pursuit of the mighty dollar.
Source: ringsidereport.com
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