Kameda decisions Denkaosan

Boxing News World

In an ugly rematch marred by holding from both fighters, challenger Daiki Kameda outpointed Thai champion Denkaosan Kaovichit to finally win the WBA flyweight title just minutes ago at World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan. Judges Stanley Christodoulou and Glenn Feldman saw the fight 116-110 while Judge Pasquale Procorpio saw it 114-112, all for the Japanese Kameda.

21-yr old Kameda, who lost his first title shot to Denkaosan by majority decision last October in Osaka, improved his record to 16-2 with 11 knockouts. He joined his older brother Koki Kameda, the WBC champion, at the top of the flyweight ladder.

Denkaosan dropped to 48-2-1 with 20 KOs.

(marx7204@lycos.com)

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ARIZA: PACQUIAO’S POWER IS UNREAL -- PhilBoxing

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com

“Fighter of the Decade” and pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao’s power is “unreal” according to conditioning expert Alex Ariza.

In eight rounds of sparring on Saturday at the Wild Card Gym, Pacquiao battered undefeated light welterweight Mike Dallas Jr, a 23 year old with a record of 11-0-1 with 2 knockouts and handled longtime sparring partner super lightweight Raymund Beltran comfortably because they know each others style well.

ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo who covered Pacquiao’s sparring session said “Dallas was groggy in the second round as Manny was really going after him. While he (Dallas) was a lot slower than Pacquiao he was coming forward and getting hit and nearly knocked him out.”

Dallas later told Castillejo that Pacquiao hit him with a vicious shot to the heart and it really hurt but promised to come back better the next time they spar.

Castillejo said Pacquiao was clearly happy with his performance while Ariza told us that trainer Freddie Roach had “a big smile on his face. He was happy and when he and Manny are happy, I am happy.”

Ariza said Pacquiao who didn’t jog because it was raining in Los Angeles had an excellent workout the previous day when Roach was in Florida working the corner of Guillermo Rigondeaux was not there and the gym was closed except for one or two members of the training staff.

Ariza said Pacquiao “looked phenomenal today. He looked the best that I’ve probably seen him. His footwork, speed, power was unreal.”

The conditioning guru said Pacquiao stayed in bed, slept well and did two rounds of isometric exercises “looked strong, good moves.”

At the same time he disclosed that the roster of Pacquiao’s sparring partners would be strengthened with the arrival of Abdullai Amidu, the welterweight from Ghana who is undefeated in 18 fights with 17 wins coming by way of knockouts.

Source: philboxing.com

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Video: Valero vs DeMarco, Round 9

Boxing News World

Texas needs to make Margarito do the right thing -- San Antonio Express

By John Whisler, San Antonio Express

The first boxing card at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington is just more than a month away, and it figures to be a must-see event.

The location alone makes it so, and while we all would have preferred to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. as Manny Pacquiao's opponent, Joshua Clottey is a worthy substitute.

The blood-testing issue that KO'd the Mayweather match will be a non-issue for this fight. But there could be trouble on the horizon for the card, nonetheless.

Promoters are hoping to add disgraced welterweight Antonio Margarito to the undercard, provided he can obtain a license in Texas.

As repulsive and unethical as it may seem, Margarito deserves to be licensed again — if he can meet certain qualifications.

That's a pretty big if.

If you follow the sport at all, you're familiar with Margarito's crime.

Prior to his fight against Shane Mosley on Jan. 24, 2009, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Margarito was caught with an illegal hand wrap.

Later tests revealed the knuckle pad was soaked with a plaster-like substance. It wasn't brass knuckles, but it was close.

Mosley went on to win by ninth-round TKO for the WBA super welterweight title, but afterward, the California State Athletic Commission suspended Margarito and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, for one year.

That period will expire on Thursday. So, legally, Texas is within its rights to grant him a license.

A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees boxing in the state, confirmed Margarito's application had been received and “is under review,” along with all applicable laws.

One of those laws is the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which requires all states to honor suspensions from other states.

The last time a fighter's request for a Texas license drew this much attention came in 2002 when Mike Tyson petitioned for one.

Then, citing Tyson's prior rape conviction and fearing a public relations nightmare, Gov. Rick Perry put his foot down, and Tyson was denied.

Don't expect to see the governor get involved in the Margarito saga, although a tough stand by Perry on the issue might provide a nice boost to his re-election campaign.

Nevertheless, the state's boxing reputation is on the line here. Its image has taken some pretty big hits in recent weeks after some controversial decisions have gone to hometown fighters.

The perception is Texas doesn't always play by the rules. This is a chance for Texas to make a statement.

Margarito is widely viewed as a pariah, a cheater who probably deserved a lifetime ban. One national boxing writer has taken to calling him Margacheato.

But his suspension was for a year, and that period is about to expire.

Margarito did the crime and served the time.

As revolting as the thought of him returning to the ring is, Texas would be justified in granting him a license, in compliance with the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, provided California lifts its suspension first.

To do that, Margarito would have to reapply and convince the commission at a hearing there that he is rehabilitated, that he recognizes the seriousness of his transgression and vows never to do such a thing again.

Margarito so far has been unrepentant. He has maintained he had no knowledge of the illegal wraps and placed all the blame on his trainer.

There is some indication that Texas will do the right thing and demand Margarito clear his name in California before granting him a license here.

Some won't like it. But at least Texas will prove its desire to play by the rules.

JOHN WHISLER'S VIEW FROM THE CORNER

Opening flurry

New series set: From 1998-2005, the Miller Lite Texas Title Belt series roamed the Lone Star State, with 115 events and more than 700 matches in civic centers and ballrooms, from Victoria to Dallas, Houston, El Paso and all across the Rio Grande Valley.

San Antonio was a favorite stop. Some of the cards were duds, but they improved over time, and they were regular.

So when the Miller Brewing Co. pulled the plug on the series, Texas fight fans went through withdrawal.

We haven’t seen anything like the series since. Not having regular shows to count on and look forward to makes you realize just how lucky we were to have had the Miller series.

Now it appears it’s coming back, with Tecate as the title sponsor.

The Tecate Texas Boxing Tour is set to debut March 12 in Dallas.

Fort Worth’s Lester Bedford, the same guy who was brought in to run the Miller series four years into its seven-year run, is promoting the series.

“We’re finishing up our promotional materials, trying to get everything ready,” Bedford said. “San Antonio is going to be a big part of it.”

Bedford said plans call for Tecate to sponsor at least 10 boxing cards in 2010 and possibly more. Most of the shows will be televised on Fox Sports Net or ESPN2, Bedford said.

Straight shots

Arlington undercard: Top Rank has signed featherweight Salvador Sanchez (18-3-2, 8 KOs), the nephew of the late Hall of Fame featherweight champion with the same name, to a contract.

Sanchez, who is the spitting image of his uncle, will make his debut for the company on the March 13 Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey undercard at Cowboys Stadium, although the bout is not slated for the pay-per-view broadcast.

One undercard bout on the pay-per-view broadcast is Jose Luis Castillo (60-9-1, 52 KOs), Sonora, Mexico, vs. Alfonso Gomez (21-4-2, 10 KOs), Guadalajara, Mexico, in a 10-round welterweight bout.

Also, John Duddy (28-1-2, 17 KOs) of Ireland is scheduled to take on Michael Medina (22-1-2, 17 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico, in a 10-round middleweight bout.

WEC pay-per-view: World Extreme Cagefighting has announced its first pay-per-view card. It’ll take place April 24 in Sacramento, Calif., ($44.95) with Urijah Faber challenging welterweight champion Jose Aldo in the main event.

Also, WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson will defend his belt against Donald Cerrone in a rematch of their San Antonio fight in October.

Local spotlight

Barrios runner-up: Mario Barrios of San Antonio won a silver medal Saturday at the 2010 National Silver Gloves Tournament in Washington, D.C.

Barrios, who trains at the San Antonio Parks and Recreation gym, finished second at 90 pounds in the 14-15 year-old division.

Three other local boxers competed in the tournament. Hector Tanajara (75 pounds, 12-13 year-old division) of SAPR lost in the semifinals, while Esquiel Garcia (95 pounds, 14-15 year-old division) of SAPR lost in the first round.

Joey Pesina-Moreno of Angel’s Boxing Club (105, 12-13 year-old division) also lost in his first-round match.

jwhisler@express-news.net

Source: mysanantonio.com

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THE DIFFERENT WORLDS OF MANNY PACQUIAO AND DAVID HOWMAN -- PhilBoxing

By Manny Piñol, PhilBoxing.com

I never realized that the World Anti-Doping Agency which a certain David Howman reportedly heads was a debating club that bases its conclusions on logical deductions rather than scientific examination.

If Howman was quoted correctly as saying that since Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao refuses the idea of blood testing for drugs so close to his aborted fight with Flord Mayweather Jr. ergo he is a cheater, then he has not only shamed himself as a supposed scientist but also embarassed the agency that he represents.

Or it could be that since he and his ilk have not been in the limelight since failing to indict American cyclist Lance Armstrong also on alleged drug use, Howman is just out hunting for another sports celebrity who could pull out WADA from obscurity and once again be in the pages of the world's sports papers and media.

I have not talked to Manny Pacquiao for over a year now but based on what was reported in the media, his position is simple: Go ahead, draw blood from me for drug testing but not within 20 days of the fight. Manny has also reportedly said he is willing to take another blood test right after the fight.

Drug testing is unfamiliar territory for me because I only go through it when I renew my driver's and gun licenses, but common sense will tell you that if indeed a person is into drugs to enhance his athletic capability, the traces of those drugs will linger even after the fight, especially right after the fight.

Howman's conclusion is simply outrageous and uncalled for. It puts a huge question mark over the credibility of the agency that he represents.

There is simply no justification for Howman to issue that statement based on flawed logic. Besides, scientists are supposed to base their conclusions on irrefutable scientific examinations.

Why does Manny Pacquiao dislike the idea of a bloodtesting within 20 days of his scheduled fight with Mayweather?

Well, there is no scientific basis actually and it may never be understood by those who are not familiar with Filipino or even Asian culture.

But let me just try to educate Howman and his ilk.

Asians and Filipinos are fatalists. We believe in fate, in good luck and bad luck, in talisman and in feng shui.

There are people who feel powerful by doing certain rituals before any endeavour and who forsee victory and success in the manifestations of mother nature.

It is bad omen to sweep the floor before you go to the cockpit to fight game chickens which is a national sport in the Philippines. To some people, it is bad omen to cut your fingernails or even hair before a big undertaking.

Personally, I look and consider the rain as a sign of good things to come, of success. At the start of all of my political undertakings, it always rained and I have never lost in an election. Somehow, I feel more confident whenever rains drop on the launching of any endeavour.

Manny Pacquiao believes in fate having been born in a culture marked by belief in superpowers and superstition. This explains his abhorence to shed blood so close to the fight. It is not that he is taking drugs and wants to hide it to cheat. It is just that he believes that shedding blood saps his power and that it would make him vulnerable.

There is nothing scientific in this and this may never be understood by people living in the parts of the world.

But I believe David Howman and his ilk should understand that the world is not how they alone see it.

This world that we live in is viewed differently by people of different culture and tradition and unless Howman and people like him learn to accept this is as a fact, there will always be conflict in our age and time.

They have a world for that David Howman: Culture-sensitivity.

(The columnist is the former governor and now vice governor of North Cotabato, a province in southern Philippines. He holds a Masters Degree in Rural Development and is pursuing a doctorate degree in the same field.)

Source: philboxing.com

Adamek decisions Estrada, fails to impress -- Eastside Boxing

By Ken Neir, Eastside Boxing

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek (40-1, 27 KO’s) looked far from impressive as he labored to a hard fought 12 round unanimous decision on Saturday night against 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada (16-3, 4 KO’s) at the Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey. Adamek, 32, came into the fight weighing an all time high of 220, and fought as if the weight was a problem for him. The final judges’ scores were 118-110, 116-112, and 115-113. Adamek took a great deal of punishment from the light-hitting Estrada, and seemed to be unable to get out of the way of any of Estrada’s shots.

It’s fortunate that Estrada wasn’t a huge puncher, because chances are he would have stopped Adamek if he had a little more power behind his shots. Despite being noted as a puncher while fighting in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions, Adamek’s punches appeared weak in comparison to Estrada’s shots.

Adamek made up for his lack of power by throwing a lot of punches, which enabled him to stay in control of the fight. However, it still was a very close fight and had Estrada thrown more punches in the last five rounds, he would have likely taken the fight. Adamek’s face was badly swollen by the end of the fight, as he appeared to block a lot of Estrada’s punches with his face instead of his gloves.

Estrada had Adamek backing up in the 10th after hitting him with a right hand to the head. Adamek covered up on the ropes as Estrada briefly teed off on him. However, Adamek came back in the 11th and 12th round, barely getting the better of Estrada with combinations that had little power on them. Estrada continued to land the harder shots in the last two rounds, but didn’t throw enough.

Overall, Adamek looked pretty bad. I don’t like his chances against heavyweight contender Chris Arreola in April. I think Adamek will be destroyed if he takes that fight. Arreola appears much too powerful for him, and I think based on how Adamek looked tonight, he would be destroyed within six rounds. At best, I think Adamek might be able to survive for eight rounds if he ran from Arreola, but that’s about all. Adamek would be better off moving back down to the cruiserweight division. He looks fat and slow at 220, and doesn’t belong at heavyweight in my view. Adamek might do well against some of the smaller heavyweights, but against big punchers like Arreola, and, of course, the Klitschko brothers, I see Adamek getting blown out of the ring. If Adamek doesn't move back down to the cruiserweight division, I'd like to see him against someone like Alexander Povetkin or Odlanier Solis. I don't think he could beat either of them, but at least it would give Adamek a good judge of what he's up against in the heavyweight division.

Source: eastsideboxing.com

Adamek Gets Decision Over Estrada, Though TSS Saw A Draw -- The Sweet Science

By George Kimball, The Sweet Science

NEWARK, N.J. --- Extended the distance for the first time since his December 2008 squeaker over Steve Cunningham, Tomasz Adamek rewarded a mostly-Polish crowd of more than ten thousand jammed into the Prudential Center with a unanimous decision over Jason Estrada. Even in a losing cause, the 2004 US Olympian may have exposed some serious flaws in the heavyweight edition of the former light-heavyweight and cruiserweight champion, and Adamek might want to think twice before jumping into the ring with Alexander Povetkin (who was at ringside in Newark) or Chris Arreola (who seems more likely to be next on Adamek's dance card.

When Adamek signed to meet Estrada following his October knockout of countryman Andrew Golota, he doubtless expected to be facing the Cellulite Kid, not the newer and quicker version who gave him all he could handle in Newark Saturday night. On this night, anyway, Big Six turned into Small Six, and the 237 pounds Estrada carried into the ring represented his lightest fighting weight since the 2004 Olympic trials, and with the resultant quickness he put on display against Adamek he looked like a semblance of the guy most Americans were hoping was going to show up in Athens six years ago. Coming into the fight Estrada had been telling people he was in the best shape of his career. Most boxers say that, but he apparently meant it.

Even in his sometimes disappointing professional career, Estrada has always been a superior defensive fighter, and between the ones he blocked and the ones he made Adamek miss, he was a frustrating target in this one. For much of the evening Estrada was the aggressor as well, and repeatedly beat Adamek to the punch with his jab.

All for naught, apparently. While not even Estrada was claiming to have won the fight afterward, with Larry Layton sitting in one of the judges' chairs he'd have needed a machine gun to beat Adamek in Newark. The same New Jersey official who came to national prominence with his 117-113 card for Shannon Briggs against George Foreman more than a dozen years ago returned an equally preposterous 118-110 tally at the Pru on Saturday.

Layton, by the way, was one of the judges the IBF dispatched to Poland last fall to work Adamek's fight against Andrew Golota. If that didn't make him an honorary Pole, his work in the Estrada fight probably did.

Considering that Adamek's left eye was nearly swollen shut, he had the makings of a nasty purple welt on his right cheek, and his nose seemed to be turning the color of the Polish flag, it would be reasonable to assume that the guy who did all the damage won more than two of the 12 rounds, but that's exactly what Layton gave him.

Steve Weisfeld's 115-113 tally seemed more appropriate, but even Joseph Pasquale's 116-112 card seemed reasonable compared to Layton's. (TSS had it a 114-114 draw, and along press row scoring was similarly close.)

Adamek claimed afterward that "what you see in my eye is the result of a head-butt," although if there was in fact a but we missed it and referee Lindsey Page did too. From the third or fourth round Adamek was breathing heavily and with his mouth wide open, and between several of the late rounds his corner appeared to be working on the Pole's legs as well.

Adamek claimed he had expected all along to go the full twelve rounds, but once Estrada demonstrated that he could beat him to the punch and had begun to use his head for a speed bag, Adamek was forced to turn his attention to attacking Estrada's still-ample midsection.

"I have no doubt Jason Estrada fought the fight of his life," said Adamek, who claims not to have been surprised by Estrada's quickness. "And I knew he did not have the power for a one-punch knockout," added Adamek, who claims to have been pacing himself accordingly.

Although most ringsiders had the fight closer than the judges, it would still have been incumbent on Estrada to decisively win the last round, and while he was able to block most everything Adamek threw his way over those last three minutes, Estrada didn't throw nearly as much leather as a might have been expected of a man in his position.

Adamek, in any case, advanced his 40-1 with the decision, and, more importantly, may have put himself in position to fight on HBO rather than GoFightLive next time out. Estrada dropped to 16-3 with the loss.

Fighting for the first time in more than a year, unbeaten Brooklyn super-middle Peter (Kid Chocolate) Quillin sleep-walked his way to a unanimous decision in his 10-rounder against Ecuadorean veteran Fernando Zuniga. There were no knockdowns, and an early cut sustained by Zuniga (a head-butt, ruled referee David Fields) was a non-factor. Judges Shafeeq Rashada and Hilton Whitaker both scored it 100-90, while Eugenia Williams had it 98-92. Qullin is now 21-0, Zuniga 28-10.

Polish super-middle Przemyslaw Majeski stretched his unbeaten pro mark to an even dozen as he thoroughly dominated his Youngstown (Ohio) opponent Anthony Pietrantonion (6-4) in their six-round prelim. Rashada, Whitaker, and Williams were in aggreement, returning 60-54 scorecards.

Fighting as a super-middle, Morganville's Dennis (Mama's Boy) Douglin improved to 7-0 by winning a unanimous decision over Seattle opponent Hunter (3-2-1). Williams and Whitaker had it 60-54, Rashada 59-55.

Popular Jersey City cruiserweight Patrick Farrell dropped his Bronx foe Jon (The FIghting Marine) Schneider in the first and third rounds on the way to a unanimous decision in their four-rounder. It wasn't quite the rout the scorecards (Rashada 40-33; Williams and Whitaker (40-34) would indicate, since when he wasn't bouncing off the canvas the Fighting Marine meted out some punishment of his own. Farrell is now 5-0, Schneider 7-5-1.

Earlier, Ukrainian cruiser Ismayl Sillakh won his tenth fight in as many tries with a fourth-round stoppage of Larry Pryor (6-6) of Houston. In a portent of things to come, Pryor hit the canvas twice in the third, going down first from a hard right and again, near the end of the round, when a left hook from Sillakh deposited him, conveniently, on one knee, with his back resting against a ring-pad in a neutral corner. When Pryor went down early in the fourth from a left hook that he appeared to have blocked, Steve Smoger had seen enough and waved it off at 0:47 of the round.

In the walkout bout, 2008 US Olympian Sadam Ali (5-0) outpointed fellow Brooklyn welter Jason Thompson ( 5-5-1).

*****

PRUDENTIAL CENTER
NEWARK, N.J.
Main Events/Ziggy Promotions
February 6, 2010

HEAVYWEIGHTS: Tomasz Adamek, 220 1/2, Gilowice, Poland dec. Jason Estrada, 237, Providence, RI (12) (Retains IBF International Title)

CRUISERWEIGHTS: Patrick Farrell, 202, Jersey City, N.J. dec. Jon Schneider, 192, Bronx, N.Y. (4)
Ismayl Sillakh, 185 1/2, Zaorozhye, Ukraine TKO'd Larry Pryor, 188 1/2, Houston, Tex. (4)

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHTS: Peter Quillin, 163 1/2, Brooklyn, NY dec. Fernando Zuniga, 164, Esmeraldas, Ecuador (10)
Premyslaw Majewskij, 165, Random, Poland dec. Anthony Pietrantano, 164, Youngstown, Ohio (6)
Dennis Douglin, 162, Morganville, N.J. dec. Eddie Hunter, 167, Seattle, Washington (6)

WELTERWEIGHTS: Sadam Ali, 145, Brooklyn, NY dec. Jason Thompson, 146, Brooklyn, NY (4)

Source: thesweetscience.com

Valero stops DeMarco after 9 rounds -- Yahoo! Sports

By Mark Walsh, Associated Press Writer

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP)—Edwin Valero of Venezuela retained his WBC lightweight belt by stopping Mexico’s Antonio DeMarco on Saturday night.

DeMarco sat in his corner and declined to come out for the 10th round of their title fight. The Mexican was well behind on points and, though he had no obvious injuries, officials said he retired on the advice of his handlers.

When the fight ended, Valero was eight points up on the scorecards of all three judges.

Valero improved to 27-0, with none of his bouts going the distance. DeMarco had only his second career defeat against 23 wins and a draw.

“My physical strength started to show,” Valero said. “Little by little, I started gaining ground. The first three or four rounds I couldn’t hit him with my jab, but then I started to connect.”

Valero picked up a gash across his forehead in the second round, which came from an elbow by DeMarco that was ruled accidental. Valero needed three stitches afterward to close the wound.

Valero said he’d like a fight with Manny Pacquiao, which would force him to move up several weight categories.

“That’s the fight the world wants to see,” the Venezuelan said.

There could be many problems standing in the way of a Pacquiao-Valero fight.

Valero has been denied a U.S. visa because of a drunk-driving charge in Texas. He claims he was turned down because of his strong support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America.

Valero also had a severe motorcycle accident in February 2001 that left him with a fractured skull and required surgery to remove a blood clot. He eventually failed a pre-fight exam in New York. He was handed an indefinite suspension that effectively banned him from fighting in the United States.

The Venezuelan claimed the belt with a second-round TKO of Antonio Pitalua in April last year, and defended it in December when Hector Velasquez retired after six rounds.

DeMarco took an interim version of the belt with a 10th round TKO of Jose Alfaro in October last year.

Source: sports.yahoo.com

Valero Makes DeMarco Corner Throw In The Towel -- The Sweet Science

By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science

Edwin Valero's reputation hasn't blossomed quite like many thought it would as he amassed KO1s in the first part of his career and even after he won super feather and lightweight crowns. Much of that falls in his lap, as he fought away from the US, and took on subpar and faded foes in his defenses. But Valero went a ways towards bolstering his buzz with a Technical KO win over Antonio DeMarco at the Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday night.

The WBC lightweight champion destroyed the will of the 24-year old DeMarco, who figured he'd weather an early Valero storm and then click into gear. It never clicked for DeMarco, though it looked like it might when an errant elbow opened up a vicious gash on Valero. But the champ shrugged that off, and showed a knack for pugilism that many thought he didn't possess. After nine rounds in the main event of a Showtime broadcast, the DeMarco corner knew it was a matter of time before their kid was going to get dropped and stopped, so they waved the white flag of surrender.

Valero (now 27-0; from Venezuela, lives in Vegas) weighed 135 pounds , while DeMarco (from Mexico) was 135 as well.

DeMarco's jab opened a cut in the first, and a mega slice gushed in round two. The ref had the doc look at the wound, which looked like it had been caused by a mini machete. An accidental elbow, like something Kenny Florian might've thrown on purpose, actually did the damage. If the doc had halted the clash no one would've been surprised, as you could see the serial number on Valero's skull. Valero didn't shrink--he fought more furiously, but DeMarco, who did get a point deducted for the infraction, stayed pretty cool and dialed in. Maybe he'd get into those middle rounds, maybe Valero would get frustrated if he didn't get his way...

In the third, DeMarco backed up, but made sure he didn't get hung up on the ropes or in a corner. But Valero, with the cut on his right eye dripping as well, did score with his power left, and the challenger seemed to shrug them off with relative ease. Would that continue? Not so much..he buckled a bit in the fourth.

We saw the judges' scores, as per WBC rules, so viewers and those in the arena knew that the arbiters had Valero ahead through four. The score was piped over the PA with a minute left in the fifth, and DeMarco dialed it up in the remaining time. In the sixth, Valero ate a right hook, as DeMarco realized that he didn't have all night to make an impression. But that wasn't enough to take the round. In the seventh, Valero was in control. He isn't just a wildman banger; yes, he keeps his hands low, but he has better footwork than he's given credit for. In the eighth, Valero put together punches in bunches, got in, got off and got going smartly. The DeMarco corner contemplated pulling the plug after the eighth. He looked gassed, and after the ninth, he didn't protest when his corner said No Mas. To be really honest, DeMarco getting this shot was the product of skillful management, but he needs more seasoning before he gets such an opportunity again. His lack of experience is the only thing that detracts slightly from the impressiveness of the winner's outing.

In the TV opener pitting two free swingers, Argentine Luis Carlos Abregu (now 28-0; age 27) took the decision from Richard Gutierrez (24-4-1) in a welterweight tenner. Ab was down in the second, Gutierrez in the third, and it looked like this thing would never reach ten. Abregu is a rough diamond who has been brought along smartly; he's No. 6 in the WBC.

Source: thesweetscience.com

WADA’s DAVID HOWMAN MUST BE ON DOPE -- PhilBoxing

By Ed de la Vega, PhilBoxing.com

My initial impression upon reading Rick Rockwell’s report stating that David Howman the Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said Manny Pacquiao is cheating because he did not agree to the ridiculous demands of Floyd Mayweather’s Jr was utter shock.

I could not believe a guy in such position can be so wholly out of touch with reality.

How can the head honcho of the supposedly top anti-doing outfit in the world make such harsh and demeaning statements without an iota of evidence to back it up?

From last I know, in most of the countries in the free world, anyone is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Is that now reversed, Mr. Howman?

What makes Pacquiao so guilty without evidence. What’s the basis of your statement?

Oh, did you get paid to make such a statement? If so, by whom?

If you were not paid to say it, the only other reason I can think of is perhaps it is you who is on dope.

People on dope make stupid statements, you know. And your statement about Pacquiao is utterly stupid, to say the least.

Your statement is an embarrassment to the WADA. It blew out the credibility of the agency.

If anyone else left in the agency has his senses right, I guess the best thing to do is ask Howman to resign.

If he does not, perhaps it will bring back the credibility of WADA if Howman is fired.

With such behavior, Howman has no business being a director of anything because in my opinion, he is a biased nitwit.

Some people say that perhaps he made a mistake and spoke before he had all the facts in front of him. That is well and good. But it doe not reduce his culpability and any manner, shape or form.

As a Director of WADA, he must hold himself to higher standards. He did not!

A person in his position should know better before he makes comments on highly sensitive and heavily published issues. That is why I think he is a paid voice of someone or some persons, or he is on dope.

Resign now Howman, before you mess up the WADA even further.

Source: philboxing.com

World Anti-Doping Agency’s Director General David Howman thinks Manny Pacquiao is cheating -- Examiner

By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com

David Howman, Director General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), has recently stated that his initial thoughts on the failed Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight was that he suspected Manny Pacquiao of cheating. He concluded that Pacquiao must be hiding something if he doesn’t want to take a test that will prove he’s clean. Let’s examine his comments further.

"Your first thought is he is cheating if he is not prepared to do something that shows he is not cheating. Blood tests are pretty simple, it's a prick in the arm, it is not going to deplete his energy or ability to fight. You are not taking a pint of blood, you are taking a very small amount."..Howman in an interview with Reuters

Well, it appears to me that Mr. Howman is drinking the Mayweather Jr koolaid that he and the rest of Golden Boy Promotions have been “spinning” ever since the fight fell through. Once again it appears I must apply some facts to this situation to show Mr. Howman, The Mayweathers, and the rest of the Golden Boy Promotions that Pacquiao isn’t a cheater.

Both Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao have stated that there could have been an agreement to the random blood testing. The issue that killed the fight was that Pacquiao wanted the testing to stop 24 days before the fight and Mayweather Jr wanted to have the testing up to 14 days before the fight.

So, if both fighters were willing to take the tests but the only difference was a 10 day period then how can one logically assume that Pacquiao was the cheater? How does a 10 day difference equate to Pacquiao being a cheater? He was willing to take the tests, has admitted he would, but only up to 24 days before the fight and right after the fight. He never said, during the contractual talks, that he wouldn’t take the tests.

Robert Jansen Sacramento, CA “Does Howman’s comments lend heavy support to the argument that Pacquiao is a cheater?” Robert, no it doesn’t. He’s an outsider that is judging the situation on the merits that Pacquiao wouldn’t take the tests at all. As I previously stated, Pacquiao would take the tests but just at a different time frame. I’m going to give Howard the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t have all the facts when he made these comments.

Jeffery McSweeny Cameron Park, CA “Rick, these comments from the WADA official has to shut up your pro-Pacquiao and anti-Mayweather mouth.” Jeffery, these comments are lacking serious validity, in my opinion. Howman made a conclusion based on flawed logic.

Let me set this record straight once and for all. I’m against anyone who beats women, has a record of criminally assaulting others, cares more about money than people, extremely egotistical, and cheats their way to the top. I didn’t force Mayweather to beat women, commit crimes, cheat, and care more about money than other people. I am a huge fan of athletes that are humbled, dedicated, and give the glory to God which Pacquiao does. How can anyone be a fan of the former and not the latter? So I am "anti-cheating woman beaters" and "pro-God fearing athletes".

Source: examiner.com

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Battle plans are drawn for Pacquiao - Clottey -- Examiner

By Ricardo Lois, Examiner.com

Los Angeles - March 13 creeps slowly upon Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey and the game plans for their battle are being developed.

Fighting out of the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has hinted at the use of a strategy similar to the one executed in a knock-out victory over Oscar De La Hoya in December, 2008.

On that night, Pacquiao used his amazing speed and power to derail The Golden Boy in eight rounds. The Filipino maneuvered in and out of De La Hoya's punching range, while firing powerful combinations.

“Clottey’s accurate if you stand in front of him,” Roach told AOL Fanhouse. “But we’re going to be in and out and side to side and use our angles on him. He’s not going to be able to catch us.”

As for Clottey, preparing himself in the Bronx, New York without the guidance of regular trainer Godwin Dzaine Kotey due to visa issues in Ghana, has received some special advice from former junior middleweight title holder and trainer John David Jackson.

“Pacquiao is not a good inside fighter... and he also can't fight off the ropes. Clottey has to capitalize on that. If he can do that, he can beat him," said Jackson in a recent interview.

Clottey is known for being able to pressure fighters, and some inside boxing circles believe, like Jackson, that if he is bullied into the ropes by a naturally stronger man, an upset victory could be within his grasp.

Mosley is forgiving of Margarito

I for one believe Antonio Margarito should be banished from the sport for attempting to use plastered hand wraps in his January, 2009 fight with Shane Mosley.

As for Sugar, he is much more forgiving.

"I definitely this he should get his licence," Mosley told The Rumble. "The penalty to disappear should to the trainer."

We can see why Mosley is considered as one of boxing's true nice guys and a class act, through and through.

Margarito is scheduled to return on March 13 against Carson Jones on the under card of Pacquiao - Clottey.

Good Karma for Rigondeaux and Caballero on the way

Cuban super bantamweight had announced he would donate half of his Friday night purse to relief efforts in Haiti and was rewarded by knocking out Adolfo Landeros in 28 seconds with a wicked left-handed body shot.

Rigondeaux improved to five wins (four knock-outs), with no losses and is reported to be headed to an April fight with Panamanian Celestino Caballero (#1 ranked super bantamweight by The Boxing Truth) in April at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Source: examiner.com

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DON’T FORGET THE NAAZIM FACTOR IN MAYWEATHER VS. MOSLEY -- FightHype

By Oliver Suarez, FightHype.com

A fight that has been in demand by boxing fans is now on the horizon. Shane Mosley is set to face Floyd Jr. on May 1 in a match that pits the two best American fighters today.

No doubt one of the best fights in recent years, I just wished it would have happened a few years earlier when Shane Mosley was close to his prime. Nonetheless, it’s still a great fight since Mosley continues to defy Father Time by performing at an elite level.

Now Floyd Mayweather is about to step in the ring against an opponent that can closely match his ring generalship, quickness and speed. Still, he will probably be the odds on favorite to beat Mosley because of his superior skills. In addition, many have argued that Mosley’s style is tailor made for Mayweather as he has problems against fighters that have great jabs and movement.

But what should be noted is that Mosley seems to be rejuvenated since he hooked up with Nazeem Richardson. When discussing the best trainers, Nazeem Richardson should be in the discussion along with Roach, Mayweather and Nacho.

Nazeem Richardson is one of the best in the business as far as creating a game plan for his fighters and making sure that they follow it. This is obvious when you see him in the corner talking to his fighters. He gives his fighters detailed and accurate information on what is happening and what his fighters need to do. So it should not come as a surprise that his fighters Hopkins and Mosley both just pulled upsets against Pavlik and Margarito respectively.

I expect Mosley with Richardson’s guidance to give Mayweather Jr a tough fight. So if Mayweather does indeed defeat Mosley even in a convincing fashion, he should be given full credit for the victory.

Source: boxing.fighthype.com

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HAS MAYWEATHER TURNED THE TIDE IN THE PR BATTLE WITH PACQUIAO? -- FightHype

By Evan Korn, FightHype.com

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have yet to step foot inside the same ring. The result of that tango remains inconclusive.

When Mayweather’s signature confirmed the May 1 mega-fight with Shane Mosley, something became abundantly clear: Mayweather had won the PR battle.

By signing to fight Mosley, Mayweather went after the prom queen of the Welterweight division. Pacquiao’s next opponent, Joshua Clottey, is a capable sort, but he won’t be wearing the crown anytime soon.

When Mosley readily agreed to the blood testing that Pacquiao refused, it added another layer to the never-ending saga. Why does one world class fighter accept terms that another refused?

Regardless, Team Pacquiao felt like Mayweather was singling out their guy as a steroid cheat. Team Mayweather went on record as saying that any future Mayweather opponent will be subjected to rigorous blood testing. Once Mosley agreed to the terms Pacquiao refused, the PR battle had been decided. Fair or not, Pacquiao is now linked to the PED mess (despite no concrete proof that he has cheated). Mayweather, who will take blood tests as part of the Mosley contract, fights the higher-profile bout without the heir of suspicion.

In a recent statement, Mayweather discussed his decision to fight Mosley.

“This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately,” Mayweather said. “I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat me. This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fight Shane immediately. I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat me.”

Pacquiao fights March 13, the same date he was supposed to face Mayweather. Instead of fighting the man aptly nicknamed “Money”, he fights a world-class fighter with little fan support. While 30-40,000 patrons will fill Dallas Cowboys Stadium to see Pacquiao in action against the tough Ghanaian, Mayweather won’t be far from anybody’s mind. It is the fight the world wanted to see. A vile of blood prevented that dream from becoming a reality.

While Pacquiao’s presence will loom over the Mosley bout, at least Mayweather will share the ring with an elite name and talent. In that sense, Mayweather has won. And in the court of public opinion, Pacquiao’s blood test refusal makes him, to quote Chris Rock, “Born Suspect.”

Some Random Thoughts

The thought of a “Golden Girls” sex tape excites me more than a Jones-Hopkins rematch.

Glen Johnson just beat Yusaf Mack tonight on ESPN 2’s “Friday Night Fights.” Now there is an older fighter who just shuts up and fights. Hopkins and Jones should take notes.

Edwin Valero knocks out Antonio DeMarco. DeMarco is Showtime’s Andre Berto, a fighter who has risen up the ranks on premium cable with a diet of beatable opponents.

Did Jorge Arce drink from the fountain of youth last weekend?

Watch out for Heavyweight prospect Robert Helenius, who battered past-his-prime Lamon Brewster last Saturday.

Source: newyork.fighthype.com

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Q&A: Freddie Roach -- FightNews

By Wolfgang Schiffbauer, FightNews.com

Fightnews.com caught up with world class trainer Freddie Roach earlier today to discuss the Pacquiao–Mayweather fiasco, Joshua Clottey, Shane Mosley and the newest addition to Roach’s stable of champions, WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm from Cologne, Germany. The 49-years old Roach also talks about his past as an active fighter, his motivation about being a trainer and his battle with Parkinson disease.


What can you tell us about the whole Manny Pacquiao–Floyd Mayweather, Olympic style drug testing fiasco?

The thing is I am not giving in to Mayweather. He is not running the sport, the commissions do. If you let him run the sport, it’s like giving the first two rounds away. He doesn’t make the rules, the commissions and the sanctioning bodies make the rules. They have been doing that for a long time. Who the hell is Mayweather to tell us what to do? That’s not going to happen.


What are your thoughts on Manny’s new opponent Joshua Clottey?

I have been studying him quite a bit now. He is very strong and has a good chin but he makes too many fundamental mistakes and I think Manny will be the first person to knock him out.


How far along training camp is Pacquiao right now?

He is already in good shape. The first day he came in the gym, he weighed around 147 pounds already. We have to keep the weight up and feed him five meals a day just to keep it up. He is doing great in sparring and we are studying his game plan as we watch Clottey tapes. He’s not ready to fight yet but we have about four and a half weeks till fight night and he will be ready then.


Now that Mayweather signed his contract, what do you think about his upcoming bout against Sugar Shane Mosley?

It is a very good fight. I take Mayweather by decision; I think he will outbox Mosley. But it is a competitive bout and Shane always shows up to fight. Well, I’m glad to see it happen but I am waiting to hear if Mayweather will make him take the drug tests, too. He has a history of drugs. So why would he ask us and not somebody else? It is crazy. I don’t know about this guy.

As far as I know, Mosley agreed to do the testing and they made a statement to the press that both fighters will under-go random blood tests in the weeks leading up to May 1st.

They said it, but they haven’t hired the company to do it yet. So we’ll see.


Is it something special for you to work the corner of a main event fighter in front of 40,000 fans in a football stadium?

No, it’s all the same. I don’t see the crowd; I don’t get caught up in that. It’s natural that all the people come and watch. My job is to take care of the fighter and that’s what I am concentrating on. However, Cowboys Stadium is big and beautiful and it is great to be the first one to fight there. Hopefully, we can do something like this on a regular basis. Vegas is fun, too but Texas has a good commission, it is very professional. But I don’t really care where we fight, in Germany or America or wherever.


Is Manny Pacquiao the best fighter you ever worked with?

No, but Pacquiao is the most dedicated guy I have ever worked with and also the most improved fighter from day one to now.


Who is the best fighter then?

Well, you know, I trained natural fighters like James Toney, I worked with Mike Tyson. I can’t really judge who the best fighter was, technique-wise. But as far as improvement and will-to-win, Manny is probably the best at that.


It was recently announced that you will work with WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm. Why did you choose to train him?

Well, he is a very good fighter. When I trained Wladimir Klitschko in Germany, he was the only one who was coming to me in the gym besides Klitschko and I like him.


How good a fighter is he?

He is a great fighter. I mean, he came to America and basically beat a prime Oscar de la Hoya. He’s got all the skills in the world, I think he needs a little more offense and I am an offensive-minded guy, so I think we will work well together.


How do you want to improve him?

There isn’t really a need for improvement. We have to adjust a couple things, so he can throw more combinations and use his natural skills to their full extend.


Will you stay in Germany before his fights?

Yes, for as long as I can I will.


Isn’t that a problem with your friends, your family or with Wild Card gym?

No, I went to training camp with Manny Pacquiao a couple times already. I go into camp with world champions and special people when I have the time, so it is no problem.


What are your goals with Felix Sturm?

I want to get him back to America, have him fight the likes of Kelly Pavlik and become the undisputed middleweight champion of the world.


Will you have him spar Pacquiao or other Wild Card boxers in L.A.?

I’m sure he will come over for sparring. I get all kinds of sparring in here. We have a lot of good guys at the gym. In early training stages he might be coming to L.A. and when we get closer to the fight, we will go back to Germany. But it depends on where the fight is. I haven’t tried to get him and Pavlik together and we might not do that yet but I am sure that the fight will be in America when it happens and so he’ll train here for the whole training camp. So it’ll just be back and forth, depending on our schedules.


Tell us something about your own active boxing career.

I was more of a tough guy; I tried really hard and exchanged a lot. It worked well for when I was young but when I got older it wasn’t quite as effective. I fought world champions like Hector Camacho and Bobby Chacon. My career was good; it taught me a lot about boxing. I just found something that I am better at and that’s training fighters. Thanks to my mentor Eddie Futch and my father, they taught me this game and thanks to them I think it is why I’m successful. I was taught by very good people.


What is your motivation about being a trainer?

My motivation is improving people. If I can improve a fighter, I will do it. I probably have too many fighters right now but I have trouble saying no because I want to help anyone if I can. I know the sport very well; I’ve been doing this since I was six years old. It’s all I know, it’s all I do. I don’t have any other hobby because I don’t have time for any of them.


While everyone agrees that you are one of the best boxing trainer’s of the world, your achievements become even more stunning considering your fight with Parkinson disease. How do you keep up such great work with your fighters while suffering from such a bad illness?

The thing is I take my medication; I won’t let it get into my way. Yesterday, I did 50 rounds of mitts in a row with 14 of my fighters and twelve rounds with Pacquiao. I can do this all day long, I’m happy here. I won’t let Parkinson take any of that away and I refuse to even acknowledge it. I’m fine.

Source: fightnews.com

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