Amir Khan eyes Paulie Malignaggi for US debut at Madison Square Gardens on May 15 -- Daily Mail

Dailymail.co.uk

Amir Khan has confirmed he hopes to make his US debut against Paulie Malignaggi at New York's Madison Square Gardens on May 15.

Rumours of Khan's next opponent have been rife since he joined forces with American promoters Golden Boy last month, with Marcos Maidana - the mandatory challenger for his WBA light-welterweight title - and Juan Manuel Marquez mooted as potential candidates.

But having already made one mandatory defence with a 76-second stoppage against Dmitriy Salita in December, Khan was looking to take on a bigger name than Maidana for his first bout in the States and with Marquez believed to have rejected an offer to fight yesterday, the 23-year-old has now turned his attention towards Malignaggi.

'May 15 is the date that I have, the fight will be in America, and opponent - we are looking at Malignaggi,' Khan said. 'We were looking at Marquez, who pulled out, so it's Malignaggi up to now and we want to hear what he thinks about the fight.

'Golden Boy have put the fight to his promoter Lou DiBella, so we will see where we go from here.

'I want to fight him in his home town (New York) and beat him in his home town in front of his own people. The fight has not been made 100% yet but I think there is a very good chance of it happening.

'When it does happen, I'm just going to go in there and do what I normally do and I really think Malignaggi has a style which is going to make me look good.

'He's not at my level. He has a few good wins in America, but it's another fight for me and I'll go there and do what I have to do.'

Talk of a fight between Khan and Malignaggi - who was beaten by Ricky Hatton in 2008 - has grown over the last few days after the two fighters became embroiled in an apparent war of words online via Twitter, although the Bolton fighter admits he prefers to square up face to face.

He said: 'I'm new on Twitter. A friend was looking after it at first until I took over. My image is not talking trash - I let my fists do all the talking.

'My friend was fighting back with him (Malignaggi), so I took over the whole Twitter account about a week ago and you can see that it is different.'

Khan insisted he was avoiding nobody and revealed there were several names on his hitlist as he aims to make a splash in the US.
'Marcos Maidana was the mandatory, but the WBA have said that because it would be two mandatories back to back, they can't really do that, so they have not put that as a mandatory fight,' Khan said.
'If I was going to fight someone in America I wanted to fight a big name as my debut, so if I fought Maidana, people would have said it's not the right way to come to America, it's not the right entrance. I would beat him, but I still wouldn't have the recognition

'So I wanted to fight Marquez, who is a tougher opponent, a bigger name who just fought against Floyd Mayweather Jr and lost in 12 rounds. But Marquez refused, so now the ball is in my court.

'It's quite hard because after knocking out Salita, people now recognise me as a tough world champion. There are a few names I want to fight (including) Malignaggi in New York City at Madison Square Gardens.

'Also there's fighters like Nate Campbell, Victor Ortiz, maybe even Maidana when he gets a bit of a bigger name. This game is all about business and it's about making the right fights at the right time.'

Khan's change of promoters has also added fuel to speculation that an all-British super-fight with Hatton - who is promoted by Golden Boy in the US - could be on the cards later this year.

Hatton, who many expected to retire after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in May, announced his intention to return to the ring last month, and although he feels the 'Hitman' may have made the wrong decision, Khan is ready to take the fight if an offer is made.

'I get a lot of questions from people asking when I am going to fight Ricky Hatton,' Khan said. 'Ricky is a friend of mine and if it was on the table, I'm one of those fighters who would grab it, I'd take the fight.

'But I really think that if I was Ricky Hatton, I'd call it a day. He has made his name in British boxing, so he should just relax.

'But if he wants to fight back, then Amir Khan is here as a world champion and I think it would be a big fight for British boxing.'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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Amir Khan wants to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas -- Mirror

By Nick Parkinson, Mirror.co.uk

Amir Khan has agreed to fight Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.

But the Mexican has yet to be convinced about the showdown, planned for May 15.

Khan's new American promoter, Golden Boy, is working on Marquez as the opponent for the Bolton boxer's US debut.

Khan, 23, had been due to defend his WBA light-welterweight title against mandatory challenger Marcos Maidana, of Argentina, next but Golden Boy has agreed a deal to delay that fight until later this year.

Golden Boy chief executive Richard Schaefer is confident former three-weight world champion Marquez, 36, will sign to fight Khan.

He said: "Amir Khan has accepted the challenge. We are talking to Marquez.

"Marquez under-stands this is a fight where he can make a good purse and the same is true for Amir Khan.

"It makes a lot of sense. They don't need to do tune-up fights. They want to have real challenges."

But  Marquez's manager Nacho Beristain does not think his fighter should face Khan next after losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr in his last fight.

He said: "Khan is very strong and it's not a good fight for Marquez right now because he's not recovered from the Mayweather fight which was just brutal. I think it's better to get another opponent.

"He should not be exploited again. Juan Manuel deserves to retire like a true champion and not as someone's stepping stone." Maidana will box Victor Cayo, of the Dominican Republic, on March 27.

Source: mirror.co.uk

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Ring Ratings Update: Adamek vacates, Pacquiao holds on to RING title -- The Ring

By Doug Fischer, The Ring

Two RING champions have recently begun campaigns in weight classes above their title divisions, and one of them has decided that he won’t be coming back down.

After two victories in the heavyweight division, world cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek has decided to relinquish THE RING title he won with a thrilling split-decision victory over Steve Cunningham in December of 2008 in order to campaign full-time above 200 pounds.

Adamek (40-1, 27 knockouts), who annihilated fellow Pole and former title challenger Andrew Golota in five rounds last October, out-pointed 2004 Olympian Jason Estrada (16-3, 4 KOs) over 12 competitive rounds on Saturday and now plans to challenge RING-rated heavyweight Chris Arreola in April.

Manny Pacquiao, who won THE RING world junior welterweight title when he knocked out Ricky Hatton last May, is coming off a 12-round technical stoppage of 147-pound beltholder Miguel Cotto and is scheduled to defend that title against welterweight contender Joshua Clottey on March 13. However, the Filipino icon is not ready to let go of his RING 140-pound title.

“After the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey welterweight fight was signed, THE RING contacted Team Pacquiao to ask if he would voluntarily relinquish the world junior welterweight championship he won by knocking out Ricky Hatton,” said Nigel Collins, Editor-in-Chief of THE RING magazine. “Pacquiao’s advisor, Michael Koncz, discussed the situation with Manny, who requested that he be allowed to keep THE RING 140-pound title until after the Clottey fight.

“THE RING granted that request, but informed Pacquiao that if his next fight after Clottey is not a defense of the junior welterweight title, THE RING will consider it tantamount to relinquishing the title. Pacquiao and Koncz agreed to these terms.

“THE RING magazine cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek has informed us that he will be relinquishing the title in the very near future in order to continue his heavyweight campaign. As soon as the announcement becomes formal, the title will become vacant.”

When that happens, the door will be open for Cunningham, THE RING’s No. 1-rated cruiserweight, to claim the vacated world title if engages in a rubber-match with his other Polish rival, Krzysztof Wlodarczyk, the magazine’s No. 2-rated 200 pounder.

Cunningham dropped a split-decision to Wlodarczyk in November of 2006 in Poland, and then returned to Adamek’s native country to defeat the nation’s second best cruiserweight by majority decision in May of 2007.

Both Adamek and Pacquiao should be commended for their decisions.

The big-money bouts for Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) are at welterweight, where a super event with the winner of the May 1 showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley awaits, but there is a particularly fan-friendly fight for the pound-for-pound king that could take place at junior welterweight.

Edwin Valero (27-0, 27 KOs), THE RING’s No. 1-rated lightweight, who stopped contender Antonio DeMarco in impressive fashion on Saturday, has been mentioned as a potential opponent for Timothy Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs), the magazine’s No. 1-rated junior welterweight.

Should the fascinating 140-pound matchup between Bradley and Valero take place, the winner of the can’t-miss barnburner would not be as marketable as the Mosley-Mayweather winner, but there isn’t a single hardcore fan worldwide who wouldn’t want to see him challenge Pacquiao. And if Pacquiao were to take on the Bradley-Valero winner, shouldn’t THE RING junior welterweight title be up for grabs?

Adamek’s confidence in his chances at heavyweight should also be admired. The prudent move would be to hold onto the cruiserweight title in case things don’t work out with the big boys.

After all, Adamek didn’t have an easy time with Estrada, a 29-year-old fringe contender who lacks world-class power and can be downright reluctant to let his hands go in the ring. At times during Saturday’s bout, Estrada -- who lost to Adamek by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and an unrealistic 118-110 -- out-jabbed and cleanly counter-punched the Polish star. Estrada also periodically utilized his 17-pound weight advantage (237 to 220) to force the smaller man to give ground, much to the dismay of the 10,000-plus who gathered inside the Prudential Center to cheer on Adamek in his adopted hometown of Newark, N.J.

Adamek’s hard-fought victory over Estrada begs the question of what will happen when he faces Arreola, an even bigger heavyweight known for his heavy hands and high punch output?

Let’s give Adamek credit for having the courage to want to find out for himself.

RING RATINGS UPDATE

There was plenty of movement in THE RING’s divisional ratings after a busy weekend of boxing.

CRUISERWEIGHTS:

Vadim Tokarev (No. 6 last week), whose last fight was on in late November of 2008, exits due to inactivity. All rated cruiserweights below Tokarev last week move up one spot each and Russia’s Denis Lebedev (19-0, 14 KOs) debuts at No. 10.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS:

Glen Johnson (No. 3 last weeks) advances to No. 2 following his sixth-round kayo of Yusaf Mack (No. 7 last week). Johnson’s elevation also forces down Bernard Hopkins (No. 2 last week) to No. 3. Mack departs, which advances everybody below seven last week one position and makes room for 22-year-old British standout Nathan Cleverly (18-0, 8 KOs) to enter at No. 10.

“Before choosing Nathan Cleverly as the new man at 175-pounds, we gave consideration to the more experienced Jurgen Brahmer,” said Collins. “But because Brahmer has been sentenced to 16 months in prison, we decided it would be best not to rank the German until his legal problems are resolved.”

LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Edwin Valero maintained his No. 1 rating with a ninth-round TKO of Antonio DeMarco (No. 9 last week), who falls out of the Top 10. DeMarco’s departure allows David Diaz to jump from No. 10 to No. 9, and Kevin Mitchell to re-enter at No. 10.

JUNIOR LIGHTWEIGHTS:

Jorge Solis, who won an interim 130-pound belt with his seventh-round KO of Likar Ramos on Saturday, has moved up from the featherweight division, where he replaces Vitali Tajbert at No. 10.

FEATHERWEIGHTS:

Solis’ (No. 4 last week) move up to junior featherweight bumps up all fighters rated below him last week one slot each and makes room for Japan’s Ryol Li Lee (15-1-1, 8 KOs) to return at No. 10.

FLYWEIGHTS:

Daiki Kameda’s decision over Denkaosan Kaowichit (No. 3 last week) allows Kameda to enter at No. 4, while Kaowichit slips to No. 5. The shakeup also moves Daisuke Naito (No. 4 last week) to No. 3, based on his win over Daiki in October 2007. Julio Cesar Miranda (No 10 last week) departs due to the realignment.

Source: ringtv.com

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Antonio Margarito hopes to fight in March -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Forgiving and forgetting helps sustain boxing.

Former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito hopes that idea holds true now that he has applied for a boxing license for a comeback in Texas. Promoter Bob Arum has scheduled Margarito to fight Carson Jones on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey main event at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on March 13.

Thursday is the first day Margarito, 31, is eligible for a boxing license in the U.S. after he and his trainer had their licenses revoked for a year by the California State Athletic Commission for having illegal plaster-like substances inside Margarito's hand wraps before his title defense last year against Shane Mosley.

"That was a black eye for boxing, it really hurt all of us," said Nazim Richardson, Mosley's trainer, who pointed out to California inspectors Margarito's hand wraps before the January 2009 bout at Staples Center. Officials confiscated the plaster, Margarito's hands were re-wrapped, then he was knocked out by Mosley.

"If they let [Margarito] back now, trying to slip those things into the ring was worth the gamble," Richardson said.

Margarito, with a record of 37-6 and 27 knockouts, is a popular Mexican fighter and his promoter already has big plans for him.

Arum told The Times recently that Margarito is free to regain his license because he has served his disciplinary period.

"If [Margarito] looks good on the Texas card, a major match at the same stadium later would be Pacquiao-Margarito," Arum said. "We've received no assurances from Texas, but we hope there's no reason to deny him the license."

At a state hearing last year, Margarito said he only held his hands up to be wrapped before the Mosley fight, with no intention to cheat. His trainer, Javier Capetillo, testified that the hardened inserts must have been tossed inside his gym training bag by accident and were unintentionally placed inside Margarito's wraps.

Skepticism reigned about the explanation.

Once Margarito was suspended, federal boxing bylaws prevented him from fighting in other states for a year. Now, Margarito's comeback is prompting considerable talk within boxing circles.

Karen Chappelle, the supervising deputy attorney general in California who argued to have Margarito suspended, said "our position" is that California must first reinstate Margarito before he can fight in Texas.

But two weeks ago, the Assn. of Boxing Commissions (ABC), a national body that interprets rules for state commissions, said Texas can make its own decision on Margarito's license. But ABC's board of directors urge in a letter to Texas officials "that Mr. Margarito should not be licensed at this time due to the seriousness of the violations."

Daniel Petrocelli, Margarito's attorney, disagrees.

"The most severe discipline possible is revocation for one year, so now that the year is up, he's reapplying," Petrocelli said. "Aside from this incident, Antonio has been an exemplary boxing citizen. He did not . . . even know of these gauze inserts. He was disciplined for hiring this trainer who broke the rules. Antonio has accepted his punishment."

Margarito has fired Capetillo, Petrocelli said

Timothy Lueckenhoff, president of ABC, said in an e-mail that he expects Margarito to get licensed in Texas.

"Every state is looking at ways to increase revenues," Lueckenhoff wrote. "This fight will be a huge draw and millions of dollars will be placed in the economy in Texas. Again it is unfortunate that it may come to this, but there are some real heavy hitters who are backing this fight."

Margarito declined to comment.

A Texas spokeswoman said Margarito's license application is under review, with a decision likely this month.

Mosley is training for his bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 1. He believes Margarito deserves to fight again.

"The trainer is the one who should be suspended for life," Mosley said. "He's the one who put that stuff in there."

Richardson isn't so sure.

"[Margarito] hurt all of us in the boxing fraternity with that nonsense, like when [Mike] Tyson bit off [Evander] Holyfield's ear," Richardson said.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

Source: latimes.com

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Experts give their thoughts on random blood testing being implemented in boxing (by boxers) apart from the dope testing required by boxing commissions

Boxing News World

I am still sulking about the collapse of Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather superfight. Pacquiao and Mayweather, the two most brilliant fighters in the sport, couldn’t reach an agreement on the blood testing protocol even with the help of an arbiter in retired judge Daniel Weinstein who is recognized as one of the premier mediators of complex, multi-party, high-stake cases, both in the United States and abroad.

The blame game from both camps after the negotiation fell apart was particularly disgusting. Mayweather’s camp, not only blamed Pacquiao for the sad dissolution of the negotiation, but went on even further by saying what the Mayweathers believed all along that the Filipino must be on something because he was averse to random blood testing.

But, no matter how preposterous Mayweathers’ accusation towards Pacquiao was, performance enhancing drugs or PEDs and random blood testing are really important subjects worthy of consideration and careful attention by boxing officials because the sport has had PEDs issues since late 1995 when Frans Botha won the vacant IBF heavyweight championship against Germany’s Axel Schulz but was stripped of the title shortly after the fight when the White Buffalo’s urinalysis came out positive for anabolic steroids.

Now, whether or not this costly random blood testing is absolutely necessary in boxing to deter possible offenders from going for the so called “quick fix” and whether or not this method of testing is capable of catching all offenders are interesting topics of discussion. But there is no denying the fact that Shane Mosley (who ironically will face Mayweather this May) and Tommy Morrison, two self-confessed steroids users, somehow managed to get around the dope testing procedure being used by boxing commissions. This gives credence to Mayweather’s recent cry “I want to help to clean up the sport of boxing”.

However, while it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that the sport is clean, the implementation of illegal drug testing procedures is boxing commission’s responsibility and no one else’s.

I sought the thoughts of some boxing experts concerning this controversial subject. Check out what they had to say.

Adam Pollack, Cyber Boxing Zone
I don't have a problem with rigorous drug testing, certainly not for huge fights where the money is there to do the testing. I think if you win a fight, it should be due to the fact that you are a better fighter, without any cheating. I think history's results have been altered due to cheating, which is not fair to the public, to gamblers, or to the fighter's who lost unfairly. I also think boxing is a pain sport, so there is a safety element. You can get hurt more by a guy who is using illegal substances. A fighter should not have to subject himself to that.

Geoff Poundes, Ringside Report
Boxers should undergo Olympic style, random testing of the most rigorous kind. It’s not good enough that a world-class fighter can pick or choose the type and timing of his tests.

Mark Whicker, Orange County Register
Any type of testing is good.

Amy Green, BoxingInLasVegas
As far as blood testing... normally commission testing is pretty stringent and should be abided by. In the case of Mayweather's requests of Manny Pacquiao, Manny should have gotten the testing. Blood testing, randomly done, I honestly think it depends on the situation.

Bill Dwyre, Los Angeles Times
Boxing officials should organize and implement any changes, not boxers. Officials make the rules. Boxers follow them or they don't have to box. The entire blood testing thing may be completely silly because, in the history of the drug wars between athletes and enforcers, the athletes and their pharmacists are always two steps ahead. We have no idea what jock is taking what to enhance what at this very moment, although we'll find out about it three years from now.

Thomas Hauser, SecondsOut
My thoughts on PED testing are contained in a recent article I wrote for Secondsout.com.

Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
They should be done universally - but that's not likely to happen. However - it's still yet to be proven where HGH/PEDs have transformed a good fighter into a great fighter. It's a myth.

Tony Nobbs, Eastside Boxing
Yes, I think that boxing commissions should implement random blood testing because the way it is now is not tough enough. A guy knows when he's getting tested, so he just works around it. In athletics or swimming, you cheat, you win gold, but in boxing, you cheat, someone can get seriously hurt.

Matthew Goldstein, Boxing Talk
Any drug testing that will catch more PED's is good drug testing. The question should really be "why shouldn't they add more drug testing?"

Chris Ackerman, Doghouse Boxing
That was just a reason for Floyd to get out of the fight with Pacquaio. That being said, the drug testing in professional sports is a joke. But if we are talking about pre-fight testing, we should talk about day-before weigh-ins too.

Michael Rosenthal, Ring Magazine
The sport needs effective drug testing but there are problems with oversight and finances. Who would pay for it?

TP Walker, Eastside Boxing
Boxing preaches natural building of strength through regimens of repetitious punches, push ups, sit ups, jumping rope, etc. Still, we are not immune as a sport to the pressures of the quick fix. I think we need it, but I’m interested to see if it is something that becomes closer to the norm. One thing not being mentioned is the fact that those tests are not cheap. Mayweather, Mosley, and Pacquiao can afford it, but what about the local club promoter who only profits a few thousand bucks on a show? Can he afford it?

Ramon Aranda, 411mania
I like the idea of random blood testing, but NO fighter should take it upon himself to try and institute it.

Brandon Estrict, Doghouse Boxing
The testing done by boxing commissions now is a joke, for the most part. They should stand up and implement stricter drug testing now that it's come to light. It's the right thing to do.

Tony Penecale Jr, Fight News Unlimited
I think a can of worms has been opened. I put the majority of the blame on Floyd Mayweather Sr and Roger Mayweather who started with the allegations against Manny Pacquiao. While I criticize Pacquiao for avoiding the tests, I am especially critical of both Senior Mayweathers for their unfound and character-damaging allegations. Both of them are mean-spirited and egotistical and can't stand that there is another fighter getting the glory right now. I was on a conference call with Freddie Roach and Floyd Mayweather Sr last spring hyping the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. Floyd Sr called Pacquiao "a bum" and predicted an easy victory for Ricky. The steroid accusation is another way for him to try and save face. I think all blood doping tests should be requested and handled by the commission.

Jim Amato, DM Boxing
I am TOTALLY against random drug testing. Let the commissions do their job...

Springs Toledo, The Sweet Science
This is a leading question. I do NOT believe that Roach/Pacquiao had any obligation to pay homage to the demands of the Mayweathers. I do, however, believe that boxing has an obligation to its fans, its history, and especially its practitioners to implement an authentic policy of random drug testing with serious consequences attached.

Ronan Keenan, The Sweet Science
Yes, in light of recent events, more stringent drug testing is needed to aid the credibility of boxing.

Don Stewart, Reading Eagle
I believe drug screening needs to become more of a priority in boxing, both for the safety of the fighters and for the integrity of the sport. I also feel that this issue gives us another example of why we need a national boxing commission in the United States. Drug testing policy varies fight to fight, state to state, country by country. We need a uniform approach to drug testing.

Michel Joseph, Boxing Talk
I think athletes compete, promoters promote, managers manage, trainers and coaches train and teach, and sports organizations and governing bodies worry about creating rules and regulations, and ensuring that all rules and regulations are complied with. Mayweather believes that improvements could be made to ensure to a greater degree a level playing field - it's hard to argue with that. However, it is not his place to attempt to enforce this opinion or conclusion by taking it upon himself to play a role which he is not entitled to play. His role is to fight, and it's the role of his handlers to ensure that their fighter get's a fair fight, with fair judges and referees, and that the fighters face each other on an even playing field.

Pacquiao has never failed a drug test, and there is no historic evidence to suggest that he is or ever has been juicing. Why should he have to be put under the gun then? It might be a different story if Pacquiao had previously been caught using steroids, but that's simply not the case.

Regarding the failed fight negotiations, I would not want my fighter to be forced to give blood while in the dressing room, changing and getting his hands wrapped in order to go out and perform. So, in that sense yes, I think there certainly should have been a cut-off date. How far away from the fight? I don't know, that's something that Roach and Pacquiao should be able to determine, based upon their knowledge of how long it takes Pacquiao to perform at 100% following a blood test. It's hard to see how he would need two weeks - and again that's if he's having a needle stuck and blood drawn - I would think his recovery time would be even faster if he was simply receiving a "prick" test on his finger. Either way, it's a shame this fight is not happening now, and I hope it still has a chance to happen before the year's out.

Paul H. Burbridge, Eastside Boxing
This is a very controversial subject and there are so many different implications that you have to be somewhat careful on how you answer. I do think random blood testing is necessary in professional boxing given the nature of modern sports and the fact that some athletes will do whatever it takes to get an edge including taking illegal substances. Now, I wish the world wasn’t this way but it is and I think all boxing needs is a ring fatality where the guy delivering the fatal shots is later found to be on some kind of PED. We cannot allow that to happen! Now, in the case of Mayweather vs Pacquiao I have mixed feelings because of my fondness for Pacquiao and my belief that this could have been handled more appropriately. This is an ugly situation one in which both parties acted incorrectly, the Mayweather camp for making an accusation without any proof and the Pacquiao camp for denying fans this fight on that basis. I’m concerned that Manny has left the door wide open for much of the speculation you now read and believe that the only legitimate way to dispel all of this is to take the test. It’s the only way to quiet people down. I believe in him so I do think he will eventually go through with these tests but under very different circumstances of course.

In terms of the boxing establishment, they need to do whatever is in the best interests of fighter safety so mandatory random blood tests are crucial regardless of the financial component. There is no dollar amount that is greater than a life so I think it will eventually become the norm in the next few years. But, there will be a lot of grumbling before that happens.

David Greisman, BoxingScene
The testing being done isn't enough, from what I've read. But the testing being done in most sports isn't enough. The question becomes whether we feel it necessary to become paranoid and accusatory, to suspect that everyone deserves to be treated as if they are racing in the Tour de France, whether they must provide daily schedules for where they are and always be available for any and every kind of tests. Who will pay for such a thing? How will we keep the requirements uniform? Perhaps the use of performance enhancing drugs is more prevalent than we know. I can't claim to know. But if so, it's not as obvious as it was to those who turned a blind eye to the use of steroids in baseball.

Igor Frank, Burbank Times
Boxers should box and commissions should institute policies with drug testing. That is all there is to it.

Charles White, Eastside Boxing
I tend to think that this is a good idea, just so long as blood is not taken too close to fight time.

Frank Gonzalez Jr., BraggingRightsCorner
Taking Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED's) to have an edge in sports is cheating.

There should be random drug testing in boxing and it should be administered in a manner that assures that when two fighters step into the ring, both are clean. Today's pharmaceutical companies are capable of producing nearly undetectable performance enhancing drugs and do so with limited regulations (since big pharma companies bankroll a dominating percentage of our political system). Random testing should produce real results, unlike what we see today, which basically facilitates the use of PEDs (performance enhancing drugs).

Random drug testing is the way to insure that today's athletes, in whatever the sport, are coming in clean. If they are using performance enhancers, they should be suspended, lose their rankings and license and only be able to come back on parole like conditions. Their promoters should be fined and suspended from promoting fights for a year if their charges are caught using PEDs. Institute THAT...and watch how fast things change. But...since there is no legit governing body in boxing, the problem is difficult to tackle. It’s usually only the financially successful athletes that can afford these expensive treatments anyway but its a deal with the devil either way, since PED's will inevitably take a toll on the users long term health. In the interest of good sportsmanship, safety and long term health, the use of PED's should be eradicated from sports.

Surely there are benefits to be extracted from a technology that enables enhanced human strength, power and durability. But it has no place in sports. But who knows, maybe the big pharma companies are using sports as a testing grounds for future endeavors, which is a scary but realistic thought.

Sports should be the one place in the world where honest competition still exists.


(Thanks to the above experts for sharing their thoughts - Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com)

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JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME PAYS RESPECTS TO PACQUIAO -- PhilBoxing

By Ed de la Vega, PhilBoxing.com

Feb 11, 2010, LOS ANGELES -- Just before Manny Pacquiao started his afternoon training today a little after 3 PM, we spotted Claude Van Damme walked in to the Wildcard Gym to pay his respects to Pacquiao and visit for a while. Van Damme was escorted to the ringside and introduced to Freddie Roach and Pacquiao by security chief, Rob Peters.

Van Damme is the famous Belgian martial arts artist best known in Hollywood and world over for his martial arts action movies.

His most successful films include Bloodsport in 1988, the Universal Soldier in 1992, Hard Target in 1993 and Timecop in 1994. Van Damme who is a former “Mr. Belgium” is also better known as the “Muscles from Belgium”.

Pacquiao invited Van Damme to Texas to see his fight with Joshua Clottey adding to the array of celebrities that will be flying or driving to Arlington ,Texas to see Pacquiao defend his WBO Welterweight Title against the fame slugger from Ghana, Africa.

Source: philboxing.com

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Nonito Donaire's New Opponent, Other Bob Arum Projects -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

WBA interim super flyweight champ Nonito Donaire of the Philippines will defend his 115-pound belt against Manuel Vargas of Jalisco, Mexico, who is a late replacement for Saturday night's main event of Top Rank's Latin Fury 13-Pinoy Power III pay-per-view card at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Nicknamed "The Filipino Flash," the 27-year-old Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) was slated to face Mexico's 32-year-old Gerson Guerrero (34-8, 26 KOs), until the Guerrero was discovered to have suffered a detached retina during Wednesday's pre-fight examination, said Top Rank's Carl Moretti.

The 28-year-old Vargas will be competing at a weight 10 pounds above his last fight -- September's split-decision loss to WBO 105-pound Donnie Nietes when he weighed the division limit. A former WBO 105-pound titlist, Vargas has twice fought at 113 pounds during his career, both victories.

"Manuel was scheduled to fight in Mexico on Saturday, so he's going to take this opportunity instead," said Moretti. "The Donaire-Vargas fight is as good if not better than Guerrero, ironically, but that's the only change."

The rest of the card is as follows: WBO bantamweight (118 pounds) titlist Fernando Montiel, and Puerto Rican-born former WBA flyweight (112 pounds) king Eric Morel, respectively, defending their crowns.

The 30-year-old Montiel (39-3-1, 29 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mex., will face Ciso Morales (14-0, eight KOs) of Bohol, Philippines, and the 34-year-old Morel (41-2, 21 KOs), Madison, Wis., will take on southpaw and former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 KOs), of Cebu, Philippines, in a WBO 118-pound title eliminator.

In a scheduled 10-round matchup, 31-year-old Puerto Rican southpaw Mario Santiago (21-1-1, 14 KOs) will meet 21-year-old Bernabe Concepcion (29-2-1, 17 KOs), of Rizal, Philippines, in a matchup of featherweights (126 pounds).

Kelly Pavlik To Face Sergio Martinez -- 'Done Deal'

WBC and WBO middleweight (160 pounds) titlist, Kelly Pavlik (pictured at right) and, WBC junior middleweight king, Sergio Martinez will indeed meet on April 17 on HBO at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum told FanHouse.com.

Arum told FanHouse on Feb. 5 that Pavlik-Martinez was all-but a done deal, and that it would likely be shown as a double-header, as part of split-site coverage with Canada's southpaw, IBF super middleweight (168 pounds) titlist, Lucian Bute (25-0, 20 KOs) defending his crown opposite Puerto Rico's Edison Miranda (33-4, 29 KOs) from Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

"It is a split-site with Canada with Bute, yes," said Arum, adding that Pavlik-Martinez stands to be a soldout, raucous event.

Pavlik (36-1, 32 KOs) ended a 10-month layoff with December's fifth-round KO of Miguel Espino, whom he floored twice in the fourth round, and, had dropped once more in the fifth before his hometown fans of his native Youngstown, Ohio -- thousands of whom often make the trips to Pavlik's Atlantic City fights where he has built a loyal following.

Pavlik debuted in Atlantic City with a September, knockout of Jermain Taylor for his current titles, then, in succession, stopped previously, once-beaten Gary Lockett in three rounds, and lost to Bernard Hopkins in June, and, October, of 2008 -- both in AC.

A southpaw, the 34-year-old WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) champion, Martinez (44-2-2, 24 KOs), who is promoted by New York's Lou DiBella, fought his last bout in Atlantic City as well.

Martinez lost December's spirited, yet disputed 12-round, non-title, middleweight majority decision to southpaw Paul Williams (38-1, 27 KOs) in an action-packed, clash of southpaws during which each fighter was floored in the first round.

Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto 'Close'

Arum said that a June 12 bout between WBA junior middlweight king, Yuri Foreman (28-0, eight knockouts), of New York, and, Puerto Rico's former two-time welterweight (147 pounds) titlist, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) is desired by both fighters, in principle, and simply needs to be finalized.

"We're working on that right now," said Moretti.

Arum had "discussed the fight with the Cotto people, and we're trying to decide whether we should do it on pay per view or on HBO," the CEO told FanHouse last week, adding that he hoped to hold Foreman-Cotto -- a clash of 29 year olds -- at the main arena of New York's Madison Square Garden.

"Cotto's lawyer and manager is coming to Las Vegas tomorrow, so Foreman and Cotto is definitely going to get done," said Arum. "Carl [Moretti] and I, we're talking about the undercard, but we haven't got it finalized yet."

Edwin Valero vs. Tim Bradley

Arum and promoter Gary Shaw have engaged in preliminary talks regarding a potential bout between Arum's Venezuelan 28-year-old WBC lightweight (135 pounds) champion Edwin Valero (27-0, 27 KOs) and Shaw's 26-year-old junior welterweight (140 pounds) king, Timothy Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) of Palm Springs, Calif.

Valero is coming off of last weekend's knockout of Antonio DeMarco (23-2-1, 17 KOs) of Mexico, who failed to come out for the 10th round, and Bradley, off of a December's one-sided, 12-round unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Lamont Peterson (27-1, 13 KOs) during which Bradley lost probably one round.

Top Rank first approached Shaw about a possible Valero-Bradley matchup shortly after Valero's win over DeMarco, in Monterrey, Mexico, and, on Tuesday, Shaw told FanHouse that he responded by proposing a June 5 clash between the two on Showtime.

"We have to see what the deal is," said Arum. "Valero is happy to fight Bradley, but we don't yet know what the deal is yet and we'd have to look it over."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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Laurence Cole tabbed as Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey referee -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com


I have learned that Laurence Cole, the veteran referee who resides in Texas and runs an insurance business, has been tabbed by WBO President Francisco "Paco" Valcarcel as the referee for the Joshua Clottey-Manny Pacquiao welterweight title bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington on March 13.

I had recently written that Cole, a more than competent referee, would be an obvious choice for the plum assignment.

It was Valcarcel who chose Cole The Younger and not the ref's father Dickie "Old King" Cole, who runs the Texas boxing board.

Laurence just did the WBC lightweight title bout in Monterey, Mexico, between champion Edwin Valero and Antonio DeMarco Saturday night.

Cole also reffed the 2003 bout in San Antonio between Pacman and Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

I was speaking with someone today about the burning issue of whether Antonio Margarito will be licensed to fight on the Cowboys Stadium undercard while his California boxer's license is still technically revoked.

"That reminds me," a Texas fight guy said, "of some controversy when they talked of possibly bringing Mike Tyson to our state to fight Lennox Lewis. They asked Dickie and he snapped, "Why the hell not? We ain't got too many choirboys around here."

Tyson a choirboy, funny thought.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

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Pressure cooker: Heat is on for Texas to license Antonio Margarito -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com


Last month's "hot potato" in boxing was the unresolved conflict over random blood testing between the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao camps. Certainly, that issue is not going to disappear anytime soon.

But, bubbling below the surface, there is a big and more interesting controversy which could be resolved sometime next week.

The resolution--and the how and why of the outcome--is likely to produce some real fireworks.

The new "hot potato" is whether the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation is going to issue a boxer's permit for former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito so that he can launch a comeback on the Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey March 13 PPV show at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

"Margocheato," an unfortunate nickname which has stuck to the formidable fighter from Tijuana ever since he got nabbed in a Staples Center (Los Angeles) dressing room with illegal handwraps which trainer Javier Capetillo laid on his hands, was given a one year revocation.

This official statement was made by the CSAC on Feb. 10, 2009, as quoted by the Associated Press in a Greg Beacham story:

"The conduct of both Mr. Margarito and Mr. Capetillo was unacceptable and threatened the health and safety of another licensee," said Carrie Lopez, the director of the state's Department of Consumer Affairs, which licenses fighters. "Today's action shows that both the Department of Consumer Affairs and the California State Athletic Commission take the issue of boxer safety very seriously, and will move quickly when a licensee's actions threaten the safety of others."

Because Sugar Shane Mosley trainer Naazim Richardson was so observant and blew the whistle on the flagrant and highly dangerous cheating attempt, Margarito's hands had to be rewrapped.

The Mexican fighter went out and lost a onesided bout against Mosley. Later, Margarito told the California State Athletic Commission that he was not aware of what Capetillo was doing illegally. Many in boxing, including Oscar de la Hoya, Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton, proclaimed Margarito's explanation as implausible.

But that was Margarito's story, his testimony, and now with his suspension reportedly ending Thursday, he is sticking to it.

So the burning question now is, will Texas "rubber stamp" his application given that the California ban is about to end and there is no legal impediment to his request? (Technically, Margarito remains on revoked status in the Golden State until such time as he goes back before the commission or applies for a new license there.)

It seems that promoter Bob Arum, who has passionately defended his client and blamed the whole thing on Capetillo (no longer with Margarito), is uncertain of which way the application will go.

Arum told me the other day that his company, Top Rank, has made "a contingency plan" for Margarito to fight in Mexico on May 8 if Texas turns thumbs down.

I spoke Wednesday to Susan Stanford, public information officer for the Texas state agency which will decide on Margarito's application.

"We have his application," Stanford said. "We are carefully reviewing all the laws and licensing regulations which are pertinent. It is under review and, if it is denied, the boxer can request a review at a (public) hearing."

The Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), a voluntary group which includes nearly all of the state and tribal boxing boards, has sent Texas carefully composed letter in which it acknowledged that, with the California suspension ending, there is no legal reason to block Margarito.

But the ABC did express its opinion that Margarito's conduct was serious enough to warrant futher review and consideration of whether the 12 month ban was sufficient.

The Texas board, which is headed by William A. Kuntz, is under serious pressure from some Hispanic leaders and possibly Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones to give Margarito the green light.

The popular Mexican boxer would help sell a certain number of tickets for the March 13 show.

Unless and until he reapplies to fight in California, Margarito is not required to go back before the board which banned he and Capetillo.

Many in boxing view Margarito's punishment as light considering that boxer Luis Resto and trainer Carlos "Panama" Lewis, who were caught for similar cheating (they removed all the padding from Resto's gloves before he pummeled Irish Billy Collins at Madison Square Garden), were essentially banned from boxing for life.

Resto and Lewis also served prison time in New York whereas no criminal charges were brought against either Margarito or Capetillo.

(Next: Part 2, Will Texas say "yes" and what Margarito can and should do)

Source: examiner.com

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Will Valero Weather “The Desert Storm”? -- SecondsOut

By Steve Kim, SecondsOut.com

As you peruse the upcoming boxing schedule, you’ll see a host of fights being made in the junior welterweight division. Fights involving the likes of Amir Khan, Devon Alexander, Marcos Maidana, Victor Ortiz, Nate Campbell, Juan Urango and Victor Cayo loom. But there’s one notable omission. That’s Tim Bradley, who not only holds the WBO version of the title, but is the consensus choice as the game’s best 140-pounder.

It seems that everyone is running into “The Desert Storm”-shelter. Bradley, who hails from Palm Springs, California, is willing, ready and able to face any junior welterweight on the planet.. The problem is that the feelings don’t seem to be mutual.

"There’s maybe one or two that maybe will step up and fight me, eventually," Bradley, 25-0 (11) with one no-contest, told Maxboxing on Monday afternoon. The bottom line is very simple; Bradley is on the wrong network (Showtime) and not affiliated with Golden Boy Promotions.

His promoter, Gary Shaw says, "I can’t blame HBO because he’s been fighting on Showtime. So therefore why would they push him? But I believe in making the best fights, that’s why I made [Antonio] DeMarco and [Edwin] Valero and went to Mexico. This thing where you’re going to protect Maidana and you’re going to protect Khan and you’re going to protect Victor Ortiz…shame on HBO for putting on fights with protected fighters and shame on Golden Boy for not putting on real fights and making champions fight champions."

It seems that HBO now has a quid pro quo stance on protecting Khan, as the word around the industry is that they told Maidana and Cayo (who are slated to face each other on “Boxing After Dark” on March 27th) that in exchange for appearing on the network, they must not enforce their WBA mandatory position against Khan for at least one year..

To be fair, the fights on HBO (from Maidana-Cayo, Alexander-Urango and Ortiz-Campbell) are pretty good fights on paper. But it’s clear that everyone was staying clear of Bradley, who may have taken the mantle of the sport’s most avoided fighter from one Paul Williams. "100-percent, he had the reign, he’s not that anymore," Shaw agreed. "But it’s just wrong. If you’re going to be the interim champion, you want to fight the champion. Why are you going to be the interim champion? You’re nothing."

But there does seem to be an individual who will be more than willing to fight Bradley.

"I got word today that Edwin Valero wants to step up and face me," said a hopeful Bradley. "Man, I mean, I raise my hat off to Valero; he looked impressive against DeMarco. I would love to fight Valero at 140-pounds if he wants to come up and see me. Let’s do it. But all the rest of the guys, I mean, I don’t know. Everybody is taking all these other fighters. Seems like nobody wants to be number one. So right now, I’m sitting at the number one spot and anyone who wants to be number one, has to come through me."

So would Bradley welcome a fight with the hard-punching Venezuelan?

"Let’s do it! Let’s do it!" he states emphatically. "I ain’t got no problems with facing Valero. I’m willing to fight the best fighters in the world. Valero, to me, is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. He’s got 27 wins, he’s undefeated, 27 knockouts. I mean, this guy is impressive, man, and these are the type of fights that I love and that I’m eager to have and want to fight. These fights are good for boxing. That’s what I want."

And what does Bob Arum- whose company, Top Rank, represents Valero- have to say about all this? Good news, he’s not telling any of us schmucks to go “F” ourselves.

"Yup, he’ll fight Bradley. He’ll fight any of these second-rate guys in this Golden Boy tournament at 140. He’ll beat anybody and beat the hell outta any guy," said the veteran promoter on Monday from his offices in Las Vegas. "He’s ready to fight Tim Bradley. He’s ready to fight anybody.. This motherf**ker is not afraid of any fighter."

Shaw, who promoted this past weekend’s bout that saw Valero successfully defend his WBC lightweight belt against DeMarco, was approached almost immediately about this potential fight in Monterrey, Mexico.

"Right after the fight, Fernando Beltran (whose company, Zanfer, shares Valero with Top Rank) came over to me, he said to me as I’m walking into DeMarco’s lockerroom, ’Would you consider fighting Valero at 140?’ I said, ’Yes, absolutely, but I need to talk to Timothy and Cameron Dunkin, the manager.’ That’s what I said to him. Then I’m reading and hearing from everybody that Bob’s trying to sell Valero and Bradley,” vented Shaw. “Well, number one, Timmy’s the champion and he belongs to Gary Shaw Productions, so I don’t know where Bob is going or where his thinking is. But he’s sure not the promoter of the fight; I’m the promoter of the champion. That’s number one.

"Number two, Valero is the WBC 135-pound champion; Tim Bradley is the WBO 140-pound champion. If he wants to fight, we have a fight- you can print that thought- but it’s going to be a fight for the WBO championship. So I gotta see if he can get rated at 140. I would assume the WBO would rate him at 140. He’s certainly qualified to be rated by anybody’s standards. So yes, if they want a fight, they got a fight."

There are other issues regarding Valero, first is just how quickly he will heal from the nasty gash he suffered on the right side of his face from an accidental elbow from DeMarco in the second round of their fight.

"That’s a pretty nasty cut. They say the end of June, beginning of July. I don’t know. He’s going to a plastic surgeon in Venezuela this week. We’ll see. I don’t think it takes that long for a cut like that, in that place to heal. I think it heals quicker than a cut under the eye," said Dr. Arum.

As for the issue of Valero’s visa and his ability to fight in the States, that point may be rendered moot.

Shaw, stating his case as to why he is the most fan-friendly promoter in the world, said, "I’ll do the fight in Mexico. If Valero can’t get in the United States, we will do the fight in Mexico. I will try to make it in Monterrey again. The people were wonderful to work with; the arena was first class. And hopefully, if Bob can come to terms, I’m going to start negotiating with him tomorrow (Tuesday, as of this writing) and you’ll see that fight on the first Saturday in June on Showtime."

Bradley-Valero would be one of the most intriguing match-ups of 2010. A battle between thunder and lightning. The devastating puncher (Valero) facing the athletic, hard-nosed boxer. Two fighters who, in many respects, need each other at this particular time.

Through it all, Bradley learned once and for all that boxing, at the highest levels, is much more about commerce than competition.

"Everyone is pretty much avoiding me right now at this point in my career. It’s sad to see that in boxing. In any other sport, you get to the elite level, you face the elite players. But in boxing, this is a business," he points out. "I understand that. It’s about the money; when you get to the elite level, it’s just not about making fights just because fans want to see it and you think it would be a good fight. It’s about styles. It’s about someone protecting your fighter, so he can get an advantage or some sort of fight he can win.

"But for me, it is a business; it is about the money, but I want to fight the best fighters in the world for the most money. I’m looking to step up and face any of the top guys in any division from 140 to 147. And if anybody wants to come up from 135 to face me, we can do it. But this is just who I am. It is about the money- but [at the same time] it’s not. I just want to be the best fighter in the world pound-for-pound and I want to continue to fight the best fighters in the world."

Since winning the title from Junior Witter on the road, Bradley has been on one of the most impressive runs in boxing, defeating the likes Kendall Holt and Lamont Peterson. Valero only helps his strength of schedule.

"This is a fight the boxing world wants to see. They want to see the young lion against the hard-puncher," Bradley says. "They want to see who is the best fighter at 140 pounds. This is a great, exciting fight. Valero throws a massive amount of punches; he has power in both hands. It’s a great fight for both of our careers right now and this will basically leap us to fighting the best fighters in the world like Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao or Shane Mosley or anybody of that nature."

OPEN SCORING

Does Gary Shaw hate open-scoring as much as I do?

"No, more," he says. And it reared its ugly head during the welterweight slugfest between Luis Abregu and Richard Gutierrez, which lead off Showtime’s broadcast.

"I don’t care how much you hate it; I hate it more. At the production meeting in Mexico, it’s the first time I hear there is going to be open-scoring. I go, ’Open-scoring?’ I’m told, ’Yes, at the end of the fourth and the end of the eighth round.’ I said, ’I just hate it; it takes so much out of it.’ Then there was the discussion how they were going to announce it. They get one minute between rounds and they agreed, ’OK, if we can’t get it in the one minute between rounds, then we’ll do it at the beginning of the fifth and ninth.’

"I finally said, ’I’m going to tell you guys one thing, right now. When that score goes up in the eighth and my fighter might be ahead and he’s ahead by enough rounds that the only way he can lose is by getting knocked out, I’m going to be yelling, ’Run, motherf**ker, run!’” quipped Shaw.

He continued, "So now, fast-forward to Saturday night and Abregu is ahead by like four rounds with two to go. I stand up and yell, ’Run, motherf**ker! Run like a deer! Run like a deer!’ I admit, I went to the corner, I said, ’Do not engage him!’ I can tell you right now, and I’m being honest, Abregu, would’ve fought him for the whole ninth and tenth. He only fights that way. I went to the corner and told him not to fight because I know Richard Gutierrez is dangerous."

What had been a back-and-forth slugfest (where knockdowns were traded early) became anti-climactic at the end because of this WBC edict. The remedy to dubious scorecards isn’t open-scoring- although it may force judges to be more accountable during the fight- but really to have more competent and honest judges.

One of the great traditions that this sport has is the drama and anticipation of revealing the scorecards at the end of a pitched battle. Open-scoring takes that away.

STORMY FLURRIES

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Robert Guerrero and his wife, Casey, who is battling leukemia and will need a bone marrow transplant. It was perfectly understandable that he pulled himself out of his March 27th bout against Michael Katsidis...Kendall Holt has been added to the March 27th show by Top Rank in Atlantic City, New Jersey. That night’s main event on “Top Rank Live” will feature Mike Jones-Henry Bruseles...I don’t care if I’d have to hitchhike, but if Bradley-Valero is actually made and takes place in Mexico, I’m there...Anyone else think that Kobe Bryant sitting out and getting some rest is the best thing for the Lakers, long-term?...What’s going on at North Carolina? This might be Roy Williams’ most underachieving squad ever...Arum and Glen Johnson are scheduled to be on this week’s edition of “The Main Event”…I can be reached via email at k9kim@yahoo.com or followed at twitter.com/stevemaxboxing.

Source: secondsout.com

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Big suprise: No Margarito fight in Texas -- Examiner

By Matt Stolow, Examiner.com

DALLAS - It's just my opinion: The big day is upon us. Today or tomorrow Texas is going to announce Antonio Margarito won't be licensed in the state, at least not in time for the March 13 Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey fight.

It's the worst kept secret in all of boxing.

But typical for Texas.

I have news for Texas: Nobody even cares anymore.

That they took so long to render this verdict that it almost made Margarito, who should get a lifetime ban, a sympathetic figure.

Texas took so long because it waited for anyone who wanted to give an opinion to do so. In essence Texas just ran the clock out. Hoping the situation would just go away.

Maybe when Arum was shopping Pacquiao vs. Clottey, he just asked if the Lone Star State would just help Top Rank out with this little problem and get Margarito licensed so Mexican fans would buy tickets.

Someone so happy to get comp tickets must have said "Yes." When public and media opinion turned nasty, Texas makes the problem worse by stalling with its verdict.

The last time Texas had to make a decision, it guessed wrong and is still paying for it.

I speak of the Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson fight of 2002. Texas had it. It would be at the cavernous Texas Motor Speedway near Fort Worth. The place is an outdoor facility that could host a nifty 150,000 or so.

But some bureaucrat said Texas shouldn't grant Tyson a license because the state of Indiana once convicted him of rape several years previous.

He did his time and still contests the conviction.

Memphis, Tennessee ended up with the the fight and promoters are still counting the money all these years later, same as the state's tax office.

I think Texas guesses wrong again.

Source: examiner.com

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Mayweather–Mosley Odds Slashed -- Gambling 911

By Tyrone Black, Gambling911.com

Following Shane Mosley being listed as a near even underdog, odds on Mayweather-Mosley have been slashed dramatically in favor of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Mosley was now listed at +250 odds at Sportsbetting.com. The payout would be $25 for every $10 bet.

Mayweather is now instilled as a pretty large favorite at -350 odds.

This fight goes off the same day as the Kentucky Derby (May 1) and promises to be a dream wagering day for online bookmakers.

Mosley said on Tuesday he is prepared to fight Mayweather.

"This is not going to be personal for me, this is going to be fun for me," he said Tuesday over lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. "This is like when I fought Oscar (De La Hoya) the first time. People told me, 'Oh, you're going to be afraid. Are you scared?' No, no, this is what I want.

"It's not going to be personal, I'm not going to be upset," Mosley said. "I'm going to have fun. I'm going to have fun beating Mayweather."

Mayweather was left looking for an opponent after negotiations to fight Manny Pacquiao fell through due to disagreements over the type of drug testing to be performed. The pound-for-pound king, Pacquiao, signed to fight Josh Clottey instead.

Deposit up to $300 and Sportsbetting.com will match that number. For example: Open an account with $500 using your credit card or other accepted method and Sportsbetting.com will put another $300 into your account Plus an additional 10 percent bonus (in this case $50). This offer is for Gambling911.com readers ONLY so click here to open your account! USE BONUS CODE GAMBLING911 when joining. Opening an online betting account is easy at Sportsbetting.com. They accept deposits by VISA, MasterCard, Pre-Paid Gift Cards, Money Transfer, Cash Transfer and over the phone.

Source: gambling911.com

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