Clottey’s sparring mate Damian Frias takes us inside camp, says an upset over Pacquiao is possible -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com

In October of last year, once beaten contender Damian Frias made the move up in weight to the Welterweight division to face off with Mexico City’s Freddy Hernandez. Taking place in Laredo, Texas, the Showtime televised bout was a pivotal one for Frias in his career as his past few years up until that point had been marked by inactivity and injuries.

As the rounds went by, however, Frias didn’t appear to be himself and his passive attack saw him end up on the wrong end of a decision. In the fight Frias appeared apprehensive towards building up his work rate and despite a late rally it wasn’t one of his better nights. The 98-92 scorecards across the board reflected the actions of a fighter who simply didn’t bring his best on that night.

The Placetas, Cuba native took a little time off to regroup but insists his belief in his abilities was never in question. Upon returning to his home away from home, Contender’s Gym in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Frias eventually began to get himself back on track in hopes for a big 2010 campaign.

“I’m back in the gym training and trying to redeem myself,” Frias recently stated. “I’m working hard, working harder than before. My mindset is OK. I didn’t lose my confidence because I didn’t get beat down. I fought a full blown Welterweight. I stepped up to Welterweight and I felt that I could compete. The last round that I had in that fight actually showed me that if I choose to I can go ahead and knock these guys out if I come in there with that mindset instead of boxing.”

Contender’s Gym is like Frias’ home away from home and he goes about his regimen under the watchful eye of his trainer John David Jackson, who also looks over former champions Nate Campbell and Randall Bailey as well as Super Middleweight contender Allan Green. While Frias was certainly at ease being around familiar surroundings it wasn’t until recently when things again started to fully pick up as he crossed paths with an unlikely gym mate.

“I’ve been working with Joshua Clottey for the past two weeks,” Frias stated. “Actually almost everyday. We’ve been sparring like four times a week. It’s been intense and we are really working. He’s got my respect and I have his respect.”

Respect seems to be the type of word one who elicit when discussing Clottey, who is a solid fighter from the bottom to the top. The Accra, Ghana fighter is in line for a chance of a lifetime showdown with Manny Pacquiao on March 13th at Dallas Cowboys stadium and it’s a contest that some say he very well has a chance of winning. When assessing the preparation for the bout, Frias insists their sparring sessions aren’t for the feint of heart.

“It’s very intense,” Frias claimed. “I just got back in the gym and he really didn’t catch me at tip top shape so he forced me to get back real fast, faster than I wanted to. It’s OK because he is a guy who is in my weight class and he is considered elite and I can see that I can compete in the Welterweight class by sparring him.”

The 16-2 Frias also has a tentative bout lined up for March so both me are helping prep one another for their respected showdowns. While the action in the ring may be hot and heavy Frias insists that it has lead to a certain type of understanding between each man. Frias has been able to see many sides of Clottey in and out of the ropes.

“It’s a special bond, of course,” Frias noted. “I want to see him win. From what I can see I am his only real sparring partner. Other guys might come once a week. We’re working together and he’s also helping me. As a person from what I can see he is a humble, quiet guy. He’s a strong soldier but he’s humble at the same time. He’s real pleased, from what I can see, with where he is at. When he comes to the gym he comes ready. As soon as he comes he wraps his hands up, puts his cup on, and he’s ready.”

Sporting a 35-3 record with 20 knockouts, Clottey’s only losses have all been close affairs against former world champions. The Accra, Ghana fighter is ultra confident in his abilities and Frias points out some of the intangibles he has noticed during their time in closed quarters.

“His conditioning,” Frias said. “He has nice hand speed and he fights in combination. He’s not a dummy. He thinks, he’s quiet, and he fights very calm and from what I can see that guy doesn’t get tired at all. That’s one of his main strengths. He has some power too, he’s strong.”

It’s obvious that Clottey presents a very formidable challenge to anyone he steps in the ring with but he is still perceived as a heavy underdog to Pacquiao, who has been on a terror in his past four fights. But from getting to know the former champion on an intimate basis, Frias believes whole heartedly that everything lies in Joshua’s hands come March 13th.

“He’s good, he’s ready and it’s all up to him. If he comes to the fight with the right mindset he can be victorious and upset a lot of people. He’s not going to be a pushover for Pacquiao.”

Source: examiner.com

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MAYOL CONCERNED ABOUT JUDGING IN TITLE DEFENSE -- PhilBoxing

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com

WBC light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol is concerned about the judging in his first title defense against Omar Nino Romero of Mexico on Sunday, Manila Time in the Coliseo Olimpico of the University of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Mayol who won the title with a stunning second round TKO over highly-favored Edgar Sosa of Mexico last November left Los Angeles for Guadalajara last Sunday after he met with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and adviser Michael Koncz and expressed his concern over the judging.

Pacquiao and Koncz handle the career of Mayol and Koncz told us he may fly to Mexico on Friday night to be at the venue.

Koncz said he told Pacquiao “I think I should go because if nobody is there they think we don’t care and they might cheat Mayol out of his belt.”

Mayol who has a record of 26-4-1 with 20 knockouts is a hard puncher at his weight while Omar Nino Romero who has a record of 28-3-1 with 20 knockouts and earned the nickname “Giant Killer” after he won the light flyweight title from Brian Viloria in October 2006 is not a heavy puncher but is a plodder with a somewhat awkward style.

In a rematch which ended in what was considered a controversial draw, the Mexican retained his title but in a post-fight medical by the Nevada State Athletic Commission Omar Nino Romero tested positive for a banned substance, the fight was declared a “no decision” and he was suspended for one year.

Since his return the Mexican has beaten among others, Filipino veteran Juanito Rubillar in a title eliminator and faces Mayol in a mandatory.

There were initial problems over staging the fight as Pacquiao and Koncz wanted Mayol to defend his title on “The Event” headlined by the Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight or to headline another card on March 12, the eve of the Pacquiao-Clottey showdown.

But the WBC insisted that the handlers of Mayol comply with the two options in the fight contract with promoter Faustus Daniel Garcia that enabled Mayol to get a crack at Edgar Sosa’s title and they decided to comply.

Although Don Jose Sulaiman upheld the victory of Mayol over Sosa despite protests that the head-butt on Sosa which fractured his cheekbone and forced him out of action for several months contributed to Sosa’s loss, the promoters claimed that Mayol won the title “in a controversial fight and now another Mexican will have an opportunity to re-conquer it.”

The Mexicans also insisted that the NSAC findings and the suspension of Omar Nino Romero after the Viloria rematch was “unjust” creating some concern in the Filipino’s camp.

The challenger himself said “my objective is to return to be champion of the world ” claiming that he “lost the belt on the table after I overcame Brian Viloria by an assumption of doping and now I have the opportunity of being world champion.”The mandatory challenger said Mayol "is a hard puncher, is fast and throws a lot of blows" but that he had prepared himself to “neutralize it with lateral movements and consistent punching.”

Source: philboxing.com

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What is it like to spar with the king of boxing? -- The Ring

By Michael Rosenthal, The Ring

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- No one knows what it’s like to exchange punches with the No. 1 fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao, more than his sparring partners.

Ray Beltran, Mike Dallas and Abdullai Amidu, working with Pacquiao at the Wild Card Boxing Club for his fight against Joshua Clottey on March 13, have gone toe to toe with the Filipino champion on numerous occasions.

They offered their thoughts after each of them went three rounds with Pacquiao last week.


BELTRAN

Beltran (23-4, 15 knockouts) has worked with Pacquiao since he was a featherweight, the longest tenure of the three sparring partners. The Mexican-born resident of Phoenix, who fights between lightweight and junior welterweight, is coming off a seventh-round knockout victory over David Torres last month.

Question: So, is sparring with Manny the same sparring with anyone?

Answer: (Laughs.) No way. Sparring with him demands a lot of energy. The way he fights, you have to be ready every second. He knows how to use angles. That makes sparring with him more intense, which gets you the most tired.

Q: What makes him so difficult to beat?

A: Start with him being a southpaw. Then, from there, he’s not like just any southpaw. I told you about the angles. And his legs are always moving here and there and everywhere. He has speed, power. His style is very unique; it’s what makes him the way he is – on top.

Q: You don’t see any weaknesses?

A: I don’t see any. Especially mentally, he’s on top of his game. He believes in himself, that no one can beat him. When a fighter is like that, he’s the most dangerous he can be.

Q: Would you call him perfect fighter?

A: Almost. I can figure out other styles but he’s very unpredictable. Like I said, he catches you from so many different angles. You don’t know how to react. I think he does that better than anybody. It makes him very difficult to fight. … A fighter with good technique and smart might give him problems. If you’re not smart enough, though, you’re down.

Q: How much better is he now compared to when you first sparred with him?

A: I remember when he fought (Marco Antonio) Barrera the first time (in 2003). He was more aggressive, aggressive, aggressive. He was just aggressive, you know. Now, he’s become a better boxer. He has better technique. He uses his brain more. He’s much smarter now. You can see it in the way he fights. He and (trainer) Freddie (Roach) see weaknesses in opponents and they work on it. They’re very good together.

Q: Give me an example of something he does better now.

A: Before, I think I could get him easier because he was so aggressive. I could cut him off. I’m not saying it was easy but I just had more opportunities. Now, he is aggressive and he catches your punches. He uses offense AND defense. He’s way better than he was.


DALLAS

Dallas (11-0-1, 2 KOs) is a talented 23-year-old prospect from Bakersfield, Calif. He is skillful and very quick but hasn’t shown knockout power. Dallas also sparred with Pacquiao for his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 2008.

Q: Do you feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the best fighter in the world?

A: Oh yeah. I’m grateful they invited me to camp. I’m learning more and more from him every day. When I make mistakes, he corrects me. It’s a great learning experience.

Q: What is like being in the ring with him?

A: I’m so tense in there. You’re afraid of making a mistake because you don’t want to get caught. He’s a very hard puncher. You always have to be alert. And when you’re thinking a lot, mentally you can wear down. I get more tired sparring with him because of that. I’m just starting to loosen up, to relax, and I’m getting better all the time.

Q: What makes him so good?

A: He’s strong, even stronger than he was before the De La Hoya fight. He’s good counterpuncher. He’s strong, he’s fast and his legs are really something. His footwork is incredible. He moves like a cat. He’s real fast. I’m a fast guy too; I’ve been trying to match his speed. I don’t know how I’m doing but I feel I’m doing an OK job.

Q: Do you see any weaknesses?

A: Everyone can improve on something. It seems like he’s always working on something. Sometimes he might be lacking in some area. And the next day you can see he improved on it.

Q: How hard does he punch?

A: He’s strong. He caught me a couple of times. He’s way stronger than he used to be. You can tell he’s improved in that area since the De La Hoya fight. I think he has nothing to do but improve because he’s a work horse. Basically you have to kick him out of the gym. He’ll train all day if you leave him in here. I try to pick up that kind of stuff and apply to me own training.

Q: How much does sparring with him help you?

A: He’s the best fighter in the world. It definitely gets me ready for my fights. I know I’m not going to fight anyone as good as him.


ABDULLAI AMIDU

Amidu (18-0, 17 KOs) was a terror in his native Ghana, where he knocked out all but one of his opponents. The 27-year-old welterweight is big, strong and skillful. His three-round session with Pacquiao was the most spirited. He and Clottey come from the same country but don’t know one another well. “When I see him,” Amidu said, “I say hi. That’s it.” This is his first camp with Pacquiao. He has also sparred with Amir Khan and Victor Ortiz.

Q: What are your impressions of Pacquiao?

A: He’s in good condition. He punches hard. He has a lot of speed. He has good movement. He has everything.

Q: Is he what you expected?

A: I knew a few things about him. His punches come from different directions. They don’t come from where you expect them to. You have to be ready for every eventuality.

Q: Do you understand after working with him why he is so successful?

A: He has a lot of respect for humanity. God blesses him a lot. He’s very disciplined, always in good condition.

Q: What do you think of his footwork?

A: I’m very impressed. If you have good footwork, you can do a lot in boxing. You have to have good movement, to move from every angle. He can do that.

Q: Is he the best you’ve worked with?

A: He’s the best.

Source: ringtv.com

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Stan Hochman: Six-shooters have history of derailing sports success -- Philadelphia Daily News

By Stan Hochman, Philadelphia Daily News

NFL PLAYERS, NFL owners, armed and dangerous. Pistols cocked, well-shod feet in the cross hairs.

The scenario seems set in stone, matching the material above the eyebrows on both sides, a year without a salary cap followed by a lockout in 2011 until the union capitulates. No raggedy scab teams this time. Just padlocked stadiums, cobwebs on those fancy Las Vegas sports books, fans hungering for pro football. On any given Sunday will domestic-abuse numbers skyrocket?

It is the quintessential shoot-yourself-in-foot drama, sabotaging an obscenely successful bakery to argue over a sliver of pie. And how, you ask, did that whole image of shooting oneself in the foot get started?

Wyatt Earp? Frank and/or Jesse James? Is that how Bill Hickok became Wild Bill Hickok? They started mass producing pistols in the 1850s and sometimes the gunslinger clumsily yanked the six-shooter out of its holster and wound up with a bullet in his metatarsal.

The phrase took an ominous turn in World War I with trench warfare. Soldiers were firing a round into a muddy combat boot to keep from going over the top and into the deadly path of enemy bullets.

Now it's back, closer to the original meaning, politicians and golfers and movie stars derailing careers and marriages with a metaphorical shot to the foot.

Likelihood of a lockout in 2011? The union's executive director, DeMaurice Smith, says it ranks 14 on a scale of 10. Evidence? A guaranteed $5 billion from television networks to the owners even if no games are played in 2011. At stake, the players' share of revenues, hovering near 58 percent now with the poor-mouthing owners aiming for a number closer to 41 percent.

Only in America. Only in a business where the charade of a Pro Bowl game drew huge television numbers. And the Super Bowl was watched by the biggest audience in the history of mankind. Americans want to love sports, but the decimal-point bayonets keep getting in the way. And then there's the clumsy foot-shooting in boxing, baseball and golf.

Pow. Boxing gets to the brink of a glorious match, Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquiao, a $40 million payday for each pugilist, at stake the coveted title of greatest fighter in the world, pound-for-pound.

So what happens? Mayweather, who has been known to pick his opponents as carefully as a guy who defuses bombs for a living, demands the kind of prefight drug testing normally reserved for a Bulgarian weightlifter in the Olympics. Pacquiao politely refuses. Mediation fails.

The fight goes up in gunpowder smoke. Justice may prevail because Mayweather has agreed to fight Shane Mosley instead and Mosley may have enough left to thrash Floyd when they meet on May 1.

How about Major League Baseball, holding out its arms to embrace Mark McGwire, just as soon as he confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs. Oops. McGwire admits he used the illicit chemicals, but only to speed up the healing process for various injuries.

Nope, he told Bob Costas on the MLB Network, he didn't think the juice helped him hit any of those 70 homers he hammered that '98 season. Commissioner Bud Selig grabs his Saturday Night Special, aims it at his phalanges and says, "The so-called steroid era is clearly a thing of the past . . . "

Sorry, Bud. Barry Bonds will tell you when the steroid era is over. Roger Clemens will tell you when the steroid era is over. The 103 guys on that list of positive tests will tell you when the steroid era is over.

The pro golf tour bangs one into its Foot-Joys and Phil Mickelson gets caught in the crossfire. Tiger Woods is working on his backswing in a sex-addiction center in Hattiesburg, Miss. That leaves golf's top spot open for the endearing lefthander.

Bang! Mickelson plays his first round of the year and before the ink is dry on his scorecard he's accused of cheating, using a square-grooved club that had been grandfathered by the stumbling, bumbling USGA.

Mickelson grumbled about being publicly slandered, which sounded like lawyer language. His accuser apologized profusely, Mickelson shoots himself out of contention on the final round, and the pro tour, aka life without Tiger, plods on.

Who's next? How about the NCAA and a television network conspiring to expand the college hoops tournament from 65 teams to 96? Dumb idea, but it won't kill the office pools, just delay them a week.

They're still wrestling with the off-track betting system in New York. What did they use, an Uzi for a pedicure? How else can a bookmaker go broke, paying less than track odds?

You will notice that the gunplay involving Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton has gone unmentioned. Those were real guns. Besides, the NBA has so many self-inflicted wounds, it's more to be pitied than scorned.

Send e-mail to stanrhoch@comcast.net.

Source: philly.com

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Roach on Pacquiao's preparation -- FOX Sports

FOX Sports

Manny Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, will talk with FOXSports.com each week leading up to Pacquiao's March 13 welterweight title fight with Joshua Clottey.

This is the first in a four-part series.


FOXSports.com: How tough is it to get up for this fight when you were so close to the mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

Roach: There is no problem getting up for this fight. It's a good challenge. It's a little disappointing. I was looking for the challenge of getting ready for Mayweather's difficult style. But you know Clottey is a suitable opponent. He's a dangerous guy. And so we have been pretty set. And it wasn't a huge challenge getting up for him.


FOXSports.com: How furious are you guys about the steroid allegations thrown out by Team Mayweather and that you can't fight Floyd Jr. in the ring?

Roach: Pretty much the allegations are unproven and there's a lawsuit pending and I think he'll lose that lawsuit. You can't go around saying stuff like that without evidence. You know, I hope we can fight him someday to shut him up. If that ever happens, so be it.


FOXSports.com: How have the allegations affected Manny?

Roach: He's got a reputation, of course, and it's the first time I've seen Manny angry at another fighter. It's the first time I've ever seen him like that.


FOXSports.com: How tough is it to switch from preparing for Mayweather to preparing for Clottey, who's a totally different fighter?

Roach: Well, we've given a chance to Clottey, and we stand by that. It's really not that bad. He's in the same condition as us. We know how tough the guy is, and he fights a certain style.


FOXSports.com: How do you keep Manny focused despite the increasing number of distractions?

Roach: We fight our fight. We try our best, but we have distractions. We've been able to step it in our training. But we've been able to say that's it.


FOXSports.com: How do you feel about fighting in a building that's as palatial as Cowboys Stadium?

Roach: We're really excited to fight in Cowboys Stadium. It's a beautiful, beautiful place. Manny's said it's an honor to fight there. He loves it.

Source: foxnews.com

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Yuri Foreman: 'I'm Looking Forward to This Fight' With Miguel Cotto -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

A rabbinical student who was born in Gomel, Belarus, the 29-year-old Yuri Foreman defeated Puerto Rico's Daniel Santos in November to improve to 28-0 with eight knockouts and take his WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) crown.

In doing so, Foreman became the first Israeli to win a world boxing title, not to mention the first soon-to-be Rabbi to do so.

Foreman did not fight on the Sabbath due to his faith -- a fact that was evident when Foreman took the ring against Santos at 6:30 on Saturday night. The Jewish Sabbath runs from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.

The story of Foreman, whose first name, in English translation is "George," has been thrust to the forefront of the boxing world.

A recent subject of an A-1 story in the Los Angeles Times, Foreman discussed with FanHouse, in this Q&A, how he is using his championship to reach children and students, and talked about the irony of his upcoming, June 5 title defense against Miguel Cotto,being shared with a bar mitzvah party at Yankees Stadium.


FanHouse: With all of the recent attention, does it feel as if you've been thrust into the forefront of boxing in general?

Yuri Foreman: Yeah, compared to before November, it's been like that. But I guess that that's normal, and that's what comes with all of the hard work that I've been putting in. I've been able to take that success into the ring.


FH: Have you been able to do any of the things you've wanted to do as far as delivering your message from within your religious faith and toward the healing you hope to achieve in the Middle East -- all as a byproduct of being a world boxing champion?

Foreman: Right now, besides boxing, and putting boxing aside, I go to the yeshivas [educational institutions unique to classical Judaism,] I study my rabbinical program. I do visit yeshivas and schools, and do a lot of talking to kids.

I hope to give them some type or some kind of form of inspiration. Right now, that's some of the work, and that is what I'm doing.


FH: What are the age groups or ranges in age of kids have you spoken to?

Foreman: It varies. From 10-to-12, to 18, 19, 20 years old. Some sixth, seventh, eighth-graders and higher. And there have been some college kids too. Mostly in New York, right in that area.


FH: Any question or questions that have been particularly striking to you, perhaps how you reconcile the violence in the ring and the notion of peace in the Middle East?

Foreman: Mostly the questions are like, 'How do I combine being a boxer and my religion,' you know, that's often the primary question. Basically, it's many kids. Young kids.

They have whatever dreams that they have -- being an actor, being an athlete, or being a musician. I make sure that I let them know that you can combine your dreams with your spiritual activities in Judaism. It's necessary.

Like, you have to be close to God and Judaism, and religion. Actually, not necessarily only Jewish kids, but non-Jewish kids as well [need to be attached to a form of faith].


FH: Is the question of reconciliation an easier one for you to understand now that you've done it than it is to relate that notion to others?

Foreman: It is something that presents challenges to explain it. But, you know, for example, for myself, in the beginning, I had to grow to prove it to myself. But now that I'm a world champion, I can see the result, you know.

And many kids can see it as well. They can see someone who is successful, and, basically, blending those two worlds.


FH: What do you think of the irony of you -- a soon-to-be Rabbi -- fighting a world championship at Yankees' Stadium in an event set up by your Jewish promoter, Bob Arum, and involving a kid celebrating his bar mitzvah party all on June 5 at Yankees Stadium?

Foreman: [Laughs for about 15 seconds.] It's very ironic. To have a potential problem with my first title defense being the fact that someone is having a bar mitzvah there on the same night. I can tell you that the bar mitzvah kid is definitely going to remember that one.


FH: What sort of night do you hope to give this kid on the night of the Miguel Cotto fight?

Foreman: You know, according to Jewish tradition, you're getting into adulthood. Right now, there is going to be a bar mitzvah ceremony [in the morning,] and he's going to experience the fight [at night,] first-hand.

He'll see both parallels. You can celebrate your manhood, and then, you can see the two men -- two fighters -- doing their business. Two fighters, basically, boxing.


FH: How close to being done is the Miguel Cotto fight?

Foreman: I know that it's close. I don't know the details. I have a feeling that it's going to happen on June 5. I think it's going to happen. I don't know the details regarding how close or how far.

I'm looking forward to this fight, and it's a great opportunity for me to fight a historic fight in Yankees Stadium. It's a great opportunity to fight a great fighter like Miguel Cotto.


FH: Is there anyone on your record whose style you can compare favorably to that of Miguel Cotto's?

Foreman: No, I can't. He's very different. Actually, all of my opponents vary in style and I have had to train differently for each fight and take a different approach.

And Miguel Cotto is just as different. He's a terrific fighter, and a great champion, and I'll have to have a different approach to him as well.


FH: What does Miguel Cotto bring to the table?

Foreman: Miguel Cotto definitely brings in a lot of experience. He's been in some very big fights, and so that's what he has. In terms of strength and style, you know, Miguel Cotto is very good overall. His strength and his speed.


FH: Having fought on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto, what did you see in that fight from ringside, up close and personal, from your next opponent?

Foreman: I saw the same Miguel -- always coming forward. Always fighting according to a game plan, I guess. He stuck to it, and he showed a lot of discipline in the ring. It's a very tough task, again. He has good punching power.


FH: Do you feel as if you are the underdog?

Foreman: I don't go into that, and I don't give in to things like being the underdog or the favorite. I just go to the gym, and I train to work on myself -- to get myself better and to get my job done.


FH: When do you believe that you will begin training for this fight?

Foreman: I'm already, pretty much, going to the gym -- the Gleason's Gym in New York. Every day, I'm in the gym. But about two months before the fight, my training is going to get more intensified.


FH: I understand that, in addition to your regular trainers, Joe Greer, and, assistant, Pedro Saiz, you are bringing in Emanuel Steward to help out? Can you define their roles?

Foreman: My corner stays the same. I'm not changing pretty much anything. Emanuel, I believe, is going to come to New York and we'll have an opportunity to have him for a couple of weeks before the fight. Definitely, he's a great trainer.

Perhaps he can add something and I can learn something from him, and that's about it.


FH: Is there anything specific that your manager, Murray Wilson, was looking to add by bringing in Emanuel Steward?

Foreman: Murray was reaching out to Manny, and it's great to have a legendary trainer to be giving me some training. But again, I'm looking forward to it. But I don't have any specifics. I'm open to anything.


FH: Citing, in part, your height [5-foot-10] and reach, Manny Pacquiao bypassed you, among others, as an opponent in favor of Joshua Clottey.

What do you believe you showed him over the course of your victory over Daniel Santos -- a fairly lopsided win during which you dropped Santos twice?

Foreman: I pretty much showed myself that I should be more aggressive, but I didn't surprise myself that I can hit. I always knew that I could hit, but it was just a matter of putting good things together -- boxing and being aggressive.

And Pacquiao, listen, is such a great fighter in my eyes. Really, he's pretty much the pound-for-pound best. And that's a great compliment when it's coming from him that he's considering me as a fighter or an opponent. That's a great honor.


FH: You heard the Puerto Rican fans cheering for Daniel Santos when you fought him in Las Vegas, and you overcame that. Now, you are fighting a Puerto Rican fighter for the second time, in Miguel Cotto, and you were booed when you and he were introduced in New York when Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez dethroned Steven Luevano.

What have you learned about the Puerto Rican pride?

Foreman: As it applies to Puerto Rican people, I admire, first of all, how supportive they are of their fighters. It's like that in baseball, and it's like that in boxing. I really do appreciate that and it's great to see.

No matter where it is, they're buying tickets, and they're coming and they're supporting their fighters. But there are going to be a few Puerto Ricans cheering for me as well.

There are a few Puerto Rican fighters at Gleason's Gym who are going to come and support me -- at least that is what they have told me.


FH: Will you do anything between now and the fight to promote yourself within the Jewish community, and if so, what sort of numbers do you expect to see in terms of of people coming to support you on the night that you face Miguel Cotto?

Foreman: I hope that we're going to equal the Puerto Rican fans, you know? I hope so. I'm definitely going to participate in trying to promote the fight in the Jewish community.

There is a big Jewish population in the area, just like there is a lot of Puerto Rican support in the area. I hope the Jewish community -- the Russian Jewish community -- will come and support me.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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Manny Pacquiao to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live again

Boxing News World

A little boxer from a tiny Asian archipelago gracing a popular American talk show is as uncommon as Paulie Malignaggi knocking people out in the ring. But believe it or not, the Filipino ring icon will be back on Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 3 according to Los Angeles Times.

Just a couple of months ago before his fight against Puerto Rican slugger Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao emerged from the backstage of the famous late-night talk show in blue jeans and belted his own rendition of Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch” before a cheering audience who were mostly Filipinos.

Pacquiao’s scheduled appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live for the second time is a testament of his enormous popularity and crossover appeal. He’s also scheduled to be featured on CBS’s ‘60 Minutes’, an American television newsmagazine which is considered by many to be the preeminent investigative television program in the United States, and on ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’, a famous American morning news talk show sometime next month.

Pacquiao is expected to drive his posh Mercedez Benz car to the show again. This time, however, his lovely wife Jinky would probably be the one on the passenger seat. (Photo: Manny Pacquiao and Jimmy Kimmel)

- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com

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8CN Exclusive Interview With “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona -- 8CountNews

By Lorne Scoggins, 8CountNews.com

At only 19 years of age, “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona is a fighter with tons of potential. After 150 fights as an amateur, he is now undefeated as a pro. He has stayed very busy since his professional debut. Since the summer of 2007 he has amassed an impressive record of 14-0-1 with 12 KOs. He's now in training for his February 27th bout with another undefeated prospect, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (17-0-1, with 14 KOs). The winner of the match will secure the vacant WBO super bantamweight title. Sonsona will be moving up from the super flyweight division.

Many have pointed out similarities between Sonsona and pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao. Both are from General Santos City, both are south paws, and both debuted professionally at 106 lbs. 8CN caught up with Sonsona during a time out from his training. Sonsona humbly denied any comparisons with the man he called his idol.

8CN: Thanks for talking with 8CN, Marvin. How's your training coming along?

MS: It's going well. For the first part of my training I was at the Kennel Boxing Gym in San Leandro California. Now I'm training in Puerto Rico.

8CN: You're facing a tough, undefeated opponent. Do you feel prepared for the Vazquez fight?

MS: Of course. I'm well prepared and ready to win the fight with Vasquez.

8CN: How do you think the fight will play out? Do you have a round prediction?

MS: For me, I'll do my best and the rest is up to the Lord to decide who's going to win, but for my part, I'm going to give everything I got to win this fight.

8CN: A lot of people are comparing you to a young Manny Pacquiao. How has Manny influenced you?

MS: He is my idol! All the Filipino boxers idolize Manny. Nobody will ever be like he him. He's one of a kind.

8CN: As you know, Manny will be fighting Joshua Clottey on March 13. Do you want to share your thoughts on that fight?

MS: I think Manny will win this fight. He's very good at what he does.

8CN: You're going to be moving up from super flyweight to super bantamweight. Do you plan to keep moving up so you can conquer several weight classes?

MS: No. Manny is the only one who can do so well at many different weight classes. Nobody can follow in his footsteps because he is the best and he made his own way. For me, whatever opportunities Jesus gives me I'll take.

8CN: Do you have any final thoughts you'd like to share with your fans?

MS: I'd like to ask everyone to please pray for me and all the boxers who want to be world champions, and on this Saturday, please say a special prayer for me to win this fight. It is for the honor of our country.

8CN: Thank you for taking the time to talk with us and may God bless you.

MS: Ok. Thank you very much sir.

Contact Lorne: lscoggins@8countnews.com


Special thanks to my wife, Ritchie, for acting as interpreter for this interview.

Source: 8countnews.com

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Roach: If Mayweather doesn’t want to fight Manny under the commissions’, sanctioning body’ rules, then he can go fight some girl

Boxing News World

Outspoken Hall of Fame-bound boxing trainer Freddie Roach recently talked to Leave It In The Ring Radio about Joshua Clottey and his favorite pupil’s preparation for “The Event”. He also didn't hold back his thoughts on Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Paulie Malignaggi.

Here are some highlights:

On Pacquiao’s condition:
"He’s on fire right now and ready to go."

On why Clottey was chosen as Manny’s opponent:
“Since the Mayweather fight didn’t happen, there was really nowhere else for us to go. We had to pick the best guy available and Clottey is that guy.”

On Clottey:
"The thing is… I have a lot of confidence in my fighter of course, but I know he is a very difficult guy. I respect him as a fighter. I respect him as a human being. He’s a gentleman. He knows how to fight, but I just have a lot of confidence in Manny. We have a really really good game plan for Clottey. The thing is we just have to pull the game plan off. And I think we can make it look a lot easier than it is. Of course he is a tough guy and we do have to respect his power and size."

On Manny’s possible retirement after Clottey fight if Pacquio vs Mayweather-Mosley winner can not be made:
"We have talked about that because I don’t want Manny to stay in the game too long. I don’t want him to be one of those guys who was fighting beyond their best years…. This could be our last fight."

On Floyd Mayweather Jr:
"He (Manny) wants Mayweather next so badly. The thing is (they) both need to win their fights of course. We’re not going to give Mayweather any edge at all though. He wants this Olympic style drug testing, all these (rubbish). We’re not going to give him nothing because if you give him something, he becomes bigger than the commission, bigger than the sport. It’s like giving the first two rounds away, giving him confidence, and so forth. We’ll go by the Nevada commission rules, by the sanctioning body rules…If he doesn’t want to fight us at those rules, then he can go fight some girl."

On Amir Khan’s next opponent:
"The thing about (Marcos) Maidana is nobody knows him yet. He's starting to get a little recognition because of Ortiz of course, but the thing is he's a really, really tough fight. So I don't want to fight that guy for nothing, for free…I wanted (Juan Manuel) Marquez so badly for his next fight for his American debut, because matchmaking is timing and I think it's the right time. I know it's not an easy fight, but I think it's one we can win. Nacho (Beristain) decided not to fight us, so Paulie Malignaggi was the next guy out there. I don't think we really want to fight Paulie though because he's such an (butthole). I used to respect this guy and like him, but he opens his mouth and says Amir is on steroids now because he trains with Freddie Roach. I might smack him when I see him… I'm pissed off about that with him. I feel like pulling Amir out of the fight and telling him go get a payday somewhere else because there's no payday here. You've knocked out five guys in your career; (they) must've been five girls. If Amir doesn't knock him out, I'll be very disappointed."

To hear the interview in its entirety, visit leave-it-in-the-ring.com.

- Marshall N. B., marx7204@lycos.com

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Marvin Sonsona, the Next Manny Pacquiao, Faces Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

In a clash of talented, unbeaten fighters who are competing for the vacant WBO super bantamweight (122 pounds) title, 19-year-old, southpaw, Filipino sensation, "Marvelous" Marvin Sonsona will meet 25-year-old Wilfredo "WV2" Vazquez Jr. at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, in Vazquez's hometown of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on March 27.

Sansona is considered the Philippines' next Manny Pacquiao.

"Manny is Manny. It's hard following in his footsteps. But all that I can be is my best, and, hopefully, bring another world title home," said Sansona. "Fighting in his [Vazquez's] hometown doesn't bother me. The officials will be fair, and I have a lot of Puerto Rican fans, too. I'm not sure if it'll end in a knockout, but it's going to be a very good fight."

The son of the former world champion by the same name, Vazquez (17-0-1, 14 KOs) is riding an eight-fight winning streak that includes six knockouts, including stoppages in his past two bouts.

Coming off of November's seventh-round knockout of Genaro Garcia, Vazquez is after his third, consecutive stoppage, and can make history by becoming the first Puerto Rican son of a former titlist to also win a crown.

A unanimous decision by Sansona (14-0-1, 12 KOs) dethroned Jose Lopez as WBO super flyweight (115 pounds) champion in September.


But following his first defense of that title -- November's 12-round draw with Alejandro Hernandez -- Sansona was forced to vacate the belt as a result of his failure to make the 115-pound limit prior to the fight.

"My promoter [Sampson Lewkowicz] wanted me to take this fight because I have a big chance to win the title. It's a good opportunity for me to get a championship belt back. I've trained hard for this fight, and we've worked on [Vazquez's] weaknesses because he makes a lot of mistakes," said Sansona.

"This fight is very important for me, especially being on pay-per-view in North America," said Sansona. "I want to make up for what happened in Canada and win another world title. I'm hungry and focused on this fight. I'm hungry like a tiger."

Vazquez-Sansona is part of a split-site, "Double Assault" pay-per-view broadcast which begins at 9 p.m. ET, and is being distributed in America and Canada by Integrated Sports Media.

The action continues later Saturday night from Guadalajara, as 28-year-old, WBC light flyweight (108 pounds) titlist Rodel "Bantang Mandaue" Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs) of the Philippines defends his crown against former WBC light flyweight king, Omar "Giant Killer" Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs), of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mex.

Another bout airing from Guadalajara is a 10-round, WBC youth lightweight (135 pounds) championship between 24-year-old defending champion, Daniel "Tremendo" Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs), of Mexico City, and, veteran Angel Alirio "El Morocho" Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs), of Tijuana, Baja Calif., Mexico.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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MOSLEY INTERVIEW: MAYWEATHER WAS FORCED TO FIGHT ME -- PhilBoxing

By Anthony 'Duljoman' Andales, PhilBoxing.com

787 Aviation Ave. – Sugar Shane Mosley, the name in 147 lbs? I’d say “yes” by beating Margarito, yes he is the main man in the 147 lbs. division. Margarito was the most avoided 147 pounder in the planet before Shane put a beating on him in rounds 8 and 9 13 months ago.

I remember that during the post fight press conference of Pacquiao-De la Hoya, I asked Arum if Manny will fight Margarito. Arum said “we’re brave but not that brave.” So by beating Margarito, Mosley is the man in the welterweight division.

Duljoman: Good evening Shane, how's your weekend?

SSM: Fine, how are you?

Duljoman: Here at work, my break time, might as well talk to you to hype your fight against Mayweather... you’re taking a day off today (Sunday)?

SSM: Yeah! I'm resting today.

Duljoman: I’ve read about Floyd’s comment from Rick Rockwell's Examiner.com article that he’s talking about your divorce, that it can be very excruciating and sometimes it costs a lot of money. What can you say about this? Is this a below the belt for you?

SSM: He can say anything about my divorce, he can think all day about my divorce. I’m cool with that. He can focus about my divorce. The truth is I don’t care Anthony. I’ve been on this... in boxing for a long time, when I have an upcoming fight, I’m only thinking about that fight. I don’t care about my opponent's mouth. I’ll deal with them inside the ring. So I don’t care at all.

Duljoman: What do you think about Mayweather?

SSM: I don’t care about him and I don’t care about his personality. This is business for me, nothing personal. My mind is focused to beat him and fight him again because we have a rematch clause for this one.

Duljoman: Rematch clause for both of you?

SSM: No. Only for him. I don’t need a rematch clause. He needs a rematch clause because he was forced to fight me.

Duljoman: I talked to Roach a few days ago, he told me that Pacquiao-Mayweather was canceled because Mayweather was afraid of the zero to become 1. Like Roach was telling me that, Mayweather was frightened to fight Manny. What's your stand on this one?

SSM: Anthony let's put it this way. Mayweather needs money that’s why he’s forced to fight me. He needs money that’s why he puts a rematch clause on this one. I don’t know if he’s a coward or not but what I know for this fight? He was forced to fight me. Aside from Manny, this is the only big money for him out there. If he’s afraid to fight Manny I’m not.

Duljoman: Shane, you’re 38 years old now and with all your achievements... what is the motivation for this fight?

SSM: I always wanted to be the best. Beating him will put me to where I wanna be placed in my career. That’s why, I’ll beat Floyd, then hopefully Manny will fight me.

Duljoman: Shane I also read Mike Marley’s story from Examiner.com that if Oscar thinks that Manny is dirty, might as well he should refuse the blood money from Manny’s fight.

SSM: It is Oscar, I didn’t talk to him about this. For me, I’ll follow if there is a live contract. But I can’t talk on behalf of Oscar.

Duljoman: Shane that’s all for me as far as your upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather is concerned. But I have something in my mind right now. I am an aerospace design engineer by trade but I’ve been boxing since 5 years old against our neighbors who stole guavas in our backyard. The last few years I became a correspondent for Philboxing.com. Do you think I can go to war with you in sparring so I can have a first hand experience and document everything?

SSM: Congratulations, good thing you didn’t become a boxer, that’s a good job…

Duljoman: Thanks. But I’ll give you a very intense 3 rounds. I will not waste your time. I’ll pay for my fare and show up ready.

SSM: Actually, training camp will start soon. And if I’m in training camp I can’t spar with anybody. My coach Nazim Richardson will dictate of who will be the sparring partners. But you can visit me anytime after this fight, I always spar to keep me fit. Let me know if you’re coming.

Duljoman: Thanks for your time Shane.

SSM: Anytime.

*

Oh!BeerTime!!!

Shane’s Valentine's day was perfect with new girlfriend Bella, Bella is beautiful… Shane said that Manny is a very strong fighter, but he’s not with him 24/7, so he doesn’t know if Pacman is dirty or not… Superman vs. Superman was a good match up today, the younger Superman Dwight Howard won this time, is Antawn Jamison a jinx?... I don’t think so… so I read on the Philboxing forum that it is between Purefoods and Alaska, I don’t know if that is the championships or not, but I was happy to know that I am not alone, PBA sucks!!!... Also in forum, about Dr. Ed, my stand is, I will not allow the world to see my tooth decay… Also at Philboxing forum, I think Paclanders picked Teodoro and Gordon, smart voters in Pacland!!!... Ciso Morales needs to check where his heart belongs, boxing or calamay vendor?... So Nonito Doanire Jr. won, and he wore a rosary (just like Manny hey!), I know he is a good boxer but I don’t know outside the ring… He paid a courtesy call to Mayor Lim, just like Manny (to Mayor Atienza) hey!, the difference hey? Manny paid a courtesy call first to Mommy Dionesia before anything else, a BIG difference hey!… Hello to my first Brod Librado Jr., keep on punching my Brother!!!... Hi to my long lost childhood friend in Duljo, Christian “Sir Charles” Ventic… where is my other childhood friend the King of Engineers, Ernesto Abunda Jr? I missed you my friend… how about Elmer Rosal for Brgy Capt in Guizo and Duljo?... The other friend Masters on Robotics, the chief of Intel Rey Buot said that Paella in Barcelona can’t beat the guinabut near CIT backgate… yohoo!!! Kumbatea!

Source: philboxing.com

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Boxing notebook: Andre Ward gets foe; Margarito Texas cancellation explained -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Showtime officially announced Monday that Allan Green (29-1, 20 KOs) will replace Jermain Taylor in the Super Six middleweight tournament and will fight unbeaten Andre Ward (20-0) somewhere in the San Francisco Bay Area on April 24.

A Showtime official said Oakland's Oracle Arena is first choice for a venue to stage the bout.

Taylor dropped out of the tournament after suffering his fourth loss in five fights, a knockout by Super Six leader Arthur Abraham in October.

The Ward-Green fight will make for interesting unions involving Ward's promoter, Dan Goossen of the San Fernando Valley, who'll also stage a fight on HBO the same night: the heavyweight battle between Goossen-promoted Cris Arreola and his opponent, Tomasz Adamek, at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario.

Ward-Green will be preceded on Showtime with tape-delayed action of another "Super Six" clash between Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler in Denmark. Green is scheduled to fight Kessler next, likely in the fall.

-- The remaining Super Six bout between Andre Dirrell and Abraham has been moved to March 27 at a site yet to be announced after Dirrell suffered a back injury last week. The bout will not take place at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa due to a previously scheduled Doobie Brothers concert, a hotel spokeswoman announced Monday.

The bout will remain in the U.S., a Showtime official said.

Updated Super Six standings: Abraham 3, Ward 2, Froch 2, Kessler 0, Dirrell 0, Green 0.

-- A spokesman for fight promoter Top Rank said Antonio Margarito was pulled from a planned comeback bout March 13 on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight at Dallas Cowboys Stadium to avoid a possible cancellation that might upset pay-per-view carriers and fans.

"He wasn't licensed [in Texas] yet, and we felt we had an obligation for the show to get them the complete undercard information as soon as possible," Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels said. "We didn't want to announce [Margarito] as being on the card if there was a chance he wouldn't be there."

Texas was considering Margarito's license application when the fighter's promoter, Bob Arum, told The Times he was taking Tijuana's former world welterweight champion off the Pacquiao card and replacing that bout with a fight between Humberto Soto and David Diaz. Arum said he wanted Margarito to fight in May in Mexico.

But the Assn. of Boxing Commissions, which oversees and advises state commissions, told Texas authorities in a letter obtained by The Times that it didn't approve of licensing Margarito less than 13 months after California revoked his license for allegedly nearly using gloves loaded with plaster-containing inserts tucked inside his hand wraps last January.

Samuels said Top Rank had not consulted the ABC to see what time of suspension would be appropriate in the U.S.

"If all goes well in Mexico, he'll fight again here soon," Samuels said.

-- Pacquiao is enjoying the celebrity that accompanies being considered the world's top boxer. He's been visited by actor Robert Duvall at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, is scheduled to appear on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" March 3, and is scheduled to be featured on CBS' "60 Minutes" and ABC'S "Good Morning America" later next month, according to publicist Fred Sternburg.

Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com

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Sonsona Wants Belt Back -- The Sweet Science

The Sweet Science

HOBOKEN, N.J. (Feb. 22, 2010) – Filipino sensation “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsoma is hungry to capture another world title, as well as overcoming the aftereffect of losing his WBO super flyweight belt on the scales in his last fight, this coming Saturday night in the highly-anticipated showdown against hometown hero Wilfredo “WV2” Vazquez, Jr. for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior featherweight championship.

Vazquez, Jr.-Sonsona is one of two world title fights featured on the split-site “The Double Assault” pay-per-view broadcast, commencing at 9 PM/ET live from Reben Rodriquez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, the hometown Vazquez, Jr., who plans to make Puerto Rican history by defeating 19-year-old Sonsona.

The unique, double-barrelled broadcast is being distributed in the United States and Canada by Integrated Sports Media for live viewing at 9 PM/ET – 6 PM/PT on both cable and satellite pay-per-view via iN Demand, DIRECTV, TVN, DISH Network, Viewer’s Choice and Shaw PPV for a suggested retail price of only $34.95.

PR Best Boxing Promotions, in association with All Star Boxing and Sampson Boxing LLC., is presenting the Puerto Rican segment of “The Double Assault” pay-per-view.

WBO No. 2 rated Vazquez, Jr. (17-0-1, 14 KOs), the WBO Latino super bantamweight champion, would become the first Puerto Rican son of a world champion (Wilfredo Vazquez, Sr.) to capture a world title by defeating former WBO super flyweight titlist Sonsona (14-0-1, 12 KOs), ranked No. 3 by the WBO.

Sonsona, billed in the Philippines as that country’s next Manny Pacquiao, fought Alejandro Hernandez to a draw last November in Canada. Marvin, however, lost the WBO super flyweight title that he had won in his previous fight against Jose Lopez, due to weighing-in 2 ½ pounds over the 115-pound contractual weight. Sonsona is fighting two full weight classes above super flyweight against Vasquez, instead of taking a “tune-up” fight before fighting in this world title bout.

“My promoter (Sampson Lewkowicz) wanted me to take this fight because I have a big chance to win the title,” Sonsona explained. “It’s a good opportunity for me to get a championship belt back. I’ve trained hard for this fight and we’ve worked on his (Vazquez) weaknesses. He makes a lot of mistakes. This fight is very important for me, especially being on pay-per-view in North America. I want to make up for what happened in Canada and win another world title. I’m hungry and focused on this fight; I’m hungry like a tiger.

“Manny is Manny. It’s hard following in his footsteps but all I can be is my best and, hopefully, bring another world title home. Fighting in his (Vasquez) hometown doesn’t bother me. The officials will be fair and I have a lot of Puerto Rican fans, too. I’m not sure if it’ll end in a knockout, but it’s going to be a very good fight.”

Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Carlos Negron (7-0, 6 KOs), 2008 Puerto Rican Olympian, provides chief support in a 6-round bout against Rudy Ashworth. Also fighting on the card in their pro debuts are the Arroyo twins, flyweight McWilliams and bantamweight McJoe, also members of the 2008 Puerto Rican Olympic Boxing Team.

The PPV action continues later Saturday night, live from Guadalajara, as WBC light flyweight champion Rodel “Bantang Mandaue” Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs), rated No. 2 by The Ring, defends his belt in the 12-round main event versus the WBC No. 1 contender, former WBC light flyweight titlist Omar “Giant Killer” Nino (28-3-1, 20 KOs). Also airing on the Guadalajara card, presented by Boxeo De Gala, is a 10-round WBC Youth lightweight championship match between defending champ Daniel “Tremendo” Estrada (21-1, 17 KOs) and veteran Angel Alirio “El Morocho” Rivero (21-7-1, 14 KOs).

Source: blog.thesweetscience.com

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Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley Press Tour Begins March 2 -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

On May 1, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, 32-year-old Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 knockouts) will take on 38-year-old WBA welterweight (147 pounds) super world champion, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) in a highly-anticipated matchup between two of boxing's best fighters, pound-for-pound.

A five-time champion, Mayweather (pictured at right) is coming off of September's lopsided, 12-round uanimous decision over Mexican great, Juan Marquez, and Mosley, off of a January, 2009, ninth-round knockout of another excellent Mexican fighter in Antonio Margarito, who was stopped for the first time in his career by Mosley.

One of the stipulations of the bout agreement was an immediate rematch for Mayweather, as well as the fact that both combatants will be subjected to Olympic-style, randomly blood, and, urinalysis testing.

But fans, nationwide, won't have to wait until May to get what could be perhaps an up-close and personal view of the two future Hall Of Famers, who might just be coming to a theatre near you.

The lead promoter for the tour is Goden Boy Promotions.

Below is the schedule of the fighters' promotional tour, which begins on March 2 with stops in New York, Washington ,D.C., and, Los Angeles.

Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley Press Tour Dates.

Tuesday, March 2: Nokia Theatre, Times Square, New York City

Wednesday, March 3: The Lincoln Theatre, Washington, D.C.

Thursday, March 4: Nokia Plaza's L.A. Live, Los Angeles

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

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