Daily Guide Ghana
Ghana’s Joshua Clottey will get what is probably his last shot at a world title fight this year, despite losing to World Boxing Organisation (WBO) champion Manny Pacman Pacquiao through a unanimous decision last Saturday.
The tough Clottey, who is yet to be knocked down in his career, is expected to be given a chance by World Boxing Council (WBC) champion, the crack Andre Berto of the Haiti.
According to Mohammed Amin Lamptey, public relations officer of the Ghana Boxing Authority, the opportunity could be the last chance for the Bukom boxer who disappointed many Ghanaians after his defense-minded approach to the fight against Pacquiao.
All of Clottey’s four career losses were against top fighters namely Carlos Manuel Baldomir, Antonio Magarito, Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao.
Most boxing pundits expressed shock about the way the Ghanaian fought last Saturday as he was always on the defensive even when he had the chance to attack.
Clottey lost via a unanimous decision, as the three judges scored the bout 120-108, 118-109 and 119-109, all in favour of the world champion.
Apart from Round 7 which Clottey appeared to have won, the more aggressive Pacquiao overwhelmingly dominated all the other rounds.
In a post-match interview, Pacquiao disclosed that after the first round, he revised his notes because Clottey was strong. “He is very tough.
“He (Clottey) took so many punches; and yet did not wince. He is the greatest welterweight I have ever fought,” the champion stressed.
Berto, whose parents are both Haitian-born, cancelled his unification fight against Mosley scheduled for Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on January 30 due to the earthquake that killed hundreds of thousands of Haitians.
Source: dailyguideghana.com
Wednesday 17 March 2010
Paulie Malignaggi takes jabs from Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach -- New York Daily News
By Mitch Abramson, New York Daily News
Part of the appeal of Paulie Malignaggi, the former junior welterweight champion from Brooklyn, is his wise-cracking, kid-on-the-corner, say-anything persona. His mouth, to some extent, is credited with landing him his fight with English superstar Amir Khan at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 15, to be shown on HBO. A very good bout between Nate Campbell and Victor Ortiz is in the televised co-feature.
But Malignaggi's jabbering is both a blessing and a curse.
For the past several months Malignaggi has made it clear that he believes Manny Pacquiao, who just dominated a very strong welterweight in Joshua Clottey, is doping.
Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao, dropped a bombshell at a news conference yesterday by hinting that he might try to drag Malignaggi into the defamation lawsuit that Pacquiao filed in December against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his supporters. The suit alleges that Mayweather Jr. and his camp maliciously, knowingly, publicly and erroneously accused Pacquiao of doping.
Roach did not say when he might try to add Malignaggi to the lawsuit or if he has the power to do so.
But Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, doesn't believe that Malignaggi will be attached to the suit or if a new suit will be filed involving Malignaggi.
"Freddie is not involved in the lawsuit," Arum said. "While he is a great trainer and Manny listens to him as far as fighting, I don't think Freddie has any influence on who he's going to sue. To my knowledge, they have not contemplated adding anyone to the suit."
Dan Petrocelli, Pacquiao's Los Angeles-based attorney, didn't return a message seeking comment.
Malignaggi reacted by downplaying the severity of the grievance against Mayweather Jr.
"I really don't think the lawsuit is real," Malignaggi said. "I think it's for show."
Source: nydailynews.com
Part of the appeal of Paulie Malignaggi, the former junior welterweight champion from Brooklyn, is his wise-cracking, kid-on-the-corner, say-anything persona. His mouth, to some extent, is credited with landing him his fight with English superstar Amir Khan at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on May 15, to be shown on HBO. A very good bout between Nate Campbell and Victor Ortiz is in the televised co-feature.
But Malignaggi's jabbering is both a blessing and a curse.
For the past several months Malignaggi has made it clear that he believes Manny Pacquiao, who just dominated a very strong welterweight in Joshua Clottey, is doping.
Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao, dropped a bombshell at a news conference yesterday by hinting that he might try to drag Malignaggi into the defamation lawsuit that Pacquiao filed in December against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his supporters. The suit alleges that Mayweather Jr. and his camp maliciously, knowingly, publicly and erroneously accused Pacquiao of doping.
Roach did not say when he might try to add Malignaggi to the lawsuit or if he has the power to do so.
But Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, doesn't believe that Malignaggi will be attached to the suit or if a new suit will be filed involving Malignaggi.
"Freddie is not involved in the lawsuit," Arum said. "While he is a great trainer and Manny listens to him as far as fighting, I don't think Freddie has any influence on who he's going to sue. To my knowledge, they have not contemplated adding anyone to the suit."
Dan Petrocelli, Pacquiao's Los Angeles-based attorney, didn't return a message seeking comment.
Malignaggi reacted by downplaying the severity of the grievance against Mayweather Jr.
"I really don't think the lawsuit is real," Malignaggi said. "I think it's for show."
Source: nydailynews.com
Gabe Farias: Pacquiao could be one of the greatest boxers of all time -- San Antonio Express
By Gabe Farias, San Antonio Express
After watching Manny Pacquiao's brilliant performance over Joshua Clottey this past weekend, there is little doubt that the Filipino boxing superstar is the greatest fighter we have today. He could very well be the best of all time.
He has captured world boxing titles in seven different weight classifications against the very best the sport has had to offer. From Oscar De la Hoya to Marco Antonio Barrera to Eric Morales to Miguel Cotto - Pacquiao has conquered the pugilistic world's best.
There is only one fighter Pacquiao needs to face before he hangs his gloves up – Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather of course proclaims himself the greatest in the sport. His impressive list of conquered opponents earns the fighter a tremendous amount of consideration as one of boxing's great fighters.
Mayweather has a huge challenge ahead of him when he steps into the ring against future hall of fame fighter Sugar Shane Mosley in early May.
It is a fight he should win and you would think that victory would set up the biggest fight the sport will have seen since Mohammad Ali was in his prime.
Mayweather made some very bold and unconfirmed allegations of performance enhancing drug use by Pacquiao. The two were narrowly close to meeting with the holdup being the rigorous blood testing Mayweather demanded of Pacquiao.
If there was any fan backlash against Pacquiao after the ludicrous claim, it most certainly did not show in his fight with Clottey. More than 50,000 mostly pro Pacquiao fans were in attendance at Dallas Cowboys Stadium - the third largest domestic boxing crowd ever.
To me, it seems that Pacquiao does not need Mayweather. If the fight does not happen he still goes down as the greatest modern day warrior ever.
Mayweather and his giant ego and even bigger spending habits need for the Pacquiao fight to happen. He would earn upwards of $30 million for the fight. A victory over Pacquiao and the roles completely reverse and Mayweather would go down as the greatest.
I believe that Mayweather will not give on the blood testing issue and use that as an excuse to avoid the most certain Pacquiao beating he will endure.
Pacquiao is a much stronger fighter than Mayweather.
This is Pacquiao's last real challenge. How great would it be to watch the single greatest fighter of our time knock out the self proclaim greatest of all time? Don't hold your breath.
Source: mysanantonio.com
After watching Manny Pacquiao's brilliant performance over Joshua Clottey this past weekend, there is little doubt that the Filipino boxing superstar is the greatest fighter we have today. He could very well be the best of all time.
He has captured world boxing titles in seven different weight classifications against the very best the sport has had to offer. From Oscar De la Hoya to Marco Antonio Barrera to Eric Morales to Miguel Cotto - Pacquiao has conquered the pugilistic world's best.
There is only one fighter Pacquiao needs to face before he hangs his gloves up – Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather of course proclaims himself the greatest in the sport. His impressive list of conquered opponents earns the fighter a tremendous amount of consideration as one of boxing's great fighters.
Mayweather has a huge challenge ahead of him when he steps into the ring against future hall of fame fighter Sugar Shane Mosley in early May.
It is a fight he should win and you would think that victory would set up the biggest fight the sport will have seen since Mohammad Ali was in his prime.
Mayweather made some very bold and unconfirmed allegations of performance enhancing drug use by Pacquiao. The two were narrowly close to meeting with the holdup being the rigorous blood testing Mayweather demanded of Pacquiao.
If there was any fan backlash against Pacquiao after the ludicrous claim, it most certainly did not show in his fight with Clottey. More than 50,000 mostly pro Pacquiao fans were in attendance at Dallas Cowboys Stadium - the third largest domestic boxing crowd ever.
To me, it seems that Pacquiao does not need Mayweather. If the fight does not happen he still goes down as the greatest modern day warrior ever.
Mayweather and his giant ego and even bigger spending habits need for the Pacquiao fight to happen. He would earn upwards of $30 million for the fight. A victory over Pacquiao and the roles completely reverse and Mayweather would go down as the greatest.
I believe that Mayweather will not give on the blood testing issue and use that as an excuse to avoid the most certain Pacquiao beating he will endure.
Pacquiao is a much stronger fighter than Mayweather.
This is Pacquiao's last real challenge. How great would it be to watch the single greatest fighter of our time knock out the self proclaim greatest of all time? Don't hold your breath.
Source: mysanantonio.com
Amir Khan: Not keen on Manny Pacquiao bout because of Roach -- The Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
If it ever happens, if United Kingdom star Amir Khan ever fights Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao, Coach Freddie Roach may put the blame on me.
I would admit my guilt as I may have planted a seed with the likeable Bolton Lad after Tuesday's Khan-Paulie Malignaggi press conference at Madison Square Garden.
Charismatic Khan, who unsummarily kicked longtime Hall Of Fame promoter Fearless Frank Warren to the curb and is a Golden Boy fighter now, said he was not keen on a Pacman bout even if he made the move up from junior weterweight.
Kid Khan is not looking to give Coach Roach any needless agita, it seems.
"I have sparred 50, maybe 60 rounds against the great Manny," Khan told me. "I use how I do with Manny as a gauge of my career and I know Freddie looks it at the way also since he handles us both. I gradually did better with Manny as time went on at the Wild Card.
"But I wouldn't look to upset Freddie or force him to make any choice. He's been with Pacquiao so much longer than with me, it wouldn't be right."
Pacquiao turned age 31 on December 18 while Khan was just 23 10 days earlier.
I mentioned that all time great trainer Angelo Dundee faced a similar Hobson's Choice when Muhammad Ali, his star training pupil, fought Jimmy Ellis, who he managed, in the Houston Astrodome. Dundee switched corners that night as he had a bigger stake and obligation to Ali's longtime Louisville rival, buddy and sparmate. (Ali stopped Ellis in a less than thrilling match.)
"Oh, really," Khan said, "I didn't know about that. Interesting, but I don't think Pacquiao and will ever fight as we're also at different stages of our careers."
I quizzed Khan about 17 year old Top Rank-Roach trained Jesse Benavidez who I saw spar with the Olympic silver medalist before Pacman fought Miguel Cotto.
"The kid is talented, no doubt," Khan said. "I flashed back to my experience at the same age. I was abler to spar with pros, with guys like Ricky Hatton. It was some experience."
As far as Hatton hanging up the gloves, Khan said it's the right call for the guy who was flattened by Pacman.
"It's a danger game so Ricky is doing right now," Khan said.
Khan and Malignaggi clash May 15 and Garden officials said that "presale tickets" for the WaMu Theater, the smaller arena in the complex, are flying out the ticket window. Golden Boy has added a Nate Campbell-Victor Ortiz co-feature.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
If it ever happens, if United Kingdom star Amir Khan ever fights Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao, Coach Freddie Roach may put the blame on me.
I would admit my guilt as I may have planted a seed with the likeable Bolton Lad after Tuesday's Khan-Paulie Malignaggi press conference at Madison Square Garden.
Charismatic Khan, who unsummarily kicked longtime Hall Of Fame promoter Fearless Frank Warren to the curb and is a Golden Boy fighter now, said he was not keen on a Pacman bout even if he made the move up from junior weterweight.
Kid Khan is not looking to give Coach Roach any needless agita, it seems.
"I have sparred 50, maybe 60 rounds against the great Manny," Khan told me. "I use how I do with Manny as a gauge of my career and I know Freddie looks it at the way also since he handles us both. I gradually did better with Manny as time went on at the Wild Card.
"But I wouldn't look to upset Freddie or force him to make any choice. He's been with Pacquiao so much longer than with me, it wouldn't be right."
Pacquiao turned age 31 on December 18 while Khan was just 23 10 days earlier.
I mentioned that all time great trainer Angelo Dundee faced a similar Hobson's Choice when Muhammad Ali, his star training pupil, fought Jimmy Ellis, who he managed, in the Houston Astrodome. Dundee switched corners that night as he had a bigger stake and obligation to Ali's longtime Louisville rival, buddy and sparmate. (Ali stopped Ellis in a less than thrilling match.)
"Oh, really," Khan said, "I didn't know about that. Interesting, but I don't think Pacquiao and will ever fight as we're also at different stages of our careers."
I quizzed Khan about 17 year old Top Rank-Roach trained Jesse Benavidez who I saw spar with the Olympic silver medalist before Pacman fought Miguel Cotto.
"The kid is talented, no doubt," Khan said. "I flashed back to my experience at the same age. I was abler to spar with pros, with guys like Ricky Hatton. It was some experience."
As far as Hatton hanging up the gloves, Khan said it's the right call for the guy who was flattened by Pacman.
"It's a danger game so Ricky is doing right now," Khan said.
Khan and Malignaggi clash May 15 and Garden officials said that "presale tickets" for the WaMu Theater, the smaller arena in the complex, are flying out the ticket window. Golden Boy has added a Nate Campbell-Victor Ortiz co-feature.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Crowd will love to see Khan suffer, warns Malignaggi -- BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Paul Malignaggi has promised Amir Khan a rude awakening when he challenges the Briton for his WBA light-welterweight title in New York on 15 May.
Khan says he is thrilled at the thought of fighting at Madison Square Garden, but New Yorker Malignaggi says it will be a painful experience for the Briton.
"It's my city. When his head's snapping back with blistering combinations the crowd will love it," said Malignaggi.
"That's the first time in his career he is going to have to deal with that."
The 23-year-old Khan is being accompanied on his promotional trip to America by Naseem Hamed, who beat New Yorker Kevin Kelley at the same venue in 1997, with the young Malignaggi sitting in the crowd watching.
And Khan said he hoped to win in style in a similar fashion to the way Hamed did.
"I know there's going to be a lot of pressure on me without the home crowd," Khan said.
"But I know the fans are going to start to love me. I don't only want to win the fight, I want to win with good style."
After winning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17, Khan took the WBA crown last July by unanimous decision over Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik.
And in his first title defence Khan knocked out American Dmitriy Salita last December.
The 29-year-old Malignaggi is a former IBF champion who was stopped by Ricky Hatton in round 11 in November 2008.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Paul Malignaggi has promised Amir Khan a rude awakening when he challenges the Briton for his WBA light-welterweight title in New York on 15 May.
Khan says he is thrilled at the thought of fighting at Madison Square Garden, but New Yorker Malignaggi says it will be a painful experience for the Briton.
"It's my city. When his head's snapping back with blistering combinations the crowd will love it," said Malignaggi.
"That's the first time in his career he is going to have to deal with that."
The 23-year-old Khan is being accompanied on his promotional trip to America by Naseem Hamed, who beat New Yorker Kevin Kelley at the same venue in 1997, with the young Malignaggi sitting in the crowd watching.
And Khan said he hoped to win in style in a similar fashion to the way Hamed did.
"I know there's going to be a lot of pressure on me without the home crowd," Khan said.
"But I know the fans are going to start to love me. I don't only want to win the fight, I want to win with good style."
After winning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics at the age of 17, Khan took the WBA crown last July by unanimous decision over Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik.
And in his first title defence Khan knocked out American Dmitriy Salita last December.
The 29-year-old Malignaggi is a former IBF champion who was stopped by Ricky Hatton in round 11 in November 2008.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
Malignaggi says Khan will get rude NY welcome -- Reuters
Reuters
(Reuters) - Britain's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan said he was living a dream by fighting at Madison Square Garden, but challenger Paul Malignaggi promised him a rude welcome.
Khan, 23, stands with a record of 22-1 and is making the second defense of his title against the Brooklyn boxer on May 15.
"Coming to the Mecca for my U.S. debut boxing at Madison Square Garden, it's been my dream," Khan told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference at the Garden. "Everybody wants to fight here where Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and everyone have fought.
"I'll have my name in the history books."
Malignaggi, 27-3, said Khan would not like New York.
"This fight is going to be in front of a crowd where when Amir gets punched in his mouth they're going to love it," the challenger said. "Madison Square Garden is pro-Malignaggi.
"This is New York City. This is my city. When Amir's head is getting snapped back with blistering combinations the crowd is going to love it. That's the first time in his career he is going to have to deal with that."
Malignaggi already created some ill will with his comments about suspicions that Khan might be on steroids as he trains at Freddie Roach's gym along with Manny Pacquiao, who scuttled a title fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. because he would not agree to an Olympic-style doping protocol.
Roach warned Malignaggi he would be paid back in the ring.
"I know some people have made some comments about them using steroids and that pisses me off a little bit," Roach said about Khan and Pacquiao.
"Why can't they just accept that these two guys work hard and they are great fighters. You'll see that on the 15th and Paulie, you will definitely see it."
Former IBF champion Malignaggi said he respected Khan.
"I made my comments and I stand by my comments," the 29-year-old added.
"I never said Amir was a cheater. It never came out of my mouth. Somebody asked me a question, did it cross your mind, have you thought about it, being as he has the same team around him. I said I'd be lying if it never crossed my mind. But he hasn't given me any right to think that."
(Editing by Neil Maidment)
Source: reuters.com
(Reuters) - Britain's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan said he was living a dream by fighting at Madison Square Garden, but challenger Paul Malignaggi promised him a rude welcome.
Khan, 23, stands with a record of 22-1 and is making the second defense of his title against the Brooklyn boxer on May 15.
"Coming to the Mecca for my U.S. debut boxing at Madison Square Garden, it's been my dream," Khan told reporters on Tuesday at a news conference at the Garden. "Everybody wants to fight here where Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and everyone have fought.
"I'll have my name in the history books."
Malignaggi, 27-3, said Khan would not like New York.
"This fight is going to be in front of a crowd where when Amir gets punched in his mouth they're going to love it," the challenger said. "Madison Square Garden is pro-Malignaggi.
"This is New York City. This is my city. When Amir's head is getting snapped back with blistering combinations the crowd is going to love it. That's the first time in his career he is going to have to deal with that."
Malignaggi already created some ill will with his comments about suspicions that Khan might be on steroids as he trains at Freddie Roach's gym along with Manny Pacquiao, who scuttled a title fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. because he would not agree to an Olympic-style doping protocol.
Roach warned Malignaggi he would be paid back in the ring.
"I know some people have made some comments about them using steroids and that pisses me off a little bit," Roach said about Khan and Pacquiao.
"Why can't they just accept that these two guys work hard and they are great fighters. You'll see that on the 15th and Paulie, you will definitely see it."
Former IBF champion Malignaggi said he respected Khan.
"I made my comments and I stand by my comments," the 29-year-old added.
"I never said Amir was a cheater. It never came out of my mouth. Somebody asked me a question, did it cross your mind, have you thought about it, being as he has the same team around him. I said I'd be lying if it never crossed my mind. But he hasn't given me any right to think that."
(Editing by Neil Maidment)
Source: reuters.com
Matthew Hatton steps out of Ricky's shadow to box Gianluca Branco -- The Guardian
By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk
Matthew Hatton has been handed a rare chance to move out of his brother Ricky's shadow. He has agreed to take a short-notice fight for the vacant European welterweight title against Gianluca Branco at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham a week on Friday. The offer to fight the seasoned Italian comes only a month after the younger Hatton stopped Mikheil Khutsishvili in the fifth of eight rounds in a non-title contest in Stoke. "It's not ideal," Hatton said, "but I am in decent shape as I kept in the gym after my recent win. Things could be worse."
It is as well that Matthew decided not to accompany his brother to Tenerife on a stag holiday two weeks ago. The former double-weight world champion has not appeared in public since telling friends then that he was having second thoughts about fighting again. In the absence of a statement from his company, Ricky Hatton Promotions, despite repeated inquiries, rumours have circulated that he will announce his plans at a press conference some time this week.
Matthew Hatton has been given his chance ahead of more fancied challengers – including the unbeaten young boxer of the year, Kell Brook, who battered the game Krzysztof Bienias to defeat in six rounds in Liverpool on Friday. It was an eliminator for the WBO world title held by Manny Pacquiao.
Brook admits he is not ready to challenge Pacquiao, who dominated the disappointing Joshua Clottey over 12 rounds to keep his title in Dallas on Saturday – but he would have relished a fight against Branco. The Roman is 39 and a shadow of the fighter who lost two challenges for versions of the light-welterweight title. Branco was outpointed by Arturo Gatti in 2004 and stopped in eight rounds by Miguel Cotto in 2006.
He has been a decent operator at European level for nearly a decade. Hatton, who is 28 and has won 38 of 44 fights, will not have a better chance to make a name for himself other than as Ricky's little brother.
Source: guardian.co.uk
Matthew Hatton has been handed a rare chance to move out of his brother Ricky's shadow. He has agreed to take a short-notice fight for the vacant European welterweight title against Gianluca Branco at the Goresbrook Leisure Centre in Dagenham a week on Friday. The offer to fight the seasoned Italian comes only a month after the younger Hatton stopped Mikheil Khutsishvili in the fifth of eight rounds in a non-title contest in Stoke. "It's not ideal," Hatton said, "but I am in decent shape as I kept in the gym after my recent win. Things could be worse."
It is as well that Matthew decided not to accompany his brother to Tenerife on a stag holiday two weeks ago. The former double-weight world champion has not appeared in public since telling friends then that he was having second thoughts about fighting again. In the absence of a statement from his company, Ricky Hatton Promotions, despite repeated inquiries, rumours have circulated that he will announce his plans at a press conference some time this week.
Matthew Hatton has been given his chance ahead of more fancied challengers – including the unbeaten young boxer of the year, Kell Brook, who battered the game Krzysztof Bienias to defeat in six rounds in Liverpool on Friday. It was an eliminator for the WBO world title held by Manny Pacquiao.
Brook admits he is not ready to challenge Pacquiao, who dominated the disappointing Joshua Clottey over 12 rounds to keep his title in Dallas on Saturday – but he would have relished a fight against Branco. The Roman is 39 and a shadow of the fighter who lost two challenges for versions of the light-welterweight title. Branco was outpointed by Arturo Gatti in 2004 and stopped in eight rounds by Miguel Cotto in 2006.
He has been a decent operator at European level for nearly a decade. Hatton, who is 28 and has won 38 of 44 fights, will not have a better chance to make a name for himself other than as Ricky's little brother.
Source: guardian.co.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)