Erik Morales: “Technically I have always known that I am better than Manny Pacquiao” -- Eastside Boxing

By Geoffrey Ciani, Eastside Boxing

This past week’s edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio featured an exclusive interview with three division champion Erik “El Terrible” Morales. “El Terrible” was last seen inside the squared circle when he lost a somewhat controversial decision at the hands of David Diaz back in August 2007. This Saturday night Morales returns to the ring for the first time in a fight against former WBA lightweight champion Jose Alfaro. Here are some excerpts from that interview:

On coming back after nearly a two and a half year layoff:
“Yes, the rest was very good for me because I had a lot of physical fights and now, after two years, I feel well rested so things will turn out different for me.”

Regarding his thoughts on coming back:
“For me it is very important to give all of my heart inside the ring. I’ve always been able to accomplish that because I have always had the public behind me and that’s why I want to invite everyone on the 27th because it’s going to be no exception—it’s also going to be a great, great fight..”

Regarding his last fight where he suffered a disputed loss against David Diaz:
“The fight with David Diaz I did not lose. I think the judges beat me and psychologically for me it was not good for me in that moment, but now I am ready.”

On the controversial decision he lost in his rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera:

“I felt that in the first fight I was very, very happy because I won the fight. Barrera was very, very sad because he thought he won and they didn’t give it to him. In the second one, I thought for sure I had won that fight. I was celebrating like I had just won and Barrera never ever celebrated because he knew that even though they gave him the victory he could not celebrate. To me the most important thing in each of my fights is that all of the people that came to watch me fight are leaving happy that they saw a great fight leaving the arena. It doesn’t matter if I won or lost because I want those people to be entertained because they paid for those tickets.”

On being the last person to defeat current pound for pound King Manny Pacquiao:
“When I first fought him it was at 130 pounds. The second time he would not give me the chance to fight at 132 pounds and now he is fighting at 147 and I am coming back to fight at 147 also. I’m hoping that at a time not too long from now when the people see I can still do great, great things in the ring, I’m hoping that Manny Pacquiao will give me the chance to show he’s not the best in the world, because what I remember after twelve rounds is Manny Pacquiao crying—and crying and crying and crying because he knew about the beating he had just taken and he knew at that time there was somebody technically better than him. He had to find some way to be at an advantage to try and control me. That’s the way history was written, but here I am—brand new.”

On what he would do differently if he was to have a fourth fight with Pacquiao:
“The first time I fought him I just went right through him. The second time I went through him until the middle part of the fight but then I just ran out of steam and the third time I was just not able to, but now—I really value my condition more than ever before and so therefore now, I feel that I will show him I am much better than him. Technically I have always known that I am better than Manny Pacquiao, but now physically—that technicality and that skill and conditioning are all one and the same.”

Regarding his plan to compete in the welterweight division:
“I feel I can fight at welterweight easily. I can fight Pacquiao, I can fight (Juan Manuel) Marquez who has already fought at 147, and I can fight (Miguel) Cotto. I can fight any of those guys easily at 147 pounds. I feel very, very confident there.”

His views on Juan Manuel Marquez as a fighter:
“I’ve talked to Golden Boy about the possibility of fighting Juan Manuel Marquez. I think he’s a complete fighter, he’s an excellent fighter, but by the same token—there’s been Barrera and me, there’s been Pacquiao and me, there’s been all of those people with me but the one name missing is Juan Manuel Marquez. I am looking forward for the chance to fight Marquez.”

On whether he was disappointed he never got the opportunity to face Prince Naseem Hamed:
“Not at all. I’ve created my own legacy with the great fighters that I have fought so I never really needed Naseem Hamed and after he lost to Barrera he just disappeared.”

Regarding the story behind how he first started using the “El Terrible” moniker:
“Let it be told, that nickname was not given to me as a fighter but it was because I was so mischievous out in the street and it was actually given to me in the street.”

On Manny Pacquiao’s recent run of success in the higher weight classes:
“First of all, I respect all the hard work that Manny Pacquiao has put in with scaling the different weight divisions and showing tremendous dominance. For my particular taste, those fights were not a pleasure because they seemed way too easy and it defies logic how easily Pacquiao was able to win all of those fights.”

On whether he thinks rumors circulating about Pacquiao taking any illegal substances have any basis in truth:
“ I’m not really there so I don’t really know. I guess a lot of times when you don’t fear anything you’re willing to take anything or any of that stuff, but the bottom line is I don’t really know anything about that stuff so it’s not really for me to go ahead and decide.”

On what he considers to be his most complete performance:
“Obviously, winning my first title. I’ve had so many great moments. Winning my first title was one of them. The second being when I fought and unified the titles against Barrera, and of course, when I fought Pacquiao because everybody thought he was the best 130 pound fighter in the world and so therefore going in there, and also winning my third world title. They have all been great moments for me.”

On being a part of the famous trilogy with Marco Antonio Barrera:
“Basically we both had a warrior mentality where we both came in and gave it everything we had. That was the thing that united us in the ring—the will and the warrior mentality to give it everything that we had.”

Regarding whether or not he received any added satisfaction in his win over Junior Jones because Jones twice bested Barrera:

“Obviously, there have been two opponents that have been very, very important in my career. One of them of course as you just mentioned, was Junior Jones who had beaten 32 Mexicans before he got to me and so to go ahead and put a beating on him and beat him, that was a tremendous pleasure. Then after that it was Manny Pacquiao. Being the first Mexican fighter to ever beat Manny Pacquiao, that was a tremendous pleasure and also because of how many other Mexican fighters Pacquiao has beaten. So those have been the two fighters that are so, so important for my career.”

On whether he would ever consider having a fourth fight with Barrera:
“No, not really. I feel that Marco Antonio Barrera is retired and that he is now done with boxing—especially not at 147 pounds, I don’t think Barrera would ever want that.”

Regarding how he would ultimately like to be remembered by boxing fans:
“Like they’ve always known me—as a great, great warrior who gives his heart in the ring.”

On how he feels he will perform in his next fight against Jose Alfaro:
“First of all, I’m quicker than ever. I feel very comfortable at this weight because I feel I can let it all go. I can let it all go in the ring and I’m going up against a guy who was a world champion. He’s a tremendous, tremendous puncher and he’s a very young guy so he’s going to be anxious to make great fight so therefore it’s going to make for a great, great fight—but, I am more than ready for the task. Whatever is in front of me I am more than ready to show the world that I am back.”

Regarding his future plans in the event he beats Alfaro:
“First of all, the number one thing is that when I go in there the people are going to go ahead and rate me. So I am waiting for the people to go ahead and rate me and let them decide who, in fact, they would like to see me fight. So on your radio show or anything like that if you have some suggestions after the fight, let everybody decide what level I am fighting and let everyone voice their opinion and then they can pick who I fight next.”

His official prediction on his upcoming fight with Alfaro:
“We’re going to make a great, great fight—a beautiful fight—but we’re going to win.”

***

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Source: eastsideboxing.com

Arthur Abraham hopes to build on success in the U.S. -- North Jersey

NorthJersey.com

Arthur Abraham has dominated one of the top American fighters of the past decade.

The Armenian-born super middleweight champion also has produced a dominant performance against another foreign fighter, Colombia’s Edison Miranda, on American soil. If he can conquer another talented American, Andre Dirrell, on Saturday night in Detroit, he’ll continue his impressive ascent up the pound-for-pound lists.

Their 12-round fight at Joe Louis Arena is a second-stage match in the "Super Six World Boxing Classic," Showtime’s six-man super middleweight tournament.

Abraham (31-0, 26 KOs) scored a sensational one-punch, 12th-round knockout against former middleweight champ Jermain Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KOs) in the first stage of the tournament Oct. 17 in Berlin. Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs) lost a split decision to undefeated Carl Froch (26-0, 20 KOs) that same night in Nottingham, England, Froch’s hometown.

Dirrell, of Flint, Mich., is a very different foe for Abraham than Taylor. The former Olympian, who’s promoted by Wayne’s Gary Shaw, is an elusive southpaw with tremendous speed and sneaky power.

"Dirrell is fast, but that will not help him," Abraham said. "I am in the ‘Super Six’ to become a legend in America. I need a win on Saturday to accomplish that goal, and I will get that win."

Abraham, 30, is probably the best undefeated world champion who remains relatively unknown in the United States. Fight fans who haven’t seen him yet can do so at no additional charge Saturday night at 10:30 because his fight against Dirrell will be broadcast as part of Showtime’s free preview weekend, available to all cable and satellite subscribers.

UNWARRANTED REMATCH: Ali Funeka should not have to fight Joan Guzman again.

South Africa’s Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KOs) clearly defeated the Dominican Republic’s Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) in their 12-round fight for the International Boxing Federation lightweight title Nov. 28 in Quebec City, Quebec. Two incompetent judges, however, have brought us to Saturday night, when Funeka and Guzman will fight again in Las Vegas for the IBF’s 135-pound title.

The 6-foot-1 Funeka, unusually tall for a lightweight, picked apart Guzman with his jab and completely controlled the action in their first fight, yet was forced to settle for a majority draw. Canadian judges Alan Davis and Benoit Roussel somehow scored it even (114-114), even though Funeka, who is co-promoted by Shaw, definitely deserved the 116-112 win New Jersey judge Joseph Pasquale awarded him.

The Funeka-Guzman rematch will begin an HBO "Boxing After Dark" doubleheader at 10:30 p.m. from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Hard-hitting Argentinean Marcos Maidana (27-1, 26 KOs) will defend his World Boxing Association junior welterweight title against Victor Cayo (24-0, 16 KOs, 1 NC), of the Dominican Republic, in the main event.

A "TERRIBLE" IDEA: Erik Morales is one of the most accomplished, courageous Mexican warriors to ever lace up boxing gloves, but "El Terrible’s" comeback as a welterweight seems doomed to fail.

The former three-division champion’s fight against Nicaragua’s Jose Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs) on Saturday night in Monterrey, Mexico, will mark his first action since Chicago’s David Diaz (35-3-1, 17 KOs) out-pointed him in their World Boxing Council lightweight title fight in August 2007, in Rosemont, Ill. That was Morales’ fourth straight defeat after perhaps the best win of his Hall of Fame career, a unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs) in March 2005 in Las Vegas.

As if a four-fight losing streak and a 2 1/2-year layoff aren’t alarming enough, Morales, 34, has never boxed above the lightweight limit of 135 pounds, two weight classes beneath the welterweight division. The Morales-Alfaro fight will headline a four-fight pay-per-view card (9 p.m.; $29.95).

MARGARITO’S COMEBACK: Besmirched former welterweight champion Antonio Margarito will fight May 8 for the first time since his infamous hand-wrap incident last year.

Margarito (37-6, 27 KOs, 1 NC) and fellow Mexican Roberto Garcia (28-2, 21 KOs, 1 NC) will meet in a 12-round regional championship match in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The California State Athletic Commission voted unanimously, 7-0, in February 2009 to revoke the licenses of Margarito and his trainer, Javier Capetillo, for a year after they were caught trying to use illegal hand wraps prior to his fight against Shane Mosley 14 months ago in Los Angeles. Mosley dominated Margarito in their welterweight title fight, and Margarito hasn’t boxed since suffering that ninth-round technical knockout defeat at Staples Center.

Top Rank, the promotional company that represents Margarito, planned to have him come back on the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey undercard March 13 in Arlington, Texas. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, which oversees boxing in that state, reportedly never reviewed Margarito’s application for a license because it was incomplete.

Source: northjersey.com

Hopkins-Jones rematch is a lesson for Pacquiao and Mayweather -- 15Rounds

By Norm Frauenheim, 15ounds.com

It is fascinating to listen to Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. They might not belong on a pound-for-pound list these days, but word-for-word they could challenge Charles Barkley. In the interview game, Hopkins and Jones are as good as anybody.

They provided an insightful double-feature a couple of days ago in a conference call about an April 3 fight. Their rematch at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay has generated everything from outrage to concern. The mixed response from media and fans is at least predictable and perhaps inevitable whenever legends closer to Hall of Fame induction than their primes prepare to fight.

A couple of examples:

Jones, as wise as he once was quick, acknowledged he is aware of fears some have for his well-being.

“I take my hat off to them,’’ said Jones, 41, who has been stopped three times in the last six years. “I thank them for being concerned about me, because that’s a great thing.’’

Then, there was Hopkins, funny, controversial and just as wise.

“This is not some clown reality-show where two wrestlers, two boxers, two old entertainers, two old singers square off,’’ said Hopkins, 45, who is favored to avenge a 1993 loss by decision to Jones. “This is the real deal.’’

I suspect the call will prove to be better than the fight.

It also is important for a lesson left unsaid, yet current and perilous if ignored by the best-and brightest in today’s generation. I hope Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., were – are — listening. The Jones-Hopkins rematch should have happened a decade ago. Pacquiao-Mayweather should have happened on March 13.

For each should-have, the circumstances are different. But Jones and Hopkins can’t redo the specifics — an unresolved dispute over money – that led to a breakdown of a rich, relevant rematch that might have led to another.

“I was the undisputed middleweight and he was the undisputed light-heavyweight,’’ Hopkins said. “It would have been great.’’

It could have been one or two for the books.

But Hopkins, Jones and the sport were robbed of that opportunity by financial percentages that today are forgettable, if not petty. The real loss, perhaps, was in a percentage of fans. Nobody remembers the first fight on a dreary night at RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. on the undercard of a main event featuring a Riddick Bowe stoppage of Jesse Ferguson.

“I still remember Larry Merchant saying that if the wind wasn’t blowing in the stadium, everybody would have gone to sleep,’’ Hopkins said.

Many of them did during the years when Jones and Hopkins matured into the best of their trade. Nearly 10 years ago, they were the fight the public wanted, yet didn’t get. It would have been a rematch only in name. In fact, it would have been an awakening for a public and media increasingly turned off by boxing.

Since then, the sport has repeatedly attempted to resurrect itself. There are promising signs, but the state of the game returns to the critical list if Pacquiao-Mayweather follows the path of the Hopkins-Jones rematch.

Throughout the conference call Wednesday, I couldn’t help but imagine another call, 10 years from now, with Mayweather and Pacquiao, both forty-something and both trying to sell their first fight in 2020 with awkward explanations about why they didn’t fight in 2010.

The issue has been Mayweather’s demand and Pacquiao rejection of Olympic-style drug testing. In a few months, it might be about money, especially if Mayweather beats Shane Mosley on May 1 in front of a bigger pay-per-view audience than the announced 700,000 for Pacquiao’s victory over Joshua Clottey.

There are projections of three million for Mayweather-Mosley. Even if it is half of that at 1.5 million, Mayweather could return to the bargaining table with an argument that he deserves the lion’s share, instead of the 50-50 which had been agreed upon before talks broke down over random blood tests.

Ten years from now, that and who-knows-what-else could be hard to explain. But the lesson is there, thanks to Hopkins and Jones, whose fight is all about timing. It’s the wrong time for them, but still the right one for Pacquiao and Mayweather.

NOTES, QUOTES
· Andre Dirrell might be poised for stardom. He has tough challenge in the super-middleweight tournament Saturday against Arthur Abraham on Showtime. But Dirrell, who grew up in Flint, Mich., will have a hometown crowd and plenty of motivation against the rugged Abraham in Detroit. Dirrell, who is anxious to prove he was robbed by a decision in a loss to Carl Froch in his last outing, is versatile enough to upset Abraham.

· The annual Celebrity Fight Night, Muhammad Ali’s fund-raiser for research in the battle against Parkinson’s, raised $5 million Saturday night in Phoenix. In 16 years, the event has raised $65 million.

· Top Rank is keeping Jose Benavidez, a 17-year-old junior-welterweight from Phoenix, busy. After pushing his record to 3-0 in Dallas on March 12 — the night before Pacquiao’s victory over Clottey at Cowboys Stadium, Benavidez is scheduled for a fight on April 10 against an undetermined opponent at The Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
· And as a Golden Boy partner, Hopkins is also a promoter, but he didn’t have anything to do with the promotional label for the fight with Jones. It’s called The Rivals. “I would have named it Personal,’’ said Hopkins, who says his anger for Jones is real.

Source: 15rounds.com

David Tua 'relaxed' ahead of Friday 13th fight -- 3News

By Sam Ackerman, 3News.co.nz

David Tua is one happy chappy, heading into his heavyweight showdown with Friday “the 13th” Ahunanya in Auckland on Wednesday.

Tua has called it “the best training camp” of his career to date, insisting he couldn’t be better prepared.

Arriving fashionably late to the traditional media showdown in his stylised mini, Tua described his ride as “a simple car for a simple man".

But while his entrance drew attention, it didn’t impress his opponent – who waited almost three quarters of an hour.

“I was a little bit pissed off about it,” Ahunanya says.

Tua’s second round demolition of Shane Cameron in October showed what he’s capable of when he is angry.

But describing this training camp as the best of his career, it’s a far more Zen Tua this time.

“I’m a lot happier now than before the Cameron fight, plus we’re a lot more relaxed about our training,” he said.

Friday “the 13th” thinks that is more dangerous than a wound up Tuaminator.

“When you’re happy, you’re focused and determined, you have your mind right. When you have your mind right, you tend to be more devastating,” he said.

But with five days to go until he steps into the ring, Tua has a battle on his hand to stay in that right headspace.

“I’ve done the hard work, but there is nothing else to do than wait for the fight. But you can get into a situation you can’t get out of, especially when you get too relaxed,” he said.

“This is, I believe, the most important time.”

March 31 is a big day in the Tua household – as well as fight night, it is Tua’s son’s 12th birthday.

“Maybe a birthday cake for the young fulla in the morning before the fight at night, or we might just wait until the fight finishes,” Tua says of his plans for the day.

“We’ll see what comes first.”

Asked if he is allowed a piece of cake before the fight, Tua says “everything in moderation”.

It will be five years to the day since Tua last fought at Trusts Stadium, where he needed 10 rounds to beat Talmaj Griffis.

Source: 3news.co.nz

Possibly abusive Edwin Valero gets no shot at Pacquiao now -- The Examiner

By Matt Stolow, Examiner.com

DALLAS, TEXAS - Count unbeaten whirlwind Edwin Valero of Venezuela out as the next piñata to be popped by Manny Pacquiao.

Valero, 27-0 (27 KO's), already banned from fighting in the USA with a DUI and a plate in his head, allegedly beat up his wife enough to collapse a lung and cause other bumps and bruises leading to her hospitalization and possibly his arrest.

At this point, information, according to Top Rank President Bob Arum, is conflicting. It's going to take time to sort out and possibly salvage this situation.

How can Arum work on behalf of a low-life like Valero when he publicly promotes high and mighty Manny Pacquiao?

But how can Arum, even if Valero is cleared, possibly put an unstable man as Valero appears, into a multi-million dollar event in front of a worldwide audience against his golden goose (Manny Pacquiao) and expect him to toe the line for three months of training, media intrusion and the actual fight?

There is no way Valero can handle the pressure that would be upon him and Arum is too smart to risk it anyway.

It reminds me of the haunting time in the fall of 1996 when promoter Dino Duva pleaded during a World Boxing Council Convention ratings meeting to not force Oliver McCall into a rematch with Lennox Lewis because he was well, unstable and in rehab, and shouldn't be in public, let alone fighting for the vacant WBC heavyweight title.

Duva asked that they go to the next available contender to fight Lewis and maybe McCall would be ready to fight the winner of that fight or soon after.

But the powers that be forced the rematch and McCall suffered a nervous breakdown during the fight. It was the saddest episode in boxing or live television I have ever seen. Lennox Lewis was awarded the WBC crown in less than a glorious moment, but it was of no fault of Lewis.

While Valero certainly has his civil rights to explore before being counted out of the Pacquiao sweepstakes, trust me, it's over as far as Edwin Valero is concerned.

Source: examiner.com

Dana White loves Manny Pacquiao, says St. Pierre vs. Silva probably won’t happen -- Las Vegas Sun

By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Mixed martial arts isn't quite sanctioned yet in the state of New York, but that didn't stop the UFC from invading the Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday for its pre-fight press conference for this weekend's event at the Prudential Center in nearby Newark, N.J.

White is known for sitting down with the media following press conferences and shooting straight answers to any questions they may have leading up to an event. Here are some highlights from the recent chat.

'I love Manny Pacquiao'

White was one of the many celebrities that showed up for the highly anticipated boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey on March 13 in Arlington, Texas. The fight was the first main-event boxing match at the newly built Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Many believed White's main reason for attending the bout was to determine whether he could take a UFC event there in the future.

However White said he wanted to go to the fight for the same reason the rest of the near-51,000 crowd wanted to go — to see Pacquiao.

"I went there to watch Manny Pacquiao," White said. "Then I did end up seeing the stadium and saying, 'Wow, this is nice. We could do this.' Even though that fight sucked, it wasn't Manny Pacquiao's fault. He went after it so much to the point where he was dropping his hands hoping Clottey would open up.

"I think Manny Pacquiao is boxing right now. The thing I love about him is when you start hitting him, he starts firing back. He doesn't budge. I love Manny Pacquiao."

What about Gray?

Current lightweight champion B.J. Penn has mowed down nearly every top contender in his weight class and has made it clear he intends to move back up to the welterweight division.

What White isn't willing to do is allow Penn to keep his lightweight belt while fighting in the welterweight division.

"Nobody is holding onto the belt and moving around," White said. "Either they give up the belt or they stay at that weight."

Penn has his next title defense against Frankie Edgar next month at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi and, if he wins, White says he'd be fine with letting it be his last.

That may be disappointing news to Las Vegas-based lightweight Gray Maynard, who likely would have been the next fighter to get a shot at Penn.

"If he wins (over Edgar), he's annihilated an entire division in my opinion," White said. "I don't think he'd have to stick around to fight Gray Maynard. We could let someone else slide into that spot."

Superfight seems unlikely, Silva too big

Fans were allowed to ask questions during Wednesday's press conference and more than a couple wanted to know what Georges St. Pierre thought of moving up in weight to take on current middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

St. Pierre was reluctant to address the questions, stating he didn't want to look past this weekend's fight with Dan Hardy.

When asked the same question, White admitted he was crazy about that matchup before watching Silva so easily move up to the light heavyweight division for a fight with Forrest Griffin last August.

After watching Silva knockout Griffin that night, White said he doesn't see how a fight between St. Pierre and Silva could work.

"Nobody loves a superfight more than I do, believe me," White said. "I was all about doing that fight until I saw Anderson move up to 205. That guy looks like he belongs at 205. I just think you're going to see Anderson move up and not down."

Frank Mir's controversial comments

During a radio interview in February, UFC heavyweight Frank Mir was quoted as saying he wanted to kill rival Brock Lesnar in the octagon.

The comments quickly circulated the Internet and had Mir in trouble with UFC brass.

White said he's always the first to stand by his fighters and knows firsthand that things can be taken out of context, but Mir's had crossed the line.

"No one backs up their fighters more than I do when people make mistakes," White said. "But to say something like that — the problem is that there are people that really believe (Mir) could break his neck on Saturday. These are misconceptions I fight everyday.

"Mir said, 'I want this to be the first death in MMA.' You can't say that. I understand you're emotional, but you can't say that."

UFC is good for economy

With the UFC still trying to get MMA sanctioned in the Big Apple, White said he can't comprehend why a city would even consider telling his organization not to come, considering the financial help it brings with it.

White, who also said he'd like to take events to Buffalo and Syracuse when New York sanctions the sport, pointed out that everything, such as hotels and shopping centers, benefits when a fight is in town.

"Right now, financially a lot of people are hurting," White said. "When the UFC rolls into town, you've seen these places where we've put on a Fight Night and send 10,000 tickets. By Friday, the whole place is hopping. The hotels are sold out. People are eating in the restaurants and shopping at the mall.

"With the financial crisis going on right now, you'd have to be nuts to not let the UFC come into town and do an event."

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.

Source: lasvegassun.com

Promoter says Tua can't afford to lose -- TVNZ

tvnz.co.nz

Heavyweight boxer David Tua's fight against Nigerian Friday Ahunanya is a world title eliminator that he cannot afford to lose, his promoter Cedric Kushner said.

But New York-based Kushner was also confident that Tua would prevail in Auckland next Wednesday night and go on to challenge for, and claim, a world belt before the year was out.

He said Tua had "elevated himself dramatically" with his second-round knockout last October of fellow New Zealander Shane Cameron, whom the World Boxing Organisation at the time ranked as its No. 7 contender.

"David is No. 3 in the world with the WBO and he is in the ratings with the other organisations," he said.

"People know who Ahunanya is and they know who Tua is. David Tua can't withstand a loss. He has to win."

Kushner said Ahunanya, who has also beaten Cameron, ending the latter's unbeaten record by knocking him out in late 2007, was "a very capable fighter" whom he had once tried to sign.

"But I think I have the best heavyweight in the world bar none," he said.

"In my opinion, David is the uncrowned champion and, as I have said on many occasions, this is David's year, 2010. He will be the heavyweight champion."

Tua, 38, has had one world title shot, losing by a unanimous decision to Briton Lennox Lewis in 2000.

Like Ahunanya, 37, he hasn't been knocked out in a career that has brought him 50 wins, 43 by knockout, three losses and a draw.

Kushner was unsure in what fashion a Tua victory would arrive here at Trusts Stadium.

"I'm sincere when I tell you it could be a really tough, competitive fight and go 12 rounds," he said.

"Or, as David has done so many times in the past, he could knock him out."

Kushner described Tua as looking in great shape, and as good as he did before the Cameron fight, for which he shed 26kg to weigh in at 108kg.

He said comments by Tua's former manager, Kevin Barry, this month that the boxer looked overweight during an open sparring session smacked of sour grapes.

Both Tua and Ahunanya said at a joint press conference that they had had an excellent preparation and were feeling in top shape.

"It's probably the best camp for us," Tua said.

"I'm very well prepared for this and I'm looking forward to a good test."

He was ready to go the full 12 rounds, rather than specifically targeting an early finish, which "if it happens, it happens".

Ahunanya, whose record is 24-5-3, with 13 of his wins by knockout, also had no complaints about his build-up and was confident about the result.

"I'm going to prove that the impossible is possible."

As for how he thought the contest would pan out, he said: "Make no mistake, it's going to be a long night."

Source: tvnz.co.nz

David Tua confident and ready to rumble -- The Dominion Post

By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE, Stuff.co.nz

David Tua is ready to rumble, declaring his training camp for next week's fight against Friday Ahunanya as the best of his lengthy career.

The two heavyweights and their entourages fronted a large media gathering in Auckland today with the room bristling with positivity.

"My training has been going very well ... it's probably been the best camp for me to date. It's been a choice time and we haven't overlooked anything" Tua said, breaking a lengthy silence in the build-up to this intriguing encounter.

While Ahunanya has been freely available for interviews since landing in Auckland last Sunday, Tua has kept to himself apart from an open sparring session last month.

But it looks like he has been busy. He appeared in good shape physically and looked calm and confident.

"I'm a lot happier now. We are more relaxed about our training. I'm ready and I'm looking forward to a good test."

His American trainer Roger Bloodworth backed up Tua's claims.

"This was a very good camp. No injuries, no concerns," Bloodworth said believing Tua's heavy workload into his last fight against Shane Cameron had benefitted him this time around.

"That has made it easier for us ... it was a platform into this camp. But we have worked hard and we have worked on everything because we are up against a world class opponent."

That was music to the ears of the Ahunanya camp who clearly rate the Las Vegas-based Nigerian.

"I have been talking trash for the last three weeks," admitted Ahunanya's manager-trainer Luis Tapia.

"But now it's time for action and I repeat that we will win.

"I think this will be one of the fights of the year in the heavyweight division. Friday needs to win this fight if he is to become world champion."

Ahunanya was happy to let Tapia do most of the talking from his side of the table but showed respect to the more experienced Tua.

"David Tua is a veteran when it comes to boxing. I am honoured he has given me this opportunity. I want to make the impossible possible," he said.

The weigh-in is in Auckland on Tuesday with the fight over 12 three-minute rounds on Wednesday night at the Trusts Stadium in Waitakere City.

Source: stuff.co.nz

Old Ruiz must be a try guy -- The Sun

By COLIN HART, The Sun

WHEN John Ruiz challenges David Haye for his WBA world heavyweight crown we can only hope he will be trying to win.

It's not my desire to insult Ruiz, who clashes with Haye in Manchester tomorrow week.

After all, John is a former WBA champion and has been a respected pro for nearly 20 years.

The American was never quick when young and at 38 he might well decide there's little point trying to compete with Haye's speed of hand and foot.

It might mean Ruiz's strategy will be to try to ensure he finishes unhurt and on his feet at the end of the 12 rounds.

The last heavyweight to adopt entirely negative tactics was Kevin Johnston who tackled Vitali Klitschko in Berne four months ago.

The result was a whitewash defeat that had the crowd nodding off.

There seems to be a worrying tendency for underdog world championship contenders who feel they have little hope of victory to take a safety-first kit into the ring with them.

Joshua Clottey two weeks ago provided one of the most blatant examples of how to survive in a crisis.

When he signed to meet Manny Pacquiao everyone knew, to use a Muhammed Ali line, he had just two chances. Slim and none - and Slim had left town.

Clottey, who was paid £800,000, shamefully spent the entire fight with his gloves and arms held firmly in front of his face.

For me that is a cynical form of cheating.

Freddie Roach, Manny's superb award-winning trainer, was critical of Clottey's pacifism.

He said: "There was a world title on the line and he didn't try to win it."

Sentiments echoed by Dave "Boy" Green, who knew he was up against it when he took on Sugar Ray Leonard 30 years ago.

Dave, now a successful businessman, told me: "I was disgusted with Clottey. At least I had a go against Leonard. He knocked me out but it was an honourable defeat."

So is there a way to make the Clotteys and Johnsons give value for money?

Only if referees disqualify those who don't try and the governing bodies back them up by heavily fining the guilty.

Unfortunately we know that's never going to happen.

Source: thesun.co.uk

Williams ready to call it quits -- The Sun

By PAT SHEEHAN, The Sun

DANNY WILLIAMS will quit boxing after his British heavyweight title defence against Sam Sexton, regardless of the result.

The 36-year-old appears on the undercard of Kevin Mitchell's world lightweight title bid against Michael Katsidis at Upton Park on May 15.

But win or lose against Commonwealth champion Sexton, Williams has pledged to hang up his gloves to train for his new career as a celebrity bodyguard.

He added: "Regardless of what happens in this fight with Sexton, I'm retiring. It makes me more hungry and more dangerous."

Williams famously beat Mike Tyson in 2004 before failing in a world title clash with Vitali Klitschko later that year.

But he rejected the chance of a 'decider' against Audley Harrison for the vacant European crown on April 9 because he was not given enough notice.

Williams beat Harrison in 2005 only to lose to the 2000 Olympic gold medallist a year later.

And he said: "I only had three weeks' notice and my trainer Jim McDonnell said that wasn't enough time.

"I took my second fight against Harrison at just five days notice and I've learned my lesson."

Williams' Upton Park finale was originally set for Wembley last month, but Sexton suffered a cut thumb in a kitchen accident which he blames on celebrity cook and Norwich City co-owner Delia Smith.

Sexton said: "I know Delia and was following one of her recipes but I'll be leaving the cooking to other people this time."

Source: thesun.co.uk

David Haye embraces 'Superman' role for John Ruiz bout -- The Guardian

By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk

David Haye has reached new heights of hyperbole, warning the American John Ruiz to be ready to face Superman when they share a ring in Manchester on 3 April.

The Londoner surpassed most previous efforts for ticket-selling when he belittled the 7ft, 22st Nikolai Valuev in the days leading up to his audacious burglary of the Russian's WBA heavyweight title in Nuremberg last November. He was a hairy, smelly freak, Haye taunted – before producing a performance that would not have been out of place in the Russian's beloved Ballet Russe.

For his first defence Haye plans an entirely different strategy and tonight he described graphically the pre-fight ritual that changes him from a laid-back dude into a cross between a man in cape and underpants and Usain Bolt. "In the lead-up to fights," he said, "I'm very relaxed, very calm. It's the warm-up in the changing room when I switch on. I don't even think about the fight until then. Some fighters are bouncing about the walls but I switch off. Then it's like someone flicks a switch in me."

That moment, he says, comes when he begins to wrap his hands in the metres of cotton that protect his gnarled fists. "When I'm training, I use heavier crepe for wraps, for protection – but you're not allowed to use them in competition. So when it comes to the fight, the wraps are softer. That's what hits me. You can feel your knuckles through the cotton.

"I only fight twice a year. So as soon as I put them on I know. I can feel it cut against my hand. The only time it ever happens is right before a fight. My whole body switches on. It feels like I'm Superman. No matter what happens, I'm just quick, I can see everything move in slow motion. My sight, my smell, my hearing, everything is heightened. It's like I can go out there and fly.

"As time goes on, I pick up the pace, stretching, shadow-boxing. You're sort of teasing your body. By the time you go out, your body's just itching to explode. You've got to hold it in, waiting for the first bell. Then you go out like a sprinter out of the blocks."

He does not expect to walk through walls on Saturday week but one senses the growing force in an athlete who leaves nothing to chance in his preparation. Haye reckons that, at 29 and with a career deadline of his 31st birthday next year, he is nearing his best. "This year and next year will by my peak time," he said. This should, he reckons, leave him enough time to beat Ruiz and the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali.

Haye first has to get out of a contracted rematch with Valuev but expects the big man to "go down another road". That would at least allow Superman to be king of the world without having to leap another tall building in a single bound.

Source: guardian.co.uk

Erik Morales Returns to Ring Against Jose Alfaro -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Erik Morales' legacy as one of the premiere Mexican fighters is no doubt secure, as is his reputation as one of the best boxers ever to lace on a pair of gloves.

"Morales has sealed a respected reputation in boxing, in my humble opinion, because he's done so much. I believe that he's going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer," said Robert Morales, of the Los Angeles Daily News and The Long Beach Press Telegram. "I don't think that there is anything that could stop him from being recognized as one of Mexico's greatest fighters of the past 25 years."

In November and April of 1996, and, 1997, respectively, Junior Jones handed the previously unbeaten Marco Antonio Barrera consecutive losses by fifth-round disqualification, and, unanimous decision.

Two fights later, however, Morales, nicknamed, "El Terrible," stopped Jones in four rounds on the way to running his own unbeaten mark to 35 bouts.

Born in Tijuana, Mex., Morales lost two out of three fights with Mexico City's Barrera, a classic trilogy that reached a legendary status which, for Mexicans, rivals the one between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Barrera-Morales" is probably the greatest trilogy in boxing history," noted boxing historian, Burt Sugar, said in 2004. "Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier II was a non-fight, and Tony Zale-Rocky Graziano III was a walk-over," said Sugar. "Barrera-Morales is the only trilogy where each of the three fights was as good as the other."

After defeating Morales in their third meeting by majority decision in November, 2004, Barrera extended his hand to Morales, only to get a water bottle thrown at him.

"At one point, Barrera had referred to Morales as an 'Indio,' which means 'Indian,' and for someone from the well-to-do, Southern part of of Mexico like Barrera to say that to a guy from the down-trodden, Northern part of Mexico, Tijuana, like Morales was, that's quite an insult," said Robert Morales, a Mexican-American who is not related to Erik Morales.

"One guy who was born in Mexico but who now lives in the United States told me that 'Indio' was as bad as somebody using the N-word," said Morales. "That's what started the animosity and the real dislike for each other. And ther was no question that by the time these guys got done with their three fights, they just did not like each other."

But following that second loss to Barrera, Morales bounced back by earning a March, 2005, unanimous decision over future seven-division champion, Manny Pacquiao.

Since then, however, Pacquiao has gone 12-0, with eight knockouts -- including two stoppages over Morales -- earned Fighter Of The Year honors three straight times, been named Fighter Of The Decade, and agruably become the sport's best fighter, pound-for-pound.

"The two opponents who have defined my career are Junior Jones and Manny Pacquaio. Defeating Jones was important to me because he had stopped something like 32 Mexicans in previous fights," said Morales, who will turn 34 in September. "Defeating Pacquaio is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight."

But Morales' career took a downward spiral following the victory over Pacquiao, after which, in succession, he was decisioned by Zahir Raheem in September of 2005, stopped in 10, and, three rounds, by Pacquiao, respectively, in January, and, November, of 2006, and, decisioned by David Diaz in August of 2007.

Morales lost, 115-112, 111-113, and, 114-113, to Diaz, who prevented Morales from becoming the first Mexican fighter to win a crown in four divisions.

Morales announced his retirement in the ring following losing to Diaz, which was his fourth straight setback, and the fifth in his last six fights.

"The smaller fighters usually have been in a lot of wars and take a lot of punishment because there are a lot more punches delivered. And his first championship was at super bantamweight [122 pounds,]" said Robert Morales, referring to Morales' September, 1997, 11th-round knockout of Daniel Zaragoza.

"So I don't see any reason for him to come back unless he needs the money or is in a financial hardship," said Morales. "Something like that could tarnish his legacy just a little bit because Morales has nothing left to prove."

But the 33-year-old, former three-division, world champion, is coming back.

For Morales (48-6, 34 knockouts) will end a 31-month ring absence on Saturday night when he takes on 26-year-old Jose "Jicaras" Alfaro (23-5, 20 KOs), of Nagarote, Nicaragua, in a 12-round, 142-pound bout in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mex.

Among Morales' goals during the comeback are a fourth-straight match up with Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), as well as a shot at Mexican great, Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1, 37 KOs), a WBA lightweight (135 pounds) champion and three-division titlist who has beaten Barrera, lost a disputed decision to Pacquiao and battled Pacquiao to a draw.

"I would love another chance at Pacquaio," said Morales, "and I also look forward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future."

Morales said that he would like to face Pacquiao at 147 pounds.

"At 147, I'm faster than ever and freer with my body, so I can get the most out of it. First, though, is my fight against Jose Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey on pay per view," said Morales.

"Alfaro is a great young fighter and a former world champion. He's a wicked puncher who will bring his best," said Morales. "Alfaro has a big heart that he will bring into the ring, and he always gives fans everything he has."

Last seen in the ring on Halloween, however, Alfaro was absorbing a one-sided beating at the hands of Mexican southpaw, Antonio DeMarco, who won virtually every round of their WBC interim lightweight title bout before stopping Alfaro in the 10th.

Alfaro had won three straight fights, two of them by knockout, before facing DeMarco at Treasure Island Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

Alfaro was attempting to line himself up for another shot at the WBA crown, which he had won in December of 2007 by split decision over Thailand's Prawet Singwancha.

Alfaro, however, was promptly dethroned by Japan's Yusuke Kobori, who stopped Alfaro in the third round of his first defense in May of 2008.

"I do not mind that Morales is the favorite in this fight. I understand, but I had the best training camp of my life, in my country, and I'm going to win," said Alfaro. "My youth and strength will dominate this match. I know that I'm going to be taking the victory to back to Nicaragua."

Among the bouts on the Morales-Alfaro undercard is a 12-round co-feature between former two-time, WBA light heavyweight (175 pounds) champion, Hugo Hernan "Pigu" Garay (32-4, 17 KOs), of Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina, against Chris "Hard Hittin" Henry (24-2, 19 KOs), of Houston, Tex., in a WBA eliminator.

"I'm happy to be here [in Monterrey,] and completely ready to face Alfaro. Fans will see a different Erik Morales than in my last few fights," said Morales.

"Now I'm hungry to win this fight and to go on toward winning a world title in my fourth division," said Morales. "I want to prove to everyone watching that all of the hard work in training camp will result in a great performance in my return to the ring."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com