Sunday, 4 April 2010

US boxing writers to honor Pacquiao -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Manny Pacquiao: The Greatest Boxer Of All Time (Volume 1)The Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) will hold its 85th awards banquet at the historic Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan in New York with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao as the group’s major awardee.

Pacquiao will be receiving his record-tying third BWAA award on June 4 with key members of his entourage as well as Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum in attendance in the venue dubbed as “The Grand Dame of Madison Avenue.”

Pacquiao has won the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009, joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard and Evander Holyfield as the other three-time recipients of the coveted award.

Another top awardee will be Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, who will receive his fourth top trainer title.

The BWAA affair will come on the eve of a significant fight that takes place at Yankee Stadium where comebacking Miguel Cotto, who will be fighting at super-welterweight, faces Yuri Foreman.

Though Arum has rattled off three prominent names – Antonio Margarito, Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather – as Pacquiao’s possible foes late this year, many would believe that the winner in the Cotto-Foreman rumble will be next for the Filipino.

Winning an unprecedented eighth world title is also on Pacquiao’s horizon.

The BWAA award is one of several that Pacquiao has received in his storied career.

Standing out from among them is The Ring magazine’s Fighter of the Decade (2000s).

After campaigning for Nationalist Party’s presidential candidate Manny Villar for several days, Pacquiao starts his own bid for the lone congressional seat in Sarangani Province against a member of a well-entrenched political clan.

Source: mb.com.ph

Bernard Hopkins UD 12 Roy Jones Was Not Worth The Wait -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Bernard Hopkins went from "The Executioner" to "The Exorcist" against Roy Jones (pictured at right, against Hopkins above), albeit, before a largely disappointed audience in a boring fight on Saturday night at The Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.

The 45-year-old Hopkins avenged a May 1993, loss to to Jones with a lackluster, foul-filled light heavyweight (175 pounds), 12-round unanimous decision victory over his 41-year-old rival, rising to 51-5-1, with 32 knockouts, and dropping Jones to 54-7, with 40 KOs.

"It was worth it, and it was sweet revenge," said Hopkins, whose loss to Jones by unanimous decision earned the latter the vacant IBF middleweight (160 pounds) title by at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge and Don Trella had it 117-110, for Hopkins, with Dave Moretti, scroing it 118-109. FanHouse had it for Hopkins, 119-107

"It was kind of rough," said Hopkins. "But Roy's a veteran. He was tying me up, I was tying him up. It was a good fight. I mean, it was as good fight."

But there will be many who would argue that Hopkins is completely wrong in his assesment of the contest.
Known for his own sometimes dirty tactics, Hopkins was the one who complained of being fouled three times by Jones, who landed rabbit punches in the sixth, and, eighth round, and who also fired a low blow against Hopkins in the 10th.

Hopkins went down and complained for long stretches each time, with Jones being penalized a point by referee Tony Weeks in the sixth.

But Hopkins clearly landed at least one low blow before Jones did, and, also, fired a rabbit punch in the eighth prior to Jones', which was in retaliation.

"I fought through [dizzyness] after the first six rounds. I saw spots, you know. I've been hit behind the head in the gym, you know, but not without a head gear on. So right now, I'm toughing it out doing this interview with you. But I've been seeing spots since six rounds," said Hopkins during a post-fight interview with ringside commentator, Doug Fischer.

"I was just trying to smother him up so that he couldn't counter because he's still got speed. I was trying to stay on top of him, keep the pressure on, throwing combinations," said Hopkins.

"I saw that I could get inside and throw punches. I just felt that I got hit in the back of the head and my legs just went. I saw spots. I'm in shape for the fight, but I'm still human in there," said Hopkins.

"I was mad after the sixth round. I've got respect for Roy, but he was trying to get me to get myself out of the fight by retaliating back, or trying to get out of the fight by saying that I hit him low or by hitting me behind the head," said Hopkins. "But I'm a scrappy Philadelphia fighter. I might not be pretty, but I might not be flashy, but I'm a hard, blue collar worker like most Americans."

Hopkins said that he would next like to face 29-year-old, WBA heavyweight champion, David Haye (24-1, 24 KOs), who, earlier in the day, stopped 48-year-old, former two-time heavyweight champion, John Ruiz (44-9-1, 30 KOs) in England.

The victory was the 14th straight for Haye, and the 12th by knockout during that stretch.

"I want David Haye," said Hopkins. "I want to win the heavyweight championship of the world."

Jones said that he felt he was unfairly penalized, and that he was concerned about being disqualified from the sixth round on.

"Bernard Hopkins does like he always does. He was going to get his rest. He's a real crafty veteran. He was hitting me behind the head, and the refs don't say nothing. But when I hit him, I get points taken and everything else," said Jones.

"But that's Bernard Hopkins, and you've got to know that, he's a veteran," said Jones. "I was worried about that after the first time, so that's why I went for the knock out. Because if I did it too much, I was going to get disqualified."

Jones also had to endure a cut over his left eye that was caused early in the fight by a punch, but which was reopened later by an accidental head butt.

"The fouls didn't affect the way that I fought, but I just knew that if I did it too much, that I was going to get disqualified," said Jones, who wagered with Hopkins that the man who knocked out the other would earn a 60-40 split of their purses.

"I kind of got behind because so many things were going on. But I was trying to get the knockout because I wanted that 60-40, I ain't going to lie. I was trying to knock him out," said Jones. "I feel great. At this age, I'm still able to go. That was a great fight. I can't take nothing away from him. It was a hard type of a fight. He did the normal Bernard Hopkins."

For Jones, who was largely ineffective and inactive throughout the fight, it could mark the end of a nearly 21-year-long career.

Jones was coming off of December's first-round knockout loss to Austrailia's Danny Green, a fight that took place at cruiserweight (200 pounds).

Jones has also been stopped by Antonio Tarver, and, Glen Johnson, in two, and, nine rounds, respectively. Jones is 5-6, in his last 11 fights.

But if Jones retires, he will do so as the first man to have won crowns as a middleweight, super middleweight (168 pounds), light heavyweight, and, heavyweight.

"I'll go back to my coach, and my dad, and we'll see what they think and I feel like I can still muster it, we'll keep on do it. But if I don't, then we'll call it a day," said Jones.

"I've had a wonderful career, I can't ask for too much better. God has blessed me time and time again," said Jones. "I love the fans, I love trying to give the fans what they want. It didn't happen tonight, but that's how it goes."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Hopkins gets his revenge against Jones -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com



LAS VEGAS -- For 17 years, Bernard Hopkins wanted another crack at Roy Jones, an opportunity to erase that clear decision loss he suffered when they met for a vacant middleweight title as rising contenders in 1993.

Hopkins didn't care that the rematch came only when Jones, years past his best, had faded into nothing more than a shell of the great fighter he once was.

Well, Hopkins got his revenge, hollow as it may have been, as he easily outpointed Jones in their long overdue -- and foul-filled -- light heavyweight fight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday night.

"It was definitely worth it. It was sweet revenge," Hopkins said.

Maybe so, but it proved that both fighters should seriously consider retirement. Jones has nothing left. Hopkins is getting there.

What once would have been one of the biggest fights on the planet was a sad scene throughout the week leading to the fight. And on fight night, even the 6,792 in the papered arena had a hard time mustering much enthusiasm.

Maybe they came to see if Jones could turn back the clock one last time, but he couldn't, not at age 41 and years into a steep decline. Still, he couldn't bring himself to say it was over even though it clearly is.

"I'm gonna go home and talk to my team and if we decide to call it a day we'll call it a day, but it's not my decision. It's everybody's decision," Jones said.

And Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs), who is 45, had more left in the tank even though he is also slowing down, was unable to do any real damage to Jones, who had been knocked out in the first round by Danny Green in December.

After taking some punishing blows behind the head from Jones (54-7, 40 KOs), Hopkins collapsed in the dressing room after the fight. He was able to make it to his feet and was taken to the hospital. Jones also went to the hospital as a precaution.

"For Bernard, it would be a good ending. He got the revenge," said Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, Hopkins' promoter and friend. "He waited 17 years for revenge. He got it. Retirement is something that as a friend I would advise him to do."

Jones was barely able to pull the trigger on anything. Only when somebody in his corner would yell, "Showtime" with 30 seconds left in each round, would he hear the signal and try to spring to life and perhaps steal a round. It didn't work.

Hopkins won 117-110 on two scorecards and 118-109 on the third. ESPN.com also had it for Hopkins, 119-108 in a fight that was about as bad as many anticipated.

"I am a scrappy Philadelphia fighter," Hopkins said. "I might not please everyone but that is the way I know how to fight."

Oh, what might have been between these two legends had they fought a few years ago.

What we got instead of a huge fight between elite stars was two proud athletes doing the best they could, even if it wasn't much.

It was no surprise that Jones, a former four-division champion, offered so little. He reached the apex of his career on March 1, 2003, when he moved up in weight and easily outpointed John Ruiz to win a heavyweight title -- becoming the first former middleweight champion to do that in more than 100 years.

Then it was all downhill culminating with the pathetic performance on Saturday night.

It began as a tactical fight with both showing each other a lot of respect before it degenerated into a sloppy affair with a lot of holding. That gave referee Tony Weeks, who did an admirable job, plenty of work.

Hopkins, the former middleweight and light heavyweight champion, seemed to rattle Jones with a right hand late in the second round, sending him into a corner. He landed a couple of more shots before the bell ended the round and Jones emerged with a small cut over his left eye, which got progressively worse as the fight wore on.

The most action of the fight turned out to be the fouls.

With about 10 seconds left in the sixth round, Jones landed a blatant left hand to the back of Hopkins' head. He went down in agony and Weeks called timeout. The ringside doctor came into the ring to check on Hopkins, who was down on all fours holding the back of his head.

"He's a defensive fighter," Jones said. "He fought a smart fight and I had to chase him the whole time. When he went down it wasn't even a hard punch. He was trying to take a rest, get a break."

Weeks docked Jones a point, and the wildness really began. After the fight resumed, Hopkins rushed at Jones and they continued to fight well after the bell in some of the most spirited action of the fight.

A member of Jones' entourage jumped into the ring and security followed, quickly restoring order.

Jones, with nothing left, resorted to another shot behind the head, this time a right with about 20 seconds left. Again, Hopkins went to a knee and the ringside doctor had to come take a look at Hopkins before the fight continued.

In the 10th round, it wasn't a shot behind the head from Jones that did damage. This time it was a left hand below the belt that doubled Hopkins over and caused another delay.

When the most action in the fight comes from fouls, you know it's not good.

"It was kind of rough in there. It was really rough in there," Hopkins said. "He's a good fighter. He tried to rough me up and I tried to tough it out, but after the sixth round I was seeing spots. He still had some speed but I kept putting the pressure on him.

"I was trying to throw soft punches like so I could get inside and throw my harder punches. Then in the sixth round I got hit in the back of the head and my legs went. It was hard [the rest of the fight] because I was seeing spots. My head is still killing me."

Before Hopkins collapsed in the dressing room, he said he wanted to fight on, no matter how bad of an idea that is.

"Maybe because I got hit over the head they may think I am crazy but I want David Haye next," he said. "I want to win the heavyweight championship."

Haye, of course, is the much younger, prime titleholder who knocked out Ruiz on Saturday in England in his first defense. It's a fight that conceivably could happen, especially because Haye and Hopkins are both with Golden Boy.

"He said he still has to fight for the heavyweight title," Schaefer said. "It will take his friends and family to have a serious talk with him. He's had an amazing career and, after 17 years to get the win he was waiting for so long, that's pretty darn good. But it might be time to go."

For both Hopkins and Jones.

Their careers have been intertwined for so long, it would be poetic for them to leave together and then share the stage at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, where the memories will be of their greatness -- not the depressing mess that took place on Saturday night.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

B-Hop Has More Than RJ In Foul Fest In Las Vegas -- The Sweet Science

By David A. Avila, The Sweet Science

LAS VEGAS-Rivals Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr. didn’t have the same snap as 17 years ago but in the end it was the Florida fighter that didn’t have the legs to keep up with the older Phillie fighter in a dirt filled trench war with seemingly more fouls than punches on Saturday.

“I’m still hurting on the back of the head,” said Hopkins, 45.

The big rematch between bitter rivals Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) and Jones (54-7, 40 KOs) in front of more than 6,700 fans at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino wasn’t a brawl but a match between two ageing but wily foes.

“He fought a smart fight I had to chase him the whole time,” said Jones, 41, who is usually the guy getting chased. “He’s a crafty veteran.”

In a bitter rematch between two defensive first fighters, defense ruled the day.

The first round saw lots of feints and posing as Hopkins did most of the work with body shots and some blows behind Jones head. Jones tried to use his sneaky speed but wasn’t able to catch him.

A four punch combo by Hopkins opened the second round and a right-left combination snapped Jones head back toward the end of the round to close it for Hopkins.

Hopkins had the third round easy as Jones couldn’t seem to get off punches. Everything he tried was too far away to land or be effective. A four punch combo by Hopkins forced Jones back to the ropes.

Jones opened up a little in the fourth round and snapped a couple of uppercuts on Hopkins in the clinch. Both traded left hooks as the crowed oohed in anticipation of seeing Jones showcase his blazing speed of the 1990s. Not on this day.

In the fifth both fought inside with Jones using uppercuts and a clinch. Meanwhile Hopkins worked the body continuously and finished it off with his own uppercut.

All hell broke loose in the sixth round as Jones hit Hopkins in the back of the head. Down went Hopkins from the blow as the crowd booed. After a few minutes the fight resumed and Hopkins bolted toward Jones firing on all cylinders. The end of the bell didn’t make Hopkins and Jones stop as both continued to swing with the Florida boxer receiving a slightly bloodied nose and a swollen right eye after order was restored.

“I was mad,” said Hopkins about receiving a blow on the back of the head. “He’s a good fighter he tried to rough me up. I tried to toughen it out but after the sixth round I was seeing spots.”

In the eighth round Jones hit Hopkins again on the back of his cranium and once again Hopkins retaliated by opening up with a barrage and finishing with a right hand that seemed to stagger Jones.

Ninth nothing much but Jones landed two right hands in a very slow round.

“He still had some speed but I kept putting the pressure on him. I was trying to throw soft punches to get inside,” said Hopkins.

After a low blow felled Hopkins, the first two minutes of the 10th round were the second best minutes of the fight as Jones worked his uppercut inside and Hopkins worked the head with a two punch combination.

“It wasn’t even a hard punch. He was trying to take a rest,” said Jones of Hopkins going down again after a foul.

An accidental clash of heads caused a welt on Jones right eye that later broke up and bled a little. Hopkins was the busier fighter in the last two rounds as Jones was content to hold on the inside and Hopkins ever the careful fighter opening up only when it was available.

After 12 rounds of fouls, punches and vengeance, both fighters embraced each other. Nobody collected the 60 percent purse that would have been given to the knockout winner. The judges scored it for Hopkins 117-110 twice and 118-109.

“It was definitely worth it,” Hopkins said. “It was sweet revenge.”

Hopkins said he wants a match with WBA heavyweight titleholder David Haye who stopped John Ruiz in England earlier in the day.

Both fighters were sent to the hospital in Las Vegas. Hopkins reportedly buckled in the dressing room.

Litzau vs. Juarez

Jason Litzau (27-2, 21 KOs) successfully defended his NABF title by winning a technical decision over bad luck Rocky Juarez (28-6-1, 20 KOs) after a shortened fight that was stopped due to an accidental butt that caused a welt and cut on the champion.

“I was so calm I’ve never been so calm before,” said Litzau who won by scores 68-65, 67-66 twice. “I knew that me and Rocky would give a hell of a show. I had ten more rounds in me.”

Litzau was the busier fighter in the first four rounds using his jab and holding when necessary. But around the sixth round it seemed his legs were rubbery and Juarez was connecting more. It was too late.

“The cut came from a punch,” insisted Juarez who was roaring back in the seventh round as Litzau seemed to tire.

The ringside physician advised the referee to halt the fight at the end of the seventh. Once again a title slipped through Juarez’s hands.

Mora vs. Green

Former junior middleweight world champion Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora (22-1-1, 6 KOs) moved back to his normal middleweight division and shook out the rust, survived a first round cut and then slipped into another gear in the third round against Calvin “Killa” Green (21-5-1, 13 KOs). Then the shellacking began and ended with a seventh round technical knockout.

“After the third round I felt like the Latin Snake was back,” said Mora. “This guy was a tough guy. This was my fifth opponent. I knew nothing about him.”

Green caught Mora with some good punches in the first and second round but Mora proved more and more elusive despite fighting primarily in the inside. Body shots, uppercuts, lefts and rights to the body and head were landing abundantly. A few times it looked like referee Russell Mora was going to halt the fight but let it continue. But not during the seventh round when a Mora right hand turned Green around. The referee jumped in and stopped it at 1:50 of the seventh round.

“I want to fight the best fighters,” said Mora who was signed by Golden Boy Promotions this year and is managed by Cameron Dunkin.

Tecate awarded Mora their Con Caracter award for his action packed fight.

Sillakh Wins title

Ukraine’s Ismayl Sillakh needed one round to warm up then let loose with the combinations to floor Daniel Judah twice in the second round before the referee stopped it 49 seconds into the round. A right hand followed by a right through the guard and a left hook to the liver caused the first knockdown. Judah recovered but was met with a left hook that dropped him a second time. Judah got up on shaky legs and the fight was stopped. Sillakh, who now trains in Simi Valley grabs the vacant NABF light heavyweight title.

Frankie Gomez vs. Howard

East L.A.’s Frankie “Pitbull” Gomez (1-0, 1 KOs) blew through Florida’s Clavonne Howard (2-4) in his professional debut to win by technical knockout at 2:45 of the third round when referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight. Gomez showed good defense and seldom got hit though he was teeing off on Howard the entire three rounds it lasted. The aggressive Gomez was telegraphing his punches but he throws so many that even though you know one is coming the other three and four are right behind it. Howard had no answer but landed a good right hand in the third. The lanky fighter never hit the canvas but was getting tagged with multiple blows until the referee stopped the contest.

“It’s totally different with no head gear. That guy was a tough fighter, he can take punches,” said Gomez, 18. “Honestly after I got hit that’s when I started going.”

Gomez was recently signed by Golden Boy Promotions in a bidding war with other promoters and eventually signed with the L.A. based outfit.

Gomez feels he can do much better now that he has that first pro fight out of the way.

“I will do much better in my second fight because I haven’t fought since last year. I’ll be alright,” Gomez said. “My coach was telling me to keep the pressure but I had to get hit first before I get going.”

Hector Ibarra, coaches and manages Gomez, said he warned his fighter “In the pros you can’t really do that stuff, but adds he’s very smart and his work ethic is incredible.”

Other bouts

Florida’s Buddy McGirt Jr. (22-2-1, 11 KOs) ended a super middleweight bout against John Mackey (11-5-2) with a crisp right hook during an exchange to knockout the Alabama fighter at 2:58 of the second round. Referee Vic Drakulich made the call when Mackey collapsed again after trying to get up.

Scotland’s Craig McEwan (18-0, 10 KOs) maintained his spotless record against Canada’s resilient Kris Andrews (15-9-2). Despite flush punches to the jaw and chin McEwan just couldn’t floor Andrews who ate punches like candy. Not until 2:11 of the eighth and final round of the middleweight bout did it end when a four punch combination by McEwan convinced referee Joe Cortez to end the fight. Andrews never was floored but overwhelmed.

Cleveland’s Yaundale Evans (6-0, 4 KOs) dropped Minnesota’s Juan Baltierrez (2-2-2) with a thud after connecting with a counter right hook at 2:08 of second round of a junior lightweight bout. The fight was stopped by referee Russell Mora.

Source: thesweetscience.com

Hopkins Beats Jones to Scratch 17 Year Itch -- New York Times

By REUTERS

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - Bernard Hopkins won a unanimous decision against fellow American Roy Jones Jr. in tough fight on Saturday night, finally avenging a 1993 defeat in a long-delayed re-match.

There were no knockdowns in a bout that was characterized by caution but punctuated by stoppages for accidental fouls and a near-riot in the ring at the end of the sixth round.

"It was kind of rough," said 45-year-old Hopkins, who improved his record to 51-5-1. "Roy's a veteran. He was tying me up. I was tying him up. It was a good fight."

Jones, 54-7, frequently frustrated Hopkins with his effective defense but the 41-year-old rarely showed enough offense to win any of the rounds.

The pattern of each round was similar with each man feinting, Hopkins attempting to bull Jones to the ropes behind a jab and right hand and Jones looking to tie up or counter with short uppercuts inside.

"I was trying to smother him, so he couldn't counter me," said Hopkins. "He's still got speed."

The fight briefly erupted into life at the end of the sixth round.

Jones spun out of a clinch in the corner and landed a short punch to the back of Hopkins' head. Hopkins dropped to his knees and took several minutes to return to his feet.

When the round resumed, Hopkins attacked Jones with a furious flurry and the two men continued to exchange punches as the bell rang. Both corner teams and security officials entered the ring to separate the fighters and restore order.

Hopkins went down on two other occasions, from another rabbit punch and a low blow, while an accidental head butt in the eleventh round opened a gash on Jones's left eyelid.

The two men first met in the ring when they contested the vacant IBF middleweight title at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in May 1993.

Jones won a unanimous decision and then went on to add titles at super-middleweight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight.

Hopkins captured the middleweight belt in 1995 by stopping Ecuador's Segundo Mercado and made a record 20 successful defenses of that crown until losing two close decisions to fellow American Jermain Taylor in 2005.

After Saturday's bout, Hopkins claimed an interest in emulating Jones and challenging for a heavyweight title.

"People will think the punch in the back of my head made me a little crazy, but I want David Haye," he said, referring to the British heavyweight who successfully defended his WBA crown against John Ruiz on Saturday.

Jones was less certain about his plans.

"I'll go back and talk to my coaches and my dad and if we think I still have it, we'll keep going, and if not, we'll call it a day," he said.

(Writing by Kieran Mulvaney in Washington, D.C.; editing by Nick Mulvenney)

Source: nytimes.com

Hopkins outpoints Jones in long-delayed rematch -- The Associated Press

By GREG BEACHAM, The Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Bernard Hopkins won a brutal unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. in their long-delayed rematch Saturday night, emphatically avenging his loss in the famed champions' first fight nearly 17 years ago.

The 45-year-old Hopkins (51-5-1, 32 KOs) dominated nearly every round of a light heavyweight bout filled with wily veteran tactics and fueled by obvious mutual hatred, winning for the fifth time in his six fights since 2005.

Hopkins punctuated his dominance with a stirring rebound from Jones' punch behind his head late in the sixth round at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

"It was definitely worth it, and it was sweet revenge," Hopkins said. "It was really rough in there. He's a good fighter, and he tried to rough me up. I tried to tough it out, but I was seeing spots from the sixth round on."

Hopkins settled an old score against the 41-year-old Jones (54-7), who beat him by decision in May 1993 when both fighters still were on the cusp of standout careers. Jones has lost six of his last 11 bouts, falling precipitously from his pedestal as arguably the most dominant fighter of the 1990s.

"He's a defensive fighter, and he fought a smart fight," Jones said. "I had to chase him the whole time. The referee didn't warn him about (head butts), but every time I did something, I got a warning."

Judges Don Trella and Glenn Trowbridge scored it 117-110 for Hopkins, while Dave Moretti favored him 118-109. The Associated Press had it 119-108, scoring 11 of 12 rounds for Hopkins.

The rematch was delayed by money and egos until well after most fight fans had stopped salivating for it. Hopkins finally agreed to the bout last year and stuck with it even after Jones lost his previous fight by first-round knockout in Australia last December.

With veteran skills in the body of a man half his age, the longtime middleweight champion then unleashed 17 years of frustration on Jones, who repeatedly declined to fight him a decade earlier.

Hopkins used his strength from the opening round, backing up Jones with bull-rushes or peppering him with shots while in retreat. A right hand from Hopkins in the second round appeared to open a cut near the left eye of Jones, who struggled to land combinations against Hopkins' defense and aggression.

During a clinch in the sixth, Jones threw a left hand to the back of Hopkins' skull with 10 seconds left, and Hopkins immediately crumpled to the canvas on his knees with his hands on his head. Hopkins said he saw spots while staying down for about three minutes, but he eventually recovered — and Hopkins then unleashed a stunning flurry of vicious punches to Jones' head, propelling the crowd to its feet.

The fighters kept trading shots well after the bell sounded. Referee Tony Weeks dived between them to break it up after a prolonged struggle against the ropes, and a member of Jones' entourage jumped into the ring before Weeks and security guards restored order and got the fighters back to their corners.

Jones then threw a right hand to the back of Hopkins' head with 20 seconds left in the eighth round, and Hopkins dropped to one knee.

Hopkins dropped to his knees for a third time after Jones hit him with a low blow 45 seconds into the 10th round, staying down for another long stretch. Jones then got a recovery timeout in the 11th round when Hopkins charged into him with a flurry that included a clash of heads.

Another generation has grown up since Jones won the vacant IBF middleweight title with an unanimous decision over Hopkins on May 22, 1993, on the undercard of a defense by heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Jones won the fight despite a right hand that was "pretty much fractured," he said. He went on to become arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter of the 1990s, with a grace and multisport athleticism that landed him everything from a Nike deal to movie roles.

Hopkins took a harder road, just as he's done throughout an adulthood that began with nearly five years in prison. He won the middleweight title in 1995 and defended it a record 20 times before evolving into one of the world's most versatile fighters in his 40s, trouncing Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright and Kelly Pavlik in recent years after a brief retirement.

Hopkins recognized the fight's throwback vibe in his ring walk by donning the black executioner's hood he frequently wore earlier in his career, but has pretty much discarded in recent years. He was led to the ring by an elderly multimillionaire businessman singing "My Way," with the lyrics adjusted to fit the fight.

Jones wore a cocky grin before the fight, stopping to talk to commentator Sugar Ray Leonard before it started.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Source: google.com

Hopkins gets even as he decisions Jones in Foul Fest rematch -- 15Rounds

By Rick McKenzie, 15Rounds.com

It took seventeen years for the rematch but when it finally occurred, Bernard Hopkins won a twelve round unanimous decision over Roy Jones Jr. in a strange at times Light Heavyweight bout at The Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

After walking out accompanied by his oown vocalist singing a boxing-themed version or I Did It My Way, Bernard Hopkins was in vintage regala donning his old school executioner mask perhaps in an attempt to intimidate Roy Jones Jr. Nevertheless, both fighters seemed ready to pounce but would not throw. Like two coiled snakes, the first round was a lot of fainting and posturing. The second, third, and fourth rounds were all similar to each other. Hopkins would spring in with a combo and tie up Roy at the end of his combo. Roy Jones simply was not active enough, not throwing many punches. Jones seemed to come alive in the fifth when he landed his best and perhaps only combo of the fight. Thus far, the fifth was Jones’ best round. Round six seemed to be an even round, both fighters had about the same level of effectivness but near the end of the round, Jones blantantly punched Hopkins in the back of the head, sending Hopkins to the canvas, sprawling in pain. The referee subsequently deducted a point away from Jones.

This fired up both fighters as they fought viciously for the last 10 seconds of the fight and even after the bell, causing chaos and members of Jones’ camp to run into the ring. Order was restored and the seventh round picked up where the last one ended. Towards the middle of the round, both fighters seemed to calm down and the chess match resumed. In round 8, Jones landed another illegal blow to the back of the head, sending Hopkins down for a short time, no point was deducted, but like before, this fired up Hopkins and he attacked Jones. In the ninth, both fighters seemed to tighten up and become hesistant to engage.

More controversy in the tenth round, Jones landed a blow which appeared to hit the belt line, but Hopkins dropped to the canvas wincing in pain. Hopkins sprung back up to his feet but was visibly tired as his output dropped noticeably. At the start of round 11, Jones finally wised up and gave

Hopkins a taste of his own medicine. Hopkins had been leading with his head the entire fight so Roy walked away and took a few seconds off due to the butt. The round, however, was mostly dominated by Hopkins

The 12th and final round, saw Hopkins charge out and land two body shorts before Jones threw any punches. The round may have went to Jones being that he lets his hands go, but the fight was fairly one sided. The judges had the fight 117-110, 117-110, 118-109 all to the winner Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins improves his hall of fame record to 51-5-1 with 32KO’s while Jones’ added his sixth loss to his stellar career to go along with 55 wins with 40 by KO. Jones’ better days are clearly behind him, but tonight he showed flashes of his old brilliance. Whats next for Hopkins, maybe more acting classes! But cagey veterans make cagey moves and Hopkinds used it to his advantage to ensure a victory.

In the co-main event, Jason Litzau met Texas native Rocky Juarez in the NABF Super Featherweight Title bout. Litzau showed tremendous footwork early as he danced around and picked off Rocky as he was coming in. As the fight progressed into the 6th and 7th rounds, Litzau seemed to tire which in turn made him stand and trade more, not a good idea. Juarez had a chance to land big shots and that he did. In the 7th round, Juarez came in with his head and clashed with Litzau face causing a huge gash. Between rounds, the Litzau camp decided they could not continue so the fight would be decided on the scorecards. One judge saw it 68-85 while the other two had it 67-66 all in favor of the champion Jason Litzau. He improves to 27-2 with 21KOS while Jaurez drops to 28-5-1.

Seeing his first action in nearly two years, Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, from Contender fame, met a game Calvin Green in a super middleweight battle. The first two rounds were action packed with Mora bein cut on the side of his nose by a left hook in the 1st round. Both of the fighters seemed to tire quickly which resulted in a lot of in fighting. Mora showed a different side of his skills by moving and punching WITH POWER from angles. The tactic worked and as the punches accumulated the referee saw no reason to let the fight go on. So at 1:50 in round 7, the fight was stopped. This is only Sergio’s 6 win by KO/TKO in his 24 fights, but he improves his record to 22-1-1 with 6KO’s. Green drops to 21-5-1.

The vacant NABF Light Heavyweight Title was up for grabs when undefeated Ismayl Sillakh met Daniel Judah in a scheduled 10 rounder. However the bout didn’t make it that far. Sillakh dropped Judah with a vicious hook to the body followed by a right to the head. Judah rose, only to be knocked down again by a left hook to the head. The ref Vic Drakulich stopped the fight at :49 in the second round. Sillakh improves to 12-0 with 11KO’s while Judah dropped to 23-5-1.

The next bout was for the USNBC Super Lightweight title featuring Ray Narh versus Angel Hernandez. The much taller Narh pressed Hernandez and landed huge shots which resulted in three knockdowns in the second round. Hernandez failed to get up and the referee stopped the fight at 2:59 of the second round. Taking the title and improving his record to 24-1 with 21KO’s was Narh while Hernandez dropped to 14-5.

In the pro debut of what many people feel is the next “Golden Boy”, Frankie Gomes of East Los Angeles battled Clavonne Howard in a junior welterweight battle. Gomes impressed the crowd as he stalked Howard around the ring for three rounds until referee Joe Cortez stopped the fight at 2:45 of the 3rd round after Howard was caught with some big shots. Howard drops to 2-4.

In a battle between super featherweights, Yaundale Evans kept his record clean as he dropped Juan Baltierrez at 2:08 in the second round with a right hook to the temple. Evans is now 6-0 with 4KO’s while Baltierez drops to 2-2-2 with only 1KO.

The second bout was a super middleweight battle between Buddy McGirt Jr and John Mackey. Mackey proved to be no match as he was dropped in the second round from a perfect right hook that landed on his chin at 2:58. McGirt improves to 22-2-1 with 11KO’s while Mackey dropped to 11-5-2.

In the first bout of the evening, Craig McEwan retained his undefeated middleweight record as he improved to 18-0 with 10KO’s. McEwan controlled the action from opening bell against the over matched Kris Andrews from Canada. Landing big shot after big shot, referee Joe Cortez finally stopped the fight in the 8th and final round at the time of 2:11. Andrews dropped to 15-9-2 with 4KO’s.

Source: 15rounds.com

Jones goes distance, but loses in unanimous decision -- Pensacola News Journal

By Lyle Fitzsimmons, Sports Network

LAS VEGAS – As far as rivalries go, it was more vitriol than violence.

Outside of three Roy Jones Jr. fouls that each crumpled Bernard Hopkins to the canvas, the crowd of 6,792 at Mandalay Bay was treated to little in the way of action as the 45-year-old Philadelphia evened a 17-year-old score with a unanimous decision in their 12-round light heavyweight rematch.

On the short end of a unanimous verdict in Washington, D.C. back in 1993, Hopkins was a one-sided winner at least on paper the second time around, sweeping the cards with two counts of 117-110 and one of 118-109 in a fight that featured as much angst outside the ring as in it.

Largely back and forth while consistently non-interesting in the first five rounds, the fight livened up in the sixth when Jones landed a blow behind Hopkins’ head that drove him to the campus and earned a point deduction from referee Tony Weeks after a several-minute delay.

A skirmish broke out at the bell to end the round, when a member of the Jones entourage charged the ring to get at Hopkins and was subsequently removed by security officers.

The action waned again until Jones’ next foul, another blow behind the head that again sent Hopkins down – to the displeasure of the crowd who saw little cause – in the eighth round, though no points were taken for the infraction.

A low blow from Jones to Hopkins prompted the third would-be “knockdown,” before Hopkins rallied late in the round with a solid legal flurry to Jones in 41-year-old’s corner.

Hopkins took control of what action existed in the fight’s latter half, ending the majority of the exchanges by bullying Jones to the ropes and scoring occasionally clean shots to the head and body.

Jones, who was nicked alongside the left eye early in the fight, was unable to mount a sustained attack, instead landing only single jabs and right hands before extended grappling and holding.

The biggest cheer of the night, in fact, came at the indication that the final round had just 10 seconds remaining.

Source: pnj.com

No Classic: Hopkins Gets UD Win In A Chippy Snoozer Over Jones -- The Sweet Science

By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science

Rarely has less been expected from two fistic legends facing off. Going in to Saturday night, fight fans still saw Bernard Hopkins as a legit pound for pound threat, based as much on his guile as anything else, but coming into main event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Roy Jones was seen as a severely faded shell of the dazzling showman of the 1990s, one step from totally shot after being blasted out by Danny Green last year.

Fans of the two future Hall of Famers could only hope that both would revert back to fine form of yesteryear, and somehow justify the stiff $50 PPV charge. Cynics suspected that the men wouldn't deign to get down and dirty, put themselves in harms way, and take risks in order to attempt to do real damage to their foe. Some feared we'd see two seniors shuffling their way through a pricy sparring session, lessening their legacies as we inevitably compared them to their selves from 17 years ago, when Jones schooled the relatively green Hopkins.

Sad to say, the cynics were right. They'll argue that they are actually realists, not cynics. On this evening, cynics, realists, whatever, if you tuned in to this rematch, you couldn't have been overjoyed. Not unless you liked seeing Hopkins on the mat several times, after absorbing rabbit punches and low blows. Not unless you like seeing Jones posing, his face a cocky mask of certitude, and throwing a punch in anger once every minute or so. Not unless you prize the art of the clinch as your favored fistic maneuver. But..Someone had to win, and since we know it wasn't the fan, that leaves Hopkins or Jones. After twelve rounds of pricy sparring, it was Hopkins who had his hand raised, by scores of 117-110, 117-110, 118-109. Jones took the loss, but of course it was the fight fans who gave in to temptation, and the fighters' solid marketing job, who probably most rue the time spent.

Bottom line: both men still have something left. Jones can still get it done against Omar Sheika types. Hopkins can still play the spoiler, and get his hand raised against many a young gun who possess half the fistic knowledge he possesses. But these two guys should not have been matched up again, certainly not in a pay-per-view setting.The sport did itself no favors on this evening.

Hopkins (age 45; from Philly; ) was 175 pounds, Jones (age 41; from Florida; ) was also 175 pounds, after removing his underwear on the scale on Friday.

Looked like the cynics would be proven sagacious in the first; both men were cautious, but Hopkins was the busier man. Was Jones simply too gunshy from the Green rubout to commit to any meaningful offense? Hopkins is a master at smothering, tying the foe up after he's done doing what he wants to do. Lord..what if John Ruiz had beaten Haye and Hopkins beat Jones, and Hopkins fought Ruiz? I shudder..

Jones held both hands high, palms out, looking like defense was his first order of business. Through four rounds, the cynics were looking likes sages. No matter what Hopkins and Jones had growled in their pre-fight hype-o-rama, both men reverted to recent form: Hopkins was punch-punch-grab, Jones was feint, feint, feint, ponder throwing, maybe throw...

Jones didn't want to wear out his legs, so he let Hopkins bang him to the body quite a bit. RJJ did seem to get warmed up in the fifth. But Hopkins scored the best with a groin shot as he knew the ref was out of position. Too often, the fight was in no man's land--neither man really craving a position of assertiveness. Hopkins played that part more though. Jones banged Hopkins on the back of the head, as Hopkins was twisted around, and Hopkins was on the canvas. The doctor came in and examined him...we wondered if Hopkins was playing, but I'd guess no. He didn't need a breather and was likely ahead on the cards. The replay looked like it was a cuff, but who knows, really. The ref took a point from Jones, and then asked Hopkins if he wanted to continue. Hopkins came out blasting, and the men brawled after the bell. Cornermen came into the ring after, and order needed to be restored.

The ref told both to be classy before the seventh. They were. Too much so. Both men conserved energy, but Hopkins less so. In the eighth, Hopkins pressed the pace, such as it was. Jones posed and preened, and then hit Hopkins behind the head. This time it was a little right hand in a clinch, but this time came after Hopkins threw his own rabbit punch. Again, Hopkins hit the deck, grabbed his head, and chewed up the scenery. Ref Tony Weeks said both of the fighters were dirty and took no points. In the ninth, Jones was more aggressive, but not really any more effective. His handspeed is still OK, but he doesn't throw with leverage, for fear of being caught by a counter. Hopkins moved more, responding to Jones' urgency; it looked like Jones knew the cards could be looking ugly. Boos were heard after the ninth. In the tenth, Hopkins got caught with a low blow. He went to the mat, looking agonized. Once again, Hopkins took an extra measure of time to compose himself.

In the 11th, an acciental butt opened a slice on Jones' left eyelid. The 12th looked much like the other 11 rounds, no need to waste space on a lengthy dissection. The applause at the final bell were tepid.

SPEEDBAG After, Hopkins said he was seeing spots from the rabbit punches. He labeled the fight a good fight. "I want David Haye, I want the heavyweight championship of the world," he said. Jones called it a "great fight," with a straight face, adding insult to injury. He said he'll consider keeping on fighting, after talking to his team.

---Please tell me these guys won't lobby for a tiebreaker!

Source: thesweetscience.com

Mora outslugs Green in seven rounds -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

LAS VEGAS -- Fighting for the first time in 19 months, middleweight Sergio Mora stopped pesky Calvin Green in the seventh round of spirited, but one-sided brawl on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on the Roy Jones Jr.-Bernard Hopkins II undercard.

Mora, who won the first season of "The Contender" reality show in 2005, upset the late Vernon Forrest to win a junior middleweight title in June 2008. However, Mora, of East Los Angeles, lost it via unanimous decision in the rematch three months later and hadn't fought since.

It took a couple of rounds for Mora (22-1-1, 6 KOs) to find his rhythm.

"By the third round I felt like 'The Latin Snake' was back," Mora said. "He was a tough guy but I got in there and I let my hands flow."

The 5-foot-8 Green (21-5-1, 13 KOs), of Baytown, Texas, was four inches shorter than Mora but came out swinging immediately and cut Mora over his left eye in the first round.

Mora, however, did not come undone by the sight of his own blood and stayed calm as the fight developed into a slugfest.

"I'm so used to cuts," Mora said. "I'm used to being lacerated, so it didn't bother me."

Mora was faster and bigger than Green and hammered him with body shots and combinations.

Green showed enormous heart as he took a shellacking round after round, but kept coming forward. But Mora was there to greet him with body shots and combinations that bounced him around.

Finally, in the seventh round, although Green wasn't seriously hurt, he was taking a lot of clean punches, so referee Russell Mora intervened at 1 minute, 50 seconds.

"I want to fight the best," Mora said. "I want to get back in there ASAP."

Litzau tops Juarez

Junior lightweight Jason Litzau scored the biggest win of his career, a seven-round technical decision against friend and former sparring partner Rocky Juarez.

The judges had it 68-65 and 67-66 (twice) as Juarez (28-6-1, 20 KOs) lost for the first time in a fight other than a world title bout.

Juarez is 0-5-1 in title bouts (0-2-1 at featherweight, 0-3 at junior lightweight). Litzau (27-2, 21 KOs) had been busier than Juarez throughout the bout when it came to a sudden ending.

An accidental head clash in the sixth round caused major damage under Litzau's left eye. After it got worse in the seventh round, referee Jay Nady stopped the bout and sent it to the scorecards because of the accidental foul.

Juarez, of Houston, was returning to the 130-pound division after a tough 2009 in which he was the recipient of a controversial draw against featherweight titlist Chris John followed by a clear decision loss to him in an immediate rematch.

Litzau, of St. Paul, Minn., won his fourth in a row following an eighth-round knockout loss to then-featherweight titleholder Robert Guerrero in 2008.

• Light heavyweight Ismayl Sillakh (12-0, 11 KOs), a standout amateur in Ukraine now based in California, had an easy time with Daniel Judah (23-5-3, 10 KOs), stopping Zab Judah's brother 49 seconds into the second round.

Sillakh, 25, who is signed to Jones' Square Ring Promotions, scored two knockdowns in the second round, including a hard body shot on the second knockdown, before referee Vic Drakulich called it off.

Judah, 32, lost his second in a row and for the fourth time in his last six bouts.

"I was not surprised to knock him out so early," Sillakh said. "I told you I would do it, knock him out. He is a good southpaw but I was looking to go to the body because he was holding his hands up at his face. Then he dropped his hands and I hit him with my favorite punch, the right cross."

• Heralded amateur junior welterweight Frankie Gomez (1-0, 1 KO) scored a third-round TKO against Clavonne Howard (2-4, 1 KO) in his professional debut.

"I wasn't nervous at all," Gomez said. "I was a little rusty. He was a good tough fighter. He could take shots. I have been waiting to get in there [as a pro] for a long time. It felt really good."

The East Los Angeles native, who shares the same Feb. 4 birthday with his promoter, Golden Boy's Oscar De La Hoya, signed with the company in late February after a standout amateur career in which he was a 2009 U.S. national champion and silver medalist at the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy, in September. Gomez, 18, was the only American to reach the finals.

In his pro debut, Gomez kept his arms pumping as he dominated Howard, of Palm Beach, Fla. Gomez looked to mix it up throughout the fight and was landing with regularity in the third round when referee Joe Cortez jumped in to stop it with 15 seconds left. It was the first time Howard has been stopped.

Golden Boy plans to keep Gomez busy, scheduling him to fight approximately once per month for the rest of the year.

Also on the undercard, Los Angeles-based Scottish middleweight Craig McEwan (18-0, 10 KOs) stopped Canada's Kris Andrews (15-9-2, 4 KOs) at 2:11 of the eighth and final round; super middleweight James McGirt Jr. (22-2-1, 11 KOs), the son of former welterweight champ Buddy McGirt (who trains his son) knocked out John Mackey (11-5-2, 5 KOs) at 2:58 of the second round; and Cleveland junior lightweight Yaundale Evans (6-0, 4 KOs) knocked out Juan Baltierrez at 2:08 of the second round.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Litzau beats Juarez by technical decision -- The Ring

By Michael Rosenthal, The Ring

LAS VEGAS -- Jason Litzau pulled out the biggest victory of his career on the Bernard Hopkins-Roy Jones Jr. undercard with the help of a cut on Saturday.

The junior lightweight contender had a narrow lead over Rocky Juarez when he suffered a cut below his left eye as a result of an accidental head butt and couldn’t go on, which sent the fight to the scorecards and gave Litzau a victory.

The St. Paul, Minn., fighter, leading 68-65, 67-66 and 67-66, took a solid step toward a chance to fight for a 130-pound title even though his performance was more tactical than exciting.

“This is the biggest victory of my career,” Litzau said. “Rocky is a true champion. … Me and Rocky gave them a helluva show. I felt like I had another 10 rounds I me. I was so calm. I was relaxed on the inside. I was going to turn it up in the later rounds. I knew Rocky was coming.”

Litzau (27-2, 21 knockouts) has now won four consecutive fights since he was stopped by Roberto Guerrero in eight rounds in 2008.

Juarez (28-6-1, 20 KOs) is a 2000 U.S. Olympian who hasn’t quite lived up to his promise. The Houston product has lost five fights for major titles, although three of them were close. He’s 5-6-1 in his las 12 fights.

Juarez said the cut was the result of a punch, not a head butt.

“The cut was by a short left hook,” he said. “By saying it was an accidental head butt, I was disappointed. … I knew I was eventually going to catch him.”

What does the future hold for Juarez?

“It all depends on who they throw against me,” he said. “If they are going to use me as a stepping stone, I don’t care as long as they put me in with big-name fighters. I have never ducked a fighter.”


In other undercard fights, Sergio Mora bounced back nicely from a 19-month layoff, stopping game, but overmatched journeyman Calvin Green 1:50 into the eighth round of a super middleweight bout.

Mora (22-1-1, 6 KOs) had to contend with the aggression of his determined opponent but got the better of most exchanges, landing dozens of hard, punishing shots that ultimately prompted referee to Russell Mora (no relation) to stop it.

Mora won all but one round on one card.

The Los Angeles resident made a name for himself on The Contender and by beating Vernon Forrest in a junior middleweight title fight but hadn’t fought since Forrest easily regained his belt in August.

Green (21-5-1, 13 KOs) is from Baytown, Texas.

And, in the first televised bout, Southern California-based Ukrainian prospect Ismayl Sullakh (12-0, 11 KOs) continued to plow through his opponents, this time stopped veteran Daniel Judah (23-5-3, 10 KOs) 49 seconds into the second round of a light heavyweight bout.

Sullakh dropped and hurt the former contender from Brooklyn, N.Y., twice in the second round before referee Vic Drakulich stopped the one-sided fight.

“I was not surprised to knock him out so early,” Sullakh said. “I told you I’d knock him out. I was looking to go to the body because he was holding his hands to his face. Then he dropped his hands and I hit him with my favorite punch, the right cross.

“I need more and better opponents. I’m ready to be world champion.”

Sullakh has stopped eight of his 12 opponents within two rounds.

Source: ringtv.com

Boxing pound for pound in April 2010 a/k/a Manny Pacquiao and some other guys -- Examiner

By Eric Sloan, Examiner.com

To truly ring the cash cow bell in boxing requires, in relevant part, becoming a member of the pound-for-pound (P4P) club. With every "rule," there are exceptions; however, most of the top 10 P4Pers have contracts with SHOWTIME or HBO and at least half of them command pay-per-view premiums (or think they do).

SILVER STAR MANNY PACQUIAO "RISING SUN" RED SHIRT LARGEAs interesting as it is to subjectively determine the 10 best fighters in the world, there comes a time, which incidentally was several months ago, when it all just becomes political and lazy. Manny Pacquiao is the number 1 fighter in the world and no convincing argument can be made to the contrary. He has defeated two men on the P4P list and will likely fight another this year. Can subjectivity be more objective than that standard?

The remainder of the list is what it is--very distant by comparison. Regardless, according to the boxing writers and pundits from around the world, here are the best of the rest for April 2010:

No. 10 - Nonito Donaire. Donaire is as exciting as the come and his knockout percentage of 62.5% is grossly misleading. Nonito entered the ring seven times in the last three years and has only gone the distance once. It's well past time that the promoters get out of the way and give Donaire the best money fight that can be made at super flyweight--Nonito Donaire-Vic Darchinyan II.

No. 9 - Israel Vazquez. It's great that Vazquez will meet Rafael Marquez for the fourth time next month, but the true P4P fighters in the division are Yuriorkis Gamboa, Juan Manuel Lopez, and, to a lesser extent, Chris John.

No. 8 - Miguel Cotto. Rather than cleaning out the welterweight division, the division appears to have cleaned Cotto out. Miguel will make his debut as a light middleweight next month when he faces a technically sound Yuri Foreman. Foreman hits about as hard as Paulie Malignaggi though, which is to say that if Cotto gets knocked out, then it's time to quit.

No. 7 - Chad Dawson. The frustrating thing about Dawson is that he has become a two-fight per year guy. While such a pace is at light speed compared to other fighters on the P4P list, it isn't enough. Dawson has the potential to be a super star, which requires exposure. He is network worthy, which speaks volumes for a light heavyweight today. The only thing more redundant than monthly P4P rankings is this author's call for Dawson to move to super middleweight.

No. 6 - Paul Williams. The Punisher's date with Kermit Cintron in May is interesting. On the one hand, there is no way Cintron can keep up with Williams' work rate and he will not likely win under any scenario involving scorecards. On the other hand, Cintron can end a fight with one shot. Williams is flawed in all of the right ways for a power guy like Cintron to capitalize. The question is whether Cintron has the ring intelligence to do so.

No. 5 - Juan Manuel Marquez. Yes, it is true that Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz was one of the classic bouts of 2009. It is also true that both men are not the same fighters a year later. Frankly, Diaz-Maquez II is nothing but a money fight and Juan Manuel should be downgraded for booking it when Edwin Valero, The Ring's number 2 lightweight, is available.

No. 4 - Bernard Hopkins. Hopkins fights Roy Jones, Jr. tonight. Oh yeah, it is on pay-per-view too. Sometimes even tax write-offs do not justify the purchase of a fight. This is one of those times. It doesn't matter who wins or loses because both men are so far beyond P4P consideration that even HBO is laughing.

No. 3 - Shane Mosley. Loss, slop, dominant, desperate, and dormant. Those four words describe the last three years of Mosley's boxing life. He has his chance next month to actually make sense of it all. Win and it is Pacquiao time, which is either good news or bad depending on the perspective.

No. 2 - Floyd Mayweather, Jr. If Mosley shows up next month, then we will learn once and for all whether Money May has been worthy of all the ink. After 40 professional fights, we shouldn't need to even ask. Unfortunately, we still do.

Source: examiner.com

From the Mayweathers to Adam Carolla, too much racism in Boxing toward Filipinos -- Examiner

By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com

Over the last few months, there has been a disturbing trend in Boxing that is absolutely unacceptable. The trend is one of racial comments and discriminating remarks toward Manny Pacquiao and Filipinos as a whole. From the Mayweathers to Adam Carolla, Boxing has been littered with hate filled ignorance. Let’s examine further.

The Dr. Drew and Adam Book: A Survival Guide To Life and LoveAdam Carolla

Just recently, American comedian and television host Adam Carolla made some horrible comments about Manny Pacquiao and Filipinos as a whole. Some say Carolla made these comments to try and be funny. Others say that he made them out of desperation to draw attention. I say he made these comments out of ignorance and should be held accountable for his actions. A public apology is necessary from Carolla.

Floyd Mayweather Jr

Floyd Mayweather Jr has also made some racial comments over the last few moths. Now, they may not be as vulgar as Carolla’s comments but they are just as discriminating and just as unnecessary.

“We got athletes that live in our own country that lie to the American citizens about taking certain enhancement drugs. Now, Manny Pacquiao is not even from this country and don’t even live in this country so imagine what he will tell the American people.” Floyd Mayweather Jr

“I’m happy for him. He’s a black American, and I’m a black American. I rooted him on. I wanted to see him win.” FMJ, HBO Face-Off with Max Kellerman

In addition to his comments, Floyd also discriminated against Filipino reporters during the opening press tour for Mayweather vs. Mosley. Here were Bob Arum’s comments on the situation:

"I don't care about all of this sh**. All that I care about right now is that at a press conference in my country, that people from another country were treated so horribly," said Arum, "and were descriminated against. That's what makes my blood boil, and thats's what makes me angry." Arum, Fanhouse

Floyd Sr and Roger Mayweather

Floyd Sr and Roger Mayweather have been relentless in their attacks on Manny Pacquiao. They call him a cheater and say he’s taking PEDs. But they also go on and on saying that Pacquiao is taking A-side Meth which Filipino soldiers used to take.

These comments are based on pure ignorance and have no merit. There’s no proof for any of these accusations, yet these two Mayweathers refuse to stop their hate speech.

Conclusion

Andrea Carrington Sacramento, CA “Why is there all of this racism in Boxing toward Manny and his country?”

I attribute a lot of these comments to ignorance, jealousy and hatred. But, whatever the reason, there’s no room in Boxing or in life for racism. I’m thoroughly disgusted with this mentality. People like Carolla and the Mayweathers should be held accountable for their actions and their comments. Carolla deserves to have a defamation law suit filed against him just like the Mayweathers.

As much as I despise these comments, it’s important not to respond to racism and hatred with racism and hatred. Demanding accountability and expressing disgust is one thing but expressing frustration with hatred is just as bad. Maturity is crucial when responding to racism.

Source: examiner.com

David Haye v John Ruiz: Londoner stops gritty American in style -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

In a brutal dance, Haye had Ruiz down four times before the fight was stopped in the ninth by the referee Guillermo Perez , as Miguel Diaz in the American’s corner waved a white towel over the ropes. Haye won all but one of the rounds, slowly dismantling the challenger with power punches.

In a thrilling, extraordinary first round, barely 30 seconds into the contest, Ruiz was on the canvas pitched backwards from a powerful left-right from Haye, then down again on the ropes for a count of eight under a barrage of punches.

But the proud Ruiz was not finished, recovering to wobble Haye with a right hand. Haye went for the kill, but Ruiz showed how and why he has a reputation as a wily, experienced campaigner. He even threw a few punches after the bell.

Haye was cagier in the second quicker to the jab and landed with three uppercuts, and then in the third worked Ruiz, stiffening his legs with a three-punch combination. Early in the fourth stanza, and left-right, and outworked the champion. It was the challenger’s first success.

Ruiz came out with renewed vigour in the fifth but was under pressure immediately as two left-right combinations rocked the American’s head back. Ruiz, 38 was slowing. Only the bell saved Ruiz late in the round, as Ruiz landed as a huge scything right hand put him down.

Ruiz was almost finished after the sixth, but his corner allowed him to continue. The proud former two-time champion would not surrender. He needed his corner to do that for him after he had endured two more rounds of punishment.

Adam Booth, Haye’s trainer, swears that Haye feeds off the ambience to bring out the predator in him. Haye used the oxygen of publicity from outrageous stunts such as a t-shirt of the severed heads of fellow world title holders Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, to get himself noticed in the heavyweight division and around the world, and here, in front of 20,000 fans, packed into the MEN Arena, Haye was in his element.

Ruiz, the industrious yeoman of the heavyweight vision for a decade and a half, seemed to drawing on the reserves once too often. Haye was simply too fast, too strong, indeed too spiteful to allow the proud ‘Quiet Man’ of Puerto Rican extraction into the fight.

In retaining his WBA heavyweight title Haye remains on track for both retirement in two years' time – he has promised himself he will be out of the hurt game by the age of 31 - and lucrative super-fights with one of the Klitschko brothers in November, his end game he has been plottingfor more than two years.

Haye, the fifth British-born heavyweight champion make his first title defence, and a heavy favourite, As one might expect, Haye is the heavy favorite - 7-1 to win, 7-2 by knockout, even though Ruiz has been stopped only once in his career, when he was caught cold by a David Tua hook seconds after the opening bell.

Haye, 29, nine years younger than Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 KOs), won his 24th victory, and became a national hero again, and this was his night once again. Great treasures lie in wait, along with hours of negotiation. Haye says this is his time. He might just be right. Haye will grow again from this, and the slaying of the Klitschko brothers in a boxing ring just that tiny bit more believable.

Source: telegraph.co.uk

David Haye retains world title with ninth-round defeat of John Ruiz -- The Guardian

By Kevin Mitchell, Guardian.co.uk

David Haye delivered the fight he promised, even if he flirted with defeat more than once on his way to forcing the preternaturally courageous American challenger, John Ruiz, to succumb in the ninth round of one of the best world title fights we have seen in these islands for many years.

Haye keeps his WBA heavyweight belt at the first time of asking and Ruiz goes home with the loud cheers of appreciation ringing in his ears for what many might consider foolhardy grit.

The American walked – or rather jogged– to the ring first under the ritual hail of catcalls from a well-refreshed gathering of 20,000 in this most atmospheric of venues, the majority of them rubber-necking to spot the Chelsea and Manchester United stars in the audience.

Rio Ferdinand, who grew up with Haye in south London, was there, along with Wayne Bridge, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Jamie Redknapp, Daniel Sturridge and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Haye, who brought more than 70 members of his extended family with him, had looked supremely relaxed when introduced to the crowd at Old Trafford earlier in the day. There was nothing laid-back about the way he started the fight, however.

He put Ruiz down with a corking right hand that went straight through the American's guard in the first 30 seconds. He had him down again almost straight away, this time with a blow to the back of the head. Curiously, the referee, Guillermo Perez Pineda, docked Haye a point yet gave Ruiz an eight-count.

It hardly bothered Haye, who had promised an explosive evening, as he continued to lay into the 38-year-old challenger who, despite carrying a little extra around the middle, looked in terrific shape. The second and third were more even as Haye waited for another opening, landing heavily time after time but taking a few in return as Ruiz regained his composure.

What had looked as if it would be a quick night's work turned into an enthralling contest as Ruiz got his jab working to take the fourth. Haye went back to this corner with a small cut near his right eye and received a stern lecture from his trainer Adam Booth, who urged him to up his work rate and look after his defence.

He responded the only way he knows how with a series of crushing head shots and missed Ruiz with an upper cut in centre ring that would have ripped a hole in a battle ship.

After what Lennox Lewis called his "punch-perfect performance' against Nikolai Valuev last November, Haye was letting his instincts take over and put Ruiz down in the fifth, again with a blow to the back of the head. He was treading a fine line and Booth was not happy as the fight entered the middle stages.

The sixth was another unruly affair and Ruiz was taking an awful battering but was still dangerous. Ruiz had not taken a sustained beating like this in 54 fights over 18 years and the crowd gave him due credit for his bravery.

Haye's right hand, which had broken on Valuev's head, clearly was OK as he threw with enthusiasm from all angles at the pulped-up features of an ageing fighter who was slowly turning into a punch bag. Ruiz, as if on motorised rollerskates, was an almost willing target for Haye's health-threatening headshots as they continued their painful dance until the American's new trainer, Miguel Diaz, mercifully threw in the towel in the ninth round.

Earlier in the evening, George Groves announced himself as another genuine rising star of British boxing when he did to the Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, Charles Adamu, in six rounds what Carl Froch took 12 rounds to do in 2004.

That night, the Ghanaian, seven months after winning the title for the first time, was down once but finished only three points behind the Nottingham fighter. Froch went on to win the world title and is now vying for recognition as the best boxer at 12 stone in the world in Showtime's Super Six series.

Londoner Groves, who has never been past eight rounds, gave Adamu a beating from start to finish and took little in return.

He felled him with a short, chopping right in the first, then stunned him to the soles of his boots with heavy body shots in a neutral corner. But for the Ghanaian's resilience – this was his eighth championship contest – it might have ended right there.

The young challenger had him down twice in the fourth, almost over again towards the end of the fifth and the referee, Victor Laughlin, called it off when Adamu wobbled under another concussive right hand in the sixth round.

He protested but would not have reached the end without taking a lot more of the same. Groves's movement and ring craft bamboozled the 32-year-old, who swung wildly outside an oncoming barrage of stiff jabs, followed by a right hand clearly modelled on Haye's. He beat the Olympic gold medallist James DeGale in the amateurs. They must surely meet one day to make some serious money together.

In the other Commonwealth title fight, at light-welter, Colin Lynes of Hornchurch took a 10 count on one knee in his own corner in the eighth round against the London-based Nigerian, Ajose Olusegan.

Source: guardian.co.uk

David Haye Stops Rugged John Ruiz In Ninth Round -- The Sweet Science

By Michael Woods, The Sweet Science

It may well be time to switch up the scouting report on David Haye. Best not to concentrate too much on his power, and that nickname, "Hayemaker." The Brit is in fact a clever boxer, and he showed it all night long against John Ruiz at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on Saturday evening. Haye had Ruiz down in the first, fifth and sixth, moved adroitly, never lost his obsessive focus, and was never in a hint of trouble. The Ruiz corner threw in the towel at 2:01 of the ninth, having seen their man absorb one too many right hands from Haye, in his first title defense.

WBA champion Haye (from London; 23-1, 21 KOs coming in; former unified cruiserweight champion) weighed 221 pounds, while Ruiz (residing in Las Vegas; 44-8-1 with 1 NC, 30 KOs entering; No. 1 in WBA; two time WBA heavyweight champion) was 231 pounds at the weigh in. We could well have seen the last of Ruiz, who wasn't able to slip Haye's launches as well as he used to be able to. At 38, it may be time to hang on to this final payday, and proudly call it a career.

Ruiz came out hard, but hit the deck fifteen seconds in, off a right hand, after a jab. He shook off the buzz, and Haye banged him with a rabbit punch, and had a point taken away right after. In the second, Ruiz had his legs under him. He stalked the Brit, who backed up, and picked his spots. Haye looked comfortable and loose. He stayed in motion, and made Ruiz follow him, two steps behind. Haye's hard jab got Ruiz' nose bloody in the third. Jawny didn't clinch, I'm happy to report, and did manage to fire off multiple jabs and right follows a few times. Ruiz ate a couple flush rights on the kisser, but stayed erect. In the fourth, Haye took it easy. He shuffled left, steering clear of Ruiz' right. The challenger didn't cut off the ring as perhaps he should've, and for too much of the time, Haye was dictating tempo.

In the fifth, a one-two hurt Ruiz, and a rabbit punch finished the hurting, sending him to the mat at the tail end of the round. More rabbit punches sent Ruiz down in the next round as well. Ruiz may have been looking to get a point deduction. At the end of the round, Haye hit Ruiz behind the head again. Why wasn't Ruiz fighting fire with fire? Analyst Jim Watt, the ex fighter, dismissed the fouls, saying "they aren't heavy anyway." Ruiz' cornerman Miguel Diaz threatened to pull the plug if Jawny didn't pick it up. In the seventh, Ruiz at least stayed on his feet. He didn't inflict any damage, as Haye stayed smart and focused all the way through. In the eighth, Ruiz hung in but didn't do much. Same in the ninth, and after Ruiz got backed into the ropes, his corner tossed in the towel.

Source: thesweetscience.com

David Haye Scores Ninth Round TKO Over John Ruiz -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

England's 29-year-old David Haye scored a ninth round knockout of John Ruiz in the first defense of his WBA heavyweight title on Saturday before his partisan, British fans at M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester, England,

In victory over the 38-year-old Ruiz (44-8-1, 30 knockouts), of Chelsea, Mass., Haye stopped the former two-time titlist for only the second time in Ruiz's career, rising to 24-1, with his 22nd career knockout.

Haye dropped Ruiz twice in the first round, once in the fifth, and, yet again in the sixth.

Haye also badly battered Ruiz, who was cut on the head and bleeding from his nose, thorughout the seventh and eighth round before referee, Guillermo Perez Pineda, came to the rescue to prevent Haye from inflicting further damage as Ruiz covered up and leaned over the ropes to protect himself in the ninth.

Ruiz was stopped for the first time in his career in March of 1996, when David Tua scored a 19-second knockout in Ruiz's 28th professional fight.

Haye, who weighed in at a career-high 222 pounds to 231 for Ruiz, scored his 14th straight victory, and his 12th by knockout in that stretch.

Haye's lone loss was in September of 2004, when he was stopped in five rounds by a then-40-year-old, Carl Thompson, who entered their match up with a record of 32-6 that included being knocked out five times.

Haye was was coming off of a November, 12-round, majority decision in Nuremberg, Germany, over 7-foot, 316-pound, Nikolay Valuev, whom he dethroned for the WBA crown.

The 6-3, Haye, who tipped the scales at 218-pounds against Valuev, overcame a broken right hand in the second round to win that fight.

Haye is only the sixth Englishman ever to earn a heavyweight crown, and only the second-ever former cruiserweight (200 pounds) to do so.

Bob Fitzimmons, Herbie Hide, Lennox Lewis, Frank Bruno and Henry Akinwande also were English champions, and Evander Holyfield, a former cruiserweight, dethroned Buster Douglas for that honor.

In attempting to win a crown for the third time, Ruiz was trying to join men such as Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali., and, Evander Holyfield , with the latter being the sport's only four-time heavyweight titlist.

A man of Puerto Rican decent, Ruiz is the only Latino to have won a heavyweight title, doing so when he held a version of the belt after defeating Holyfield in 2005.

Haye won the WBA cruiserweight crown with a seventh-round knockout of Jean Marc Mormeck in November of 2007, but then dropped it to dethrone WBC and WBO king Enzo Maccarinelli in two rounds in March of 2008, handing him only his second loss in 30 bouts and stopping him for the first time in his career.

Haye has gone 12 rounds only one other time during a lopsided decision over Ismail Abdoul in July of 2006, and been eight rounds and nine rounds (once each) in stoppages of previously unbeaten fighters, Lasse Johansen and Giacobbe Fragomeni, respectively, in March and July of 2006.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Impressive Haye destroys Ruiz -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

David Haye fired out a warning to the Klitschko brothers with a hugely impressive defence of his WBA heavyweight belt against John Ruiz.

Haye has signalled his intention to unify the division, with the belts of Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko in his sights, and he made a statement of intent by taking Ruiz apart. The Londoner put his 38-year-old rival down in the first round and his speed dictated the fight until the Ruiz camp threw in the towel in the ninth.

Haye kept Ruiz waiting in the ring for an age before making his entrance, which was greeted with a roar of approval from the MEN Arena crowd.

Ruiz marched out confidently and caught Haye with a couple of shots, but was sent on to the seat of his pants with a straight right hand. Ruiz took a count and looked unsteady when he got to his feet and was put down again, but the referee deemed it a rabbit punch and docked Haye a point.

The American is a durable fighter and got through the round and the break gave him the chance to clear his head. He was caught again in the second by a solid right, but Ruiz took it well and came forward for the remainder of the round.

Haye was happy to allow Ruiz to come forward, the Londoner's superior speed enabled him to stick and then move out of range. Haye tagged Ruiz at the start of the fifth and it seemed to knock the pace out of Ruiz and right on the bell, the Brit put his opponent on to the canvas.

A short right from Haye tagged Ruiz at the start of the sixth and he was felled shortly afterwards. Haye sensed victory and unloaded some huge shots, but Ruiz once again showed his durability by getting through the round.

Haye continued to catch his rival and a couple of powerful shots in the ninth disorientated Ruiz and the American's camp threw in the towel to prevent their man from taking any further punishment.

On the undercard, George Groves stopped Charles Adamu in the sixth round to claim the commonwealth super-middleweight belt. It was pretty much one-way traffic as Groves had his rival down twice in the fourth round and the referee stepped in to end the fight in the sixth. After his win, Groves set his sights on Paul Smith. "My next fight needs to be Paul Smith," he said. "I need to knock that man out and take the British title off him. I should be next in line, I can't see anyone in front of me, I'm commonwealth champion and I want that British belt."

Colin Lynes failed in his bid to take Ajose Olusegan's light welterweight crown, as his corner threw in the towel with their fighter struggling for breath.

Source: espn.co.uk

David Haye stops John Ruiz to retain heavyweight title -- BBC Sport

BBC Sport

Britain's David Haye made a convincing first title defence as he stopped American John Ruiz in the ninth round to retain the WBA heavyweight crown.

The Londoner floored Ruiz with a right hand after 25 seconds and the American took a second count in the opening round at Manchester's MEN Arena.

Ruiz proved his durability by fighting on but was put down twice more in a torrid sixth round.

And Haye finished the job in the ninth when Ruiz's corner threw in the towel.

It was Haye's first defence since beating Nikolay Valuev for the title in November and the victory came in only his fourth fight in the heavyweight division, taking his professional record to 25-1.

Ruiz, 38, had been hoping to join Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko as a three-time world heavyweight champion.

He had been stopped just once before in 18 years and 54 fights.

Earlier in the evening, Briton George Groves stopped Ghana's Charles Adamu in the sixth round to win the Commonwealth super-middleweight title.

Colin Lynes failed to make it a successful British double after being counted out in the eighth round of his Commonwealth light-welterweight title challenge against Ajose Olusegan of Nigeria.

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Klitschko brothers too hot for David Haye, says British rival Michael Sprott -- Daily Mail

By Leo Spall, DailyMail.co.uk

David Haye and the rest of Britain’s heavyweight boxers have been warned to forget about dethroning triple world champion Wladimir Klitschko — because they are not good enough.

Michael Sprott, the former British and Commonwealth title holder, who recently spent three weeks sparring with the Ukrainian, said: ‘Wladimir is up there with the greats of boxing, like Lennox Lewis.

‘For a heavyweight, he is a very technical fighter. Haye has been the exciting one out there and might provide a challenge. But I can’t see anyone beating Wladimir or his elder brother, that’s why they have been champions for so long.’

The younger Klitschko holds title belts from the IBF, WBO and IBO — and has been targeted for toppling off that pinnacle by the rest of the division.

Boxing Fitness: A Guide to Get Fighting Fit (Fitness Series)Audley Harrison has spoken hopefully of getting a shot at Wladimir or big brother Vitali, the WBC world champion but it is Haye who has riled them most — particularly with his personal attacks on the two men.

Haye was hoping his WBA title defence against John Ruiz last night would lay the foundations for a challenge and enable him finally to set up a contest with one of the brothers.

Terms have previously been a problem, while Haye pulled out of a fight with Wladimir last summer because of a back problem. A bout with Vitali was talked about, but it never got further than that.

There is no love lost between the rivals after several more rounds of trash-talking since Haye turned up at a Press conference wearing a T-shirt depicting him holding the decapitated heads of the brothers last year.

Haye’s most recent criticism of 34-year-old Wladimir is that he has no killer instinct. But Sprott was impressed: ‘He is not reckless and only throws a punch if he has to or thinks he is definitely going to catch you.

‘I know David said he is jab, jab, jab, and he has got a powerful, fast jab — but as soon as he lands that left, the right follows and it is all over quickly.’

Harrison, 38, who Sprott fights at Alexandra Palace on Friday for the vacant European title, is a less credible potential opponent.

Former Olympic champion Harrison needs to beat the man who knocked him out in three rounds in February 2007 before beginning to contemplate a world title shot and has promised to retire if he fails to do that. ‘Audley is definitely not the man to beat Wladimir,’ said Sprott, 35.

‘He will have to retire after I have beaten him and it is a long way back at his age.

‘It was a great experience training with Wladimir. It is good to see how a champion prepares from inside his camp — and he is a great champion.

I was with him for a few weeks, was sparring every day but I didn’t take too many hits as I have a good guard. You need that against him because he is a big puncher and is good on his feet.’

● Carl Froch has ended his feud with Amir Khan. The pair fell out last year after exchanging verbal blows as they prepared for separate fights. It split the exclusive club of British world title-holders and, with both men about to return to the ring, the possibility of more trash-talk loomed.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Adam Carolla and debating an empty mind -- Examiner

By Marv Dumon, Examiner.com

The HammerCommentary:

April 3, 2010 - Adam 'Toyota' Carolla, hmm, where do we start. Such a wealth of opportunity to simply blast away like a battleship on some roving, subsurface submarine.

Periscope peering from far away, distant from the threat, lest it suffer a literal physical mauling.

But that would degrade the exercise into some mad banter, 'full of sound and fury,' signifying lack of reason, followed by a public hostility.

In a previous article, we suggested that Floyd Mayweather's anti-Pacquiao campaign in the U.S. is effective with some circles because of the disinformation and misleading truths being conveyed by boxing's former pound-for-pound king.

For many, Pacquiao is seen as the guy who refused the random blood test, when he was the fighter who made concessions to the additional testing demands in order to attempt to meet Mayweather half-way.

Rants 'Toyota' Carolla:

Because's he's [Pacquiao] from the Philippines, and because he's praying to chicken bones and stuff like that, everyone's kind of like 'Ahh, you gotta respect him for his belief system.


No you don't. He's a f***** idiot.

Not sure if the Pacman worships KFC, although he does wear an amulet. Typical rant from an atheist like Carolla - forcing the right to have to defend their religion. What do we then make of Carolla? Stereo-typed to be a Satan worshipper, drinking pig blood in a metallic chalice, as he kneels to a statue of Lucifer with loud hardcore rock music blaring in the background, as he dons Goth make-up all over his face, with multiple piercings?

Nope, no KFC here.

Perhaps not much to examine with an empty head. Carolla, it appears, dropped out of high school after an impressive 1.75 grade point average (GPA) - isn't that a D+? From majoring in ceramics - certainly a most difficult line of study. According to the simplest search on Wikipedia, it took Carolla several years in order to receive his high school diploma - and the actor / comedian said that the delay was due to owing about $20 to the school library. Suuure.

Not just an idiot, but a liar do we have here?

We wonder out loud - in a Shakespearean Hamlet-esque manner, which is more idiotic: to finish high school with a 'D' average? Or to take several years in order to generate $20 in order to pay a late library fee (so that you can receive your diploma). Your local Taco Bell worker would have generated $20 in a single day. Carolla took several years.

Idiotic appears to be an understated description.

We do have to hand it to Madame Adam, his podcasts are among the most popular in the nation. As social commentary, more reflective of the sad state of extreme liberalism and junk-media that pollutes U.S. airwaves, than any measure of brilliance or insightful expression. Shock opinion invites easy, poisoned ears.

Carolla espouses no philosophy - nor does he claim to - but populist 'hot air' is easy, and stirs the base aspect of human nature, neither elevating it or enlightening it.

Reductionism

“Get a fu**in life as a country”


“All you fu***** got is just an illiterate guy who happens to smash other guys in the head better than other people”

Sure, all basketball is about is simply ramming a round leather inside some metallic loop. All track and field is running as fast as one can as if a lion was chasing a brute neanderthal savage. All 'making love' is about is the simple transfer of fluids. Marriage? But a reduced exchange of metallic loop rings - that's all, and the wasted sprinkling of flowers all over the aisle. The birth of a child, a tiny piglet plopped out into the world, screaming at doctors - individuals who merely slice open bleeding mammals with shiny steak knives.

We wonder, if this reductionist paradigm controls Carolla's thinking, or if it was merely a byproduct of a bad day. Carolla, what did you put on your cereal that day?

More likely, it is a product of 'psychological infection.' It appears Carolla had a tough childhood, and his father was a psychologist. Causing our subject to rebel against his parent, and to reject any complicated or sophisticated interpretations of the universe. He becomes a reductionist - a comic, a rebel. In this case, a pathetic blabber-mouth. Nihilist. Existentialist. 'Life is a bitch, and then you die.'

For the awakened, truth is relative. Ask Einstein. To paraphrase Albert Einstein: the most important decision a man can make is to decide whether or not he lives in a friendly or hostile universe. Carolla, insecure with the latter, projects pain at outward objects and / or people. Ahh yes, he was a part of his high school football team. We rest your honor.

The Mirror is Always Right

“All they have over there is Manny Pacquiao and sex stores.”

Actually, your mother is a sex therapist. She gets paid off dysfunctional sex lives and Viagra-induced organs. Sex therapist equals whoring / slut therapist, according to Carolla's reductionist views.

In the above statement, it appears Carolla may not necessarily be talking about boxing or some Asian archipelago. But rather, he is thinking out loud. Talking to himself. About his own circumstances.

He is letting out what has been inside and a part of him for many years. Frustration. A reductionist mentality. For losers. A sad, nihilist existence. Perhaps the subject of reverse-racism on many an occasion in southern California's diverse populace. Of a feeling of lack of accomplishment in Hollywood, compelling the desperate to seek shock-fame, at the expense of others.

Assumptions

“Here’s how you know when your country doesn’t have a lot going for it: When everything is about Manny Pacquiao.”

That's an argument. Debatable. Inconclusive that Pacquiao is entirely what consumes the archipelago. In this sentiment, Carolla perhaps betrays his envy of vastly more successful actors and comics in the media landscape. Nasty feelings from the early years have surfaced. That is what's at issue.

When Carolla dropped out of community college, he probably didn't have a lot going for him either - to mirror his words. Of course, it might have been too much to ask Mr. 1.75 GPA to make it in community college. Working as a carpet cleaner and carpenter in southern California must've been extremely fun. So was listening to what must have amounted to the daily rants from psycho-logist dad and sex therapist mom on the virtues of being a college dropout handyman.

Statements Based on His Own Circumstances

“What happens when Floyd Mayweather beats him? Does your country go into depression?”

Huge assumption. We are discussing the Fighter of the Decade here. But since you brought up depression, how many years did yours last?

“Really, you want some guy with brain damage running your country? Why don’t you get your sh*t together?”

Psychologists are the ones brain damaged. Unfortunately, in this case, it is a contagious disorder spread by way of lectures.

And the latter: Why don’t you get your sh*t together?”

Those parental yellings from early years must be causing Mr. Carolla nightmares during the wee hours. He seems to be repeating the lack of love - verbatim. Lesson: parents, love your children. They are fragile.

Weaknesses of the Modern Male

Carolla is symbolic of the modern male. The ancient man had rituals to beat weakness out of him. Pain instilled - and forced - responsibility, a sense of respect and self-worth and belonging. His tribe forced him into the risky woods at a tender age. He was forced to confront danger, and death, even before puberty, to ready him for the great trials of the village, and of his own life.

The Carolla male is bred weak - protected by a politically correct, confused world. Modernity's rituals encourage escapism, weakness, moral relativity, and confusion. Lack of clarity. The Carolla male plays video games, the mind escapes realities via television and movies. His eyes are no longer sharp, they have softened from the marshmallows of satire as a secondary and poor substitute of reality.

The Carolla male breeds - it does not raise. It clings. Easily frightened, but now protected by the spherical charge of police states. It no longer ventures into something hard and death-ridden, and never will have discovered the essence of indomitable will. During the times of the Second World War, the Carolla male would have been the first to suffer death - killed by a lustful bayonet. Fed to lions as scrap of meat in Roman settings.

Carolla's statements are not viewed in light of current boxing circumstances - that would be debating with an empty mind. Or encouraging a fool's tongue. These statements are symptomatic of a cultural bare. Times when male is endangered. When child does not become man. Of the destruction of ancient - and brutal - processes that allow (and encourage) teenager to remain child even in his 30s, 40s, and 50s.

The modern man is incapable of growing up. He rebels for no reason. He is angry at nothing. Existential with everything. His opinions are easy and passing. Morals are loose. There is no longer a right or a wrong. Pleasure is his God. Money and sex are his temples. Video games are his sanctuary. His child spirit is entrapped in a decaying 50-year old body. He has known poor pleasures, substitutes for the juices of a fulfilled life. He lays in his dying bed, a life full of activity, never really having accomplished anything - except for consumption. His quest for gratification killed him a long time ago.

As I Lay Dying

William Faulkner, a Nobel Prize winner and one of literature's greatest writers, wrote As I Lay Dying. Funny how in this novel, we find a carpenter building a coffin for his mother. There is an insane character. The father, with false teeth, often has simultaneous feelings of shame and pride. As Carolla lays dying in his deathbed, he may yet realize that his comical rants got him paid, only to the gross regression of modernity, of the continued self-destruction of the contemporary male. Quite an applaudable legacy.

Carolla has no useful truths - no magical views into the soul. He's a dying, reductionist, and unappreciative corpse. None of his listeners becomes smarter - none becomes a better human being from his airwaves. His audience is reduced to pathetic losers and whiners. Give them a Big Mac so they can advance their penchant for obesity. His views represent overt aspects of the male psyche that dares not to accept responsibility or sense of duty. He furthers cynicism.

Carolla's curse is that he cannot escape from himself. He is a warning to young adolescents - an urban tragedy motif. He cuts down role models and exemplars of success. Jealous.

But the kind who smiles in the presence of Pacquiao. In his formative years, he grew a wishbone instead of growing a spine. He numbs people's pain and day-to-day drudgery - pretending to be a pulpit. He is a drug on the airwaves - a distraction for the miserable. He attempts to rationalize, but any effort is bound to fail. A fool's tongue harbors an empty mind - a weak, lesser, dishonorable psyche.

Source: examiner.com