Freddie Roach: “Georges St-Pierre Really Didn’t Know Much About Boxing” -- 5th Round

By Tom Ngo, 5thRound.com

After spending one intense week with Georges St-Pierre this past May, legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach confirmed what everybody had already known – that GSP is one heck of a guy. Non-violent depictions aside, Roach added the UFC welterweight king is far from being a polished boxer, but is doing everything in his power to get there.

“He’s like a sponge, he took in what I taught him and really practiced. He would come back the next day and know the move,” Roach told Fighthub.com. “I’d say ‘You went home and practiced that move all night long’ and he would just smile at me.”

The 29-year-old is currently enjoying a seven fight-winning streak and holds a dominant 20-2 mark overall. Despite his impressive resume, the haters have poured it on pretty thick because of the “conservative” fighter he’s morphed into after getting slapped silly by Matt Serra at UFC 69 in April 2007 – arguably the biggest upset in MMA history.

In an attempt to silence his critics, GSP headed West to recruit the services of Mr. Roach – who has tutored the likes of Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao.

“He’s a great guy. Working with one of the best guys in the sport, it’s kind of an honor for me to help guys like that out,” Roach added. “[He] really didn’t know much about boxing per se, but ability-wise, he absorbed everything I taught him.”

St-Pierre will put his title on the line against Josh Koscheck after the two complete their assignments as opposing coaches on the 12th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Freddie, will you be making a cameo in the popular Spike TV reality show?

“He asked me about making an appearance on his show, he’s a coach I said ‘I won’t show them what I showed you,”’ Roach said with a smile.

Source: 5thround.com

8th boxing title for Pacquiao excites Arum -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

The prospects of Manny Pacquiao winning an eighth world title in as many weight classes is making Bob Arum forget about Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

As the ultimatum issued by Arum for Mayweather to make a decision nears, the Hall of Fame promoter is readying a couple of attractive alternatives for Pacquiao, who is likewise excited to win an unprecedented eighth world crown.

Pacquiao is widely recognized as a seven-division world champion and even if a fight with Mayweather does not materialize this year, the Filipino can still look forward to a historic night.

“If Manny fights Miguel Cotto, it could be in a Middle Eastern country and if it’s Antonio Margarito, it could be in a 20,000-seat arena in Monterrey,” said Arum on Wednesday from Las Vegas, where he has been keenly awaiting word from Mayweather to issue a statement regarding a proposed November 13 showdown with Pacquiao.

Cotto of Puerto Rico holds the WBO super-welterweight crown and if Pacquiao clashes with Margarito, it would be for the vacant WBC version of the 154-lb throne.

Pacquiao has won world titles at flyweight, super-bantam, feather, superrfeather, lightweight, junior-welter and welterweight, a feat not even the legendary Sugar Ray Leonard has achieved, winning just five.

“My meeting with representatives from that Middle Eastern country went very well,” said Arum.

Arum is giving Mayweather until the end of this week to make a decision.

Meanwhile, Arum said super-flyweight Nonito Donaire, the lone Filipino who won over the weekend in Puerto Rico, will be showcased in a big promotion versus world bantam king Fernando Montiel of Mexico in November.

“It won’t be in the undercard of a Pacquiao fight,” said Arum, who boasts that everything is green and go for such a matchup unless Montiel loses this weekend.

Montiel is meeting Rafael Concepcion of Panama this Saturday in Mexico City.

If Montiel survives Concepcion — which ringsiders believe he will — Donaire will be next in line.

Source: mb.com.ph

Manny Pacquiao's Adviser Michael Koncz Speaks Out -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

In one of 2010's most exciting nearly two rounds of boxing action, challenger Bernabe Concepcion of the Philippines scored a first-round knockdown, but was floored three times himself during last Saturday's Showtime-televised, second-round knockout losss to WBO featherweight (126 pounds) champion Juan Manuel Lopez.

In defeat, the 22-year-old Concepcion (28-4-1, with 15 KOs) may have done more for his career than he had in his previous bouts, including an August, seventh-round disqualification loss to then-WBO champ, Steven Luevano, when he flattened the titlist with an errant punch long after the bell ending the seventh round.

But the aftermath of Lopez-Concepcion has gotten ugly for Michael Koncz, one of the fighters' handlers as a partner with seven-divison champion, Manny Pacquiao in the WBO welterweight (147 pound) titlist's MP promotions. An adviser to Pacquiao, Koncz has taken criticism from some members of the Filipino press who perceive him to be responsible for having pushed Concepcion into a fight that was beyond his capabilities to win.

In this Q&A, FanHouse sought Koncz's reaction to that criticism as well as that he has taken for the handling of other boxers in the MP promotional stable such as light flyweight (108 pounds) Rodel Mayol (26-5-2, 20 KOs) and flyweight (112 pounds) Richie Mepranum (22-2-1, five KOs).


FanHouse: So Mike, is it your perception that there are shots being taken at you as Manny Pacquiao's adviser and his partner handling the fighters at MP Promotions?

Michael Koncz: Taking the shots as Manny Pacquiao's adviser? No problem. That's part of my job and I'm willing to do that in order to -- I don't know if this is the right term -- but to save Manny from some of the wrong doings. I'm willing to do that.

But right now, it's not the negative criticism of me being Manny's adviser, but it's the negative criticism about MP Promotions and myself. And, first of all, all of the matches that I make with our boxers, I discuss that with my partner at MP Promotions, who is Manny.

And then Manny and I discuss it with the boxer. So, it's really up to the boxer. We give our advice and our opinions, but they're never threatened like, 'you take this fight, or you will never fight again.'


What is your take on all of this outcry that has come as a result of the loss by Bernabe Concepcion?

Specific to this most recent fight involving Bernabe Concepcion, when that fight was offered to us prior to his last fight with Mario Santiago [won by Concepcion via 10-round decision] --that's when the discussion was.

Now Bernabe had a very poor showing and we were very disappointed in him against Steven Luevano. That's a fight that Bernabe should have won within four or five rounds by knockout. But forever reason, he didn't perform.


Because he was disqualified for hitting after the bell?

Well, forget even that shot. He should have taken Luevano out way before that because he was a better boxer than Steven. So the discussion was that we'll give Bernabe a shot against this individual [Santiatgo,] and if he can beat this guy, then we have the opportunity for a title shot.

So this fight with Juan Manuel Lopez was not something that we did over night. This goes back to even before his last fight. That was the idea. If Bernabe showed good against Santiago, then we would get a title shot. So it was well planned out.

And that's how we do it. First I get the opportunity at a match, which I discuss with Manny, because he's my partner at MP Promotions, and I value his opinion as a boxer. And then we both felt Bernabe would have a tough fight.

But we felt that with the right game plan, that Bernabe had a very good chance of winning this fight.


What happened?

Unfortunately, the game plan that the trainer, Buoboy Fernandez, and Bernabe decided to use was absurd. I spoke to them all week, and we said, 'What does Bernabe have to do?' We talked to him before the training camp all of that time about the fight strategy. Manny's response?

'It's the same thing, Mike, that I told you before -- he's got to extend his punches, don't throw those short punches, give him angles and lateral movement, and throw combinations and get out. He can not stand in front of Lopez, who is a fabulous counter-puncher.'

We wanted to take him into the later rounds. Lopez has a tendency to tire out in the later rounds and Bernabe seems to have more power than Lopez, Manny and I felt, in the later rounds, that was when we felt a knockout would come if it was going to come.

Now, for some reason, fighter and the trainer, even though we had talked about the strategy many times during the week, they elected to go with a different game plan, which was the wrong game plan. So, that's what happened there.


Now, Bernabe Concepcion still is a young boxer with a lot of talent and a bright future, right?

Right, but now, I'll talk to Manny again, we'll give Bernabe another fight, and then we'll discuss with Bernabe if he wants to have the winner of Lopez and Rafael Marquez.

Nothing has changed. We still believe that Bernabe has the ability and the skill and the determination to beat either of those boxers. But he has to follow the game plan. Now, how can I get angry at Bernabe?

And he spoke to me right after the fight because he sensed the frustration in me. And I was very disappointed, and I expressed my disappointment in the locker room to the whole team. It was like, 'What the hell are you guys doing?'

We were supposed to box and give him angles. 'Why did you guys go toe-to-toe?' And, Bernabe was like, 'You know, I'm sorry, but I was listening to my corner.' And I'm the one that's always telling him that you have to have faith, trust and listen to your corner.'

So, there's not much that you can scold him on. But, again, it was a decision that was made by the fighter and the corner, and it was the wrong decision and it yielded a bad result. So, next time, hopefully they will listen to Manny and I.


Don't you believe that Bernabe raised his stature in the game by his performance?

Well, you can't baby the guy. Forget his age. He's had a lot of fights. Boxing is about taking chances with opportunities provided. Thank God, even though he lost the fight, it saved the television broadcast because it was an exciting fight.

Showtime is very happy. Even though it only went two rounds, it was the most exciting two rounds they said that they had had in a long time. But, again, we want to perform well enough for the network, but that's not our primary goal.

Our primary goal is to make sure that the fighter has a chance and performs and does the best that he can to win.


So do you believe that Bernabe will be better for this fight overall?

Yes. Bernabe is good that way, and he learns from his mistakes. I'm not a trainer, and I don't profess to be the trainer. I consult with Manny.

Manny's perception is that that's what they worked on in the gym -- the head movement, the combinations, the angles, the footwork -- it was unbelievable how good Bernabe looked. They were so confident and they were so sure that they were going to win this fight.

When Lopez went back to his corner after the first round -- and I watched the tape of the fight today -- I mean, he staggered into that corner. Throughout that whole sit-down in the corner Lopez didn't even know where he was.


So where is the criticism coming from and what do you believe is the source of it?

Well, I think they're just resentful. What these guys forget is that who got Rodel Mayol five shots at a world title in a year and a half? Who gave Bernabe Concepcion two title shots within six months? I mean, we're giving opportunities to our boxers.

And like Manny asked me, 'What happened in the Mayol fight [June's unanimous decision loss to Omar Nino Romero for WBC title]? I was in Mexico. I said, 'Manny, he was winning the first five, six rounds, and then, he got tired.'

Manny's response to me was, 'Mike, that's not your problem. That's the trainer's problem and the fighter's problem. Don't worry about it.' Because Manny knows that I take things personal when it comes to the fighters.

I feel for tehm and it's hard to explain. So he said, 'it's not your problem. We did what we're supposed to. We gave them the opportunity. How they train and if they don't train properly, that's not our problem, that's the trainer's problem.'


Why do you believe that it's coming at your expense?

Because what media is going to attack Manny? They're not going to attack Manny. Unfortunately, alleged investigative reporters are not the best investigative reporters. The only regret that I have in Bernabe's fight, and it's not like I just said, 'Bernabe, go fight the guy.'

All of the fights that we make are such that Manny and I discuss the match first, and then we discuss it with the fighters, and give them our opinion, and it's ultimately the fighter's decision. I would do it all over again and I plan on doing it all over again if Bernabe wants to do it all over again.

He'll have another fight, maybe two, but probably one more fight. And if he wins that fight, we're going to go after a rematch either with Lopez or Rafael Marquez. Did Bernabe lose because he was out-matched? I don't believe so.

I believe that he lost because of a very poor choice in the game plan. Based on the comments Showtime's people are making, they're very happy with the result of the fight -- not just because of who won or who lost -- but of the dynamics and the drama in the fight.

You get certain members of the media who decide to write certain things, but not once have you had one of our boxers that is with Manny or myself complain publicly.

Now, why is that? If these things were happening that a small number of reporters are alleging, don't you believe that a boxer would come forward and complain about them?

The fighters have a good rapport with me, and they know that I'm honest with them and I spend as much time with them as I can. They know that Manny is busy and he can't do that. Again, you don't have any fighters complaining.

Just the self-serving, propaganda media members.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Bert Sugar: “I don’t see it happening. Mayweather might be afraid of losing” -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com

As each day passes by Floyd Mayweather’s window of opportunity gets smaller and smaller. Top Rank boss Bob Arum let it be known a while ago that the undefeated, Las Vegas-based fighter has until the end of this week to decide whether or not to move forward with a proposed mega fight with Manny Pacquiao. All sticking points have appeared to be agreed upon and all that seems to be left is whether or not Floyd will sign the contract for the bout.

One man who has had some serious disappointment with Mayweather in recent times is old school boxing historian Bert Sugar. This past April Sugar stated his displeasure with Mayweather’s proposed Olympic Style drug testing scenario that he presented during the first round of negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao. Now that Pacquiao has apparently accepted Floyd’s demands the ball is in the Grand Rapids fighter’s court yet Sugar is far from optimistic.

“I don’t see it happening,” Sugar told the Examiner earlier tonight in regards to a pontential Pacquiao-Mayweather clash. “At least not this year. I don’t and never did.”

People seem to be split as to Floyd’s exact motivations behind his reluctance to sign. Some feel as though he is simply biding his time to milk the public’s interest while others genuinely think he is concerned about having to face a fighter of Pacquiao’s caliber. Sugar’s opinion seems to be that the fighter has grown comfortable with his undefeated status and is still soaking in the aftermath of his victory over Shane Mosley this past May.

“I think he’s got enough money,” Sugar said. “He doesn’t want to fight right now. He’s not afraid of Pacquiao. He might be afraid of losing. If you ever talk to him he will tell you in eight seconds or less that he’s the greatest fighter ever because he’s never lost and he has a chance here of losing.”

In agreeing to Mayweather’s demands for Olympic style drug testing, Pacquiao has seemed to call Floyd’s bluff in many ways. When the initial talks between the two sides dissolved earlier this year that was the one hold up that stood out and Sugar thinks that Floyd has pinned himself in a corner for the moment.

“The first time around with the Olympic style blood testing, really that was a cover for money,” Sugar claimed. “He wants the lion’s share of the purse and that’s not going to happen. In fact there are already movements for November 13th for Pacquiao to fight somebody else if they don’t hear from him by the end of this week.”

The two named being mentioned to step in if Floyd doesn’t move forward with the fight are former champion Antonio Margarito and newly crowned WBA Jr. Middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto, whom Pacquiao defeated last November via 12th round TKO at the MGM Grand. Asked if it would be disappointing to see Manny face off with either man in the wake of another fallout with Floyd, Sugar seems to be split.

“Somewhat,” he conceded. “But they still drew numbers, close to 800,000 for the Pay per view for Clottey. And if it is Margarito they will do the same if not more.”

Margarito is still attempting to restore his luster after being suspended from the California State Athletic commission after it was discovered that he had elements of plaster of paris in his hand wraps prior to his January 2009 loss to Shane Mosley. Margarito recently applied for a license in Nevada but the panel voted 4-1 to table his application, leaving his fighting future in the States in question. Sugar feels the decision was just yet doesn’t discredit the danger that the Tijuana fighter brings to the ring.

“It was the right decision,” Sugar said. “California is the state that suspended him and that is where the appeal should be. Anybody who can hit like he can is a challenge. Plus he’s also much bigger.”

Cotto’s TKO loss at the hands of Pacquiao was punishing and left doubts as to whether he would be able to still compete at a world class level thereafter. Early last month, however, Cotto rebounded with a commanding ninth round stoppage over Yuri Foreman at Yankee Stadium. The win has put the Puerto Rican’s name back in the rumor mill for another fight with Pacquiao yet when asked if he feels that Cotto rejuvenated his career with his latest victory, Sugar isn’t sold.

“Yes and no,” he said. “He beat a one-legged man in a sack race is all I saw. The guy had big matza balls and that was about it."

With the recent turn of events promoter Dan Goosen has stepped to the forefront with the insistence that his fighter, Paul Williams, should be next in line to face Pacquiao if the Mayweather fight falls apart. Sugar can see his reasoning but feels a Williams-Pacquiao clash isn’t on Arum’s agenda in the slightest.

“He’s got to. That’s his man. But I just don’t see it. Bob has a stable and he wants to fight in the stable. If Mayweather is not there, good. They gave him until Friday and he can either come back or go away.”

Brutally honest stuff from Sugar and as this goes to print the clock continues to tick. Friday is just around the corner and then we will all have our answer, whether good or bad.

Source: examiner.com

Kelly Pavlik-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Planned For Dec. 4 -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Mexican middleweight (160 pounds) prospect Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will fight on Sept. 11 likely in Mexico, before being matched in a Dec. 4 clash with former world champion, Kelly Pavlik, at Cowboys Stadium, Top Rank Promotions CEO,Bob Arum, told FanHouse on Tuesday.

BoxingScene.com originally reported Pavlik-Chavez plans.

The 24-year-old Chavez (41-0-1, 30 knockouts) was originally targeting a bout on Sept. 25. But that date had to be moved forward since Chavez shares trainer, Freddie Roach, with seven-division titlist Manny Pacquiao who is scheduled to begin his camp workouts on Sept. 13 for an anticipated Nov. 13 ring return against Floyd Mayweather, Antonio Margarito, or Miguel Cotto, Arum said.

"Chavez's next fight is going to be on Sept. 11 because Manny Pacquiao's training camp will start in the Philippines on Sept. 13, and Freddie Roach, who trains Chavez, has to leave on that Sunday for the Philippines," said Arum. "Therefore, Freddie asked us if we could shift the fight, and we agreed. So we moved Chavez's fight from Sept. 11 to Sept. 25."

Arum said that no opponent has been chosen for Chavez as of yet.

"We're going to get the best available guy that we can get for him to fight," said Arum. "Because Chavez is going to need that going into the Pavlik fight in December. Both sides have agreed to the fight in December, and Bruce Trampler is looking for a September opponent for Chavez."

The 28-year-old Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) is coming off of April's unanimous decision loss to Argentinian-born southpaw Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 24 knockouts), who dethroned him as WBO and WBC middleweight champion despite being out-weighed, 178-to-167, by the time the two fighters entered the ring.

Pavlik lost steam in the latter stages of the bout, and had considered a move to the super middlweight (168 pounds) division after having complained of having to lose too much weight to make the 160 category.

But Pavlik has since changed his mind, according to Arum.

"We gave Kelly Pavlik the option of going to 168 or staying at 160, and he said that he would rather stay at 160," said Arum. "Kelly says that, with a nutritionist, he has no problem making 160 pounds."

The next move, said Arum, was a call to Roach, who has worked one fight with Chavez.

"So then, in lining up an opponent for Pavlik, I called Freddie, and Freddie gave the go ahead for a Pavlik fight because Chavez is looking for a big fight," said Arum.

"That fight, to me, is a significant fight. It will attract a lot of attention, and I expect to do that fight in The Dallas Cowboys' Stadium," said Arum. "And we're going to load up the card, and it's going to be a great night of boxing. It will be the last big card of the year."

The son of the former multi-world champion by the same name, Chavez is coming off of last month's unanimous decision over New York's John Duddy (29-2, 18 KOs) at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

What is Floyd's decision going to be? -- Examiner

By Matt Stolow, Examiner.com

Just about four days to go before the free world is due a decision by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as to if he will fight Manny Pacquiao in November, next year or ever.

I don't know which way this is going to go. I never thought giving Floyd an ultimatum would be the best way to go but the clock is ticking.

I believe Floyd has already made his decision.

Would the general public buy a Pacquiao rematch with Miguel Cotto? What about an Antonio Margarito fight in Mexico? How about a Paul Williams fight?

Promoter Bob Arum is trying to put his best options out there but the fight is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao and a decision simply has to be made and not put off for next year or any other time.

Eventually, Arum is going to have to find new meat for Pacquiao to fight as Mayweather might opt out and Margarito may remain suspended. If Margarito wants to fight in Mexico, it creates other problems such as a lack of casino money. Cotto seems a safe rematch fight the public would buy.

Williams has some intrigue but he's so much bigger than Pacquiao in a freakish way that if Pacquiao passed on Yuri Foreman, there would be no way Williams would get a shot at Pacquiao as Williams is bigger than Foreman and is regarded as a top 10 Pound For Pound Fighter.

So it seems we are down to either Mayweather or a Cotto rematch November 13. After that Arum and his Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler need to find a few new bodies to get the public excited about to sustain Pacquiao's career a little bit longer.

Again, the only issues that Mayweather should have are whether or not he gets better than a 50-50 split of the purse and if Pacquiao must adhere to the strict Olympic-style blood testing demands of Mayweather. Anything other than that and Mayweather doesn't want the fight on any date.

Source: examiner.com

"Money" on the clock for big-fight approval -- Miami Herald

By Lyle Fitzsimmons, Sports Network

Contrary to some folks' belief, I don't have a direct line to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

We don't hang out together. I'm not on the promotional payroll.

Nor am I expecting Christmas cards this season from either Michigan or Vegas.

But if I really did have the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world's ear, I can promise you one thing. I'd have a very simple message for him today.

And it'd go something like this:

"Floyd," to borrow a phrase my mom used to use, "it's time to (expletive) or get off the pot."

Admittedly, each time I heard Alice Fitzsimmons use those words, they were directed at the back of a car moving at what she viewed as less-than-optimal speed for the lane it was driving.

More often than not, it didn't work. But somehow, it helped.

In this case, I don't figure the end result will be much different.

I don't pretend for a moment that Floyd or a member of his crew will read this and suddenly exclaim, "You know, that Lyle guy has got it right. Get Bob Arum on the phone. It's time to sign a contract."

It probably won't happen. But it certainly should.

Because in this one sector of the gag-free speculation committee, each day that passes without an official thumbs-up from Arum, Richard Schaefer or the fighters themselves makes it less likely the thing happens at all - this year, next year or ever.

If what's been reported is true and Mayweather's sign-off is really the lone remaining obstacle, a time will soon come for Arum and Pacquiao to throw up their hands, say "we tried our best" and move on to more-willing quarry wandering the welterweight/junior middleweight plains.

And if that happens, they'll be dead right in doing so.

But don't fret, Pac fans, such a decision hardly means overdrawn checkbooks for Manny.

With Margarito, Cotto, Berto and others angling to share spots on the marquee - if not in the actual ring - his dance card will be lucratively full for as long as he dabbles in both worldwide pound-for-pound violence and local Filipino politics.

He'll hold onto a share of the 147-pound pie, add a slice seven pounds north and eventually retire to the Manila statehouse with enough belt-borne jewelry to spike the GDP.

Mayweather, meanwhile, will have a much tougher fight on his hands.

Defending his street creed, or, more accurately, what'll be left of it.

Though his No. 1 status remains secure to those deeding it to him, the unbeaten record he so loudly and frequently cherishes would take a gigantic - and well-warranted - hit should he simply choose not to meet Pacquiao.

The reasons won't matter.

Purse splits. Drug tests. Retirement thoughts. Whatever.

If all negotiated hoops have been jumped through and there's still no dotted- line ink on his side of the contract come deadline day, every claim to greatness he's ever had will hold a little less water for those continuing to argue the case.

Trust me, I know the drill. I've seen all the wins - Corrales, Castillo, Gatti, Judah, De La Hoya, Mosley, etc. - and I'm as big a fan of his as there is. Fight or no fight, he gets "all-time great" treatment from me whenever he's done for good.

And until this pivotal week arrived, little else had changed.

I believe he deserves more money. I'm in favor of stringent drug testing. I think he beats Pacquiao - decisively so - if and when the matchup ever comes off.

And I'd have continued to back him today had the last sticking point been whether Manny could overcome his superstitions about needles within three weeks of fight night.

It was the right stance for Floyd last winter. It would be right again this fall.

But if all that's taken care of and Pacquiao's out there and he walks... then this one's on him. And with it, all bets are off limiting the words that'll one day be used to construct his legacy.

"Multi-division champion" is replaced by "elitist front-runner."

"Defensive genius" gets shouldered aside for "safety-first tactician."

"Took on all comers" takes a back seat to "avoided the top opponents."

And at that point, whether it's largely untrue or decidedly unfair is immaterial.

By nixing the sport's premier financial windfall and the publicity bells and whistles that ride shotgun, it's a long-term semantic bed he'd be making for himself. And nothing much he could offer after the fact - via reasoned logic, petulant chest-thumping or other means - would do much to make it go away.

In the end, only Floyd really knows if he wants the fight, thinks he can win it and is willing to endure a grind that'd confirm a spot alongside Ali, Robinson and other past legends.

But it sure would be nice if he'd give us a hint.

Or at least let the next guy have the porcelain.

* * * * *

This week's title-fight schedule:

SATURDAY

WBC/WBO bantamweight title - Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico

Fernando Montiel (champion) vs. Rafael Concepcion (No. 15 WBC/No. 12 WBO contender)

Montiel (41-2-2, 31 KO): Second WBO title defense; Nineteenth title fight (16-2, 12 KO)

Concepcion (14-4-1, 8 KO): First title fight; Fifth fight outside Panama (2-2, 1 KO)

Fitzbitz says: "Montiel's been better longer at bantam, which should pay off here." Montiel in 9

WBO light heavyweight title - Schwerin, Germany

Juergen Braehmer (champion) vs. Alejandro Lakatos (No. 8 contender)

Braehmer (36-2, 29 KO): Third title defense; Five-fight win streak since 2008 (5-0, 4 KO)

Lakatos (31-5-2, 23 KO): Third title fight (0-2, 0 KO); Lost WBO title shots in 2001 and 2004

Fitzbitz says: "Title shot a nice, albeit ultimately painful, parting gift for an aging Spaniard." Braehmer in 10

Last week's picks: 1-0 Overall picks record: 208-72 (74.2 percent)

Lyle Fitzsimmons is an award-winning 21-year sports journalist, a full voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a frequent contributor to sports radio talk shows throughout the U.S. E-mail him at fitzbitz@msn.com or follow him at twitter.com/fitzbitz.

Source: miamiherald.com

Manny Pacquiao Will Pursue Eighth Crown if Floyd Mayweather Balks -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion Manny Pacquiao could pursue an eighth crown in as many different weight classes against WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) king, Miguel Cotto, or, ex-world champion, Antonio Margarito -- the latter for the WBC's junior middleweight crown, according to Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum.

If a deal can not be reached for the 31-year-old Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) to face 33-year-old Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs), Arum said that he would move ahead with options of matching the Filipino star against the 32-year-old Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) or the 29-year-old Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs).

Pacquiao, who dethroned Cotto as WBO welterweight champion with a 12th-round knockout in November, could face Margarito or Cotto in a Middle Eastern country or Mexico, said Arum, who did not specify which of the two fighters Pacquiao would meet first.

"That's still to be decided which of them Manny fights first. That depends where the fight will be. But I will say that we had another very good meeting with representatives from the Mid-East country, and it's going to be wild," said Arum, who has mentioned Monterrey, Mex., as one site, but would not reveal which Middle Eastern country he is referring to.

"They're now willing to do the fight in the morning over there, which will coincide with a regular evening time here in the United States," said Arum. "So pay per view wouldn't be much affected. It's going to be a blockbuster if that's what happens."

Arum and Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz said that their fighter has agreed in principle to put his crown on the line against Mayweather, whom they have given until mid-July -- or this coming weekend -- to sign the contract for their Nov.k 13 bout.

"We're waiting on our options with Floyd Mayweather before considering either of those two as opponents. And we have not made a decision as to whether Manny would be going to fight Cotto or Margarito. If we thought that we were going to receive a contract next week, do you think that I would be looking around to see what our options are? Probably not," Koncz told FanHouse last week.

"So we're considering all of our options because, in another week, we don't want to be caught with our pants down," said Koncz. If the fight is made with Floyd, and if he signs the contract, then so be it. And if he doesn't sign it, we're not sitting around waiting, as I have said many times. So we're preparing to move on, looking at our options in the event that we don't receive a contract from Floyd."

Pacquiao will fight on Nov. 13 likely "no matter what," said Arum, adding that a bout with Mayweather could happen "next year in May" if not in the fall.

"Whether Manny fights Margarito or Cotto, either way, it's for a super welterweight [154 pounds] championship. Either way, Manny would be fighting for his eighth title," said Arum, adding that Pacquiao-Margarito would be for the crown vacated by Argentinian-born southpaw, Sergio Martinez, who is also the WBC's middleweight (160 pounds) belt-holder.

"The WBC super welterweight championship is against Margarito because he's [No. 1] at that weight," Arum said . "And Sergio Martinez had that title and he vacated that WBC crown to keep the WBC middleweight title. So Margarito and Manny Pacquiao would be fighting for that title."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Mayweather up against fight deadline -- ESPN

By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com

Bracing for the increasing likelihood that Floyd Mayweather Jr. will not fight Manny Pacquiao in November, Pacquiao's adviser has met with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum in Las Vegas to look over alternative plans.

While awaiting Mayweather's decision -- Arum told ESPN.com that Friday is the deadline -- Michael Koncz and Arum on Monday discussed proposals for Pacquiao to fight former welterweight titlist Antonio Margarito or face Miguel Cotto in a rematch in the event Mayweather declines the Nov. 13 fight.

"We're ready to go on with the Mayweather fight," Arum said, "but we have to make contingency plans just in case and I don't really want to talk about that too much. But Mayweather has until the end of the week. He could wait until the last minute. If it's Friday and it's 11 p.m., and he says we have a deal, we have a deal."

Arum and Koncz said they were hopeful Mayweather would accept the deal, but that they had to be prepared in the event he doesn't. Arum has said for weeks that Mayweather's camp has a contract for the fight and that Pacquiao has accepted the terms, including provisions for drug testing (blood and urine) leading up to the bout.

When Pacquiao and Mayweather were negotiating during December and January for a fight in March, the talks fell apart when they could not come to an agreement on drug testing protocol.

Pacquiao then went on to easily outpoint Joshua Clottey to retain his welterweight title in March, while Mayweather dominated Shane Mosley in May.

"We're waiting on Floyd," Arum said. "He might not want to fight again this year. If he wants to say, 'See you next year,' there's always next year. But I don't think we can't wait much longer for him to make up his mind because if we do the fight we want to make it as big as we can make it, and that takes time. I think Floyd will give us the courtesy of a response one way or the other. What that response will be, I really don't know.

"That's the fight we want and that's the fight we're in for, but if we can't do that fight there are other opponents."

Koncz and Arum wouldn't go into specifics of the terms on the table for the fight with Mayweather but Koncz said "a 50-50 deal was proposed and there was no argument against it."

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, recently said that if the bout does not happen, Cowboys Stadium would host a Nov. 13 bout between Pacquiao and an undetermined opponent.

Koncz said Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather, which would match the universally regarded top two fighters in boxing and one many believe would set pay-per-view and revenue records, but is prepared to move on.

"We don't know what Mayweather is going to do. Last week, I had dinner with Cotto in Puerto Rico to see where he stands and he's willing and able to do a rematch with Manny," Koncz said. "Bob and I have spoken about both fights, Cotto and Margarito. Manny asked me to get proposals from Bob on both fights, so that's what I am doing.

"We haven't heard back from Floyd yet and if we don't in the next few days, we will enter into a deal with one of the other fighters. Bob and I have spoken about both Cotto and Margarito. We will have a done deal and a signed contract for a fight by the end of this month, whoever it's against -- Mayweather, Cotto or Margarito."

Pacquiao's victory against Cotto netted him a title in a record seventh weight division. If he fights either Cotto or Margarito, Arum said Pacquiao will move up to the 154-pound junior middleweight division and fight for a belt in a record-extending eighth weight class. Pacquiao has already won titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140 and 147 pounds.

If Pacquiao were to fight Cotto, Arum said he would challenge for Cotto's WBA belt. After the loss to Pacquiao, Cotto bounced back by moving up in weight and stopping Yuri Foreman on June 5 to win a junior middleweight belt.

If Pacquiao were to fight Margarito, Arum said they would meet for the vacant WBC version of the title, which Sergio Martinez relinquished after he won the middleweight championship in April.

A potential fight with Margarito, however, is complicated by the fact that he is not licensed in the United States because of the 2009 scandal in which he attempted to wear loaded hand wraps for his eventual knockout loss to Mosley. Nevada regulators tabled Margarito's application for a license last week and said it would not vote on it until Margarito first went before the California commission that revoked his license after last year's incident.

Arum and Koncz both said that if the Margarito fight comes to fruition and he is still unlicensed in the United States, they would consider an international location.

"It would be nice to have the fight in Las Vegas, but we can fight anywhere," Koncz said.

Pacquiao's 12th-round knockout win against Cotto drew 1.25 million pay-per-view buys and generated $70 million in domestic television revenue. However a rematch, or one with Margarito, would probably be more of a hard sell compared to one with Mayweather. The hand-wrap scandal has tarnished Margarito's reputation. Pacquiao's fight with Cotto did big business but it had a definitive conclusion and a rematch is not a fight that fans are demanding.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com.

Source: sports.espn.go.com