Ortiz says he's ready to rock Mayweather -- OC Register

By MARK WHICKER, The Orange County Register

VENTURA – They wouldn't be upsets if you could see them coming.

Coffee cups dropped on floors all over the world when Leon Spinks knocked off Muhammad Ali.

The unofficial "Yeah, right" record was set when people heard the bulletins from Tokyo: Buster Douglas really had stopped Mike Tyson.

The Las Vegas bookmakers think Victor Ortiz is swimming upstream when he meets the unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand.

If Mayweather agreed to fight Ortiz, the reasoning goes, he must know he will win.

That's why Mayweather hasn't fought Manny Pacquiao, because he really doesn't want to put the "0" in his 41-0 record within Pacquiao's artillery range.

All of that makes sense.

But you never see history coming.

On Thursday, Ortiz lay on the floor at his training gym, a converted garage in the back of an industrial park, and propped his legs against a wall. He missed a workout last week because of back problems.

But three weeks before that, he entered a triathlon at Camp Pendleton. A triathlon is something for which you train, not a training tool for boxing.

"They had 2,500 people and I finished ninth," Ortiz said. "This time, the guys who were with me put me in the elite bracket. I said, dude, this is my weekend off. They said, come on, Vic, just do it. But it felt good. I didn't even try that hard."

Ortiz likes to surf. He spent a year and a half at Ventura College, in between two jobs and training. He says he wants to get through boxing cogently enough to "dive out of a plane if I want to. At the end of the day boxing isn't what defines me. I'm Victor, not Vicious. That's my other persona. I don't even know that guy."

The party line from Camp Ortiz is that Mayweather has dodged more than just uppercuts.

"He's never fought anybody in his prime," said Danny Garcia, Ortiz's trainer. "Everybody's been either too old or too young."

Ortiz is only 24, a decade younger than Mayweather, but he is 29-2-2 with 22 knockouts. With a jarring right jab and a big left hook, he has floored everyone he has fought.

He was flying toward pay-per-view stardom when he got cut by Marcos Maidana on June 27, 2009, and the referee stopped the fight after six rounds.

"I don't deserve to get beat up like this. I have a lot of thinking to do," he said in the post-fight interview, a cryptic remark that, understandably, followed him around.

"We can thank our good friend Max Kellerman (the interviewer) for that," Ortiz said, smiling. "He ruined me for two years, but I should say thank you, because it made me stronger."

Ortiz went to the back of the line. He left Bob Arum's organization and signed with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy.

"I told them I wanted Andre Berto," he said. Both Ortiz and Berto went down twice, but Ortiz won a bravura unanimous decision and the WBC welterweight title.

"Now I want Mayweather," Ortiz told Golden Boy matchmaker Eric Gomez.

"And everybody laughed. But Mayweather has never impressed me, ever since I was a kid," Ortiz said. "There's been a lot of hype. He's fought the right fight at the right time. Go home and turn off the sound. He's nothing. Well, not nothing, but not as great as people think.

"I thought he lost to (Jose Luis) Castillo. I thought Oscar was beating him, one-sided, until he stopped using the jab. I don't know that it's really a tough fight."

While Mayweather erupts at family members, Ortiz grew up by himself. His parents' influence was erased by their own substance abuse, and from 13-16 he lived with foster parents Sharon and John Ford in Garden City, Kan.

"I was a little knucklehead, not exactly a demon but I had some demons on my back and shoulders," Ortiz said. "I thought I knew it all. I've apologized to them quite a few times."

He and his younger brother, who lives under Ortiz's custody now, moved to Denver to be with a sister.
Former heavyweight Ron Lyle noticed Ortiz in a gym and began training him; trainer Robert Garcia, now estranged from his brother Danny, noticed Ortiz in a junior Olympics and moved him here.

Compelling life stories don't beat Mayweather, who loves to set the tone with his pre-fight jabber. De La Hoya admitted Mayweather infuriated him.

Ortiz said he has neutralized that already.

"I'm not dumb or anything, but talking to me like that is like talking to a mute, or a tree stump," he said. "I don't listen to a lot. Everything's been done to me."

Amusement danced in his eyes. Ortiz probably will not become the first man to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he does, you've been warned.

Source: ocregister.com

Hearns mulls Mayweather, Pacquiao against himself, Leonard, Hagler -- Ring

By Lem Satterfield, Ring TV

Thomas Hearns ponders who wins between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Paquiao, and how each would do against himself, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Wifredo Benitez or Robert Duran.

RingTV caught up to 52-year-old Thomas Hearns on Tuesday to reflect on his on career as well as those of eight-division belt-winner Manny Pacquiao and six-time title winner Floyd Mayweather Jr.

First, a brief look at the career of Hearns (61-5-1, 48 knockouts), who won six career title belts over as many weight divisions despite "never asking for a catch weight," according to his former trainer Manny Steward.

Hearns weighed 146 pounds when his second-round knockout dethroned Pipino Cuevas for the WBA welterweight belt in August of 1980. Then, Hearns rose to earn the WBC's junior middleweight belt with a 15-round, majority decision over Wilfred Benitez as a 153.5 pounder in December of 1982.

Next, Hearns climbed to light heavyweight and weighed 173.5 for his 10th-round knockout of Dennis Andries for the WBC crown in March of 1987. After that, Hearns dropped to 159.5 for his very next win, a fourth-round stoppage of Juan Domingo Roldan for the WBC's middleweight belt in October of 1987.

Two fights later, a 165.5-pound Hearns decisioned James Kinchen by majority decision for the WBO's super middleweight belt in November of 1988. Finally, Hearns weighed 189 pounds when he won the IBO cruiserweight title by unanimous decision over Nate Miller in April of 1999.

Hearns won another notable fight by second-round stoppage over former belt-holder Roberto Duran in June of 1984. Hearns lost by 14th round knockout to Sugar Ray Leonard in a welterweight unification bout in Sept. 1981, and by third-round knockout to Marvin Hagler in his bid for the undisputed middleweight crown in April of 1985.

In a subject-response talk with RingTV.com, Hearns mulled how Mayweather and Pacquiao would fair against each other as well as in the mix with himself, Leonard, Hagler, Benitez and Duran.

Hearns' thoughts on Mayweather:

"Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an excellent fighter. I will give credit where credit is due. I can not take anything away from Floyd Mayweather.

"Floyd Mayweather is a very smart fighter in the ring. He feints well, and he punches pretty good. I mean he's pretty active while he's in there."

On how Mayweather and Pacquiao would do against himself, Leonard, Hagler, Benitez and Duran:

"I think that he would do pretty good. He's got good head movement and I can't put him down. He's pretty active while he's in there. Floyd Mayweather is an excellent fighter. I have to give him his props. He could last.

"Manny Pacquiao, I think that he's a pretty good fighter too. I think that he would do well. He would do okay. I think that he would do pretty good."

On what his strategy would be in a fight against Mayweather:

"Against me, I would have to respect him. I think that he could go the distance with me. I would have to out-think him and definitely out-jab him. He's a shorter man, so he can't get to me.

"I would have to keep the jab on him and keep him at a distance and force him to use his head movement all of the time. Somewhere down the line, I would probably hit him with a couple of right hands.

"I would probably get him with a good right hand if not an average right hand. If I was to go to the body, you know that might play into what he is probably trying to do strategically.

"I think that if I got closer to him trying to land a body shot, that would be what he wants. So I think that my best thing would be to stay on the outside and just box him. But I think that he could go the distance with me."

On his strategy against Pacquiao:

"He would definitely have to come to me. I would probably just box him and keep boxing him and look for the shot. Yeah, definitely, I would box him and look for the opening. I would give him a good boxing lesson [laughs.]"

On who would win between Mayweather and Pacquiao:

"I would say that it would be an awesome fight between the both of them, but I think that Floyd should win the fight. If Floyd does what he's supposed to do, then I think Floyd wins and that he should be victorious.

"If he doesn't, then Pacquiao will take over the fight. Manny Pacquiao comes to fight. That's all that he wants to do. But I think that the only way that Pacquiao could win is by knockout of Floyd.

"The way that Floyd is going to win is to out-box Manny Pacquiao and to make Manny Pacquiao fall apart."

On whether either Mayweather or Pacquiao could beat him:

"[Laughs.] Listen, they're good fighters, right? Can't take anything away from those guys. But you know anybody who was in my weight division, you know, I would give them hell.

"They would have to be really fighting hard and be ready to absorb a lot of punches to beat me. Because, you know, I ain't going to let anybody just come in and beat me."

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lem.satterfield@gmail.com

Source: ringtv.craveonline.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. on blood tests: He's for them -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

The most problematic issue preventing a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao super-fight has been Mayweather's insistence that both submit to random, Olympic-style blood tests for performance-enhancing drugs.

Mayweather doesn't want to budge from this position because, from his perspective, it's just an extension of the principles he's based his boxing career on: Stay out of harm's way, make a lot of money.

The 34-year-old Mayweather (41-0, 25 knockouts) has long said there's no glory in taking punishment to the head in the boxing ring, and he's established a legacy as one of the greatest defensive fighters in the sport's history.

"I don't care how much money is negotiated," Mayweather said at his Las Vegas gym as he trains for his Sept. 17 fight against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand. "This [performance-enhancing drug testing] is what I want. Look at how these guys end up punch-drunk in this sport.

"I'm sorry, but all of a sudden a guy [Pacquiao] at age 25 becomes a great fighter? I want to be on a level playing field with this guy. We're fighting at the highest level, talking about the biggest fight ever. You should have the greatest testing too," Mayweather said.

Pacquiao, 32, will next fight Nov. 12 against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather stepped over a line in his suspicion of Pacquiao, declaring last year in a video that he believes the Filipino fighter has used "power pellets" to win previous fights. Pacquiao is suing Mayweather in federal court in Nevada for defamation, and Mayweather is overdue to give a deposition in the case.

Despite long-standing bitterness between Mayweather and Pacquiao, and three previous failed fight negotiations, there are signs both camps are closer to reaching an agreement on a drug-testing protocol.

Mayweather dismissed as "hearsay" reports he's balked at lucrative financial guarantees as lofty as $65 million to take on Pacquiao.

As Mayweather talked Friday, a woman who had chatted with him previously during a workout returned, handing him a Las Vegas sports book ticket showing a major bet on the Pittsburgh Steelers-Washington Redskins' preseason NFL game.

"Look what I just won," Mayweather said, revealing a five-figure payoff.

It reinforced his point: He has enough money.

"Anytime I lace them up now, just know it's over $50 million. So it's not about the money. I can get the money in any fight I take," Mayweather said. "It's about me being able to say, 'This is what I want.'"

As part of his contract, Mayweather insisted Ortiz agree to a more stringent drug-testing procedure than the random urine tests required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is performing random blood tests on Mayweather and Ortiz, as it did in Mayweather's most recent fight in May 2010, against Shane Mosley.

Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, says his fighter is willing to accept being subjected to blood testing rules under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, which keeps the blood sample schedule unannounced. Pacquiao had previously said he didn't want to be tested within 14 days of a fight.

"You can't have a window where an athlete knows he'll not be tested," said Travis Tygart, head of the USADA. "Unannounced testing is part of the deterrent."

Arum said the tricky part of a testing program will be in establishing consequences for events like a missed test, or for a banned prescription drug that is prohibited in the Olympics.

Arum wants a state boxing commission, like Nevada's, to have a say in establishing such guidelines to avoid an unreasonable fight cancellation.

So perhaps the super-fight fans want to see is on track for 2012 — assuming Mayweather and Pacquaio win their next bouts.

Asked if he'll take the fight as long as Pacquiao cooperates in an effective drug-testing program, Mayweather said, "Absolutely. Write that word down 10 times in a row. I absolutely want the fight."

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire

Source: latimes.com

Man says Mayweather ordered bodyguard to fire at him at skating rink -- Las Vegas Review-Journal

By Francis McCabe, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A Las Vegas man who accused undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. of ordering his bodyguard to shoot at him outside a Boulder Highway skating rink in August 2009 is suing the former Olympian.

Details of the lawsuit were not immediately available, but the plaintiff is Quincey Williams, one of two men who say they were shot at by Mayweather's bodyguard Ocie Harris outside the Crystal Palace Skating Center.

Williams, who has publicly said he believes Mayweather told Harris to shoot at him, is being represented by high-profile attorney Robert Eglet in the negligence lawsuit filed Tuesday in District Court, according to court records.

Williams also accused Mayweather in November 2010 of trying to force his vehicle off the road in a road rage incident. The allegation was investigated by Las Vegas police. Mayweather was not charged after the investigation.

Williams has told the Review-Journal that he has feared for his life since the skating rink shooting.

"He (Mayweather) feels like he's entitled to do whatever he wants and get away with it. He wants to walk around and intimidate people like he's some type of thug," Williams said after reporting the incident on the road.

Williams told the Review-Journal that he was a young boxer when he first met Mayweather after his success in the 1996 Olympics. Williams later worked for Mayweather but said he quit because of low pay.

The relationship soured in 2009 after Williams sent a text message to Mayweather saying he hoped the undefeated boxer would lose.

Months after the message was sent, on the evening of Aug. 23, 2009, Williams told authorities, Mayweather threatened his life at the skating rink on Boulder Highway, north of Flamingo Road.

Authorities allege that around 10 p.m. that day, Harris shot at a BMW containing Williams and another man, Damein Bland, as the vehicle was leaving the skating rink. The car was hit six times.

No one was injured, and Mayweather was not charged.

Harris, of Chicago, was indicted on two felonies, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon, in connection with the shooting. He remains free on bail awaiting a February trial.

Williams could not be reached for comment about the lawsuit.

Attorney Mark Ferrario, who is defending Mayweather in other civil cases, did not return a call seeking comment.

In recent months, several other lawsuits against Mayweather have popped up, in which the boxer is accused of ordering bodyguards to assault and intimidate people in Las Vegas.

In June, Anthony Cliff alleged that Mayweather ordered three of his bodyguards to assault him at the Palms valet entrance on May 27, 2010, after he had been told not to photograph the boxer.

According to Cliff's lawsuit, Mayweather made a " 'thumbs down' sign or gesture to the bodyguards, which was a signal for the bodyguards to attack."

Mayweather also is being sued by a bouncer at the Strip nightclub Drai's who said he was assaulted by the boxer's bodyguard Jan. 2. In a lawsuit filed in May, Clay Gerling alleged that an unknown bodyguard for Mayweather "maliciously assaulted and battered plaintiff, by grabbing the plaintiff, and choking him" after he asked for identification from Mayweather and others in his entourage.

In criminal court, the boxer faces two misdemeanor harassment counts after an October confrontation with Southern Highlands security guards over parking issues.

Mayweather faces a misdemeanor battery charge in connection with a Nov. 15, 2010, incident involving another guard, Shayne Smith. A bench trial in that case is set for Nov. 4.

Mayweather also faces an Oct. 20 preliminary hearing on felony charges, including coercion, grand larceny and robbery, in connection with a Sept. 9, 2010, incident with his three children and their mother, Josie Harris. Mayweather is free on $31,000 bail in that case.

Both criminal cases have been delayed by Mayweather's defense lawyers until after a scheduled fight with Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title on Sept. 17 at the MGM Grand Garden.

Meanwhile, boxer Manny Pacquiao, considered by many the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, is suing Mayweather over accusations that Pacquiao was using performance-enhancing drugs.

The 2009 lawsuit followed talks for a fight between the two that fell apart over Mayweather's demand that both fighters submit to random blood and urine tests before the bout.

Mayweather has failed to appear at multiple depositions ordered in that case.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.

Source: lvrj.com

Floyd will fight Pacquiao in 2013 - Jeff Mayweather -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Floyd Mayweather Jnr's uncle Jeff Mayweather is predicting that the long-awaited showdown between the undefeated American and his pound-for-pound rival Manny Pacquiao will not take place for another two years.

A potentially mouthwatering clash between the two fighters has yet to be agreed, despite the growing clamour, although the bout looked to have moved a step closer in recent times after Pacquiao's camp accepted Mayweather's demands for stringent blood testing.

Pacquiao, who is attempting to sue Mayweather for defamation after the American suggested his rival has used performance-enhancing substances, is preparing to face Juan Manuel Marquez for a third time in November, while Mayweather is scheduled to meet Victor Ortiz on September 17.

With both men not getting any younger, there are growing fears the fight the sport craves most may never happen - although Jeff Mayweather is convinced the pair will get it on in 2013.

"I think he [Mayweather] will be fighting another couple of years," he told Fighthype.com. "I think that's being realistic because I think the fight that's out there will take that long to materialise."

Mayweather, who has not fought since outpointing Shane Mosley in May 2010, makes his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring against Ortiz, who has only lost twice in 33 fights, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Ortiz won his WBC welterweight belt with a unanimous decision against Andre Berto in April, despite being knocked down twice, but Jeff Mayweather believes his nephew will take the 24-year-old "to school".

"I think Victor Ortiz is a beast, but I think Victor Ortiz is going to be taken to school like he's never been taken to school before in his life," he said. "I mean, Floyd has already fought Victor Ortiz. He fought him when he fought Ricky Hatton, and Ricky was a better version of Ortiz. I think that Ortiz is a guy who is caught up in the fact that he's coming off of his biggest win, and of course he's riding the wave, but the reality of it is this, Victor Ortiz has never faced anyone who is remotely close to having Floyd's ability.

"He's going to be taken to school, drowned in the deep water and get himself knocked out. He's too smart for him; he can stand right in front of Victor Ortiz and do whatever he wants to do to him.

Source: espn.co.uk

Pacquiao says he 'will' fight Mayweather during 2012 -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Manny Pacquiao is in no doubt that his hotly-anticipated showdown against Floyd Mayweather Jnr, which will determine the planet's pound-for-pound king, will take place during 2012.

The barriers preventing the clash have been broken down in recent weeks, with Pacquiao's promoter confirming that the Filipino is willing to agree to Mayweather's demands for Olympic-style drug testing.

Talks collapsed last year when Pacquiao refused to have blood drawn from him in the days prior to the bout, claiming that it would sap too much strength from him ahead of the clash.

Pacquiao has also moved to bring an end to the legal proceedings he brought against Mayweather, urging a judge to deliver a verdict on the defamation case launched in the wake of the sampling dispute.

"I will fight Mayweather next year," said Pacquiao, according to boxingscene.com.

Amir Khan's desire to fight Mayweather, apparently reciprocated by the American, threatens to complicate matters further. Khan intends to take to the ring against Mayweather in late 2012 after moving up to welterweight.

The clamour for the Pacquiao-Mayweather bout would evaporate if either suffers a shock defeats in their next bout. Mayweather enters the ring for the first time in over a year against Victor Ortiz on September 17 in a WBC welterweight title clash, while Pacquiao takes on Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12.

Source: espn.co.uk

HBO to air Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight Nov. 12 -- USA Today

By Bob Velin, USA TODAY

HBO is back in the Manny Pacquiao business.

The premium network, which has led the way in airing big pay-per-view boxing events during the last decade, will produce and distribute Pacquiao's third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

HBO lost the rights to Pacquiao's last fight against Shane Mosley last May to Showtime, and the devastating loss of the biggest attraction in the sport was one of the main factors in HBO President Ross Greenburg stepping down last month.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and president Todd duBoef engineered the deal with HBO, even though Showtime's Pacquiao-Mosley telecast drew nearly 1.4 million pay-per-view buys. Showtime used its parent company, CBS, to help promote that fight.

MORE: Pacquiao seeks default vs. Mayweather in defamation suit
HBO will use parent company Time-Warner's many platforms to help promote this fight, including TBS, TNT and CNN.

"In boxing we talk about great fighters coming back after a loss. Well, HBO came back just like a great fighter," duBoef told ESPN.com. "They came back from being on the canvas. They made their adjustments and came back and won the fight. You have to give them a lot of credit."

Said HBO spokesman Ray Stallone: "We're thrilled that Manny Pacquiao's Nov. 12 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez will be presented by HBO Pay-Per-View. We look forward to working with Top Rank on this special event."

This is the third fight in the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy, with the first in 2004 ending in a draw, and Pacquiao, who has won titles in a record eight weight divisions, winning the second four years later in a controversial split decision.

This fight will be for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title and will be fought at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Pacquiao is 53-2-2 with 38 KOs, while Marquez who has won three in a row since losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2009 coming in with a record of 53-5-1 with 39 KOs.

HBO will also televise this fall's other blockbuster pay-per-view event from the MGM Grand — undefeated Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) vs. Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) on Sept. 17.

Source: usatoday.com

Pacquiao schools Khan in sparring - Roach -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Trainer Freddie Roach has lifted the lid on the notorious sparring sessions between Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao in the Wildcard gym.

Both fighters have improved significantly since coming under Roach's wing, and the duo have made no secret of the intensity of their training bouts.

A clash between the pair would be one of the most lucrative fights possible at present, but Roach is eager to keep his two pupils apart, with Khan instead set to face Floyd Mayweather Jnr in the next year.

The fact Khan is being discussed in the same breath as Mayweather shows the improvement Roach has coaxed out of the Brit, having linked up with him following a humiliating first-round knockout defeat to Breidis Prescott in 2008.

"When they spar it's always good but, while Amir is more than able to hold his own, as it progresses Manny takes control," Roach. "Amir has developed so much since I started working with him. He's a great kid who is always listening and always wanting to learn. Manny is a great fighter but Amir is certainly going in the right direction - that's a fact."

Meanwhile, Khan is not ruling out a rematch against Prescott as he searches for a December opponent for his final battle at light-welterweight. "Prescott may be a fight in the future for me," he said. "A fighter always wants to avenge his defeats. He is another name on the list if he beats [Paul] McCloskey. I will be taking one step at a time - there is no need for me to rush into a fight with Mayweather.

"Erik Morales is a possibility as my next opponent and so is [WBO champion Tim] Bradley. Robert Guerrero is another name on my list. If he beats [Marcos] Maidana next month, as I expect him to, that will be a very good fight."

Source: espn.co.uk

BOXING: Trainer Roach standing in the way of Pacquiao-Khan -- LA Daily News

By Robert Morales, Los Angeles Daily News

Boxing has always had some difficulty getting the best to fight the best. Sometimes rival promoters get in the way. More recently, one fighter refusing special drug testing requested by another prevented a fight from happening.

Freddie Roach came up with something new this week. The Hall of Fame trainer was asked what he thought about the possibility of Amir Khan taking on pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in the near future.

Keep in mind that Pacquiao said before his most recent fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley in May that he wanted three more fights before retiring to concentrate on his political career in his native Philippines.

Pacquiao is fighting Juan Manuel Marquez a third time on Nov. 12.

The boxing world is hopeful that Pacquiao would then take on Floyd Mayweather Jr., but since previous negotiations have failed because of differences over drug testing, there is no guarantee that would happen.

The only other fight out there that would seem to carry enormous appeal for Pacquiao would be against fast-rising star Khan, who is coming off a fifth-round knockout of Zab Judah this past Saturday in a junior welterweight title unification bout in Las Vegas.

With Pacquiao's worldwide appeal and Khan having the strong support of the United Kingdom, this would be a huge promotion and more than likely a terrific fight that Khan would actually have a chance of winning.

Alas, Roach says it will never take place. Why? "They are not going to fight each other," Roach said Tuesday morning via telephone. "I'm not going to let that happen because I train both fighters. They are both my fighters and they are like sons to me. How can I let both my sons fight?"

Roach said he wouldn't even know which corner to work.

"It is too much drama to let that happen," he said. "They both have too much respect for me to let that happen. They are like my kids. I've been with Manny for 10 years and I've been with Amir for three years. We have a great relationship. Why would I ruin that relationship?"

Khan is employed by Golden Boy Promotions. Richard Schaefer, its CEO, spoke diplomatically when asked about Roach's edict that would rob fans of a potential super fight.

"I can appreciate how close Freddie is to both and how both of the fighters are close to Freddie," Schaefer said Tuesday afternoon. "It would put Amir in a terrible situation, it would put Pacquiao in a terrible situation.

"So why push that if there are so many other attractive options out there for either one of those fighters?"

Schaefer said that Khan will fight again in December, and that there are plenty of opponents for him. He could fight comebacking Erik Morales, or perhaps the winner of the Aug. 27 fight between Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero and Marcos Maidana.

Khan now holds two belts - WBA and IBF - and he could next fight either Lamont Peterson or Victor Cayo, who Friday night squared off in an IBF title elimination fight in Las Vegas.

Timothy Bradley, who held the other two major belts at junior welterweight until he was stripped of one of them Thursday, is another possibility. Bradley has already turned down Khan once, and he has promotional problems and is currently being sued by co-promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson, who claim they have one more fight with him.

But Khan has been talking a lot of trash about Bradley, saying he's scared to fight him. Bradley has been listening, and he lashed out at Khan during a telephone interview Wednesday.

"Every fighter who is trying to get a fight with me pops off at the mouth," Bradley said. "And then when we get in the ring they get smashed in the face. I'm not afraid of him. If you are a true Bradley fan, you know I'm not afraid of any man.

"He just needs to go enjoy his victory and leave my name out his mouth."

Bradley said as soon as his litigation is over, he will be happy to do something about Khan's mouth.

Khan would vacate the junior welterweight division after the December fight and move up to welterweight early next year, Schaefer said. One possibility there sounds good.

"I think Mayweather and Amir Khan is as interesting (as Khan-Pacquiao), as exciting, or Amir against the winner of Mayweather-(Victor) Ortiz because Ortiz might pull it off (in their fight Sept. 17)," Schaefer said.

Indeed, Khan against either Mayweather, Ortiz or Bradley would be very nice. But Khan against Pacquiao would be way better because there would be more money involved, it would have incredibly wide appeal and it would have the chance to be one of the most exciting fights in years.

We respect Roach a great deal. But him being the trainer for both Pacquiao and Khan is not even close to being a good enough reason for them not to fight. Roach needs to figure this out, for the fans and for the good of the sport.

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, is vacationing in Europe and could not be reached for comment. But even the powerful Arum might not be able to do anything about this, as it is well-known that Pacquiao and Roach approve Pacquiao's opponents.

Bummer.

Source: dailynews.com

Is Mayweather Jr. Correct in Fear of Steroid Use? -- 8CountNews

By Keith Terceira, 8CountNews.com

The reason that Floyd Mayweather Jr.(41-0, 25ko) is calling for random testing as a condition for his fight with Pound for Pound Champion Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38ko) is honestly, only known to “Money” himself.

If we take it as an honest assessment of the concern at its face value then we need to examine the use and effects of steroids.

What the honest and truthful effects of steroid use are as applied to boxing versus the other known usages in sports like baseball, football, and weightlifting are not as highly documented?

As applied to baseball we all know the effects that it caused on baseball records and how it improved performance in all areas of the sport from batting, pitching, and on fielding ability. We also are aware through testimony in the Barry bonds trial that the side effects were notable if we take the testimony as truthful. Similar problems were testified to by dozens of athletes of varying sports, including Lyle Alzado who first came out and told of the dangers of HGH.

Bonds was accused of having symptoms of “Roid Rage” by his former mistress which included side effects that were apparent on his body like skin blemishes, enlarged skull, as well various behavior issues. His lack of ability to have a steady professional working relationship with the media, often having outbursts at reporters and team mates should have been a warning sign.

Manny Pacquiao’s behavior in his high profile careers outside of the ring, working in the Philippine government, his charitable works around his province, his music, and his endorsement deals, contradicts the known side effects of someone who is a user of PED’s.

Anabolic steroid users can expect after even moderate prolonged use to become aggressive, suspicious, quarrelsome, and impulsive. Even the initial use can produce irritability, anger, and agitation.

The discontinued use of all corticosteroids, have the tendency to produce withdrawal symptoms, depression is one of the largest, and users miss the elation and positive psychological effects induced by the drugs.
Stoppage produces listlessness, apathy, loss of appetite, libido and self-esteem, feelings of anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, and mood swings. Withdrawal symptoms alone would be counterproductive to a boxer having to compete in the ring shortly after using steroids. These side effects would not be conducive to a successful career over long periods of time. Unless the boxer shut himself from the world during use there would be displays of these side-effects.

Short term use of HGH (human growth hormone) even in an AAS cycle produces water retention, minor joint pain and swelling in the joints. Even the short term large doses of HGH produce irritability and aggression.

If we look for issues of acting out or bad behavior of both Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. we do not see the antisocial behavior associated with steroidal use coming from Manny. On the contrary we see just the opposite, a likeable, steady, friendly, and charitable young man whose public persona is undamaged by bad behavior and inconsistency.

Steroid use is linked to extreme mood swings, impulsiveness, depression, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions and impaired judgment.

Erratic and dangerous behavior such as domestic violence are well documented and have long been associated with steroidal use in athletes, yet we do not see reports of this type of action associated with Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao.

The only thing that people point to that lead to suspicions of steroid use is the ability of Manny Pacquiao to adjust his weight over the fifteen year period of his career.

As a young 17 year old fighter weight was at 108 but we need as Americans to look at the socio-economic situation that Manny Pacquiao came from, the nutrition available to him at the time, and the training he was afforded early in his career.

To put on 40 pounds over the period of 15 years of better nutrition, weight- training and conditioning, and domestic environmental changes is not unknown or unlikely.

It happens on a daily basis in America when people immigrate to this country after suffering in third world nations, it happens across America when inner city and rural impoverished children get the benefits of consistent well rounded meals, medical care, and the removal of stress from their lives. It happens on the back roads and on the main streets of the world when money, food, and proper care are available.

It apparently happens in Boxing when success is achieved!

Source: 8countnews.com

Amir Khan stops Zab Judah in fifth -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Las Vegas— Zab Judah might have disputed the ending, but there was no decrying the harsh lessons that the younger champion Amir Khan delivered his older Brooklyn opponent Saturday.

Khan picked apart Judah in the fifth round, and landed another stiff right to the face that caused the 33-year-old Judah to bend downward. Seeing another hole, Khan threw a hard right uppercut that struck Judah on the top half of the belt.

Judah sank to the canvas, referee Vic Drakulich told him to get up and began counting toward a knockout — six, seven, eight, nine, 10.

At the 2:47 mark of the fifth, Khan had won.

Judah was able to spring up then, only in argument mode.

"It was a low blow," Judah said afterward. "I was trying to get myself together and that was self-defense. [The punch] lifted my belt."

The complaint was in vain. It was a legal blow.

The 24-year-old British Khan improved to 26-1 with his 18th knockout, and the 33-year-old Judah (41-7) handed over his International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight belt to Khan's collection, which includes a World Boxing Assn. belt.

Khan outpunched Judah 284-115 and landed more than triple the punches (61-20). He bloodied Judah's lip in the second round, continued landing blows to the face in the third and expertly followed several jabs with a hard right to Judah's mug in the fourth.

"I knew he was getting hurt," Khan said afterward. "He kept moving away and ducking. I kept hitting him right in the face, and the shot that knocked him out was right on the belt. … It was only a matter of time."

Perhaps in early 2012, Khan will be able to fight Coachella Valley's Timothy Bradley for all four major titles.

"If Bradley didn't want to fight him before, he doesn't want to fight him now," Khan promoter Richard Schaefer said after the bout, listing the Aug. 27 Robert Guerrero-Marcos Maidana winner or Erik Morales as other possible December foes for Khan.

The unbeaten Bradley, nicknamed "Desert Storm," declined the match earlier this year as he negotiates a split with his promoters and he told The Times in a Saturday night telephone interview that he anticipates a 2012 Khan bout after a tuneup fight in the fall.

"He's not ready for 'The Storm,' I'm not impressed," Bradley said. "I know all the comments that are coming about this Khan performance, but I'm not stressing. … No way possible he can be No. 1 [at 140 pounds]. When we do get in the ring, everyone will see who the best in the world is."

What Khan showed Saturday before the ending was another advanced level under the guidance of Hollywood's famed trainer Freddie Roach, who also counts Manny Pacquiao in his stable.

Khan's precision against Judah showed the Roach effect, and what the Brit ensured Saturday is that the payday with Bradley will be richer than the $1 million-plus he collected in the softer touch versus Judah.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Source: latimes.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr: 'I would love to fight Amir Khan at Wembley' -- The Guardian

By Kevin Mitchell, guardian.co.uk

Floyd Mayweather Jr talks like he boxes, slipping questions with the practised ease of someone for whom evasion is as easy as breathing. He is the Natural.

However, dropping his guard, he says he would fight Amir Khan – in London next year – if the WBA light-welterweight champion beats the IBF title-holder, Zab Judah, at the Mandalay Bay on Saturday night.

"I would love to come and fight at Wembley," he says. But he sidesteps all questions about Khan's friend and training partner, Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather does not reach out to boxing; boxing comes to Mayweather – or, at least, that is his perspective.

Jab away at him, however, and a few light bruises appear on an ego more fragile than he would like to admit. In the course of 25 minutes – while one of the hired helps wraps his hands in preparation for pad-work with his uncle, Roger – the finest pure boxer since Sugar Ray Leonard raises his voice just once, and even then briefly.

"How can I not be rated No1 if I haven't been beaten?" he asks, incredulous at the suggestion that he needs to seal his standing in boxing history by fighting Pacquiao, regarded by good judges as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and a champion in eight weight divisions – instead of Victor Ortiz, whom Mayweather meets in Las Vegas when he returns to the ring, on 17 September, after an absence of 16 months.

"I am not worried about the Pacquiao thing at all. I can do whatever I want in this sport. Floyd Mayweather is in the sport to give great performances. And I must be happy myself before I can make anyone else happy.

"The British fans would love to see me fight Amir Khan and I'm pretty sure the Filipino fans would want to see me fight Pacquiao. The American fans would love to see me fight anybody."

This is a narrow reading of the wishes of boxing fans, wherever they are from. The one fight boxing wants and needs is Mayweather-Pacquiao. There is no other contest that appeals more or is as capable of reaching out to an audience beyond the hardcore – and, while Mayweather pretends he is not bothered (because he is the centre of his own universe), he wants the fight too.

Roger, who is also Floyd's trainer, wants the fight, although he has done his best to scupper it by suggesting Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs – something the Filipino denies – an accusation he this week threw at Khan, who shares Pacquiao's conditioner, Alex Ariza, and trainer, Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao this week denied he was going through his considerable fortune, confirming that he is worth $26m (£16m), even though he has earned much more than that in his career. A fight with Mayweather would probably bring each of them upward of $50m, although Pacquiao is reluctant to submit to Olympic-standard drugs tests to convince Mayweather he is clean.

"If the tables were turned and I didn't want to take the test," Mayweather said, "people would be saying Floyd Mayweather is doing something. No wonder he won all these fights. All I'm saying is a fighter doesn't all of a sudden become a good fighter at the age of 25. Do you guys think that Floyd Mayweather could just move to heavyweight and all of a sudden compete with the Klitschko brothers? Absolutely not."

Mayweather was not tempted to pick the winner of Khan's fight against Judah. "It will all come down to who wants it more, who is the smarter fighter and who has the better chin. I fought Zab Judah at 147 pounds. Both are explosive fighters. It's a good fight to watch.

"Amir Khan came here and trained in the boxing gym with my uncle Roger a few times. He's a good young fighter. We're in the fight game so every fighter wants to fight Floyd Mayweather. But he must get past the obstacles put in front of him first. Then we'll go from there."

He would not be drawn on his uncle's evidence-free claims about Khan. "It's not my place to comment on what Roger said about Amir Khan and steroids. All I will say is that if you are facing Floyd Mayweather, you got to take the test." Neither will he budge from the view that he is the biggest draw in boxing, and it is true he has posted several impressive pay-per-view numbers.

"Everywhere I go, I will make a good payday. But we got to choose the right opponent and the right time and the right venue. You guys got some great venues. I could fill a soccer stadium over there.

"I like fighters who come to fight. Amir Khan is a young champion. I take my hat off to him. It's a difficult challenge [against Judah]. It will not be easy for either man.

"Every fight I look at as all the same, just another fight. I'm not worried about nothing. You say Victor Ortiz, you say Amir Khan, no matter what name you say, it's just another fighter to Floyd Mayweather."

Mayweather's look-at-me, third-person posturing is not unusual in boxing. It is what sustains nearly all its participants, and arrogance is part of what makes Mayweather a great fighter. He says he fears nobody, that no opponent has ever stretched him to his full potential, and he is right.

He tries to be polite, but it is plain he does not consider Khan capable of it, either. "Have I used my A-game yet? Absolutely not. I have not had to really bite down and say: 'Damn, this is a tough fight.' When I go into a fight it is just another guy. If somebody hits me with a good shot, I go back to the corner and they say: 'It was a good shot but don't worry about it.'"

Mayweather shifts uneasily when asked about the domestic violence charges he has yet to face in court. "We just try to be positive and hope for the best. Once you show me some real photos of someone being battered or beaten, then we just say OK. But I am already in a contact sport, which is boxing, so someone says they got touched in an unlikely manner and people automatically say Floyd Mayweather is guilty. Guys have got to say OK, we seen Mayweather when he fought Zab Judah and when a melee broke out, what did he do? I went back to my corner and conducted myself like a true gentleman."

Mayweather, who is 34 and who has retired twice, says he will box for at least another three years. "I need more titles and more money," he says.

He has had enough questions. With friends and neighbourhood gawpers gathered to pay homage, Mayweather climbs into the ring and goes through his dazzling repertoire of combinations, a ritual so familiar to him and his uncle that each punch finds the moving target as if connected by string.

As we leave, his white Rolls Royce parked outside the gym in a part of Las Vegas some way from the glitter of the Strip is a loud statement by the fighter who is comfortable with the most appropriate nickname in boxing: "Money."

Source: guardian.co.uk

Dana White: ‘Floyd Mayweather is what’s wrong with boxing’ -- NBC Sports

By Rick Chandler, NBC Sports

First you should know that Dana White and Floyd Mayweather have a history together. White spent a good portion of his childhood in Las Vegas, and began a professional training career there. And he’s argued with Mayweather in the past about boxing vs. mixed martial arts, at one point challenging Mayweather to get into the UFC ring with one of his fighters, which Mayweather did not accept.

Then on Wednesday White appeared on WFAN in New York to discuss the possibility of MAA coming to New York (don’t hold your breath), and the conversation came around to Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. White:

I’m a huge, huge Manny Pacquiao fan. He is boxing right now. Floyd Mayweather, and Floyd and I go way back and I told Floyd to his face too, Floyd is one of the big problems with boxing. Holding out, not taking this fight with Manny Pacquiao, and doing what he’s doing. I think Manny Pacquiao is boxing. Everything about him is positive and I love the guy.”

Here’s some background: In 2007, Mayweather was quoted in a Yahoo Sports story saying that the UFC was inferior to boxing. “UFC’s champions can’t handle boxing. That’s why they are in UFC.”

White was not amused:

“I used to talk like Floyd Mayweather when I was involved in boxing. I talked just like him, until I educated myself about this sport. These guys are amazing athletes, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best boxers ever, (and) Sean Sherk will whoop his ass in under two minutes. Any day that Mayweather wants to put his money and his ass where his mouth is, I’m ready. If he wants to step up, let’s do it. I’m willing to put together a fight for Sean Sherk and Floyd Mayweather with numbers that would make sense for Floyd. And I guarantee you he would not accept it. Floyd Mayweather would never fight in the UFC because he would get his head ripped off.”



Source: offthebench.nbcsports.com

Pacquiao denies losing millions -- ABS CBN News

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao denied that he has been losing money amid reports on the internet that his net worth is merely $26 million.

Despite reportedly earning $20 million from his recent fight against Shane Mosley, Pacquiao’s latest net worth is just over $26 million, noted the The Boxing Tribune.

The author of the report, Paul Magno, said: "Pacquiao is still a very wealthy man and will likely remain one for the rest of his life, but it’s worth noting that some people, somewhere are enjoying the money that, rightfully, belongs to him."

The $26-million figure is based on Pacquiao’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), which showed that his total net worth as of December 31, 2010 is P1.134 billion or around $26 million.

Pacquiao, however, laughed off reports that he's losing money.

“Ah, talaga? Kaya pala nakabili ako ng bahay sa Forbes. (Oh, really? So that's why I was able to buy a house in Forbes.)," Pacquiao said, referring to the P388-million mansion he purchased in Forbes Park in Makati City.

Based on Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) figures, Pacquiao earned $3 million against Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008; $3 million against David Diaz in June 2008; $6.6 million against Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008; $7.4 million against Ricky Hatton in May 2009; and, $7.5 million against Miguel Cotto in November 2009.

He also received an estimated $12 million for his fight against Joshua Clottey in 2010; $20 million against Antonio Margarito in 2010; and, $20 million against Mosley in 2011.

Revamped business team

The report about his "shockingly" $26 million net worth fueled speculations on the recent changes in Pacquiao's business team.

In a press release from Pacquiao’s official website, www.mp8.ph, it was announced that Pacquiao had hired the firm of VisionQwest Resource Group, Inc. and VisionQwest Accountancy Group from Los Angeles to handle the accounting, personal and business tax, audits and examinations and contract reviews.

The press release also noted that VisionQwest reports directly to Pacquiao, and that the firm is examining all of the boxer’s contracts from 2005 onwards.

With the hiring of VisionQwest, Canadian business adviser Michael Koncz will no longer be responsible for the handling of Pacquiao’s business dealings.

Pacquiao, however, denied firing Koncz.

"Darating si Michael Koncz tomorrow morning. Dala niya yung kontrata nung fight namin ni Marquez, para matigil na yung issues na I fired Michael Koncz," he said.

Pacquiao gives away 3-hectares of land

Meanwhile, Pacquiao took part in giving away lands to the homeless in Sarangani province.

The 8-division champion gave away 3 hectares of his property in coordination with Habitat for Humanity.

"Sumali ako sa Habitat for Humanity dahil naniniwala akong marami silang matutulungan at marami akong matutulungan sa Sarangani province na magkaroon ng bahay (I joined Habitat for Humanity because they will help me provide homes to my constituents in Sarangani province)," said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao was honored as “Habitat Hero Ambassador” for his gesture.

"Binili ko yung lupa at binigay ko sa mga tao para magkaroon sila ng sariling bahay... sariling pera ko ang ibinili ko roon, kasi kung gobyerno pa 'yun, marami pang proseso," he said.
(I bought the property and gave it away... I used my own money because it would require some processing if we rely on the government). -- With a report from Karen Davila, ABS-CBN News

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Boxing Report: Pacquiao's net worth just $26M -- Fox Sports

By Paul Magno, The Boxing Tribune

According to an official document issued by the House of Representatives in the Philippines, current WBO welterweight champ, Manny Pacquiao has a net worth of approximately 1.134 billion PHP (Philippine Pesos), which comes out to just over 26 million in American Dollars. (The document takes into account all assets up to Jan. 1, 2011.)

Net worth is calculated by taking a person’s total assets, then subtracting their liabilities. The figure quoted above takes into consideration all Pacquiao assets, including real estate and pay from TV and radio performances, public appearances, album sales, licensing, local and international endorsements as well as the money earned from his fights.

Generating approximately $384 million in revenue from his PPV events prior to last May’s Shane Mosley bout, alone, the shockingly low net worth tells the tale of a fighter either quickly going through his money or in desperate need of an independent accounting firm to deal with some pressing business issues.

Enter, VisionQwest Resource Group, Inc., an agency specializing in contract issues and tax concerns.

As reported in a press release Wednesday, Pacquiao has retained the services of VisionQwest to handle all business dealing as well as review “all contracts from 2005 and going forward.”

Team Pacquiao is currently being reviewed and the management team streamlined in order to create a more effective business unit. In the press release, the Los Angeles-based firm also announced that they had “retained the services of a strong boxing business professional who has a solid background in fighter management and negotiations” who will be involved in all future contract reviews.

Tales of fighters and money woes are, sadly, as much a part of boxing’s history as devastating knockouts and shocking upsets, but these things are never nice to hear.

Pacquiao is still a very wealthy man and will likely remain one for the rest of his life, but it’s worth noting that some people, somewhere are enjoying the money that, rightfully, belongs to him.

Source: msn.foxsports.com

Manny Pacquiao under IRS tax audit for 2006-2007; bean counter Lodge is mum -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

Time to trot out the old jokes about accountants who keep two, sometimes three sets of financial books?

Or, to rehash the Muhammad Ali line about either lawyers or accountants when he said he had the Jewish ones keep an eye on the black ones and vice versa?

Not really, as VisionQwest, which is headed by Michael Lodge and is seemingly flexing its bean counter muscles in the business (including boxing) spheres of Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao is a respected international accounting firm which is based in Los Angeles but also has offices and operations in the Philippines.

A Los Angeles source/FOP (Friend of Pacquiao) tells me that VisionQwest is currently handling a heavy Internal Revenue tax audit of Pacquiao concerning the tax years 2006 to 2007.

(Please note, it is quite common for wealthy athletes and entertainers, like other high income individuals, to get audited by the federal government.)

I reached out to Lodge to see if he cares to enlighten Paclanders about changes which will be made as to Team Pacquiao, including the reported “axing” of longtime Pacman right hand aide Michael Koncz, but Lodge demurred, as seen below:

“Michael,


Thank you for your e-mail. However, we are under a client confidentiality agreement and we are not allowed to discuss client matters with the media. However, we will make statements from time to time based on a joint understanding with our client when any changes will be made.


We look forward to you continued support and coverage of Manny Pacquiao and thank you for respecting our confidentiality agreement.


Advertisement
Regards,


Michael L. Lodge


President & CEO”

It’s Lodge’s outfit which reportedly has hired Jose Castillo, formerly associated with world champions Marco Antonio Barrera and the late Edwin Valero, to “review” future Pacman boxing deals.

Well, since I’m lacking any pungent punch line here, let me try this.

Guess who brought VisionQwest in to work on Pacquiao’s financial books in both the US and his homeland?

You got it, the very same Mr. Koncz who denies he’s been canned but who might find his all encompassing Pacman job description changed when he arrives in Manila Thursday morning.

An inflamed source told me Wednesday night that Koncz will hold a one on one sitdown with the eight-time world champion hours after he lands in Manila.

My FOP/LA source says the so-called "press release" announcing a Team Pacquiao shakeup, including the demotion or removal of Koncz, was penned by MP.8 website operator and ex-convict Timothy James Sladeck.

Sladeck has been openly at war with Koncz for several years.

Pacquiao owns a percentage of MP.8, the so-called "official" site for the charismatic fighter, and his lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal also has a financial interest in it.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

Floyd’s inferno: Don King believes that Mayweather Jr. needs a little guidance -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner

During a recent visit to Las Vegas, legendary promoter Don King could be found inside of the Hard Rock Hotel at a press conference stirring up interest for next month’s Joseph Agbeko-Abner Mares bantamweight title clash. Still going strong after forty-plus years connected to the sport, King was talkative as always and also turned his attention to other subplots and headlines in boxing, including the latest with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Surrounded by myself, Yahoo! columnist Kevin Iole, and BoxingScene.com boss Rick Reeno, King was advised that Mayweather had recently been spotted in Atlanta, Georgia as he made headlines by setting a $100 bill on fire inside of a nightclub. That act from Floyd is one in a long line of many that have drawn him some kind of public ire, one of the reasons he constantly finds himself as one of the sport's most talked-about figures.

Upon hearing the news King was surprisingly out of words, very much a rarity, and simply mumbled that he is going to have to talk to the multi-division superstar. Still, he wasn’t shy on dishing out compliments to the come backing fighter, who is currently lined up with a September 17th date against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz inside the MGM Grand.

“Mayweather is the best fighter in the world, I say that unhesitatingly,” stated King. “I have a great deal of love and respect for [Manny] Pacquiao and everyone else that is out there fighting. I think that Pacquiao’s presence has made such a major difference. But Mayweather is my man.”

A Mayweather fight will always create a special kind of buzz but the fact remains that Floyd has been relatively inactive in recent times, having only fought twice since reemerging from an attempted retirement after his December 2007 fight with Ricky Hatton. That reason alone, says King, could spell trouble for the 34-year old down the road.

“But if you don’t practice your trade, I don’t care how good you are, something is going to fall between the cracks. If you are going to be a great pianist you have to work day after day, month after month, for one concert on one day. You’ve got to practice your trade and he wasn’t practicing his trade and I’m glad to see him back into the fray developing himself and fighting again,” King quipped.

King made headlines last July when he was spotted hanging with Mayweather near his cozy confines in South Florida, as the undefeated star updated his throngs of Twitter followers with pictures of the two men together. Grinning ear to ear, King and Floyd could be seen enjoying lobster, flashing money, and most likely talking some kind of business with one another, a fact all the more interesting because just weeks earlier Mayweather had seen a second round of reported negotiations for a potential fight with Pacquiao again fall through.

And what exactly did King get to know about Floyd from their time alone with one another?

“He’s a very stand up guy, but you’ve got to know what he’s standing up for," King continued. "He’s a guy that stands up and he takes the criticisms of his actions. He needs a little guidance, a little help. You what I mean? He is a guy who will stand up for his convictions. Once he makes up his mind and if you help him to make it up on the right thing, you couldn’t get a better guy than Mayweather.”

As our time came to a close I threw one last question King's way as I asked if he felt that Mayweather was in some way intimidated or even jealous of all the attention that Pacquiao had gotten in recent years, specifically dating back to his December 2008 battering of Oscar De La Hoya as he began an improbable trek against bigger, dangerous foes. Not so, says King, who fully believes that Mayweather's future lies in his own two fists and that it is up to him what road he will end up taking.

“Well, all artists want to be up there in the light. That’s what they do. But I don’t think he is because he could have corrected that. Jealousy is when you are inhibited or you are restrained from doing it. He didn’t have to do anything but say ‘Yes’. It was his own self-confinement, his own self-discipline. I don’t think it’s jealousy. I think he just needs some guidance that he can rely and depend on. Because everyone he relies on, all of them sell him out.”

Chris Robinson is based out of Las Vegas, Nevada. He can be reached at Trimond@aol.com

Source: examiner.com

PACQUIAO DENIES HE FIRED KONCZ -- PhilBoxing

By Ronnie Nathanielsz, PhilBoxing.com

Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has denied the widely circulated story that he had fired adviser Michael Koncz.

In a wide-ranging, light-hearted conversation filled with hearty laughter at his MP Towers office in Manila in the presence of lawyer Jeng Gacal and Team Pacquiao member Eric Pineda, Pacquiao told the Daily Inquirer the report that he fired Koncz “is not true.”

Then, in a light vein he pointed at lawyer Gacal and with a hearty laugh in which the others joined said “only Jeng Gacal made up that story.” Pacquiao quickly retracted saying “no, that’s not true. I’m just kidding.”

When the Inquirer contacted Koncz last week inquiring about a story peddled by a Pacquiao team member that he had been replaced by a lady identified as Stephanny Domingo, Koncz said it was not true and that he had spoken to Manny and would return soon from the US. He claimed that "these intrigues happen when I am away.”

Pacquiao clarified that Domingo was appointed as a personal assistant to handle his appointments and similar matters and that Koncz “is coming back next week. That is what he told me the last time I spoke to him.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who is vacationing in the south of France and works closely with Koncz on Pacquiao's fights told the Inquirer that Koncz doesn't work for Top Rank but is an asset in resolving issues related to Pacquiao's fights. He said he had advised Koncz whom he described as being loyal to Manny and someone who looked after his interests to return to Manila immediately.

Pacquiao said he would like to ensure that bickering and intrigues within his camp are eradicated adding “I want them to be happy and to laugh.”

Turning serious Pacquiao said he watched the one round knockout of Likar Ramos by Juan Manuel Marquez whom he fights in a much-awaited trilogy on November 12 said “I know what his strengths are and I know what his strategy is. He’s got nothing different, nothing new.”

In contrast Pacquiao said “I am different now compared to the last time we fought. He has to train hard and of course I will also train hard so we can give fans a good fight.”

The “Fighter of the Decade” who has won eight world titles in eight different weight divisions said he plans to start his training in the Philippines “for the first month and the last month in the US” at the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach.

He disclosed that Marquez is scheduled to arrive in Manila on September 3 to kickoff the media tour at the Luneta Grandstand of the Rizal Park followed by a press conference.

Pacquiao at the same time commended newly crowned WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria saying “he did his best to win the fight and showed us a good fight.However, he seemed to tire out in the last few rounds which meant he was short on stamina. But he did well in that fight. He needs to practice in making boxing easier that what we think.”

He said that while boxing “is so hard and so difficult, there is a way to make that easier. When you have a fight you have to study the style of your opponent and when you train you apply the strategy you are going to use against your opponent while training in the gym.”

Source: philboxing.com

Roger Mayweather Says Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao Both on Steroids -- Bad Left Hook

By Scott Christ, BadLeftHook.com

It's kind of like Roger Mayweather, who is currently part of a defamation suit with Manny Pacquiao on the other side, never learns. In an interview with Chris Robinson of the Examiner, Mayweather again claimed that Pacquiao is "on steriods," and threw Amir Khan into the claim, too:

"The only reason Amir Khan has become the fighter he is, is because he’s got those steroids in his ass too. The same thing Pacquiao’s got in him. I know because those motherf***ers told me," Roger retorted.

Bold accusations but to know Roger you shouldn’t be surprised. Pressing him for more details on who exactly was dishing out the info to him, he claims to have gotten close to a few members from Team Pacquiao.

"Motherf***ers from Pacquiao’s camp, that’s who. I talk to them dudes all the time."

I will say two things for the millionth time each:

1.Roger Mayweather says a lot of things.
2.No, it wouldn't shock me. Sorry if that offends you, but no it wouldn't shock me.

Besides sharing trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao and Khan both share conditioning coach Alex Ariza. That is not to say I think there's anything going on, but if you're going to accuse Pacquiao, as Roger has done many times over, then I guess you might as well accuse Khan, too. Same team. Be consistent, I guess.

Mayweather also favors Zab Judah to beat Khan on Saturday, and says there are no hard feelings between he and the Judah camp, with whom he brawled during Zab's fight against Floyd Jr in 2006.

Source: badlefthook.com

AMIR KHAN: I'M MORE OF A MANNY THAN ZAB JUDAH IS -- UK Express

By John Dillon, Express.co.uk

AMIR KHAN believes his ­experiences learning from the great Manny Pacquiao will give him the speed, power and the critical knowledge of southpaw opposition to end Zab Judah’s comeback.

Amid the acrimonious build-up to the light-welterweight world-title bout in Las Vegas on Saturday, Amir Khan’s trainer Freddie Roach has claimed that his fighter is hitting harder than ever.

It is the result of some intense workouts with sparring partners drafted in to mimic the style of 33-year-old Judah, who is a lefty. And also of Khan’s past work with the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter, the southpaw Filipino Pacquiao.

Roach has also instigated a new physical conditioning regime which has included gruelling sessions running in sand along with work in the pool, now that Khan has finally learned to swim.

Khan, 24, puts the WBA belt he has defended four times in the past two years on the line against Judah, the IBF champion, at the Mandalay Bay resort on The Strip.

“Zab is up there with the best fighters I’ve faced,” said Khan. “He’s a five-time world champion and a two-weight world champion. He has that southpaw style, which is very awkward. But I don’t think he will be able to take the pressure of my speed and power.

“We were lucky to be sparring with Manny Pacquiao in previous camps. He’s probably the most powerful southpaw and that was a great help for me. We’ve also been watching on tape a few things that Zab does and where he makes mistakes, so I know exactly what his style is like.”

Both fighters took part in official arrival ceremonies at the venue hotel yesterday, although Judah is refusing to speak directly to the British media following a row with the Khan camp over TV revenues from the UK. Judah has won five world titles in the light-welterweight and welterweight divisions. He first won the IBF belt 11 years ago and claimed it back when he stopped Kaizer Mabuza in the seventh round in March.

Roach, however, who guides the careers of Khan and Pacquiao at his Wild Card gym in Hollywood, believes the Englishman is in shape to deliver a repeat of his victory over Argentinian Marcos Maidana last December, which was voted Fight of the Year by American boxing writers.

Roach said: “I will have to buy a new body bag for protection against his punches. Amir is really hurting me, digging me in the ribs – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Khan has been reunited with conditioner Alex Ariza after a brief break-up and has also been joined by two of his gym-mates, Rau’shee Warren and Raynell Williams, in the pool.

Roach said: “When the sparring partners went swimming with Amir, one swallowed so much water he sunk like a rock and the other one just sunk.

“But they both came back from the session saying they were going to learn to swim as well as Amir can – and he has only just started. It’s the same in the gym. They tried to do his programme but could not believe anyone could get through so much work.”

Khan v Judah will be broadcast live on Primetime pay-per-view, channel 480 on Sky, for £14.95.

Source: express.co.uk

Khan hits back at Mayweather drug 'nonsense' after attack by Floyd's uncle -- Daily Mail

By Jeff Powell, DailyMail.co.uk

Amir Khan has hit back angrily at allegations that he has used steroids to boost his climb through boxing’s weight divisions.

The uncle of Floyd Mayweather Jnr, who Khan hopes to meet in a mega-fight next year, has linked Britain’s world light-welterweight champion to the family’s claims that Manny Pacquiao’s ascent to become the best pound-for-pound boxer on the planet has been achieved by drug abuse.

Roger Mayweather voiced suspicions because Khan is in the same stable as Pacquiao under master trainer Freddie Roach.

Khan, 24, said: ‘I’ve consistently proved that I am a clean fighter. This is nonsense. I’ve been tested repeatedly in my career, before and after fights, at home and my base in Los Angeles.

Don’t forget that I came through the Olympics (in 2004) where testing is very thorough. I’ve never refused the test, even though I could have done so when I received an unannounced knock on the door a month after my last fight against Paul McCloskey.’

Khan was so upset that he passed on concerns heard in America about Mayweather himself. He said: ‘It’s not for me to say but quite a few people over here wondered if Floyd was on something when he fought Oscar De La Hoya because he suddenly looked so much bigger.’

Khan is here for a world title unification fight with American Zab Judah on Saturday, and trainer Roach also ridiculed the allegations.

Roach said: ‘I would question Roger Mayweather’s education about steroids, first of all. This is nothing more than hearsay. I can promise you that none of my fighters, Amir and Manny included, have ever been to the drugs chemist.’

While the world is gagging to see Mayweather fight Pacquiao, differences between the two have opened up the possibility of Khan getting his shot at the boastful American next year. But first he must deal with Judah, 33, a fellow world-title holder.

And Roach believes his fighters have a good chance if a bout with Mayweather does take place: ‘We are not looking beyond Judah but I am in the position of having two boxers who are capable of beating Mayweather.’

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Advisor talks to Pacquiao, insists he isn't fired -- Ring

By Lem Satterfield, The Ring

After speaking with eight-division titleholder Manny Pacquiao moments ago, Michael Koncz, the fighter's adviser, dismissed a widely reported rumor in the Filipino press that Pacquiao had fired him.

"I called Manny and told him that the media is calling me and bombarding me with questions about my being fired,” Koncz told RingTV.com. “I told him that 'I want your permission to respond to them by saying that I personally spoke to you a few minutes ago and that the accusations and stories on the internet are totally untrue, and that I still work for you.’

"And he said, 'Yes, of course.' It was a very short conversation that took about a minute.”

Koncz, a partner in Pacquiao's MP Promotions, has been labeled by some of Pacquiao's own camp members as being a "crook."

But Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, called Koncz "an honest guy."

"Michael is very valuable and he's a guy who looks out for Manny 100 percent. My feelings about Michael are that he's got Manny's best interest at heart," Arum said. "Michael accounts for every nickel, and he chases us to make sure that every nickel is paid.

"Does he have the best personality to handle a lot of situations? No. But he's an honest guy. That's what Manny needs more than anything else -- an honest representative."

In February, as part of a press tour promotion Pacquiao's May 7 fight against Shane Mosley, Koncz sat across from Pacquiao and the fighter's wife, Jinkee, during a train ride from New York to Washington, D.C..

That leg of the tour had followed a New York press conference at Chelsea Pier No. 61, the third stop in a four-city tour.

Pointing at Koncz, Pacquiao said, "Michael Koncz is trustworthy," and "honest," adding that he considered Koncz to be his personal confidant as well as his personal assistant.

"What irritates me more is that I've worked very hard to gain Manny's trust and respect. But more importantly than that, with people making false stories and accusations on my behalf, what bothers me the most is that insults Manny's intelligence," Koncz said.

"If I was the bad guy doing all of these things that people are alleging, then why would Manny keep me around? Manny is a very intelligent man, and he knows for himself who is doing what for him and who is not doing it."

In July of 2010, the aftermath of a second-round knockout by then-WBO featherweight titleholder Juan Manuel Lopez of Filipino Bernabe Concepcion got ugly for Koncz.

Koncz was blasted by members of the Filipino media who believed he had been responsible for pushing Concepcion into a fight that was beyond his ability to win.

In additon, Koncz has been accused of trying to get rid of Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s longtime trainer and fitness coach.

"I'm sure that I can speculate as to who the source is, and I'm sure that my speculation would be accurate, but, you know, the bottom line is that I do not care about the people who do this. My obligation and my loyalties are to Manny Pacquiao, and that's what I demonstrate," Koncz said.

"Manny has promised me that when and if there is a day where he feels that he cannot trust me, or doesn't need me, he will come to me personally and tell me that. If that happens, then we will shake hands and say, 'OK, goodbye.' It's very simple. But this is not the first time people have tried to put wedges between Manny and I when I'm apart from him."

And Koncz knows that it probably will not be the last.

Source: ringtv.craveonline.com