By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
LAS VEGAS -WBO welterweight (147 pounds) king Manny Pacquiao might have submitted to drug testing, no problem, for a mega bout against anyone but pound-for-pound rival Floyd Mayweather -- at least that is what Pacquiao's Filipino countryman, Nonito Donaire, believes.
"I think that that it was about pride. I think that it's just because it's Floyd Mayweather asking him to do it," said Donaire. "If other people had asked him beforehand, he probably would have done it."
A former WBA interim super flyweight (115 pounds) titlist, Donaire (25-1, 17 knockouts) made his comments following a Wednesday workout at the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas, where Donaire was gearing up for Saturday night's HBO televised, Top Rank Promotions bantamweight (118 pounds) clash against WBO and WBC king Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs) of Mexico at the Mandalay Bay Hotel.
Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) became the source of speculation, by some, of alleged use of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) resulting from his ability to rise in weight and retain power, a notion that was highlighted following the twice-failed negotiations to make a bout between him and Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) over the issue of Olympic style drug testing of both blood and urine.
Pacquiao refused to give in to the demands of Mayweather, who insisted on random testing all the way up to and after the fight, as opposed to Pacquiao's contending for testing based on a 14-day window prior to the fight.
"If it was Fernando Montiel who told me to take a test, I would think, 'Why would you want me to do it?'" said Donaire.
"I would think that he was just trying to play with my head," said Donaire. "I think that's how Manny sees it, like, 'Why would you tell me to do it?' I think that that's what it all comes down to. I think that a lot of it is pride."
In November, Pacquiao won a record eighth crown by unanimous decision over ex-champion Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) for the WBC's junior middleweight (154 pounds) belt, and Donaire has indicated that he would like to pursue similar glory by climbing weight classes.
Donaire is coming off of December's fourth-round knockout of Volodymyr Sydorenko (22-2-2, seven KOs), a man who never had been stopped before suffering a broken nose and being floored three times by Donaire.
Donaire credited his new-found energy, speed, and, power, against Sydorenko to controversial former BALCO founder Victor Conte, who will be in his third fight as Donaire's nutritionist entering his fight with Montiel.
Conte was once committed to "helping athletes to circumvent" Olympic-style drug testing policies such as those executed by United States Anti-Doping Agency until BALCO was raided in 2003, causing him to be imprisoned for a short time.
Since then, however, Conte has made a new life of training and supplying athletes with legal supplements, one of those athletes being Donaire.
As a result of his association with Conte, Donaire said that he must be willing to voluntarily submit to drug-testing at any time.
"For me, that's just how I have to do it, and I would take the test because I work with Victor. That's why I'm so willing to take it," said Donaire.
"I have Victor with me. I have my name and his name, and I have to prove that we're legit," said Donaire. "But if I wasn't working with Victor, and my opponent tells me to take the test, I would be like, 'Screw you. I'm not going to take it. You take it.'"
Pacquiao has named Mayweather, his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and both Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya -- the CEO and President, respectively, of Golden Boy Promotions -- in a suit which seeks compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character for their alleged accusations of steroid use by Pacquiao.
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Friday, 18 February 2011
Rival trainer outraged by Hatton fight -- ESPN
ESPN
The recently announced WBC light-middleweight title fight between Saul Alvarez and Matthew Hatton has come in for heavy criticism - being called 'boxing politics at its worst' by a rival trainer.
The fight between Alvarez and Hatton, brother of former light-welterweight champion Ricky, was upgraded to a title fight on Thursday after previous incumbent Manny Pacquiao decided to vacate his crown and turn his attentions to a welterweight clash with Shane Mosley.
But David Coldwell, trainer of No. 4 ranked light-middleweight contender Ryan Rhodes, believes it is disgraceful that the two fighters should be given a shot at the belt without having previously fought in the weight class.
"This is boxing politics at its worst," said Coldwell. "The WBC, one of the most well-regarded bodies in boxing, is doing the sport no favours.
"The public barely understands the way the sport is run, and when an organisation of their standing does this it just makes it a farce for boxers working their way towards the title."
Hatton and Alvarez have both traditionally fought at welterweight during their careers to date. While Alvarez has never previously competed at light-middleweight in his 36 professional fights to date, Hatton has recorded one such fight - but a number of years ago.
The fight is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, who wield significant influence in the United States - where the fight is being staged, and where both Alvarez and Hatton enjoy some recognition.
Rhodes, 34, has built up a formidable record of 45 wins and just four defeats in his professional career. Having hoped for a shot at the WBC belt prior to Pacquiao's defeat of Antonio Margarito, it seems he will now have to wait and hope he gets to fight the winner of the Hatton-Alvarez bout.
Source: espn.co.uk
The recently announced WBC light-middleweight title fight between Saul Alvarez and Matthew Hatton has come in for heavy criticism - being called 'boxing politics at its worst' by a rival trainer.
The fight between Alvarez and Hatton, brother of former light-welterweight champion Ricky, was upgraded to a title fight on Thursday after previous incumbent Manny Pacquiao decided to vacate his crown and turn his attentions to a welterweight clash with Shane Mosley.
But David Coldwell, trainer of No. 4 ranked light-middleweight contender Ryan Rhodes, believes it is disgraceful that the two fighters should be given a shot at the belt without having previously fought in the weight class. "This is boxing politics at its worst," said Coldwell. "The WBC, one of the most well-regarded bodies in boxing, is doing the sport no favours.
"The public barely understands the way the sport is run, and when an organisation of their standing does this it just makes it a farce for boxers working their way towards the title."
Hatton and Alvarez have both traditionally fought at welterweight during their careers to date. While Alvarez has never previously competed at light-middleweight in his 36 professional fights to date, Hatton has recorded one such fight - but a number of years ago.
The fight is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, who wield significant influence in the United States - where the fight is being staged, and where both Alvarez and Hatton enjoy some recognition.
Rhodes, 34, has built up a formidable record of 45 wins and just four defeats in his professional career. Having hoped for a shot at the WBC belt prior to Pacquiao's defeat of Antonio Margarito, it seems he will now have to wait and hope he gets to fight the winner of the Hatton-Alvarez bout.
Source: espn.co.uk
Donaire hopes win vs. Montiel will be springboard to fame -- USA Today
By Bob Velin, USA TODAY
The best Filipino fighter this side of Manny Pacquiao takes to the ring Saturday night for what is expected to be the toughest challenge of his career.
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) will try to take the WBO and WBC bantamweight title belts that belong to his opponent, Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs) of Mexico, in a scheduled 12-round bout at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas (HBO live, 9:45 p.m. ET).
Donaire, who is from the same city in the Philippines as Pacquiao —General Santos City— but moved to the USA when he was 10, has knockout power he has demonstrated on several occasions.
U.S. fans first witnessed that power in Donaire's shocking one-punch (left hook), fifth-round knockout of previously unbeaten Vic Darchinyan at 112 pounds (flyweight) in 2007.
Last December, in his most recent display, Donaire disposed of Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko in four rounds, dropping him twice before the final KO, a left-hook counterpunch that showed viewers why his nickname is "the Flash." Sidorenko never saw the punch coming, and it left his face a bloody mess.
Donaire, 28, who has not lost since his second professional fight a decade ago, says he thinks a victory in this fight will finally propel him to the stardom that has eluded him since the Darchinyan KO. He figures it didn't happen then because fans were skeptical and some thought it might have been a fluke.
"My marketability will skyrocket. My name will get bigger and I will get bigger fights," Donaire says. "People will come after me because that's what happens when you're on top. My name is in the top pound-for-pound lists and no one can take that away from me after I beat Montiel."
Montiel, 31, is a savvy veteran who has been fighting professionally since he was 16 and has not lost since 2006. He is coming off a second-round stoppage of Jovanny Soto last December.
Montiel acknowledges that he and Donaire are friends and says he was impressed by Donaire's win against Sidorenko.
"But I'm not Sidorenko," says Montiel. "Sidorenko just stood there in front of him. I am not going to be standing in front of him. I'm going to be moving around and I'll be doing my job, too. I think our styles match real well and it's going to be a good fight."
Like his friend Pacquiao, a champion in a record eight weight divisions, Donaire hopes to keep moving up in weight.
"Right now I am not even touching the weights and I am blowing up to 135 (pounds) if I don't take care of myself for even just a few days," says Donaire, who will fight Montiel at 118 pounds. "I think I can fight as heavy as 130 or 135 because of how much bigger I have become."
Montiel is not so sure Donaire will be as good or as quick at the heavier weights.
"He is a good fighter but I think he was better at either 112 or 115," says Montiel. "We'll see how good he is at 118 and that will show in the ring."
On the televised undercard is a rematch of one of the top fights of 2010 — welterweights Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs) of Philadelphia against Jesus Soto-Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs). Jones scored a close and controversial majority decision against Soto-Karass last November on the Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard.
Source: usatoday.com
The best Filipino fighter this side of Manny Pacquiao takes to the ring Saturday night for what is expected to be the toughest challenge of his career.
Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) will try to take the WBO and WBC bantamweight title belts that belong to his opponent, Fernando Montiel (44-2-2, 34 KOs) of Mexico, in a scheduled 12-round bout at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas (HBO live, 9:45 p.m. ET).
Donaire, who is from the same city in the Philippines as Pacquiao —General Santos City— but moved to the USA when he was 10, has knockout power he has demonstrated on several occasions.
U.S. fans first witnessed that power in Donaire's shocking one-punch (left hook), fifth-round knockout of previously unbeaten Vic Darchinyan at 112 pounds (flyweight) in 2007.
Last December, in his most recent display, Donaire disposed of Ukrainian Wladimir Sidorenko in four rounds, dropping him twice before the final KO, a left-hook counterpunch that showed viewers why his nickname is "the Flash." Sidorenko never saw the punch coming, and it left his face a bloody mess.
Donaire, 28, who has not lost since his second professional fight a decade ago, says he thinks a victory in this fight will finally propel him to the stardom that has eluded him since the Darchinyan KO. He figures it didn't happen then because fans were skeptical and some thought it might have been a fluke.
"My marketability will skyrocket. My name will get bigger and I will get bigger fights," Donaire says. "People will come after me because that's what happens when you're on top. My name is in the top pound-for-pound lists and no one can take that away from me after I beat Montiel."
Montiel, 31, is a savvy veteran who has been fighting professionally since he was 16 and has not lost since 2006. He is coming off a second-round stoppage of Jovanny Soto last December.
Montiel acknowledges that he and Donaire are friends and says he was impressed by Donaire's win against Sidorenko.
"But I'm not Sidorenko," says Montiel. "Sidorenko just stood there in front of him. I am not going to be standing in front of him. I'm going to be moving around and I'll be doing my job, too. I think our styles match real well and it's going to be a good fight."
Like his friend Pacquiao, a champion in a record eight weight divisions, Donaire hopes to keep moving up in weight.
"Right now I am not even touching the weights and I am blowing up to 135 (pounds) if I don't take care of myself for even just a few days," says Donaire, who will fight Montiel at 118 pounds. "I think I can fight as heavy as 130 or 135 because of how much bigger I have become."
Montiel is not so sure Donaire will be as good or as quick at the heavier weights.
"He is a good fighter but I think he was better at either 112 or 115," says Montiel. "We'll see how good he is at 118 and that will show in the ring."
On the televised undercard is a rematch of one of the top fights of 2010 — welterweights Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs) of Philadelphia against Jesus Soto-Karass (24-5-3, 16 KOs). Jones scored a close and controversial majority decision against Soto-Karass last November on the Pacquiao-Antonio Margarito undercard.
Source: usatoday.com
Pacquiao a Traffic Stopper in D.C. -- NBC
By Associated Press / NBC Washington
Boxer Manny Pacquiao has caused plenty of damage inside the ring. Now he can brag about causing damage outside the ring.
During a tour of D.C., the superstar was crossing the street when several drivers caused a multicar pileup while trying to snap pictures of him.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the accident.
Pacquiao’s visit to the nation’s capital included meetings with President Obama and Nevada Senator Harry Reid.
It wasn’t all fun and games for the boxer -- he talked business with the president.
Pacquiao was elected representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippines and is currently exploring the possibility of building the area’s first provincial hospital.
The superstar boxer invited the president to his fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Obama said he would be too busy to travel but promised to watch on television.
Pacquiao’s publicist, Fred Sternburg, said Pacquiao enjoyed his visit.
"Manny said it was very impressive being in the Oval Office, seeing it first hand," he said. "It was a great honor to meet the president. He is a very tall man."
Source: nbcwashington.com
During a tour of D.C., the superstar was crossing the street when several drivers caused a multicar pileup while trying to snap pictures of him.
Luckily, no one was hurt in the accident.
Pacquiao’s visit to the nation’s capital included meetings with President Obama and Nevada Senator Harry Reid.
It wasn’t all fun and games for the boxer -- he talked business with the president.
Pacquiao was elected representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippines and is currently exploring the possibility of building the area’s first provincial hospital.
The superstar boxer invited the president to his fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Obama said he would be too busy to travel but promised to watch on television.
Pacquiao’s publicist, Fred Sternburg, said Pacquiao enjoyed his visit.
"Manny said it was very impressive being in the Oval Office, seeing it first hand," he said. "It was a great honor to meet the president. He is a very tall man."
Source: nbcwashington.com
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