Roadwork kicks off Pacquiao's training -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Looking lean and mean, Manny Pacquiao officially kicked off his buildup for his May 7 scrap with Shane Mosley with a morning roadwork Monday at Burnham Park in Baguio City.

“Brod (Manny) did four rounds of running,” said Buboy Fernandez, reporting from the City of Pines, site of Pacquiao’s training camp in the next four weeks.

Pacquiao had actually arrived there shortly before midnight of Sunday from Manila but was up before 6 a.m., according to the fighter’s aide Jojo Santa Teresa, who revealed that “there were not too many people at the park because not too many knew he was already here but there’ll be more in the coming days.”

Fernandez, who has been chief trainer Freddie Roach’s able assistant the last ten years, said his boss appeared “trim” that he looked as though the 32-year-old Filipino star had been working out diligently the past few weeks.

Pacquiao last fought in November last year, beating Antonio Margarito of Mexico in 12 savage rounds in Texas.

And instead of gaining weight during the holidays and in the succeeding months, Pacquiao kept his weight in check, giving those who supervise his training all the reason to be happy.

“We won’t have any problems making the weight (of 147 lbs),” said Fernandez. “Brod never had problems maintaining his weight whenever he is not training for a fight. Yes, he gains weight but not too much unlike other boxers who bloat.”

Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization welterweight crown will be on the line in the scheduled 12-rounder at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s daily routine would be roadwork between 6 or 7 in the morning and gymwork at 2 p.m. at the Shape Up Gym inside the Cooyeesan Hotel, said Fernandez.

Pacquiao is a prohibitive 6-1 favorite to repulse the challenge of the durable Mosley, who will be four months shy off his 40th birthday by fighttime.

Source: mb.com.ph

Tyson: Mayweather has edge over Pacquiao -- Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - If there’s one fight Mike Tyson wants to see then it’s the superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He said if and when that happens, Mayweather will have the upperhand.

Speaking to Showtime broadcaster Jim Grey, the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world said he can’t wait to see Pacquiao and Mayweather up in the ring.

“I would love to see the fight,” Tyson told Grey as written by Ricardo Lois of The Examiner.

The former champion, who made some of the biggest news inside and outside the ring, also said there’s one reason why he wants the fight to happen.

“I would love to see the odds, so I can make a bet,” he said.

Tyson used the fight against Juan Manuel Marquez by both Pacquiao and Mayweather as a gauge for the superfight.

“Pacquiao went life and death with Marquez,” said Tyson of a 2008 encounter between the Filipino champion and the Mexican counterpuncher.

The two boxers also figured in a very tight contest, which ended in a controversial draw, in 2004.

“Then Mayweather dominated him (Marquez),” said Tyson, referring to the undefeated American’s lopsided win against Marquez in 2009.

Twice over the last couple of years, Pacquiao vs Mayweather came close to happening, but on both occasions, negotiations fell off.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who handles Pacquiao, said if Don King promoted Mayweather, the fight could be made in one hour.

But that’s not the case because Mayweather still has Golden Boy Promotions as his partner.

“I didn’t say that the fight would be made in a day, it would be made in one hour. Don and I would cut to the essentials, we would work out those few details, and we would make the fight,” said Arum.

Source: philstar.com

Move over Manny 10 year old Maria Aragon has arrived -- 8CountNews

By Brad Cooney, 8CountNews.com

It appears as if 8 division world champion Manny Pacquiao has company. There is another person from the Philippines making noise on the scene right now, and she's 10 years old. Maria Aragon, the Filipino Canadian from Winnipeg has over 22 million views on her YouTube rendition of Lady Gaga's "Born this way" and the numbers are rising. The pint sized singer has had an amazing 3 weeks.

Maria's sister filmed Maria as she sang, "Born this way" and uploaded the video on YouTube. A few days later Hollywood Gossip Blogger Perez Hilton saw the video, and enjoyed it so much that he forwarded it to the singing icon who wrote the song, Lady Gaga. When Lady Gaga saw the video, she began to cry and sent out a message to her 8 million Twitter followers. The message said, “Can't stop crying watching this. This is why I make music.”

A few days later while visiting with a local Winnipeg radio station FM HOT 103 Maria received a surprise phone call that would change her life. With her headphones on her head, the voice of Lady Gaga came through and the 10 yr olds face lit up like a Christmas Tree. The voice said, "Hi it's Lady Gaga" and at that point the singing icon would go on with the following, "Not only do you have such a beautiful voice and you are so joyful to watch, but every once in a while, whether people believe it or not, I have a very bad day, I was not having such a good day, and when (entertainment blogger Perez Hilton) sent me the video of you singing Born This Way, I was so overjoyed that I began to cry."

With hearing these words, the overwhelmed Maria said, "Thank you so much....thank you so much" and then began to cry. A few second later Maria regained her composure and asked Gaga where she gets her outfits. The room began laughing, and Gaga would go on to tell her about her design team, "House of Gaga" but the big surprise would be a few minutes later.

The radio host then told Lady Gaga that they were going to fly Maria to Toronto, Canada for her big Monster Ball tour concert. Lady Gaga then dropped the big surprise, "Well I think we should sing that song on stage together Maria. I think we should do a duet together, what do you think?" With tears streaming down Maria's face, she said, "That would be really cool."

Fast forward to March, 3rd 2011. In front of over 20,000 fans in Toronto, Gaga introduced Maria to the fans, "I have a surprise for you tonight. Introducing Maria, the famous singer from YouTube." The crowd erupted with cheers as Maria walked onto the stage. Dressed in black sparkle pants, a hoodie, and a rally monkey around her neck, the 10 year old walked into the waiting arms of Lady Gaga. The two would then sit down at the piano, Maria on Gaga's lap, and the kids dream would come true. A duet with Lady Gaga singing Aragon's version of "Born this way" became a reality. The crowd was mesmerized by the performance.

When the song was over Gaga handed Maria the mic and said, "Do you have anything that you would like to say?" Aragon smiled and said, "Hi Lady Gaga!" This brought the house down with laughter. Maria then went on and said, "I want to thank all of you for all of your support. I am actually from Winnipeg, and I came here to sing for you guys, so I hope you enjoyed it." Lady Gaga looked at Maria with tears now streaming down her face.

In just a matter of a few weeks, Maria has been on the Ellen show, and the Good Morning America show. Now she's performed with Lady Gaga, and she has multiple record deal offers coming at her every day.

A new star was born and the 10 year old from Winnipeg Canada is handling it like a champion. Both of her parents were born in The Philippines, and arrived in Canada 14 years ago. The Aragon's are a close family, they sing often together, and they are all taking this ride together.

Manny Pacquiao has company, and it's a ten year old named Maria Aragon.

Source: 8countnews.com