By Michael Rosenthal, The Ring
HAMBURG, Germany -- Trainer Emanuel Steward was relaxed as he sank into a plush leather chair in the lobby of a five-star hotel here. It had nothing to do with the serene setting of the InterContinental, which overlooks the picturesque Alster Lake in one of Germany’s most-beautiful cities.
Rather, Steward, a natural worrier, is at peace because he is supremely confident about the prospects of his fighter – heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko -- against David Haye on Saturday.
“Honestly,” he said in a soft voice, almost embarrassed at being so bold, “I don’t think it’ll go much past four rounds.”
Steward chatted for about an hour with RingTV.com, explaining why Klitschkko will beat Haye at what is expected to be an Imtech Arena soccer stadium packed with about 50,000 fans of the Germany-based Ukrainian giant.
Klitschko has obvious advantages in size and experience – he has taken part in 18 world title fights, Haye five – that should play a role in their long-awating showdown.
However, Steward focused on three basic aspects of his fighter’s game he believes will make this a one-sided fight: Footwork he compared to that of Manny Pacquiao, the big man’s now-legendary left jab and a right he said rivals that of any fighter he’s ever worked with.
Steward said he can’t understand why observers don’t recognize Klitschko’s ability to move his feet effectively, which he explained is the most-important element to any boxer’s repertoire.
Klitschko, he said, defetly uses his feet to get into punching range – relentlessly cutting off the ring – but also uses them to step quickly backward when his opponent attacks and then, with his prey off balance, counter punch. Either way the opponent loses.
“Tommy Morrison beat George Foreman so easily because every time George came in, Tommy just moved to the side,” Steward said. “It was so simple. Tommy would just make George miss completely and then BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!. Michael Moorer and other opponents blocked George’s punches. If you make someone miss, they lose their balance. If you block punches, you let them keep their balance.
“The only fighters in boxing (today) that do this effectively off the top of my head are Manny Pacquiao and Wladimir. People don’t see Wladimir’s footwork. That amazes me.”
How is Haye’s footwork?
Steward got up from his chair and stood with his feet wide apart, catching the attention of curious hotel guests nearby who would receive their first lesson in proper balance. The trainer threw a right hand and then stumbled to make a point.
“Haye gets out of balance when he throws his right,” Steward said. “That’s why he never throws combinations, because he’s off balance all the time. He’s too far apart and flat footed. Wladimir is always on his toes.”
So how was an unbalanced Haye able to beat heavyweights such as Nikolai Valuev and John Ruiz?
“Because his opponents stand like that,” said Steward, standing upright with his hands covering his face. “He’s more explosive than those guys. He better be careful who he’s fighting this time, though. In his mind Wladimir is a stand-up, robotic guy. He doesn’t see the footwork, how he cuts off the ring, shortens the distance.
“If he is comparing Wladimir to Valuev and Ruiz, he’s going to have a problem.”
Klitschko’s jab is no secret. It is like a moving, rock-hard wall his opponents almost invariably can’t find a way around.
Steward said it isn’t thrown in the same way each time, though. Sometimes it is predictable, coming straight at you. Sometimes he throws it out of rhythm. And sometimes he’ll throw a half jab first – causing you to flinch – and then come at you with full force.
The idea is to keep the opponent guessing.
“I see people get frustrated with his jab,” Steward said. “They can’t figure it out. The opponent goes back to his corner and they say, ‘Why are you getting his with those jabs, man? We worked on that in camp.’ They all have problems with it.
“The strategy for this fight is real simple … create foot pressure, take his space away, like Wladimir did against Eddie Chambers. Cut him off, cut him off, cut him off. Create tension. Don’t give him time to relax. Shoot the jab, shoot the jab, shoot the jab and eventually you’ll get caught with a big shot.”
Klitschko -- 6-foot-6½ (199cm) and about 245 pounds (111 kilos) – is a big, immensely strong man. His right biceps is the size of a basketball.
Thus, it’s no great surprise that Steward compares his punching power to that of giant-sized former protégé Lennox Lewis and most people believe he hits harder than Mike Tyson ever did.
The effectiveness of Klitschko’s right goes beyond strength, though. Speed (underrated) and positioning of his glove also play a role.
Steward said more than one opponent has told him after the fact that they were surprised at Klitschko’s hand speed, another example of his surprising athleticism given his size.
The right also reaches its target quickly because of where it starts. Steward put his right fist against his ear, a typical starting position for an orthodox boxer. Then he moved the fist to his chin, about six inches closer to the opponent.
That’s where Klitschko’s right starts, he said. Steward believes the six inches can decide a fight.
“I ran into Chris Byrd after Wladimir beat him the second time and he said, ‘My dad and everyone says he beat me because he is bigger than me. The first fight, maybe. The last fight he beat me because I couldn’t see his punches.’ Chris got knocked down the first time and asked his corner, ‘What knocked me down?’ They said a right hand. He never saw it. He keeps it in such a position and throws it so straight that you hardly see it.
“You get so busy watching for the jab and all of a sudden you’re on the floor. Wladimir pushes the button on the missle and it goes right to the target.”
That’s what Steward is convinced will happen against Haye on Saturday.
Klitschko will use his feet to move in and out of danger. He’ll batter the Briton with his confusing and relentless jab. And he’ll fire big rights that Haye will have trouble tracking, rights that will eventually spell the underdog's doom.
It all seems so simple.
“It is,” Steward said. “That’s why I’m so comfortable, so relaxed about this fight.”
Source: ringtv.craveonline.com
Friday, 1 July 2011
District judge sides with Pacquiao, orders Mayweather to give deposition -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
By Steve Carp, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A district judge ruled Thursday that Floyd Mayweather Jr. must give a deposition in the defamation lawsuit filed against him by fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao.
U.S. District Court Judge Larry Hicks denied an emergency appeal filed by Mayweather attorney Mark Tratos, claiming the appeal was "without merit." Mayweather was scheduled to give his deposition June 17 but failed to appear.
Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, sued Mayweather in December 2009 after Mayweather allegedly accused Pacquiao of taking steroids
and other performance-enhancing drugs in his rise to stardom.
Hicks' decision affirmed Magistrate Robert Johnston's order denying Mayweather's motion for a protective order to prevent the June 17 deposition.
Daniel Petrocelli, who represents Pacquiao, said Thursday: "Floyd Mayweather Jr. still is refusing to show up for his deposition. He continues to defy the court's order."
Mayweather this week went on a two-day promotional tour for his Sept. 17 fight against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden. Tratos said he has reached out to Petrocelli in the hope of delaying the deposition until after the fight.
"We're still negotiating," Tratos said. "I've had correspondence with opposing counsel and we'll try and find a solution. If possible, we'd like to have the deposition after Sept. 17."
Tratos said there was no truth to the rumor that Pacquiao would drop his lawsuit if Mayweather publicly apologized to him. Pacquiao dropped Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya and chief executive officer Richard Schaefer from the lawsuit this spring after Golden Boy issued a public apology to Pacquiao.
"Believe me, if it was an apology that was necessary, this case would have been gone a long time ago," Tratos said.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
Source: lvrj.com
A district judge ruled Thursday that Floyd Mayweather Jr. must give a deposition in the defamation lawsuit filed against him by fellow boxer Manny Pacquiao.
U.S. District Court Judge Larry Hicks denied an emergency appeal filed by Mayweather attorney Mark Tratos, claiming the appeal was "without merit." Mayweather was scheduled to give his deposition June 17 but failed to appear.
Pacquiao, the reigning WBO welterweight champion who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, sued Mayweather in December 2009 after Mayweather allegedly accused Pacquiao of taking steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs in his rise to stardom.Hicks' decision affirmed Magistrate Robert Johnston's order denying Mayweather's motion for a protective order to prevent the June 17 deposition.
Daniel Petrocelli, who represents Pacquiao, said Thursday: "Floyd Mayweather Jr. still is refusing to show up for his deposition. He continues to defy the court's order."
Mayweather this week went on a two-day promotional tour for his Sept. 17 fight against WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden. Tratos said he has reached out to Petrocelli in the hope of delaying the deposition until after the fight.
"We're still negotiating," Tratos said. "I've had correspondence with opposing counsel and we'll try and find a solution. If possible, we'd like to have the deposition after Sept. 17."
Tratos said there was no truth to the rumor that Pacquiao would drop his lawsuit if Mayweather publicly apologized to him. Pacquiao dropped Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar De La Hoya and chief executive officer Richard Schaefer from the lawsuit this spring after Golden Boy issued a public apology to Pacquiao.
"Believe me, if it was an apology that was necessary, this case would have been gone a long time ago," Tratos said.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
Source: lvrj.com
Ortiz-Mayweather LA Presser -- FightNews
By Francisco Salazar, FightNews.com
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The stars were out at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday night. There were bright lights, a red carpet, hundreds of fans in attendance seeking autographs or pictures. One would have thought that famous actors, rappers, or other celebrities were attending an awards show based on the electricity of the event and the crowd.
Instead, it was two of the biggest names in boxing today that drew an overwhelming crowd to the outdoor plaza, which is located right across the street from STAPLES Center.
Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz took different roads during their professional career, but they will step inside the ring on September 17th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Wednesday night was the final stop of a two-day press tour to announce their showdown in a few months’ time. On Tuesday afternoon, both fighters and their respective camps were in New York City, holding court in front of the media and fight fans.
After defeating Andre Berto two and a half months ago, Ortiz confirmed to the media that he went to the office of Golden Boy Promotions and demanded that they arrange a bout between him and Mayweather. Since Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe have worked together in the past, the fight was arranged with little hesitance.
Possibly because of the electricity in the air and the crowd that favored Ortiz, there was a great deal of talking from the Ortiz camp, more so than at the press conference in New York.
When Schaefer announced to the meeting between the two fighters was called “Star Power,” explaining that Mayweather was the star and Ortiz had the power, Ortiz interjected.
“I am the power and I am the star!” proclaimed Ortiz, drawing applause from the crowd.
Possibly, considering that Ortiz defeated Berto with power and has risen to the star that the media and fight fans projected him to be when he was a prospect.
Ortiz did not hide his emotions in explaining that he was frustrated and felt disrespected that Mayweather, in an interview with ESPN’s Brian Kenny, focused his attention on a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao.
“I’m tired of keeping my mouth closed. I’m tired of hearing about Pacquiao. Mayweather is a beast, but I’m a monster. If he wants to box, we’ll box. If he wants to brawl, we’ll brawl. I’m the new WBC champion and I’m keeping the belt. I’m going to knock Mayweather out the way Julio Cesar Chavez knocked out Roger Mayweather.”
Mayweather thanked Ortiz for not only “stepping up to face him,” but for submitting to the Olympic-style drug testing, an alleged sticking point that Pacquiao did not want to agree to by Mayweather.
Praising the late-Genaro Hernandez, who passed away a few weeks ago to cancer, Mayweather stated that he has been in grueling fights with Mexican fighters and he expects one from the young Mexican-American.
“It’s going to be another amazing night. I’m going to go toe-to-toe. I’m not going to box. September 17th will be an amazing night. I’m not going to overlook Ortiz. He’s young and I can’t overlook those victories. But, Victor will be now, then Pacquiao is next.”
MGM Grand executive Bob Halloran announced that Mayweather is a -750 favorite, while Ortiz is a +525 underdog.
“That’s fine by me. I was an underdog going into the Berto fight,” was what Ortiz responded when asked about the odds.
Schaefer announced that tickets will go on sale a week from Friday. Besides HBO Pay Per View, the fight will be shown on closed circuit in Las Vegas and in movie theatres across the country.
Also, a “behind the scenes” press tour video will be shown on Youtube.
Aside from the face-to-face jawing between the two before and after the press conference, the event was rather calm and more entertaining for the media and fight fans.
Let us hope that the press conference will translate to a lot of action in the ring on September 17th.
Source: fightnews.com
Instead, it was two of the biggest names in boxing today that drew an overwhelming crowd to the outdoor plaza, which is located right across the street from STAPLES Center.
Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz took different roads during their professional career, but they will step inside the ring on September 17th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Wednesday night was the final stop of a two-day press tour to announce their showdown in a few months’ time. On Tuesday afternoon, both fighters and their respective camps were in New York City, holding court in front of the media and fight fans.
After defeating Andre Berto two and a half months ago, Ortiz confirmed to the media that he went to the office of Golden Boy Promotions and demanded that they arrange a bout between him and Mayweather. Since Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe have worked together in the past, the fight was arranged with little hesitance.
Possibly because of the electricity in the air and the crowd that favored Ortiz, there was a great deal of talking from the Ortiz camp, more so than at the press conference in New York.
When Schaefer announced to the meeting between the two fighters was called “Star Power,” explaining that Mayweather was the star and Ortiz had the power, Ortiz interjected.
“I am the power and I am the star!” proclaimed Ortiz, drawing applause from the crowd.
Possibly, considering that Ortiz defeated Berto with power and has risen to the star that the media and fight fans projected him to be when he was a prospect.
Ortiz did not hide his emotions in explaining that he was frustrated and felt disrespected that Mayweather, in an interview with ESPN’s Brian Kenny, focused his attention on a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao.
“I’m tired of keeping my mouth closed. I’m tired of hearing about Pacquiao. Mayweather is a beast, but I’m a monster. If he wants to box, we’ll box. If he wants to brawl, we’ll brawl. I’m the new WBC champion and I’m keeping the belt. I’m going to knock Mayweather out the way Julio Cesar Chavez knocked out Roger Mayweather.”
Mayweather thanked Ortiz for not only “stepping up to face him,” but for submitting to the Olympic-style drug testing, an alleged sticking point that Pacquiao did not want to agree to by Mayweather.
Praising the late-Genaro Hernandez, who passed away a few weeks ago to cancer, Mayweather stated that he has been in grueling fights with Mexican fighters and he expects one from the young Mexican-American.
“It’s going to be another amazing night. I’m going to go toe-to-toe. I’m not going to box. September 17th will be an amazing night. I’m not going to overlook Ortiz. He’s young and I can’t overlook those victories. But, Victor will be now, then Pacquiao is next.”
MGM Grand executive Bob Halloran announced that Mayweather is a -750 favorite, while Ortiz is a +525 underdog.
“That’s fine by me. I was an underdog going into the Berto fight,” was what Ortiz responded when asked about the odds.
Schaefer announced that tickets will go on sale a week from Friday. Besides HBO Pay Per View, the fight will be shown on closed circuit in Las Vegas and in movie theatres across the country.
Also, a “behind the scenes” press tour video will be shown on Youtube.
Aside from the face-to-face jawing between the two before and after the press conference, the event was rather calm and more entertaining for the media and fight fans.
Let us hope that the press conference will translate to a lot of action in the ring on September 17th.
Source: fightnews.com
Judge Rejects Mayweather Emergency Appeal for Delay in Deposition -- The Boxing Tribune
The Boxing Tribune
Manny Pacquiao has a pending lawsuit against Mayweather and his father, Floyd Sr., for comments the two made regarding Pacquiao and the use of performance enhancing drugs last year. A deposition was ordered for June 17, but Mayweather no-showed the court proceeding after making an unsuccessful attempt to postpone it several days earlier.
Mayweather and his attorneys were looking to postpone the deposition until after his September 17 bout with Victor Ortiz.
Source: theboxingtribune.com
A Las Vegas judge
on Thursday denied Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s emergency appeal for a delay in the court ordered deposition pertaining to Manny Pacquiao’s defamation lawsuit against the fighter.
on Thursday denied Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s emergency appeal for a delay in the court ordered deposition pertaining to Manny Pacquiao’s defamation lawsuit against the fighter.Manny Pacquiao has a pending lawsuit against Mayweather and his father, Floyd Sr., for comments the two made regarding Pacquiao and the use of performance enhancing drugs last year. A deposition was ordered for June 17, but Mayweather no-showed the court proceeding after making an unsuccessful attempt to postpone it several days earlier.Mayweather and his attorneys were looking to postpone the deposition until after his September 17 bout with Victor Ortiz.
Source: theboxingtribune.com
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