MANNY PACQUIAO, FREDDIE ROACH and BOB ARUM Conference Call Transcript, (Tuesday, October 29, 2009)
BOB ARUM: As we come down the home stretch here I know everybody is excited. This fight has received more attention and more interest I think than any fight in the last five or ten years. I think people are really interested in this fight because there is so much to talk about – their styles and their training in the different parts of the world. Interest in boxing is due to Manny Pacquiao’s rise in the sport. Manny Pacquiao has passion and is a unique fighter. He just won the very prestigious Gusi Peace Prize given out in Asia and of the 17 people that have received this award he is the only athlete. That is great for the sport and congratulations. Freddie Roach is now the model for all trainers and people now realize he is the best trainer in the world and it is a great privilege for me to introduce to both of you Manny Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach.
FREDDIE ROACH: Training camp is going very well. We had four really good weeks in Baguio. There were a couple of typhoons that came our way but we didn’t miss a beat. We had really good sparring then we went back to Manila and it was intense because we had quite a few distractions so we had to break camp early. Now we are back at the Wild Card and Manny boxed great yesterday and had ten good rounds and he’s about 95% there right now and we are ready to go.
MANNY PACQUIAO: Thanks to all the fans. We are getting ready for a great fight on November 14th. I am very excited for this fight. It is going to be a great, great fight.
This would be your 7th division title – can you tell us about that?
MANNY PACQUIAO: First it is a very big honor for me and for the people in my country and I am honored to be fighting for another world championship. That is why I am very hungry for doing this fight because it is the first time in the history of boxing to win a title in seven different weight divisions.
FREDDIE ROACH: Fighting Miguel Cotto for a seventh world title is going to be unbelievable because Manny is a throwback. He is like a Henry Armstrong type. You don’t have fighters like that today that move up in weight like this to win championships in all of these different weight divisions. He is carrying his punch and his power with him along with his speed. He is just getting better and better in the ring. This is just one of the greatest achievements ever. He is passing people like Sugar Ray Leonard who was a six-time world champion, Tommy Hearns. He is in the level of the top 5 fighters of all time of any era.
Can he go any higher?
FREDDIE ROACH: I don’t think so. For him to fight at 147 we have to feed him 5 times a day to keep the weight on him. I think this will be our final stop but you never know. If something comes at 154, maybe we’ll go there.
Talk about the popularity of Manny?
FREDDIE ROACH: Even Mike Tyson didn’t have the drawing power that Manny Pacquiao has right now. Mike was always the biggest guy training and the attention was always there at the airports but the way Manny Pacquiao arrived the other day I never saw a crowd like that. People were swarming to try to get a touch or a look at Manny Pacquiao. His countrymen love him and he is a great inspiration for his country. That’s why we trained there for the first four weeks of this training camp and we had a great time there. It worked out very well. The people appreciated it and we appreciate them.
What do you attribute that to?
FREDDIE ROACH: He brightens up a room. He’s got class and a great smile. Manny Pacquiao is an endearing person and he is a great fighter. He is all action and he gives 100% every time.
Was 24/7 accurate in the depiction of disagreements in camp?
FREDDIE ROACH: There were no disagreements in camp. I just felt it was urgent that we do get out of there before the typhoon hit. I was worried about the safety of the sparring partners and Manny and the team and myself. I was just very concerned that the typhoon was going to come quicker than it did. Manny was more relaxed about it and I told him that I would be waiting in Manila for him just trying to get him motivated to go. That night at midnight he got motivated for me to go and he called me and said “let’s go.” So we left at midnight and went right to Manila.
Sparring with Porter, Antillon and Castillo…
FREDDIE ROACH: Well, Shawn Porter has a great left hook and puncher and we used him quite a bit with Manny and we worked on getting away from that shot and he worked out really well for us. And of course Jose Luis Castillo, he has experience and he knows how to box. We are just getting ready for Miguel Cotto and whatever he brings. If he wants to box us or he wants to fight us, we’re ready for both and we had really good sparring. We still have good sparring and the guys are getting ready to go again tomorrow.
Is it safe to say Miguel Cotto will be the biggest challenge of his career?
FREDDIE ROACH: I don’t know if it is his biggest challenge. We have fought some great fighters like Morales, Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya. He’s a very good fighter and he is champion of the world. Manny is moving up a weight class but we fought Oscar at this weight. I am very confident in my guy and we are 100% ready for the fight. I feel like Manny, with the power he is punching with right now at this weight I feel that he is going to knock Cotto out. I look forward to the win.
How does Manny compare to those such as Ali and De La Hoya?
BOB ARUM: Ali was a proponent of a political position and also became a spokesman for the civil rights movement at the time when it was really emerging into everybody’s vision, so Ali had a tremendous political impact, particularly his stance on the Viet Nam war and when he came back to fight, people just idolized him. Manny Pacquiao does not have that major political statement because he is not controversial but he is engaged in politics in the Philippines and everything that he does is very pro-humanity, so he is rather loved by people in the Philippines, the United States and all over the world. To that extent he has really crossed over to the American public. People know who Manny Pacquiao is and he is genuinely admired. But I have never seen anything like the adulation that he is treated by Filipinos in the Philippines and all over the world. That is something that even Ali never even really had – that type of frenzy, with 90 million people in the Philippines and 11 million Filipino people around the world.
As far as Oscar is concerned, Oscar was popular in the United States. He was good looking, he was charismatic and he was a good fighter. But his popularity was pretty much limited to the United States. Now that made him a lot of money but around the world he didn’t have the recognition of either of Ali or Manny.
How tough was it to train Manny in Baguio with all of the distractions?
FREDDIE ROACH: We asked people to stay away. We closed the gym down. There were no problems at all. There were no politicians bothering him trying to get his support. Those first four weeks were the best that we ever had. Manny was on fire from day 1. I thought he was trying to impress me because he knew that Baguio was far away and I wanted to stay closer to Wild Card but when he chose Baguio I thought he was just trying to show me how great it was but he never stopped. He was on fire the whole month there and we had a great camp. The weather messed with us a little bit but we ran in the rain. We went in the pool. We did what we had to do. We ran inside sometimes and we had no distractions. We had a great first month. The last week in Manila was a little tougher with the politicians trying to make meetings with Manny and pulling him in every direction they could. Those five days in Manila were not that great but the first four weeks were great.
You said Manny was ready physically but not mentally…
FREDDIE ROACH: The last day of boxing in Manila I was disappointed that he didn’t do that well because his mind was somewhere else. But he assured me everything would be great when we got to LA and we boxed yesterday and we started playing. We still had a little bit of jet lag and I didn’t expect a lot from Manny because he looked a little tired in his eyes but he gave me ten great rounds yesterday and he’s back on track and he’s very close to being ready for the fight. We’ll have two more big sparring days then we’ll start tapering off.
Manny, do you feel ready both mentally and physically for this fight?
MANNY PACQUIAO: I feel I am 100% conditioned for the fight and I can’t wait for November 14th.
How much will the fighters that Cotto has fought play into how you attack him?
FREDDIE ROACH: I have seen all the tapes on him and he makes certain adjustments when he fights a southpaw which is something that we can expect, but he never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao -- with the speed. I think that’s where he is going to have trouble – with the speed. I don’t really think he can handle it, but we’ll see.
Do you expect him to come at you?
FREDDIE ROACH: No I don’t. I think he is going to try and be a counter-puncher and not come at us.
Is knocking out Cotto a feeling you have, like the Hatton fight?
FREDDIE ROACH: It is kind of growing on me. Working the mitts with Manny at this weight he is punching so much harder than he ever has. He is very used to it now. He is punching fast and hard now and I don’t think Cotto has enough. He is hittable and people that Manny can hit, he knocks out.
Is Cotto being hit something you have seen from the film?
FREDDIE ROACH: Definitely. The fight with Margarito of course he did take a beating in that. His first comeback fight was against an average guy and he didn’t look that great but getting knocked out for the first time takes your confidence away. He’s gaining confidence and he looked better in the Clottey fight of course, but he did try to quit in the 9th round when he was holding his eye with a real bad cut. But he sucked it up and came on and won the fight. It was a good one for him and it gave him a little more confidence back but that is our job to take that away from him right away. We are not going to let him get any confidence in this fight – we are going to start quick.
Do you feel Manny is a symbol of hope for the Filipinos?
FREDDIE ROACH: Yes. When the typhoon hit Manila pretty hard, Manny went down there on Sunday to help the people out and I asked him not to go because I thought it was dangerous. But it was his day off and he went to Manila and helped as much as he could. When the second typhoon hit, we kind of took charge a little bit and we went and spoke to the people and try to put a smile on their faces and we gave them a message from Manny of course but I made Manny stay in the hotel so he was safe so there were no problems because his fight was getting closer of course. He is so well-loved in his country and he wants to help the people and the people love him for that. It is amazing the crowds we draw. I am so popular there right now because of Manny. The people are nice to me and they treat me great. The only time they leave me alone is when Manny comes so sometimes I am happy when he is there.
Manny, how do you feel about the people being affected by these natural disasters?
MANNY PACQUIAO: I felt so bad. I do have to focus on my training because I have to prepare. But I try to help the people in my country as much as I can.
How do you feel that this will be the first true welterweight that Manny is fighting? We all know Oscar wasn’t throwing that hard that day…
FREDDIE ROACH: Before the fight everybody said Oscar was going to kill Manny. Why do you say that Oscar had a bad night? Why can’t you say that it was Manny having a good night?
Yes, but Miguel will probably be the hardest puncher Manny will have faced and how do you think he will deal with that if he gets hit?
FREDDIE ROACH: Miguel has a good left hook but I don’t think he is the strongest that we have faced though. Hatton was supposed to be stronger than us also. I have no worries about that because that doesn’t win fights. Boxing ability wins fights and Manny is a better boxer than him, so we’ll show it on the 14th.
How hard is it to train when your countrymen are suffering?
MANNY PACQUIAO: It is very difficult for me but I have to focus on my fight because nobody can help me in the ring. I am not only fighting for me but I am also fighting for my country.
How do you like the attention and how difficult is it to switch back to boxing?
MANNY PACQUIAO: It is my responsibility to focus on training. Of course I understand people want to take a picture and shake my hand because they are idolizing me and supporting me.
How much of a better boxer now is Manny?
FREDDIE ROACH: He is improving all the time and the thing is we are just taking the style of our opponents and making adjustments and he is improving all the time and we are making those adjustments for Cotto’s style and his big left hook and he is doing great. He is getting better and better all the time. He is going to be seven-time world champion and he is still learning, still evolving. He is very hungry to improve.
Manny, what do you have to say about Cotto?
MANNY PACQUIAO: Cotto is a bigger guy and a hard puncher and strong. He is a good fighter and a champion. For this fight it is a challenge.
How do you feel when your coach says you are going to knock him out in one round?
MANNY PACQUIAO: That is my coach’s prediction, but for me I have to focus on the fight and don’t think anything about that but if it comes it is a bonus. I always believe in my power but if I am lucky to hit a good punch against my opponent and knock him out that will mame me happy too.
If Manny knocks him out, will people say it was because Cotto was shot?
FREDDIE ROACH: Of course you will say that. That is everyone’s nature. No one likes to give credit where credit is due but I think Manny looked great in his last four fights and we are going to look great in this one too. Just put him in front of us and we’ll beat him. I think I have the greatest fighter in the world today and I think we’ll prove that again with Miguel Cotto.
MANNY PACQUIAO: It is their right for the people to think what they want. I am confident in my ability and the results of the fights.
What did Manny do when he went to help the people and what kind of effect did it have on him?
FREDDIE ROACH: It was very sad, but they brought money and they brought food and shelter and clothes. He was kind of tired when he got back. It was more mentally draining than anything for him to see the devastation. I think that 2800 people passed away in the storms so it was a very sad moment but once we got in the gym everything was fine. Manny has always been able to separate the drama of life from training in the gym.
Do you still have the $1000 in your pocket?
FREDDIE ROACH: Yes I do. If anyone can knock Manny down in sparring I will pay him $1,000. Manny was beating up on the sparring partners pretty good yesterday so it is not going anywhere.
Sparring is USA?
FREDDIE ROACH: We have some good sparring right now, Rashad Holloway, Shawn Porter and Ray Beltran. So we are getting good use out of them. Castillo and Antillon, they went home so we got some fresh guys in there to keep Manny more focused.
I read where you have told Manny to stay away from the ropes…
FREDDIE ROACH: Cotto has a very good left hook and his strength is on the ropes where he throws very good combinations and if he stays off the ropes it is going to be to our benefit. We are not reinventing the wheel; we are just adjusting to the styles of our opponents. We study them very well and we find their habits and adjust to them and Manny is very capable of doing that. He has a game plan and he sticks with it.
I understand there is a cane or stick in camp that Manny gets whacked with…
FREDDIE ROACH: It is a stick and it is from Thailand. He is not getting whacked with it. It is just a small motion. The Thai fighters use it to deaden the pain and we use it for sit-ups, but he is not getting whacked. It deadens the nerves so you can absorb a punch better. I don’t know if I agree with it 100% but Manny loves it. We have been doing it for 5 years now and it works for Manny and he loves it but if somebody is going to hit me with a stick they better bring a big one.
March 13 – is there a prospect for that fight?
BOB ARUM: We are not going to address that issue until November 15th, because this is a tough, tough fight and he is concentrating on this fight and this is where everybody should be concentrating and there is plenty of time after that date to pick out an opponent, to see who is available and to see what the lay of the land is. To do that now is absolutely counter-productive.
Manny has been knocked out twice and come back from that – what is the difference?
FREDDIE ROACH: After you get knocked out for the first time in your life you need time to get your confidence back and a couple of fights to get your confidence back and Cotto is at a good time because he is definitely getting better. When you are undefeated and you get knocked out in a hard fight it is going to take something out of you. His first fight back he didn’t look that good and the second fight he looked better – he’s getting more confidence. If we give him confidence in this fight he is going to get stronger and stronger and that’s why I feel we have to take it away from him right away.
BOB ARUM: You can see from the interest in this fight and you can see by the questions just how everybody believes, quite correctly, it will be a great night. I can’t wait for November 14th. There will be a lot of stuff between now and then. Miguel is going to do a workout in LA next Tuesday at the Pound-For-Pound Gym, Manny on Wednesday at the Wild Card Gym and then the week of the fight, on Monday, the principal fighter on the undercard, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and his opponent Troy Rowland will also work out at the Pound-For-Pound Gym so press will get an opportunity to see all these great fighters as they train for the fights and interview them. This fight is great for boxing. I don’t know if you realize now the upswing that boxing is on, the fact that boxing is really on a roll. You can tell by the sponsors that are coming out to support this fight. We are really thrilled and I can say unequivocally that boxing is really back and thanks to Manny Pacquiao and thanks to the other great fighters out there, people are talking about boxing again and it is coming back to the mainstream. This all feels to me like the 80’s. We had Sugar Ray and Marvin Hagler and Roberto Duran and Tommy Hearns. We are in that era again. It is great and it’s going to help everybody who’s associated with the sport. I’m really enthusiastic, not only because I think it’s going to be a great fight, but I am enthusiastic because I can see the rebirth of boxing and that’s something that’s thrilling for me having been around boxing for so long to see that once again the great sport back and happy.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, Firepower: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. and will be produced and distributed Live on HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
HBO's® fast-moving reality series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with an all new episode This Saturday! October 31 at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their November 14 pay-per-view showdown. Episode one is available on HBO ON DEMAND and HBO.com.
Soon after participating in a conference call from Los Angeles with boxing writers Wednesday at noon, Manny Pacquiao went back to his condo and fell asleep.
The six-division world champion — who will be shooting for a title in a record seventh weight class (welterweight) when he fights Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas — slept the entire afternoon and into the evening, missing a workout at Wild Card gym.
Jet lag, his publicist Fred Sternburg cited, from his flight from his native Philippines, where Pacquiao battled deadly typhoons, torrential rains and needy politicians and did humanitarian work in five weeks of training for the Cotto fight.
Jet lag can affect anyone, but there's little doubt that Pacquiao's four weeks in Baguio and five days in Manila took its toll on the fighter. His longtime trainer, Freddie Roach, says it was one of Pacquiao's best camps despite the distractions.
"We had four really good weeks in Baguio," Roach said. "We had a couple typhoons that came, but we didn't miss a beat, we had great sparring. Last week in Manila was a little tense because of lots of distractions, so we had to break camp a little early."
Roach said the biggest task in the Philippines was keeping people away from a man they idolize.
"We asked people to stay away; we closed the gym; there was no problem at all (in Baguio), no politicians bothering him," Roach said. "The weather messed with us a little, but we ran in the rain, went in the pool, ran inside sometimes ... no distractions. The last week in Manila was tough, because a lot of politicians were trying to make meetings with Manny and everyone was trying to pull him in a different direction."
Pacquiao was back sparring Thursday afternoon as Los Angeles Lakers star Ron Artest looked on. "He's back on track; he's very close to being ready for the fight," Roach said.
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao believes the biggest potential fight in boxing will never happen because Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants no part of him.
Pacquiao is training in Hollywood for his meeting with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, but the pound-for-pound champion spared a moment Thursday to evaluate his chances of fighting Mayweather, the unbeaten pay-per-view king. Although the matchup almost certainly would be a financial bonanza for both fighters, Pacquiao thinks fans shouldn't hold their breath.
"I don't think it's going to happen," Pacquiao said. "I'm sure he doesn't want to fight."
Mayweather has been circumspect about his plans for his next bout, saying only that he has never ducked anybody and would consider any opponent. In his comeback bout from a 21-month layoff, Mayweather demolished Juan Manuel Marquez on Sept. 19 in a fight that generated more than one million pay-per-view buys.
Mayweather's advisers claim they haven't ruled out a bout with Pacquiao, likely among the world's few fighters who could match Money's speed. But the Filipino champion has surprisingly strong opinions about why it won't happen.
"Boxing for him is like a business," Pacquiao said. "He doesn't care about the people around him watching. He doesn't care if the fight is boring, as long as the fight is finished and he gets (plenty of) money. ... I want people to be happy. You have a big responsibility as a boxer."
If Mayweather and Pacquiao don't make a deal, Sugar Shane Mosley has been outspoken in his desire to fight Mayweather, even calling him out in the ring moments after his victory over Marquez. Mosley is slated to meet welterweight champion Andre Berto in Las Vegas in January.
After arriving in California last Saturday, Pacquiao has been ramping up his training regimen this week while also battling jet lag that forced him to sleep for about 20 hours on Wednesday, wiping out a day of training. Because of tax issues, Pacquiao's camp began in Manila and moved to Hollywood later than trainer Freddie Roach usually prefers.
"I'm not worried about it, because he's always known how to block everything out," Roach said. "If anybody can do it, he can."
Pacquiao looked fairly sharp while sparring 11 rounds Thursday at Roach's Wild Card Gym in front of a small group of spectators including Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest and his father, Ron Sr., both avid boxing fans and Pacquiao admirers.
Pacquiao will spar 12 rounds on Saturday before gradually scaling back in preparation for his trip to Las Vegas to meet Cotto, the once-beaten welterweight champion whose combination of size and strength will be unlike anything the former flyweight champion has faced. Cotto is in camp in Tampa. Fla., before travelling to the West Coast next week.
"I consider this one of the hardest fights in my boxing career," Pacquiao said.
While the 78-year-old still has the same electric hairstyle, he's making a return to Las Vegas after a four-year absence with bantamweights when Joseph Agbeko faces Yonnhy Perez on Saturday in an IBF title match (Showtime, 9 ET/PT).
The world's most recognized and bombastic boxing promoter — who made his name by controlling what used to be the sport's most recognizable division since the 1970s by promoting all-time great heavyweights Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield and a litany of others in between — is focused on the lower weights.
"The public has the smarts to know that this isn't a Tyson or Holyfield, but it's electric here," says King of the atmosphere at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino. "That is what makes me so phenomenal. I have taken a 118-pound bantamweight fight and it's bigger than anything in this town. I aint got to pay them that $20 million or 30 million I would for a Tyson or Holyfield, but I'm using the same magic."
In between King's elaborate sales pitch, quoting the likes of British author Rudyard Kipling and French literary giant Victor Hugo and longing for the days of handshake deals and the wise guy charm of a Bugsy Siegel, he vows a different approach to testing the global market through Donkingtv.com, where non-televised undercard bouts such as DaVarryl Williamson vs. Ray Austin and Venezuelan Nelson Linares vs. Carlos Santana of Cuba can be seen for $5.99.
King contends his absence as a major player — working in the shadows while Top Rank and Golden Boy secure a bulk of the HBO dates and stage pay-per-view superfights such as Antonio-Margarito-Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather, De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton and Pacquiao-Cotto on Nov. 14 — is self-imposed. He also professes admiration of mixed martial arts, including UFC president Dana White, and would like to explore that market.
"It's not because I'm tired or hiding out. We have no stars," King says. "We don't have ABC Wild World of Sports anymore, CBS Sports, NBC Sports, where you can be introduce to the fighter, his family, his community.
"UFC is a great contribution. It's a return to glory for people who like sophisticated barbarism. Dana White and (co-founder) Lorenzo Fertitta have done a phenomenal job."
The final press conference for Perez (19-0, 14 KOs) and Agbeko (27-1, 22 KOs) took place on a pirate ship at Treasure Island.
This weekend marks the 35th anniversary of the Ali-Foreman Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire. A native of Ghana based in New York, Agbeko is coming off an upset of Vic Darchinyan three months ago. Agbeko, nicknamed "King Kong," stands a shade under 5-6.
"Ain't nothing going to stop us. We're on the high seas. There's no moratorium on inclement weather," King says, his voice now booming. "No cage can hold him. The lights are up on the Vegas strip. King Kong is on his way."
How serious is your desire to be involved with MMA?
I'm the people's promoter. Whatever the people want, I'm going to promote. Whatever the public wants, that's what I want to give them. I want to give it to them with candor so they can quantify, qualify and identify with whoever the athlete is.
Why this fight for your return to Vegas, and why Treasure Island, which has never hosted a boxing match?
CEO of Treasure Island Phil Ruffin and I shook hands on the idea after discussing what it would take to make this happen. We work without a contract. This is a throwback. I started shaking hands with Muhammad Ali for the Rumble in the Jungle. George Foreman pre-signed on several blank sheets of player (for the contract).
This is the good old days when the boys were here, when the unions were here. That's the glory of Las Vegas. I'm thrilled beyond description. You put your honor at stake, your code. Or do you want an agreement where you can come back and sue?
So you yearn for the old days in Las Vegas. What was so good about then vs. now?
Las Vegas of today is more corporate. You've lost the common touch. The Las Vegas of then was illustrated by Rudyard Kipling: "Or walk with kings nor lose the common touch." It's so cold and isolated. Yes, people come but you don't feel it. Everybody's aloof. You don't have the Bugsy Siegels. You don't have the colorful characters of the underworld where they could shine and be there without being intimidated or fearful of the law locking them up.
That touch of class that Rudyard Kipling talked about needs revitalization. People are not numbers. I understand numbers. I understand business. Those are not Las Vegas. Las Vegas is where you come to solve the problem. Las Vegas has lost the ability to become a catharsis. There's no love. Give me some love. Tender loving care. That's the spirit.
You made your name with the heavyweights. That division is in steep decline. Did that have any impact on your lower profile? And since you've been on the outside looking in for a while, what do you see?
I just don't want to be a participant in the schemes. My enemies, even those who despise me and criticize me, they will say I put on the best shows — which I do. You give the people what they want. They (rival promoters) are putting out mismatches. They're using the name recognition. I've given the people a decent return for their money. Then they would only put on that one match (the main event), and the rest of the card would be utterly ridiculous. When you see a card like my card, you've got championship matches, undefeated fighters … any one of them could be a main event. Would-be-champion vs. former champion.
This is the difference. It's not about me returning. It's about me not participating in something that I feel (is wrong). I talk the talk. I walk the walk. My word is my bond.
Your rival Bob Arum has made condescending remarks about MMA, referring to their fan base as too unrefined. Your thoughts?
They are Americans. They are people. Who am I to say that something is wrong with them when I'm always crying about, "Why you're treating me this way?" They bring competition. They bring people. Let's enrich it and monetize it. Let's bring the people something.
When you bring a new store to town, you can choose between the prices and the fabrics. When I bring my guys in we'll be getting prepared to take on Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta in their league vs. our league. The same thing I want to do with the sport of boxing I want to do with MMA. Make it competitive, man. Make it a comparison. Even though they've put on good fights, let's see what they do with someone totally independent.
So does this mean you're adding an MMA arm to Don King Productions?
Well, I can't do this all by myself. I'm 78 but I'm not slowing down. I've got all the time in the world to rest when I get to heaven.
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao believes the biggest potential fight in boxing will never happen because Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants no part of him.
Pacquiao is training in Hollywood for his bout with Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14, but the pound-for-pound champion spared a moment on Thursday to consider his chances of fighting pay-per-view king Mayweather in what would be an extremely lucrative bout for both fighters.
"I don't think it's going to happen," Pacquiao says. "I'm sure he doesn't want to fight."
Pacquiao says Mayweather treats boxing too much like a business and doesn't care about entertainment value for his fans. Pacquiao is known for his crowd-pleasing style, while Mayweather is boxing's most accomplished tactician.
(This article is originally posted at USAtoday.com)
"Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs every weeknight (12:05-1:05 a.m., ET), following "Nightline" and features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band.
Following are the episodes scheduled to air the week of November 2-6 (subject to change):
November 2 (OAD 10/13)
1. Actor Jack Black (EA Game "Brutal Legend")
2. "Dancing with the Stars" castoff Chuck Liddell
3. Musical guest Cobra Starship
November 3
1. Actress Pamela Anderson ("Malibu")
2. Boxing champion Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao
3. Latest "Dancing with the Stars" castoffs
4. Musical guest White Rabbits
November 4
1. Actor Joshua Jackson ("Fringe")
2. Big Bird ("Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary")
3. Musical guest Slayer
November 5
1. Actor Jesse Williams ("Grey's Anatomy")
2. Musical guest Florence and The Machine
November 6
1. Actor Ted Danson ("Bored to Death")
2. Newlyweds Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom ("Keeping Up with the Kardashians: The Wedding")
3. Musical guest Chickenfoot
(This article is originally posted at RealityTVWebsite.com. Reposted with minor editing.)
CORAL GABLES – The International Boxing Organization has issued a challenge to Manny Pacquiao to defend his junior welterweight title or risk being stripped of the crown.
The IBO said Thursday that the 32-year-old Filipino has 10 weeks to decide whether to defend the title he won in May from Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Miguel Cotto in a mega welterweight bout in Las Vegas on November 14. The IBO title is the only current belt Pacquiao holds.
"Manny Pacquiao was notified that he will be given time to decide whether to defend his championship at 140 pounds or vacate the title," said IBO president Ed Levine said. "He is still well within his time requirements to make a title defense in the weight class. So, we'll allow him a chance to decide and notify us."
Pacquiao, of General Santos City, is 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts and is unbeaten since a losing to Erik Morales in 2005.
According to IBO rules, "all champions, with the exception of the heavyweight champion, shall defend their title at least once every nine months unless medically excused for valid cause and/or at the sole and absolute discretion of the IBO."
Pacquiao has one previous fight at welterweight, scoring a technical knockout win over Oscar De La Hoya last year. Since turning pro 14 years ago he has competed at least once in every weight class from junior flyweight (108 pounds) to lightweight (135 pounds).
FREDDIE ROACH insists Manny Pacquiao will not be distracted by the tragic events in his native Philippines when he faces Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao was distraught after typhoons hit the islands, killing more than 700 people and leaving around six million homeless.
The pound-for-pound king visited some of the devastated areas around the capital Manila and helped hand out food and supplies to his fellow countrymen.
But Roach is confident his fighter has put the experience to the back of his mind now he is back training in Los Angeles.
The legendary trainer said: "It left him mentally drained and very sad, naturally.
"But once we got in the gym, he put it aside.
"Manny is able to put that side of real life aside when he gets into the gym."
Cotto, the WBO welterweight champion, is expected to provide Pacquiao with one of the stiffest tests of his career when they collide on November 14.
But with Floyd Mayweather Jnr possibly waiting in the wings for the winner, Roach believes Pac Man will claim the 29-year-old's title in Las Vegas.
He said: "The way he's punching right now, with the power that's there at this weight, he's going to knock Cotto out.
"I'm very confident and I look forward to the win."
Echoing Roach's view, 30-year-old Pacquiao added: "I feel I'm in 100 per cent condition and I'm excited for the fight.
"I can't wait for November 14."
(This article is originally posted at thesun.co.uk)
October 29, SF Boxing Examiner, Colin Seymour, Examiner.com
Miguel Cotto has a low voice, like Sonny Liston’s, but HBO is hard-put to portray him in much depth, especially when Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach have been wading through floodwaters in the Philippines all month.
HBO’s second episode of “24/7: Pacquaio/Cotto” premiering Saturday will do its best as Cotto “continues his training in Tampa, Fla., and is treated to a birthday celebration by his wife and children.” But here’s betting HBO’s serial documentary will remain more one-sided than the fight will be.
The ending of episode one was fascinating, with Roach growing exasperated with Pacquiao’s refusal to flee the Philippines and minimize the training distractions in the final three weeks, and Pacquaio in subtle rebellion before making amends.
The aftermath was the highlight of a press conference staged Wednesday by Top Rank. It could just as easily been produced by HBO, as Roach got to the heart of the issues raised by episode one.
“There were no disagreements in camp,” Roach said. “I just felt it was urgent that we do get out of there before the typhoon hit. . . . Manny was more relaxed about it, and I told him that I would be waiting in Manila for him, just trying to get him motivated to go. That night at midnight he got motivated for me to go and he called me and said ‘let’s go.’ So we left at midnight and went right to Manila.”
As for our impression that distractions had reduced Pacquiao’s training focus? “Those first four weeks were the best that we ever had,” Roach said. “Manny was on fire from day one. . . . The last week in Manila was a little tougher, with the politicians trying to make meetings with Manny and pulling him in every direction they could. Those five days in Manila were not that great, but the first four weeks were great.”
Setting up episode two, Roach said “Now we are back at the Wild Card, and Manny boxed great yesterday and had 10 good rounds, and he’s about 95 percent there right now and we are ready to go.”
Pacquiao concurred. “I feel I am 100 percent conditioned,” he said, “and I can’t wait for November 14th. As for the emotional pull of typhoon aftermath, “it is very difficult for me, but I have to focus on my fight because nobody can help me in the ring. I am not only fighting for me, but I am also fighting for my country.”
Although Pacquiao stays within his limits when he’s speaking English, his eyes and his surroundings are frequently revealing, and he seems to relish the “24/7” coverage even when he finds it embarrassing.
Meanwhile, Cotto has made his training camp as placid as possible by shifting it from Puerto Rico to Tampa. So far, my favorite thing about him is that his best friend is obese, suggesting Cotto is not a superficial person and deserves more than a superficial portrayal. It’s hard to imagine the birthday party there will yield anything as revealing or artistic as that last scene a week ago in Baguio.
(This article is originally posted at Examiner.com)
October 29, Oakland Boxing Examiner, Ramon Aranda, Examiner.com
Despite all of the issues that have sprung up during Manny Pacquiao's training camp as he prepares for Miguel Cotto, trainer Freddie Roach assures us that everything is just fine. During a conference call this week, Roach addressed the media about camp and reiterated that the first four weeks went extremely well.
It seems most people have been concentrating on the problems revolving around adviser Michael Koncz and Roach's desire to train elsewhere, as was highlighted by last week's 24/7 episode. Although there seemed to be a little headbutting towards the end, Roach says things have been great as Pacquiao has looked good at the Wild Card Gym.
"We had really good sparring [in Baguio] then we went back to Manila and it was intense because we had quite a few distractions so we had to break camp early," said Roach. " Now we are back at the Wild Card and Manny boxed great yesterday and had ten good rounds and he's about 95% there right now and we are ready to go."
While Miguel Cotto no doubt presents a major challenge, Roach isn't quite sure the WBO champ is necessarily the biggest one of Manny's career.
"We have fought some great fighters like Morales, Marquez and Oscar De La Hoya," proclaimed Roach. "He's a very good fighter and he is champion of the world. Manny is moving up a weight class but we fought Oscar at this weight. I am very confident in my guy and we are 100% ready for the fight. I feel like Manny, with the power he is punching with right now at this weight I feel that he is going to knock Cotto out. I look forward to the win."
Though Marquez and Morales were big challenges in their own right, Cotto is clearly the physically biggest one of his career, despite having beaten Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight. From the start, Roach has been predicting a decision win for Pacquiao as to not sell Cotto short but has slowly begun to think it's quite possible that Manny can pick up a knockout.
Let's not forget that when Pacquiao signed to fight De La Hoya, we all thought it was suicide but alas, Pacquiao got the job done. Slightly favored over Cotto now, we can't count out the possibility that Pacquiao's speed and power can prove to be too much for Cotto.
When pressed about Roach's feelings that a knockout is a possibility, Pacquiao was quick to play it down.
"That is my coach's prediction, but for me I have to focus on the fight and don't think anything about that but if it comes it is a bonus," exclaimed Pacquiao. "I always believe in my power but if I am lucky to hit a good punch against my opponent and knock him out that will make me happy too. "
If Pacquiao has been lucky with his punches, then maybe we should play the lottery together.
(This article is originally posted at Examiner.com)
One more day of training here in Tampa on Friday, then world welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and his team will gear up and head to Las Vegas. “We’ve had the perfect camp. Miguel is determined and focused,” said Joe Santiago, Cotto’s chief trainer. “We are about to head out for Las Vegas.” Cotto plans to arrive into Las Vegas at 4 pm on Sunday. He will train daily in Las Vegas, except for Tuesday, Nov. 3 when he will be in Los Angeles for a press workout.
Santiago added that he, Cotto and the team “…do not pay any attention to whatever (Pacquiao trainer) Freddie Roach is saying.”
“We are focused on one person – Pacquiao,” said Santiago. “Roach is trying to play mind games with us, but it’s not working.”
Pacquiao and Cotto will battle in Top Rank’s ‘Firepower’ at the sold out MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday, November 14. Pacquiao and Cotto ‘Firepower’ is promoted by Top Rank, MP Promotions, Cotto Promotions, MGM and Tecate. Pacquiao vs Cotto will be available on HBO Pay Per View.
(This article is originally posted at fightnews.com)
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Miguel Cotto
(Image is from http://www.roundcardmodels.com/events060207.php)
October 29, NY Boxing Examiner, Michael Marley, Examiner.com
When it comes to boxing news, Manny Pacquiao is dominating the way Floyd Mayweather Jr. dominated against Juan Manuel Marquez.
That’s to be expected with Megamanny’s huge fight against Miguel Cotto right around the corner, now just a fortnight away from Saturday night.
But, despite my recent article wondering if Mayweather was MIA, he has been popping up in some unusual locations, the gossip columns in newspapers and on the Internet.
New York Post’s famed “Page Six” ran a brief item about Formerly Known as Pretty Boy and a pretty girl, the TLC singer who goes by the name of Chili. READ MORE
Freddie Roach isn't simply the man who transformed a whirling dervish of kinetic energy into a technically adept, supremely focused hitter, he's Manny Pacquiao's most ardent fan.
OK, that mat be straying over the line, considering Manny whips more than 90 million of his countrymen, women and children into a frenzy of adoration typically reserved for deities. But Dedham Freddie has done more than any one person to bring Pacquiao to where he is today--the top of the pound for pound tier, or as Floyd Mayweather fans might assert, just beneath that level.
Mayweather's mastery on Sept. 19 against Juan Manuel Marquez had some pundits re-installing the American atop the P4P platform, despite his shadily obtained weight advantage. I moved into that camp myself, and suppose disagreements will have to stand until the inevitable showdown between Pacman and Mayweather. I say inevitable because I firmly believe that Pacquiao's hand speed is two notches better than Miguel Cotto's, and that he will add to Miguel's tattoo collection with shots Cotto doesn't see coming on Nov. 14. Speed equals power equals another improbable win for Pacquiao, and the seventh title, in the seventh weight division since he turned pro in 1995. My certainty, though, seems slight in comparison to that of Roach, who on a Wednesday conference call with Manny and promoter Bob Arum, made his case for Pacman being an all-time, pound for pound great.
With the win over Cotto, who holds the WBO title, by virtue of a hair-thin decision victory in his first defense against Joshua Clottey in June, Freddie says Manny will join a select crew. I didn't get a chance to ask Coach Roach who he has installed at the top of his own P4P list, but whoever is on the short list, he says Manny should join 'em.
The win would elevate Manny, Roach said, to the "five best of all time in any era.
"He's getting better and better," Roach said of the Filipino, who he termed a "Henry Armstrong-type guy." That Hall of Famer, of course, held the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight titles at the same time, and is on everybody's all-time top 5 list. Manny's 7 at 7 feat, Freddie said, will be "one of the greatest achievements ever," and he lumped in Manny with other multi-title greats like Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns.
TSS U, let's bring you all into the mix. You on board with Roach's statement? Is Cotto enough of a test for you for Manny? You're not going to indulge in something that irks Roach to no end, and tear down Miguel after Manny has his way with him, are you? READ MORE
LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao denied that humanitarian work in typhoon-ravaged Philippines took away from his training sessions for an upcoming title fight with Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao donated money and took time out from his sparring sessions to help the victims in the wake of typhoons that killed hundreds of people and rendered tens of thousands of families homeless in his native Philippines.
"It was mentally draining for him to see the devastation because thousands passed away and that is sad but once we stepped in the gym he was fine," trainer Freddie Roach said.
About 1,000 people died due to the two storms and more than 162,000 people had to be moved into makeshift evacuation centres because of back-to-back typhoons Ketsana and Parma.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 27 KOs) said he would have liked to do more but had to get back to training or risk not being fully prepared to face World Boxing Organization champ Cotto in their November 14 fight in Las Vegas.
"I wanted to help them but I am in the middle of heavy training," said Pacquiao. "It is difficult but I have to focus on my fight and nobody can help me in the ring." READ MORE
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Manny Pacquiao against Oscar de la Hoya
(Image is from http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/xsk_YKbnugI/Oscar+De+La+Hoya+v+Manny+Pacquiao/-fPwUx2bSuf/Manny+Pacquiao)
By NICK GIONGCO, October 29, 2009, Manila Bulletin
A galaxy of stars from the world of entertainment and sports will be at ringside when Manny Pacquiao faces Miguel Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Every Hollywood celebrity who is Manny’s friend will be in the fight,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, who heads Top Rank Inc.
Well-known Pacquiao pals are Mark Wahlberg and Mickey Rourke but Arum guarantees there’d still be a lot in attendance.
Aside from showbiz people, the fight will also be graced by big names from baseball and football, making the card a star-studded affair, stressed the seventy-something Arum, who had promoted countless names in the fight game like Muhammad Ali, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Erik Morales, Floyd Mayweather, and Oscar De La Hoya.
The Cotto fight will be Pacquiao’s 17th on US soil.
All in all, Pacquiao has won 14 bouts in America, lost once (to Morales in their first fight in 2005) and drew once (with the late Agapito Sanchez in 2001).
Pacquiao’s last fight—held last May 2 also at the MGM Grand—was against British Ricky Hatton, who the Filipino flattened in just two rounds.
James Robson, Manchester Evening News, October 29, 2009
RICKY Hatton has been told to quit boxing and become a cage fighter in the UFC!
And one of the legends of the Ultimate Fighting Championship has even offered to train the Hitman to make him a star in the brutal mixed martial arts phenomenon.
Five-time world UFC champion Randy Couture believes Hatton, who hasn't boxed since losing to Manny Pacquiao in May, would be a sensation in the cage.
"I am a big fan of Ricky Hatton," said Couture. "He is a fantastic fighter. I could get him up to speed on the ground wrestling part of it, while he could take advantage of his boxing talent.
"He could make a big difference in the lighter categories."
Major figures from around the boxing world have urged Hatton to retire from boxing for his own safety - but he won't be rushed into a decision.
And although the 31-year-old is currently concentrating on his promoting career, he is known to be a big fan of UFC and suggested earlier this year that it could one day over take boxing in popularity.
"It is all action, proper fighting," he said. "They are going the right away about it to get people interested.
"There is a concern in boxing that UFC is taking its place. People seem to get more value for money.
"UFC would be right up my street, I used to kick box so maybe I would be all right."
Couture, who fights at what is set to be a sold-out MEN Arena on November 14, is convinced the UFC, which has a huge worldwide following, would be an ideal option for Hatton should he decide to continue his fight career.
He said: "A lot of boxers have trouble putting themselves in the situation where they are going to get choked and taken down. But if he can learn the ways of UFC then he could go a long way.
"He is a tremendous fighter and has a lot of heart. There is no doubt he could make a tremendous impact with his heart and determination in the ring."
COUTURE will be signing copies of his autobiography 'Becoming The Natural' on Sunday November 15 from 11am to 1pm at Hard Rock Cafe , Exchange Square, Manchester. For tickets call 0845 125 9627 or visit: www.fightersinc.net/experience.htm
Do you think Hatton would be able to succeed in UFC? Have your say.
Miguel Cotto is confident. Indeed, supremely confident of shocking Manny Pacquaio, who many consider to be the pound for pound No 1, when they meet in Las Vegas in 16 days’ time.
With the bookies, Cotto starts as the underdog, defending the WBO welterweight crown – albeit at 145lbs – against the Filipino fighting idol at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
But does Cotto think he simply has too much firepower for Pacquiao ? The Puerto Rican has been very coy about his game plan, and like others before him, is looking to blow Pacquiao away. Several opponents have underestimated Pacquiao’s power at their peril.
Psychologically, because he has come up so many weight divisions, is it difficult for them to remove thoughts that they are fighting a smaller man. Yet, in reality, Pacquiao does not look that much smaller than Cotto.
It is worth recalling that when Pacquiao turned professional as a teenage boy in 1995, fighting for a dollar a fight, Pacquiao weighed seven stone 8lbs. On November 14, he fights Cotto for the WBO welterweight title, with the Puerto Rican champion most likely to be around 160lbs.
Cotto says: “He’s just another boxer who comes to my division and challenge me for my title. The night of November 14 I’m going to be prepared for him, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to beat Manny Pacquiao.”
“I know at the moment I have another opportunity to prove myself. I’m going to be the winner.”
Pacquiao insists that Cotto is the “hardest test” of his career, but Pacquiao’s speed, if he is on his game, could overwhelm Cotto. Not in the manner that Ricky Hatton was made to look a statue in their May contest.
“This is the toughest fight of my career and I won’t waste the opportunity,” said Pacquiao “I’m treating this fight with the seriousness it deserves. I won’t let myself get carried away with other people’s comments. Many are saying the punishment from Margarito and Clottey has affected him, but I won’t depend on that. Cotto is still a very strong fighter and bigger than me. I have to fight smartly and not underestimate him.”
“The intensity remains the same but maybe what has changed somewhat is the type of training, because we have to adjust to a particular style to fight Cotto,” said the 30-year-old. We need to apply certain techniques. I have spent many hours on studying with Freddie to identify Cotto’s weaknesses and strengths, to find his key points.”
“We are ready for what they bring. We have studied him very well. What I do is stand in the ring, box and put on the best fight possible. I’m not looking for a knockout but I’ll welcome it if it comes.” Wise words from the man of the Philippines.
By Josh Slagter | The Grand Rapids Press | October 28, 2009
Lovemore Ndou was one of Floyd Mayweather's sparring partners when the Grand Rapids native was preparing for his December 2007 fight against Ricky Hatton.
Mayweather knocked out Hatton in the 10th round and then had a 22-month break before defeating Juan Manuel Marquez in September.
Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will fight Nov. 14 in Las Vegas, with the winner presumably in line to fight Mayweather.
If it's Pacquiao, Ndou said Mayweather won't have a problem.
“Mayweather will win with one hand behind his back," Ndou told David Isaacson of Times Live while training in east Johannesburg.
Ndou, who's preparing for a Nov. 13 fight against Matthew Hatton, also likes Cotto to beat Pacquiao.
“I fought Cotto (in 2004) -- he’s a strong, smart fighter," Ndou said. "I don’t think it will be easy, but if I had to bet, I’d put my money on Cotto.”
E-mail Josh Slagter at jslagter@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JoshSlagter
