By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
What is rare as a March day in Manhattan when the temperature flirts with the 70 degree mark?
It was so balmy Thursday I thought of taking a dip at Coney Island but my new Speedo has yet to arrive...It's the Breakway Model, women breakway when they see it...
But I digress, I asked how rare this unseasonal weather is so let me compare it to...to...to...
(I'm like Madam Auring when it comes to seaside fashion, I also believe when you've got it, flaunt it...)
Dare I say it, a week in which your humble correspondent, with so much to be humble about, gets to chat with the two leading Manny Pacquiao critics, Popgun Paulie Malignaggi--or "Lady Gago" as some Pinoy haters who hate haters call him--and then to duly record the always enjoyable rants of Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Let Richie Rich Schaefer claim he and and his family were out dining at Dan Tana's or some other Los Angeles boite.
Let Laughing Lenny Ellerbe claim that he and L'il Floyd were tied up on a HBO commercial shoot in La La.
They claim they did not see Pacman slap reluctant Joshing Clottey from pillar post before 51,000 mostly appreciative fans in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Saturday night.
Papa Mayweather, he doesn't tell such tales.
He watched that fight on HBO PPV with the intensity of Siskel & Ebert getting their first look at a major motion picture.
I guess others in the Extended Mayweather Family can't critique Pacman and "Joke Coach" Roach but Floyd Sr., God love him, is never shy.
Ask for opinions, they roll and sometimes trip but they do come off his babbling brook of a mouth.
And they come, Jim Lampley style, bang, bang, bang like so:
ON CLOTTEY'S EFFORT: "That was not a good fight, Clottey and the other guy...What's His Name, you know who I mean...After the fight, the only one talking spit about my son was the old Joke Coach, Freddie Roach. Pacquiao wanted to talk about fighting Shane Mosley. It was obvious that Pacquiao was fighting a guy with no skill. "
ON CLOTTEY'S SPORADIC OFFENSE: "This Clottey was an embarrassment to himself, to his country (Ghana) and to boxing. In the old days, they would've made him fight or not get paid. They would have told him, 'You fight or you don't get paid.' Still, he connected some good punches and Pacquiao did not stagger so he didn't follow up. I am not stupid, I am not a crazy man, I know what I'm looking at."
ON SPEAKING OUT ON PACQUIAO: "I am entitled to speak on what I think, on my opinion. I will say this, if Pacquiao is using those roids, it won't help him against my son. I got a poem on that and it goes, 'Roids don't mean spit if you can't hit.' And Pacquiao will never hit my son if they fight."
ON CLOTTEY NOT MUSCLING MANNY: "Here is this big, strong guy and he is just laying on the ropes, covering up. He was big enough to take all them punches but he couldn't throw any?
ON PACMAN'S WORK RATE, THROWING OVER 100 PUNCHES PER ROUND: "Who ever did that in boxing? My son never did that because he is a counterpuncher, an accurate puncher who makes every punch count. Pacquiao missed most of his punches with the guy right in front of him, like some robot. That's why Freddie Roach wants to fight Mosley but my son will beat him."
ON PROMOTER BOB ARUM: "I keep hearing that Arum does not want my son to fight Pacquiao. I don't know for sure that it is true but that's the word going around you know. That's my understanding, somebody said there was some newspaper article but I didn't see it."
ON MANNY BEING AFRAID OF FIGHTING L'IL FLOYD: "Look how they wanted the weight clause and asked for a $10 million per pound penalty. My son gave it to them and they still turned down the fight. Now what does that tell you?"
ON HELPING L'IL FLOYD PREP FOR SUGAR SHANE ON MAY 1: "I am in the mix with other fighters over here at Johnny Tocco's Gym but I will work with my son. I will help him whether he puts me in his corner on fight night or not, that don't matter. (On working with Uncle Roger) "I don't have to get along with Roger because that is my son, not his son. That is my kid. If Roger can't handle that, he can get his ass out of the gym because I am going to help my son out, that's all."
Rat, tat, tat and bang, bang, bang.
Floyd Sr. zips his lip for nobody.
Shouldn't he be Malignaggi's trainer, lol?
Paging Dr. Larry, Dr. Curley, Dr. Moe...this was a wonderful week for Pactrashing, was it not?
Next on the White Gorilla Show: Hating haters who hate, hate, hate.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Friday, 19 March 2010
Mayweather & Mosley agree on random drug testing -- BBC Sport
BBC Sport
Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley have agreed to undergo Olympic-style drug testing for their 1 May fight.
Mayweather and Mosley met with officials from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) last weekend to agree on a testing programme.
The programme will include random blood tests before and after the fights.
Mayweather's proposed fight with Manny Pacquiao collapsed in January after Pacquiao refused to yield to his rival's demands for random testing.
The USADA testing involves the collection of athletes' blood and urine prior to and after the fight, with no advance warning.
"I just want to show the world that boxing is a clean sport and it is my hope that all fighters will take a similar stance," said Mayweather, who will be challenging for Mosley's WBA welterweight crown in Las Vegas.
"I think the testing programme is a great idea and I did not hesitate for a minute about agreeing to it," said Mosley, who has admitted to inadvertently using steroids before a fight with Oscar de la Hoya in 2003.
"I believe today is another watershed moment in the advancement of anti-doping," said USADA chief Travis Tygart.
"For the first time, we're seeing professional athletes in the sport of boxing approach us to implement our programme, and take ownership for the integrity of their sport.
"This is courageous action and we are proud to be a part of this effort to help further advance the rights of clean athletes to participate in a safe, level and drug-free arena."
Testing in boxing usually falls under the jurisdiction of state athletic commissions, and in most cases is limited to urine testing.
Philippine legend Pacquiao would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to his proposed fight with Mayweather.
He also stipulated that he would agree to testing by the same agencies that test pro American Football and baseball players, but not to random tests by the USADA.
Five-weight world champion Pacquiao has fought in Las Vegas on numerous occasions and never failed a drug test.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
***
Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley have agreed to undergo Olympic-style drug testing for their 1 May fight.
Mayweather and Mosley met with officials from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) last weekend to agree on a testing programme.
The programme will include random blood tests before and after the fights.
Mayweather's proposed fight with Manny Pacquiao collapsed in January after Pacquiao refused to yield to his rival's demands for random testing.
The USADA testing involves the collection of athletes' blood and urine prior to and after the fight, with no advance warning.
"I just want to show the world that boxing is a clean sport and it is my hope that all fighters will take a similar stance," said Mayweather, who will be challenging for Mosley's WBA welterweight crown in Las Vegas.
"I think the testing programme is a great idea and I did not hesitate for a minute about agreeing to it," said Mosley, who has admitted to inadvertently using steroids before a fight with Oscar de la Hoya in 2003.
"I believe today is another watershed moment in the advancement of anti-doping," said USADA chief Travis Tygart.
"For the first time, we're seeing professional athletes in the sport of boxing approach us to implement our programme, and take ownership for the integrity of their sport.
"This is courageous action and we are proud to be a part of this effort to help further advance the rights of clean athletes to participate in a safe, level and drug-free arena."
Testing in boxing usually falls under the jurisdiction of state athletic commissions, and in most cases is limited to urine testing.
Philippine legend Pacquiao would not agree to blood-testing in the 30 days prior to his proposed fight with Mayweather.
He also stipulated that he would agree to testing by the same agencies that test pro American Football and baseball players, but not to random tests by the USADA.
Five-weight world champion Pacquiao has fought in Las Vegas on numerous occasions and never failed a drug test.
Source: news.bbc.co.uk
***
The Fighter Who Beats Manny Pacquiao Can't Be Manufactured, Part II -- The Sweet Science
By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science
As much as it hurts to agree with HBO's Jim Lampley, he must be given his due when he gets it right. And he did so when he said on the network's pre-fight special "Countdown To Pacquiao-Clottey," something to the effect of how it's been a while since we've seen a fighter who's had a run of outstanding performances like we've seen from Manny Pacquiao circa 2008-2010.
It's amazing how there are still some doubters. Forget about who's a worshiper of one fighter and a hater of another. If anyone reading this can't recognize that Manny Pacquiao is a rare and once in a generation talent and fighter, you don't know what you're watching. My opinion of Pacquiao is based on lengthy personal experience and objective eyes that are wide open while watching him fight, and a boxing aptitude that rarely fails me when evaluating fighters. I'm not paid or part of Team Pacquiao or Team Anybody. I implicitly trust my eyes and instincts tell me all I need to know. And what they scream out is that it'll take a special fighter and talent to beat Manny Pacquiao at this time if he stays hungry and focused and isn't distracted by his political ambition.
The fighter to beat Pacquiao will either have to be a Thomas Hearns clone and how many of them are fighting today? Or have the mental toughness, chin, strength and enough punch to force Pacquiao back and to fight off the ropes, something that not many guys have been able to force him to do, and where he's the least effective. Because if you allow him to come to you and have nothing in your arsenal to hold him off with, it's almost impossible to out-box him. And if you have to fight him as he dictates, good luck because that's him at his best.
If there were a Hearns fighting in the welterweight division today, Pacquiao would probably meet his Waterloo. Hearns had enough beard to handle Pacquiao, if Manny could even get to it. Pacquiao would be there for Hearns's ramrod jab and missile like right hand, something that would greatly impede his aggression. As unique as Pacquiao is, he's never experienced anything like Hearns. He'd be at the end of the Hitman's reach and he'd never get a chance to befuddle him with his unconventional and sporadic assault. And it's not like Pacquiao is hard to find since he has the mindset to attack and try to get his opponent out with every punch he throws. If Manny gets hurt, his instinct is always going to be to fire back. He's even shown a willingness to take a few from his opponent if that's what it takes to open them up. Only that would've been suicide against Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard as well.
For a fighter in the welterweight division in 2010 to beat Pacquiao, he must posses something in his arsenal that concerns him or forces him to have to react and address what they're doing as much as his opponent is concerned with what he's doing. As far as devising a strategy to beat Pacquiao on paper, that's great. Now try and find the fighter who has what it takes mentally and physically to implement the ideal fight plan. That's like saying if you make Marvin Hagler fight as the aggressor and force him to cut the ring off, (which wasn't him at his best) he's beatable. Great, all you have to do now is find the next Sugar Ray Leonard.
At this point it seems like it's almost impossible to fathom any active welterweight beating Pacquiao by out-boxing him. He's just too overwhelming and attacks and throws every punch with the purpose of taking his opponent's head off nor does he fear what's coming back at him. And he also throws his punches in multiples. In order to box Pacquiao, you must be physically strong and have a decent enough punch to prevent him from coming at you as if you're handcuffed, thus allowing him to make it a street fight.
Is Floyd Mayweather that boxer? At this point I'm not sure and hope that we find out sometime this fall if he gets by Shane Mosley on May 1st. One thing is certain, Mayweather doesn't posses a single punch or combination in his repertoire to hurt or discourage Pacquiao from coming at him full bore. The speculation about that is over and Mayweather will at some point have to fight Manny off and gain his respect if they ever do meet. So he'll probably need a backup plan in which he's able to tie him in a knot and slowly take the bullets out of his guns. Picturing Mayweather and perhaps Mosley actually beating up Pacquiao is hard to envision in 2010.
Mosley probably has the better chance to do it, but he'd absorb plenty of punishment in the process. Although, Pacquiao-Mosley is the best and most exciting fight that could be realized from a style vantage point at this time if Mosley is the same fighter who took apart Antonio Margarito in January of 2009.
If Mosley beats Mayweather, Shane actually matches up better with Pacquiao because he probably has the physical strength to force Pacquiao back and perhaps keep him on his heels, something that would aid him in a big way. Pacquiao has never had to fight uphill since he's moved up from junior lightweight. Mosley has a great chin, fast hands and is capable of throwing straight lefts and rights. He's also mentally and physically tough and can't be intimidated or made to fight just to survive. Mosley also has never been handled by any fighter his size, including Miguel Cotto. Actually, Cotto was smart to counter-punch Mosley instead of engaging Shane like he wanted him too. Pacquiao is of a different mindset and will engage Mosley because that's what he does best.
Other than Mayweather and Mosley, there's no other welterweight who comes close to having a chance to beat Pacquiao. (EDITOR NOTE: What if Paul Williams could make 147?) Mayweather may lack the strength and physicality, and Mosley may no longer posses the speed and probably has participated in too many tough fights during his career to win a war of attrition in 2010.
To beat Pacquiao this year it'll take a fighter who was blessed at birth with the necessary skill and tools to do it. He can't be manufactured or trained to do so in any boxing gym by any great trainer, the few that are still around. The fighter to do it will either need the size and power to discourage Manny from trying to attack, or he'll need the mental toughness, strength and gumption to force him to back off and be in the unfamiliar position of him having to fight his opponent off of him instead of the opposite.
Having a great boxing IQ and aptitude is great, but if you're not physically capable of executing your fight plan, it's all for naught and the best plan in the world will implode from overwhelming pressure. So you can get all the cookbook handicappers you want to devise the plan that fits your perfect boxing world. But applying it in the ring is like having a gun in your car during a bar fight. Only the gun isn't gonna do you any good under the front seat of the car, so you don't really have a gun.
Manny Pacquiao is putting together a helluva a resume. And since he's moved up in weight his punch activity has escalated. And that's because the bigger fighters he's confronted are more awed by his speed and unorthodox attack, which induces them to punch less so they're not as wide open, which in turn affords him the opportunity to get off more and dictate the terms of the fight. Like all greats, it'll take another great to beat him while he's at his peak. It took a Duran to beat Leonard, a Leonard to beat Hearns and a Frazier to beat Ali.
Looking back, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez were all great fighters between 126 and 130, weren't they?
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
As much as it hurts to agree with HBO's Jim Lampley, he must be given his due when he gets it right. And he did so when he said on the network's pre-fight special "Countdown To Pacquiao-Clottey," something to the effect of how it's been a while since we've seen a fighter who's had a run of outstanding performances like we've seen from Manny Pacquiao circa 2008-2010.
It's amazing how there are still some doubters. Forget about who's a worshiper of one fighter and a hater of another. If anyone reading this can't recognize that Manny Pacquiao is a rare and once in a generation talent and fighter, you don't know what you're watching. My opinion of Pacquiao is based on lengthy personal experience and objective eyes that are wide open while watching him fight, and a boxing aptitude that rarely fails me when evaluating fighters. I'm not paid or part of Team Pacquiao or Team Anybody. I implicitly trust my eyes and instincts tell me all I need to know. And what they scream out is that it'll take a special fighter and talent to beat Manny Pacquiao at this time if he stays hungry and focused and isn't distracted by his political ambition.
The fighter to beat Pacquiao will either have to be a Thomas Hearns clone and how many of them are fighting today? Or have the mental toughness, chin, strength and enough punch to force Pacquiao back and to fight off the ropes, something that not many guys have been able to force him to do, and where he's the least effective. Because if you allow him to come to you and have nothing in your arsenal to hold him off with, it's almost impossible to out-box him. And if you have to fight him as he dictates, good luck because that's him at his best.
If there were a Hearns fighting in the welterweight division today, Pacquiao would probably meet his Waterloo. Hearns had enough beard to handle Pacquiao, if Manny could even get to it. Pacquiao would be there for Hearns's ramrod jab and missile like right hand, something that would greatly impede his aggression. As unique as Pacquiao is, he's never experienced anything like Hearns. He'd be at the end of the Hitman's reach and he'd never get a chance to befuddle him with his unconventional and sporadic assault. And it's not like Pacquiao is hard to find since he has the mindset to attack and try to get his opponent out with every punch he throws. If Manny gets hurt, his instinct is always going to be to fire back. He's even shown a willingness to take a few from his opponent if that's what it takes to open them up. Only that would've been suicide against Hearns, and Sugar Ray Leonard as well.
For a fighter in the welterweight division in 2010 to beat Pacquiao, he must posses something in his arsenal that concerns him or forces him to have to react and address what they're doing as much as his opponent is concerned with what he's doing. As far as devising a strategy to beat Pacquiao on paper, that's great. Now try and find the fighter who has what it takes mentally and physically to implement the ideal fight plan. That's like saying if you make Marvin Hagler fight as the aggressor and force him to cut the ring off, (which wasn't him at his best) he's beatable. Great, all you have to do now is find the next Sugar Ray Leonard.
At this point it seems like it's almost impossible to fathom any active welterweight beating Pacquiao by out-boxing him. He's just too overwhelming and attacks and throws every punch with the purpose of taking his opponent's head off nor does he fear what's coming back at him. And he also throws his punches in multiples. In order to box Pacquiao, you must be physically strong and have a decent enough punch to prevent him from coming at you as if you're handcuffed, thus allowing him to make it a street fight.
Is Floyd Mayweather that boxer? At this point I'm not sure and hope that we find out sometime this fall if he gets by Shane Mosley on May 1st. One thing is certain, Mayweather doesn't posses a single punch or combination in his repertoire to hurt or discourage Pacquiao from coming at him full bore. The speculation about that is over and Mayweather will at some point have to fight Manny off and gain his respect if they ever do meet. So he'll probably need a backup plan in which he's able to tie him in a knot and slowly take the bullets out of his guns. Picturing Mayweather and perhaps Mosley actually beating up Pacquiao is hard to envision in 2010.
Mosley probably has the better chance to do it, but he'd absorb plenty of punishment in the process. Although, Pacquiao-Mosley is the best and most exciting fight that could be realized from a style vantage point at this time if Mosley is the same fighter who took apart Antonio Margarito in January of 2009.
If Mosley beats Mayweather, Shane actually matches up better with Pacquiao because he probably has the physical strength to force Pacquiao back and perhaps keep him on his heels, something that would aid him in a big way. Pacquiao has never had to fight uphill since he's moved up from junior lightweight. Mosley has a great chin, fast hands and is capable of throwing straight lefts and rights. He's also mentally and physically tough and can't be intimidated or made to fight just to survive. Mosley also has never been handled by any fighter his size, including Miguel Cotto. Actually, Cotto was smart to counter-punch Mosley instead of engaging Shane like he wanted him too. Pacquiao is of a different mindset and will engage Mosley because that's what he does best.
Other than Mayweather and Mosley, there's no other welterweight who comes close to having a chance to beat Pacquiao. (EDITOR NOTE: What if Paul Williams could make 147?) Mayweather may lack the strength and physicality, and Mosley may no longer posses the speed and probably has participated in too many tough fights during his career to win a war of attrition in 2010.
To beat Pacquiao this year it'll take a fighter who was blessed at birth with the necessary skill and tools to do it. He can't be manufactured or trained to do so in any boxing gym by any great trainer, the few that are still around. The fighter to do it will either need the size and power to discourage Manny from trying to attack, or he'll need the mental toughness, strength and gumption to force him to back off and be in the unfamiliar position of him having to fight his opponent off of him instead of the opposite.
Having a great boxing IQ and aptitude is great, but if you're not physically capable of executing your fight plan, it's all for naught and the best plan in the world will implode from overwhelming pressure. So you can get all the cookbook handicappers you want to devise the plan that fits your perfect boxing world. But applying it in the ring is like having a gun in your car during a bar fight. Only the gun isn't gonna do you any good under the front seat of the car, so you don't really have a gun.
Manny Pacquiao is putting together a helluva a resume. And since he's moved up in weight his punch activity has escalated. And that's because the bigger fighters he's confronted are more awed by his speed and unorthodox attack, which induces them to punch less so they're not as wide open, which in turn affords him the opportunity to get off more and dictate the terms of the fight. Like all greats, it'll take another great to beat him while he's at his peak. It took a Duran to beat Leonard, a Leonard to beat Hearns and a Frazier to beat Ali.
Looking back, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez were all great fighters between 126 and 130, weren't they?
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
Source: thesweetscience.com
Mayweather, Mosley, Golden Boy tout their drug-testing plan -- Los Angeles Times
By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times
Whether boxing can follow through on what a major promoter calls "the trigger" to implement "a gold standard of drug testing" in the sport remains unknown, but representatives of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley and Golden Boy Promotions on Thursday revealed their anti-doping procedures for their May 1 world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
"Floyd Mayweather took the lead on this, and it feels like it's time for boxing to take the lead on this," fight promoter Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy, told reporters during a morning conference call.
The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, participated in the call and detailed that Mayweather and Mosley will be subject to random urine and/or blood tests from now "until and after the fight." A positive test, Tygart said, would leave the boxer suspended from the sport for two years, a condition he said both fighters have agreed to.
Mosley, of course, has admitted to using products supplied him in 2003 by Victor Conte, founder of the steroid-distributing Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). Conte has said he gave Mosley designer steroids known as the "the cream" and "the clear" and the energy-boosting banned substance EPO, with documents showing that Mosley used the drugs for more than a two-week cycle that ended the week of his 2003 victory by decision over Oscar De La Hoya.
Nevada failed to identify any substances in Mosley's system as performance-enhancing drugs.
Mosley has sued Conte, saying he did not know the substances he took were performance-enhancing drugs. Conte claims he spelled that out to Mosley in a meeting the pair had in 2003 in Conte's Burlingame, Calif., office.
Under the new plan, Tygart said, "we're confident if he did cheat, he'll be caught and exposed. He's never been subject to our jurisdiction until now."
Mayweather's desire for a more stringent testing program than what Nevada offers -- random urine testing before and immediately after the bout -- contributed to the crumbling of negotiations the unbeaten (40-0) boxer had in talks to stage a super-fight against Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.
Pacquiao explained that he doesn't like needles, and feels that giving blood weakens him before a fight. A mediator stipulated that Pacquiao wouldn't have to give blood closer than 24 days before the fight, and then again after the bout. Mayweather didn't agree with the "settlement" and the fight was scrapped.
Tygart declined to answer what he thought of Pacquiao's stance, explaining generally that, "If you're clean, you have no problem being in this program. We see thousands of athletes involved in this program. Why should any athlete be forced to compromise his safety?"
Golden Boy's Schaefer added, "This is not about hitting a baseball or cycling up a hill. It's two guys hitting each other in the head. How could we not be for it?"
Mayweather's lead advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, said he's heard that the New York State Athletic Commission is interested in observing how USADA's handling of this event proceeds, and may incorporate some of the principles in future testing. Other state athletic commission members and promoters nationally have said that the expense of such a program is too excessive to become reality unilaterally.
"If this triggers a gold standard for drug testing in boxing, we're all for it," Schaefer said.
Tygart said that in addition to urine tests for steroids, blood tests will be implemented to search for such perfoirmance-enhancers as Human Growth Hormone, synthetic hemoglobin and blood transfusions.
He credited Mayweather for continuing to press for the intense testing, and said both fighters have agreed to provide their whereabouts all the way to fight night.
"When your sport's not doing everything to protect your rights, it's unfortunate, but athletes who speak out have in some cases been cast aside, feeling they don't have much of a voice," Tygart said. "But athletes have a protector."
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
***
Whether boxing can follow through on what a major promoter calls "the trigger" to implement "a gold standard of drug testing" in the sport remains unknown, but representatives of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley and Golden Boy Promotions on Thursday revealed their anti-doping procedures for their May 1 world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.
"Floyd Mayweather took the lead on this, and it feels like it's time for boxing to take the lead on this," fight promoter Richard Schaefer, chief executive of Golden Boy, told reporters during a morning conference call.
The head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, participated in the call and detailed that Mayweather and Mosley will be subject to random urine and/or blood tests from now "until and after the fight." A positive test, Tygart said, would leave the boxer suspended from the sport for two years, a condition he said both fighters have agreed to.
Mosley, of course, has admitted to using products supplied him in 2003 by Victor Conte, founder of the steroid-distributing Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO). Conte has said he gave Mosley designer steroids known as the "the cream" and "the clear" and the energy-boosting banned substance EPO, with documents showing that Mosley used the drugs for more than a two-week cycle that ended the week of his 2003 victory by decision over Oscar De La Hoya.
Nevada failed to identify any substances in Mosley's system as performance-enhancing drugs.
Mosley has sued Conte, saying he did not know the substances he took were performance-enhancing drugs. Conte claims he spelled that out to Mosley in a meeting the pair had in 2003 in Conte's Burlingame, Calif., office.
Under the new plan, Tygart said, "we're confident if he did cheat, he'll be caught and exposed. He's never been subject to our jurisdiction until now."
Mayweather's desire for a more stringent testing program than what Nevada offers -- random urine testing before and immediately after the bout -- contributed to the crumbling of negotiations the unbeaten (40-0) boxer had in talks to stage a super-fight against Manny Pacquiao earlier this year.
Pacquiao explained that he doesn't like needles, and feels that giving blood weakens him before a fight. A mediator stipulated that Pacquiao wouldn't have to give blood closer than 24 days before the fight, and then again after the bout. Mayweather didn't agree with the "settlement" and the fight was scrapped.
Tygart declined to answer what he thought of Pacquiao's stance, explaining generally that, "If you're clean, you have no problem being in this program. We see thousands of athletes involved in this program. Why should any athlete be forced to compromise his safety?"
Golden Boy's Schaefer added, "This is not about hitting a baseball or cycling up a hill. It's two guys hitting each other in the head. How could we not be for it?"
Mayweather's lead advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, said he's heard that the New York State Athletic Commission is interested in observing how USADA's handling of this event proceeds, and may incorporate some of the principles in future testing. Other state athletic commission members and promoters nationally have said that the expense of such a program is too excessive to become reality unilaterally.
"If this triggers a gold standard for drug testing in boxing, we're all for it," Schaefer said.
Tygart said that in addition to urine tests for steroids, blood tests will be implemented to search for such perfoirmance-enhancers as Human Growth Hormone, synthetic hemoglobin and blood transfusions.
He credited Mayweather for continuing to press for the intense testing, and said both fighters have agreed to provide their whereabouts all the way to fight night.
"When your sport's not doing everything to protect your rights, it's unfortunate, but athletes who speak out have in some cases been cast aside, feeling they don't have much of a voice," Tygart said. "But athletes have a protector."
Source: latimesblogs.latimes.com
***
Golden guy Schaefer: I'm walking High Road despite mudslingers -- The Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
Richard Schaefer, former Swiss banker who has struck gold working for Oscar de la Hoya, is trying to take the high road this particular year.
I mean the high road as opposed to swapping verbal punches with Golden Boy rivals in the business of disorganized brain damage, meaning boxing.
"That's my New Year's resolution," Schaefer told me. "Whatever Lou DiBella says or whatever Bob Arum or Gary Shaw says, I don't feel the need to reply in asn insulting manner. Let them all engage in that but I don't have to. I just believe it's not necessary."
As an example of not roiling the waters, Schaefer said at the Amir Khan-Paulie Maliganggi press conference for their May 15 Madison Square Garden that he would not make any reference to the continuing smears and allegations about Manny Pacquiao cheating with drugs.
"I am not," Schaefer said, grinning, "even going to use the P word."
Obviously, he meant "p" as in performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Conversely, New York based DiBella said invective can be useful in the ongoing internecine battles in boxing.
"It's the nature of a brutal, competitive business," the former HBO Sports boxing honcho said. "There are times when invective and mudslinging really can't be avoided. You can't just take such tactics and lay down."
But Schaefer said he continue trying to walk down the High Road.
Good luck on that.
But I will say this, Schaefer is not the humorless prig some people think.
He must have a sense of humor as he even speaks to the likes of me.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Richard Schaefer, former Swiss banker who has struck gold working for Oscar de la Hoya, is trying to take the high road this particular year.
I mean the high road as opposed to swapping verbal punches with Golden Boy rivals in the business of disorganized brain damage, meaning boxing.
"That's my New Year's resolution," Schaefer told me. "Whatever Lou DiBella says or whatever Bob Arum or Gary Shaw says, I don't feel the need to reply in asn insulting manner. Let them all engage in that but I don't have to. I just believe it's not necessary."
As an example of not roiling the waters, Schaefer said at the Amir Khan-Paulie Maliganggi press conference for their May 15 Madison Square Garden that he would not make any reference to the continuing smears and allegations about Manny Pacquiao cheating with drugs.
"I am not," Schaefer said, grinning, "even going to use the P word."
Obviously, he meant "p" as in performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).
Conversely, New York based DiBella said invective can be useful in the ongoing internecine battles in boxing.
"It's the nature of a brutal, competitive business," the former HBO Sports boxing honcho said. "There are times when invective and mudslinging really can't be avoided. You can't just take such tactics and lay down."
But Schaefer said he continue trying to walk down the High Road.
Good luck on that.
But I will say this, Schaefer is not the humorless prig some people think.
He must have a sense of humor as he even speaks to the likes of me.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
After election, who's next for Manny? -- ESPN
By Dan Rafael, ESPN.com
Now that pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has easily outpointed Joshua Clottey in a stunningly one-sided decision win on Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, he's headed back to the Philippines to run for congress. The reason he insisted on fighting in March was so he would have enough time to campaign for the May 10 election, which he's apparently serious about.
"Now it is time for a more serious fight for me and that is my campaign for congress," Pacquiao said. "The people of my province are among the poorest. They have been underserved for too long. I want to give a voice to those too weak to speak. They deserve better schools and a higher standard of living. I know how my people have suffered because I have too. That is how I grew up and because I am one of the fortunate ones to have escaped poverty I am compelled to be a public servant for them. If my being in public office can attract new businesses to relocate to my province and to shine a light on the neglect my people have endured, I am only too happy to serve.
"One of the biggest advantages I have is that every fight is an opportunity to give honor to the Philippines. The Filipino people don't just give me their support, they also give me their strength, their pride and their love. Running for congress is a way for me to repay them."
Top Rank's Bob Arum anticipates Pacquiao's ring return in the fall, likely November, regardless of the outcome of the election.
So Arum is already looking ahead and thinking about possible fights for Pacquiao. Obviously, Pacquiao against the winner of the May 1 Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight makes the most sense and is the most lucrative, by far. But Arum was quick to point out that if Mosley wins, it's an unlikely fight because Mayweather has a rematch clause in the contract.
"So any talk of Shane Mosley beating Mayweather and then fighting Manny is poppycock," Arum said, adding that he believed the rematch clause was "strong."
Of course, a Mayweather win would put the sides in the same position they were in a couple of months ago, when Pacquiao-Mayweather imploded over drug-testing procedures.
If Mayweather beats Mosley and there are again issues -- which you just know there would be -- Arum said he has three opponents in mind that he would give a shot at Pacquiao:
• Antonio Margarito, the disgraced former welterweight titlist who Arum anticipates will eventually get his license back after having it revoked for trying to fight Mosley with loaded hand wraps 14 months ago.
• Edwin Valero, the former lightweight titlist who is moving up to junior welterweight for his next fight. Valero, who has had licensing issues because of a past medical problem, is licensed in Texas, so maybe we'll see a return to Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium if that fight is made.
• Juan Manuel Marquez, the lightweight champ who would have to move up in weight. Marquez and Pacquiao have fought two memorable battles with Pacquiao going 1-0-1 in two terrific and close fights in which both decisions were highly controversial. If there is Pacquiao-Marquez III it would mean Top Rank would have to work with Golden Boy, Marquez's promoter, which is always a dicey proposition.
If you missed Pacquiao-Clottey, fought before a crowd of almost 51,000, HBO will replay the pay-per-view bout Saturday night (11 ET/PT).
The pay-per-view numbers aren't out yet because Arum and HBO PPV have totals from only the satellite services.
"All we have is the satellite numbers and they are very strong," Arum said. "We're not giving out any numbers yet because we have very little [information] from the cable systems, which you need. The cable numbers are very fragmented, so it could be a few days. But the number that you can't go any lower than is 650,000 for the fight. That is the worst it would do, but it should be a lot higher."
Source: espn.go.com
Now that pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has easily outpointed Joshua Clottey in a stunningly one-sided decision win on Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium, he's headed back to the Philippines to run for congress. The reason he insisted on fighting in March was so he would have enough time to campaign for the May 10 election, which he's apparently serious about.
"Now it is time for a more serious fight for me and that is my campaign for congress," Pacquiao said. "The people of my province are among the poorest. They have been underserved for too long. I want to give a voice to those too weak to speak. They deserve better schools and a higher standard of living. I know how my people have suffered because I have too. That is how I grew up and because I am one of the fortunate ones to have escaped poverty I am compelled to be a public servant for them. If my being in public office can attract new businesses to relocate to my province and to shine a light on the neglect my people have endured, I am only too happy to serve.
"One of the biggest advantages I have is that every fight is an opportunity to give honor to the Philippines. The Filipino people don't just give me their support, they also give me their strength, their pride and their love. Running for congress is a way for me to repay them."
Top Rank's Bob Arum anticipates Pacquiao's ring return in the fall, likely November, regardless of the outcome of the election.
So Arum is already looking ahead and thinking about possible fights for Pacquiao. Obviously, Pacquiao against the winner of the May 1 Shane Mosley-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight makes the most sense and is the most lucrative, by far. But Arum was quick to point out that if Mosley wins, it's an unlikely fight because Mayweather has a rematch clause in the contract.
"So any talk of Shane Mosley beating Mayweather and then fighting Manny is poppycock," Arum said, adding that he believed the rematch clause was "strong."
Of course, a Mayweather win would put the sides in the same position they were in a couple of months ago, when Pacquiao-Mayweather imploded over drug-testing procedures.
If Mayweather beats Mosley and there are again issues -- which you just know there would be -- Arum said he has three opponents in mind that he would give a shot at Pacquiao:
• Antonio Margarito, the disgraced former welterweight titlist who Arum anticipates will eventually get his license back after having it revoked for trying to fight Mosley with loaded hand wraps 14 months ago.
• Edwin Valero, the former lightweight titlist who is moving up to junior welterweight for his next fight. Valero, who has had licensing issues because of a past medical problem, is licensed in Texas, so maybe we'll see a return to Jerry Jones' Cowboys Stadium if that fight is made.
• Juan Manuel Marquez, the lightweight champ who would have to move up in weight. Marquez and Pacquiao have fought two memorable battles with Pacquiao going 1-0-1 in two terrific and close fights in which both decisions were highly controversial. If there is Pacquiao-Marquez III it would mean Top Rank would have to work with Golden Boy, Marquez's promoter, which is always a dicey proposition.
If you missed Pacquiao-Clottey, fought before a crowd of almost 51,000, HBO will replay the pay-per-view bout Saturday night (11 ET/PT).
The pay-per-view numbers aren't out yet because Arum and HBO PPV have totals from only the satellite services.
"All we have is the satellite numbers and they are very strong," Arum said. "We're not giving out any numbers yet because we have very little [information] from the cable systems, which you need. The cable numbers are very fragmented, so it could be a few days. But the number that you can't go any lower than is 650,000 for the fight. That is the worst it would do, but it should be a lot higher."
Source: espn.go.com
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Khan: Paulie's a complete idiot -- The Sun
By GAVIN GLICKSMAN, The Sun
AMIR KHAN has turned up the heat ahead of his clash with Paulie Malignaggi by branding the New Yorker an 'idiot'.
Malignaggi is determined to ruin Khan's American debut when they collide at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theatre on May 15.
But Khan, 23, intends to teach his trash-talking opponent a lesson by dismantling him in front of his home crowd.
The WBA light-welterweight champ said: "Malignaggi's very disrespectful but it's one of those things.
"I'm very confident I'll beat him. I'm confident before every fight and I'll go in there to do my best.
"It's great to be fighting at the Mecca of boxing and I can't wait to get in the ring and fight this guy.
"It's going to be a tough fight but that's boxing for you.
"When a guy pulls faces and is disrespectful to you, it's because he's scared.
"I respect all my opponents and I think any good fighter does the same.
"But when you get idiots like Paulie, you let it be."
Khan's last outing was an impressive 76-second demolition of Dmitriy Salita.
The successful title defence signalled the end of his relationship with Frank Warren and the beginning of a new chapter in his career as part of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy stable.
Malignaggi, 29, insists Salita was handpicked to make Khan look good due to his lack of big-fight experience.
But the Bolton ace insists he will make the American eat his words.
Khan added: "At the end of the day, Paulie's going to get knocked out — just like Salita did.
"I've got a great following in the UK and now I want to build a following in the US.
"It's a big achievement for me to be going to Madison Square Garden.
"I'm only 23 and I want to build up my name. I want to do it young — and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
Khan has been accused of deserting his fans in Britain by making a full-time switch to America.
But the Bolton ace insists he will be back — as soon as he raises his profile Stateside.
Khan, who returned to training at Freddie Roach's Wildcard gym in LA yesterday, said: "Everyone's dream is to fight in America.
"I'm having my debut fight in America but I'm going to come back to Britain.
"I want to bring the massive fights to the UK and the way to do that is to build up my name in the US."
Golden Boy boast an impressive roster with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins on their books.
But Khan claims he will go on to become No1 in De La Hoya's stable.
He said: "I was the best fighter Frank Warren had for a long, long time and I want to do the same with Golden Boy.
"It's going to be hard but I love a challenge."
Source: thesun.co.uk
AMIR KHAN has turned up the heat ahead of his clash with Paulie Malignaggi by branding the New Yorker an 'idiot'.
Malignaggi is determined to ruin Khan's American debut when they collide at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theatre on May 15.
But Khan, 23, intends to teach his trash-talking opponent a lesson by dismantling him in front of his home crowd.
The WBA light-welterweight champ said: "Malignaggi's very disrespectful but it's one of those things.
"I'm very confident I'll beat him. I'm confident before every fight and I'll go in there to do my best.
"It's great to be fighting at the Mecca of boxing and I can't wait to get in the ring and fight this guy.
"It's going to be a tough fight but that's boxing for you.
"When a guy pulls faces and is disrespectful to you, it's because he's scared.
"I respect all my opponents and I think any good fighter does the same.
"But when you get idiots like Paulie, you let it be."
Khan's last outing was an impressive 76-second demolition of Dmitriy Salita.
The successful title defence signalled the end of his relationship with Frank Warren and the beginning of a new chapter in his career as part of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy stable.
Malignaggi, 29, insists Salita was handpicked to make Khan look good due to his lack of big-fight experience.
But the Bolton ace insists he will make the American eat his words.
Khan added: "At the end of the day, Paulie's going to get knocked out — just like Salita did.
"I've got a great following in the UK and now I want to build a following in the US.
"It's a big achievement for me to be going to Madison Square Garden.
"I'm only 23 and I want to build up my name. I want to do it young — and that's exactly what I'm going to do."
Khan has been accused of deserting his fans in Britain by making a full-time switch to America.
But the Bolton ace insists he will be back — as soon as he raises his profile Stateside.
Khan, who returned to training at Freddie Roach's Wildcard gym in LA yesterday, said: "Everyone's dream is to fight in America.
"I'm having my debut fight in America but I'm going to come back to Britain.
"I want to bring the massive fights to the UK and the way to do that is to build up my name in the US."
Golden Boy boast an impressive roster with the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins on their books.
But Khan claims he will go on to become No1 in De La Hoya's stable.
He said: "I was the best fighter Frank Warren had for a long, long time and I want to do the same with Golden Boy.
"It's going to be hard but I love a challenge."
Source: thesun.co.uk
Boxing card features last man to defeat Manny Pacquiao -- The Examiner
By James Wyatt, Examiner.com
On Saturday, March 27th, at the Arena Monterrey, in Monterrey, Mexico, Erik “El Terrible” Morales (48-6-0, 34 KO’s) who lives in San Ysidro, Ca. and was born just across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, will face Jose Alfaro (23-5-0, 20 K0’s) an orthodox fighter from Nagarote, Nicaragua. The reason for mentioning that Alfaro is right-handed, Morales, the three time world champion, is making a return to the ring after two and half years and lost his last three fights to southpaws. Unlike Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz, Alfaro fights orthodox.
The fight announcing team for this upcoming fight, Benny Ricardo and Colonel Bob Sheridan, spoke Monday with Morales at the Televisa Awards ceremony to honor the best athletes of the last decade. Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, his opponent for the classic trilogy of fights, were being honored in the “fight of the decade” category.
Morales reminisced about the bouts that have thus far defined his career: one, his four round stoppage of Junior Jones and two, his victory over Manny Pacquiao on March 19, 2005.
Jones had stopped 32 Mexicans prior to the Morales/Jones fight and the win over Pacquiao at which he saw Pacquiao cry after the fight, is considered his greatest accomplishment. That unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao, makes Morales the last man to defeat the pound for pound title holder.
Erik stated he would like another shot at Pacquiao and feels that at 147 pounds he is now faster than ever and freer with his body to get the most out of it. First things first though, which is to defeat Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey, Mexico, on Pay-Per-View.
Erik, who then spent much of his time praising the younger Alfaro, mentioned that he too is a former world champion and a wicked puncher who will bring the best out of him. That last part wasn’t really necessary. Morales has never failed to bring anything but his best to his 111 amateur bouts and 54 professional bouts.
On the March 27th undercard:
Chris “Hard Hittin’” Henry of Houston, Texas (24-2-0, 19 KO’s), will face two-time WBA light heavyweight champ Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay of Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina (32-4-0, 17 KO’s) in a WBA Light Heavyweight eliminator.
In a 12-round title fight the WBC International minimumweight title holder, southpaw Denver Cuello of Cabatuan, Philippines (19-2-5, 10), will face the NABF title holder, Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1-0, 12 KOs) of Mexico City.
El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs) will take on the 1996 Brazilian Olympian Daniel Bispo (22-12, 16 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.
Lightweight Ramon “Nino de Oro” Ayala (15-1-1, 7 KOs) the 21-year-old who has been Erik Morales’ principle sparring partner, will also fight on the same card.
Source: examiner.com
On Saturday, March 27th, at the Arena Monterrey, in Monterrey, Mexico, Erik “El Terrible” Morales (48-6-0, 34 KO’s) who lives in San Ysidro, Ca. and was born just across the border in Tijuana, Mexico, will face Jose Alfaro (23-5-0, 20 K0’s) an orthodox fighter from Nagarote, Nicaragua. The reason for mentioning that Alfaro is right-handed, Morales, the three time world champion, is making a return to the ring after two and half years and lost his last three fights to southpaws. Unlike Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz, Alfaro fights orthodox.
The fight announcing team for this upcoming fight, Benny Ricardo and Colonel Bob Sheridan, spoke Monday with Morales at the Televisa Awards ceremony to honor the best athletes of the last decade. Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera, his opponent for the classic trilogy of fights, were being honored in the “fight of the decade” category.
Morales reminisced about the bouts that have thus far defined his career: one, his four round stoppage of Junior Jones and two, his victory over Manny Pacquiao on March 19, 2005.
Jones had stopped 32 Mexicans prior to the Morales/Jones fight and the win over Pacquiao at which he saw Pacquiao cry after the fight, is considered his greatest accomplishment. That unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao, makes Morales the last man to defeat the pound for pound title holder.
Erik stated he would like another shot at Pacquiao and feels that at 147 pounds he is now faster than ever and freer with his body to get the most out of it. First things first though, which is to defeat Alfaro on March 27th in Monterrey, Mexico, on Pay-Per-View.
Erik, who then spent much of his time praising the younger Alfaro, mentioned that he too is a former world champion and a wicked puncher who will bring the best out of him. That last part wasn’t really necessary. Morales has never failed to bring anything but his best to his 111 amateur bouts and 54 professional bouts.
On the March 27th undercard:
Chris “Hard Hittin’” Henry of Houston, Texas (24-2-0, 19 KO’s), will face two-time WBA light heavyweight champ Hugo Hernan “Pigu” Garay of Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina (32-4-0, 17 KO’s) in a WBA Light Heavyweight eliminator.
In a 12-round title fight the WBC International minimumweight title holder, southpaw Denver Cuello of Cabatuan, Philippines (19-2-5, 10), will face the NABF title holder, Juan “Churritos” Hernandez (15-1-0, 12 KOs) of Mexico City.
El Paso’s undefeated NABA title-holder David “Nino” Rodriguez (32-0, 30 KOs) will take on the 1996 Brazilian Olympian Daniel Bispo (22-12, 16 KOs) in a 10-round heavyweight attraction.
Lightweight Ramon “Nino de Oro” Ayala (15-1-1, 7 KOs) the 21-year-old who has been Erik Morales’ principle sparring partner, will also fight on the same card.
Source: examiner.com
Your Move, Mr. Mayweather -- BASN
By Tom Donelson, Black Athlete Sports Network
IOWA CITY (BASN) -- What is next for the "Pac Man"? The next step is now dependent upon what happens on May 1 as Shane Mosley challenges Floyd Mayweather.
The fight did not happen on March 13th is now dependent upon what happens on Mayday as Mayweather must now defeat Mosley. What we are witnessing is a championship tournament as Pacquaio won his semifinal bout against Joshua Clottey in overwhelming style.
After the negotiations broke down for the super bout, boxing in its own Byzantine fashion may be setting up the biggest gate ever. The winner of the Mosley-Mayweather will produced a winner that will lead to a big money PPV.
Regardless of who wins the bout, the winner will find himself in a position to challenge Pacquaio for big bucks. While a Mosley-Pacquaio may not be as big money fight as Mayweather-Pacquaio, it will still big a money fight since Mosley is a big name fighter in his own right and defeating Mayweather only enhances his Hall of Fame reputation.
A Mosley fight may even be easier to make since Mosley have already been tied to BALCO and steroids (even though, he never actually been caught with steroids, the suspicious have always been there with Mosley.)
Since the drug issue is an issue with both fighters, one has suspect that both fighters can come to a mutually agreeable drug test. As for Mayweather-Pacquaio, the only thing that keeps the fight from happening is the ego of the major parties.
Mayweather, Pacquaio, Arum or De La Hoya could allow their dislike for each other to derail this fight but somehow, the images of the oodles of money to be made should keep ego in check.
Money has a way of making even most severe of enemies become best friend when hundred of millions of dollars are at stake. There will always be time to allow old hatred to come back after the fight but there is too much money to be made.
Mayweather will be the favorite against the 38-year-old Mosley, but he still has the hand speed to give Floyd problems and as he showed against Antonio Margartio, he still has the skills to be the best.
Mayweather's advantage has always been his defensive skills and hand speed and those skills allowed him to control the pace of fights. Against Mosley, he will be facing one of the smartest fighters in the ring and Mosley knows how to penetrate Mayweather’s defenses.
The only questions if the skills are there to follow the Mosley’s game plan.
Mayweather has picked a challenging obstacle to his biggest pay day and the fight was made as part of negotiating ploy to show that he doesn’t need Pacquaio as much as the Pacquaio needed Mayweather.
There is one minor problem, namely, Mosley can actually beat Mayweather and end his undefeated streak while ending Floyd's participation in the biggest money fight.
Mayweather has one thing to fight for, his legacy as the best pound for pound. Mayweather really wants to beat Pacquaio to show the world that he is the best pound for pound fighter.
As for Mosley, he has wanted to face Mayweather for a long time and felt that Mayweather has avoided him; so he has his own goal of erasing the zero off Mayweather's record.
Mosley-Mayweather has its own story line with two fighters fighting for their own legacies and for a shot at one of the biggest, if not biggest, PPV fight ever. Legacy and money; these goals are worth fighting for.
On May 2, the scene will be set for setting up the biggest fight in this young century.
Source: blackathlete.net
IOWA CITY (BASN) -- What is next for the "Pac Man"? The next step is now dependent upon what happens on May 1 as Shane Mosley challenges Floyd Mayweather.
The fight did not happen on March 13th is now dependent upon what happens on Mayday as Mayweather must now defeat Mosley. What we are witnessing is a championship tournament as Pacquaio won his semifinal bout against Joshua Clottey in overwhelming style.
After the negotiations broke down for the super bout, boxing in its own Byzantine fashion may be setting up the biggest gate ever. The winner of the Mosley-Mayweather will produced a winner that will lead to a big money PPV.
Regardless of who wins the bout, the winner will find himself in a position to challenge Pacquaio for big bucks. While a Mosley-Pacquaio may not be as big money fight as Mayweather-Pacquaio, it will still big a money fight since Mosley is a big name fighter in his own right and defeating Mayweather only enhances his Hall of Fame reputation.
A Mosley fight may even be easier to make since Mosley have already been tied to BALCO and steroids (even though, he never actually been caught with steroids, the suspicious have always been there with Mosley.)
Since the drug issue is an issue with both fighters, one has suspect that both fighters can come to a mutually agreeable drug test. As for Mayweather-Pacquaio, the only thing that keeps the fight from happening is the ego of the major parties.
Mayweather, Pacquaio, Arum or De La Hoya could allow their dislike for each other to derail this fight but somehow, the images of the oodles of money to be made should keep ego in check.
Money has a way of making even most severe of enemies become best friend when hundred of millions of dollars are at stake. There will always be time to allow old hatred to come back after the fight but there is too much money to be made.
Mayweather will be the favorite against the 38-year-old Mosley, but he still has the hand speed to give Floyd problems and as he showed against Antonio Margartio, he still has the skills to be the best.
Mayweather's advantage has always been his defensive skills and hand speed and those skills allowed him to control the pace of fights. Against Mosley, he will be facing one of the smartest fighters in the ring and Mosley knows how to penetrate Mayweather’s defenses.
The only questions if the skills are there to follow the Mosley’s game plan.
Mayweather has picked a challenging obstacle to his biggest pay day and the fight was made as part of negotiating ploy to show that he doesn’t need Pacquaio as much as the Pacquaio needed Mayweather.
There is one minor problem, namely, Mosley can actually beat Mayweather and end his undefeated streak while ending Floyd's participation in the biggest money fight.
Mayweather has one thing to fight for, his legacy as the best pound for pound. Mayweather really wants to beat Pacquaio to show the world that he is the best pound for pound fighter.
As for Mosley, he has wanted to face Mayweather for a long time and felt that Mayweather has avoided him; so he has his own goal of erasing the zero off Mayweather's record.
Mosley-Mayweather has its own story line with two fighters fighting for their own legacies and for a shot at one of the biggest, if not biggest, PPV fight ever. Legacy and money; these goals are worth fighting for.
On May 2, the scene will be set for setting up the biggest fight in this young century.
Source: blackathlete.net
Boxing World Is Disrespecting Mosley -- The Sweet Science
By David A. Avila, The Sweet Science
Sugar Shane Mosley recently sent out a memo to the press about the basic disrespect he’s been shown by one and all in the boxing world.
He has a point.
Not to disparage the great Manny Pacquiao on his easy victory, he did take some shots. And not to denigrate the career and talent of Floyd Mayweather, he is undefeated. But how can anyone think Mayweather is a cinch to beat Mosley on May 1, in Las Vegas?
The one-sided thinking of promoters, trainers, television analysts, fans and even Pacquiao himself mouthing their wishes for a Mayweather fight is downright short-sighted. Does everyone truly think Money Mayweather is that much better than Mosley?
Only the blind and easily fooled thought Clottey had a slim chance of beating the speedy Pacquiao. The Filipino fired combinations at will and Clottey covered up like a Midwestern family in a basement during a storm of twisters. That won’t happen when Mosley fights Mayweather.
“Most people think I’m just a strong puncher and a brawler,” said Mosley, 38, who is the WBA welterweight titleholder since knocking out Antonio Margarito a year ago in Los Angeles. “People forget I’m a master boxer too.”
Many believe that Mayweather’s defensive boxing prowess and athletic ability will be too much for Mosley to overcome. Odds makers tab the undefeated Mayweather a 4-1 favorite.
“There are five ways to beat Shane Mosley,” said Mayweather, 33, alluding to Mosley’s five career losses. “He could have fought me 10 years ago and had a chance.”
Odds don’t always tell the real story.
Undefeated fighters aren’t necessarily indicative of perfection or invulnerability. History’s best recognized prizefighters all have losses. From Sugar Ray Robinson to Jack Dempsey to Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali, all are considered among the greatest prizefighters the world has ever seen. All sustained losses.
“If you don’t have a loss it means you just haven’t fought everybody,” said trainer Roger Mayweather himself two years ago. “In the old days everybody fought everybody.”
When Ali fought Foreman he was a huge underdog. Some had Foreman a 12-1 favorite after he easily demolished Joe Frazier and Ken Norton who both gave Ali fits when they met. But in 1974, it was Ali who found the antidote for Foreman’s seemingly invincibility. Ali won by knockout in the eighth.
Need another example?
Let’s go to the lower weight classes. Back in 1951, the great Sugar Ray Robinson traveled to London, England to defend his middleweight world championship against little known Randy Turpin. Robinson (128-1-2) hadn’t lost a fight in eight years and was thought to be a cinch after 88 fights without a loss. Turpin (42-2) had a great record but was thought to be out of his depth against the God-like powers of Robinson. That night Turpin’s unorthodox style confused and bewildered Robinson who sailed back home without the world title belt. A return match two months later saw Robinson knock out Turpin in New York City, but he still had problems with the British boxer.
Boxing is not a simple matter of who is faster or who is stronger. Nor is it about who is more experienced or younger.
“It comes down to who has the better skills,” said Mosley, adding that speed and power are not skills but God-given.
The euphoria of Pacquiao’s victory combined with the missed opportunity to fight Mayweather due to his demands for a blood test may have blinded all sides to the truth about the big showdown between Mosley and Mayweather.
It’s not going to be easy for either fighter.
“If you know me then you know I always get up for big fights,” Mosley said. “That’s what motivates me.”
Fights on television
Sat. HBO, Wladimir Klitschko (53-3) vs. Eddie Chambers (35-1).
Sat. Fox, 7 p.m., Odlanier Solis (15-0) vs. Carl Drummond (26-2).
Source: thesweetscience.com
Sugar Shane Mosley recently sent out a memo to the press about the basic disrespect he’s been shown by one and all in the boxing world.
He has a point.
Not to disparage the great Manny Pacquiao on his easy victory, he did take some shots. And not to denigrate the career and talent of Floyd Mayweather, he is undefeated. But how can anyone think Mayweather is a cinch to beat Mosley on May 1, in Las Vegas?
The one-sided thinking of promoters, trainers, television analysts, fans and even Pacquiao himself mouthing their wishes for a Mayweather fight is downright short-sighted. Does everyone truly think Money Mayweather is that much better than Mosley?
Only the blind and easily fooled thought Clottey had a slim chance of beating the speedy Pacquiao. The Filipino fired combinations at will and Clottey covered up like a Midwestern family in a basement during a storm of twisters. That won’t happen when Mosley fights Mayweather.
“Most people think I’m just a strong puncher and a brawler,” said Mosley, 38, who is the WBA welterweight titleholder since knocking out Antonio Margarito a year ago in Los Angeles. “People forget I’m a master boxer too.”
Many believe that Mayweather’s defensive boxing prowess and athletic ability will be too much for Mosley to overcome. Odds makers tab the undefeated Mayweather a 4-1 favorite.
“There are five ways to beat Shane Mosley,” said Mayweather, 33, alluding to Mosley’s five career losses. “He could have fought me 10 years ago and had a chance.”
Odds don’t always tell the real story.
Undefeated fighters aren’t necessarily indicative of perfection or invulnerability. History’s best recognized prizefighters all have losses. From Sugar Ray Robinson to Jack Dempsey to Willie Pep and Muhammad Ali, all are considered among the greatest prizefighters the world has ever seen. All sustained losses.
“If you don’t have a loss it means you just haven’t fought everybody,” said trainer Roger Mayweather himself two years ago. “In the old days everybody fought everybody.”
When Ali fought Foreman he was a huge underdog. Some had Foreman a 12-1 favorite after he easily demolished Joe Frazier and Ken Norton who both gave Ali fits when they met. But in 1974, it was Ali who found the antidote for Foreman’s seemingly invincibility. Ali won by knockout in the eighth.
Need another example?
Let’s go to the lower weight classes. Back in 1951, the great Sugar Ray Robinson traveled to London, England to defend his middleweight world championship against little known Randy Turpin. Robinson (128-1-2) hadn’t lost a fight in eight years and was thought to be a cinch after 88 fights without a loss. Turpin (42-2) had a great record but was thought to be out of his depth against the God-like powers of Robinson. That night Turpin’s unorthodox style confused and bewildered Robinson who sailed back home without the world title belt. A return match two months later saw Robinson knock out Turpin in New York City, but he still had problems with the British boxer.
Boxing is not a simple matter of who is faster or who is stronger. Nor is it about who is more experienced or younger.
“It comes down to who has the better skills,” said Mosley, adding that speed and power are not skills but God-given.
The euphoria of Pacquiao’s victory combined with the missed opportunity to fight Mayweather due to his demands for a blood test may have blinded all sides to the truth about the big showdown between Mosley and Mayweather.
It’s not going to be easy for either fighter.
“If you know me then you know I always get up for big fights,” Mosley said. “That’s what motivates me.”
Fights on television
Sat. HBO, Wladimir Klitschko (53-3) vs. Eddie Chambers (35-1).
Sat. Fox, 7 p.m., Odlanier Solis (15-0) vs. Carl Drummond (26-2).
Source: thesweetscience.com
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