Pacquiao impressive in gym workout -- Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero and Artemio Dumlao, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao once again skipped his roadwork yesterday but was impressive in his first day of sparring at the Shape Up Gym where he did four rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia.

“It was a very good sparring. Freddie Roach was very happy and he had no complaints,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz.

Pacquiao played basketball Wednesday evening and spent more time with the treadmill the morning after. While his handlers say it’s perfectly fine, experts believe going out on the road is still the best thing to do.

It’s the first time in training that Pacquiao has skipped roadwork quite often. Tuesday morning he also opted to stay in his hotel room after playing basketball the night before.

Pacquiao also complained of some pain on his left foot the other day. It may be considered a slight injury which he sustained while working out at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City last Friday.

This could be the reason why Roach pushed the first day of sparring from last Tuesday to yesterday.

“Still, he sparred well today,” said Koncz, who expects the number of rounds to gradually increase as the days come by. Another sparring partner, Michael Medina, may be tapped when sparring resumes tomorrow.

Koncz said sparring was done behind closed doors, and not even some members of Team Pacquiao were allowed in, as well as mediamen, including photographers based in Baguio City.

“Yes, even Team Pacquiao members were kept out. I think there were just three or four of us inside as he sparred,” said Koncz, of course not counting Roach and fellow trainers Alex Ariza, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

“Tapia did a very good job,” added Koncz of the 5-foot-11 junior welterweight.

Roach said Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. might come in as a sparring partner but seems to be have difficulty with his travel papers.

Even when Pacquiao was still in Manila, Tapia had already expressed his like for the Filipino champion who is gearing up for a Nov. 13 clash with Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC super-welterweight crown.

“He’s fast. He has the speed and he has the footwork. He’s going to pop Margarito,” said Tapia. – With report from Rose Tamayo-Tesoro

Source: philstar.com

I’m Bigger, Stronger than Pacquiao -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — Antonio Margarito doesn’t worry about Manny Pacquiao.

“I am not really concerned about him as long as I train hard,” Margarito told the Bulletin in an interview on Thursday that was facilitated by Top Rank publicity ace Ricardo Jimenez.

Emerging from a four-round sparring session in Oxnard, California, Margarito stressed that he “is bigger and stronger” than Pacquiao and that on the night of Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, he will score a stunning knockout win.

“It’s a question of putting a lot of pressure on Pacquiao,” said Margarito when asked about his gameplan. “In this weight, I am stronger than him.”

Pacquiao and Margarito are squaring off at a catchweight of 150 lbs in a 12-round match for the vacant World Boxing Council super-welterweight crown.

Margarito has been deep in training the past three weeks and has sparred a total of eight rounds under the watchful eyes of chief trainer Robert Garcia.

“I feel confident of knocking him out,” said Margarito, who is a 5-1 underdog.

The 5-11 Mexican has a five-inch height advantage over Pacquiao, who will be gunning for an unprecedented eight world title.

Margarito said he has what it takes to derail this bold by Pacquiao, widely regarded as the world’s No. 1 fighter, regardless of weight, and send the entire Philippines in a state of national mourning.

“I have a lot of respect for the Filipino people but I am sorry to tell them that I will be the one who will win this fight,” said Margarito.

Source: mb.com.ph

Amir Khan v Floyd Mayweather ? Do me a favour…boxing needs Manny Pacquiao-Mayweather -- Telegraph

By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk

Amir Khan versus Floyd Mayweather this time next September ? Do me a favour. There have been reports this week that Richard Schaefer, and Golden Boy Promotions in the United States are lining up Amir Khan to face Floyd Mayweather Jnr this time next year. Poppycock. Merely tabloid ruminations.

There’s about as much chance as two bald men fighting over a comb of that fight happening. Khan, like most burgeoning fighters, will say he wants the fight, but it won’t happen. Mis-match, from this perspective.

The story was based upon ruminations from Schaefer, and if perception is reality, then this portion remains distorted. Khan is already a world champion, yet he is still a developing boxer. In simple terms, and I have a great deal of time for Khan, he will simply not be ready to fight Mayweather after three more fights.

Mayweather is far too advanced for Khan at this stage. I don’t buy the argument that Khan’s hand speed makes him a credible opponent. Mayweather has far too much in the locker for Khan. Two years time, minimum, for Khan to make the two or even three steps up in class to fight the best counter-fighter out there.

I think Schaefer’s remarks on this have been taken out of context. He was merely ruminating out loud at Khan’s press conference in London last week to publicise the British fighter’s contest with Marcos Maidana in Las Vegas in December.

No. Forget Khan. The compelling fight remains Mayweather against Pacquiao. That is the contest Schaefer - and the sporting world – wants to see. There is bathos in the anticipation of the Pacquiao v Margarito contest on Nov 13.

As Boxing Monthly put on its cover this month: Pacquiao v Margarito is The Champ versus The Cheat. No holding back there. The good guy/bad guy combination is set. Let’s hope Pacquiao can deal with Margarito’s size.

If Pacquiao is successful, expect Christmas negotiations to begin again between Top Rank and Golden Boy to get the two boxing legends together.

Boxing slumbers without that fight. The sport has suffered this year with Mayweather, and to a certain extent Khan, Carl Froch and David Haye not having fought since April/May. Not good enough, really. It should be every three to four months.

This week, on mma journo Ariel Helwani’s MMA Hour, Haye suggested he will not be around longer than another year. Let’s hope that is not the case. He would be a great loss to the sport…just as the sport is on the cusp of getting excited about the things he could achieve in the heavyweight division.

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Drug testing no longer issue for Mayweather-Pacquiao super fight -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

Amidst all the Sturm und Drang of the on then off, on then off Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao super fight negotiations, the most contentious issue on the table, under the table and behind the table has been a consistent one.

The Mayweather side has always maintained that it thinks Pacman is a drug cheater and thus it's one persistent, nonflexible demand was always for totally random drug testing.

If you recall, Pacquiao would only OK a prefight drug test up to 14 days before the fight with the mandatory postbout blood being drawn in their respective lockerrooms immediately thereafter.

The negotiations crashed twice when the hopes of fight fans worldwide were running high and the two sides started spitting at each other again. Even a self-imposed gag order did not get them to the contract stage in the second go-round.

When Pacquiao was in New York a few weeks ago to hype his Nov. 13 bout against Antonio Margarito, he quietly but firmly told me he had aceded to the random testing demand. No ifs, buts and no candy or nuts if you know what I mean.

Pacman made the statement with agent Michael Koncz standing behind him. Koncz did not seek to correct or modify Congressmanny's plain assertion.

On Tuesday, as Oscar de la Hoya visited Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn to plug Golden Boy's new relationship with Barclays Center in that boxing conscious borough, I nearly had a cardiac event when I mentioned what Manny said to GBP CEO Richard Schaefer.

Two or three other scribes were within earshot. I don't know if they were as astounded as I was by Richie Rich's quick response.

I expected a "no comment" or other form of demurral.

I mean, it's not like we were in a deposition or RRS was under oath on cross examination.

But no such disclaimer or correction was forthcoming.

Instead, Schaefer co-signed Pacquiao's statement regarding accepting the at any given time blood testing for drug use.

"If Pacquiao said that, then I'm sure he wouldn't lie about it," Schaefer said without blinking.

It's not Schaefer was intoxicated with truth serum or anything.

But I did not have him across the table, under oath in a deposition or on the witness stand undergoing cross examination.

I inquired about Mayweather and Schaefer took a pass.

"I'm not talking about Mayweather right now," Schaefer snapped.

If boxing fans have any strand of hope for Floyd-Manny to happen in 2011, I say this is it.

Random drug testing is a non-issue now and both sides have said so.

If they can't reset and, Antonio Margarito permitting, then make Floyd-Manny for next May, then I'll be compelled to write a book about their idiocy.

I wonder if can borrow John Kennedy O'Toole's title for his great New Orleans novel.

That's right. "Confederacy of Dunces."

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com

Let Manny Pacquiao do the talking -- Examiner

By Edward Castro, Examiner.com

Maybe the interviews should ONLY be handled by Manny Pacquiao.

Not his trainer Freddie Roach, who just a day or so ago lit the boxing world up by saying Philipino champion should fight a few more times before accepting a Super Fight against Floyd Mayweather.

And not his conditioning coach Alex Ariza, who on Wednesday decided to discuss the ‘protein’ drinks Pacquiao drinks after every workout.

In this day and age where sports enhancing drugs have poisoned professional sports, it would have been a wise move for Ariza, who has been with Team Pacquiao since 2008, to avoid all talk of substances consumed by his fighter other than water.

In today’s climate, even the innocent of remarks can cause problems.

“Manny just eats the basic…beef, chicken, fish, rice and a 16 oz. serving of protein shake,” Ariza was quoted by the Manila Bulletin.

The Bulletin provides its own description of the drink as a ‘scoop of powder mixed with water, light yellow granules poured into an aluminum can.’

That was just enough to raise eyebrows as well as the accusations from the Mayweather camp that Pacquiao has used steroids.

Those around Pacquiao should take better notes during a Pacquiao press conference. He has rarely tripped over himself during interviews nor provided ammunition for his opponents.

It was just a few weeks ago when Pacquiao handled himself like a seasoned politician during the press conference announcing his controversial bout with Antonio Margarito. Surrounded by hundreds of journalists, all wanting their own take on the Margarito hand wrapping scandal; Pacquiao was calm, polite and careful with his words.

But here are his trainer and conditioning coach adding fuel to a fire with comments that may, in the end, take away from the bout.

Source: examiner.com

Is Manny Pacquiao unbeatable? -- Examiner

By Edward Castro, Examiner.com

It is safe, even fair, these days to question the superiority of Manny Pacquiao?

After all he is one of the most popular professional athletes on the planet.

And he is perhaps just one fight – a win over Floyd Mayweather – away from boxing immortality.

Or is he?

Let’s take a look at the quality of his opposition.

In next month’s bout he takes on Antonio Margarito, who was last seen in the ring having his lunch handed to him by Shane Mosley.

Before that Pacquiao faced Miguel Cotto, whose previous bout was a knockout loss to Margarito.

Pacquiao destroyed Ricky Hatton, who, just a year earlier, was schooled by Mayweather.

Pacquiao took on Oscar De La Hoya, who had lost three of his last previous bouts.

And there are his bouts with Mexican superstars Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. Pacquiao was forced to settle for a 12-round draw against Marquez and faced shot fighters in both Barrera and Morales.

And then there are the knockouts. Yes, Pacquiao has been knocked out twice. TWICE.

Sure, Pacquiao was just a kid when he suffered these defeats. The first was a KO loss to Rustico Torrecampo back in 1996 and the other was in 1999 at the hands of Medgoen Singsurat. Both were knockout losses, both arriving in the third round. And both were caused by body punches.

Floyd Mayweather has never been knocked out.

Just food for thought.

Source: examiner.com

Manny changed my life - Roach -- Philippine Star

By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing trainer Freddie Roach’s biggest paycheck as a fighter was $13,000 which he earned in losing a decision to Hector (Macho) Camacho in 1985. When he worked Oscar de la Hoya’s corner for his 2007 fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roach was paid $750,000. And since Manny Pacquiao’s ascendancy, Roach has raked in at least $1 million a bout with the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.

“Manny changed my life,” said Roach in an interview a few days before leaving Manila last Sunday to set up Pacquiao’s training camp in Baguio. “I never imagined, nearly 10 years ago when Manny walked into the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, we would be where we are today.”

Roach, 50, receives an average of 20 calls a day from fighters asking to work with the Boxing Writers Association of America’s four-time Trainer of the Year (2003, 2006, 2008, 2009) and about 50 media interview requests a week. He has a pending offer to appear in a TV series where a cameraman and broadcaster track his movements from morning to night – and the fee is $25,000 a week.

To rationalize his busy schedule, Roach relies on his secretary Marie Spivey and agent Nick Khan. Spivey holds office at the Wild Card Gym.

Roach said he was recently interviewed for a big story in the October issue of Playboy Magazine. The feature is entitled “The Unstoppable Roach” and details his life history from childhood. In the article, Roach said his mother Barbara ran a “tough household” and related an incident where “she broke up one of our fights with an aluminum baseball bat, hitting my brother over the head with it twice.”

Roach’s mother is in the record books as the first American female boxing judge and was assigned to the Marvelous Marvin Hagler-Vito Antuofermo WBC and WBA unified middleweight title bout in Boston in 1981.

Roach said he has invited his mother and a friend to visit the Philippines while he’s in the country.

“My mother’s never been to this part of the world,” said Roach. “I’m waiting for her to confirm. If she comes, she’ll probably stay a few days in Manila to rest up then go to Baguio. What will she do in Baguio? I don’t know, maybe, read a book.”

Roach recently moved his mother out of the Las Vegas home he bought for her. She now lives beside Roach in the duplex which he owns in Los Angeles. Roach also bought a house for his brother Pepper in the Valley. Roach’s mother lived in Las Vegas where another brother Joey managed a successful telemarketing company with over 100 employees. When Joey died of a heart attack in his sleep at the age of 47 last year, Roach decided to relocate his mother.

Roach said he doesn’t see himself getting married even as he is rumored to often go out on dates with very attractive women. “My mother doesn’t think I should get married,” he chuckles. “Besides, 90 percent of marriages in the US end up in divorce.”

Roach, who has worked with at least 25 world champions, said his top five fighters at the moment are Pacquiao, WBA superlightweight champion Amir Khan of England, WBA welterweight titlist Vyacheslav Senchenko of Ukraine, Mexican lightmiddleweight contender Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and unbeaten Armenian lightmiddleweight Vanes Martirosyan.

“Amir’s the next boxing superstar,” said Roach. “He listens very well, like Manny. He’s a good student. He’s got heart, speed, power and brains. Vanes is being lined up to fight Miguel Cotto. I would never take a fight which I think my fighter couldn’t win. So yes, I think Vanes will beat Cotto. And my best young prospect is lightwelterweight Jose Benavides of Phoenix. He’s 5-11. His record is 8-0, with 8 KOs.”

But of all the fighters he’s worked with, nobody comes close to the man who changed his life. “Manny is special,” said Roach. “His work ethic hasn’t changed all these years. No one works harder in the gym. It’s unbelievable how dedicated he is to the sport. Sometimes, I try to hold him back. I don’t want him burning out. But that’s Manny. It’s good for him to enjoy some down time because he works so hard.”

Roach was a pro boxer from 1978 to 1986, retiring with a record of 40-13, including 15 KOs. Trained by the legendary Eddie Futch, he gained a reputation as a never-say-die warrior who went toe-to-toe against world champions Bobby Chacon, Greg Haugen and Camacho. Roach had no inkling he would later become a hero in the Philippines when he posted his last win ever in the ring over a Filipino – Arnel Arrozal in Lynwood, Washington, in August 1986.

Source: philstar.com

Fans Gobble Up Pacquiao Tickets -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — With choice seats being sold many times over its price in the Internet, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is expected to make a killing as fight fans begin to gobble up tickets for the November 13 showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.

“Tickets just went on sale and the response is great and most of the high-priced seats have been sold. Soon, sales will hit the roof,” said the 79-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer.

The Cowboys Stadium in Dallas will play host to the fight and while it can be set up to seat 100,000, the $1.2 billion venue will be reconfigured to accommodate 70,000, a figure Arum said will be reached come fight night.

The fight has created so much buzz that some choice seats are now being sold on the Internet 18 times more than its retail value.

A ringside seat facing the main camera that is retailing at $700 is being peddled for $12,500. Aside from the premium ringside seats, tickets are also available for $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50.

Arum’s sense of optimism stems from the fact that Pacquiao drew more than 50,000 when he faced the unpopular Ghanaian slugger Joshua Clottey last March.

“Clottey doesn’t have fans in the Texas area and those were all Manny’s fans,” stressed Arum.

Those who won’t be able to go and watch it live can avail of the pay-per-view telecast for $54.95.

Source: mb.com.ph

Margarito: I'm no quitter like Dela Hoya -- ABS-CBN News

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Mexican Antonio Margarito has vowed that his upcoming fight against Manny Pacquiao will not end up like the Filipino's battle against Oscar dela Hoya, who threw in the towel after getting a beating from the WBO welterweight champion.

“I will knock Pacquiao out,” the Tijuana Tornado was quoted by Boxing Scene.com. “This is the fight of my life and Manny will be in for a tough night, I won’t quit like Dela Hoya did."

Pacquiao forced "Golden Boy" Dela Hoya’s corner to throw in the towel after 8 rounds of their “Dream Match” in December 2008.

The Mexican blamed Dela Hoya’s alleged influence over the California State Athletic Commission for its decision to deny him a license. This forced Margarito to apply for a fight license in Texas, which granted his application.

"I don't know what he has against me, I really don't understand. What I do know is that he had a big influence in the California State Athletic Commission with everything he said against me,” said Margarito.

The Tijuana Tornado was Dela Hoya's former sparring partner. The two, however, parted unpleasantly in 2008 when Dela Hoya refused to fight Margarito.

Meanwhile, Margarito plans to apply constant pressure on Pacquiao when they meet on November 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Texas.

The Mexican is known for his forward fighting style, and is expected to swarm the smaller Pacquiao with punches.

"That's one of the plans that we have, Margarito said in a report by Dog House Boxing.com. "Pressure, throwing punches consistently, countering."

His trainer, Robert Garcia, said Margarito is close to perfect conditioning, and is all set to trade punches with Pacquiao.

"He's ready to fight. He's close to weight already and his conditioning is good and he's running the mountains that mostly everyone does in an hour. He did it in 47 minutes, so he's ready," said Garcia.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Manny Pacquiao Retires: The Effect on Boxing -- Ringside Report

By Geno McGahee, Ringside Report

At the age of 31, Manny Pacquiao has a lot of boxing life left in him, but when he gets beyond the Antonio Margarito fight, what will be left? When you reach a certain level in boxing and you are facing marquee opponents, it’s tough to take a backward step. The public’s demand for Manny to face perceived tough opponents may not allow him to take an “easy one” while he waits for a Floyd Mayweather, JR., showdown.

If there are no worlds left to conquer, what is Pacquiao to do?
There have been recurring comments from Team Pacquiao that retirement is in the near future, and with Floyd Mayweather, JR., apparently not interested in the fight of the decade, what else is there? Even a great fighter like Paul Williams, an incredible challenge for Pacquiao, would not generate the public’s interest. The diehard boxing fans would be sincerely intrigued by the fight, but the casual fan would say “Paul who?” Williams hasn’t had the sort fan following to make the fight worth the risk. Sergio Martinez is the same deal.

When you look at the recent string of opponents for Pacquiao, you see that he has not taken the easiest path. Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, Joshua Clottey, and Juan Manuel Marquez make up his recent opposition, and he has shined. He now faces Margarito, a guy that would be considered tough with loaded gloves, but now seems to be a man walking face first into a tank. Look for Manny to win that one with ease.

So, December rolls around and Pacquiao is still the man in boxing. What happens next?

You have to figure that Mayweather, JR., will once again be on the radar, but with legal problems and a mental breakdown, it’s tough to imagine that fight coming off at all. Maybe we have all been so scorned by the two failures of it to materialize that we cannot believe that it will ever happen. If it doesn’t happen, what happens next?

The retirement of Manny Pacquiao may be eminent.

Then again, Pacquiao has shown that he is driven by money as anything else and if Bob Arum can jingle the change in front of his eyes, we may see the following two opponents on the agenda…

Kelly Pavlik

Considering that Pacquiao is seen as invincible at welterweight, with the only man possibly holding the key to beating him being Floyd Mayweather, JR., how about a move to 160? Former Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik was once a big draw but after two defeats, he is now in nowhere land. If he were to take on Pacquiao at 160 or a catch weight of 155-ish, it would be a big seller for all involved. Arum could not lose. If Pacquiao wins, the money train rolls on, but if he loses, Pavlik is reborn and he is back to a big PPV draw. I have a sneaking suspicion that this fight is going to happen if Manny doesn’t leave the sport.

Julio Cesar Chavez JR

How about an easy one that would sell incredibly well? There aren’t many fighters now creating a buzz like Julio Cesar Chavez, JR. He is fighting at middleweight and would remain there to take on Pacquiao. The idea would be to bring in the enormous following of Chavez, JR., along with the Pacquiao fans, creating a huge event. It would be an event, not a great fight, but when you examine the PPV sales of both men, you have to think that Arum has considered this bout. Chavez, JR., has been very protected and perhaps they are looking for the one big cash out. This would be it.

Where does boxing go without Pacquiao?

It’s inevitable that Manny will retire from boxing. He’s a national hero. When he wins, the entire Philippines celebrate the victory. The groupies that write about him constantly will have to find a new subject, unless they change from his boxing life to his personal life, which apparently may be part of their fantasies. Pacquiao’s removal from the sport will be a blow, but boxing has been down and out before and will return again.

Boxing has some stars on the rise that will take the place of Pacquiao. Maybe not one will fill the open slot immediately but with fighters like Yuriokis Gamboa, Juan Manuel Lopez, Amir Khan, Tavoris Cloud, Lucian Bute, David Lemiuex, Nonito Donaire, and Alfredo Angulo make up a small sample of the group of exciting fighters making their way into the public eye.

Recently Golden Boy Promotions has stated that we need network TV for boxing once again and it’s a no brainer. We do. If these future stars get the right exposure, the future of boxing is very bright. Gamboa is on a collision course with fellow undefeated power-puncher, Juan Manuel Lopez, and British superstar Amir Khan is taking on the biggest challenge of his career in Marcos Maidana. Things are looking up in boxing and should Manny retire after his Margarito fight, it will survive.

When Pacquiao retires, there will be a regrouping in boxing. With such a lack of stars currently, most have tunnel vision and focus on Pacquiao, and when he goes, some casual boxing fans will back away from the sport again until the next big thing comes along. Boxing is a sport that gets beaten up all of the time in the press, but it has never been stopped. It will continue to fight even without Pacquiao.

Source: ringsidereport.com