HBO to air Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight Nov. 12 -- USA Today

By Bob Velin, USA TODAY

HBO is back in the Manny Pacquiao business.

The premium network, which has led the way in airing big pay-per-view boxing events during the last decade, will produce and distribute Pacquiao's third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

HBO lost the rights to Pacquiao's last fight against Shane Mosley last May to Showtime, and the devastating loss of the biggest attraction in the sport was one of the main factors in HBO President Ross Greenburg stepping down last month.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum and president Todd duBoef engineered the deal with HBO, even though Showtime's Pacquiao-Mosley telecast drew nearly 1.4 million pay-per-view buys. Showtime used its parent company, CBS, to help promote that fight.

MORE: Pacquiao seeks default vs. Mayweather in defamation suit
HBO will use parent company Time-Warner's many platforms to help promote this fight, including TBS, TNT and CNN.

"In boxing we talk about great fighters coming back after a loss. Well, HBO came back just like a great fighter," duBoef told ESPN.com. "They came back from being on the canvas. They made their adjustments and came back and won the fight. You have to give them a lot of credit."

Said HBO spokesman Ray Stallone: "We're thrilled that Manny Pacquiao's Nov. 12 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez will be presented by HBO Pay-Per-View. We look forward to working with Top Rank on this special event."

This is the third fight in the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy, with the first in 2004 ending in a draw, and Pacquiao, who has won titles in a record eight weight divisions, winning the second four years later in a controversial split decision.

This fight will be for Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title and will be fought at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Pacquiao is 53-2-2 with 38 KOs, while Marquez who has won three in a row since losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2009 coming in with a record of 53-5-1 with 39 KOs.

HBO will also televise this fall's other blockbuster pay-per-view event from the MGM Grand — undefeated Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) vs. Victor Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) on Sept. 17.

Source: usatoday.com

Pacquiao schools Khan in sparring - Roach -- ESPN

ESPN.co.uk

Trainer Freddie Roach has lifted the lid on the notorious sparring sessions between Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao in the Wildcard gym.

Both fighters have improved significantly since coming under Roach's wing, and the duo have made no secret of the intensity of their training bouts.

A clash between the pair would be one of the most lucrative fights possible at present, but Roach is eager to keep his two pupils apart, with Khan instead set to face Floyd Mayweather Jnr in the next year.

The fact Khan is being discussed in the same breath as Mayweather shows the improvement Roach has coaxed out of the Brit, having linked up with him following a humiliating first-round knockout defeat to Breidis Prescott in 2008.

"When they spar it's always good but, while Amir is more than able to hold his own, as it progresses Manny takes control," Roach. "Amir has developed so much since I started working with him. He's a great kid who is always listening and always wanting to learn. Manny is a great fighter but Amir is certainly going in the right direction - that's a fact."

Meanwhile, Khan is not ruling out a rematch against Prescott as he searches for a December opponent for his final battle at light-welterweight. "Prescott may be a fight in the future for me," he said. "A fighter always wants to avenge his defeats. He is another name on the list if he beats [Paul] McCloskey. I will be taking one step at a time - there is no need for me to rush into a fight with Mayweather.

"Erik Morales is a possibility as my next opponent and so is [WBO champion Tim] Bradley. Robert Guerrero is another name on my list. If he beats [Marcos] Maidana next month, as I expect him to, that will be a very good fight."

Source: espn.co.uk

BOXING: Trainer Roach standing in the way of Pacquiao-Khan -- LA Daily News

By Robert Morales, Los Angeles Daily News

Boxing has always had some difficulty getting the best to fight the best. Sometimes rival promoters get in the way. More recently, one fighter refusing special drug testing requested by another prevented a fight from happening.

Freddie Roach came up with something new this week. The Hall of Fame trainer was asked what he thought about the possibility of Amir Khan taking on pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in the near future.

Keep in mind that Pacquiao said before his most recent fight against "Sugar" Shane Mosley in May that he wanted three more fights before retiring to concentrate on his political career in his native Philippines.

Pacquiao is fighting Juan Manuel Marquez a third time on Nov. 12.

The boxing world is hopeful that Pacquiao would then take on Floyd Mayweather Jr., but since previous negotiations have failed because of differences over drug testing, there is no guarantee that would happen.

The only other fight out there that would seem to carry enormous appeal for Pacquiao would be against fast-rising star Khan, who is coming off a fifth-round knockout of Zab Judah this past Saturday in a junior welterweight title unification bout in Las Vegas.

With Pacquiao's worldwide appeal and Khan having the strong support of the United Kingdom, this would be a huge promotion and more than likely a terrific fight that Khan would actually have a chance of winning.

Alas, Roach says it will never take place. Why? "They are not going to fight each other," Roach said Tuesday morning via telephone. "I'm not going to let that happen because I train both fighters. They are both my fighters and they are like sons to me. How can I let both my sons fight?"

Roach said he wouldn't even know which corner to work.

"It is too much drama to let that happen," he said. "They both have too much respect for me to let that happen. They are like my kids. I've been with Manny for 10 years and I've been with Amir for three years. We have a great relationship. Why would I ruin that relationship?"

Khan is employed by Golden Boy Promotions. Richard Schaefer, its CEO, spoke diplomatically when asked about Roach's edict that would rob fans of a potential super fight.

"I can appreciate how close Freddie is to both and how both of the fighters are close to Freddie," Schaefer said Tuesday afternoon. "It would put Amir in a terrible situation, it would put Pacquiao in a terrible situation.

"So why push that if there are so many other attractive options out there for either one of those fighters?"

Schaefer said that Khan will fight again in December, and that there are plenty of opponents for him. He could fight comebacking Erik Morales, or perhaps the winner of the Aug. 27 fight between Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero and Marcos Maidana.

Khan now holds two belts - WBA and IBF - and he could next fight either Lamont Peterson or Victor Cayo, who Friday night squared off in an IBF title elimination fight in Las Vegas.

Timothy Bradley, who held the other two major belts at junior welterweight until he was stripped of one of them Thursday, is another possibility. Bradley has already turned down Khan once, and he has promotional problems and is currently being sued by co-promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson, who claim they have one more fight with him.

But Khan has been talking a lot of trash about Bradley, saying he's scared to fight him. Bradley has been listening, and he lashed out at Khan during a telephone interview Wednesday.

"Every fighter who is trying to get a fight with me pops off at the mouth," Bradley said. "And then when we get in the ring they get smashed in the face. I'm not afraid of him. If you are a true Bradley fan, you know I'm not afraid of any man.

"He just needs to go enjoy his victory and leave my name out his mouth."

Bradley said as soon as his litigation is over, he will be happy to do something about Khan's mouth.

Khan would vacate the junior welterweight division after the December fight and move up to welterweight early next year, Schaefer said. One possibility there sounds good.

"I think Mayweather and Amir Khan is as interesting (as Khan-Pacquiao), as exciting, or Amir against the winner of Mayweather-(Victor) Ortiz because Ortiz might pull it off (in their fight Sept. 17)," Schaefer said.

Indeed, Khan against either Mayweather, Ortiz or Bradley would be very nice. But Khan against Pacquiao would be way better because there would be more money involved, it would have incredibly wide appeal and it would have the chance to be one of the most exciting fights in years.

We respect Roach a great deal. But him being the trainer for both Pacquiao and Khan is not even close to being a good enough reason for them not to fight. Roach needs to figure this out, for the fans and for the good of the sport.

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, is vacationing in Europe and could not be reached for comment. But even the powerful Arum might not be able to do anything about this, as it is well-known that Pacquiao and Roach approve Pacquiao's opponents.

Bummer.

Source: dailynews.com

Is Mayweather Jr. Correct in Fear of Steroid Use? -- 8CountNews

By Keith Terceira, 8CountNews.com

The reason that Floyd Mayweather Jr.(41-0, 25ko) is calling for random testing as a condition for his fight with Pound for Pound Champion Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38ko) is honestly, only known to “Money” himself.

If we take it as an honest assessment of the concern at its face value then we need to examine the use and effects of steroids.

What the honest and truthful effects of steroid use are as applied to boxing versus the other known usages in sports like baseball, football, and weightlifting are not as highly documented?

As applied to baseball we all know the effects that it caused on baseball records and how it improved performance in all areas of the sport from batting, pitching, and on fielding ability. We also are aware through testimony in the Barry bonds trial that the side effects were notable if we take the testimony as truthful. Similar problems were testified to by dozens of athletes of varying sports, including Lyle Alzado who first came out and told of the dangers of HGH.

Bonds was accused of having symptoms of “Roid Rage” by his former mistress which included side effects that were apparent on his body like skin blemishes, enlarged skull, as well various behavior issues. His lack of ability to have a steady professional working relationship with the media, often having outbursts at reporters and team mates should have been a warning sign.

Manny Pacquiao’s behavior in his high profile careers outside of the ring, working in the Philippine government, his charitable works around his province, his music, and his endorsement deals, contradicts the known side effects of someone who is a user of PED’s.

Anabolic steroid users can expect after even moderate prolonged use to become aggressive, suspicious, quarrelsome, and impulsive. Even the initial use can produce irritability, anger, and agitation.

The discontinued use of all corticosteroids, have the tendency to produce withdrawal symptoms, depression is one of the largest, and users miss the elation and positive psychological effects induced by the drugs.
Stoppage produces listlessness, apathy, loss of appetite, libido and self-esteem, feelings of anxiety, difficulty in concentrating, and mood swings. Withdrawal symptoms alone would be counterproductive to a boxer having to compete in the ring shortly after using steroids. These side effects would not be conducive to a successful career over long periods of time. Unless the boxer shut himself from the world during use there would be displays of these side-effects.

Short term use of HGH (human growth hormone) even in an AAS cycle produces water retention, minor joint pain and swelling in the joints. Even the short term large doses of HGH produce irritability and aggression.

If we look for issues of acting out or bad behavior of both Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. we do not see the antisocial behavior associated with steroidal use coming from Manny. On the contrary we see just the opposite, a likeable, steady, friendly, and charitable young man whose public persona is undamaged by bad behavior and inconsistency.

Steroid use is linked to extreme mood swings, impulsiveness, depression, paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability, delusions and impaired judgment.

Erratic and dangerous behavior such as domestic violence are well documented and have long been associated with steroidal use in athletes, yet we do not see reports of this type of action associated with Manny and Jinkee Pacquiao.

The only thing that people point to that lead to suspicions of steroid use is the ability of Manny Pacquiao to adjust his weight over the fifteen year period of his career.

As a young 17 year old fighter weight was at 108 but we need as Americans to look at the socio-economic situation that Manny Pacquiao came from, the nutrition available to him at the time, and the training he was afforded early in his career.

To put on 40 pounds over the period of 15 years of better nutrition, weight- training and conditioning, and domestic environmental changes is not unknown or unlikely.

It happens on a daily basis in America when people immigrate to this country after suffering in third world nations, it happens across America when inner city and rural impoverished children get the benefits of consistent well rounded meals, medical care, and the removal of stress from their lives. It happens on the back roads and on the main streets of the world when money, food, and proper care are available.

It apparently happens in Boxing when success is achieved!

Source: 8countnews.com

Amir Khan stops Zab Judah in fifth -- Los Angeles Times

By Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times

Reporting from Las Vegas— Zab Judah might have disputed the ending, but there was no decrying the harsh lessons that the younger champion Amir Khan delivered his older Brooklyn opponent Saturday.

Khan picked apart Judah in the fifth round, and landed another stiff right to the face that caused the 33-year-old Judah to bend downward. Seeing another hole, Khan threw a hard right uppercut that struck Judah on the top half of the belt.

Judah sank to the canvas, referee Vic Drakulich told him to get up and began counting toward a knockout — six, seven, eight, nine, 10.

At the 2:47 mark of the fifth, Khan had won.

Judah was able to spring up then, only in argument mode.

"It was a low blow," Judah said afterward. "I was trying to get myself together and that was self-defense. [The punch] lifted my belt."

The complaint was in vain. It was a legal blow.

The 24-year-old British Khan improved to 26-1 with his 18th knockout, and the 33-year-old Judah (41-7) handed over his International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight belt to Khan's collection, which includes a World Boxing Assn. belt.

Khan outpunched Judah 284-115 and landed more than triple the punches (61-20). He bloodied Judah's lip in the second round, continued landing blows to the face in the third and expertly followed several jabs with a hard right to Judah's mug in the fourth.

"I knew he was getting hurt," Khan said afterward. "He kept moving away and ducking. I kept hitting him right in the face, and the shot that knocked him out was right on the belt. … It was only a matter of time."

Perhaps in early 2012, Khan will be able to fight Coachella Valley's Timothy Bradley for all four major titles.

"If Bradley didn't want to fight him before, he doesn't want to fight him now," Khan promoter Richard Schaefer said after the bout, listing the Aug. 27 Robert Guerrero-Marcos Maidana winner or Erik Morales as other possible December foes for Khan.

The unbeaten Bradley, nicknamed "Desert Storm," declined the match earlier this year as he negotiates a split with his promoters and he told The Times in a Saturday night telephone interview that he anticipates a 2012 Khan bout after a tuneup fight in the fall.

"He's not ready for 'The Storm,' I'm not impressed," Bradley said. "I know all the comments that are coming about this Khan performance, but I'm not stressing. … No way possible he can be No. 1 [at 140 pounds]. When we do get in the ring, everyone will see who the best in the world is."

What Khan showed Saturday before the ending was another advanced level under the guidance of Hollywood's famed trainer Freddie Roach, who also counts Manny Pacquiao in his stable.

Khan's precision against Judah showed the Roach effect, and what the Brit ensured Saturday is that the payday with Bradley will be richer than the $1 million-plus he collected in the softer touch versus Judah.

lance.pugmire@latimes.com

twitter.com/latimespugmire
Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times

Source: latimes.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr: 'I would love to fight Amir Khan at Wembley' -- The Guardian

By Kevin Mitchell, guardian.co.uk

Floyd Mayweather Jr talks like he boxes, slipping questions with the practised ease of someone for whom evasion is as easy as breathing. He is the Natural.

However, dropping his guard, he says he would fight Amir Khan – in London next year – if the WBA light-welterweight champion beats the IBF title-holder, Zab Judah, at the Mandalay Bay on Saturday night.

"I would love to come and fight at Wembley," he says. But he sidesteps all questions about Khan's friend and training partner, Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather does not reach out to boxing; boxing comes to Mayweather – or, at least, that is his perspective.

Jab away at him, however, and a few light bruises appear on an ego more fragile than he would like to admit. In the course of 25 minutes – while one of the hired helps wraps his hands in preparation for pad-work with his uncle, Roger – the finest pure boxer since Sugar Ray Leonard raises his voice just once, and even then briefly.

"How can I not be rated No1 if I haven't been beaten?" he asks, incredulous at the suggestion that he needs to seal his standing in boxing history by fighting Pacquiao, regarded by good judges as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and a champion in eight weight divisions – instead of Victor Ortiz, whom Mayweather meets in Las Vegas when he returns to the ring, on 17 September, after an absence of 16 months.

"I am not worried about the Pacquiao thing at all. I can do whatever I want in this sport. Floyd Mayweather is in the sport to give great performances. And I must be happy myself before I can make anyone else happy.

"The British fans would love to see me fight Amir Khan and I'm pretty sure the Filipino fans would want to see me fight Pacquiao. The American fans would love to see me fight anybody."

This is a narrow reading of the wishes of boxing fans, wherever they are from. The one fight boxing wants and needs is Mayweather-Pacquiao. There is no other contest that appeals more or is as capable of reaching out to an audience beyond the hardcore – and, while Mayweather pretends he is not bothered (because he is the centre of his own universe), he wants the fight too.

Roger, who is also Floyd's trainer, wants the fight, although he has done his best to scupper it by suggesting Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs – something the Filipino denies – an accusation he this week threw at Khan, who shares Pacquiao's conditioner, Alex Ariza, and trainer, Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao this week denied he was going through his considerable fortune, confirming that he is worth $26m (£16m), even though he has earned much more than that in his career. A fight with Mayweather would probably bring each of them upward of $50m, although Pacquiao is reluctant to submit to Olympic-standard drugs tests to convince Mayweather he is clean.

"If the tables were turned and I didn't want to take the test," Mayweather said, "people would be saying Floyd Mayweather is doing something. No wonder he won all these fights. All I'm saying is a fighter doesn't all of a sudden become a good fighter at the age of 25. Do you guys think that Floyd Mayweather could just move to heavyweight and all of a sudden compete with the Klitschko brothers? Absolutely not."

Mayweather was not tempted to pick the winner of Khan's fight against Judah. "It will all come down to who wants it more, who is the smarter fighter and who has the better chin. I fought Zab Judah at 147 pounds. Both are explosive fighters. It's a good fight to watch.

"Amir Khan came here and trained in the boxing gym with my uncle Roger a few times. He's a good young fighter. We're in the fight game so every fighter wants to fight Floyd Mayweather. But he must get past the obstacles put in front of him first. Then we'll go from there."

He would not be drawn on his uncle's evidence-free claims about Khan. "It's not my place to comment on what Roger said about Amir Khan and steroids. All I will say is that if you are facing Floyd Mayweather, you got to take the test." Neither will he budge from the view that he is the biggest draw in boxing, and it is true he has posted several impressive pay-per-view numbers.

"Everywhere I go, I will make a good payday. But we got to choose the right opponent and the right time and the right venue. You guys got some great venues. I could fill a soccer stadium over there.

"I like fighters who come to fight. Amir Khan is a young champion. I take my hat off to him. It's a difficult challenge [against Judah]. It will not be easy for either man.

"Every fight I look at as all the same, just another fight. I'm not worried about nothing. You say Victor Ortiz, you say Amir Khan, no matter what name you say, it's just another fighter to Floyd Mayweather."

Mayweather's look-at-me, third-person posturing is not unusual in boxing. It is what sustains nearly all its participants, and arrogance is part of what makes Mayweather a great fighter. He says he fears nobody, that no opponent has ever stretched him to his full potential, and he is right.

He tries to be polite, but it is plain he does not consider Khan capable of it, either. "Have I used my A-game yet? Absolutely not. I have not had to really bite down and say: 'Damn, this is a tough fight.' When I go into a fight it is just another guy. If somebody hits me with a good shot, I go back to the corner and they say: 'It was a good shot but don't worry about it.'"

Mayweather shifts uneasily when asked about the domestic violence charges he has yet to face in court. "We just try to be positive and hope for the best. Once you show me some real photos of someone being battered or beaten, then we just say OK. But I am already in a contact sport, which is boxing, so someone says they got touched in an unlikely manner and people automatically say Floyd Mayweather is guilty. Guys have got to say OK, we seen Mayweather when he fought Zab Judah and when a melee broke out, what did he do? I went back to my corner and conducted myself like a true gentleman."

Mayweather, who is 34 and who has retired twice, says he will box for at least another three years. "I need more titles and more money," he says.

He has had enough questions. With friends and neighbourhood gawpers gathered to pay homage, Mayweather climbs into the ring and goes through his dazzling repertoire of combinations, a ritual so familiar to him and his uncle that each punch finds the moving target as if connected by string.

As we leave, his white Rolls Royce parked outside the gym in a part of Las Vegas some way from the glitter of the Strip is a loud statement by the fighter who is comfortable with the most appropriate nickname in boxing: "Money."

Source: guardian.co.uk

Dana White: ‘Floyd Mayweather is what’s wrong with boxing’ -- NBC Sports

By Rick Chandler, NBC Sports

First you should know that Dana White and Floyd Mayweather have a history together. White spent a good portion of his childhood in Las Vegas, and began a professional training career there. And he’s argued with Mayweather in the past about boxing vs. mixed martial arts, at one point challenging Mayweather to get into the UFC ring with one of his fighters, which Mayweather did not accept.

Then on Wednesday White appeared on WFAN in New York to discuss the possibility of MAA coming to New York (don’t hold your breath), and the conversation came around to Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. White:

I’m a huge, huge Manny Pacquiao fan. He is boxing right now. Floyd Mayweather, and Floyd and I go way back and I told Floyd to his face too, Floyd is one of the big problems with boxing. Holding out, not taking this fight with Manny Pacquiao, and doing what he’s doing. I think Manny Pacquiao is boxing. Everything about him is positive and I love the guy.”

Here’s some background: In 2007, Mayweather was quoted in a Yahoo Sports story saying that the UFC was inferior to boxing. “UFC’s champions can’t handle boxing. That’s why they are in UFC.”

White was not amused:

“I used to talk like Floyd Mayweather when I was involved in boxing. I talked just like him, until I educated myself about this sport. These guys are amazing athletes, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best boxers ever, (and) Sean Sherk will whoop his ass in under two minutes. Any day that Mayweather wants to put his money and his ass where his mouth is, I’m ready. If he wants to step up, let’s do it. I’m willing to put together a fight for Sean Sherk and Floyd Mayweather with numbers that would make sense for Floyd. And I guarantee you he would not accept it. Floyd Mayweather would never fight in the UFC because he would get his head ripped off.”



Source: offthebench.nbcsports.com

Pacquiao denies losing millions -- ABS CBN News

abs-cbnNEWS.com

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar and Sarangani congressman Manny Pacquiao denied that he has been losing money amid reports on the internet that his net worth is merely $26 million.

Despite reportedly earning $20 million from his recent fight against Shane Mosley, Pacquiao’s latest net worth is just over $26 million, noted the The Boxing Tribune.

The author of the report, Paul Magno, said: "Pacquiao is still a very wealthy man and will likely remain one for the rest of his life, but it’s worth noting that some people, somewhere are enjoying the money that, rightfully, belongs to him."

The $26-million figure is based on Pacquiao’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), which showed that his total net worth as of December 31, 2010 is P1.134 billion or around $26 million.

Pacquiao, however, laughed off reports that he's losing money.

“Ah, talaga? Kaya pala nakabili ako ng bahay sa Forbes. (Oh, really? So that's why I was able to buy a house in Forbes.)," Pacquiao said, referring to the P388-million mansion he purchased in Forbes Park in Makati City.

Based on Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) figures, Pacquiao earned $3 million against Juan Manuel Marquez in March 2008; $3 million against David Diaz in June 2008; $6.6 million against Oscar de la Hoya in December 2008; $7.4 million against Ricky Hatton in May 2009; and, $7.5 million against Miguel Cotto in November 2009.

He also received an estimated $12 million for his fight against Joshua Clottey in 2010; $20 million against Antonio Margarito in 2010; and, $20 million against Mosley in 2011.

Revamped business team

The report about his "shockingly" $26 million net worth fueled speculations on the recent changes in Pacquiao's business team.

In a press release from Pacquiao’s official website, www.mp8.ph, it was announced that Pacquiao had hired the firm of VisionQwest Resource Group, Inc. and VisionQwest Accountancy Group from Los Angeles to handle the accounting, personal and business tax, audits and examinations and contract reviews.

The press release also noted that VisionQwest reports directly to Pacquiao, and that the firm is examining all of the boxer’s contracts from 2005 onwards.

With the hiring of VisionQwest, Canadian business adviser Michael Koncz will no longer be responsible for the handling of Pacquiao’s business dealings.

Pacquiao, however, denied firing Koncz.

"Darating si Michael Koncz tomorrow morning. Dala niya yung kontrata nung fight namin ni Marquez, para matigil na yung issues na I fired Michael Koncz," he said.

Pacquiao gives away 3-hectares of land

Meanwhile, Pacquiao took part in giving away lands to the homeless in Sarangani province.

The 8-division champion gave away 3 hectares of his property in coordination with Habitat for Humanity.

"Sumali ako sa Habitat for Humanity dahil naniniwala akong marami silang matutulungan at marami akong matutulungan sa Sarangani province na magkaroon ng bahay (I joined Habitat for Humanity because they will help me provide homes to my constituents in Sarangani province)," said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao was honored as “Habitat Hero Ambassador” for his gesture.

"Binili ko yung lupa at binigay ko sa mga tao para magkaroon sila ng sariling bahay... sariling pera ko ang ibinili ko roon, kasi kung gobyerno pa 'yun, marami pang proseso," he said.
(I bought the property and gave it away... I used my own money because it would require some processing if we rely on the government). -- With a report from Karen Davila, ABS-CBN News

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Boxing Report: Pacquiao's net worth just $26M -- Fox Sports

By Paul Magno, The Boxing Tribune

According to an official document issued by the House of Representatives in the Philippines, current WBO welterweight champ, Manny Pacquiao has a net worth of approximately 1.134 billion PHP (Philippine Pesos), which comes out to just over 26 million in American Dollars. (The document takes into account all assets up to Jan. 1, 2011.)

Net worth is calculated by taking a person’s total assets, then subtracting their liabilities. The figure quoted above takes into consideration all Pacquiao assets, including real estate and pay from TV and radio performances, public appearances, album sales, licensing, local and international endorsements as well as the money earned from his fights.

Generating approximately $384 million in revenue from his PPV events prior to last May’s Shane Mosley bout, alone, the shockingly low net worth tells the tale of a fighter either quickly going through his money or in desperate need of an independent accounting firm to deal with some pressing business issues.

Enter, VisionQwest Resource Group, Inc., an agency specializing in contract issues and tax concerns.

As reported in a press release Wednesday, Pacquiao has retained the services of VisionQwest to handle all business dealing as well as review “all contracts from 2005 and going forward.”

Team Pacquiao is currently being reviewed and the management team streamlined in order to create a more effective business unit. In the press release, the Los Angeles-based firm also announced that they had “retained the services of a strong boxing business professional who has a solid background in fighter management and negotiations” who will be involved in all future contract reviews.

Tales of fighters and money woes are, sadly, as much a part of boxing’s history as devastating knockouts and shocking upsets, but these things are never nice to hear.

Pacquiao is still a very wealthy man and will likely remain one for the rest of his life, but it’s worth noting that some people, somewhere are enjoying the money that, rightfully, belongs to him.

Source: msn.foxsports.com

Manny Pacquiao under IRS tax audit for 2006-2007; bean counter Lodge is mum -- Examiner

By Michael Marley, Examiner.com

Time to trot out the old jokes about accountants who keep two, sometimes three sets of financial books?

Or, to rehash the Muhammad Ali line about either lawyers or accountants when he said he had the Jewish ones keep an eye on the black ones and vice versa?

Not really, as VisionQwest, which is headed by Michael Lodge and is seemingly flexing its bean counter muscles in the business (including boxing) spheres of Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao is a respected international accounting firm which is based in Los Angeles but also has offices and operations in the Philippines.

A Los Angeles source/FOP (Friend of Pacquiao) tells me that VisionQwest is currently handling a heavy Internal Revenue tax audit of Pacquiao concerning the tax years 2006 to 2007.

(Please note, it is quite common for wealthy athletes and entertainers, like other high income individuals, to get audited by the federal government.)

I reached out to Lodge to see if he cares to enlighten Paclanders about changes which will be made as to Team Pacquiao, including the reported “axing” of longtime Pacman right hand aide Michael Koncz, but Lodge demurred, as seen below:

“Michael,


Thank you for your e-mail. However, we are under a client confidentiality agreement and we are not allowed to discuss client matters with the media. However, we will make statements from time to time based on a joint understanding with our client when any changes will be made.


We look forward to you continued support and coverage of Manny Pacquiao and thank you for respecting our confidentiality agreement.


Advertisement
Regards,


Michael L. Lodge


President & CEO”

It’s Lodge’s outfit which reportedly has hired Jose Castillo, formerly associated with world champions Marco Antonio Barrera and the late Edwin Valero, to “review” future Pacman boxing deals.

Well, since I’m lacking any pungent punch line here, let me try this.

Guess who brought VisionQwest in to work on Pacquiao’s financial books in both the US and his homeland?

You got it, the very same Mr. Koncz who denies he’s been canned but who might find his all encompassing Pacman job description changed when he arrives in Manila Thursday morning.

An inflamed source told me Wednesday night that Koncz will hold a one on one sitdown with the eight-time world champion hours after he lands in Manila.

My FOP/LA source says the so-called "press release" announcing a Team Pacquiao shakeup, including the demotion or removal of Koncz, was penned by MP.8 website operator and ex-convict Timothy James Sladeck.

Sladeck has been openly at war with Koncz for several years.

Pacquiao owns a percentage of MP.8, the so-called "official" site for the charismatic fighter, and his lawyer Franklin "Jeng" Gacal also has a financial interest in it.

(mlcmarley@aol.com)

Source: examiner.com