Court case hangs over Floyd-Pacquiao fight -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

The defamation suit filed by Manny Pacquiao against the Mayweathers — Floyd Jr., Floyd Sr. and Roger – and Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) will play a key role in negotiations to reach a deal for a super showdown between the two leading fighters in the world.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told the Las Vegas Review Journal over the weekend that apart from the purse split and random drug-testing, major points in getting a fight done, the case filed in Las Vegas by the Filipino fighter over statements made by the

Mayweathers and GBP officials Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer will be among the topics that will be taken up as soon as talks begin.

"The lawsuit is still being actively pursued," said Arum. "All these issues are on the table and will be negotiated. I'm sure it will be discussed."

Arum has been widely quoted as saying that Pacquiao is returning to the ring – possibly against Mayweather – on November 13 either in Las Vegas or Dallas.

But for talks with Mayweather's people to prosper, Arum admits he has to shut his mouth, something that was not done during the height of the negotiations early this year when Pacquiao and Mayweather were on the verge of agreeing to square off.

Even though the Mayweathers and GBP have denied saying Pacquiao has been using performance-enhancing drugs, Pacquiao believes they had done enough harm to tarnish his image of a boxer who has never and will never use these stuff to gain an advantage over an opponent.

Mayweather claims that the reason why he is batting for Pacquiao to undergo such tests is to level the playing field in the dangerous sport of boxing.

Pacquiao, however, remains steadfast that he will not allow himself to be bullied by Mayweather, stressing that he has never ever tested positive for a banned substance.

Source: mb.com.ph

Floyd Mayweather JR Vs Manny Pacquiao: The Pound for Pound Examination -- Ringside Report

By Geno McGahee, RingsideReport.com

There are two sides and both sides, both with compelling arguments, and both with evidence backing up their claims, but like any other popular debate, much of the focus seems to be on the ignorant. If you watch a newscast with protesters, they typically go for the one with the aluminum foil hat, screaming that God himself, is sending him messages rather than a rational one in the bunch. In the pound for pound boxing debate, many times you will see a writer oversell their point. Manny Pacquiao has plenty of groupies with laptops and Microsoft Word, ready to sing his praises in hopes that the Filipino Pacquiao fans give them a pat on the back and continue to check out their articles. Floyd Mayweather, JR., has his fair share of supporters with pens that also subjectively cover the debate.

Who is the best in the world?

You have to make up your own mind. If you listen to many of the crazed Pacquiao fans, you will think that Floyd Mayweather, JR., will be carried out on a stretcher before the opening bell even rings, collapsing from the mere thought of facing Pacquiao. The Mayweather, JR., die hard followers believe that the best fighter of all time is currently fighting in the welterweight division. We have to cut through the nonsense.

Mayweather, JR., 41-0, 25 KO’s, is a great fighter, but to place him into the top ten of all time, let alone the top spot is very premature. Great fighters earn their spots by beating other great fighters, and he has done that on paper, but he hasn’t done that in the ring. Many of the opponents of name were shopworn and easy prey for a younger defensive whiz with timing.

Manny Pacquiao, 53-3-2, 38 KO’s, has not beaten an elite in their prime, despite his recent great run. He has many impressive names on his record, but none of them were at the peak of their career when they stepped into the ring with the “Pacman.”

Mayweather and Pacquiao need each other. They are both in their prime and both occupy the top spot in the pound for pound ranking. It’s nice when the two top pound for pound fighters in the world fight in the same division and here they are.

The man known as “Money” Mayweather has picked his opponents as intelligently as he has fought them. He wanted to be a PPV attraction and in 2005, began some bad blood with Arturo Gatti, a popular brawler with zero chance of beating him. Gatti had to be convinced to take the fight because of the money involved and took a vicious beating for six rounds before it was mercifully stopped. Mayweather gained a lot with very little risk. The Gatti fans looked beyond his shortcomings and only saw Mayweather, a “feather fisted runner.” Floyd proved he can punch and did not run as he pounded “Thunder” into submission.

Zab Judah was the most dangerous fighter that Mayweather has ever faced, mainly because the best Judah showed up that fight night ready to win. For four rounds, Judah was winning and actually knocked Floyd down (which the referee missed). Floyd stayed tough and came back in the later rounds to expose the focus problems that plagued Zab’s career.

The rest of the career of Mayweather can be seen as one of opportunism. Fighters like Antonio Margarito and Kostya Tszyu were passed over continually for fighters like Gatti and later on, Carlos Baldomir. The choice of Baldomir in 2006 was a major disappointment for boxing fans because he had zero chance. He was too slow to hit Mayweather and if he did, he didn’t pack a punch.

The biggest fight in his career was when he took on Oscar De La Hoya. De La Hoya, far beyond his better years, was still the most popular fighter in the sport and was another fighter that benefited from some creative matchmaking throughout his career. In this fight, Floyd did just enough to win, not risking much, and making it through the fight virtually unscathed.

The limited British superstar, Ricky Hatton was next up and he presented the first prime and undefeated opponent since he took on Diego Corrales in 2001. Hatton lacked the skills to compete and Floyd flattened him inside of 10 rounds. It was an acceptable fight for Floyd.

A rematch was set with De La Hoya next, but Floyd would instead opt to retire. He came back 18 months later with back to back wins over notable opponents. Juan Manuel Marquez was dominated and so too was Sugar Shane Mosley. It sounds more impressive then it is.

Marquez was too small and too slow…facing the same problems that Carlos Baldomir did, and Shane Mosley, at 38, and on the shelf for over a year, had little chance to be competitive, let alone win. Mosley was a great fighter…but his time passed by years ago. He struggled with Ricardo Mayorga and Fernando Vargas in recent years. How was he going to beat Floyd…he wasn’t.

The best fight in his career was his 2001 TKO win over Diego Corrales, followed by his victory over Zab Judah. Other than that, he has fought fights where the deck was stacked very heavily in his favor. Shane Mosley (38 years old, on the shelf for over a year), Ricky Hatton (natural 140 pounder, fighting at 147), Oscar De La Hoya (well beyond his better years), Carlos Baldomir (slow & no punch), and Juan Manuel Marquez (lightweight fighting at welterweight), all have to be looked at as opportunism, Floyd’s edge was too much over each of them going in. Much of Floyd’s success is due to his talent, but also his talent for matchmaking. He knows who to fight and when to fight. He belongs to the new school of boxing, the business end of it.

Manny Pacquiao is more old school, not ducking any fights, but possibly not playing by the rules of the game. His refusal to take a steroid test has raised some eyebrows.

In 2003 was when most fans took notice. An 11th round stoppage of Marco Antonio Barrera shocked the boxing world and set the tone for the rest of Manny’s career. Barrera was still in good form then, but with 60 fights, I hesitate to say that he was in his prime.

A war with Juan Manuel Marquez, leading to a draw was next, a loss to Erik Morales, but Manny would win the trilogy via knockout in both rematches. Morales was in the same sort of situation as Barrera, a Mexican legend with a lot of fights and a lot of wars. In the second and third fight with Manny, you could see that Morales was an old man, mentally and physically, not ready or willing to cope with the monster that was headed his way.

The most notable wins of his career have come recently. In 2008, he was hand picked by Oscar De La Hoya, and beat the odds to stop “The Golden Boy,” although it is fair to say that Oscar brought nothing to the fight that night. It was the equivalent to Muhammad Ali’s performance against Larry Holmes. Despite that fact, it was enough to launch Manny into the mainstream, and they have capitalized well on that with follow up fights with Ricky Hatton (KO-2), Miguel Cotto (KO-12) and Joshua Clottey (UD-12). These three fights also represent opportunism for Team Pacquiao. Hatton and Cotto were both damaged goods going in and Clottey was notorious for shelling up when attacked. You keep the attack, he keeps the shell. Freddie Roach knows how to scout opponents.

The recent track records of both men make them even. They have both eliminated the names of the past that were lingering around and now have established themselves as the now in boxing. When they fight, there is no excuse. Both men are in their prime, on top of the boxing world, and ready to take that number one spot. As of now, who belongs there?

Floyd Mayweather, JR., has to be seen as the pound for pound best at this point. He is undefeated and doesn’t get touched in his fights. He is a defensive master with some similarities to the great Pernell Whitaker. It’s easy to foresee Manny losing than it is Floyd. Should they agree to fight, it would be up to Manny to find a way in, make the fight, and land his punches while avoiding the big punches from Floyd. The easy early pick is Floyd by TKO, late in the fight, or a wide decision over Manny. He is the complete fighter and should own that top spot, but he needs to defend it against Manny Pacquiao. No matter what I say or what a Pacquiao or Floyd groupie says, we still won’t have a definitive answer until they meet up in the ring with all of the boxing marbles on the line.

Source: ringsidereport.com

When do you drop No. 1 to No. 2 and what does "Pound for Pound" really mean? -- Examiner

By Matt Stolow, Examiner.com

Who has won most recently, similar to a politician's spike of momentum, is not the same as to whom is better in a boxing ring.

Floyd Mayweather has won most recently in a boxing match, so he is immediately more popular. But is he necessarily better?

"Pound for Pound" was introduced as an honor for "Sugar" Ray Robinson.

At one time Robinson was 128-1 but fought on for need of money and ended up 173-19.

It wasn't voted on every week like a college football poll where the better team can run up the score on mismatched opponents each week.

It was actually based on his career, not on one fight.

While Pacquiao has won world titles in seven weight divisions, Mayweather has won them in six. So they are about even there.

"Pound for Pound" means taking all fighters of the 10 round level, all skills and weaknesses, opponents, from all 17 weight divisions and putting them into a computer and spit out everyone as a middleweight.

Any emotion at this point crushes the logic.

Manny Pacquiao might be more popular worldwide because of a combination of being a humble guy while Mayweather has a high negative vibe because he tries to act like a thug. I call it the "Zab Judah" element.

Whom one chooses as journalists or otherwise experts to vote on the order of the top fighters is always going to be questionable but the hardest part is getting the most balanced voters who aren't swayed by each individual victory but rather takes into consideration the big picture.

Some voters may feel they have to justify their standing by voting for whoever has won most recently and this of course is wrong. This logic has no merit. Shane Mosley wasn't available to Manny Pacquiao last March so Pacquiao went with the next highest available contender in Joshua Clottey.

Of course if you don't like the organization announcing the vote, you can always start your own with different voters. None of these groups have to be called official or scientific.

Source: examiner.com

Defamation suit lurks as likely roadblock to Pacquiao-Mayweather -- Las Vegas Review-Journal

By STEVE CARP, Las Vegas Review-Journal

Bob Arum is confident of striking a deal for a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight Nov. 13, but one obstacle is in the Top Rank chairman's way.

Pacquiao filed a defamation lawsuit against Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle Roger Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions on Dec. 30, claiming they damaged Pacquiao's reputation by alluding that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

The lawsuit is a remnant of unconsummated negotiations for Mayweather and Pacquiao to fight March 13. Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, admits the suit will factor into any renewed talks.

"The lawsuit is still being actively pursued," Arum said. "All these issues are on the table and will be negotiated. I'm sure it will be discussed."

Mayweather's camp is not commenting. But common sense indicates Mayweather wouldn't agree to fight someone who is suing him and would demand that Pacquiao drop the suit to make a deal.

What Arum doesn't want to do is make the same mistake twice and negotiate in the media. On a conference call Wednesday, he constantly told reporters he would not answer specific questions about making a deal, even declining to confirm when he would sit down with Team Mayweather.

"Once you start negotiating through the media, it becomes ego driven," Arum said. "People can't wait to give a statement to the press. The flames just shoot up, and there's no real opportunity for rational behavior to take over.

"Everyone is so interested in setting forth his position to the media that it becomes a contest that involves me and everyone else. As far as when, I have my marching orders (from Pacquiao), and it will be sooner than later."

If a deal is made, the fight probably would be at the MGM Grand Garden or Cowboys Stadium, Arum said.

■ TOP-10 GATE -- The Mayweather-Shane Mosley fight May 1 at the MGM Grand Garden made the list of top-10 paid gates for a Nevada boxing card.

According to the Nevada Athletic Commission, the fight produced a gate of $11,032,100, making it the 10th largest in Nevada history. The official paid attendance was 14,038.

Mayweather-Mosley bumped the 1996 rematch between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno from the top 10, a fight that did $10,673,700. The record gate in Nevada is the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya fight in 2007, which generated $18,419,200.

Along with the 1.4 million pay-per-view buys on HBO, Mayweather-Mosley attracted an additional 12,879 to closed-circuit TV sites at eight MGM Mirage properties, generating approximately $1 million more.

■ DEFENDING PAVLIK'S DECISION -- Kelly Pavlik's decision to move up from middleweight to super welterweight after an April 17 loss to Sergio Martinez was endorsed by Arum, Pavlik's promoter.

"I think he knows his body, and in order to make 160 (pounds), he had to burn off a lot of muscle," Arum said. "He's got to be comfortable with his weight, and if he's burning muscle to make weight, it doesn't make any sense for him to stay at 160."

Pavlik (36-2, 32 knockouts) has ventured beyond middleweight previously with mixed results. In 2008, he weighed 164 when he beat Jermain Taylor for the second time. Later that year, Pavlik lost by unanimous decision to Bernard Hopkins at 170, the first loss of his career.

Pavlik, his father, Mike, and longtime trainer Jack Loew decided it was time to move up in weight, and Arum said he thinks the former middleweight champion can regain his form.

"I don't think he's done. I think you'll see the old Kelly Pavlik," Arum said.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.

Source: lvrj.com

Fever over possibility of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao bout shows boxing isn't dead -- New York Daily News

By Bill Gallo, New York Daily News

This week I start a three-part series on something I've been thinking about for a few years. It's what many boxing fans of yore and today have asked: What happened to a sport that was once the main attraction? Yes, the sport that ran in the papers as an entry with baseball. Back then they were noted as the "BBBB" - BASEBALL/BOXING, the BREAD and BUTTER of sports.

What happened? Over the next three Sundays, I will attempt to answer this.

There is no denying that the sweet science has been in a funk for the past few years. And, yes, you can use that old bromide, "the old gray mare ain't what it used to be."

But I say to you, members of the dwindling fraternity of punch lovers, the game is far from being "dead," as some sportsters keep writing in American newspapers and magazines.

Asleep? Yes. Resting? Perhaps. But, dead? Hell no! Especially when the drums are currently beating loudly for a multi-million-dollar socko match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao for the welterweight title.

This match is not made yet, and there are still those who say it may never come off. I'm sure it will though, for what fighter is going to let $50 million (each) fly away from their hungry clutches?

Still if boxing - as some say - is dead, then why are so many people clamoring for this fight? This one will even bring out those who continually shout to "Abolish boxing, It's barbaric!" I'd be willing to bet that when this match is made, these are the first people who will be asking the promoter for a couple of freebies.

For some years of covering the sport, I have always maintained that, "Boxing must always have a good and popular heavyweight to lead the parade." I still adhere to that notion, but after watching the talents in the smaller divisions, and especially Pacquiao's invincibility, I've changed my words to say, "...and a little man shall lead them."

In his fight with Miguel Cotto, I looked at Pacquiao as a man who knows all there is to know about boxing. Although he has been well-schooled by Freddie Roach, a fine trainer in the Ray Arcel, Eddie Futch and Charley Goldman mold, Pac has his own natural talents no one can teach.

The little guy is a package of speed and know-how and sudden, inventive moves not seen since Sugar Ray Robinson and Willie Pep, two of boxing's creme de la creme.

Which brings me to when boxing and baseball were the strongest, most popular entries in sports.

If you can go back that far, think of names like: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove, Carl Hubbell, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and the like.

Okay, now say these names: Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Joe Louis, Max Baer, Jim Braddock, Rocky Marciano, Tony Zale, Rocky Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson, Willie Pep, Tony Canzoneri, Barney Ross and others from another time.

Put the two groups (baseball and boxing) together and you have the most dynamic sports entry of all time.

Just think about that for a moment fans. Then check out how today's fandom goes: (1) Pro football, (2) baseball, (3) pro basketball, (4) college football and basketball, (5) tennis, (6) golf (when Tiger Woods is playing) (7) hockey, (8) soccer, (9) a tie between horse racing and boxing.

Some railbirds and boxing purists might dispute this, but for certain, those two bottom sports are the least covered by newsprint and TV.

So how did the sport go from the top rung to the bottom one? The answer lies not only with boxing's stall but with the sudden rise of pro football and pro basketball. The temporary fall of boxing amazingly goes back to the last man who helped keep it on top.

He is Mike Tyson, the man who some sages say could've been one of the greatest of all heavyweight champions.

Tyson, a big banger who learned how to protect himself by moving his head and body in that herky-jerky way of his - while looking for his opening to throw those learned left hooks and hard right hands at his opponent - was the last of the "you-gotta-see-this-guy-in-the-ring" type of heavyweight.

The fact that Tyson screwed everything up is another story, but all the excitement that came from heavyweights stopped with him.

Since John L. Sullivan, the ancient brawler and first heavyweight champion and who held the title from 1882 till 1892, the aura of King of Boxing was born. Sullivan's often-used phrase was, "I can lick any man in the house!" And for a little while, the hefty braggart could.

The word "King" in boxing was used not loosely but with a respect held for actual kings of nations. This may sound a bit grandiose, but the doings of heavyweight champions were known throughout the country. Later in boxing, when Dempsey ruled, the world knew who the king was even in the far corners of the earth. This gives you an idea just how much adulation a champion from the United States received.

After Sullivan, came James J. Corbett (1892-1897), the fancy-Dan boxer who supposedly put the science into the game. Then came Bob Fitzsimmons (1897-1899), followed by Jim Jeffries (1899- 1905), Marvin Hart (1905-1906) and Tommy Burns (1906-1908).

Then like a bolt came a man who was to change the color of this once lily-white sport. Jack Johnson, a hard-hitting, clever and determined black man, came on the scene.

For now I'll leave this with the interesting story of this African-American tossing a wrench into the "white man's machinery." You might say Jack Johnson was to boxing what Jackie Robinson was to baseball.

This is to be continued next Sunday. See you then, friends.

bgallo@nydailynews.com

Source: nydailynews.com

Wrath of Amir Khan too much for Coney Island fighter Paulie Malignaggi -- New York Daily News

By Tim Smith, New York Daily News

Amir Khan, a British citizen of Pakistani descent, had fought to get his work visa at the last minute to get into the country to fight Paulie Malignaggi at The Theater at Madison Square Garden Saturday night.

Khan made good use of that visa and did a job on the Brooklyn product, pummeling Malignaggi for much of the fight before referee Steve Smoger stopped it at 1:25 of the 11th round, giving Khan a TKO before 4,412 fans.

With the victory, Khan (23-1, 17 KOs) made a successful and impressive U.S. debut and retained his WBA super lightweight title.

"Me and (trainer) Freddie (Roach) stuck to the game plan. Paulie is a very awkward fighter. We had to break him down slowly," Khan said. "We had to use our brain. I knew in the last few rounds I was hurting him. All I had to do was put the pressure on him."

Not only did he surprise Malignaggi, but he overwhelmed him with his speed and power.

"I ran into a clone of myself of when I was younger. But he was faster and stronger," Malignaggi said. "He's bigger and stronger. But I gave it all I had."

It was the first time that Malignaggi (27-4, 5 KOs) was back at the Garden since his loss to Miguel Cotto in the big room in 2006. Even though Malignaggi lost a 12-round unanimous decision and suffered a fractured eye socket, it was a fight that proved that he was not just a flamboyant trash talker from Coney Island.

Malignaggi thought that battle against Cotto would carry him over Khan, whose only blemish on his record was a first-round KO by Breidis Prescott in 2008. He was wrong.

Khan, 23, was looking to cash in on his British-built fame like other English imports such as Naseem Hamed, Joe Calzaghe and Lennox Lewis.

Khan had the looks, but the question for the U.S. fans who filled the arena Saturday night was can he fight?

Khan displayed blazingly fast hands, coupled with pinpoint accuracy on his punches. He hit Malignaggi with a three-punch combination in the second round that appeared to land in the blink of an eye. By the third round, there was significant swelling around Malignaggi's left eye, all courtesy of Khan's powerful right hand. Malignaggi, who isn't a slouch in the speed department himself, had little defense against that right hand.

Midway through the fight, Khan began to work his jab, and that spelled the end of any threat that Malignaggi, never a KO guy, could muster.

The pre-fight buildup had been marred by trash talk from both sides. Khan said he had sparring partners who were tougher than Malignaggi. Malignaggi said Khan was a creation of the European press and was "a step above a bum." The nastiness spilled over at the weigh-in on Friday when Malignaggi and Khan got into a shoving match during the stare-down and Khan's supporters rushed the stage.

At the fight Saturday night, someone sent an anonymous e-mail to Lou DiBella, Malignaggi's promoter, that they were going to throw something in the ring to try to hit Malignaggi during the fight. DiBella alerted Garden security.

There were a few minor skirmishes in the stands, but it was nothing compared to the punishment that Malignaggi took from Khan, who obviously was benefiting from the schooling from Roach, the renowned trainer of Manny Pacquiao.

After the eighth round, a small chant of "Paulie (stinks)!" went up from the crowd as the Khan supporters could sense the fight was slowly turning into a mismatch.

Before the start of the 11th, Malignaggi was pleading with ringside physician Ostrick King not to stop the fight. "Give me one more! Give me one more!" he cried out.

It didn't matter. As Malignaggi was getting pummeled on the ropes, Smoger stepped in and halted the bout. There was no protest from Malignaggi this time.

Khan now wants to take on the other 140-pound champions - Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley.

"I'm not going to leave the 140 pound division until I unify the titles," Khan said.

Source: nydailynews.com

Khan lives the American dream -- The Sun

By PAT SHEEHAN, The Sun

AMIR KHAN'S US debut turned into an American dream when he retained his WBA world light-welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi.

Khan outboxed and then outfought brave Malignaggi who was saved from further punishment by referee Steve Smoger 1min and 25sec into the 11th round.

The stoppage, which was overdue, came 37 seconds after Ricky Hatton also stopped Malignaggi in November 2008, and brought the house down at Madison Square Garden.

Khan had the fight under his control and the crowd under his spell from the first bell.

He hardly put a foot wrong and dropped only one round on the way to his latest win inside the distance.

Malignaggi was game from first to last and at the end of the 10th round pleaded with the ringside doctor to give him one more round - even though he was bashed and battered.

Khan unloaded with some big rights straight from the off but showed he could mix it when the New Yorker tried to brawl but ended up with his head in a lock.

Malignaggi put his foot on the gas in the second and came out fast trying to catch Khan by surprise but, for his efforts, he was rocked back by Khan's jab.

The third showed Malignaggi at his slippery best but he was not quick enough to get out of the way of Khan's big rights and dropped another round.

Bolton star Khan was caught by an uppercut during the fourth, his worst round of the night, and showed Malignaggi was capable if not dangerous.

A wicked left from Khan zipped into Malignaggi's body in the fifth and put him down but Smoger ruled Khan pushed him and refused to start the count.

It was all one-way traffic with Malignaggi getting hurt and dazed by Khan's speed and power but he bravely hung on, refusing to buckle until Smoger called it a halt in the 11th.

Source: thesun.co.uk

Classy Michael Katsidis ends Kevin Mitchell dream -- BBC Sport

By Ben Dirs, BBC Sport

Kevin Mitchell's dream fight at Upton Park turned into a nightmare as he was dismantled inside three rounds by Australian Michael Katsidis.

Mitchell, 25, looked surprised by Katsidis' power in the first round and was immediately forced to backpedal.

The Dagenham man appeared to have settled in the second, finding his mark with some sharp combinations.

But Katsidis, 25, staggered Mitchell with a big left hand in the third and referee Dave Parris later stepped in.

"I knew he was a big puncher, I knew he was heavy-handed," said Mitchell.

"He lured me into an attack and bang, he caught me.

"I've been in with big punchers - Carl Johanneson, Breidis Prescott. He lured me into the shot, I walked into one and bang. You can't make mistakes like that, I made the mistake and that's that.

"It's a wake-up call, I've got to be more professional in what I'm doing and take more care of my work and be more aware of what I'm doing in the ring, I backed up and sat on the ropes like an idiot.

"I'll be back and I'll be strong and I'll be ready to fight him again, definitely. 100% I will win a world title, I promise you."

Mitchell was challenging for Katsidis' WBO interim lightweight crown in front of 14,000 vociferous locals at West Ham's ground, but it was the Aussie who seemed the more energised by the occasion.

Punk band Cockney Rejects were on hand to sing Mitchell into the ring with a raucous rendition of the old Hammers favourite I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, but Katsidis, in his trademark gladiator helmet, looked noticeably bigger when they eventually came face to face.

And after a cagey opening, Mitchell seemed to be somewhat taken aback when Katsidis decided to break ranks, with the Englishman spending most of the rest of the round on the back foot and Katsidis landing some spiteful blows.

It was better from Mitchell in the second, the challenger using his jab and finding the target with some snappy combinations, but still Katsidis came pouring forward.

At the start of the third Katsidis seemed to back off slightly, which succeeded in luring Mitchell forward into a slugging match and allowed the champion to pounce.

Former British and Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Mitchell, who made his name as a slugger, had looked a more complete fighter in his last few fights, and the accepted wisdom was that he should avoid going toe-to-toe with Katsidis.

And sure enough, when the leather started flying it was the champion who came off best, staggering Mitchell with a cuffing left to the back of the head, a shot from which Mitchell never really recovered.

Mitchell fired back with a couple of combinations, but Katsidis just kept coming, backing his rival onto the ropes before landing with another clubbing left and following up with a sustained, two-fisted battery.

And with Mitchell no longer returning fire, Parris was left with no other option but to stop the fight one minute and 57 seconds into the round, an outcome that stunned the West Ham faithful into virtual silence.

Mitchell, who was previously unbeaten in 31 pro encounters, will now have to rebuild his career, with a much talked about domestic match-up against Amir Khan now a distant dream.

While he vowed to come back and win a world championship, the manner in which he was exposed by a fighter who had fought and come up short at the very highest level will raise questions about his ability to do so.

But promoter Frank Warren has backed his man to return from his first loss and follow Khan's example by bouncing back from defeat to win a world title.

"Can he come back? I think he can," Warren told BBC Sport.

"We saw what happened to Amir Khan 18 months ago, and it's all about him using the talents he's got and not letting his heart overrule his brain.

"If he does that again he won't win a world title, he's got to learn and he's young enough to do that. He's got to go back to the drawing board and if he can learn, I think he will win a world title."

Instead it is Katsidis, who stopped Luton's Graham Earl in five savage rounds when he last fought in London in 2007 and who improves to 27 wins and two losses, who can now look forward to some big pay days, with the WBO's full champion Juan Manuel Marquez still on his radar.

"It's fantastic, it's been an absolute pleasure. You've got 20,000 people here, I would just hope one day these people could come and support me," said Katsidis.

"I feel I'm the best I've ever been, we've worked hard and I've been away from my family and my new baby girl.

"I can't leave Britain anyway because of the volcano, so I just want to stay here. There's 20-odd thousand passionate people here cheering and supporting the sport I love.

"I'm just going to enjoy my title, I am the world champion."

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Khan demolishes Malignaggi -- ESPN

ESPN staff

Amir Khan's first venture onto American soil proved to be a positive one as he defended his WBA light-welterweight title with an impressive stoppage win over Paulie Malignaggi.

There was bad blood in the run up to the fight with both camps trading insults, but once the action unfolded at Madison Square Garden - Khan showed a thoroughly professional attitude to dismantle Malignaggi.

Malignaggi made positive talk about having too much speed for Khan, but he had badly underestimated the Bolton man who dominated the centre of the ring behind a blistering jab that bewildered the American.

Khan picked Malignaggi off on a couple of occasions in the first round but the American's unorthodox nature briefly threatened to upset Khan in the second and third rounds. There was a suggestion that Khan was getting frustrated but the fight turned from the moment he landed a couple of solid shots in the fourth.

It was evident from the fifth onwards that Khan was the superior fighter as time and again crisp punches snapped in on Malignaggi's head. The New Yorker has been in with some excellent fighters and has proved his durability, but he had no answer to the speed and boxing skills of Khan.

The doctor took a close look at Malignaggi at the end of the 10th and it looked at one stage as though he would be pulled out. He was allowed to carry on but the fight did not go much further as the referee stepped in with over with 1.35 left in the round.

Ricky Hatton stopped Malignaggi in the 11th but Khan's job on the American was far from impressive as he proved he can mix it with some of the big players in the division.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

Source: espn.co.uk

Knockout Nation: Khan Breaks Down Malignaggi, Ortiz Outboxes Campbell, Hopkins Wants Calzaghe and Bute, Mayweather-Pacquiao Update -- AllHipHop

By Ismael AbduSalaam, AllHipHop.com

Malignaggi Has No Answers for Khan

Before his hometown NYC crowd last night (May 15), Paulie Malignaggi (27-4, 5 KOs) was thoroughly beaten by a well prepared Amir Khan (23-1, 17 KOs), who took out his Brooklyn foe with a dominant 11th round TKO.

From the outset, Malignaggi had no answers for Khan’s superior speed and power. Amir was able to consistently get off first with his stiff jab, and even at times with lead left hooks and straight rights.

By the 4th round, Khan was also making Malignaggi pay for trying to come inside, clipping him with a head-turning right uppercut. In the following round, Paulie’s offense was hampered further by Khan’s longer reach, and the Brooklynite was punished with multiple flush right and left hooks to the face.

The 8th and 9th rounds were complete whitewashes for Amir Khan. In the former round, the UK fighter began attacking more with impunity, as the light-hitting Malignaggi (5 KOs in his career) could do nothing to keep his opponent off him. Khan could not miss Malignaggi’s head with any of his shots, finding a home for the jab, left uppercut, and hooks with both hands. In the latter stanza, Paulie continued to get busted up with stiff left jabs and hooks, and the Magic Man’s face was swollen all over with a mouse under the left eye.

Following another brutal 10th round, referee Steve Smoger asked Malignaggi if he wanted to come out for another round. Despite Paulie’s affirmations, Smoger refused to let the bout continue until the ringside physician had a thorough review. Once completed, Malignaggi was advised he had one more round to make a stand.

With no power to turn the tide, Paulie Malignaggi absorbed more hooks as he tried to land a desperate home run shot. A Khan left hook caused him to careen into the ropes, and Smoger stopped the bout as Malignaggi feebly threw weak punches in retaliation.

The 11th round TKO made Amir Khan’s U.S. debut a successful coming out party, and now Golden Boy’s most promising young star turned his attention to his remaining division rivals.

“A lot of people put the pressure on me to fight Maidana. I’ll fight Maidana next,” Khan told HBO’s Max Kellerman. “Let Bradley fight Alexander, and the winner of that fight face me in the finals…let’s do it! I will not leave 140 until I’ve unified the titles.”

In spite of all his prefight trash talk, Paulie Malignaggi made no excuses for his loss and gave Khan full credit.

“Amir just fought a really good fight. [He gave] lots of angles, kept changing distance, that was the plan for me [but] Amir was quicker,” Malignaggi admitted. “Amir’s younger, he had that youthful enthusiasm and I give him a lot of credit.”

On the undercard, Victor Ortiz kept his poise for 10 rounds and was able to easily outbox a now slower and fading Nate Campbell.

At 38 years old, Campbell was unable to chase down Ortiz, who circled for the majority of the bout and countered Campbell with hard straight lefts and flurries. Scorecards for the bout read 100-89 twice, and 99-90.

HBO did much to sell the junior welterweight division, doing a video package focusing on its talented young guns Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander, and Marcos Maidana. In addition, the network covered the division’s other top fighters in Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, Ricky Hatton, and Andriy Kotelnik. From commentator Max Kellerman’s own mouth, HBO looks to be putting their hopes on this division to carry their boxing coverage before and following Mayweather-Pacquiao.

Bernard Hopkins Looking for Another Match

Following the abysmal April PPV encounter that was Hopkins-Jones, there was no one clamoring to see Bernard Hopkins in the ring ever again. Even Golden Boy CEO Richard Shaefer told the press he’d like to see the Executioner hang it up. But Hopkins is ignoring these retirement suggestions, and is reportedly seeking bouts with Lucian Bute or Joe Calzaghe.

Last month, Bute destroyed Edison Miranda with a 3rd round TKO. Many consider Bute the top super-middleweight in the world despite the ongoing Super Six tournament. Joe Calzaghe beat Bernard Hopkins via controversial split decision in 2008. Calzaghe announced his retirement that year after beating Roy Jones and hasn’t fought since.

Hopkins was in attendance last night but did not disclose whether serious talks have begun for either proposed fight.

Calzaghe was in the States for Mayweather-Mosley, and in remarkably good shape for someone 2 years into retirement, which fueled speculation he was considering a comeback bout.

If the Welshman does come back, more than likely it would be for the Super Six winner or Bute. Calzaghe was adamant following the Hopkins bout that he would never fight Bernard again. And fans were not demanding a rematch either of the foul-filled bout.

On the other hand, Bute may fancy the Hopkins showdown since his biggest super-middleweight opponents are tied up with the Super Six for the next year. The big question would be the weight, as Hopkins has been campaigning in recent years at light-heavyweight.

Until someone decisively beats him, Bernard Hopkins looks like he won’t even consider retirement.

Mayweather-Pacquiao Reps Hope to Prevent Previous Media Fiasco

Many fans and media still have a bitter taste in their mouths after the most anticipated fight in boxing history fell through in February over disagreements on Olympic style drug testing.

Following dominant victories for Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather in their last fights, both camps have begun quiet preliminary talks to resurrect the fight.

Bob Arum recently spoke to ESPN and advised that both sides have vowed to iron out their differences behind closed doors without regular media updates. Last time, Arum was one of the main culprits of “media negotiation,” and regularly disparaged Mayweather’s camp during the process, and later with the last-ditch third-party mediation.

Skepticism aside, I believe both parties have come to grips that no other opponent is acceptable besides each other. Between them, Pacquiao and Mayweather have eliminated the other top welterweights (Mosley, Clottey, Cotto) between them, and proved that they are far more talented than anyone else in the division. Now is the time to see who the best fighter in the world is.

While it’s still early, expect this one to end up in Las Vegas with a 50-50 purse split, and Mayweather getting the Olympic style testing, but with some provision that stops it at least 10-14 days before the fight.
At press time, the fight is targeted for November.

Source: allhiphop.com