By Steve Cofield, Yahoo! Sports
He's 78 years old and been a part of some of the biggest fights over the last 45 years, but for Bob Arum his time spent recently in the Philippines may have been the proudest moment of his career. Arum is a big fan of politics and said he was re-energized by Manny Pacquiao's efforts over the last few weeks.
"It's like he turned back the clock," Arum said of how Pacquaio helped him. "I was checking on these election precincts. I amazed some of these Filipinos. How I got into this. Imaybe think more than a boxing promoter my calling was probably as a politician or a political operative."
For those who have dealt with Arum over the years, make your own jokes. All kidding aside, Arum did say that he has one more thing to accomplish and it's not making the Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fight.
"My great, great dream is to still be around to attend the inauguration of Manny Pacquiao as the president of the Philippines. That would be to me, the greatest achievement in mycareer."
When asked by David Mayo of the Grand Rapid Press if Pacquiao could be part of the big fight's negotiating process, Arum quickly snapped back saying no, he's too busy as a Congressman now. That political career may cut Pacman's boxing career a bit shorter than you'd expect. Arum said Pacquiao told him in confidence how much longer he'll be fighting but wouldn't elaborate.
Pacquiao will be back in the U.S. in early June to attend the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman fight at Yankee Stadium on June 5. He will not be able to throw out a pitch at a Yankee game. Obviously, The Bronx Bombers will be out of town. Arum said Pacman has a nice little curveball according to San Francisco Giant pitcher Tim Lincecum. Lincecum, who is half-Filipino, was on the receiving end of a Pacquiao first pitch back in April of 2009.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Amir Khan on Paulie Malignaggi: The Animosity Was Real -- FanHouse
By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse
NEW YORK -- Boxing may have had its share of hyped-up, promotional stunts at weigh-ins, but if you ask WBA junior welterweight (140 pounds) champion, Amir Khan, Friday night's near-brawl with challenger, Paulie Malignaggi, was not one of them.
On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theater, the 23-year-old Khan battered his rival relentlessly to improve to 23-1, by scoring his 17th knockout in the 11th round over the 29-year-old Malignaggi (27-4, five KOs).
Nearly 24 hours earlier, however, the fighters nearly came to blows at the pre-fight weigh-in.
"It's part of boxing, you know. But to be honest with you, none of that was fake. It was real, everything that happened between me and Paulie Malignaggi," said Khan, during a ringside interview at the WaMu Theater after the fight.
"I'm a very calm person, and you remember at the weigh-in, when he kept pushing his head into mine," said Khan. "Overall, he was very disrespectful at the weigh-in."
While the fighters stood, nose-to-nose, words were exchanged before Khan shoved Malgnaggi, and all chaos broke loose before order was restored after about two minutes.
"You never know, he could have slipped and bopped me in the nose," said Khan, who completed his debut in the United States. "It could have cut me if someone else had pushed me from behind."
Fortunately, neither fighter was harmed during the fracas, which Khan later chalked up to what he believed was part of the American boxing culture.
"You know, this is hype in America. When I was watching the news later on in the day, I saw that a lot of people were talking about the weigh-in. It just seems like American fighters love to do that," said Khan.
"I respect Paulie, and he's a great fighter. After the fight, he apologized for everything. He told me, 'mentally, I wanted to break you down, but you're a strong fighter, mentally,'" said Khan. "And the same goes for him. I think that he's a mentally strong fighter. I'm just happy that we both didn't have a fight outside of the boxing ring in the end."
Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, echoed his assertion of Malignaggi, who "said after the fight that there were no hard feelings, and that he respected Amir Khan."
"Paulie told me, 'Freddie, I love you, and you're a great trainer. I still think that Manny Pacquiao is on steroids
, but that's him, and that's not on you,'" said Roach. "He said, 'I respect you,' and I said, 'You fought a helluva a fight,' and I left the rest of it alone."
Overall, Khan said that he is has benefitted from the experience.
"It will just make me a better fighter, and at least, now, when I come to America, I know what to expect," said Khan. "This was my first fight here, and the next time I come here, Amir Khan is going to be even better."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
NEW YORK -- Boxing may have had its share of hyped-up, promotional stunts at weigh-ins, but if you ask WBA junior welterweight (140 pounds) champion, Amir Khan, Friday night's near-brawl with challenger, Paulie Malignaggi, was not one of them.
On Saturday night at Madison Square Garden's WaMu Theater, the 23-year-old Khan battered his rival relentlessly to improve to 23-1, by scoring his 17th knockout in the 11th round over the 29-year-old Malignaggi (27-4, five KOs).
Nearly 24 hours earlier, however, the fighters nearly came to blows at the pre-fight weigh-in.
"It's part of boxing, you know. But to be honest with you, none of that was fake. It was real, everything that happened between me and Paulie Malignaggi," said Khan, during a ringside interview at the WaMu Theater after the fight.
"I'm a very calm person, and you remember at the weigh-in, when he kept pushing his head into mine," said Khan. "Overall, he was very disrespectful at the weigh-in."
While the fighters stood, nose-to-nose, words were exchanged before Khan shoved Malgnaggi, and all chaos broke loose before order was restored after about two minutes.
"You never know, he could have slipped and bopped me in the nose," said Khan, who completed his debut in the United States. "It could have cut me if someone else had pushed me from behind."
Fortunately, neither fighter was harmed during the fracas, which Khan later chalked up to what he believed was part of the American boxing culture.
"You know, this is hype in America. When I was watching the news later on in the day, I saw that a lot of people were talking about the weigh-in. It just seems like American fighters love to do that," said Khan.
"I respect Paulie, and he's a great fighter. After the fight, he apologized for everything. He told me, 'mentally, I wanted to break you down, but you're a strong fighter, mentally,'" said Khan. "And the same goes for him. I think that he's a mentally strong fighter. I'm just happy that we both didn't have a fight outside of the boxing ring in the end."
Khan's trainer, Freddie Roach, echoed his assertion of Malignaggi, who "said after the fight that there were no hard feelings, and that he respected Amir Khan."
"Paulie told me, 'Freddie, I love you, and you're a great trainer. I still think that Manny Pacquiao is on steroids, but that's him, and that's not on you,'" said Roach. "He said, 'I respect you,' and I said, 'You fought a helluva a fight,' and I left the rest of it alone."Overall, Khan said that he is has benefitted from the experience.
"It will just make me a better fighter, and at least, now, when I come to America, I know what to expect," said Khan. "This was my first fight here, and the next time I come here, Amir Khan is going to be even better."
Source: boxing.fanhouse.com
Blueprint for Mayweather-Pacquiao: Begins, ends with dropping lawsuits -- Examiner
By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
So let's get ready to rhumba.
What the heck is fandango, anyway?
I speak of Messrs. Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. and Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, of course.
The public will now accept no substitutes, no Antonio Margarito for Pacman and no Sergio Martinez for Money May.
This sizzling fight, the supreme slugger against the master boxer, is like a well marbled steak with flames surrounding it.
Anecdotal Evidence #1: As I came through customs at Newark Airport, after my sojourn to the Philippines, I handed by landing card to a young, African American customs inspector. He noticed my Pacquiao tee-shirt, bought for cash money at the Gesanio Mall in Gensan.
I guessed he'd make a crack about Pac, that he would say say something about Manny's needle phobia, his reluctance to accept totally random drug testing.
I guessed wrong as is so often the case with stereotypical thinking.
Who wins the fight, this fellow asked.
I said Pacquiao and he said, "He will, if they fight...if Mayweather stops ducking him!"
Anecdotal Evidence #3: Bellying up to the bar at Hurley's Saloon, the white bartender and two white customers were talking up The Only Fight That Matters. The mixologist backed Pacman as did one customer. That guy's boozing buddy was a Flomo, a follower of Mayweather.
Like the customs guy, this trio was 30ish in age.
I checked in with in the know AOL Fan House fight scribe Lem "The Baltimore Gem" Satterfield and his reading of the public pulse is identical to mine.
"I'm personally tired of the back and forth, the blood testing and all the he said, he said," Satterfield said. "You go to the barber shops, the gorcery stores...people don't know close the deal was to getting done (in January) but they don't want to hear about Olympic style testing or anything else, they only want to know what the fight date is. Blood tests, all that other stuff, just turns people off, really."
The public appetite is stronger, the time is now, the fight date should be this fall so we really have a November To Remember.
They know that loose lips sunk this ocean liner once before.
The less we all hear from Uncle Bob, Cousin Richie Rich, Laughing Lenny...the better.
The theme song for these suits is "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show." May I remind them no is going to the MGM Grand or to Cowboys Stadium to see them or hear them pontificate and prevaricate.
The firm hand of HBO paymaster Ross Greenburg, worthy keeper of the boxing exchequer, is there to right the ship if need be.
The G Man must play the concerned but stern daddy role and he is.
My next column will detail "The Blueprint" to make this bout an almost done deal but I'll give you a teaser, a lagniappe as we say in Nawlins, to titilate you, to whet your fist appetite.
MICHAEL MARLEY'S MASTER BLUEPRINT TO PUTTING MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO INTO SIGNABLE CONTRACT FORM:
1. The money split doesn't look as contentious or as likely a dealbreaker as you might think. Both sides know the money pool is nearly bottomless. The alpha, the omega to this deal is to call off the legal beagles, for everyone involved as either plaintiff or defendant (that means you Manny and you Coach Roach) to take your lawsuits and throw them into File 13.
How to get this mutually agreed to?
Simple, really, you make it the first discussed but last memorialized (written in legalese) point.
There should be no heavy debate on this considering that if no fight deal is made, readied for Manny and Floyd's respective John Hancocks, the lawsuits will continue at their turtle pace.
Only rocky shoals I see here is the Pacquiao side demanding an apology on the drug allegations.
How hard is that?
It's a two paragaph press release stipulated to and sent out by both sides, it's no Biggie, Smalls.
Checking your ego at the public door is not so tough when you see a $40 million purse awaiting both superstars, now is it?
When I return, the rest of the story...
READER'S REWARD: You came this far, you deserve it. Here's Wikipedia on fandango:
Fandango is a lively folk and Andalusian (flamenco) couple-dance usually in triple metre, traditionally accompanied by guitars and castanets or hand-clapping (palmas in Spanish and Portuguese). Fandango can both be sung and danced. The sung fandango is usually bipartite: it has an instrumental introduction followed by "variaciones". Sung fandango usually follows the structure of "cante" that consist of four or five octosyllabic verses (coplas) or musical phrases (tercios). Occasionally the first copla is repeated.
The metre of fandango is similar to that of the bolero and seguidilla. It was originally notated in 6/8 time, but later in 3/8 or 3/4.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
They need to tango. They need to fandango
.
.So let's get ready to rhumba.
What the heck is fandango, anyway?The public will now accept no substitutes, no Antonio Margarito for Pacman and no Sergio Martinez for Money May.
This sizzling fight, the supreme slugger against the master boxer, is like a well marbled steak with flames surrounding it.
Anecdotal Evidence #1: As I came through customs at Newark Airport, after my sojourn to the Philippines, I handed by landing card to a young, African American customs inspector. He noticed my Pacquiao tee-shirt, bought for cash money at the Gesanio Mall in Gensan.
I guessed he'd make a crack about Pac, that he would say say something about Manny's needle phobia, his reluctance to accept totally random drug testing.
I guessed wrong as is so often the case with stereotypical thinking.
Who wins the fight, this fellow asked.
I said Pacquiao and he said, "He will, if they fight...if Mayweather stops ducking him!"
Anecdotal Evidence #3: Bellying up to the bar at Hurley's Saloon, the white bartender and two white customers were talking up The Only Fight That Matters. The mixologist backed Pacman as did one customer. That guy's boozing buddy was a Flomo, a follower of Mayweather.
Like the customs guy, this trio was 30ish in age.
I checked in with in the know AOL Fan House fight scribe Lem "The Baltimore Gem" Satterfield and his reading of the public pulse is identical to mine.
"I'm personally tired of the back and forth, the blood testing and all the he said, he said," Satterfield said. "You go to the barber shops, the gorcery stores...people don't know close the deal was to getting done (in January) but they don't want to hear about Olympic style testing or anything else, they only want to know what the fight date is. Blood tests, all that other stuff, just turns people off, really."
The public appetite is stronger, the time is now, the fight date should be this fall so we really have a November To Remember.
They know that loose lips sunk this ocean liner once before.
The less we all hear from Uncle Bob, Cousin Richie Rich, Laughing Lenny...the better.
The theme song for these suits is "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show." May I remind them no is going to the MGM Grand or to Cowboys Stadium to see them or hear them pontificate and prevaricate.
The firm hand of HBO paymaster Ross Greenburg, worthy keeper of the boxing exchequer, is there to right the ship if need be.
The G Man must play the concerned but stern daddy role and he is.
My next column will detail "The Blueprint" to make this bout an almost done deal but I'll give you a teaser, a lagniappe as we say in Nawlins, to titilate you, to whet your fist appetite.
MICHAEL MARLEY'S MASTER BLUEPRINT TO PUTTING MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO INTO SIGNABLE CONTRACT FORM:
1. The money split doesn't look as contentious or as likely a dealbreaker as you might think. Both sides know the money pool is nearly bottomless. The alpha, the omega to this deal is to call off the legal beagles, for everyone involved as either plaintiff or defendant (that means you Manny and you Coach Roach) to take your lawsuits and throw them into File 13.
How to get this mutually agreed to?
Simple, really, you make it the first discussed but last memorialized (written in legalese) point.
There should be no heavy debate on this considering that if no fight deal is made, readied for Manny and Floyd's respective John Hancocks, the lawsuits will continue at their turtle pace.
Only rocky shoals I see here is the Pacquiao side demanding an apology on the drug allegations.
How hard is that?
It's a two paragaph press release stipulated to and sent out by both sides, it's no Biggie, Smalls.
Checking your ego at the public door is not so tough when you see a $40 million purse awaiting both superstars, now is it?
When I return, the rest of the story...
READER'S REWARD: You came this far, you deserve it. Here's Wikipedia on fandango:
Fandango is a lively folk and Andalusian (flamenco) couple-dance usually in triple metre, traditionally accompanied by guitars and castanets or hand-clapping (palmas in Spanish and Portuguese). Fandango can both be sung and danced. The sung fandango is usually bipartite: it has an instrumental introduction followed by "variaciones". Sung fandango usually follows the structure of "cante" that consist of four or five octosyllabic verses (coplas) or musical phrases (tercios). Occasionally the first copla is repeated.
The metre of fandango is similar to that of the bolero and seguidilla. It was originally notated in 6/8 time, but later in 3/8 or 3/4.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Amir Khan's victory against Paulie Malignaggi has American fight fraternity in raptures -- Telegraph
By Gareth A Davies, Telegraph.co.uk
The credit was nowhere more glowing, however, than from officials of Home Box Office, the all-powerful television giants who hold the clout to make or break the biggest fighting names in the US.
Khan impressed greatly. There is nothing like seeing a boxer live and Khan did not disappoint. Kerry Davis, the senior vice president of sports programming for Home Box Office was highly impressed by the 23-year-old Briton’s performance.
“That was a terrific performance by Amir. He came out there in the first round and instantly in that first round you could see his speed, and his talent and his punching power," Davis told Telegraph Sport. "For a debut, and coming off the ordeal he had with visa situation, he did very well for a debut performance.
"He has an extremely telegenic style. Speed sells; power sells. And he has both in abundance. I was surprised that he was faster than Paulie [Malignaggi]. Paulie adjusted after a few rounds but his speed even so is very impressive. He’s very fast."
Davis can see several lucrative and thrilling match-ups ahead, in a 140lb division stacked with talent, all young, and all of whom want to prove themselves as last man standing. "It portends to some very exciting match-ups down the road, whether that is [Marcus] Maidana, [Timothy] Bradley or [Devon] Alexander [with Khan, and each other]. They are fights I would pay to see as a boxing fan.
"You need dance partners for great fighters. In the welterweight division, we have Mayweather, Pacquiao, Mosley, Cotto, and at light welterweight we have these young exciting fighters coming through. There a lot of good fights out there over the next two to three years."
Even Malignaggi's promoter, Lou DiBella, was fulsome in his praise of Khan. DiBella's view is worth noting. Before he became a boxing promoter, he was an HBO employee himself, running its boxing and influencing its decision-making.
"Khan could be the best fighter in the world in five years' time. He might lose a couple of fights, because of his style, but he has all the qualities for greatness. Great speed, athleticism, hunger and ambition, charisma and looks...he has it all. He's a real talent," he said.
It may only have been the theater in the Garden, rather than the full arena, yet Khan’s performance was worthy of a greater stage. Those nights will come. HBO’s ‘Boxing After Dark’, the US equivalent of Sky Sports showing boxing on their programmed channels, will have given the US public an appetite for the former silver medallist who holds the World Boxing Association light-welterweight crown.
It may have been a late, late show in the UK, on ITV1, but Khan showed that under Freddie Roach, he is planting through his punches. He also showed he is still raw in some aspects too, leaving openings that a heavy puncher may be able to exploit as he presses forward with his jab. Khan also showed more use of punching from angles by dipping and throwing hooks to the body. He is, according to Roach, still a work in progress.
There are plans underway to have Khan back in the ring in ten weeks’ time, in either London or Manchester. Trainer Roach does not believe it is necessarily too soon to bring him back to work. "I don't think Amir will suffer burnout. He's 23, really hungry and wants to get in there and prove himself. We'll see how he is in the next few weeks."
Richard Shaefer, CEO of Golden Boy promotions, was delighted with the entire show. Schaefer told Telegraph Sport: "We have a July 31 show at the Mandalay Bay when Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz meet each other and maybe there is a possibility Amir could fight on a dual telecast from the UK.
"Amir wants to fight before Ramadan, so we could get a fight in and it could even be that the winners' of those two fighteers go on to meet each other. We will probably look at a few possible opponents for Amir for his next challenge."
At present, it is thought that Marcos Maidana and Michael Katsidis, who stopped Londoner Kevin Mitchell inside three rounds at Upton Park on Saturday night to retain the interim WBO lightweight belt, are being approached to meet Khan.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
The credit was nowhere more glowing, however, than from officials of Home Box Office, the all-powerful television giants who hold the clout to make or break the biggest fighting names in the US.
Khan impressed greatly. There is nothing like seeing a boxer live and Khan did not disappoint. Kerry Davis, the senior vice president of sports programming for Home Box Office was highly impressed by the 23-year-old Briton’s performance.
“That was a terrific performance by Amir. He came out there in the first round and instantly in that first round you could see his speed, and his talent and his punching power," Davis told Telegraph Sport. "For a debut, and coming off the ordeal he had with visa situation, he did very well for a debut performance.
"He has an extremely telegenic style. Speed sells; power sells. And he has both in abundance. I was surprised that he was faster than Paulie [Malignaggi]. Paulie adjusted after a few rounds but his speed even so is very impressive. He’s very fast."
Davis can see several lucrative and thrilling match-ups ahead, in a 140lb division stacked with talent, all young, and all of whom want to prove themselves as last man standing. "It portends to some very exciting match-ups down the road, whether that is [Marcus] Maidana, [Timothy] Bradley or [Devon] Alexander [with Khan, and each other]. They are fights I would pay to see as a boxing fan.
"You need dance partners for great fighters. In the welterweight division, we have Mayweather, Pacquiao, Mosley, Cotto, and at light welterweight we have these young exciting fighters coming through. There a lot of good fights out there over the next two to three years."
Even Malignaggi's promoter, Lou DiBella, was fulsome in his praise of Khan. DiBella's view is worth noting. Before he became a boxing promoter, he was an HBO employee himself, running its boxing and influencing its decision-making.
"Khan could be the best fighter in the world in five years' time. He might lose a couple of fights, because of his style, but he has all the qualities for greatness. Great speed, athleticism, hunger and ambition, charisma and looks...he has it all. He's a real talent," he said.
It may only have been the theater in the Garden, rather than the full arena, yet Khan’s performance was worthy of a greater stage. Those nights will come. HBO’s ‘Boxing After Dark’, the US equivalent of Sky Sports showing boxing on their programmed channels, will have given the US public an appetite for the former silver medallist who holds the World Boxing Association light-welterweight crown.
It may have been a late, late show in the UK, on ITV1, but Khan showed that under Freddie Roach, he is planting through his punches. He also showed he is still raw in some aspects too, leaving openings that a heavy puncher may be able to exploit as he presses forward with his jab. Khan also showed more use of punching from angles by dipping and throwing hooks to the body. He is, according to Roach, still a work in progress.
There are plans underway to have Khan back in the ring in ten weeks’ time, in either London or Manchester. Trainer Roach does not believe it is necessarily too soon to bring him back to work. "I don't think Amir will suffer burnout. He's 23, really hungry and wants to get in there and prove himself. We'll see how he is in the next few weeks."
Richard Shaefer, CEO of Golden Boy promotions, was delighted with the entire show. Schaefer told Telegraph Sport: "We have a July 31 show at the Mandalay Bay when Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz meet each other and maybe there is a possibility Amir could fight on a dual telecast from the UK.
"Amir wants to fight before Ramadan, so we could get a fight in and it could even be that the winners' of those two fighteers go on to meet each other. We will probably look at a few possible opponents for Amir for his next challenge."
At present, it is thought that Marcos Maidana and Michael Katsidis, who stopped Londoner Kevin Mitchell inside three rounds at Upton Park on Saturday night to retain the interim WBO lightweight belt, are being approached to meet Khan.
Source: telegraph.co.uk
Monday, 17 May 2010
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
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
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?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.
"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
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.
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
Sunday, 16 May 2010
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 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
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.
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
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
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
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