By Michael Marley, Examiner.com
Manny Pacquaio should give two things to his loyal liege, the Canadian agent named Michael Koncz.
Given his penchant for getting involved in onesided fights, "Doctor No" as I refer to Koncz could use combat pay and a catcher's mask to protect his face.
You'll recall the infamous Baguio training camp incident where conditioning coach Alex Ariza repeatedly slapped Koncz's face in Pacman's hotel suite. Ariza was incensed at what he viewed as a plot by Koncz to move him out of working Manny's corner on fight night.
Recently, I reported the admittedly gossipy item, which turned out to totally accurate, that well known Pinoy actor Phillip Salvador, an action movie hero who is 57 years old, blasted Koncz in the face with a right hand.
Koncz turned up, in his Pacquiao shadow role, at the Boxing Writers Dinner in New York last weekend. Koncz had a blackened eye and a bruise on one arm.
"Doctor No" confirmed the dustup to me but said the actor's blow was "a cheap shot."
Now we can put this story to bed with the story behind the story of Salvador's anger.
Salvador asked Pacman if he could 250,000 Philippine pesos (about $5,388 US Dollars).
The Pinoy Idol, as he is wont to do to nearly all requests for time or money, said surely, my good man, no problem.
The actor wanted to replenish a pocket emptied by casino gambling.
It seemed he wanted to give Lady Luck another go.
Koncz rejected the request.
His loyalty to Pacman seems unquestionable and the main part of his gig, besides shadowing the fighter, is saying no way, Jose, after Manny has said, hey, no problem.
I'm thinking one of those old Yogi Berra catcher masks might work for Mr. Koncz.
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
Source: examiner.com
Monday, 14 June 2010
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Expert opinions vary at drug-testing forum -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
By STEVE CARP, LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
If you believe Dr. David Watson, the NAC has its act together. Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, said he thinks the commission can do a lot more to beef up its protocols. Dr. Robert Voy, a former chief medical officer for the United States Olympic Committee, said he thinks the NAC is doing an adequate job given its resources but that it has room to improve.
"(Nevada) can do better," Tygart said. "Frankly, it's inadequate. You deserve better. Your athletes deserve better."
Watson, who works for the NAC as a ringside physician, said: "I think the commission is doing an outstanding job of staying on top of this issue."
Said Voy: "The commission should be congratulated for testing (for steroids). However, the protocol is troubling to me. You have to have a very tight process. The athlete has to be assured there are safeguards in place to protect the athlete from tampering."
NAC executive director Keith Kizer said the purpose of the forum was to give the commissioners an opportunity to learn from experts in the testing field and stay ahead of the curve.
"We rely on the experts," Kizer said. "We were able to have a nice, open discussion, and this commission has never been afraid to change its rules. The commission wants to make the best regulations to ensure the safety of the fighters and the integrity of the sport."
Tygart recommended the use of more blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs such as human growth hormone and other designer steroids. He also suggested the NAC consider changing labs, using USADA's testing facilities in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The commission currently sends its drug tests through Quest Diagnostics, with facilities in Las Vegas.
"Blood testing is something the commission wants to look into," Kizer said. "But you just want to make sure the tests are accurate and you don't put the fighter at risk."
Voy said that anytime blood is drawn from a person, the potential for risk exists.
"Taking blood is an evasive procedure," he said. "There's always risk. It can be dangerous. However, I don't think taking blood close to a competition puts the athlete at risk."
That was Manny Pacquiao's contention when he refused to submit to random blood testing to make a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in March. Pacquiao since has said he would be willing to have his blood drawn within 14 days of a fight.
But Tygart said that still creates a window of opportunity for potential cheating.
"If you're going to have a window, keep it as short as you can," he said.
When Mayweather fought Shane Mosley on May 1, both fighters agreed to Olympic-style random drug testing, which included taking blood and urine samples. USADA oversaw the protocols for the drug testing, and the last blood tests administered to the fighters came 18 days before they entered the ring.
However, Tygart said the threat of testing the fighters remained in place during that period, which served as a sufficient deterrent had either considered cheating. Both fighters were tested eight times, and each tested clean on every occasion.
Kizer said any changes the commission makes to its protocols for drug testing will come with the fighters' best interest in mind. "You don't do drug testing for public relations," he said. "You do it for health and safety."
■ FUNEKA SUSPENDED -- Lightweight Ali Funeka took a banned substance to reduce swelling in his legs from his long flight from South Africa to Las Vegas in March. But that didn't get him off the hook with the NAC, which suspended him for nine months, fined him $35,000 and ordered him to pay back an additional $15,625 he received from his opponent, Joan Guzman, who failed to make weight when they fought March 27 at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Funeka took hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, which is banned in Nevada. The drug was given to him by his physician, Dr. Mark Blumberg, who admitted he didn't know its use was against NAC rules.
Funeka lost a 12-round split decision to Guzman, and his record remains 30-3-3.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
It didn't have the drama or trappings of a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill
, but the Nevada Athletic Commission's forum on drug testing Wednesday provided frank discussion about the effectiveness of catching cheaters inside the ring.
, but the Nevada Athletic Commission's forum on drug testing Wednesday provided frank discussion about the effectiveness of catching cheaters inside the ring.If you believe Dr. David Watson, the NAC has its act together. Travis Tygart, chief executive officer of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, said he thinks the commission can do a lot more to beef up its protocols. Dr. Robert Voy, a former chief medical officer for the United States Olympic Committee, said he thinks the NAC is doing an adequate job given its resources but that it has room to improve.
"(Nevada) can do better," Tygart said. "Frankly, it's inadequate. You deserve better. Your athletes deserve better."Watson, who works for the NAC as a ringside physician, said: "I think the commission is doing an outstanding job of staying on top of this issue."
Said Voy: "The commission should be congratulated for testing (for steroids). However, the protocol is troubling to me. You have to have a very tight process. The athlete has to be assured there are safeguards in place to protect the athlete from tampering."
NAC executive director Keith Kizer said the purpose of the forum was to give the commissioners an opportunity to learn from experts in the testing field and stay ahead of the curve.
"We rely on the experts," Kizer said. "We were able to have a nice, open discussion, and this commission has never been afraid to change its rules. The commission wants to make the best regulations to ensure the safety of the fighters and the integrity of the sport."
Tygart recommended the use of more blood testing for performance-enhancing drugs such as human growth hormone and other designer steroids. He also suggested the NAC consider changing labs, using USADA's testing facilities in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. The commission currently sends its drug tests through Quest Diagnostics, with facilities in Las Vegas.
"Blood testing is something the commission wants to look into," Kizer said. "But you just want to make sure the tests are accurate and you don't put the fighter at risk."
Voy said that anytime blood is drawn from a person, the potential for risk exists.
"Taking blood is an evasive procedure," he said. "There's always risk. It can be dangerous. However, I don't think taking blood close to a competition puts the athlete at risk."
That was Manny Pacquiao's contention when he refused to submit to random blood testing to make a proposed fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in March. Pacquiao since has said he would be willing to have his blood drawn within 14 days of a fight.
But Tygart said that still creates a window of opportunity for potential cheating.
"If you're going to have a window, keep it as short as you can," he said.
When Mayweather fought Shane Mosley on May 1, both fighters agreed to Olympic-style random drug testing, which included taking blood and urine samples. USADA oversaw the protocols for the drug testing, and the last blood tests administered to the fighters came 18 days before they entered the ring.
However, Tygart said the threat of testing the fighters remained in place during that period, which served as a sufficient deterrent had either considered cheating. Both fighters were tested eight times, and each tested clean on every occasion.
Kizer said any changes the commission makes to its protocols for drug testing will come with the fighters' best interest in mind. "You don't do drug testing for public relations," he said. "You do it for health and safety."
■ FUNEKA SUSPENDED -- Lightweight Ali Funeka took a banned substance to reduce swelling in his legs from his long flight from South Africa to Las Vegas in March. But that didn't get him off the hook with the NAC, which suspended him for nine months, fined him $35,000 and ordered him to pay back an additional $15,625 he received from his opponent, Joan Guzman, who failed to make weight when they fought March 27 at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Funeka took hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic, which is banned in Nevada. The drug was given to him by his physician, Dr. Mark Blumberg, who admitted he didn't know its use was against NAC rules.
Funeka lost a 12-round split decision to Guzman, and his record remains 30-3-3.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.
Source: lvrj.com
Tony Martin reflects on training Mark Melligen, memories from the Philippines, and life in Las Vegas -- Examiner
By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com
A few days ago Welterweight hopeful Mark Melligen was spotted training rigorously at Floyd Mayweather’s personal gym in Las Vegas. The Bacolod City native is getting ready for a do or die rematch against Michel Rosales, the same man who beat him last November, and his preparation for the contest spoke of the importance of the clash.
What should be noted is that Melligen’s trainer Tony Martin is taking the contest just as personal for a variety of reasons. The mild-mannered Martin has put a lot of time into bringing out the best in young Melligen and only in getting to know his full story does everything start to fall into place.
“I can’t divulge too much but I was born in London in the East end of London,” Martin said of his childhood. “It was quite a tough area. I was always getting into problems when I was young. I was getting into forms of street fights and it was eventually a policeman who got a hold of me and said ‘If you keep this up son you are gonna spend your life behind bars’.”
Despite being apparently rough around the edges, Martin would take the officer’s advice and set foot into a boxing gym for the first time. Little did he know how much that move would impact his life on many fronts as he would soon begin immersing himself in a completely new world, one full of growth, discovery, and much travel.
“He told me that I had so much aggression and that I had to take it in the ring,” Martin reflected. “Of course I took it in the ring and boxed amateur but my mother didn’t like it. I had to finish my studies and graduated as an engineer and I went around the world. I met my wife 25 years ago and we decided to get married and later moved to the Philippines. I never left there. My first involvement in the boxing world was when I worked with the Governor and I started training fighters. I remember approaching Antonio Aldeguer at the ALA gym and we started working together and became good friends.”
Martin notes that he spent about twenty years in the Philippines and it is obvious that he wouldn’t trade his experiences for the world. His relationship with ALA continued to flourish and he is now the director of overseas operations as well as serving as their chief trainer in Las Vegas. Looking back on those years in the Philippines Martin can’t help but to crack a smile and reminisce.
“Fantastic,” Martin claimed. “I can’t explain it. It’s like telling people who look at a third world country and say ‘I wouldn’t want to be there’. But until you go there you have to actually be there to realize what it’s all about. There is a different culture there and they are very kind people. They are very nice and they will give you everything they have. After my time here, maybe in another five years I may go back there.”
When asked for his thoughts on the evolution of boxing in the country Martin reveals that there has always been an abundance of talent in the Philippines but that the fighters from the country never had the right platform to display their skills. That all changed, however, once Manny Pacquiao broke onto the scene, as fellow pugilists soon had a path to follow.
“At one time in the world there was a lot of dirty promoters and managers in the Philippines who were short selling boxers and sending them overseas to places like Japan and Thailand,” Martin said. “They were getting beaten badly. Over the years people have come up like Antonio Aldeguer’s gym, ALA Promotions, Rudy Salud, and lots of others in the outside regions of the Philippines. Understand that sometime ago Americans used to think that Philippines boxers were useless and they have nothing to offer. Now that Manny has come up and others have followed him, they have realized these guys can fight. They have been given the right chance to prove everything.”
One of the brighter spots for the country as far as the boxing world is concerned is 24-year old Melligen, who sports a 18-2 record with 13 knockouts while fighting six of his last seven bouts in the States. Looking back on his union with the southpaw fighter Martin speaks of the steps that were taken to help bring the fighter along.
“Well this goes back to the ALA gym,” Martin claimed. “I’ve been training boxers in the ALA gym for so many years and Mark came to my attention two years ago. Tony Aldeguer told me this guy had a prospect and he would like for him to have more experience so he decided to bring him out here. So the first fight we had was in Colorado and after that fight we approached Top Rank and we asked Mr. Arum if he would be interested and he said ‘yeah’.”
Based in Las Vegas primarily for the last four years, Martin found it fitting to bring Melligen into town to further hone his skills. After touching base with a former champion in the area everything was lined up for the fighter to ply his craft in one of the most sought after gyms in the area where top level sparring is never hard to find.
“I knew the Mayweather Gym and I asked [Cornelius Boza Edwards] if we could train and Mark started training here,” Martin noted. “He sparred with Floyd a couple of times. Then he sparred with Devon Alexander, [Marcos] Maidana, in preparation for his fights. Floyd is a master and he is hard to hit but sometimes Mark is elusive as well. Maidana is strong as a bull and if you get punched by him you know it. Devon Alexander is a nice kid and we enjoyed sparring him for two weeks.”
What hasn’t’ been covered is the fact that Melligen wasn’t in the right frame of mind prior to his first bout with Rosales. Just moments before entering the ring Mark was shook after seeing his good friend Z Gorres collapse in the ring after his win over Luis Melendez. Gorres would be rushed to the hospital to have surgery performed to remove swelling of the brain and his career is now over. When Melligen meets Rosales for the second time Martin feels we will be seeing a completely different man in the ring.
“After the last fight with Gonzalez we approached the matchmaker Brad Goodman with Top Rank and asked him if we could have a return against Rosales to redeem ourselves. To prove to everyone that he was lucky that night and also the fact that it won’t be the same Melligen that Rosales met last year. He is totally focused now and he knows Rosales’ moves and he has the capabilities of stopping Rosales. We’re really looking to make a statement.”
Source: examiner.com
A few days ago Welterweight hopeful Mark Melligen was spotted training rigorously at Floyd Mayweather’s personal gym in Las Vegas. The Bacolod City native is getting ready for a do or die rematch against Michel Rosales, the same man who beat him last November, and his preparation for the contest spoke of the importance of the clash.
What should be noted is that Melligen’s trainer Tony Martin is taking the contest just as personal for a variety of reasons. The mild-mannered Martin has put a lot of time into bringing out the best in young Melligen and only in getting to know his full story does everything start to fall into place.
“I can’t divulge too much but I was born in London in the East end of London,” Martin said of his childhood. “It was quite a tough area. I was always getting into problems when I was young. I was getting into forms of street fights and it was eventually a policeman who got a hold of me and said ‘If you keep this up son you are gonna spend your life behind bars’.”
Despite being apparently rough around the edges, Martin would take the officer’s advice and set foot into a boxing gym for the first time. Little did he know how much that move would impact his life on many fronts as he would soon begin immersing himself in a completely new world, one full of growth, discovery, and much travel.
“He told me that I had so much aggression and that I had to take it in the ring,” Martin reflected. “Of course I took it in the ring and boxed amateur but my mother didn’t like it. I had to finish my studies and graduated as an engineer and I went around the world. I met my wife 25 years ago and we decided to get married and later moved to the Philippines. I never left there. My first involvement in the boxing world was when I worked with the Governor and I started training fighters. I remember approaching Antonio Aldeguer at the ALA gym and we started working together and became good friends.”
Martin notes that he spent about twenty years in the Philippines and it is obvious that he wouldn’t trade his experiences for the world. His relationship with ALA continued to flourish and he is now the director of overseas operations as well as serving as their chief trainer in Las Vegas. Looking back on those years in the Philippines Martin can’t help but to crack a smile and reminisce.
“Fantastic,” Martin claimed. “I can’t explain it. It’s like telling people who look at a third world country and say ‘I wouldn’t want to be there’. But until you go there you have to actually be there to realize what it’s all about. There is a different culture there and they are very kind people. They are very nice and they will give you everything they have. After my time here, maybe in another five years I may go back there.”
When asked for his thoughts on the evolution of boxing in the country Martin reveals that there has always been an abundance of talent in the Philippines but that the fighters from the country never had the right platform to display their skills. That all changed, however, once Manny Pacquiao broke onto the scene, as fellow pugilists soon had a path to follow.
“At one time in the world there was a lot of dirty promoters and managers in the Philippines who were short selling boxers and sending them overseas to places like Japan and Thailand,” Martin said. “They were getting beaten badly. Over the years people have come up like Antonio Aldeguer’s gym, ALA Promotions, Rudy Salud, and lots of others in the outside regions of the Philippines. Understand that sometime ago Americans used to think that Philippines boxers were useless and they have nothing to offer. Now that Manny has come up and others have followed him, they have realized these guys can fight. They have been given the right chance to prove everything.”
One of the brighter spots for the country as far as the boxing world is concerned is 24-year old Melligen, who sports a 18-2 record with 13 knockouts while fighting six of his last seven bouts in the States. Looking back on his union with the southpaw fighter Martin speaks of the steps that were taken to help bring the fighter along.
“Well this goes back to the ALA gym,” Martin claimed. “I’ve been training boxers in the ALA gym for so many years and Mark came to my attention two years ago. Tony Aldeguer told me this guy had a prospect and he would like for him to have more experience so he decided to bring him out here. So the first fight we had was in Colorado and after that fight we approached Top Rank and we asked Mr. Arum if he would be interested and he said ‘yeah’.”
Based in Las Vegas primarily for the last four years, Martin found it fitting to bring Melligen into town to further hone his skills. After touching base with a former champion in the area everything was lined up for the fighter to ply his craft in one of the most sought after gyms in the area where top level sparring is never hard to find.
“I knew the Mayweather Gym and I asked [Cornelius Boza Edwards] if we could train and Mark started training here,” Martin noted. “He sparred with Floyd a couple of times. Then he sparred with Devon Alexander, [Marcos] Maidana, in preparation for his fights. Floyd is a master and he is hard to hit but sometimes Mark is elusive as well. Maidana is strong as a bull and if you get punched by him you know it. Devon Alexander is a nice kid and we enjoyed sparring him for two weeks.”
What hasn’t’ been covered is the fact that Melligen wasn’t in the right frame of mind prior to his first bout with Rosales. Just moments before entering the ring Mark was shook after seeing his good friend Z Gorres collapse in the ring after his win over Luis Melendez. Gorres would be rushed to the hospital to have surgery performed to remove swelling of the brain and his career is now over. When Melligen meets Rosales for the second time Martin feels we will be seeing a completely different man in the ring.
“After the last fight with Gonzalez we approached the matchmaker Brad Goodman with Top Rank and asked him if we could have a return against Rosales to redeem ourselves. To prove to everyone that he was lucky that night and also the fact that it won’t be the same Melligen that Rosales met last year. He is totally focused now and he knows Rosales’ moves and he has the capabilities of stopping Rosales. We’re really looking to make a statement.”
Source: examiner.com
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Dela Hoya: "Megafight is almost a done deal" -- Manila Bulletin
By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin
"Up until now, it’s been a very difficult negotiation process for various reasons but right now we’re very close,” De La Hoya said in Spanish and translated by fight scribe John Chavez of boxingtruth.com.
The interview took place before the Game Four of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles and De La Hoya, who heads Golden Boy Promotions (GBP), added that “we’re very close in finalizing the contracts that were once very complicated.”
Since there is no other fight to make but pit Pacquiao and Mayweather together, De La Hoya said “the two fighters now realize that this fight must be made.”
“It has to be made because the boxing fans want to see it happen and right now it’s the biggest fight that can be made in the world,” said De La Hoya, who lost to Mayweather by decision in 2007 and to Pacquiao when he quit on his stool in 2008.
“I think right now we are very, very close in finalizing the contracts. I can’t talk right now in detail about the negotiations but I will say that we are very close,” added De La Hoya.
The past several weeks, the camps of Pacquiao and Mayweather have been mum about the status of talks regarding the fight.
The issue of random drug-testing and purse split are the talking points in the negotiations.
Source: mb.com.ph
In a shocking revelation, Oscar De La Hoya, whose promotional outfit represents Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the negotiations to stage a November 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao
, told the Spanish TV station Univision that the superfight is close to being done.
, told the Spanish TV station Univision that the superfight is close to being done."Up until now, it’s been a very difficult negotiation process for various reasons but right now we’re very close,” De La Hoya said in Spanish and translated by fight scribe John Chavez of boxingtruth.com.Since there is no other fight to make but pit Pacquiao and Mayweather together, De La Hoya said “the two fighters now realize that this fight must be made.”
“It has to be made because the boxing fans want to see it happen and right now it’s the biggest fight that can be made in the world,” said De La Hoya, who lost to Mayweather by decision in 2007 and to Pacquiao when he quit on his stool in 2008.
“I think right now we are very, very close in finalizing the contracts. I can’t talk right now in detail about the negotiations but I will say that we are very close,” added De La Hoya.
The past several weeks, the camps of Pacquiao and Mayweather have been mum about the status of talks regarding the fight.
The issue of random drug-testing and purse split are the talking points in the negotiations.
Source: mb.com.ph
Q & A with Rodel Mayol -- 15Rounds
By Anson Wainwright, 15Rounds.com
In the last year Rodel Mayol 26-4-2(20) has been involved in a career’s worth of controversial endings. His last four fights to be exact all World title fights have had unsatisfactory conclusions. First he fought Ivan Calderon for the WBO 108 crown it was his third attempt at a world title, the fight was stopped due to a terrible cut on Calderon’s forehead. It went to the scorecards and after six completed rounds it was declared a draw. Mayol’s gutsy display earned him a straight rematch, incredibly the same cut was again opened up on Calderon’s forehead. With the fight stopped in the seventh it was again it was in the hands of the judges who scored it narrowly for Calderon. Finally things went in Mayol’s favour last November when he beat long reigning WBC Light Flyweight champion Edgar Sosa. Midway through the second stanza the two fighters clashed heads violently, Sosa was badly hurt and dropped. He was ultimately stopped and left with a broken cheek bone. While many believed it should of been declared a No Contest the referee missed it and declared Mayol the victor. Last time out he fought another Mexican Omar Nino. In the third round when they were separated from a clinch and Nino cold cocked Mayol knocking him out, with the fight declared a technical draw. On 19 June they will have a rematch again in Mexico, here’s to hoping we can have a conclusive result without a hint of controversy this time.
Hello Rodel, welcome to 15rounds.com
Hi Anson, thank you for taking time to interview me. I appreciate it.
Anson Wainwright - Firstly your scheduled to make the second defence of your WBC Light Flyweight title against Omar Nino on 19 June in Mexico. You fought in February but the fight was called a no contest after you were hit late. What is your take on what happened?
Rodel Mayol - Regarding the decision on my last defence against Nino, I would sincerely would want it a disqualification for Nino if it was me to decide. Since it was what WBC has decided- I fully respect and accept it.
Anson Wainwright - Your last 4 fights have ended strangely the two with Calderon had unsatisfactory ending due to cuts and so did the Edgar Sosa fight. What are your thoughts on both Calderon fights and then the Sosa fight?
Rodel Mayol - Strange as it maybe, but these bouts are the only bouts I have ever encountered headbutts in my list of bouts. I guess it is due to clash of boxing styles between them and me. But I would like to stress out that all of these headbutts have been unintentional.
Anson Wainwright - Who is in your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?
Rodel Mayol - My coach is Jesus Arevalo. He is Freddie Roach’s assistant coach in WILDCARD GYM. Jeremiah Quijano my long-time and trusted friend is also my assistant coach. My cutman is Dr. Edgardo dela Vega. My team is small but they are very loyal and supportive to me in any way I could ask for. My manager is Mr. Manny Pacquiao and I am under MP Promotions and Top Rank.
Anson Wainwright - Could you tell us how things were for you when you were young growing up in The Philippines and how it took you into Boxing?
Rodel Mayol - It all started with my love of basketball. I never knew that I be a boxer out of it and become who I am right now.
I had a fight with a fellow player that made a bully out of me. I was beaten since I am a small boy. I lived very close by a neighbouring boxing gym, so I trained to take revenge and beat the guy in the future when we meet again. I never had the chance to beat him-I ended up being busy in boxing.
Anson Wainwright - You turned pro in 2000 and for several years looked like you may not win a World title coming up short against Eagle Kyowa & Ulises Solis & then the two fights with Ivan Calderon. How did it feel to finally win the title against Sosa?
Rodel Mayol - Every boxer wants to be a champion. I think that is the ultimate goal you need to achieve to be successful and happy in this career. I have been on a very long journey. But perseverance, hard work, love of the sport and having the heart of a champion is what it takes to bring you into this position. Sosa fight maybe the perfect timing for me- and I have been very patient and I never gave up. The defeats and heartbreaks I encountered in the shortcoming of my previous world title bouts made me stronger.
Anson Wainwright - You have fought many very talented fighters who do you feel was your toughest opponent?
Rodel Mayol - It would be Ulises Solis.
Anson Wainwright - What do you consider your best performance and why?
Rodel Mayol - I would say it was my fight with Edgar Sosa. Nobody believed me at that time any longer. I guess just got tired believing. It was the perfect timing, I was in the best condition in my entire career, and i shocked everybody.
Anson Wainwright - If you could fight anyone who would it be? What goals do you still have in Boxing?
Rodel Mayol - I do not have preference on who. But I would love to fight big names in my weight division. I intend to keep the WBC belt and defend it whatever it takes. And if God gives me more blessings, I would love to collect other belts as well.
Anson Wainwright - What do you like to do with time when your not Boxing? what are your hobbies?
Rodel Mayol - I love to go fishing. It gives me a lot of time to relax, enjoy and time to think. It has also helped me build patience and perseverance. Other than that, I spend my time with my family and friends.
Anson Wainwright - Recently Manny Pacquiao won the race to congress in The Philippines. That is a fantastic achievement. What are your thoughts on that?
Rodel Mayol - I am very happy for his success. He deserves all of it. Because of Manny, boxers especially in the Philippines has been given a higher elevation in society. Boxers are intelligent - -not mere brawlers in the ring.
Anson Wainwright - Do you have a message for Omar Nino?
Rodel Mayol - I am excited to defend my WBC belt against him the 2nd time around and I have no plan in letting anyone borrow my belt (LOL!)
Thanks for your time Rodel, good luck in your upcoming fight.
Source: 15rounds.com
In the last year Rodel Mayol 26-4-2(20) has been involved in a career’s worth of controversial endings. His last four fights to be exact all World title fights have had unsatisfactory conclusions. First he fought Ivan Calderon for the WBO 108 crown it was his third attempt at a world title, the fight was stopped due to a terrible cut on Calderon’s forehead. It went to the scorecards and after six completed rounds it was declared a draw. Mayol’s gutsy display earned him a straight rematch, incredibly the same cut was again opened up on Calderon’s forehead. With the fight stopped in the seventh it was again it was in the hands of the judges who scored it narrowly for Calderon. Finally things went in Mayol’s favour last November when he beat long reigning WBC Light Flyweight champion Edgar Sosa. Midway through the second stanza the two fighters clashed heads violently, Sosa was badly hurt and dropped. He was ultimately stopped and left with a broken cheek bone. While many believed it should of been declared a No Contest the referee missed it and declared Mayol the victor. Last time out he fought another Mexican Omar Nino. In the third round when they were separated from a clinch and Nino cold cocked Mayol knocking him out, with the fight declared a technical draw. On 19 June they will have a rematch again in Mexico, here’s to hoping we can have a conclusive result without a hint of controversy this time.
Hello Rodel, welcome to 15rounds.com
Hi Anson, thank you for taking time to interview me. I appreciate it.
Anson Wainwright - Firstly your scheduled to make the second defence of your WBC Light Flyweight title against Omar Nino on 19 June in Mexico. You fought in February but the fight was called a no contest after you were hit late. What is your take on what happened?
Rodel Mayol - Regarding the decision on my last defence against Nino, I would sincerely would want it a disqualification for Nino if it was me to decide. Since it was what WBC has decided- I fully respect and accept it.
Anson Wainwright - Your last 4 fights have ended strangely the two with Calderon had unsatisfactory ending due to cuts and so did the Edgar Sosa fight. What are your thoughts on both Calderon fights and then the Sosa fight?
Rodel Mayol - Strange as it maybe, but these bouts are the only bouts I have ever encountered headbutts in my list of bouts. I guess it is due to clash of boxing styles between them and me. But I would like to stress out that all of these headbutts have been unintentional.
Anson Wainwright - Who is in your team. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you train at?
Rodel Mayol - My coach is Jesus Arevalo. He is Freddie Roach’s assistant coach in WILDCARD GYM. Jeremiah Quijano my long-time and trusted friend is also my assistant coach. My cutman is Dr. Edgardo dela Vega. My team is small but they are very loyal and supportive to me in any way I could ask for. My manager is Mr. Manny Pacquiao and I am under MP Promotions and Top Rank.
Anson Wainwright - Could you tell us how things were for you when you were young growing up in The Philippines and how it took you into Boxing?
Rodel Mayol - It all started with my love of basketball. I never knew that I be a boxer out of it and become who I am right now.
I had a fight with a fellow player that made a bully out of me. I was beaten since I am a small boy. I lived very close by a neighbouring boxing gym, so I trained to take revenge and beat the guy in the future when we meet again. I never had the chance to beat him-I ended up being busy in boxing.
Anson Wainwright - You turned pro in 2000 and for several years looked like you may not win a World title coming up short against Eagle Kyowa & Ulises Solis & then the two fights with Ivan Calderon. How did it feel to finally win the title against Sosa?
Rodel Mayol - Every boxer wants to be a champion. I think that is the ultimate goal you need to achieve to be successful and happy in this career. I have been on a very long journey. But perseverance, hard work, love of the sport and having the heart of a champion is what it takes to bring you into this position. Sosa fight maybe the perfect timing for me- and I have been very patient and I never gave up. The defeats and heartbreaks I encountered in the shortcoming of my previous world title bouts made me stronger.
Anson Wainwright - You have fought many very talented fighters who do you feel was your toughest opponent?
Rodel Mayol - It would be Ulises Solis.
Anson Wainwright - What do you consider your best performance and why?
Rodel Mayol - I would say it was my fight with Edgar Sosa. Nobody believed me at that time any longer. I guess just got tired believing. It was the perfect timing, I was in the best condition in my entire career, and i shocked everybody.
Anson Wainwright - If you could fight anyone who would it be? What goals do you still have in Boxing?
Rodel Mayol - I do not have preference on who. But I would love to fight big names in my weight division. I intend to keep the WBC belt and defend it whatever it takes. And if God gives me more blessings, I would love to collect other belts as well.
Anson Wainwright - What do you like to do with time when your not Boxing? what are your hobbies?
Rodel Mayol - I love to go fishing. It gives me a lot of time to relax, enjoy and time to think. It has also helped me build patience and perseverance. Other than that, I spend my time with my family and friends.
Anson Wainwright - Recently Manny Pacquiao won the race to congress in The Philippines. That is a fantastic achievement. What are your thoughts on that?
Rodel Mayol - I am very happy for his success. He deserves all of it. Because of Manny, boxers especially in the Philippines has been given a higher elevation in society. Boxers are intelligent - -not mere brawlers in the ring.
Anson Wainwright - Do you have a message for Omar Nino?
Rodel Mayol - I am excited to defend my WBC belt against him the 2nd time around and I have no plan in letting anyone borrow my belt (LOL!)
Thanks for your time Rodel, good luck in your upcoming fight.
Source: 15rounds.com
Friday, 11 June 2010
Former Eminem protege disses Manny Pacquiao in lyrics -- Examiner
By Marv Dumon, Examiner.com
Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9", 
otherwise known as Ryan Montgomery, recently dissed boxing king Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2) on the rapper's just released Bar Exam 3 Mixtape.
In one of his lyrics from the mixtape:
I've got a hustler flow
For $50 mil [million]
I will drink Manny Pacquiao's blood
And watch my muscles grow
You b****!
The lyrics imply Pacquiao's blood contains steroids.
The rapper, known for his earlier association with Grammy Award-winning Eminem, also dissed rising hip hop star Drake in the same song.
Eminem, otherwise known as Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is the best selling recording artist of the decade of the 2000s, having sold over 80 million albums worldwide.
Eminem, who is also from Detroit, took Royce da 5'9" earlier in the decade as a protege, but the latter never broke into mainstream awareness.
Pacquiao has never failed any drug tests, and filed a defamation lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions and the camp of his main rival Floyd Mayweather, Jr alleging false accusations of performance enhancing drug use.
Pacquiao's spotless medical record, however, have seen recent fighters such as Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron, Britain's Ricky Hatton and David Haye, and Americans Paulie Malignaggi and Nate Campbell as either doubting the Filipino's recent phenomenal ring success and / or calling for more stringent drug tests prior to fights.
Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr (41-0) was recently interviewed by MTV, together with rapper 50 Cent.
Mayweather expressed his concerns over 50 Cent's recent extreme weight loss in which the latter reportedly lost about 56 lbs in nine weeks. The rapper's weight loss was aimed for a role in an upcoming movie "Things Fall Apart" in which 50 Cent plays a cancer-stricken football player.
Additionally, Mayweather disclosed that it is better to execute running routines in the streets as opposed to doing it on a treadmill.
50 Cent went from around 220 lbs to about 160 lbs in a little over two months by going on a strict liquid diet. According to fellow rapper Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent stored and consumed dozens of Icee drinks as food substitute.
Additionally, Mayweather disclosed that it is better to execute running routines in the streets as opposed to doing it on a treadmill.
50 Cent went from around 220 lbs to about 160 lbs in a little over two months by going on a strict liquid diet. According to fellow rapper Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent stored and consumed dozens of Icee drinks as food substitute.
Sugar Ray Leonard visits Montreal
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard visited Montreal and signed memorabilia for fans. Montreal was the site of Leonard's historic showdown with Panamanian Roberto Duran, which Leonard lost by a 15th round decision. Leonard entered the fight at 27-0 while Duran sported a 71-1 record.
Asked by a reporter what Leonard thought of Floyd Mayweather, Jr, the boxing legend replied "I already knocked out his father."
Source: examiner.com
Detroit rapper Royce da 5'9", otherwise known as Ryan Montgomery, recently dissed boxing king Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2) on the rapper's just released Bar Exam 3 Mixtape. In one of his lyrics from the mixtape:
I've got a hustler flow
For $50 mil [million]
I will drink Manny Pacquiao's blood
And watch my muscles grow
You b****!
The lyrics imply Pacquiao's blood contains steroids.
The rapper, known for his earlier association with Grammy Award-winning Eminem, also dissed rising hip hop star Drake in the same song.
Eminem, otherwise known as Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is the best selling recording artist of the decade of the 2000s, having sold over 80 million albums worldwide.
Eminem, who is also from Detroit, took Royce da 5'9" earlier in the decade as a protege, but the latter never broke into mainstream awareness.
Pacquiao has never failed any drug tests, and filed a defamation lawsuit against Golden Boy Promotions and the camp of his main rival Floyd Mayweather, Jr alleging false accusations of performance enhancing drug use.
Pacquiao's spotless medical record, however, have seen recent fighters such as Puerto Rican Kermit Cintron, Britain's Ricky Hatton and David Haye, and Americans Paulie Malignaggi and Nate Campbell as either doubting the Filipino's recent phenomenal ring success and / or calling for more stringent drug tests prior to fights.
Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr (41-0) was recently interviewed by MTV, together with rapper 50 Cent.
Mayweather expressed his concerns over 50 Cent's recent extreme weight loss in which the latter reportedly lost about 56 lbs in nine weeks. The rapper's weight loss was aimed for a role in an upcoming movie "Things Fall Apart" in which 50 Cent plays a cancer-stricken football player.
Additionally, Mayweather disclosed that it is better to execute running routines in the streets as opposed to doing it on a treadmill.
50 Cent went from around 220 lbs to about 160 lbs in a little over two months by going on a strict liquid diet. According to fellow rapper Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent stored and consumed dozens of Icee drinks as food substitute.
Additionally, Mayweather disclosed that it is better to execute running routines in the streets as opposed to doing it on a treadmill.
50 Cent went from around 220 lbs to about 160 lbs in a little over two months by going on a strict liquid diet. According to fellow rapper Lloyd Banks, 50 Cent stored and consumed dozens of Icee drinks as food substitute.
Sugar Ray Leonard visits Montreal
Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard visited Montreal and signed memorabilia for fans. Montreal was the site of Leonard's historic showdown with Panamanian Roberto Duran, which Leonard lost by a 15th round decision. Leonard entered the fight at 27-0 while Duran sported a 71-1 record.
Asked by a reporter what Leonard thought of Floyd Mayweather, Jr, the boxing legend replied "I already knocked out his father."
Source: examiner.com
Nevada, USADA meeting is first step in a renewal of talks for Pacquiao-Mayweather -- 15Rounds
By Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.comThe silence isn’t exactly deafening. But it is encouraging. Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer isn’t saying anything at all. Bob Arum is commenting only on location- location- location, which was one piece of real estate agreeable to all before negotiations for Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. got messy enough to demand that everybody go straight to drug testing.
It even looks as if Mayweather has sidestepped questions about Pacquiao by saying he has retired all over again. Yeah, right. Believe that one and you’ll believe British Petroleum’s early assertions that spewing oil from the Gulf of Mexico’s sea floor was as easy to fix as a leaky toilet.
After a noisy and abrupt end to talks late last year, the absence of chest-thumping, defiant headlines is as good a place to resume as any. The mystery is whether there been any substantive talk at all about a proposed fight on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand or Thomas & Mack Center. The guess here: Not much.
But the beginning, a, potential foundation, of a deal looks to be in the works where it should have been all along:
The Nevada State Athletic Commission.
On Wednesday, the Commission heard from U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart, former chief U.S. Olympic Committee medical officer Dr. Robert Voy, commission physician Dr. David Watson and others about random blood testing, the deal breaking issue in December.
Then, the Commission got about as much respect as a tar ball when Mayweather suddenly demanded Olympic-style testing and Pacquiao balked. Despite the Nevada’s agency’s regulatory duties, it didn’t appear to have much of a role months later in the USADA-supervised blood-testing before Mayweather’s victory over Shane Mosley on May 1. Mayweather and Mosley were represented by the same entity, Golden Boy, instead of feuding promotional concerns.
There was progress in Mosley-Mayweather, perhaps, because the random testing went on with few complaints from either fighter. But it will never work in negotiations between Top Rank-promoted Pacquiao and representatives for Mayweather without a supervisory agency that so far only conducts urine testing.
It will be very hard – make that impossible — to put together a deal without a buffer between USADA and Mayweather, whose demand initiated talk ,if not momentum, for Olympic style testing in boxing. If Mayweather can take himself – retire his mouth – from the process long enough for he Nevada Commission to make some kind of accommodation with USADA, then there’s chance.
Some of what was said Wednesday was intriguing. In boxing circles, random blood testing for a variety of drugs is often described in terms that make it sound unbeatable. Voy pointed out that it is not.
Testing for human growth hormone (HGH), he said, is unreliable and impractical. For anybody who has spent times at the Olympics, those are two words often used at pool side during the swimming or at the track between heats.
Instead of guarantees, there are only suspicions.
But a framework for blood-testing sanctioned by the Nevada Commission could create a springboard for negotiations between Arum and Schaefer, Pacquiao and Mayweather. The meeting Wednesday was only a beginning. Between Arum and Schaefer, Pacquiao and Mayweather, there is no room for compromise over the method or the timetable or even the concept. We already know that.
However, Pacquiao has said he would be willing to undergo a blood test within two weeks of opening bell, or within the reported window when HGH can still be detected.
Pacquiao has shown signs that he willing to compromise. But he also has shown that he will just say no to demands from Mayweather or Schaefer or Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe.
For now, he must like what he is hearing.
Or not hearing.
Source: 15rounds.com
Manny Pacquiao: Serving the People or the Pugilist? -- Ringside Report
By Daniel “Tex” Cohen, Ringside Report
I don’t really like politicians.
And fighters? They focus on getting wins.
Manny Pacquiao is both a fighter and a politician. I don’t think Pacquiao has necessarily been beaten into a man with no morals in higher office in the Philippines. In fact, I think he is just the sort of revolutionary political figure that could take a small, impoverished country and inspire it to a higher level. At least, I hope that he is.
Even Mayweather fans should hope he can help people, right?
The question is whether or not Manny the Politician can still be Manny the boxer. And that is a very, very big question.
There have been athletic politicians before.
In America, Senator Jim Bunning had a long baseball career before giving Washington, DC a go. Bill Bradley was a heck of a basketball player before winning a senate seat and running for President, prevented from the highest perch in the primary phase by former Vice President Al Gore. Former action hero and body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger took the opportunity to defeat the corrupt Grey Davis and his crony Cruz Bustamante in a crippled California during a particularly unusual recount scenario more than five years ago.
Hell, even President William Howard Taft used to be a pitcher. Coincidentally, Taft was also Governor General of the Philippines, but that’s neither here nor there.
What I wonder about is whether or not I will like the political Manny Pacquiao as much as I like the pugilistic one. Manny the fighter speaks with his fists and has picked up enough English along the way to express the obscure remaining part of the story.
Pacquiao is damn near a mythical creature, almost a super hero that shows up to give his foes what-for from time to time just to show that he’s still around.
Frankly, I always like Batman better than the commissioner. I don’t think I’m alone in that.
The other obvious question is whether or not Pacquiao can actually properly perform his duties as a public servant and still continue to fight. The crime rate in his home country is zero during his pay per views; Theoretically, the best way for him to serve the public is to never stop fighting.
Of course, the people would eventually get tired of the fights (never mind the fact that fighting every day is impossible). Yet there is a small, underlying truth to the idea that politics may not be the best avenue for Pacquiao. He has never been a particularly impressive speaker.
He has provided no real reason to think he is particularly excellent with budgets or public services.
I don’t know what he thinks of foreign policy, the future of Asia, or the economic system that would best suit his people.
Frankly, there is little to nothing aside from his natural fighting ability and the popularity that has come with it that would tell me he can do the job of public service.
Mind you, that is not to say he can’t do it.
Pacquiao is clearly a “winner”, and outsiders from unusual sources tend to be the kind of politician (if there is any) that I like. I just haven’t seen any evidence as of yet that Pacquiao can do the job.
I applaud the Boxing media that have asked if Pacquiao can continue to fight effectively while he is in office. However, if Manny has overplayed his hand and cannot perform both duties, his failure as a fighter will mainly affect him and his family.
Sure, there are those that would lose spirit if they saw their man lose, but the welts, bruises, cuts, and monetary losses incurred would be in the possession of Pacquiao himself.
I wonder about the more significant question: Can Manny serve the people while he is still strapping on a pair of Boxing gloves?
If Pacquiao fails as a fighter, he runs the risk of getting knocked out. If he fails as a Congressman, he runs the risk of getting his country knocked out.
You wonder why I don’t like politicians…
Source: ringsidereport.com
I don’t really like politicians.
I know that statement is a bit prejudiced in its absolutism, but I figure that I may as well be up front about my own biases. Politicians
have to contort their image and their intentions into something twisted and ugly to win races. While businessmen focus on making money and journalists focus on getting stories, politicians focus on getting votes.
have to contort their image and their intentions into something twisted and ugly to win races. While businessmen focus on making money and journalists focus on getting stories, politicians focus on getting votes. And fighters? They focus on getting wins.
Manny Pacquiao is both a fighter and a politician. I don’t think Pacquiao has necessarily been beaten into a man with no morals in higher office in the Philippines. In fact, I think he is just the sort of revolutionary political figure that could take a small, impoverished country and inspire it to a higher level. At least, I hope that he is.Even Mayweather fans should hope he can help people, right?
The question is whether or not Manny the Politician can still be Manny the boxer. And that is a very, very big question.
There have been athletic politicians before.
In America, Senator Jim Bunning had a long baseball career before giving Washington, DC a go. Bill Bradley was a heck of a basketball player before winning a senate seat and running for President, prevented from the highest perch in the primary phase by former Vice President Al Gore. Former action hero and body builder Arnold Schwarzenegger took the opportunity to defeat the corrupt Grey Davis and his crony Cruz Bustamante in a crippled California during a particularly unusual recount scenario more than five years ago.
Hell, even President William Howard Taft used to be a pitcher. Coincidentally, Taft was also Governor General of the Philippines, but that’s neither here nor there.
What I wonder about is whether or not I will like the political Manny Pacquiao as much as I like the pugilistic one. Manny the fighter speaks with his fists and has picked up enough English along the way to express the obscure remaining part of the story.
Pacquiao is damn near a mythical creature, almost a super hero that shows up to give his foes what-for from time to time just to show that he’s still around.
Frankly, I always like Batman better than the commissioner. I don’t think I’m alone in that.
The other obvious question is whether or not Pacquiao can actually properly perform his duties as a public servant and still continue to fight. The crime rate in his home country is zero during his pay per views; Theoretically, the best way for him to serve the public is to never stop fighting.
Of course, the people would eventually get tired of the fights (never mind the fact that fighting every day is impossible). Yet there is a small, underlying truth to the idea that politics may not be the best avenue for Pacquiao. He has never been a particularly impressive speaker.
He has provided no real reason to think he is particularly excellent with budgets or public services.
I don’t know what he thinks of foreign policy, the future of Asia, or the economic system that would best suit his people.
Frankly, there is little to nothing aside from his natural fighting ability and the popularity that has come with it that would tell me he can do the job of public service.
Mind you, that is not to say he can’t do it.
Pacquiao is clearly a “winner”, and outsiders from unusual sources tend to be the kind of politician (if there is any) that I like. I just haven’t seen any evidence as of yet that Pacquiao can do the job.
I applaud the Boxing media that have asked if Pacquiao can continue to fight effectively while he is in office. However, if Manny has overplayed his hand and cannot perform both duties, his failure as a fighter will mainly affect him and his family.
Sure, there are those that would lose spirit if they saw their man lose, but the welts, bruises, cuts, and monetary losses incurred would be in the possession of Pacquiao himself.
I wonder about the more significant question: Can Manny serve the people while he is still strapping on a pair of Boxing gloves?
If Pacquiao fails as a fighter, he runs the risk of getting knocked out. If he fails as a Congressman, he runs the risk of getting his country knocked out.
You wonder why I don’t like politicians…
Source: ringsidereport.com
Dana White on Chuck Liddell’s return, blood testing and Mauricio Rua’s surgery -- Las Vegas Sun
By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun
VANCOUVER — The UFC is in Vancouver, Canada, for the first time in company history after a long period of negotiating that nearly saw the deal fall through because of high demands placed on the organization by the host city.
Eventually everything came together and UFC president Dana White took center stage Thursday at GM Place for the pre-fight press conference leading up to Saturday's UFC 115.
White is known for sitting down and shooting straight answers to any questions the media may have leading up to an event. Here are a few highlights from Thursday's chat.
Mauricio Shogun Rua has knee surgery again
White confirmed reports that newly crowned light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has had to undergo knee surgery for the second time in two years.
The procedure apparently has gone well in Los Angeles, and Rua now will spend the next five weeks rehabbing the injury in Las Vegas, according to White.
It was reported that Rua had injured the left knee prior to taking the belt from Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, a report the UFC refused to confirm.
White stuck with his story that Rua suffered the injury during the Machida fight and not before — however, he wasn't very convincing.
"He needed it after the fight," said White, with a grin. "He got hurt in the fight."
White not ready to take UFC to NFL and MLB stadiums
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has made it clear he intends to take boxing matches outside of the traditional confines of Las Vegas.
In March, Arum took his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao to Dallas Cowboys Stadium and recently held a fight between Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman at the new Yankee Stadium.
White was impressed by the show in Dallas but not nearly as much by the one in New York. He went on to add that the only place he has a strong desire to take the UFC to right now would be Fenway Park, because of its smaller size.
"I didn't think that (New York) show looked good on TV," White said. "With the amount of people they had, they could have done it at (Madison Square Garden). That place looked enormous, and it looked more than half-empty.
"I like smaller venues. I just don't want to lose that experience you feel when you go to a live event."
White to his fighters: Leave drug testing to the commissions
White publicly has given his opinion on several occasions that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is wrong in demanding Manny Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style blood tests in their proposed fight.
So, of course, White was a little disgusted when UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck recently said in an interview he would like to implement blood tests for his next fight against Georges St. Pierre, which is expected to happen in December.
Currently, the Nevada State Athletic Commission requires fighters to undergo urine tests, not blood tests.
According to White, what's good for the commissions is good for him.
"I think that's what an athletic commission is for," White said. "The athletic commissions have been around for a long time. When fighters start talking about other guys being drug tested? Shut up. Worry about you.
"It's been a long time since somebody tested positive for steroids. When we first took over, guys were popping here and there and I said, 'You have to be a moron to do steroids in this sport.' It's just dumb."
White went on to say that the UFC actually brings in DEA agents to talk to fighters about the consequences of taking steroids.
Cro Cop in surprisingly good mood
The usually subdued Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic has been noticeably upbeat headed into his co-main event fight against Pat Barry at UFC 115.
During Thursday's press conference, Filipovic cracked a couple of jokes that had everyone laughing — something that surprised White even more because of the fact that "some things" have happened to Filipovic that White wouldn't elaborate on.
"It's crazy he's in good spirits," White said. "He's gone through some things since he's been here that nobody knows about. It's nothing that will affect the fight, but it's awesome he's in such good spirits."
Filipovic is in the last fight on his UFC contract and when asked if the UFC would want to keep him around, White was vague, although he did say a win over Barry would be highly impressive.
"I have a lot of respect for Pat Barry," White said. "Pat is a very motivated, tough guy and if Mikro beats him it's interesting."
Chuck Liddell was a zombie
Back when the eleventh season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' went into production, Tito Ortiz dropped a bombshell on MMA media when he announced that Chuck Liddell was a recovering alcoholic.
Both Liddell and White responded by saying the claim was completely false, however White did admit Thursday that biggest factor in Liddell's fall from the top of the light heavyweight division was his partying.
White said Liddell has earned the right to get back into competition since making changes to his lifestyle and actually credited his appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars' as what sparked his comeback.
"It's going to be something interesting to see on Saturday," White said. "Chuck Liddell was a zombie, man, literally walking around like a zombie. You can't go out and party every night, roll into camp for four weeks and come out and fight.
"This guy took a lot of time off, which I'm usually not a big fan of because ring rust is real, but Chuck Liddell needed that time off. As goofy as this sounds, that time on 'Dancing with the Stars' was good for him. He started getting in shape for that show and has continued up until now.
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.
Source: lasvegassun.com
VANCOUVER — The UFC is in Vancouver, Canada, for the first time in company history after a long period of negotiating that nearly saw the deal fall through because of high demands placed on the organization by the host city.
Eventually everything came together and UFC president Dana White took center stage Thursday at GM Place for the pre-fight press conference leading up to Saturday's UFC 115.
White is known for sitting down and shooting straight answers to any questions the media may have leading up to an event. Here are a few highlights from Thursday's chat.
Mauricio Shogun Rua has knee surgery again
White confirmed reports that newly crowned light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has had to undergo knee surgery for the second time in two years.
The procedure apparently has gone well in Los Angeles, and Rua now will spend the next five weeks rehabbing the injury in Las Vegas, according to White.
It was reported that Rua had injured the left knee prior to taking the belt from Lyoto Machida at UFC 113, a report the UFC refused to confirm.
White stuck with his story that Rua suffered the injury during the Machida fight and not before — however, he wasn't very convincing.
"He needed it after the fight," said White, with a grin. "He got hurt in the fight."
White not ready to take UFC to NFL and MLB stadiums
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum has made it clear he intends to take boxing matches outside of the traditional confines of Las Vegas.
In March, Arum took his prized fighter Manny Pacquiao to Dallas Cowboys Stadium and recently held a fight between Miguel Cotto and Yuri Foreman at the new Yankee Stadium.
White was impressed by the show in Dallas but not nearly as much by the one in New York. He went on to add that the only place he has a strong desire to take the UFC to right now would be Fenway Park, because of its smaller size.
"I didn't think that (New York) show looked good on TV," White said. "With the amount of people they had, they could have done it at (Madison Square Garden). That place looked enormous, and it looked more than half-empty.
"I like smaller venues. I just don't want to lose that experience you feel when you go to a live event."
White to his fighters: Leave drug testing to the commissions
White publicly has given his opinion on several occasions that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is wrong in demanding Manny Pacquiao undergo Olympic-style blood tests in their proposed fight.
So, of course, White was a little disgusted when UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck recently said in an interview he would like to implement blood tests for his next fight against Georges St. Pierre, which is expected to happen in December.
Currently, the Nevada State Athletic Commission requires fighters to undergo urine tests, not blood tests.
According to White, what's good for the commissions is good for him.
"I think that's what an athletic commission is for," White said. "The athletic commissions have been around for a long time. When fighters start talking about other guys being drug tested? Shut up. Worry about you.
"It's been a long time since somebody tested positive for steroids. When we first took over, guys were popping here and there and I said, 'You have to be a moron to do steroids in this sport.' It's just dumb."
White went on to say that the UFC actually brings in DEA agents to talk to fighters about the consequences of taking steroids.
Cro Cop in surprisingly good mood
The usually subdued Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic has been noticeably upbeat headed into his co-main event fight against Pat Barry at UFC 115.
During Thursday's press conference, Filipovic cracked a couple of jokes that had everyone laughing — something that surprised White even more because of the fact that "some things" have happened to Filipovic that White wouldn't elaborate on.
"It's crazy he's in good spirits," White said. "He's gone through some things since he's been here that nobody knows about. It's nothing that will affect the fight, but it's awesome he's in such good spirits."
Filipovic is in the last fight on his UFC contract and when asked if the UFC would want to keep him around, White was vague, although he did say a win over Barry would be highly impressive.
"I have a lot of respect for Pat Barry," White said. "Pat is a very motivated, tough guy and if Mikro beats him it's interesting."
Chuck Liddell was a zombie
Back when the eleventh season of 'The Ultimate Fighter' went into production, Tito Ortiz dropped a bombshell on MMA media when he announced that Chuck Liddell was a recovering alcoholic.
Both Liddell and White responded by saying the claim was completely false, however White did admit Thursday that biggest factor in Liddell's fall from the top of the light heavyweight division was his partying.
White said Liddell has earned the right to get back into competition since making changes to his lifestyle and actually credited his appearance on 'Dancing with the Stars' as what sparked his comeback.
"It's going to be something interesting to see on Saturday," White said. "Chuck Liddell was a zombie, man, literally walking around like a zombie. You can't go out and party every night, roll into camp for four weeks and come out and fight.
"This guy took a lot of time off, which I'm usually not a big fan of because ring rust is real, but Chuck Liddell needed that time off. As goofy as this sounds, that time on 'Dancing with the Stars' was good for him. He started getting in shape for that show and has continued up until now.
Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com.
Source: lasvegassun.com
Ricky Hatton accuses Manny Pacquiao of taking PEDs; Questions Manny's 'cleanness' when they fought -- Examiner
By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com
Retired boxer, Ricky Hatton
has made some major waves over the last few days with his 'shouts' from the sidelines. Hatton publicly attacked Manny Pacquiao's integrity by questioning Manny's success against him in their fight last year.
In fact, Hatton goes as far as insinuating that Manny has cheated to get where he is in the sport of boxing. Is this the talk of a sore loser? Let's examiner further:
Olympic-style drug testing
“I could have had those rules, but I wasn’t bothered. Maybe in hindsight, I should have done I must admit, I fancied my chances against Manny." Hatton, The National
In hindsight, you shouldn't have taken the fight. In hindsight, you weren't as good as the hype. This hindsight game is fun. In hindsight, perhaps you should have not taken Manny Pacquiao so lightly. In hindsight, maybe Ricky Hatton was taking PEDs to cut weight. Have you seen how big he gets when not training? Hey Ricky, the hindsight game goes both ways.
Manny's recent fights
"A few years ago he was getting knocked down by little men like [Juan Manuel] Marquez, then all of a sudden he is knocking out Oscar de la Hoya, myself and [Miguel] Cotto, who are powerhouses in comparison." Hatton, The National
It wasn't like Manny KO'd Cotto and Oscar in one punch. He broke them down over the fight with speed, superior conditioning, and an unrelenting volume of punches. But in Hatton's case, Manny Pacquiao KO'd him in one punch. Perhaps, Ricky Hatton didn't have the chin that Oscar, Juan, and Cotto have. And just because Juan and Manny go toe-to-toe doesn't mean it will happen with every fighter that Manny faces. Some fighters just match up better than others....
Ricky Accuses Manny
“It is a little bit strange. He could be on what Floyd is accusing him of [performance-enhancing substances], or it could be that he is just a great fighter who has improved. We will never know.” Hatton, The National
If we are going to sit here and question Manny's integrity then we might as well question every fighter's integrity over the last decade because any fighter could have beat a urine test. Maybe Ricky Hatton was on PEDs when he fought Floyd Jr and got off when he faced Manny.
Maybe Hatton was on PEDs until fought Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. Perhaps, that's the reason why Ricky was undefeated. Sitting here and accusing someone without proof is a waste of time and an insult. Ricky needs to enjoy retirement and quit causing a raucous just to get attention.
Predictions for fight with Floyd and Manny
“I think Floyd is too good defensively. He is so hard to hit, and I think he might ultimately just have a few too many tricks up his sleeves for Manny. I think they are both greats, no matter what they do now. Whoever won a fight between the two of them would become an all-time great.” Hatton, The National
I don't think Floyd Jr has anymore tricks up his sleeve. If you ask Freddie Roach, he's tell you that Floyd has lost a step and has become 'flat-footed'. I don't necessarily agree with Freddie but I do think Manny is faster than Floyd at this stage in their careers. And I do think that if Manny can get Floyd Jr in the same predicament that Shane Mosley got him in during the 2nd round of their fight, then I believe Manny will finish him off. And for the first time in this entire interview, I agree with Ricky. The winner would become an unquestioned all-time great.
Source: examiner.com
Retired boxer, Ricky Hatton
has made some major waves over the last few days with his 'shouts' from the sidelines. Hatton publicly attacked Manny Pacquiao's integrity by questioning Manny's success against him in their fight last year. In fact, Hatton goes as far as insinuating that Manny has cheated to get where he is in the sport of boxing. Is this the talk of a sore loser? Let's examiner further:Olympic-style drug testing
“I could have had those rules, but I wasn’t bothered. Maybe in hindsight, I should have done I must admit, I fancied my chances against Manny." Hatton, The National
In hindsight, you shouldn't have taken the fight. In hindsight, you weren't as good as the hype. This hindsight game is fun. In hindsight, perhaps you should have not taken Manny Pacquiao so lightly. In hindsight, maybe Ricky Hatton was taking PEDs to cut weight. Have you seen how big he gets when not training? Hey Ricky, the hindsight game goes both ways.
Manny's recent fights
"A few years ago he was getting knocked down by little men like [Juan Manuel] Marquez, then all of a sudden he is knocking out Oscar de la Hoya, myself and [Miguel] Cotto, who are powerhouses in comparison." Hatton, The National
It wasn't like Manny KO'd Cotto and Oscar in one punch. He broke them down over the fight with speed, superior conditioning, and an unrelenting volume of punches. But in Hatton's case, Manny Pacquiao KO'd him in one punch. Perhaps, Ricky Hatton didn't have the chin that Oscar, Juan, and Cotto have. And just because Juan and Manny go toe-to-toe doesn't mean it will happen with every fighter that Manny faces. Some fighters just match up better than others....
Ricky Accuses Manny
“It is a little bit strange. He could be on what Floyd is accusing him of [performance-enhancing substances], or it could be that he is just a great fighter who has improved. We will never know.” Hatton, The National
If we are going to sit here and question Manny's integrity then we might as well question every fighter's integrity over the last decade because any fighter could have beat a urine test. Maybe Ricky Hatton was on PEDs when he fought Floyd Jr and got off when he faced Manny.
Maybe Hatton was on PEDs until fought Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. Perhaps, that's the reason why Ricky was undefeated. Sitting here and accusing someone without proof is a waste of time and an insult. Ricky needs to enjoy retirement and quit causing a raucous just to get attention.
Predictions for fight with Floyd and Manny
“I think Floyd is too good defensively. He is so hard to hit, and I think he might ultimately just have a few too many tricks up his sleeves for Manny. I think they are both greats, no matter what they do now. Whoever won a fight between the two of them would become an all-time great.” Hatton, The National
I don't think Floyd Jr has anymore tricks up his sleeve. If you ask Freddie Roach, he's tell you that Floyd has lost a step and has become 'flat-footed'. I don't necessarily agree with Freddie but I do think Manny is faster than Floyd at this stage in their careers. And I do think that if Manny can get Floyd Jr in the same predicament that Shane Mosley got him in during the 2nd round of their fight, then I believe Manny will finish him off. And for the first time in this entire interview, I agree with Ricky. The winner would become an unquestioned all-time great.
Source: examiner.com
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