Manny Pacquiao Cherry Picks His Opponents And Acts Like A King -- Now Boxing

By Heath Chavez, Now Boxing

It seems the consensus is that when it comes to the matchmaking process of who Manny Pacquiao fights it’s ultimately Bob Arum and Freddie Roach’s decision.

This is one of the biggest lies in boxing. Top Rank promotions Bob Arum and boxing trainer Freddie Roach don’t pick who they want Manny Pacquiao to fight next, it’s Manny who has the final say and chooses his opponents.

Whatever Manny wants Arum and Roach give him. Arum recently told AOL Fanhouse that he will be flying to the Philippines on Dec. 12 and will be there around the time of Pacquiao’s 32nd birthday on December 17. He also said that he will fly there with a list of opponents for Manny Pacquiao to pick from if Floyd Mayweather Jr. is unavailable to fight and the short list includes Shane Mosley, Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez. We all know who Manny is going to pick, he fits all the previous criteria of Pacquiao foes, old, washed up, coming off loses….yes…you guessed right, “Sugar” Shane Mosley!!!

Arum doesn’t choose, it’s Manny himself who is the cherry picker, he already came out in the open and said a third fight with Marquez wouldn’t draw interest, which is a lie, that fight would do better numbers than the 700,000 ppv buys Pacquiao did with Joshua Clottey. Marquez vs. Pacquiao will sell easy because Pacquiao and Marquez have a long rivalry together, rivalry and history is easy to market, it’s like Lakers vs. Celtics, in boxing you have Philippines vs. Mexico, or Pacquiao vs. Mexico, and many fans including myself believe Marquez won both fights against Pacquiao.

I’m not a Pacquiao hater, I don’t want to see him in with guys that are too big for him like Sergio Martinez or Paul Williams because that is asking too much of a guy who fought at 112 pounds and already went above and beyond expectations in climbing up in weight. All I want from Pacquiao is what all the boxing fans want and that is to see him fight someone coming off a winning record, someone who is not slow but has speed and power, and someone that would make the fight competitive.

This is why I consider Juan Manuel Marquez a true throwback fighter, a real Mexican warrior, he doesn’t cherry pick his opponents he fights the best fighters to test his skills. Marquez has fought so many tough hungry young fighters and he beats them in some tough wars. Manny Pacquiao looked like he wanted to quit in both Marquez fights, his punch output was lower and he was scared to trade with Marquez.

Manny cherry picks easy fights to make him the most money and makes him look good by having them weight drained before a fight affecting their performance in the fight.

Manny knows about the business side of boxing now. He is now a politician and probably influenced by the greedy money men around him, he is no longer that poor Filipino kid stealing from the old people on the streets. Manny is to blame for the poor choice of opponents, there is no excuses anymore, don’t buy into the image that he is an uneducated third worlder who doesn’t know about signing contracts or business. Manny knows what he is doing and he acts like everyone is a servant to him, he has people who have to feed him food, and massage his feet while he watches television. A guy who really is humble and cares about people doesn’t make airplanes full of passengers delay flights for one hour. These are not the actions of a humble and considerate man.

Manny had everyone fooled. Politics is perfect for him, he likes to put on an innocent facade but deep down he knows how to manipulate, and he has a lot of people buying into his hype. If Manny fights Shane Mosley instead of Marquez or Andre Berto it proves my point and I hope those reading this will wake up and realize the truth.

Source: nowboxing.com

If Floyd Jr keeps 'ducking' then Pacquiao will face Marquez, Mosley, or Berto -- Examiner

By Rick Rockwell, Examiner.com

So, it all comes down to how much "intestinal fortitude" Floyd Mayweather Jr has. If we go by his recent history then it's clear that Floyd Jr wants no part of Manny Pacquiao. In fact, he rather retire or get arrested than sign a contract to fight boxing's pound for pound champion. It's clear that all it would take is for Floyd Jr to sign his name on a contract, an even purse, and a negotiated window for drug testing and everything is golden. It's funny how we haven't heard much from the Mayweathers about the drug accusations of Manny after he destroyed Margarito.

I'm going to predict that Floyd Jr will duck Manny again and force Top Rank Promotions to go to Plan B or Plan C. According to Bob Arum, there are 3 other potential fights that he will discuss with Manny for the next fight; which probably won't be until April or May.

In an interview with Fanhouse, Arum had the following to say about Manny's next opponent:

" Assuming that Mayweather doesn't surface, I will present to Manny, hopefully, three proposals. The Mosley deal is one. I have yet to talk to [Andre Berto's promoter] Lou DiBella for us to talk about the deal, but he knows the format. And I will also present to Manny the Marquez deal."

Let's examine these potential match ups further.

Shane Mosley

Back in March when Floyd Mayweather Jr defeated Shane Mosley, everyone was stating how old and tired Shane looked. Why would Manny Pacquiao want to fight a washed up fighter like Mosley? I can't even see how this fight is an option. Manny enjoys fighting for his fans but I haven't heard many fans shout that they want to see him fight Mosley. Manny has very few fights left in his career and facing Mosley is a now win situation. He would be heavily favored to win. And if somehow lightning struck Manny in the middle of the ring and Mosley gets credit for the KO, then it would do more damage to Manny's legacy than good. There's absolutely no upside to this.

Andre Berto

I am actually intrigued with this match up. I think Andre Berto has potential and can provide a better challenge to Pacquiao than Antonio Margarito or Joshua Clottey did. Berto is 27-0 and the current WBC welterweight champion. I believe this fight would draw more attention than the Margarito or Clottey fight within the boxing community but not within the general public. I say, give Berto one more fight against a known fighter and then line him up against Pacquiao. Perhaps, Berto vs. Mosley?

Juan Manuel Marquez

Here's what Arum had to say about Marquez in the same interview with Fanhouse:

"Well, there are two key things with Marquez that are important. One is their fight will be at 147 pound.So, again, I know exactly what Marquez got for the Mayweather fight, alright? And he lost that fight. So, at best, he's not entitled to any more than that.Why should he get more money to fight Manny than he got to fight Mayweather? Why? So, you know, I don't need a big negotiation. And we're not going to need to negotiate with [Golden Boy CEO] Richard Schaefer or anybody like that."

For my thoughts on the matchup between Pacquiao and Marquez,

I personally would like to see Manny fight Marquez one more time. I would love to see Manny put the final nail in Marquez's career. In fact, Freddie Roach shares the same sentiments. Roach has been very vocal in saying he would love to see Manny knockout Juan Manuel Marquez.

Of course, many of Pacquiao's fans take it a step further and say they would love to see Manny knockout Juan "the urinator" Marquez. This is in reference to Marquez's consumption of urine. We won't go any further into this topic because it makes me sick.

If Katsidis wins tonight, I think that the prospects of a fight with Marquez would be destroyed. However, I don't see any reason for Pacquiao to fight Katsidis no matter how much he publicly challenges Manny.

I would prefer Manny fight a rematch with Miguel Cotto or face Andre Berto. A fight with Katsidis does nothing for me and from most fans from the feedback that I have received over this potential matchup.

Clearly, the PacWatch is on as to whom he fights next. I predict Pacquiao has two or three more fights left in his career and that's only if he doesn't fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. If he fights Mayweather Jr and wins, then we will see Manny ride off into the sunset like a conquering hero.

Source: examiner.com

Arum's Plan for Pacquiao: Marquez, Mosley or Berto if no Mayweather -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Top Rank Promotions CEO Bob Arum told FanHouse on Sunday that he hopes to have a deal in place by Dec. 19 for southpaw Manny Pacquiao to face WBA and WBO lightweight (135 pounds) king Juan Manuel Marquez, WBC welterweight (147 pounds) belt-holder Andre Berto, or five-time champ Shane Mosley, that is, if nothing materializes with unbeaten six-time titlist Floyd Mayweather.

The 37-year-old Marquez (52-5-1, 38 knockouts) battled Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) to a disputed draw, and lost a controversial, split-decision, respectively, in May of 2004, and, March, 2008, but is coming off of Saturday night's HBO televised, ninth-round knockout of former WBO interim champ Michael Katsidis (27-3, 22 KOs). The 27-year-old Berto (27-0, 21 KOs) has scored consecutive knockouts over former champ Carlos Quintana (27-3, 21 KOs), and, Freddy Hernandez (29-2, 20 KOs), in the eighth and first rounds.

Mayweather's last two bouts were lopsided, welterweight decisions over Marquez and the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), the latter of whom is coming off of September's 12-round, junior middleweight (154 pounds) draw with ex-champion Sergio Mora (22-1-2, six KOs). Pacquiao, of course, earned his 13th straight win with a Nov. 13 unanimous decision over former titlist Antonio Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs), adding the WBC's vacant junior middleweight belt to his WBO welterweight crown for his eighth title over as many different weight classes.

Arum said that he is not considering a match up opposite 35-year-old WBC middleweight (160 pounds) king Sergio Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs), who is coming off of a Nov. 20, second-round knockout of Paul Williams (39-2, 27 KOs) that avenged a December, majority decision loss in a clash of southpaws during which both fighters were down in the first round.


FanHouse: What were your impressions of Saturday night's performances by Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez?

Bob Arum: I saw Andre Berto's knockout, but I didn't see Juan Manuel Marquez's fight. Juan Manuel is a good fighter. He's still a very good fighter.


What are your plans for Manny Pacquiao as they pertain to Juan Manuel Marquez, Andre Berto and Shane Mosley?

Let me explain. I'm leaving for the Philippines to see Manny on Dec. 12, which means that I'll get there on Dec. 14. I will be meeting with Manny sometime that week before his birthday, which is Dec. 17.

Assuming that Mayweather doesn't surface, I will present to Manny, hopefully, three proposals. The Mosley deal is one. I have yet to talk to [Andre Berto's promoter] Lou DiBella for us to talk about the deal, but he knows the format. And I will also present to Manny the Marquez deal.


How likely is it that a deal can be made with Juan Manuel Marquez, who has been represented by Golden Boy Promotions?

Well, there are two key things with Marquez that are important. One is their fight will be at 147 pounds. In other words, they are not going to fight at a catch weight. If they want a stipulation that Manny doesn't come into the ring weighing more than 150, that's fine.

But it's stupidity to make this guy, who is the welterweight champion -- Manny -- go down to 142 or 143. Or to starve himself. The important thing is how much that they weigh the night of the fight.

Manny, when he fought Antonio Margarito, weighed in at 144.6 pounds and came in the night of the fight at 148 pounds. That's what we're going to do. We're not interested in any kind of starving to get lower and so forth.

The night of the fight, if Marquez fights Manny, Marquez will probably be the same weight as Manny. So the fact that Marquez will probably do that, we're not going to allow Marquez to make this kid [Pacquiao] think twice about what he's eating.

That's No. 1. The other guys, Mosley and Berto, they're no problem. They're okay with 147, obviously. But the second thing is, I'm interested in only two figures in the negotiations. That's all.

One is, the guaranteed amount that I have to pay the fighter, and, secondly, how we measure the upside. Is it above 800,000, or is it above a million homes, and how many dollars a home over and above that threshold?

Those are the only two points that I'm interested in. Period. Period. Period. So, again, I know exactly what Marquez got for the Mayweather fight, alright? And he lost that fight. So, at best, he's not entitled to any more than that.

Why should he get more money to fight Manny than he got to fight Mayweather? Why? So, you know, I don't need a big negotiation. And we're not going to need to negotiate with [Golden Boy CEO] Richard Schaefer or anybody like that.

All I need is for them to send us a letter saying, 'Okay, we'll accept X amount of dollars as a guarantee, and Y dollars for the upside,' which, we know what 'X' and 'Y' were for their fight against Mayweather.

So it's either a little less or the same, but not five cents more.


Since you mentioned Lou DiBella, who also promotes Sergio Martinez, are you not going to entertain a potential fight with Martinez?

We're not entertaining Martinez. There is no way that we're entertaining Martinez. Martinez goes into the ring...the weight, this whole weight issue the day before the fight at the weigh-in is meaningless.

It's the weight that they go into the ring at. Martinez will go into the ring weighing something like 175 pounds. He would be fighting a guy who would go into the ring -- Manny -- not even weighing 150 pounds.

Manny would be giving away 25 f**king pounds. I'm not going to let my guy do that. One guy would be way too big for the little guy. I've been around for a long time. I was involved in the promotion of Carlos Monzon and Jose Napoles.

That was with Monzon being the middleweight champion, and Napoles being the welterweight champion. Monzon was way too big for him and easily beat him [seventh-round knockout in February of 1974.] He was 25 pounds too much.

I've got the greatest fighter of all time, but I don't have Superman.


Do Andre Berto's most recent accomplishments, his consecutive knockouts, make him any more marketable in your estimation?

Of all of the three guys, Andre Berto is the toughest sell because to the general public, he is totally unknown. I mean, when you look at the general public, of those three guys, who would be the guy that would be most well-known?

Easily, it's Shane Mosley. Shane Mosley's been around forever, he's beaten Oscar De La Hoya twice. So, it's Mosley. The second-most well-known of the three would be Marquez. You know?

And, you know, with Marquez, there is a big drop off from Shane Mosley as far as the general public is concerned. I'm not talking about the boxing public. And then, third, you have Andre Berto. Nobody knows who Andre Berto is.

So, again, that has to be taken into consideration. I have to estimate with Manny how many buys that he thinks that he'll do with one of these guys.

I don't think that Andre Berto's recent victory means anything in particular, because he was fighting a real Class C fighter [in Hernandez].


How much marketability is there in the assertion made by Andre Berto that Manny Pacquiao needs to face someone who is younger, fast, hungry and strong, meaning, himself?

Well, again, needs to fight? How does that translate into buys? That's really all that matters -- the buys. Manny is confident that he beats any of these three guys. So now, the question is who generates the most money.

Now, obviously, if we're out trying to sell an Andre Berto, we emphasize his newness, the fact that he's a young guy and all of that sort of stuff. The question is, does that make up for his lack of recognition in relation to Mosley?

Those are questions that have to be answered. I'm not interested in what these boxing nuts are writing or not writing. Those people will watch anyway.

But he has a lot of selling points, does Andre Berto, and, hopefully I'll have a proposal from Lou DiBella, you know, by this Monday or Tuesday.

Well, you know sometimes controversy sells, so do you expect that in regard to Andre Berto, the notion broached by Bernard Hopkins with FanHouse that Manny has not faced an African American fighter would likely surface during a Pacquiao-Berto promotion?

I'm aware of that fact. And that's why that mitigates that argument which resonates with some people. I agree that it might come up. That indicates that an Andre Berto or a Shane Mosley, in some people's minds, should have a leg up on a Juan Manuel Marquez.


When do you hope to have Manny Pacquiao's next fight locked down and secured in an ideal scenario?

My [79th] birthday is Dec. 8, and Manny's birthday is Dec. 17. I hope to have something lined up by Sunday, Dec. 19 when I return from the Philippines.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Marquez calls out Pacquiao for rematch -- CNN

CNN

Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez wants a third clash with Manny Pacquiao following Saturday night's successful defense of his WBA and WBO lightweight titles.

The 37-year-old stopped Australia's Michael Katsidis on a technical knockout in the ninth round in Las Vegas to take his record to 52-5 with 38 KOs.

The only draw of his career came against Pacquiao in 2004 when he retained his WBA and IBF featherweight titles, but he lost his WBC super featherweight belt in a controversial split decision to the Filipino in 2008.

"We know that Pacquiao has been avoiding us. We will put a lot of work into it, and a third fight is what the public wants to see," Marquez told reporters after beating Katsidis, whose brother Stathi -- a horse-racing jockey -- died last month.

"Yes he beat bigger fellows but they are all past their prime, while I beat younger and stronger boxers like Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis."

However, one stumbling block to a rematch is that Marquez wants it at the weight limit of 140-142 pounds, while Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach says he wants to fight at 147.

"I know he can make that weight as when he fought Margarito [this month], he was just 144 pounds. So if they insist in fighting at 147, like Freddie Roach has mentioned, they are again giving excuses."

However, Pacquiao doubts that the public wants to see him fight Marquez again, The Philippine Star reported on Sunday.

"Will they still watch it?" Pacquiao said in Manila.

The newspaper said Pacquiao's business manager Eric Pineda would accept the fight if Marquez promoted it.

"Manny thinks Marquez has a small fan base, that's why he doesn't want any hand in the promotion. All he wants is a guaranteed purse, and that Top Rank and MP Promotions won't be involved in the promotions. Then he will take the fight," Pineda said.

Following his win over Antonio Margarito two weeks ago, Pacquiao has been linked with a bout against American veteran Shane Mosley, who he has yet to encounter.

Pacquiao has this year juggled his political career with two successful fights, beating Joshua Clottey before stopping Margarito to become the first man to win world titles in eight weight categories.

Source: edition.cnn.com

Juan Manuel Marquez: I beat Manny Pacquiao twice -- Las Vegas Sun

By Brett Okamoto, Las Vegas Sun

From the bottom of his heart, Juan Manuel Marquez believes he’s beaten Manny Pacquiao twice.

But that will never be enough to the future hall of famer until three judges sitting ringside agree with him.

Just moments after turning in another terrific performance, stopping Michael Katsidis in the ninth round of their lightweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO) emerged at the post-fight press conference wearing a shirt that proudly declared, “Marquez beat Pacquiao twice.”

He then made his case for a chance to do it again.

“It’s very clear I want to fight Pacquiao,” Marquez said. “I’ll consider any fighter if it’s not Pacquiao, but I feel I deserve to fight in the big fights.

“I feel like a broken record, but Pacquiao, Pacquiao, Pacquiao.”

Marquez and Pacquiao already have met in the boxing ring twice. Both times, Marquez left without his hand being raised.

The first meeting occurred at the MGM in 2004 and ended in a draw, despite Marquez being knocked down three times in the first round.

A rematch four years later at Mandalay Bay proved to be just as close, with Pacquiao slightly edging Marquez in a controversial split decision.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer remembers sitting ringside that night and complaining about the results to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao.

According to Schaefer, the prospect of a third meeting between the two fighters was brought up immediately, however, talks have since stalled.

“I remember I was upset about the results,” Schaefer said. “Arum was there and I was asking for the rematch and he said, ‘it will happen, but these things need time to mature.’

“Well, I think it’s matured and the time is now to get this fight done. I realize everyone wants to see (Floyd) Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. But if that fight is not going to happen now, then first things first. I think Juan Manuel Marquez should get the fight.”

Although there had been little interest expressed by Top Rank and Pacquiao for a third fight with Marquez, that appeared to change as of late.

The Filipino fighter went on record to say he would take the fight, but doesn’t believe it’s a matchup boxing fans truly want to see.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, went on to say in reports that if a fight were to take place, it would have to be at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds — a number much heavier than Marquez’s ideal weight.

The demand by Roach would seem to be a fair one, if it weren’t for the fact that 147 pounds is presumably above Pacquiao’s comfortable weight as well. In a 150-pound catchweight bout against Antonio Margarito earlier this month, Pacquiao weighed in at just 144.5 pounds.

At the post-fight press conference, Marquez addressed the issue and said if Roach and Pacquiao refused to come down, it would only be an excuse.

Let’s face it, (Pacquiao) has never made 147 pounds,” Marquez said. “He’s fought at welterweight but only weighed in at 145 or 144 pounds. It’s just an excuse to get away from the fight.”

The two previous meetings between the two boxers were held at featherweight and super featherweight.

The Pacquiao ordeal overshadowed a terrific performance by Marquez, who out-landed Katsidis, 327 punches to 194, according to ringside stats.

Despite the fact the end of the fight could have been controversial — referee Kenny Bayless was quick to stop the action even though Katsidis never hit the floor — the damage Marquez caused was so convincing that no one seemed to care.

It was only the second time in Katsidis’s nine-year career he’s been stopped.

“I think the referee did a good job,” Marquez said. “(Katsidis) wasn’t throwing back the entire round. I was landing all my punches.”

Marquez now will hope the verbal punches he’s thrown will hit their mark on Pacquiao.

Whether Pacquiao harbors a secret agreement that Marquez won their first two fights, the sight of a T-shirt proclaiming so is likely something that will get his attention.

“That’s why I want the third fight,” Marquez said. “I thought I won the first fight and the second one as well — clearly.”

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or brett.okamoto@lasvegassun.com. Follow him on Twitter at LVSunFighting

Source: lasvegassun.com

Marquez stops Katsidis in bruising fight -- Miami Herald

By Sports Network

Juan Manuel Marquez retained his WBA and WBO lightweight titles with a bruising ninth-round technical knockout of Michael Katsidis on Saturday night.

Marquez bided his time in the decisive round before hitting Katsidis with a flurry of punches -- a series of uppercuts and straight rights that had the challenger backing away.

Finally, referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight at 2 minutes and 14 seconds, giving Marquez (52-5-1, 37 KO) a TKO over the rugged Katsidis.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult bout. It was so difficult he even surprised me," Marquez said afterward through a translator.

The surprise? Katsidis (27-3) knocked Marquez to the mat with a left hook in the third round after the champ left himself wide-open.

Not surprising? This was one heck of a fight.

The boxers landed a ton of throws in the punch-a-second action, with neither one backing down. They fought inside through eight and a half rounds -- one count had them landing a combined 82 punches in the seventh. Slow rounds saw them land 50 or 60.

Marquez looked like he was beginning to back off in the ninth round, slowing the fight down as he gained clear control over Katsidis. But he picked it up, perhaps sensing weakness from an opponent that had begun to stagger, and landed the decisive series of punches in quick succession.

Marquez, a 37-year-old veteran from Mexico, is angling to remain in the race to meet Manny Pacquiao again after losing their last bout in 2008 (he earned a draw in 2004).

He offered a simple explanation on Saturday for why a third fight hasn't happened already.

"Pacquiao has been avoiding us," Marquez said.

The MGM Grand crowd saw a much shorter fight before the headliners.

Andre Berto retained his WBC welterweight title with a first-round TKO of Freddy Hernandez, landing a right cross that sent the challenger to the mat.

Berto (27-0, 21 KO) stepped into the punch and snuck it through Hernandez's hands, which were up. It was only the ninth punch he landed in the bout.

After dropping quickly, Hernandez (29-2) got off the mat, but referee Russell Mora stopped the fight after just 2 minutes and 7 seconds.

"I just jabbed to the stomach and came up top with that right," Berto said after barely breaking a sweat in his first fight since a TKO of Carlos Quintana in April.

Source: miamiherald.com

Andre Berto Scores First-Round KO, Wants Manny Pacquiao -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

WBC welterweight (147 pounds) titlist Andre Berto of Winter Haven, Fla., nailed Freddy Hernandez , of Mexico City, with a head-swiveling, right cross that was set up by a left hook to the other side of his face, dropping his rival for a first-round knockout in Saturday's HBO televised triple-header from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The end came at two minutes, seven seconds of the first round as Berto, in victory, rose to 27-0, with his 21st knockout, dropping Hernandez to 29-2, with 20 KOs.

"I was just trying to throw the jab, because I got to him with the jab a couple of times. So I was trying to jab him to the stomach, and then I came right back up to the head with that right hand," said Berto. "I believe that it was a left hand, and then I just came right over the top with that right hand. It was a left hook, actually, and then, I just came right up over the top and he fell straight back."

Berto ended a 12-fight winning streak that included six knockouts for Hernandez, who had last suffered defeat by split-decision to Golden Johnson in February of 2005.

Berto also staked his claim as a candidate for potential bouts with eight-division champion and WBO welterweight and WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belt-holder, Manny Pacquiao' (52-3-2, 38 KOs), WBA junior middleweight king Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs) or five-time titlist Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs).

"Right now, it doesn't matter who I fight. I've already eaten all of my appetizers, so I'm ready for the main courses of the division. So Shane Mosley, we have some unfinished business if he wants it. Or Miguel Cotto, or definitely Manny Pacquiao," said Berto of Pacquiao, who, like Cotto, is promoted by Top Rank Promotions while Mosley has been promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

"I think that I would be the best fighter out there for Pacquiao," said Berto. "I think that he definitely needs to fight someone who has speed who is strong and who is young, and so let's see what happens."
In another bout, WBA super bantamweight (122 pounds) king Celestino Caballero (34-3, 23 KOs) of Panama rose to super featherweight (130 pounds), where he suffered a mild, upset loss to Jason Litzau (28-2, 21 KOs), the NABF titlist from St. Paul, Minn.

Litzau earned a split-decision victory, winning, 97-93, and, 96-94, repsectively, on the cards of judges Glenn Trowbridge and Dave Moretti, with Al Lefkowitz calling it for Caballero, 96-94.

The two fights took place on the under card of a main event featuring WBO interim lightweight (135 pounds) king Michael Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) of Australia challenging WBO and WBA champion Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) of Mexico despite the recent death of his 31-year-old brother, Stathi Katsidis, a top thoroughbred horse jockey in Australia who was found dead in mid-October in his Brisbane, Australia, home.

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Marquez wary of emotional Katisidis -- Sydney Morning Herald

AAP

Juan Manuel Marquez has fought almost 60 professional bouts including wars against Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, but the Mexican boxing great admits he has never faced anyone like Australia's Michael Katsidis.

When the 37-year-old from Mexico City, rated the No.4 pound-for-pound boxer in the world by The Ring Magazine, will step into the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas just after midday on Sunday (AEDT) to defend his WBA and WBO belts against the Queenslander.

And the Mexican is expecting to face a dangerous and explosive Katsidis driven by emotion.

Advertisement: Story continues below The Toowoomba-born Katsidis has dedicated the biggest bout of his life to his brother, top Australian jockey Stathi Katsidis, who died suddenly last month aged 31.

Katsidis contemplated abandoning the fight, but instead picked up his heavy heart and plans to honour Stathi by defying bookmakers and upsetting Marquez.

"Michael Katsidis is a very dangerous fighter," Marquez told AAP.

"He's different from any other fight I've had.

"He's strong, is a true warrior and throws many, many punches so I had to prepare myself very well."

That preparation included two sets of sparring partners for Marquez - strong boxers and fast boxers - with the two styles blending what Katsidis, who has knocked out 22 of his 27 victims, will bring to the MGM.

Katsidis mourned the loss of his brother by engaging in a tortuous training regime with long-time trainer Brendon Smith in a primitive Muay Thai fight camp hidden away in a jungle area of Thailand.

The secluded camp has become Katsidis' pre-fight base, helping him to four straight victories since back-back losses in 2008 against elite fighters Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor.

Katsidis, 30, has been tight-lipped about his brother's death and fronted a press conference at the MGM on Tuesday with a publicist from his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, by his side.

The publicist warned journalists not to quiz Katsidis about Stathi.

When a question came close, Katsidis was as intimidating as he is in the ring.

"I'm here to talk about the fight only," he told an American reporter.

"Anything to do with any of that, please respect me and my family."

Marquez, a world champion at three different weight divisions, showing the class that has made him one of Mexico's favourite sportsmen offered his sincere condolences to Katsidis instead of probing it for a weakness.

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry for him and his family and that life continues," Marquez, who has a 51 win, 37 knockout, five loss, one draw professional record, said.

Marquez is tipped to be Pacquiao's next opponent, with the boxing stars engaging in two thrillers.

The first was a controversial split-decision win to the Filipino in 2008 and the second a draw in 2004 when Marquez rebounded from being knocked down three times in the first round to almost pulling off a victory.

When reporters peppered Marquez about a possible Marquez-Pacquiao III, the Mexican did not need a publicist by his side to fend off irritating questions.

"It's all about Katsidis, not Pacquiao" Marquez told reporters.

"Nobody else."

© 2010 AAP

Source: news.smh.com.au

Beyonce becomes a Pacman convert -- Manila Bulletin

By KAYE VILLAGOMEZ, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines – More and more mainstream Hollywood celebrities are being converted into Manny Pacquiao admirers. Beyonce Knowles found herself belonging to the Hollywood elite fan club alongside Mark Wahlberg, Daniel Radcliffe and Ron Perlman.

Mrs. Jay-Z---whose on-again, off-again pregnancy rumors have hogged the entertainment headlines of late---named Pacman one of her favorite athletes. Others that Beyonce admires are Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams.

“I love him (Manny) because I really relate to people who were born to do something and gets lost in the moment,” the “Single Ladies” hit-maker raved of Pacquiao in a Nov. 25 interview aired over sports channel ESPN.

“When he gets in the ring, he’s a beast! I love it! And he shows you can have humility and be a calm person and also be driven when it’s time and be a fighter,” Beyonce further said obviously referring to Pacman’s gallant efforts during his eight-division-title-clinching bout versus Mexican Antonio Margarito.

The LA Lakers fan also had grand words for the next Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant. She noted how much she relates with the NBA superstar. “I definitely identify with Kobe Bryant as far as his work ethic... I can always see that he's focused, he works harder than I could ever imagine. It is like he's in the zone. He's just undeniable as far as his talent and his gift.”

Regarding Serena Williams, Beyonce spoke of the gentle character behind the fierce tennis player. “Definitely, Serena. She just transforms because when you speak to her and she's not working, she's a most lovely, gentle, sweet, beautiful woman, and she is ferocious when she gets out there... I love it! You cannot talk to her. She’s in the zone!”

Recall that Wahlberg took time out to visit Pacquiao while he was training for his 2008 fight against Oscar dela Hoya. The “Departed” actor who is about to star in his own boxer flick soon told HBO’s “Dela Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” that he (Walhberg) had to visit “the man” (Pacquiao).

Wahlberg confessed to being a big fan of Pacquiao when he said, “I’ve come to see the man. Freddie's (Roach) been a friend of mine for a long time, and I’m a big fan of Pacquiao. It’s nice to see him in person. I’ve seen him fight a couple times, but to see him this up close and personal is worth the trip. I’m going to bring my son down. I have a ring in my house because I've been training to do the Irish Micky Ward story for a couple of years. My son's always beating me up, and he calls himself Pacquiao.”

When Pacquiao was training for his fight against Joshua Clottey early this year, “Hellboy” lead star Ron Perlman also went for a glimpse of Pacman’s “greatness.” The actor said of the Filipino pride, “Anytime you can have a brush with greatness and see someone like Pacquiao, you should do it. He’s one of a kind.”

Ironically, Pacquiao credits the Filipino people as a big part of his recent victory. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment last Sunday, Pacquiao humbly gushed that the victory is not only his alone but the entire nation's as well.

Source: mb.com.ph

Richard Schaefer: Floyd Mayweather will fight Manny Pacquiao 'when the time is right' -- Grand Rapids Press

By Josh Slagter, The Grand Rapids Press

Boxing fans hoping for a megafight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in May 2011 may have to wait while the Grand Rapids native sorts out his legal problems, according to Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer.

Schaefer, who has represented Mayweather in previous failed negotiations with Pacquiao, told The Ring's Michael Rosenthal that Mayweather's priority shouldn't be getting back in the ring.

“People should be smart enough to realize that he’s in the middle of legal proceedings. His focus and energy is on that, clearing his name, not on making a fight. That’s just common sense," Schaefer said.

“Anything else would be disrespectful to a judge or the legal system. … He could say, OK, let’s fight Pacquiao in May or whenever and make a deal. How would a judge feel about that? You just don’t do that.”

Mayweather is facing eight criminal charges, including four felonies, stemming from a September domestic incident with ex-girlfriend Josie Harris. He's next due in court Jan 24.

Schaefer said Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) isn't dodging Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), who's coming off a dominant victory over Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

“I believe that Floyd truly loves the sport, he loves to fight. He’s also a businessman, though. If you add these things up, why wouldn’t he want to fight Pacquiao? It just has to be the right deal at the right time," Schaefer said.

"I can assure you that when the time is right, he'll fight Pacquiao and beat Pacquiao."

Source: mlive.com