Obama to watch Pacquiao on pay-per-view -- Yahoo Eurosport

By Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports

President Barack Obama told Manny Pacquiao during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday that he plans to watch the Filipino congressman’s welterweight title fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 in Las Vegas on pay-per-view.

But, don’t expect any freebies for the chief White House resident. If the President follows through and orders the fight, he’ll have to reach into his pocket and pay the $54.95.

“He’s the President of the United States, but he’s also a citizen of this country and he’ll have to pay for the show,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Yahoo! Sports afterward, tongue firmly planted (I think) in cheek. “When I do a pay-per-view show, there are no exceptions.”

Awareness of the bout increased exponentially Tuesday during the final leg of a cross-country media tour that ended in Washington, D.C. Pacquiao began the day by meeting Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and touring the Senate floor.

But the big headline of the day was a traffic accident on his way to the White House. Pacquiao was crossing the street when passing cars slowed, inadvertently causing a multi-car pileup.

According to publicist Fred Sternburg, the traffic accident occurred as Pacquiao was standing at a light on 17th Street, waiting to cross the street to the White House. Traffic was moving slowly and many of the drivers recognized Pacquiao.

Sternburg said drivers began shouting, waving and snapping photos of Pacquiao. In the midst of it, the lead car stopped short and a chain-reaction accident occurred, with three trailing cars piling into each other. No one was hurt, but D.C. police were asking news photographers if any of them had the accident on film. Because they had their cameras on Pacquiao, none of them had a good angle of it.

By his estimation, Pacquiao told Yahoo! Sports that he and his wife, Jinkee, spent 10 minutes with President Obama in the Oval Office. They talked basketball and boxing, Pacquiao said.

“I invited him to my fight [at the MGM Grand], but he said he didn’t think he could make it,” Pacquiao said. “But he said he would definitely watch the pay-per-view.”

The Pacquiaos and Obama posed for pictures and even struck a boxing pose. Jinkee Pacquiao said she was very nervous and didn’t speak, but the boxer, widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, chatted up the President.

“It was very impressive being in the Oval Office, and I was surprised by how tall [Obama] is,” said the 5-foot-6 boxer, estimating the President to be 6-foot-3.

Obama gave Pacquiao three shopping bags of gifts, including a watch with the presidential seal on it and bags of M&Ms.

Pacquiao began the day by meeting Reid in his office, along with Arum. Arum had Pacquiao campaign for Reid in the final week of Reid’s tough reelection battle in November with Tea Party candidate Sharron Angle. Pacquiao took a break from his training in Los Angeles for a fight with Antonio Margarito to fly to Las Vegas and appear at a rally with Reid.

Reid, who was an underdog in the polls, won a tight race.

On Tuesday, Reid welcomed Pacquiao to his office, gave him a tour of the Senate floor, then did a brief press conference at which the men gave each other a flag of their country.

“Everyone knows how much I admire people who get into the ring, whether it’s a boxing ring or the political ring,” said Reid, a former boxer and a one-time member of the Nevada Athletic Commission. “If that in fact is the case, that I do admire that, then I have great admiration for this man. He’s an eight-time world champion. Never in the history of boxing has that been done before.

“What has been so tremendous for the reign of this great champion has been that he has shown you can become a great athlete and still be a great person. He is really exemplary in that regard.”

Arum, who didn’t accompany Pacquiao to the White House, was bursting with pride and said the fact that two of the most powerful men in the world would take time from their schedules to meet with him shows the significance Pacquiao has gained. He said it was an emotional and very touching day.

“I am humbled to have been a part of it, and it was a spectacular day and a great tribute to Manny,” Arum said. “It was a wonderful experience and I’m proud I played a part in promoting Manny the way I have.”

Source: uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

Barack Obama Pulling for Manny Pacquiao Against Shane Mosley? -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

Among the topics discussed by eight-division king Manny Pacquiao with President Barack Obama during their 20-minute White House meeting on Tuesday was basketball, politics and, of course, the fighter's May 7, Showtime-televised, WBO welterweight (147 pounds) championship defense against three-time, five-division titlist Shane Mosley, according to Pacquiao's adviser, Michael Koncz.

"I was very honored that the president took time away from his busy schedule," said the 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts), who will pursue his 14th straight victory and his ninth knockout during that run against the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, also met Obama on Capitol Hill.

"Manny was very honored to meet the president and that he took that time away from what is obviously a busy schedule. They talked about basketball and about boxing, and Manny invited him to attend the fight and watch it live," said Koncz.

"But the president said that he can't watch the fight live," said Koncz. "Although he will certainly watch it on pay-per-view, and he said that he would be rooting for Manny and that he's going to cheer for Manny to win."

Pacquiao posed with Obama for several photos, including a boxing pose, in the Oval Office, pblicist Fred Sternberg told The Associated Press.

The President gave him three grocery bags full of light blue M&M's with the presidential seal, along with a watch adorned with the seal, and said he hopes to someday visit the Philippines, according to Sternberg.

Pacquiao also made an appearance on ESPN's "Pardon The Interruption" prior to coming to the White House.

"Obviously, the president is a very busy guy," said Sternberg. "So, for him to take time out of his schedule to meet with Manny was a great honor."

The stop in Washington, D.C., is the last of a four-day tour promoting Pacquiao-Mosley. The tour began on Thursday at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles with stops in Las Vegas and New York, respectively, on Saturday and Monday.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao was welcomed on the floor of the United States Senate as a guest of Nevada Senator Harry Reid, who facilitated the visit with Obama.

"I think that it is a great honor for anybody to meet with the president, particularly for a foreign athlete. That just shows how far Manny has come in terms of his worldwide popularity, and what a well-respected world figure Manny is," said Top Rank Promotions' CEO Bob Arum, who is handling Pacqauiao-Mosley.

"There was the meeting in Senator Reid's office, as well as the Q&A and Senator Reid and Manny had at the Capitol, and, now the meeting with Obama. That's just absolutely incredible," said Arum. "It's not just an honor for Manny, but it really elevates the sport of boxing."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Manny Pacquiao causes a stir during visit to Capitol Hill -- Washington Post

By Gene Wang, Washington Post

Nothing creates a stir on stodgy Capitol Hill quite like a celebrity appearance, and at the center of the commotion on Tuesday was boxer Manny Pacquiao, a world champion in eight divisions and among the most highly regarded fighters of all time.

Recently elected to congress in his native Philippines, Pacquiao turned his inaugural visit to the District into a two-fold venture. First, as a guest of Sen. Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), he toured the Senate floor in the morning and later went to the White House for a private meeting with President Obama. Pacquiao had campaigned for Reid during the last round of elections, and the majority leader, himself a former boxer, went so far as to say that support pushed him to victory in a tight race.

But Pacquiao, 32, also used the short news conference to promote his bout against former WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley in Las Vegas on May 7. Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) is a 7-1 favorite over Mosley, who at 39 is in the twilight of his career and has gone 0-1-1 in his past two fights. The loss was to Floyd Mayweather, whose legal troubles have further complicated a potential fight against Pacquiao that would be one of the richest and most anticipated in the sport's history.

"The only other fighter that was capable of this was [Muhammad] Ali," longtime promoter Bob Arum, whose stable of fighters as head of Top Rank Boxing includes Pacquiao, said of the excitement surrounding his high-profile client's visit to Capitol Hill. "I remember years ago bringing [Sugar Ray] Leonard and [Tommy] Hearns to the Capitol . . . but nothing like this, nothing like this. The fact that the senator would walk Manny on the floor of the Senate, that's a great, great honor."

Inside the ring, Pacquiao's most lofty acclaim would come by beating Mayweather, 33, in a dream matchup that has hit one snag after another after an initial agreement early last year. Among those was the refusal on the part of Pacquiao's camp to consent to Olympic-style drug testing, as Mayweather's camp was insisting. Now comes a series of domestic violence allegations facing Mayweather, who is charged with multiple felonies stemming from an altercation with ex-girlfriend Josie Harris.

Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) has won nine world titles in five weight classes and also is considered among the greatest pound-for-pound fighters not only of his generation but in history. Pacquiao was in and out of Tuesday's news conference so quickly that he was able to escape questions about that possible fight, but he did address that topic on Thursday in Los Angeles, where he and Mosley appeared at the Beverly Hills Hotel for a promotional stop.

"For me, if the fight is to happen, it would be good for the fans," Pacquiao said. "It's what the fans want. For now though, I'm praying for [Mayweather] that it will be okay, you know, with his personal problems."

Pacquiao, meantime, is coming off a victory over Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Tex. Pacquiao won the vacant WBC super welterweight belt by unanimous decision despite giving up 17 pounds to Margarito, who immediately after the fight was transported to a hospital. Doctors determined Margarito had fractured his orbital bone and required surgery.

The District was to be Pacquiao's final stop on a press junket that began in Los Angeles and included appearances in Las Vegas and New York, where he and Mosley addressed the media at Chelsea Pier on Monday afternoon. Pacquiao and his entourage then traveled by train to Union Station that night.

Source: washingtonpost.com

Mr. Pacquiao Goes to Washington -- FOX News

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: Manny Pacquiao may not be a household name, but he's making big waves on Capitol Hill just by showing up. He's a fighter and a politician and has fans in high places. Our own Griff Jenkins caught up with the man many call a national hero.

GRIFF JENKINS, FOX NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Even if you are not a boxing fan you probably heard of Muhammad Ali, right? You are about to meet a man some say is even greater than Ali. They call him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. His name is Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, and he is from the toughest streets in the Philippines. He's a national hero there for winning 10 world titles in eight different weight classes, also he's an elected congressman back home.

So what is he doing in Washington? He came to meet with Capitol Hill leaders, as well as President Obama.

SEN. HARRY REID, D-NEV.: He's a fighter, the best pound-per-pound fighter on the planet today. He's a man who is so fun to watch.

JENKINS: Congressman, welcome to Washington.

MANNY PACQUIAO, BOXER: Thank you.

JENKINS: You have been called by Senator Reid the greatest fighter of all time. But you are in politics. Why did you get into politics?

PACQUIAO: I want to serve people.

JENKINS: What do you hope to achieve with public service to your family, friends and countrymen in the Philippines, what do you hope to accomplish with your service?

PACQUIAO: Before I have a dream to be a champion. Now in politics I have a dream to achieve to be champion also, being a public servant. I want to help people.

JENKINS: Your political party, the People's Champ Movement. You guys work on issues like poverty. What else is the movement about?

PACQUIAO: It is the people's movement combined with poor people, helping each other to grow.

JENKINS: How did you up -- when did you decide -- you clearly became a hero, a national hero winning many fights in the Philippines. One day you decided I want to be a politician as well. When did that happen?

PACQUIAO: When I started boxing, my dream also is not only for boxing, it is in my heart and mind, I want to help people, maybe at the right time.

JENKINS: You are going to meet with President Obama today. What do you want to say to him?

PACQUIAO: Well, I want to say thank you for giving us our inspiration.

JENKINS: You like the president?

PACQUIAO: Yes.

JENKINS: What do you like about the president?

PACQUIAO: He's my idol the way he talks to the people, the way he serves the people.

JENKINS: You hope to accomplish that perhaps in your political career?

PACQUIAO: Yes, I hope so.

JENKINS (STANDUP): How did his meeting with the president go? We caught up with Manny immediately after.

JENKINS: What did the president have to say to you?

PACQUIAO: He say good luck to my upcoming fight. I invited him to watch the fight. He said he's going to watch. He's going to watch on pay-per-view.

JENKINS: Did he have any advice for you politically?

PACQUIAO: No.

JENKINS: You are smiling. Maybe he had something to share that you won't tell us?

PACQUIAO: I'm happy because I meet the president.

JENKINS: What did you say to him?

PACQUIAO: Thank you. Say thank you. We both like boxing.

JENKINS: Did he encourage you perhaps to run for president in the Philippines some day?

PACQUIAO: No. We are not going to talk about that.

JENKINS: You are not talking that.

PACQUIAO: We didn't talk about that. He said congratulations in your last election as a congressman.

JENKINS: Did you share any discussion of politics, what you are trying to do in terms of poverty or build hospital or was there any discussion of policy that you talked about with the president?


PACQUIAO: No, we didn't talk about that.

JENKINS: Anything else you want to share?

PACQUIAO: I'm happy.

Source: foxnews.com

Manny Pacquiao visits Daily News offices, in town with Shane Mosley to promote May 7 title bout -- New York Daily News

By Tim Smith, New York Daily News

The boxing circus came to town Monday, but there were no elephants or clowns. Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and former champ Shane Mosley rolled into the Lighthouse at Chelsea Pier to announce their championship match at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 7.

Anytime Pacquiao fights, it is a major event. That's what happens when you carry an entire sport on your shoulders.

A day with Pacquiao is an exhausting marathon of fighting through clamoring fans, listening to the same questions over and over and jumping in and out of a caravan of fast-moving black SUVs. All of this is carried out in front of a couple of ever-present, intrusive camera crews. One is doing a documentary on the fighter and the other is following Pacquiao for Showtime's "Fight Camp 360" - a documentary-style show that will lead up to the pay-per-view broadcast.

A long line of fans formed outside the Lighthouse ahead of Pacquiao's arrival, all hoping to get a glimpse of the man who has become the face of boxing. Once they got inside, they strained to see around the bank of TV cameras that were set up in front of them. Many shouted out Pacquiao's name during the press conference.

It has become a common scene for Pacquiao, whose popularity has grown steadily as he has pummeled opponent after opponent the last three years, all the while smiling and showing great humility in victory.

Pacquiao, sporting long hair and a goatee and looking like his idol Bruce Lee, has always thrived in the swirl of chaos that surrounds these events. He likes people and accepts the crush of fans as the price that must be paid for fame.

As he left the venue, Pacquiao and his group made their way through a kitchen and were set to walk out of a back entrance. But as security opened the door they were met with a pack of fans clamoring for autographs. They had to have the fighter wait inside until they could clear a path to his waiting car.

Once he got into the car, fans surrounded it, screaming for Pacquiao. This was rock star treatment. Everywhere he goes people want a piece of him. They want to touch him, take a picture with him, have him sign something.

Pacquiao takes it all in stride.

"It's all part of being famous," he said.

Perhaps he knows that one day it will all fade away.

Pacquiao proceeded to meet editors and writers at the Daily News office, where he was peppered with more questions. He then visited The Associated Press for still more inquiries.

Does he think he will ever fight Floyd Mayweather?

"It's not really important to me that I fight him. I believe it will happen," he said.

How does he balance his responsibilities of training for a fight and being a congressman in the Philippines?

"It's about time management. After I fight I totally set aside boxing to concentrate on what I have to do in congress. By the end of March congress will be on vacation and I start training."

What problems does Mosley present in his upcoming fight?

"He has good hand speed, good footwork and he has power. I like that he comes forward and fights and he doesn't try to run away."

All day long it was like this. Pacquiao answered all the questions with a smile, as if they were being asked for the first time.

Then he boarded a train from Penn Station for Washington, where he was to meet with Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada Tuesday morning. Pacquiao helped Reid campaign for reelection last year. The fighter and his wife, Jinkee, also are expected to meet with President Obama.

Bob Arum of Top Rank, Pacquiao's promoter, rented a car on the train for 60 people ($10,000, if you must know), which included Pacquiao and a smaller-than-usual entourage. It included Jinkee, his manager, publicists and, because he's a congressman, his chief of staff, Jeng Gacal.

Once aboard the train, Pacquiao got a chance to recharge his batteries. He took a nap before another round of interviews .

At that point the biggest question on the train was being batted around by his publicists.

"Who is going to wake Manny to tell him that he has to answer more questions from the media?"

timsmith@nydailynews.com

Source: nydailynews.com

Shane Mosley Sees Himself in Manny Pacquiao -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

NEW YORK-- When Shane Mosley, looks across the ring at eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, for their May 7, Showtime pay per view televised clash at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, the three-division, five-time titlist will see a version of himself in the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) belt-holder.

Mosley earned the IBF's lightweight (135 pounds) title in August of 1997, defended that crown with eight consecutive knockouts, scored two more stoppages as a welterweight, and then, split-decisioned Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC's 147-pound belt in June of 2000

Mosley also earned the WBA and WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belts by unanimously decisioning De La Hoya in September of 2003.

Pacquiao earned his record eighth crown in November, when he unanimously decisioned Antonio Margarito for the WBC junior middleweight crown, which he has since vacated.

"I do see myself in him. I think that he's a warrior and that he comes to fight, and he's fighting everybody," said the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), who will try to end a 13-bout winning streak that includes eight knockouts by the 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs).

"Manny's got great class, and he's a humble person, but he does his talking with his fists. He's moving up in weight classes and beating guys down. He's a great fighter," said Mosley. "Like [Mosley's trainer] Nazim Richardson said, they're starting to mention him as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 of all times as a fighter. So beating this man will definitely put me up there in the history books."

Mosley spoke during a Monday, New York press conference while surrounded by more than 150-or-so international media members at the Chelsea Pier No. 61, an event that marked the third stop in a four-city tour promoting their clash that is being promoted by Top Rank Promotions.

On Thursday, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum counted a throng of 300 or so reporters who attended a similar affair at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and, on Saturday, another was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Following Monday's gathering at Chelsea Pier, Pacquiao was hustled onto a train headed for Washington, D.C., along with some 40-or-so media personnell, including those from CNN, CBS, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, Playboy, and The Examiner.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao and Mosley will be welcomed on the floor of the United States Senate as a guest of Nevada Senator, Harry Reid.

"I'm looking at this press conference right here, and, you know, fighting Manny is a big fight. This is pretty big," said Mosley.

"When we were in Los Angeles,that was a big press conference, and then, again, when we were in Las Vegas," said Mosley. "Top Rank is putting a great deal of effort into this promotion, and this is finally coming true for me. I mean, it's happening."

Pacquiao has taken criticism for facing Mosley, who lost May's lopsided, unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather and struggled in September's junior middleweight draw with ex-champion Sergio Mora.

But in facing Pacquiao, who twice failed to negotiate a deal to face Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions, Mosley believes that he won't have as difficult a time finding a man who comes to fight and anticipates what could be a toe-to-toe affair.

"I'm pretty sure that Manny will be a lot easier to find than Mayweather was. I'm not saying that he'll be an easier fight. But it might be an easier fight for me because of the styles, but not for other people," said Mosley.

"He doesn't really remind me of anybody that I've fought before, but, you know, I've been in with some sparring sessions with guys who throw a lot of punches and who are very consistent and who are very determined," said Mosley. "It's kind of like I know his style, and I know his personality. I know his will to win, and so, that means that this fight is going to be a great fight."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Manny Returns—Sporting a Bieber -- Wall Street Journal

By JASON GAY, The Wall Street Journal

Manny Pacquiao arrived at Chelsea Piers Monday dressed in suburban dad earth tones: a brown jacket, an olive sweater and a crisp white shirt over jeans. He looked less like a champion eager to promote a boxing match than a man ready to shop for bathroom fixtures. Mr. Pacquiao's hair has grown since his last fight in November, and it now covers most of his ears, sweeping across his forehead just above his eyes.

Yes: the great Pac-Man has grown a "Bieber."

Or maybe Mr. Bieber has a "Pacquiao." After all, there may be no one in the global pop cultural universe bigger than Mr. Pacquiao—boxing's most magnetic performer; a congressman in the Philippines; a part-time ballad-crooning action-movie hero. He came to New York to hype his next fight, a May 7 welterweight championship against Shane Mosley, and his entrance resembled a rock star's. As he took a seat by the stage, photographers swarmed inches from his face. An organizer warned the media not to ask for autographs or risk expulsion. In the back of the room, a jubilant chorus of fans waved the Philippine flag and chanted, "Mann-ny! Mann-ny!"

Mr. Pacquiao smiled and folded his arms, as if floating above the fuss. His promoter, Bob Arum, took the podium and did his best to push the Mosley bout, as TV representatives and the host venue, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mr. Mosley's trainer, Nazim Richardson, showered Mr. Pacquiao in praise. "If you don't like Manny Pacquiao, he's done something to you personally," Mr. Richardson said. "I think he's a phenomenal fighter."

Mr. Pacquiao nodded at the compliments, and whispered with his trainer, Freddie Roach. He gamely went along with a silly stunt in which he presented a giant Valentine's Day cake to his wife, Jinkee.

"Kiss! Kiss!" the photographers howled. The champ obliged with a smooch.

When it was his time to speak, Mr. Pacquiao was cheerful and brief.

"I'm happy to be back here in New York," he said. He made a joke about the cold, even with temperature hovering mercifully in the mid-50s. He looked toward the fans at the back to the room. "All I have done in my boxing career—being Manny Pacquiao—I am not here without your support."

He looked a little bored. What is left in boxing for Mr. Pacquiao? He has done everything asked—he's won titles in a record eight weight classes, devastated all his recent challengers and waited patiently for the one all-timer who eludes him, the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. With Mr. Mayweather delaying and self-destructing, Mr. Pacquiao occupies himself with politics and a stream of not-quite-there or fading opponents mostly grateful for the shot.

Mr. Pacquiao and Mr. Mosley—a gentlemanly former champ who lost a unanimous decision to Mr. Mayweather last spring—couldn't even play mock enemies. Standing side-by-side for photographers, Mr. Pacquiao kept cracking up whenever he looked into his challenger's green eyes.

Later, in a quieter moment, Mr. Pacquiao said he did not plan to retire after fighting Mr. Mosley. He spoke of his causes in congress—human trafficking, and building a hospital for his constituents.

"We don't have a hospital," he said. "Imagine that."

In the coming months, there will be the predictable worries if Mr. Pacquiao is too distracted by public life; if he's training hard enough; if he's respecting Mr. Mosley. But come May 7, it's all but certain Manny Pacquiao will give another good show. The only question is how much longer he will give them.

Source: online.wsj.com

Pacquiao-Mosley Announcement Reminds Fans Of The Fight They're Not Getting -- The Sweet Science

By Frank Lotierzo, The Sweet Science

This past Thursday afternoon the press tour for the upcoming Pacquiao-Mosley fight kicked off at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Both Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley rank among the top five active fighters in boxing when it comes to the respect they garner from a majority of today's boxing writers and fans. Throughout their careers Manny and Shane have met the best boxing had to offer in their respectful divisions, and even fought rematches against the fighters who defeated them or gave them their toughest and most difficult fights.

Matching Pacquiao 52-3-2 (38) and Mosley 46-6-1 (39) is a dream fight on paper. At one time had they fought as lightweights or welterweights it would've been a tossup or perhaps Mosley would've gone off as the betting favorite. And there's a strong case that can be made that justifies Mosley as being the best and most dangerous fighter Pacquiao will have ever shared a ring with. However, it's 2011 and Mosley is 39 crowding 40 years old, and Pacquiao is at or near his prime at 32. Oh, Pacquiao is a substantial favorite three months out from the fight, and for good reason. That being today Pacquiao can do everything better in the ring that a fighter can do over another, with the exception being Shane might hold the advantage in single shot power, again, that too may be a reach at this time.

Instead of the Pacquiao-Mosley announcement getting you pumped up for the fight, and it will be an exciting fight as long as it lasts, what it really does is serve as a reminder that this should've been the press tour kickoff for Pacquiao-Mayweather. That's the fight that all boxing fans are waiting to become a reality. Everyone who follows boxing knows that Mosley no longer posses the tools needed to beat Pacquiao. Shane is getting the fight because Mayweather doesn't want it. Mosley said as much at the press conference when he said, "if (Mayweather) wanted to fight him, he'd be fighting him." For Mayweather, hiding behind the smoke screen that he's thrown up suggesting that Pacquiao is using steroids or some form of HGH, is viewed by most clear thinking fans as an excuse. In sports, especially combat sports, perception is reality. And it's looking more and more like Floyd believes that the risk/reward factor in regards to him fighting Pacquiao isn't worth it.

If $30 million dollars isn't sufficient reward for risking a loss (and since Floyd's near his prime and has never taken a beating, it's unlikely that, win or lose, he'd be facing serious physical damage), what would be? It's got to be one of the greatest risk/reward fights in history. Can he really be so vain that a decision loss means that much to him? Until he agrees to fight Pacquiao, one must conclude that he fears his legacy won't hold up historically when compared to boxing's greatest of the greats if he suffers a defeat in the signature fight of his career. And if that's the case, Floyd's the one who chose the money and low risk fights during the peak years of his career.

The only thing that could legitimately become a stumbling block and prevent the biggest fight of the last decade from being made are Mayweather's pending legal issues, felony coercion and misdemeanor battery pertaining to his ex-girlfriend. Assuming that Mayweather won't have to serve any jail time, and it's highly unlikely that he will, he must step up and fight Pacquiao next, provided Manny gets by Shane in May. The sand in the hourglass is almost through. Floyd has to cast aside his worry that if he loses to Pacquiao, he'll be more remembered for his single defeat than his 41 career victories. That would be better than being more remembered for his appearances on Wrestlemania and Dancing With the Stars as Mark Kriegel of Foxsports.com wrote last week.

Just a couple years ago it seemed as if there was plenty of time to make Pacquiao-Mayweather, or if you will, Mayweather-Pacquiao. Then again, if fans were willing to pay to see Hopkins-Jones II 17 years after their first fight, then I guess there's still plenty of time left to work through the obstacles preventing Mayweather from signing the contract to face Pacquiao. The only problem is, Pacquiao is 32 and Mayweather will be 34 at the end of this month. Based on their age, they're both near the end of their prime. It's a rarity that boxing lucks out and gets to see two greats face each other at or near their prime. That's why when it does happen those fights are never forgotten. How many fights are held in the same historical reverence as Frazier-Ali I and Leonard-Hearns I?

In order for Pacquiao-Mayweather to be held in that regard years after they fight, it has to happen soon. If Mayweather can survive his upcoming court date and Pacquiao manages to get by Mosley this coming May, they must face each other in their next bout. If they wait beyond 2011, it'll be more remembered like Leonard-Hearns II then Duran-Leonard I.

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

Source: thesweetscience.com

Pacquiao balances pugilism and politics -- Los Angeles Times

By Larry Fine, Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - While Manny Pacquiao balances his roles as world's greatest fighter and representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippine Congress, trainer Freddie Roach was mapping out a strategy to beat "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

Congressman Pacquiao, a world champion at eight different weight classes, will utilize a legislative recess to defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against former three-division champion Mosley on May 7 in Las Vegas.

"The first four rounds may be a little crucial, a little dangerous," Roach told reporters at a promotional news conference on Monday. "He's a good counter-puncher and can punch a little bit but I think we can break him down.

"If you walk in too aggressively he will catch you."

Pacquiao, meanwhile, was keeping an eye on the clock to catch a train to Washington where he was scheduled to meet with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat.

"We will discuss some political matters," said Pacquiao, declining to offer details on the agenda.

Pacquiao said he still enjoyed boxing but also wanted to thrive in his new role.

"You need to love your job and what you're going to do, and it's just time management," he said about balancing his dual roles. "I love both jobs."

Pacquiao said he has been a busy politician.

"I'm the one who pushed the bill for anti-human trafficking," he said. "I'm doing good in Congress. There's a lot of stuff to do."

He also worked to obtain funds to build a hospital and hopes construction will begin this spring to finally bring medical services to his province.

"I want to be a champion as a public servant," he said.

Fight organizers said all but a few hundred seats at the MGM Grand arena were already sold, adding that the bookmakers' early line listed Pacquiao as a 7-to-1 favorite.

This information seemed to excite the Mosley camp.

"How do we get a bet in that 7-to-1 situation? Seven to one? We gotta find a way to slide some paper in there," said Mosley trainer Nazim Richardson.

Richardson praised Pacquiao but relished the challenge.

"I think Manny Pacquiao is an extraordinary athlete," he said. "I'm proud that we have the privilege to solve the puzzle that is Manny Pacquiao."

The 32-year-old Pacquiao is 52-3-2, with a pair of decisive wins last year over Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.

Mosley, 39, lost a decision to Floyd Mayweather and fought a draw with Sergio Mora last year to put his record at 46-6-1.

Mosley, who will have a 7.5-inch reach advantage, was upbeat about facing an opponent who liked to trade punches after lackluster showings against defensive specialists.

"These are the type of fights I love to be in, with guys that really like to fight," said Mosley, a former super welterweight champion.

(Reporting by Larry Fine; Editing by Steve Ginsburg; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Source: latimes.com

Fighter Nonito Donaire’s celebrity continuing to increase -- Las Vegas Sun

By Ray Brewer, Las Vegas Sun

There will likely never be another boxer that equals Manny Pacquiao's celebrity and success in the eyes of his loyal fan base, especially in his native Philippines.

But fellow Philippine fighter Nonito Donaire is drawing comparisons heading into his fight Saturday against Fernando Montiel at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Several feel that Donaire, the challenger in the WBO and WBC bantamweight championship match against Montiel, has the credentials to be a superstar.

“The face of boxing today is Manny Pacquiao and he comes from the Philippines,” said Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, which is promoting the fight. “But right behind him in the Philippines is a man who comes from the same city as Pacquiao (General Santos) and is becoming more and more endeared to the Philippine fans. He’s a great fighter, a tremendous technician and a hard puncher.”

The 28-year-old Donaire (25-1, 17 KOs) is a two-division world champion who is favored by odds makers to beat Montiel.

“(Pacquiao) is definitely an inspiration in my career, an inspiration in boxing and how I want to be,” said Donaire, who moved to the United States from the Philippines as a 10-year-old. “I am inspired to see no impossibility.”

Beating Montiel will be no easy task in arguably the most difficult matchup of his career.

The 31-year-old Montiel (43-2-2, 33 KOs) is considered one of the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters in the world, also winning flyweight and super flyweight titles during his lengthy career. Montiel’s veteran presence in the ring and experience, natural boxing instincts and technical boxing supremacy give him an advantage.

“Montiel is the most complete fighter I will have faced,” Donaire said. “This is the biggest fight of my career. People say he may be shot because he has been fighting for such a long time, but no, he has been fighting guys at the top of his weight class. I know he is up there and capable of anything.”

That’s something Donaire showed in his most recent fight, overpowering former WBA bantamweight champion Wladimir Sidorenko with three knockouts before the fight was stopped in the fourth round.

What’s even more impressive is that Donaire enters on a 24-fight winning streak, with his last defeat coming nine years ago.

“He is obviously a fighter that has a lot of speed. He moves around the ring and is an intelligent fighter,” Montiel said. “The question to me is what is going to happen when he fights a guy that is just as intelligent, just as strong and just as good as he is. That is the question -- when he fights someone that is equal to him. I think it’s the first time he will find a fighter that is just as good as he is.”

Donaire knows what another victory would bring. He’ll likely move up from the 118-pound bantamweight division for stiffer competition. And, of course, there is the growing celebrity for “The Filipino Flash.”

“My marketability will skyrocket,” Donaire said. “My name will get bigger and I will get bigger fights. People will come after me because that’s what happens when you’re on top. My name is in the top pound-for-pound lists and no one can take that away from me after I beat Montiel. “

Source: lasvegassun.com