It is relatively hard to stay on top of the game and remain there until you retire. Many elite boxers have enjoyed and cherished the feeling of being at the top of the hill that some of them do not know when to step down when they have to step down. In most cases, some prize fighters who have been in the limelight for too long loved the fame and the glory that they do not see their own descent.
At this point in time, nobody knows whether or not Floyd Mayweather will once again go into a hiatus and leave the boxing world hinging on what could have been an explosive showdown between himself and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao. But in any case Mayweather does make true of his statements and leave boxing again and leave his crusade for drug-free boxing matches and “focus” on his other endeavors, here are some good fights Pacquiao and his camp may consider for his one last hurrah before the Fighting Pride of the Philippines shifts his attention to the Philippine politics.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto II (Light Middleweight)
Miguel Cotto tops the list of possible replacements should Pacquiao-Mayweather will never materialize. Cotto is coming off from a fresh win over former WBA light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman and rematch between the two presents a huge significance for Pacquiao. A victory over Cotto at light middleweight will give Pacquiao his 8th title in eight divisions, which would definitely up his ante exponentially. However, Pacquiao might be pushing himself if he does go north the scales and add more weight.
And then there is also the element of revenge. Cotto suffered a beatdown and should they fight again, expect the Puerto Rican to return the favor.
For some reasons, Erik “El Terrible” Morales believes he has what it takes to compete on a higher level. After a very imposing victory over former lightweight titlist Jose Alfaro of Nicaragua, one has to ask, can he really take on the top welterweights out there?
After one fight, no matter how impressive his win was, one cannot certainly say that Morales can contend with even the top five welterweight marquees. At 36 years old, he is in an age where boxers are already in the winter of their careers. Sadly, the Morales victory only fuels the Mexican legend’s drive to push his very much ill-advised comeback.
Despite the prestige and all the hype, the two main events of Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 featured world class champions versus average Joes. Many have predicted (and they proved to be correct) that both Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel would win their fights respectively. However, this was supposed to an event that billed the best of the Philippines against the best of Latin boxing.
Anybody who says that Yuri Foreman is a better challenge for Pacquiao than Joshua Clottey is wrong. Dead wrong.
For starters, Clottey is one of the most avoided welterweights today, a reason why he has fought only once last year - against Miguel Cotto in a fight where it could have gone either way or ended in a draw. Here is where Clottey ranked among the top welterweights today (this is my ranking by the way):
1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Shane Mosley
3. Andre Berto
4. Miguel Cotto
5. Joshua Clottey
Now, you might wonder why Pretty Boy Floyd is not included in the top five. Simple. Ask and answer yourself this question: "When was the last time Mayweather fought a true and legitimate 147 contender?"
If you dig really deep and look past behind his performance against Juan Manuel Marquez, who was a bloated lightweight during their fight (no disrespect to the Mexican warrior), it was Carlos Baldomir back in 2005. Baldomir was not even a top contender but he did campaigned extensively at the 147 territory.
Fact be told, Clottey is a dangerous route for anyone within the 147-154 range. True, Foreman could have been another historical notch for Pacquiao, an easy one, I might add. But opting to fight the formidable Clottey instead, Pacquiao has proven he is out there taking on all the best challenges available.
The native of Accra, Ghana poses a serious threat to Pacquiao. He is a strudy welterweight with solid and hard punches, an almost impregnable defense, a granite chin, and a large and towering physique which he rally puts into play. And he has never been stopped before. Cotto may have won that fight, but Clottey sure did made it a hell before losing to the Puerto Rican.
On the contrary, Foreman is not much of a threat to Pacquiao. Size may be a factor, but that's really arguable. Pacquiao has fought bigger guys and bested all of them, from David Diaz all the way to Cotto. But lest you forget, the Filipino already stated that he will stop at welterweight.
Foreman, undefeated as he is, is not really much of an exciting fighter. He has always been playing it safe. He effectively fights at a distance and prefers to potshot the other guy rather than oblige in a trade. In other words, it is going to be a long and boring night, regardless of who he is fighting. And with the physical advantages he has over the seven-division champion, it's going to be a looooong night indeed for the Filipino.
While some can and will deny that Clottey is a perfect choice for Pacquiao in the light of the failed negotiations with the Mayweather camp, it is very hard to argue that Pacquiao has taken the easy route.
And with such move, this forces Mayweather to a corner and think of options that are available to him if he wants to make a better something grander than what Pacquiao has recently done. And fights with either Matthew Hatton, whose campaigns at the welterweight division are so abysmal that he is ranked somewhere in the 30s, or Paulie Malignaggi, who is slick, fast, and brash but whose punches can hardly make an impact on anyone, are just ammunitions for more criticisms and damage an already hurting legacy.
Truth is Mayweather's is now in a position where he cannot pick a severely inferior opponent, claim another quick payday, and brag that he is the greatest. If he wants to do better than what Pacquiao has done, and that is challenge someone with serious and potent threat, then all Money May has to do is pick a fight with someone who is more menacing and more threatening than Pacquiao's choice. And to name a few, he could call out Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez, that is if he wants to battle it out in March.
Or he could weather the itch to fight (if he has it) and pick on the winner of Shane Mosley-Andre Berto. If he wants to save his legacy, that is if he still cares about such thing, considering that legcay does not pay the bills, he has to name one, top caliber opponent that can possibly beat the living daylights out of him. And win.
Manny Pacquiao is the whole package in boxing – granite chin, amazing hand speed, extreme mobility, superbly agile, and packs dynamite punches in both hands. The scary thing about him, though, aside from all attributes mentioned, is that he continues to evolve and this nonstop learning process adds more punch to an already high combustible mix.
So the question surfaces, is there anyone who can beat Manny Pacquiao? The answer is yes.
But before you Mayweather fans think it is your man, I am sorry to disappoint. Mayweather will lose his pristine record against Pacquiao, if the former chooses to fight the latter. He may be slick and skilled, but he is not THE ONE.
The boxer who can beat Pacquiao should possess at the very least, equal hand speed, crazy combinations, and who also uses his feet. The only man who can beat Manny Pacquiao is STEVE FOX!
Steve got this crazy spin moves, side stepping techniques and some wrestling skills too, Coach Roach will have a hard time figuring this bomber from the United Kingdom. Steve’s too unpredictable that Pacquiao may not know what to do once he’s in the ring with him.
when you look at Steve's list of beaten opponents, he has taken them all - resurrected demons, kung fu masters, taekwondo jins, karate practicioners, and even cyborgs and wrestlers. He also took on, err, wooden dummies, and pandas, and errr, uhmm, girls. But that's beside the point!
The point isthat Steve never backs down from anyone and is willing to fight them inside and outside the ring, where the penguins play.
And Steve will certainly want a piece of Pacquiao after what he did to Ricky Hatton, and he will certainly make Pacquiao pay. And look cool while dismantling the Filipino warrior.
Check how Steve Fox will destroy Pacquiao in this video.
By Ryan Arguelles
What do Richard Schaefer, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., Ellerbe and Haymon have in common? Answer: Contradiction.
These are the people who have one common denominator – the word “Contradiction.”
People are not dumb, people remember. Boxing fans are aware of what’s going on, boxing writers noticed it, the public and the whole world listened.
The whole world – I mean, the whole wide world, not only America – are interested in boxing which is currently at it’s peak again because of Manny Pacquaio. Therefore any news about boxing is well documented in the minds of the fans all over the world. They read newsletters, articles, Biofiles, comments , interviews on people who are involved in boxing. All because their interest was awaken again by a fighter named Manny Pacquaio.
The names mentioned above raised a lot of eyebrows among boxing writers, sports editors, TV and radio sports commentators, boxing and fight fans. As if integrity and dignity has no value to these people above mentioned, they don’t seem to care about the importance of self respect and ethics.
They became a slave to their lies and deception, the people are not stupid. People out there deserve the truth because boxing fans are intelligent, wise and knowledgable.
Schaefer, Dela Hoya, Mayweather Jr, Sr, Ellerbe and Haymon think that they can fool the boxing world. They thought that cheating the public will go on and on and on without the fans noticing it.
Their own words are the evidence that they all have no moral principle, they don’t fight for any ideology or religion, all they care is to tarnish and diminish the achievements of the humble fighter from the Philippines. They are all masters of CONTRADICTION. Lets examine one by one, the contradictory words and actions coming from them:
Schaefer:
Past- “I will let Mosley comply to blood test by Nevada Athletic Commission and nothing more.”
Present- “Manny Pacquaio has to submit himself to Olympic style blood testing to fight Floyd
Mayweather Jr.” But not Mosley? (Who fights for Golden Boy and is an admitted user.)
Dela Hoya:
Past- Interviewed by Yahoo Sports in the Mayweather and Marquez fight said, “Pacquaio punches we’re not that hard, truthfully his punches aren’t that hard, he didn’t hurt me. But the punches we’re so fast and coming from everywhere, its feels like there we’re ten of them.”
Present- “Now, I have to wonder about him. Im saying to myself how those punches felt like Mosley, Vargas and Pacquaio felt the same.” Oscar’s recent statement.
Mayweather Jr:
Past- Floyd Jr. said “Pacquaio doesn’t want to fight me, he never called me! He has to call me! It will be an easier fight than Marquez! Pacquaio is one dimentional fighter, its easy to beat him.”
Present- As of today, Mayweather insist for the random blood testing even though Pacquaio has agreed to three blood tests, including one right after the fight and the random urine test before the fight. Steroids will be detected in a blood test taken 1-2 days before the fight and 1-2 weeks after the fight. Pacquaio made statements in the press challenging Floyd Jr for a mano for mano. Floyd Jr. until now didn’t answer the challenge, instead issued a statement through GBP for an even playing field. Though he didn’t give Marquez an even playing field by weighing more than the agreed weight of 144 lbs, just to gain advantaged on the smaller opponent.
Mayweather Sr:
Past-Convicted Drug Trafficker!
Present- Steroids Expert and Drug Accuser!
Haymon:
Past- He is the manager of Berto. Berto is to fight Mosley (who has testified that he inadvertently uses steroids and epogen). Haymon didn’t request Mosley for Olympic style testing vs. Berto. Mosley is a fighter of Golden Boy.
Present- Haymon wants Random Olympic style blood testing to protect his fighter Floyd Jr. but not Berto who will fight Mosley, who’s admitted user.
Ellerbe:
Past- We will never fight Pacquaio for 50-50 in one interview with Scoop Malinowski.
Present- As of today, no contract has been signed and fight is off. Maybe, this is only the exception to all the contradiction…that they never intended to fight Manny Pacquaio because their fighter has no balls and courage to fight the number one Pound-for-Pound fighter of boxing from the Philippines. And Floyd will remained a “ducker.” No contradiction on that.”
Ryan Arguelles is a Brooklyn, NY-based boxing enthusiast and observer who has watched many of Manny Pacquiao’s earliest fights live in The Philippines.
Reposted from BoxingInsider.com
Manny Pacquiao, the current pound-for-pound head honcho, IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight and WBO welterweight titlist, has officially filed his defamation lawsuit against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., his father Floyd Senior, his uncle and head trainer Roger Mayweather and other associates including Richard Schaefer and Oscar de la Hoya.
It can be recalled that the Mayweathers have accused Pacquiao with steroids usage shortly after his stunning knockout victory over Ricky Hatton. The Filipino initially brushed these accusations but has had enough when the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions demanded a random, Olympic style drug test for both fighters.
Pacquiao believes that such allegations, both baseless and lacks substantial evidence have tarnished his reputations as a professional boxer.
The lawsuit is at the District of Nevada. The Filipino boxing icon is represented by Las Vegas-based law firm Lewis and Roca LLP, specifically by Attorneys Eric D. Hone and Franchesca Van Buren. Pacquiao also demands a trial by jury against the defendants.
Here is a copy of the Defamation Complaint.
With the lawsuit, the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is off. Bob Arum is now in the talks of concocting a potential matchup between Pacquiao and the current WBA juinor middleweight (154 lbs) champion Yuri Foreman. A win over Foreman will further solidify Pacquiao's status as an all-time great for bagging eight titles in eight different weight divisions.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is scared of Manny Pacquiao. That’s how I see it as terms in negotiations are starting to get really ugly and could jeopardize this potential superfight between two prime fighters.
First, Mayweather asked Pacquiao to fight him on March 13. Considering Pac’s political ambitions as well as some time to heal his busted eardrum he got from his brawl with Cotto, the date is so soon. But hey, Pacquiao accepted, so the ultimatum did not work.
Next, you got Mayweather demanding Pac to fight him at the junior middleweight limit of 154 lbs and use 10oz gloves. That did not work also as they were very ridiculous to begin with.
Now, here is where the shit (forgive the language) hits the ceiling. I have been saying long before that the Mayweather camp will use the steroids issue as a way out of the fight. And perhaps this time, their plan might succeed.
Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe has been insisting that Pacquiao should undergo strict drug testing, blood screens and random urine sampling. First off, the steroids accusations are baseless. Second, Pacquiao has passed all the necessary tests before and after the fights. Third, he is just an anomaly which is why it’s hard to explain how he rose through the weights without losing his speed and power.
If Floyd Mayweather does not fight Pacquiao, then we all know who to call chicken.
For the first time since the negotiations began, Top Rank’s Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer hit a snag in their talks as the GBP executive canceled his scheduled tour with Arum and HBO Sports head honcho Ross Greenburg to the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Arum was visibly upset when Schaefer called him to told the Top Rank big boss that he is canceling the trip since he feels the place is not the right venue for the superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Arum was celebrating his 78th birthday when Schaefer called.
Arum also expressed his disappointment over the move as Jerry Jones, the stadium’s owner, was slated to personally give them the tour and pitch his proposal for the bout.
“I’m just embarrassed, really embarrassed,” Arum told The Associated Press. “The man (Jones) changed his whole schedule for this and you certainly want to listen to the man.”
With the Cowboys Stadium out in the equation, MGM Grand in Las Vegas is the heavy favorite for the fight’s venue. Representatives from the New Orleans Superdome and Los Angeles Staples Center have expressed their interests in having the bout held in their arenas. However, both boxers are partial in fighting in Las Vegas since they have fought most of the big matches there.
by: Scoop Malinowski
Do you think Floyd Mayweather is happy or annoyed that Manny Pacquiao has accepted to do battle on March 13?
This is not such an easy and obvious question to answer because neither Floyd nor Leonard Ellerbe has made a public statement or comment upon learning last week that the Pac-Man wants to come back to America to trade fists with the self-proclaimed greatest fighter in history.
So we really can’t say for sure if Floyd is happy or annoyed or worried to know that he now has to man up and fight themost dangerous, most ferocious, most complicated challenge of his life on March 13, which could pay the talkative American in upwards of $20, 30 or even $40 million.
I am one of the belief that had Pacquiao rejected the fight date of March 13 – reasonably saying he needed more time torest after Cotto or prepare for elections – Mayweather would have been all over the media, declaring victory and that Pacquiao
was ducking him.
And Mayweather would have been able to justify to HBO and Golden Boy about proceeding with plans to box Matthew Hatton in London in March or April. I believe it is entirely possible that Mayweather attempted to force Pacquiao with an ultimatum last week that he fully expected Pacquiao to reject the aggressively rushed date of March 13.
But once again, like how he unexpectedly shocked everyone by easily destroying Oscar, Hatton and Cotto, Pacquiao has bewildered and confused Floyd who does not know exactly what to say at this time about having to fight Pacquiao.
Of course, Mayweather could say or release a simple statement saying:
“I’m very happy that Manny has accepted to fight me on March 13 and I look forward to proving I am the best boxer in the world.”
or “I want to thank HBO, Golden Boy, Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao for this opportunity. I am honored and privileged to be a part of a prolific event like this. And may the best man win.”
or “I respect Manny Pacquiao and thank him very much for making this super-fight possible. But I will rise to the occasion and show the world I am the most skilled and exciting boxer of all time when I easily beat Manny on March 13.”
or “I have waited my entire career to be involved in such a defining fight and be assured I will be the winner.”
or “Manny Pacquiao is a good little fighter with a whole country behind him but I will show everyone he is making a big mistake picking a fight with me.”
or “I have grown bored with boxing again as all fights are a no-win situation and therefore I have decided to immediately retire from the sport for the second time.”
But no. We have heard nary a peep from Mayweather Headquarters. And the strange silence is sparking suspicion and curiosity.
Could Floyd be in secret panic and examining all possible excuses to use as an escape from the March 13 date, such as by coming up with an injury?
Or could Floyd be celebrating with a 72-hour party in Las Vegas at having secured the biggest payday in boxing history?
Or could Floyd be so inspired by the challenge, he is already busy studying films and already engaging in two-a-day training sessions, to make sure he is more than ready for Pacquiao?
Could Floyd have bolted all windows and doors, shivering and suffering
from repeated nightmares of what Manny Pacquiao might do to him on March 13?
We don’t know. We can’t tell what Floyd is thinking because he hasn’t officially said anything about Manny Pacquiao agreeing to fight him.
Could Floyd be busy? Sure. Could Floyd be partying? Maybe. Could Floyd be struggling with the reality that after all theseyears he has finally been cornered and must put his skills to the ultimate test, against a man even his own father advised him to avoid? Yes.
Could he be…scared? Any boxer, now matter how talented, who saw what happened to Oscar, Hatton and Cotto, and knows he has to fight that monster next, has every right and reason to be even a little bit scared.
Floyd Mayweather included.
Original post here.
Is it me? Or does Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather really want to be in the ring with the Pacman?
See, I have read an article about Mayweather’s ridiculous demands if Pacquiao wants to fight with him. Seriously, I do admire Mayweather’s skills and boxing abilities; I do regard him as the best defensive fighter of all time. But why sully his reputation with terms that are way beyond realistic and rational?
According to esteemed boxing trainer, Freddie Roach, Mayweather stated that he wants Pacquiao to fight him at the light middleweight limit of 154 lbs. Adding to that is the use of 10oz gloves.
For those who do not know boxing, Pacquiao fights at the welterweight category, which is within the 141-147 lbs weight frame. Pacquiao’s usual fighting weight plays from 144-148, at which he is really effective in terms of speed and power. And the Pacman has always used 8oz gloves.
Adding more muscle mass will have an adverse effect on a boxer’s performance if he goes beyond his ideal fighting weight. The Mayweather-Marquez fight is a prime example. Marquez, who is a natural lightweight fighter (135 lbs), climbed the scales to 144 lbs to fight Mayweather. If you have seen the fight, you will notice how slow, sluggish and ineffective Marquez was in that bout.
Though Pacquiao is a different case, who has been able to climb the scales without losing his speed, power, and mobility, he might be pushing the envelope too far should he agree to battle Mayweather at 154 lbs.
Another thing to consider is that Mayweather is the bigger fighter and the added pounds will favor him very well. Muscles act like armor, and the more muscles a boxer has, the higher his resistance to blunt trauma caused by the other boxer’s punches. Also, Mayweather already fought as middleweight when he faced Oscar dela Hoya.
Again, let’s go back to the Marquez fight. Mayweather weighed 146 lbs, two pounds over than the 144 limit and four pounds heavier than Marquez, who weighed at 142. Mayweather was visibly he bulkier fighter during fight night, and while he was defensively superb that night, he got hit with clean power shots by Marquez. The problem was, Mayweather was not hurting.
And now we go to the boxing gloves issue. First off, boxers in championship fights often wear 8oz gloves. Less padding and this translates to effective transfer of force from the boxer’s punch to the intended target if it lands. 10oz boxing gloves have more padding. Do the math.
I think a lot of people are really hyped to see this fight happen (writer included), but it seems Mayweather’s preferred terms are going to make the negotiations a tad difficult and perhaps cancel this era’s most lucrative match. I pray not.
For all intents and purposes, both fighters have now agreed to set the record straight and determine who the best fighter of this generation is. It is a fight I want, you want, hell, everybody wants. And it is going to happen.
Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs), the current holder of the IBO light welterweight, Ring Magazine junior welterweight, the WBO welterweight titles and the WBC Diamond Belt, , is coming off from an impressive and convincing win against Miguel Cotto.
Pacquiao’s technical demolition of Cotto proves that the Pacman can fight anyone in the welterweight division and can take a true welterweight’s punch. The fight also showed that Pacquiao has the power to hurt and bring down a welterweight fighter.
Opposite Pacquiao is Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Flamboyant, loud, and oozing with braggadocio, Mayweather boasts of a pristine 40-0 record, with 25 wins by way of knockouts. After more than a two-year hiatus, Mayweather clinically outboxed a game but helpless Juan Manuel Marquez in his last outing.
The win only proved that Mayweather is as good as he was before he went into semi-retirement. Still slick and sneaky, with an almost impenetrable defense, Mayweather is perhaps the best boxer in terms of defensive and evasive skills.
So what we have here is battle of two different styles – one who presses on with unrelenting power and speed and one who extensively uses his defense as part of his offense. It's Pacquiao, who prefers an all-out, all–action battle, versus Mayweather, a defensive mastermind who selectively punishes his opponents with extreme precision and counters.
Who’s going to win? Too early to call, but I will make an analysis later on these two great warriors. But one thing is for sure, I am so hyped up for this fight.
My apologies for not updating this blog these past few days. A friend during my college days came over and I had no choice but to do my moral obligation to such person – show him around and make sure he (by that I mean we) had a good time.
Of course, we did get to watch the much anticipated Pacquiao-Cotto fight at a restaurant in the city and like the rabid Manny Pacquiao fans that we are, cheered wildly as the Filipino champ obliterated a tough Miguel Cotto with a TKO victory in the final round. Just two rounds past my prediction.
The fight (or the half of it) lived up to its title, with both men showcasing their skills and trading bombs from the get go. Cotto was doing well in the first couple of rounds, using his left jab extensively to upset any combinations Pacquiao was trying to concoct.
Pacquiao,on the other hand, did something rather foolish – stay still. Cotto had a field day landing powerful blows to the Filipino slugger’s body. Surprisingly, Pacquiao was able to handle what Cotto can dish out. Bad news for Cotto.
Third round started to spell good for Pacquiao as he downed the Caguas native with a short right. In the next round, Cotto was again decked to the canvas on all fours; this time leaving everybody with no doubt that Pacquiao can really fight and bring down a true welterweight.
By the middle of the seventh round, Cotto, whose disfigured face has been the recipient of many combinations and flurries, starts to ride on his bicycle while fending the stalking Filipino with his jabs and occasional power shots.
The thing was every punch Cotto lands has no more pop. He was obviously drained of his energy and was clearly bent on finishing the fight and not end up as Pacquiao’s KO #38.
Pacquiao was obviously frustrated at times when Cotto would rather dance away instead of engaging him. But with patience, Pacquiao occasionally staggered Cotto with flush combinations, adding more damage to the already beaten and battered face of the Puerto Rican fighter.
Cotto’s father Miguel Sr. pleaded him to quit, but Cotto would have none of it. A true warrior, Cotto chose to finish the fight or fall trying.
55 seconds into the last round, Pacquiao landed another powerful left and trapped Cotto against the ropes. Referee Kenny Bayless saw enough and saved Cotto from another Pacquiao onslaught and called a halt to the bout.
After dethroning Cotto, Pacquiao, in the process, became the only boxer in history to capture seven titles in seven weight categories. Revered boxing historian Bert Sugar has already named Pacquiao as the Greatest Asian Fighter of All Time and the Greatest Left-Handed Boxer of All Time.
Great respect to both fighters for giving us a good fight. This one will surely go down as a classic.
While it will be a slugfest between the Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, another battle will be fought and this is one does not need any punching power and blazing hand speed to seal the victory. Each boxer’s corner will be crucial to their victories. But who will prevail in this war of encouragement?
Both fighters will get 1-minute rest period in between rounds, where the fighter get a new set of instructions, a bag of heartening words, or a heed of warning. And the one with best people on the corner has the huge advantage to rake a win.
Manny Pacquiao has Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez, and Alex Ariza on his side. Miguel Cotto, will have Joe Santiago, Philip Landman, and Joe Chavez. So who has the best team come fight night?
Experience wise, Team Pacquiao has the advantage with Freddie Roach parading above the rest. The 49-year old boxing trainer was a former contender himself. He has produced several champions and will probably manufacture a lot more. He has gathered a lot of accolades, including a Hall of Fame nod and the Trainer of The Year thrice.
Opposite Freddie Roach is Joe Santiago. A nutritionist who got promoted to chief trainer, Santiago never fought in the ring and his first fight as a chief trainer was the Joshua Clottey bout. But what Santiago lacks for experience, he makes up for the strong bond he shares with his fighter. Then again, Roach and Pacquiao also has this mystical connection that transcends the usual boxer-trainer relationship.
Camaraderie goes to the Cotto camp. Everybody is at ease with everybody. No issues or signs of discord whatsoever. Team Pacquiao, on the other hand, has a rising dissent in within their ranks where an adviser to Pacman wants to take charge of the boxer’s affairs and running over the other members of the team in the process.
Buboy Fernandez, Pacquiao's assistant trainer, also happens to be the boxer's best friend. If there is someone who know Pacquiao better than Roach, it's Buboy. And that knowledge will really come into play, whether Pacquiao needs some word of encouragement or a wake-up call.
Joe Chavez, a veteran cutman, is perhaps the most experienced individual in the Cotto corner. If there is someone who can tell Cotto what are the best things to do when the fight comes, Joe is certainly the man. But then, that is Joe Santiago's job.
So who has the best corner? Too early to say for certain. But it would be interesting to see who prevails come fight night.
Log on to this blog for live updates on the Pacquiao-Cotto mega bout on the day of the fight.
In an interview with legendary radio boxing commentator Pedro Fernandez, Kermit Cintron seconded a previous accusation made by the Mayweather boxing clan and said current pound-for-pound king and IBO light welterweight titlist Manny Pacquiao is taking something to maintain his peak physical condition.
“The guy started at 107 pounds,“ Cintron remarked. “Boxers who come up in weight like that gain water weight.”
“I don’t know how a boxer can get a body ripped like that without taking something. He’s taking something, that’s for sure,” Cintron added.
Perez incidentally echoed Cintron’s sentiments. But Perez was a bit neutral and really didn’t attack Pacquiao with the steroids accusation.
Kermit Cintron sports an impressive record of 32-1-1, 28 wins by knockouts. His last defeat, which was delivered by the hands of Antonio Margarito, is now in question after the discovery of Margarito’s team attempting to load his hand wraps with Plaster of Paris in his bout against Shane Mosley.
Whether it’s a true assessment or a publicity stunt to get himself in the limelight again, throwing accusations can be bad, especially if you do not have any proof to back what you said.
It’s one thing to be opinionated about something, but saying that you “know” is another. Cintron claims to “know” Pacquiao is taking something, though he is not keen as to what it is.
Both Cintron and Fernandez are rooting for Miguel Cotto in his upcoming fight against Pacquiao. Cintron is Puerto Rican.
Click here to download the radio interview.
Note: The Kermit Cintron interview starts at 40:00.
Aside from the WBO welterweight title, Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto will also battle it out for the recently unveiled WBC Diamond Belt this November 14th. The belt has been described by boxing analysts and enthusiasts as a rubbish item designed to collect more funds from boxers who are involved in super-fights.
Regardless of the commotion it made during its planning phase, WBC pushed through with its plans and produced the Diamond Belt, no matter how worthless it may seem. Unveiled in front of a full house at the Corona auditorium in Mexico City, WBC will award the Diamond Belt to its first holder, the winner of Pacquiao-Cotto.
As the name implies, the WBC Diamond Belt is decked with precious stones. The belt is fashioned with 18 karat gold and fused with 861 diamonds, 6 rubies, 221 emeralds and 180 Swarovski glass stones all mounted on beautiful Italian Ferrari leather and features the pictures and the flags of the 2 boxing heroes that will battle on November 14.
The Diamond Belt may not be a legitimate title strap, but it will surely augment the prestige and the glory of boxing.
And on fight night, tune in on this blog and feel the excitement as I deliver you a blow-by blow account of the Pacquiao-Cotto fight.
Me being a boxing fan always supercedes me being a boxing scribe and this coming November 15, I will be rooting for Manny Pacquiao in his epic bout against Puerto Rico native and current WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. That said, I do not disregard any possibility of a Cotto victory. The no. 8 pound-for-pound best is no pushover and regarded as among the most feared welterweight boxers today.
Now that I have my lain where my loyalties lie, here is what’s going to happen come fight night.
Pacquiao will go for an early knockout. As Roach said, Cotto is a slow starter and that is one flaw Pacquiao will extensively capitalize on. Fans should expect Pacquiao to bring in the rain from rounds 1 to 3 and attempt to end the fight before it reaches round 4.
Here’s the logic of the plan. Cotto takes time in sizing up his opponents and a quick, heavy assault from the opening bell might distract his rhythm and eventually confuse him totally for the first three rounds. The first three rounds is where Pacquiao should try to knock Cotto out earnestly.
Should Cotto survive an early onslaught, expect a great shift in momentum favoring the Puerto Rican champion. Cotto is at his element in the middle rounds. Cotto will certainly go after Pacquiao to retaliate, but with more superior footwork and speedy reflexes, Pacquiao will try to coast all throughout rounds 4 to 9.
That said, do anticipate Cotto pinning Pacquiao to the corner and against the ropes on numerous occasions and throw some power blows to the body. Pacquiao, in turn, will try to evade any traps or retreat with sheer volume punching from all directions.
The remaining rounds will be crucial to both men. Cotto is shown to slow down by the 10th round while Pacquiao, if not seriously hurt, has the stamina and strength to go on for 15 rounds. If Cotto is unable to finish Pacquiao before the 10th round, odds will slowly turn in favor of the Filipino superstar.
This is where Pacquiao will be able to deliver a finishing punch and win his seventh belt in seven divisions. I do not see it going the distance.
My bold prediction? Pacquiao wins via stoppage within 10 rounds.
By the way, if ever you bet on Pacquiao with my prediction in mind and win, please do share your winnings.
As the events leading to Pacquiao-Cotto: Firepower begins to unfold with the opening of the 24/7 series this weekend, news about Floyd Mayweather, Jr. inching his way out to fight the winner is brewing. Many boxing fans and pundits have called on Pretty Boy Floyd to fight the Pacquiao-Cotto victor if he wants to claim the P4P throne now ruled by Pacquiao.
But it seems Floyd has other plans underway. And it does not involve fighting Pacquiao-Cotto winner, nor does it entail a match with Shane Mosley, Paul Williams, and Andre Berto. Simply put, Floyd does not have any schemes to fight any legitimate welterweight.
Instead, Floyd has his sights on a 19-year old Mexican slugger Saul Alvarez. Relatively unknown, Alvarez sports a record of 29-0,22 KOs. But while he definitely has power he lacks experience and skills he requires to compete with the A-listers of the welterweight division.
Golden Boy Promotions’ second-in-command Richard Schaeffer is already selling a potential match between Mayweather and Alvarez sometime in 2010. Alvarez-Mayweather is estimated to sell 100,000 tickets if held in Aztec Stadium. Loaded with BS, no?
Mayweather already discredited himself by beating a blown-up lightweight (no disrespect to Juan Manuel Marquez, he’s one of the best boxers there is). If he does opt to fight Alvarez, then he will not only stain his image, but ruin his legacy as well.
If Floyd wants people to believe in him when he says he is the best, then it is in his best interest that he fights those who are in the top and are his size. But if he does end up fighting the kid, then it’s pretty much clear that it’s all about the money.
It may be a good move for him business wise, but that would be a great disservice to the sport and its fans. When will Floyd truly prove his great?
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