Pacquiao's Movie: Wapakman Movie Trailer

Manny Pacquiao is the lead character, an ordinary man who developed super powers. The sexy comedienne Ruffa Mae Quinto is the new leading lady of Manny Pacquiao for the movie WAPAKMAN. Nicole Scherzinger, THE lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, was supposedly the one who will be the leading lady of Manny Pacquiao, but was replaced by Ruffa Mae Quinto instead because of conflict of schedule. WWE David Michael Bautista most known as BATISTA, would be the villain in this film.

Pacquiao, Cotto next up for '24/7' treatment

There are still two episodes remaining in HBO's "Mayweather/Marquez 24/7" series, which is building up to next Saturday night's Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez pay-per-view fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but already the network is getting started on its next batch of "24/7" episodes.

The acclaimed series (winner of seven well-deserved Sports Emmy Awards) has undergone a subtle name change for the next fight, for which it will take fans behind the scenes during the fighter training camps. This one will be "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto," which was made official Thursday at the Yankee Stadium news conference that kicked off the press tour for the much-anticipated Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao welterweight title bout Nov. 14, also at the MGM Grand.

The new four-episode series debuts Saturday, Oct. 24 (10:15 p.m. ET/PT), with the remaining episodes premiering Oct. 31 (11 p.m. ET/PT), Nov. 7 (9 p.m. ET/PT) and Nov. 13 (9:30 p.m. ET/PT). Once again, the final episode will air the night before the fight, which will allow HBO to cover what figures to be a festive weigh-in Friday afternoon.

"The '24/7' franchise provides an engaging and accurate look into the lives of boxers as they toil and sacrifice to get ready for a huge showdown in the ring," said Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports. "Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are dynamic individuals in and out of the ring, and our cameras will be there to capture all the drama prior to their fall face-off."

Pacquiao has been featured on the show before in the lead-up to his big bouts against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Cotto, however, will be on the show for the first time.

One request, however, to HBO: Please, no more shots of a fighter drinking his own urine, as we saw last week with Marquez.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4462987&name=rafael_dan

Freddie Roach puts together ace sparring for Pacquiao

Freddie Roach is heading over to the Philippines on September 19 (one day after Guillermo Rigondeaux fights on ESPN2) and already has some top-notch sparring lined up for Manny Pacquiao.

"I've got [Shawn] Porter, I've got Ray Serrano, I've got Urbano Antillon and I've got Manny's pal, David Rodela. He is Manny's friend but David always give him good, solid work. David comes in to fight in camp."

"I have four guys who have the right styles for us to get ready for Cotto. Everyone thinks all Miguel does is attack but he can box also. This is a guy who was able to neutralize Shane Mosley's great speed. You have to take that into account."

It's the typical great sparring for Pacquiao, and it's a lineup that should do as good as any to get Manny ready for Miguel Cotto. As for the rumors that Roach would be bringing in Jose Luis Castillo, those were shot down:

"It's not true. Why would I use him? He's shot. I can't use a shot guy to get Manny ready for Cotto. I keep saying it but I will say it again, anyone who thinks Cotto is easy and is not dangerous is a complete fool."

On the Cotto-Pacquiao front, HBO sent out a press release that said they'll be debuting the "24/7" series for this fight on October 24.

Source: http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/9/10/1024777/freddie-roach-puts-together-ace

UMPISAHAN NA ANG PAGHAHANDA

Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat mga ginigiliw kong tagasubaybay, kaibigan at tagahanga. Nawa ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan saan mang panig ng mundo kayo naroroon.

Habang binabasa nyo ang kolum na ito, malamang ay nasa himpapawid na ako at aking mga kasama sa Team Pacquiao at ilang kaibigan sa media patungong New York upang umpisahan ang pagpo-promote ng laban namin ni Miguel Angel Cotto ng Puerto Rico.

Mula September 9 hanggang September 15, lilipad kami sa limang pangunahing siyudad sa America at sa Puerto Rico upang imbitahan ang lahat ng mga fans at supporters ng boxing na manood ng laban namin ni Cotto. Alam kong labis nang sinusubaybayan ang bawat galaw ng kani-kaniyang kampo kahit hindi pa kami pormal na nagkakaharap ni Cotto sa pangunahing press conference ng taon.

Nakatakda akong lumapag sa New York sa September 9 upang makipagkita sa mga opisyal ng HBO at mag-tape ng mga gagamiting promotional materials para sa laban at sa susunod na araw, maghaharap kami ni Cotto sa makasaysayang Yankee Stadium sa New York upang doon umpisahan ang press tour namin. Mula sa linggong ito, uumpisahan ko na ang pag-eensayo na sa tingin ko ay eksakto lamang para makuha ko ang pinakamainam na kondisyon ng pangangatawan, pag-iisip at ispiritwal na lakas para sa November 14.

Alam kong tanyag si Cotto sa Puerto Rico at ngayon ko pa lang makikita kung gaano kalaki ang suporta nila sa kanilang sariling bayani. Noong nanood ako sa laban ni Cotto sa New York, nakita ko at nadama ang init ng pagtanggap ng mga fans, kahit na sila ay mga kababayan ni Cotto.

Inaasahan kong ganoon din ang pagtanggap nila sa akin sa Puerto Rico.

Mula sa Puerto Rico, lilipad kami patungong kanluran, sa San Francisco, at sa pagkatapos ng San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers game sa AT&T Park ng Giants, inaasahang maraming mga fans ang manonood ng aming media tour dahil alam ko, maraming mga Pilipino ang nakatira sa Bay Area. Sa lugar na ito ako nag-umpisa ng aking career sa boxing sa America, mga siyam na taon na ang nakakalipas.

Tutungo kami sa Los Angeles sa kinabukasan at doon sa Beverly Hills Hotel sa Beverly Hills, tatapusin naming dalawa ang media tour. Dahil sa nag-umpisa na ng training si Cotto, babalik na ulit siya sa Puerto Rico habang ako naman ay tutungo sa San Diego upang mag-pitch ng bola sa Petco Park ng San Diego Padres sa kanilang laban kontra sa Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dahil na rin sa mga batas ng pagbubuwis ng America, hindi ako makakapag-training sa Los Angeles gaya ng dati kaya naman babalik ako sa Pilipinas pagkatapos ng media tour na ito upang mag-training sa Baguio. Babalik ako sa Los Angeles mga tatlong linggo bago ang laban para kumpletuhin ang mithiin nating talunin si Cotto, ang kampeon ng mga welterweight at magwagi ulit sa ibabaw ng ring.

Hanggang sa Muling Kumbinasyon. God bless us all.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/columns.php?aid=1130&id=27195

Good Humor Man-ny: Pacquiao swings bat, two balls, one strike at Yankee Stadium

What I Learned While Hanging Out With Manny Pacquiao At Yankee Stadium:


1. Pacman knows a little bit about major league baseball. As he left the indoor batting cage area to grab some lunch in Legends Restaurant in the ballpark, I pointed to Coach Freddie Roach speaking with four writers.

“Who’s that guy? I said jokingly. “Coach Roach,” Manny said. “He doesn’t like the Yankees, he’s from Boston like me," I said. Pacman’s quick reply: “Boston Red Sox.”

2. Manny is tight lipped about his strategy for Cotto on Nov. 14 but it doesn’t take a Vulcan mind meld to figure it out. The key word is speed. “Everyone knows I am fast but they (opponents) think that is all I am. They think the speed is my everything.”

3. Gifted musically, Pacquiao can actually plays the piano so that Chris Farina in the Manhattan hotel suite photo I used Wednesday was not a fakeroo. Megamanny can really tickle the ivories.

4. The weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout various precincts of Pacland—is Manny losing his fistic focus and all that drama, some of which spun by yours truly, Billy Dooley—does not phase Pacam in the least. At the peak or near peak of his pugilistic powers, Manny is supremely confident that five weeks of hard work in Baguio capped by three weeks at Roach’s Wild Card will result in Cotto, Mission Accomplished.

5. Pacquiao takes a paternal pride, which I thought he did, in the ring success of Nonito Donaire and new champ Marvin Sonsona. Packy even joked about not being Sonsona’s handler, joking that “my guys” (Michael Koncz and lawyer Jeng Gacal) should’ve signed the precocious 19 year old up. “I am very proud of him because I knew about him when was age 16 and 17. Sonsona is a good fighter and he is like me in having so much heart.”

6. Sometimes the guy in the eye of the storm doesn’t even know there is a hurricane. So I asked Manny if he paid attention to all the Internet rumor, gossip and innuendo that goes on about his life and careers. Pacquiao flashed his good sense of humor, saying, “I don’t look at the Internet…except for Facebook and Friendster. I don’t look at boxing.” I said, Whoa, Manny, time out…what about Pacland?”. “Of course, Pacland,” MP said, still smiling.

7. Humor flash #2: I started rapping out with MP and I scribbed in my undecipherable to all but me southpaw scrawl. “Can you read that?” Manny said, smiling brightly. “It’s a secret code so the other reporters can’t copy me, Manny. I write in Tagalog.” MP laughed.

8. Publicist Ed Keenan soft tossed a baseball to Manny. Manny took the major league bat and tapped the major league baseball. It was a Derek Jeter like line drive and hit Top Rank shutterbug Chris Farina right in his family jewels.

Stalwart that he is, Farina refused to go on the disabled list.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d10-Good-Humor-Manny-Pacquiao-swings-the-bat-two-balls-no-strikes-at-Yankee-Stadium

WAR, BABY, WAR: Why the World Loves Manny Pacquiao

When Manny Pacquiao was introduced to the crowd prior to the Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey bout in Madison Square Garden last June, nearly 18,000 fans, most of them Puerto Ricans out to support Cotto, their native son, erupted in cheers. That so many boricuas in attendance applauded a Filipino fighter whom they knew might some day be an opponent for Cotto is testament to the popularity of an athlete who stands apart from his contemporaries the same way Man o' War stood apart from a cotton mule in the Yazoo Delta.

Long before he became a household name by whipping Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, Manny Pacquiao was on his way to the Hall of Fame by virtue of his stellar record against topnotch competition. But his amazing cultural standing in the Philippines--reminiscent of the reverence Puerto Ricans accorded Wilfredo Gomez, Sixto Escobar, and Felix Trinidad, but on a much smaller scale, of course--is amazing to the outsider. Films, television shows, music, websites, commercials, politics, post office stamps--name the Filipino medium and Pacquiao has a part in its message. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo even announced a national holiday after Pacquiao demolished Ricky Hatton last May.

The Philippines has a rich boxing history, one that includes such talents as Ceferino Garcia, Flash Elorde, Small Montana, Little Dado and the incomparable Pancho Villa, but Pacquiao may well be on his way to outstripping them all. If so, Pacquiao would add a further distinction to his legacy: as one of the rare contemporary boxers to actually surpass his predecessors.

In addition to the adoration of nearly 100 million Filipinos, Pacquiao has also begun infiltrating the often hermetic American consciousness. Not long ago, Pacquiao was named to the 2009 Time 100, a list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Needless to say, it is not often that a boxer makes it into Time Magazine, or any other mainstream American media outlet for that matter, and his inclusion is a sign of his much wider acceptance.

After all, his status as "National Fist" is not the only reason Pacquiao has become a phenomenon. Despite his negligible English, Pacquiao has earned a following in the United States--where foreign boxers rarely break through into superstar status--partly because of a humble demeanor seemingly at odds with his ferocious ring style. This is in stark contrast to some of the high profile braggarts in the sport whose boasts are nearly always undermined by the notorious "Death of a Thousand Jabs" strategy come fight night. In the case of someone like Edison Miranda or Zab Judah, crowing is almost certainly a comical preamble to being knocked senseless in the ring. Pacquiao, similar to the gentlemanly Alexis Arguello, sees no need for the heckling routine. When Pacquiao left Ricky Hatton counting atoms in Las Vegas, he made sure to remind the world that bad taste is not in his DNA: "I was just doing my job in the ring and doing my best to make people happy," he said. "Nothing personal--I am just doing my job."

Even defeat could not undermine his class. After losing to Erik Morales in 2005, for example, Pacquiao simply shrugged and apologized. He did not blubber on about poisoned Vaseline; he did not claim that his allergies were acting up or that his dog collar was on too tight during the ring walk; he did not cry about the referee or the judges; he did not invoke the fantastic laws of some unknown parallel universe and pretend that he had actually won the fight despite losing clearly. No, he merely said he did his best and came back to knock out the hard-bitten Morales twice in succession. "All I'm trying to do," he once said, "is make people satisfied with my performance, not only in the ring, but as a champion outside the ring."

This is attitude is so unusual today that it makes one wonder whether Pacquiao is in the right sport. In fact, one of the main reasons Pacquiao is so popular is that he stands as a symbolic counterpoint to all the wooden nickels currently weighing down a pursuit that threatens to sink alongside Jai Alai as a spectator sport in America. Where other fighters, many of them beneficiaries of the HBO "Clash for Clunkers" program, seek the easiest fights possible and are somehow illogically lauded for it, Pacquiao has earned his fame by taking on one challenge after another. Pacquiao takes the dusty cliche of "I will fight anyone, anyplace, anytime," and concretizes it. Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De la Hoya, and Ricky Hatton are only some of the names Pacquiao stepped through the ropes against. Instead of entering the ring routinely as a 7-1 favorite the way so many fighters do, Pacquiao has consistently fought only the biggest names possible. Pacquiao is not in search of fighters two or three divisions below him--as is the norm for his slacker contemporaries--he is searching two or three divisions above him.

And when the bell rings? Well, when the bell rings, Pacquiao resembles a supernova. Elite fighters today rarely understand the value of entertainment or closing the show. Some, when facing outclassed competition, prefer to soliloquize to ringside television commentators during fights or mock their opponents, more or less acknowledging that the entire affair is a joke being played on the public. Others violate the "win today, look good tomorrow" clause by never bothering to fulfill the second half of the equation. Still others become "champions" and multimillionaires by abusing crash test dummies and full-time policemen in the ring. Sixty years ago, the kind of fight put on by Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov in New York City last year would have been stopped by an incensed referee somewhere around the seventh round and declared a "no contest." Then a formal hearing to determine whether penalties should be handed down to the two stink-out artists involved would follow. These days, boxers work under long-term, guaranteed contracts and rarely extend themselves any more than necessary. Not Pacquiao, however, whose intensity in the ring is astonishing.

Unlike Klitschko, for instance, a good boxer but one who often gives the impression that his only objective is to remain vertical during a fight, Pacquiao understands that risk is a part of greatness and that coasting through fights is a poor way to earn the wide-eyed attention of the world. His wins over Barrera (in the rematch) and Jorge Solis were tame affairs in comparison to his torrid battles with Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez. But this is what an off-night for Pacquiao amounts to: knocking out Solis, 33-0-2, in the eighth round and outboxing a sureshot Hall of Famer in Barrera. How often has the public been hijacked by "stars" who seemingly confuse boxing with ballroom dancing? Pacquiao, on the other hand, firmly believes that the public is entitled to excitement.

Perhaps Oscar De La Hoya was over-the-hill when he stepped into the ring against Pacquiao. If so, Pacquiao, as a professional thrill maker, knew exactly what to do: steamroll his opponent, look spectacular doing it, and avoid monotony at all costs. "I think he really just wants to please his fans," Freddie Roach said of Pacquiao in the understatement of the decade.

Above all, it is his desire for war, yes war, in the ring that makes him special. A combat sport without combat is, after all, a pursuit not worth undertaking, and Pacquiao is hyper-aware of his art as performance, that is to say, a hazardous theater played out for an audience secretly waiting for those isolated instances when boxing overreaches itself and becomes something else: something to gaze at in wonder, something to turn away from in revulsion. When the tangible risk of boxing is heightened, as in a bullfight, by the rare athlete willing to bring himself closer to jeopardy in order to further dramatize the spectacle, then what you have is an uncommon prizefighter and a future myth.

Despite the fact that his last three fights have been complete washouts, Pacquiao is still breathtaking to watch because of this unusual desire to create unforgettable moments through risk.

So David Diaz hit the mat like a base jumper whose equipment malfunctioned. So poor Ricky Hatton was hearing the sound of xylophones before he even crashed to the canvas, stiffened, for the ten-count. These images, even in memory, are disturbing, horrifying, and thrilling, flashpoint personifications of Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao and of boxing itself, its terrible beauty.

Source: http://mvn.com/thecruelestsport/2009/09/war-baby-war-why-the-world-loves-manny-pacquiao.html

Pacquiao set for fight of his life against Cotto

NEW YORK, (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao expects his speed will make the difference over Miguel Cotto's superior size in their November showdown, but the Puerto Rican fighter warned Thursday that "I'm not Ricky Hatton."

Philippines star Pacquiao, boxing's pound-for-pound king after beating Oscar de la Hoya in 2008, knocked out Britain's Hatton with a devastating left hook last May, a blow Pacquiao called the best of his career.

"I'm not Oscar de la Hoya. I'm not Ricky Hatton. I'm Miguel Cotto. Everyone knows what Miguel Cotto is capable of doing," Cotto said.

"I'm going to train the hardest in my career. I'm just trying to get myself fit enough to capitalize on any mistakes."

"Pac-Man", 49-3 with two drawn and 37 knockouts, will face the Puerto Rican star, 34-1 with 27 knockouts, on November 14 in Las Vegas in a welterweight showdown. A promotional tour for the fight launched Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

"I'm very excited. This is going to be a great fight," Pacquiao said. "I know Miguel Cotto is bigger and stronger than me but I will do my best to give a good effort.

"My speed is my advantage. Size is not a big difference. He's a little bigger than me but what's in the heart is what makes the difference."

Cotto swiftly countered verbally the way he hopes to physically in the ring.

"No matter how much speed he has, when you have good defense, you can stop speed," Cotto said. "He's coming to my division. He thinks he's going to be stronger than a guy who fights at 147?"

Pacquiao called Cotto the strongest fighter he has ever faced and trainer Freddie Roach made it clear the Asian star knows he is facing a supreme test.

"I'm getting Manny ready for the fight of his life," Roach said. "We've got our work cut out for us."

Pacquiao, who has captured world titles in six different weight classes, was at ringside in New York in June when Cotto won a decision over Josh Clottey, improving to 6-for-6 at Madison Square Garden.

"I'm impressed. He's strong and he can punch," Pacquiao said. "I study the style of my opponent and apply some techniques to beat him.

"I saw some weaknesses in Cotto but I won't tell you what I saw."

Pacquiao said he expects unbeaten US star Floyd Mayweather to down Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez in their September 19 fight in Las Vegas, possibly setting the stage for a mega-fight with the American if the Flipino hero beats Cotto.

"Floyd has the advantage for this fight because he is faster. Floyd can beat Marquez because he is faster and stronger," Pacquiao said. "Both fighters, I can fight them. Right now Miguel Cotto is inside my head but talk to me after."

Cotto's only loss came last year to Antonio Margarito, who was suspended after his trainer was found to have put hardened pads in the Mexican fighter's gloves before a January bout against Shane Mosley.

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/10092009/3/pacquiao-set-fight-life-against-cotto.html

Pacquiao admits he’s far from fighting form

NEW YORK — On the way to the gate at Hong Kong airport for the connecting flight to JFK International on Wednesday, Manny Pacquiao made a startling admission as he prepares for a five-city press tour for the November 14 fight with Miguel Cotto that kicks off at noontime Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

“Kung ngayon kami maglalaban ni Cotto, talo tayo (If Cotto and me fight today, I’d lose),” said Pacquiao in-between stopping for pictures with giggling Filipino passengers.

Of course, it’s been common knowledge that while he has yet to begin training camp, Cotto has been training in Puerto Rico the past month.

“Medyo nasa kundisyon na ang kalaban pero tayo papasok pa lang (My opponent is already feeling good in training while I haven’t started mine),” said Pacquiao, who is being joined in the tour of New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

As Cotto was sweating it out under the watchful eyes of trainer Joe Santiago and conditioning coach Phil Landman, Pacquiao was spending countless nights in front of the camera, fulfilling all his showbiz commitments so that when he enters training camp as soon as he gets back to the Philippines, there’ll be no more distractions.

Still, Pacquiao remains upbeat that eight weeks of punishment in Baguio will be more than enough to propel him past another marquee name in the sport.

“Partida ko na sa kanya na hindi pa ako nag-eensayo (I am giving him a big plus by not training early),” added Pacquiao.

Pacquiao is billeted at the Loews Regency Hotel on Park Ave., while Cotto is staying at the Le Parker Meridien on Ave. of the Americas and 57th Street.

To make it a memorable stay, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum went to the extent of getting his flagship fighter a suite that has a piano.

Before leaving for Puerto Rico for a press conference there on Saturday, Pacquiao will drop by the New York Times office on Friday for a round-table discussion also featuring Arum and trainer Freddie Roach.

Times staffer Greg Bishop is doing a story on Pacquiao, according to publicist Lee Samuels, who has also received requests for interviews from Time magazine, Wall Street Journal and other outfits.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/220044/pacquiao-admits-he-s-far-fighting-form

MANNY STEWARD AGREES COTTO WILL BEAT PACQUIAO

(10Sep09) WBO welterweight champion, Miguel Cotto and the so- called “People’s Champion” Manny Pacquiao are set to square off on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The fight is definitely a must see for fight fans and a must happen for the sport of boxing.

This fight is the type of fight that helps strengthen the sweet science community as a whole and brings the casual fan into the fold.

Many people think that the Filipino bomber will walk through the somewhat shopworn looking (as of late) Puerto Rican.

I disagree. Miguel Cotto will retain his title on November 14. The task won’t be easy, but it will get done.

I spoke with hall of fame trainer Emmanuel Steward and he agreed.

“John, you and me are either gonna look like geniuses or fools, but I got a feeling that though we are in the minority, we will be every gambler’s dream that night that listened to us,” said Steward.

“This is not going to be a cakewalk for Manny. Cotto throws a lot of jabs that are targeted to disrupt rhythm and timing,” he continued, “ and he hits very hard and has elusive hand speed too.”

I think that says it all. I, however, will add a little more to the game plan.

Cotto cannot back pedal against Pacquiao. He must take the fight to him behind a double or triple jab. The jab cannot be a ramrod jab; it needs to be more of a “punch at the target rather than through the target” jab.

Should Cotto push Manny into the rope or pin him in the corner, Cotto can fall into his usual trap of admiring his work and patiently looking for openings once his prey has fallen into his web.

As soon as Manny’s back is pinned on the ropes or in the corner, Cotto needs to go to work.

It is no secret that Manny Pacquiao has three glaring weaknesses in his game.

The first, Pacquiao generally has no head movement to speak of. His head is very stationary for a man of his pillar. He is very easy to hit. Ask Juan Marquez and Erik Morales if this is true.

The problem there was that neither man had the physical ability to make that punch “stick”. Cotto is a different beast when it comes to punching power.

He is physically larger and will more than likely weigh in 10-17 pounds heavier on fight night.

The second weakness that Manny possesses is inability to stop an uppercut. Manny tends to leave his hands mid chest level and relies on cat like reflexes to counter this punch. Cotto will not be intimidated. He will land the uppercut at will.

Manny Steward presents the third weakness. He said, “when Manny throws his lead left hand, he is always out of balance. He overextends the punch and falls over his lead right foot. This is not good when it comes to fighting a guy like Cotto.”

“Miguel will half step and counter with an uppercut or a lead right hand. Cotto is going to push Manny backward. He is going to punish Manny with pressure, weight, size, and punching power.”

I think that Cotto will prevail, but the fight is still going to be very dangerous for him. The major problem I have with Cotto is his fighting stance.

For the life of me, I can’t understand how a decorated amateur and an outstanding professional champion has and does get away with holding his gloves next to his ears and leans over his lead foot.

Somehow, this tactic has worked for Cotto, but it won’t work for long. Steward agreed with my assessment and said, “John, you are right. It is unbelievable to me how Cotto has gotten away with that for so long.”

“I can’t stand to see him (Cotto) in that stance. That stance leaves him wide open for uppercuts and if you’re facing Manny, you’d better correct that gloves on the ear thing that you’re used to doing cause it may land you in trouble on that night,” he said.

For the record I have said it before and will say it again, I loathe catch weights. To me, if a “fighter” calls out a champion at a higher weight class, then meet that champion at his weight class.

Catch weights are meaningless. Don’t have ass your challenge. You call someone out, and then whoop their ass at the weight that they campaigned at and won a title in. Plain and simple.

To me, that is like picking on a guy that you know has been weakened somehow and you beat him. The question is simple. Did you really beat your foe or did you beat a shell or percentage of your enemy?

Along with discussing the Cotto/Pacquiao bout, Steward and I bantered and gave our predictions and strategies on the Marquez/Mayweather fight, the future of Shane Mosley, and whether or not Mayweather is better trained under the tuteldge of his Uncle Roger or his father, Floyd Sr.

However, those topics are for another upcoming article.

Source: http://www.ironboxing.com/home_article.php?id=334

Pacquiao starts hectic tour

NEW YORK – Manny Pacquiao yesterday admitted that if he’d fight Miguel Cotto today he’d end up losing.

“Kung ngayon ang laban talo tayo (If the fight were to be held today I would lose),” said Pacquiao as he took the back-breaking 18-hour plane ride from Manila to Hong Kong to this city that never sleeps, a day ahead of the launch of his whirldwind press tour with the WBA welterweight champion from Puerto Rico.

However, Pacquiao said Cotto having gone four weeks ahead in training shouldn’t really matter by the time they climb the ring and throw bombs at each other on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight is set at 145 lb, the lowest Cotto would be in quite a while.

“Ganyan naman palagi. Nauuna mag-train ang mga kalaban natin (It’s always been like that. My opponents have gone training way ahead),” said Pacquiao who never failed to draw the attention at the airport as he towed a very lean entourage joining him in the weeklong trip.

Pacquiao said eight weeks, nothing more, nothing less, should get him in fighting form, as he hoped to draw the same result he enjoyed in his recent fights with David Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton, who all went down crashing against the Pinoy icon.

Pacquiao arrived at the JFK Airport in New York a little past 1 p.m. and was whisked to the Loews Regency on affluent Park Avenue on board a black Navigator. Joining him in the hotel are his advisers Mike Koncz and Franklin Gacal and training assistant Roger Fernandez.

A few hours later, Cotto flew in from Puerto Rico with his conditioning coach Phil Landman, and stayed at the Le Parker Meridien. He was welcomed by Top Rank pointmen Ricardo Jimenez, Lee Samuel and Jim McConnon, and was in a jolly mood, not as tired as Pacquiao.

He had time to speak to Pinoy scribes who waited for his arrival.

Cotto, the champion at 147 lb, said he’d been training for the last four weeks, but even if he’d sparred three times, he wasn’t at the gym six or seven days a week. Jimenez said training meant some morning runs and a lot of conditioning exercises just to get Cotto in the groove.

“I’m taking some base for the hard weeks to come,” said Cotto who horsed around with Landman at the lobby as they waited for their room assignments. Cotto looked cool in his long-sleeve shirt, tight pants, Ferragamo shoes and a bulging metal watch, and carried a backpack.

Cotto said he doesn’t mind if Pacquiao hasn’t started training, because each boxer has his own style.

“He has to train by himself. I just train for my own benefit – what is best for my career. I just want the space for the hard weeks ahead. I don’t train the full week. And I just sparred like three times in those four weeks,” said the Puerto Rican, who admitted being at 159 to 161 pounds.

Notes: This whirldwind press tour is not for the weak, Top Rank publicist Ricardo Jimenez, former sports editor of La Opinion, said Wednesday. “You will see that the tour moves pretty fast — with all the jumping in and out of the plane,” he said, adding that Pacquiao would have used one of two days here before the tour which begins Thursday with an onfield (first-base) press conference at the Yankee Stadium at noon. Then by 2:30 p.m., Pacquiao and Cotto will be in a photo-shoot for the fight commercials and posters, and that would keep them until 7 p.m. On Friday, some more photo-ops and glove-signing are set in the morning, and then Pacquiao will have a round-table with the New York Times sports department before leaving for San Juan, Puerto Rico at 7 p.m. The Puerto Rico gig is set at 11 a.m. Saturday and by 4 p.m. everybody flies to Atlanta on way to San Francisco and should be there by midnight. Sunday is another presscon following the Giants-Dodgers match at the AT&T Park and by 6 p.m. Team Pacquiao leaves for Los Angeles and the Beverly Hotel where the boxers will undergo medical before holding another presscon at 4 p.m. Cotto flies back to Puerto Rico Monday evening, while Pacquiao stays on for one last gig set Tuesday at the Petco Park in San Diego where he will do the ceremonial toss for the Padres vs Cardinals at 7 p.m. By 10:55 p.m., just a couple of hours later, Pacquiao and his party board a Philippine Airlines flight to Manila.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=504264&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Interview with World Boxing Hall of Fame Trainer Freddie Roach

Freddie Roach is one of the greatest trainers in the history of boxing. On top of that, he is also one of its biggest personalities and one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Roach, despite physical ailments, keeps plugging away. He is facing another grueling training camp as star pupil and best pound for pound fighter in the world, Manny Pacquiao prepares for a big challenge in the form of Miguel Cotto. On a personal note, every time I speak with Freddie I feel inspired and motivated. No matter his circumstance, Freddie is always the same. Please visit ProBoxing-fans.com for more information on each of the boxing matches Freddie discusses.

SD- How are things going Freddie?

FR- Good. Big schedule coming up with a lot of traveling. It’s what I like though.



SD- What are your thoughts on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Juan Manuel Marquez match up?

FR- Really, who cares. I think it is going to be a boring fight. It’s a matchup of two counter punchers by nature. Marquez is going to have to take the lead. Marquez is more effective normally in the counter punching mode. I do think it is going to go all 12 rounds with a decision. I don’t see any action.

SD- I don’t know if you are watching HBO’s 24/7, I’ll assume you haven’t. Marquez is drinking his own urine. Have you ever heard of that in training?

FR- It’s a waste system and the body gets rid of it. How can that be good for you. I don’t care how much fucking pee he drinks he is not going to win.



SD- Everyone is clamoring for a Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. matchup. But first things first, you have your work cut out for you with a very formidable foe in Miguel Cotto. What challenges does Miguel present for Manny?

FR- Well you know his size and strength are a problem. He is very big. He nullified Shane Mosley’s speed. He is a very intelligent fighter. Anyone that says this is an easy fight is a fool. This is the hardest fight of our life. I believe that 100%. I don’t think we can win by knock out this time. I think we will win via a decision. This guy is a game, tough guy. He has already been in camp for three weeks. If he wins this fight everything bad that has happened in his career goes away. This is the fight of his life. Anyone that expects anything different would be a fool.



SD- Cotto is known for his tough chin. Do you think this is the best chin Manny has faced?

FR- Yes, 100% yes.



SD- When do you start camp?

FR- The press tour starts tomorrow (September 10th), camp starts on the 20th.



SD- You had Michael Moore with you in the last camp. Is he still with you?

FR- Michael Moore is no longer here. It just didn’t work out.



SD- How is your health?

FR- I’m doing OK. My brother passed away last week. It’s been a little difficult but I’m doing fine.



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SD- I’m interested in your opinion of UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva?

FR- He is a talented guy. I worked with him a couple of times. He told me he was pretty good at MMA but sucked at boxing. He was very humble. He is one of those guys in the gym that only gives 30-40% because he knows what he is capable of. He boxed a couple of times in my gym. He didn’t hurt anyone and no one hurt him of course. When I saw the way he fought Forrest Griffin, the way he measured him; his boxing skills are a lot better than people give him credit for. I don’t know if he could beat Roy Jones or not but I tell you he would give him a run. He is a great fighter, he knows distance and he is very intelligent.



SD- In the world of MMA, Silva’s hand speed and head movement are incredible. How do you think they measure up to the elite boxers?

FR- He is right there with the top guys. When he comes over and boxes with the top guys he does very well. He is really fluid. There are a couple of things he needs to work on. He likes to lay on the ropes a little bit and gets up a little too high. He reminds me of James Toney when he is on the ropes. We were working on that. He is easy to work with and has a great work ethic. He is a great fighter all around.



SD- Boxing is far from dead as some big fights are on the way. What are your thoughts on the Heavyweight Title fight between Chris Arreola vs. Vitali Klitschko?

FR- I favor Klitschko but Arreola has a chance because he is tough. Arreola has no quit in him and he will make it tough but I think Klitschko has too much size for him. Vitali Klitschko knows how to use his size and stays out of trouble. I think Vitali will out box him but it should be a pretty exciting fight.



SD- Arreola is a bull. He can take a punch.

FR- Yeah, he is a very tough guy. This is a big step up for him. I would have like to see him step up more gradually. He is going from fighting a C fighter to an A fighter, it might be too much for him. I wish him the best though. He comes to my gym and watches Pacquiao workout.



SD- Getting the cart ahead of the horse, what are your thoughts on the dream matchup of Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao providing both win their next bouts?

FR- Obviously they both have to win their fights for that to happen, which I think they both will. I don’t believe Floyd will ever fight Manny Pacquiao. They tried to negotiate with him and he won’t even negotiate. If Edwin Valero remains undefeated we will probably go that route. We are not going to sit around and wait on anyone. There is no way we are taking a 50/50 split with Floyd. We are the draw, not him. Manny is the top pound for pound fighter in the world. Floyd has an ego that is huge and wants all the money but Manny has one too. I don’t think negotiations will ever happen. It is a fight the whole world wants and I want to see it myself but Mayweather is not realistic when he is negotiating.



SD- I think if they matched up it would be the biggest pay-per-view in the history of boxing. Would you agree with that?

FR- 100%, it would blow everything away. Everywhere I go other countries you name it that is all they talk about; when are you going to fight Mayweather?



SD- Thanks Freddie and good luck.

FR- Thank you very much.

Source: http://www.profighting-fans.com/articles/freddie-roach-interview_091009.html

Riled Roach: I'm packing my boxing baggage for Baguio

Coach Roach says he and Megamanny are on same page for Cotto training camp

He's still rankled over what he considers interference with his duties by Manny Pacquiao agent Michael Koncz but don't think loyal trainer Coach Freddie Roach isn't packing his boxing baggage to report for the Pacman training camp in Baguio.

"I will be there," Roach said Thursday morning in Manhattan. "I have my great prospect, the Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux, fighting in Miami (ESPN) on Sept. 18. I will leave the next day for the Philippines."

Roach said all those trembling and quaking with fear in Pacland can relax.

"I don't read the Internet. But people read it to me and people tell me about it. But everything is getting under control. With training and training camp, one guy needs to be in control.

"And that is my job."

Roach dismissed reports that former world champion Jose Luis Castillo will be one of the Pacman sparring partners for the Nov. 14 Las Vegas bout against dangerous Miguel Cotto.

"Where did you hear that? Roach said. ""It is not true. Why would I use him, he is shot. I can't use a shot guy to get Manny ready for Cotto. I keep saying it but I will say it again, anyone who thinks Cotto is easy and is not dangerous is a complete fool."

So the Mexican with the notorious weight making issues was never in. Who will Pacquiao work with in the cool and leafy climes of Baguio, a five hour or so drive from Metro Manila?

Roach told me has four solid soldiers ready to report for duty.

"I've got Sean Porter. I've got Ray Serrano. I've got Urbano Antillon and I've got Manny's pal, David Rodela. He is Manny's friend but David always give him good, solid work. David comes in to fight in camp."

"I have four guys who have the right styles for us to get ready for Cotto. Everyone thinks all Miguel does is attack but he can box also. This is a guy who was able to neutralize Shane Mosley's great speed. You have to take that into account."

Besides scotching the Castillo rumors, Roach reiterated that he was increasingly tired of Koncz sticking his long Canadian nose into the trainer's area of command and control.

"Last time he went and got Manny a sparring partner, he got some 168-pounder," Roach said. "He said he didn't know better. It's like the where are we training thing. He's afraid to ask Manny these things. So he should stay out of areas that are between me and Manny. The four guys I've got lined up...they will do the job."

"I give Juan a chance but a small chance," Roach said. "I don't really see Marquez winning. I did hear that Floyd got his ass kicked in the gym the other day (against Lamont Peterson). Do I believe that story? No, not really but it's fun to hear about it."

Roach said he thinks the Mayweather camp has purposely downplayed two rotator cuff surgeries that the unbeaten Floyd has had.

"That could affect Floyd. I don't know which shoulder it is but he is always rolling those shoulders."

Roach said Team Pacquiao will be billeted in Baguio for five weeks and then move on, as always to his Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.

Roach, who will turn 50 next March, said he has no thoughts of retirement for himself but does think Pacman won't stay around too much longer.

"For Manny, we've got Cotto and then maybe Mayweather. Negotiations with Mayweather will be very difficult. If it's not Mayweather, then I could see Mosley getting into the picture with Manny. I can see Manny quitting after two or three more fights.

"As for me, I spend 12 hours a day around the gym because I still love it. What else would I do with my time? I suck at golf so that is out. I'm going to keep doing what I do."

For that,, Paclanders can be grateful.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d10-Riled-Roach-Im-packing-my-boxing-baggage-for-Baguio

Roach: If Marquez beats Mayweather, boxing will turn into Urinetown

Coach Freddie Roach doesn't know whether to laugh or cry about Juan Manuel Marquez claiming to drink his own urine as part of training preparation to fight undefeated Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19.

"In all my years in boxing, I have heard a lot of ridiculous things," Roach said speaking to me before Thursday's Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao press conference at Yankee Stadium. "I mean, it is just ridiculous.

"They don't call it a body waste product for northing. The key word is waste."

Then, with his impish Irish sense of humor, Roach decided that the mellow yellow liquid could become the new training rage in boxing.

"Yeah, it could. If Juan Manuel beats Mayweather, all the fighters will start doing that."

Coach Roach laughed.

Is Mayweather laughing?

The urine drinking by the Mexican ringmaster was revealed on the HBO 24/7 series.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d10-Roach-If-Marquez-beats-Mayweather-boxing-will-turn-into-Urinetown

CALM BEFORE THE STORM: PACQUIAO-COTTO PROMOTIONAL TOUR BEGINS

Actions speak louder than words and inside the ring, both Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have proven to be tenacious warriors when it comes to fighting. When it comes to press conferences, however, neither fighter is very vocal, opting instead to speak politely of their opponents while anxiously awaiting the opportunity to let their fists do the talking inside the ring. As the Pacquiao vs. Cotto promotional tour kicks off today at Yankee Stadium, thousands of fans will show up to hear what their favorite fighters have to say and when they do speak, both men will likely exhibit mutual respect towards each other...the calm before the storm so to speak.

"There is no reason to humiliate or disrespect your opponent or to create a situation outside the ring," Cotto would tell Hiram Alberto Torraca in a recent interview with El Nuevo Dia. "We treat the opponent with respect and the day of the fight, we will go into the ring to fight. What I hope is that for this tour, everything is quiet and that fans, both Filipinos, Puerto Ricans and Latinos in general, enjoy it and support the fighter of your choice," he added.

Indeed, actions speak louder than words and it's good to know that fighters don't always have to disrespect each other in order to promote a fight. Both fighters have already arrived in New York to begin their five-city tour to promote their highly-anticipated November 14 welterweight clash. It says a lot when a fight needs absolutely no promotion in order to get you excited about it and Manny Paquiao vs. Miguel Cotto is one of those fights. Make no mistake about it, there's only one "Can't Miss Event of the Year" in boxing and this fight is it. The press conference may be relatively tame, but like Cotto said, there's going to be a war inside the ring when all the talking is done!

PUBLIC PRESS CONFERENCE INFO...

Boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound king and the reigning Fighter of the Year, MANNY "PacMan" PACQUIAO, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion MIGUEL COTTO, will kickoff their cross-country, five-city, two-ocean media tour promoting "FIRE POWER" -- their world welterweight championship fight -- at a FREE PUBLIC NEWS CONFERENCE on the field near First Base (facing the stands) at YANKEE STADIUM, TODAY! September 10. Doors will open at 11 a.m. with the news conference beginning at Noon. Food and fight merchandise concession stands will be open for fans. Truant Officers will be barred. Public and Media entrances are at GATE 4 (161st St and Jerome Ave.)

Source: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content5645.html

Pacquiao/Cotto: A test of fair play

In recent days, there have been growing speculations among certain fight fans that if the fight were to come down to the judges at hands, Miguel Cotto could very well end up on the short end of the stick.

There are several reasons why this belief exist, but the two which hold the most weight can be attributed to a few facts that seem to find a way to test greater logic.

The not-so-obvious reason is the fact that Cotto recently received a decision over Joshua Clottey which many fight fans found to be highly controversial, and based on that outcome, there seems to be a concern that scoring officials will be far less likely to give the nod to the Puerto Rican under similar circumstances, avoiding the possibility of any appearance of favortism.

The second, and clearly more obvious concern is the fact that the true fight EVERYONE wants to see is the one that would pair Mayweather against Pacquiao, and with a Mayweather victory over Marquez, the concern is that the pressure quickly mounts to ensure that Pacquiao seals the deal as well.

The reality of the matter is that those who believe there's some type of 'fix' in the making, (despite raising valid points), probably need to remember a few things.

For one, the stage that these two men will find themselves on the evening of November 14th will be far too grand for the sport to make such a mistake with the world watching. Secondly, when you pair Paccquiao's power and Cotto's strength, as hard as it is to consider either man being KO'd, the reality is that there's a zero chance that this fight won't end within the distance.

Raising concern is one thing, but what isn't too popular about the questions being raised is that it provides excuses where there should be none.

Be they true or false, both men will enter the ring accutely aware of what they have to do to win. As "Iron" Mike Tyson once said, "a fighters mindset going into any fight should be to take the decision out of a judges hands". KO'ing the opponent in this fight won't be a walk in the park, but hey, welcome to the big leagues fella's....Nobody ever said it would be easy!

May the best man win!

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-845-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d9-PacquiaoCotto-A-test-of-fair-play

Could Mayweather-Pacquiao happen at House That Ruth Built?

NEW YORK--Manny Paquiao and Miguel Cotto will visit the new Yankee Stadium Thursday for the first of their multi city dog and pony shows.

Given their usual deportment, it's unlikely that even verbal jabs will be exchanged. Their Nov. 14 Las Vegas bout is a hot ticket at the gate and looms as a PPV TV jackpot and it doesn't need artificial injections of hype or contrived controversy.

But, given the backdrop here being the latest version of The House That (Babe) Ruth Built and home of baseball's most dominant franchise, the Yankees, the question naturally arises as to whether the seemingly inevitable Floyd Mayweather-Pacquiao fight could ever take place there.

Given New York's oppressive tax regulations, the quick answer is a phrase Brooklyn boy Bob Arum knows too well from his childhood...yeah, forget about it!

But, since he remains a New Yorker in spirit and still cheers for the Yankees and the football Giants, I decided to ask the Top Rank honcho if the big ballpark in the South Bronx could be the site of such a gigantic bout.

Arum was the co-promoter, along with Madison Square Garden of the third Muhammad Ali-Ken Norton match which took place at a wild and woolly (the cops were on a sort of strike that night) Yankee Stadium on Sept. 28, 1976.

"Fighting in New York doesn't have the same importance that it once did," Arum said. "But it would be great to have Manny fight here and the only opponent who might make sense in the ballpark would be Mayweather.

"I think Manny against Floyd would break the boxing box office records in the stadium."

Out of habit, I mentioned losing out on a vital Las Vegas hotel-casino site fee. Arum said those days are gone.

"With the Cotto fight, we're not getting any site fee from the MGM. They pay for things (hotel rooms and food) and they buy up a lot of tickets but the only one on the financial hook is me, not them," Arum said. "The days of the site fee are gone."

Arum explained that New York State and City officials made some tax concessions to land Ali-Norton III.

"Norton lived in California, where the taxes were similar to New York, so he didn't care too much. With Ali, they let him deduct his manager fee, his trainer fee and then he paid tax on the lesser amount. His manager, Herbert (later Jabir) Muhammad, paid no tax to New York. In this day and age, in this kind of economy, no politician is going to waive off taxes."

Arum then related an anecdote from the George Foreman-Evander Holyfield fight in Atlantic City where Donald Trump--yes, the You're Fired Donald Trump--agreed to fork over a staggering $11 million site fee.

Trump reneged, according to Arum, three weeks before the fight date.

"It was the time of the Gulf War so Trump claimed he was off the hook because of an Act of War clause in the contracts. Really what happened is that Trump realized he was a fool to pay so much money.

"I said, unless Saddam Hussein invades the beach at Atlantic City, Trump had to pay the full amount," Arum said.

"But Trump wound up paying us $1 million in a settlement. We (Top Rank and Dan Duva's Main Events) got the entire live gate and Trump paid for all the rooms and meals."

Pacman-Pretty Boy in storied Yankee Stadium?

It won't happen but it makes for a fleeting fistic fantasy.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Could-MayweatherPacquiao-happen-at-House-That-Ruth-Built

PACQUIAO ARRIVES IN NEW YORK!

9/9/09, New York, N.Y. -- Five-time world champion pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, General Santos, Philippines plays the grand piano in his hotel suite after arriving in New York Wednesday. Pacquiao is in town along with three-time world champion and the pride of Puerto Rico Miguel Cotto, Caguas, Puerto Rico to kickoff their cross-country, five-city national media tour to promote their upcoming "FIREPOWER" World Welterweight championship fight. The tour begins with a public press conference at Yankee Stadium Thursday. Pacquiao vs Cotto is promoted by Top Rank, in association with MGM Grand and Tecate, and will take place, Saturday,November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be available live on HBO Pay Per View. --- Photo Credit : Chris Farina - Top Rank.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-27168.html

Cotto in NYC

WBO Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto arriving in New York City on the eve of the FIREPOWER kick off press conference for his showdown with Pound for Pound King Manny Pacquiao. Cotto and Pacquaio will tour four cities in two countries over the next 6 days. Tomorrow’s press conference will take place at Yankee Stadium at noon. Fight fans are invited.

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/?p=22429

Calling all muggers: Manny Pacquiao invading Central Park

NEW YORK—I just hope the little guy doesn’t run over Madonna or one of those other latte sipping celebrities.

Me, I can handle myself. My White Gorilla speed and girth will hold me in good stead when Manny Pacquiao invades my exercise course.

That little guy you might see early Thursday morning whipping his around the 6.2 long loop of Manhattan’s Central Park, that little guy who looks like Pacquiao…well, it is Da Pacman in the flesh.

I would think Manny would opt for the more manly long loop than the 2.3 mile reservoir run where Jackie Kennedy used to jog and where Madonna and other big stars often do with bodyguards in tow.

Too bad it isn’t the bad, old days of epic crime here so that Pacquiao could terrorize some would be muggers like Charles Bronson did in “Death Wish” (1974).

That would be like free sparring for Pacquiao.

But I digress.

Promoter Bob Arum had just wound up a brief chat in Pacquiao’s midtown hotel suite when I spoke to him Wednesday evening.

“Everything is good, everything is fine. I just left Manny and he had some plates of food. He’s waiting for (Coach Freddie) Roach who is flying in from California. Freddie should be here shortly and I know he and Manny will talk things over,” Arum said.

Puerto Rican slugger Miguel Cotto. Pacman’s Nov. 14 opponent in Las Vegas was ensconced in a different midtown hotel.

The Cotto-Pacquiao Press Tour kicks off (hey, come the New York Football Giants used to play in the old Yankee Stadium) in the Bronx Thursday at noon with a public invited press conference.

Doors to the new Yankee Stadium will open at 11 am and, as it is an off day for the pinstripers, Arum is hoping that superstar and Captain Derek Jeter and others will turn out to see the fighters.

The presser, which will be followed by stops in Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and (for Manny only) San Diego, will take place “rain or shine” but Arum’s not worried about the weather.

“I hear the rain forecast is for later in the day,” Arum said.

Arum said Megamanny reiterated that he will begin training immediately after the media junket in Baguio. Pacman will stay there for one month and then put in three weeks at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, moving on to Vegas for fight week.

I mentioned that I heard former champion Jose Luis Castillo would be going to the leafy climes and strawberry fields forever of Baguio as a sparring partner.

“That’s fine as long as Jose Luis doesn’t have to weigh in,” Arum cracked, referring to the Mexican’s notorious weigh in mishaps.

I had to take a jab at Arum having columnist status at my old employer, The Las Vegas Sun. So I asked if he would sit with me and the other peons in the press section or remain on the prestigious dais.

Arum said he will do both.

“When I’m on the dais, I will do the promoting and then I will come into the press section to do my writing,” Arum said.

Doubling up my jab I asked if ace publicist Lee Samuels scribbles his column.

Columnist Bob got a bit testy.

“No, I write it myself and they put it on the website. They liked my first column so much they also ran it in the newspaper.”

Will Arum expand his journalistic commentary to other boxing news and even to, let’s say, the raging health care controversy that President Obama was discussing Wednesday night?

“No, I’ll write about other boxing topics, other people’s promotions also. I can write about politics. When I write about (Nevada Sen) Harry Reid, I will mention how he was a boxer. As long as I can tie my subject into boxing, I’m good.”

Normally, this Red Sox rooter avoids Yankee Stadium. I hope you Paclanders appreciate how I will cross enemy lines to cover this event.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Calling-all-muggers-Manny-Pacquiao-invading-Central-Park

Manny Pacquiao's San Diego bean counter battles Uncle Sam

NEW YORK--Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. finds no joy in battling the Internal Revenue Service. Sure, he jokes about it and says he has no overdue obligations to the Tax Man but they don’t file $6 million liens as a practical joke.

Manny Pacquiao has a bean counter, an accountant in San Diego, who monitors the days he spends in the United States so that the Pinoy Idol can avoid a monstruous bite on not only the money he makes here but on his worldwide income.

It’s called the Substantial Presence Test and Pacman promoter Bob Arum detailed it for me Wednesday night.

“It’s calculated like this,” Arum said on the eve of the Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight kickoff press conference at the new Yankee Stadium, “you take one sixth of Manny’s days in the U.S. for 2007.

“Then you take one third of his days in the U.S. for 2008. Then they compute 100 percent of his days spent in this country for 2009.

“If that adds up to 183 days, then Manny is screwed. Manny has to be under a total of 183 days or else they can claim tax on his worldwide income. What Manny wants to be is substantially under a total of 183 days in the U.S. He doesn’t want it to be any close calculation or for there to be any dispute.”

This is one test that Pacquiao does not want to “pass.”

He’s better off doing the legal limbo and staying beneath the 183 day threshold.

Now I hope I got this right as I was flummoxed by my basic accounting course in law school.

Arum has expertise in these matters as he got into the boxing business as a U.S. attorney who was sent to count gate and TV receipts for Uncle Sam on a heavyweight championship bout.

When Arum saw all the money involved, he made a career switch, leaving Attorney General Robert Kennedy’s team and becoming a fight promoter.

When it counts, Arum counts pretty well.

And Pacquiao is counting on the count of that accountant in San Diego.

FROM THE IRS.GOV WEBSITE:

February 2009

Each year, thousands of nonresident aliens are gainfully employed in the United States. Thousands more own rental property or earn interest or dividends from U.S. investments. This article discusses the tax filing requirements for nonresident aliens.

First step: Determining Alien Tax Status

If you are an alien (not a U.S. citizen), you are considered a nonresident alien unless you meet one of two tests: the green card test or the substantial presence test for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). If you do not meet either the Green Card Test or the Substantial Presence Test, then you are a nonresident alien.

Green Card Test: You are a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, at any time, if you have been given the privilege, according to the immigration laws, of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant. You generally have this status if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issued you an alien registration card, Form I-551, also known as a "green card." You continue to have resident status, under this test, unless you voluntarily renounce and abandon this status in writing to the USCIS, or your immigrant status is administratively terminated by the USCIS, or your immigrant status is judicially terminated by a U.S. federal court.

Substantial Presence Test: You will also be considered a U.S. resident for tax purposes if you meet the substantial presence test for the calendar year. To meet this test, you must be physically present in the United States on at least:

1.
31 days during the current year, and
2.
183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before that, counting:
*
All the days you were present in the current year, and
*
1/3 of the days you were present in the first year before the current year, and
*
1/6 of the days you were present in the second year before the current year.

Example:
You were physically present in the United States on 120 days in each of the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. To determine if you meet the substantial presence test for 2008, count the full 120 days of presence in 2008, 40 days in 2007 (1/3 of 120), and 20 days in 2006 (1/6 of 120). Since the total for the 3-year period is 180 days, you are not considered a resident under the substantial presence test for 2008.

Resident aliens are generally taxed in the same way as U.S. citizens. This means that their worldwide income is subject to U.S. tax and must be reported on their U.S. tax return (Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return; Form 1040A, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040EZ, Income Tax Return for Single and Joint Filers with No Dependents).

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m9d9-Manny-Pacquiaos-San-Diego-bean-counter-battles-Uncle-Sam