Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto: The Breakdown

The consensus is that the P4P entrant Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 49-3-2, 37 KO’s, has no equal. The phenomenal Pinoy package from General Santos City, Philippines, has defied the odds from whereat he started as a budding super flyweight—until now—and there’s no telling how much he’ll want to reach and go.

The latest anticipated war he’s about to engage in is a face-off with Miguel Angel Cotto, 34-1, 27 KO’s.

Cotto, for some reason or another comes across as a quiet and humble disciple…with abundances of discipline not seen in most fighters. His continuous obedience to Bob Arum has taught me a real sense of humility—which I have often wondered looking at would be the perfect definition to loyalty.

Loyalty works both ways, and Miguel Cotto has given as well as he’s taken to being the model prizefighter who painstakingly stayed a super lightweight for the beneficial growth we’re about to embark on in seeing.

Whether Miguel took to an inhumane dieting to remain a sacrificial lamb for Pacquiao remains to be seen. Cotto has broken off with his Uncle Evangelista Cotto, in quest of his new trainer and dietician-health provider Mr. Santiago, a parcel of what MAC had for infusing debatable strategy to other heights—amongst other things.

Take nothing of how Miguel and Evangelista took to the streets fist fighting in Puerto Rico to make the breakup any more official, and you have a Miguel Cotto that’s determined to place his destiny in plain sight in spite whatever dysfunction you may or may not have to say about it.

GBP Sugar Shane Mosley rushed to a sales pitch of 140 pound to disrupt Cotto-Pacquiao negotiations, but the GDP in their fight showed insurmountable numbers for the Pan Pacific-Caribbean US territories, and the United States. In theory, Pacquiao is going to be brutalized. And I still can’t believe he accepted Cotto’s conditional weigh-in proposition much as I find it amusing to hear Mosley willing to fight at a disservice 140.

Why? Either Mosley knows he can beat them with one hand tied behind his back, or we’re just all delusional. Manny’s speed for avoidance to engage isn’t going to help getting offensively popped by Cotto, but the possibility could be there that Cotto poops a little out on his gas tank.

Power Department

Pac isn’t going to be the big welterweight in the ring, Cotto will be. He’s an accurate precision puncher who wastes no moves, warranted indefensible body attacks worked from hard jabs—and almost never neglects those lascivious left hooks of his. His right hand is also powerful.

Put it this way, does anybody think Manny can hold up to Cotto’s punches? Maybe 143 would have been his better bet, however this fight isn’t at junior welterweight …but in welterweight, a weight Cotto can easily fly within his normal weight like a plain dead lift, should be his strengths.

Miguel Cotto is the bigger guy.

Manny should be moving as fast as his legs could take him, jabbing and extremely leery of that resourceful left hook accompanied unparallel overhand rights of Cotto’s. He’ll box smartly for the early rounds, but so will Cotto.

On Manny’s power under the microscope, his demolition over Ricky Hatton has been an eyebrow raiser; it is Pacquiao’s job to convince whether the speculation is correct about Miguel Cotto’s full welterweight status.

Speed

Pacquiao uses his variety of punches to ease up on his appropriate place of picking things up. He is known to steal precious rounds in even closer fights.

For the Boricua Cotto, a pressure fighter—who by defeating Sugar Shane Mosley at a punchers game became rudimentary—as the result shortly turned elementary, is why we’re here talking Cotto - Pacquiao today. November’s 2007 Sugar Shane misconstrued his byproduct of 8-ounce boxing gloves to derail Cotto—and instead found no solace for the inside—or any arbitration outside, as Cotto retained his WBA Welterweight title by decision in his second defense wearing Mosley’s preferred punchers’ mitts.

Guts (Intestinal Fortitude)

Making no misnomer about Manny Pacquiao, he’s won six world titles in staggering fashion hence 112 thru junior-welterweight classes. And last year the diminutive Pacman superimposed his wherewithal to the Henry Armstrong theme winning belts at 130 and 135 pounds defeating Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez and David Diaz, but his world celebration toasted glasses in droves when he thwarted “The Golden Boy” Oscar De La Hoya as a welterweight, a peculiarly bigger world drawn by that feat having worked for what he had sown in 2008.

His one-punch knockout over Hatton in El Segundo de Mayo in round 2 of this year showed he was about as “junior-welterweight” as his brethren Ricky laid sprawled on his back getting counted out…. not to mention Pacman actually attaining and lifting an elusive junior welterweight strap off of Ricky’s waist in the process.

Pacquiao wasn’t intent on returning after defeating golden boy thru the name limitations of a banned Antonio Margarito fighting in the US, to a Paul “The Punisher” Williams who fights two higher weights from 147, but now he’s gotten sucked in for an upcoming HBO Pay-Per-View MGM Grand spectacular in November.

Cotto’s acquisition process was made inside Top Rank’s stable all the while, and the native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Three-time champion Miguel Cotto has always answered the call. Currently the most exciting fighter in Puerto Rican tradition since Felix Trinidad, Cotto, remains the island’s frontrunner along with 122 pound junior featherweight sensation, Juanma Lopez, who runs a close second.

Cotto won numerous awards in Spanish media, and has been the guaranteed ticket seller of Madison Square Garden this decade in years. A former WBO Light Welterweight Champion, and six-time defender 2004-06, Cotto’s also the former WBA Welterweight Champion captured in 2006, and in his most recent, the WBO Welterweight Title won last February with his stunning KO over Michael Jennings in the fifth.

MAC has been the head of his herd as an original throwback prizefighter for the ages.

His early going consisted of professional prizefights averaging three in a seven-week stretch; and Miguel became so adamant about staying active that he trailed behind nobody in arriving early; and the last to leave at the gym.

He’s nixed Sugar Shane Mosley and Zab Judah in his most satisfying wins to date.

Weight

Does Miguel Cotto’s WBO Welterweight Title placed on the line really matter?

Will the sanctioning fee be a walkover for a real challenge he faces, because up till now about the only thing that should be pristine is the ultimate meet for The Ring’s P4P entrant, and titles will undoubtedly have to take a backseat when it comes to the elite in the game. The weights are particularly unconscionable to be placed other than a “Catch-weight” for MAC, shortened a couple pounds, though no sanctioning body would ever in there right minds attempt to not consider one way or another the victor deserving it. Two, three, what the heck make it four pounds tipped on the scale makes no difference whatsoever come fight time.

Does anybody really want to dispute that Miguel wouldn’t be closer to super welterweight come fight time? No I didn’t think so. Manny won’t be far behind for this one; and much unlike the one he came in for golden boy in which he swift and sleekly incorporated to outspend and out hustle Oscar…. Pacquiao will use his few extra pounds in the dais to show a more composite sketch with less density for his adversary to accommodate satisfactory levels each. Strength will play a huge part in the fight—with a bailout plan in skills for each combatant.

Money ($)

There is the approximate speculation that Cotto can earn up to 15 million dollars for this fight. Pacquiao will roughly get 12 1/2 million—plus a minimum of 3 million as an extra-added bonus incentive of the Pay-Per-View revenue deservedly—and at these gaudy prices its expectant a “Fight of The Year,” merited especially if it’ll live up to the kind of hoopla rematches fans ogle over.

Pride

They’ll be plenty nationalistic pride in the match. The Typhoon versus the Hurricane, Taino versus Pinoy, however what it really comes down to is a colossal strike that will leave one combatant feeling the effects.

Which one will win?

A side bit of record Henry Armstrong in Los Angels fought 10 hard rounds March 1st 1940; having the sentiment in appearing to have defeated middleweight champion Ceferino Garcia; if it weren’t for referee George Blake calling it a draw—Armstrong would have conquered a fourth world title.

Histrionics

On March 12, 1959, Carlos Ortiz won the vacant junior-welterweight title when Kenny Lane refused to come out to commence the third round. The renaissance of that would begin to pay dividends—as Ortiz beat the contention to his throne. A hellish thought crept in the mind of Ortiz’s manager, and before long Carlos dropped weight in order for a shot at the more glamorized Lightweight division of which Joe Brown held the distinction.

So on April 21st 1962, in Las Vegas, Ortiz’s welterweight frame wouldn’t be an understatement if we chose to say looked no less frail in his new skin…and pounced a 15 round decision over the lineal Ex-Lightweight champ Joe.

Philippines hurdler Flash Elorde was arguably the longstanding junior-lightweight that decade who actually fought in several other weights occasionally, but his official mantra was 130.

His staying power enormous; speed impeccable, and boxing style? Let’s just say one of the best to be witnessed as an All-time future great. Talk gathered, Ortiz’s virtual duality in the ranks got people to thinking. How could he remain undisputedly top tier both Lineal Super Lightweight and Lightweight for a challenge?

To add to the often times exaggerated talk about the psychology behind him having demons fighting alcohol (whisky his preferred drink at the time), that it made Ortiz one mean hombre who would knockdown a wall need be preventing him from his lifestyle to some degree. There had to be an overabundance amount of overly confident swag to the Elorde entourage upon hearing Ortiz’s exploits, and the more news that came out that he liked strong drink, the more it enticed.

For all we know the rumors might’ve invited tees to the elixir of privilege, an almost valid observation if Team-Elorde only knew how it angered the Lightweight Champion. What they didn’t know behind the scenes was that when it came to training Ortiz… he became reclusive to the extent of ominous and unfathomable concentration. Roadwork and plenty fish oil foods with chuck stakes were fed to Carlos to truly restore his physical stature for a fit fighter.

There were cantankerous rumors surfacing that in the Lane fight they held up a bottle of whisky to ravel his nerve and commitment to fire upon his adversary; a ploy that if so enraged Ortiz to the point of the result why Kenny Lane refused to come out of his corner. Carlos by now earned the reputation to cave ribs, and fracture cheek bones with a vengeance and kind of fervor unseen in most prizefighters.

Always have been trainers who get to know what buttons to push in their fighter; and I suspect Ortiz’s trainer knew his. Former John Ruiz trainer Norman Stone might not be your conventional trainer; but with it he understood John on what exactly made him tick; and without it we wouldn’t have seen not two; but three suburb fights in the Heavyweight Evander Holyfield wars!

Sales went on in high volume for the anticipated fight between Ortiz and Elorde. The easy misnomer of bum entered in thoughts about what Ortiz was really made of. Yes Elorde was presumed the best junior-lightweight on the planet; and his record spoke for itself in being the second to none uninterrupted 130 reign that time; until Sammy Serrano took the longest reign in junior-lightweight history tenure; but for the major duration Flash’s carrier ruling the 130 pound category he was very ruthless, savvy, and a phantasm of a boxer few could locate inside the ring, until the date of February 1964, and in a display of savagery and guile, no day after Valentine’s Day could be a misfortune in not recognizing agonizing at the amount of bleeding from the cuts Elorde withstood, nonetheless recognizable in Manila, Philippines, from the battering. Ortiz retained his Lightweight crown by TKO victory in the fourteenth.

Wouldn’t be till April 1965 when Ortiz lost by decision to Ismael Laguna (W 15) in Panama, and regained it from the guy who took it that November returned in kindness (W 15). However that blemish on Elorde’s record kept coming back to haunt him—wouldn’t leave well alone be and wanted that illustrious Lightweight title, and in New York, on November 28th 1966, a monstrous combination by the Puerto Rican floors Flash Elorde for the first time in his career—and Ortiz takes his time to pick him apart—only this hour Carlos Ortiz insists to make the initial repeat performance stick like a branding iron, kayoing Elorde in deliberate fashion in the 14th round!

Source: http://www.ringsidereport.com/rsr/news.php?readmore=2126

Frugal but not crazy, Arum pays the cost for Pacquiao-Cotto title bout

Frugal would be one way to characterize veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum.

Cheapskate would be another.

But, having heard the worldwide roar, the vox populi from Manny Pacquiao’s fans across the world, Arum is digging deep into his pocket to pay the $150,000 WBO welterweight title sanctioning fees for both champion Miguel Cotto and challenger Pacman.

Arum has even made this pledge public after being overwhelmed with protests from Pacquiao followers and then from Manny himself when talk continued about the Nov. 14 bout at the MGM Grand being a non-title bout.

So, if you think Arum is aggravated by continual smoke signals coming out of Puerto Rican lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano Junior’s office that Cotto defending his strap is “open to negotiation,” you are correct, sir or madam.

Arum views the Cotto camp’s stubborn stance as part of a Boricua feud between Penagaricano, who is affiliated with the WBC and WBO leader and San Juan attorney Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.

But it still bugs the Las Vegas based promoter who handles Manny and Miguel.

“It’s some local situation, I guess,” Arum said Tuesday. “I don’t want to get involved in whatever it is. Look, Paco is a good guy and we have the situation all worked out. I am paying the freight for both sides here.

“It is a world title fight and making a fuss is silly. Can you see anything more stupid than Cotto refusing to defend the title and losing it for that reason? Would anything be more asinine?”

I asked Arum about the Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather Golden Boy PPV card Sept. 19 going head to head against UFC 103.

He refused to comment, saying, “I am not going to get involved on that except to say it’s not a situation that is good for either side.”

Always willing to look on the bright side in his own backyard, Arum mentioned that the UFC show on Nov. 14 will be taped delayed and shown not on PPV but on the Spike cable network.

Arum said the Pacquiao-Cotto series of press conferences will have a heavy mix of baseball stars with events at Yankee Stadium and in San Francisco.

“In San Francisco, the press conference will go after the Dodgers-Giant game and there could be 50,000 people there,” Arum said.

Yankee fan and Brooklyn native Arum is pleased that his team’s top stars will be at the Bronx presser.

“It’s going to be like an All Star team with Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and CC Sabathia all coming. They’re all fans and they all want to come to the fight in Vegas.”

Now pitching, Number 77 (soon to be 78), Robert Arum.

Yesterday he was a reliever, today he is a starter.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Frugal-but-not-crazy-Arum-pays-the-cost-for-PacquiaoCotto-title-bout

How much are you willing to bet on Cotto?

YOU CAN’T BLAME BOB ARUM FOR losing his cool after his sales pitch for Manny Pacquiao’s next fight failed to reach the man at bat.

Last heard of, Mr. Arum was still aching to send his message.

Sorry, but nobody appeared willing to listen a second time after Arum declared, with pontifical certainty, that Pacquiao’s next outing against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto would be hard to call.

Arum said Pacquiao-Cotto is a “pretty even fight.”

* * *

That sales line, served like a tough, tasteless steak, predictably received a cold-shoulder treatment.

No, the fight set at the Las Vegas MGM Grand on Nov. 14, was not totally dumped.

But, in response, oddsmakers readily pegged Pacquiao an overwhelming 2-1 favorite.

Over at the sportsbook windows, that’s double-your-money for those who would dare go for Cotto.

On the other hand, you need to shell out $200 in order to collect a measly $100 dividend in the event of an expected Pacquiao win.

* * *

So what did Arum next resort to?

Poor Uncle Bob, huffing and puffing, proceeded to tinker with the poundage, as though the fight would be decided over the obedient weighing scales, not inside the cruel, exacting ring.

He also allowed himself to be slurred in a tasteless word war with the top man at the WBO.

Although not reminiscent of any past Arum master stroke, that ploy did create enough noise.

Arum also fired another sales salvo, a cute one, and declared “Firepower” as the main label of the welterweight duel.

* * *

But, try hard as he did, Arum’s initial sales pitch continued to be treated like a foul ball.

Meanwhile, the Pacquiao-Cotto bout loomed as another budding mismatch.

For one, they could not present a single Cotto fight video that would show he has got the hardware to effectively slash it out with Pacquiao.

OK, Cotto may indeed have some hidden firepower somewhere inside him.

But there’s nothing whatsoever that say he could effectively defend himself once the firefight starts.

* * *

Of course, the only thing that could save Cotto is great head movement.

The truth is that poor David Diaz, whom Pacquiao flattened with gusto, had shown better head use than the bigger but terribly predictable Cotto.

Well, who knows, there could be some brilliant, invisible moves that Cotto has stocked up on.

But, like it or not, it will be a breathless race once the Pacman ignites and explodes.

Arum stands a chance of scoring a homer, but only if he can assure that he’s not pitting a lumber yard log carrier against a sleek Formula One racer at the MGM Grand on Nov. 14.

Last but not the least, Arum did not have to call on the discredited Floyd Mayweather Sr. to help advertise Cotto’s limited worth.

Source: http://sports.inquirer.net/columns/columns/view/20090806-218940/How-much-are-you-willing-to-bet-on-Cotto

Cotto-Pacquiao glove story: No pillows, just two mules kicking

It’s not hard to find pillows in the humungous MGM Grand Hotel-Casino.

But there won’t be any in the ring on Nov. 14 when Miguel Angel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao collide in a PPV TV main event which is aptly titled “Fire Power.”

One topic the two camps, which have fussed over everything else, are in harmony on is their mutual request to use eight ounce gloves, probably the Mexican made “puncher’s choice,” Reyes.

I spoke with Nevada boxing commission chieftain Keith Kizer and he said the glove story for the momentous November showdown is all good.

“Above 135 pounds and up to 147 pounds, it’s up to the fighters whether they use eight or 10 ounce gloves,” Kizer said. “If they both agree to go with the eights, we let them.

“If one fighter does not agree, then guys in those weights fight with the 10 ounce gloves.”

Kizer said Nevada had a test period of about 18 months and then studied whether it was safer for boxers in those weights to use the bigger or smaller gloves.

“We looked ast the data and it was inconclusive. So we decided to give the boxers more control, to have this option to agree on the eights. We decided to give the fighters the voice on this.”

Above the welterweight limit of 147 pounds, the 10 ounce gloves must be used. Even that created a problem for hulking heavyweights Big George Foreman and Lennox Lewis, Kizer said.

“George and Lennox had problems fitting their hands in them but they did it,” Kizer said.

Kizer said that Nevada permits the promoter to supply “any recognized brand of gloves. We won’t accept something someone made in their garage.

“The four brands we usually get are Reyes, Everlast, Grant and the Winning gloves from Japan. Erik Morales, who had hand problems, liked the Winning glove because of his hand issues.”

Reyes remains the first choice of most Mexican boxers, Kizer said.

“As a group, the Hispanic boxers seem to prefer Reyes which is made in Mexico. Reyes has the reputation of being the best gloves for heavy hitters.”

Kizer said he found it interesting that an internal look at the four more popular brands showed slight differences.

“Every brand of glove is somewhat different,” Kizer said. “Some have horsehair, some have foam and some have a mixture of both inside the glove.”

In recent years both manufacturer Ringside and the historic Everlast brand have made what they refer to and market as “a Mexican style” glove. The obvious reference is to Reyes.

(As a sidelight, I heard stories through the years that there were two Reyes brothers who began their glovemaking company. Some years ago, a brand called Seyer popped up.

That’s Reyes spelled backwards and the tale I heard was the brothers named Cleto and Carlos had a dispute and went their separate ways. I think Seyer is no longer in business.)

Like Everlast, Reyes has stood the test of time.

So Cotto and Megamanny concur on their weapons of choice.

You talk about horsehair, I see explosive punching which could remind us of Mike Tyson’s vivid description of the punching power of Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.

Power puncher Tyson once said “Ruddock punches like a mule kicks.”

Two mules will be kicking come Nov. 14.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d5-CottoPacquiao-glove-story-No-pillows-just-two-mules-kicking-hard

Freddie Roach Talks Mayweather Jr, Pacquiao vs Cotto

BoxingScene.com spoke with trainer Freddie Roach on a variety of subjects. Roach is still smarting over the fact that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. opted to fight Juan Manuel Marquez before Pacquiao.

“I don't get it, all he had to do was wait one more day [after the Hatton fight] and he could have had Manny,” says Roach. “I would have loved to have gotten to Floyd before Marquez, but that's that.”

In the meantime, Roach says he has begun studying tapes of Miguel Cotto and that, “I have his last six fights on tape, but I'm paying particular attention his fight against Shane Mosley because that's the one where he was able to take away Shane's speed to beat him.” Roach claims that he hasn't settled on the exact plan of attack for Cotto but he's getting close and should have something together in the next couple of weeks.

Freddie also mentioned that Pacquiao's handlers would like to hold the first month of his training camp for the Cotto fight in the Philippines. Roach is averse to that idea, "Because there's way too many distractions over there for Manny. Bob [Arum] is working on something over here, something closer."

Roach also says that no matter where he goes, the only fight everybody is talking about and the one that everybody asks him about is Manny vs. Floyd.

“When I was in the U.K. with Amir last month that was all anyone wanted to ask me about,” said Roach. “That's the fight that has to be made. Bob and Al Haymon will have to put their differences aside to make that fight because it would be good for the entire sport. It's a fight that has to happen. People talk about making big fights, but to me, that's about as big as they come. I think it will happen.”

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21432

Cotto looking for lefty sparmates

Tapping and finding sparring partners who are mirror-images of Manny Pacquiao will be the key to victory for Miguel Cotto when he faces the Filipino icon on November 14 in Las Vegas.

Cotto chief trainer Joe Santiago told the newspaper El Nuevo Dia that they are on the lookout for southpaw sparring partners who they plan to bring to Tampa, Florida, for the crucial phase of training camp.

“We will try to get left-handed and short boxers with good hand speed (like Pacquiao). This is the key to victory,”

Santiago said as he was presiding over Cotto’s first training session on Monday in Puerto Rico.

Cotto said he felt great after his light training, something that was not the case in the past.

“I feel very well, thanks to God. Better than when I began in previous occasions,” said the 28-year-old Cotto, who will report to the gym three times a week in the next two weeks in time for the arrival of conditioning coach Phil Landman.

While Cotto is already in training mode, Pacquiao appears to be taking it nice and easy and it seems the 30-year-old four-division champion will only get to put on a pair of gloves after the four-city promotional tour being arranged starting on September 10.

Even if Pacquiao is still fulfilling his obligations and not opting to show up at some private gym in Manila, the fighter remains on track in the proposed eight-week training camp that will be supervised by Freddie Roach in a venue to be determined in the next few weeks.

By the time the press tour makes its final stop in Los Angeles on September 14, Pacquiao can still afford to take a day or two off before hooking up with Roach to God knows where.

Being eyed to host Pacquiao’s first half of training camp are the Bahamas, Vancouver, Mexico and even the Philippines.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/214489/cotto-looking-lefty-sparmates

Steward sees tough Pacquiao-Cotto fight

ONE of boxing’s legendary trainers sees a tough fight between pound-for-pound king Manny ‘PacMan’ Pacquiao and World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

In an interview with eastsideboxing.com, Emmanuel “Manny” Steward said it’s unfair to give the Filipino boxing icon a clear edge over Cotto when they square off on November 14 in Las Vegas.

While Cotto was not impressive in his last fight against challenger Joshua Clottey, Steward said the latter is actually a tough fighter who could have given welterweight legends Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard a rough time in the ring.

“Based on Miguel having such a tough fight there [against Clottey] and Manny looking like a million dollars knocking out Ricky Hatton and Oscar [dela Hoya], that’s why the odds are totally going out of proportion and I don’t think that’s a fair assessment. I see it [Pacquiao-Cotto] as almost a toss-up fight, myself,” Stewards was quoted as saying.

The legendary trainer said a lot of people are actually underestimating Cotto’s size advantage over the Filipino, explaining that the champion from Puerto Rico is a natural welterweight.

Steward also said Pacquiao is a natural junior lightweight or lightweight, which puts the Filipino boxing icon at a disadvantage over Cotto. The Puerto Rican has been listed at 5’7” while Pacquiao is 5’6”.

However, Pacquiao has won the admiration of Steward, who has trained legendary champions like junior welterweight Aaron Pryor and heavyweights Evander Holyfied and Lennox Lewis, and multi-weight titleholders Hearns and De La Hoya. He presently trains heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

“He [Pacquiao] has the instincts of a fighter, the balance, the timing, the stamina—everything—and it’s just natural. He’s a fighter! If anyone was ever born to be a fighter, it would be a guy like him or [Roberto] Duran, but he’s better because he has great rhythm, and his defense and timing are a lot better than people think,” he said.

COTTO WEAKNESSES

Steward also said that Cotto has weaknesses in defense, which can cause trouble for the Puerto Rican.

“His defense right up the middle—he has absolutely no defense for that, because his gloves are so wide, and fighters can punch right between his gloves,” the legendary trainer said.

He said that if Pacquiao is able to penetrate Cotto’s defense and hit the Puerto Rican at will, the Filipino has a chance to win their showdown.

“I think he [Cotto] should not fight with his defense being the way it has been before,” Steward said.

The Pacquiao-Cotto fight has been pegged at a catch weight of 145 pounds, or two below the welterweight limit. Freddie Roach, the Filipino’s trainer, would not allow his fighter to battle Cotto at 147 pounds because the Puerto Rican would have a big weight and size advantage on fight night.

“Freddie knows that Manny is really not a true welterweight, and that’s why he’s [Freddie] trying to at least get some kind of equilibrium in those fights by making the opponents come down in weight as close to Manny as they can for balance,” Steward said.
-- Conrad Carino

Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/aug/06/yehey/sports/20090806spo1.html

"Unfinished Business": Chronicling the past 10 years of Boxing's best (part 12)

"Unfinished Business"

Despite besting Marco Antonio Barrera in their rematch on October of 2007, many people were being critical of Manny Pacquiao’s suddenly souring reputation. His many distractions were starting to catch-up on his public image as lawsuits flew from a slew of various matters that was associated with him like an alleged tax evasion on a vehicle he brought in from abroad to rumors and controversies linking his name to an actress he starred in a film in. His alleged gambling and other extra-curricular activities were also taking heat from the media and his fans. And with a ho-hum performance against Barrera, people were also wondering whether all the distractions were also catching up on Pacquiao’s boxing career.

During the Christmas season, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach and his promoter Bob Arum stepped in to intervene and reminded Pacquiao the significance of his actions and his career. Roach and Arum took their turns in flying in from the states to the Philippines and sat Pacquiao down to address issues regarding his boxing career. Arum and Roach laid down an ambitious outline of possible mega-fights and title fights that would propel Pacquiao as one of the greatest the sport has ever seen, but before any of those could come true, it had to start from the source. Pacquiao had to understand and realize that despite his good nature, there were certain sacrifices he had to take to take his career to the next level.

Pacquiao’s career was yet at another crossroads. Will he follow suit to the requests of his trainer and promoter? Or would he be content with the accomplishments and riches he had already achieved?
Next in line was some unfinished business. Juan Manuel Marquez was lined up to face Pacquiao anew. Four years after their epic clash in 2004 that garnered fight of the year accolades, both fighters would find themselves crossing paths once again. This time Marquez had the WBC super featherweight belt at stake and The Ring belt was also up for grabs.

For Marquez, it was personal. He was the last Mexican standing in the list of Mexican legends Pacquiao set forth in conquering. He also claimed that he was victorious and was robbed of a victory in his previous outing with Pacquiao wherein he came back from three first round knockdowns to masterfully box Pacquiao majority of the way. Incidentally one of the judges for that bout admitted an error he committed in scoring the first round 10-7 instead of 10-6 in favor of Pacquiao due to the three knockdowns which would’ve given Pacquiao a split-decision win. Regardless of the result however, everybody that knew anything about boxing knew they had to do it again.

And again they would in a bout fittingly dubbed “Unfinished Business”. On March 15, 2008 the rematch boxing fans were clamoring for was finally going to take place. The venue was the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and right from the promotional tours through the weigh-ins, passionate Mexican and Filipino fight fans received the bout with ardent support. It was another chapter to be added to the Philippines-Mexico rivalry that was initiated by Pacquiao’s dominance of the best boxers in the divisions he dwelled in who happened to be Mexicans.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Both men entered to the ring amidst a raucous jam-packed crowd. Here’s a video from a fan’s perspective of Pacquiao’s ring entrance to give you an idea of the excitement that filled the air during that night. If there's one thing this video shows, it's the fun-loving nature of Filipinos that despite everything the country goes through, from poverty to violence and natural disasters, nothing can stop Filipinos from smiling.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d5-Unfinished-Business-Chronicling-the-past-10-years-of-Boxings-best-part-12

First pics: Cotto opens camp!

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto had his first day of training for his ‘Firepower’ super fight against Manny Pacquiao on November 14. Miguel began his training camp in the Abner “Pin” Cotto Boxing Gym in Aguas Buenas. He will be training three days a week to establish a pre-training condition until his physical trainer Phil Landman arrives in Puerto Rico on August 22 to begin full training sessions on Monday, August 24.

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/?p=19449

Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao: It’s Not All Good

So I'm a contrarian. Sue me.

While nearly all my colleagues have celebrated that Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao will get together in a ring on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, I'm a little bit less than giddy.

Don't get me wrong, the fact Bob Arum has created a scenario in which the reigning WBO welterweight champion and the incumbent IBO junior welterweight title-holder will meet ensures boxing’s status as a SportsCenter lead item come fight week.

The best at 147 pounds is fighting the best at 140.

That without question is a good thing.

Arum scheduled a September publicity tour for the HBO PPV extravaganza, which will be billed as "Fire Power." A Sept. 10 event at Yankee Stadium is planned, as are stops in Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Beverly Hills.

Neither an agreed-to weight nor a championship belt on the line have been confirmed – thanks in part to recent reports that Cotto is hesitant to risk his crown at less than 147 pounds – though it’s widely assumed the two will compete for Cotto's title at a contracted weight of 145.

Assuming those assumptions are correct and the fight indeed comes off with a championship on the line at something less than 147, my initial reaction of frustration will stand firm.

The fight's a good idea.

Just not nearly as good as it should have been.

But before the e-mails begin, I’m not arguing Pacquiao is the biggest thing in the sport today.

And I know writers, promoters, analysts and fans have been climbing over each other to be most profound in describing him as a throwback, and comparing his recent run of dominance to the one established as benchmark by Henry Armstrong in the 30s and 40s.

Problem is, no matter how many times it's insisted by the cognoscenti, it's still wrong.

Only a fool would deny Manny's status as a great fighter.

I certainly will not.

Even if nothing had preceded it at lower weights, his climb to elite status at 130 pounds with a win over Juan Manuel Marquez – albeit a close and controversial one – was evidence enough to prove pound-for-pound prowess to me.

He’s great. No question.

But before too many more mentions are made of Armstrong, take a closer look.

First, remember that Pac's post-Marquez climb to the championship rung at 135 pounds was not made against an incumbent three-belt champion, but with a lesser-regarded and more favorable stylistic match in David Diaz – then the WBC claimant – as punching bag of choice.

True, his surprisingly brutal shellacking of Oscar De La Hoya six months later was impressive and rightfully earned Manny kudos.

I chose De La Hoya by KO going in and never would have dreamed an upset in any form would have approached the level of domination Pacquiao displayed.

Still, the Golden Boy's seemingly imprudent weight loss casts at least something of a shadow, and a clearer and usually unmentioned reality is that Oscar’s seven-year absence from the welterweight division hardly makes any conqueror – even a streaking Pacquiao – an automatic Armstrong-like claimant to the throne.

If De La Hoya had lost to Steve Forbes at 147, for example, no one would have claimed the former lighter-weight champion was a new terror in the division.

But because Manny is the “it” guy in the sport, anything he touches – even a guy whose last victim at 147 was Arturo Gatti in 2001, when Pacquiao was months short of a championship at super bantamweight – suddenly turns to gold.

Meanwhile, in 2009, no plausible denial applies to Pacquiao's recent punch-out of Ricky Hatton at 140, where he clearly defeated the most-visible foe a division had to offer and established himself as its new top man.

But even with that dramatic one-punch highlight, a subsequent rise of just a few pounds to meet Cotto at a stand-in weight between two divisions opens a similar can of doubting worms as the match with a shrunken Oscar.

History shows "Homicide Hank" left no such lingering reservations.

And to me, it’s all pretty simple.

If Manny wants to weigh just 143 pounds while attempting to defeat a naturally larger Puerto Rican-born foe, so be it.

And if Cotto freely chooses to slim down to less than the welterweight max while combating an obviously talented and dynamic Filipino, that's fine, too.

But changing the rules to conveniently orchestrate a big title event is simply wrong, and takes away any shreds of legitimacy existent when comparing Pacquiao's laudable achievements to Armstrong's legendary ones.

And while I understand his status as reigning big-fight cash cow gives Manny the leverage needed to set the business terms, it'd be nice to hear purists go the same lengths to raise red flags over cheap replicas of "welterweight title" bouts as they did while breathlessly likening him to multi-division trailblazers of decades past.

As for the fight itself, it's a bad mix for Cotto no matter where it occurs on the scale.

I like Pacquiao in 10.

* * * * * * * * * *

Coming out of this weekend, Nate Campbell’s got issues.

No question, the injuries he sustained in round three against Timothy Bradley Saturday night were the result of a butt – not a punch.

And under normal circumstances, a referee would have stopped the bout, correctly determined the cause of the cut and declared the bout a no-contest because it hadn’t gone four rounds.

However, one major factor may be playing against the “Galaxxy Warrior” here.

Regardless of David Mendoza’s mistaken assertion that blood on Campbell’s left eye came from a punch, chances are that his error would have eventually been corrected by officials that night or via subsequent protest by Campbell’s team with the state commission.

Problem is, Mendoza didn’t stop the fight.

Campbell did.

Let’s be clear, I’m not one of the chest-thumping tough guys criticizing Campbell for “quitting.”

His peril was the result of serious injury.

And given the fact that his vision was compromised and he had a world-class opponent on the other side of the ring ready to inflict more damage, his decision makes healthy sense both for the present and the future.

Notwithstanding any basement-residing message-board thugs in the audience.

Bottom line, had Mendoza halted the fight because of the cut and awarded Bradley a TKO, Nate would have had ample evidence on his side in the form of video replay showing the clash of heads.

A rematch, then, would have made perfect sense.

But by retiring in the corner and taking the fight’s conclusion out of Mendoza’s hands, Campbell may have blocked off his own avenue toward getting justice – and another big-money title try with Bradley or anyone else – after the fact.

His own version of an inadvertent whistle, if you will.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/index.php?m=show&id=21407

Mayweather Sr: “Cotto Can Take Pacquiao’s Head Off”

I’ll admit, I’m one of the few scribes to pick Miguel Cotto to beat Manny Pacquiao on November 14. Most of my colleagues believe Pacquiao’s speed and overall movement will overwhelm Cotto. I spoke in detail with trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and he agrees with my belief that Cotto has enough power to end the fight with a single shot.

“I think Cotto has a very a good shot to win. He’s got a good puncher’s chance. If Cotto hits him to the head or the body, he is going to take his ass out. Cotto did not look good against Clottey and I think Clottey beat him. That was a bad cut [suffered by Cotto during the Clottey fight]. I think a cut like that would affect anybody. A cut like that can keep you out of the game,” Mayweather Sr. told BoxingScene.com

If Mayweather was training Cotto, he would advise him to keep a tight defense and protect the left eye as a precautionary measure to prevent the cut, suffered during the Clottey fight, from re-opening.

“A cut like that can open up again at any time and turn the fight around,” Mayweather Sr. said.

He gets the impression that Freddie Roach [Pacquiao’s trainer] is overlooking the high level of danger that Cotto represents. Mayweather doesn’t see Pacquiao being able to withstand a flush Cotto power shot, whether it be to the head or body.

“He whooped on Oscar De La Hoya who was dehydrated and had no liquids in him. Ricky Hatton was suspect before the fight. Cotto is a puncher. If Cotto is in good shape and he hits him to the body or the head, he can take him out, my mark my words. [Roach] made a mistake by thinking Cotto ain’t that good. If Cotto hits him right, he take his head off, remember I told you that. Cotto is going to be ready for this fight, believe me. If Cotto hits him to the head or the body, he is gone - Rick, remember I told you,” Mayweather Sr. said.

Mayweather Sr. had trained Hatton for the May fight with Pacquiao. He told BoxingScene that miscommunication during training camp was a big factor in Pacquiao’s ability to blow Hatton out in two rounds. Mayweather would not advise Hatton to fight again. During the training camp for Pacquiao, Mayweather saw rookies giving Hatton a lot of trouble during sparring sessions.

“He wouldn’t do what I told him. He kept listening to Lee Beard [assistant trainer]. He was suspect before the fight anyway. We had lesser fighters, four round pros, shaking him up in the gym. The way my son knocked him out, he was bound to get knocked out again and again. That’s how it happens sometimes. My son knocked him out bad and then Pacquiao knocked him all the way out. And mark my words, if he fights again, and I don’t care who it’s against, he will get knocked out again,” Mayweather said.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21410

BOXING -- A TRUE WARRIOR SPORT

Boxing, one of the most ancient sports in history, is turning off many afficionados because of the ongoing fiasco in the Pacquiao-Cotto fight overture. Sure, it's been agreed upon by the two gladiators verbally, but is it really the perfect match to make? No doubt, it is an exciting battle between these two excellent fighters, but without a welterweight championship belt on the line, it is more like a tune-up fight for either protagonist.

Miguel Cotto, all of a sudden, does not want to put his WBO welterweight strap on the line against the King of boxing, no. 1 pound for pound hero, Manny Pacquiao - well, not if the fight is below the 147 pounds maximum welterweight limit. First of all, Cotto agreed to fight the Pacman at a catchweight of 145 lbs. The latter is basically risking everything for this duel, including his lofty throne as the pound for pound Lord. And what does Cotto offer to the table for this fight? Nada, zilch, absolutely nothing but disreputable and timorous aura of vincibility. It makes us wonder if there is truth to the incriminations toward the champion Cotto being a damaged commodity.

Pacquiao already indicated that he wants Cotto's welterweight title included in the contract, and recently, Pacman's astute trainer and seer Freddie Roach, has shown the same interest as his prised pupil. However, Top Rank's big boss Bob Arum seems to be ignoring the Team Pacquiao's incomplicated demand. It cannot be considered a convoluted request because even the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya fought at a catchweight of 158 pounds versus Bernard Hopkins for the middleweight championship belts involving all four major boxing organizations (WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF). Sugar Ray Leonard and Don Lalonde also fought at a catchweight for a super middleweight title back on November 7, 1998.

If Cotto is not willing to stake his welterweight belt for this combat, then Pacman should also not be forced to wager his pound for pound domain to an unworthy opponent like Cotto. Mosley is still waiting in the wings and very amenable to inconsequential contract adjustments just to fight Pacquiao. Perhaps it is not too late to consider Mosley as Pacman's next deserving rival for pound for pound supremacy. These two fighters have the talents, followers, and warrior spirit to make another boxing championship saga - and that is much more appealing than a non-title bout between the People's Champ Manny Pacquiao and the Boricuan pride yet reluctant welterweight defender Miguel Angel Cotto.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-26215.html

Cotto needed to get back in the ring

After completing his first workout in preparation for a November 14 battle with Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto felt he needed to be back inside of a gym.

"I feel good to be starting. I am going to take things little by little, working three days a week. I needed to be in the gym again," Cotto told Carlos Gonzalez of Primera Hora.

Cotto ran at a local Caguas, Puerto Rico stadium and then went to work on the heavy bag for four rounds under the watchful eye of trainer Joe Santiago.

Santiago took over as Cotto's trainer before the Puerto Rican's fight with Joshua Clottey, after Cotto had a very public falling out.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2850-LA-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Cotto-needed-to-get-back-in-the-ring

Manny nearly pulls out of Cotto fight

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao came close to pulling the plug on Miguel Cotto if not for the assurance by promoter Bob Arum that the Puerto Rican will stake his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at a catchweight of 145 lb on Nov. 14.

Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said they were already preparing an official statement saying they will have to start looking for another opponent after reports said Cotto was not willing to stake his 147 lb title.

The reports quoted Cotto as saying he will only stake his WBO title if the fight is held at 147 lb, the welterweight limit, and that the 28-year-old champion was not willing to pay WBO the $150,000 sanctioning fee.

“Bob Arum told us not to believe everything that’s being reported. Then he assured me that Cotto will put his WBO welterweight title on the line -- at 145 pounds,” said Gacal from Gen. Santos City yesterday.

“We have to take Mr. Arum’s word on that,” added Gacal.

The Pacquiao lawyer said with the weight issue practically settled, now comes the money issue, although he said both camps have had an agreement regarding the purse sharing.

But Gacal did not give out the details, only saying that a 65-35 sharing in favor of Pacquiao should be the “worst-case scenario” for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion and today’s main attraction in boxing.

Gacal is hoping that the fight contract for Pacquiao vs Cotto be signed as soon as possible so both boxers can start focusing on what they have to do on the ring than on the negotiating table.

Reports said Cotto is scheduled to start working out today in Puerto Rico, while Roach wants Pacquiao to start limbering up before the press tour set on the second week of September.

“We were almost ready to issue a statement that we’ll start looking for a new opponent because of all those talks that Cotto wants Pacquiao to go up to 147 before he stakes his crown,” said Gacal.

Gacal, however, did not mention the boxer they had in mind in case the Cotto fight was scratched. It could be Shane Mosley, who’s offering Pacquiao everything but the kitchen sink, or someone else.

And that could even be Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom trainer Freddie Roach described as “the easiest fight of the three.”

Mayweather, who retired almost two years ago but is slated to return to the ring in September against Juan Manuel Marquez, another fighter drooling over Pacquiao.

The fight was supposed to be held in July but a rib injury sustained by Mayweather in training, coupled by poor ticket sales, led to a cancellation, and a new date on Sept. 19.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=492906&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Manny Pacquiao: To make history, just be like Floyd

As of two weeks ago, this fight was a lock. Fast forward to today, August 3rd, 2009, and there are more questions surrounding this issue than those facing the rising odds of a healthcare reform in the U.S.

Among the biggest obstacles is still the question of the WBO strap being on the line. One major issue seems simple to overcome, but the way that issue is resolved will impact all other details involved.

If the strap is on the line regardless, who's to say that Cotto has to follow through with Team Pacquiao's request to enter the ring at 145lbs?

If Cotto stunts the whole fight by showing up at the welterweight limit (147lbs) for the weigh in, and subsequently enters the ring at a near 160lbs like he has in the past, will Pacquiao go through with the fight under those terms?

He would have to if his pledge to become 7-time world champion in 7 different weight divisions can be realized, but would it be worth the disadvantage?

I said a week ago that I felt Arum had announced this fight to the world before it was signed for a reason, and we now find out why. He was under the impression that this move, along with the media buzz around the globe would force the fighters to conform and sign, but he's now learning these guys are not only fighters in the ring. They also fight outside of it, to make their position inside of it a bit easier to handle.

This is just another example of what continues to plague our sport.

You have a sanctioning organization that is more concerned about getting paid than it is about anything else. For those Pacquiao fans who think the WBO has their back, think again. This is about money.

The WBO only wants to get paid their $150K. If both fighters agree to terms, they will make more, but if all else fails, they want atleast that amount, which they would get, even if Cotto abandons the strap and allows Team Pacquiao to pay the cost to earn it.

These type of politics continue to hurt what some refer to as a dying sport.

In the midst of it all, you have Pacquiao, eager to fight anyone, yet his promoter has only given him one option for reasons that only benefit him (Arum).

You have Miguel Cotto who's eager to face anyone as well, but not willing to do it in a fashion that calls for him to concede to a smaller purse, a lower weight, and with the title on the line as well.

This fiasco continues to get wilder by the day, and there's no end in sight.

At the end of the day, this fight negotiation all comes down to two things.

How much Pacquiao wants a shot at breaking history, and how much he plans to give up for that shot? Arum (who has his own agenda) is not gonna back out and substitute Cotto with Mosley, which means that there has to be more give and take from Team Pacquiao.

If they want the title on the line, the weight limit will inevitably need to go up. If they don't agree to it, Cotto has no pressure to meet their 145lb limit, and many expect him to train for a regular 147lb fight and weigh in at that weight, which won't matter because the bout won't be sanctioned as a defense of his title anyhow.

Cotto has not agreed to enter no heavier than 145lbs, and you can firmly believe that he won't.

So Cotto's position (whether we agree or not) is to stand pat. Neither Arum or Pacquiao can make him do anything else.

My resolution....Let Cotto get his extra two pounds. Oscar De la Hoya had an extra four pounds on Mayweather, but it didn't stop the smaller man from being more effective.

Floyd gave Oscar the higher weight and totally destroyed him with speed and defense. Oscar threw 106 more punches, yet Floyd landed 85 more. Pure execution.

Pacquiao has that same ability, and in this case for history, sense Arum won't swap to a Mosley fight for personal reasons, Team Pacquiao may have to adopt that same philosphy.

If they can't, this fight for history will in fact be history.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-845-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Manny-Pacquiao-To-make-history-just-be-like-Floyd

Cotto begins the long road to Pacquiao

They say the fight is not signed yet. It is unclear if the WBO welterweight title will be on the line. But one thing is certain, Miguel Cotto began the long process of preparing for his encounter with Manny Pacquiao today.

With the fight taking place on November 14, Miguel Cotto started his running regiment for the bout today at Jesús María Freire de Cidra Stadium in his hometown of Caguas, Puerto Rico and then hit the gym. Cotto vs. Pacquiao is still fifteen weeks away.

It is expected that in a few weeks, Cotto will move his training camp to Tampa, Florida to escape the attention and pressures of his homeland.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-2850-LA-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Cotto-begins-the-long-road-to-Pacquiao

He/She/Shim, Rob aka Mercedes ready to rumble with Man-ny Pacquiao

He can hit Manny Pacquiao with pulverizing punches.

She can smash Pacman, and the key part of the name is “man,” with a glittering and stylish purse.

He can talk smack about how he will destroy the Pinoy Idol. He has even sparred with the Mancunian idol Ricky Hatton who, as far as I know, has no plans to become Rochelle Hatton.

She can give Manny a smack, a smooch, with freshly glossed lipstick.

He is Rob Newbiggin, journeyman boxer from the United Kingdom.

She is Mercedes, the woman inside the boxer who is about to bloom fully with medical treatment to enhance his/her/its estrogen.

They are one and the same.

I’ve found the ultimate opponent for Pacquiao, a foe against whom Manny can make ring history and ring herstory simultaneously.

I think we should call it “Shim Versus Pacman.”

Forget about tennis playing Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs or Sorenstam or any woman golfer trying to outdo the boys on the professional links.

This fight would truly be “The Battle of the Sexes,” with the emphasis and underline on sexes, plural.

Not only that, what a terrific once in a glorious fighting career chance for Pacquiao to really get in touch with his frilly feminine side.

I don’t know about you, ahem, guys but the very concept sends a tingle up my skirt. Imagine how stimulating it must be to Professor Dumbledore, Bernie Vee, Arcadia and the other acidic comment posters you read underneath my columns.

Surely, Roberta, I mean promoter Robert Arum would get the appeal of this Mixed Match instantly.

We can subtitle it “Gender Bender” and open up a world of sponsor tie-ins you can’t lure for a man fighting another man.

How easy would it be to get the Mercedes automakers on board for their namesake?

I can see the TV spots now: "Can Manny drive a Mercedes?"

And how about the inevitable HBO 24/7 program which could tell the tail of Newbiggin.

The baby (boy but confused) was born in Pennsylvania in September of 1964 and was quickly ditched by his South American parents.

The child had high levels of estrogen and, according to him, was “intersexual and not truly classified as male or female.

The child bounced from adoption centers to foster homes until a childless couple from England adopted him and the family moved to Canada. Later, they went home to the UK.

And, as these stories often seem to go, Rob knew at age 10 that he was “different” than the other lads.

Rob liked to play dress up and hang with females. When he got older and his mates were drinking and chasing girls, he sat forlorn at home.

Since Rob/Mercedes' wife is supportive of the sex change, imagine a portion of the HBO preflight show in which Jinkee Pacquiao and Newbiggin’s missus talk about domestic life and strife.

Let Floyd Mayweather sit on the sidelines, Pacman. Let him stew in his man cave in Las Vegas.

There is nothing feminine about him. He plays the macho man role, the big talker, the money flasher and all that.

Mayweather is loaded with testosterone not to mention delusions of grandeur.

On the other hand, what manner of manly man calls himself “Pretty Boy?”

Rob Newbiggin a/k/a Mercedes could show him a thing or two about being pretty, I’m sure.

Newbiggin, who is only a six round prelim fighter now, could really strike a blow for transgendered people across the world by fearlessly fighting Pacquiao.

I just hope it’s not a low blow…if you know what I mean.

So many men have tried to vanquish Pacquiao, so many have failed miserably.

Rob, the ordinary prelim pug, could never do it.

Just for spits and giggles between us girls, I looked up Newbiggin's ring record on Boxrec.

And a fine record it is, 3-12 as a pro with one KO, loser of his last seven bouts. Mark Rob/Mercedes down as a "fesity junior middleweight" but I'm sure he/she/it could slim down by eating like a small bird so weight would be no problem for a Manny fight.

There's commerical sponsorships in the weight loss regimen as well.

Let's give “Mercedes” her chance to maul Pacman.

Those clinches alone may be worth the price of arena admission or the PPV TV tariff.

The ball, singular, is now in Manny’s court.

Are you man enough to rise to the challenge of Mercedes formerly known as Rob?

For once, we will see photos of a fighter in drag, in women’s wear, and there will be no denials of his/her/its or shim’s identity.

It takes a real man to fight an opponent who is both man and woman.

After the bout, Manny and Mercedes can leave the ring together, in sexual solidarity, and go powder their noses.

Now that’s real sisterhood and brotherhood at the same time.

I see that Melissa To Be will fight Michael Gomez Aug. 14 in Manchester. Gomez, 32, is known as "The Predator."

But Gomez, as far as he knows, has never battled a foe who favors wigs, heavy makeup and mini-skirts.

After that bout, Newbiggin hopes to launch her new ring career as Mercedes.

I think Mercedes against Manny will be a Super Fight, not to mention a catfight.

What say you, Pacfans?

I wonder if that Thai style Ladyboy fighter is available to be the refershee.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d3-HeSheShim-Rob-aka-Melissa-ready-to-rumble-with-Manny-Pacquiao

Dana White can deliver knockout blow to Mayweather and boxing for 2009 with UFC 103

For all it’s worth, the rivalry and competition between boxing and UFC is no myth. It does exist from the bottom to the top, from fans to the promoters and the fighters.

Two of the higher-profile figures in both sports have butted heads recently in Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Dana White. Mayweather blasted MMA and UFC by likening it to an animal sport and says it’s a sport for “beer drinkers” and that MMA was created for white fighters to have a place to dominate again since boxing is ruled by black and Hispanic fighters. Floyd said in an interview with CBS Sportsline last week,

"It takes true skills to be in the sport of Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts is for Beer drinkers." And added, “Boxing is for everybody... I mean you can't take my shoes off and take my shirt off and just throw me in a cage... you do that with animals, you don't do that with humans,"

In the past Floyd has also been quoted badmouthing MMA when he said more than a year ago,

“UFC ain’t sh**. It ain’t but a fad. Anyone can put a tattoo on their head and get in a street fight. We should put Liddell against a good heavyweight, under Mayweather Promotions, and if Chuck wins, then I’ll give him a million dollars out of my own pocket. These are guys who couldn’t make it in boxing, so they do (MMA). Boxing is the best sport in the world and its here to stay.”

UFC CEO Dana White responded saying and as quoted by MMAonTap,

“You know, Floyd Mayweather just came out and said some stupid sh** about Chuck Liddell,”

and continued,

“He said he’d pay a million dollars if Chuck could hang with a heavyweight boxer. How about if he pays a million dollars to see if a heavyweight boxer can fight MMA with Chuck Liddell? Or, even better, I’ll put up a million dollars of my own money if Floyd Mayweather can sell more than 10 tickets without Oscar De La Hoya.”

Well, as they say, success is the ultimate revenge. And knowing White’s nature, there’s nothing more he’d like to do than rain on Mayweather’s comeback parade by stacking up his UFC 103 card in Dallas that happens to be on the same day, September 19, as Mayweather’s bout against Juan Manuel Marquez in Vegas.

For starters, White has a point in saying Mayweather is not a big draw by himself if not billed next to the likes of an Oscar De la Hoya. In fact, his comeback fight is already marred by rumors suggesting its original fight date of July 18 was moved to September 19 because of struggling ticket sales. As of today, fans haven’t responded to Mayweather’s comeback fight against Marquez in the manner for it to be considered as a mega-fight.

Another added reason for White to go hard on Mayweather-Marquez is the fact that the card is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, which also has a hand in promoting UFC's main MMA rival in Affliction MMA events such as the cancelled Emelianenko-Barnett bout.

Last week, White announced through his Twitter site that he had made up with former UFC superstar Tito Ortiz. A lot of people speculated that White was bringing in the popular Ortiz back to match him up against Rick Franklin as the main card for UFC 103. Right now, however, it looks like White is tapping the services of another former UFC star, Vitor Belfort, to fight Franklin. Belfort is explosive and all and was a fan favorite back when he fought in the UFC a few years ago, but will his addition be enough to stifle Mayweather's return to Pay-per-View?

The UFC 103 card itself is pretty stacked with some high-profile names like Frank Trigg and Mirko Crocop but begs the question: Why not bring back Ortiz to really deliver the knockout rebuttal for Mayweather's claim as the biggest draw in fight sports?

It's going to be interesting how all of this will play out. Some people and even the big names in boxing like Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach actually doubt whether the Mayweather-Marquez fight will push through because of the lack of fan support. Will this be White's shining moment and finally one-up boxing and his critics like Mayweather?

Truth be told, there's only been one real megafight this year in boxing and that was Pacquiao-Hatton, and you can make a case I guess for Mosley-Margarito. But other than that the UFC by itself has been outdoing boxing with its blockbuster cards like UFC 100, GSP vs BJ Penn, Evans vs. Machida and a slew of other big fights that generated a fortune.

Dana White and UFC definitely has boxing on the ropes right now, but can they deliver the knockout blow on September 19? We'll see.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m8d3-Dana-White

The Sweet Science 08.03.09: Mayweather-Pacquiao

Three major reasons why Mayweather Pacquiao will never happen.

Everywhere I go these days; hardcore boxing fans as well as casual observers ask me the same question: "When will Pacquiao and Mayweather fight?" The fact is that ever since Money Mayweather came out of retirement that is the fight everyone wants to see. As a boxing fan I would love to see this bout to take place as soon as possible; two of the best pound for pound fighters of today in the squared circle and if styles make fights, virtuoso defensive wizard against relentless offensive machine. What could be better? I am here, however, to deliver a knock out blow to this match up and explain why it will never happen.

Reason #3. Despite the fact that Bob Arum and Top Rank has developed Floyd into a superstar that he is today and is the reason why he can call himself Money, Mayweather Jr. seems to have huge animosity towards his former promoter that borders on hostility. That in itself creates a serious roadblock of working out details of a major event. But to add insult to injury, Mayweather, referring to year 2007 where he fought De la Hoya and Hatton and made unbelievable amount of money, feels that he is a money star and would not agree to fight Pacquiao for less than half of the pie. Pacquiao on the other hand, is sitting on top of the world right now and would most likely ask for the split of the money to be in his favor. Remember, these are proud men and their pride will get involved. Does this sound like a major issue? Yes, but this is the least important reason why this fight will never take place.

Reason #2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has practically been born in a boxing gym. He came out of a boxing family and learned every trick in the book before he ever turned professional. Floyd possesses blazing speed and ring smarts and defensive powers acquired by generations of fighters in his family. He is completely at home in the squared circle and he knows what it takes to win, hence his undefeated record. Floyd stated repeatedly to the media and fans that he is a smart businessman and that means that he only picks fights that he knows he can win. He is able to pick and choose his opponents and stay undefeated. In reality Mayweather hasn't beaten anybody of notice at welterweight; he beat old super lightweight moving up in weight Sharmba Mitchell then Zab Judah, who always caves in big fights. The only legitimate welterweight on Floyd's resume is Baldomir who really is a B level fighter, then comes fading Oscar De La Hoya who by the way, put up a hell of a fight and lost to Floyd by a split decision. The final victim on Floyd's roster was Ricky Hatton, who never fared well at welterweight and who was knocked out by Pacquiao this year within two rounds. Considering all this, will Money Mayweather risk his undefeated record against Pacman who has looked nothing short of spectacular as of late? Will the smart businessman take a risk of loosing a fight?

Reason #1. But the number one reason why Floyd Mayweather will never fight Manny Pacquiao is Juan Manuel Marquez. I was in Las Vegas when Mayweather announced his com back fight with Juan Manuel Marquez just one day prior to Pacquiao Hatton contest. Many, myself included, wondered why not hold on one more day to see if he could secure a lucrative bout with Pacman. That night I met a big fan of Marquez who was willing to bet his house on Mexican champion. He asked me to name one thing to gives advantage to Mayweather. I could name four off the top of my head; Floyd is faster, younger, stronger and a bigger man. But then I started thinking that the odds (4 to 1 favorite) on Mayweather to win the fight are just as overblown as his ego.

Mayweather has been out of the ring since December of 2007 and had to postpone the fight due to a rib injury that he acquired in training. Floyd is 32 and relies heavily on his speed and reflexes inside the squared circle. Being away from the ring as well as training challenges just might throw Mayweather of his rhythm, which could translate into a catastrophe. On the other hand, Marquez is a master boxer and seems to be reaching a new level of excellence in his last several bouts. He knows that the key to beating Mayweather is a consistent jab and activity in the ring. He was able to deal with the speed of Pacquiao, why not Mayweather. The big issue is how Marquez is going to be able to deal with extra weight. But Mayweather does not rely on strength and power to win fights so it should not be an issue. Marquez has been training in the mountains for a while gaining weight and strength and promised to go to Mayweather's body early and often. I don't know if he is going to be able to stop Floyd, but he will find his openings and outwork him down the stretch. So I am going to pull out my crystal ball and predict a Marquez vs. Pacquiao 3 for a blockbuster event for 2010.

Source: http://www.411mania.com/boxing/columns/111780/The-Sweet-Science-08.03.09:-Mayweather-Pacquiao.htm

FREDDIE ROACH: "I WANT MAYWEATHER RIGHT NOW; I DON'T SEE THE GREATNESS"

"I want Mayweather right now. I wanted him first the whole time. I mean, let's face it, that's the fight the whole world wants to see; the fight I want to see. I think he's the easiest fight of the three. He's not that big. He's not that strong. He breaks down quickly. He's been off for two years. You know, at 135 and 140, he might have been great, but at 47 and 54, I don't see the greatness...I think Manny will knock him out," stated world-renowned trainer Freddie Roach as he talked more about a potential clash between Pacquiao and Mayweather and much more. Check it out!

Source: http://www.fighthype.com/videopopup.php?aid=5364