After the failed negotiation for the biggest fight in boxing between Pacquiao vs Mayweather. Top Rank’s honcho Bob Arum immediately tap Joshua Clottey for the replacement. Pacquiao vs Clottey will be for Pacquiao’s first defense of his WBO 147 Welterweight belt. The place will be held in Dallas Superdome home of the Dallas Cowboys that will houses 100,000 fans.
Posted by greggvarona in Uncategorized
On Thursday, September 10, Bob Arum, Lee Samuels, and the rest of the promotional team invited the media and the public to the new Yankee Stadium to launch the five city tour to hype one of the best matchups in a while, “FIREPOWER”, WBO World Welterweight Champion Miguel Cotto, 34-1 (27 KOs), 
of Puerto Rico facing the pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao, 49-3-2 (37 KOs), from the Philippines in a twelve round title fight on November 14, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It will be broadcast, live, on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Both Cotto and Pacman were presented with Yankee Pinstripe shirts. Also at stake will be the WBC Diamond Belt to be presented to the winner who will own the jewel encrusted belt outright. On hand to show off the impressive hardware was Mauricio Sulaiman, the Executive Secretary of the WBC.
“The WBC realizing how momentous and important this fight is,” announced Arum. “Has commissioned what we call a diamond belt to be given to the winner of this fight to keep forever.”
Arum took the helm and after explaining all the details of the event brought out the fighters, including New York’s, by way of Belarus, Junior-Middleweight challenger, undefeated Yuri Foreman, 27-0-0-1N/C (8 KOs), who fights veteran title holder Daniel Santos, 32-3-1 (23 KOs), for his WBA belt on the undercard.
Arum proclaimed the Cotto-Pacquiao a sure bet for fight of the year.
“We’re here in Yankee Stadium,” said the ever fired up Arum, “to kick off the first press conference for what will certainly be the fight of the year, and maybe the fight of the decade.” But the most anticipated fight of the decade would be the mega fight of Pacquiao vs Mayweather.
Posted by ichatmedia in Boxing News, Pacquiao vs Cotto
The 23-year-old Thai took a convincing 97-93, 96-94 and 97-92 points win over the Bulgarian at a crowded makeshift stadium at Wat Ban Rai school in Dan Khun Tod district. The former amateur star said she was delighted to have won the crown in front of her home fans. “It was beyond my expectation to claim the title,” she said. “I did not tell anyone that I was under real pressure before the fight but it is great relief to win the belt.” The two-time SEA Games gold medalist started the bout aggressively, banking on advantages in reach, speed and strength to stop the champion. WBC female #3 bantamweight, Usanakorn Kokietgym (5-1, 4 KOs), successfully reclaimed the WBC female title as she excitingly outpointed the now former champion Galina Koleva Ivanova (10-7-3) on Monday at the Ban Rai school in Dankhuntod, Nakornrachasima, Thailand. Usanakorn, a former WBC female interim 115lb title holder, did a good start by aggressively hunting the Bulgarian and dominating all of the first five rounds. In other action, WBC # 3/WBO # 2/WBA # 6 Pigmy Muangchaiyaphum (38-5-2, 17 KOs) won a 114-112, 114-112, 113-113 majority decision over Filipino Edwin Tumbaga to retain his WBC Asian 105 lb title for the fourth time. The uncut Thai fighter was also deducted two points, in round 2 and round 10 for their accidental head clashs. Two-time WBC champion Wandee Singwancha (59-11-1, 12 KOs) won a six round unanimous decision over Filipino Joel Rafols and Thepparith Singwancha stopped Filipino Ryan Maliteg in round two. This event was promoted by Kokiet Group Promotion.
Posted by jerand in Uncategorized
A day after taking a rest from training, Pacquiao was back to his relentless ways, working on the mitts, speed ball and double-end ball, while doing shadow-boxing and abdominal crunches for three straight hours.
The four sparring mates of Pacquiao include David Rodela; Shawn Porter, an African-American who was a former member of the US Olympic team; Urbano Antillon, WBO super featherweight champion who knocked down Manny’s brother, Bobby Pacquiao in a title bout early this year, and Raymond Tito Serrano, a Puerto Rican champion who could match the moves of Cotto.
Cotto has been fighting as a welterweight for three years. The Puerto Rican last fought under 147, when he took on Paul Malignaggi in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-weltwerweight title bout in 2006. He won the World Boxing Association welterweight crown after that and went on to claim the WBO belt.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is only at 151 lb a week into his eight-week training program. He fought at 130 against Marquez just two years ago before recently moving up to fight heavier foes in Mexican-American light-weltwerweight David Diaz, American superstar Oscar de la Hoya and British brawler Ricky Hatton.
For some reason, their partnership seems more pronounced than ever now as they head towards the Cotto fight. Manny Pacquaiao vs Miguel Cotto may be the most dangerous opponent Pacquiao has ever stepped into the ring with. He’s a big welterweight and a great fighter in the prime of his career. Even if he is not the same man that he was before the Margarito fight, he is still more of a threat than the old and weight-drained Oscar Manny fought in his only welterweight fight last December. If Pacquiao wins, it could be considered the greatest ring triumph of his career. He is already a legend, but without question this would confirm his greatness to those who still aren’t convinced of it.
Posted by jerand in Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao vs Cotto
Pacquiao has the legendary Freddie Roach in his corner, and a recent departure with Cotto splitting from his Uncle and trainer, Evangelista (who played a significant role in Cotto’s camp)… I can’t help but to wonder if the timing for Cotto couldn’t come at a worse time in his career? Cotto and his uncle spilt back in April of this year.
Evangelista was replaced by Joe Santiago. I can’t tell you how well the two will pair (Cotto and Santiago), but I can tell you that Roach and Pacquiao are the best well oiled machine in the business.
In this day and age of boxing we seldom get to see big fights with two action fighters like Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao. The reason why this is a rare fight is because of the caliber of fighters involved and their respective styles. First you have Miguel Cotto a rugged tough Puerto Rican with a strong left hook body shot who has good fundamentals, he could be labeled as a boxer – puncher, his biggest flaw is his face being wide open for straight punches and his questionable stamina during the later rounds.
Next you have the Filipino sensation known as the “Pacman” Manny Pacquiao, a ball of energy a non stop, quick punching, awkward southpaw with good punching power and stamina that enables him to be just as fresh in the last round as he is in the first round.
To many this fight is pretty even a pick em fight, this is how you know this is a great fight because you can make a case for either Cotto or Pacquiao to win, this is the opposite of Floyd Mayweather Jr who is taking on a man 2 weight classes below him in Juan Manuel Marquez.
Posted by jerand in Boxing, Boxing News, Manny Pacquiao
Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr. is still undefeated by winning an unanimous decision against Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez.
At the beginning of the fight, it showed that Mayweather is really faster, bigger and heavier (having 146 lbs. vs. 142 lbs) than Marquez. He even hit Marquez on the 2nd round but the Mexican got really a heart in fighting and managed to finish to match up to the 12 round. But his effort to succeed against Mayweather is not enough and later Mayweather was announced the winner of the fight.
Mayweather abruptly knocked down Marquez midway through the second round when Marquez walked into a left hook, but Mayweather largely stuck to his jab, leaned back in his familiar defensive posture and picked apart another opponent.Marquez had a bloody nose by the bout’s midway point, and Mayweather landed several hard shots late in the sixth.
Whenever Marquez appeared to land a combination, Mayweather invariably backed away with a grin.The fight is over, and the undefeated still remains to be the undefeated, Floyd Mayweather Junior defeats Juan Manuel Marquez in the fight which was dubbed the Number One vs Numero Uno battle. A fight which the Number One of America has owned and taken with unanimous decision.
For these two future Hall of Famers, all that really matters is what happens when the bell rings on Saturday, July 18 and with Mayweather’s return to the ring in a quest to reclaim his pound-for-pound title by taking on Marquez, a man looking to add once again to his amazing legacy, this is a true mega-fight which will determine who is the premier boxer of this era.
Posted by jerand in Boxing, Boxing News, Floyd Mayweather vs Marquez
Many people think that Manny Pacquiao is completely at a disadvantage against Miguel Cotto, since the Puerto Rican champion is a natural welterweight. He has greater size and power over Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is a natural junior lightweight or lightweight, which places him way below Cotto.
Cotto seemed to have had a hard time against Joshua Clottey, only because the latter is actually a very strong fighter. Joshua Clottey is a really tough boxer, and it is not surprising why Cotto had a rough time against him.
Ultimately, Pacquiao will be in big trouble if he faces a fighter like Cotto (at 147lbs), who was able to beat Clottey.
However, Pacquiao can take advantage of Miguel Cotto’s weaknesses. The Puerto Rican boxer, Miguel Cotto, has a weakness in defense, especially on his middle section. Cotto’s defense has his gloves so wide leaving a space between for a punch to enter straight through.
If Manny Pacquiao can be able to throw a punch right between Cotto’s gloves, the Filipino boxing star has a chance of winning the bout. Pacquiao will have to put his timing, instincts, stamina, balance and speed to the test. He has to establish his rhythm and solid defense to get an even chance of winning against Cotto.
But it is not fair also give Manny Pacquiao the clear edge over Cotto on their November 14 fight. If Manny Pacquiao underestimates Cotto he will have a big problem, and vice versa.
With regards to the ‘title fight issue’: I think, in order to make you an official welterweight champion you have to fight for it at the natural weight. But if it is just an ordinary fight, and not a title fight, then it is just fine to have the bout at a catch weight.
However, if Cotto refuses to put the welterweight title on the line (at 145lbs) it will surely reflect on the kind of fighter that he is. If the WBO insists on a title fight (at 145lbs) it will reflect on Pacquiao as the kind of fighter that he is. In the end they are in a deadlock.
Cotto can always walk away, he is still in the position to freely decide his fate.
Posted by greggvarona in Boxers, Boxing, Boxing News, Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao vs Cotto
The verbal war between Pacquiao’s and Cotto’s camps continue. After Cotto said to Roach, that he is unlike Pacquiao’s recent victims and that Pacquiao was in for a war, Roach shot right back by saying that Pacquiao will expose Cotto. Freddie Roach implied that Cotto is no longer the same fighter as before and is still suffering the effects of his loss to Antonio Margarito.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach told fighthype.com, “We are not going to stand in front of this guy and trade with him. Manny is a much smarter fighter. Now he is boxing very smartly and we are going to expose Cotto. His skills are not quite where they used to be and we are going to expose him.”
Another issue was whether or not to make the Pacquiao-Cotto bout a title fight. Cotto publicly announced to defend the title only when Pacquiao would agree to move up to 147lbs (full welterweight limit). He refuses to defend the title because it is currently being contested at 145lbs. But WBO has been pressuring Cotto to defend the title, and they will let Cotto pay a huge sanctioning fee if he does not comply. Regardless of what Cotto may say, Roach thinks that the title will be on the line.
If even before their fight, it is already this intense, I can only imagine the level of intensity between Pacquiao and Cotto during the fight. This battle will definitely go down in the history of boxing.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that Pacquiao might be training outside the United States, probably in Mexico for most of the time. This is to avoid the 183-day rule of the US Internal Revenue Service. Manny Pacquiao will have to cut down the number of days he spends in the US.
If Arum is already talking about where Pacquiao is going to train, does this mean that the Pacquiao-Cotto fight is really final?
Bob Arum explained, “In 2007, 1/6th of the days spent in the US, 2008 is 1/3rd of the days spent which will be added to 100 percent of the days spent in the US in 2009, and if the total of those three numbers equals or exceeds 183 days then you are taxed on all your revenues from worldwide income.”
Posted by greggvarona in Boxers, Boxing, Boxing News, Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao vs Cotto
It seems that the tension between the camps of the two very popular boxers, at present, is about to blow up into proportions any time soon.
Miguel Cotto said to Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, to be ready to go to battle. Cotto wants to tell Roach that he will not give Manny Pacquiao an easy fight, on the 14th of November at the M.G.M. Grand in Las Vegas. He emphasized that he does not like to be treated as if he was like Pacquiao’s most recent victims, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. He explained that he is still at his prime, unlike Oscar De La Hoya, and that he is not overrated like Ricky Hatton.
In addition to that, Cotto said that he would only agree to put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title on the line against Manny Pacquiao, if Pacquiao is willing to make the fight at 147lbs. and not on the agreed catch-weight. Cotto said that Pacquiao would have to fight as a true welterweight if he wants the title.
“If Pacquiao wants that the fight be for the title, it will have to be in 147 pounds. I won the title at the welterweight division and that is 147 pounds,” Cotto said in the report by Manila Bulletin.
However if the WBO should insist in making the Pacquiao-Cotto super fight a title match at 145lbs., Cotto would oblige without any resistance to surrender the title. The OMB (WBO) has the authority to dismiss Cotto as the current welterweight champion.
Pacquiao is seeking to push the November 14 bout to a title match. If he wins that fight he will become a seven-division champion. Pacquiao is the former WBC flyweight champion, IBF super bantamweight champion, WBC super featherweight champion, WBC lightweight champion and is currently the IBO junior welterweight champion. But, Pacquiao is seriously considering retirement, because he wants to go into politics and probably because of his old age (wear and tear).
Just when we thought that Pacquiao-Cotto was already a done deal, here we are with the realization that there are still a lot of things to negotiate.
Posted by greggvarona in Boxers, Boxing, Boxing News, Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao vs Cotto
Another chilling tragedy clouds the sport of boxing. Vernon Forrest (41-3, 29KOs), the former welterweight and light middleweight champion was shot and killed during an attempted robbery in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta police Sgt. Lisa Keyes reported earlier in an e-mail Sunday that Forrest was shot several times in the back late Saturday night on a street just southwest of downtown. Keyes said there were no suspects.
Furthermore, according to the police investigation, Vernon Forrest was putting air in the tires of his Jaguar around 11 in the evening at a gas station when a man approached asking for money. Vernon had his wallet out and the guy snatched his wallet and started running away. There were at least two suspects involved in the crime.
The boxer had a gun and chased after the suspects. “The victim and suspect became involved in a brief foot chase,” said Lt. Meadows. “At some point, gunfire was exchanged between the two of them. The victim was shot at least once in the head.” The boxer was shot 7 to 8 times by at least two semi-automatic weapons. Medical examiner Michele Stauffenberg of Fulton County, confirmed that the case was a homicide and the autopsy showed that Forest died from multiple gunshot wounds involving the torso and the thigh.
Vernon turned professional not long after the Barcelona Olympics. He then gained stardom when he had given Shane Mosely his first defeat to capture the WBC title. He had earned the 2002 fighter of the Year award from the Ring Magazine and the Good Guy award in 2003 from the Boxing Writer’s Association of America.
This is indeed a very tragic death that had affected the closely-knit boxing industry.
“He was one of the most gracious and charitable fighters in boxing and he will be missed by the entire boxing community,” HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg said. “Maybe Vernon’s lasting legacy will be for Americans everywhere to rise up and end this kind of senseless violence.”
Vernon Forrest had helped launch the Destiny’s Child group homes in Atlanta, to provide homes for the mentally disabled. He was definitely a humanitarian who had his principles focused on the fairness of life.
Posted by greggvarona in Boxers, Boxing, Boxing News
