Mayweather inks May 1 fight vs. Mosley (10:10 a.m.)

LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. finalized a deal to fight Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1 in a welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) agreed to the bout last week, but formally signed the contract on Wednesday for the former pound-for-pound champion's second fight back from a brief retirement.

"This one is definitely for the fans, as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tuneup bout and asked to fight Shane immediately," Mayweather said. "I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."

Although the fight is an intriguing matchup between two veteran welterweights who have been circling each other for a decade, the dangerous Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) still wasn't Mayweather's first choice.

Mayweather agreed to the bout only after several weeks of negotiations with Manny Pacquiao failed to produce an agreement on what's likely to be the richest fight in boxing history, if it ever occurs. Pacquiao balked at Mayweather's stringent drug-testing demands, and instead will fight welterweight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

Mayweather and Mosley agreed to participate in Olympic-style drug testing for their fight, saying they hope to set a new standard for safety in boxing. Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently through a coach who had connections with the BALCO lab.

"I'm real disappointed and real angry to be linked to juicing and steroids, because that's just not me," Mosley told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "I don't need to do that stuff. I like the testing for this fight. I want it, because I want to prove that everything I've done is all me, and not about steroids. I've never tested positive for anything, but I want everybody to know who I really am."

Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay Casino before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family's home. Mosley expressed only sympathy for Berto's family, but the setback quickly evolved into a chance for a major bout.

"I knew that there was a fight around the corner," Mosley said. "I knew that Mayweather needed a dancing partner, and who else was he going to dance with? I'm a little stronger and wiser now. I'm very smart. Nothing he can do is going to rattle me and make me feel any different. I'm already in good shape, and I'm going into it feeling good."

Mosley, the 38-year-old WBA welterweight super champion, has been vocal about his desire to meet Mayweather ever since Mayweather celebrated his ring return last September with a one-sided victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. Mosley, a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, jumped into the ring after Mayweather's win and taunted the unbeaten fighter.

But Mayweather appeared to be focused on the biggest payday of all against Pacquiao until his hard line on drug testing scuttled the fight.

Mosley formalized his commitment last Friday but Mayweather didn't sign the deal for five days, prompting worries for Mosley's management and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Mayweather throughout the torturous negotiations with Pacquiao's promoters at Top Rank.

Just a few days ago, Schaefer publicly acknowledged he was worried Mayweather might be having second thoughts about a tough fight against Mosley, who has only improved with age.

Mosley's only loss since late 2004 was a narrow decision to Miguel Cotto in November 2007. He has fought just twice since then, stopping Ricardo Mayorga and former champion Antonio Margarito, although Mosley was scheduled for fights against Zab Judah and Berto that were canceled by his opponents.

Mayweather should have the services of Roger Mayweather, his uncle and longtime trainer. Roger Mayweather has a June 1 trial date in Las Vegas on several serious charges related to accusations of beating and choking a female boxer last summer at an apartment he owned. (AP)

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Mayweather-Mosley already getting physical (8:31 a.m.)

NEW YORK — Music blared over the loudspeakers, smoke billowed across the stage, and the curtain dropped to reveal Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley dressed to the nines as a crowd of several thousand inside the Nokia Theater let out a roar.

They won't meet in the ring until May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but the first stop on a whirlwind, three-city publicity tour Tuesday included plenty of pomp and pizazz.

Fireworks, too.

After lengthy introductions that would have made silver-tongued Michael Buffer blush, the unbeaten Mayweather and the welterweight champion Mosley sauntered to the middle of the stage and stood face to face. Jawing turned to pointing, pointing turned to shoving, and before long, promoters from both camps were rushing forward to separate them.

Perhaps the altercation was staged, but it's hard to fake the animosity between them.

"The thing is this: He may be the champ, but we all know belts don't do nothing but collect dust," Mayweather said, smiling. "I'm in the check-cashing business, baby."

Both should be able to cash hefty checks after this fight, arguably the biggest in the sport not involving Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather and Mosley have been circling each other for years, and the possibility they would finally meet really gained traction when Mosley crashed a post-fight interview after Mayweather defeated Juan Manuel Marquez last September.

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions brazenly predicted the fight will do 3 million pay-per-views, which would shatter the record set by Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya in 2007.

"We have the two best American fighters of our generation," Schaefer said. "Mayweather has become a household name, let's face it. Love him or hate him, he's a household name. And with Shane Mosley, you have the perfect dance partner."

The fight came together after weeks of negotiations between Mayweather and Pacquiao failed to produce an agreement. The Filipino fighter refused Olympic-style drug testing — Mayweather's camp has accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs — and he will instead fight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

When potentially the richest fight in boxing history fell through, Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) turned to the next biggest attraction in the loaded 66.7-kilogram (147-pound) division.

Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) was supposed to face Andre Berto in a unification fight in January, but Berto's family was severely impacted by the earthquake in Haiti, forcing him to back out.

"It's been a long time since I got a chance to show the world that I'm the best fighter, and that's all that I really want, to be the best," Mosley said. "I'm going to take my hat off to Mayweather, because I didn't think I was ever going to get a fight from any of these top fighters. He said, 'Yeah man, I'll take that challenge. I'll fight you.'"

Both fighters will undergo random blood testing, which they claim will set a new standard for safety in boxing. Such an agreement perked some eyebrows considering Mosley has acknowledged unintentionally using steroids before defeating De La Hoya in 2003.

Mosley claims it was a mistake made by a strength coach connected to the BALCO lab, and insisted again Tuesday that he lives a clean life — even before Mayweather dredged up the past.

"I can't say how many fights Shane has won in the past because we know Shane was using enhancement drugs. That's something we do know," Mayweather said. "It's no different than Pacquiao. I offered Pacquiao the fight. I said, 'We'll give you $25 million.' I never met a man who wouldn't take a $25 million drug test."

While it's hard to forget about the failed fight with Pacquiao, there are plenty of signs that the best alternative is quickly gaining mainstream attention.

Schaefer said the sponsorship portfolio already includes AT&T and StubHub, and that about 14,000 tickets were snatched up Tuesday in the first 15 minutes they were on sale. HBO is also planning the eighth installment of its Emmy-winning "24/7" series during the weeks leading up to the fight, offering behind-the-scenes access to each fighter's training camp.

Then there's the publicity tour, which moves to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday before wrapping up Thursday in Los Angeles.

"This fight reminds me of back in the days of Sugar Ray Leonard and Tommy Hearns, the fights we saw back in the day, the classic fights that brought boxing back," said De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, which counts Mosley as a partner.

De La Hoya wasn't shy about a prediction, either.

"I've fought both fighters and I already know what's going to happen," he said, invoking Mayweather's former "Pretty Boy" nickname. "I already know there's going to be a knockout, I already know, and it ain't going to be 'pretty.'" (AP)

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Pacquiao celebrates 15 years in boxing

By Mike Limpag

WHILE Manny Pacquiao is busy cementing his legacy in boxing’s future, the Filipino is taking some time off to recall his humble past.

Pacquiao, who is fighting Joshua Clottey on March 13 in his first defense of his WBC 147-belt, recently marked his 15th year in the sport and recalled the similarities then and now.

Pacquiao debuted as a 16-year-old against Edmund Ignacio in the 106-pound division on Jan. 22, 1995 and once admitted he had to put on metal weights to be heavy enough to make the limit.

Now, he said he needs to eat a generous serving of food to make 147 pounds.

“Kinakailangan ko pa ring kumain ng bande-bandehadong kanin at pagkain upang hindi ako madehado sa timbang,” he wrote in his latest column at Philboxing.com.

Pacquiao won his first 11 fights before getting knocked out in three rounds by Rustico Torrecampo on Feb. 9, 1996.

He won his next fight two months later and started a string of 15 victories to win his first title.

Pacquiao said he never expected to be where he is now—the world’s no. 1 pound-for-pound.

“Even when I was a kid, I never dreamed of achieving this. I never imagined to win seven world titles in seven weight divisions or to be fighting the boxers I idolized while I was growing up,” Pacquiao wrote in Tagalog.

Pacquiao got to big time boxing with a win over Marco Antonio Barrera and eventually added Erik Morales, Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto to his resume.

Despite not having fought in the 130-pound limit in over two years, Pacquiao said he could still make it if he wants to.

“I can still fight in the 130-pound division, but it will really be a struggle,” Pacquiao wrote. “After I won the 135-pound title, I didn’t expect to win over Dela Hoya easily at 147 pounds and that I’d win the 140-pound title over Hatton.”

Source: sunstar.com.ph

‘Pacquiao victory parade not for politics’ (4:10 p.m.)

MANILA -- Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao who will be greeted with a victory celebration here in the country should be mindful of campaign rules, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded Monday.

Pacquiao on Sunday (Philippine time) won his boxing bout against African boxer Joshua Clottey via a unanimous decision.

It has been a tradition for the government and other groups to welcome Pacquiao with a victory parade after his boxing matches abroad.

Pacquiao is running for a local position as congressman of Saranggani province in Mindanao.

“If it's a local candidate, it comes with the Supreme Court ruling in the Penera case they are not considered candidates for purposes of premature campaigning. Therefore they are not within the limitations of the law,” explained Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

The Filipino boxer, according to the commission, should not use the event as a means to campaign himself during the victory party for him.

But since candidates may be joining Pacquiao in his hero's welcome parade, the poll body also reminded national candidates that the campaign for their posts have already started and thus they should avoid politicizing during the event.

“If it's national candidates, obviously the campaign period has already started and they have to follow the rules,” the Comelec official said.

“We would advise candidates, both for local and national, to refrain from using this event meaning to say don't put streamers or materials that contain ‘vote for’ or any material containing the number corresponding to your name in the ballot. Spare the event from politics,” he furthered. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Mendoza: Clottey came to dance, not fight Pacquiao

By Al S. Mendoza

I’M sorry.

I thought Joshua Clottey came to fight. But he didn’t.

He came to protect his 38-fight streak of not having been knocked out since he turned pro in 1995 as an 18-year-old.

For 12 rounds, his fists were practically useless, unused, you wonder why they were gloved at all.

For 12 rounds, all he did was dish out his infamous peekaboo defense.

For 12 rounds, he played deaf to the pleas of his trainer to throw punches.

That’s why Manny Pacquiao easily sped to a unanimous decision victory yesterday at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

And my knockout prediction went pfft!

But was I glad Pacquiao (51-3-2, 35KOs) never got pissed off for having been duped by Clottey into believing they’d fight for Pacman’s WBO world welterweight crown.

Pacquiao played along, unleashing his patented blazing machinegun punches for a rare feat of sweeping all 12 rounds.

So embarrassing was Clottey’s non-fight stance that had referee Rafael Ramos declared the bout a no-contest, he would have been justified.

Doesn’t a fight contract stipulate that both fighters must trade punches the minute the bell rings?

Yesterday, only Pacquiao, 31, complied.

Yesterday, Clottey, 32, was in breach of agreement.

What we saw was not a bout but a man trying his damnest to force his foe to fight him.

Thus, I repeat, how can Pacquiao stop someone who came wearing dancing shoes instead of fighting shoes?

Shamelessly, Clottey (35-4, 21KOs) came not to his 39th fight but to collect his biggest paycheck ever, which was more than doubled by Jerry Jones from $1.2 million to $3 million as a bonus following a record-breaking crowd attendance of 51,000.

I salute Pacquiao, for he was mainly responsible for that huge crowd.

And, despite unloading a torrent of punches all fight long, Pacquiao never showed any sign of fatigue at any point during the one-hour, one-sided bout.

That’s because as always, as part of Pacquiao’s training discipline, he prepares by treating each fight as lasting 24 rounds.

So, Clottey could have danced all night in Texas and Pacquiao would not have minded.

Also, that he didn’t knock Clottey out was a given.

In ballroom dancing, boxing is a no-no.

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Pacquiao was boring

By Edri K. Aznar

IT wasn’t pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao’s, but his challenger Joshua Clottey’s fault that their super fight last Sunday at the $1.2 billion Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas tuned out into a dull bout, because the 33-year-old Ghanaian barely threw any punches. However, self-proclaimed best fighter in the world Floyd Mayweather Jr. begged to differ.

“I think Pacquiao gave the fans a boring fight, he was punching his arms for all 12 rounds,” Maywather Jr., who criticized Pacquiao’s last fight for lack of action, said in a report posted at cagereport.net.

Click here for Election 2010 updates

“At least when you watch Floyd Mayweather you know you’ll be seeing non-stop action for 30 minutes straight and that’s what you’ll see on May 1st,” he added.

Defense

The 31-year-old Pacquiao tried his best to lure Clottey into opening, and trade punches with him, but the former International Boxing Federation welterweight champion had his gloves glued to his head.

“Personally, I think Pacquiao got exposed in that fight for being one-dimensional. You can have all (the) offense ability in the world, but with no defense you’re not going to last long against a good counter-puncher such as myself. Look at the way Clottey was getting through, each time he threw something, it landed. Then at the end Pacquiao’s was all busted up, when’s the last time you’ve seen my face all messed up like that? That’s the difference between an amateur and a true pound for pound boxer.”

Next foe

As early as now, Pacquiao, who will be returning to the Philippines to campaign for his bid for congress at the Sarangani Province, wants the 32-year-old Mayweather Jr. as his next foe.

However, Mayweather Jr. must first defeat World Boxing Association welterweight king Shane Mosley to earn a crack at the best boxer in the world.

Pacquiao was supposed to face Mayweather Jr. instead of Clottey, but the negotiations of both camps fell through after a misunderstanding in the pre-fight drug testing.

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Pacquiao-Clottey fight disappoints fans

MANILA -- Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao may have pulled off yet another victory, but boxing fans throughout the country were extremely disappointed at how he won his fight against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey on Sunday.

Though the 31-year-old Pacquiao kept his welterweight crown after dominating his challenger from Ghana, many said there was no drama behind the latest conquest of a fighter who had scored 38 knockouts in his career Sunday (Philippine time) at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Filipino fans in Caloocan cheer as they watch a free public viewing of a live satellite broadcast from Texas of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey. (AP)

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

There was no knockout win this time, something Filipino fans are accustomed to every time Pacquiao climbs the ring to face tough opponents.

Thus, only few of the predominantly male crowd who watched the fight live on big screen at the University of the Philippines (UP) in Quezon City applauded when announcer Michael Buffer declared Pacquiao as the winner.

"We were expecting an eight-round knockout. But the fight turned out to be a little flat and boring," said an aficionado.

Manny Pacquiao celebrates after defeating Joshua Clottey with a unanimous decision during their WBO boxing welterweight title fight in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (AP)

Others said “bitin ang laban,” as they expected exchange of blows from the two boxers and for Pacquiao to knock Clottey down to the floor.

For Davao City Councilor Peter T. Laviña, who watched the fight at Barangay 38-D in Davao with village officials, the match Sunday disappointed several boxing fans that “(Manny) failed to open and break Clottey's defense, which I described as The Great Wall of Ghana."

"The biggest cheers were made when Manny threw a two-hand punch on both ears of Clottey, but he was given a warning for the shot," said Laviña.

Even social networking site Facebook had shout outs of disappointments.

A no-contest and a mismatch, the Facebook users said.

At the Casino Filipino inside the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City, fans who came as early as 7 a.m. just to watch the fight live on big screens were also utterly dissatisfied with the result.

"It was a boring fight, no doubt about it. I was expecting a big victory for Manny Pacquiao, a knockout to be exact but it didn't came," one elderly man said as he was leaving his seat at the end of the bout.

"I'm still happy, though, that Manny Pacquiao won," he added.

There are others who even lost some cash as they placed bets for Pacquiao to win by a knockout within six rounds.

"Kiss my money goodbye," another elderly man said.

In the City of San Fernando in Pampanga, hundreds of boxing fans, glued on their television sets or huddled along free live pay-per-view in some congested venues, said the Pacquiao-Clottey fight was boring.

Folks who huddled in television sets set up by their neighbors in garages and porches said they were "quite disappointed" on how the fight turned out.

Filipino fans in Caloocan shield their eyes from the sun as they watch a free public viewing of Manny Pacquiao’s fight against Ghanaian Joshua Clottey. (AP)

Victory for the country

While many boxing fans were dissatisfied with the result of the match dubbed “The Event,” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded Pacquiao for his continued display of "unselfish patriotism and unyielding perseverance."

The President, in a statement released by Presidential Spokesman Ricardo Saludo, said the nation again rejoices with and congratulates Pacquiao for forging another victory for the country.

"We take heart in Manny's proven formula of unselfish patriotism and unyielding perseverance. Sa pagkakaisa at pagsisikap, nagwaging muli si Manny para sa bayan. Ito rin ang ating landas tungo sa tagumpay ng sambayanan," Arroyo said.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said Malacañang joins the jubilation of Pacquiao’s latest conquest as he again proved to the world that the Filipino’s talent and determination set us apart from the rest of the world.

Nacionalista Party standard bearer Senator Manny Villar, meanwhile, said Pacquiao’s victory is a testament of a person who overcame obstacles to be successful.

Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and their dependents and civilian employees also witnessed the live coverage of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight at AFP Wellness Center and at the general headquarters grandstand.

More than 2,000 spectators viewed the fight in projectors and electronic billboards installed in the areas.

The Pacquiao-Clottey fight was also aired live at the Philippine Army gymnasium, the Bonifacio Naval Station at Fort Bonifacio, and at the Philippine Air Force gymnasium at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“We are happy because his (Pacquiao) win was obvious. It was obvious that he was not going to lose. To me and to the soldiers, what he showed will be another inspiration for us,” said AFP chief General Delfin Bangit.

Generally peaceful

The military and police said the situation throughout the country was “generally peaceful and orderly” during the duration of Sunday’s bout.

“Please be informed that per monitoring of all regions, [the] situation is generally peaceful and orderly," Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said in a text message.

Police Superintendent Julius Suriben of the Regional Intelligence Division in San Fernando City, La Union also said no crime incident was reported from the four police provincial offices (PPO) morning until the time the Pacquiao-Clottey fight ended.

Suriben was in constant communication with the intelligence branches of the province’s four PPOs the whole morning until after the fight.

In Pampanga, the same situation was reported, with police officials saying no crime incidents were reported at various community police assistance centers.

The scene of light pedestrian and vehicular traffic was also noticeable, as with half-filled supermarkets and restaurants that are normally teeming with people on a Sunday.

Suriben said police forces “worked and patrolled nationwide to ensure crimes will be prevented."

The police always report low crime incidence whenever Pacquiao enters the ring because every Filipino is glued to their television sets.

Pacquiao, before the fight with Clottey on Sunday, had annihilated the best fighters in the world. He made Oscar dela Hoya quit in his tool after the eighth round, stopped Ricky Hatton with a single punch in the second round, and scored a 12th round TKO over Miguel Cotto in November last year.

Politics next

Now with his latest victory, Pacquiao is expected to face his next big bout -- a second try in politics as congressman of Sarangani province in Mindanao.

“Dapat atupagin na ni Manny ang mismong fight niya sa kanyang hometown, sapagkat mukhang mabigat din ang kanyang kalaban, mukhang heavyweight ang kanyang kalaban dun,” seasoned broadcaster and Lakas-Kampi-CMD senatorial bet Rey Langit said.

Pacquiao will run against Roy Chiongbian, a top executive of Eastern Shipping Lines for the lone district of Sarangani.

The Chiongbian family earlier said in interviews that Pacquiao’s immense popularity in boxing would not be enough to bring him to victory in 2010.

In 2007, Pacquiao lost to Darlene Antonino-Custodio when he ran for congressman in the first district of South Cotabato by a margin of 37,000 votes. (CRAM/Virgil Lopez/JMR/VR/IOF/JTD/LCMY/Sun.Star Davao/Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Source: sunstar.com.ph

Landslide: Manny Pacquiao crushes Floyd Mayweather

Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

ARLINGTON, TEXAS—Election Day in Sarangani Province doesn't arrive until May 10 with the campaigning kicking off on March 26.

Me, if I can only qualify somehow with Comelec standards and regulations, I will be casting my Filipino presidential ballot for rags to riches business mogul Manny Villar. In fact, I've been wearing my orange colored “Tropang Villar” wristband now for two weeks already.

Vote, the White Gorilla's endorsed ticket all the way....let's send Villar to Malacanang and send Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao to a Congressional seat...and don't forget Pacman lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal for Congress from General Santos City...I wonder what Pacquiao opponent Roy Chiongbian will do when Manny claps his head with the Three Stooges Double Punch Earmuffs technique which was on display here in Texas...

I am also voting for....

L'il Floyd Mayweather to confess now to the world that he cannot beat Pacquiao in the ring, at the box office or in terms of worldwide commercial success. Yes, he's fun devil we know, yes his superb skills are exquisite if boring but the vast majority of all fans prefer to see persistent punching and raw guts on display as opposed to, let's say, those continuous shoulder rolls. You Mayweather fans please let me know when he draws 20,000, let alone 50,000 plus, to a big stadium or ballpark. I won't hold my breath...

Pacquiao, now truly, a “Fighter for the Ages” in the superstar clouds alongside such other always value for money greats as Julio Cesar Chavez and Roberto Duran. He may only be a master sergeant in terms of his military rank back home but Manny is the world's best ring general, the best of his generation, and better than Floyd Mayweather because he puts on a much better show with better artillery...

For amiable and effusive Cowboys Stadium landlord Jerry Jones who told me on Saturday night, after 51,000 turned out in his football playpen to watch the Magic of Manny and the Shrinking Violet performance of gunshy Joshua Cklottey, that he is hungry now to bring Mayweather-Pacquiao to this sprawling Metroplex of Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington. Jones is able to communicate with the moody Mayweather through Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Jones is a persistent guy who refuses to take no for an answer. Jones said he thinks Floyd versus Manny could top his recent NBA All Star Game attendance here and that crowd figure was 108,000...

For the real disgust of the Clottey camp for his play it safe, cover up defense and refusal to try to score the huge upset. That Girl Scouts, I'm happy to be here Wednesday prefight presser did, as I wrote in a scathing manner with a Madam Auring air of authority, foreshadow the pacifistic performance, After the bout, Pac went off to his concert to sing “La Bamba.” Clottey should have gone to sing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” or “It Takes Two To Tango.” He got paid $1.2 million here in place of a $35,000 effort against some nonentity. Trainer Lenny DeJesus was frank enough to admit his man won ZERO rounds although I awared him round three as did two of three judges...

For Pinoy crooner Arnel Pineda, for rendering the Filipino national anthem, in a brilliant way. This cat put his heart and soul into his heart and soul...

For the fight plan of Coach Freddie Roach in its simple strategy, knowing Clottey would employ his using my gloves as my protective headgear defense. Roach had Megamanny banging away repeatedly at Clottey's stomach. It was the kind of Mike “Bodysnatcher” McCallum or Chavez body pounding which the victim doesn't really feel the excruciating pain of until a day or two after the punishment is dished out...Clottey's peformance may have been the biggest "Cover Up" since Tricky Dick Nixon and the Watergate scandal...

For the funny guy who shouted out “Viagra” when someone asked Clottey “how he stayed erect” at the postfight press conference. OK, I will confess, the wisenheimer was me...

For big fight away from our Mothership, from the slot machines and 21 tables of Las Vegas. Boxing goes back to its homebase for Mosley-Mayweather on May 1 but it's refreshing to come to a receptive area such as Dallas or to Yankee Stadium on June 5 for the Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto title bout...

For Pacquiao's pride tempered by humility and for he embraces and is, in return, embraced by fans of all races, creeds and colors. Many high athletes push the public away but Megamanny pulls them towards himself...

For Clottey not running for any office as I don't think he could be elected as Dogcatcher in Ghana today. He could, like some politicans in the past, promise “a chicken in every pot” but the chicken would have his face. Most fighters come for victory, Clottey is content with survival...

See you all in Saragani where I will be landing soon. Prepare the balut and the beer...let's toast the world's best fighter and pray that he never turns into just another “trapo.”...

Finally, I hear Mayweather frequents a popular sushi joint in hometown Vegas. He always orders the same dish...

You got it, the shoulder rolls...

Source: Examiner.com

Pressure now on Floyd Jr to beat Mosley

Mayweather vs Mosley
Now the pressure is on Floyd Mayweather Jr.

With Manny Pacquiao getting past Joshua Clottey Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in their welterweight title fight, the fighter now known as "Money" is hard pressed to beat "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 1 if only to get their potentially blockbuster showdown still on track.

If we get that fight, I have no doubt in my mind that Manny would break through that defense by just pounding on (Mayweather's) shoulder until it breaks.
– Freddie Roach, Pacquiao trainer

A Mayweather loss two months from now at the MGM Grand where Mosley’s World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight crown will be at stake, could be very damaging.

"The people want that fight, they want to see that fight so it’s up to him," said Pacquiao, giving the crowd of more than 50,000 inside the Cowboys Stadium the reason to roar minutes after the current holder of the mythical pound-for-pound title retained his WBO title belt with a dominating performance over Joshua Clottey.

"But he should win against Mosley. If not, Mosley and I will fight."

Instead of Clottey, Pacquiao was already penciled to meet Mayweather last Saturday in a bout projected to be the biggest and richest in boxing history.

A last-minute disagreement on the drug-testing protocol, however, shot down the prospect of seeing two of the best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound, squaring off inside the ring.

Junior insisted that he and Pacquiao submit to a random, Olympic-style drug testing before and after the fight, a demand flatly rejected by the Filipino southpaw.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s outspoken trainer, challenged Mayweather to just concentrate on his work as a boxer and let the boxing body do its own job.

"It’s the fight the world wants to see. Me and Manny want to see it. Floyd, let the (boxing) commission do its job. You don’t run the sport. Get into the ring and fight us," he said.

And Roach believes once they make the fight, Pacquiao will show not even an excellent defensive fighter like Mayweather could withstand the Pacman’s power.

"If we get that fight, I have no doubt in my mind that Manny would break through that defense by just pounding on his shoulder until it breaks," Roach said.

"We will show how to crush that Mayweather defense and we will crush him."

Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arum was in the same page as Roach, saying the rules of the state commission where the fight will be held should be the ones to be followed, and not by any personal demands made outside of the negotiations.

Arum doesn’t doubt that once Pacquiao gets Mayweather to agree in fighting him,
the Pacman will pick the American apart.

"Manny will break down any defense," he said. “He never gets tired. He throws a million punches. If Mayweather doesn't come out of his shell Manny will pile up the points like he did (against Clottey)."

"When you're in with a buzz saw, it's very difficult to do anything. Manny prevented Clottey from throwing his punches by throwing his own punches, and he throws from so many angles." – GMANews.TV

Source: GMANews.tv

Pacquiao: I want Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley
Manny Pacquiao switched his attention to a megafight with Floyd Mayweather after boxing his way to victory over Joshua Clottey.

The reigning P4P king was on top right from the opening round as he prevailed by scores of 120-108 and 119-109 twice, but could not find Clottey's breaking point as the man from Ghana maintained his proud record of never having been stopped.

And Pacquiao now wants to fight Mayweather, who he was originally scheduled to meet on Saturday night over a dispute about blood-testing.

He said: "I want that fight, but it's up to Mayweather. I'm ready to fight any time."

Trainer Freddie Roach was in no doubt about Pacquiao's class.

He said: "I give Manny an A-plus. Clottey was more in survival mode and when a guy is trying to survive, it's hard to knock him out."

Source: espnstar.com

Bang, bang, bang: Pacquiao performance brings tears to Mayweather's eyes

Mayweather vs Mosley
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

Given the undeniable fact that he is a sportsman of the first order, not to mention a Malcolm X-Dr. Martin Luther King type social leader advocating for drug testing and clean competiton, you know that Floyd Mayweather and his hired Golden Boy henchmen were quick to extend congratulate Manny Pacquiao after his 51st pro victory.


A key figure, 51 wins in the pro ring, matching the 51 in the 51,000 fans who crowded into Jerry's World, the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Don't ask me how I got my hands on but I can tell you that neither of my old pals, Tim Smith or Teddy Atlas was involved, but I will now reveal the emails sent by Mayweather and his hired hands dashed off to the Pinoy Idol after he slapped a reluctant Joshua Clottey around like a personal pinata for 12 rounds.

If ref Rafael Ramos had the gumption to demand that Clottey do more than impersonate a mobile punchag, ordered him to fight for his $1.2 million purse, is there any doubt Clottey would have been starched?

Methinks not.

But I guess a refereee being paid $5,000 can't enforce all the rules on a schlepper getting $1.2 million, can he?


FLOYD MAYWEATHER: Magnificent, Manny, magnificent. That lively crowd was right in UFC kingpin Dana White's face, too bad that Clottey fought like a sparring partner who already cashed his check. I loved your Double Punch trick, the old Earmuffs two punch simultaneous combination. I can't fathom why anyone says such a shock power double punch is illegal.

Look, Manny it was brilliant night until Clottey showed up. His dance to the ring was much more compelling than his offensive output. What the hell was he saving his punches for? Maybe he gave up trying to win for Lent, something like that.

Now let me handle Old Man Mosley and we can sign the contract for our jackpot bout.

Nice that you threw 1,239 total punches but I throw that many in a single round and I rarely miss, bro.

You might kick me like stubborn donkey but I don't think so.

Congrats on another brilliant effort. I really don't mind being Avis to your Hertz, fella.


OSCAR DE LA HOYA, RICHIE RICH SCHAEFER: Good job, Manny, can you lean on Uncle Bob to send us our check? We promise not to smear you with unfounded allegations of any kind until AFTER the Top Rank check clears.

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR.: Manny, you were shining like new money, honey. You are, as I once told Michael Marley, a Little Smokin' Joe Frazier. As far as you beating my son, someone told me that Frazier beat Ali in their first bout, I've got to check Boxrec on that one. Loved the Earmuffs Punch, reminded me of watching Three Stooges, Larry, Curley and Moe, when I was a kid. I fought Sugar Ray Leonard and he used his bolo punch on me but he didn't slap any Earmuffs on me.

ROGER MAYWEATHER: Manny, my legal defense bills are mounting. The bail bondsman keeps putting his hand out. Come on, your made $35 million last year and $12 million against Clottey? Can you help a brother out, I won't tell that punk ass beeyotch, Roach. He wants to fight me, I laugh. Manny, if Freddie gets in my Snagglepuss grill, there will be two hits. I hit Roach, Roach hits the deck.

Source: Examiner.com

Mayweather vs Mosley: Several Valid Reasons Why Sugar Shane Beats Money Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley

By Dax Ferguson - Well, fight fans, the fight of this decade is apparently going to happen. It’s not that often that two of the three greatest fighters on the planet have the opportunity to meet in the ring. Or that the three greatest fighters are all boxing in the very same weight division. Of course, I am referring to Sugar Shane Mosley, Floyd Money Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio.

I, for one, was really looking forward to seeing Manny and Floyd get it on; now it’s Shane and Floyd in what promises to be one of the most important welterweight fights of all time; and that is saying a lot when one remembers some of the great battles in that division in the last half of the century. One of the greatest battles was between all time great Kid Gavilan and unbeaten Gil Turner, who possessed at age 21 a 31-0 record with 25 KO’s and ex-champs Ike Williams and Beau Jack on his kayo roster. Gavilan triumphed in the 11 the round in a bout that drew 47,000 fans to the Philly arena back in July of 1952.

Then there were the epic battles pitting Gavilan vs Billy Graham and Carmen Basilio..

And for sheer tenacity and unbridled action, the two Carmen Basilio-Tony DeMarco battle royals are hard to top, both won on knockout by Carmen.

In more recent times, Sugar Ray Leonard played the starring role vs Wilfred Benitez in a boxing classic chess match won by Leonard with six seconds to go in the 15th round, which was a classic pre-mature stoppage. Leonard also figured in a couple other great welterweight matchups, against all tjme great Roberto Duran (twice) losing the first and winning the second when Duran turned away, saying “No Mas!” The best Leonard effort however was against the hard hitting unbeaten Tommy Hearns who took him to hell and back before he finally triumphed over the weight weakened Hit Man.

Those are some of the matches by which the Mosley-Mayweather fight will be judged by. It shows promise of being a great fight, based more on Mosley’s aggressive style than Mayweather’s slip and slide counterpunching persona.

It will be Mosley who will make this an exciting fight if it is indeed to be the classic that most boxing enthusiasts expect it to be.

Let’s match these two up potentially on paper:

Experience: Have to give Shane the nod here, as overall he has fought better fighters.

He has fought a prime DeLaHoya twice, winning the first with no doubt and a controversial close decision in the second. Lost twice to Vernon Forrest when Forrest was at his best. Styles make fights and Vernon had Shane’s number. Pity they never fought a third time, I believe Shane would have won. Shane has also fought Winky Wright twice and lost both. However, as in the Forrest fights, Shane came a lot closer in the second, losing a razor tight decision and having Winky in trouble in the final round. Shane also lost a razor thin decision to Miguel Cotto in a bout I felt he won by one round. Again, he came on strong in the final rounds.

Shane’s best win at welterweight undoubtedly was his virtual annihilation of Tony Margarito, a one sided beat down that left Margarito fans dumbfounded. Mosley twice hammered Fernando Vargas into submission, leaving no doubt who was the better man. He also culminated a tough fight with rugged, free swinging Ricardo Mayorga, who not incidentally stopped and decisioned Vernon Forrest in their two matches. Mosley has never turned down the best opponents which is more than can be said for Mayweather, who is well known for looking for soft touches. Mayweather’s most dominant fight was with Diego Corrales when he dropped Corrales five times but that was at 130 pounds and nine years ago. His credentials at 147 pounds are less than impressive. He stopped a used up Shamba Mitchell in six, rallied to beat Zab Judah, one of the best “four round” fighters in the world, shut out oft beaten Carlos Baldomir, barely edged Oscar DeLaHoya. Floyd had fits early with Judah, DeLaHoya and even plucky little Ricky Hatton until Hatton ran out of gas. His return to the ring match up with much smaller and much older Juan Manuel Marquez was a mismatch but feather fisted Floyd couldn’t even put him away, despite a quick knockdown in the second round.

Speed: Both these guys have the reflexes of a scalded cat. I would give Mayweather a slight edge but it would be very, very slight. I don’t see speed being a culminating factor either way.

Defense: Both are very hard to hit, Mayweather is about as elusive as a tumbleweed in a high Nevada wind storm. Mosley is a little more hittable but is no easy target.

Punching Power: If this matchup ends up in a fire fight, Mosley wins by knockout. Mosley is a deadly puncher. According to Joe Goosen, one of the best trainers in the business, his left hook to the body is totally devastating. Goosen claims Shane knocked out a sparring partner with 16 ounce gloves and that takes some doing.

Chin: Gotta go with Sugar Shane on this one. He’s been in with bigger and stronger punchers and has only been on the canvas once in his entire amateur and pro career encompassing well over 250 fights. Mayweather on the other hand has been rocked by DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah. It’s my personal opinion that once a fighter who can punch finds a way to penetrate his shoulder roll defense, Mayweather will be exposed as having a china chin comparable to Roy Jones Jr. Shane just might be that guy.

Size and Strength: Mosley wins out on both counts. He is naturally a bigger man and is also a much stronger man. At one time Mosley was credited with being able to bench press well over three hundred pounds. In a case of push and shove, it’s Shane, hats down.

Stamina & Conditioning: These two will bring a new level of conditioning to the table. Both have the reputation of getting better and stronger the longer the battle goes. The difference being is that Shane as pointed is the bigger and stronger guy and I believe he will wear the smaller Mayweather down if it gets into a distance fight.

Bottom Line: I predict that Sugar Shane will prevail by a stoppage somewhere between the 9th and 12th rounds. Mosley will have a devastating answer for Mayweather’s shoulder roll on the ropes and he will pin Mayweather in this suddenly uncomfortable position with precision power punches, some of which will slip through Mayweather’s guard, evasive as it is. Mayweather is going to find Mosley an entirely different breed of fighter, a better, more skilled fighter than he has ever faced before and he will not have the answers to the challenge.
ShareThis