Where Does Pacquiao Go After Mosley?

Source- proboxing-fans.com

Besides Mayweather, There Aren't Many Strong Choices Left at Welterweight for Pacquiao:

A few years ago, when Manny Pacquiao joined the welterweight division, the options seemed endless. Welterweight was boxing’s glamor division with a bevy of marketable opponents vying for the top spot. There were top guys like Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton still making an occasional welterweight appearance, in addition to Floyd Mayweather, Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito, Zab Judah, Kermit Cintron, Carlos Quintana, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, and Joshua Clottey—all good and marketable fighters. The list of mouth-watering matchups was endless.

Now as we approach the midway point of 2011, it’s not quite the same is it? Pacquiao himself has a lot to do with it. His victories over Oscar, Cotto, and Clottey sent them packing. Williams, Margarito (Pacquiao’s last victim), Cintron, and Quintana moved up in weight. Judah moved down. Mayweather is on the shelf. Mosley is really the last name on that list from a few years ago and even his star isn’t shining like it once did.

Read More

THE SPORTS PAGE 64: The Most Influential People In Sports Business

Source- businessinsider.com

Manny Pacquiao

WBC Super Welterweight Champion and WBO Welterweight Champion; Member of the House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines

The sport of boxing may be fading the national consciousness, but there's still one fighter who can still put butts in the seats.

The current "pound-for-pound" champ, Pacquiao sells out football stadiums and pay-per-views and is one of the few truly bankable stars left in the sports.

While the world waits for him to schedule a super bout with undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Pacquiao has run for Congress and started a film career in his homeland turning himself into a true "crossover" artist as well.

Read More

Photos: Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao wrap up Baguio camp, Khan lands in England

Source- examiner.com

After what can only be described as an excellent training camp in Baguio City for WBA light welterweight super champion Amir Khan and WBO welterweight champion and pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, the two went their separate ways this week, heading for Manchester and Los Angeles respectively.

The former is in training for his April 16th bout with Paul McCloskey at the Manchester Evening News Arena in England while the latter trains for his May 7th showdown with veteran Shane Mosley at the MGM grand in Las Vegas.

Unlike their last few fights before which they worked closely together, Khan and Pacquiao who share a trainer in Freddie Roach, were largely on separate schedules this time around, mainly due to the fact that they were constantly in different phases in their training.

While a lot was made of the fact that Khan and Pacquiao sparred against each other in the past, this time around the two champions did not spar, and were in the gym at the same time only in passing.

Read More

Pacquiao respects Mosley’s experience

Source- mb.com.ph

Manny Pacquiao knows that unimaginable riches and new-found fame await Shane Mosley in the event he loses in their face off on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I know that Mosley is training very hard and he knows how it will be for him if he wins against Manny Pacquiao,” said Pacquiao.

“It’ll be a big honor for him to win against me.”

Fully aware of what a very experienced foe can bring to the ring, Pacquiao expects the scheduled 12-rounder to be tough for both fighters.

“Mosley is big, fast and strong and has the height advantage. I expect every single round to be hard.”

Told about advanced Mosley’s age, Pacquiao did not give a lot of credence to it, stressing that he is “not underestimating him.”

Mosley will be four months shy off his 40th birthday by the time he meets the fleet-footed Pacquiao.

“It won’t be foolish to count him out because of his age. He is very experienced and had been in the ring with the very best and beat a lot of great fighters as well,” said the 32-year-old Filipino icon.

Pacquiao spent three weeks in Baguio City under Freddie Roach and the next phase of his preparation – and the most crucial – begins Monday at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

Read More

PACQUIAO AVOIDS THE CROWDS ON LA ARRIVAL

Source- philboxing.com

As he did the last time, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao avoided the huge crowds that gather to greet him on his arrival at the Los Angeles International Airport by sneaking out through a private exit leaving trainer Freddie Roach to meet the fans and answer the questions of a gathering of TV network reporters.

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza told the Inquirer that after a good but long flight aboard Philippine Airlines, Pacquiao slipped out to get some rest.

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said the “Fighter of the Decade” slept through the entire flight and didn’t even eat because he was tired after working really hard in the Baguio City phase of his training camp. He said Pacquiao first visited his Palazzo Apartment and then “went to his home where it was quiet and decided to rest there.”

Ariza said that he would go over to meet with Pacquiao on Sunday and plan their training schedule beginning Monday when he is expected to jog in the morning before working out at the Wild Card Gym in the afternoon.

Ariza said “we’ll see what he has in mind for the next week. I have no doubt he will begin training on Monday” while Koncz said training will resume “full blast.”

There are those who believe, including Ariza, that Pacquiao may not say it publicly but that he is determined to put on an impressive performance against former three-time world champion Shane Mosley when they clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 7.

Pacquiao wants to outdo Floyd Mayweather Jr who was taken the full twelve rounds by Mosley in their last fight where Mosley even rocked Mayweather in the second round but couldn’t put him away.

Read More

FREDDIE ROACH: "THE GYM IS CLOSED...HE'S NOT TAKING THIS GUY LIGHTLY!"

Source- fighthype.com

"No! The gym is closed," remarked world-class trainer Freddie Roach when a reporter asked him if it would be okay to pay a visit to Wild Card gym to catch a glimpse of pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao as he prepares for his upcoming May 7th showdown with "Sugar" Shane Mosley. Having just arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, Roach was left to deal with questions from a throng of reporters as Pacquiao slipped out the side door unnoticed to avoid the crowd of fans who showed up hoping to see the Filipino superstar. "That's why we're here," Roach added with a smile, pointing out that despite , training at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood, California still provides far fewer distractions than Baguio City in his native Philippines.

Still, regardless of any distractions that they may have already experienced, Roach is extremely pleased with how training camp has gone thus far. "We had a great start. He's very motivated. His intensity is great. We're just going to pick up the sparring a lot here and the motivation is going to be the same," he explained. With the intensity of sparring sessions set to pick up, it's obvious why Roach is closing the gym to outside observers while Pacquiao trains. Despite Mosley being a heavy betting underdog, Roach is keen on the fact that his many years of experience makes him dangerous, so they're training for him as though he's the toughest opponent that Pacquiao has ever faced.

Read More

Preview: Fight Camp 360 Pacquiao-Mosley

Source- examiner.com

It is clear that the producers of Fight Camp 360 will utilize the underdog theme to market the May 7 welterweight title fight. The production costs are underwritten by Top Rank Boxing, the main promoter for the event. Pomona-native Shane Mosley (46-6-1) is currently a 7-1 betting underdog and has one loss and one draw in his last two fights.

The first full episode follows Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao's (52-3-2) visit to the U.S. Senate and White House in Washington DC last month, as well as, the large throng of admirers that Pacquiao attracts in the Philippines and in the United States.

Fight Camp 360's first episode is scheduled for Saturday, April 2nd at 9am PST on CBS, which will be televised to a national audience prior to the continuation of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Read More

Video Hype: Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley on Showtime's Fight Camp 360

Source- badlefthook.com

I reckon it looks like Showtime did their usual fine job, but I will say again that I really doubt that this particular series has been made with the already-familiar boxing fan in mind. This is to spread the good word of Manny Pacquiao (oh and this "Mosley" fellow -- he seems lovely!) out to the masses who either only know the name and mispronounce it, or don't know anything at all about him. Pacquiao's ability to hook fans is remarkable. I've never watched a Pacquiao fight with someone who wound up going, "You know something? I don't like that guy." He's just too nice, too talented, too likeable, and he doesn't run around grimacing and making mean mug faces or trying to play a fake character, which I think at this point is pretty much old hat that nobody wants to see anymore. The only money-making villain I can think of in recent years is Mayweather, in part because Floyd can say "I'm playing a character" all he wants to, but the further we go along the less like a character "Money Mayweather" appears.

Read More

Juan Manuel Marquez still talking to Golden Boy; unsure on third Pacquiao fight

Source- examiner.com

Depending on who you talked to, Juan Manuel Marquez's exit from Golden Boy Promotions seemed like a foregone conclusion as his pursuit of a third fight with Manny Pacquiao had many believing he would again reunite with rival promoter Top Rank. Marquez fought Pacquiao to a heated draw in May of 2004 and lost a riveting split-decision to the Filipino stalwart in March of 2008 at the MGM Grand.

Knowing fully well that the 37-year old Marquez is looking to go out with a bang as his career comes to a close, Golden Boy is dead fast in their efforts towards retaining his services. Marquez recently met Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer and President Oscar De La Hoya and was said to have been offered a very substantial four-fight package from the company.

Read More

Update: Top 10 pound-for-pound boxers of the world

Source- sports.yahoo.com

Tremendous tectonic shift in the pound-for-pound ranking transpires in the first quarter of the year with Sergio Martinez's blasting résumé edging a few points over Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s spot, but not too close to dislodge Manny Pacquiao as the No.1 pound-for-pound boxer of the world. The criteria center on "dominance, achievements, mainstream appeal, and their performance in the ring, quality of opposition and knockout percentages, plus results of pulse survey and other factors such as how exciting the fighter is

1. Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO) - Welterweight, is an eight-division world champion, the first boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000's . He is the WBCSuper Welterweight World Champion and WBOWelterweight World Champion (Super Champion).

Read More

Team Pacquiao shifts to high gear

source- philboxing.com

World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao’s preparations for his title-encounter with Sugar Shane Mosley shifts to high gear starting today at the Shape Up Boxing Gym inside Cooyeesan Hotel in Baguio City.

A three-round sparring against undefeated welterweight Shawn Porter, the same man who helped him prepare in his fight against Miguel Cotto two years ago, signals the Pacman’s return to boxing since scoring a unanimous decision win over Mexican Antonio Margarito last November in Dallas.

Chief trainer Freddie Roach doesn’t know whether to pair the pound-for-pound king against his other sparmate, lightweight contender David Rodela, saying in a telephone interview, it would depend on Pacquiao’s condition following a two-day respite from training over the weekend.

Pacquiao was supposed to resume training Saturday at the Elorde Sports Complex in Paranaque City, a day after receiving the “Quintessential Athlete” Award during Friday’s Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Awards night but cancelled it, precisely to give him rest following a hectic two-week regimen.

He and his team travelled back to the Pines City Sunday.

“He gave himself a two-day rest and I have no quarrel with that. He needs it after almost burning himself out the past two weeks in our efforts to restore his condition after four months of inactivity,” Roach, who waited for his ward for two hours at Elorde’s to no avail Saturday, said.

Read More

Pacquiao training cut to 120 rounds

source- philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao will have no more than 120 rounds of sparring for his May 7 showdown with Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said it’s more than what they need to get in top shape, unlike before when sparring rounds get as high as 150.

“We don’t need that many rounds anymore,” said Roach who started cutting down on the number of sparring rounds with the Joshua Clottey fight.

Instead of more sparring sessions, Pacquiao puts in more time in strength and conditioning under Alex Ariza and making sure he doesn’t slow down.

Pacquiao will begin his sparring sessions today at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio, against old hands David Rodela and Shawn Porter.

A couple other sparring partners were supposed to fly in, but because Pacquiao is leaving for the United States on April 2, Roach found it impractical.

The other sparring partners will instead jump in when Pacquiao begins working out at the Wild Card Gym on the first Monday of April.

Read More

KELLY PAVLIK VS ALFONSO LOPEZ ON PACQUIAO-MOSLEY UNDERCARD

source- philboxing.com

Former World Middleweight Champion KELLY "The Ghost" PAVLIK will make his long-awaited return to the ring when he takes on undefeated World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas super middleweight champion ALFONSO "El Tigre" LOPEZ, Saturday, May 7, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. The 10-round Pavlik-Lopez rumble will headline the Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship undercard. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand, the four-fight Mosley-Pacquiao pay-per-view extravaganza will be produced and distributed live on SHOWTIME PPV®.

The pay-per-view card will also feature WBC lightweight champion HUMBERTO SOTO (55-7-2, 33 KOs), of Los Mochis, México, defending his title against URBANO ANTILLON (28-2, 20 KOs), of Maywood, Calif., in a rematch of their 2010 Yahoo! Sports Fight of the Year, which took place in December. The pay-per-view broadcast will open with WBO junior featherweight champion WILFREDO VAZQUEZ, JR. (20-0-1, 17 KOs), of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, in his Las Vegas debut, making his third title defense, against five-time world champion JORGE ARCE (56-6-2, 43 KOs), of Los Mochis, México.

Read More

Floyd Mayweather on Manny Pacquiao: “He takes the test, we got a fight”

source- sportsradiointerviews.com

They don’t call him “Money” for nothing. Now that Floyd Mayweather doesn’t have very much going on in terms of boxing, he’s found another way to spend his time and make money at the same time. Mayweather has turned to gambling on sporting events. Mayweather recently bet on the Chicago Bulls and posted on his Twitter account a picture of his betting slip that showed he won over $37,000.

Nice chunk of change just based on one night of betting. However nothing close to what he could make if he finally steps inside the ring with Manny Pacquiao in a fight that every boxing fan wants to see. Since that is clearly not happening any time soon, Mayweather will just have to settle on betting on sporting events. It’s working pretty well right now.

Floyd Mayweather joined ESPN Chicago with the Afternoon Saloon to talk about his bet that he made on the Bulls, what is the most he has won on a bet, how often he bets on sporting events, whether or not he is going to fight Manny Pacquiao, and answers his critics that believe he is “ducking” Manny Pacquiao.

Read More

Gamboa impresses against Solis but Pacquiao comparisons premature

source- examiner.com

Over the weekend in front of close to 3000 fans at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Cuban born former amateur sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0, 16KOs) stopped Jorge Solis (40-3-2, 29KOs) in four rounds, knocking the Mexican down five times in the process.

It was a performance equal parts impressive and expected from Gamboa, who some already regard as the best featherweight in the world, ahead even of his more experienced rivals for the top spot, namely long time champion Chris John (44-0-2, 22KOs) and fellow Top Rank fighter Juan Manuel Lopez (30-0, 27KOs).

For Solis, a perennial runner up having lost in all three of his world title bids, it was perhaps a last chance at glory, but against a talent like Gamboa's there was little he could do except prolong the inevitable.

Immediately after the fight, the first story to emerge was the possibility of a unification bout between Gamboa and Juanma Lopez.

Read More

Pacquiao to begin sparring tomorrow

On road to Baguio City after spending the weekend in Manila, trainer Freddie Roach said he’s looking forward to the first day of Manny Pacquiao’s sparring with Shawn Porter and David Rodela on Tuesday afternoon.

“He better be ready,” said Roach, the man at the helm of preparing Pacquiao for the May 7 clash with Shane Mosley.

Roach and Pacquiao were scheduled to train Saturday afternoon at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque, but the pound-for-pound king didn’t make it to workout.

“He overslept,” said Roach, citing that they both didn’t make it to bed early the night before because they had to be present during the annual Elorde Boxing Awards at the Sofitel Hotel.

Pacquiao and Roach were still at the event around midnight of Friday since they were requested by the Elorde family to stay for a while and watch some fights. Read Full Story

Read More

Steroids in boxing? You betcha

In a recent conversation that I had with the former Jr welterweight world champion, Paulie Malignaggi, the topic of steroids in boxing came up. We had a long conversation about it, and the former champ had a lot of very interesting things to say.

Now, before some of you chime in with comments about how you think Malignaggi is a bum, or a nobody, or a this or that, remember this much, he's a former world champion.

Malignaggi is a former world champion prize fighter, and he defeated Juan Diaz in most people's eyes twice. He's one of the most intelligent guys in the sport and I admire him for not being afraid to speak his mind.

Manny Pacquiao has been accused of taking steroids by a growing number of people. I recently had lunch with two old school boxing people. One of them trained over 14 world champions in his day, and the other one was part of Muhammad Ali's training camp on 4 different occasions. Both men firmly believe that Manny is taking something. More and more fighters are starting to agree with the Mayweathers that Pacquiao is on something. Most of them say it off of the record, nevertheless they are saying it. Read Full Story

Read More

Talk of fighting Paul Spadafora proof of how far Floyd Mayweather has fallen

After reportedly pricing himself out of a showdown with rival Manny Pacquiao last week, the latest rumor concerning a ring return for Floyd Mayweather is that he could take on Paul 'The Pittsburgh Kid' Spadafora this summer.

Spadafora (45-0, 19KOs) was once a good fighter, perhaps with the potential to become a great fighter if not for his out of the ring issues.

Sadly drug and alcohol problems, as well as a conviction for shooting his then girlfriend and a couple of stints in jail, meant that Spadafora never lived up to his potential.

It should come as little surprise then that aside from holding the IBF lightweight title back in 2003 and maintaining his unbeaten record since, the 'Pittsburgh Kid' has realistically done very little to warrant a fight with someone on Mayweather's level. Read Full Story

Read More

MANNY PACQUIAO IS MAKING FLOYD MAYWEATHER LOOK PATHETIC WITHOUT DOING OR SAYING ANYTHING

On an Espn radio show with Carmen, Junko and Harry, Floyd Mayweather was their guest and of course they spoke about Manny Pacquiao and asked the most obvious question when will Floyd finally fight Manny Pacquiao. Listen to the interview here.

From what The Superstar heard and the 3 host heard is something quite disturbing for Floyd fans. Floyd Mayweather absolutely has an inferiority complex against Manny Pacquiao. He brought up that he is an American and Americans should not support a foreigner like Manny Pacquiao. Floyd began spouting red, white, and blue colors and feels his birth country is against him. Why is the good ol’ USA against Floyd? Most Americans are against Floyd due to him being such an egotistical, narcissistic self absorbed trash talking foul mouthed SOB. He has never tried to endear himself to the American public. How can anyone be loved when practically every word that comes out of his mouth is laced with profanity especially his favorite word something resembling an Oedipus complex. Someone should tell Floyd making that racist homophobic video against Manny will not get people to give “LOVE” or the support he is trying and begging to get. Floyd doesn’t get it. Don’t beg or demand for support. People will support you when you demonstrate great unselfishness and gratitude. Read Full Story

Read More

Pacquiao -- Mosley shifts gear as hard sparring begins

Former multi-division titleholder Shane Mosley who had a crafty reign in three weight divisions is back in his hub at Big Bear lake of the Golden State, training like mad for his May 7th title-struggle with the world's top welterweight Manny Pacquiao.

Shane's early start at his training quarters is almost two weeks ahead of his rival's stint in Baguio City the Philippines.

Both rivals start a gruelling sked of heavy sparring at the start of the week.

Not a key edge but a pivotal move that might allow Mosley to acquire all that's needed in his frenzied pursuit at stardom.

A win over Pacquiao means the world for Mosley who's been repeatedly boasting a knockout defeat of the highly-fancied Pacman.

A lucky accident or a fluke of a triumph if Mosley embarrasses Pacquiao, a feat which serves a parallel purpose for Shane as well--- return bout with Floyd Mayweather. Jr.

Shane is eligible for a spot at Floyd's flaky calendar if he's able to stow away the century's upset.

But will Manny permit such anomaly---that of allowing the Pomona star to hijack his own agenda of battling Mayweather?

Nonsense! Or as the Brits would put it---'balderdash'.. Read Full Story

Read More