Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Manuel Marquez - Official Update

LAS VEGAS – The boxing world received two gifts this week, not only the announcement that six-time world champion in five weight divisions Floyd “Money” Mayweather has returned to the sport, but also that he was immediately putting his undefeated record on the line when he faces the dangerous and highly touted five-time world champion in three weight divisions Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez in MAYWEATHER vs. MARQUEZ “Number One/Numero Uno” on Saturday, July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada which will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Mayweather’s return and the fight were announced today at a press conference at MGM Grand.

“That’s right. I’m back and you can all get ready for another chapter of the Mayweather experience!” said Mayweather. “I told my CEO Leonard Ellerbe from the start that I wanted to come back fighting the best fighters out there and Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best in boxing today.”

“To be considered the best in the world, you have to fight the best, and I have made it clear even when Mayweather was away from the sport that he was the only man I really wanted to fight,” said Marquez. “I’m happy that he’s come out of retirement and accepted my challenge. Unfortunately for him, he might be sorry he came back at all.”

The summer showdown between Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO’s) and Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO’s) will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions.

“Mayweather Promotions is proud to announce the return of Floyd Mayweather after a much needed rest,” said Ellerbe. “But he is coming back with a vengeance and clearly Marquez is a significant challenge for his return. It is going to be an extremely competitive and exciting fight.”

“Floyd Mayweather is back and Juan Manuel Marquez is ready to fight,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. “Mayweather is clearly making a statement by accepting this challenge to fight the dangerous Marquez in his first fight back. Having seen Floyd perform live in his two previous fights, I know a big challenge brings out the best him. Boxing is in for a great night on July 18th.”

“Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez has the potential to be one of boxing’s all-time great fights,” said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Not only are they two boxers destined for the Hall of Fame and two of the greatest technicians of this era, but they also both have a warrior’s spirit that comes out when they get tested. I know that they’ll push each other to the limit when they step into the ring July 18th.”

“MGM Grand is thrilled to host Floyd Mayweather’s return to the ring and welcome back the great Juan Manuel Marquez,” said Richard Sturm, President of Sports and Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE. “We anticipate this to be one of the hottest fights of the year and look forward to the exciting night of boxing these two champions will deliver to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.”

“Floyd Mayweather is a special athlete and it ' s heartening to see him return in such a big fight against an accomplished opponent in Juan Manuel Marquez,” said Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports. “Boxing fans will be intrigued by this mid-summer match-up.”

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.

Information on ticket availability will be made available shortly.

Source: http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Chee/Chee050409.htm

Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez!

The boxing world received two gifts this week, not only the announcement that six-time world champion in five weight divisions Floyd "Money" Mayweather has returned to the sport, but also that he was immediately putting his undefeated record on the line when he faces the dangerous and highly touted five-time world champion in three divisions Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez in MAYWEATHER vs. MARQUEZ "Number One/Numero Uno" on Saturday, July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada which will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Mayweather's return and the fight were announced today at a press conference at MGM Grand..

"That's right. I'm back and you can all get ready for another chapter of the Mayweather experience!" said Mayweather. "I told my CEO Leonard Ellerbe from the start that I wanted to come back fighting the best fighters out there and Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best in boxing today."

"To be considered the best in the world, you have to fight the best, and I have made it clear even when Mayweather was away from the sport that he was the only man I really wanted to fight," said Marquez. "I'm happy that he's come out of retirement and accepted my challenge. Unfortunately for him he might be sorry he came back at all."

The summer showdown between Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO's) and Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO's) will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions.

"Mayweather Promotions is proud to announce the return of Floyd Mayweather after a much needed rest," said Ellerbe. "But he is coming back with a vengeance and clearly Marquez is a significant challenge for his return. It is going to be an extremely competitive and exciting fight."

"Floyd Mayweather is back and Juan Manuel Marquez is ready to fight," said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. "Mayweather is clearly making a statement by accepting this challenge to fight the dangerous Marquez in his first fight back. Having seen Floyd perform live in his two previous fights, I know a big challenge brings out the best him. Boxing is in for a great night on July 18th."

"Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez has the potential to be one of boxing's all-time great fights," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "Not only are they two boxers destined for the Hall of Fame and two of the greatest technicians of this era, but they also both have a warrior's spirit that comes out when they get tested. I know that they'll push each other to the limit when they step into the ring July 18th."

"MGM Grand is thrilled to host Floyd Mayweather's return to the ring and welcome back the great Juan Manuel Marquez," said Richard Sturm, President of Sports and Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE. "We anticipate this to be one of the hottest fights of the year and look forward to the exciting night of boxing these two champions will deliver to the MGM Grand Garden Arena."

"Floyd Mayweather is a special athlete and it's heartening to see him return in such a big fight against an accomplished opponent in Juan Manuel Marquez," said Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports. "Boxing fans will be intrigued by this mid-summer match-up."

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.

Information on ticket availability will be made available shortly.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19667&more=1

Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather

Manila: The newly-enthroned boxing champion Manny Pacquiao has chosen Floyd Mayweather as his next ring opponent in October.

"You know, I want to fight Mayweather. But I am ready to face anyone whom my promoters want me to fight in the ring," Pacquiao who became the International Boxing Organisation junior welterweight champion, said in a radio interview aired in Manila.

"I will wait for the result of Mayweather's fight against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18," said Pacquiao.

"I am now preparing for my next fight in October or November," said Pacquiao, but did not name his opponent.

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach earlier said that Pacquiao will be paired with Mayweather only if the latter gets his weight down to 140 pounds.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao said he, his wife Jinky and their children will go on a tour. He did not give details.

He returned to his home in Los Angeles after Saturday's bout in Las Vegas in which he knocked out the British IBC welterweight champion in the second round.

Pacquiao's humble beginnings included odd jobs in a bakery and in the port area of General Santos in the southern Philippines. He was a light-flyweight champion and clambered up to a total of six weight titles, the world's only boxer to have achieved such a feat.

Last December, Pacquiao defeated Oscar de la Hoya and sealed the latter's retirement.

Congratulations for Pacquiao came from almost all Filipinos.

President Gloria Arroyo said "that Manny showed the world the best in the Filipino."

"His victory is the victory of every Filipino," said Vice-President Noli de Castro.

Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Boxing/10310623.html

Marquez whets appetite for Pretty Boy-Pacman main dish

He’s a reigning WBA and WBO world champion at lightweight.

Previously, he’s held WBC hardware at 130 pounds and both WBA and IBF jewelry at 126 pounds.

But Juan Manuel Marquez became something else entirely on Saturday.

A tune-up fighter.

With the midday announcement of Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s return from a brief retirement and the evening’s concussive crowning of Manny Pacquiao as the IBO’s junior welterweight champion, the 35-year-old Mexican – a pro since 1993 – instantly became an afterthought.

Oh sure, he’ll face Mayweather in the “Pretty Boy’s” comeback bout somewhere between 140 and 147 pounds, but he’ll enter that fight as the last inconvenient obstacle to the event the sport is suddenly salivating over – a pound-for-pound summit between Mayweather and Pacquiao.

And as I wrote here last week… I couldn’t be happier about it.

No offense to ol’ JMM. He’s obviously been a quality pro and I’m happy that he’ll finally be getting a chance to ring the cash register a few times by stepping in with Floyd. But anything short of a cut-free, injury-free win for Mayweather is the last thing anyone needs.

I know the first two matches with Pacquiao have been classics. I know some very credible people believe Marquez won at least one – if not both – of them. And I know that if they were to get together again, he would have a real chance at toppling the Filipino phenomenon.

But the only truth that matters is that no one else would care.

Outside of hardcore fans on this site and others like it, it takes something more than a simple boxing match with two quality principals to generate the interest needed to drive pay-per-view buzz from merely pedestrian to certifiably stratospheric.

Sorry folks, but Marquez doesn’t provide that against Pacquiao.

Love him or loathe him, Mayweather does.

Much like the New York Yankees in baseball, Notre Dame in football and Jeff Gordon in stock car racing, the charmingly villainous Mayweather provides an instant element of polarity that will separate one fan from another in a match against the sport’s newest superstar.

And while hardcores will tune in without prejudice to see the sublime elements of Mayweather’s defense and the “Pacman’s” multi-layered violence, the remaining masses may watch just to see the “Pretty Boy” – like the Yankees, the Fighting Irish and No. 24 car – get what’s coming to him.

To me, it’s in roles like these where Mayweather truly shines.

Aside from being the top fighter in the world upon his exit – having dispensed with reigning/recent champions Hatton, De La Hoya, Baldomir and Judah in his last four fights – Mayweather also shows a knack for crowd incitement that put.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/index.php?m=show&id=19760

Marquez Says Mayweather First, Then Pacquiao Trilogy

WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez is taking every precaution for his upcoming fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on July 18. Marquez is hoping the swine flu epidemic is not going to complicate his training camp. He usually trains in Mexico for his big fights, but plans to leave the country to train elsewhere if the flu strain continues to spread.

Marquez is expected to move up in weight by at least eight pounds to 143 to make the fight. There will be a special set of training routines for this particular fight.

"I'm going to have special foods, exercises, different weight session to put on four pounds of pure strength and keep myself strong and fast. We will work with a team that includes nutritionists, a weight trainer," Marquez told ESTO.

Marquez, more so than any other fighter, causes a lot of problems for Manny Pacquiao. He says the win over Mayweather would open the door for a November trilogy showdown with Pacquiao.

"If I defeat Mayweather, I would be ready to move forward with a Manny Pacquiao fight in November," Marquez said.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=19770

Floyd Mayweather: He IS A Great Manager

Well he did it, that's right Floyd "I Won't Fight In My Division" Mayweather Jr. provided his own version of "Shock and Awe" before the Pacquiao-Hatton fight. In a press-conference the afternoon of the fight, Mayweather Jr. 39-0 (25 KOs) announced that he's coming out of retirement and will be fighting Juan Manuel Marquez 50-4-1 (37 KOs) who fought as a featherweight until March of 2008, this coming July.

If there is one boxing fan alive who ever believed that Mayweather was really retired for good, they better go back to watching reruns on the ScFi channel. The truth is Floyd Mayweather was never retired, nor did he ever let himself get out of shape. Incidentally, the second part of that is commendable. The first part is a joke. All Floyd has been doing is waiting around for the guys in his "real" division to either get old (Shane Mosley) lose (Miguel Cotto), get beat up (Antonio Margarito) outgrow the division (Paul Williams) and fall off the radar (Kermit Cintron).

How long are boxing fans going to be made a fool of by this manager/fighter? I have no problem with a fighter trying to make as much money with the least risk possible, to a degree. Joe Frazier has the best saying I've ever heard regarding the boxing business. It goes, "Boxing is the only sport where you get your brains shook, your money took, and your name in the undertaker’s book." Having said that, great fighters, I mean all-time great fighters, something I'm not convinced Floyd Mayweather Jr. is, seek out fights with other great fighters their size.

You'd think Mayweather would see that to a degree Roy Jones, who was a greater and more skilled fighter than him, suffers today from the perception of not always seeking fights that offered the biggest challenge. To this day Roy continues to fight to keep fans from forgetting who he was. Yeah, in a way we "Musta Forgot." This is what happens when you fight too many Clinton Woods.’

I'm not saying Mayweather can't beat Mosley, Cotto or Margarito. However, I can't say that he can either. I also know how the game works and what he's doing. This is fighting just to make the most money with the least risk so he can retire undefeated. He can't say that, but I can. Instead he tells us how great he is and sadly more than a few fans buy his BS.

Great? Maybe. I think outstanding is more the case. It's a joke and insult saying that he's in the same class as Sugar Ray Robinson, and he has to pay his way into the gym just to watch Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns wrap their hands. Look at the list of who's who that they fought compared to Mayweather.

Floyd actually has had more name fighters to fight than Roy Jones did during his prime. Does it take much imagination to wonder what Mayweather's record would be if he fought Shane Mosley's resume? Comparing quality of opposition between Mosley and Mayweather is like comparing hand speed between Butterbean and Larry Holmes.

In reality, Floyd Mayweather Jr. isn't even undefeated, at least not in the ring. He lost the first meeting with Jose Luis Castillo 115-113. Even HBO house judge Harold Lederman scored the fight 7-5 in rounds for Castillo. Yep, Mayweather's network and their own judge had the fight 5-5 in rounds after 10. Lederman then correctly scored the 11th and 12th for Castillo, sealing the fight for his opponent. Mayweather clearly won the rematch, but the point is boxing fans have seen Mayweather bettered in the ring at least once.

I don't want to hear this baloney about Mayweather not being a true welterweight. That's just another excuse to keep Floyd from tangling with the guys in his division. Yeah, he's not a welterweight, but Marquez has to come up to 144 so Floyd has another opponent with a big name to pad his record. Didn't Mosley turn pro at 135, just five pounds heavier than Mayweather was when he turned pro? As far as Mayweather being seen as some kind of a warrior by agreeing to fight Marquez, if it comes off, and then Pacquiao, I just don't see it.

I have no doubt that boxing fans will flock to Mayweather and want to attack those that expose him for who he really is. Be my guest, let him rip you off and then give you a lousy one-sided fight versus a 36 year old opponent. Does it mean anything that when he beats Marquez he's beating a guy much smaller than him, who Pacquiao had down three times in the first round back in 2004. Does it say anything that he didn't even make Oscar De La Hoya look bad and actually lost rounds to him, and then Pacquiao dominated Oscar and retired him? Oh, and Shane Mosley beat Oscar more convincingly in 2000 than Mayweather did in 2007. Yet somehow everybody goes crazy over Mayweather. Can boxing fans be that starved to see a great fighter?

I'm not saying Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn't posses a phenomenal skill set, because he does. In the ring he's a much smarter fighter than he gets credit for. He's terrific fundamentally and never beats himself. More than that, he's mentally tougher in the ring than he is credited for being and is great at making his opponent fight to their weakness. That said, he's not creative offensively nor does he exhibit a varied attack. His defense is outstanding, but that's more a case of him knowing when to punch and break off the exchanges. The problem is, I want to see him in there with another outstanding/great fighter his size who isn't old or on a steep decline.

At the press conference announcing his return Mayweather said, "I am not wasting any time with a tune-up fight. I'm going straight to the top. Marquez called me out immediately after his victory over Juan Diaz in February and now he gets his wish. What he is going to find out is that you should be careful what you wish for." Yeah Floyd, you're going to the top alright. The top of the lightweight division versus a fighter who is 2-0 as a lightweight. The only problem with that is you're a welterweight.

I guess he never heard Mosley, Cotto, Margarito or Williams call him out. I know I sure have. Floyd Mayweather Jr. in my opinion is very transparent in the con he's pulling off. Quite successfully I might add. Oh, and if anyone out there believes that the 37-year-old Mosley declined to fight Mayweather previously or fears him in any way, next you'll try and convince me New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is a choker too. Although, I do expect Mayweather to fight Mosley eventually, Shane’s just not old enough yet.

One more time, I'd have no problem giving Floyd Mayweather Jr. his props if he earned them the way past great fighters have, but he hasn't. He's definitely a great manager and no one can dispute that. Mayweather Jr. may be great, he just won't let us find out! And if he thinks beating Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao will change that, I say only in his mind. As great as they are, they are nowhere near as tough and dangerous to Mayweather as Mosley, Cotto and Margarito.

Pacquiao-Hatton & Mayweather:

The second round knockout scored by Manny Pacquiao over Ricky Hatton this past weekend was nothing short of breath-taking. There's no question about it, whether or not he beats Mayweather makes no difference, Manny Pacquiao is an all-time great pound for pound fighter. End of story.

On the other hand, Mayweather needs to beat more than just Pacquiao to have the same said of him in my opinion. Early prediction, I think Floyd has the style advantage over Manny and believe when they fight, yes, I said when, Mayweather will score a decision victory. As he should, he's clearly the bigger fighter and equally skilled.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/6784/floyd-mayweather-great-manager/

And Now, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather?

Ordinarily fans moan about a big buildup to a fight followed by a quick knockout. Yet no one was complaining on Saturday night about Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao's second-round stoppage of Ricky "The Hit Man" Hatton.

Boxing enthusiasts appreciate the fact that, in Manny Pacquiao, a fistic supernova has been born, a star who, like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Oscar De La Hoya, will be able to command the interest of crossover sports buffs.

The bout, which was accurately promoted as a battle for the title of pound-for-pound best, resembled a World Cup soccer match. An army of 15,000 Brits, many without fight tickets, made the trip to Las Vegas to support their hero, and there were thousands of Filipinos draped in flags and wearing Pac Man T-shirts.

After three national anthems, Mr. Pacquiao bounced down the corridor toward the ring, grinning, tapping hands and sending greetings to fans. Once asked when he, this friendly 5-foot-6½-inch, 138-pound light-welterweight, turns the switch to become a dark destruction machine, Mr. Pacquiao smiled and answered: "Oh, when the bell rings."

And when the bell rang on Saturday night, both combatants came out in a lather. In round one, Mr. Hatton dropped his left and Mr. Pacquiao landed a right hook that had the Hit Man hitting the canvas for one of the few times in his long career. He was dropped again near the end of the round.

At the start of the second stanza, a desperate but still wobbly Mr. Hatton rushed to the attack. Mr. Pacquiao delivered a whiplash looping left that took Mr. Hatton's legs out from under him. The punch exploded on Mr. Hatton's chin, which for boxers is the sweetest of sweet spots, because the chin is a relay switch to the circuitry of the brain. Mr. Hatton was unconscious before he hit the canvas.

As sometimes happens in boxing, there was an immediate hurrah and then hushed moments of concern. After a few minutes, Mr. Hatton was peeled from the canvas and taken to a nearby hospital for observation.

The combination of Mr. Pacquiao's speed, power and precision punching drew adjectives like "perfect" and "amazing" from the normally skeptical boxing writers' guild.

At the postfight press conference, Mr. Pacquiao, who is a highly successful vocalist and was going off to sing with his band, remarked: "This was as big for me as the De La Hoya victory. . . . I was surprised that it was so easy, but I have been training hard since March. He was open for the right hook because I knew he would be looking for my left." And as though the fury of the fight and damage to Mr. Hatton meant that it needed saying, the pacific warrior kept repeating: "It was nothing personal between us. I was just doing my job."

On the morning of the fight and at the same MGM Grand venue, Floyd Mayweather Jr. announced that he was retiring from his 16-month retirement. Mr. Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound king, has signed to meet Juan Manuel Marquez -- a superb fighter who had a draw and later lost a controversial split decision to Mr. Pacquiao. After a long monologue about his accomplishments, Mr. Mayweather, who is bigger, at 5 feet 8 inches, than Mr. Pacquiao, sent his oblique message to the Filipino fighter: "A big, great fighter always beats a small, good fighter."

Afflicted with Parkinson's disease, no doubt brought on by his own many ring wars, Mr. Pacquiao's longtime trainer Freddie Roach has the odd quality of seeming to be unable to lie. He told me that the fight with Mr. Hatton would be an easy one. He also confessed that a return match with Mr. Marquez would be challenging, because "Marquez is so smart and tough and knows how to fight lefties." After the bout, the three-time Trainer of the Year revealed: "Floyd is afraid of Manny. If he had waited 24 hours, we could have made a fight with him right away."

One thing is certain -- world-champion boxers are not in general much afraid of being punched in the nose, especially when it comes to collecting tens of millions of dollars. The pound-for-pound contests such as Pacquiao versus Hatton now own the entertainment muscle that used to belong to heavyweight championship fights. There can be no doubt that the boxing world is on the march toward a Mayweather-Pacquiao Super Bowl-type event.

At the professional level, the sweet science is steered by promoters. Different promoters have different fighters in what was once termed "their stables." Bob Arum, founder and chairman of Top Rank Promotions, has Manny Pacquiao under contract. Because of some squabbles, Mr. Mayweather once vowed that he would never do business again with Mr. Arum. But with the mounds of money at stake there is a sense that Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. will soon retire that sentiment.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124148010011585203.html

Floyd Mayweather: The Empire Strikes Back

Sports needs bad guys. What are “sports” anyway other than grand entertainment, and what is entertainment (in the U.S. anyway) besides a multi-media comic book documenting the ongoing cosmic struggle between good and evil? Who was the French film director who said that, “once a Hollywood budget gets to be more than 10 million dollars, you have to start putting white hats on the good guys and black hats on the bad guys?” We like our heroes and villains very clearly delineated in this country. You’ve got your Luke Skywalker column and your Darth Vader column and not a lot of room in the middle.

Well, cue the Imperial March, people, because Darth has returned to the Death Star and he’s rolling thick with his whole Vader posse. And make no mistake about it -- holms is looking to get gangsta with Luke Pacquiao and Manny Skywalker and any other punkass pious poser who wants to stand in his way.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. is quite simply one of the best bad guys in sports today, and his absence from the boxing scene, during his sham “retirement,” left a void that no number of ferocious Filipinos could fill. That is why I give thanks to the boxing gods above that Floyd is getting back in the picture, announcing this past Saturday afternoon that he will return to fight Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18th with an eye towards making a superduper good-versus-evil smackdown with Manny Pacquiao later this year.

Now don’t get me wrong -- I like me some Pacquiao. As heroes go, he’s the rilly dilly. He’s got the essential heroic back-story of poverty and hard work and devout Christianity, he’s got the devoted and sage mentor, and he’s got that dynamite smile, quiet charisma, and stupid freaky power in both of his lightning-fast hands (ask Ricky Hatton about that). Plus, he’s got a bizarrely Buddhistic Jedi way about him that says he is a man at peace with himself who summons his fury only in the service of his people and the general cause of righteousness.

Cats like that don’t come around every day, but let’s face it -- without a good bad guy to match them bad for good, even the best of good guys exist in a very boring vacuum. The Pacquiao-Hatton promotion bored the crap out of me for the most part, two respectable guys paying each other much respect in the most respectful way of respectfulness. Ninja please. I tell you, when I’m at these interminable pressers, I’m always thinking to myself just please God let there be one man up there on the podium who is mean, and crazy, and weird.

In other words, let me have Brother Floyd, the uncontested king of the mean/crazy/weird triple threat. At the Marquez presser, Floyd wasted no time breaking out his evil genius A-material. “I beat fighters and turn them into bitches and they go out and put on fish-nets,” he said at this Golden Boy-sponsored event, taking a not-so-thinly veiled shot at, well, the Golden Boy himself.

Most people see this fight with Marquez as nothing but a challenging tune-up for Floyd’s ultimate showdown with Pacquiao, and I tend to agree with that. And as his training camp progresses, I fully expect Floyd to be dusting off his bad-guy routine at the same rate that he shakes off the ring rust. Marquez is easy pickings on that front, not a guy much given to trash talk, a humble character for the most part who just happens to be one of the best fighters in the sport. I eagerly look forward to seeing and hearing the ways in which Floyd attacks this most unassailable of characters.

All in the service of fine-tuning his diabolical game for Pacquaio the Brave. I tell you, this thing is going to be so Star Wars it’s almost ridiculous. Floyd’s uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, makes such a perfect Emperor Palpatine, and who in the game is more Obi-Wan than Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach? Not to mention the fact that with the ridiculous handspeed of both Manny and Floyd, when they finally do end up in the ring together, it’s going to seem like they’re fighting with lasers.

Source: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/23804/floyd_mayweather_the_empire_strikes_back

Mayweather Jr. to Make Comeback Against Marquez

By Matt Stein: It’s been almost two years since Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs) last fought, but finally Floyd is ready to make his comeback according to ESPN. Mayweather, 32, will be fighting Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18th at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, with the fight likely to be announced on Saturday at a press conference. Mayweather is reportedly having some problems with the IRS, and this could be one of the reasons for his decision to make a comeback.

The timing couldn’t be better for Mayweather, with Ricky Hatton about to face Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas. It would seem logical that Mayweather Jr. would want to fight the winner of the Hatton-Pacquiao fight.

After all, either of them would bring in a lot more money for Mayweather than his fight with Marquez will. The one problem that I can think of right off the bat is if Hatton ends up beating Pacquiao. Hatton has already had a chance at Mayweather before, and ended up losing by a 10th round TKO in December 2007.

This was actually Mayweather’s last fight, because he then retired after the bout and has not fought since then. Given the one-sided nature of Mayweather’s previous fight with Hatton, I wouldn’t exactly be the first one in line to scoop up a ticket to watch Hatton get beaten into the canvas once more by Mayweather.

I’m no Pacquiao fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I think it would be best for boxing as a whole if Pacquiao ends up beating Hatton on Saturday night, just so that Pacquiao can be the one that ends up facing Hatton. We need new blood in there with Mayweather, and besides, Hatton already had his one bite off the apple and he screwed things up by getting beaten up badly.

Now it’s best that Pacquiao beat Hatton senseless so that we can have a different outcome. I know don’t know whether Pacquiao could beat Mayweather or not (I tend to doubt it based on the size proportions alone between the two fighters), but I think Pacquiao has the speed to do a much better job than Hatton did in 2007.

Of course, no one can guarantee that Mayweather will be able to get by Marquez so easily. While Mayweather has been inactive for almost two years, Marquez has continued fighting and has looked impressive in fighting to a controversial 12-round draw with Pacquiao in 2008, and stopping Juan Diaz in the 9th round to capture the WBA lightweight title in February 2009.

Marquez may not have the size of Mayweather, but he’s got better skills than Hatton and will likely give Mayweather a tough fight. The bout will take place at 144, a weight that Marquez wanted because he has to move up in weight from the lightweight division to take the fight. That would be roughly a nine pound weight gain for Marquez, who fought at 135 in capturing the WBA lightweight title in his last fight.

Source: http://www.boxingnews24.com/2009/05/mayweather-jr-to-make-comeback-against-marquez/

Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez - EastsideBoxing.com

LAS VEGAS (May 2, 2009) - The boxing world received two gifts this week, not only the announcement that six-time world champion in five weight divisions Floyd "Money" Mayweather has returned to the sport, but also that he was immediately putting his undefeated record on the line when he faces the dangerous and highly touted five-time world champion in three divisions Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez in MAYWEATHER vs. MARQUEZ "Number One/Numero Uno" on Saturday, July 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada which will be broadcast live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Mayweather's return and the fight were announced today at a press conference at MGM Grand..

"That's right. I'm back and you can all get ready for another chapter of the Mayweather experience!" said Mayweather. "I told my CEO Leonard Ellerbe from the start that I wanted to come back fighting the best fighters out there and Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best in boxing today."

"To be considered the best in the world, you have to fight the best, and I have made it clear even when Mayweather was away from the sport that he was the only man I really wanted to fight," said Marquez. "I'm happy that he's come out of retirement and accepted my challenge. Unfortunately for him he might be sorry he came back at all."

The summer showdown between Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO's) and Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KO's) will be promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions.

"Mayweather Promotions is proud to announce the return of Floyd Mayweather after a much needed rest," said Ellerbe. "But he is coming back with a vengeance and clearly Marquez is a significant challenge for his return. It is going to be an extremely competitive and exciting fight."

"Floyd Mayweather is back and Juan Manuel Marquez is ready to fight," said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer. "Mayweather is clearly making a statement by accepting this challenge to fight the dangerous Marquez in his first fight back. Having seen Floyd perform live in his two previous fights, I know a big challenge brings out the best him. Boxing is in for a great night on July 18th."

"Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez has the potential to be one of boxing's all-time great fights," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "Not only are they two boxers destined for the Hall of Fame and two of the greatest technicians of this era, but they also both have a warrior's spirit that comes out when they get tested. I know that they'll push each other to the limit when they step into the ring July 18th."

"MGM Grand is thrilled to host Floyd Mayweather's return to the ring and welcome back the great Juan Manuel Marquez," said Richard Sturm, President of Sports and Entertainment for MGM MIRAGE. "We anticipate this to be one of the hottest fights of the year and look forward to the exciting night of boxing these two champions will deliver to the MGM Grand Garden Arena."

"Floyd Mayweather is a special athlete and it's heartening to see him return in such a big fight against an accomplished opponent in Juan Manuel Marquez," said Ross Greenburg, President of HBO Sports. "Boxing fans will be intrigued by this mid-summer match-up."

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.

Information on ticket availability will be made available shortly.

Source: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=19667&more=1

Mayweather Jr. to fight again

LAS VEGAS -- Floyd Mayweather Jr., the welterweight champ and pound-for-pound king until retiring last June, officially ended his retirement Saturday at an afternoon news conference to announce a fight with lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, who hasn't boxed since knocking out Ricky Hatton in a December 2007 welterweight title defense, will fight Marquez on July 18 on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand, the same venue hosting Saturday night's fight between junior welterweight champion Hatton and Manny Pacquiao, the man who succeeded Mayweather as the pound-for-pound king.

The sides have been close to a deal for several days but the one hang up had been the exact weight. In the end, they settled on a maximum weight of 144 pounds, a source involved with the fight told ESPN.com.

Mayweather had wanted the fight to be at 145 pounds, but Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs), the smaller man coming up from the 135-pound division where he is champion, wanted the weight as low as possible.

The deal was finalized Friday afternoon following a flurry of conversations over a six-hour period, another source said.

Besides the weight issue, the fight was delayed when Mayweather, a former five-division champion, visited promoter Don King last week at his Florida home, where they discussed a possible deal. But King couldn't get him to sign.

The seeds to a Mayweather comeback had been planted months ago when he began working out and sparring at his Las Vegas gym. Mayweather has also been dogged by IRS problems.

Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs), who turned 32 on Feb. 24, told his advisers, Al Haymon and Leonard Ellerbe, in December that they were free to listen to fight offers.

Also, Mayweather's father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., who trains Hatton, told media members during the promotion of Hatton-Pacquiao that his son's ring return was imminent.

The winner of Mayweather-Marquez clearly looms as the most attractive opponent for the winner of Hatton-Pacquiao. Marquez and Pacquiao have already fought two very close, exciting fights, a draw in the first fight and a split decision win for Pacquiao in the second bout.

Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4125184

Unbeaten Mayweather returns in July against Marquez

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - Unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jnr ended his 17-month boxing retirement on Saturday, the outspoken American welterweight announcing a comeback fight in July and reclaiming his pound-for-pound throne.

Hours before England's Ricky Hatton and Philippines star Manny Pacquiao met in the ring to decide the pound-for-pound throne Mayweather abdicated, the 32-year-old US pay-per-view moneyspinner declared himself the true man to beat.

"I'm coming back to claim what's mine," Mayweather said. "I'm the king. I left on top. I come back on top. I'm back to claim my crown. I've never been beat. How can I not still be the king?

"One day somebody might shut my mouth but right now I'm the top dog."

Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, makes his return July 18 against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez at the same arena where he last fought, stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007 to keep the undisputed welterweight title.

"I'm back because the sport of boxing needs Floyd Mayweather," Mayweather said. "Somebody has got to keep the sport running so why not me?"

Marquez, the World Boxing Association lightweight champion, will move up in weight for the bout, likely to be staged at a limit of 143 or 144 pounds even though Mayweather would not say exactly what catch weight would be used.

"A small man is never going to knock me out," Mayweather said. "He's a good small man. I'm a great big man."

Joking he was "coming fresh from the club - the strip club", Mayweather brushed off any notion of ring rust after the layoff.

"I'm in tremendous shape. When it's time to fight I will be ready mentally as well as physically," Mayweather said. "I've just got to adapt. I've been working out every day. My first day I worked I boxed seven, eight rounds."

Playing the arrogant loudmouth, Mayweather beat Oscar de la Hoya in the richest fight in boxing history, luring 2.4 million pay-per-view buys and another 1 million buys for a similar role against Hatton - nearly 250 million dollars combined, although Hispanic and British fans of his rivals spent most.

"I've been off a couple years and I'm still the biggest draw," Mayweather said. "Heavyweight to 105 pounds, they all want to fight me. I'm the cash cow."

Mayweather expects to fight twice a year.

"If I can stick them up three times I will," he said. "I come in black because it's a bank robbery. I need the cash."

When it comes to future foes, Mayweather dismissed Hatton as already beaten and Pacquiao as having lost twice to Marquez, even though the Filipino star had a draw and a controversial decision victory over the Mexican in their fights.

"I'm not worried about that. I don't have to call fighters out," Mayweather said. "I don't know what I want to do. Last year I made eight million dollars chilling."

Mayweather took part in wrestling shows and "Dancing with the Stars" during his hiatus before starting talk of a return in March.

Regarding reports of tax trouble, Mayweather joked about the US Internal Revenue Service.

"We've all got to pay the IRS. I like to take my time and play them slow," he said. "I'm fine. Everything is paid for. I'm OK, with or without boxing."

Playing the foil to Mayweather next is Marquez, who has been training the past two weeks and is at 145 pounds now.

"I'm well prepared," Marquez said. "I believe that I will be able to adapt to his style of moving constantly and counterpunching. To be the best you have to beat the best and right now the best fighter is Floyd Mayweather."

Source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/02052009/3/unbeaten-mayweather-returns-july-against-marquez.html

Confirmed! Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Manuel Marquez in the Works!

It looks as if Floyd Mayweather Jr could be fighting Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18. According to a report out by ESPN, parties representing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez are negotiating a bout between the two fighters.

Richard Schaefer, who is the CEO for Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, who represent Marquez, confirmed to ESPN that they are working on the bout. Schaefer provided no further details.

Another source, not named, tells ESPN that Mayweather Jr's return would be on July 18, not July 11 as first reported. The reason for the change of date is due in part because of UFC 100 which will air on July 11. That is a Pay-Per-View event they do not want to compete against.

Also reported, Mayweather Jr. could fight an easier foe before Marquez.

For much more news from today on Floyd Mayweather Jr., as well as Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Wladimir Klitschko, Miguel Cotto, Joe Calzaghe, Roy Jones Jr., and many more... visit our homepage now.

Source: http://www.zimbio.com/pilot?ID=PsOFajlVGgD&ZURL=%2FJuan%2BManuel%2BMarquez%2Fnews%2FPsOFajlVGgD%2FConfirmed%2BFloyd%2BMayweather%2BJr%2Bvs%2BJuan%2BManuel&URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.doghouseboxing.com%2FBenz%2FJ_Benz0417g09.htm