Popular Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. if he wins over Juan Manuel Marquez in their fight scheduled for July 18th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao thinks that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. will emerge as winner over Juan Manuel Marquez in their July 18th fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Mayweather has a lot of advantages. He is faster than Marquez and should be able to win, he said.
If this happens, he said he would like to fight him.
Pacquiao is presently in Bangkok on a promotional tour for San Miguel Beer. Earlier he was scheduled to meet with the Thai Prime Minister, Abhisit Vijajjiva.
The popular Filipino boxer who recently scored a second round knock out against Ricky Hatton of England said that he is willing to face Mayweather at any weight between 142-145 pounds.
Many boxing fans believe that Mayweather will win over Juan Manuel Marquez because of his physical superiority and speed. But Marquez may pull an upset that will spoil Mayweather’s plan to face the current pound-for-pound king for a mega purse fight later this year.
Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/273098
Mayweather vs Ortiz Online Live Streaming
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Manny Pacquiao can choose steak or lobster from July 19
If he wanted to be petty, and I don’t mean race car driver Richard Petty, Manny Pacquiao would wait until Saturday, July 18, and then swoop down on Las Vegas.
Bob Arum could set up a midmorning press conference, grabbing all the media covering the evening’s Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather Jr. PPV card, and proceed to outline his plans and his opponent for an Oct. 17 bout.
But I don’t think Pacman is small-minded like that and I don’t think he would want to divert attention away from Pretty Boy and the Mexican ringmaster.
Theirs is a viable fight despite the fact that Mayweather is fighting a midget in terms of comparative reach. What can I say, the marvelous Mayweather likes to beat up on tiny lightweights. He doesn’t believe in the old schoolyard “pick on someone your own size” bromide.
But, putting aside that tit for tat move which would only be a body blow to Golden Boy Promotions, I think Megamanny is right in waiting until AFTER the Marquez-Mayweather result is in to name his autumn opponent.
So many different things could happen on July 18, not all of them good but some of them great, to affect who Manny battles next.
A resounding victory by Mayweather sets the stage for the mega bout between the mouthy Michigander and the humble Pinoy Idol.
But then Pacquiao and his team must make a boxing calculation. Is it smart to go into a tough fight against Money May coming off less than six minutes of combat against Ricky Flatton?
Or would it be wise to find a less bothersome foe in October and let the promotional pot simmer until the first quarter of 2010 for The Big One?
Of course, the argument could be made rightfully that Pacman may never be hotter than he is now in the wake of the Hatton wipeout.
A lackluster or less dazzling outing against some well-chosen David Diaz type might take the bloom off the rose a bit.
And what if Mayweather slips past Juan Ma and/or there is some officiating or scoring hullabaloo? I know, those sort of things never transpire, not in Vegas, baby.
If Marquez can credibly claim a victory but doesn’t get it, the tables are turned upside down.
Not to mention—but I have to—what a shocking, not controversial Marquez upset would do the Pacman’s calculations.
Viewing the situation today, at the end of May when the May weather is delightful, I see Manny as a hungry diner who may be forced to choose between the finest steak or exquisite lobster.
Should he choose the melt in your mouth meat or go for the tempting crustacean?
It looks like a no can lose menu for the Pound for Pound Emperor of all he surveys.
One factor that I feel that can be junked and completely discounted is making Li’l Floyd wait so that maybe his wheels will stop turning so fast.
The slight age difference between the hand and foot speed merchant and the pulverizing southpaw is not that meaningful because PBF has never abused his body.
He’s not the old boy down at the pub or gorging himself on fatty foods like Ricky Hatton has been to his personal detriment.
Pacquiao is the ruler supremo.
If he wants to be, he can be as haughty as Marie Antoinette was when the populace of Paris was starving.
“Let them eat cake!” Marie is said to have cavalierly said.
I guess you Francophiles would want me to point out there that this Gallic slice of history is apropos considering that Juan Ma-Pretty Boy occurs only four days after Bastille Day.
That is, of course, the day the Parisian masses broke free from jail and ended Marie’s Royal Party.
From what I hear, Marie got so emotionally at that point she lost her head when, all about her other haughty and arragont types, were losing theirs. Chop, chop, bring on the liberty, egality and fraternity, mon freres.
When it comes to Marquez-Mayweather, Pacquiao’s ideal outcome will be for an excellent fight which makes the decision as to who his next super bout foe is for him.
Then he can determine whether to take an October tune-up or dispense with same.
Unless either Mayweather or Marquez is demolished a la Hapless Hatton—and how likely is that to occur?—Pacquiao can have his cake and eat it.
Which reminds me, note to self, do not describe a Mayweather fight as a "cakewalk" for Packy, not yet anyway.
Whatever the bout outcome July 18, Manny remains the boss with the hot sauce and neither Marquez nor Mayweather can really, in the immortal words of ex-heavyweight champ Larry Holmes, cook with cold grease.
No calamity will take place if the world has to wait until July 19 or a bit later to discover who Pacman will next assault.
Or should I say who he will next assault and pepper?
Bon appétit, Megamanny!
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d26-Manny-Pacquiao-can-choose-steak-or-lobster-from-July-19
Bob Arum could set up a midmorning press conference, grabbing all the media covering the evening’s Juan Manuel Marquez-Floyd Mayweather Jr. PPV card, and proceed to outline his plans and his opponent for an Oct. 17 bout.
But I don’t think Pacman is small-minded like that and I don’t think he would want to divert attention away from Pretty Boy and the Mexican ringmaster.
Theirs is a viable fight despite the fact that Mayweather is fighting a midget in terms of comparative reach. What can I say, the marvelous Mayweather likes to beat up on tiny lightweights. He doesn’t believe in the old schoolyard “pick on someone your own size” bromide.
But, putting aside that tit for tat move which would only be a body blow to Golden Boy Promotions, I think Megamanny is right in waiting until AFTER the Marquez-Mayweather result is in to name his autumn opponent.
So many different things could happen on July 18, not all of them good but some of them great, to affect who Manny battles next.
A resounding victory by Mayweather sets the stage for the mega bout between the mouthy Michigander and the humble Pinoy Idol.
But then Pacquiao and his team must make a boxing calculation. Is it smart to go into a tough fight against Money May coming off less than six minutes of combat against Ricky Flatton?
Or would it be wise to find a less bothersome foe in October and let the promotional pot simmer until the first quarter of 2010 for The Big One?
Of course, the argument could be made rightfully that Pacman may never be hotter than he is now in the wake of the Hatton wipeout.
A lackluster or less dazzling outing against some well-chosen David Diaz type might take the bloom off the rose a bit.
And what if Mayweather slips past Juan Ma and/or there is some officiating or scoring hullabaloo? I know, those sort of things never transpire, not in Vegas, baby.
If Marquez can credibly claim a victory but doesn’t get it, the tables are turned upside down.
Not to mention—but I have to—what a shocking, not controversial Marquez upset would do the Pacman’s calculations.
Viewing the situation today, at the end of May when the May weather is delightful, I see Manny as a hungry diner who may be forced to choose between the finest steak or exquisite lobster.
Should he choose the melt in your mouth meat or go for the tempting crustacean?
It looks like a no can lose menu for the Pound for Pound Emperor of all he surveys.
One factor that I feel that can be junked and completely discounted is making Li’l Floyd wait so that maybe his wheels will stop turning so fast.
The slight age difference between the hand and foot speed merchant and the pulverizing southpaw is not that meaningful because PBF has never abused his body.
He’s not the old boy down at the pub or gorging himself on fatty foods like Ricky Hatton has been to his personal detriment.
Pacquiao is the ruler supremo.
If he wants to be, he can be as haughty as Marie Antoinette was when the populace of Paris was starving.
“Let them eat cake!” Marie is said to have cavalierly said.
I guess you Francophiles would want me to point out there that this Gallic slice of history is apropos considering that Juan Ma-Pretty Boy occurs only four days after Bastille Day.
That is, of course, the day the Parisian masses broke free from jail and ended Marie’s Royal Party.
From what I hear, Marie got so emotionally at that point she lost her head when, all about her other haughty and arragont types, were losing theirs. Chop, chop, bring on the liberty, egality and fraternity, mon freres.
When it comes to Marquez-Mayweather, Pacquiao’s ideal outcome will be for an excellent fight which makes the decision as to who his next super bout foe is for him.
Then he can determine whether to take an October tune-up or dispense with same.
Unless either Mayweather or Marquez is demolished a la Hapless Hatton—and how likely is that to occur?—Pacquiao can have his cake and eat it.
Which reminds me, note to self, do not describe a Mayweather fight as a "cakewalk" for Packy, not yet anyway.
Whatever the bout outcome July 18, Manny remains the boss with the hot sauce and neither Marquez nor Mayweather can really, in the immortal words of ex-heavyweight champ Larry Holmes, cook with cold grease.
No calamity will take place if the world has to wait until July 19 or a bit later to discover who Pacman will next assault.
Or should I say who he will next assault and pepper?
Bon appétit, Megamanny!
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d26-Manny-Pacquiao-can-choose-steak-or-lobster-from-July-19
Monday, May 25, 2009
Money Got Not: Floyd Mayweather plans mammoth yard sale
Mayweather Jr. will be asking for a loan, not a fight, from Manny Pacquiao.
Now comes the hot word, as evidenced on Ebay, that Floyd has been forced by financial problems to auction his Cadillac Escalade limousine to the highest bidder.
Maybe Manny Pacquiao should buy it and give the limo to one of his lackeys just as a symbolic gesture of how he is in the bucks up position while Pretty Boy is bucks down.
I’m hearing persistent rumors that the economically troubled Mayweather is preparing a July 4th Yard Sale on the grounds of his Las Vegas mansion and the sales pitch is “Everything Must Go” and “No Reasonable Offer Refused.”
Mayweather sidekick Laughing Lenny Ellerbe will act as the auctioneer at the yard sale. WBC title belts and other trinkets will be marked down from their usual $39.95 retail price in this once in a lifetime (Mayweather hopes anyway) offering.
Given the date, Ellerbe will wear a red,white and blue Uncle Sam costume while head trainer Roger Mayweather, if not incarcerated at the time, will wear his always comical ‘I AM NOT AN IRS AGENT’ sweatshirt.
The real jewel of the Mayweather Estate, the prestigious universally recognized BOXING'S BEST POUND FOR POUND SYMBOLIC BELT, will not be up for purchase as it is now dusty and musty with the current owner of the current belt believed to be living in some Asian archipelago.
"We thought that the pound for pound diadem would be worth millions but it's all dusty and musty now," said a Meayweather brokesperson named I.O. Plenty.
Word just in that bosom buddy and running partner, rap star Fitty Cent, will be there and will be personally selling an autogrpahing some of his CDs at--get this, you G Unit followers--a special price of 49 cents. Imagine only 49 Lincoln pennies and you go home with some musical classics signed by a guy who cannot spell "fifty cents."
Adding some flair to the sale will be the Al Haymon-arranged muscial appearances of golden oldie groups, Two Degrees and The Three Tops. Mayweather's adviser, who once brought in $90 million in one year of concert promoting, explained that Floyd could not afford the appearance fee for the Three Degrees or the full Four Tops of Motown fame. There is also an outside chance the Four Stairsteps may show.
As a sideshow to the Mayweather Yard Sale, Floyd Senior will be hawking Ricky Hatton Official Souvenirs at cutrate prices. This Hatton memorabilia sale will be divided, like his Pacman fight, into two short rounds.
Unfortunately, at least $7 million worth of gaudy jewelry which was pilfered by a team of gutsy cat burglars (led by a suspect named “Johnny Brassballs” according to gossip site TMZ) cannot be offered because all that is still in parts unknown.
Law enforcement officials say that finding the crooks who took Mayweather’s loot is not the highest priority in Vegas which continues to be beset by murders and other drug crimes.
Further evidence of Mayweather’s damaged wealth came when he allegedly reneged on the purchase of an $8.5 million mansion on Miami’s celebrity enclave, Hibiscus Island.
A Florida developer filed suit against PBF and Mayweather Promotions, a Nevada limited liability company, charging that the contracted for $850,000 down payment was never paid.
As a further enticement to get bodies onto the Mayweather grounds to inspect the merchandise, Floyd Sr. is putting his unique collection of historic bottles of Mountain Dew up for grabs.
The bottles, like Poppa Floyd's brash and incessant prefight words about how Hatton would decimate Pacman, are completely empty.
Just to pitch in, Oscar De La Hoya and the Golden Boys will be selling cover stories, inside stories and of course ratings in their house organ, their boxing Wurlitzer, The Ring magazine.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d25-Money-Got-Not-Floyd-Mayweather-plans-mammoth-yard-sale
Now comes the hot word, as evidenced on Ebay, that Floyd has been forced by financial problems to auction his Cadillac Escalade limousine to the highest bidder.
Maybe Manny Pacquiao should buy it and give the limo to one of his lackeys just as a symbolic gesture of how he is in the bucks up position while Pretty Boy is bucks down.
I’m hearing persistent rumors that the economically troubled Mayweather is preparing a July 4th Yard Sale on the grounds of his Las Vegas mansion and the sales pitch is “Everything Must Go” and “No Reasonable Offer Refused.”
Mayweather sidekick Laughing Lenny Ellerbe will act as the auctioneer at the yard sale. WBC title belts and other trinkets will be marked down from their usual $39.95 retail price in this once in a lifetime (Mayweather hopes anyway) offering.
Given the date, Ellerbe will wear a red,white and blue Uncle Sam costume while head trainer Roger Mayweather, if not incarcerated at the time, will wear his always comical ‘I AM NOT AN IRS AGENT’ sweatshirt.
The real jewel of the Mayweather Estate, the prestigious universally recognized BOXING'S BEST POUND FOR POUND SYMBOLIC BELT, will not be up for purchase as it is now dusty and musty with the current owner of the current belt believed to be living in some Asian archipelago.
"We thought that the pound for pound diadem would be worth millions but it's all dusty and musty now," said a Meayweather brokesperson named I.O. Plenty.
Word just in that bosom buddy and running partner, rap star Fitty Cent, will be there and will be personally selling an autogrpahing some of his CDs at--get this, you G Unit followers--a special price of 49 cents. Imagine only 49 Lincoln pennies and you go home with some musical classics signed by a guy who cannot spell "fifty cents."
Adding some flair to the sale will be the Al Haymon-arranged muscial appearances of golden oldie groups, Two Degrees and The Three Tops. Mayweather's adviser, who once brought in $90 million in one year of concert promoting, explained that Floyd could not afford the appearance fee for the Three Degrees or the full Four Tops of Motown fame. There is also an outside chance the Four Stairsteps may show.
As a sideshow to the Mayweather Yard Sale, Floyd Senior will be hawking Ricky Hatton Official Souvenirs at cutrate prices. This Hatton memorabilia sale will be divided, like his Pacman fight, into two short rounds.
Unfortunately, at least $7 million worth of gaudy jewelry which was pilfered by a team of gutsy cat burglars (led by a suspect named “Johnny Brassballs” according to gossip site TMZ) cannot be offered because all that is still in parts unknown.
Law enforcement officials say that finding the crooks who took Mayweather’s loot is not the highest priority in Vegas which continues to be beset by murders and other drug crimes.
Further evidence of Mayweather’s damaged wealth came when he allegedly reneged on the purchase of an $8.5 million mansion on Miami’s celebrity enclave, Hibiscus Island.
A Florida developer filed suit against PBF and Mayweather Promotions, a Nevada limited liability company, charging that the contracted for $850,000 down payment was never paid.
As a further enticement to get bodies onto the Mayweather grounds to inspect the merchandise, Floyd Sr. is putting his unique collection of historic bottles of Mountain Dew up for grabs.
The bottles, like Poppa Floyd's brash and incessant prefight words about how Hatton would decimate Pacman, are completely empty.
Just to pitch in, Oscar De La Hoya and the Golden Boys will be selling cover stories, inside stories and of course ratings in their house organ, their boxing Wurlitzer, The Ring magazine.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m5d25-Money-Got-Not-Floyd-Mayweather-plans-mammoth-yard-sale
To Drink The Mayweather-Marquez Kool Aid, or Not?
There is no media market in the world as unforgiving, as competitive and as skeptical as New York City. Particularly in regards to sports, where the Yankees and Knicks routinely dish out record contracts to athletes whose jobs are not nearly vital enough to justify their salaries.
Golden Boy Promotions brought the circus to town this past Tuesday on the second stop of the press tour to hype the July 18 showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Juan Manuel Marquez, which is set to take place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand. A sizeable turnout of media showed up to the Empire State Building where 80 floors into the sky two of the sport's biggest names met face to face.
The story lines were there: The acknowledged best fighter in the world when he "retired" in 2007 returning to face one of the top 4 fighters in the world fresh off of two consecutive knockout wins over champions who had never previously been stopped. If that wasn't enough, the Mexico City native made his reputation for giving the current consensus pound for pound best Manny Pacquiao his two toughest fights in a pair of disputed bouts.
As I got settled into my surroundings and awaited the beginning of the press conference, I noticed the media excitement was not nearly on par with the elaborate setup and promotion of the event. There wasn't the feeling that something special, something historically significant, was upon us.
Perhaps it's because Marquez, aged 35, is 16 years into a 55 fight pro career that has left the scars of battle all over his stern face. In his previous fight, a ninth round knockout of Juan Diaz in February, the size and strength advantage of the younger man created more than a few tense moments for Marquez. It was only Marquez's second fight at 135; this fight is set for a catch-weight of 144.
"I've got to prepare myself mentally because it's a tough fight in a division I'm not accustomed to competing in," Marquez said.
Mayweather has won a world title as high as 154 pounds, just shy of 20 pounds north of Marquez's highest weight. His first world title came at 130 pounds when he stopped Genaro Hernandez in 1998. Marquez has spent much of his career at 126, only venturing north in the past two years in search of bigger money.
Or maybe it's the fact that, at 32 years old, Mayweather has seemingly matured from an obnoxious braggart to a more subdued politician ala Oscar de la Hoya. As Mayweather took the podium, he went out of his way to compliment the first opponent in his comeback.
"He's a hell of a fighter, a true warrior," Mayweather said, 39-0 (25 KO). "I'm not going to come in here and saying I hate him, I've done that.
"When you had Floyd Mayweather that was just calm, they didn't really write about me too much. Bob Arum was telling me to be a certain way. I think when I approach things I wanted to approach them, biggest star in the sport."
Commendable? Yes. But compelling? Hardly, particularly when you factor in Marquez's natural humility.
"He's a great fighter," Marquez said. "He's pretty cool but once in awhile you can see a little of his ego come out like any great champion in any sport. It motivates me to be able to beat somebody like that and put my heart and soul into it."
Richard Schaffer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, took the lead in the presser and did his best to sell the event, pointing out how Hopkins wasn't supposed to beat Pavlik and Pacquiao wasn't supposed to beat de la Hoya as reasons why not to write this off as a mismatch.
His approach at times was a little more direct.
"It's going to be one of those mega-fights that we all can't wait to see. When we have [HBO reality series] '24/7', they really take it over the top to the mainstream. This is truly an event that the fans really want to get behind."
If you say so. Still, when boxing fans envision dream matchups - ones they could really "get behind" - few beckoned to see Mayweather tangle with Marquez. Schaffer was accurate in saying that, like Muhammad Ali, a great deal of the people paying to see the fight will be doing so in hopes of seeing Mayweather lose. Few believe this is the fight Mayweather will pick up his first "L" in.
"Floyd didn't step into the ring with Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito or Paul Williams when he had the chance," author Thomas Hauser summarized. "He stepped in with smaller fighters like Ricky Hatton or an older Oscar de la Hoya. Marquez is coming up in size and there's the point where you can no longer reconfigure your body to be competitive.
"The boxing media sees Marquez as an opponent in this fight. I'm sure he's coming to win because he's a very skilled fighter."
"How much do you believe the public has missed Floyd Mayweather Jr?" this writer posed.
"Very little, and I think you'll see with the PPV for this fight that it doesn't come close to what they did for Mayweather-De la Hoya or Mayweather-Hatton," Hauser replied bluntly. "My sense is that Mayweather needs a bankable dance partner for a big money PPV fight. Marquez will inject some vibes in the Hispanic community, especially if they pair it with a good co-feature.
"I would be surprised if this sells as well as Pacquiao-Hatton. Obviously people will be watching the PPV numbers because if negotiations begin for Pacquiao-Mayweather, there will be a lot of jockeying for percentages."
The omnipresent Paulie Malignaggi concurs with Hauser, feeling that this fight is made to order for a Mayweather domination.
"I think Mayweather is too big for Marquez," the former junior welterweight champion said. "If Marquez gives Mayweather any problems in any way, I believe it's because Floyd has lost a step. If Floyd is Floyd, he's just too big and too fast. Not to take anything from Marquez but it's just a little too much took handle when you have skill and size to deal with. If this fight is competitive in any way, I don't know how much it would be because of Marquez or Mayweather declining.
"We have to see what Floyd has left after two years off. You can take two years off maybe at 24 or 25, but not at 30 or 32. If Floyd performs at a really high level again, you have to give him a lot more credit."
Bert Randolph Sugar, regarded as a living legend in boxing media, looks at the fight in an entirely different manner.
"Marquez is no tuneup, he's going to give him one hell of a fight.
"I only know one man who came off of a sizeable layoff the same and that was Sugar Ray Leonard. I just don't know what that's done. I remember one fighter named Wilfred Benitez, when you swung all you caught was an ear. When he slowed down, he got the bijabbers kicked out of him. Will that happen to Floyd who does a lot of this," Sugar said as he mimicked Mayweather's shoulder roll defense.
"In the last five years, you would look at the results and say Marquez. He has fought better fighters, Pacquiao twice, Diaz. Who in the hell is Carlos Baldomir? Zab Judah? Past his prime Oscar and only wins by one point?
"I think Mayweather's hand speed is faster but he only throws one punch at a time. Marquez throws punches in the proverbial bunches. I think that's going to be an interesting factor to see if Floyd can deal with it. He can't put himself on the ropes like he did with Hatton. He knew he could just counter him in between.
"Mayweather's gotta come down to 144, is it easier to come up or go down? Oscar drained himself against Pacquiao, Antonio Tarver couldn't make it coming after Rocky. It gets tough and he has no body fat so where does it come from? It comes from muscle. When you have a lot of imponderables, you have a great fight."
Then Mr. Sugar made a prediction that no one could argue with.
"All I can tell you is that I'm going to bet on the man whose name starts with M-A."
Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial inhouse judge, downplays the size difference, which to the untrained eye did not appear to be as pronounced as some have made it out to be.
"Marquez is not that much smaller. He's a talented guy and is always in good shape. Mayweather has to be a little rusty. I think it's going to be a little more competitive because he's been away for so long. Floyd is the kind of guy who has probably been in the gym the whole time he's been retired. Marquez always fights back when he's losing, and that's what makes great fights."
"Do you think he'll have to fight back when he's losing in this fight?" I asked.
"Oh yeah," Lederman says as he lets out a chuckle. "Oh yeah. Floyd is something special, there is no doubt about that."
Essentially every other writer I surveyed felt the fight was a sham but nonetheless a fight will take place. None of the conjecture or pre-fight predictions mean a thing once the men are in the ring.
Perhaps no one in the room was more aware of this fact than Marquez himself.
"He's not a machine, he's a human being. I'm going to be ready for whatever he comes out with."
Tales From The Cutting Room Floor
- Just as he does for each fight, Marquez will be training at elevation in the mountains of his native Mexico. In search of heavy things to pick up to gain mass, Marquez is settling on boulders. An old school approach that evokes memories of grainy footage of Joe Louis chopping wood in lumberjack attire or George Foreman pulling an automobile attached to a harness.
- In all of the times I've run into Bert Sugar, I've always seen him wearing a fedora and carrying an unlit cigar in his right hand. However, I've never seen him take a single drag. I kept this in mind when I approached him for this piece and did a little detective work. After noticing the aroma of cigar smoke, I have come to the conclusion that he indeed does smoke them, just not indoors at boxing events apparently.
My untrained nostrils could not tell you what brand he smokes and I didn't bother to inquire.
- One fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. always seems to have an opinion on is Manny Pacquiao. In 2007 I merely mentioned the name of the current junior welterweight champion to "Money" at a press conference to announce his fight with de la Hoya. A rant worthy of it's own article ensued that proved to be excellent copy.
This time around someone else took the initiative, inspiring an equally passionate response.
"If Manny Pacquiao wants to say he's number one, let him. In box office, Floyd Mayweather is number one. His credentials are stretched a lot. I've never been dropped or knocked out. If he wants to be number one pound for pound, let him. If he's in his 30s too, where was he in 1997 to 1999? I was only a teenager dominating in this sport."
Even the squad at ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, who know boxing like Prince Naseem knows humility, understand that Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is a fight that needs to happen.
Golden Boy Promotions brought the circus to town this past Tuesday on the second stop of the press tour to hype the July 18 showdown between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Juan Manuel Marquez, which is set to take place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand. A sizeable turnout of media showed up to the Empire State Building where 80 floors into the sky two of the sport's biggest names met face to face.
The story lines were there: The acknowledged best fighter in the world when he "retired" in 2007 returning to face one of the top 4 fighters in the world fresh off of two consecutive knockout wins over champions who had never previously been stopped. If that wasn't enough, the Mexico City native made his reputation for giving the current consensus pound for pound best Manny Pacquiao his two toughest fights in a pair of disputed bouts.
As I got settled into my surroundings and awaited the beginning of the press conference, I noticed the media excitement was not nearly on par with the elaborate setup and promotion of the event. There wasn't the feeling that something special, something historically significant, was upon us.
Perhaps it's because Marquez, aged 35, is 16 years into a 55 fight pro career that has left the scars of battle all over his stern face. In his previous fight, a ninth round knockout of Juan Diaz in February, the size and strength advantage of the younger man created more than a few tense moments for Marquez. It was only Marquez's second fight at 135; this fight is set for a catch-weight of 144.
"I've got to prepare myself mentally because it's a tough fight in a division I'm not accustomed to competing in," Marquez said.
Mayweather has won a world title as high as 154 pounds, just shy of 20 pounds north of Marquez's highest weight. His first world title came at 130 pounds when he stopped Genaro Hernandez in 1998. Marquez has spent much of his career at 126, only venturing north in the past two years in search of bigger money.
Or maybe it's the fact that, at 32 years old, Mayweather has seemingly matured from an obnoxious braggart to a more subdued politician ala Oscar de la Hoya. As Mayweather took the podium, he went out of his way to compliment the first opponent in his comeback.
"He's a hell of a fighter, a true warrior," Mayweather said, 39-0 (25 KO). "I'm not going to come in here and saying I hate him, I've done that.
"When you had Floyd Mayweather that was just calm, they didn't really write about me too much. Bob Arum was telling me to be a certain way. I think when I approach things I wanted to approach them, biggest star in the sport."
Commendable? Yes. But compelling? Hardly, particularly when you factor in Marquez's natural humility.
"He's a great fighter," Marquez said. "He's pretty cool but once in awhile you can see a little of his ego come out like any great champion in any sport. It motivates me to be able to beat somebody like that and put my heart and soul into it."
Richard Schaffer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, took the lead in the presser and did his best to sell the event, pointing out how Hopkins wasn't supposed to beat Pavlik and Pacquiao wasn't supposed to beat de la Hoya as reasons why not to write this off as a mismatch.
His approach at times was a little more direct.
"It's going to be one of those mega-fights that we all can't wait to see. When we have [HBO reality series] '24/7', they really take it over the top to the mainstream. This is truly an event that the fans really want to get behind."
If you say so. Still, when boxing fans envision dream matchups - ones they could really "get behind" - few beckoned to see Mayweather tangle with Marquez. Schaffer was accurate in saying that, like Muhammad Ali, a great deal of the people paying to see the fight will be doing so in hopes of seeing Mayweather lose. Few believe this is the fight Mayweather will pick up his first "L" in.
"Floyd didn't step into the ring with Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito or Paul Williams when he had the chance," author Thomas Hauser summarized. "He stepped in with smaller fighters like Ricky Hatton or an older Oscar de la Hoya. Marquez is coming up in size and there's the point where you can no longer reconfigure your body to be competitive.
"The boxing media sees Marquez as an opponent in this fight. I'm sure he's coming to win because he's a very skilled fighter."
"How much do you believe the public has missed Floyd Mayweather Jr?" this writer posed.
"Very little, and I think you'll see with the PPV for this fight that it doesn't come close to what they did for Mayweather-De la Hoya or Mayweather-Hatton," Hauser replied bluntly. "My sense is that Mayweather needs a bankable dance partner for a big money PPV fight. Marquez will inject some vibes in the Hispanic community, especially if they pair it with a good co-feature.
"I would be surprised if this sells as well as Pacquiao-Hatton. Obviously people will be watching the PPV numbers because if negotiations begin for Pacquiao-Mayweather, there will be a lot of jockeying for percentages."
The omnipresent Paulie Malignaggi concurs with Hauser, feeling that this fight is made to order for a Mayweather domination.
"I think Mayweather is too big for Marquez," the former junior welterweight champion said. "If Marquez gives Mayweather any problems in any way, I believe it's because Floyd has lost a step. If Floyd is Floyd, he's just too big and too fast. Not to take anything from Marquez but it's just a little too much took handle when you have skill and size to deal with. If this fight is competitive in any way, I don't know how much it would be because of Marquez or Mayweather declining.
"We have to see what Floyd has left after two years off. You can take two years off maybe at 24 or 25, but not at 30 or 32. If Floyd performs at a really high level again, you have to give him a lot more credit."
Bert Randolph Sugar, regarded as a living legend in boxing media, looks at the fight in an entirely different manner.
"Marquez is no tuneup, he's going to give him one hell of a fight.
"I only know one man who came off of a sizeable layoff the same and that was Sugar Ray Leonard. I just don't know what that's done. I remember one fighter named Wilfred Benitez, when you swung all you caught was an ear. When he slowed down, he got the bijabbers kicked out of him. Will that happen to Floyd who does a lot of this," Sugar said as he mimicked Mayweather's shoulder roll defense.
"In the last five years, you would look at the results and say Marquez. He has fought better fighters, Pacquiao twice, Diaz. Who in the hell is Carlos Baldomir? Zab Judah? Past his prime Oscar and only wins by one point?
"I think Mayweather's hand speed is faster but he only throws one punch at a time. Marquez throws punches in the proverbial bunches. I think that's going to be an interesting factor to see if Floyd can deal with it. He can't put himself on the ropes like he did with Hatton. He knew he could just counter him in between.
"Mayweather's gotta come down to 144, is it easier to come up or go down? Oscar drained himself against Pacquiao, Antonio Tarver couldn't make it coming after Rocky. It gets tough and he has no body fat so where does it come from? It comes from muscle. When you have a lot of imponderables, you have a great fight."
Then Mr. Sugar made a prediction that no one could argue with.
"All I can tell you is that I'm going to bet on the man whose name starts with M-A."
Harold Lederman, HBO's unofficial inhouse judge, downplays the size difference, which to the untrained eye did not appear to be as pronounced as some have made it out to be.
"Marquez is not that much smaller. He's a talented guy and is always in good shape. Mayweather has to be a little rusty. I think it's going to be a little more competitive because he's been away for so long. Floyd is the kind of guy who has probably been in the gym the whole time he's been retired. Marquez always fights back when he's losing, and that's what makes great fights."
"Do you think he'll have to fight back when he's losing in this fight?" I asked.
"Oh yeah," Lederman says as he lets out a chuckle. "Oh yeah. Floyd is something special, there is no doubt about that."
Essentially every other writer I surveyed felt the fight was a sham but nonetheless a fight will take place. None of the conjecture or pre-fight predictions mean a thing once the men are in the ring.
Perhaps no one in the room was more aware of this fact than Marquez himself.
"He's not a machine, he's a human being. I'm going to be ready for whatever he comes out with."
Tales From The Cutting Room Floor
- Just as he does for each fight, Marquez will be training at elevation in the mountains of his native Mexico. In search of heavy things to pick up to gain mass, Marquez is settling on boulders. An old school approach that evokes memories of grainy footage of Joe Louis chopping wood in lumberjack attire or George Foreman pulling an automobile attached to a harness.
- In all of the times I've run into Bert Sugar, I've always seen him wearing a fedora and carrying an unlit cigar in his right hand. However, I've never seen him take a single drag. I kept this in mind when I approached him for this piece and did a little detective work. After noticing the aroma of cigar smoke, I have come to the conclusion that he indeed does smoke them, just not indoors at boxing events apparently.
My untrained nostrils could not tell you what brand he smokes and I didn't bother to inquire.
- One fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. always seems to have an opinion on is Manny Pacquiao. In 2007 I merely mentioned the name of the current junior welterweight champion to "Money" at a press conference to announce his fight with de la Hoya. A rant worthy of it's own article ensued that proved to be excellent copy.
This time around someone else took the initiative, inspiring an equally passionate response.
"If Manny Pacquiao wants to say he's number one, let him. In box office, Floyd Mayweather is number one. His credentials are stretched a lot. I've never been dropped or knocked out. If he wants to be number one pound for pound, let him. If he's in his 30s too, where was he in 1997 to 1999? I was only a teenager dominating in this sport."
Even the squad at ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, who know boxing like Prince Naseem knows humility, understand that Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is a fight that needs to happen.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Floyd Mayweather: If Manny Pacquiao Is No. 1 Pound-for-Pound, Fine
Floyd Mayweather got feisty this week when Brian Kenny suggested to him that Manny Pacquiao had taken the title of No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world away from him. But In an interview on British television, Mayweather said he's fine with it.
"If Manny Pacquiao is now No. 1 pound-for-pound in the media, and the people's eyes, more power to him," Mayweather said in an interview to promote his July 18 fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.
That's quite a departure from his angry insistence earlier that he's the best in the sport. But Mayweather was quick to add that he's been the best for a long time.
"You're talking about a guy who's No. 1 pound-for-pound for a decade," Mayweather said. "So I'm not sweating it."
My own opinion is that Mayweather's absence from boxing over the last year and a half, combined with Pacquiao's destruction of Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, earned Pacquiao the title of No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. But there's only one way to settle it: In the ring.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen
Sometimes, some things are just meant to cling... even oil and water. Pardon the contradiction, but my point being, no matter how unlikely some things can be, there are just some things that can not be denied. Call it destiny. Throw out all facts and reason, Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. will happen.
To those who have followed this saga closely, it's a known fact that dispute about the cash percentage and Floyd Jr.'s vile relationship with Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, would be the main hurdles that may prevent this dream fight from happening. And I don't know if my fellow Examiner Michael Marley truly took time to comprehend my article that he quoted in one of his for him to say I got caught up with the Pacquiao fever and mentioned that I was wrong for saying Floyd was afraid of Pacquiao. I did not say Mayweather was afraid of Pacquiao, but I did ask the question and said that fear does play in boxers, fighters and athlete's heads in general, no matter how much they deny it.
Is Floyd afraid of Pacquiao? Only Floyd knows the answer to that one for sure. Even the Tiger Woods and the Kobe Bryants of the world fear losing. With the way Floyd has nitpicked his opponents in the latter parts of his career, Marley's exaggerations and hyperboles are harder to believe than the thought of Floyd fearing defeat at the hands of formidable competition like Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and even Manny Pacquiao.
Am I saying Floyd is afraid of Pacquiao? No. Did I ask the question? Yes. Because I myself do not know the answer- I'm not Floyd and like I said, only Floyd truly knows the answer to that inside his chest. But has Floyd not fought the best possible competition out there for him? DEFINITELY.
Honestly, if this was truly about money, Pacquiao should be the one he's facing. If this is truly about challenge, why not Paul Williams? If Floyd came out and said he is fighting Marquez who is a worthy opponent and has a good Mexican following for it to generate good Pay-Per-View buys, then that's cool. But to say Marquez is the best fight out there for him and is tougher than Pacquiao and add that this is the best money fight out there for him? Come on... Really? The last time I checked, 1 + 1 was still two and when a reader told me about Marley quoting me and misunderstanding my context, I still can't finish any of his articles because a lot of it to me doesn't make sense. Perhaps my intelligence is just too inferior to comprehend Mr. Marley's creative writing in the same way I guess that I simply can't buy into what Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his dad Sr. have been saying. I've been called a "Pac-hater" before, (just read my recent article about Miguel Cotto) but my views about Floyd's statements and career have nothing to do with being a Pacquiao fan just like other boxing fans that may share my opinions whether it be from England to Pacland. I actually admire Mayweather's skill set. I even called him the best "boxer" in terms of craft, but I simply call things how I see them. If and when I write another article being critical of Pacquiao when the time comes, I'll thank you for calling me a "hugger" or whether if you agree or feel indifferent with my commentary, because I am simply doing my job and sharing my varied opinions about the sport of prize fighting. So when I ask the question if Floyd is afraid of Pacquiao, I ask it as a boxing analyst and not because I am a Pacqiao fan or caught up in whatever fever other people may think.
And if I didn't know any better, all this ESPN interviews and hype Mayweather has been conjuring up lately are simply seeds for a Pacquiao-Mayweather battle and the two will definitely end up fighting each other in the same ring. Why? Simple really- It's what the boxing world wants to see. There's just too much money out there to be made on this fight for any rational person to pass up. It is boxing after all, and it doesn't take a genius to know that in the world of big time prize fighting, it matters not if Pacquiao is the Pound-for-Pound king and if Mayweather hates Arum like Tyson hates Don King, because in the world of boxing, MONEY is KING.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d24-Pacquiao-vs-Floyd-will-happen
To those who have followed this saga closely, it's a known fact that dispute about the cash percentage and Floyd Jr.'s vile relationship with Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, would be the main hurdles that may prevent this dream fight from happening. And I don't know if my fellow Examiner Michael Marley truly took time to comprehend my article that he quoted in one of his for him to say I got caught up with the Pacquiao fever and mentioned that I was wrong for saying Floyd was afraid of Pacquiao. I did not say Mayweather was afraid of Pacquiao, but I did ask the question and said that fear does play in boxers, fighters and athlete's heads in general, no matter how much they deny it.
Is Floyd afraid of Pacquiao? Only Floyd knows the answer to that one for sure. Even the Tiger Woods and the Kobe Bryants of the world fear losing. With the way Floyd has nitpicked his opponents in the latter parts of his career, Marley's exaggerations and hyperboles are harder to believe than the thought of Floyd fearing defeat at the hands of formidable competition like Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and even Manny Pacquiao.
Am I saying Floyd is afraid of Pacquiao? No. Did I ask the question? Yes. Because I myself do not know the answer- I'm not Floyd and like I said, only Floyd truly knows the answer to that inside his chest. But has Floyd not fought the best possible competition out there for him? DEFINITELY.
Honestly, if this was truly about money, Pacquiao should be the one he's facing. If this is truly about challenge, why not Paul Williams? If Floyd came out and said he is fighting Marquez who is a worthy opponent and has a good Mexican following for it to generate good Pay-Per-View buys, then that's cool. But to say Marquez is the best fight out there for him and is tougher than Pacquiao and add that this is the best money fight out there for him? Come on... Really? The last time I checked, 1 + 1 was still two and when a reader told me about Marley quoting me and misunderstanding my context, I still can't finish any of his articles because a lot of it to me doesn't make sense. Perhaps my intelligence is just too inferior to comprehend Mr. Marley's creative writing in the same way I guess that I simply can't buy into what Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his dad Sr. have been saying. I've been called a "Pac-hater" before, (just read my recent article about Miguel Cotto) but my views about Floyd's statements and career have nothing to do with being a Pacquiao fan just like other boxing fans that may share my opinions whether it be from England to Pacland. I actually admire Mayweather's skill set. I even called him the best "boxer" in terms of craft, but I simply call things how I see them. If and when I write another article being critical of Pacquiao when the time comes, I'll thank you for calling me a "hugger" or whether if you agree or feel indifferent with my commentary, because I am simply doing my job and sharing my varied opinions about the sport of prize fighting. So when I ask the question if Floyd is afraid of Pacquiao, I ask it as a boxing analyst and not because I am a Pacqiao fan or caught up in whatever fever other people may think.
And if I didn't know any better, all this ESPN interviews and hype Mayweather has been conjuring up lately are simply seeds for a Pacquiao-Mayweather battle and the two will definitely end up fighting each other in the same ring. Why? Simple really- It's what the boxing world wants to see. There's just too much money out there to be made on this fight for any rational person to pass up. It is boxing after all, and it doesn't take a genius to know that in the world of big time prize fighting, it matters not if Pacquiao is the Pound-for-Pound king and if Mayweather hates Arum like Tyson hates Don King, because in the world of boxing, MONEY is KING.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m5d24-Pacquiao-vs-Floyd-will-happen
No final deal on Pacman bout Oct. 17
MANILA, Philippines - Talks of Manny Pacquiao facing either Miguel Cotto or Shane Mosley next remain just that: talks.
“They’re propaganda,” said Pacquiao’s Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, when sought by The STAR to share the latest on the FIlipino boxer as far as his plans on the ring are concerned.
Aside from the fact that Pacquiao has agreed to return on Oct. 17, nothing is definite as to who’ll be in the other corner. Even the fight venue remains a tossup among a lot of bidders.
“There’s been no real discussions, just small discussions between Manny, me and (lawyer) Geng (Franklin Gacal) as to who the next opponent’s gonna be,” said Gacal last night.
He said Freddie Roach mentioning the names of Cotto and Mosley, a pair of welterweights who can give Pacquiao the toughest challenge ever in his career, can be taken as an opinion.
“Freddie is the trainer he’s not the manager so he’s not involved in the final process of negotiation for the selection of the opponent. With due respect to train Manny is his duty,” said Koncz.
“Again it’s propaganda,” said Koncz of recent articles saying Pacquiao would fight Cotto or Mosley at 142 lb, and that both fighters have turned down the idea, saying it’s 145 lb or nothing.
Koncz said Pacquiao has never talked about Cotto or Mosley as his next opponent.
“Who said we want to fight Cotto? Manny has never said that. He’s never made any statement on that.
“And Shane Mosley? They’re all potential opponents but Manny has not narrowed it down to either or both individuals nor have they been a major part of our discussions,” added Koncz.
“In fact Shane Mosley never came up in the discussions Geng, Manny and I had. There’s a lot of names – there’s Julio Cesar Chavez and Edwin Valero – but again Mayweather is out there,” he said.
A Team Pacquiao insider said it’s really Mayweather they’re after simply because it’s the biggest fight out there.
“But the thing is we’re not going to wait for this guy. If something else comes up to us... he chose to fight someone else,” said Roach of Mayweather, who decided to come out of retirement and take on Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18.
“We’re the top dog right now. If he wants to make the kind of money he’s talking about then he has to fight Pacquiao. Pacquiao’s the draw right now – not Mayweather,” Roach told fighthype.com.
Whoever it’s going to be, Koncz said the weight shouldn’t be much of a problem, but the profit sharing.
“Negotiations on the profit sharing is going to be the major issue. Weight is an issue but it’s the sharing, the economics. We will decide on the opponent whom we find is suitable for Manny,” Koncz explained.
“The hardest thing with Mayweather he wants the 60/40 he’s talking about. Pacquiao’s the number one guy. 60/40 our way will work. 60/40 his way, it’s not happening,” the greatest trainer in the world right now added.
He said the final decision is with Pacquiao, whatever his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, puts on the table.
The final decision is with Manny. Then it will be on Manny’s terms. We will not allow them to push us around. Ultimately what his decision is what will happen,” said his adviser.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=471149&publicationSubCategoryId=69
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