Mayweather's Too Professional To Be Taken Down By Turmoil

During Floyd Mayweather's conference call with the boxing media this week, a popular topic of discussion centered on the distractions he's had surrounding him this training camp as he's prepared for his 144 catch-weight bout with WBO lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez. The first set back occurred when Mayweather suffered a rib injury (which to this day he's never fully admitted as to how it happened exactly) which caused the fight to be in limbo for awhile before it was ultimately re-scheduled for this coming September 19th.

After that, his uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather was charged with assault. Luckily for Floyd the case will be heard after the fight with Marquez. Shortly after that Mayweather's Las Vegas home was raided by the cops. Confiscated from his house were a couple guns and bulletproof vests. Along with that a supposed associate of Mayweather's fired shots at a car in a skating rink parking lot. The car occupants were people that Mayweather reportedly knows and doesn't like. Fortunately for everybody no one was hurt and at the moment Mayweather isn't suspected of any wrongdoing and will not be charged with any felony or crime.

Like most upper-tier champions and great fighters Mayweather is the most safe and under control in the boxing ring. The fight for them is usually the easy part. It's getting to it that can sometimes be like navigating a minefield for them.

"My main thing is to focus on the fight," Mayweather said. "Anything else, I'm not worried about. I try to focus on positive things."

The positive that Mayweather is referring to is winning the fight. Floyd's been around too long and is too smart to be taken down by something he has complete and total control over, and that's preparing for Marquez. His priority is getting ready for his upcoming fight and you can bet on him not letting anything distract his preparation for it. Mayweather knows that his identity as a person along with his legacy as a fighter can go out the window with a loss to Marquez. In some ways Mayweather is so much like Bernard Hopkins in that they both see the big picture better and more clearly than most fighters ever do.

Neither Floyd or Bernard ever let themselves get out of shape. When they go into training for a fight it's about honing their skill and putting together a fight plan that takes away the best thing their opponent will try and hope to do against them. Never do they carry the burden of worrying about losing weight or struggling to make the weight stipulated by the contract. It's money in the bank that they'll make weight the first time they weigh in, because they're the consummate pros.

Floyd said, "It's extremely important for me to perform well and dominate." To do that he's going to have to be in great shape. He knows in order to stick to his demand for at least purse parity in a future showdown with Manny Pacquiao, he can't afford a so-so performance versus Marquez.

Mayweather may dispute he reads what's written and reported about him, but he does. And he knows that despite the fact that he fought a better version of Oscar De LaHoya and Ricky Hatton than Pacquiao did, most boxing fans remember Manny beating them more convincingly than he did. Floyd can steal some of Pacquiao's thunder to a degree if he takes Marquez apart. In two bouts with Marquez, Pacquiao is 1-0-1 against him. Pacquiao fans believe he beat Marquez both times they fought and some of Manny's detractors think Marquez beat him both times. Regardless of what anyone thinks both fights were close. That doesn't mean Mayweather has to stop Marquez, but the onus is on him to win a non-controversial fight and control the action most of the way. Doing such will be something he can build on in and out of the ring if he does fight Pacquiao next.

Don't worry about Mayweather being greatly, if at all, affected by what's going on around him. Great fighters can block out the things around them that could divert from them being at their best for a big fight. Muhammad Ali still had to deal with a Supreme Court decision hanging over his head before he fought Joe Frazier the first time. Had he lost his appeal to the highest court in the land he was going to prison for five years. Yet he fought one of the two or three greatest fights of his career versus Frazier during their first bout.

Michael Spinks lost his fiance in a car accident shortly before his unification bout with WBC light heavyweight champ Dwight Muhammad Qawi. Spinks carried his young daughter to the ring with him the night of the fight and then went out and put on a boxing clinic against Qawi. In 15 rounds of fighting, Spinks' shoulders maybe touched the ropes twice as he was giving Qawi a steady diet of left jabs as he moved about the ring on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

How about Thomas Hearns younger brother Henry being arrested for shooting and murdering his girlfriend six days before he fought his rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard? That was some burden for Hearns to carry around for six days leading up to a fight he'd been waiting almost eight years to become a reality. And that must have felt as though he had the weight of the world on him. Hearns dropped Leonard twice and a fight that he should've won due to the two extra points he should've been up because of the knockdowns was declared a draw. The point is Hearns fought a great fight under adverse conditions. Everybody knows he won the fight. In fact Sugar Ray Leonard admitted on the Arsenio Hall show six months later that Hearns deserved the decision in their rematch.

Mayweather isn't faced with anywhere near the pressure and distractions that Ali, Spinks and Hearns were. Floyd will be fine. If anyone wants to sweat something about him before the fight, worry about him not fighting since December of 2007. Regardless of the fact that Mayweather has never taken any punishment and never abused his body, he is 32. He's had hand and back trouble over the years and until he's in the ring and fighting for real, nobody can say for sure with impunity how his body will respond.

What can be said is Mayweather loves saying he's the only fighter that hasn't lost, and will want to claim that after he fights Marquez. That guarantees he'll get out of his body everything it has to give. He has no control over whether or not it holds up, so be concerned with that. On the other hand he can control how he's affected by things around him that are out of his control. And that's something that he won't be taken down by.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/7152/mayweather-too-professional-taken-down-turmoil/

Money Mayweather and his armored truck

LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. didn't bring the Rolls, which was probably a smart idea. Even in a town that celebrates the outlandish it tends to attract attention, especially from the police.

Instead, he showed up at the wheel of his own armored truck, with everything inside but bags of cash.

"I keep that in my bank, baby," Mayweather said, "even though my truck is bulletproof."

The bullets were whizzing the other night when Mayweather's Rolls Royce was spotted in the parking lot of a Las Vegas skating rink, leading police to search the vehicle and his "Big Boy" mansion for evidence leading to the shooter. Mayweather is not considered a suspect, police said, but they left his home with guns, ammunition and bulletproof vests.

The HBO camera crews documenting Mayweather's life for the latest installments of the "24/7" semi-reality show weren't around, probably because reality doesn't always happen seven days a week. They did show up Wednesday, though, when Mayweather arrived to do a little sparring and a lot of promoting for his Sept. 19 comeback fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

He needs the sparring because he hasn't fought in nearly two years. After knocking out Ricky Hatton in his last fight he retired, saying he needed a break from a sport that has consumed his life.

The fight needs promoting, too. Though Marquez more than held his own in two fights against Manny Pacquiao, he is moving up two weight classes to fight Mayweather and is hardly a household name in this country, much less a box office draw.

Add in the fact that the fight is going up against a UFC event and that Mayweather's purse depends on how many households spend 50 bucks to watch him, and there's little wonder why he's so eager to get people to pay attention. There are more armored cars to buy, and they could be filled with bags of cash.

"I feel I'm a pay-per-view star," Mayweather said. "I look forward to doing that."

The setting was Mayweather's storefront gym in Chinatown, which, like so many things in this gambling city, is more faux than real. Outside, caterers grilled burgers instead of Peking duck and served lemonade to those broiling in 107-degree heat awaiting his arrival.

It's only a 20-minute drive from Mayweather's new mansion which, depending on what day you ask him, is either 10,000 or 20,000 square feet and cost either $16.5 million or some other crazy number.

Mayweather dubs the new digs the "Big Boy" mansion to differentiate it from his other place, which had only 7,300 square feet. Anyone tuning in last week to HBO's "24/7," which runs for the sole purpose of promoting pay-per-view buys on the cable channel, would have recognized it as the place Floyd and his buddies were playing craps on the pool table in the family room.

It's not easy being "Money" Mayweather. Sometimes you have to look hard for places to put your money, especially when the armored truck with the suede interior, Playstation and 40-inch flatscreens is being used for something else.

It's not always easy being a Mayweather, either. Last month he almost lost his trainer when his uncle, Roger Mayweather, was arrested for allegedly choking one of the female boxers he trains. Good thing he's reconciled with his father, Floyd Sr., after nine years, just in case he needs him back in the corner.

"There's always controversy around a Mayweather," said Mayweather, who declined to say what he knew about the parking lot shooting. "When I focus on more positive things I sleep better."

The most positive thing Mayweather sees right now is what's happening in training. He said he's coming back refreshed and, at 32, feels faster and stronger than ever before. He knows this bout could set up a fight with Pacquiao that could fill the armored truck up many times over.

He was considered the best pound-for-pound fighter when he left boxing, a defensive specialist who can also punch and won all 39 of his pro fights. Pacquiao is now viewed as the holder of the mythical title, which seems to irk Mayweather if only because he believes it is his birthright.

"The main thing is I'm going to bring excitement back to the sport, bring flash back to the sport of boxing," Mayweather said. "I intend to do that."

And that, he says, is money.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ixoRUgVAkzduu1QVVmhIbi3JbjZAD9AFG9N03

Mayweather/Marquez: Ticket Prices Tell The Story

With Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr's return to the ring only 17 days away, the true story of his success against Juan Manuel Marquez may well end up being measured in the ticket prices that his comeback bout are garnering.

Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, are both on record as calling Mayweather's return against Marquez “the biggest fight of this year.”

However, rumors abound that one of the reasons for the postponement of the original date of the fight, which was initially slated for July 18, was not necessarily due to a training injury suffered by Mayweather, but because of sluggish ticket sales.

Even Shane Mosley, a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, suggested that after several weeks of availability – less than 3,000 tickets had been sold for the original date of Mayweather vs. Marquez.

However, Schaefer, Ellerbe and even Oscar De La Hoya himself have made various statements to this writer and others over the past few weeks that nothing could be further from the truth.

De La Hoya and Schaefer have both said that “activations” of various sponsors are strong and that all signs point to robust tickets sales and a strong pay-per-view showing for Mayweather vs. Marquez. All associated with the promotion continue to state that ticket sales are not a concern and that there are no problems.

But there is some evidence that suggests otherwise.

Tickets for this fight, either the original July 18 or rescheduled Sept. 19 date - have been on sale since late May. Seats are still widely available at all price ranges in the MGM Grand Garden Arena which holds in the vicinity of 17,000 for boxing.

Hotel rooms at the MGM Grand are also plentiful on the weekend of the fight. The MGM is offering deeply discounted packages for hotel room and fight ticket combinations. The “VIP” packages include fight tickets, a complimentary limousine ride to and from McCarran International Airport, as well as credits that total $200 for food, beverage, and use of various extras the hotel offers.

Contrast that with ticket sales for the Nov. 14 mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, (which will take place in the same venue) and the picture of what match-up is the bigger draw for the fans becomes much more clear.

Tickets for the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight became available to the public on Aug. 17. Within a matter of hours, Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, Inc. announced that the arena was a virtual sell-out. Arum indicated that advance bulk orders of tickets had been placed by the Las Vegas casino operators and “only 2,100 would be sold to the public.”

Tickets had been on sale less than 24 hours when Top Rank announced that approximately 1,000 seats remained and those were in the highest price ranges - indicating that a sellout is a virtual certainty – nearly two months in advance of the fight.

A check of available accommodations at the MGM Grand on the weekend of Pacquiao vs. Cotto show some scarcity, with only the higher priced rooms and suites still remaining.

But the strongest evidence in comparing the drawing power of the Mayweather vs. Marquez and Pacquiao vs. Cotto fights would seem to be found in the ticket prices themselves. They are purely market driven and, as they say, the numbers don't lie.

A popular on-line ticketing service is currently selling a ringside seat to Mayweather vs. Marquez for $4,590 each. The exact same seat for Pacquiao vs. Cotto is currently priced at $10,943.

Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=21946

Pacquiao rules out early training

Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday said he worries being burned out if he trains too early and explained that an eight-week training before his fight has been tried, tested and proven to be successful.

Pacquiao made this comment when asked why he has not hit the gym while his opponent, Puerto Rico’s Miguel Cotto, has been training for weeks.

“When I train more than eight weeks, I get burned out," said Pacquiao during the formal launch of Head and Shoulders shampoo, which he is an endorser at the Renaissance Hotel in Makati.

“But when I train less than eight weeks, I feel that I don't get the perfect condition,” said Pacquiao, who battles Cotto on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao said he will report to the gym upon his arrival from a five-city press and promotional tour of the fight beginning on September 10 at Yankee Stadium in New York.

From the Big Apple, Pacquiao will fly to Puerto Rico for another gig on the 12th and then onwards to San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego in the next few days.

Pacquiao will leave for the tour on September 9.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach had been calling out his fighter to decide right away as to the venue of his training camp, adding that the high-altitude conditions of Toluca, an hour by land from Mexico City, is an ideal place to set up a training camp.

While Toluca looks like ideal, Pacquiao is also eyeing a secluded residential place in Baguio City.

Informed of Pacquiao’s desire to make Baguio his homebase for training, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping said he will make sure the boxing gym located inside Teacher’s Camp will be secured to ensure that Pacquiso stays focused during his workouts.

Cotto has been in training the past month in Puerto Rico, a sign that the 28-year-old puncher is not just after the hefty paycheck that comes with fighting somebody like Pacquiao.

Cotto is far more advanced than Pacquiao at this point in terms of training that he has kicked off his sparring sessions.

Still, Pacquiao believes eight weeks is more than enough to whip himself up into form against the rugged and dangerous Cotto.

“I will come in prepared as always,” said Pacquiao.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/218867/pacquiao-rules-out-early-training

Floyd Mayweather's love of himself conquers all distractions leading to comeback fight

Philosophers contend that narcissism exists inherently from birth, and that a certain amount of self-love counteracts negativity healthily.

Floyd Mayweather, on the other hand, possesses a healthy amount of narcissism that he exploits certainly.

For the best answer to why Mayweather will be unaffected by any of the external negatives enveloping his life when he fights Juan Manuel Marquez in 17 days -- or, at least, enveloping the lives of some of his closest associates -- that's why.

Mayweather's home got raided by Las Vegas cops, the removal of a couple guns and bulletproof vests made international headlines, and shots fired into a car in a skating rink parking lot are believed to have been fired by someone he knows.

And there's more.

The alleged victims of the shooting incident, in which no one was injured, are people Mayweather knows and doesn't necessarily like.

Quincey Williams, owner of the shot-up car, said he has known Mayweather more than a decade and engaged the fighter in an argument minutes before the shooting.

Damein Bland, the passenger in Williams' car who told police he saw someone called "O.C." doing the shooting, was a long-standing member of Mayweather's camp until he was suspected as a police informant.

When Mayweather retired last year, before un-retiring this year, he unveiled a documentary at a local movie theater. One segment included a still photograph of Bland, with a graphic image of a rat running across his face.

Bland told police he saw three men standing outside Mayweather's Rolls-Royce at the skating rink when the shots were fired. In addition to "O.C." and Mayweather, the third man, Jackie Ray Jones, has an outstanding felony warrant in Grand Rapids related to a 2003 assault at The Radio Tavern, asince-burned-down West Side bar.

Mayweather pleaded no-contest to a misdemeanor in that case, ostensibly to preserve a 2005 fight against the late Arturo Gatti, although he vehemently denies involvement.

Beyond all of that, Mayweather's uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, faces his own assault charges in an unrelated case in Las Vegas.

Against that backdrop, the former pound-for-pound king is about to fight for the first time in more than 21 months.

Outside of his trademark shoulder roll, his self-absorption is his best defense at times like these.

That other stuff?

Won't matter one bit.

"My main thing is just to focus on the fight Sept. 19," Mayweather said Tuesday. "Anything else, you know, I'm not really worried about. I try to focus on the positives. I try to focus on positive things.

"On the majority of the calls that people want to do interviews, the only thing they want to know about is negative things. They don't ever want to ask me about the positive things, how many different families I've fed, how many different schools I've came back to. The only thing they want to know is things that are negative. I'm focused on positive things."

We've done plenty of back-to-school and feed-the-needy stories, by the way.

We've also done the legal ones, and it is undeniable that few athletes have come through so many difficult negative situations as brilliantly as Mayweather, who in 2007 participated in almost a quarter-billion dollars worth of pay-per-view sales.

Legal cases, managerial upheaval, promotional disputes, paternal arguments, lawsuits and tax liens have been virtual constants in Mayweather's adult life.

Las Vegas police suspect him of nothing in the current case.

That's just about the effect it will have on Mayweather-Marquez, too.

Roger Mayweather, who did six months for battery just two years ago, might have a problem if convicted.

But Floyd Mayweather?

For him, this is nothing.

"In every athlete, they try to find a flaw to bring us down so they can say, 'See, I told you.' That's how it always is," he said. "I'm strong-minded. I have a good team. I'm hungry. And I take the good with the good and the bad with the bad."

V8:Mayweather, Pacquiao/Cotto, Campbell, Jones, and More!!!

Mayweather/Marquez: Fill In The B-L-A-N-K-S

Ok.....There's no question Marquez presents a solid opposition for Mayweather, particularly considering that he's one of the sports best counter-punchers. What adds to the intrigue in this fight is the fact that everyone saw the sports current P4P king struggle to barely eek out victories against this same man. I hate to play devils advocate here, but I'm a little curious know the same thing many of you are thinking......What will the word on the streets be if Mayweather does earn an easy victory? A decisive Mayweather victory will undoubtedly prompt one of two "B" word responses in the end. Which one exactly, I suppose depends on who you ask. Some will say he was simply the "Bigger" man, so no big deal.....Others will say he was simply the "Better" man, which is a big deal. Considering that Marquez is actually a bigger framed fighter than Mr. Pacquiao, (who was able to also step up into the welterweight ranks and make some noise), I think it's safe to say it has to be a big deal if Mayweather gets a decisive nod, particularly a KO. Does that mean Mayweather is better than Pacquiao? By no means. But it sure as hell sets the stage to see these two settle the score going forward. Now, who wins that inevitable showdown if and when it does happen? Well, lets just say that comes back down to another friendly game of "Fill In The Blanks".

Cotto/Pacquiao To Decide Who's Lord of the 'Ring'....

Despite the contracts finally being signed, the latest snag to come between the Pacquiao and Cotto camps is the ring size. Pacquiao's camp is said to be in full pursuit of a bigger ring (24ft.), while Cotto's camp is said to be fine either way. Some would argue that Pacquiao is the better boxer between the two, but there's no question the larger ring would suit him well. Bob Arum has stated that the ring size should be no dispute, as "both parties are well aware" that the ring (per Nevada state rules) will be 20ft. Less room to maneuver in and out for Pacquiao will challenge Freddie Roach and the amazing Filipino's strategical ability even more, as less wiggle room will inevitably lead to more heated exchanges, which could lead to less time to execute, which could lead to....well....you get the point! Roach and Pacquiao have found a way to defy the odds time and time again without fail, but coming in against a powerful body-snatcher with limited room to roam could be key in deciding the fight. Could this one declined request by the Nevada commission be the the one that halts the progress of the famed tandem in the end?

Hatton Feeling 'Itchy' About Ring Return...But Should He?

Ricky Hatton has recently gone on record in stating that he doesn't know if he (for sure) will return to the ring, but when the itch comes, basically he'd be willing to scratch it. After the 'blink-of-an-eye' KO to Pacquiao and the severely humbling loss to Mayweather, it's a couple ways one could dissect this scenario. On one side, he has lost in a very troubling fashion more often than not, recently. Then you have the other angle where you have to realize (as he states) that his only losses have been to the sports top P4P guys. Despite the contrasting views, the truth lies somewhere down the middle, like always. Yes, Hatton can be competitive...No, not on a world class level. So the true question here is what exactly is Hatton looking to accomplish? And more importantly, how does he really expect to do it? Think about it....he had the best minds in the business at his disposal for the complete Pacquiao fight camp (ODH, Mayweather Snr., Hopkins, Mosley, etc), yet when the bell rang, he reverted right back to those bad habits that he was taught for months not to do. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, and clearly, this British bulldog has no room left for mental growth (no pun intended). That being the case, I love the 'Hitman', but I see no need for him to stick around if he can't make the necessary adjustments. Do you?

HBO 24/7: Where's The Beef? (Not The 'Beef')

You know, it could be me, but despite strong interest in each of the men involved, I really think the whole HBO 24/7 series should take a totally different tone. These two men (Mayweather/Marquez) have so many intriguing things to discuss relative to their respective careers and the paths they took getting from the land of the unknown to the stage in which they now stand. There really has to be far more to these guys than what I saw on television the other night. I think if there was a strategical breakdown dissecting certain wars they had in the past, or a look at why this is such an intriguing showdown, taking fight game execution as a point of contention, it would be a great product, and also help give non-fight fans something to really chew on. In other words, rather than a ton of appetizers, why not give the people some meat and potatoes? I thought it was cute how Mayweather took his daughter on a date, and how Marquez's Father showed his sons how to jab, but the trouble is, that only equated to about 2 minutes of a 27 minute program. Most of us could care less about the alleged riff between Mayweather and the local kid at the skating rink, or Rogers outside issues. Save that for the Paparazzi and TMZ. Fight fans are hungry for the stuff that's tough to chew....like why Mayweather's defensive style may not be enough against a counter-punching genius who knows this could be his last hoorah. In other words, save the salad....Give us the beef!

Bernard Hopkins Gives Roy Jones The Silent Treatment...

Roy Jones Jr. has been very vocal in recent weeks, following his amazing performance against Jeff Lacy. Jones has never been shy about speaking his emotions, but this time he isn't aiming his words to the media.....or atleast not alone. His attention is being directed towards a man who's probably tired of hearing from him...yet hasn't been provoked enough to respond (surprisingly). That man is none other than Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins. With both men facing the proverbial 'westside' of their careers, there's a huge contingent around the sport that has become vocal about seeing the two do it again in a swansong finale. Hopkins has revitalized his career with his amazing performance against a still humbled Pavlik. Jones, similarly, has attempted to resuscitate his own by going on a tear and showing glimpses of old lately. I haven't agreed with Jones on everything, but in this case, even though I'm a huge B-Hop fan as well, I do think the best way to settle the score of who gets what in the end is to let the winner take the lions share. No one to blame, no questions to ask. Now, what could be more fair than that?

Juan Urango Lookin' To Face Another Homeboy? (Nate Campbell)

On the same card that gave us a glimpse into what could be the potential future of the light heavyweight division, we saw the heart of a man who has plans of his own to take over another division. That division is the jr. welterweight weight class. Juan Urango came into his fight against Bailey on the heels of a loss to Andre Berto, and many wrote him off without ever considering that he was facing a guy in a division he never stepped foot in a day in his life (professionally). It was basically a gamble that didn't pay off. I don't know how many jr. welters could handle Berto, but the fact that Urango couldn't seems like even more of an afterthought after watching Urango scrape himself off the deck and answer the call of duty. There are plenty of fights in the division for him, but the one I'd like to see most is a fight against Nate Campbell. I don't see Bradley and his integrity-less team providing the rematch that is due to Campbell, therefore, I think the best matchup for Campbell could be found right at home in Urango. It would be an ultimate gauge of two men who I personally think has far more to offer the division than some seem to think, and each are just one shot away from that shot. Both have that grind 'em out style and both come to fight until the final bell. Both are also Florida boys with a solid fan base. This is such an easy fight to make that I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned. Malignaggi (IBF #3) is trying to get a rematch against Diaz. Kendall Holt (IBF #4) is believed to have his attention elsewhere, and Zab is the IBF #5 ranked contender but he has yet to really make a splash in the jr. welterweight division since returning. With no #2 ranked IBF contender, I think Campbell fits the bill quite well, and I'm sure the IBF governing body would feel the same. Right fellas?

Tavoris Cloud: A Star On The Rise....

Prior to last Friday night, few paid attention to Tavoris Cloud. In the aftermath, I must say, it's a crying shame that it took that type of performance to get the recognition this guy rightfully deserved a long time ago. Granted, this was his first major test in the eyes of some, but truth be known, in the mind of his doubters, even this test wasn't big enough. For that reason and that reason alone, Cloud needs to do exactly what he did against Woods, which is continue to silence those critics by winning. Clinton Woods is far from a journeyman and his only true losses were to some of the best in the biz. Now that Cloud has added his name to that list, clearly, the spotlight is on him to capitalize and build on that momentum. With Dawson already set to battle Johnson, options are pretty scarce. No question though, this is a name that we'll all be hearing from quite a bit in the future. As we used to say in the U.S. Marine Corp.....Stand by!

Samuel Peter: Another 'Nightmare' Waiting To Happen?

On September 12th, former Nigerian Samuel Peter will attempt to resuscitate his career by facing 44year old journeyman Ronald Bellamy. Peter was once viewed as one of the perennial contenders of the heavyweight division, but after a major lack of focus kicked in, coupled with a weakness for the fridge, there seemed to be no turning back. Fortunately for Peter, today's talent pool in the heavyweight ranks is quite shallow, which could inevitably land him right back in the thick of things. If a mega fight doesn't materialize first, I could see someone like Haye trying to use him as a stepping stone to add some pop to his resume. Whatever the case may be and whoever the opponent may be, clearly, it's up to Peter to reignite that flame that he has unquestionably lost for his craft. There's no telling what could happen with a string of hot performances, but one loss, and there would be no question where he would be headed next. I can only hope he daydreams on that before another nightmare happens to him.

Source: http://www.8countnews.com/news/125/ARTICLE/1877/2009-09-02.html

Floyd Mayweather Jr: Driving force is boxing legacy

Boxing fans only have a couple of weeks to wait now, until the eagerly anticipated fight between five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez, takes place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

And according to skysports.com, Mayweather, who hasn’t been in the ring since flooring Ricky Hatton back in December 2007, has apparently said that it is the chance to extend his unbeaten record and his boxing legacy that is his driving force.

The fight against Marquez, which takes place on September 19th, will mark Mayweather’s return to the ring after his two-year retirement. The 32-year old boxer says that protecting his record and maintaining his legacy were reasons to take the fight.

In a recent conference call, Mayweather said that it is really important for him to go out there and give a great performance. He also claimed that he doesn’t think the two-year layoff will affect him. But he is up against a tough opponent.

Who do you predict is going to win the fight?

Source: http://www.inentertainment.co.uk/20090902/floyd-mayweather-jr-driving-force-is-boxing-legacy/