Cotto a tough nut to crack, says Roach

Freddie Roach doesn’t want Manny Pacquiao to have the illusion that Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto is just going to roll over and die on November 14.

While most ringsiders see Cotto as being slow-footed and easy-to-hit, Roach sees something that makes him truly a livewire opponent.

Roach said people may have forgotten that Cotto holds a huge win over one of boxing’s toughest and trickiest fighters in Shane Mosley, who, like Pacquiao is quick on his feet and punches in bunches.

“Cotto beat Mosley,” said Roach, sounding a bit puzzled over claims being peddled that Pacquiao would have an easy time disposing of Cotto when they square off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Cotto bested Mosley when they fought in November 2007.

“This is going to be Manny’s toughest fight,” said Roach, who wants to set up training camp in Toluca, Mexico, to ensure that Pacquiao stays focused in the runup to Cotto.

The fight will be at 145 lbs and Cotto’s coveted World Boxing Organization welterweight crown will be on the line.

Despite an apparent slide in Cotto’s performance the past year, Roach remains a believer that Cotto still has a lot of championship juice left in his tank.

Cotto has started training in Puerto Rico under the strict supervision of head trainer Joe Santiago and strength coach Phil Landman.

Pacquiao hasn’t started his as the Filipino is still busy fulfilling all his showbiz commitments and is scheduled to report to the gym in mid-September which will officially kick off his eight-week training camp.

Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/218132/cotto-a-tough-nut-crack-says-roach

Lawyers, Guns and Money Mayweather

It’s hard to say what, if anything, is going to come of the skating-rink shooting that happened in Las Vegas this past Sunday night, but it definitely seems like a precarious situation for Floyd Mayweather, one that became ever more so when it was revealed last night that police had seized two guns, two bulletproof vests and ammunition in their search of Floyd’s Las Vegas home and two of his cars.

According to reports, Floyd was at the skating rink on Sunday night with two associates, one who is named Jackie Ray Jones and one who goes by the handle “O.C.” Floyd, evidently got into an argument with a 24-year-old man, Quincey Williams, and Williams claims that Floyd threatened him. Less than an hour later, when Williams and a friend, Damein Bland, were leaving the skating rink, Williams’s BMW was peppered with gunfire. No one was hit.

In a story at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Bland claims that as he was leaving the rink, he saw Floyd and his two cohorts standing in the parking lot next to Floyd’s Rolls Royce. He says that he saw O.C. reach towards his groin area, and soon after heard gunshots. When he looked in the direction of the Rolls, he saw O.C. pointing a gun and shooting at them.

The Las Vegas police have stated that the boxer is not a suspect in the case and that they are currently seeking the man known as O.C in connection with the shooting. For his part, Mayweather claims that he does not know any such person and knows nothing about the incident.

You wonder, though, how long he’ll be able to go with that story when one of the two victims is positive ID-ing him as being at the scene of the crime standing right next to the shooter. Does this case have the potential to interfere with the Mayweather/Marquez bout on September 19? Time will tell. I certainly suspect that we haven’t heard the last of it.

Source: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/31851/lawyers,_guns_and_money_mayweather_

Mayweather Jr. 'I want to be a Pro-Wrestler'

After his WWE appearance, Floyd Mayweather Jr. says he wants to be a pro-wrestler. Floyd wants to crossover from Boxing to Pro-Wrestling. “I wanna move out of boxing and into Pro-Wrestling”..
Floyd has been a huge pro-wrestling fan since he was a kid. He says that it was “a dream come true” to work with the WWE.

He also says that the WWE brings him closer to his own kids because they remind Floyd of himself when he was a kid watching wrestlers like Jake Roberst, Junkyard Dog, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan.

Floyd talks about how he is one of the best when it’s “lights, camera, action”..

Floyd finishes the interview by saying that he looks forward to being in a WWE ring soon and that he will become a WWE Superstar.

Analysis

You can look at these comments one of two ways.

A) Floyd is sincere and really wants to join the WWE to become a pro-wrestler
….. Or….
B) Floyd is just saying this to get pro-wrestling fans to like him, follow him, and buy his PPVs.


Either way, Floyd’s career is winding down in boxing. His drawing power has declined and there is really only one fighter left for him to face and that is Manny Pacquiao. It’s been well documented that Floyd’s upcoming fight has struggled in sales. His recent appearance on WWE really didn’t help him because he got into police trouble the morning of his the appearance. The WWE limited his exposure because of these troubles.

So, with the lights fading on Boxing perhaps Pro-Wrestling might just be the best forum for Mayweather JR to stay in the spotlight and make his “Money”…

Source: WWE.com
Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-13475-Pro-Wrestling-Examiner~y2009m8d28-Mayweather-Jr-I-want-to-be-a-ProWrestler

FLOYD MAYWEATHER: "MANNY KNOWS HE COULDN'T BEAT ME IN A MILLION YEARS"

"Anybody who knows me knows that I'm not ducking him or anybody. This guy has never, ever come out of his mouth that he wants to fight me. He has a boss and I'm my own boss. So, in order to make that happen, he has to go through his boss. His boss knows what time of day it is...Manny knows he couldn't beat me in a million years and his boss knows that too," stated undefeated multi-division champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. as he spoke to fans during an online chat on ESPN.com earlier today. Despite the fact that he hasn't faced an opponent since December 2007, Mayweather insists that come September 19th, he'll be returning as still the best fighter in the world and he's eager to prove it to the nonbelievers. Check out what else he had to say to the fans.

On his return to the ring...

"I left as thebest fighter in the world and I'm returning as the best fighter in the world. Come Sept. 19, those nonbelievers I will remind them on who the boss is."

"I'm feeling good. The time off after I initially got injured allowed my body to heal. And come Sept. 19, I'm looking to be the best Floyd Mayweather the fans have seen to date."

"With me being the face of boxing, I'm just looking to go out there and give the fans an exciting performance and continue to bring more fans to the sport."

"I'm itching, itching to get back in the ring. I can't wait."

"I truly miss the sport and I miss all of you guys."

"I guarantee to the fans that this will be truly an exciting fight. I'm going to do whatever it takes to give my best performance to date."

"Until someone can shut me up, I'm going to continue to have the confidence in myself that no one can beat me."

On Juan Manuel Marquez and their upcoming fight...

"Well, Marquez is a tremendous fighter. What he brings to the table, he has a ton of experience. He's been one of the best fighters in the world for a number of years."

"Come Sept. 19, I will expose him just as I have done with my other 39 opponents."

"I know this fight isn't going to be easy because nothing is easy about Marquez."

"Most definitely my Uncle Roger is my trainer and he will be in my corner."

"I truly feel as though he beat Pacquiao in both of those fights, he just wasn't given the nod."

"I have a special treat for the fans, come Sept. 19."

"It doesn't matter what Oscar says, he can't get in there and fight for Marquez. And Marquez has been around for a long time and he's a great technician. He knows how to fight and knows how to win. Come Sept. 19, he's stepping up and he's never seen what's about to happen to him."

"I just want to say to all the fans to tune in Sept. 19 to truly a great fight. My best performance to date."

On Manny Pacquiao...

"Anybody who knows me knows that I'm not ducking him or anybody. This guy has never, ever come out of his mouth that he wants to fight me. He has a boss and I'm my own boss. So, in order to make that happen, he has to go through his boss. His boss knows what time of day it is. Besides, my focus is what's in front of me. What happens with other fighters, they tend to focus on things that could potentially happen in the future, instead of what's in front of him. My sole focus is on Marquez. Manny knows he couldn't beat me in a million years and his boss knows that too."

On Shane Mosley...

"He had his opportunity in Nov. '06 to fight me for twice as much money he's ever made in his career. He chose to take a family vacation and have some dental work done. Shane Mosley is calling my name out just like the rest of these fighters because what I represent is the biggest payday for any fighter out there. I'm not mad at them for doing that. That's what they're supposed to do. Shane Mosley knows what time of day it is. He had the chance to fight me and he turned it down. WHo knows what the future holds, but he's just looking to make some money. He knows he can't beat me."

Source: http://fighthype.com/pages/content5561.html

MAYWEATHER'S FISTS AREN'T THE ONLY LOADED WEAPONS HE CARRIES

According to AP reports, although Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not been named as a suspect in a shooting that took place at a Las Vegas skating rink this past Sunday, police did seize two handguns, ammunition and two bulletproof vests after searching his home and vehicles on Monday.

Quincey Williams, an alleged victim in the shooting, recently informed police that Mayweather verbally threatened him just minutes before he was shot at. Allegedly, Mayweather and two other men confronted Williams about a text message he received a month ago. In that text message, Williams apparently informed Mayweather that he was hoping he would lose his upcoming September 19th clash with Juan Manuel Marquez. According to Williams and a second victim, Damein Bland, after the confrontation, one of the men that was with with Mayweather, reportedly pulled out a gun and began firing at them as they drove off in Mayweather Rolls-Royce.

Police have maintained that Mayweather is not a suspect. They're currently searching for a man by the name of "O.C." who said to be an associate of Mayweather. While says he has no association with anyone that goes by the name of "O.C." and has cooperated fully with the police during their investigation. According to the warrant, one of the guns that the police seized, a Smith & Wesson, still had a cartridge in its chamber. It looks like Mayweather's fists aren't the only loaded weapons that he carries around.

Source: http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content5562.html

Floyd Mayweather Jr is "Money" for WWE's ratings

The ratings are in, and despite the negative reviews, The Floyd Mayweather Jr episode of Monday Night RAW scored extremely high according to WWE standards.
Mayweather’s appearance was the second highest rating since WWE started the “guest host” storyline. It came in barely behind Shaquille O’Neal’s appearance.

In fact, Mayweather’s appearance ranks in the top 5 of WWE ratings for the entire year of 2009.

Here’s a list of the ratings for WWE’s “Guest Hosts”:

(1) Shaquille O'Neal (7/27) - 3.95
(2) Floyd Mayweather (8/24) - 3.93
(3) Batista (6/29) - 3.87
(4) Sgt. Slaughter (8/10) - 3.80
(5) Freddy Prinze, Jr. (8/17) - 3.79
(6) Ted DiBiase, Sr. (7/6) - 3.61
(7) Seth Green (7/13) - 3.55
(8) Piven & Dr. Ken (8/3) - 3.55
(9) ZZ Top (7/20) - 3.53

Here’s the top 10 WWE RAW ratings for the year
1. June 22: 4.5 (Donald Trump appearance)
2. February 16: 4.1
3. February 23: 4.1
4. July 27: 3.95 (Shaq appearance)
5. August 24: 3.93 (Mayweather appearance)
6. January 19: 3.9
7. April 6: 3.9
8. June 29: 3.87 (First week for RAW guest host)
9. March 2: 3.8
10. March 9: 3.7

WWE has to be happy about these numbers especially with the police trouble Floyd Mayweather was in the day of his appearance. In addition to Floyd’s police troubles, WWE put on one of the worse episodes of RAW in the last few months.

I can picture Vince sitting in his office laughing at the world because he just sold a Popsicle to an Eskimo. (No offense intended to Eskimos)

Floyd might not do great numbers for his fight but he did for the WWE.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-13475-Pro-Wrestling-Examiner~y2009m8d26-Floyd-Mayweather-Jr-is-Money-for-WWEs-ratings

Michael Marley refuses to speak with Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather is either afraid of my piercing questions or too busy thugging out at the roller skating rink in Las Vegas to bother.

It took almost three weeks but I finally I got an answer from a Mayweather flack as to whether I could get a brief, 10 minute one on one telephone interview with boxing’s self-proclaimed Cash Cow.

I begged, I pleaded, I cajoled, I said this means more to me than life itself.

My begging went for naught.

The answer was no, hell no and don’t even think about it according to the Office of Flackery.

I was, it should be noted, invited to be on a group sex, er, I mean a donkey show media conference call with Money Must Pay next week.

I had to turn that opportunity down as experience has taught me that the operator never opens up my line to ask one of my laser like questions.

But that’s not the worst part of those calls. The ugliest aspect is that they always let ESPN’s Dan Rafael ask the first 47 questions, most of which include self references such as, “Floyd, when you and I were roller skating the other night and the ammo from OC’s gun had not even been loaded, did you think that 24 year old would rat you all out to the 5-0?”

I like Danny Boy but he is in love with the sound of his own voice.

I consider this another personal career achievement. I am putting this on my Wall Of Honor right alongside my credential rejection from the Ricky Hatton camp for the Pacman fight.

That Ricky, he wants to be a standup comic. He’ll have to get off the floor first. There is no such thing as a laydown comedian, you see.

At least Pacquiao still talks to me occasionally…I think.

It’s a shame because I was going to only ask boxing questions.

Nothing about the IRS.

Nothing about the midget rassler Hornswoggle.

Nothing about Unca Rajah's Black Mamba choke holds.

Nothing about how the hunt for the burglars of his megamansion is going. I do hear the lead investigator on this was OJ Simpson but I hear he's a little tied up now.

Now the heavy artillery has to come out.

I be thugging now.

Is you ready for that?

The real story is this, Michael Marley refuses to speak to Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Yeah, that’s the ticket.

I am going to be a real grown up on this matter.

Take your group grope conference call and put it where not even the Vegas sun shines.

I was in boxing before Floyd Mayweather Jr. and I'll be here when he's gone.

That goes double for some people around him who will be back working at the car wash when he's done fighting.

Look in the mirror, suckers.

I told you guys I wouldn't take this personally.

I'm so proud of myself for my professional demeanor.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m8d26-Michael-Marley-refuses-to-speak-with-Floyd-Mayweather