PACQUIAO VS HATTON -- A MUST SEE RUCTION

Los Angeles, CA.-- This will be a showcase of heavy punching when Manny Pacquiao clashes with Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Always looking for ways to beat riotous challengers, Pacquiao is ready to hurt Hatton in their May 2 encounter.

This, to complete a triumphant tour of the eight-weight divisions he has figured in.

“Balderdash” cried Hatton on claims the British hitman does not have what it takes to counter what the GenSan stinger is bringing to the MGM bop.

“I’m the unbeaten boss of junior welterweights and I plan to finish him off,“ the IBO defending champion underscored after a heated session in a Vegas gym,

Ricky says Manny gets rattled when pressured, citing Erik Morales’ win in their first match and Juan Manuel Marquez’ controversial loss in a rematch.

The 31 year old Briton insists he is much stronger and a better fighter -- hence an early exit of the Filipino idol is possible.

But Manny has iced more fighters than what Ricky has chilled--(39 limp bodies for the Pacman as opposed to 36 stiffs for the Hitman)

And more experts are lining up in his corner.

Al Bernstein for one is looking at Manny to stop Ricky.

“Hatton will be competitive with Pacquiao because he is a natural 140 pounder who is better than what he is given credit for. However, Manny’s hand and foot speed plus combination punching will be too much for Ricky. I could easily see Hatton cuts being a major factor as well,” the reliable Bernstein emphasized.

Echoes Lance Pugmire of the L.A. Times: “A 10th round stoppage of Hatton due to Pacquiao’s combination of speed and power.”

Hizzoner Al Fernandez of Dagupan City says it would be unlikely Manny will blow this one out calling a late round KO of Ricky as well.

The Philippines’ pride does have the capacity to arouse enthusiasm even from non-believers each time he suits up for a fight.

I was a witness at Pacquiao’s Hollywood camp when he mangled his sparring partners forcing his handlers to scramble for a sturdier group that could withstand Manny’s power.

Relaxing at a Thai eatery called Nats on Vine street in Holywood, the Pinoy ace confided he is almost at peak form.

And once there, Hatton will know the kind of mess he’ll find himself in.

For sure, fans will be treated to a rousing brawl in this pairing of a British whopper against a Filipino whacker.

Hatton will get in his licks alright but Pacquiao will be landing his bombs where it counts.

This is one compelling fight left in Manny’s calendar before he chases other pursuits.

So far, I see nothing showing up to derail the “Pacman Express” -- on track for merry Las Vegas where the game Mancunian awaits.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-23469.html

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Manny Pacquiao is poised to be the new golden one

On the day after Oscar De La Hoya retired, the man best poised to succeed him as the world's most popular active boxer made it clear he knows his drawing power comes not from his smile or magnetic personality but from his work in the ring.

"I try to focus only on training and fighting," Manny Pacquiao said Wednesday inside Hollywood's Wild Card Gym in a news conference in advance of his May 2 junior-welterweight fight against England's Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Riding the heights of his unexpected battering of De La Hoya in December and feted to a hero's welcome in his native Philippines, Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) has been confronted by what his business manager describes as "the double-edged sword of stardom," where endorsement and media requests beckon at new levels but the grunt work of training remains his most important task.

"Manny overextends himself with kindness; he can't say no," Michael Koncz said. "We all knew the torch was passed when Manny beat Oscar . . . how he'd be the face of the sport now. So even though there are times he's overwhelmed, he's focused here in the gym. He's back in his zone now."

Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, said he worried about Pacquiao's conditioning habits before taking a December trip to the Philippines to celebrate the boxer's birthday.

"No one could keep up with him," Arum said. "He was running, playing basketball just like always, and he's having his best training camp ever. He did not allow himself to get out of shape." Even though Pacquiao has been sporadically distracted by celebrities visiting his gym -- actors Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg have stopped by to say hello -- the Filipino star said his strength is peaking for his first fight at 140 pounds.

"This fight will give more action," Pacquiao said when asked how it'll differ from his hammering of De La Hoya. "I feel the same intensity."

Now, however, Pacquiao finds himself as the favorite against Hatton and is regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has heard the warnings that it's harder to stay on top than to get there. "I keep myself on an even keel," he said. "I just always believe in God and say my prayers."

His trainer, Freddie Roach, has pushed sparring partners to ensure that Pacquiao's not slipping. Roach offered unbeaten super-featherweight Urbano Antillon and junior-welterweight Mike Alvarado (each 25-0 with 18 KOs) a $1,000 bonus if they could knock down Pacquiao in sparring. No one has been paid.

Roach said he has been pleased with Pacquiao's training -- which also includes advice from the Wild Card's new assistant trainer, former heavyweight world champion Michael Moorer -- and said the boxer's training has resulted in improved strength.

"This will be a quick fight," Roach said. "Ricky's a tough guy, but we'll knock him out. I'll bet my house on it."

Arum, who for years has relied on his skills to sell bouts, admits Pacquiao's ring performances (nine consecutive victories over the likes of De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales) are the fighter's most attractive selling points.

"That's why people are becoming fascinated with him," said Arum, who also promoted most of De La Hoya's fights. "Manny's looked at as an exotic, and once people see him fight they are looking up information about him to help transcend the lefts and rights and jabs. It's why CNN is out here today, why Time magazine has listed him one of the 100 most influential people in the world."

That influence is due to take him to AT&T Park in San Francisco on Tuesday, where he'll throw out the first pitch of the San Francisco Giants game and visit with the players while fans receive a Pacquiao bobblehead doll on Filipino Heritage Night. The Giants expect a crowd that will include 10,000 Filipino Americans.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-boxing-pacquiao16-2009apr16,0,59933.story

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PACQUIAO: DE LA HOYA IS STILL MY IDOL

Manny Pacquiao has said recently retired boxer Oscar De La Hoya is still his idol.

The "Golden Boy" and former Olympic gold medallist revealed his decision to quit on Tuesday with a 39-6 (30 KOs) professional record, four months after being outclassed by Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

His Filipino nemesis said he thought it was a "good decision".

Speaking at a workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles, Pacquiao said: "Whatever happens people won't forget him as a good fighter, as a best fighter in the world. For me he's still my idol."

Pacquiao, currently the world's best pound-for-pound fighter, is preparing to take on Ricky Hatton in Vegas on May 2.

When asked if he would send the 30-year-old Mancunian the same way as De La Hoya, he said: "I don't know - God will know."

Comparing the two opponents, the light-welterweight said: "For me it's the same - the intensity of the training is the same.

"Of course I'm hungry for this fight, to win, because [it's my] first time to fight an English fighter.

"Right now we're in heavy training and I'm in 100% good condition," he said, although he admitted Hatton would be one of the toughest boxers he had faced in his career.

He added: "He's a strong fighter and he's a good fighter too and he's a champion, so I don't want to underestimate him."

But Pacquiao, 30, said the Briton's weaknesses included his "body punch", saying: "He doesn't like to hit the body."

He added: "I won't tell you the other things!"

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach spoke confidently about the fight, saying: "Manny has speed, power, boxing ability - so I think he will overwhelm Ricky in this fight."

But he added: "Ricky's a tough guy, no doubt about that. He's very resilient; he's tough. He comes to fight.

"One thing we know is there will be a fight for sure."

He also spoke critically of Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Senior.

"He says he's the greatest trainer in the world but I think he's the only one saying that, and he's going to try and change Ricky Hatton," said Roach.

"I think that's a mistake, in changing people, this late in their career. I don't think it's possible."

Roach said Amir Khan, who he also trains, would not be sparring against Pacquiao because "style-wise he just wasn't the right guy".

Former Olympic silver medalist Khan, 22, is set to take on WBA light-welterweight champion Ukrainian Andreas Kotelnik in June.

"The day after Manny's fight though I'll start getting him ready for his fight," Roach said.

"I think he has a huge chance; I think he'll be a real champion and hopefully my next superstar."

Source: http://www.sportinglife.com/boxing/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=boxing/09/04/16/BOXING_Pacquiao_De_La_Hoya.html

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Pacquiao shuts out distractions

LOS ANGELES - Well before the media throng invaded Freddie Roach's gym Wednesday, a distinct smell filled the room.

Boxers' sweat and pain, coupled with a small hot room.

That odor — reality — hits Roach and his star pupil Manny Pacquiao every day. Away from the interview requests, photo shoots and guest TV spots, Pacquiao gets down to business in a Hollywood gym.

But, just like with the odor, you couldn't dodge reality when you arrived. This neighborhood seemed a world away from the glitz and glamour that Hollywood is known for.

Pacquiao's megafight with junior welterweight king Ricky Hatton is a little more than two weeks away, but Roach said his man is ready. He added, however, that "we can always improve."

Nobody at the Wild Card Boxing Club is fooling themselves. Pacquiao — with his interests in acting, politics and philanthropy to name a few — will likely retire in a year or so.

That isn't to say that the man widely regarded as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter isn't interested in training.

"I stay focused," Pacquiao said. "I have to step (away from) the commitments and think all about the fight."

His trainer made supremely sure of that, closing the gym when Pacquiao works out.

It would be completely understandable to think that after sending Oscar De La Hoya into retirement, Pacquiao would have a letdown in intensity. Ricky Hatton is a big name, but Oscar De La Hoya was the face of this era of boxing. And Pacquiao not only beat him — he destroyed him.

Pacquiao said he's just as intense now as he was for December's De La Hoya fight because "boxing is my life. Boxing is my passion. ... I have to maintain my name on the top."

To prove that point, Pacquiao has added weight training to his regimen. One of his regular sparing partners said he feels the new strength.

"Every once in a while, he's got that one punch," welterweight Raymond Serrano said.

Serrano added that Pacquiao's speed is still there.

What could be even more telling about Pacquiao's focus is that he added fellow southpaw and former heavyweight champion Michael Moorer to his team. Pacquiao said Moorer can help be a bridge between the fighter and Roach as well as offer fresh suggestions.

In talking with Pacquiao, one could get the sense of a quiet intensity. As he answered question after question, his mind never seemed to wander as he wrapped his hands in a small changing room.

He was quiet, calm and almost aloof in answering questions about the past and the future.

But Pacquiao was in the now. He didn't seem to be thinking about a fight with Hatton or about the tons of public relations events left to do. He just looked ready to get some work done in the gym.

"Once he got here, we cut those (distractions)," Roach said. "When Manny is training for a fight, he leaves that stuff out."

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/9461126/Pacquiao-shuts-out-distractions

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It's a tie between Pacquiao and Hatton

For the past decade or so, anyone that has followed the sport, I take that back, even if you didn't follow the sport, everyone knew that Oscar De La Hoya was the straw that stirred the drink. Anytime that Oscar fought, it became more than a fight, it was an event. Point blank, the man put butts in seats. During Oscar's run, he set Pay Per View records that may never be broken.

Yesterday, the man we all grew to love, called it a career. The final curtain has dropped. As I watched his speech on the tube, I then began to think back at all of his fights, just like that the Oscar De La Hoya highlight reel replayed in my mind. A part of me felt anger, after all how could one walk away from the sport knowing that the last time you fought you lost so brutally?

After speaking to Oscar on Friday night, I remember leaving the Desert Diamond Casino thinking that his body looked like that of someone who has been training to go on, but his mind and eyes said otherwise. At one point, I actually thought that Oscar was going to announce that win, lose, or draw he would be fighting one last time against Felix Sturm at 154 pounds at the Staples Center. I thought I had it all figured out, I even thought that it would take place sometime in September, I even had the name picked out, Unfinished Business, so I thought, turns out that the Golden Boy's business inside the ring as a fighter is now finished.

So with the cash cow exiting the sport, the Pay Per View King has now left the building. Who now will take the title as the new Pay Per View King? Here is my list of the top 5 fighters that have the potential of taking the crown that the Golden Goose has left for the taking.

5- Christobal Arreola- What's not to like about Chris? He bangs, he loves to entertain, and is a heavyweight. If Arreola continues to knock heads off and stays away from the buffet line, Arreola may be the man to help bring the hevyweight division back.

4- James Kirkland- Yes, I know that he is young, and yes I know that he needs to be polished a bit more, but no doubt about it that Kirkland is a diamond in the rough. If Kirkland continues to bruise up and batter the opposition with the ferocity in which he is curently doing, this human wrecking ball has the attitude and look of being like Mike. Mike Tyson back then was a complete fighting machine with head movement and all, something that Kirkland needs to learn, Mike had that attitude and menacing look that Kirkland now has that made Tyson must see T.V.

3- Victor Ortiz- Another young gem added to the mix, Vicious Vic has all the makings of sitting in the Golden throne. Ortiz like Oscar is considered good looking, Ortiz like Oscar is well spoken and like Oscar seems to have that golden smile. It also doesn't hurt that Oscar is Ortiz's boss. The youth and the rough background rags to riches story all seem to be there, maybe one day it will all come together and make the Vicious One the Chosen One.

2- Floyd Mayweather Jr- It says here that he is retired, but come July all that may change. Money May is not always entertaining, because of that, Money May has always needed a big name opposite of him to make it big. One thing he can do is talk, he sure knows how to sell himself. With that I don't give a F flashy attitude he just may be America's favorite villain. Now if only we could get him to fight as well as he talks.

1- Tie between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton-

Everytime that Hatton fights no matter where it may be the scene turns into a Hatton Winter Wonderland. The legion of fans follow their man along with the marching band and sing it loud that there is only one Ricky Hatton. As for Pacquiao, the man is bigger than the President in the Phillipines, when the Pac-Man fights he shuts down the entire country, these two men do not just have fans they have fanatics. On May 2nd., both men along with their legions of fans will collide, something tells me that the pound for pound title won't be the only title up for grabs.

Source: http://www.diamondboxing.com/newsstory.php?list=7015

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Pacquiao's popularity puts even Hatton in the shade

Ricky Hatton will take an army of thousands out to Las Vegas again in the first week of May. But even he struggles to keep up with Manny Pacquiao in the popularity stakes.
Pac Man is already fortunate enough to be viewed, by most, as the best boxer in the world right now, although Juan Manuel Marquez and the rumoured-to-be-returning Floyd Mayweather Jnr might dispute that.

But at home in the Philippines, there is no argument. Pacquiao reigns supreme.
A national icon, he has made films, had a number one hit and is planning a career in politics once he has retired.

There seems every chance he will end up running the country, certainly if emergency elections were held tomorrow, Pacquiao would have a victory to savour long before the MGM Grand on May 2.

Hatton might be able to clear a small corner of Greater Manchester when he heads to Vegas. He will fill a few Hyde watering holes up when he is beamed back live on Sky Box Office and will take thousands across the Atlantic again.

He is, as CEO Richard Schaeffer admits, Golden Boy's box office blockbuster and even the notoriously unyielding American fight fans have taken him to their heart.
But Manny Pacquiao is a man that brings an entire nation to a standstill when he steps in the ring.

The streets of Manila, his hometown of General Santos City, the whole country will stop what it's doing. In fact that's not true, because everyone will have long planned be doing one thing - watching Pacquiao.

Even the criminal fraternity take time off. And in a country where a television, never mind pay-per-view, is not accessible to everyone, that often means a trip to the cinema.
Pacquiao's fights - which fall at around sunrise back home - are big, big business. So big that TV companies can name their price on air time during round breaks - and do. So big that after the first round, those commercials will run into minutes, not just the 60 seconds between bells.

And that in turn, sends a nation scurrying to big screens. The closed-circuit screenings carry no ads so in the Philippines, if you want to see the Pacquiao fight finish first, you pack the picture houses out.

The Pacquiao phenomenon is something even promoter Bob Arum struggles to come to terms with fully.

Implications
"This certainly has elements unlike any of the big fights I've promoted," he says of the Hatton fight.

"For example, I've done Hagler-Leonard, Hagler-Hearns, George Foreman fights, Oscar de la Hoya fights. But they've never had these implications because they've never been as popular as these two are in their own country."

"Yes we can!" continues Arum on the prospect of Pacquiao running for government, enthusiastically echoing the most high-profile politician to unite a nation.
The fighter himself reigns in the campaign manager-in-waiting, suggesting it will be another 10 years before he is ready to swap speedball for ballot box.

Until then, Pacquiao will do what he has done for the 10 years he has been a world champion. Represent his nation, fight for the people that follow his every move.
You only had to see him turn up in Manchester, Hatton's home, and be mobbed to realise his popularity.

It was the same again in Vegas when ex-pat Filipinos were on hand to greet their greatest export as he broke free from training to attend a red-carpet launch.
Freddie Roach was there too, by his man's side as always. He has experienced the Philippines phenomenon, from both sides. He has also seen the draw Pacquiao has with his people: although the Wild Card Gym is their training base from here on in, Pacquiao oftens starts his preparations training back home.

Representing
It has even caused rifts between the pair, Roach insisting the fighter is in Hollywood for the full duration of camp, focussed and firing and away from all the distractions that come from being the most famous face in your country.
Roach won that battle because Pacquiao knows what he means to his people. He knows when he beats Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Oscar de la Hoya, a nation celebrates.

He knows that being regarded as the best boxer on the planet makes sure the Philippines is mentioned in some despatches at least.

"I'm representing my country and I'm a very dedicated person," he says.
"All my fights are dedicated to the honour of the people of my country. And especially to people who love boxing."

For Pacquiao the Phllippines comes first. But for now at least, boxing is a very close second in the polls.

Source: http://www.skysports.com/hatton/story/0,25890,13305_5145405,00.html

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Pacquiao down to last few days of sparring

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao sparred for 10 rounds against three separate boxers Tuesday at the Wild Card Gym as he neared the last few days of sparring for his May 2 battle with Ricky Hatton.

David Rodela, Raymund Serrano and Urbano Antillon alternated on Pacquiao who has gone over a hundred rounds now, with five more days of sparring before heading to Vegas.

Pacquiao and his huge entourage leave for Sin City on April 27 or five days before the fight. Once he gets there, it’ll be a matter of staying in shape, light drills and watching his weight.

Pacquiao will be back sparring on Thursday (Friday in Manila). The following day, his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, will leave for Puerto Rico to be in the corner of Gerry Peñalosa.

The 36-year-old Peñalosa, probably the oldest Pinoy boxing champion ever, will climb a notch higher to challenge the undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO super-bantamweight crown.

The fight is set April 25 at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Puerto Rico, and the day after the fight Roach should again board the plane to re-join Pacquiao for his last week of sparring.

Pacquiao may do 12 rounds on Thursday, and then should start tapering off by going down to 10, eight, six and four rounds until they call it off. He normally logs around 150 of sparring in training.

It will be the second time Roach will leave the training camp for the Hatton fight. Last March, he was away for a week to attend to Amir Khan who fought and crushed Marco Antonio Barrera in England.
In Roach’s absence, Buboy Fernandez puts on the mitts, while ex-heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and fellow trainers Alex Ariza, Eric Brown and Nonoy Neri lend a hand.
Hatton has been in Vegas for more than two weeks now, training under Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the IBA Gym, the same gym being used by Pacquiao when he’s in town.

Hatton was a couple of weeks ahead in training but brushed off insinuations that he may be overdoing things heading to his defense of his 140 lb title against the reigning pound for pound champ.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=458110&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Pacquiao near peak form, says Roach

Manny Pacquiao is close to peak form, the Filipino fighter’s chief trainer Freddie Roach revealed Wednesday from Los Angeles.

“He’s about 90 to 95 percent now,” Roach told the Bulletin 18 days before Pacquiao collides with Ricky Hatton of England at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach said Pacquiao chalked up another 10 rounds of sparring and didn’t miss a beat in banging with Urbano Antillon, Raymond Serrano and David Rodela, the wiry fellow Pacquiao knocked out with a body shot over the weekend at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.

Even though Pacquiao is right on target, Roach is bringing in a new sparring partner -- a 140-pounder -- this week to take the place of Rodela.

Roach disclosed that the touted Mike Alvarado, an unbeaten 140-pounder from Denver, “never showed up at the gym” after having his taste of Pacquiao’s power in their initial encounter last week.

Pacquiao will either spar 12 rounds this Saturday or Tuesday as his training enters the most crucial phase, making Roach even more convinced that Hatton will not get past three rounds.

“We will demolish him (inside three rounds),” said Roach, who had earlier predicted that it would take nine rounds for Pacquiao to soften up the rugged Hatton.

Meanwhile, over at Hatton’s training headquarters in Las Vegas, trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. also told this paper that they just can’t wait for the fight to take place.

“Ricky’s very confident (of winning),” said Mayweather Sr.

Asked whether the fight is going 12 rounds, Mayweather Sr. said he doesn’t think it would.

“Ricky’s winning the fight if the fight is short,” said the flamboyant New York-born taskmaster known for technique.

Source: http://mb.com.ph/articles/202528/pacquiao-near-peak-form-says-roach

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DE LA HOYA: END OF THE ROAD FOR ME INSIDE THE RING

LOS ANGELES -- Boxing's Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya formally announced his retirement today during a press conference held at the Nokia Plaza in downtown Los Angeles surrounded by family and close friends and in front of the international media.

De la Hoya, a 10-time world champion and the only boxer in history to have won six titles in six divisions, kept his emotions in checked and told the fully packed media conference "now I understand why an athlete has so much hard time retiring."

De La Hoya looked like a shell of himself when he was pummeled from end to end by Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao last Dec. 6 in Las Vegas before Oscar quit on his stool in round eight. "After that fight, I thought that was it for Oscar," De La Hoya's wife Millie told the media when it was her turn to speak. But it took Oscar 'four agonizing months' before arriving a decision.

"The decision was based on making sure, first of all, I would not disappoint fans and myself. It is not fair to step inside the ring and not give my best," De La Hoya said.

On hand to give their support to De La Hoya were his wife Millie, business partner Richard Schaefer, Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, his father Joel de la Hoya, Sr., AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke and head of HBO pay per view Mark Taffet.

Taffet revealed to the audience a few stats of the Golden Boy franchise where Oscar appeared in HBO-televised fights a record 32 times, 19 of them pay-per-views and garnered the highest grossing pay per view of $120 million against Floyd Mayweather. De La Hoya had an overall total of 14.1 million buys and $696 million total revenue, "a record," Taffet said, "that probably can never be duplicated."

De La Hoya, who is also well known for his philantrophic activities having sponsored a hospital in honor of his mother who died of cancer and chartered a high school bearing his name on top of his Golden Boy Promotions considered to be one of the top two boxing promoters on the planet, said he is now looking forward to excel outside the ring.

"This is only the beginning. I am extremely motivated and I am looking forward on the future outside the ring," De La Hoya said.

Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-23431.html

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END OF A GOLDEN ERA, DID PACQUIAO RETIRE DE LA HOYA?

De La Hoya last fought on December 6, 2008 when he absorbed a lopsided eight-round beating from Manny Pacquiao before ultimately quitting on his stool. Although it wasn't the first time De La Hoya lost to an elite fighter, it was certainly the worst fight of the Golden Boy's storied career. Unable to pull the trigger, Oscar was battered from pillar to post by the Filipino superstar. At times, De La Hoya simply covered up in the corner as he absorbed a barrage of punches. It was a sad sight for many to see; a fighter who so many times before thrilled the crowd with flurries, exchanges and dramatic moments was reduced to a weak and defenseless shell of his former self. "I just don't have it anymore," De La Hoya would admit to Roach in the ring immediately after the loss.

Later today, ten-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya will hold a press conference at the Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE, across from STAPLES Center, to announce his future in the ring. As usual, the media has been invited, but the event is also open to the public. Furthermore, an international conference call has been arranged to take place a few hours after the press conference to further discuss the announcement regarding his career. It's hard to imagine that De La Hoya would go through this much trouble to simply announce a future opponent. One has to believe that the retirement of the Golden Boy is just hours away and unlike Floyd Mayweather Jr., who announced his own "retirement" via a press release, it appears that De La Hoya will truly walk away from the sport of boxing.

In a way, De La Hoya's decision to retire is perhaps the right thing to do. It can be difficult for most fighters to admit that they no longer have what it takes to compete at the elite level anymore. De La Hoya, who certainly has no financial need to fight, really has nothing left to prove after winning ten world championships in six different weight classes. His place in the boxing Hall of Fame is secured and, although he lost his last fight, he certainly didn't take the easy route by facing the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world (for the second time in two years). It's much better for De La Hoya to finish his career now than to fight on and potentially lose to a fighter that's nowhere near the level of a fighter he once was. Muhammad Ali's final fight was a loss to Trevor Berbick. Pernell Whitaker's final fight was a loss to Carlos Bojorquez. Mike Tyson's last fight was a loss to Kevin McBride. If this is De La Hoya's retirement party, it's much better to be remembered for losing your last fight to Manny Pacquiao, the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at the time.

The clock is ticking and we'll find out shortly...

WHAT: 1992 Olympic Gold Medalist and future boxing hall of famer, "Golden Boy" Oscar de la Hoya will hold a press conference to announce his future in the ring.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 14 at Noon (Press Conference Begins)

WHERE: Nokia Plaza L.A. LIVE - Across from STAPLES Center, 77 Chick Hearn Court Los Angeles, CA 90015

Source: http://fighthype.com/pages/content4730.html

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Forget the odds

Manny Pacquiao is favored to beat Ricky Hatton in their Las Vegas duel on May 2 but according to writer Phil Woolever of Boxing Digest, anything can happen because they’re big punchers with inherent weaknesses.

“Besides an all-action approach to their craft, Pacquiao and Hatton have each exhibited moments of vulnerability that add to the ‘anything can happen’ factor,” he said.

“(Aside from) star power on the marquee and long-time legions of faithful fans, Hatton and Pacquiao share a fighting style that’s based on the same fistic foundation of punch first, strategy later. That’s not to say that either man is lacking in the basic skills but both start from an instinctual philosophy of generating pressure that is almost always channelled into highly effective aggression.”

Pacquiao is guaranteed a $13 million purse for the fight and his final take could reach $20 million based on his 52 percent share of the pay-per-view upside. Tickets for the fight are priced at $150, $300, $500, $750 and $1,000.

Pacquiao is shooting for his sixth world title after capturing the WBC flyweight, IBF superbantamweight, Ring Magazine or people’s featherweight, WBC superfeatherweight and WBC lightweight crowns. Hatton is unbeaten in the 140-pound division where he appears to be most comfortable. For Pacquiao, it is his first venture as a lightwelterweight although he beat Oscar de la Hoya in his last outing as a welterweight.

Hatton’s ability to take Pacquiao’s power will be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the bout. Experts insist that if Hatton can withstand Pacquiao’s power, it will be a long night for the Filipino. The betting, however, is Hatton will go down once he is hit squarely by Pacquiao.

What Hatton will bring to the table is a question mark. With trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. in his corner, the word is a “different” Hatton will face Pacquiao in the ring. Mayweather is trying to transform Hatton into a semi-stylist with a lot of bobbing, weaving and head-moving. The idea is to make it difficult for Pacquiao to strike because the “old” Hatton would be a sitting duck.

But basic instincts won’t go away easily. When Hatton is pressured and under attack, he’ll rely on what he’s used to. He’ll fire back, come forward and engage – which suits Pacquiao just fine.

* * *

Jim Capers, who served 23 years as an NBA referee, is eager to lend his expertise to the PBA. He has conducted officiating clinics for PBA referees in 1979, 1981, 1983 and 1994 and even worked playoff games in 1981 and 1983 with another NBA whistle-blower Lee Jones. Now, 15 years after his last tour of duty in the PBA, Capers said it’s time for a revisit.

Capers, 73, has worked the last five years in the NBA as a group supervisor managing 15 referees. His focus was improving the efficiency of the officials under his wing and the work involved preparing development plans in conjunction with the personal goals of each referee in terms of enhancing performance to enable upward mobility, interpreting statistical information to facilitate performance assessment, conducting summer clinics for young officials and new applicants, submitting mid-year and year-end evaluation reports and participating in pre- and post-game meetings by travelling to game sites where officials in his group worked.

Capers said he reports to the gym at least thrice a week to stay in shape and can still handle the rigors of a grueling daily work grind. If the PBA invites him over for clinics, he hopes to bring his son Jim Jr., a 14-year NBA referee, to assist.

Capers’ wife Marlene passed away over 10 years ago. He has remarried and this October, will be celebrating his second wedding anniversary with Eileen, a Canadian. Capers has two children Jim Jr. and Steven (a district manager for a dental firm and a comedy show producer) and four grandchildren, Simone, Janae, Mariah and McKenzie.

Capers was saddened by news of former commissioner Leo Prieto’s death. He had hoped to call on Prieto in case he is able to work out a contract with the PBA. Capers said he had also looked forward to meeting former supervisor of officials Crispin Aldiosa who passed away two weeks ago.

“So sorry to hear about Leo and Crispin,” Capers wrote in an e-mail. “Over the years, I have often thought about them as they were instrumental in bringing me to the Philippines in the early days of the PBA. I remember going out with Leo on a number of occasions and with Crispin having great basketball discussions. Although I did not keep in contact on a constant basis, fond memories kept me in touch with them. I certainly feel a loss and I’m sure the PBA’s feelings are mutual. Please send my condolences to both families. And please say hello to ‘The Legend,’ Romy Guevara whom I’ve worked with and I respect a lot. I understand he is still very much involved with the PBA as a technical consultant. Hopefully, if things go right, I’ll be able to work with him again.”

Source: http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=457764&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Las Vegas Journal - April 2009

It’s still early in Chris “The Nightmare” Arreola’s heavyweight career but you can tell in the Southern California area that the Riverside fighter is building a fan base. More than a few phone calls were received as I trekked through the desert toward Las Vegas last week.

Yes this is another Las Vegas journal.

For me to reach the Nevada capital of sin it takes about three hours to traverse the 230 miles. On Thursday the press conference by co-promoters Goossen-Tutor and Golden Boy Promotions was set for 1 p.m.

Because of unexpected Easter holiday and Spring Break traffic, the roads were a little congested on a Thursday morning. So when I entered the pressroom underneath the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino the talking heads were in perfect pitch.

Dan Goossen, the president of Goossen-Tutor, spoke about Arreola and his opponent Jameel “Big Time” McCline. All the parties gave their piece and were followed by Team Paul Williams and Team Winky Wright.

Williams sported a big smile that never disappeared throughout the weekend. It was the kind of grin that a cat might show knowing that its prey is there for the taking. In a few days he had his lunch.

After the press conference, we headed to Barry’s Gym in Las Vegas where more than a few solid boxers train on a regular basis. On this day the boxing facility was rather empty so we headed toward other destinations.

We spoke to one of the Golden Boy matchmakers to see if it was possible to take a look at Ricky Hatton work out. He told us he would get back with us. That means no.

After a night of margaritas at Palace Station it was time to go file a story. I had to wake up rather early to meet with Oscar De La Hoya who was going to talk with a few reporters on Friday morning.

That margarita was a little strong for me. It was difficult getting up so hurriedly; we drove over to the media room at the Mandalay, but we needn’t worry, De La Hoya had not arrived.

Waiting before us were super boxing and MMA writer Kevin Iole of Yahoo who lives in Las Vegas and another boxing writer whiz Dan Rafael from ESPN.com and Steve Carp who took over the boxing writer position from Iole at the Las Vegas Review Journal. GBP’s Nicole told us De La Hoya was running late and would not arrive until 1 p.m. Iole needed to depart.

As we waited a few more boxing writers and photographers arrived. Finally around 1 p.m. De La Hoya arrived wearing a gray leather jacket and dark shirt underneath. He looked rather thin, almost weak.

He talked about his coming announcement on Tuesday, and was slightly mysterious about whether he was going to jump back in the ring to show that his poor showing was because of an unexpected after-effect of over-training or a dietary miscalculation.

“I weigh 152 pounds,” said De La Hoya. “I can’t gain weight.”

This is very unusual. In the more than 16 years that I’ve covered De La Hoya, I’ve never seen him walk around when not fighting at less than 160 to 170 pounds. The sport of professional boxing is a very dangerous sport. Most fans do not realize this.

Every year about seven to 15 pro boxers die from injuries sustained in the ring. It’s one of the most dangerous sports in the world because of the risk boxers take. That’s why I never disrespect a boxer for quitting. I think boxing broadcasters should take note of this too.

Last month when Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero told a doctor that he could not see due to the cut over his eye. He was chastised by the HBO crew and fans at the event for quitting. Boxing writers ganged up on him like a bunch of cheap bullies.

Boxing is a very dangerous sport. People die. Remember that.

Personally, I’ve seen three fighters sustain injuries in the ring and ultimately expire, beginning with Kiko Bejines in 1983, Pedro Alcazar in 2002, and Levander Johnson in 2005. I was one of the last people Johnson spoke to as he walked from the ring to his dressing room. He spoke a few words to me and suddenly collapsed after he walked 20 more feet.

So if De La Hoya quits because of his inability to fight at peak capacity, so be it. He’s proven many times in the past that he has more guts than most people in the world.

Personally, I hope he retires. I don’t want to see him endanger himself in the ring. It would be great to see him enjoy the millions he gained from sacrificing his time, physical health and life since 1992.

De La Hoya said listening to boos doesn’t bother him. Over the course of his career he’s learned to endure them.

As he walked away De La Hoya looked very thin and small. Though his face looked healthy his body looked more like that of a teen.

“I lost a lot of muscle mass,” De La Hoya said.

It was clearly evident.

Later that night, we waited around for Alfredo “Perro” Angulo who was arriving with his trainer Clemente Medina and friends to watch the fights. He had agreed to stay at a friend’s house where I was also staying and needed someone to show him where it was located. Around 1 a.m. he arrived and we headed toward another section of Las Vegas.

Mosley

On Saturday morning, I had a breakfast meeting with Sugar Shane Mosley who met with about five boxing writers at the Border Grill at the Mandalay Bay. Also present were several Golden Boy reps including Richard Schaefer, Monica Sears and Nicole Becerra.

Mosley was concerned that after beating convincingly Antonio Margarito, suddenly he’s been lost in the shuffle of the aftermath concerning the Tijuana fighter’s suspension and the possible re-emergence of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He also spoke of meeting Mayweather and his friends for a friendly game of pick-up basketball.

“We beat them,” said Mosley. “I made the winning shot.”

After the game Mosley asked Mayweather for a fight. The former Pound for Pound king muttered that he was retired and wanted to stay retired and spend time with his kids.

“He don’t want to fight me,” said Mosley.

The Pomona speedster, who is the only man to knock out Margarito, hopes that he gets the winner between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.

According to Mosley, the Pacman said he would fight Mosley and prefers a fight with the new WBA welterweight titleholder because of his crowd-pleasing style.

“I hope he fights me if he wins,” said Mosley. But he’s worried if Pacquiao has too tough of an outing against Hatton he might look for an easier fight. Or if Hatton wins that he may not want to fight at welterweight again.

Mosley just wants a mega fight.

When Williams' name came up Mosley honestly offered that the much taller fighter is a bad match for him because of his long arms. It’s a bad style match up. Plus, the Pomona fighter wants mega fights.

The topic turned to De La Hoya and when one of the writers mentioned that De La Hoya was not as good as people purported him to be, Mosley jumped to his defense immediately.

It was kind of cool to see.

Mosley and De La Hoya have been adversaries since childhood. The East L.A. boxer was seven and the Pomona boxer nine when they first met in the ring as amateurs. They fought two close and sizzling battles yet here they are friends and working for the same goal in the same company.

“Oscar De La Hoya is the best fighter I ever fought,” said Mosley who battled against many of the best in the last 15 years. “His left hand is one of the sharpest punches I’ve ever face. He could do so much with it.”

Mosley thinks that when De La Hoya changed his boxing style when Floyd Mayweather Sr. came aboard, he lost something.

“He was a much better fighter when he fought straight up and he was on his toes,” said Mosley.


Maybe he is right.

Williams and Arreola win

In the fight card Arreola reacted as I expected. Once Jameel McCline landed a blow I knew Arreola would open up with both barrels. The end came soon.

Williams, however, beat Winky Wright so convincingly I was a little in shock. I expected a closer battle with the younger fighter using fresher legs to pull it out. Instead he almost won every round with nonstop punching. It was amazing.

That night we had dinner with Perro Angulo and his people and talked about the fight. Angulo will be fighting Kermit “The Killer” Cintron next month in Miami, Florida.

After dinner, we headed for the Luxor Hotel where Arreola was having an After-Fight party at LAX. On the way we saw Librado Andrade and stopped to talk about his experience in Canada. It seems the fans love the Mexican slugger up there. He loves Canada.

Around 1 a.m. we reached the nightclub and after about 40 minutes finally spot Arreola and his crew. The party is in full gear and money is raining down on the crowd. The Riverside heavyweight looked solid in his fight and was having fun.

Around 2:15 a.m. I headed back to the pad.

Melinda Cooper

On Sunday I typed out my column for a newspaper and then spoke to Melinda Cooper, one of the most exciting female fighters today. If you’ve ever seen Cooper outside of the ring she’s a very pretty intelligent girl who could easily be an actress, lawyer or any other profession. She’s very poised and well spoken. Inside the ring, she’s as deadly as a rattlesnake. The speed of her punches and power behind them are awe-inspiring.

Cooper will be fighting on May 16 at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. She’s preparing to fight Monica Lovato, a strong fighter out of New Mexico. It should be a great fight.

Because of her outstanding amateur experience and undefeated record as a professional, it’s difficult to find opponents. She gets some offers but they’re not frequent.

Plus, she’s one of the few female fighters below middleweight who has real knockout power.

One day soon, fans will discover Melinda Cooper.

Source: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/6715/las-vegas-journal-april-2009/

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HBO's Pacquiao, Hatton, 24/7 specials lead up to fight May 2, PPV

Boxers Ricky Hatton of Britain (L) and Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines (R) play darts at the New Inn pub, near Hyde, Manchester, following a press conference at The Trafford Centre in Manchester, Britain, 28 February 2009. The two boxers are due to compete in a World Welterweight Championship fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, USA, on 02 May 2009. EPA/LEE SANDERS

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao go head to head in a sport whose viewership and fans have been eaten away by MMA and UFC fights.

HBO is hoping that the huge popularity of both boxers, Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Manchester hero Ricky Hatton, will ramp up with their Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 preview series, the lead up to fight night on May 2.

Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is a four-part series that will extensively chronicle the respective training of Filipino pound for pound king Pacquiao and Ricky "the hitman" Hatton for their May 2 pay-per-view fight in Las Vegas.

According to HBO senior vice president of sports operations Mark Taffet, HBO looks at Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 as a tool to draw 18-to 49-year-old males to a sport whose median viewing age skews over 35.

“The goal of 24/7 is not only to provide an all access look at the sport's biggest events, but also to reach out to the next generation of boxing fans and to engage them with a compelling program which speaks their language," Taffet said in an article posted at HBO.com.

Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7 is the fifth installment of the acclaimed HBO sports series, which debuted in 2006 in the leadup to the Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather, Jr. megafight.

HBO is promoting a sweepstakes for a free trip to Las Vegas for the three days leading up to the fight. The sweepstakes runs from March 30 through April 22 on HBO.com.

A daily video journal will be posted on Facebook and HBO's YouTube site, according to Taffet. The winner also can have his or her photo on HBO.com.

Episode #2: The new influence of assistant trainer and former heavyweight champ Michael Moorer becomes more apparent in Manny Pacquiao’s Los Angeles training camp. Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton continues to train in Las Vegas and spends a relaxing night with friends downtown.

Debut date: Saturday, April 18 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates: April 18 (12:05 a.m.), 19 (10:30 a.m., 11:30 p.m.), 20 (7:30 p.m., 12:30 a.m.), 22 (10:00 a.m., midnight), 23 (10:30 p.m.), 24 (12:05 a.m.) and 25 (10:30 a.m.), and May 1 (8:30 p.m.) and 2 (3:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates: April 21 (11:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m.) and 24 (8:30 p.m.), and May 1 (1:00 a.m.) and 2 (10:30 a.m.)

HBO On Demand availability begins: April 21

On Saturday, May 2 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Pacquiao vs. Hatton,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1470621.php/HBOs__Pacquiao_Hatton_24_7_specials_lead_up_to_fight_May_2_PPV

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Oscar De La Hoya's decision day might be Tuesday

With several signs indicating that Oscar De La Hoya will retire from boxing, a news conference has been scheduled for noon today at downtown's L.A. Live for an announcement that is being tightly guarded by those close to East Los Angeles' "Golden Boy."

De La Hoya, 36, is expected to confirm publicly what he told his former trainer Freddie Roach in the seconds after his lopsided defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao in December: "You were right, Freddie, I don't have it anymore."

Those words were passed on to reporters by publicists that night, but in a segment of HBO's "Pacquiao-Hatton 24/7" that debuted Saturday night, video footage of the exchange showed De La Hoya saying the words in a resigned tone, shaking his head to strongly indicate his fighting days were indeed over.

After the bout, De La Hoya retreated home to Puerto Rico to reflect on the loss to Pacquiao, friends say, but neither he nor his representatives at Golden Boy Promotions have engaged in any known negotiations to extend his fighting career since then.

Although De La Hoya made some comments that a third fight with childhood foe and business partner Shane Mosley of Pomona would make sense, he told The Times in February that he was "60-40" in favor of retiring, and he later told PGA.com at a golf event that he was "retired."

One bout that would certainly make sense as a possible De La Hoya return fight would be against Mexico's Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of the boxing legend whom De La Hoya dismantled in two fights in the second half of the 1990s. The younger Chavez is a popular draw on promoter Bob Arum's "Latin Fury" pay-per-view cards, and a possible "son's revenge" fight at a destination like Mexico City's mammoth Azteca Stadium would expect to draw a massive crowd.

But Arum said last week that he hasn't had a conversation with De La Hoya or anyone from Golden Boy about staging such a bout.

Arum said he had no information about what De La Hoya would announce today but speculated the end has arrived.

"I'm sure he's going to announce his retirement. You don't have a big news conference, serving food and all that, to say, 'I'm still thinking about it,' or, 'I will fight again,' " Arum said.

"It's been a good career," Arum said. "He's made himself a lot of money and fame and made many others, my company included, a lot of money."

De La Hoya (39-6, 30 knockouts) spent Easter Sunday with his business partner Richard Schaefer after remaining noncommittal about his announcement during a Golden Boy fight he attended over the weekend in Las Vegas.

"My decision is solely based on how I feel, not on how Richard feels, and not on how my wife feels," De La Hoya told the Associated Press. "I've had input from tons of people. Obviously, I'm going to pay more attention to people who are closest to me, but I literally was asking people in the street: 'Should I retire or should I continue?' It was split.

" 'Enjoy your family.' That was my No. 1 response from most people."

De La Hoya and his wife, Millie, have two young children, and they are expected to relocate to Pasadena this year. After the Pacquiao loss, in which two of the three judges gave every round to Pacquiao and De La Hoya ended the bout sitting on his stool before the ninth round, Millie told her husband, "Honey, that's it."

Schaefer on Monday declined to comment about De La Hoya's future.

"Anyone who writes a story saying he's retiring -- or that he's fighting again -- does so at his own risk," Schaefer said. "This is going to be Oscar's day."

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-oscar-de-la-hoya14-2009apr14,0,5951172.story

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Pacquiao promoter Arum sprouts wings in champ's cancer fight

Manny Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum has tried his best to keep a lid on this. He probably thinks he can keep my big mouth shut on it as well.
The Top Dawg from Top Rank is one of the richest and most powerful people in boxing. He’s got real political strength in hometown Las Vegas and through the entire state of Nevada.

Arum runs with big dogs, with governors and United States Senators. I bet he’s got Democratic power broker Harry Reid on speed dial. They probably have lunch together from time to time what with Arum being an business tycoon in Vegas and a lifelong supporter of the donkey party dating back to the pre-boxing days when he worked under Robert Kennedy in the Justice Department.

Arum, 78 and holding, will discourse on almost every subject. He will be flapping his lips in public Tuesday in New York as he kicks off prefight hype for the big Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey June 13 title bout at boxing’s onetime Mecca, Madison Square Garden.

But I can tell you there’s one topic that will be verboten at the Garden. There is one subject that Arum won’t lay a glove on.

No, it’s not something as trivial as how Cotto’s uncle and erstwhile trainer, Evangelista Cotto, recently hurled a brick through the window of his nephew’s spiffy Jaguar or how they had a fistfight outside a gym in Puerto Rico.

No, what Arum will demur to discuss is a matter of life and death and the crucial role he has played and continues to play.

Or maybe I should say pay.

You see, I’ve just learned from an impeccable source that it is Arum who has gone into his personal pocket to pay the astronomical medical bills, or a large portion of them, for two-time former world junior lightweight champion, Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez.

Here’s a squib from an excellent article about Chicanito’s plight and fight as written by Michele Chong I believe on Myboxingfans.com. I hope I’ve gotten the source right. She wrote:

Unfortunately, the disease runs in his family and he tells me during our conversation that both his father and mother had cancer. Genaro, 42, says with disbelief: "I had no symptoms, just a little lump near the jaw area that I thought was fatty tissue. So I went to the doctor to have it removed back in September. Then after about a week, I noticed two other lumps near my collarbone, so I had a CAT scan. At first they didn't think it was cancer--the tests came back negative. But after a biopsy, they found tumors growing in my sinus and my lymph node. I have a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma that is usually only found in kids."

Read the entitre article as carried by the Burbank Boxing Club website.

Now let’s reveal my happy and relieved source, fight trainer and Chicanito brother Rudy Hernandez:

“People can say this and that about Bob Arum,” Rudy H. told me over the weekend by phone from Los Angeles. “I have probably cursed out Bob once in a while. I figure Bob won’t talk about this so I want people in boxing to know about it.

“My brother is winning his fight for life according to his great doctors in Houston. He’s still got a lot of chemotherapy sessions to go and he’s slimmed down to 118 pounds. I never thought I would see my brother, a world champion twice at 130 pounds, being a bantamweight again.

“But, as you know, my brother has a family to support. He’s got a wife and kids and he’s been able to keep up somewhat with calling fights on TV. He will be working the Spanish telecast for Pacman-Hatton come May 2, courtesy of Bob Arum.

"In our rough business, promoters get kicked and sometimes they do the kicking. But it’s been Arum who has picked up the bulk of the medical costs for Genaro and I think people should know about, know this side of Bob Arum. He’s been a Godsend in this regard.”

If you know the Rude Dog, and most everyone in boxing does as he’s worked with the likes of Edwin Valero, Jorge Linares and many other world champions past and present, he does not sugarcoat his words.

In this case, I won’t ask Arum for amplification. In this case, I won’t call him an angel or say he has finally earned his wings.
But this good deed is worthy of being duly noted. And now it has.

It’s not the first time Arum has gone to bat for a troubled fighter. When Top Rank boxer Richie Sandoval was seriously hurt in a fight and had to retire, he was at loose ends and badly in need of financial help.

Bingo, Arum hired Sandoval as a pr guy for the Spanish language market and he worked right out of the Top Rank Gym in Las Vegas.

The Ali-Frazier Manila bout documentary on HBO Saturday reminded me of a silent but charitable act “committed” by Arum’s archrival, Don King.

When Ali’s mystical corner man Drew “Bundini” Brown died, he was headed for a pauper’s burial in rural Florida.

Quietly but deftly, King footed the bill for a proper sendoff for the “float like a butterfly, string like a bee” man when no one else stepped up.

I got that story from an avowed enemy of King at the time, the late fight agent Norman Henry, so I knew it to be true.

No one should measure Arum, King or any other fight promoter for an angel costume but I do think their occasional good deeds should go unpunished but not unnoticed.

Fight promoters with some heart. Who would have thunk it?

I figure it like this: we slam them when we think they’re doing bad so let’s be fair and give them a thumbs up when we “catch” them doing right. Chicanito may be ahead on points but he has many rounds to go. He was a winner in the ring with a 38-2-1 pro record and he will be a winner in this fight which makes boxing Floyd Mayweather look like an easy task.

(Kudos also to Senor Sulaiman, the lovely and talented Ms. Diamond, Emperor of Japan Boxing Mr. Honda and all the others who have helped this deserving ex-champion out.)

Nearly 80, Bob Arum has sprouted some wings.

Guess age has nothing to do with being angelic.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-5699-NY-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m4d13-Pacquiao-promoter-Arum-sprouts-wings-in-champs-cancer-fight

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'New Hatton' boasts of quickness, power

MANILA, Philippines - If you think Manny Pacquiao is fast, wait till you see Ricky Hatton.

The new Ricky Hatton.

In the first episode of HBO’s Pacquiao vs. Hatton 24/7, a four-part, four-week series that gave the cable giant all the access it needed to cover the training of the two boxers, Hatton has displayed quickness never seen from him before.

Under the guidance of his new trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Hatton believes that the only way to beat Pacquiao is to match his speed. According to British superstar, no one, not even Pacquiao, can match his power at 140 lbs.

“It was a case of, after seven weeks in training camp, ‘bang, look at me, a new fighter,’” Hatton said in a Times Online article that came out yesterday.

“It has been miles better this time with Floyd,” added Hatton, in the last three weeks of training at the IBA Gym in Las Vegas, the same gym Pacquiao uses when he’s there.

“The more time you spend with him, you get used to him. I’m faster now than how I was at the end of the last training camp,” said Hatton, in his second fight under Mayweather.

The Times Online article added that Hatton, under Mayweather, has given a little on strengthening (which he’d always done under Billy Graham), and has focused on “speed and sharpness.”

The HBO series, which came off the racks the other day, showed Hatton in training, trying to develop and hone his speed.

But Pacquiao doesn’t believe that 10, 12 or 13 weeks of training under Mayweather can change or make Hatton a new fighter.

“Sa tingin ko ‘yun pa din ‘yung Hatton na makakalaban ko (I think it’s the same Hatton I’d be up against),” said Pacquiao in recent interviews.

And that’s the Hatton he knows, always there in front of you, moving in, trying to wrestle his opponent. The British superstar is notorious for holding and hitting, and may work like an octopus.

“Hindi naman nila mababago ang style nila ganoon kabilis (They can’t change their style overnight),” said Pacquiao, still confident that come May 2, at the MGM Grand, Hatton will always be one step behind.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=457431&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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WHAT RICKY HATTON MEANS TO THE PHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINES
By Dennis Guillermo | April 13, 2009

Ricky Hatton's trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., may claim he's a poet, but you already know Filipinos are telling him to kiss their "puwets" (in Tagalog, "puwet" means "rear" or "butt"). You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Like trying to teach faith to an atheist, it's hard to change the views of a hater - the type of people that love to label hardcore fans as "nuthuggers." Fair-weathered people will come and go as often as world championship belts get passed along, but just like a Chicago Bulls fan in the 90's, being a Manny Pacquiao fan is like cheering for a dynasty. As soon as he signed on the dotted line, Ricky Hatton became a marked man in the Philippines.

I've been writing and following Manny Pacquiao for quite some time now. As a Filipino, the Pacquiao phenomenon is nothing I have ever experienced in my whole 27 years of existence. I'm just happy I was born in the same era to witness it. If Stallone's Rocky was a true story, maybe that would be comparable. Then again, Philadelphia did build a monument for this fictional character…and people think Pacquiao fans are nuts? Most of us boxing fans have already heard or read about Manny Pacquiao's significance to the Philippines. We've seen the 24/7s, heard that Pacquiao stops wars and crime in his country whenever he fights and so on and so forth. This time, I will try to paint a picture, from the eyes of the majority of my fellow Filipinos, of what Ricky Hatton means to the Philippines.

Ricky Hatton may be the pride of Manchester, England, a land and a place that most Filipinos only hear about in movies and tales, but before all is said and done, and it has already begun, Manchester, England will be transformed into Manny-chester, England. Just look back at Manny's visit to the UK to promote his fight with Hatton. Since it was Hatton's hometown, given the reputation of Hatton's own loyal and rabid fans, it was expected that Pacquiao's fans would be easily outnumbered. However, as Borat would say, "naaaat!" Pacquiao fans would not be outdone as they showed up in masses. Wherever they want to take our hero, we will come!

Ricky Hatton may not have said or done any wrongdoing against Pacquiao or the Philippines, but on the 2nd of May, he will become the nation's Public Enemy #1. To Filipinos, Hatton is but another obstacle, another roadblock in their quest for success. If we're talking about a Filipino illegal immigrant living in the US, Hatton is simply the INS. If were talking about the jeepney drivers on the streets of Manila, Hatton is the reason why they might not make boundary (the amount of money the jeepney driver must pay the owner). To many Filipinos, Hatton is poverty, corruption, oppression and even a national calamity. If Bill Clinton was a Filipino, Hatton would be Monica Lewinsky. Any outsider might think it to be absurd or hyperbole, but no singular thing can impact the Filipino people around the world in a more devastating manner than a Manny Pacquiao loss. I can't even fathom or imagine it. All that I listed above are things the nation has been living and dealing with for as long as I can remember - except Lewinsky of course. But every time Manny Pacquiao fights and wins, it seems like the entire nation is oblivious to all negativity.

In other words, Hatton is the person standing in the way of another Philippine holiday. Pacquiao is the glitter and hope inside every struggling Filipino's eyes, while Hatton represnets the tears they fight to veer and the opposition that pushes their will against the ropes. At the end of the day, Filipinos will not really hate Hatton, so long as he loses to Pacquiao. They might even learn to love him, as long as he takes a whooping. Just ask David Diaz.

But all kidding aside, there is a small minority of Filipinos who believe that a Hatton victory may very well be a good thing. It's been known for quite some time that Pacquiao wishes to enter the dirty game of politics in the Philippines. It's something that the majority of his fans do not want him to do, as reflected by his loss the last time he ran for government office. So in that light, Hatton may be the key to keeping Pacquiao out of office. A loss to Hatton might mean a return to focus in the ring. Maybe…maybe not, but regardless, no Pacquiao follower will ever wish any misfortune for their man. With that said, Pacquiao was made for boxing. His biggest service to his people is the hope and happiness he gives them every time he climbs into the ring. Let's all just hope that if Pacquiao does want to retire, it's not because of politics.

Come May, the Hit Man will be Magellan, the European explorer who more than 400 years ago aspired to conquer the Philippine islands only to be halted by Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino datu who led the natives in slaying the Spaniards. Pacquiao is the national hero of us all, each and every time he fights. On the second day of May, Hatton will be the adversary whom the whole country will unite against behind their datu Pacquiao. After all, it's the "Battle of East and West." Best believe it…Ricky Hatton is the enemy!

Source: http://fighthype.com/pages/content4717.html

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Oscar De La Hoya could be next for Ricky Hatton

One of the options that could soon be on the table for Ricky Hatton, after his win over Paulie Malignaggi, is a bout against Oscar De La Hoya, the only six-weight world champion in history.

Should that happen, Floyd Mayweather Sr will be able to pass on some inside knowledge. He has worked with De La Hoya and took the job with Hatton rather than train the American for his bout with Manny Pacquiao a week on Saturday.

“Oscar is not as fast a learner as Ricky Hatton,” Mayweather, Hatton's trainer, said. “It has taken years for Oscar to get where he is but Ricky catches on real fast. Ricky is a better fighter than Oscar but there is the issue of who is the bigger man in the ring. Ricky has learnt a lot already but there is still so much more he can learn because he is willing to learn.

“Pacquiao is a perfect match for Ricky. I would love to see that fight, that's the fight I want but I don't see Pacquiao beating Oscar.”

Mayweather said that he was impressed by what he saw from his new pupil. He took charge of Hatton's training seven weeks ago but the improvements were clear.

“I would give Ricky seven out of ten,” Mayweather said. “I'd give him that mark, because we are only at the beginner's stage, it has only been seven weeks. Everyone has seen a different side to Ricky against a fighter who was difficult to hit. I thought Ricky could stop him and he did.”

If nothing else, Mayweather is an optimist but then he has worked hard to get himself where he is. He knows that the biggest task he will face is trying to control Hatton's love of a drink.

After the bout, Malignaggi presented Hatton with four bottles of Blue Moon beer. Mayweather, though, has told Hatton to stop his drinking. “He should pour it down the drain,” Mayweather said. “I know it was a gift and maybe it's not the nice thing to do but it would be the right thing to do.”

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/more_sport/boxing/article5219373.ece

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Manny must focus on here and now

MANILA, Philippines - Sports psychologist Dr. Francis Santamaria said yesterday Manny Pacquiao’s spirituality and sense of purpose are his biggest abstract weapons that will lift him to victory over Ricky Hatton in their IBO lightwelterweight title fight in Las Vegas on May 2.

“The mind of an athlete must be like a Christian missionary’s,” said Santamaria who has worked with PBA players and national athletes in boxing, taekwondo, tennis, bowling and swimming. “He must focus on his works, his long-term mission and listen to his flock’s advice. He also knows that the right time and space will be coming and he should not hurry.”

Santamaria advised Pacquiao to stick to the basics of “here and now” and avoid distractions that could blunt his competitive edge.

“His being spiritual and sense of purpose, how his performance impacts on the country, his hometown and peace and order, are a great self-fulfillment,” continued Santamaria who has served more than 200 companies in the course of his career as a management consultant.

If ever he meets Pacquiao face to face, Santamaria said he would suggest for him to take things as they come, one at a time.

“I would tell him to listen to himself and the friends who will die for him,” he went on. “His youth and reputation are great assets. When he finishes his boxing career, he should take a year off with his family and another two months with his real friends then decide how he wants to proceed with life. In Zen Buddhism, it is a principle that those who want to use you will suck your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual energy from you. He should know how to manage his life force. I will then teach him the way of the Tao because there is nothing religious about it.”

Santamaria cautioned Pacquiao to stay away from pretenders with a malicious intent to manipulate his life. He warned of an “energy leakage” if Pacquiao tries to mix boxing and politics.

“He should be dissuaded from having parallel thoughts as this causes a split of his ‘chi’ or energy and this is cruel,” he explained. “Losing focus could derail his short-term or long-term cause. And this could happen in his planned last one or two fights. Frankly, I don’t believe he could win all these planned last fights prior to retirement if he experiences energy leakage.”

Santamaria said athletes who come from the provinces and depressed areas are more prone to “mental viruses” but exhibit a higher motivation, drive and resilience than the urban-raised athletes. “You will never find a Dodie Boy Peñalosa or Manny Pacquiao in Metro Manila,” he remarked.

As for Pacquiao’s fight against Hatton, experts aren’t ruling out a 50-50 situation despite oddsmakers installing the Filipino icon an early favorite.

“Physically, at least on paper, it’s a very close pairing,” wrote Phil Woolever in Boxing Digest (April 2009). “Both men are 30 years old. Hatton is listed an inch taller at 5-7 1/2 but Pacquiao’s 67-inch reach favors him by two inches in that category. It seems likely the outcome will depend on who dictates toe-to-toe exchanges inside where Pacquiao has a crucial advantage in quickness.”

Woolever said in his analysis, the fight could go either way.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=457432&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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Pacquiao kind of singer

Martin Nievera, who is set to make history by becoming the first male to sing the National Anthem before a Manny Pacquiao fight, said the other day his dream is to emulate the Filipino boxing icon as a concert performer.

“My mission in life is to be a Manny Pacquiao kind of singer,” he said. “The kind that never says die and will never give up without a fight. That kind that always has a ‘hit,’ that will be heard all over the world and will be remembered for lifetimes to come.”

Nievera, a showbiz veteran of 26 years, has been tapped by Pacquiao himself to sing the Anthem before the five-time champion battles Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.

During the Holy Week break, Nievera sent Solar president Wilson Tieng an e-mail with an attachment of a private recording of two versions of the Anthem. Nievera started both versions in a semi-ballad fashion then picked up a marching beat before ending with a flourish. One version had Nievera closing with a high note, almost like a cheering yell, and the other with a subdued but firm conviction. How he will sing the Anthem could be a combination of both versions.

“Martin’s very excited,” said Jose Mari Ojeda. “He even sang a version of the Anthem on long distance telephone from Las Vegas. He wants to land the first punch on Hatton with a stirring delivery of our Anthem. I think he plans to kill Hatton softly with his song.”

Not a day passes that Nievera doesn’t practice singing the Anthem at home at least thrice. It’s not as if he needs to boost his confidence. Nievera has sung before mammoth crowds and high-profile celebrity audiences but singing the Anthem for a Pacquiao fight is an honor that comes with a huge responsibility.

Nievera said he is prepared to deal with any eventuality in the ring, including facing a woman who could sing the English Anthem of “God Save the Queen” in a revealing dress.

“If a lady of that sort shows up to sing for Hatton, I will be a gentleman and separate the ropes for her to pass through, trying hard not to sneak a peek down her cleavage then I will whisper in her ear these words, ‘you really look fat in that dress,’” chuckled Nievera who by the way, is taking his son Robin to watch the fight at ringside.

Nievera has made a name for himself in the Las Vegas show circuit. He once occupied the same suite where Frank Sinatra stayed during a series of concerts at the Golden Nugget. In fact, at the Nugget hall-of-fame walkway, there are photographs of the legendary singers who’ve performed at the Las Vegas landmark – including Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Nievera.

“I will be singing for 26 years this July,” said Nievera. “There are plans now to go in concert with Gary Valenciano. It will be music history. Araneta in September is the plan and a world tour follows. After which a tour with the mother of Robin and Ram.”

In June, Nievera will join a group of three American showbiz icons for a three-night concert run at the Sun Coast Hotel and Resort. Long-time Vegas headliner Clint Holmes, stage and movie actress Susan Anton, former Foreigner lead singer Domenick Zimmerman and Nievera are teaming up as “The Sing City Singers” on June 19, 20 and 21.

“They wanted something close to a Rat Pack kind of concept,” continued Nievera. “It’s an experiment formed by these three icons and to be added to their roster is truly an honor.”

Postscript: The Claret football school module for beginners and advanced boys and girls within the age range of 5 to 12 will begin tomorrow, April 15, on the Teachers Village field in Diliman, Q.C. The sessions are scheduled every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 7 to 8:30 a.m. until May 10. The program director is former UP champion and national coach Bob Salvacion assisted by his former players at UP and Claret – Anto Gonzales, Andrew Santiago, Frank Bambico, Topet Datu, Jay Manlunas, Steph Permales and Benj Anicete. The Claret football school has produced many UAAP and national players, including Ariel Zerrudo, Gonzales, Santiago and UAAP 2009 MVP Jed Rances, to name a few. For details, call Tel. Nos. 9216617, 9216587 and 0915-3100-552. The module focuses not just on playing skills but also values in character building.

Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=457448&publicationSubCategoryId=69

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