By Bryan Brennan

Not too long ago it seemed like after every fight I watched the winning fighter would call out Floyd Mayweather Jr. Experts and fans alike had differing opinions on who should get a crack at the reigning pound-for-pound champ. A little over a year after Floyd Mayweather Jr's retirement and it seems as if everyone agrees Manny Pacquiao is the guy who deserves the shot (or at this point Mayweather deserves the shot at Pacquiao). Did "Pretty Boy" actually help himself out by disappearing for a little while?

The names of Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, Paul Williams, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Manny Pacquiao were all being thrown out there. Not to mention some thought Hatton deserved a second shot at the undefeated fighter. If Floyd hadn't retired would we have gotten to this point?


Here are some big fights that have lead to a Mayweather Jr. - Pacquiao showdown:

December 12th 2008: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton

Mayweather Jr. KO’s Ricky Hatton with a perfect right hook to Hatton’s jaw. Following the 10th round face plant Hatton would still call for a rematch.

February 9th 2008: Carlos Quintana vs. Paul Williams

Quintana upsets Williams by unanimous decision, and takes his WBO title. We start to wonder if Williams was just a bit overrated.

March 15th 2008: Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez II

In a spectacular fight Pacquiao walks away with a Split Decision win (many experts and fans thought it could have gone the other way, I had Pacquiao winning). It gives Pacquiao an edge against his arch nemesis with the win, either way I think most look forward to a third encounter. read more

By Gabriel Montoya

It was two rounds of brutal action and a two round blowout for Filipino sensation Manny “The Pacman” Pacquiao as he walked through, around, and all over Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton (45-2 with 32 KOs). It was a crowning achievement for Pacquiao who became the first man to beat Hatton, until tonight the linear 140 lb champion, at that weight. The cherry on top? He did it easier and much quicker than Floyd Mayweather, Jr who has now returned to the game and is hoping to take on tonight’s winner. After seeing this performance, he may think twice about that.

Afterward, a humble Pacquiao would say, “I mean, I am surprised that it was that easy, but the fighter fights hard. He is strong and has a lead hand. Our strategy was one punch: the left hook. Right hook. That was going to be key to this fight. In the first round, I expected my right hook was going to be dangerous for him. He was coming wide open and his hands were down.”

As for the future of the pound for pound king, “I can fight anybody. M promoters will handle that. I am just doing my job and training.”

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach said “Everytime [Hatton] throws that hook and cocks it, he is wide open for a right hook from the southpaw stance. We worked on that in the gym every day and it worked beautifully. The winner of Marquez/Mayweather is a possibility. I think it would be great.” read more

Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to this pre boxing fight, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors, both making their second "24/7" appearance, prepare for the first mega-fight of 2009.

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao break camp and head to Las Vegas for their final fight week activities as the May 2 Jr. welterweight showdown approaches. The finale comes for the four-episode series "Pacquiao vs Hatton 24/7" (9:30-10:00 p.m.) in anticipation of Saturday's bout.



Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 1 of 2




Pacquiao Hatton 24/7 Episode 4 HBO Part 2 of 2

By Brett Okamoto
‘Pretty Boy’ will return to the ring July 18 against Juan Manuel Marquez

Sixteen months after retiring on the top of the boxing world as the undefeated pound-for-pound champ, the Las Vegas resident announced his return to the ring today at a packed press conference at the Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand, site of tonight’s megafight between Manny Pacquaio and Ricky Hatton.

"I left on top, I came back on top," said an excited Mayweather, who is slated to fight against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 at the MGM Grand.

"Nobody has taken my throne, so how am I not the king if nobody has taken my throne? You've got all these fighters out here who are claiming that they're the best. I'm coming back to fight and reclaim what's mine." read more

By Gareth A. Davies

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

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

By Nick Groke

The last time Manny Pacquiao fought, the consensus pound-for-pound best boxer in the world punched so hard and so well he knocked Oscar De La Hoya straight into retirement.

The last time Ricky Hatton was on the big stage, his legion of fans chanted his name in adoring shouts, even as he lay flat on his back after a knockout by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Herein is the backdrop for Saturday's junior welterweight world title fight between Pacquiao and Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, the most recent entry in the 2009 schedule of megafights.

Pacquiao, a national hero in his home nation, the Philippines, has already won world titles in four weight divisions, starting at 112 pounds. He TKO'd De La Hoya at 147 pounds in December after dominating the fight. If he can beat Hatton at 140 pounds, Pacquiao (48-3-2) will have won world championships in five divisions, an amazing feat.

England's Hatton (43-1), though, brings an impressive record, having lost only to Mayweather in late 2007.

"People say (I'm) overhyped, overprotected, a fat, beer-drinking Englishman," Hatton said this week. "Well, I'm going to shock the world again." read more

By Bernard Fernandez
PHILADELPHIA — There likely won’t be anyone chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” in America’s living rooms or in the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas during Saturday night’s pay-per-view matchup of junior welterweights Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.

Welcome to professional boxing’s new global reality, in which these United States are becoming a nice place for the sport’s bigger names to visit, but less frequently is their country of origin.

Nonetheless, the arena will be filled to capacity and, if projections are met, this 12-round pairing of Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs), a Filipino, and Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), an Englishman, will hit the one million-buy mark in the United States. That surely would qualify as a grand slam in a post-Oscar De La Hoya landscape in which the international economy is something less than robust.

De La Hoya’s recent retirement as an active boxer was not unexpected, given the diminishing returns of his career in recent years. But even in decline he was truly the “Golden Boy,” with his every PPV appearance a veritable license to print money. De La Hoya’s May 5, 2007, bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., which Mayweather won by split decision, is No. 1 all-time with 2.4 million buys.

“He was the ATM of boxing,” boxing historian Bert Randolph Sugar said of De La Hoya, noting that the East Los Angeles native’s likely final bout, an eight-round beatdown by Pacquiao on Dec. 6, did a very healthy 1.25 million buys even though the now-36-year-old Oscar had lost three of his previous six fights.

Hatton probably is best known on these shores for his only defeat, by 10th-round technical knockout to Mayweather on Dec. 8, 2007, but he is, like Pacquiao, an action fighter who delivers lots of bang for the buck, or the pound sterling. Few British fighters ever have been as popular in the UK as is Hatton, and his willingness to cross the pond signals his eagerness to expand his base. read more

By Gareth A Davies

When Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao went head to head on Wednesday there was little to suggest that the two box-office stars have anything but a deep mutual respect for each other ahead of Saturday’s light-welterweight super-fight.

But the smiles will be replaced by grimaces come the first bell. “Manny goes for the knockout, I go for the knockout,” Hatton said, before turning on those who believe that the Mancunian cannot win against the Filipino who is regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound fighter. “They said I was an over-hyped, over-protected, beer-drinking Englishman, but I’m here to shock the world again.”

Pacquiao’s response? “I never hate my opponent, and I have no fear in this fight. We will be firm friends after the fight, and I’d like a rematch at darts, too.”
read more

by Scoop Malinowski

“But I always thought that somebody with fast hands - that throws punches in bunches and throws them in flurries - might not land on Floyd - because he locks up so well - he has the ability to leave Floyd there.”

One of the most astute analysts in the sport of boxing today is former Junior Welterweight champ Paulie Malignaggi. He knows the sport inside and out, having won a world title with his excellent pugilistic skills and intelligence, despite lacking much power in either fist. It’s always a thought-provoking pleasure listening to Paulie Malignaggi break down a fight. And to hear him discuss Mayweather-Marquez-Pacquiao is no exception.

“Marquez is going to try to make the fight and come forward,” says the Magic Man from Brooklyn. “Floyd Mayweather can do both. Sometimes he stays in the pocket and makes the fight. Sometimes he goes in there and starts boxing. It (Mayweather vs. Marquez) can be a boxing fans fight - or it can turn out to be a one-sided whitewash for Floyd Mayweather. But it can definitely have spurts of action.”

Regarding Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, Malignaggi is still somewhat on the fence. “I want to see how Floyd looks against Marquez before I make a decision on that. Right now, if I had to call it, I think it’s a tough style match-up for Floyd Mayweather. I’m not saying he loses the fight, I think until Floyd Mayweather loses a fight, he has the right to be called ‘the favorite.’ Every time he steps in the ring, I think you have to make Floyd the favorite. If I had to make the call right now, the way I see Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, it’s a very tough fight. That’s a tougher fight than the Marquez fight - not to say that Marquez is a bad fighter. But styles make fights. Pacquiao presents the abilities to give Floyd problems. We’ll see. We’ll see. I’m not saying he beats him. Like I said, I want to see how Floyd looks against Marquez before I make up my mind.”

Asked if Marquez can be a good fight - or is just a handpicked business fight for Floyd, Malignaggi responds, “It could be a good fight, any time two guys get in the ring and are at this high of a level, it has potential to always be a good fight. Stylistically it has potential to be an explosive fight. But I think this is also a business fight. Floyd Mayweather is coming back. He needs a big name but also a warm-up at the same time.”

“If Floyd has problems with Marquez, I don’t see how much further he’s gonna move along. In my eyes, Marquez shouldn’t be competitive with Floyd Mayweather, just on skills alone. Then you add the fact that he’s a bit bigger than him just adds to the negativity on Marquez’s side. It’s not to say Marquez is a bad fighter, it’s just goes to show how good Floyd is and how much bigger Floyd is. But that’s why they fight the fights. We can prognosticate all we want. Those guys are gonna get in there. It can be a fans fight. But at the same time it has been a business-wise pick.”

You get the sense Malignaggi believes Pacquiao will be a much more stressful test for Floyd. Asked why he thinks the mighty Filippino can pose problems for Floyd, Malignaggi reveals some very interesting insights. “Ever since I watch Floyd Mayweather he gives you a defense where he locks up. And a lot of the time obviously it works for Floyd. Floyd is very hard to hit, regardless of the fact. But I always thought that somebody with fast hands - that throws punches in bunches and throws them in flurries - might not land on Floyd - because he locks up so well - he has the ability to leave Floyd there.”

Malignaggi’s analysis starts to fascinate. “And what I mean by that is, move your hands, step out, you leave him there. Throw punches, step out. Before you know it, Floyd, if he’s giving you all this, he never gets the chance to get back off. Because you’re in and out. And that costs you rounds. Through the course of Mayweather’s career, he’s always been faster than most of his opponents. But the fast guys that he did fight did show glimpses of it. Oscar showed glimpses of that. Zab Judah showed glimpses of that - that you can do that to Floyd. The problem is you very rarely will hit him clean. So I think these guys get frustrated and get away from that. But in the meantime, what they don’t realize is that they’re probably winning rounds because Floyd is not getting off. Pacquiao doesn’t have to change anything about himself. He fights that way naturally.”

“So I can see that being a problem for Floyd, especially as he gets older. So how will Floyd counteract that? [He might price himself out of ever having to fight Pacquiao, or blame Bob Arum, that's how he might counteract Pacquiao. Sorry, I couldn't resist.] Floyd is always good at pulling the trigger on time. When you want to get off, he pot shots you. Pacquiao wants to get off, he might run into a shot. Before you know it, Pacquiao can’t get off any more. He’s gun shy because he’s running into shots.”

“Floyd has the ability to pull the trigger on time. That kind of fight, at his age, after two years off, he beats Manny Pacquiao. But the reason I see it as a threat is because, being able to pull the trigger in that split-second time is the first thing you lose as you get older. That’s why that fight is a threat, in my eyes. Because Marquez doesn’t have that kind of speed and the ability to put together punches in bunches at that rate of speed. He puts punches in bunches - but not fast enough to bother Floyd. Pacquiao puts punches together in bunches at a speed high enough to bother Floyd. That’s why I see the risk in the fight.”

Malignaggi then credited Mayweather’s improvisational skills, which, as everyone knows, are exceptional. “There’s another thing you have to keep in mind about Floyd Mayweather, he always makes the right decisions as to how to adjust to you. When Mayweather has had problems in fights - and most of the time he doesn’t have problems with his opponents - he always makes an adjustment necessary to swing the fight back in his favor. That’s the extra intangible you have to keep in mind. That there might be an adjustment that he makes that I’m not putting out there. That’s why he’s Floyd Mayweather and I’m Paulie Malignaggi. You have to keep that intangible in mind. Whenever things aren’t going his way, there’s an adjustment he always makes. And that could be a little wrinkle in that fight. It’s a very interesting fight, I think it’s more interesting than this fight (with Marquez).”

“And like I said, it’s not to say Marquez is not good enough. But I think styles make fights. In a lot of ways that style of a fight presents a more competitive fight to Floyd Mayweather than does Marquez, strictly on the speed alone.”

Malignaggi again began to lean towards slightly towards Pacquiao. “A guy that wants to pot shot can’t pot shot you if they come in too fast. Floyd has made a career of always beating these Mexican guys. He will always beat these Mexican fighters. They’re a little slow, they give you daylight in between their punches. Floyd’s counterpunching skills and pot shots is gonna be able to slip punches in between those punches.”

“But somebody that comes so fast, not showing daylight between their punches. Guys like Judah did, guys like De La Hoya did early in the fight. You can’t put pot shots between those combinations. They’re coming too fast. Before you know it, you’re only on defense. When you want to get back on offense, the guy is leaving you there. You do that enough times in every round, what happens? You lose the round. I’m not saying they’re gonna stop him because Floyd is hard to hit. But you put yourself in a hole round-wise.”

Paulie Malignaggi’s intriguing analysis illustrates how a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather clash of styles would be an absolutely fantastic pugilistic showdown of two highly technical and successful champions matching wits against each other. For that reason, you have to wonder and maybe suspect that this dangerously risky super-fight might get ducked and dodged, like Lewis-Bowe, Cotto-Mayweather among others. read more

By Jun Medina

Intense training

Pacquiao, PacMan to his legions of fans worldwide, said he is excited about fighting a Briton for the first time and is pushing himself to the limit in training because he knows Hatton is doing the same thing.

“I want to be ready for everything Hatton brings to the ring,” said Pacquiao who spars 12 rounds with three or four different people as his team pushed his training a notch higher.

“I’m in great shape, my body is ready for whatever tempo the fight takes to,” Pacquiao said, hinting he is ready counter Hatton’s aggressiveness and to fight fire with fire.

He said he can’t underestimate Hatton, who he described as a “great and tough fighter.”

Pacquiao said he is comfortable at 140 lbs, adding he does not consider the weight issue to be at his disadvantage, because did not have any problem fighting De la Hoya at welterweight. read more

By Simon Lewis, PA Sport

Manny Pacquiao believes his speed in the ring will be too much for Ricky Hatton when they clash in Las Vegas on May 2.

Hatton defends his IBO and Ring Magazine light-welterweight titles at the MGM Grand Garden Arena next Saturday night against the man from the Philippines widely acknowledged to be the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs) is unbeaten at 140 pounds and in the build-up to this fight has championed his superior size and strength over Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs), for whom victory would bring a world title in a sixth different weight division.

Yet having watched Hatton's fights on video every night for the past month, Pacquiao believes his quick hands and equally agile mind will more than outweigh the Englishman's perceived advantages.

"I don't care if he's bigger or stronger," he said. "Boxing is more than that. It's also mental and about the quickness of your mind and quickness of your body. That's very important.

"Speed is very important."

Pacquiao also pinpointed what he thought was Hatton's greatest threat but was not prepared to reveal how he was going to deal with it.

"Ricky Hatton is a kind of different fighter to what I have been fighting before.

"He's a good and strong fighter

"I know he has a very strong left hand and I have to take care of that and focus on that.

"I've studied a lot of techniques for him. I don't want to tell anyone what. I want to keep it a surprise, what we have been doing in training."

Pacquiao's training camp has altered significantly for this fight with former heavyweight world champion and fellow southpaw Michael Moorer joining long-time trainer Freddie Roach as an assistant at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

"It's good to have Michael Moorer in our camp because he was a big southpaw when he was fighting before and I believe he is helping me a lot for this fight." read more

By Media report

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 24, 2009) – Three-time BWAA Trainer of the Year, World-Famous Freddie Roach was all smiles on Thursday after five-division world champion and two-time BWAA Fighter of the Year MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO had finished his multi-hour training session at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood , Calif. Pacquiao’s workout included six rounds of sparring and his usual iron man conditioning with former world heavyweight champion Michael Moorer and conditioning guru Alex Ariza.

“Manny is in the finest shape of his career. It’s amazing when you think that this will be his fourth consecutive fight in a different weight class and all against world-class competition. Last year he fought at 130, 135 and 147 and next week he moves down to 140. He’s incredible,” said Roach. “Manny is sharp as a razor and stronger than ever. We are prepared for the best that Ricky Hatton can muster, which is a formidable task.

“Ricky is about to step into quicksand and his only chance of escape will have to come from the referee or his corner. He can say Manny beat a washed up Oscar De la Hoya all he wants. Just remember, Oscar didn’t become washed up until Manny put him through the ringer. I’ll put Manny’s roster of opponents up against Ricky’s any day. Manny has beaten a host of future Hall of Famers including Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Oscar. Ricky has been dining on his Kostya Tszyu victory for a long time. That was four years ago and Tszyu was at the end of his career. Who else of note has Ricky defeated?

"Manny had his bobble-head night on Tuesday at the Giants-Padres game and in the ring on May 2 he’s going to turn Ricky into a human bobble-head, just like he did to Oscar. I told Manny I would be disappointed if this fight goes beyond the third round.” read more

By Ron Kantowski

After that everybody is told to gather ’round Mayweather again. Lee Samuels, the longtime boxing publicist for Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., presents Mayweather with a gag gift. At least I think it is supposed to be a gag gift. It’s a big box with a big bow on top, like you might see on “Let’s Make a Deal.” Inside is a bottle of weight-reduction pills supposedly sent by Roach, I guess, because Hatton tends to put on a few British pounds between fights by quaffing more than a few British pints of beer.

There is a letter, which Mayweather has trouble reading, because he is boxing person.

Then he gets 24/7’d. Again.

A few minutes later somebody says Arum won’t be coming to blast the Republicans, or anybody else.

He is the only one who doesn’t get 24/7’d. read more

By BOB HANNA

Now that he has signed up with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, we should finally get a look at Edwin Valero, who just may be the most exciting fighter on the planet.

Valero is the fighter from Venezuela who knocked out his first 18 opponents in the first round, but was unable to get a license to fight in the United States because of an irregularity in a 2004 brain scan due to an old motorcycle accident injury. Well, he was granted a boxing license by the Texas athletic commission in time to win his second world title two weeks ago, when he annihilated Antonio Pitalua in two rounds. Valero is now 25-0, all by knockout.

"I believe in Edwin Valero," said Arum after the Pitalua fight. "What you have seen tonight is something really special, something out of the ordinary. ... You've seen the emergence of a star with super powers in both hands, someone who can handle any lightweight in the world." read more

by Ciaran Baynes

Bob Arum has warned Floyd Mayweather he will have to take the short end of the purse if he faces Manny Pacquiao.

Even before a fight has been put in place and with a substantial obstacle in the shape of Ricky Hatton in Pacman's path, Arum wanted to set the record straight over the terms their side would want from a mega-fight with 'Money'.

With Pacman the current consensus pound-for-pound king, inheriting the title when Mayweather went into his, seemingly short-lived retirement, a bout between the two would be the biggest fight in boxing.

Mayweather has suggested he should get 60% of the purse if the two meet but his former promoter gives this short shrift.

“far and away the biggest attraction in boxing. So when he said a while ago that with Hatton he wanted the lion’s share and people said he was being greedy. No he wasn’t being greedy, he was right.”

“He takes a much smaller percentage," Arum said. "Everybody else who fights Pacquiao now has to be treated like he was, as an opponent of the former great attraction Oscar De La Hoya. read more

by Charles Jay

WHAT CAN THE "GURU" REALLY DO FOR HATTON?

I want to say a few words about this fight because many people who are somewhat neophyte when it comes to boxing betting place too much of an emphasis on trainers. For this fight against Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton hired Floyd Mayweather Sr. to be his trainer, and brought him over to Coventry to head up the camp. There’s a lot of talk about “transformation” and how this is what is going to somehow elevate Hatton to the point where he can score the upset of the guy considered by most to be the sport’s #1 pound-for-pound competitor.

In this sport, you really need a scorecard to keep up with who is training who, perhaps more than ever before, at least during the time I have been around this business. It is a constantly revolving door in which a "celebrity" trainer as piggy-backed onto an already established fighter, bringing the hope of that magic pill that provides a missing ingredient meant to propel that fighter to victory, often as an underdog.

I have rarely seen this kind of thing work, except for the trainer who gets a nice payday out of the whole thing. I don't want to put down trainers in general, because I think the ones that have worked with a fighter from the beginning, taught them how to box, and really KNOW their fighter deserve all the credit in the world. As far as the "piggy-backers" are concerned, some of them taught someone how to box, some didn't. I know that Floyd Sr. taught Floyd Jr. the finer points. read more

Gerry Penalosa undoubtedly is proud of Nonito Donaire and Brian Viloria, both of whom scored impressive victories in his native Philippines on Saturday night.

However, you have wonder whether watching the young Filipino-Americans advance their careers makes the 36-year-old veteran wish he were 10 years younger.

Before Manny Pacquiao burst onto the world stage with his 2003 victory over Marco Antonio Barrera and eventually fought his way to the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, Penalosa was the best all-around fighter the Philippines had produced in recent years. read more

It was a night of redemption for Filipino sensations Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (25-2 with 15 KOs) and Nonito Donaire (21-1 with 14 KOs) at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines as both men won by stoppage in exciting tests that put both men back into the running among the top fighters in the sport. Viloria, who has been a on a five fight win streak, mainly off TV as he rebuilt his style and career under trainer Robert Garcia out of Oxnard, CA was in his biggest test yet against Ulises Solis (28-2-2 with 20 KOs) and passed with flying colors with an 11th round KO with a right hand from hell that stopped the veteran title holder in his tracks. Doniare, the man who knocked out pound for pound fighter Vic Darchinyan two years ago but failed to keep the momentum going got a little back as he stopped Raul Martinez (24-1 14 KOs) in four one sided but offensively impressive rounds. read more

honoluluadvertiser.com

Viloria won it by dropping Solis in the 11th round with a right hook to the jaw. The championship bout took place before a capacity crowd at Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines.


Viloria improved to 25-2, and became a world champion for the second time in his career. He was the WBC light flyweight champion in 2005.


"Story book ending," Viloria said. "The last year, five fights in a row in places where people go shopping at, like swap meets ... then coming in here and winning a world title fight, I could never write a better ending than this."


The bout was action-packed from start to finish. Viloria landed effective combinations in virtually every round. By the fifth round, Solis had cuts over both his eyes.


However, Solis also was able to land several scoring combinations throughout the fight as well, and staggered Viloria with a right hand in the eighth round.


Solis, who held the IBF world championship since 2006, dropped to 28-2-2.


Solis had two points deducted for landing low blows in the early rounds. He had one point taken away in the third round, and then another point in the fifth.

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Brian Viloria ruled the boxing ring after knocking out Ulises Solis of Mexico in the 11th round of their Sunday morning bout held at the Araneta Colisuem.

According to PhilBoxing.com, Viloria 's "right cross stopped matters for Solis at the 2:56 mark of the penultimate round."

With this victory, Viloria is the new International Boxing Federation light flyweight champion.

The "Hawaiian Punch" now has 25 victories, two losses and 15 knockouts.

Meanwhile, Nonito Donaire, Jr. is set to face off against Raul “Cobra” Martinez. "The Filipino Flash" will be defending his International Boxing Federation flyweight title.

GMANews.TV

MANILA, Philippines – Brian Viloria let loose a hard right hook to the jaw that sent Ulises Solis crashing to the canvass with just a few seconds left in the 11th of their 12-round bout for the IBF light flyweight title.

The knockout gave Viloria, who had all but turned his back on the sport, a very emphatic comeback.

The Hawaiian Punch, as the Fil-Am fighter is called, unleashed the KO punch after punishing the Mexican fighter earlier in the round with two solid straight blows to the head.

The bout is the other half of a double title bout event on Sunday called "The Flash and the Furious" at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

By Star-Bulletin staff

Waipahu’s Brian Viloria knocked out Ulises Solis in the 11th round to win the IBF light flyweight title today at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines.

Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) was ahead from the outset and eventually put Solis out with an overhand right at 2:56 of the 11th round. It took Solis roughly 5 minutes to stand up after the fight.

“It’s a storybook ending,” Viloria said. “I’ve fought in places where people go shopping and on street corners. You can never write a better ending than that.”

Solis lost two points earlier in the fight for low blows as Viloria was the faster and stronger fighter throughout.

“That’s what we trained for, to stay focused for every minute in the round for 12 rounds,” Viloria said. “I got a great right hand. I haven’t been using it in past fights. The training camp was perfect and I got to show it with a world title.”

Solis fell to 28-3-2. Viloria entered the ring as the No. 9 ranked fighter at 108 pounds by the IBF. read more

fightnews.com

IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire (21-1, 14 KOs) crushed previously unbeaten Raul ‘La Cobrita’ Martinez (24-1, 14 KOs) over four rounds one-sided rounds on Saturday night at the famous Araneta Coliseum in Metro Manila, Philippines. Donaire, best known for for knocking out Vic Darchinyan, showed his power again in this fight flooring Martinez twice in round one, again in round two, and a final time in round four prompting referee Pete Podgorski to stop the fight even though Martinez appeared to be able to continue. Time was 2:42. It was Donaire’s third successful defense.
—–
Jr flyweight Brian Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) dethroned long time IBF champion Ulises Solis (28-2-2, 20 KOs) with a spectacular eleventh round knockout. Viloria had a great start in the fight, hurting Solis in round one and landing good right hands in over the first five rounds. Solis was also cut over both eyes and had deducted points in rounds three and five for low blows. Over the second half of the fight, Solis began to outbox Viloria, but the “Hawaiian Punch” got his second wind late and dropped Solis to his knees with a huge right hand at 2:56 of round eleven. The champion was unable to beat the count. This is the second title reign for Viloria, who previously held the WBC belt. Solis was making his ninth defense of the belt.
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Minimumweight Denver Cuello (16-2-5, 8 KOs) claimed the vacant WBC International belt with a fourth round KO of Hiroshi Matsumoto (18-10-4, 8 KOs). Cuello dropped Matsumoto in round three and finished him with an uppercut in round four.
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Light flyweight Sonny Boy Jaro (30-7-5, 19 KOs) needed just 74 seconds to annihilate Eriberto ‘Yukka’ Gejon (25-5-1, 14 KOs). An overhand right dropped Gejon for the count.
—–
Super flyweight Drian Francisco (16-0-1, 12 KOs) KO’d overmatched Sahril Fabanyo (2-2-1) with a left hook to the body at 1:30 of round two.

Jr flyweight Brian Viloria (25-2, 15 KOs) dethroned long time IBF champion Ulises Solis (28-2-2, 20 KOs) with a spectacular eleventh round knockout. Viloria had a great start in the fight, hurting Solis in round one and landing good right hands in over the first five rounds. Solis was also cut over both eyes and had deducted points in rounds three and five for low blows. Over the second half of the fight, Solis began to outbox Viloria, but the “Hawaiian Punch” got his second wind late and dropped Solis to his knees with a huge right hand at 2:56 of round eleven. The champion was unable to beat the count. This is the second title reign for Viloria, who previously held the WBC belt. Solis was making his ninth defense of the belt.
—–
Minimumweight Denver Cuello (16-2-5, 8 KOs) claimed the vacant WBC International belt with a fourth round KO of Hiroshi Matsumoto (18-10-4, 8 KOs). Cuello dropped Matsumoto in round three and finished him with an uppercut in round four.
—–
Light flyweight Sonny Boy Jaro (30-7-5, 19 KOs) needed just 74 seconds to annihilate Eriberto ‘Yukka’ Gejon (25-5-1, 14 KOs). An overhand right dropped Gejon for the count.
—–
Super flyweight Drian Francisco (16-0-1, 12 KOs) KO’d overmatched Sahril Fabanyo (2-2-1) with a left hook to the body at 1:30 of round two.

By Gabriel Montoya

Maywood, CA rising contender Urbano Antillon, Jr (25-0 with 18 KOs) might just be Southern California boxing’s best kept secret. Following a successful seasoning process at junior lightweight, Antillon has moved up five pounds and sits poised for a breakthrough fight against any number of names in the lightweight division. For now, Antillon, who fights on May 1 on TV Azteca against Tyrone Harris (25-4 with 15 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, is content to prepare for his southpaw opponent as the chief sparring partner for Manny Pacquiao as he prepares to take on Ricky Hatton the next night in Vegas.

Though his parents hail from Chihuahua, Mexico, Antillon was born and raised in Maywood, CA on the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles. He still lives and trains there.

“I work for the city in the recreation department,” says the humble and affable Antillon. “Working with kids keeps my day interesting. I think I have a little more patience because I was troublemaker growing up.”

Trouble included getting into street fights “All the time,” he says. “In elementary school, I went a whole year where my mom had to sit next to me cause they wouldn’t let me go if she didn’t. I was a bad kid. Fighting all the time.”

Antillon began his fight instruction at a very early age, nearly a black belt in Karate by age ten along with his older brother Herman, Antillon would happen into boxing by chance when he entered a local Police Athletic League gym near his home and never looked back.

“I first walked into a boxing gym when I was ten years old,” says the 26-year-old fighter. “What happened was my dad was a construction worker. We were in karate, my brother and I. Well, the time was slow and my father didn’t have the money to pay for karate. But there was a boxing gym right next door that was free. So he was like ‘why don’t you guys go to the boxing gym for awhile and when work picks up, go back into Karate?” We were like ‘Ok’. We were doing boxing for about a month and then we were doing boxing and Karate at the same time. We did the Karate for a month, and then never looked back. I’ve been boxing ever since.”

By his own admission, Antillon had a somewhat lackluster amateur career that did however end on a high note when he won the 2000 National Golden Gloves. With his come forward, aggressive, looking- for-the-KO-type style, Antillon wasn’t exactly suited to the hit and run points system of the amateurs. Added to which, Antillon was in an amateur class filled with future blue chip prospects.

“As an amateur, I never really thought I would be still fighting much less for a living,” Antillon says. “I was never that great. I was always in the shadows of the great amateur prospects like Mike Anchondo and Panchito Bojado. I was young. I lost to most of them. So there was never a buzz. I did beat people Paulie Malignaggi on the way to the Golden Gloves championship as well as other good fighters, though. I thought I always did [have a pro style]. I wasn’t that quick. I didn’t have a decent punch. I was just average. So my amateur career, I went like 12 fights over .500 because of the Golden Gloves.”

One person who did see that kernel of something special in him is trainer/co-manager Rudy Hernandez. Antillon would meet him at 11 years old, when he first came into the Maywood Boxing Club to train. Hernandez said that he knew Antillon had the goods “Within a years time of coming to the gym. He was ten or eleven years old. He had been working out for a year. But I noticed he didn’t really know how to walk or move around or how to stand. So we got him in the ring and showed him some things and he started getting better. And then you could see it.”

Despite being an apt pupil, it wasn’t so much anything physical that caught Hernandez’ eye but the character of Antillon.

“About a year ago, a guy said ‘why is Junior always late? He always seems to be on Junior’s time,” remembers Hernandez. “I said, because that’s Junior. He’s been like that since he was a kid. His mom told me a story about how when he was kid in school, he would be in class or whatever and he would just drop. Wherever and whenever. He just felt tired and would go to sleep. And they would say, you gotta get up. And he said, ‘No. I’m tired.” And he would just stay there. He was stubborn enough that if that is where he was at, then that’s where he was at. And he wasn’t going to move. So they called his mom, and his mom had to pick him up. But it’s his character. Just the same way that he does what he feels like then, he also brings that to the gym. To the workouts. He doesn’t need anyone pushing him because he already knows. It’s already been in his mind. He knows that when the bell rings, the only one that can help him is himself. No one can do the running for him or the sparring or anything else.”

Over the next few years, Antillon developed as a fighter through taking on the very best that Southern California had to offer. Manny Pacquiao, Kevin Kelley, Edwin Valero, Steven Luevano, and Mike Anchondo to name a few. From blue chip amateurs to prospects to world champions, Antillon took on all comers. It was that process that built him into the fighter he is today and provides him with the confidence that he can face anyone and come out victorious. But despite all the gym wars, Antillon would be cast in a shadow by the talent surrounding him. Through it all, Hernandez kept the faith and let anyone would listen know what he believes he has in his fighter.

“Yeah, I’ve sparred with a lot of great fighters,” Antillon says matter of factly. “I remember even as an amateur, at L.A. Boxing, there were a lot of great fighters that I sparred with. And I pretty much took a beating from everybody but I took it. And I was always pumped to go back to the gym and take another guy on. Here I was 15, 16 years old, fighting world champions. I wasn’t getting the better of it but I was holding my own. Maybe not in the beginning, but by the time I was 18-19, I was holding my own. It was definitely a good learning process for me.”

“Everyone was always high on his brother Herman or Jose Armando Santa Cruz. But I always like ‘No. Look at this kid. Take a look at this kid right here,” says Hernandez. “Because at that time, it didn’t matter what style he faced. The only one to really give him troubles was Mighty Mike Anchondo. But when he figured that out, that was it. They would only go three or four rounds. It takes him a couple rounds to warm up and to catch on to things. But once he does, that when he starts. It doesn’t matter what style you have. He’s going to figure it out. So I thought he was going to be special because of his character. These guys already had a lot more experience then he did but I would tell him that one day, his skills were going to get better and then you’d be holding your own.”

Hernandez smiles, adding, “ Just for the record, by Stephen Luevano’s own mouth, [Urbano] is the first person to ever drop him. He did it with a right cross. He got up and after the round [Luevano] said’ that’s the first time I ever been dropped.’ So he holds the honor.”

Following the Golden Gloves title win, Antillon would eschew the Olympics in favor of turning pro.

“[Turning pro] had always been a dream,’ Antillon says with a smile. “I never had aspirations of being an Olympian. Because one thing, I wouldn’t train for an amateur fight. I would be in the gym and if I lose I’d go ‘Ahh, I had fun though. It was cool.’ But when I turned pro I was psyched, I couldn’t wait. I remember wanting to turn pro at 17 in Mexico. But everyone was like ‘wait, take your time’. And so we waited and every since, its turned out ok for us.

Though the decision to turn pro was an easy one, the transition was eye opening and a change that had begun in the Golden Gloves became even more evident.

“I thought another thing that was amusing about him was that when he won, no big deal,” explains Hernandez. “When he lost, no big deal. There was no emotion whatsoever with him. At a young age. It wasn’t until he won the National Golden Gloves that he came with a different state of mind. He grew from being this kid to things mattering. It mattered to the point where he worked hard and it took him awhile to get here. The sparring he has had in the past, it brought him to where he is today.”

“Every fight counts,” Antillon, says of the difference between being an amateur and a pro. “It’s not like in the amateurs where you lose and no big deal, you know? Every fight counts so our training sure has picked up a level. And it shows in our fights now.”

While Hernandez studies the tape, Antillon prepares his body and mind as best he can, trusting his mentor to map out the plan of attack.

“I leave that up to my trainer,” says Antillon. “Rudy studies the tape and he knows what to do. He’s been with me since I was eleven. He knows what I am capable of. He knows my style. He figures out the game plan and lets me know. My job is just to get ready to fight. That’s what I do.”

While Hernandez does the game planning, he also trains Antillon with a Spartan zeal, throwing him to the wolves and testing him with every style he can get in the ring with his young charge.

“We train to fight,” say Hernandez. We’re not training because he is southpaw or a right-hander or a runner. We’ve seen it all. And I’ve always said this; any fighter that gets to this caliber should be able to fight anyone. On two days notice, it doesn’t matter. It just matters what you have learned over the years and what you can see happening.”

Antillon describes his fighting style as “definitely fan friendly. Doug Fischer wrote that he has never seen me in a boring fight. I’m always fun to watch. I like to come forward and break my opponent down and go for the knockout. That’s what I want every time. My brother Herman, Rudy and I were having dinner and Herman told me I wouldn’t be able to box if my life depended on it. I don’t know if you remember the Ivan Valle fight but I was down in the second round. It was my first ten round fight. I had never been past the sixth round. I took the fight within a weeks notice. Well, he caught me in the second with a left hook and I was out. I had to box, you know? [Writer’s note: Antillon would go on to win a decision over Ivan Valle.] So yeah, I think I can adapt to any style. I can go in righty, lefty. It doesn’t bother me. I always thought I had a really good right hand. That’s what I was hurting people with at the beginning. But then, out of nowhere comes my left hook to the body. It’s been killing everybody pretty much. My last eight fights, I won by knockout. Four knockouts within four rounds with body punches.”

Body punching, to Antillon, is a lost art. Watching him in against Pacquiao in their recent sparring, it’s clear why they brought in Antillon. He can pressure like nobody’s business and he digs to the body with precision and commitment.

“People don’t understand what they do,” he says simply. “It kills people, to be honest with you.”

At 130 lbs, Antillon is ranked #1 by the WBC, #3 by the WBA, and #2 by the WBO. At 135, he is ranked #1 by the WBC and #10 by the IBF, What all those numbers add up to is soon, keeping Urbano a secret will be very hard.

“I’m ranked up there,” says Antillon, the impatience over getting a crack at a big name or a title showing just a touch. “So now we just keep working hard. We’re waiting for any big name out there. I’d love to have the winner of Valero/Pitalua. Juan Diaz. Marquez or Pacquiao. Whoever. We’re ready. There are a lot of good names at lightweight. We just want one to start with. And then hopefully, more will come.”

Now all that is required is for Antillon to keep winning and eventually a big name opponent will come calling or be forced to answer his. The gravity of that task is not lost on Antillon.

“That’s just what we need,” Antillon says with an earnest smile. “That’s what we’re waiting for. That big name. Everything through my amateur career to now, I had a lot to prove. Who would have thought I’d be here? Where’s Panchito Bojado and Mike Anchondo now? I’m still here standing. Moving forward very strong. What can you do but keep working hard, look impressive and knock [Harris] out? Yeah. I feel like I have to prove a point again.”
read more

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

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


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

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

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

"Zorrita" back in action soon enough.

Canadian Benoit Gaude, 29, will be the opponent for Humberto "Zorrita" Soto for May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
as part of the undercard for the clash between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.

Top Rank considered Soto as an ideal fighter to be on the card that pits the best fighter in the world pound for pound against the idol of Manchester, in what will be hsi second defense of his WBC junior lightweight
title. Soto recently defended it on the "Tijuana Thunder" PPV where he beat Antonio Davis via TKO. read more

By: JULIAN TURNER

Who needs the heavyweights when there are performers like Edwin Valero blitzing their way through the lower divisions?

Valero gatecrashed the elite tier of the sport with his stunning two-round knockout victory over Antonio Pitalua last weekend.

Valero captured the vacant WBC lightweight title with the faultless demolition job and upped his perfect record to 25-0, with every single victory coming by knockout. read more

GMANews.TV

Home > Sports > Top Stories Mark Wahlberg picks Pacquiao over Hatton
04/01/2009 | 05:31 PM

Email this | Email the Editor | Print | ShareThisMANILA, Philippines – Hollywood celebrity Mark Wahlberg believes Ricky Hatton is in for a tough match when he battles Filipino prized fighter Manny Pacquiao on May 2 (May 3 in Manila).

“You saw what (Pacquiao) did to (Oscar) De La Hoya, he’s going to do the same to (Ricky) Hatton," Wahlberg said in a video interview posted at Los Angeles Times.com.

Wahlberg credits Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer and coach, as the one who helped turn the Filipino boxing icon into the fighter that he is today.

“Freddie is the best and Manny realizes that. Manny listens to Freddie and does exactly what Freddie tells him to do," said Wahlberg, who is a close friend of Roach.

Wahlberg said that fights like this, Paquiao-Hatton, is great for boxing. “It’s pretty big. It’s great for the sport. Boxing is in a bit of trouble but fights like this obviously help the sport."

Wahlberg joined fellow actor Mickey Rourke and hundreds of fight fans in a Hollywood-inspired red carpet promotional event for the Pacquiao-Hatton May 2 fight last Monday at the Roosevelt Hotel.

Wahlberg said he would be at ring side to witness the Pacquiao-Hatton May 2 bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The hype being drummed up prior to the fight shows that the Pacquiao-Hatton bout won’t last for 12 rounds since both boxers are known sluggers. Hatton usually attacks and bullies his opponents while Pacquiao is best known for unleashing a barrage of precise blows.

Last December, Wahlberg also dropped by at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles to watch Pacquiao train for his fight against De La Hoya. read more

"There's been a lot of talk about June 27th for the world title against Andreas Kotelnik. Great fighter, but I'll be ready," stated hot jr. welterweight contender Vitctor Ortiz as he talked about his future plans to face Andreas Kotelnik. Check out what else he had to say about the fight, his thoughts on Pacquiao vs. Hatton and much more.


TS: I wanted to ask your opinion of this fight coming up, Pacquiao vs. Hatton. How do you fell about it?br>

VO: First of all, I just hate going against people or any sides, but, you know, Manny's a good friend of mine. So is Ricky, but I know Manny a little better. I know that he's powerful, he's speedy, but at the same time, I can't predict the fight. It's going to be a war for sure because I know they both train very hard and I just gotta give props to both of them. I don't want to put anyone down, but I love Pacquiao and that's all I gotta say.


TS: He's an awesome fighter. read more

By Cedelf P. Tupas

MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao found a tough sparring partner in lightweight prospect Urbano Antillon, who engaged the Filipino star in an enthralling six-round session Wednesday at the Wild Card gym.

Tapped by Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach because of the similarity of his fighting style to British brawler Ricky Hatton, Antillon constantly pressured Pacquiao, who even slipped and fell to the canvass in the third round as he tried to evade an Antillon attack, Gabriel Montoya of maxboxing.com reported.

“[Antillon] is more of a Ricky Hatton type of style than Jorge Linares,” Roach said. Linares sparred with Pacquiao last week.

Roach said Pacquiao is looking sharp in training with five weeks to go before the May 2 bout.

“He (Pacquiao) is boxing really well. We’ve got the game plan all worked out and I’m really happy with where he is at.” read more

fightnews.com

Unbeaten in 25 fights with 18 knockouts, and ranked in the top five by three of the four major world sanctioning bodies, Maywood, California’s Urbano Antillon has more than earned a major fight on premium cable television or for a world championship, but says the top names at 135 pounds are avoiding him. “I paid my dues,” said the 26-year old. “Now I want my shot. I keep seeing fighter after fighter without my credentials getting these big opportunities, and I’m tired of it. I’m putting out the word to the public right now – I’ll fight any of these guys any place at any time, and I will knock any of them out.”

A 2000 National Golden Gloves champion who beat former world titleholder Paulie Malignaggi on the way to the crown, Antillon (25-0, 18 KOs) is now in his ninth year as a pro and has torn through his competition, winning the NABO and NABF titles at 130 pounds while scoring big knockout victories over Bobby Pacquiao and Daniel Attah. Currently on an eight fight KO streak, he has his sights firmly set on a world title in 2009.

“I’d love to fight the winner of the Edwin Valero vs Antonio Pitalua fight, and I hope he’ll step up,” said Antillon of the April 4th bout for the vacant WBC lightweight title. “I’m not holding my breath though. We offered Vicente Escobedo a fight but he turned it down, and he’s just one of many that won’t fight me. That’s okay though; I’m not going anywhere, and I’m just gonna keep doing what I do and eventually I won’t be able to be ignored any longer.”

Antillon returns to the ring on May 1st at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He will headline the venue’s first-ever boxing event against Michigan southpaw Tyrone “Fist of Fury” Harris.

Note: Although the Hard Rock has previously hosted numerous boxing events in a room called “The Joint,” the original Joint closed in February. This will be the first fight card at the new version of ‘The Joint,’ built on a former parking lot on the east side of the property. The new building has a capacity of 2,986 and is scheduled to open on April 19 with a concert by ex-Beatle Paul McCartney.

By G. Leon

GL: What's the latest and greatest? You commentated the Jones-Sheika fight the other night. Can you give us some thought on the experience? "It was a great experience, I really enjoyed working as a commentater. It's not as easy as a lot people think. I was sad for Omar, I wanted them to let the fight go a little longer. At the end of the day, they were only doing what they thought was right, and they were looking out for Omar."

GL: What's the latest with you, and when can we expect you back in the ring?

Nate Campbell: I have no idea when exactly. You know how it is when you're going through the things I'm going through, this Don King stuff. I'm just waiting my turn right now. I've started back up with my running and training this week, so when they tell me to fight I'll be ready. read more

Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Manny Pacquiao got a big scare at the Wild Card Gym Thursday afternoon, absorbing several hard punches thrown by a Venezuelan spar-mate mimicking the fighting style of Briton Ricky Hatton.
Pacquiao had a fast start in the explosive session but was rocked several times by Jorge Linares, a super featherweight, in the latter half of the four-rounder.
Across the Atlantic, the opponent the General Santos lefty is preparing for had nothing but glowing words for the rival he is set to face on May 2 in Las Vegas. read more

Houston Boxing Examiner

Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s camp has sent signals of the former pound for pound king's intentions of coming back to the ring. Based on various (unverified) reports, July 11 is a possible date in which the "Pretty Boy" makes his comeback by way of a tune-up fight and brush away the rust. (His last fight was in December 2007 in a knockout victory of Ricky Hatton.) Since July 11 is a week after the 4th of July, perhaps we can speculate that Mayweather may face a non-U.S. opponent?
Floyd has an undefeated record of 39 wins and 0 losses. Assuming we have a top flight Floyd who has not been too negatively affected by his brief hiatus, how might he do against 5 possible elite caliber opponents? We take a look. read more

by James Slater

As soon as Floyd "Money" Mayweather Junior announced he would be retiring, right after he'd beaten Ricky Hatton in December of 2007, the sceptics came out in force. Sure the then 30-year-old's talk was just that, talk, the experts felt it was only a matter of time before the pound-for-pound king boxed again. Well, it looks like this line of thinking was correct after all.

Making headlines on various web sites now is the story ESPN.com broke yesterday, in which unidentified sources contacted the site's writer Dan Rafael and told him that "Money" will definitely be coming back, and that we could see the 32-year-old great back in the ring doing his stuff as early as July 11th.
read more

By Doug Fischer

When Michael Moorer returned to the Wild Card Boxing Club to serve as Freddie Roach’s chief assistant trainer two months ago, the retired former heavyweight champ knew he was home.

Moorer, one of the dozen or so world titleholders spawned from the Kronk Gym, says the atmosphere at the Wild Card is very similar to the famous but now-defunct Detroit gym.

There are many similarities but the main ingredient that links to the two gyms, according to Moorer, is the constant hard sparring between world-class fighters and young boxers who want to become world class.

“The wars,” is how Moorer put it. “You have wars in here. Your manhood is tested in the ring. That’s what makes you a fighter. read more

By Michael Marley

Edwin Valero wants to fight Manny Pacquaio for the same reason that notorious Willie Sutton used to target banks.
In what may be the most foolish question ever asked of a career criminal, someone asked Sutton why he always robbed banks.
“Because,” Sutton said, “that’s where the money is.”
If you’re a lightweight/junior welterweight/welterweight professional boxer, the thought of making a serious pile of money by fighting the Pinoy idol will cross your mind. read more