Boxing News Thread
- Thread starter heyzel
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Championship Fights go back to 15 rounds to prove the real Champions?
By Allen Hmiel: Ever since Ray Mancini beat a brave Korean Duk Koo Kim to a sad death in 1982 the Boxing organizations started the process to go from 15 rounds to 12 rounds. By 1988 all Championship fights were 12 rounders. Did Championship Boxing Organizations make the correct decision? Or should all the Championship fights be 15 rounds to really determine the courage, the stamina and the hearts of a true champion? Is Boxing creating paper champions by eliminating the championship rounds 13-14 and 15. Wouldn’t a brave Maidana knocked out a weltering wobbly weak legged Amir Khan in these later rounds and rightfully captured the title belt and championship?
Aren’t the true champions those who can get stronger as the fight wears on in the championship rounds and draw on courage and willpower and heart to outlast their faltering opponents? Would Mosley have found the courage to pullout a stunning victory of Mayweather in rounds 13-14 or 15? Would Arthur Abraham rallied and possibly stopped Froch with a stunning late round punch? Greatness is being diluted by 12 round Championship fights especially when so many fighters seem to be coming on strong after 9 rounds.
Can’t Boxing make real champions and lengthen all Title fights to 15 rounds? Maidana would be the champion maybe? Would Chad Dawson kept his belt with a comeback in the extra late rounds. True champions prove their courage and stamina by digging deep and drawing on their courage and pride, shouldn’t Boxing try and make sure it is really determining who the real champions are? Ask Maidana or Dawson? It’s nine more minutes drawing deep down within a fighter on conviction heart and courage-That could change who really is the Champion!!
By Allen Hmiel: Ever since Ray Mancini beat a brave Korean Duk Koo Kim to a sad death in 1982 the Boxing organizations started the process to go from 15 rounds to 12 rounds. By 1988 all Championship fights were 12 rounders. Did Championship Boxing Organizations make the correct decision? Or should all the Championship fights be 15 rounds to really determine the courage, the stamina and the hearts of a true champion? Is Boxing creating paper champions by eliminating the championship rounds 13-14 and 15. Wouldn’t a brave Maidana knocked out a weltering wobbly weak legged Amir Khan in these later rounds and rightfully captured the title belt and championship?
Aren’t the true champions those who can get stronger as the fight wears on in the championship rounds and draw on courage and willpower and heart to outlast their faltering opponents? Would Mosley have found the courage to pullout a stunning victory of Mayweather in rounds 13-14 or 15? Would Arthur Abraham rallied and possibly stopped Froch with a stunning late round punch? Greatness is being diluted by 12 round Championship fights especially when so many fighters seem to be coming on strong after 9 rounds.
Can’t Boxing make real champions and lengthen all Title fights to 15 rounds? Maidana would be the champion maybe? Would Chad Dawson kept his belt with a comeback in the extra late rounds. True champions prove their courage and stamina by digging deep and drawing on their courage and pride, shouldn’t Boxing try and make sure it is really determining who the real champions are? Ask Maidana or Dawson? It’s nine more minutes drawing deep down within a fighter on conviction heart and courage-That could change who really is the Champion!!
Mayorga: After I Handle Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao is Next!
By Ryan Burton
Ricardo Mayorga, fresh off his knockout of Michael Walker, arrived back in Nicaragua yesterday to a mob of fans and reporters. Mayorga told reporters that before he left the United States (the Walker fight took place on the Solis-Austin undercard in Miami, FL) he had signed a contract to take on WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. "I signed a contract to fight Cotto. I am no longer fighting (Felix) Sturm. After that Pacquiao better be ready because I am coming for him."
A source close to Top Rank, who promote Cotto, advised BoxingScene.com that no contract has been signed, and discussions are ongoing with Mayorga, and the other two potential opponents, Pawel Wolak and Vanes Martirosyan.
Mayorga insinuated that he will have the proper hunger and motivation needed to be in the type of shape needed to face a fighter the caliber of Miguel Cotto. When a reporter asked the outspoken Nicaraguan if he thinks he has what it takes to defeat the 3 division Puerto Rican champion Mayorga said without hesitation - "Of course I can beat him. Yes I did feel fat and not in the best shape (for this past fight) but with Cotto it will be different."
Mayorga was accompanied by his lawyer, Carlos Mario Pena, who said they spoke to the President of Nicaragua shortly after the victory over Walker. "President Daniel Ortega spoke to Mayorga after the fight with Walker. He said that if Mayorga beats Cotto that he wants him to bring the Pacquiao fight to Nicaragua."
Cotto is scheduled to return to the ring at the MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on March 12th
By Ryan Burton
Ricardo Mayorga, fresh off his knockout of Michael Walker, arrived back in Nicaragua yesterday to a mob of fans and reporters. Mayorga told reporters that before he left the United States (the Walker fight took place on the Solis-Austin undercard in Miami, FL) he had signed a contract to take on WBA super welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. "I signed a contract to fight Cotto. I am no longer fighting (Felix) Sturm. After that Pacquiao better be ready because I am coming for him."
A source close to Top Rank, who promote Cotto, advised BoxingScene.com that no contract has been signed, and discussions are ongoing with Mayorga, and the other two potential opponents, Pawel Wolak and Vanes Martirosyan.
Mayorga insinuated that he will have the proper hunger and motivation needed to be in the type of shape needed to face a fighter the caliber of Miguel Cotto. When a reporter asked the outspoken Nicaraguan if he thinks he has what it takes to defeat the 3 division Puerto Rican champion Mayorga said without hesitation - "Of course I can beat him. Yes I did feel fat and not in the best shape (for this past fight) but with Cotto it will be different."
Mayorga was accompanied by his lawyer, Carlos Mario Pena, who said they spoke to the President of Nicaragua shortly after the victory over Walker. "President Daniel Ortega spoke to Mayorga after the fight with Walker. He said that if Mayorga beats Cotto that he wants him to bring the Pacquiao fight to Nicaragua."
Cotto is scheduled to return to the ring at the MGM Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on March 12th
^^I think all those examples listed, with exception to maybe khan/maidana, would have just resulted in 3 more boring one sided rounds. How about another awesome 3 rounds for Mosley vs Sergio Mora? Or another 3 rounds for Rigondeaux vs Cordoba? Or Roy Jones vs Hopkins? Rather stab my hand with an ice pick.
I think if anything, a 13th round would be good, to reduce the chances of a draw.
I think if anything, a 13th round would be good, to reduce the chances of a draw.
Sergio Martinez Without a Foe For March 12 HBO Date
By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com was advised by multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, that WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is currently without a dance partner for his scheduled HBO televised return on March 12.
Martinez had initially planned to honor his mandatory obligation with interim-champion Sebastian Zbik. HBO had no interest in purchasing Martinez-Zbik. The next option was Andy Lee, but the network is also resistant to that idea.
A deal appeared to be close for a fight between Martinez and unbeaten WBO 154-pound champion Sergei Dzinziruk. An overseas source told BoxingScene that there was miscommunication between the promoters and HBO on the exact amount of the licensing fee, and as a result the proposed deal fell into limbo.
By Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com was advised by multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, that WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez is currently without a dance partner for his scheduled HBO televised return on March 12.
Martinez had initially planned to honor his mandatory obligation with interim-champion Sebastian Zbik. HBO had no interest in purchasing Martinez-Zbik. The next option was Andy Lee, but the network is also resistant to that idea.
A deal appeared to be close for a fight between Martinez and unbeaten WBO 154-pound champion Sergei Dzinziruk. An overseas source told BoxingScene that there was miscommunication between the promoters and HBO on the exact amount of the licensing fee, and as a result the proposed deal fell into limbo.
Klitschko's Manager Disputes Booth's Version of The Talks
by Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com spoke with Bernd Boente, manager of WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, to get an update on the ongoing negotiations for a unification clash with WBA champion David Haye. In an earlier news brief on BoxingScene, Haye's manager Adam Booth advised British paper, The Guardian, that his fighter agreed to a full 50-50 deal, but Klitschko was refusing to sign a contract.
"I have been negotiating with Bernd Boente, Wladimir Klitschko's manager, and two days ago I offered him a 50-50 split of everything, including the British pay-per-view money. And that the fight could be on RTL [German TV network] and could be held anywhere they wanted to make the most revenue, including in Germany.
"Those were the only two points we were negotiating. But Bernd Boente came back and said: 'No point continuing. Forget about it. You do your fight and we'll do ours.' Wladimir was copied in on all the emails so I don't know why they are refusing. That is the question Boente refused to answer. Either Wladimir does not want to fight David Haye or, maybe, it is because they have this deal with RTL and they want to get that fight out of the way."
According to Boente, Booth is not disclosing the exact details which are currently preventing the negotiations from moving forward. Booth's statements are not entirely false. Haye finally agreed to a 50-50 split on the revenue generated from British pay-per-view. In the past, Haye refused to split the British television money.
However, an entirely new problem came up.
The Klitschko brothers have an exclusive television contract with RTL. Booth is claiming that rival German network ARD, the television partner of Haye's co-promoter Sauerland Event, is willing to pay a higher licensing fee to carry the fight on their network. Booth wants Klitschko's side to pay the difference between the two television offers.
Klitschko and his team have no interest in paying the difference because Haye's co-promotional agreements have nothing to do with them. If Haye wants to do the fight right now, Boente has advised him to regulate the situation with Sauerland. If he doesn't, then the fight is pushed back to a later date and Klitschko moves forward with a title defense against Dereck Chisora.
Boente told BoxingScene that he was personally informed by some very reliable sources that ARD has no intention on making an offer on Klitschko-Haye. He believes Sauerland is leading Booth on.
"Booth is complaining that another TV station in Germany is willing to pay more money. For example, if RTL was paying $1 million and then ARD wanted to pay $1.5 million, he wants us to personally pay the difference to him, $500,000, so he can pay his partner, Sauerland. What do we have to do with the deal on your side? I told him 'yes' to 50-50, but he has to honor our current deal with RTL. Our deal is for two more Klitschko fights, Wladimir or Vitali. Vitali Klitschko against Solis in March and then the fight afterwards is Wladimir's fight," Boente told BoxingScene.com.
"So either we fight Chisora and then the [RTL] contract will be over and then we can discuss it. We will likely remain with RTL which is our long term partner, but there could be a different possibility then. But right now, we have a contract with RTL. He has to honor it or pass and we have to pass, and he has to fight [Ruslan] Chagaev and we have to fight Chisora - and then we try to make a deal afterwards. If he wants the fight now, he has to understand that we have a deal with RTL and we have to live with that deal."
"Sauerland told him that he will get more money from their German TV. But, there is something that Adam does not understand. The TV executives on the absolute highest level talk to each other in general, and not only on this small issue. I can definitely tell you that ARD will not make an offer for this fight. Whatever Sauerland tells him is nonsense, it's not the truth."
"I told him, 'Adam, if you want to show me an official letter from ARD making the offer, let me see it,' but he can't deliver. The only thing that he can deliver is emails from Sauerland telling him that he can get more money, but we don't care because there is no offer. There won't be no offer right now because they [ARD] honor the contract we have with RTL and that's the end of the story."
Klitschko has to reach an agreement with Haye by the first week of January or honor a pre-existing agreement to reschedule his canceled fight with Chisora.
by Rick Reeno
BoxingScene.com spoke with Bernd Boente, manager of WBO/IBO/IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, to get an update on the ongoing negotiations for a unification clash with WBA champion David Haye. In an earlier news brief on BoxingScene, Haye's manager Adam Booth advised British paper, The Guardian, that his fighter agreed to a full 50-50 deal, but Klitschko was refusing to sign a contract.
"I have been negotiating with Bernd Boente, Wladimir Klitschko's manager, and two days ago I offered him a 50-50 split of everything, including the British pay-per-view money. And that the fight could be on RTL [German TV network] and could be held anywhere they wanted to make the most revenue, including in Germany.
"Those were the only two points we were negotiating. But Bernd Boente came back and said: 'No point continuing. Forget about it. You do your fight and we'll do ours.' Wladimir was copied in on all the emails so I don't know why they are refusing. That is the question Boente refused to answer. Either Wladimir does not want to fight David Haye or, maybe, it is because they have this deal with RTL and they want to get that fight out of the way."
According to Boente, Booth is not disclosing the exact details which are currently preventing the negotiations from moving forward. Booth's statements are not entirely false. Haye finally agreed to a 50-50 split on the revenue generated from British pay-per-view. In the past, Haye refused to split the British television money.
However, an entirely new problem came up.
The Klitschko brothers have an exclusive television contract with RTL. Booth is claiming that rival German network ARD, the television partner of Haye's co-promoter Sauerland Event, is willing to pay a higher licensing fee to carry the fight on their network. Booth wants Klitschko's side to pay the difference between the two television offers.
Klitschko and his team have no interest in paying the difference because Haye's co-promotional agreements have nothing to do with them. If Haye wants to do the fight right now, Boente has advised him to regulate the situation with Sauerland. If he doesn't, then the fight is pushed back to a later date and Klitschko moves forward with a title defense against Dereck Chisora.
Boente told BoxingScene that he was personally informed by some very reliable sources that ARD has no intention on making an offer on Klitschko-Haye. He believes Sauerland is leading Booth on.
"Booth is complaining that another TV station in Germany is willing to pay more money. For example, if RTL was paying $1 million and then ARD wanted to pay $1.5 million, he wants us to personally pay the difference to him, $500,000, so he can pay his partner, Sauerland. What do we have to do with the deal on your side? I told him 'yes' to 50-50, but he has to honor our current deal with RTL. Our deal is for two more Klitschko fights, Wladimir or Vitali. Vitali Klitschko against Solis in March and then the fight afterwards is Wladimir's fight," Boente told BoxingScene.com.
"So either we fight Chisora and then the [RTL] contract will be over and then we can discuss it. We will likely remain with RTL which is our long term partner, but there could be a different possibility then. But right now, we have a contract with RTL. He has to honor it or pass and we have to pass, and he has to fight [Ruslan] Chagaev and we have to fight Chisora - and then we try to make a deal afterwards. If he wants the fight now, he has to understand that we have a deal with RTL and we have to live with that deal."
"Sauerland told him that he will get more money from their German TV. But, there is something that Adam does not understand. The TV executives on the absolute highest level talk to each other in general, and not only on this small issue. I can definitely tell you that ARD will not make an offer for this fight. Whatever Sauerland tells him is nonsense, it's not the truth."
"I told him, 'Adam, if you want to show me an official letter from ARD making the offer, let me see it,' but he can't deliver. The only thing that he can deliver is emails from Sauerland telling him that he can get more money, but we don't care because there is no offer. There won't be no offer right now because they [ARD] honor the contract we have with RTL and that's the end of the story."
Klitschko has to reach an agreement with Haye by the first week of January or honor a pre-existing agreement to reschedule his canceled fight with Chisora.
LOL. Rump- I'm not Tony pimpin, I can insure you of that. Did I tell you guys that Manny was going to fight Mosley next? I broke down his pattern of choosing opponents to you guys already. I do think that this is going to be a good fight. Manny is going to get hit with a few bombs in this fight with a real puncher with one punch knockout power. Mosley is old and shot but he will still give Manny a great fight. Manny got hit, hurt, and marked up by slow ass Margarito for god’s sakes. Old ass Mosley is going to hurt him in this fight watch... This fight against old ass Mosley will prove more to me then Manny's wins over Cotto and Margarito... This fight is going to surprise a lot of Pac-Man fans...
Jean Pascal Talks Hopkins Draw, Rematch, Dawson
by Richard Cloutier
WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal spoke with BoxinScene.com/Netboxe.com about last Saturday's twelve round draw with veteran Bernard Hopkins at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec, Canada.
BoxinScene.com: Hello Jean. Now that the dust has somewhat settled, can you tell us about your fight with Bernard Hopkins?
Jean Pascal: I had a wonderful evening with my supporters, the people of Quebec. People from the old capital were also behind me and I saw that after the fight. They supporting me 110%. It really wams my heart. The fight was a good battle. This is the first time, I think, that Bernard Hopkins is involved in a fight as exciting as it was, given his reputation for making all his fights dull. I forced him to have a good fight. I honestly think I did enough to win, given that I am the champion.
There was a lot of rounds that were tight and normally, when the rounds are close, they must go to the champion. You must beat the champion decisively to become the champion. So I think the victory was mine. The judges decided otherwise. This is only a postponement. I'll come back even harder and next time I'll finish it clear to leave no doubt.
BS: Is there anything that surprised you in the way Bernard Hopkins was boxing?
JP: Not in that way. What surprised me was his adjustments. The way he made adjustments against me. Chad Dawson that was his problem. He was not been able to adapt to my style and my performance. Hopkins however, it took him five to six rounds to adjust, but when he adapted to me he did better and that's what made the fight a little harder and led to a draw.
BS: What do you think of comments made by the people of Golden Boy Promotions on the judges' decision?
JP: That's what we call American chauvinism. In their minds they must be the best, but it's not how life works. So they look for a way out and shout to the skies. I did interviews on the radio and American people were saying that the fight was very close. Of course, on some radio stations, journalists shouted about the fight. But I think if there was a robbery, it was I who was the victim of theft, because it occurred in my own place. This fight was close, but I was not dominated by Bernard Hopkins. As I said, close rounds should always be given to the champion.
BS: Golden Boy Promotions and Bernard Hopkins are calling for a rematch. There is no clause to that effect in the contract, but the WBC could declare a new confrontation.
JP: They will not have to wait a long time. Me, I want another fight against Bernard Hopkins to prove that I am better than him and demonstrate that the judges were in error.
BS: Would you be willing to go fight him in the United States as Bernard Hopkins requested?
JP: I have no problem. If Bernard Hopkins is able to gather 16,600 people in an venue like I can do in Quebec, I'll be there. But I doubt that he is capable.
BS: In theory should be your next fight against Chad Dawson, because of the contract clause to provide him with a rematch after your victory over him in August?
JP: It should be Chad Dawson. Maybe I'll be able to get Bernard Hopkins later. But for now I'm not going to think about that. I want to spend time with my family. So if it's Chad Dawson, that's good. If it is Bernard Hopkins, I'm very excited.
BS: Jean, I'm look at you and you have no brusing. You do not seem to have suffered any injuries during your fight.
JP: Of course, I was hit with several blows during the fight. But I have nothing broken, nothing cracked, so I'll be ready to resume training in the second week of January.
BS: Jean, thank you very much and happy holidays to you and your family.
JP: Thank you. I want to take this opportunity to wish happy holidays to all of the boxing fans and most importantly, keep punching!
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by Richard Cloutier
WBC/IBO light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal spoke with BoxinScene.com/Netboxe.com about last Saturday's twelve round draw with veteran Bernard Hopkins at the Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec, Canada.
BoxinScene.com: Hello Jean. Now that the dust has somewhat settled, can you tell us about your fight with Bernard Hopkins?
Jean Pascal: I had a wonderful evening with my supporters, the people of Quebec. People from the old capital were also behind me and I saw that after the fight. They supporting me 110%. It really wams my heart. The fight was a good battle. This is the first time, I think, that Bernard Hopkins is involved in a fight as exciting as it was, given his reputation for making all his fights dull. I forced him to have a good fight. I honestly think I did enough to win, given that I am the champion.
There was a lot of rounds that were tight and normally, when the rounds are close, they must go to the champion. You must beat the champion decisively to become the champion. So I think the victory was mine. The judges decided otherwise. This is only a postponement. I'll come back even harder and next time I'll finish it clear to leave no doubt.
BS: Is there anything that surprised you in the way Bernard Hopkins was boxing?
JP: Not in that way. What surprised me was his adjustments. The way he made adjustments against me. Chad Dawson that was his problem. He was not been able to adapt to my style and my performance. Hopkins however, it took him five to six rounds to adjust, but when he adapted to me he did better and that's what made the fight a little harder and led to a draw.
BS: What do you think of comments made by the people of Golden Boy Promotions on the judges' decision?
JP: That's what we call American chauvinism. In their minds they must be the best, but it's not how life works. So they look for a way out and shout to the skies. I did interviews on the radio and American people were saying that the fight was very close. Of course, on some radio stations, journalists shouted about the fight. But I think if there was a robbery, it was I who was the victim of theft, because it occurred in my own place. This fight was close, but I was not dominated by Bernard Hopkins. As I said, close rounds should always be given to the champion.
BS: Golden Boy Promotions and Bernard Hopkins are calling for a rematch. There is no clause to that effect in the contract, but the WBC could declare a new confrontation.
JP: They will not have to wait a long time. Me, I want another fight against Bernard Hopkins to prove that I am better than him and demonstrate that the judges were in error.
BS: Would you be willing to go fight him in the United States as Bernard Hopkins requested?
JP: I have no problem. If Bernard Hopkins is able to gather 16,600 people in an venue like I can do in Quebec, I'll be there. But I doubt that he is capable.
BS: In theory should be your next fight against Chad Dawson, because of the contract clause to provide him with a rematch after your victory over him in August?
JP: It should be Chad Dawson. Maybe I'll be able to get Bernard Hopkins later. But for now I'm not going to think about that. I want to spend time with my family. So if it's Chad Dawson, that's good. If it is Bernard Hopkins, I'm very excited.
BS: Jean, I'm look at you and you have no brusing. You do not seem to have suffered any injuries during your fight.
JP: Of course, I was hit with several blows during the fight. But I have nothing broken, nothing cracked, so I'll be ready to resume training in the second week of January.
BS: Jean, thank you very much and happy holidays to you and your family.
JP: Thank you. I want to take this opportunity to wish happy holidays to all of the boxing fans and most importantly, keep punching!
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They all just want to get paid Tony. They're prizefighters...like your uncle Floyd says "What the fuck do you think they're supposed to fight for?...a prize...duuhhhhhh"
Again, I'll say...I don't like the Mosley fight, but it was signed because it made the most sense financially.
Mosley was willing to take a minimal cut of the pie, and shot or not, Mosley is still one of the bigger names in boxing. Case closed.
Arum says Pacquiao is going to get his biggest career payday against Mosley
By Dan Ambrose: Manny Pacquiao will do alright in this little mismatch bout that his promoter Bob Arum has set up for him against 40ish Shane Mosley for May 7th. Pacquiao has made $20 million a piece in his last three mismatch bouts against Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito. However, Arum sees Pacquiao making even more than that against Mosley, which is kind of hard to believe given how bad Mosley has been fighting recently.
But boxing fans seem willing to pay to watch Pacquiao no matter who he’s put in with. It doesn’t take a Mosley for Pacquiao to get a good payday, as we saw recently when Arum matched Pacquiao up against his little known Top Rank fighters Clottey and Margarito and the bouts still made good money on pay-per-view.
In an article at the manila bulletin – mb.com.ph, Arum said “Manny’s going to get his biggest payday.” Arum didn’t say how much Pacquiao will get for the Mosley fight, but it’s got to be more than $20 million and that’s a huge number. It looks like Arum is counting on a lot of casual boxing fans scooping up this fight in high numbers. Arum has his own way of telling what fans are interested in because fans seem to want to see Pacquiao face Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez rather than the faded Mosley.
Arum could have a better estimate of what fans really want to see than most people think. Arum says “The phone just keep on ringing” in his Top Rank office since the fight with Mosley has been announced.
By Dan Ambrose: Manny Pacquiao will do alright in this little mismatch bout that his promoter Bob Arum has set up for him against 40ish Shane Mosley for May 7th. Pacquiao has made $20 million a piece in his last three mismatch bouts against Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito. However, Arum sees Pacquiao making even more than that against Mosley, which is kind of hard to believe given how bad Mosley has been fighting recently.
But boxing fans seem willing to pay to watch Pacquiao no matter who he’s put in with. It doesn’t take a Mosley for Pacquiao to get a good payday, as we saw recently when Arum matched Pacquiao up against his little known Top Rank fighters Clottey and Margarito and the bouts still made good money on pay-per-view.
In an article at the manila bulletin – mb.com.ph, Arum said “Manny’s going to get his biggest payday.” Arum didn’t say how much Pacquiao will get for the Mosley fight, but it’s got to be more than $20 million and that’s a huge number. It looks like Arum is counting on a lot of casual boxing fans scooping up this fight in high numbers. Arum has his own way of telling what fans are interested in because fans seem to want to see Pacquiao face Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez rather than the faded Mosley.
Arum could have a better estimate of what fans really want to see than most people think. Arum says “The phone just keep on ringing” in his Top Rank office since the fight with Mosley has been announced.
Vanes: Problem Solved, I'll Fight You Sergio Martinez!
By Rick Reeno
Unbeaten junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan advised BoxingScene.com that he's ready and willing to challenge WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez on March 12 at the WaMu Theater in New York's Madison Square Garden. As previously reported, Martinez is having some trouble locking down an opponent for his next fight, which is going to be televised on HBO. Vanes is ready to solve those problems, but the fight would still need approval from HBO, and the network is playing hardball with the final selection of Sergio's opponent.
"I see Martinez still needs an opponent for March 12th. If I don't get [Miguel] Cotto [on March 12], I would like to fight Martinez. I have no problem moving up in weight to fight Martinez. I know we are working on Cotto but if he picks someone else I want Martinez to know I am ready to fight him," Vanes said.
By Rick Reeno
Unbeaten junior middleweight contender Vanes Martirosyan advised BoxingScene.com that he's ready and willing to challenge WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez on March 12 at the WaMu Theater in New York's Madison Square Garden. As previously reported, Martinez is having some trouble locking down an opponent for his next fight, which is going to be televised on HBO. Vanes is ready to solve those problems, but the fight would still need approval from HBO, and the network is playing hardball with the final selection of Sergio's opponent.
"I see Martinez still needs an opponent for March 12th. If I don't get [Miguel] Cotto [on March 12], I would like to fight Martinez. I have no problem moving up in weight to fight Martinez. I know we are working on Cotto but if he picks someone else I want Martinez to know I am ready to fight him," Vanes said.
I don't understand why HBO would turn this down, it's a good fight and Cotto always brings high ass ratings... now bob arum will likely have cotto on some top rank PPV against mayorga or some unworthy opponent. I guess they really want Sergio Martinez on that date but he doesn't have an opponent yet either.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=5950334
Dan Rafael Quick Hits - (HBO turned down Cotto-Vanes for 1.5 Million)
"Cotto has been on HBO for seven years and they rejected a decent Cotto fight. I don't think they know s---. We offered it for a bargain price. They said 'no' and are going with another fight. That is going to affect all of our relationships in the coming years and I emphasize all of our relationships."
"They won't buy Cotto, but it's their money. You can't tell them how to spend their money," Arum said. "But it's wrong that they would do this to Cotto, who has given them great ratings and great fights. Not doing a good fight with Cotto at a reasonable number and then jumping on his date? That's wrong."
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=5950334
Dan Rafael Quick Hits - (HBO turned down Cotto-Vanes for 1.5 Million)
"Cotto has been on HBO for seven years and they rejected a decent Cotto fight. I don't think they know s---. We offered it for a bargain price. They said 'no' and are going with another fight. That is going to affect all of our relationships in the coming years and I emphasize all of our relationships."
"They won't buy Cotto, but it's their money. You can't tell them how to spend their money," Arum said. "But it's wrong that they would do this to Cotto, who has given them great ratings and great fights. Not doing a good fight with Cotto at a reasonable number and then jumping on his date? That's wrong."