Boxing News Thread
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HBO got Busted and Caught for Editing the Crowd Boo'ing Manny Pacquiao
By Paul Magno, Yahoo! Contributor Network
It's no secret that the drama surrounding the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather controversy has Pacquiao cast in the role of hero with Mayweather playing the reprehensible bad guy.
HBO plays up this angle with great gusto and extreme precision. Pacquiao is the humble super hero with a shy smile and a warrior's heart. "Money" Mayweather is the new jack villain as flamboyant as he is arrogant. The underlying tone in all of this hyperbole is that "Money" is prime for a comeuppance and lovable, humble Manny is just the guy to give it to him.
To be fair, both fighters play off this image and have reaped the benefits of this typecasting. The world loves heroes and villains— and boxing, above all sports, loves to exploit these bad vs. good showdowns. But HBO, the broadcasting home for both Pacquiao and Mayweather, has worked extra long and hard to generate hero worship for Manny and heat for Floyd.
One could point to many different instances throughout the last several years where they flagrantly pushed the "Manny-Good, Floyd-Bad" editorial take, but none of those examples were as flagrant as what aired during the first installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez III 24/7 series last Saturday night.
As part of the documentary, Pacquiao was shown attending the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson event in support of his sparring partner and gym mate, Jorge Linares, who was on the undercard taking on Antonio DeMarco for the vacant WBC lightweight title. As Manny was entering the Staples Center, the television crew captured a chant of "Manny! Manny!" while the fighter was about to make his way to ringside. The chant went along with the general tone of the segment— Manny is popular and beloved wherever he goes.
What HBO failed to include in their program, though, was the crowd reaction from the fans inside the arena. Those who watched the event on TV or attended it live know what really happened as the crowd got its first glimpse of the Filipino legend.
Pacquiao was greeted with a chorus of boos with a few cheers sprinkled in. The reaction was actually jarring in contrast to the HBO announce crew's usual cheerleading and promotion of Pacquiao as something between Sugar Ray Robinson and St. Thomas Aquinas.
At this point, the question isn't why the fans jeered Manny, but, rather, why HBO decided to treat the reaction as though it had never happened.
It's understandable how the network would feel the need to show a cash cow draw in the best light possible on a show promoting an upcoming pay-per-view, but Mayweather has never been treated with such kid gloves.
Isn't it enough for fans to just have good fights without someone, somewhere trying to invent angles and push agendas? And if the manipulation is just a network tool and part of the game, who gets to decide who wears the white hat and who dons the robber mask?
When fans dig into both fighters' pasts they find two flawed human beings who could've been labeled as both hero and villain at various points of their lives. From family dramas to nefarious associations to questionable personal decisions— Manny and Floyd have made some real mistakes in life, but have also displayed some endearing character traits.
But if you only went by the story HBO tells, you'd only know: "Manny-Good, Floyd-Bad."
Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
By Paul Magno, Yahoo! Contributor Network
It's no secret that the drama surrounding the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather controversy has Pacquiao cast in the role of hero with Mayweather playing the reprehensible bad guy.
HBO plays up this angle with great gusto and extreme precision. Pacquiao is the humble super hero with a shy smile and a warrior's heart. "Money" Mayweather is the new jack villain as flamboyant as he is arrogant. The underlying tone in all of this hyperbole is that "Money" is prime for a comeuppance and lovable, humble Manny is just the guy to give it to him.
To be fair, both fighters play off this image and have reaped the benefits of this typecasting. The world loves heroes and villains— and boxing, above all sports, loves to exploit these bad vs. good showdowns. But HBO, the broadcasting home for both Pacquiao and Mayweather, has worked extra long and hard to generate hero worship for Manny and heat for Floyd.
One could point to many different instances throughout the last several years where they flagrantly pushed the "Manny-Good, Floyd-Bad" editorial take, but none of those examples were as flagrant as what aired during the first installment of the Pacquiao-Marquez III 24/7 series last Saturday night.
As part of the documentary, Pacquiao was shown attending the Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson event in support of his sparring partner and gym mate, Jorge Linares, who was on the undercard taking on Antonio DeMarco for the vacant WBC lightweight title. As Manny was entering the Staples Center, the television crew captured a chant of "Manny! Manny!" while the fighter was about to make his way to ringside. The chant went along with the general tone of the segment— Manny is popular and beloved wherever he goes.
What HBO failed to include in their program, though, was the crowd reaction from the fans inside the arena. Those who watched the event on TV or attended it live know what really happened as the crowd got its first glimpse of the Filipino legend.
Pacquiao was greeted with a chorus of boos with a few cheers sprinkled in. The reaction was actually jarring in contrast to the HBO announce crew's usual cheerleading and promotion of Pacquiao as something between Sugar Ray Robinson and St. Thomas Aquinas.
At this point, the question isn't why the fans jeered Manny, but, rather, why HBO decided to treat the reaction as though it had never happened.
It's understandable how the network would feel the need to show a cash cow draw in the best light possible on a show promoting an upcoming pay-per-view, but Mayweather has never been treated with such kid gloves.
Isn't it enough for fans to just have good fights without someone, somewhere trying to invent angles and push agendas? And if the manipulation is just a network tool and part of the game, who gets to decide who wears the white hat and who dons the robber mask?
When fans dig into both fighters' pasts they find two flawed human beings who could've been labeled as both hero and villain at various points of their lives. From family dramas to nefarious associations to questionable personal decisions— Manny and Floyd have made some real mistakes in life, but have also displayed some endearing character traits.
But if you only went by the story HBO tells, you'd only know: "Manny-Good, Floyd-Bad."
Paul Magno was a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
Donovan “Razor” Ruddock Comeback Down For Roy Jones-Max Alexander Card; December 10th
By James Slater: Living legend and all-time great Roy Jones Junior, now aged 42 and past his spellbinding best by quite a way, is set to face former “Contender” Max Alexander on December 10th, the cruiserweight bout to take place at The Civic Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
To some fans, it will be enough of a blast from the past seeing Jones in action - Jones of course was at his untouchable best in the 1990’s/early 2000’s - but another veteran is reported to be set to fight on the same card: one Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
According to a number of web sites (including Boxrec, who have the fight scheduled for 8-rounds), Ruddock, now aged 47 (he’ll be 48 in December), will face crafty trial horse Gabe Brown, 18-16-4(12).
A few months back there was talk of a Ruddock comeback, with a video interview going up on You Tube, showing a remarkably trim and young-looking Razor training and giving his thoughts on the Klitschko brothers; both of whom he said he could defeat. But since then nothing. Until now. Ruddock, if the fight goes ahead, will be climbing into the ring for the first time since way back in October of 2001! The Lord alone knows how much the big-hitting Jamaican-born Canadian has left to offer.
Brown, despite his girth, weight (300-plus-pounds) and age ( 39), has fast hands, a ton of experience and he could give a rusty Ruddock some problems. Just lately Brown has struggled to pick up a win, losing his last eight (3 by stoppage), and Roy Jones’ buddy from Pensacola has to realise fans are questioning his current desire and commitment. But against an old guy, who will be creaking with rust, maybe Brown will get himself motivated. If so, it could be an embarrassing night for the one-time dynamite slugger who lit up the heavyweight division with big fights against the likes of Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Dokes, Lennox Lewis and Tommy Morrison.
Does Razor need money, or does he genuinely feel he can compete again? We don’t know. If he comes in in the kind of shape he looked to be in that aforementioned 2010 You Tube video, maybe Ruddock can reel off a couple or three wins against limited opposition. It is of course crazy to even talk about whether or not Ruddock, 38-5-1(29) can come anywhere close to a shot at a big name, let alone a title-holder.
There will likely be some curiosity value attached to the Dec. 10th card, at the very least. Fans willing to watch Jones Junior try and win one as a cruiser will tune in; while fans who remember Ruddock’s heyday will also buy the Pay-Per-View. And who knows? It could prove to be an interesting night!
Article posted on 26.10.2011
By James Slater: Living legend and all-time great Roy Jones Junior, now aged 42 and past his spellbinding best by quite a way, is set to face former “Contender” Max Alexander on December 10th, the cruiserweight bout to take place at The Civic Centre in Atlanta, Georgia.
To some fans, it will be enough of a blast from the past seeing Jones in action - Jones of course was at his untouchable best in the 1990’s/early 2000’s - but another veteran is reported to be set to fight on the same card: one Donovan “Razor” Ruddock.
According to a number of web sites (including Boxrec, who have the fight scheduled for 8-rounds), Ruddock, now aged 47 (he’ll be 48 in December), will face crafty trial horse Gabe Brown, 18-16-4(12).
A few months back there was talk of a Ruddock comeback, with a video interview going up on You Tube, showing a remarkably trim and young-looking Razor training and giving his thoughts on the Klitschko brothers; both of whom he said he could defeat. But since then nothing. Until now. Ruddock, if the fight goes ahead, will be climbing into the ring for the first time since way back in October of 2001! The Lord alone knows how much the big-hitting Jamaican-born Canadian has left to offer.
Brown, despite his girth, weight (300-plus-pounds) and age ( 39), has fast hands, a ton of experience and he could give a rusty Ruddock some problems. Just lately Brown has struggled to pick up a win, losing his last eight (3 by stoppage), and Roy Jones’ buddy from Pensacola has to realise fans are questioning his current desire and commitment. But against an old guy, who will be creaking with rust, maybe Brown will get himself motivated. If so, it could be an embarrassing night for the one-time dynamite slugger who lit up the heavyweight division with big fights against the likes of Mike Tyson (twice), Michael Dokes, Lennox Lewis and Tommy Morrison.
Does Razor need money, or does he genuinely feel he can compete again? We don’t know. If he comes in in the kind of shape he looked to be in that aforementioned 2010 You Tube video, maybe Ruddock can reel off a couple or three wins against limited opposition. It is of course crazy to even talk about whether or not Ruddock, 38-5-1(29) can come anywhere close to a shot at a big name, let alone a title-holder.
There will likely be some curiosity value attached to the Dec. 10th card, at the very least. Fans willing to watch Jones Junior try and win one as a cruiser will tune in; while fans who remember Ruddock’s heyday will also buy the Pay-Per-View. And who knows? It could prove to be an interesting night!
Article posted on 26.10.2011
Freddie Roach: “I get accused with my guys for being on enhancing drugs
Freddie Roach: “I get accused with my guys for being on enhancing drugs and so forth, but people just can’t accept that my fighters work hard, and that’s what it’s all about—working hard!”
by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 147th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with highly regarded trainer Freddie Roach, who spoke about various topics, including Pacquiao-Marquez III, Bernard Hopkins, Jorge Linares, Amir Khan, being included on the 2012 IBHOF ballot, and more! Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: Let’s move things to our final guest of this week’s show. He’s a returning one making his fifth appearance to On the Ropes Boxing Radio. We’re joined by one of the most well respected trainers in boxing today. We have on Freddie Roach. How’s everything going today Freddie?
FREDDIE ROACH: Hello. How are you?
JENNA: I’m doing very well today. How about yourself?
ROACH: I’m doing good. I’m just getting started with my day. I’m getting ready. I have three champions getting ready for fights coming up. I’ve got Manny Pacquiao, Chavez Junior, and Amir Khan getting ready for their title fights. Manny is really doing well. He’s ahead of schedule. Amir’s just getting started and Chavez just got here and started sparring yesterday. All three boys are doing well.
JENNA: Alright well let’s talk about your first fighter there. Manny Pacquiao’s got a very big fight, a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, on November 12. How’s the training camp been going so far and how’s Manny looking really?
ROACH: Well you know we spent a month over in the Philippines with Pacquiao. It worked out really well. We didn’t have any distractions at all, which is kind of unusual. He’s very focused. He started boxing eight weeks out with Linares to help him get ready for his fight, so he’s a little bit ahead of schedule. He’s boxing very intensely. He sparred eight rounds yesterday and then we did eight rounds with the mitts. He’s just on fire right now. He really wants this fight. Juan Marquez went to the Philippines and wore a t-shirt saying that he beat Manny twice. It was a slap in the fact to Manny. It was an embarrassment, trying to embarrass Manny. Manny’s going to pay him back! Manny will knock this one out!
JENNA: Alright now Freddie, what do you think it is about Juan Manuel Marquez that had made him such a tough opponent for Manny Pacquiao. The last man to even really touch up Manny in the ring was Marquez. Why do you think that is?
ROACH: Well Marquez always gave us trouble, but that was the old Manny Pacquiao, though. That was Manny Pacquiao who just had a left hand, Manny Pacquiao who could only move in one direction, and Manny’s really come a long way since they fought and it’s been a long time. I think Manny’s skills that he has now are going to overwhelming, and I don’t see the fight lasting too long.
JENNA: Alright now you mentioned the weight. A lot of people out there that are putting odds on this fight are saying that Marquez is too small, and that Manny Pacquiao has become adjusted to these higher weights and that he will blow out Marquez. Do you think that is Manny Pacquiao’s biggest advantage in this fight? The weight?
ROACH: Well the fight’s at 144. We gave him a catch weight because they asked for it. I’d rather fight at 147 because that’s Manny’s best fight weight. He’s the welterweight champion of the world, but they’re fighting at 144 and it’s probably to Manny’s advantage. But they asked for the fight, so maybe they asked for too much.
JENNA: Alright now you also mentioned Julio Cesar Chavez Junior. He’s got a fight coming up with Peter Manfredo in the same month. How is it having both of those guys in the same camp, and do you see yourself having any trouble giving the proper amount of focus to Chavez to really get him ready for that fight?
ROACH: Well with Chavez, you know I have separate times for each of the fighters so we break it up that way. They overlap a little bit, but everybody gets the same treatment and that’s just not a problem. I mean they all get the attention they need and they get the sparring they need.
JENNA: Okay Freddie, well everything seems good on that front, but let me turn things back to Manny Pacquiao for a second. I know you have some business in front of you with the Marquez fight, but fans are still talking about what’s next for Manny Pacquiao and some are saying because Timothy Bradley has signed with Top Rank Promotions that he could be next. I just wanted to get your view on that and what you think of that situation?
ROACH: We have Marquez in front of us right now and that’s all I’m worried about! Timothy Bradley is off the radar! I have no idea who our next opponent is! I want it to be Mayweather, so we’ll leave it at that. Timothy Bradley is like not a challenge, in my mind at least. But again we have Marquez first, and we’ll take care of that and we’ll go from there.
JENNA: Geoff.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hey Freddie, it’s a pleasure to have you back on the show and I wanted to ask you about the fighter you trained this past weekend on the Hopkins under card. Jorge Linares and Antonio DeMarco, what were your thoughts on that fight?
ROACH: Well I thought he fought a great fight. The cuts were a problem and the cut-man Joe Chavez just couldn’t get control. The blood just kept pouring out. You know I wish that maybe they let the fight go a little further, but the referee is there to protect the fighter and he used his discretion to stop the fight. I think we’re going to get a rematch and I think we deserve one. We were ahead nine rounds to one, eight rounds to two, seven rounds to three. I thought he fought a great fight and DeMarco just came on at the end and the blood was just too much to handle.
CIANI: Now Freddie I was also wondering if I could get your opinion on the main event itself from that night where we had the unsatisfying ending as fans watching the Hopkins-Dawson fight get stopped early. It was ruled a TKO victory for Chad Dawson. What were your thoughts on how everything went down in what little action we got to see in that one?
ROACH: Well you know what, honestly my fighter Linares was getting stitched up so I didn’t get a chance to see the Dawson fight. It sounds like they should make it a No Contest because the fight didn’t go four rounds. I think that’s the ruling, but again they gave him the win. I’m not sure what the commission’s stand on that is, but usually a fight has to go at least four rounds to be a fight, and that didn’t happen. So I’m sure they’re protesting, and I think that fight will be called a No Contest in my own opinion.
CIANI: Now Freddie what do you think of what Bernard himself has been able to accomplish since you last worked with him? He has victories over Pavlik, the rematch win against Jones, a pair of really good fights against Pascal where he became the oldest champion. Were you surprised by what Bernard has done in this time the last three years?
ROACH: Yeah, you know after he fought Calzaghe I did tell him I thought it was time for him to retire, and he told me that he was not ready. He came back and beat Pavlik in a real good fight and looked good, but when he fought Roy Jones it was kind of an embarrassment and I thought it was bad for boxing. From what I hear he was leaning on top of his opponent, and his opponent kind of shoved him off him. Moves like that aren’t made in boxing that much, but it didn’t seem like it was intentional from what I hear. You know he’s done some great things, but against the right opponents he looks great, but I think against the tougher young guys he’s going to have trouble.
CIANI: Now going back to your fighter Amir Khan Freddie, when you took over the realm as head trainer for Amir did you ever envision he’d be quite as successful as he’s been since you two teamed up?
ROACH: Yeah, you know I have a lot of belief in Amir. His first day of sparring in my gym was with Manny Pacquiao, and he showed me that he has what it takes. I think that cleared his conscious with being stopped by when he got knocked out in that one fight by—I forget the guy’s name right now. (laughs) But he’s come a long way, he’s a great athlete, he’s an Olympic Silver Medalist. I expected it to go this way and I do think that he will be the pound-for-pound king after Manny retires.
JENNA: Well Freddie some recent news came out about yourself. You were put on the ballot for the 2012 Hall of Fame class. What would that mean for you to get elected in?
ROACH: Well I hope I make it. I have been in the LA Hall of Fame for ten years now, and with New York this is the first time putting me on the ballot. But it would be great for me. I love to be recognized for what I do and I’m excited to get put in the Hall of Fame now.
JENNA: Okay now to turn things back to something you mentioned before, you mentioned Floyd Mayweather Junior. Do you ever get tired as a trainer of people continuously going up to you saying, “When’s that fight going to happen? When’s that fight going to happen?” How do you react to that when people keep bringing that up to you?
ROACH: (laughs) Every day of my life I have somebody ask me. I was out last night and a couple came up to me and said make that fight happen. I said I’m trying, but the thing is I’m kind of frustrated that the fight hasn’t happened yet. I look forward to the challenge, and I think it’s going to be bad for boxing if that fight doesn’t happen. So I think it has to happen, and hopefully it’s soon.
JENNA: Okay now in previous interviews we’ve had with you, you mentioned that you believed that the fight with Mayweather would probably be the last fight of Manny Pacquiao’s career. So in some ways—
ROACH: No! I never said that. I said I would like that to be the last fight of his career, but Manny will make his own decision. After he beats Mayweather I don’t see where else he could go, but that’s my thought on him. Manny Pacquiao marches to his own drum and he’ll quit when he’s ready.
JENNA: Okay, but what about you Freddie? Some people have said that when Manny Pacquiao retires that you might follow him. I’m just curious do you see retirement any time in your future?
ROACH: No, I don’t think my training career will end. I’m a boring person and I don’t do anything else but box, and I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t have boxing.
JENNA: Okay well I just have a couple of more questions before I let you off the line. Let’s talk strategy with the fight with Marquez. You mentioned many times before that Manny is an improved fighter and that he was just a left-handed fighter before, but in this rematch what do you think will have the biggest impact in the third fight?
ROACH: You’ll have to watch the fight. (laughs) I’m not going to give that information away. So we have a great game plan and Manny will execute it perfectly.
JENNA: Okay, and for the end of the year I want to ask you about one particular bout. The Super Six Final is coming up, Andre Ward versus Carl Froch, the USA versus Britain. Just from a trainer’s perspective, who are you favoring in that one?
ROACH: You know I picked Andre to win that tournament from the beginning. He’s a very great boxer. I think he’s a much better boxer than given credit for. Froch has really looked good though. He’s game and he comes to fight. I think it’s a very good fight, but I picked Ward to be the winner of that tournament and I still stand by that.
JENNA: Alright well I have one final question. With yourself as a trainer, if you’re talking with a young fighter and I know you work with a lot of young fighters, but you can’t work with them all. What’s the best advice you could give them?
ROACH: Hey! The best advice is work hard and be dedicated. Manny Pacquiao and Linares and all of my guys come in shape, Amir Khan. I get accused with my guys for being on enhancing drugs and so forth, but people just can’t accept that my fighters work hard, and that’s what it’s all about—working hard!
JENNA: Okay well Freddie, it’s been a pleasure having you back on the show. Thank you for your time and we wish you all the best of luck.
ROACH: Thank you very much and I’ll talk to you soon.
Freddie Roach: “I get accused with my guys for being on enhancing drugs and so forth, but people just can’t accept that my fighters work hard, and that’s what it’s all about—working hard!”
by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 147th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with highly regarded trainer Freddie Roach, who spoke about various topics, including Pacquiao-Marquez III, Bernard Hopkins, Jorge Linares, Amir Khan, being included on the 2012 IBHOF ballot, and more! Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: Let’s move things to our final guest of this week’s show. He’s a returning one making his fifth appearance to On the Ropes Boxing Radio. We’re joined by one of the most well respected trainers in boxing today. We have on Freddie Roach. How’s everything going today Freddie?
FREDDIE ROACH: Hello. How are you?
JENNA: I’m doing very well today. How about yourself?
ROACH: I’m doing good. I’m just getting started with my day. I’m getting ready. I have three champions getting ready for fights coming up. I’ve got Manny Pacquiao, Chavez Junior, and Amir Khan getting ready for their title fights. Manny is really doing well. He’s ahead of schedule. Amir’s just getting started and Chavez just got here and started sparring yesterday. All three boys are doing well.
JENNA: Alright well let’s talk about your first fighter there. Manny Pacquiao’s got a very big fight, a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, on November 12. How’s the training camp been going so far and how’s Manny looking really?
ROACH: Well you know we spent a month over in the Philippines with Pacquiao. It worked out really well. We didn’t have any distractions at all, which is kind of unusual. He’s very focused. He started boxing eight weeks out with Linares to help him get ready for his fight, so he’s a little bit ahead of schedule. He’s boxing very intensely. He sparred eight rounds yesterday and then we did eight rounds with the mitts. He’s just on fire right now. He really wants this fight. Juan Marquez went to the Philippines and wore a t-shirt saying that he beat Manny twice. It was a slap in the fact to Manny. It was an embarrassment, trying to embarrass Manny. Manny’s going to pay him back! Manny will knock this one out!
JENNA: Alright now Freddie, what do you think it is about Juan Manuel Marquez that had made him such a tough opponent for Manny Pacquiao. The last man to even really touch up Manny in the ring was Marquez. Why do you think that is?
ROACH: Well Marquez always gave us trouble, but that was the old Manny Pacquiao, though. That was Manny Pacquiao who just had a left hand, Manny Pacquiao who could only move in one direction, and Manny’s really come a long way since they fought and it’s been a long time. I think Manny’s skills that he has now are going to overwhelming, and I don’t see the fight lasting too long.
JENNA: Alright now you mentioned the weight. A lot of people out there that are putting odds on this fight are saying that Marquez is too small, and that Manny Pacquiao has become adjusted to these higher weights and that he will blow out Marquez. Do you think that is Manny Pacquiao’s biggest advantage in this fight? The weight?
ROACH: Well the fight’s at 144. We gave him a catch weight because they asked for it. I’d rather fight at 147 because that’s Manny’s best fight weight. He’s the welterweight champion of the world, but they’re fighting at 144 and it’s probably to Manny’s advantage. But they asked for the fight, so maybe they asked for too much.
JENNA: Alright now you also mentioned Julio Cesar Chavez Junior. He’s got a fight coming up with Peter Manfredo in the same month. How is it having both of those guys in the same camp, and do you see yourself having any trouble giving the proper amount of focus to Chavez to really get him ready for that fight?
ROACH: Well with Chavez, you know I have separate times for each of the fighters so we break it up that way. They overlap a little bit, but everybody gets the same treatment and that’s just not a problem. I mean they all get the attention they need and they get the sparring they need.
JENNA: Okay Freddie, well everything seems good on that front, but let me turn things back to Manny Pacquiao for a second. I know you have some business in front of you with the Marquez fight, but fans are still talking about what’s next for Manny Pacquiao and some are saying because Timothy Bradley has signed with Top Rank Promotions that he could be next. I just wanted to get your view on that and what you think of that situation?
ROACH: We have Marquez in front of us right now and that’s all I’m worried about! Timothy Bradley is off the radar! I have no idea who our next opponent is! I want it to be Mayweather, so we’ll leave it at that. Timothy Bradley is like not a challenge, in my mind at least. But again we have Marquez first, and we’ll take care of that and we’ll go from there.
JENNA: Geoff.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hey Freddie, it’s a pleasure to have you back on the show and I wanted to ask you about the fighter you trained this past weekend on the Hopkins under card. Jorge Linares and Antonio DeMarco, what were your thoughts on that fight?
ROACH: Well I thought he fought a great fight. The cuts were a problem and the cut-man Joe Chavez just couldn’t get control. The blood just kept pouring out. You know I wish that maybe they let the fight go a little further, but the referee is there to protect the fighter and he used his discretion to stop the fight. I think we’re going to get a rematch and I think we deserve one. We were ahead nine rounds to one, eight rounds to two, seven rounds to three. I thought he fought a great fight and DeMarco just came on at the end and the blood was just too much to handle.
CIANI: Now Freddie I was also wondering if I could get your opinion on the main event itself from that night where we had the unsatisfying ending as fans watching the Hopkins-Dawson fight get stopped early. It was ruled a TKO victory for Chad Dawson. What were your thoughts on how everything went down in what little action we got to see in that one?
ROACH: Well you know what, honestly my fighter Linares was getting stitched up so I didn’t get a chance to see the Dawson fight. It sounds like they should make it a No Contest because the fight didn’t go four rounds. I think that’s the ruling, but again they gave him the win. I’m not sure what the commission’s stand on that is, but usually a fight has to go at least four rounds to be a fight, and that didn’t happen. So I’m sure they’re protesting, and I think that fight will be called a No Contest in my own opinion.
CIANI: Now Freddie what do you think of what Bernard himself has been able to accomplish since you last worked with him? He has victories over Pavlik, the rematch win against Jones, a pair of really good fights against Pascal where he became the oldest champion. Were you surprised by what Bernard has done in this time the last three years?
ROACH: Yeah, you know after he fought Calzaghe I did tell him I thought it was time for him to retire, and he told me that he was not ready. He came back and beat Pavlik in a real good fight and looked good, but when he fought Roy Jones it was kind of an embarrassment and I thought it was bad for boxing. From what I hear he was leaning on top of his opponent, and his opponent kind of shoved him off him. Moves like that aren’t made in boxing that much, but it didn’t seem like it was intentional from what I hear. You know he’s done some great things, but against the right opponents he looks great, but I think against the tougher young guys he’s going to have trouble.
CIANI: Now going back to your fighter Amir Khan Freddie, when you took over the realm as head trainer for Amir did you ever envision he’d be quite as successful as he’s been since you two teamed up?
ROACH: Yeah, you know I have a lot of belief in Amir. His first day of sparring in my gym was with Manny Pacquiao, and he showed me that he has what it takes. I think that cleared his conscious with being stopped by when he got knocked out in that one fight by—I forget the guy’s name right now. (laughs) But he’s come a long way, he’s a great athlete, he’s an Olympic Silver Medalist. I expected it to go this way and I do think that he will be the pound-for-pound king after Manny retires.
JENNA: Well Freddie some recent news came out about yourself. You were put on the ballot for the 2012 Hall of Fame class. What would that mean for you to get elected in?
ROACH: Well I hope I make it. I have been in the LA Hall of Fame for ten years now, and with New York this is the first time putting me on the ballot. But it would be great for me. I love to be recognized for what I do and I’m excited to get put in the Hall of Fame now.
JENNA: Okay now to turn things back to something you mentioned before, you mentioned Floyd Mayweather Junior. Do you ever get tired as a trainer of people continuously going up to you saying, “When’s that fight going to happen? When’s that fight going to happen?” How do you react to that when people keep bringing that up to you?
ROACH: (laughs) Every day of my life I have somebody ask me. I was out last night and a couple came up to me and said make that fight happen. I said I’m trying, but the thing is I’m kind of frustrated that the fight hasn’t happened yet. I look forward to the challenge, and I think it’s going to be bad for boxing if that fight doesn’t happen. So I think it has to happen, and hopefully it’s soon.
JENNA: Okay now in previous interviews we’ve had with you, you mentioned that you believed that the fight with Mayweather would probably be the last fight of Manny Pacquiao’s career. So in some ways—
ROACH: No! I never said that. I said I would like that to be the last fight of his career, but Manny will make his own decision. After he beats Mayweather I don’t see where else he could go, but that’s my thought on him. Manny Pacquiao marches to his own drum and he’ll quit when he’s ready.
JENNA: Okay, but what about you Freddie? Some people have said that when Manny Pacquiao retires that you might follow him. I’m just curious do you see retirement any time in your future?
ROACH: No, I don’t think my training career will end. I’m a boring person and I don’t do anything else but box, and I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t have boxing.
JENNA: Okay well I just have a couple of more questions before I let you off the line. Let’s talk strategy with the fight with Marquez. You mentioned many times before that Manny is an improved fighter and that he was just a left-handed fighter before, but in this rematch what do you think will have the biggest impact in the third fight?
ROACH: You’ll have to watch the fight. (laughs) I’m not going to give that information away. So we have a great game plan and Manny will execute it perfectly.
JENNA: Okay, and for the end of the year I want to ask you about one particular bout. The Super Six Final is coming up, Andre Ward versus Carl Froch, the USA versus Britain. Just from a trainer’s perspective, who are you favoring in that one?
ROACH: You know I picked Andre to win that tournament from the beginning. He’s a very great boxer. I think he’s a much better boxer than given credit for. Froch has really looked good though. He’s game and he comes to fight. I think it’s a very good fight, but I picked Ward to be the winner of that tournament and I still stand by that.
JENNA: Alright well I have one final question. With yourself as a trainer, if you’re talking with a young fighter and I know you work with a lot of young fighters, but you can’t work with them all. What’s the best advice you could give them?
ROACH: Hey! The best advice is work hard and be dedicated. Manny Pacquiao and Linares and all of my guys come in shape, Amir Khan. I get accused with my guys for being on enhancing drugs and so forth, but people just can’t accept that my fighters work hard, and that’s what it’s all about—working hard!
JENNA: Okay well Freddie, it’s been a pleasure having you back on the show. Thank you for your time and we wish you all the best of luck.
ROACH: Thank you very much and I’ll talk to you soon.
Mayweather scored a TKO victory in the court room today. Judge found Floyd not guilty on misdemeanor harassment charges (Oct. 2010 incident) of security guards in his home residency.
One down two more to go (next court case is in a week or two (a hearing for his felony baby mama drama), then the third a week or so after that (the poking of a security guard incident).
One down two more to go (next court case is in a week or two (a hearing for his felony baby mama drama), then the third a week or so after that (the poking of a security guard incident).
Lol at Bob Arum...
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/7153089/floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-fight-never-happen
Bob Arum doesn't see megafight
HOLLYWOOD, Calif -- Don't hold your breath for that Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather megafight. As far as Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is concerned it's never happening.
"That fight will never, ever happen," Arum said. "Ever, ever happen because of Mayweather.
"When Mayweather talks about how he hates Top Rank he's talking bulls---. What Mayweather hates is Manny's right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out. Pacquiao and Mayweather is a three or four-round fight. Period. And who knows that best? Mayweather. The one thing Mayweather has had throughout his career is he knows boxing. He understands boxing and Mayweather can not compete with Manny. It's the right hand of Manny that is preventing that fight from happening. If Manny agreed just to jab with the right hand the fight would be made in 30 seconds."
Pacquiao's promoter made the comments before Pacquiao's media day workout leading up to his Nov. 12 fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
"Once Manny demonstrated that fearsome right hand there was no chance ever that the fight would happen," Arum said. "None. Don't kid yourself. I know Mayweather, everything else is bulls---."
When Pacquaio was asked about the megafight he smiled, shrugged his shoulders and answered the same way he normally does.
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe the promoters can not afford him. I think that's the reason. The promoters cannot afford him. What he's asking is hard."
Arum also said Mayweather tarnished boxing and cheated the fans with the way he beat Victor Ortiz last month.
"Mayweather demonstrated a complete lack of sportsmanship and the public that paid for that was cheated," Arum said. "I don't care about the baloney about protect yourself at all times and its a legal shot. That's not the issue. The fighter has the obligation to entertain the public and hitting this kid with two cheap shots really put a damper on boxing. For me, f--- the legacy, he cheated the public."
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquiao will only fight for two more years and four to five more fights before retiring and focusing on his political career and believes it is important for Pacquiao's legacy that he fight Mayweather.
"I think it would be good for boxing and good for the world if that fight happened," Roach said. "If that doesn't happen there will always be a question mark why they didn't fight each other. If Floyd ends up undefeated but didn't fight Manny Pacquiao it's going to haunt him for the rest of his life, but I don't think he thinks logically. It's always something with him. Only he knows why he won't take this fight."
Roach believes the fight needs to happen by next year for it to live up to its lofty expectations, but after so many false starts he's not making any predictions.
"You don't want them to fight when its too late and they're too old and the fight's not as spectacular," Roach said. "They're both in their prime right now and I think it needs to happen now. People around the world are getting tired of it. They need to fight already."
Arash Markazi is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/story/_/id/7153089/floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-fight-never-happen
Bob Arum doesn't see megafight
HOLLYWOOD, Calif -- Don't hold your breath for that Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather megafight. As far as Top Rank CEO Bob Arum is concerned it's never happening.
"That fight will never, ever happen," Arum said. "Ever, ever happen because of Mayweather.
"When Mayweather talks about how he hates Top Rank he's talking bulls---. What Mayweather hates is Manny's right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out. Pacquiao and Mayweather is a three or four-round fight. Period. And who knows that best? Mayweather. The one thing Mayweather has had throughout his career is he knows boxing. He understands boxing and Mayweather can not compete with Manny. It's the right hand of Manny that is preventing that fight from happening. If Manny agreed just to jab with the right hand the fight would be made in 30 seconds."
Pacquiao's promoter made the comments before Pacquiao's media day workout leading up to his Nov. 12 fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.
"Once Manny demonstrated that fearsome right hand there was no chance ever that the fight would happen," Arum said. "None. Don't kid yourself. I know Mayweather, everything else is bulls---."
When Pacquaio was asked about the megafight he smiled, shrugged his shoulders and answered the same way he normally does.
"I don't know," he said. "Maybe the promoters can not afford him. I think that's the reason. The promoters cannot afford him. What he's asking is hard."
Arum also said Mayweather tarnished boxing and cheated the fans with the way he beat Victor Ortiz last month.
"Mayweather demonstrated a complete lack of sportsmanship and the public that paid for that was cheated," Arum said. "I don't care about the baloney about protect yourself at all times and its a legal shot. That's not the issue. The fighter has the obligation to entertain the public and hitting this kid with two cheap shots really put a damper on boxing. For me, f--- the legacy, he cheated the public."
Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquiao will only fight for two more years and four to five more fights before retiring and focusing on his political career and believes it is important for Pacquiao's legacy that he fight Mayweather.
"I think it would be good for boxing and good for the world if that fight happened," Roach said. "If that doesn't happen there will always be a question mark why they didn't fight each other. If Floyd ends up undefeated but didn't fight Manny Pacquiao it's going to haunt him for the rest of his life, but I don't think he thinks logically. It's always something with him. Only he knows why he won't take this fight."
Roach believes the fight needs to happen by next year for it to live up to its lofty expectations, but after so many false starts he's not making any predictions.
"You don't want them to fight when its too late and they're too old and the fight's not as spectacular," Roach said. "They're both in their prime right now and I think it needs to happen now. People around the world are getting tired of it. They need to fight already."
Arash Markazi is a reporter and columnist for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
Interesting......
Yuriorkis Gamboa Hires Emanuel Steward as New Trainer
Hall of Fame coach and living legend Emanuel Steward is the new head coach of fast rising Cuban superstar Yuriorkis "El Ciclon“ Gamboa. Promoter Ahmet Oner sealed the deal with Steward at the WBO convention in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Gamboa had split up with his former amateur coach Ismael Salas after his most recent win over former world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon on September 10th in Atlantic City.
Steward has worked with some of the greatest fighters of all times including "Hitman“ Tommy Hearns, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and Lennox Lewis, only to name a few. Currently Steward is training world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
"Emanuel Steward is one of the best trainers in the world – with Gamboa he now has one of the best fighters in the world“, says promoter Ahmet Oner.
"I am very happy with this solution and I hope that Steward will take Gamboa to the next level. Yuri is already a complete fighter but it doesn’t matter how good you are – a great trainer will always find a way to make you even better.“
Yuriorkis Gamboa Hires Emanuel Steward as New Trainer
Hall of Fame coach and living legend Emanuel Steward is the new head coach of fast rising Cuban superstar Yuriorkis "El Ciclon“ Gamboa. Promoter Ahmet Oner sealed the deal with Steward at the WBO convention in Puerto Rico on Wednesday. Gamboa had split up with his former amateur coach Ismael Salas after his most recent win over former world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon on September 10th in Atlantic City.
Steward has worked with some of the greatest fighters of all times including "Hitman“ Tommy Hearns, Oscar de la Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez and Lennox Lewis, only to name a few. Currently Steward is training world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
"Emanuel Steward is one of the best trainers in the world – with Gamboa he now has one of the best fighters in the world“, says promoter Ahmet Oner.
"I am very happy with this solution and I hope that Steward will take Gamboa to the next level. Yuri is already a complete fighter but it doesn’t matter how good you are – a great trainer will always find a way to make you even better.“
I guess people in Gamboa's camp saw the same defensive holes I saw in the Daniel Ponce de Leon fight. Gamboa is moving up in weight with the harder punchers, so he needs to work on his defense. I don't know if this will be a good move for Gamboa, he doesn't have the Steward jab first style. I guess we will see.
Arum: Mayweather has no chin, he hates Pacquiao’s right hand
By Chris Williams: Bob Arum of Top Rank lashed out at unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. yesterday in an interview, saying that it’s Mayweather who doesn’t want to make the fight happen with Arum’s fighter WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Arum said to ESPNLosAngeles “What Mayweather hates is Manny’s right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out. Pacquiao and Mayweather is a three or four round fight, period.”
Here’s my take on this: Mayweather isn’t the least afraid of Pacquiao’s right hand because he doesn’t hit as hard as the last guy that Mayweather beat WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. Why would Mayweather be afraid to fight someone smaller, weaker and older than Ortiz?
No, Mayweather isn’t afraid of fighting Pacquiao. But what he does want is for Pacquiao to agree to staying in the U.S to be available for Mayweather’s Olympic style random drug tests for the entire training camp and not having Pacquiao be unavailable for the testing by spending half the training camp time in the Philippines. This is something that could be easily taken care of Pacquiao would simply say yes to staying in the U.S, but thus far it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
Arum has a negative view on the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight ever happening, saying “That fight will never, ever happen.”
I think it’s up to Arum. If he wanted to make the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight happen he could very, very quickly. Arum has got the ability to convince Pacquiao of practically I believe. If Arum pushed Pacquiao to stay in the U.S so that he could be tested for performance enhancing drugs, I think Pacquiao would agree in a second. But it’s up to Arum. I personally think he doesn’t want Pacquiao to fight Mayweather because the Pacquiao gravy train could come to a screeching halt after Mayweather humiliates Pacquiao in an embarrassingly one-sided loss.
A lopsided loss to Mayweather would likely badly hurt Pacquiao in future PPV bouts, and I think Arum doesn’t want this. It’s easier to match Pacquiao up with old guys like 40-year-old Shane Mosley, 38-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as his Top Rank stable fighters Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, and Timothy Bradley where there’s not much danger. At the same time, Arum, trainer Freddie Roach and Pacquiao can throw out Mayweather’s name every once in a while and say he doesn’t want to fight. That way boxing fans will put the blame on Mayweather instead of looking at Pacquiao and his management as the reason the fight hasn’t been made
arum must be going senile with all the bullshit he's been talking lately
By Chris Williams: Bob Arum of Top Rank lashed out at unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. yesterday in an interview, saying that it’s Mayweather who doesn’t want to make the fight happen with Arum’s fighter WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.
Arum said to ESPNLosAngeles “What Mayweather hates is Manny’s right hand. Mayweather has no chin and Manny will knock him out. Pacquiao and Mayweather is a three or four round fight, period.”
Here’s my take on this: Mayweather isn’t the least afraid of Pacquiao’s right hand because he doesn’t hit as hard as the last guy that Mayweather beat WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. Why would Mayweather be afraid to fight someone smaller, weaker and older than Ortiz?
No, Mayweather isn’t afraid of fighting Pacquiao. But what he does want is for Pacquiao to agree to staying in the U.S to be available for Mayweather’s Olympic style random drug tests for the entire training camp and not having Pacquiao be unavailable for the testing by spending half the training camp time in the Philippines. This is something that could be easily taken care of Pacquiao would simply say yes to staying in the U.S, but thus far it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
Arum has a negative view on the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight ever happening, saying “That fight will never, ever happen.”
I think it’s up to Arum. If he wanted to make the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight happen he could very, very quickly. Arum has got the ability to convince Pacquiao of practically I believe. If Arum pushed Pacquiao to stay in the U.S so that he could be tested for performance enhancing drugs, I think Pacquiao would agree in a second. But it’s up to Arum. I personally think he doesn’t want Pacquiao to fight Mayweather because the Pacquiao gravy train could come to a screeching halt after Mayweather humiliates Pacquiao in an embarrassingly one-sided loss.
A lopsided loss to Mayweather would likely badly hurt Pacquiao in future PPV bouts, and I think Arum doesn’t want this. It’s easier to match Pacquiao up with old guys like 40-year-old Shane Mosley, 38-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as his Top Rank stable fighters Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey, and Timothy Bradley where there’s not much danger. At the same time, Arum, trainer Freddie Roach and Pacquiao can throw out Mayweather’s name every once in a while and say he doesn’t want to fight. That way boxing fans will put the blame on Mayweather instead of looking at Pacquiao and his management as the reason the fight hasn’t been made
arum must be going senile with all the bullshit he's been talking lately
Berto vs. Bailey close to happening
By Jason Kim: IBF welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s) will likely be facing number #2 ranked IBF contender Randall Bailey (42-7, 36 KO’s) for his first defense of his International Boxing Federation title that he won over former champion Jan Zaveck last September.
According to Ringtv, Lou Dibella, the promoter for Berto, has already made a deal with the 37-year-old Bailey for a fight against Berto. All that is waiting is for Dibella to find a venue and date before the fight can be made.
If the fight does take place, it would be by far the biggest puncher that Berto has faced during his seven year pro career. Bailey, a 15-year pro, has one punch power and can take his opponents at any given time.
Most of Bailey’s knockouts come early in his fights, however. But if you put a fighter in front of him like Berto with a poor defense, Bailey can get them out of there quickly.
Berto hasn’t done much for the past three years other than picking up the WBC welterweight title and defending the belt against lackluster opposition for three solid years.
Berto finally faced a decent opponent in Victor Ortiz last April and was beaten soundly. In his first fight back from the Ortiz loss, Berto met and defeated Zaveck in a so-so performance.
Berto looked good early on, but after the 3rd round he stopped punching as much as was taking shots from Zaveck until the fight was stopped due to a cut over the right eye of Zaveck.
By Jason Kim: IBF welterweight champion Andre Berto (28-1, 22 KO’s) will likely be facing number #2 ranked IBF contender Randall Bailey (42-7, 36 KO’s) for his first defense of his International Boxing Federation title that he won over former champion Jan Zaveck last September.
According to Ringtv, Lou Dibella, the promoter for Berto, has already made a deal with the 37-year-old Bailey for a fight against Berto. All that is waiting is for Dibella to find a venue and date before the fight can be made.
If the fight does take place, it would be by far the biggest puncher that Berto has faced during his seven year pro career. Bailey, a 15-year pro, has one punch power and can take his opponents at any given time.
Most of Bailey’s knockouts come early in his fights, however. But if you put a fighter in front of him like Berto with a poor defense, Bailey can get them out of there quickly.
Berto hasn’t done much for the past three years other than picking up the WBC welterweight title and defending the belt against lackluster opposition for three solid years.
Berto finally faced a decent opponent in Victor Ortiz last April and was beaten soundly. In his first fight back from the Ortiz loss, Berto met and defeated Zaveck in a so-so performance.
Berto looked good early on, but after the 3rd round he stopped punching as much as was taking shots from Zaveck until the fight was stopped due to a cut over the right eye of Zaveck.
Saul Alvarez says he doesn’t get involved in scandals, the WBC backs him
By Dan Ambrose: Photo credit: Alma Montiel – At a press conference on Wednesday, WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez isn’t admitting that he hit International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight champion Ulysses ‘Archie’ Solis with a two punch combination during a training incident at the Barranca de Oblates in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Solis suffered injury to his jaw and will have to undergo surgery to fix the problem. WBC president José Sulaimán is backing the 21-year-old Alvarez, believing he’s innocent. However, Sulaimán says they’ll still pay the medical costs for Solis.
Alvarez has a brief statement saying “I’m a young man that does not get involved in any scandals or trouble of any sort.”
Given that there’s no witnesses that can verify that this actually took place it looks like it’s Solis’ word against Alvarez’s.
Alvarez defends his WBC title on November 26th against former IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron on HBO in a fight that will be taking place in Mexico. This will be Alvarez’s 3rd title defense since winning the vacant WBC title earlier in the year in a win over Matthew Hatton. In his two title defenses Alvarez has defeated Ryan Rhodes and Alonso Gomez. However, Alvarez has taken criticism because he hasn’t taken on two of the top contenders in the division Alfredo Angulo and Vanes Martirosyan. Alvarez is going to have to face at least one of them in the near future, and it could be very tough for him to get past those fighters. Alvarez didn’t look very good in his last fight against Gomez, taking a lot of shots until he finally halted Gomez in the 6th round last September.
By Dan Ambrose: Photo credit: Alma Montiel – At a press conference on Wednesday, WBC junior middleweight champion Saul Alvarez isn’t admitting that he hit International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight champion Ulysses ‘Archie’ Solis with a two punch combination during a training incident at the Barranca de Oblates in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Solis suffered injury to his jaw and will have to undergo surgery to fix the problem. WBC president José Sulaimán is backing the 21-year-old Alvarez, believing he’s innocent. However, Sulaimán says they’ll still pay the medical costs for Solis.
Alvarez has a brief statement saying “I’m a young man that does not get involved in any scandals or trouble of any sort.”
Given that there’s no witnesses that can verify that this actually took place it looks like it’s Solis’ word against Alvarez’s.
Alvarez defends his WBC title on November 26th against former IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron on HBO in a fight that will be taking place in Mexico. This will be Alvarez’s 3rd title defense since winning the vacant WBC title earlier in the year in a win over Matthew Hatton. In his two title defenses Alvarez has defeated Ryan Rhodes and Alonso Gomez. However, Alvarez has taken criticism because he hasn’t taken on two of the top contenders in the division Alfredo Angulo and Vanes Martirosyan. Alvarez is going to have to face at least one of them in the near future, and it could be very tough for him to get past those fighters. Alvarez didn’t look very good in his last fight against Gomez, taking a lot of shots until he finally halted Gomez in the 6th round last September.
Jean Pascal: “Bute claims that he’s the best in my country and my city, but he never
by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 147th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with former WBC light heavyweight champion of the world Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) who is planning a December return to the ring. Pascal shared his views on a number of topics including Chad Dawson’s bizarre victory against Bernard Hopkins, the upcoming third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, Lucian Bute, Floyd Mayweather Junior’s somewhat controversial knockout win against Victor Ortiz, Carl Froch, Tavoris Cloud, and more! Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: I think it’s time for our first guest of this week’s show. He’s a man that has fought both Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson. We’re joined by a returning guest making his sixth appearance to On the Ropes Boxing Radio, we’re joined once again by former light heavyweight champion of the world Jean Pascal. How’s everything going today, Jean?
JEAN PASCAL: I’m doing good, and you?
JENNA: I’m doing very well. So the talk of boxing right now is about a former opponent of yours. Bernard Hopkins made his return to the ring and the fight did not quite go his way. He got pushed down by Chad Dawson in the second round. The fight was called off. He was on the wrong side of a TKO2 loss. What were your thoughts looking at it?
PASCAL: It’s really hard to tell. I think we have no choice but to give Bernard the benefit of the doubt, because Bernard is 46 and at that age the bones are more fragile. So we have to give the benefit of the doubt to Bernard.
JENNA: Okay now Jean, when you looked at the first two rounds who do you think the fight was leaning towards?
PASCAL: Seriously I think Chad was winning the fight, but we all know that Bernard starts to get active after the fifth round. For sure Chad Dawson was winning the fight at that point, but we all know Bernard is more active after the fifth round.
JENNA: Alright now Jean you mentioned that Bernard should get the benefit of the doubt, but after the fight Chad Dawson was screaming in the ring calling him “a p*ssy” and calling him all sorts of obscenities, and saying that he was looking for a way out of the bout. Do you see any way that that could be true?
PASCAL: It might be true also, but like I said one more time we have to give Bernard the benefit of the doubt. You know that was a definite foul. He made a foul, and you know that was a real foul. He pushed him on purpose. He tried to grab him by the legs, and that’s not the first time that Dawson did that. He tried the same thing with me during my fight at round eight!
JENNA: Chad actually mentioned your name in the post fight interview. He said, “I’d like to fight Jean Pascal next, I don’t want to give Bernard Hopkins a rematch”. What were you thinking when you heard that?
PASCAL: I was glad because he wants to avenge his defeat, his loss. Me, I’ll be ready anytime for Chad but I don’t think that’s a good idea for Chad. You know the only defeat on his record is with me, and if he fights me again he’s going to see a “2” and that “2” is going to be me again.
JENNA: Alright well there are rumors that you will be returning to the ring on December 10. Now there has been some question about whether Chad can actually sneak in a fight before Bernard has his appeal. The earliest date that the appeal commission said they will review the fight is December 13. You’re rumored fight is December 10. Would you fight Chad Dawson if he was willing to fight you on that date?
PASCAL: No, I don’t think so because I won’t be prepared for him. If I fight Chad Dawson again it will be probably next year.
JENNA: Alright so what kind of opponent are you looking at for that fight date?
PASCAL: I’m looking to a good opponent, because I think Chad Dawson is still one of the best. So to get ready for that kind of challenge you have to be well prepared and you have to know that way, way in advance. But I’m still looking for a good guy on December 10. You know we’re talking about possibly fighting Chris Henry or Zsolt Erdei. You know me. I’ll fight anyone, anytime, anywhere, but to fight Chad Dawson that’s a serious fight, so I need to know that way, way in advance.
JENNA: Alright well Jean you’re very active with technology, I see you on Twitter all the time. There is another guy on Twitter that’s been calling you out and saying you’re avoiding him. That’s Tavoris Cloud. Is there any truth to that rumor that you don’t want to get into the ring with him?
PASCAL: Avoiding who? Who?
JENNA: (laughs) Tavoris Cloud!
PASCAL: Who? Tavoris who? (laughs) Come on guys! Me? Ducking someone? You know better than that. He knows better than that. His promoter is blocking the fight because his promoter knows that he’s going to lose. So that’s why his promoter wants options on me, and even when we gave options on me he still said no! We gave him half the money at HBO, half the money at the gate, and we get one option on me and Don’s still blocking the fight! It’s like, come on guys!
JENNA: So Jean, you feel that even though he’s the champion, because you’re the draw he shouldn’t be asking for options on you?
PASCAL: Exactly, and even though I’m the draw I’m giving him half of my gate! That’s my money! That’s my gate! And I was willing to give him half of the money. You know so they were asking way too much. I’m sure that Tavoris Cloud wants to fight me, but he needs to change his promoter.
JENNA: Now you say he has to change his promoter. If there was anything you could say to Tavoris Cloud right now, what would you say to him?
PASCAL: Tavoris Cloud, if you want the fight to happen you need to change the promoter, because Don King is blocking you from making a name, he’s blocking you from money, and he’s blocking you from a good fight!
JENNA: Okay! Well Jean, we’re also on the line with my Co-Host Geoff Ciani.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hey Jean. It’s a pleasure to have you back on the show.
PASCAL: Thanks.
CIANI: Going back to the Hopkins-Dawson fight, when this fight was first announced what was your instinct in terms of who you thought would win?
PASCAL: Seriously, like Dawson has every tool to beat Hopkins. He’s tall, he’s fast, he’s got a long reach, he’s technical, he has a good technique, he has every tool to beat Hopkins, but the thing is with Hopkins he’s a well polished experienced fighter. He knows all the tricks and all the dirty tricks in the game, so to beat Hopkins you have to be patient and you have to be really, really smart. You know the only question mark that I had with Dawson was— is he smart enough to beat Hopkins? But he has all the tools to beat Bernard Hopkins.
CIANI: Now he appeared to be beating Bernard early, but as you mentioned Bernard is a crafty fighter who knows all the tricks. It looked to me like Bernard was trying to measure Chad and time him for that lead right hand. In your estimation, having been in the ring with both guys, what do you think they were each trying to do strategically in those opening rounds?
PASCAL: Well it’s really simple. Chad was trying to keep Bernard at long distance, and Bernard was trying to do exactly what I did in my first fight with Chad. He was moving around and then trying to sneak his right hand in on Chad. So I know that Bernard for sure studied my tape against Dawson and he was trying to do the same thing, but it’s only me who can do that kind of thing with Chad Dawson!
CIANI: You beat Chad Dawson. You did not beat Bernard Hopkins. So in that sense were you hoping that Bernard would win this fight because you’d rather avenge a loss than fight a guy you already beat?
PASCAL: Not really, because that was a tricky situation for me. Bernard beat me, I beat Chad, but I know for a fact that if Bernard would have beaten Chad Dawson, it would have been really, really difficult for me to get a third fight with Bernard. But if Chad would have beaten Bernard, it would be easy for me to get my title shot with Chad Dawson.
CIANI: Do you also think that if you get the title shot with Chad Dawson it might ironically help pave the way to a third fight with Bernard?
PASCAL: I hope so, because right now Chad Dawson is a paper champ. He’s a champion by accident. I hope that Chad is not saying that he beat Bernard, because he didn’t beat Bernard! If you need to tackle a 46 year old man to win a fight then that’s really, really sad!
CIANI: Changing things up here a little bit, boxing fans were kind of disappointed by the way the whole Hopkins-Dawson fight ended because it was inconclusive. But another fight that upset boxing was the fight between Floyd Mayweather Junior and Victor Ortiz, where the way that fight ended a lot of fans perceived what Floyd did as dirty tactics or a sucker punch. I’m just curious if we could get your views on the fight that Floyd had and the way that that one ended?
PASCAL: I do understand when people said that it was a cheap shot and everything but, in boxing, boxing is not a game. You’re going to war. You need to be a soldier and a warrior to get in the ring, and the first rule of boxing is to protect yourself at all times. So he didn’t protect himself at all times, and he knows he’s fighting Floyd and we know that Floyd is doing that all the time! He did the same thing against Mosley. So if you get prepared to fight Floyd you know you have to be prepared for everything, and he touched his glove before Floyd landed a punch. So that’s why to me it wasn’t really a cheap shot, because he touched the glove before Floyd landed the punch.
CIANI: Now a lot of the same fans that are calling what Floyd did a cheap shot or whatever in that regard, these are the same type of people who tune in to Floyd hoping to see him lose, which is something we’ve never seen happen yet. From your perspective as a fighter, if you were the same size as Floyd what do you think the key to beating him is?
PASCAL: Honestly it’s really hard to tell, because right now there is no blueprint to beat Floyd. So it’s really hard to tell, but one thing I wanted to mention is you see how people jump on Floyd and say it was a cheap shot. But nobody talks about what Victor did, because everything started because of Victor! Victor headed Floyd really clearly. That wasn’t a mistake or anything like that. He was trying to do that to win a fight or whatever, but that’s not correct. Then people started talking about what Floyd did. What about what Victor did to Floyd?
JENNA: A former opponent of yours is getting back into the ring on December 17. That would be Carl Froch. He’s always maintained that he would give you a rematch given the fact you went over to his country to fight him for the title. He said after the Super Six he would be interested in that fight. Would you still have that interest?
PASCAL: Of course I still have an interest to fight Carl Froch. I know that we have a handshake deal, but I know for a fact also that it will be way easier for me to get a shot at Carl if I’m a world champion.
JENNA: Now if you had your choice of opponents or fighters that would come up from 168 to fight you, would it be your countryman Lucian Bute or would it be Carl Froch?
PASCAL: Honestly I would love to fight both guys because I want to fight the best! Bute claims that he’s the best in my country and my city, but he never beat anybody! So how could you claim that you’re the best if you never faced anyone to earn it? So of course I would love to fight Lucian Bute, but also I would to avenge my loss against Carl Froch.
JENNA: Okay well I just have a couple of more questions before we let you off the line. My Co-Host mentioned Mayweather before, and you know the talk of boxing. They always say Mayweather-Pacquiao, is it going to happen. But Pacquiao’s got some business ahead of him. November 12 he faces off in a third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. I’m just curious, do you see like many people in boxing that Marquez is just too small for Pacquiao at this point?
PASCAL: Yeah, I think that at this point Pacquiao is too big and too strong for Marquez, so I have no choice but to go all the way with Pacquiao this time.
JENNA: Now this question here revolves around your next fight. You said before that you gained a lot of experience fighting Bernard Hopkins two times. How do you think he’s improved you as a fighter that you could take something new into the ring when you next get in there?
PASCAL: I know for a fact that Bernard took some of my tricks and I see it in his boxing skills, but I did the same too. Now I’m going to be able to be more relaxed in the ring because the 24 rounds I did with Bernard taught me a lot and brought me a lot of experience. I’m telling you, next time you’re going to see me in the ring you’re going to see a whole different Jean Pascal!
JENNA: Alright well Jean, I have one final question. You have a lot of fans and supporters who follow you on Twitter. Is there anything that you want to say to them?
PASCAL: Yes, I just want to say thank you for supporting me. I love you! I’m training really, really hard to be back on top, and I will be champion again!
JENNA: Well Jean, it was a pleasure as always having you on the show. I wish you the best of luck in your December 10 bout.
PASCAL: Thank you very much guys.
CIANI: Thanks Jean, best of luck.
PASCAL: Thank you. Bye.
by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J & Geoffrey Ciani) - Last week’s 147th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with former WBC light heavyweight champion of the world Jean Pascal (26-2-1, 16 KOs) who is planning a December return to the ring. Pascal shared his views on a number of topics including Chad Dawson’s bizarre victory against Bernard Hopkins, the upcoming third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, Lucian Bute, Floyd Mayweather Junior’s somewhat controversial knockout win against Victor Ortiz, Carl Froch, Tavoris Cloud, and more! Here is a complete transcript from that interview:
JENNA J: I think it’s time for our first guest of this week’s show. He’s a man that has fought both Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson. We’re joined by a returning guest making his sixth appearance to On the Ropes Boxing Radio, we’re joined once again by former light heavyweight champion of the world Jean Pascal. How’s everything going today, Jean?
JEAN PASCAL: I’m doing good, and you?
JENNA: I’m doing very well. So the talk of boxing right now is about a former opponent of yours. Bernard Hopkins made his return to the ring and the fight did not quite go his way. He got pushed down by Chad Dawson in the second round. The fight was called off. He was on the wrong side of a TKO2 loss. What were your thoughts looking at it?
PASCAL: It’s really hard to tell. I think we have no choice but to give Bernard the benefit of the doubt, because Bernard is 46 and at that age the bones are more fragile. So we have to give the benefit of the doubt to Bernard.
JENNA: Okay now Jean, when you looked at the first two rounds who do you think the fight was leaning towards?
PASCAL: Seriously I think Chad was winning the fight, but we all know that Bernard starts to get active after the fifth round. For sure Chad Dawson was winning the fight at that point, but we all know Bernard is more active after the fifth round.
JENNA: Alright now Jean you mentioned that Bernard should get the benefit of the doubt, but after the fight Chad Dawson was screaming in the ring calling him “a p*ssy” and calling him all sorts of obscenities, and saying that he was looking for a way out of the bout. Do you see any way that that could be true?
PASCAL: It might be true also, but like I said one more time we have to give Bernard the benefit of the doubt. You know that was a definite foul. He made a foul, and you know that was a real foul. He pushed him on purpose. He tried to grab him by the legs, and that’s not the first time that Dawson did that. He tried the same thing with me during my fight at round eight!
JENNA: Chad actually mentioned your name in the post fight interview. He said, “I’d like to fight Jean Pascal next, I don’t want to give Bernard Hopkins a rematch”. What were you thinking when you heard that?
PASCAL: I was glad because he wants to avenge his defeat, his loss. Me, I’ll be ready anytime for Chad but I don’t think that’s a good idea for Chad. You know the only defeat on his record is with me, and if he fights me again he’s going to see a “2” and that “2” is going to be me again.
JENNA: Alright well there are rumors that you will be returning to the ring on December 10. Now there has been some question about whether Chad can actually sneak in a fight before Bernard has his appeal. The earliest date that the appeal commission said they will review the fight is December 13. You’re rumored fight is December 10. Would you fight Chad Dawson if he was willing to fight you on that date?
PASCAL: No, I don’t think so because I won’t be prepared for him. If I fight Chad Dawson again it will be probably next year.
JENNA: Alright so what kind of opponent are you looking at for that fight date?
PASCAL: I’m looking to a good opponent, because I think Chad Dawson is still one of the best. So to get ready for that kind of challenge you have to be well prepared and you have to know that way, way in advance. But I’m still looking for a good guy on December 10. You know we’re talking about possibly fighting Chris Henry or Zsolt Erdei. You know me. I’ll fight anyone, anytime, anywhere, but to fight Chad Dawson that’s a serious fight, so I need to know that way, way in advance.
JENNA: Alright well Jean you’re very active with technology, I see you on Twitter all the time. There is another guy on Twitter that’s been calling you out and saying you’re avoiding him. That’s Tavoris Cloud. Is there any truth to that rumor that you don’t want to get into the ring with him?
PASCAL: Avoiding who? Who?
JENNA: (laughs) Tavoris Cloud!
PASCAL: Who? Tavoris who? (laughs) Come on guys! Me? Ducking someone? You know better than that. He knows better than that. His promoter is blocking the fight because his promoter knows that he’s going to lose. So that’s why his promoter wants options on me, and even when we gave options on me he still said no! We gave him half the money at HBO, half the money at the gate, and we get one option on me and Don’s still blocking the fight! It’s like, come on guys!
JENNA: So Jean, you feel that even though he’s the champion, because you’re the draw he shouldn’t be asking for options on you?
PASCAL: Exactly, and even though I’m the draw I’m giving him half of my gate! That’s my money! That’s my gate! And I was willing to give him half of the money. You know so they were asking way too much. I’m sure that Tavoris Cloud wants to fight me, but he needs to change his promoter.
JENNA: Now you say he has to change his promoter. If there was anything you could say to Tavoris Cloud right now, what would you say to him?
PASCAL: Tavoris Cloud, if you want the fight to happen you need to change the promoter, because Don King is blocking you from making a name, he’s blocking you from money, and he’s blocking you from a good fight!
JENNA: Okay! Well Jean, we’re also on the line with my Co-Host Geoff Ciani.
GEOFFREY CIANI: Hey Jean. It’s a pleasure to have you back on the show.
PASCAL: Thanks.
CIANI: Going back to the Hopkins-Dawson fight, when this fight was first announced what was your instinct in terms of who you thought would win?
PASCAL: Seriously, like Dawson has every tool to beat Hopkins. He’s tall, he’s fast, he’s got a long reach, he’s technical, he has a good technique, he has every tool to beat Hopkins, but the thing is with Hopkins he’s a well polished experienced fighter. He knows all the tricks and all the dirty tricks in the game, so to beat Hopkins you have to be patient and you have to be really, really smart. You know the only question mark that I had with Dawson was— is he smart enough to beat Hopkins? But he has all the tools to beat Bernard Hopkins.
CIANI: Now he appeared to be beating Bernard early, but as you mentioned Bernard is a crafty fighter who knows all the tricks. It looked to me like Bernard was trying to measure Chad and time him for that lead right hand. In your estimation, having been in the ring with both guys, what do you think they were each trying to do strategically in those opening rounds?
PASCAL: Well it’s really simple. Chad was trying to keep Bernard at long distance, and Bernard was trying to do exactly what I did in my first fight with Chad. He was moving around and then trying to sneak his right hand in on Chad. So I know that Bernard for sure studied my tape against Dawson and he was trying to do the same thing, but it’s only me who can do that kind of thing with Chad Dawson!
CIANI: You beat Chad Dawson. You did not beat Bernard Hopkins. So in that sense were you hoping that Bernard would win this fight because you’d rather avenge a loss than fight a guy you already beat?
PASCAL: Not really, because that was a tricky situation for me. Bernard beat me, I beat Chad, but I know for a fact that if Bernard would have beaten Chad Dawson, it would have been really, really difficult for me to get a third fight with Bernard. But if Chad would have beaten Bernard, it would be easy for me to get my title shot with Chad Dawson.
CIANI: Do you also think that if you get the title shot with Chad Dawson it might ironically help pave the way to a third fight with Bernard?
PASCAL: I hope so, because right now Chad Dawson is a paper champ. He’s a champion by accident. I hope that Chad is not saying that he beat Bernard, because he didn’t beat Bernard! If you need to tackle a 46 year old man to win a fight then that’s really, really sad!
CIANI: Changing things up here a little bit, boxing fans were kind of disappointed by the way the whole Hopkins-Dawson fight ended because it was inconclusive. But another fight that upset boxing was the fight between Floyd Mayweather Junior and Victor Ortiz, where the way that fight ended a lot of fans perceived what Floyd did as dirty tactics or a sucker punch. I’m just curious if we could get your views on the fight that Floyd had and the way that that one ended?
PASCAL: I do understand when people said that it was a cheap shot and everything but, in boxing, boxing is not a game. You’re going to war. You need to be a soldier and a warrior to get in the ring, and the first rule of boxing is to protect yourself at all times. So he didn’t protect himself at all times, and he knows he’s fighting Floyd and we know that Floyd is doing that all the time! He did the same thing against Mosley. So if you get prepared to fight Floyd you know you have to be prepared for everything, and he touched his glove before Floyd landed a punch. So that’s why to me it wasn’t really a cheap shot, because he touched the glove before Floyd landed the punch.
CIANI: Now a lot of the same fans that are calling what Floyd did a cheap shot or whatever in that regard, these are the same type of people who tune in to Floyd hoping to see him lose, which is something we’ve never seen happen yet. From your perspective as a fighter, if you were the same size as Floyd what do you think the key to beating him is?
PASCAL: Honestly it’s really hard to tell, because right now there is no blueprint to beat Floyd. So it’s really hard to tell, but one thing I wanted to mention is you see how people jump on Floyd and say it was a cheap shot. But nobody talks about what Victor did, because everything started because of Victor! Victor headed Floyd really clearly. That wasn’t a mistake or anything like that. He was trying to do that to win a fight or whatever, but that’s not correct. Then people started talking about what Floyd did. What about what Victor did to Floyd?
JENNA: A former opponent of yours is getting back into the ring on December 17. That would be Carl Froch. He’s always maintained that he would give you a rematch given the fact you went over to his country to fight him for the title. He said after the Super Six he would be interested in that fight. Would you still have that interest?
PASCAL: Of course I still have an interest to fight Carl Froch. I know that we have a handshake deal, but I know for a fact also that it will be way easier for me to get a shot at Carl if I’m a world champion.
JENNA: Now if you had your choice of opponents or fighters that would come up from 168 to fight you, would it be your countryman Lucian Bute or would it be Carl Froch?
PASCAL: Honestly I would love to fight both guys because I want to fight the best! Bute claims that he’s the best in my country and my city, but he never beat anybody! So how could you claim that you’re the best if you never faced anyone to earn it? So of course I would love to fight Lucian Bute, but also I would to avenge my loss against Carl Froch.
JENNA: Okay well I just have a couple of more questions before we let you off the line. My Co-Host mentioned Mayweather before, and you know the talk of boxing. They always say Mayweather-Pacquiao, is it going to happen. But Pacquiao’s got some business ahead of him. November 12 he faces off in a third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez. I’m just curious, do you see like many people in boxing that Marquez is just too small for Pacquiao at this point?
PASCAL: Yeah, I think that at this point Pacquiao is too big and too strong for Marquez, so I have no choice but to go all the way with Pacquiao this time.
JENNA: Now this question here revolves around your next fight. You said before that you gained a lot of experience fighting Bernard Hopkins two times. How do you think he’s improved you as a fighter that you could take something new into the ring when you next get in there?
PASCAL: I know for a fact that Bernard took some of my tricks and I see it in his boxing skills, but I did the same too. Now I’m going to be able to be more relaxed in the ring because the 24 rounds I did with Bernard taught me a lot and brought me a lot of experience. I’m telling you, next time you’re going to see me in the ring you’re going to see a whole different Jean Pascal!
JENNA: Alright well Jean, I have one final question. You have a lot of fans and supporters who follow you on Twitter. Is there anything that you want to say to them?
PASCAL: Yes, I just want to say thank you for supporting me. I love you! I’m training really, really hard to be back on top, and I will be champion again!
JENNA: Well Jean, it was a pleasure as always having you on the show. I wish you the best of luck in your December 10 bout.
PASCAL: Thank you very much guys.
CIANI: Thanks Jean, best of luck.
PASCAL: Thank you. Bye.
Roach hints at Mayweather
By Vitali Shaposhnikov: According to an interview with Freddie Roach (http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscor...?articleid=740939&publicationsubcategoryid=69), while Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2) is running out of opposition, there is still some formidable and exciting competition remaining. So not to worry folks, Pacquiao will not end up unemployed!
Some believe that Timothy Bradley (27-0-0) was an option, but it turns out that this may not be the case. “I think he’s involved in a lawsuit with two promoters. Besides, he’s got to earn the fight with Manny. Bradley’s not well known. It’s premature to even consider him fighting Manny,” said Roach.
According to Roach, Floyd Mayweather Jr’s. (42-0-0) recent victim Victor Ortiz (29-3-2) may actually work out as an opponent some time in the near future: “I remember Victor sparring with Manny and they went at each other for two days until we stopped it because Ortiz was like 20 or 30 pounds heavier.” This is certainly a fight that would fetch a good amount of money, but the result would mimic that of Ortiz’s fight against Mayweather Jr. as far as the result goes. Too much speed, power and experience would be playing in Pacquiao’s favor.
Another very possible scenario for Manny would be an unbeaten WBA Welterweight champion and Freddie Roach trained Viacheslav Senchenko (32-0-0) of Ukraine. “The Ukraine people haven’t seen Manny, and Senchenko’s promoters are very wealthy. His promoters control the coal and metal mines in the country. Manny could fight Senchenko in Ukraine for a lot of money. In the event they meet, Manny will win easy,” Roach explained. Well if this is what Freddie thinks, then why even make the fight? Let’s give Pacquiao some real competition (not to discredit Senchenko) instead of hand picked ready to lose boxers.
Apparently, Manny plans to retire at the end of 2013, leaving us with only 4 more fights remaining. Surprisingly, Roach mentioned that his last 3 fights might end up being a Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao trilogy: “You know, obviously, everyone wants Mayweather. Of course, we’re all getting a little tired of hearing his name because he doesn’t want to fight Manny. But hopefully, that fight will happen. That fight is so interesting; it could end up being a trilogy. Actually, it could be the last three fights for Manny, if the fight goes as we see it because they’re both very, very good fighters so it’s a fight we want. There’s nobody out there for Manny anymore,” explained Roach.
While all this is only Roach’s opinion, I feel that it has more ground that most people will attribute to it. After all, him and Manny are much closer that most fighter/trainer duos. I have frequently heard that Manny listens and takes Roach’s opinions into great consideration, and often does as advised by Freddie. So, who knows, maybe we are in for a big blockbuster against Mayweather Jr. sooner than we think!
By Vitali Shaposhnikov: According to an interview with Freddie Roach (http://www.philstar.com/thedeanscor...?articleid=740939&publicationsubcategoryid=69), while Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2) is running out of opposition, there is still some formidable and exciting competition remaining. So not to worry folks, Pacquiao will not end up unemployed!
Some believe that Timothy Bradley (27-0-0) was an option, but it turns out that this may not be the case. “I think he’s involved in a lawsuit with two promoters. Besides, he’s got to earn the fight with Manny. Bradley’s not well known. It’s premature to even consider him fighting Manny,” said Roach.
According to Roach, Floyd Mayweather Jr’s. (42-0-0) recent victim Victor Ortiz (29-3-2) may actually work out as an opponent some time in the near future: “I remember Victor sparring with Manny and they went at each other for two days until we stopped it because Ortiz was like 20 or 30 pounds heavier.” This is certainly a fight that would fetch a good amount of money, but the result would mimic that of Ortiz’s fight against Mayweather Jr. as far as the result goes. Too much speed, power and experience would be playing in Pacquiao’s favor.
Another very possible scenario for Manny would be an unbeaten WBA Welterweight champion and Freddie Roach trained Viacheslav Senchenko (32-0-0) of Ukraine. “The Ukraine people haven’t seen Manny, and Senchenko’s promoters are very wealthy. His promoters control the coal and metal mines in the country. Manny could fight Senchenko in Ukraine for a lot of money. In the event they meet, Manny will win easy,” Roach explained. Well if this is what Freddie thinks, then why even make the fight? Let’s give Pacquiao some real competition (not to discredit Senchenko) instead of hand picked ready to lose boxers.
Apparently, Manny plans to retire at the end of 2013, leaving us with only 4 more fights remaining. Surprisingly, Roach mentioned that his last 3 fights might end up being a Mayweather Jr. vs. Pacquiao trilogy: “You know, obviously, everyone wants Mayweather. Of course, we’re all getting a little tired of hearing his name because he doesn’t want to fight Manny. But hopefully, that fight will happen. That fight is so interesting; it could end up being a trilogy. Actually, it could be the last three fights for Manny, if the fight goes as we see it because they’re both very, very good fighters so it’s a fight we want. There’s nobody out there for Manny anymore,” explained Roach.
While all this is only Roach’s opinion, I feel that it has more ground that most people will attribute to it. After all, him and Manny are much closer that most fighter/trainer duos. I have frequently heard that Manny listens and takes Roach’s opinions into great consideration, and often does as advised by Freddie. So, who knows, maybe we are in for a big blockbuster against Mayweather Jr. sooner than we think!