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Jul 24, 2005
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Khan Eyes Pacquiao/Diaz Winner

WBC #4 ranked lightweight Amir Khan will be keeping a close eye on next weekend's fight between Manny Pacquiao and David Diaz - and says he wants the winner. The pair fight for the WBC World Lightweight title in Las Vegas on June 28. And Khan is hoping that he'll be in line to fight whoever emerges victorious. "I'm fighting in front of a 10,000 sell out on Saturday night so I think I'm one of the main men in the division," said Khan.

"And by the end of the year I'm not just going to be one of the main men, I'm going to the number one, and everyone's going to be after me.

"I've got a high rating with both the WBO and the WBC, and I feel ready for a world title shot.

"Diaz and Pacquiao are both great fighters, but I'm confident that I could beat both of them.

Khan defends his Commonwealth lightweight title at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on Saturday night against Michael Gomez - live and exclusive on ITV1.

And he is aiming to fight for his first world title before the end of the year.

WBA/IBF/WBO world champion Nate Campbell is also on Khan's agenda, and promoter Frank Warren has held talks with the American.

"I'd love to fight Campbell," enthused Khan. "I've dreamed about becoming a world champion all my life and I'm nearly there.

"I read some of the stuff that Campbell said about me the other week, and it just made me laugh.

"After I've taken his world titles away from him he'll be giving me the respect I deserve.

"But I can't get too far ahead of myself, and I have to do a job on Gomez first on Saturday night.

"He's got nothing to lose and that makes him a very dangerous fighter.

"I want Gomez to be at his best because I want to show everyone how good I can be, and I'm sure he's going to come in really fired up. He said the other day that he wants a war, and that's what I plan on giving him."
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Jermain Taylor Still Focused on Jeff Lacy For November

By Mark Vester

Former middleweight champ Jermain Taylor (27-2, 17KOs) is still focused on facing his former Olympic teammate Jeff Lacy (23-1, 17KOs). Steve Kim of MaxBoxing/BoxingScene.com was informed that Taylor's return is still on schedule to land in November on HBO. Taylor would like for Lacy to be on the opposite side of the ring. WBC/WBA super flyweight champ Cristian Mijares is a possibility to open up the show.

A number of opponents have been discussed for Taylor's return, including Felix Trinidad, Ricardo Mayorga and Brian Vera, but Lacy appears to be the frontrun favorite. Trinidad turned down the fight, Mayorga is headed to a possibly October showdown with Shane Mosley. That leaves Lacy and Vera as the choices from the original batch of guys.

Golden Boy was presented with an offer by Taylor's promoter Lou DiBella, and he's interested, but wants a tuneup to come off before a Taylor fight takes place.

"I'd be interested in taking that fight with Jermain Taylor at the end of the year, but if we can't get a pretty good tune-up fight before that, it will be sometime next year he and I will square off," Lacy told writer Eddie Daniels a few weeks back.

Lacy's tuneup may not happen until August, according to some, and could leave enough time to meet Taylor in November. Vera and his team have been calling pretty hard for the Taylor fight to happen, calling him out in a press release issued earlier this week. Vera, who appeared on the "Contender" reality show, scored a big upset by stopping top prospect Andy Lee earlier this year
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Tommy Hearns To Work Ronald's Corner, Hill Derailed

By Dave Sholler

BoxingScene.com and MaxBoxing.com has learned today that former world champion Thomas Hearns will corner his son Ronald this weekend after passport issues derailed trainer Henry Hill.

Hill confirmed this afternoon that problems with his passport prevented him from making the trip to the Cayman Islands where Hearns (18-0, 14 KOs) will battle Jose Luis Gonzalez (12-3-1, 10 KOs) as a part of Friday's Showtime card. When he was informed that he would not be able to make the trip, Hill immediately called Hearns' promoter, DiBella Entertainment and his father, Thomas.

"Unfortunately, they would not let me board to go to the Cayman Islands," Hill said. "So I made a call to Ronald's father and told him that he'd have to get down there to corner his son."

Despite launching his career at age 23 in 2004, Ronald Hearns has developed into a substantial prospect in the light middleweight division. A former 2004 amateur champion, the 29-year-old has a 78 percent knockout ratio and is considered by many to be only a few fights away from title contention.
 
May 6, 2002
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I never heard about the 10 million to fight Pavlik. IF it is true, not just the offer, but the total amount comes out to be what it would have been, then yes I will say he's a moron and in fact ducking Pavlik. Without a doubt I could agree with you on that. Since its just a rumor, we can only leave it at that.

RJJ vs Calzaghe would sell more PPVs than a Pavlik vs Calzaghe fight. That's just my opinion though.

RJJ is past his prime. So is Hopkins. So is Calzaghe.
Pavlik hasn't even reached his prime yet.
 
May 13, 2002
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The always entertaining Floyd Mayweather Sr. interview. Good time killer......

::::::::
::::::::

PBF wanted 50 MILL to fight DLH again

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR. INTERVIEW

"He knew automatically it wasn't going to be an easy fight; it was going to be a tough fight without a doubt so one of his reasons could be that he didn't want to lose. The other reason is he didn't want his daddy to make that money...I did hear that he wanted 50 million dollars. I did hear that and I'm not sure if that was the exact amount, but that's what I heard. To me, he couldn't have got 50 million dollars for that last fight that him and De La Hoya put up," stated world-renowned trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. as he shared his thoughts on why his son, Floyd Mayweather Jr., walked away from a rematch with De La Hoya and ultimately retired. You definitely don't want to miss this exclusive as Mayweather Sr. talks more about Lil Floyd's retirement, his treatment of Roger Mayweather and what happened when the two ran into each recently at the gym. Check it out!

PC: We'll cut right to the chase Big Floyd. What do you think of Lil Floyd's retirement and why do you think he retired?

FM: First of all, it could be for many different reasons. One of them could be because he knew it wasn't going to be an easy fight. He knew Oscar wasn't in the corner with Freddie "The Joke Coach" Roach. He knew that! He knew automatically it wasn't going to be an easy fight; it was going to be a tough fight without a doubt so one of his reasons could be that he didn't want to lose. The other reason is he didn't want his daddy to make that money. That could very well be one of his reasons; he didn't want his daddy to make that money.

PC: Yeah, I got some emails with people wondering if he did that just to spite you.

FM: I think he did it so I wouldn't get the money. To be honest with you, he definitely does spite me because he was just getting ready to put up his uncle's restaurant.

PC: Who? Roger?

FM: No, no, no. His uncle on his mother's side; the one that shot his daddy.

PC: Oh, the one that shot you? Damn!

FM: Yeah, yeah! He was putting it up and his uncle died a week before they could get everything straight. He wasn't nothing but about 50 years old.

PC: Did something happen to him or did he have a heart attack or something?

FM: Yeah. Massive heart attack. All of that is by the grace of God man. It wasn't meant for it to happen like that anyway. Naturally, I wouldn't want anything to happen to him even though he shot me, especially nothing like that, but the only way I wanted something to happen to him is if I did it myself; but as far as something like that, no. Them are the only reasons I could think of. He did it to spite his father. I don't know exactly how much, but I did hear that he wanted 50 million dollars. I did hear that and I'm not sure if that was the exact amount, but that's what I heard. To me, he couldn't have got 50 million dollars for that last fight that him and De La Hoya put up. It wasn't worth 50 million. It wasn't a classic fight at all. Did he win the fight? Yeah, he won the fight, but was it a fight that everybody was going crazy over? No! Oscar definitely had a better chance at winning the fight this time, even though…whatever things he did wrong with Steve, I was going to straighten it out anyway. I wasn't even worried about the fight. I had everything all lined up and ready to go.

PC: You were ready to get it on then?

FM: Oh yeah! Like I said, those are the only reasons and I would have to go more with [the fact that] he didn't want to let his daddy make that money.

PC: The thing that gets me, and I don't see anyone talking about it, but why did he stop Roger from training Steve Forbes to fight Oscar and now he's turned around and quit fighting.

FM: Right! He stopped Roger from getting the money and then he done stopped. That ain't right man! See, that's where I am right there man. Me and him could never work together because he could never control his daddy. His daddy ain't going to let him control him like that. I'm the trainer and you listen to the trainer. A trainer is never supposed to listen to the fighter.

PC: You told me Roger was crazy right after he left Steve?

FM: Yeah man. For what? He's controlling you if you let him do that. [Quoting Roger] "I thought it was best to get back over there." Get back over there for what? This is your life man. This is your livelihood; boxing. This is how you make a living and you got Lil Floyd telling you to drop somebody? Man, come on. Let me tell you something, you look at the money I could've made with De La Hoya and you see what I did.

PC: You left it behind.

FM: That's right! And I didn't call him back; he called me. He lets Lil Floyd have too much control man. They try to talk about it's our horoscope and all of that. Me and Lil Floyd just can't get along and it has nothing to do with horoscopes. He's still my son at the end of the day and I'm not a foolish man like that; that's my son, but he is a very bitter person that will do anything he can to hurt his daddy. He wants to hurt his daddy any way he can, but I'm not losing any sleep. I'm blessed man and I'm a proud man to say that the Lord has blessed me. I'll never change. I don't have the same kind of money that Lil Floyd has, but I could live good the rest of my life. I can live just as good as he does. Anybody could live good if they're doing the right things.

PC: You could definitely see when he started to change.

FM: Yeah. You could ask anybody that knows me. I've never changed and never will. Lil Floyd has changed so much, the only person that can bring him back down is the man above. That's the only person that can do something with him. I still love him man, but it's a different type of love because he's such a rude kid; he's so rude to the point where he's rotten. He's a spoiled kid and he's rotten man. Look, it's your money. Do what you want with it, but he needs to take a good look at what just happened to that football player.

PC: Oh yeah! They found Javon Walker knocked out cold. They took his jewelry and some money from him.

FM: I'm trying to tell you. He needs to take a good look at what's going on. People don't have money right now man. I don't give a damn how many of those big bodyguards he keep around him. All of these dudes have guns now and one thing about it, if they shoot one of them bodyguards, the only way they gonna shoot the other ones is in the back because they'll be running. They not gonna turn to see if he's hit or not. They not going to wait and see the next shot. They not even trying to hear the next shot. They are getting the hell out of there and fast.

PC: I would have liked to see you corner Oscar for that fight to see the difference.

FM: One thing about it, Lil Floyd knew, win, lose or draw, he knew what he was in for.

PC: So Lil Floyd never contacted you about the retirement?

FM: No! Man, something wrong with Lil Floyd man. Nobody turns down 30-35 million dollars man. You don't give up money like that, but it's something wrong with him. He was in the gym the other day and had the nerve to look me right in my face and not say nothing to me. He was talking to a man that was standing right next to me and he acted like his daddy wasn't even there; that's not normal man. You know who he's going to have to deal with next though?

PC: Who is that?

FM: He has kids, don't he? I'm telling you man. Watch how things get between him and his kids, and I don't wish that on him, but the bible says that. You don't treat your parents like that man.




http://www.fighthype.com/pages/content2891.html
 
May 13, 2002
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TRAGEDY OUTSIDE THE RING: Boxer Gunned Down...

Fightnews is sad to report that super bantamweight prospect Jonas Hernandez (9-1, 2 KOs) passed away on June 15th. Co-manager Ricardo Figueroa provided the details on what led to the death of the 25-year-old Hernandez: "Jonas was taking a break away from his training camp as he was preparing for a fight in August. He went to his hometown of Agua Dilla, Puerto Rico to be with his wife and young daughter for Father's Day. He received a phone call from a friend a little after midnight early Sunday morning requesting he act as a mediator for a dispute. Jonas obliged but when he and his friend pulled up in their vehicle, the car was ambushed with gunfire killing Hernandez instantly and leaving his friend who was driving in critical condition where he remains currently. The shooter was fortunately caught. Jonas was a great family man and person. He will be missed," stated Figueroa.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hernandez had solid amateur career highlighted by a victory over recently crowned WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez. As a pro his biggest victory was against then unbeaten Golden Boy Promotions prospect Nester Rocha nearly a year ago. Fightnews sends its condolences to the Hernandez family.
 
May 6, 2002
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Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Mario Viet, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Kabary Salem.

Most Recently: Jeff Lacy, Sakio Bika, Peter Manfredo Jr., Mikkel Kessler & Bernard Hopkins.

Ya, looks pretty soft to me.
Everyone acts like he was fighting butters all the time.

I do wish Calzaghe would have fought Echols though. That would have been a great fight back in the day.

Maybe I'm just past my prime and refuse to let old boxers go.
 
Dec 18, 2002
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Chris Eubank, Robin Reid, Omar Sheika, Mario Viet, Charles Brewer, Byron Mitchell, Kabary Salem.

Most Recently: Jeff Lacy, Sakio Bika, Peter Manfredo Jr., Mikkel Kessler & Bernard Hopkins.

Ya, looks pretty soft to me.
Everyone acts like he was fighting butters all the time.

I do wish Calzaghe would have fought Echols though. That would have been a great fight back in the day.

Maybe I'm just past my prime and refuse to let old boxers go.
How many from the past list were nearing the end of their career and how good were they really though?

Jeff Lacy: Prospect
Manfredo Jr: Fucking...Contender
Kessler: A great boxer
Hopkins: 40+!!
 
Jul 24, 2005
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'Call Em Out Fridays': Manny Pacquiao - Will Lack Of Focus Leave Him Exposed?

By Vivek Wallace:



With slightly over a week before Filipino phenom Manny Pacquiao squares off against WBC Lightweight Champion David Diaz, those who eagerly anticipate the fight can't help but to assess the two men involved. One is a great talent trying to find his way among the sports elite. The other is a great fighter who currently dwells in that elite level, equipped with a persona torn from an Elvis Presley type fabric..

To many, having excessive fans and admiring figures on the trail is never a bad thing, but let some around the sport tell it, that provbial 'good-problem-to-have' could soon culminate into the ultimate demise of one the sports biggest global interest. As we analyze things a bit closer, in my standard 'Call Em Out Fridays' fashion, we'll take a look at the "Upside Fan Perspective" of Manny Pacquiao, the "Downside Skeptic Perspective", and in the end, a "Final Analysis Perspective". When all is said and done and the last sentence is read, the intriguing aspect comes when you, the reader chime in.

Now that blueprint is laid, we review the analysis.....

MANNY PACQUIAO - (THE UPSIDE FAN PERSPECTIVE): When the name Manny Pacquiao comes to mind, many thoughts follow. Powerful, gutsy, heroic, and strong to name a few. Personally, thinking of Manny Pacquiao takes me back to a scenario approximately a year ago when I traveled to Los Angeles. I could remember a dialogue with a fight fan at the Santa Monica Pier whom I asked who he considered to be the most explosive fighter in the post Mike Tyson era?, and before finishing the question, his emphatic response in very broken english was PAK-YAW, PAK YAW! He then went on to give me a literal blow-by-blow of key moments in the second Erik Morales fight, and subsequently mirrored that coverage with the same blow-by-blow commentary on Pacquiao's triumphant first victory over Barrera. Minutes into this conversation it dawned on me that Manny Pacquiao is by far more to his supporters than just a talented boxer. He's an icon. Nothing short of a walking billboard for the Asian persuasion, and after accomplishing so much thus far in his storied 13 year career, he soon attempts to add another feather to the cap, trying to become the sports first Asian four-time Champion in four different weight divisions. The upside to Pacquiao certainly doesn't stop there, as those who have seen him evolve into the product we see today know very well that the best has potentially yet to come. His sheer will and pure determination has propelled him to great heights, even being mentioned as a potential foe to the sports last standing cash cow, Oscar De La Hoya, among others. Exactly where those talents take him in the end, few truly know, but recent speculation about what appears to be a possible decline in dedication could soon yield the answer.

MANNY PACQUIAO - (THE DOWNSIDE SKEPTIC PERSPECTIVE): As much as I'd love to sit back and admire Pacquiao's greatness, questions relative to frequent pre-camp distractions are the premise for a bad gut feeling queasy enough to make one ponder the use of a strong laxative. In the "Upside Fan Perspective", I spoke of a fight fan who likened Pacquiao to Mike Tyson, and in very ominous train of thought, most of the same ill-advised distractions could ultimately unglue this better than average pugilist as well. For Tyson it seemed to be the women. With Pacquiao, it's far more complex. There's the acting, the singing, the politics, and many other things to include the raving women. Knowing that every Filipino has their hand out for a time slot with the champ doesn't help, but the fact that he feels compelled to accomodate them is where things get a bit sketchy. Rumors that have circled many Pacquiao fight camps have left very little to the imagination, serving very heavy dosages of fantasy, while also shining light on the true reality. And that's only regarding outside the ring. As many critics who have drawn questions about Pacquiao outside the ring, there are nearly twice as many who question how he'll ultimately stack up inside the ring. In the absence of Floyd Mayweather Jr., avid supporters call him the sports newest Pound for Pound king. Critics of his, however, view him as a man with a braveheart and passion, who tends to lack the pure talent necessary to conquer someone who does possess the goods. Some members of the media have even narrowed him down as a one-dimensional slugger with a very spirited style. Exciting to watch, but one pure boxer away from being exposed. I personally wouldn't go out on a limb and narrow it down that way, but I think we can all agree that pure talent is not Pacquiao's strong point.

MANNY PACQUIAO - (THE FINAL ANALYSIS): The only fighter currently in the sport that I like to watch nearly as much as Pacquiao would be Miguel Cotto. The two of them have a style that makes a fight fan want to see them grill an opponent and in military terms, break them down from a 'strong march' to a 'parade rest'. Other fighters out there excite in many different ways, but it's technically impossible to not like a fighter like Pacquiao who brings a spirit into the ring that won't be denied, or deterred regardless of what the opposition may bring to the fight. That being said, similarly to Ricky Hatton, one has to wonder when the habits away from the ring will catch up with Pacquiao in the ring. Fortunately, he doesn't have the weight issues or stamina issues like Hatton, but it's really hard not to see the outside interest playing a role at some point as far as negatively affecting preparation for a fight. I can remember leading up to the second Barrera fight when Pacquiao decided to head back to his country and trainer Freddie Roach ended up following him to train him over there which according to common knowledge was not planned. After getting to the Phillipines, there came another major training issue to contend with due to the number of people - 95% in which were unrelated spectators - who basically crowded the gym, which in Roach's estimation went well above a few hundred people. These were only a couple examples of a number of things that continue to demonstrate why there's such a growing concern over the training and pre-training lifestyle as they relate to the final ring product of Pacquiao. It's hard for any fighter to adequately prepare, particularly against a formidable opponent, when these type of distractions and nuances are a norm. Eventually, these type of things have an odd way of catching up with fighters and I don't think Pacquiao is exempt from that. For his current fight camp there have even been a few rumors swirling and one has to openly wonder what can manifest in a fight where he's moving up in weight against a guy who has just as much tenacity as he does. I think without change, eventually this catches up to Pac-Man, and this upcoming assignment could very well be the fight that it happens in. Will Pacquiao's spirit and will in the ring continue to help him overcome his habits outside the ring? Come next weekend we'll all find out!
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Erik Morales Planning a Ring Return For 2009

By Mark Vester

At a recent press conference to announce a sporting Marathon in Tijuana, Mexico, former three-division champion Erik Morales, 31, announced that he was planning a return to ring in 2009.

"In August I will begin training under my father, getting used a boxing gym again and work off some weight. I'm going to work well over a year and in August of 2009 - I hope to return in a fight to test where I'm at. And if things go well, I hope to next fight for a lightweight title. I'm hoping to win the title of the WBC," Morales told writer Ernesto Castellanos.

Morales disclosed that a few months ago he was offered a fourth fight with Marco Antonio Barrera, but turned it down because he wants to be on top again before such a fight. He doesn't rule out a possibly meeting with Barrera in the future.

"I never really retired. I want to win a fourth world title in a fourth weight class and I still have the drive.

Morales lost his last four fights, starting with Zahir Raheem, two back to back knockout losses to Manny Pacquiao and dropped a twelve-round decision to WBC lightweight champion David Diaz. He felt that he should of won the Diaz fight, and several experts had actually scored the fight in his direction. The official scores were close, 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112.

He admits that his conditioning was poor for the third fight with Pacquiao and said that a lot of personal problems affected his training. He picks Pacquiao, now a good friend, to beat Diaz next Saturday.
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Roach Back at Wild Card, Pacquiao Looking Fierce

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Celebrated trainer Freddie Roach returned to the Wild Card gym after a brief bout with a heavy cold and watched his prized possession, Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, put on what a Roach assistant Rob Peters said was a “fantastic performance in sweltering heat.“

In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Peters said Roach was “really happy the way the camp has been going and with folks from the Philippines starting to show up Manny is happy and his mindset is really, really good.”

Pacquiao went eight rounds with regular sparring partners Julio Gamboa, Carlos Tangaro and Steve Quinonez, and Peters said Pacquiao looked great and he was “real happy and comfortable”. Peters said Diaz is a good fighter and we are "going to have a better fight than people expect, while it lasts.".

He added that with the NBA championship victory of the Boston Celtics which was Pacquiao’s favored team, “we are doing pretty good about that.”

Meantime, respected boxing writer Kieran Mulvaney of Reuters and ESPN.com said that WBC lightweight champion David Diaz “is perhaps the most difficult opponent Manny could pick for a lightweight debut, not because Diaz is very skilled but because he is big and strong and he fights hard for twelve rounds.”

Mulvaney believes that the key is going to be Pacquiao’s speed. Pacquiao himself mentioned in his media conference call that he is carrying his strength with him even as he moves up to 135 pounds but Mulvaney said “keeping the speed is more difficult even though he should be much faster than Diaz.”

The noted journalist who often appears on HBO Countdown shows prior to a big fight said he doesn’t think Pacquiao can stop Diaz “with one punch. But he may be able to overwhelm him with punches.. He is going to have to work very, very hard for this win.”

Mulvaney thinks that Pacquiao is a much better fighter but Diaz is “a strong, tough opponent with great stamina.” He said he expects Pacquiao to win “by decision, possibly a wide decision or a late stoppage but Diaz will make him work every minute of every round.”
 
May 13, 2002
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How many from the past list were nearing the end of their career and how good were they really though?

Jeff Lacy: Prospect
Manfredo Jr: Fucking...Contender
Kessler: A great boxer
Hopkins: 40+!!
Chris Eubank was also at the end of his career. After losing to Calzaghe, he lost to Carl Thompson then retired.

Robin Reid is a certified homo who many people actually say should have won the fight.
 
Jul 24, 2005
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Abner Golden Boy’s next big thing

Abner Mares was, he concedes with more than a tinge of embarrassment, “a knucklehead.” If trouble didn’t find him, he often went looking for it.

He grew up in an area of Southern California, Hawaiian Gardens, known as the “City of Hate.” And while he didn’t really have hate in his body, he had to play the part.

He had to if he wanted to escape without a knife in his back or a bullet in his stomach.

And so Mares would routinely seek out trouble. Frequently, it was fights between the Hispanic-oriented gangs that he frequented and the gangs dominated by African-American teens.

He was born in Mexico, where he lived his first six years, before his mother, Velen, took him and six of his 10 brothers across the border and brought them to live in Southern California.



When he reached high school, it was just accepted, he said, that the Mexicans didn’t like the blacks. And vice versa.

“I’m not racist and I never have been,” said Mares (16-0), who turned to boxing and has become one of the game’s rising bantamweight stars. “But in the situation I was in, the Mexicans hated the blacks. And so you fought them.”

But Mares, who first saw the inside of a boxing gym when he tagged along with his older brother, Ismael Jr., when he was 8 years old, didn’t believe in the street fighting and gang warfare.

And he knew that the same people who were professing to be his friends and who would protect his back would turn on him with little provocation.

“You have this influence around you and if you’re not a strong, strong personality, it’s hard to resist it,” Mares said. “But I got lucky. I realized these so-called friends of mine weren’t really friends. I got out.”

As often is the case in these stories, boxing was the vehicle. Mares is now 16-0 with 10 knockouts and on the road to becoming the first Golden Boy Promotions signed and developed world champion.

He faces veteran Kermin Guardia on June 27 at the Morongo Casino in Cabazon, Calif., a bout that could propel him closer to a shot at the WBO bantamweight belt held by Gerry Penalosa.

No less an authority than Floyd Mayweather Sr., Mares’ former trainer, believes the 22-year-old may wear a belt soon. Mayweather trained Mares for several months until Mares decided that Mayweather’s shoulder roll style was not for him.

Mayweather isn’t normally free with the compliments when a fighter leaves him, especially one whom he claims didn’t pay him, as he said Mares failed to do. But Mayweather conceded that Mares has the ability to be an elite bantamweight in the near future.

“I do believe he has the ability to become a world champion, and a very good one,” Mayweather said. “I don’t like the fact that he’s been getting hit so much since he left me, but he is very confident in what he does, he’s a quick learner and he has a lot of heart.

“Sometimes, I see guys I think are championship material and they don’t make it. He’s one I think can make it and will make it, because he’ll dedicate himself to it and do what he needs to do to get there.”

He represented Mexico in the 2004 Olympics, where he lost a controversial first-round decision to Zsolt Bedak of Hungary.

But Mares got lucky despite the loss. He caught the eye not only of Golden Boy president Oscar De La Hoya, but also of De La Hoya’s wife, Millie, who insisted her husband would be wise to check Mares out.

“Oscar and his wife watched my fight and they thought I got robbed big-time,” Mares said. “Later, I was doing an interview on Mexican TV. Oscar’s wife saw it and she told Oscar, ‘I think the poor kid is going to cry.’ She told him he should sign me and Oscar finally called me.”

De La Hoya finally signed him and Mares might wind up becoming the first totally Golden Boy-produced champion.

Golden Boy has had plenty of champions, but many of the champions on its roster were brought up by other promoters and signed by Golden Boy when they were at their peak. Mares has always been with Golden Boy, paying close attention to the way De La Hoya carries himself.

All the while, De La Hoya has had an eye on Mares.

“He’s a kid with all the talent in the world, but the thing about him that makes him different is how badly he wants to win,” De La Hoya said.

Now, he not only wants to win, but also to stay on the straight and narrow, so some day, he may serve as an example to other young men who faces the same difficult choices as he did.

One of his younger brothers is incarcerated and Mares admits he might have been, too, had he not discovered boxing.

“I’ve learned so much from Oscar, but one thing that is important I learned from him is that you control your life and what happens with it,” Mares said. “If you hang around with thugs and bad people, that’s what you’re going to be like. If you make the choice to stay away from that and hang around with good people, you can do anything you want if you work hard enough.

“Oscar has had a huge influence on me. I see what he’s done and I know where he came from. He doesn’t just speak the words. He’s lived them. I know the right way to do things now because of Oscar
 
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Chris Eubank was also at the end of his career. After losing to Calzaghe, he lost to Carl Thompson then retired.

Robin Reid is a certified homo who many people actually say should have won the fight.
Exactly. And Eubank was his biggest name win before Lacy. I don't want to discount Calsoggy but I'm not going to care much if he beats RJJ and then retires. Boxers that go for the undefeated record and retirement don't matter as much as the Manny Pac's or Kelly Pavliks or Marvin Haglers.