On the Canvas Mailbag: Pacquiao vs. Margarito; Mayweather’s Arrest & More

ProBoxing-Fans.com is back this week with the second edition of our new mailbag, On the Canvas with Rich. Send in your questions to be included in next week's mailbag here: Mailbag@proboxing-fans.com. This week a few different topics are covered, included the worthiness of Antonio Margarito as an opponent for Manny Pacquiao, the arrest of Floyd Mayweather, and Andre Ward's position in the 168 lbs division.

 

Hey Rich.... after the crazy scoring in the Shane Mosley/Sergio Mora fight, don't you think it's time there is a better scoring or judging system put into place? Something has to change with some of these scorecards. How did you have the fight? - John C.

I think something needs to be changed with the scoring system, but replacing the existing system inevitably raises the question of "with what?" The amateur scoring system, which is clearly more objective, is at the same time more flawed and just as prone to human error. I think the focus of any scoring/judging reform should focus first and foremost on the training and qualifications of the actual judges. Too often, getting started as a professional fight judge is a bit of state-level patronage, enabling a supporter to earn a little extra money. A judge can climb to the top of the profession from there with no real technical qualifications or even demonstrating any aptitude for the job, but simply through being a smooth political operator. That does not describe all judges, but it ought not describe any of them.

On the Canvas, nobody seems to be talking about this Mayweather arrest. Dude could spend 34 years in jail, shouldn't this be a bigger story? - Ryan W.

I think that story is getting as much attention as it deserves. Whenever there is a new development, it is well-covered. Mayweather is probably dismayed to discover that he isn't as famous as Mike Tyson was, however, and that his meltdown is not receiving the same "Breaking News" style coverage as Tyson's altercations in the 1990s did. Until Mayweather goes to court, then there isn't that much to say or show about it than is already being done.

Everybody is bashing the Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight. Wouldn't it be fair to say that Pacquiao is facing the biggest and strongest fighter of his career, at another new weight class, and that it's a real challenge and a good fight?? - Anthony L.

 That would be true if Margarito had faced another top-ranked opponent prior to this fight. The problem is that we don't really know how much of an impact having his hand wraps packed with plaster had on his career. To name just one high profile fight, did Margarito have plaster in his gloves for the Cotto fight, and if so, could he have beaten Cotto without them? We do not know, and until we do know Margarito has no business being in the ring with the P4P King and the biggest meal ticket in town.

Andre Ward seems to be "the man" at 168 lbs. now. He made beating Mikkel Kessler look easy, and in some ways that reminds me of Roy Jones. Could Ward be the next RJJ? - Adrian G.

Beating Kessler is Ward's only truly impressive win to date, and it is not quite the same thing as Jones's victory over James Toney. Kessler is respected and a good fighter, but Toney was regarded as a P4P contender and feared as a monster in the ring at the time Jones whomped him. However, Ward does seem set to eclipse Jones in what was Jones's best division. If Ward meets and beats Dirrell, Froch and Abraham, he will have fought four times as many real contenders at 168 lbs. than RJJ.

 

credits: proboxing-fans.com

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Margarito moves training camp to Oxnard to prepare for Pacquiao bout on November 13th

OXNARD, CALIF. (September 28, 2010) — Eight weeks away from hitting North Texas, the “Tijuana Tornado” ANTONIO MARGARITO is picking up steam as he heads to the coastal town of Oxnard, Calif. to continue his preparation for his rumble with the best pound for pound fighter in the world, The Honorable Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Congressman from the province of Sarangani in the Philippines. Pacquiao vs. Margarito is scheduled to take place Saturday, November 13 at Cowboys Stadium and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

After two weeks in the City of South El Monte, Calif., where the emphasis was on mountain road work and preliminary gym work, Margarito and his team, lead by head trainer and former IBF junior lightweight champion Robert Garcia, have relocated to Oxnard for the remainder of their training camp.

“We got a lot done in the first two-weeks and Tony looks great. I love his focus and intensity and our first phase of training camp was an eye opener for him and me. The first two weeks have been really terrific and productive,” said Garcia.

In Oxnard, Margarito will continue with his early morning run, this time alternating with runs at the beach, mountains and track. He will begin sparring this week too.

“I know how important this fight is to my career and to all of México. That is why I will prepare like never before and will defeat Manny Pacquiao, proving to everyone that I am one of the best fighters in the world,” said Margarito.

The three-time welterweight champion will be battling the Filipino icon for the vacant WBC super welterweight world championship.

“The belt is very important to me, but the most important thing is to give the fans a great fight and one that they will remember for a long time. I love to fight and Manny has proven that he is a warrior. This fight is going to be a war,” Margarito continued.

MANNY PACQUIAO vs. ANTONIO MARGARITO, World Super Welterweight Championship, is promoted by Top Rank, in association with Cowboys Stadium, MP Promotions and Tecate.

Remaining Tickets to Pacquiao vs. Margarito are priced at $700, $500, $300, $200, $100, and $50, and can be purchased in-person at the Cowboys Stadium ticket office in Arlington, or by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Pacquiao vs. Margarito pay-per-view telecast, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Margarito fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.

HBO’s Emmy-Award-winning all-access series “24/7” premieres an all new edition when “24/7 Pacquiao/Margarito” debuts Saturday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT.

The four-part series will air for three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the super welterweight championship showdown in Texas.

 

credits: boxingnews24.com

 

watch pacquiao vs margarito online

Julio Cesar Chavez, Manny Pacquiao to Spar, Train Together

Junior middleweight (154 pounds) and middleweight (160 pounds) prospectJulio Cesar Chavez Jr. of Mexico is expected to arrive next week in Baguio City, Philippines, where he will train alongside and spar with seven-division champion, Manny Pacquaio, as the duo prepares for upcoming fights, according to Pacquaio’s adviser, Michael Koncz.

The 24-year-old Chavez (40-0-1, 30 knockouts) will face Alfonso Gomez (22-4-2, 11 KOs) on Dec. 4 at The Pond in Anaheim, Calif., this after having been an early consideration to meet WBA junior middleweight king Miguel Cotto(35-2, 28 KOs) of Puerto Rico on that date.

The 31-year-old Pacquaio (51-3-2, 38 KOs), already the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) champion, will pursue his eighth crown in as many different weight classes opposite former titlist Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) of Mexico when they clash in an HBO pay per view televised bout for the WBC’s vacant junior middleweight crown on Nov. 13 at The Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium.

Pacquaio, who already is two weeks into his regimen, and Chavez will prepare under the guidance of four-time Trainer of the Year, Freddie Roach, under whom Pacquaio has a 12-fight winning streak that includes eight knockouts.

The son of the former world champion by the same name, Chavez Jr. was initially slated to come to the Philippines in July, when he was in line to face New Jersey resident, Pawel Wolak (27-1, 17 KOs). But Chavez Jr. decided not to come to the Philippines at that time, and the fight never materialized.

Since that time, Chavez’s unrest has surfaced concerning his relationship with co-promoter, Fernando Beltran, of Zanfer Promotions.

But following an assertion by Golden Boy Promotions’ president, Oscar De La Hoya, that Chavez’s was a free agent because his promotional contract had run out with Top Rank Promotions and Beltran, and De La Hoya’s expressinginterest in speaking with Chavez about the possibility of signing with Golden Boy, Chavez supported De La Hoya’s belief, even as he said that he remained loyal to Top Rank.

credits: pacquiao-vs.com

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Updates on Pacquiao’s Baguio Training Camp

BAGUIO CITY – Seven Division world champion Manny Pacquiao created a stir here yesterday when he failed to answer the gun in his routine early morning roadwork giving trainer Freddie Roach some anxious moments. 

 

Roach, afraid that the Pacman’s swollen right heels had worsen after playing basketball for two hours the night before had, in fact, cancelled, too, the scheduled sparring sessions that was supposed to shift his training program to boxing proper. 
His fear, however, only lasted up to the time the 31-year-old Sarangani Congressman climbed the ring to do the mitts with him which his ward did with gusto as he even asked for more after 12 rounds. 

Without his body protector, which he had done away following the blistering 12-round work, Roach obliged to Pacquiao giving one more round to the delight of a handful of people admitted to watch the workout at the Coyesan gym along Naguilian road outside of the city proper. 

“I was really worried learning he skipped scheduled morning run, “Pacquiao’s handler of nine years told the Manila Standard. “As I told you before we left Manila, we were ahead of schedule so I don’t mind postponing the start of the sparring.” 
Pacquiao’s sparring with junior welterweight Glen Tapia of Dominican Republic and super-welterweight Michael Medina had been scheduled as early as Saturday after the reigning welterweight champ completed his first week of his build up program at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City. 

“You saw how he conducted today’s workout showing me and the rest of us how good he is. I think he just proved there’s nothing to worry about his injury, “ the 54-year-old four-time ‘trainer of the year’ awardee said, assuring though that the called off sparring will definitely get started tomorrow. 

“Yes, it’s 100 percent Thursday,” he assured. “He’s fine and today’s results further confirmed that,” Roach added. 
As the case of Pacquiao’s regular basketball games held every night following his training session, the owner of the popular Wild Card Gym in the entertainment c Hollywood in Los Angeles said he can only do so until the last month of preparations. 

“Our deal like last year (against Miguel Cotto) is no more basketball in the last four weeks of training and he knows that,” Roach said. 
Incidentally, Pacquiao got his heel injury while doing the roadwork around the Sta. Rosa, Laguna subdivision where he lives on the day he started his eight-week training regimen. 

 

credits: philboxing.com

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito Fight 2010

The Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito much talked fight will be held on November 13, 2010 (Saturday) at 9:00PM in Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas. Manny Pacquiao will stand againstAntonio Margarito for a WBC Light Middleweight Title and could possibly be his (Pacquiao) 8th weight class title if he can take down Margarito in this much awaited fight. This is another challenging fight for the people’s champ Manny Pacquiao as he faces a strong, powerful and controversial boxing icon Antonio Margarito. Antonio Margarito became a controversial boxer when he uses special accessorized boxing gloves that resulted to a knockdown loss to Shane Mosley. The prediction of the fight gives so much buzz to all boxing enthusiasts.

Pacquiao vs. Margarito

The Tale Of The Tape

Pacquiao vs Margarito: Road To Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

credits: nievo.net

Ariza will be adding swimming to Pacquiao’s training regimen

By Chris Williams:

Alex Ariza, the strength and conditioning coach for Manny Pacquiao, plans on having Pacquiao add swimming to his training regimen, according to Ronnie Nathanielsz atwww.inquirer.net. Ariza says “I believe there is no better conditioning plan than to hit the pool.” Well, I hope they have a good lifeguard on the scene at all times, because Pacquiao looked like he was floundering in the water like a little sinking ship in his swimming scenes from the HBO Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 series.

For the most part, it looked like it was the first time that Pacquiao had ever been in a pool. I’m sure he’s been in a pool plenty of times, but he didn’t look comfortable at all in the water. Pacquiao looked like he was giving his best imitation of a dog stroke and doing a poor job of it. It was painful to watch Pacquiao struggling to tread water in the pool, and Ariza wants him to more of this.

I think Ariza is going to mess Pacquiao up if he ends up swallowing loads of chlorine water and screwing up his training. Pacquiao even admits swallowing water, saying “I swallowed a lot of water.” Oh well, whatever doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, eh?

credits: boxingnews24.com

Pacquiao’s progress pleases Roach

By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com

Manny Pacquiao’s chief trainer Freddie Roach yesterday expressed satisfaction with what transpired in the first week of the seven-division champion’s training in Manila in preparation for his coming fight with Mexican Antonio Margarito for the vacant world super-welterweight crown Nov. 13 in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. 

“It was a very good first week where we achieved what we were trying to accomplish, and more,” the 55-year-old four-time “trainer of the year” awardee of the Boxing Writers Association of America told this writer yesterday morning shortly before Team Pacquiao proceeded to Baguio City for the second leg of the Filipino icon’s build up program. 

“As I told you the other day, Manny has been adjusting remarkably to our program, surprisingly shedding off the rust brought about by a long layoff since his fight with (Joshua) Clottey so that we have already started concentrating on our game plan and strategy ahead of schedule,” the former U.S. Olympic team alternate said. 

The game plan though was not yet 100 percent, according to Roach, adding that everything will be taken cared off in the next seven weeks that he and his training team will stay in the Pines City. 

“What I want is, when we proceed to L.A. we will only be polishing off what we would have gained here. And it looks like I will get what I want in the same manner that I got what I wanted in our last important fights,” the trainer, who spared no words in praise of Pacquiao’s attitude. 
“Manny is always Manny. He might seem to be doing something other people don’t want him to do, but when it comes to training, I can’t ask for more. My job is to give him everything to make him happy, while he reciprocates that by giving me everything to make me happy,” Roach said by way of describing their boxer-trainer relationship the past nine years. 

Physical conditioning expert Alex Ariza was, likewise, profuse in lauding the reigning world pound-for-pound king’s work ethics, saying Pacquiao has, time and again, make things easier to his handlers. 

“A regular fighter, after only week’s workout could probably groping by this time. But Manny, I would say that he’s already 60 percent in shape. Count seven more weeks and you can just imagine how good he will be,” Ariza said. 
Focus on the coming weeks of preparations will be on sparring which, according to Roach starts tomorrow against two sparmates he brought along when he arrived in Manila last week and a pair more arriving this week. 

Super-welterweight Michael Medina of Mexico and up-and-coming junior welterweight Glen Tapia will have the first crack at testing Pacquiao’s wares at least in the first two days of sparring and whether they, indeed resemble Margarito’s style of fighting. 

For Roach, the Pacman is capable of getting all he wants in Tapia, a practically neophyte campaigner who owns an impressive 7-0 win-loss record in his first seven pro-fights, and Medina, who he said, fights more like Margarito. 

“Both have power in their fists although Michael (Medina) looks moré cocky, which personifies Margarito,” Roach said of the two sparmates. 
Also lined up as Pacquiao’s sparring partner are popular Julio Cesar Chavez and Vanes Martirosyan, who according to the trainer will come mid this week. 

(Photo taken by Wendell Rupert Alinea. Eddie Alinea is the sports editor of sportsmanila.net) 

 

credits: philboxing.com

Pacquiao training shifts to high gear in Baguio City

No more playing around.

As the team of Manny Pacquiao arrives in Baguio Sunday, Freddie Roach expects training for the Filipinos’ coming title fight with Antonio Margarito to shift into high gear.

“It’s time to get a little more serious now," said Roach shortly before taking the six-hour trip that will bring him and the rest of the Pacquiao entourage to the country’s Summer Capital.

“We need to start working within ourselves a little bit more."

Pacquiao, Roach, along with conditioning coach Alex Ariza and sparring mates Michael Medina and Glen Tapia left Manila Sunday afternoon, less than 24 hours after breaking camp in Manila Saturday.

The world’s top pound-for-pound fighter’s Baguio arrival came a week short after he chose to postpone it to attend to his busy schedule in Congress as the lone representative of the province of Sarangani.

But the 31-year-old Filipino ring sensation did keep himself in shape by doing a daily, two-hour afternoon workout at the Elorde gym in Roosevelt, Quezon City. 

Although still around 60 percent from his fighting form, Roach said the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter remains in good condition even if his ward has not fought since scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey last March.

“He is still fast and beat the hell out of me today in the mitts," said Roach of their last workout in Manila two days ago.

The four-time Trainer of the Year acceded to Pacquiao’s decision to postpone training camp in Baguio for a week, but would not in any way allow the group to stay another day in Manila.

His reason – “It’s the traffic."

Roach said it usually takes them more than an hour traveling from the New World Hotel in Makati where they stay, all the way to the Elorde gym in Quezon City.

The 50-year old trainer was even forced to take the MRT along with Ariza, Medina and Tapia when they were caught in a monstrous traffic jam at EDSA while on their way home to training.

So setting up camp in Baguio is definitely a welcome news for Roach.

Once in the mountain hideaway, Roach said it’s all business for the Pacman.

Training at the Cooyesan Hotel will be closed door, according to Roach, like the one they had when Pacquiao held camp at the same site during his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title fight with Miguel Cotto last year.

By Tuesday, the first of a projected 140 rounds of sparring begins, Roach added, with Medina the first to test the mettle of the Filipino ring idol.

The Pacquiao entourage will be staying in Baguio for at least three weeks, before planing to Los Angeles, California, tentatively on Oct. 20, for the final phase of the training at the famed Wild Card gym.

Pacquiao and Margarito is set to clash on Nov. 13 (Nov. 14 in Manila) at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light-middleweight title. - 

 

credits: RCJ, GMANews.TV

COTTO PONDERS PACQUIAO, MARGARITO, CHAVEZ JR. FOR 2011 RETURN

By Tim Harrison WBA jr. middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KO) has big plans for 2011.  After turning down potential December 4, 2011 matchups with Vanes Martirosyan and Kermit Cintron, Cotto decided to return in the early part of 2011.   Cotto was originally in talks with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. to headline Top Rank’s “Latin Fury” pay-per-view card on December 4.  It would have been a high-profile matchup between two stars from Puerto Rico and Mexico.  Chavez turned down the fight, however, and Cotto decided against the two lesser opponents in Martirosyan and Cintron. "At this point in his career, Miguel Cotto is more focused on being selective and fighting the biggest fights out there that are available to him. With respect to Kermit and Vanes, unfortunately, they did not represent that." Cotto’s legal advisor Gabriel Penagaricano would tell FanHouse’s Lem Satterfield. It has been reported that Cotto would like to explore rematches with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, Antonio Margarito, or give it a second try at negotiations for a fight with Chavez.  Pacquiao and Margarito each stopped Cotto in their respective fights.   Despite the unlikely possibility of a different outcome in a rematch with Pacquiao, the fight would probably still draw very well, given the fan bases of each fighter.  Fan interest in a rematch with Margarito should also be very high.  Despite a lack of evidence, it is widely believed that Margarito, who was caught with an illegal plaster-like substance on his handwraps prior to his January 2009 fight with Shane Mosley, may have enlisted the same illegal tactics in his fights with Cotto.  Fans of Cotto would love to see justice dished out, while supporters of Margarito want to see their man prove the world wrong and repeat his valiant accomplishment.

credits: officialscorecard.com

Editor’s Analysis: The Ghost a Phantom of His Old Self & Now Set to Appear on Pacquiao vs. Margarito Undercard

Published: Sep 24 2010 by: Jake Emen

-Kelly Pavlik vs. Bryan Vera is the Co-Feature Bout on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito Pay Per View Event November 13th-

It's September 29th, 2007, and Kelly Pavlik has just resoundingly captured the undisputed middleweight championship of the world by stopping the undefeated Jermain Taylor in the 7th round, capping off a dramatic comeback after he was nearly stopped in the 2nd. The blue-collar, fan-friendly Pavlik was the new face of boxing, and was primed for a long and glorious title reign that brought mainstream America back to the sport.

 

Credit: TeamPavlik.com

In just a few days Pavlik will be three years removed from that performance, and in truth, it feels even farther than that. The Ghost is now 36-2, and has been a mere phantom of himself since his title-winning effort. He's set to face former The Contender cast member, Bryan Vera, 17-5 with 2 knockout losses, in the lead supporting bout on the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito card on November 13th.

Pavlik first shot into the public's consciousness with several HBO televised performances in the beginning of 2007. He knocked out fringe contender Jose Luis Zertuche, and then defeated feared slugger Edison Miranda via 7th round TKO, walking down and punishing the bully en route to his stoppage win. The winner of the Miranda vs. Pavlik match - and the more common opinion was that Miranda would be the winner - was to land a showdown with middleweight champion, and two-time Bernard Hopkins conqueror, Jermain Taylor.

Although Pavlik was backed by a legion of fans from his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, it was Taylor who was favored to be victorious that evening. By the 2nd round, it looked like Taylor would make short work of the challenger, and appeared close to stopping his man. The underdog was able to survive his knockdown and the Taylor barrage that followed, and as he did against Miranda, Pavlik began walking Taylor down, firing off thudding straight rights behind a long and powerful left jab. The victory soon became inevitable, and Pavlik's combinations would end up leaving Taylor a crumbled heap in the corner of the ring.

The two would have a rematch in February of 2008, and this time Pavlik won a clear but fairly close unanimous decision. The bout was held at a catch-weight of 164 lbs, so the middleweight titles were not at stake. Pavlik would never have a meaningful, successful defense of that title bout that he won so resoundingly three years ago.

Instead, after the Taylor rematch, he fought Gary Lockett in June of 2008, defeating him by third round TKO to retain his WBC and WBO middleweight straps. If you've never heard of Lockett, you're not the only one, and you haven't missed anything either. It was Lockett's only fight outside of the United Kingdom, and Pavlik is the only recognizable name on his ledger.

Credit: Icon SMI

Next came another catch-weight contest, this time against Hopkins at 170 lbs, in October of the same year. Hopkins routed and embarrassed Pavlik that night, roughing him up and taking him out his element, in the same arena, in front of the same fans, where Pavlik triumphantly rejoiced his first conquest of Taylor, just a year prior.

Pavlik dropped back down to middleweight, and made two lackluster title defenses in 2009. The first came against Marco Antonio Rubio in February, a one-sided affair that was stopped prior to the start of the 10th round, and the second came against Miguel Angel Espino in December, a 5th round TKO win.

He had a long layoff in between those bouts, dealing with injuries to his hands and a subsequent staph infection, while rumors also swirled about potential alcohol problems. A highly anticipated showdown against Paul Williams was postponed on several occasions before finally being canceled entirely. The Espino fight though took place nearly immediately after the Williams fight would have, bringing up major questions about the true severity of Pavlik's injury and infection.

Espino, a largely unheralded member of the first season of The Contender, was appropriately viewed as fodder for the middleweight champion. It was the third such "bum of the month" defense for Pavlik, with the devastating loss to Hopkins sandwiched in between.

In April of 2010, he finally lined up a real opponent, Sergio Martinez. Martinez started off using his slickness and superior speed to immobilize the offense of Pavlik. After a mid-rounds rally by the champion, a bad cut over his right eye gave the momentum back to Martinez, who closed the show and won a unanimous decision to become the new middleweight champion of the world.

Now Pavlik is slated to face Vera, loser of four of his last five bouts, on the Pacquiao vs. Margarito undercard. Instead of headlining Pay Per View events, he's supporting them. Instead of improving as a fighter by facing strong opposition, he faces another KO victim in the waiting. It's the same strategy that saw him make three title defenses, opponents be as they may, while twice losing badly to the men he faced who weren't pushovers, and completely failing to capitalize on his emphatic and rousing first performance against Taylor. The Ghost hasn't disappeared from the sport, not yet, but he's just a phantom of that fighter we saw three years ago.

 

 

credits: proboxing-fans.com

Margarito "Training Like A Monster Right Now"

by John Martinez

Boxscore News & Fightchronicals.com
September 22, 2010

With a mega world title fight between Pacquiao and Margarito on the fast-approaching November horizon, it's getting close to put-up-or-shut-up-time for these two warriors that will step into the squared circle. Or to quote what Roger Mayweather said to me a couple days ago, "It ain't about what you say you can do . . . it's about what you will eventually do and prove."  

On November 13, broadcasting live on HBO PPV,  Manny Pacquiao will go for a record eight titles in as many weight divisions when he squares off against the dangerous and former world champion Antonio Margarito for the coveted WBC junior middleweight title belt from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

"He's (Antonio Margarito) training like a monster right now," said Robert Garcia (Margarito's trainer) before boldly predicting to me his fighter would win with an, "11- Round knock out."

He's not the only one that now believes Margarito will be the victor on November 13. "If Margarito keeps Pacquiao cornered and throws uppercuts along with roughing him up on the inside, Margarito should knock his ass out," said Roger Mayweather (undefeated former world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s Uncle and trainer).

Mayweather added, " Manny can't be allowed in the middle of the ring; if Margarito wants this, he's gonna have to work him on the ropes and get him there with lots of jabs and pushing and shoving him and oh yeah, it also helps if Manny aint got that sh*t in his system."

When this fight was first announced, I agreed with what Dan Rafael (ESPN.com) now describes this fight as being, "not enough to make the fight with 'Cheato' all that attractive."

However, now I believe Rafael and others sharing his view are just ignorant and short sighted about whats to come.
If war is the place for evil, then on November 13th Cowboys Stadium will be the Devil's playground where these two warriors will do the evil that men do to one another.

Make no mistake about it; these two combatants are going to fight like dogs of war. Not even the rabid Filipino fight fans (who on occasion let their blind loyalty get in the way of sometimes sound judgment) would disagree that neither fighter will ever be known as a well rounded pugilist; rather, what they are and will definitely display on November 13 is their renowned reputations for brutally assaulting their opponents with malicious intent.

I thoroughly believe that Margarito is a live horse in this match up. He is longer, leaner,bigger, and more importantly, focused on this task of beating Manny Pacquiao.

"We've been watching a lot of Manny's fights and know exactly how to attack him. Right now Manny is considered "The Man", but he's also kinda overlooking us," said Garcia.

"We have been especially interested in his fights with (Miguel)Cotto and (Juan Manuel)Marquez."

It should be noted that in the Cotto fight, though Manny won, he suffered a busted eardrum and took heavy shots to the head. After the fight, he looked just as beat up as Cotto did and Cotto is far smaller than Margarito.

Right after Garcia said this to me, he looked at me with a cold demeanor and emphatically claimed, "This isn't going to just be a win for Margarito, this is going to be a f**king beatdown we put on him (Pacquiao). A bigtime beating is what we got for Manny Pacquiao."

Consider this?

Antonio Margarito was cast aside ever since his hands were found to have been illegally wrapped by his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, on the night he was facing Shane Mosley in January 2009.

He served a suspension that lasted well over a year and his comeback fight was a ten- rounder against a nondescript fighter named Roberto Garcia from Texas which left many people wondering if Margarito was finished.

How lucky can Margarito be now?

Getting the assignment to face Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the equivalent of hitting the Powerball Lotto in boxing.

Margarito, in my opinion, isn't going to let this chance pass him by. There's no way Antonio lets this opportunity skate by him by letting the wind blow his golden ticket out of his hands before he can cash it in.

In an interview I did with Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, he told me he wasn't all that confident about picking Margarito as Manny's next opponent.

"Well at first, I wasn't, and to some degree, even now that comfortable with fighting Margarito, but Manny wanted this fight and I saw how he handles some other big guys and so I went with it, but those other guys aren't Antonio Margarito."

Roach continued, "Antonio brings size and power, but he also knows how to box and use his jab when he's focused and I believe he's focused for this fight against Manny; he has to be."

In fact, Robert Garcia told me that come fight night, "Antonio will probably rehydrate about twelve pounds."

Roger Mayweather added, "Look, Manny fights at weights that are in between recognized weight divisions like 143 instead of 140 or 147."

"It's like a lot of people say my nephew is scared of Manny. Really? Lil Floyd fought Oscar De La Hoya at 154, but Oscar came into the fight at around 165. Oscar never hurt my nephew. Floyd out-boxed and outgunned Oscar that night so what is there to be scared of from Manny Pacquiao when they fight at 147? 

If Manny fights Floyd at 147, he's gonna get the same that 41 others before him got-a loss. Manny can't outbox or out think my nephew in the ring. He doesn't have my nephew's head movement, defense, or hand-speed. He just moves forward with very little side to side movement. He's gonna get his ass whooped by Floyd, but before that, if Margarito can keep the fight chest to chest and Manny on his heels, then Margarito should be able to lean on him and use his weight and strength to wear Pacquiao's legs down."

I think that strategy rings true. The problem with that is, Manny and Freddie can come up with a plan to counter that. But it's the intangibles that make this fight a dangerous one for Manny.

When Antonio Margarito enters the ring in November, he will slide through the ring ropes looking to prove something. His name and record will be introduced from the dramatic bellowing of Michael Buffer's voice only to be drowned out by the crowd's serenading of boos and cat-calls as his body of work is and has been questioned since the Mosley fight.

So what does he fight for? Probably not the green belt. He's probably fighting for pride, restoration of his name, and family.

These are three things Freddie can't strategize for and Manny can't hit with blazing speed and rapid power. These intangibles come from the hearty and mind and like Shane Mosley and Oscar De La Hoya did in June of 2000, Margarito is going to go "soul searching."

Kelly Ferguson, a former Army boxer and strategist added this:

"It's not what you say you're gonna do, it's about how you do what you said you'd do when it comes time to do it."

Well on November 13, Mayweather and Ferguson along with the "millions watching from around the world" will see just what Pacquiao and Margarito have as they set out to prove that their actions will speak louder than their words.

In a side note of silliness, according to Rhonda Lee, meteorologist from KXAN in Austin, Texas, Freddie Roach may have misspoke when he valiantly stated that. "the tornado(Margarito) has been downgraded to a tropical storm" because though taking a direct hit from a tornado is very devastating and lethal, a lingering tropical storm would cause severe flooding, damage, and bring torrential rains which could prove to be fatal and most definitely be very destructive.

Perhaps the miscalculations in the Pacquiao camp has already begun, eh?

Lastly, be on the look out for hot junior welterweight prospect Jesse Vargas as he next enters the ring on September 30 at the Club Nokia in Los Angeles. Sporting a record of 11 and 0 with six wins by way of knock out, this fighter has his trainer gushing with pride.

" He's got hand speed, great defense, and has been fighting guys weighing 170 pounds and outclassing them."

"He's an all around well schooled fighter and he IS the next big thing in boxing," said his trainer Roger Mayweather.

"Also, light middleweight, Omar Henry. He's undefeated with 10 wins and 8 of them by KO." "He's got speed and power and people will definitely be seeing more of him."

I agree. Omar Henry was trained for a good while by my good friend, Jay Johns out of Savannah's Boxing Gym in Houston, Texas.

If Henry is improving under the tutelage of Mayweather, it's because Jay Johns created the ferocity, technique, and foundation for Omar Henry first.

For this, Roger Mayweather owes Johns.

 

credits: boxscorenews.com

Bandito Margarito has everything to gain, nothing to lose against Pacquiao

On January 21 of 2009, Antonio Margarito lost via ninth round TKO at the hands of Shane Mosley. It was the only time in his career he was ever stopped.

His lack of success with Mosley has been used as a gauge to predict how he will fare against Pacquiao, but there are a few significant differences that should be noted.

Prior to the Mosley fight, it was discovered by Mosley’s trainer, Nazim Richardson, that plaster of Paris objects had been inserted into Margarito’s handwraps. His hands were rewrapped, and the fight went on as scheduled.

The psychological aspect of boxing is extremely important. On that night, Margarito knew that he was in big trouble for what had just occurred. It’s a dangerous thing for any boxer to enter the ring when he isn’t focused on the task at hand. Margarito was at a very significant psychological disadvantage, and Mosley capitalized fully.

The boxer was suspended for fighting in the United States for one year before being denied a license by the California State Athletic Commission.

Texas, which had already been selected as the state that Pacquiao – Margarito would take place, granted Margarito’s appeal for a license.

Pacquiao has stated that he believes that Margarito knew that he had the little surprises in his handwraps. Most boxing fans agree with Pacquiao’s opinion.

Now that Margarito is set to face Pacquiao on November 13 at Cowboys Stadium, he has everything to gain.

The much bigger man will be physically and mentally prepared, and he will give it everything he has in his attempt to upset the Pound-for-Pound king. He will undoubtedly consider a win over the world’s greatest fighter to be his first step toward redemption.

Dale Pippin of Seligman believes that Margarito’s size and power could create problems for Pacquiao.

“He could beat Pacquiao. He’s a lot bigger, and he has a puncher’s chance,” Pippin said.

Margarito is known to have a granite chin, and good power. He’ll most likely come to the ring weighing at least 10 lbs more than the Pacman.

It would be foolish for any pundit to neglect to factor Margarito’s height, reach, toughness and mental and physical conditioning into the equation. He's going to want a win, and he's going to want it badly.

A multitude of great fighters have come to the ring fully confident that they had everything it would take to beat the Filipino warrior, only to be completely overwhelmed by Pacquiao’s speed, power and angles.

Margarito’s resilience and willingness to slug toe-to-toe should make for an exciting fight, but whether he can make it a competitive fight for more than a few rounds remains a question.

 

credits: examiner.com

Arum: GBP suit over Pacquiao fights 'frivolous'

Top Rank's Bob Arum

MANILA, Philippines – Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. has branded Golden Boy Promotion’s (GBP) racketeering suit as “frivolous,” and it expects that the case will eventually be thrown out of court.

GBP, owned by boxing superstar Oscar de la Hoya, accused Arum and Top Rank financial officer David Lopez of underpaying his firm in the last 3 Manny Pacquiao fights (Click here for related story).

"As far as I'm concerned, this is a matter for the mediator," Arum said in a report posted on ESPN.com. "This is frivolous."

GBP owns a percentage of Pacquiao's promotional rights based on the agreement they hammered before retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein.

"We signed an agreement four years ago agreeing to binding arbitration on issues like this. They're going to end up paying us substantial legal fees. You can't bring an action like this if you've agreed to binding arbitration,” said the veteran fight promoter.

He claimed that GBP’s suit was only meant to destroy his company’s reputation because it went public by going to a federal court.

“They can't do this in a federal court. It will be thrown out. They filed this complaint because if they had done it in arbitration, it would have been confidential,” said Arum.

“They know it will be dismissed and they will pay a big price for that,” he added.

In a suit filed before the US District Court in Nevada, De la Hoya’s promotional outfit claimed that Arum allegedly ordered Lopez to send 16 accountings to GBP in the Diaz fight.

The accountings "falsely claim[ed] that TR (Top Rank) received no income from sponsorships even though pictures of the Diaz bout show that Tecate beer, Affliction [a clothing company] and a company known as

Golden Boy Promotions' Oscar de la Hoya

Smart were featured sponsors."

GBP alleged that in the Cotto fight, Top Rank falsely reported Pacquiao's purse. GBP’s asserted that based on its financial reports, Pacquiao's purse was $15 million, which is different from the $7.5 million filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

GBP likewise claimed that similar “deceptions” were also present in the Clottey fight with regards to the money generated by sponsorships. There were also questions regarding the alleged inflation of travel expenses, sanction fees and training expenses for the fighters, which were allegedly done to mark down the profit of the event.

Arum’s lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, told ESPN.com GBP’s case is "completely fictitious.”

"They are only doing this to get to cheap publicity. They will all bear responsibility," he said.

 

Credits: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao spotted training in Quezon City while Mayweather remains incognito

It’s almost hard to believe how much intrigue a possible clash between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has lost in recent months. Floyd has seen his life spiral out of control in well-documented fashion while Pacquiao is now focusing on a November 13th date with Antonio Margarito in which he will challenge the Tijuana fighter for the vacant WBC junior middleweight championship of the world.

Pacquiao was recently spotted working out with trainer Freddie Roach at the Elorde Gym in Manila’s Quezon City in the Philippines. Having not seen his charge for roughly half a year, Roach came away pleased with his fighter’s mindset during their light training routine.

<--- Slideshow: Pacquiao spotted training in Quezon City

“We had a very good start," Roach told GMANews. “We didn’t rest in between rounds. Manny already knows what to do with that guy (Margarito)."

Roach arrived with two of Pacquiao’s sparring mates, New Jersey-based prospect Glen Tapia and Michael Media, who were also present at the gym. The team will make their way to the mountains of Baguio City to begin full preparation either Wednesday or Thursday.

Recently while in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum advised Roach that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would not be making the trip to the Philippines as expected. However in recent days it has been reported that the 24-year old Sinaloa, Mexico fighter will indeed be coming to camp, just a few weeks later than the rest of the crew.

As for the Las Vegas-based Mayweather, people are still up in arms over his recent struggles, including a Ustream tirade against Pacquiao as well the recent dilemma he faces after being charged with various counts of larceny and assault after the mother of three of his children, Josie Harris, claimed the fighter physically attacked her in front of his children on September 10th.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are obviously in different places right now in their lives and come mid-November we will have a better understanding of both of their futures. Mayweather’s court date is scheduled for November 9th while Pacquiao meets Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas just four days later.

credits: examiner.com

Manny, why not build Pacquiao Boxing Gym now?

by Al S. Mendoza

FREDDIE Roach has his Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California.

The late, lamented Gabriel “Flash” Elorde has his Elorde Boxing Gym through his wife, Laura. It has branches all over Metro Manila.

And what about Manny Pacquiao?

None. Nada.

No Pacquiao Boxing Gym in Manila, in Cebu, in Davao, in Baguio, in Bacolod, in Cagayan de Oro, in Sarangani, or even in his hometown GenSan.

Pacquiao usually trains at the Wild Card Gym when in LA.

He now trains at the Elorde Boxing Gym for the Antonio Margarito fight in November at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

He has picked the Elorde Boxing Gym branch in Quezon City, not far from Congress, because he says he doesn’t want to absent himself from his brand-new job as congressman from Sarangani Province.

He plans, though, to motor up shortly to Baguio for the majority of his training for the Margarito bout set Nov. 14 (Manila Time).

Although the clash is at a catch weight 151 lb, Pacquiao and Margarito will slug it out for the World Boxing Council super welterweight crown (154 lb).

Nowadays, catch weight fights have become a dozen a dime, a worldwide fad after Pacquiao crashed into the scene ballooning from one weight to another a la Incredible Hulk.

No fighter since beak-busting was invented has come closer to what Pacquiao has achieved: From a skinny 106-pounder in 1996, he has expanded to 147 to become the only boxer ever to capture seven world titles in seven different divisions.

A win over Margarito—which isn’t far-fetched as, this early, Pacquiao has been installed the 5-1 favorite—would make Manny an eight-time world champion.

I don’t know of anyone today who could even come close to surpassing that, or equaling the feat. Not in this millennium, I guess.

Anyway, about that gym Pacquiao needs to train on each time he has a fight coming.

Why doesn’t he build his own and name it The Pacquiao Boxing Gym?

To one as wealthy as Pacquiao, he might even build not just one but two, three or even four gyms in Metro Manila. Better yet, he should put up one each in the major cities in the country.

He’d surely help reduce the nation’s unemployment problem. Retired boxers could work as his gym trainers.

This brilliant idea isn’t mine but Ricky Sadiwa’s.

Ricky is an ardent Pacman fan, who does gym boxing regularly for exercise. Ricky, an IT expert, has considerably trimmed down his frame since he picked up the sport some weeks back.

For Reli de Leon, though, the expert marketing man, a Freddie Roach Boxing Gym in the country might be a better idea.

“It sure would even appeal to the AB crowd, Al,” he said.

I believe him. That would be grist for another future column.

Meanwhile, for his idea, Ricky, if ever Pacquiao finally decides to put up a Pacquiao Boxing Gym, has one request: “If I put up my own Pacquiao Boxing Gym, I pray that Mr. Pacquiao waives the franchise fee?”

If only for your idea, that’s not too much to ask of Pacman, I guess.

And I’ll even lawyer for you, Ricky.

To begin with, to a billionaire like Manny, the franchise fee will just be a drop in the bucket.

He’ll even be present to cut the ribbon during the inaugural opening of your brainchild.

Wanna bet?

* * *

GUESS WHAT. When in Bacolod, it’s a crime not to eat at the famous Bacolod Chicken House owned by Beatlemaniac Joe & Pat Cajili. Thus, balikbayans Ric and Tessie Almiranez of New York City were there last week and enjoyed their grilled chicken “up to the last bone,” in the company of Ramon and May Uy, Marvin and Pia Velayo, Ramon’s balikbayan sis Fely (also from NY), Baby Velayo and writer Sol F. Juvida. Incidentally, Ric and Tessie will fly back to NY tomorrow and I wish the lovely couple a safe trip back home. Bon voyage and till we meet again.

credits: manilastandardtoday.com

Manny up for no-nonsense training, says Ariza

MANILA, Philippines--Despite all the distractions, Manny Pacquiao will pull all stops in training for his Nov. 13 showdown with Antonio Margarito in Texas.

“Manny will train hard so his fight becomes easy,” said conditioning expert Alex Ariza after arriving yesterday from Los Angeles.

Ariza told the Inquirer he is scheduled to meet with Pacquiao today to plan out his training schedule and decide when they will set up the training camp in Baguio City.

Pacquiao has started his morning jogs to get into shape for the hard grind ahead once trainer Freddie Roach arrives over the weekend.

The Pacman’s chief of staff, lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal, said the pound-for-pound king is set to “train this afternoon in a gym somewhere near the Batasan complex.”

“When it comes to fighting I have never seen anybody more focused,” said Ariza of Pacquiao, who is going for an eighth title in as many divisions when he fights Margarito for the vacant WBC super welterweight crown at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Despite the extra demands on Pacquiao’s time because of his duties as Sarangani congressman, the conditioning guru said the Filipino will go through the same no-nonsense training regimen as in his previous fights.

Ariza said he has no idea who has been chosen as sparring partners for Pacquiao since Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has changed his mind about coming to the Philippines. Chavez Jr. is training for a title fight on Dec. 14 versus WBO light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao will need big, tall and strong sparring partners to approximate Margarito, who is five inches taller than the Filipino and enjoys a 6-inch reach advantage.

credits: inquirer.net