Freddie Roach blasts Floyd Mayweather, predicts easy knockout over Margarito

Posted by master

Freddie Roach has been on fine form ahead of his fighter Manny Pacquiao's November 13th showdown with Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC light middleweight title, and predicted that his charge would finish the much taller Mexican within 8 rounds.

Given the size difference between the 5,6 Pacquiao and the 5,11 Margarito, that's an ambitious prediction to make, especially given Margarito's well earned reputation for absorbing punishment. Not to mention that Margarito will be trying to come in as big as he possibly can on top of that, and could well be stepping into the ring somewhere closer to super middleweight rather than junior middleweight if he cuts weight the right way.

Roach's prediction was made sitting face to face with Margarito and his trainer Robert Garcia, during HBO's face off with Max Kellermen, and seemed to get under Margarito's skin, who replied with:

"What does he see he crippled or something?"

Roach without missing a beat simply replied: "I saw your last two fights"

To which there was really nothing Margarito could say in return. His last fight was a somewhat lackluster decision against the clearly over-matched Roberto Garcia, and before this he was famously battered over nine rounds by Shane Mosley, being stopped for the first time in his career.

Margarito's trainer Robert Garcia, speaking to John Martinez of BoxScoreNews, predictably differed in his prediction for the fight, instead opting for an 11th round stoppage in Margarito's favor. He also added:

"This isn't going to just be a win for Margarito, this is going to be a f**king beatdown we put on him. A bigtime beating is what we got for Manny Pacquiao."

Which seems to differ from Garcia's talk of trying to outbox Pacquiao only a few months ago. So what kind of approach Margarito will be taking will have to remain to be seen for the time being, but most picking him to win have done so expecting to see the Margarito of old rather than him keeping Pacquiao on the end of his jab.

Some of Roach's predictions are undoubtedly made in order to rile up his fighter's opponent, which works more often that you might expect. This time though, the bookmakers are agreeing with him, and most odds sites have Pacquiao winning by knockout as the most likely outcome.

Margarito wasn't the only one on the receiving end of Freddie Roach's wit this week though, he also had some choice words for his stable's increasingly beleaguered rival Floyd Mayweather.

Speaking to DaTruthBoxing prior to his trip to the Philippines to train Manny Pacquiao, Roach was asked about what has probably become a familiar topic over the last couple of years, his star pupil fighting Floyd Mayweather. His response was:

"Mayweather's busy beating up girls"

When asked about the possibility of a fight occurring in the future, Roach said:

"Who knows with him, he's so sporadic, he's here, he's there, he's negotiating, he's not negotiating"

A response from Floyd himself is probably not on the cards on this occasion due to his current legal predicament, but should Floyd Sr get wind of Roach's remarks, an at least amusing response will undoubtedly be forthcoming.

Jim Pallis, Pittsburgh: "Can't wait to hear Pappa Mayweather's repsonse to Roach"

Earnie Fleishmann, Philly: "Roach can run circles around most trainers, even when he's just trying to annoy his guy's opponent"


Scott Heritage

24.9.10
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Pacquiao Watch: Assessing Margarito’s chances

Posted by master

World pound for pound boxing king Manny Pacquiao is a prohibitive favorite against Mexican Antonio Margarito, with whom he will do battle for the alphabet soup World Boxing Council super welterweight crown on November 13 (November 14 in the Philippines).

Although Margarito is taller, bigger and arguably the harder puncher, his last two fights suggest he may no longer be the feared boxer he once was.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, has been on a roll, piling up 12 straight victories since losing to Erik Morales in 2005 while continually moving up in weight.

Pacquiao also morphed from a whirlwind knock-out puncher into a more complete boxer while still retaining his explosiveness as well as crowd pleasing style.

While the Filipino southpaw, who is now member of Philippine Congress, is known for his aggressiveness, he has also managed to develop an underrated defense such that no opponent has really tagged him with four or five punch combinations at a given time during this incredible stretch.

Since moving up in weight as a full-blown featherweight, Pacquiao also has never been knocked down, even against the heaviest punchers in the weight classes where he toiled and earned his keeps.

Margarito, however, is a unique challenge for Pacquiao if the Filipino is to keep that unblemished record during the last five years.

For one, Margarito, along with Miguel Cotto, is one of the couple of boxers that current pound for pound rival Floyd Mayweather Jr had avoided. Pacquiao already stopped Cotto who was also KOed by Margarito. Margarito, however, has yet to erase the stigma of being called a cheat for trying to load up his hand wraps in his fight with Shane Mosley. For that, he was suspended for one year and his comeback fight against Robert Garcia in May this year was far from impressive.

But Margarito could quickly turn the tables around if he manages to pull an “upset” against Pacquiao. He certainly has the tools to shock the boxing world.

If Margarito can manage to land stinging jabs, which he must double or triple up, he may able to set up his powerful right against Manny. Pacquiao is also not used to being bullied around and it is important for Margarito to establish his dominance in the early rounds and go for a knockout inside the first half of the fight. With Pacquiao, you simply have to take your chances because Manny will come charging at you, but won’t be there at the blink of an eye once he's done breaking you down slowly. That’s how quick and speedy Manny is.

Or if you wish, you may lay a trap against Manny by waiting for him to commit and then throw counterpunches in bunches. The only fighter who came close to knocking down Manny using this technique was Juan Manuel Marquez. I doubt however if Margarito can load up his punches as quick Marquez does.

You also need to give Manny different angles and see to it that you can avoid his onrushing style.

It is important to upset Manny’s rhythm if you want to pull an upset. The last man to do that was the 2005 version of Erik Morales, but only because Manny suffered a huge gash over his right eye - caused by a head butt, by the way - which affected the Filipino’s vision.

It will take a boxer that has the combined skill set of a prime Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez to finally end Manny’s winning streak.

Margarito, however, is simply too old to learn new tricks. Margarito will be his old self when he faces Pacquiao in November. He will be an aggressor and will come charging forward – a bad strategy against Manny who throws powerful punches from weird angles.

If Margarito does that, I will have to agree with Pacquiao's coach Freddie Roach that the Mexican will look like a younger Oscar de la Hoya against Manny Pacquiao. And he will suffer the same fate as the man described by Roach as the one who can’t pull the trigger anymore.

by Edwin Espejo

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Margarito "Training Like A Monster Right Now"

Posted by master

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.


by John Martinez
boxscorenews.com

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

Posted by master

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.

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Margarito a punching bag for Manny?

Posted by master

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa said yesterday there’s no way Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito will defeat Manny Pacquiao in their 12-round bout for the vacant WBC superwelterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium on Nov. 13 because the Filipino icon is just invincible at his prime.

“It’s Manny’s time,” said Peñalosa. “He’s the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Nobody can beat him in his division. The key is his quickness. I don’t think Margarito can touch him. He’s too slow for Manny. I’m not worried about his height. Manny has beaten fighters who were taller than him, like Oscar de la Hoya. Manny will turn Margarito into a punching bag.”

Peñalosa said because Margarito will likely enter the ring outweighing Pacquiao by 10 pounds, he may not go early although it’s a possibility.

“You can’t underestimate Margarito,” said Peñalosa who’s deep in training for his Oct. 10 farewell appearance against Thailand’s Yodsaenkeng Kietmangnee in Zamboanga City. “He’s big and tough. But Manny’s a volume power puncher who doesn’t get tired. I think Margarito will get knocked out or the fight will be stopped in the late rounds, between nine and 12 but if Manny catches him early, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays down. Margarito is perfect for Manny because he likes to come forward. I can just see what will happen. Pupulbusin ni Manny si Margarito. It’s hard to predict what round it will end but you can be sure Margarito isn’t going to win.”

Peñalosa said he will be at ringside for the fight. A slot has been reserved for his superfeatherweight protégé Michael Farenas in the Pacquiao-Margarito program. Farenas will take on Korea’s Jung Hoon Kim in the Peñalosa-Yodsaenkeng undercard and if he wins convincingly, his reward will be a trip to Dallas. Farenas stopped Indonesia’s Simson Butar Butar at 2:19 of the second round in his most recent outing in Mandaluyong two months ago.

“I’m confident Manny will beat Margarito,” said Peñalosa. “Manny will be ready for a hard fight. Whatever Margarito brings to the ring, Manny will be able to handle. I don’t think Margarito has the ability to stop Manny from moving. He’s Manny’s kind of opponent because he’ll go in there to engage, not like (Joshua) Clottey. We’ll see an exciting, action-packed fight.”

Peñalosa, 38, was offered to fight Mexican Olympian Abner Mares in the Sugar Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora undercard at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last Saturday but turned it down.

“My dream was to retire a world champion,” he said. “Fighting Mares wouldn’t get me closer to making my dream come true. I wanted (Fernando) Montiel or at least a warrior like Jorge Arce but the big-name fighters stayed away. I don’t know why they’re avoiding me.”



With time catching up on Peñalosa and a world title shot nowhere in the horizon, Peñalosa decided to end his career in a fight that he will produce for TV on Oct. 10 with the assistance of Zamboanga Rep. Erbie Fabian. Peñalosa will not receive a purse for the fight, in the traditional sense; instead, he acquired the TV rights.

“This is definitely my last fight and I want to make it meaningful by giving the earnings to Z Gorres,” said Peñalosa, referring to the Mandaue contender who survived a brain operation in Las Vegas last year and is now undergoing occupational therapy in Cebu. “Sen. Lito Lapid is supporting the project. We want to help our boxers after their careers are over. We are timing our project with the celebration of the fiesta of Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar in Zamboanga City.”

Another Filipino favorite in the undercard is lightweight Jimrex Jaca who battles Korea’s Jong Yoon Choi.

Peñalosa is coming off back-to-back losses to Juan Manuel Lopez in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and Eric Morel in Las Vegas. He has figured in only four fights the last 2 1/2 years. Before losing to Lopez in April last year, Peñalosa had won three in a row, including a dramatic seventh round disposal of Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO bantamweight belt. His record is 54-8-2, with 36 KOs.

Yodsaenkeng, 22, was only nine months old when Peñalosa turned pro in 1989. The former WBC Youth lightflyweight titleholder, nicknamed “The Robot,” has never been beaten by a Filipino, defeating the three whom he has met – Niño Suelo, Robert Rubillar and Richard Garcia. His record is 12-2, with eight KOs.

“I love boxing,” said Peñalosa. “It’s my life. But I also want to spend more quality time with my wife Goody and two kids. I’ve decided to finally retire and my farewell fight will be against Yodsaenkeng for the benefit of Gorres. It’s the best way I know how to end my career.”

By Joaquin Henson

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Manny, why not build Pacquiao Boxing Gym now?

Posted by master

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?

by Al S. Mendoza
manilastandardtoday.com

20.9.10
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Playtime Over for Pacquiao as Roach, Sparmates Arrive

Posted by master

MANILA, Philippines – Playtime for Manny Pacquiao is over.

Top trainer Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Sunday morning from Los Angeles accompanied by a pair of mean-looking junior-middleweights who will lend a hand in Pacquiao’s buildup for the Nov. 13 showdown with Antonio Margarito.

“We’re going to train tomorrow (Monday),” Roach told the Bulletin as soon as he emerged from a throng of well-wishers and fellow passengers at the Centennial Airport.

Roach came in with Glen Tapia (from the Dominican Republic) and Michael Medina (Mexico), who will be the other half of sparring partners that would also include Vanes Martirosyan (Armenia) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Mexico).

Tapia has a 7-0 record with five knockouts, while Medina has a 24-2 mark with 19 stoppages.

“We’re looking forward to working with Manny Pacquiao,” said Tapia, who got Roach’s attention as he shadow-boxed while waiting for their hotel keys at the lobby of the New World.

Martirosyan and Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Julio Cesar Sr., are expected to hit town anytime this week in time for the start of training camp in Baguio City, according to Roach.

Roach said Rashad Holloway, who was tapped when Pacquiao revved up for Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, will be utilized once Pacquiao and the celebrated cornerman return to the familiar confines of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood in the third or fourth week of October.

Roach had wanted to proceed immediately to Baguio City but Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz said the pound-for-pound king plans to send a few more days or the rest of the week in Manila before going up to the City of Pines.

Baguio had been used by Roach and Pacquiao as training camp when they were preparing to face Miguel Cotto at around the same time last year.

Last week, Pacquiao trained briefly at the Elorde Gym on Del Monte Ave. in Quezon City before returning to General Santos City for a brief R&R.

Already in the country since last week is Alex Ariza, the revered conditioning coach and nutritionist of Pacquiao.

By NICK GIONGCO

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Pacquiao disappoints Texas fans

Posted by master

FILIPINOS in the Rio Grande area of Texas were very disappointed over the last-minute cancellation of a fund-raising dinner which was supposed to be graced by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
The $250-a-plate dinner on Saturday at the McAllen Convention Center was cancelled after the congressman from Saranggani advised organizers that he would not be able to make it.

“No reason was given, we were left to guess,” said former sportswriter Chito Sagana of nearby Edinburgh, Texas, in an overseas phone call. He had bought tickets for him and his nurse-wife Janice to the Sept. 18 affair.
“We are all wondering if he had work to do in Congress, if the $250,000 appearance fee was not adequate, or if there was a loophole somewhere because it was not him who signed the contract with the Filipinos here,” Chito said.
“Pacquiao said the dinner with him will be moved to November, most likely after his fight with Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas.”
* * *
I was curious to know how PBA executive secretary Ma. Corazon “Coy” Perez, who has served under three different commissioners in the past eight years, would describe and rate each one of them.
Since the founding of the PBA in 1975, the league has had only two executive secretaries. The first was Linda Vergara, who was brought to the league from the now-defunct Micaa by the first commissioner, Leo Prieto.
* * *
Coy replaced Linda eight years ago, when Noli Eala became commissioner, and served the entire length of his boss’ five-year tenure. She stayed on to work with Sonny Barrios for three years, and is now getting to know her new boss Chito Salud.
So how does Coy describe each of the three commissioners?
“Basically a marketing person, commissioner Noli’s thrust was on how to sell the league. He initiated a highly successful program called ‘Gimme 5’ which enabled the public to watch the games live by paying only P5 for a seat in the general admission section.”
According to Coy, it was also during Noli’s term that the PBA board discussed the league’s participation in the formation of the Philippine national team.
* * *
“Commissioner Sonny Barrios, being the very responsible family man that he is, ran the PBA as successfully and as lovingly as he did his domestic affairs. During instances where he had to arbitrate between two feuding parties, commissioner Sonny would make sure he listened carefully to both parties, never letting either one feel that he is wrong.
“He adopts the same stance also when sitting in during a player’s summons. He talks to the players like a father—may sermon, pero parating may lambing. It got to a point that his associates started to caution him because because he would often waive fines imposed on players.
* * *
In Chito Salud’s first two weeks in office, Coy said the office staff already felt his high-voltage energy.
“He is into several things all at the same time: marketing, officiating, administration, all aiming for reforms, in the hope of making the league more attuned with the times.
“Commissioner Salud has a no-nonsense air about him. We work—as in WORK, from 9 to 6. When he has a meeting, he is in the boardroom 10 to 15 minutes ahead of everyone else.”
* * *
For a man like Chito, who has great plans for the league, I guess that’s the only way to do it. He aims to make the game more exciting to spectators, at the same time endeavoring to keep officiating as spotless as possible.
Chito, 48, hopes to develop a new breed of superstars during his tenure, in an effort to bring back the golden days of the PBA.
Indeed, those were the days when tickets to a Ginebra game were as rare to find as diamonds.
“Yes, we will try to bring back those glory days,” said Chito.

Beth Celis
inquirer.net

17.9.10
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Pacquiao vs. Margarito tickets on sale Saturday at Cowboys Stadium Box Office

Posted by master

ARLINGTON, TX - Tickets for the Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito fight November 13th go on sale officially Saturday September 18th at the ticket office of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Tickets range from: $700, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50.

Tickets can also be purchased by phone at 800-745-3000 or on line at
WWW.ticketmaster.com.

About 50,000 tickets were sold for the last Pacquiao card at the stadium March 13th and a bigger crowd is anticipated for this one because of the large Hispanic following of Margarito in North Texas.

In a 10 round fight, Kelly Pavlik will face Haitian Daniel Edouard. Pavlik, 36-2 (32 KO's) is a former middleweight champion while Edouard is 23-2-3 (14 KO's).

Dallas' own Roberto Marroquin, 15-0 (12 KO's) featherweight will face TBA.
Other fights are to be announced.

Matt Stolow
examiner.com

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Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito: Early Fight Predictions: News Roundup

Posted by master

With still over two months until Manny “The Mexicutioner” Pacquiao steps into the path of the “Tijuana Tornado” at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas predictions have been starting to roll in.
Most see the fight going the way of Pacquiao.

Ted “The Bull” Sares of Bad Left Hook sees the fight as a back and forth battle with the speed of Pacquiao trying to find openings around the heavy hands of Margarito. Ultimately, Sares sees the speed catching up to Margarito and a late Pacquiao victory.

“Speed will be the critical variable in this fight, Sares wrote. “And Manny has the speed (and skills to go with it). But before he prevails with a 10th or 11th round stoppage, he will be rocked several times by a stalking Margo using his heavy hands. Around the 7th or 8th, I see a facially bruised and puffed up Manny finally asserting himself but not nearly as easily as he did with Cotto.”
There are also those writers who are not only predicting a tough fight for Pacquiao but also envisioning the upset.

Chuy Marco of Now Boxing sees the fight playing out similar to Margarito’s fight against Miguel Cotto, a match which started strongly for Cotto, who dominated the early rounds, but was ultimately worn down and knocked out by the persistent Margarito.

“The strategy that Team Pacquiao, specifically Freddie Roach is trying to use of dehydrating the fighters or draining them will not work on this fight because Margarito can easily make 151-pounds catchweight,” Marco wrote.

“The smile and confidence on Pacquiao during the press conference was almost disrespectful to his opponent. Margarito will wipe the smile off of his face for sure when they step in the boxing ring at Cowboys stadium. Remember, the Pacman has never had someone who will move forward to him, everyone he fought was scared to push him back, Margarito fears no man in that ring and he runs from nobody.”

Outside of the pundits and the pencil pushers, Pacquiao’s old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez has made a prediction on the fight. Marquez, who fought Pacquiao twice to a draw and a split decision loss (both controversial), also sees the speed of Pacquiao being the difference in the fight.

“Like Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, David Diaz, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey before him, Margarito is expected to have a hard time coping up with Pacquiao’s quickness and ring savvy, according to Marquez,” wrote RCJ of GMA News.

“Never mind that he and Margarito are both of Mexican descent, but Marquez is definitely going to bet where the money is.”

The editors at Boxing Dispatch also see the fight going the way of Pacman. Margarito showed considerable rust in his last fight, against Roberto Garcia, and while it was only a tune-up, a jump from Garcia to Pacquiao is going to feel like moving from a soapbox derby to the Indianapolis 500. If we compare the Pacquiao-Margarito fight to the Cotto-Margarito fight, we have to factor in the speed of Pacquiao and the question of whether Margarito was hitting Cotto with what essentially amounted to a cast.

Pacquiao should bring Margarito down from an F5 tornado to a light breeze and we predict a knockout within 10 rounds.

We are curious to know what the readers think the outcome of Pacquiao-Margarito will be and how the fight will play out. Feel free to vote or leave comments.


by Mike Colapietro

8.9.10
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Body of son of boxing promoter found in Cascades

Posted by master

SEATTLE -- Searchers spotted the body of the son of Hall of Fame boxing promoter Bob Arum on a rugged Washington state mountainside Friday afternoon, five days after they began looking for him in North Cascades National Park, authorities said.

The body belonging to John Arum, an experienced mountain climber, was seen from a National Park Service helicopter at about the 7,700-foot level of the 8,500-foot Storm King mountain, park spokeswoman Kerry Olson said.

Previous flights had been made in this area, but recent snow melt made it possible to locate the 49-year-old Seattle environmental attorney's body on Friday, she said.

It wasn't possible to either reach or retrieve the body, but Olson said it was clear to searchers in the helicopter that Arum was dead.

"There was no doubt of that," she said, adding it appeared that Arum had fallen.

The search began Monday after Arum failed to return from a solo weekend trip to scale the mountain, which is about 85 miles northeast of Seattle. Family members said the climb was part of Arum's goal of reaching the summit of the 100 highest peaks in the state.



"His plan was to climb Storm King on Saturday, so it's probably a safe assumption that he fell that day," Olson said.

Arum's larger backpack was found Wednesday on a trail on the mountain's less arduous south side, Olson said. The backpack was found at about 7,400-feet along a climbing route, and climbing gear was missing from the pack.

Climbers often take only essential gear to lighten their load while attempting a summit.

Arum's smaller pack was found higher on the mountain on Thursday, and Olson said his body was found about 300 feet below that spot in an extremely steep area with a lot of loose rock.

About 20 people, some using trained search dogs, were out earlier Friday, along with four helicopters, two of them King County sheriff's aircraft with heat-seeking equipment. Counting coordinators and support workers, about 50 people were involved in the search, Olson said.

National Park Service workers were trying to develop a plan to recover the body, which is in an area so difficult "that people can't rappel down or climb up to it," she said.

Friday's weather was clear, with temperatures in the 80s. However, the National Weather Service has forecast that clouds will move in with a chance of rain Saturday.

Earlier this week, Bob Arum left Los Angeles to join park rangers coordinating the effort. He had been on a three-city tour promoting the Nov. 13 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His stepson, Todd duBoef, took over the tour that also stopped in New York and Dallas.



by George Tibbits
washingtonpost.com

4.9.10
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Dallas Pacquiao - Margarito presser was loud and crowded today

Posted by master

ARLINGTON, TX - About 15 TV cameras, hundreds of cameras and camcorders, a genuinely packed media section and maybe a thousand fans packed what is called the East End zone above the field at Cowboys Stadium for easily the biggest and loudest of the three press conferences to announce the Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito fight on November 13th.

The fired up crowd loudly booed Margarito as he was first escorted to the dais by a bevy of beautiful Cowboys Cheerleaders but the boos became cheers eventually as Margarito easily towered over Pacquiao by over fight inches in height when they posed facing each other.

Even the largely Mexican crowd cheered for Pacquiao as he was introduced and swept onto the dais by another team of gorgeous cheerleaders.

Many were there to see their heroes. Many were there for a picture with or an autograph of either fighter or anyone remotely famous.

The presser wasn't on the field as the first press conference for Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey back in January to kick off their March fight. But today's was where the presser was during fight week for Pacquiao vs. Clottey.

It probably had to do with NFL rules or at least because the landlord (the Dallas Cowboys) played a game last night and the field was in no condition to be converted to press conference form so quickly.

Top Rank president Todd DuBoef was the emcee of the event and he came prepared to turn the anti-Margarito fans into believers with information about the three-time champion they might not have known about. He did an exceptional job.

DuBoef was filling in for the second press conference for his step-father Bob Arum who left the media tour when it was discovered his eldest son, John, was missing from a hiking expedition in the Seattle area.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was there in the middle of everything and it was probably his idea to have the fighters wear white Cowboys jersey numbers 11 and 13 to signify November 13th as the date of the fight for everyone with a camera.

World Boxing Council Vice President Mauricio Sulaiman stood in for his father, Jose Sulaiman, (WBC President) and awarded gifts of belts and trophies to assorted dignitaries and commending the Texas commission for taking on such a controversial fight others passed on such as California.

Pacquiao stole the show with his poise and the graceful way he answered questions as the media was right in his face mostly asking questions he has answered many times before.

Both fighters stayed long after the questions to take pictures and sign posters and gloves for their fans.

by Matt Stolow

3.9.10
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Video: Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito Fight Preview

Posted by master

The first press conference of Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito bout was held at Beverly Hills. It was a great experience for all Pacquiao-Margarito fans to meet the November 13 mega fighters. Just watch the Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito Fight Preview Video to see the fighter's quotes that can bring excitement to all boxing fans.

The Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito fight preview video will give you an interest to what they said in the press conference. Just watch the video and think about if who will win the fight on November 13 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Video: Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito Fight Preview



1.9.10
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pacquiao vs margarito live stream This blog (Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito) is made to give the latest news and updates of the upcoming fight between the 7-times world champion and fighter of the decade Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and the former champion Antonio Margarito from Mexico. The Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito's blog is not responsible for copyrighted contents like articles, videos and photos. All contents are located around the net for free for all readers and hoppers. This blog will give links or refers the sources of each original articles, videos, and photos where they came from. Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito bout will take place on November 13, 2010 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The bout will be the vacant light middleweight title match. The said Pacquiao vs Margarito bout will be the main event in super welterweight fight in a catch-weight. The Pacquiao-Margarito fight will be presented by HBO sports for live streaming on pay-per-view. Lets get ready to rumble!

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