Pacquiao to kick off training in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines - World champion Manny Pacquiao arrived in Manila on Wednesday, eager to start his training for the May 7 showdown with “Sugar” Shane Mosley in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao returned to Manila with his wife, Jinkee Pacquiao, after a press tour in Los Angeles.

The Filipino boxing icon said he will start warming up next week in General Santos City for a 2-month training.

Pacquiao, who also sits as congressman of Sarangani Province, said he will have to report for work at the House of Representatives and spend some time with his family before he goes through another rigorous training program.

After warming up in General Santos City, Pacquiao said he will officially start training with coach Freddie Roach in Baguio City either March 8 or March 9.

On April 2, he will fly to Los Angeles with Roach for the last leg of the training.

Pacquiao, meanwhile, declined to predict that he will knock down Mosley.

“Hindi naman ako nagpa-predict eh. Ibibigay lang natin ang ating makakaya. Kung maitumba, bonus na lang iyon dahil sa pag-eensayo ng matindi (I’m not predicting anything. I will just do whatever I can during the fight. If I knock him down, that would just be a big bonus for my training so hard),” Pacquiao said before his plane touched down in Manila.

Odds makers see Pacquiao as a 7-1 favorite over Mosley, a former world champion who has won several welterweight titles.

This means that every $700 bet placed on Pacquiao will only yield $100 while a $350 bet on Mosley will get $500.

Even action star Steven Seagal is placing his bet on Pacquiao.

"He will [beat] Mosley by the 3rd round,” said Seagal, an aikido black-belter. “I'll always bet for him. He’s my brother.”

After a recent visit to the White House, Pacquiao said that US President Barack Obama also promised to cheer for him during the fight.

Pacquiao said that Obama told him that he would watch the fight live at the White House.

Source: ABS-CBNnews.com

SHANE MOSLEY: "FREDDIE'S NERVOUS ABOUT THIS FIGHT"

"I can be better than I was when I fought Margarito. I can be better than that and they're not understanding that at all. They don't know what they've done. Wow! God works in mysterious ways. They messed up. I can't wait...Freddie's nervous right now about this fight. He's nervous," stated three-division world champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley as he talked about his upcoming training camp for his May 7th showdown with Manny Pacquiao. Check it out!

BT: It looks like Freddie is going to bring in Shawn Porter to help Manny in sparring. Some people say he fights a lot like you.

SM: Oh yeah? That's why they're bringing him in there, huh? Hey, let 'em have him in there. That's fine. It ain't going to be the same thing though. It's going to be worse because I'm going to be ready. Man, I'm already ready. I'm going to be ready ready.

BT: I don't think I realized how much shorter Manny is than you until I saw some pictures from a photo shoot where they had him standing on a block next to you.

SM: Yeah. His legs are big, but his body is small. His body's not that big. His body is real small and compact. Even when I like stepped up to him, I was like damn. His shoulders and...he's just little. He tricks people because he generates his power from his legs, but his frame is small. If you hit him in his frame real good, man. That's why Margarito was able to hurt him like that, because he hit him on his little frame.

BT: Marquez and Morales also hurt him to the body. I don't think they realized it, but they both caught him with good body shots that he did not like at all; and those guys are small.

SM: He has a small body. When he ripped it all up, it's real small. If you look at both of our upper bodies, it's a total difference. He gets his power from his legs though. That's why people look at him and say, "Man, this guy is little. He's got a little frame and little everything." But they gotta look at his legs.

BT: Yeah, he got tree trunks for legs.

SM: He's got big legs. That's where a lot of his power is generated. He's got small arms too. If you look at arms, there's a picture of us where he's standing regular and I'm standing regular. My arms go to as long as his arms, my fingertips to his fingertips, but I'm like 2 or 3 inches taller than him, so my arms are a lot longer than his; a lot longer. I'm like whoooooa. I have so many advantages on him that it's ridiculous. They don't even understand what they've done. I mean, you know, when he fought Cotto, Cotto's arms are kind of short; he does alright with them, but they're not longer than Pacquiao. Margaritos arms are about the same and he was able to hit Pacquiao a lot. Man, I don't know if they understand what they just did [by making this fight].

BT: Well that's because they're banking on the notion that your last two performances are a sign that you're shot and ripe for the taking. Two years ago, Freddie made it clear that he didn't want Manny to fight you because he felt you were still too dangerous.

SM: I know, but the thing is, I can be better than I was when I fought Margarito. I can be better than that and they're not understanding that at all. They don't know what they've done. Wow! God works in mysterious ways. They messed up. I can't wait.

BT: So when are you going into camp?

SM: Man, I'm already in Big Bear. I mean, you know, I'm not training training, but just doing my little side stuff. Some of the boys are up there working with me and I'm working with my son, just kinda hitting the bag. I don't have any southpaws up there right now, but I'm just keeping myself in good shape. When Brother Naaz comes in, boom, I'll be in pretty good shape and then I'll be able to go through all the drills that I need to do.

BT: Is there going to be an issue with Brother Naaz if Hopkins has that rematch with Pascal in May? Is he going to have to split time between camps at all?

SM: Nah, Brother Naaz already told Bernard that he's going to be up in Big Bear, so Bernard will probably be up in Big Bear with us. Philly's going to be cold and most likely, he'll like Big Bear anyway so he might as well come to Big Bear. Brother Naaz said he's going to be up there in Big Bear to start training me on the first of March, so I only assume that Bernard Hopkins will be following him.

BT: That's good. I know Brother Naaz was pulling triple duty between yourself, Steve Cunningham and Bernard when you were training for the Mayweather fight. It sounds like everything will be in place for you to have an uninterrupted camp for one of the biggest fights of your career.

SM: Yeah, they just messed up. They're underestimating me. They're underestimating me in a real way and it's just like, man, y'all messed up.

BT: Well, like I said, Freddie wasn't so eager to make the fight until he saw your last two performances against guys who make everyone they fight look ugly in their own way.

SM: He said no before already. Freddie's nervous right now about this fight. He's nervous. He's like, "Manny, come on, we gotta train, we gotta train." Manny's like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm gonna got to the Philippines for a month. I'll come back for the last month. We'll be alright." He's like, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, Freddie, don't worry about it. I'll go up there and train, get myself in shape, and then we'll come back and work on strategy a month before the fight. I'll be ready. Don't worry about it." Oh boy. Big mistake. I'm just happy I got this opportunity to be able to do this. I mean, people are going to be like, "How did he do that?" They're going to be baffled.

Source: fighthype.com

Pacquiao and Mosley tour to hype upcoming fight

If the four-stop tour to hype the Manny Pacquiao-Sugar Shane Mosley world welterweight championship bout is to be the gauge, expect all tickets sold within the next few days with still three months into the fight on May 7 at MGM Grand.

That the last leg of the tour in Washington D.C. was a hit was understatement with, of course, the “Pacman” coming out as the better salesman of the two, as expected. The Filipino world pound-for-pound king and eight-division belt-holder, not only was the crowd-favorite, he, too, proved to be one to members of the U.S. Senate and the White House staffer, headed by President Barack Obama, the most powerful man on the planet.

Wire reports had it that Pacquiao stopped traffic outside the White House on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), on the way to meeting the American Chief of State in the company of bosom friend Sen. Harry Reid.

The Filipino boxing sensation, reports said, was crossing the street to the White House when several drivers, trying to snap photos of Pacquiao with cell phones, caused a multicar pileup. Nobody was reported hurt though.

Pacquiao, who engaged in menial jobs like selling cigarettes and pandesal during his poverty-stricken life as a young boy and an elected Congressman in his wife Jinkee’s province of Sarangani, spent time talking a lot of things from boxing to basketball to business with the President.

"This is an unforgettable moment in my life,'' Pacquiao told a battery of media men in his large entourage earlier in the day.
The Pacman, who came with Jinkee herself, Top Rank’s Bob Arum and wife Lovee, posed with Obama for several photos, including a boxing pose, in the Oval Office. The President gave him three grocery bags full of light blue M&M's with the presidential seal, along with a watch adorned with the seal, and said he hopes to someday visit the Philippines.

Pacquiao invited the President to his fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Sternburg said. Obama said he would be busy but promised to watch on television.
While Pacquiao was making the rounds in Washington DC, Sugar Shane Mosley worked the New York City scene. He appeared as guest on Boomer and Carton radio show, then hit the Opie and Anthony show, and Hip Hop Nation Ear Candy with his trainer Naseem Richardson.
After that Mosley showed NY Knick star Amare Staudemire some fancy ball handling at Knicks Training Facility in Tarrytown, before stopping for a bite to eat in at 7 Brothers Dinner in Yonkers en route to ESPN Headquarters in Bristol CT.
Pacquiao said it was very impressive being in the Oval Office, seeing it for the first time He said it was a great honor to meet the President of the United States, who he noticed is “a very tall man.''

Obama used to play basketball, another sport that catches Pacquiao’s interest, during his student day in Honolulu where his family stayed for a while.

The U.S. President also promised to visit the 32-year-old fighter and the Philippines someday.

Earlier, Pacquiao roamed the halls of the Capital as the guest of Reid, a Democrat and long-ago boxer whose recent re-election was no doubt helped by Pacquiao's campaign appearances.

After Reid and Pacquiao exchanged national flags, Reid was asked how long he would last in his prime if the two exchanged punches.

"About five seconds,'' Reid said.

Pacquiao arrived in town by train on Tuesday, wrapping up a press tour promoting his next fight that began in Los Angeles and included stops in Las Vegas and New York. The fact that he's arrived on the scene has been good for boxing, making plenty of high-profile fans and bringing some mainstream attention to a sport that has been seemingly dying for decades.

"You can become a great athlete and still be a great person,'' Reid said.

It was Sen.Reid who set up Pacquiao's meeting with Obama on the strength Pacquiao's huge following in the land of sweet and honey.

"I try not to bother the president, but I bothered him on this occasion,'' Reid told newsmen.
Arum, for his part, said Pacquiao's visit to the White House was reminiscent of the heyday of Muhammad Ali, whom he also promoted.

"He comes at a very fortuitous time,'' Arum said. "If anybody can bring boxing back to the mainstream ... it's Manny Pacquiao.'

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Shane Mosley: “I will walk away after four or five more fights”

Even though boxing fans all over the world want to see Manny Pacquiao fight one person and one person only, they will have to settle for “Sugar” Shane Mosley against the Pacman this May. Since Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao were unable to come to an agreement, “Sugar” Shane Mosley stepped up and took on the challenge of fighting one of the sports best fighters. While Mosley is always a tough opponent and one of the best welterweights in the world, after his two performances last year against Mayweather and Sergio Mora, I find it hard to believe that he will finally be the one to end Pacquiao’s 13 fight winning streak.

Shane Mosley joined WFAN in New York with Boomer and Carton to talk about when he plans on leaving the fight game, what one fight he would like to be able to do over throughout his career, and what he predicts for his fight against Manny Pacquiao.

When he thinks he will walk away from the fight game:

“I will walk away after four or five more fights. There’s a couple more fights. I do the rematch with Manny, get the rematch with Floyd (Mayweather) (Host: Will he fight again?) I think so. I have (Miguel) Cotto and if (Antonio) Margarito wants to do an extra one. So I’m reserving fights for a couple of people then I’m getting out.”

On what fight he would like to have back throughout his career:

“The first time that I lost when I fought Vernon Forrest. I was just like how did I lose the fight like that. (Host: You were 38-0 going into that fight right?) Yeah 38-0 and that was the first time I had my first loss so I couldn’t believe it. Being on the ground and fighting that way was unbelievable.”

On the notoriety that he is getting with the show leading up to his fight with Pacquiao:

“That’s a great idea that Bob Arum came up with. Being on regular TV I think it’s 114 million viewers that are viewing this.”

What he predicts with his fight against Pacquiao:

“I predict an exciting and great fight. I think Pacquiao’s style is suitable for me because he’s not going to be running around and trying to outbox me. He’s going to try and knock me out and I love those kinds of fights where I can get a chance to use my own punching power on a guy. I love to pound away and he’s the same type of fighter so it’s going to be exciting.”

Source: sportsradiointerviews.com

Pacquiao's beloved Coach Freddie Roach: Let me die at my office, I'll be happy

WASHINGTON, DC.--Michael Marley reporting from the historic Hay-Adams Hotel “where nothing is overlooked but the White House” and they mean that literally...

They may say that Washington (George) Slept Here but now the famed hotel a hop, skip and jump away from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue can also say “Pacquiao Slept Here.”

Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao's beloved from Boston to Bacolod trainer, turns age 51 come March 5.

Despite his bout with Parkinsonism, Roach looks healthy and stays in fighting trim.

On a Valentine's Day when sweet love was in the air, even in boxing circles, Coach Roach and I spoke about death.

Not that either of us are in a rush to meet the Grim Reaper or anything like that but my fellow Bostonian has already figured out where he wants to finally drop his battle sword.

Roach wants to “check out” not in a hotel, not on an airplane and not on Malibu Beach. Other places he is not planning to expire are any fancy golf courses or any fishing holes.

Roach despises wakes, funerals and the usual trappings of mourning a loved one in a formal way.

But, in thinking about his own physical demise, he knows where he wants to take the ultimate 10 count.

“People ask me about retirement, I will never retire from doing what I love,” Roach told me in New York after the Sugar Shane Mosley-Pacquiao presser at Chelsea Piers.

“What would I do other than this? What could I do? I hate golf, I hate fishing. As far as I'm concerned, can just drop in the gym and that will be enough.”

I asked ex-fighter Freddie how he rated the movie, “The Fighter,” based on Lowell, Mass., product Irish Micky Ward.

Roach is a movie buff who watches flicks every Sunday night.

“I liked it, it was good,” Roach said. “But I know a lot about Micky and about his family.

“I'll tell you a funny story, my mother (Barbara, first women boxing judge in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) scored the Dickie Eklund-Sugar Ray Leonard fight and she gave it to Leonard in Boston.

“One of Micky's crazy sisters went looking for her. She was intending to beat my mother up,” Roach said.

“My mother saw the sister coming after and she did something smart. She looked around ringside and she spotted a priest she knew.

“My Mom went over there, sat with the priest and that was the end of that.”

When Freddie's end comes, he won't mind a bit if it occurs with his boots on at his own Wild Card Gym or another fistic factory.

Some people live to work and some work to live.

Mark down Coach Freddie as a guy who wouldn't complain about dying at “the office.”

Source: Examiner.com

Shane Mosley Sees Himself in Manny Pacquiao

NEW YORK-- When Shane Mosley, looks across the ring at eight-division champion, Manny Pacquiao, for their May 7, Showtime pay per view televised clash at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, the three-division, five-time titlist will see a version of himself in the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) belt-holder.

Mosley earned the IBF's lightweight (135 pounds) title in August of 1997, defended that crown with eight consecutive knockouts, scored two more stoppages as a welterweight, and then, split-decisioned Oscar De La Hoya for the WBC's 147-pound belt in June of 2000

Mosley also earned the WBA and WBC junior middleweight (154 pounds) belts by unanimously decisioning De La Hoya in September of 2003.

Pacquiao earned his record eighth crown in November, when he unanimously decisioned Antonio Margarito for the WBC junior middleweight crown, which he has since vacated.

"I do see myself in him. I think that he's a warrior and that he comes to fight, and he's fighting everybody," said the 39-year-old Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs), who will try to end a 13-bout winning streak that includes eight knockouts by the 32-year-old Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs).

"Manny's got great class, and he's a humble person, but he does his talking with his fists. He's moving up in weight classes and beating guys down. He's a great fighter," said Mosley. "Like [Mosley's trainer] Nazim Richardson said, they're starting to mention him as No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 of all times as a fighter. So beating this man will definitely put me up there in the history books."

Mosley spoke during a Monday, New York press conference while surrounded by more than 150-or-so international media members at the Chelsea Pier No. 61, an event that marked the third stop in a four-city tour promoting their clash that is being promoted by Top Rank Promotions.

On Thursday, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum counted a throng of 300 or so reporters who attended a similar affair at the Beverly Hills Hotel, and, on Saturday, another was held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Following Monday's gathering at Chelsea Pier, Pacquiao was hustled onto a train headed for Washington, D.C., along with some 40-or-so media personnell, including those from CNN, CBS, National Public Radio, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, Playboy, and The Examiner.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao and Mosley will be welcomed on the floor of the United States Senate as a guest of Nevada Senator, Harry Reid.

"I'm looking at this press conference right here, and, you know, fighting Manny is a big fight. This is pretty big," said Mosley.

"When we were in Los Angeles,that was a big press conference, and then, again, when we were in Las Vegas," said Mosley. "Top Rank is putting a great deal of effort into this promotion, and this is finally coming true for me. I mean, it's happening."

Pacquiao has taken criticism for facing Mosley, who lost May's lopsided, unanimous decision to Floyd Mayweather and struggled in September's junior middleweight draw with ex-champion Sergio Mora.

But in facing Pacquiao, who twice failed to negotiate a deal to face Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions, Mosley believes that he won't have as difficult a time finding a man who comes to fight and anticipates what could be a toe-to-toe affair.

"I'm pretty sure that Manny will be a lot easier to find than Mayweather was. I'm not saying that he'll be an easier fight. But it might be an easier fight for me because of the styles, but not for other people," said Mosley.

"He doesn't really remind me of anybody that I've fought before, but, you know, I've been in with some sparring sessions with guys who throw a lot of punches and who are very consistent and who are very determined," said Mosley. "It's kind of like I know his style, and I know his personality. I know his will to win, and so, that means that this fight is going to be a great fight."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Mosley has to hurt Pacquiao early to win, boxing experts say

‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley comes from very dismal performances last year, a lopsided decision against Floyd Mayweather and a draw against the non-engaging Sergio Mora. But while many are ready to dismiss Mosley in his upcoming welterweight championship bout against boxing’s top dog Manny Pacquiao on May 7th, several boxing experts are still not willing to totally take the American out of the contest.

Mosley. Can. Still. Punch.

And in the sport of boxing, one punch can really change everything. Who could forget George Foreman’s one-punch shotgun that knocked Michael Moorer out silly? Or that vicious comeback Chico Corrales made after being dropped by Jose Luis Castillo twice in the 10th round of their epic first clash?

Mosley still has the puncher’s chance in this fight. But can a puncher’s chance be enough to get him the victory over Pacquiao? Read on as boxing experts chipped in their thoughts:

“Mosley’s best chance is to come out strong while he’s fresh. It should be an exciting fight for about 3 or 4 rounds. After that, I think it will become uncompetitive as Manny starts to dominate. I think Mosley will come out and try to knock Pacquiao out early, and I’m sure that Pacquiao will be prepared.

I admire Mosley, but to be honest, he isn’t what he used to be. I think Pacquiao could be the first to stop Mosley.”

Vince Parra, boxing manager, trainer, and Rogue Boxing Promotions Vice-President

“I feel Shane is most dangerous early. But to me Manny is just too sharp and will have a small edge in speed. Also, Shane has trouble with southpaws. I’m going to say Manny could be the first guy to stop him, and that would be huge! Pac wins TKO 11th!”

Ken Smith, American Boxing Academy founder and boxing manager

“I think it’s going to be tougher than most people think. Mosley is still a dangerous puncher. He has a small chance and either way, it will not be easy for both fighters. Mosley will have to hurt Pacquiao to have any chance at all. The only way I could see Mosley winning is hurting Pac early and then he could possibly make the distance.

But I will never bet against Pacquiao. Mosley is old and past his prime. Pacquiao is very likely to stop Mosley. I see Pac breaking down Mosley in the middle rounds and finish him late.”

Source: filipinoboxingjournal.com

Cards on the table: Manny Pacquiao will stop Shane Mosley inside 6 rounds

Bob Arum stated this week that Top Rank Inc. will be gunning for a Floyd Mayweather fight in November 2011. With Manny Pacquiao, of course. Why can he say such a thing with certitude ? Because Uncle Bob can do so in the knowledge that Manny Pacquaio will belittle an ageing Shane Mosley in Las Vegas on May 7. We are a long, long way from the fight, but my cards are being laid on the table now: Pacquiao will defeat Shane Mosley inside six rounds.

It’s not a mis-match, but having been at Mosley-Mayweather in Sin City last year, a fight in which Mosley, after a successful attack on Mayweather in the first quarter, wilted and was dominated by his compatriot, I see no way out for the 39-year-old American.

Floyd is not a finisher; Pacquiao is. It would not surprise me if Pacquiao ends Mosley’s career on May 7. I can even remember sitting at ringside when Mayweather was stepping through his punches, consciously thinking ‘If this were Pacquiao, Mosley would have been stopped or knocked out. Probably the latter.”

After three rounds, judging by the last two years of Pacquiao’s pugilistic elevation – Hatton, Cotto, Clottey, Margarito – the fight will be drained out of Mosley. A fine, fine man, but an ageing fighter.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, really didn’t want this fight for the Filipino. Full of sound and fury – signifying nothing. Well, not much, at any rate. It does not advance Pacquiao’s cause towards greatness.

Juan Manuel Marquez v Pacquiao III would have been a better contest. Marquez showed against Michael Katsidis last year that he still possesses the skills which made him great; make him a warrior. Pacquiao also has some proving to do against Marquez. In many ways, Marquez is more dangerous than Mosley in terms of style. That said, I’d pick Pacquiao to win that on points right now.

Mosley’s career will end here. Pacquiao’s career, warrior and politician, shows no signs of slowing…

Source: blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Pacquiao-Mosley Announcement Reminds Fans Of The Fight They're Not Getting

This past Thursday afternoon the press tour for the upcoming Pacquiao-Mosley fight kicked off at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Both Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley rank among the top five active fighters in boxing when it comes to the respect they garner from a majority of today's boxing writers and fans. Throughout their careers Manny and Shane have met the best boxing had to offer in their respectful divisions, and even fought rematches against the fighters who defeated them or gave them their toughest and most difficult fights.

Matching Pacquiao 52-3-2 (38) and Mosley 46-6-1 (39) is a dream fight on paper. At one time had they fought as lightweights or welterweights it would've been a tossup or perhaps Mosley would've gone off as the betting favorite. And there's a strong case that can be made that justifies Mosley as being the best and most dangerous fighter Pacquiao will have ever shared a ring with. However, it's 2011 and Mosley is 39 crowding 40 years old, and Pacquiao is at or near his prime at 32. Oh, Pacquiao is a substantial favorite three months out from the fight, and for good reason. That being today Pacquiao can do everything better in the ring that a fighter can do over another, with the exception being Shane might hold the advantage in single shot power, again, that too may be a reach at this time.

Instead of the Pacquiao-Mosley announcement getting you pumped up for the fight, and it will be an exciting fight as long as it lasts, what it really does is serve as a reminder that this should've been the press tour kickoff for Pacquiao-Mayweather. That's the fight that all boxing fans are waiting to become a reality. Everyone who follows boxing knows that Mosley no longer posses the tools needed to beat Pacquiao. Shane is getting the fight because Mayweather doesn't want it. Mosley said as much at the press conference when he said, "if (Mayweather) wanted to fight him, he'd be fighting him." For Mayweather, hiding behind the smoke screen that he's thrown up suggesting that Pacquiao is using steroids or some form of HGH, is viewed by most clear thinking fans as an excuse. In sports, especially combat sports, perception is reality. And it's looking more and more like Floyd believes that the risk/reward factor in regards to him fighting Pacquiao isn't worth it.

If $30 million dollars isn't sufficient reward for risking a loss (and since Floyd's near his prime and has never taken a beating, it's unlikely that, win or lose, he'd be facing serious physical damage), what would be? It's got to be one of the greatest risk/reward fights in history. Can he really be so vain that a decision loss means that much to him? Until he agrees to fight Pacquiao, one must conclude that he fears his legacy won't hold up historically when compared to boxing's greatest of the greats if he suffers a defeat in the signature fight of his career. And if that's the case, Floyd's the one who chose the money and low risk fights during the peak years of his career.

The only thing that could legitimately become a stumbling block and prevent the biggest fight of the last decade from being made are Mayweather's pending legal issues, felony coercion and misdemeanor battery pertaining to his ex-girlfriend. Assuming that Mayweather won't have to serve any jail time, and it's highly unlikely that he will, he must step up and fight Pacquiao next, provided Manny gets by Shane in May. The sand in the hourglass is almost through. Floyd has to cast aside his worry that if he loses to Pacquiao, he'll be more remembered for his single defeat than his 41 career victories. That would be better than being more remembered for his appearances on Wrestlemania and Dancing With the Stars as Mark Kriegel of Foxsports.com wrote last week.

Just a couple years ago it seemed as if there was plenty of time to make Pacquiao-Mayweather, or if you will, Mayweather-Pacquiao. Then again, if fans were willing to pay to see Hopkins-Jones II 17 years after their first fight, then I guess there's still plenty of time left to work through the obstacles preventing Mayweather from signing the contract to face Pacquiao. The only problem is, Pacquiao is 32 and Mayweather will be 34 at the end of this month. Based on their age, they're both near the end of their prime. It's a rarity that boxing lucks out and gets to see two greats face each other at or near their prime. That's why when it does happen those fights are never forgotten. How many fights are held in the same historical reverence as Frazier-Ali I and Leonard-Hearns I?

In order for Pacquiao-Mayweather to be held in that regard years after they fight, it has to happen soon. If Mayweather can survive his upcoming court date and Pacquiao manages to get by Mosley this coming May, they must face each other in their next bout. If they wait beyond 2011, it'll be more remembered like Leonard-Hearns II then Duran-Leonard I.

Source: thesweetscience.com

Pacquiao-Mosley press tour, still void of any trash talk, rolls on to New York

The May 7th Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight is somewhat of a tough sell on several fronts, especially considering the modest nature of the two prizefighters at hand. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown against the former three-division champion from Pomona, California at the MGM Grand in a fight that is a little more intriguing than some are giving it credit for.

After stops in Los Angeles on Thursday and Las Vegas on Saturday, the press tour rolled on to New York today. The first two legs of the tour hadn't exactly been scintillating in terms of verbal warfare, something that Pacquiao seems to appreciate as he heads into his 58th bout as a professional.

"I really admire Team Mosley because this is my first time to encounter a fighter who is not talking trash," Pacquiao would state.

These days it seems that several people have taken barbs at Pacquiao, as recently Floyd Mayweather Jr. went onto his Twitter and Facebook accounts and posted Youtube videos of the fighter's three professional losses, to Rustico Torrecampo, Medgoen Singsurat, and Erik Morales, respectively. Mayweather also boasted of his 41-0 record on the two social networking sites, a sign that his unblemished record prevails over anything his rival has accomplished.

Juan Manuel Marquez has been another ardent Pacquiao critic, seeming to say anything and everything in hopes of landing a third fight with his Filipino rival. And of course there was Bernard Hopkins who recently claimed that Pacquiao had yet to fighter an Africa-American fighter with a 'slick' style. Add on to it the constant, unproven PED accusations against Pacquiao and it's obvious to see he has a nice little group of people with their fingers crossed, hoping for his ring demise.

So as we continue on with the Pacquiao-Mosley press tour, perhaps a lack of drama is good at this point. Mosley's trainer Naazim Richardson flew in for the contest from Germany, where he was leading his charge, IBF cruiserweight champion Steve Cunningham, to a victory over Enad Licina, and was completely realistic about the challenge that lies ahead.

Richardson hinted that anyone who says that Pacquiao is small is obviously delusional, as it is similar to comparing Mike Tyson to a small heavyweight. Richardson also noted that if anyone in his camp tries to dismiss the challenge of the fighting Congressman then they will be given a ticket home.

In a funny note, Richardson seemed to save much of his verbal venom for a late December conversation with me in regards to the Pacquiao-Mosley fight. During our talk Richardson opened up about Shane's chances, even stating that no excuses will be needed when his fighter brutally smashes Pacquiao. Click the link below to hear all of Richardson's thoughts.

Another side note to today's Valentines presser was the fact that Pacquiao's wife Jinkee received a special Valentine's Cake from TLC's world renown 'Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro. Manny helped give the cake to his lovely wife as the couple shared a special kiss as well.

Not much in terms of animosity but love is definitely in the air. The Pacquiao-Mosley express continues tomorrow with a stop in Washington, D.C.

Source: Examiner.com

MR. NICE GUYS SHOW UP IN NYC

Feb, 14, 2011, New York, N.Y. -- (L-R) Superstar Manny Pacquiao and "Sugar" Shane Mosley pose during a press conference in New York City for their upcoming World Welterweight mega fight on Saturday, May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Mosley are on a national media tour and will be making their next stop in Washington D.C. Tuesday.

Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View. --- Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Mosley: I'm doing Floyd's 'dirty work' vs Pacquiao

NEW YORK — Shane Mosley believes he's doing Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s "dirty work" by facing Manny Pacquiao, and he has no intention of losing to the popular Filipino champion.

Pacquiao and Mosley were in New York on Monday to wrap up a three-city press tour promoting their fight, which will air on pay-per-view May 7 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Fans have been clamoring the past couple years for Pacquiao to face Mayweather in what could be the richest fight in boxing history.

But Mayweather has been reluctant to face Pacquiao, and he's now in legal trouble that could prevent the matchup from ever happening.

"I don't know what to make of Floyd not fighting this fight. It's mind-boggling to me," said Mosley, who lost a lopsided decision to the unbeaten Mayweather last year. "It's like I said on Twitter, it feels like I'm doing Floyd's dirty work."

Mosley thinks part of the reason Mayweather hasn't fought Pacquiao is that he's a southpaw, and left-handers have caused Mayweather trouble in the past.

But the bigger issue appears to be legal: Mayweather is accused of felony grand larceny, coercion and robbery from an incident last September, and also faces misdemeanor domestic battery and harassment charges.

There's no telling how long it will take those issues to be resolved, and no guarantee Mayweather will ever step in the ring again, much less against Pacquiao.

"What I have done in boxing, I am satisfied, I'm happy, and I'm not really pushing that fight hard," Pacquiao said Monday during an interview at The Associated Press. "If that fight happens, that's good for me and the fans, because the fans are very eager to see that fight.

"People want to see a good fight," he said moments later, "between me and him."

For now, though, they'll have to settle for one against Mosley.

The former five-time champion split with Golden Boy Promotions, of which he was part owner, just to land the opportunity against the sport's most bankable star.

Mosley even lobbied at the home of Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum that he should be chosen for the fight.

Now, the 39-year-old Mosley is defending himself against fans and critics who believe he's too far past his prime to give Pacquiao much competition.

After all, Mosley was nearly shut out by Mayweather last May and managed only an uninspiring draw against Sergio Mora in September.

"I'm sure there will be other opportunities," Mosley said, "but this is a fighter who is supposed to be one of the best in history. To take him out would be remarkable."

Mosley isn't the only one coming to his defense.

Arum called him "the epitome of what we like a fighter to be," and Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said that it's hard to get motivated for a guy such as Mora.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao gushed over all that Mosley has accomplished, calling him one of the best of his generation.

"I respect and I really admire Team Mosley, because this is my first time to encounter an opponent where they're not talking trash," Pacquiao said. "In the ring, we'll have to forget we're friends and do our job and give everybody a good fight."

Pacquiao plans to spend about four weeks training in the Philippines, which allows him to spend time with his family and tend to his political career; he was elected to Congress from the Sarangani province last year.

Then he'll head to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles for about three weeks, before jetting off to Las Vegas for the week of the fight.

It'll be the first time Pacquiao fights in Las Vegas since 2009, after fighting twice last year at Cowboys Stadium near Dallas.

Tickets at the MGM Grand had nearly sold out by Monday, and closed-circuit tickets at casinos on The Strip are already on sale.

"I always said that the best matchup would be Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao," said Nazim Richardson, who will train Mosley for the fight and who joined the chorus of praise for boxing's current standard-bearer. "This guy has been one of the best in history.

"If you don't like Manny Pacquiao," Richardson said with a smile, "then he must have done something to you personally, because it's impossible not to like Manny."

Source: online.wsj.com

Weekend Review: Problems with Mosley's credibility

Alex Ariza: Manny Pacquiao and Co. have done their duty in news conferences by insisting that the Filipino icon’s fight against Shane Mosley on May 7 in Las Vegas will be competitive. They said Mosley struggled against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sergio Mora because of the style matchups, not because Mosley’s skills have faded with age. And, again, we can’t blame them. Part of their job is to get fans to cough up money for tickets and the pay-per-view broadcast. The exception was Ariza, Pacquiao’s fitness coach. So, is this a good matchup Alex? “You know, personally, I can’t see it? How do you beat a guy that throws 120 punches a round like Manny but you can’t beat a guy who throws 20 punches a round like Mayweather?”



MOST OPTIMISTIC

Mosley: We must admit that there is some logic to Mosley’s contention that styles played a role in his weak performances against Mayweather and Mora, two devout boxers. Pacquiao probably will engage him more than his previous two opponents, which might give him a chance to land some punches. Pacquiao isn’t stupid, though. He knows that Mosley is the naturally bigger man. He knows that one thing Mosley still has is power, which he demonstrated in the second round against Mayweather. Freddie Roach will undoubtedly coach Pacquiao to box, to use his quick feet and hands, because they know Mosley can no longer cope with such an opponent.



MOST LIKELY

altPacquiao stopping Mosley: Roach said he’d like Pacquiao to become the first ever to stop Mosley, which would add to Pacquiao’s ever-growing legend. And it’s a realistic possibility. Again, I look for Pacquiao to box with relative caution early in the fight. However, as he lands more and more telling blows, Mosley undoubtedly will wear down and become more vulnerable. I’m not sure that Pacquiao can actually knock Mosley down for the count. After all, many outstanding fighters who are naturally bigger than Pacquiao have failed to do that. However, I can imagine the referee stopping the fight with Mosley leaning against the ropes and taking dozens of unanswered punches.



MOST INTRIGUING

What’s next for Pacquiao: Juan Manuel Marquez gave up a chance to fight Erik Morales to allow his contract with Golden Boy Promotions to expire, according to a number of reports. He presumably made that decision to increase his chances of fighting Pacquiao in November, if Pacquiao beats Mosley. Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank, and Golden Boy aren’t doing business with one another these days. Meanwhile, Bob Arum of Top Rank told a Filipino newspaper that Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains his top priority for November depending on how Mayweather’s legal issues play out. The guess here is that Pacquiao will fight Marquez, who should’ve been his opponent on May 7.



MOST CONSISTENT

Omar Narvaez: The junior bantamweight titleholder from Argentina is undefeated (33-0-2, 19 KOs), the best evidence of his consistency. That doesn’t speak to the level of the talented southpaw’s opposition, though. He’s an eye-popping 18-0-1 in major title fights over the past decade, drawing with former titleholder Andrea Sarritzu in a rematch in the Italian’s native land. And at 35, Narvaez apparently isn’t slowing down. He successfully defending his 115-pound title by nearly shutting out Victor Zaleta on Saturday in Buenos Aires. That said, Narvaez is rated No. 6 by THE RING. We’d like to see him fight someone rated higher than he.



MOST MEANINGLESS

Marco Antonio Barrera’s victory: Barrera looked pretty good for an old man in his second-round knockout of Jose Arias, although he clearly has lost step. And the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer might yet get one more shot at a major title in what would be a Mexican-record fourth weight division. That said, Barrera could’ve been 77 and he would’ve stopped Arias. The 43-year-old Dominican is horrible. According to boxrec.com, he somehow won his previous seven fights in a comeback – all in Costa Rica, of all places – but Arias must’ve found them at the morgue. Barrera has had tougher opposition while shadow boxing. We really learned very little about how much once-great Mexican has left.



BEST COMEBACK PERFORMANCE

Eddie Chambers: The affable heavyweight contender easily outpointed Derric Rossy on the Rico Ramos-Alejandro Valdez undercard Friday, his first fight since he took a brutal beating from Wladimir Klitschko last March. Chambers is one of the best heavyweights in the world, a talented and clever boxer who would give all but two opponents trouble. The Philadelphian apparently would like another shot at Klitschko, which isn’t a good idea. He’s simply not big enough to cope with either of the giant Ukrainians. I won’t be slightest bit surprised if he ultimately wins a major title, though – particularly if he works as hard as he apparently did before the Rossy fight. He looked as fit as I’ve ever seen him in photos.



BEST NEWBIE

Kazuto Ioka: The 21-year-old from Osaka, Japan, stopped unbeaten Oleydong Sithsamerchai with a single left to the body in the fifth round on Friday in Japan to become a major titleholder (strawweight) in his seventh pro fight, a record in Japan. Reader Takao Koie pointed out that Saensak Muangsurin (not Veeraphol Sahaprom, as I wrote originally) holds the all-time record by winning a major title in the fewest pro fights, three. Ioka, who looks about 15, was a decorated amateur with more than 100 fights but failed to make the Japanese Olympic team for 2008. He had been fighting at 108 pounds but went down to 105 to challenge Sithsamerchai, an unbeaten veteran of 36 pro fights who was making the seventh defense of his belt. Check out the KO at this url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHbaCJTrLpM.



WORST MATCHUP

Maidana-Morales: Erik Morales believes he has the boxing skills to beat Marcos Maidana on April 9 in Las Vegas. For his sake, I hope he’s right. I don’t see it that way, though. I see this as a one-sided matchup between an aging fighter whose skills have faded and one of the most-vicious killers in the sport. Morales has fought three nobodies since returning from a 2½-year layoff, which followed four consecutive losses. Maidana just put Amir Khan through hell in his last fight, a decision loss. I’ll be shocked if the Argentine doesn’t score a brutal knockout, perhaps one that will prompt us to ask: Why was this fight made? I love another fight on the card, Robert Guerrero and Michael Katsidis. I think Guerrero is too talented for the Aussie but it will be fun to watch, as all Katsidis’ fights are.

Source: ringtv.craveonline.com

Korner man: Pacquiao-Mosley move doesn't rattle odds

Top Rank maestro Bob Arum closed a deal with Showtime to put the May 7 bout on Showtime pay-per-view, essentially breaking the stranglehold rival network HBO holds over the PPV industry.

The deal includes promotion on terrestrial network CBS (which owns Showtime), including a four-part installment of Fight Camp 360°. Fight Camp is Showtime’s equivalent of HBO’s popular 24/7 series.

The business brokering has brought mostly positive attention to Pacquiao-Mosley, but it can’t hide the fact that most people see this fight as a mismatch in Pacquiao’s favor.

According to Sportsbook.com, Pacquiao is -625 against +425 for Mosley, and the general consensus among experts is that Mosley is shot. Some have compared this match to Muhammad Ali’s ill-fated 1980 challenge of heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.

And without a wafer-thin line to encourage early betting, the switch to Showtime/CBS has done little to boost interest at the windows.

“I don’t see any significant increase in action or brilliance by Showtime selling the fight outside of the short-lived drama of Manny and Mosley leaving HBO,” says renowned boxing oddsmaker Joey Oddessa. “After Sergio Mora's losing performance last week on (ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights), the task of selling this bout as competitive may become more difficult.”

Mora held Mosley to a draw last September, while journeyman spoiler Brian Vera took a split decision from Mora this past Friday. Mora’s latest hiccup aside, there is a lack of confidence in Mosley’s ability to even make things competitive. He did make things interesting with Floyd Mayweather Jr. this past May for about two rounds before huffing to the finish line.

By the time he fights Pacquiao, Mosley will be four months shy of his 40th birthday and nearly two-and-a-half years removed from his last win.

Despite Pacquiao’s stratospheric rise over a 13-bout winning streak, the masses aren’t exactly bombarding the books to plunk down money on the Filipino superstar, at least not yet.

“I haven’t noticed any significant action on the fight so far,” Las Vegas Hilton sportsbook director Jay Kornegay said in an e-mail message.

That doesn’t mean the fight won’t be a PPV and box office bonanza. Anything involving Pacquiao is sure to back up the money trucks. And the betting action is sure to perk up once the high rollers hit Las Vegas for fight week.

At least for now, the headlines have done little to spark interest at the windows.

Hop to it

It looks the old man is getting another shot.

Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal will fight on May 21 for Pascal’s light heavyweight title in a rematch of their Dec. 18 draw. Hopkins thought he won the fight, which was contested on Pascal’s Quebec home turf.

But Hopkins, knocked down twice in the first and third rounds only to dominate the later rounds, says he is amenable to hitting the road again.

"I have no problem going to Canada even though I said the only time I would be back in Canada was at Niagara Falls,” Hopkins told USA Today. “But it's not the fans I should punish, I'd even go back to Quebec City. My situation, as far as Golden Boy and myself, is that the judging was improper and the WBC agreed with it."

Fix before the Six

Arthur Abraham returns Saturday night against Stjepan Bozic (+800) in a bout not affiliated with the Super Six World Boxing Classic.

Abraham (-1800) went 1-2 in his three Super Six Group Stage bouts, including consecutive losses to Andre Dirrell and Carl Froch. Abraham has a semifinal tournament bout scheduled with Andre Ward in May, but the Bozic fight should get him back on track.

Weekend picks

John Watson (-140) over Anthony Crolla
Steve Herelius (+300) against Yoan Pablo Hernandez

Source: covers.com

PACQUIAO, MOSLEY KICK OFF PRESS TOUR IN L.A.

Feb, 10, 2011, Beverly Hills, CA. -- (L-R) Superstar Manny Pacquiao and "Sugar" Shane Mosley kickoff their national media tour for their upcoming World Welterweight mega fight on Saturday, May 7, at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao vs Mosley is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Sugar Shane Mosley Promotions, Tecate and MGM Grand. The Pacquiao vs Mosley telecast will be available live on SHOWTIME Pay Per View. -- Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top Rank.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Pacquiao-Mosley hold press con in Beverly Hills

Boxing - WBO welterweight champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao (52-3-2) of the Philippines and three-time world champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-6-1) held a press conference on Thursday at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The event was closed to the general public.

Boxing's pound-for-pound king takes on the 39-year-old Mosley in a welterweight title fight on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. The bout will be telecast live on Showtime pay-per-view and co-marketed on CBS. Pacquiao is considered a heavy favorite holding at least a -900 odds at most casinos. [ Article: Casinos giving Pacquiao big odds over Mosley ]

A second press conference (open to the general public) will be held on Saturday, February 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at 3 pm. A third press conference (open to the general public) will be held on Monday, February 14 at Chelsea Piers in New York City at 11 am. Pacquiao and wife Jinkee are expected to visit U.S. president Barack Obama at the White House in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, February 15.

Source: Examiner.com

THE PACQUIAO-MOSLEY LA PRESSCON: A PICTORIAL

Beverly Hills, CA:- At high noon today, Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions in cooperation with CBS and ShowTime, held the first of the series of press conferences aimed at hyping the May 7th blockbuster fight between Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley.

The event was held at the swank Beverly Hills Hotel along Sunset Boulevard in the west side of the famous home of the stars, Beverly Hills.

It was a grand presscon, one that has not been seen these days lately. Top Rank and CBS-ShowTime left no stone unturned in putting up the event. Everyone in the “who-is-who" in the sports and boxing press corps was there. Why even Jinkee Pacquiao, who seldom appears in these kind of events was there too to lend her support for her husband.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Mosley to doubters: Styles make fights

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Shane Mosley has three words for the fans and media who are counting him out of his welterweight showdown with Manny Pacquiao on May 7:

Styles makes fights.

The 39-year-old veteran told boxing writers not to judge him by his last two fights, a one-sided decision loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a 12-round draw with Sergio Mora, at the kick-off press conference for the Pacquiao fight held at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Thursday.

Most members of the boxing media have soft spots for the former three-division champ, but it’s hard for anyone to give him the benefit of the doubt after his disappointing performances in 2010.

Mosley (46-6-1, 39 knockouts) looked every year of his advanced age against Mayweather Jr., who was wobbled by a right hand in the second round but survived to soundly outbox the Californian last May. Mosley looked even older as he struggled to land significant punches against the fleet-footed Mora last September.

However, Mosley proudly points out that he looked 10 years younger when he battered Antonio Margarito into submission in January of 2009. Why?

The Mexican mauler brought the fight to him, and Mosley expects Pacquiao to do the same thing when they face each other at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“My last two fights were more about style than anything else,” Mosley said. “Mayweather is a defensive fighter who overcame the big right hand and did what he does best. Mora is a mover. He never stood still.

“Fighting boxers is a little difficult for me. Manny boxes too, but he’s a fighter at heart.

Mosley believes if he catches Pacquiao with the same right hand that rocked Mayweather, he’ll have a much better opportunity to close the show.

“Manny’s style is that of an aggressive southpaw who throws a lot of powerful punches,” Mosley said. “Being that way leaves openings for me. When he gets hit with a good punch he wants to fight back. Once he makes it a battle it will become a dangerous fight for him, because of my punching power. My power is dangerous for anyone. It can end the fight at any moment.”

A reporter asked Mosley if he needed to be more active than he was against Mayweather and Mora in order to land his big punch.

Mosley agreed and assured him that he would be.

“I can still throw a lot of punches when I don’t have to chase a guy down,” he said. “A guy attacking me, coming to me, that’s the difference.”

There’s some truth to Mosley’s words. Pacquiao dose have a penchant for trading more punches than necessary against heavy handed fighters. It’s the reason he absorbed a degree of punishment against Miguel Cotto and Margarito despite dominating both fights.

Still, odds makers have opened Pacquiao as a 6-to-1 favorite to beat Mosley and retain the WBO welterweight title that is on the line.

Mosley doesn’t have much of an opinion on those odds.

“I’m not a betting man,” he said, “but I think it should be a somewhat even fight. We’re similar, we’re both aggressive, exciting fighters.

“He’s smaller than me but he throws more punches. I’m bigger, stronger and I probably have a little more power. I think it evens out. It’s a great matchup. It’s going to be an exciting fight.”

What about Floyd?:

A writer asked Mosley if he thought it was odd that he got the opportunity to fight Pacquiao despite losing to Mayweather.

Pacquiao-Mayweather was the fight everyone wanted to see, but Pacquiao-Mosley is what’s happening.

“It’s interesting how boxing works out,” Mosley said. “I knocked out Antonio Margarito but everyone wanted to put Mayweather ahead of me to fight Pacquiao. Mayweather beats me and I get the Pacquiao fight.

“I don’t know how it worked out that way, but Mayweather had his opportunity to fight Pacquiao and he didn’t take it for whatever reason. Maybe it was a money issue. Maybe it’s because his dad thought Pacquiao is on something. I don’t know. But if he wanted it he’d be fighting Pacquiao now and not me.

“He didn’t want it, so here I am.”

Source: ringtv.craveonline.com

Pacquiao, Roach, and Ariza matter - The rest are blowhard clowns

It's simply amazing to me to see how some of the people that surround Manny Pacquiao lack self security. The insecurities of a few of those who eat the crumbs that Manny drops are comical to me. There are three main people that matter in the world of Pacquiao, and they are Manny, Freddie Roach, and Alex Ariza. Beneath those names, there are a few other people that do matter, but not as much. Buboy, a long time friend of Manny matters. A few others here and there matter, but for the most part it's Manny, Freddie, and Ariza.

Managers, advisers, other so called assistants are all a bunch of bottom feeders that look for Freddie and Manny crumbs to eat off of the floor. Why the heck anyone would want to get rid of Alex Ariza is beyond me. Ariza is one of the best thing that has ever happened to Manny Pacquiao. The only reason someone would want to get rid of him is because they are insecure and they feel threatened by Ariza and Pacquiao's friendship. A sorry and pathetic way to live life I might add.

Roach matters. He matters big time, and I can remember when Freddie was training De La Hoya when there was a slight move to try and get rid of him by one certain idiotic individual.

There is a revolution going on right now in Egypt. The Egyptian people under 30 years of dictatorship have had enough, and they are demanding that Mubarak step down. Perhaps there needs to be a mini revolution in team Pacquiao to get someone step down?

The Pacquiao chain of command is quite fuzzy. Standing at the top is Manny Pacquiao, then it goes down hill from there.

Freddie Roach just keeps doing what he knows best, and that's train and to be strategical with game plans, nobody is better. Ariza does what he does best, and that's to get Manny conditioned and strong. Not many people are better than Ariza. OK, so who's left? Who's left that really matters? Mr Arum matters. Bob Arum is making Manny a lot of money and he at least tried to get the Mayweather fight. We can put Arum on the 'matters' list.

Who else? That's about it my friends. Oh, Rob Peters matters. He's another guy that this one in particular idiot tried to fire. Rob does his job well, and that's to protect Manny Pacquiao when he is here in the states. Let's add Rob to the 'matters' list too.

I asked a few hardcore Pacquiao fans for their opinions on the chain of command. It's only the hardcore Pacquiao followers in Mississippi that really know what's going on, but I found a few. I spoke to Larry Kreiger of Jackson, MS what he thought about the rumor of the Ariza firing. Kreiger laughed and said, " It's funny to me that it's only those who get along with Manny the best are the ones who end up having their jobs threatened." Good point Larry, I couldn't have said that better myself.

The 'matters' list is short, and there are probably a few people that do matter that I forgot to add but for the most part, that's about it. The rest are blowhard clowns that simply don't matter.

Source: Examiner.com

Pacquiao-Mosley series kicks off April 2

When Top Rank promoter Bob Arum made a deal with Showtime and sister network CBS last month to handle the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley pay-per-view bout, he said he cut HBO out of the deal in order to foster broadcast network attention to boxing.

Arum always had been intrigued by the potential of 116 million homes that have CBS and CBS' relationship with premium cable network Showtime, compared to the 30 million or so homes that have HBO.

The fruits of Arum's labor were realized Thursday when Showtime and CBS announced that three of the four episodes that Showtime is producing of the documentary series "Fight Camp 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley" will air on CBS, including one in prime time on May 7 -- hours before the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The series will follow the buildup to Pacquiao's welterweight title defense against former champion Mosley, with both camps providing behind-the-scenes access.

"This series will open a lot of eyes and surprise casual television viewers as well as boxing enthusiasts," said Ken Hershman, executive vice president and general manager of Showtime Sports. "These athletes are global personalities who transcend sports, and their path to an event of this scope is complex, provocative and quite entertaining.

"From Pacquiao's home and life as a congressman in the Philippines to Mosley's high-altitude training camp in Big Bear, Calif., and into the offices of Top Rank Inc. in Las Vegas, Fights Camp 360°: Pacquiao vs. Mosley will turn a powerful backstage spotlight on this marquee boxing event."

Showtime launched the "Fight Camp" franchise last year to follow the lives and buildup to the matches and business side of its ongoing Super Six World Boxing Classic, a six-man tournament featuring most of the world's top super middleweights.

The Pacquiao-Mosley series kicks off April 2 at noon ET on CBS just before the network's coverage of the NCAA Final Four begins. The first episode will replay on Showtime on April 16 (10 p.m. ET). The second episode will air on Showtime on April 23 (10 p.m. ET/PT), and the third will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

The finale will debut on May 6 on Showtime (10 p.m. ET/PT), with a CBS replay at 2 p.m. ET on May 7, several hours before Pacquiao and Mosley touch gloves.

Source: sports.espn.go.com

Should Boxing Fans be Afraid for Mosley When he Faces Pacquiao in May?

Well, it’s time for the pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao to make the doughnuts again, this time against another surefire Boxing Hall of Famer in “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Two fighters whose boxing career's have clearly been going in opposite directions as of late.

Manny Pacquiao has been destroying all of his opponents, with his last fight resulting in a one-sided beatdown of Antonio Margarito. Meanwhile, “Sugar” Shane was embarrassed by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in May of last year, and following that performance, had a draw against Sergio Mora in September. It was a fight where Mora was running around much of the night, but did land some counterpunches on Shane, though, most fans and writers feel that Mosley did enough to win that fight.

In Shane’s last two fights, both Mayweather and Mora were able to land crisp counter shots against Sugar. If these two fighters were able to land counter shots on Shane and hurt him, should boxing fans be afraid for Shane in his upcoming fight with the Pacman, given his knack for knocking boxers out ferociously?

“Sugar” Shane will be turning 40 in the fall, and has definitely lost a step since the last time he looked spectacular. This was back in the beginning of 2009, when like Pacquiao, he destroyed Antonio Margarito. Mosley took the fight to Margarito and ripped him with power punches to the head and body from all angles, breaking him down and getting a stoppage win.

With that performance, one of the best of his career, Mosley’s confidence seemed revitalized. After the Mayweather vs. Marquez fight back in September of 2009, Mosley jumped into the ring during Mayweather’s interview with Max Kellerman and demanded Mayweather to fight him.

[Take a look at more facts and information about Pacquiao vs. Mosley]

Mosley would of course get his crack at the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in May of last year. In the second round, Shane caught Floyd with a great shot, and for the first time in a long time, Floyd was seriously hurt. Mosley did all he could to get Floyd out the fight, and in the process, he punched himself out. Floyd survived the second round, and for the rest of the fight Mosley looked his age.

Consider that Floyd Mayweather’s work rate in a fight is nowhere near as busy as Pacquiao’s work rate. There were times in the Mayweather/Mosley fight where Floyd rightly could have knocked Mosley out if he turned up the heat. But Mayweather plays chess in the boxing ring, and thusly, he “protected his King” and chose to carefully pick Shane apart, checkmating him via 12 round Unanimous Decision.

Make no mistake about it, Pacquiao does not “protect his King” while on the attack in a boxing match. Since his hiring of Freddie Roach, Manny’s posture and balance in the ring have steadily improved over the years, as has his versatility and all-around game.

Before Roach, Manny had an entirely reckless abandon offensive approach, without any kind of defense or variation to his attack. So even though Manny was hitting his opponents with a barrage of power shots, he was also receiving a lot of blows back in the process. Roach convinced Manny that he can still throw a barrage of punches, but he does not always have to get hit. He also taught Manny how to box aggressively without getting hit so much.

Since his loss in 2005 to Eric Morales, Pacquiao has become extremely dangerous because he can now hit you, get out of the way, and then come inside again and hit you before you know what happened. These shots that Manny throw come from all different angles, and through both accumulation and one-punch power, Pacquiao knocks out his opponents more often than not.

Given this, perhaps boxing fans should be a bit afraid for “Sugar” Shane Mosley in May. Once again, Mosley will be facing a fighter who is faster than he is, and given that Pacquiao knocked out Margarito who outweighed him by almost twenty pounds, his size won't be of much use either.

As of right now, Pacquiao is much more of an animal in the ring than any other fighter that Mosley has ever had to face. When Mayweather had Mosley in trouble, he did not step it up and take Shane out. When that situation arises in May, with Pacquiao dominating and controlling the action, piling up points, you can be sure that he will step up the pace and knock Mosley out. He may possibly end his career in the process, just like he ended Mosley’s old pal Oscar De La Hoya’s career several years ago.

Source: proboxing-fans.com

Pacquiao US arrival for press conference with Mosley

LOS ANGELES, California - Contrary to the spinning excitement of some journalists based in the Philippines, Top Rank officials have yet been able to confirm the Washington press conference and the Obama-Pacquiao meeting, which are slated to follow after these three scheduled Paquiao-Mosley news conferences in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas and New York respectively, as reported straight to this writer via e-mail by Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels, as of this writing.

"Top Rank is working on a press conference in DC - that is all the information we have right now," says Samuels just about two minutes ago (1:16 p.m. Pacific Time).

On the other hand, President Barack Obama has more pressing issues to address pertaining to the aftermath of the uprising in Egypt. Washington officials report that Obama may have to travel to Europe soon to address issues of international concern affecting the intricacy of the revolutionary government of that said country.

Meanwhile, for sure, boxer-turned actor-Sarangani Congressman Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao is expected to arrive this Wednesday, February 9 at the Tom Bradley International Terminal Airport in Los Angeles on board via Philippine Airlines flight PR 112. As usual, he will be accompanied by his key leaders of Team Pacquiao, inclusive of his Filipino lawyer, Jing Gacal. The approximate arrival would be at 8:30 p.m. PacificTime.

Pacquiao along with Sugar Shane Mosley will embark on a "coast-to-coast" US meida tour beginning this Thursday at 12:30 p.m. Pacific time, February 10, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, to announce their mega championship rumble.

On February 12, this Saturday, another press conference will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, which will be open to the public. The same will start at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

On February 14, this Monday, the third leg of the tour will kick off at the Chelsea Piers at Pier 60 in the Barnegat/Montauk/Nave Ballrooms on the 23rd Street and the Hudson River in New York, New York. The said news conference is open to the public and will start at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Pacquiao and Mosley, who have won world titles in eleven weight divisions combined, will engage toe-to-toe combat for the former's World Boxing Organization Welterweight Championship belt on May 7 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Magna Media International says.

Magna Media International, under the command of its CEO Andy Olson, is the agency that handles the fight site's marketing and promotions for the Pacquiao-Mosley fight, inclusive of the issuance of working credentials for journalists, bloggers, arena workers and boxing representatives and even for dignitaries and other VIPs.

Named "Fighter of the Decade" by the Boxing Writers Association of America, Pacquiao will make his first appearance in the fighters' capital of the world, Las Vegas, since his 2009 fight against Miguel Angel Cotto at the MGM Grand Arena, Magna Media International reports. His last two fights, his only bouts which transpired last year in fact, against Joshua Clottey of Ghana and Antonio Margarito of Mexico, were held at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Source: Examiner.com

Boxers, Trainers Talk Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley

FanHouse spoke to boxers and trainers at the Goossen Gym in Van Nuys, Calif., concerning their views on who will win the May 7, Showtime pay per view televised, Top Rank Promotions clash during which southpaw WBO welterweight (147 pounds) king Manny Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 knockouts) will defend his belt against Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KOs) in pursuit of his 14th straight win, and his ninth KO during that run.



Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Age will go against Mosley

MANILA, Philippines — Shane Mosley’s age will play a crucial role when he faces Manny Pacquiao on May 7 in Las Vegas, a key member of the pound-for-pound king's entourage said Tuesday.

Nonoy Neri, who works under the shadows of Freddie Roach and Buboy Fernandez, even offers a bit of advice to the 39-year-old Mosley.

“Kailangan mag-ensayo siyang mabuti para maganda ang laban,” said Neri, a Team Pacquiao member since the early days.

But even if Mosley shows up at the MGM Grand in fiery form, he won’t go the distance of 12 rounds with the Filipino dynamo.

“Pero wala din. Hindi din tatagal (si Mosley),” said Neri, stressing that “age factor” will work against him.

By the time Mosley answers the bell, he will be four months away from turning 40.

What would complicate things for Mosley is the fact that he will be up against a punching machine like Pacquiao.

“Tapos si Manny pa ang kalaban niya. Sugod ng sugod. Suntok ng suntok.”

But Mosley insists he still has a lot of championship juice left in the tank and that he will shock the world come fight night.

Known for his speed and power, Mosley hasn’t tasted a knockout loss, a testament to his renowned durability.

But there will always be a first time and Neri believes the end will come in six rounds.

“Iba talaga yung may edad na,” he added

Source: mb.com.ph

News PACQUIAO-MOSLEY PRESS TOUR FEB 10, 12, AND 14

Las Vegas, New York stops open to the public

Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and “Sugar” Shane Mosley will embark on a coast-to-coast U.S. media tour, beginning Thursday in Los Angeles to announce their mega world championship rumble. Pacquiao and Mosley, who have won world titles in 11 weight divisions between them, will go toe-to-toe for Pacquiao’s WBO welterweight championship on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao will be making his first ring appearance in The Fight Capital of the World since 2009. Joining Pacquiao and Mosley on the tour will be Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach.


February 10: Los Angeles
Closed to the Public. Media Only

February 12: Las Vegas
Open to the Public
MGM Grand Garden Arena
3:00 p.m. PT – News Conference

February 14: New York City
Open to the Public
Chelsea Piers at Pier 60
Barnegat/Montauk/Nave Rooms
11:00 a.m. ET – News Conference

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Shane Mosley: "Floyd shouldn't diss me, he should be in here fighting"

Future hall of fame entrant Shane Mosley has hit back at Floyd Mayweather after his former opponent publicly dismissed his chances against Manny Pacquiao, who he faces on May 7th.

In several interviews over the past few weeks Mayweather has stated that he believes Mosley to be past his best, and that he has no chance of beating Pacquiao. He has also claimed that the only reason Pacquiao and Top Rank chose Mosley as an opponent was firstly because he his abilities have declined, and secondly because they are hoping to outdo his own win over Mosley.

Having beaten Mosley, some would no doubt say that Mayweather is the perfect person to judge what he has left. Given that it was only last year that he deemed Mosley to be a good enough opponent for himself though others would say that Mayweather is merely being disingenuous to spite Pacquiao.

Either way Mosley's opinion of his chances against Pacquiao are predictably different, and speaking to fans ahead of his May 7th bout said of Mayweather:

"Floyd shouldn't diss me he should be in here fighting. Leave me to do his dirty work... That's alright I will see him again"

The first part of Mosley's statement in many ways echoes the sentiments of many fans frustrated with Mayweather's inactivity over the past few years. Since returning to the sport following his temporary retirement after beating Ricky Hatton in 2007, Mayweather has fought just twice, firstly against lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who was climbing up two weight classes for the bout, and then against Mosley last year.

Of course Mosley's insistence that he will be seeing Floyd again in the ring at some point is largely dependent on two things.

Firstly that he defies the odds and beats Manny Pacquiao. Something that few give him much of a chance of doing outside of catching Pacquiao early and knocking him out as he almost succeeded in doing against Mayweather.

Secondly that Mayweather returns to the sport at all, and that he subsequently then wants to fight Mosley again. Also something that is far from assured given that Mayweather doesn't seem that eager to fight anyone at the moment and that he has shown in the past that he doesn't tend to take part in rematches, having fought the same opponent twice only once in 41 fights (Jose Luis Castillo).

Added to that is the fact that Mayweather currently has at least two court cases pending, firstly for allegedly assaulting a former girlfriend and threatening his children, and secondly for an altercation with a security guard outside his Las Vegas home.

Should Mosley lose to Pacquiao as most are predicting, then his time in the sport might well become limited as Mayweather suggests. A loss now would be Mosley's third consecutive fight without a win after being dominated by Mayweather and later having to settle for a draw against Sergio Mora that he probably should have edged.

Eddie Gorman, Pitt: "Mosley's right, Mayweather should fight Pac himself if he doesn't think Shane should be"

Sean Begby, NY: "Floyd can say what he likes about Mosley, he dominated him and he would dominate Pacquiao just the same"

Source: Examiner.com