Vasyl Lomachenko stops Crolla in 4th, defends lightweight belts

LOS ANGELES— Vasyl Lomachenko wanted a bigger challenge and a more prominent opponent than Anthony Crolla for this Hollywood showcase.

When he couldn’t get one, the lightweight kingpin took it out on his overmatched foe.


Lomachenko defended his WBA and WBO 135-pound belts with a violent fourth-round stoppage of Britain’s Crolla on Friday night, demonstrating his pound-for-pound excellence with another virtuosic display.

“For me it was very comfortable, because I worked with two hands,” Lomachenko said. “By the second round, I knew it was going to be good for me.”

Lomachenko (13-1, 10 KOs) brutalized the mandatory challenger for his WBA belt throughout their brief fight, and the Ukrainian nearly ended it late in the third round when he knocked Crolla into the ropes.

Lomachenko started to celebrate by leaping on the ropes, but referee Jack Reiss allowed the fight to continue to the bell. Lomachenko shook it off and finished crisply after the break, ending it with a right hand that dropped Crolla face-first onto the canvas with an apparently broken nose.

“I thought it will be very hard for me, because his style is always in defense,” said Lomachenko, still smiling despite a cut near his left eye from a fourth-round head butt. “I always need to find a key for his defense. After the second round, I understand him, and it is what it is.”

Even when Lomachenko can’t get an ideal opponent, he still puts on a show — and the raucous crowd of 10,101 at Staples Center enjoyed it.

While he waits for the promotional stars to align for a big-money showdown with Mikey Garcia, Lomachenko had hoped to take on Richard Commey in a three-belt unification fight in this matchup. Commey’s injured hand forced Lomachenko’s promoters to make this fight with Crolla, rather than surrender his WBA belt.

Lomachenko then showed why it was a bad idea for Crolla (34-7-3), whose toughness wasn’t enough.

Although Crolla retreated and dodged Lomachenko’s attacks from the opening minute onward, Lomachenko picked apart Crolla’s defense with his peerless combination of athleticism and technique, working the body and head with equal aplomb.

Crolla couldn’t escape Lomachenko’s combinations on the ropes late in the third round, but made it to the bell at Reiss’ discretion. Nothing got better in the fourth, and Lomachenko hurt Crolla before finishing him in dramatic fashion.

“I’ve been doing this for well over 50 years, and I’ve never seen anything like that guy,” said Bob Arum, Lomachenko’s Hall of Fame promoter. “He’s almost breathtaking.”

Lomachenko headlined at Staples Center for the first time in his brief professional career. The Ukrainian has developed a significant fan base in the boxing-savvy Los Angeles area, where he lives and trains.

“I feel at home here,” Lomachenko said. “I feel like I’m in Ukraine here.”

Lomachenko’s profile has grown exponentially in recent years as he headlined at Madison Square Garden, in Macau and other Los Angeles-area venues before his step up to Staples. Lomachenko’s next fight is likely to be even bigger, whether as a unification bout or a showdown with one of the other lightweight greats of this era.

“I want Mikey Garcia, (but) I want to unify titles,” Lomachenko said. “That’s my goal. I want historic fights.”

In the co-main event, longtime super middleweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez remained unbeaten when his light heavyweight debut against Tommy Karpency was stopped by Karpency’s corner before the fifth round.

Karpency got in the ring with a black eye, and his nose was damaged early by Ramírez, the rangy puncher who had just one previous stoppage victory since 2014. Ramírez appears determined to make a career at 175 pounds instead of returning to 168, where he has dominated most of his competition for a few years.

LA celebrities in attendance included Don Cheadle, Rosie Perez, director Peter Berg and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Matthysse on KO defeat to Pacquiao: It was my turn to lose

Gracious in defeat, Lucas Matthysse acknowledged that his fight against Manny Pacquiao was his to lose.

“Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some, it was my turn to lose,” said Matthysse through a translator after he lost the WBA World welterweight title Sunday at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Matthysse (39-5) lost via technical knockout after referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight 2:43 into the seventh round.


Pacquiao connected with a left uppercut that sent Matthysse to the canvas for the third time.

Matthysse, though, did not harbor any ill will after the fight and praised Pacquiao for his 60th win.

“He’s a great fighter and a great legend,” said Matthysse who dropped to 1-3 in World title fights. “I lost to a great fighter and a great legend.”

Matthysse first dropped to his back side midway through the third round after taking a couple of head shots from Pacquiao.

And in an unbelievable turn, he took to one knee five seconds left in the fifth round after absorbing a right cross to the temple.

“I lost, but I walk away with my head raised. I’m sorry to Argentina, but I’m fine. Thank you for all the love and support, and we’ll be seeing all my family and friends soon.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Rage against ‘The Machine’: Pacquiao puts career on line

Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao challenges Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse for the World Boxing Association welterweight belt on Sunday knowing defeat could lower the curtain on one of the greatest careers in boxing history.

Pacquiao, 39, faced calls to retire from friends, family and even his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach when he lost the WBO belt to journeyman Australian Jeff Horn a year ago.

A second successive defeat, this time against the dangerous Argentine at Kuala Lumpur’s Axiata Arena on Sunday, could see the veteran “National Fist” hang up his gloves for good.



But victory for Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs), who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions in a glittering 23-year career, would extend his legendary status and his life in the ring beyond his 40th birthday in December.

“I am not saying it will be the last (fight), but it will be the basis to think about (whether) to continue or not,” Pacquiao told AFP at his training camp.

But PacMan’s conditioning coach Justin Fortune thinks the world will see “the old Pacquiao” return and silence those who question whether his aging body still has the ability to compete against the world’s best.

Pacquiao is going for his 60th victory since turning pro in 1995, but despite winning 38 of his first 47 fights by knockout, he has not stopped an opponent in nine years.

“He looks like the old Pacquiao,” declared Fortune of the boxer who is also an elected senator in the Philippines and is tipped one day to run for president. “His metabolism is ridiculous. He’s a freak.”

Matthysse (39-4, 36 KOs) paid tribute to Pacquiao but warned that his admiration for one of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound fighters would not stop him from taking his belt back to South America.

“He is a great champion but he still hasn’t faced ‘The Machine’,” Argentina’s Matthysse told a pre-fight press conference.

“If he decides to retire after I beat him then that is his decision. I am here to defend my title.”


Ali vs Bugner 

Knock-out specialist Matthysse has finished 36 of his 39 wins inside the distance and took the vacant WBA belt after an eighth-round stoppage of Thailand’s Teerachai Sithmorseng in January.

The Malaysian metropolis is hosting world championship boxing for the first time since heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali defeated Joe Bugner over 15 rounds in 1975.

And like buses, you wait 43 years for one world title fight and then four come along at once.

The undercard will see the interim World Boxing Association featherweight belt on the line when Mexico’s Edivaldo Ortega (26-1-1, 16 KOs) fights unbeaten Filipino Jhack Tepora (21-0, 16 KOs).

Experienced South African Moruti “Baby Face” Mthalane (35-2, 24 KOs) defends his International Boxing Federation flyweight title against the unbeaten, but inexperienced, Pakistani Muhammad Waseem (8-0, 6 KOs).

Carlos Canizares of Venezuela (20-0-1, 16 KOs) puts his WBA light flyweight title on the line against Chinese rookie Lu Bin (1-0, 1 KO), who will make history if he wins.

Lu, 23, is a former youth world amateur champion bidding to become the first boxer to win a world title in his second professional fight.

The record for fastest to a world title, in terms of number of fights, is jointly held by Thai super lightweight Saensak Muangsurin and Ukrainian lightweight Vasyl Lomachenko, who both won championships in their third pro bouts.

source: sports.inquirer.net

No fireworks, but Pacquiao, Horn promise a good bout for fans

BRISBANE, Australia— Both appeared dapper and dignified in their expensive suits and exchanged no harsh words during the press conference of “Battle of Brisbane” Wednesday.

For Manny Pacquiao, the Fighting Senator, and Jeff Horn, the fighting school teacher, their tussle for the World Boxing Organization welterweight crown on Sunday is but a job they have to do to please the fans.

Even the face-off produced no sparks as the protagonists simply looked at each other with Pacquiao needing to look up at Horn, who is three inches taller.

Being an 11-time world champion, Pacquiao is used to the occasion, while Horn is trying to cope with the whirlwind changes in his ring career.

From a virtual unknown, Horn suddenly found himself thrust into the limelight with a global icon—earning a shot at instant superstardom, money and glory.

Informed that attendance at Suncorp Stadium could reach 60,000 for Australia’s biggest ever boxing event, Pacquiao said fighting before such a huge crowd heightens his excitement.

And even if the fans will root for Horn, Pacquiao said he wouldn’t mind as it’s but natural for Aussies to be patriotic and side with their own.

Against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003 in San Antonio, Texas, Pacquiao joked that there were only five fans, including trainer Freddie Roach, rooting for him. The rest were booing him. But Pacquiao turned the jeers into a source of inspiration to stop the Mexican great.

For his part, Horn swore he’s trained the hardest ever to make the most of the golden opportunity to attain his dream of becoming a world champion.

“Though Pacquiao is the smaller man, he’s the biggest mountain I have to climb,” said Horn, who’s unbeaten in 17 fights against opponents nowhere near Pacquiao’s level.

While Pacquiao said he had no premonition of what will happen on Sunday, Horn bared he had a dream or a picture of himself “rising in that ring with the belt in my waist.”

While Pacquiao and Roach chose to be guarded on the outcome of the fight, to be beamed live in the US via free TV on ESPN, Horn’s trainer, Glenn Rushton, and fight promoter, Dean Lonegan of Duco Events, boldly announced that Horn will overwhelm Pacquiao.

“Manny’s time has come,” said Lonegan, adding it’s Horn’s turn to be a boxing champion.

Referring to Horn as a very competitive guy with a heart as big as Suncorp, Rushton said Pacquiao is in for the toughest fight of his life.

“It will be like 100 angry hornets surrounding you (Pacquiao),” he said.

While Roach refused to predict a knockout at the podium, he later told Filipino sportswriters that he sees Pacquiao finally ending his eight-year knockout drought in three rounds—especially if Horn chooses to engage Pacquiao toe-to-toe as he promised.

“If our opponent comes out, we’re gonna fire back,” said Roach.

source: sports.inquirer.net

PacMay 2 ahead? Mayweather at ringside in Pacquiao’s return bout

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was among the thousands in attendance when Manny Pacquiao reclaimed the WBO Welterweight title in a dominating performance against Jessie Vargas at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Mayweather arrived during the World Title bout between Oscar Valdez and Hiroshige Osawa, just before the main event featuring his longtime rival.

As Mayweather , who turns 40 in three months, was shown on the screen watching at ringside with his daughter, talks of a potential rematch with Pacquiao resurfaced.

And it didn’t stop there.

Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports! said the two legends even had a little interaction that could go a long way.

“Pacquiao wins, climbs the ring ropes and smiles down at Mayweather. Mayweather congratulated him. Pacquiao grinned and said, ‘Thank you,'” Mannix, who covered the bout in Las Vegas, posted on his Twitter account.

The 37-year-old Pacquiao,reportedly even smiled at the retired Mayweather late in the fight.

“RD 11: @MannyPacquiaoTR sees @FloydMayweather at ringside and smiles at him. #PacVargas #TeamLegend,” Top Rank tweeted.

Mayweather immediately left the venue after Pacquiao scored a unanimous decision win to claim the WBO welterweight crown and didn’t grant any interviews, but some were able to catch up with the undefeated former champion.

“Mayweather asked what he thought of the fight: ‘Not bad,'” Mannix said.

Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in May last year.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao ends 12th in convincing fashion

MANILA, Philippines–An accidental headbutt from Manny Pacquiao hit Chris Algieri but the two brushed it off at the start of the final round.

Algieri had to score a knockout but Pacquiao was still in charge as he continued his offensive onslaught, pinning the American to the ropes once more.

Pacquiao, with no sign of fatigue in him, still rode his momentum which started at the opening bell landing several combinations to the face of Algieri.

Last 10 seconds of Algieri’s misery and he acknowledged Pacquiao’s mastery of him.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Algieri backpedals as the 11th round ends

MANILA, Philippines–Chris Algieri tapped his reserve winds and threw a combination to Manny Pacquiao at the start of the 11th round.

Another episode of Algieri’s backpedals but Pacquiao wanted a fight as the champion closed in on the American and landed another left straight.

Pacquiao acknowledged Algieri’s efforts as chants of “Manny! Manny!” from the thousands of fans in Cotai Arena showered the Filipino.

And it’s a clinic for Pacquiao as the fight went to the 12th and final round.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Algieri tastes the mat again in the 10th

MANILA, Philippines–Chris Algieri fought back early in the 10th round but Manny Pacquiao looked as clean as a whistle.

Pacquiao then stepped up his offense once again pinning Algieri to the ropes.

Algieri kept the distance with jabs but Pacquiao closed in and landed a massive punch to the face of the New Yorker.

A massive uppercut came from Algieri but only the air between the boxers felt the pain from the throw.

Algieri wobbled but continued his impressive head movement; Pacquiao though would not be fooled.

A knockdown again as Algieri tumbled to the floor to Dionisia Pacquiao’s amusement.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Algieri falls flat on his back in round 9

MANILA, Philippines–The last single-digit round commenced with both fighters immediately going to the offensive at the sound of the bell.

Mosquito punch for Manny Pacquiao and the American Chris Algieri also threw a light punch as well.

Algieri landed three punches to the head of Pacquiao but the champion looked as fresh as ever.

Pacquiao landed a left straight and Algieri fell flat on his back but continued the fight and received three punches to the face and another knockdown.

An offensive onslaught from Pacquiao with multiple combos to the face of Algieri followed as the American reeled in pain.

source: sports.inquirer.net

A slow round 8 but Algieri still on the defensive

MANILA, Philippines–Manny Pacquiao acknowledged that Chris Algieri can still manage to go toe-to-toe with him but the Filipino immediately followed it up with a two-punch combo.

A slower pace from Pacquiao compared to the previous two rounds but Algieri still backpedaled with the American landing a right straight to the face of the champion.

Algieri told the referee that a low blow hit him but the man in charge of the ring would not give him that as Pacquiao’s glove only hit the American’s leg.

Pacquiao then gave Algieri a high-five for the mistake.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Algieri won’t retreat, will go after Pacquiao

MACAU—Confident he can take the power of Manny Pacquiao’s punches, Chris Algieri vows to go toe-to-toe with the ring icon when they square off for the WBO welterweight crown Sunday at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena here.

“I’m not a back-pedaler,” Algieri said Wednesday night. “At times, I’ll go toe-to-toe with him. I’ll be throwing combinations.”

Algieri’s confidence stems from having survived Ruslan Provodnikov’s heavy blows to win the WBO light welterweight crown in June. The undefeated American even promised an action-packed first round, noting that they’re both in great shape.

“We’re going to go after each other,” said Algieri, who added he won’t bulk up too much for the bout, set at 144 pounds, so he can stay in step with Pacquiao.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, meanwhile, said he still believes the fight will not go the distance, saying that his ward can finish off Algieri in six rounds at most.

Roach shut down Pacquiao’s training Thursday, but not after receiving heavy blows from the eight-division champion.

“I’m done. I quit,” Roach told Pacquiao after getting hit by a controlled but stinging three-punch combination to the head and body.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum expects Sunday’s fight to generate about 900,000 pay-per-view (PPV) buys based on brisk ticket sales so far.

Arum said 95 percent of the tickets have been sold as of Wednesday. The 82-year-old promoter believes the rest of the tickets for Cotai Arena, which can seat 13,500, will be wiped out before Thursday ends.

Arum is certain Pacquiao-Algieri will eclipse the sales generated when Pacquiao first fought and beat Brandon Rios by unanimous decision in this former Portuguese colony last year.

Pacquiao-Rios drew 13,101 fans and generated 450,000 PPV buys.

Holes in Pacquiao style

Algieri (20-0 with 8 knockouts) also noted that his trainers have thoroughly studied Pacquiao and found “holes in his style.”

On top of the list is Pacquiao’s vulnerability to an overhand right, something Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez loved to exploit. Marquez dealt Pacquiao his biggest loss thus far, a sixth-round knockout in 2012, when the Filipino icon walked into a right straight by the Mexican with a second to go.

Coincidentally, that was the last time Pacquiao hit over a million PPV buys.

NOTES: According to Bob Arum, a group of pastors will sing the Philippine national anthem for the Pacquiao-Algieri showdown. Two lovely women were reportedly barred by chief trainer Freddie Roach from the training facility Thursday. Roach saw them recording the whole training session Wednesday and he suspected them of leaking it to the Algieri camp.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao has Algieri next, but Floyd is out there

NEW YORK—Even as Manny Pacquiao prepares for undefeated junior welterweight champion Chris Algieri, the name Floyd Mayweather is never far away.

Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight crown on No. 22 in Macau, the 64th bout of a career that includes titles in eight divisions. None of those has been against the undefeated Mayweather.

Pacquiao told The Associated Press on Friday that a matchup with Mayweather “is the fight fans want in their hearts” and that he is always ready to step into the ring with Mayweather. The Filipino star and congressman could be closer to such a fight because promoter Bob Arum says the two cable TV networks involved, HBO and Showtime, have reached an agreement to make it happen.

Now it’s up to Mayweather to agree, Arum says.

“If that fight happens, fine,” the 35-year-old Pacquiao said. “If not, fine — what I have done in my boxing career already has satisfied me. What I will be disappointed if that does not happen is because that is what the fans want. My concern is the concern of the fans, and the fans want that fight.”

While Arum said positive steps have been taken in the direction of a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, he is leery about Mayweather giving approval. After all, the fight hasn’t happened over a span of about a decade.

“Floyd is scared to lose the zero,” Arum said of Mayweather’s 46-0 record. “Believe me, if he lost the zero, he’d be on the plane (the next day) to make the fight, no question.”

Pacquiao isn’t and won’t think about that potentially huge payday, particularly with an opponent such as Algieri ahead of him. Algieri, from Huntington, New York, is hardly the stereotypical pugilist. He holds a master’s degree in clinical nutrition, and aspires to attend medical school. He’s also a terrific boxer with a 20-0 record and eight knockouts.

That is not in the realm of Pacquiao’s 56 wins, 38 by knockouts, and standing as one of the great fighters of his era. But it’s strong enough to impress Pacman.

“He is undefeated and a world champion,” Pacquiao said, adding with a sly smile, “I love to fight undefeated guys. I want them to experience that first (defeat).”

Algieri won his belt in June by beating powerful Ruslan Provodnikov. That was almost a home bout, held in Brooklyn, about one hour’s drive from Algieri’s Long Island hometown.

This one is in Macau, and he can’t wait to show his stuff there, especially against Pacquiao.

“I grew up looking up to other fighters,” the 30-year-old Algieri said, mentioning specifically Oscar De La Hoya — who was stopped by Pacquiao in eight rounds in 2008. ” Manny is a classy champion, a gentleman and a warrior. I kind of walk in those shoes. Professionals who show class as has Manny are a testament to the sport.”

A victory would catapult Algieri to the elite level of the sport. A win for Pacquiao would further distance him from losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Marquez in 2012.

Pacquiao won a decision over Brandon Rios in Macau in 2013, then avenged the loss to Bradley with a unanimous decision last April.

What keeps Pacquiao going in the ring? Considering all of his other ventures, from politics to entrepreneurship to dabbling in basketball — the Philippines’ most popular sport, he said — why note walk away with his health?

“I continue because boxing is my passion,” he said. “You can see it in my face every time I fight. You see I am smiling when I walk into the ring. It’s that excitement.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Bradley to Pacquiao: You better be ready

LAS VEGAS—Just when their final press conference was about to wrap up without fireworks, Timothy Bradley and Manny Pacquiao lit up some sparks.

During their face-off, the loudmouth Bradley initiated the verbal exchange that lasted for 10 seconds at the center of Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand here Wednesday.

Pacquiao answered back with nary a pause.

Nobody heard them talking, but it reportedly went like this: 





  


Bradley: Are you ready?

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Bradley: Are you sure you’re ready?

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Bradley: You better be ready.

Pacquiao: Yes, I am ready.

Then they stared at each other without blinking and shook hands before heading back to their corners.

Disgusted Arum

If there was genuine hatred between the protagonists for the World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at the MGM Grand Arena here, they acted good enough to hide it.

Venerable promoter Bob Arum couldn’t hide his disgust with MGM officials for a serious affront they committed.

Instead of Pacquiao-Bradley II being displayed all over the hotel and casino, it was the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-versus-Marcos Maidana tussle on May 3 that was being shown.

2-1 favorite

The 82-year-old Arum said Pacquiao-Bradley was a much more competitive fight, with sports book putting the eight-division world champion from the Philippines a 2-1 favorite.

In contrast, oddsmakers have installed Mayweather a 15-1 favorite over Maidana.

Only the fact that the grudge rematch between Pacquiao and Bradley, to be shown on HBO pay-per-view (PPV), was sure to be a sellout put a smile back on Arum’s face.



PPV superstar

According to Arum, only about a thousand tickets are left and they are sure to be gobbled up in the last three days.

HBO’s Mark Taffet lauded Pacquiao as a PPV superstar.

Taffet said Pacquiao’s 18 PPV fights have generated a total of 12.2 million buys for a whopping $660 million in revenues.

With Pacquiao-Bradley II expected to hit a million buys, Pacquiao should breach the $700 million mark.

Fight of the Year?

WBO president Paco Valcalcel said it could be the Fight of the Year.

Bradley’s showdown with Ruslan Provodnikov was also explosive enough for the Fight of the Year award.

Pacquiao, who is guaranteed $20 million, will be making his 11th appearance at MGM Grand, while Bradley, who’s guaranteed $6 million, will be making his third.

Next fight in Macau

In their first fight, Pacquiao got $25 million while Bradley pocketed $5 million.

With Top Rank’s relationship with MGM strained, Arum intends to bring Pacquiao’s next fight to The Venetian in Macau in November.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao career at stake vs ‘monster’

MACAU—An impressive victory by Manny Pacquiao over Brandon Rios on Sunday will serve a triple purpose.

It will bring joy to his countrymen reeling from the destruction wrought by Supertyphoon “Yolanda” and rekindle hopes of a dream showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

These are apart from his personal mission to recover the luster of his ring career tarnished by his knockout loss to Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez late last year.

Manila’s GMA 7 network is setting up a free viewing of the fight in various places in Tacloban City so residents of the typhoon-ravaged area can watch the bout.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach believes Pacquiao is in prime shape to demolish the loudmouth Rios.

“He’s looking good and focused, with no distractions,” said Roach. “I can see no reason for Pacquiao to lose.”

4-1 favorite

Pacquiao is a heavy 4-1 favorite to beat Rios in their fight in Macau and dispel the notion he’s on the decline. More important, it will give him a chance to seek a fight with Mayweather, who has dodged him for years.

“Pacquiao-Mayweather isn’t dead in the water,” Roach said. “All Pacquiao needs is to beat Rios and everything is possible.”

Roach, however, won’t be content with only a win over Rios. He wants a knockout. The quicker, the better for the American trainer, who holds a grudge against Team Rios.

First, for insulting him by mimicking his slurred speech and body tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease, in a video that leaked in 2010.

And second, when Rios’ conditioning trainer Alex Ariza kicked him in the chest in a prefight confrontation on Wednesday.

Roach told Pacquiao it would be a great favor if he knocked out Rios.

Being a gentleman, Pacquiao never uttered a word. But according to Roach, Pacquiao is showing him signs that he intends to do just that.

Shake off distractions

They’ve been together for so long that a wink or a nod is enough to send a message across:  Pacquiao wants Team Rios to pay the price for insulting his mentor.

More than that, he wants to make Filipinos happy.

But Pacquiao will need to shrug off the distractions from Yolanda and the physical clash between Roach and Ariza as he heads into the make-or-break comeback fight with Rios.

In Rios, the Filipino great will be facing a fighter who vows to be “a monster” in the ring.

The only man to have won world titles at eight different weights knows his career is on the line as he returns to the ring, just days away from his 35th birthday.

It is almost a year since Pacquiao was knocked out cold by Marquez, a defeat that came six months after a controversial split decision defeat to American Timothy Bradley.

A third loss in a row, in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International welterweight title clash with America’s Rios tomorrow, and talk of his retirement would amplify into a roar.

Yet just 18 months ago, “Pac-Man” was revered as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, having only lost once in 31 fights dating back to 1999.

Hungry to win

Roach has admitted that if Pacquiao loses badly to Rios, a former lightweight world champion, he would not hesitate to tell him to retire.

But defeat is the last thing on the mind of Pacquiao, who has a record of 54 wins, 5 defeats and 2 draws, with 38 KOs in a professional career spanning almost 19 years.

“Brandon Rios says he’s hungry to win this fight and I also say I’m hungry to win this fight because I lost twice last year,” Pacquiao said.

However, the final days of Pacquiao’s buildup have been anything but smooth after Yolanda struck the Philippines, leaving thousands dead.

“I’m doing my best to win this fight and give a good fight, especially with what happened to my countrymen,”
he said.

“To all the people and the families who have been affected by the  typhoon—this fight is for you.”

Pacquiao was also unimpressed by a bust-up between Roach and Rios’ camp, which ended with Ariza kicking the 53-year-old, who is afflicted with Parkinson’s disease, in the chest.

As cameras rolled for a reality TV show, the two sides were heard hurling racial and homophobic insults and a torrent of expletives, while Ariza mocked Roach’s slurred speech.

No trash talk

“All I can say is both teams prepared for this fight. Let this finish in the ring and not in trash talk before the fight,” said Pacquiao.

“Let’s set a good example to all the people who admire boxing,” added the deeply religious fighter.

“All I can say is this is sports. This is nothing personal, we are doing our job in the ring. Anyone who has a grievance should forgive as the Lord forgives.”

The ebullient Rios is confident.

“This is the best shape I have ever been,” said the 27-year-old, who has a 31-1-1 record but has never boxed at welterweight, or fought anyone of Pacquiao’s pedigree.

Signs of decline?

“I’m nobody’s tune-up fight,” added Rios. “I’m nobody’s punching bag—a punching bag don’t punch back. Sunday, you’re going to find out I’m not going to stop. I’m a monster when I get in that ring.”

Rios, who at 5 feet 8 inches is nearly two inches taller than Pacquiao, is also unfazed by stepping up two weight divisions and 12 pounds in the past 18 months, saying 147 pounds is a “natural weight” for him.

Both fighters will have to cope with the unusual timing of around 11:30 a.m.  on Sunday, tailored to suit American pay-per-view audiences.

Win, and Pacquiao will seek a rematch with Marquez ahead of a dream meeting with Mayweather.

Lose, and the end of his career draws closer.

Robert Garcia, the trainer of Rios, said Pacquiao was showing signs of coming to the end of his career and would be vulnerable.

Pacquiao has not fought since his knockout defeat at the hands of Marquez. Garcia said he had noticed subtle signs of decline in the Filipino boxer.

No love lost

“Everybody’s end comes someday and it could be this fight,” Garcia said. “He does have a lot to lose in this fight, and that’s pressure not only for him but his trainer and everybody in his camp.”

Garcia added:  “There are things I’ve seen in his last two fights that maybe a lot of people who haven’t fought don’t see. I went through those things and I already see them. There were things I was embarrassed about, that I was afraid to tell my family and to tell my trainers. A lot of fighters go through the same things, they don’t even tell their wives, but I can see it in him.”

Roach bristled when told of Garcia’s comments.

“When does he watch my guy? Does he see my guy train every day, does he see the sacrifices my guy goes through, does he see the roadwork we do every day?” Roach said.

“I hope they are overconfident because Manny is going to destroy this guy.”

Journeyman at best

The undercard for the fight at The Venetian casino begins at 8 a.m. with the main event expected around three hours later.

Roach acknowledged Pacquiao’s recent failure to knock out opponents but said the Filipino fighter was eager to do so tomorrow as a way of announcing his return to the peak of the sport.

“I don’t feel Rios can go the distance with a guy with the talents of Manny Pacquiao. It’s a world-class fighter going in against a guy who is a journeyman at best.” With reports from AFP and AP

source: sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao’s career on the line against Rios

MACAO – Filipino great Manny Pacquiao will need to shrug off the distractions of a deadly typhoon and a physical clash involving his trainer as he heads into a make-or-break comeback fight against Brandon Rios Sunday.

The only man to have won world titles at eight different weights knows his career is on the line as he returns to the ring in Macau, just days away from his 35th birthday.

It is almost a year since Pacquiao was knocked cold by Mexican arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez, a defeat that came six months after a controversial split decision defeat to American Timothy Bradley.

A third loss in a row, in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International welterweight title clash with America’s Rios on Sunday, and talk of his retirement would amplify into a roar.

Yet just 18 months ago, ‘Pac-Man’ was revered by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, having only lost once in 31 fights dating back to 1999.

Trainer Freddie Roach has admitted that if Pacquiao loses badly to Rios, a former lightweight world champion, he would have no hesitation in telling him to retire.

But defeat is the last thing on the mind of Pacquiao, who has a record of 54 wins, five defeats and two draws, with 38 KOs in a professional career spanning almost 19 years.

“Brandon Rios says he’s hungry to win this fight and I also say I’m hungry to win this fight because I’ve lost twice last year,” Pacquiao said.

However, the final days of Pacquiao’s build-up have been anything but smooth after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name:  Haiyan) struck the Philippines, leaving about 5,500 people dead or missing.

Pacquiao’s training base in General Santos City escaped the storm but the Filipino congressman had to be talked out of interrupting his preparations to visit the disaster area.

“I’m doing my best to win this fight and give a good fight, especially with what happened to my countrymen,” he said.

“To all the people and the families who have been affected by this storm, the typhoon – this fight is for you.”

Pacquiao was also unimpressed by a bust-up between Roach and Rios’s camp, which ended with conditioning coach Alex Ariza kicking the 53-year-old Parkinson’s disease-sufferer in the chest.

As cameras rolled for a reality TV show, the two sides were heard hurling racial and homophobic insults and a torrent of expletives, while Ariza mocked Roach’s slurred speech.

“All I can say is both teams prepared for this fight. Let this finish in the ring and not in trash talk before the fight,” said Pacquiao.

“Let’s set a good example to all the people who admire boxing,” added the deeply religious fighter.

“All I can say is this is sports. This is nothing personal, we are doing our job in the ring. Anyone who has a grievance should forgive as the Lord forgives.”

Although Roach says Pacquiao’s intense eight-week training camp has put the 10-time world champion in his best shape for years, the ebullient Rios is confident.

“This is the best shape I have ever been,” said the 27-year-old, who has a 31-1-1 record but has never boxed at welterweight, or fought anyone of Pacquiao’s pedigree.

“I’m nobody’s tune-up fight,” added Rios. “I’m nobody’s punching bag – a punching bag don’t punch back. Sunday, you’re going to find out I’m not going to stop. I’m a monster when I get in that ring.”

Rios, who at five feet eight inches is nearly two inches taller than Pacquiao, is also unfazed by stepping up two weight divisions and 12 pounds in the past 18 months, saying 147 pounds is a “natural weight” for him.

Both fighters will have to cope with the unusual timing of around 11:30 am (0330 GMT) on Sunday, tailored to suit American pay-per-view audiences.

Win, and Pacquiao will seek a re-match with Marquez ahead of the dream meeting with Floyd Mayweather that fight fans have longed to see. Lose, and the end of his career draws nearer.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Fallen Donaire vows to ‘come back and do better’

MANILA, Philippines — Like the other fallen boxing champions before him, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. vowed Sunday a comeback.

Shortly after losing his WBO super bantamweight title to Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux by unanimous decision on Sunday (Manila time), Donaire took his thoughts to Twitter.

“I just want to thank God for keeping me safe, my guardian angels for protecting me, my Team for standing behind me, and my fans for their support,” he said in a tweet (@FilipinoFlash).

“I tried to give my all and push the fight but we’ll be back. I’ll come back and do better,” he added. “For now, I congratulate Rigondeaux.”

Donaire managed to rock the former two-time Olympic gold medalist, sending him to the canvas in the 10th round — the only knockdown of the fight. But Rigondeaux was able to recover quickly.

The judges all scored in favor of Rigondeaux, 114-113, 115-112, 116-111, paving way for the WBO/WBA super bantamweight division unification.

The Filipino champion, who protected his swollen right eye in the 12th round, saw his 12-year, 30-fight winning streak halted.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Donaire, Rigondeaux make weight for unification bout in New York

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino bet Nonito  Donaire Jr. and Guillermo Rigondeaux made weight Saturday morning (Manila time) for their WBO and WBA super bantamweight unification bout set on Sunday.

Donaire tipped the scales at 121.6 pounds while Rigondeaux at 121.5, both under the 122-pound limit. The two champions clash before an expected sell-out crowd at the Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs), voted Fighter of the Year for 2012, tries to add the WBA crown of Cuban Rigondeaux (11-0, 8 KOs), a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Donaire wins via unanimous decision over Mathebula

MANILA, Philippines — Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire settled for a unanimous decision over Jeffrey Mathebula to unify the WBO and IBF world titles Sunday at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The Judges had it 117-110, 118-109 and 119-108.

Donaire floored Mathebula with a crushing left hook in the fourth round but the South African managed to beat the count and was saved by the bell.

The four-division champion Donaire, who gave up four inches in height, looked for the kill in the ensuing rounds but Mathebula surprisingly was able to recover and force the decision.

Donaire racked up his 28th straight win. He hasn’t lost since Rosendo Sanchez beat him via unanimous decision in March 10, 2001.

Donaire, who improved his record to 29-1 with 18 knockouts, rocked Mathebula anew in the fifth with solid lefts.

Mathebula tried to fight from the outside to exploit his size advantage and had some moments when he was able to connect.

source: sports.inquirer.net

No review of Pacquiao-Bradley despite Arum criticisms, says Nevada State Athletic Commission

In spite of accusations from Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and tweets from UFC president Dana White calling the Nevada State Athletic Commission the "worst" in the U.S., the organization is not expected to discipline or review any of the judges in Saturday's (Sunday, PHL time) split-decision win by Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight title.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer told the Los Angeles Times' Lance Pugmire that no such action would be needed, saying, "Every fighter who loses a close fight looks at the judges."

He also conceded however, "I think every judge should strive to get better."

Kizer's comments came on the heels of criticisms from Arum and White after the controversial result kept Bradley's undefeated streak alive, while causing Pacquiao to drop his title.

Arum told Yahoo Sports' Kevin Iole that he wanted an investigation to see if someone rigged the outcome of the bout.

"I want to investigate whether there was any undue influence, whether the [Nevada Athletic Commission] gave any particular instruction and how they came to this conclusion," said Arum.

"If this was a subjective view that each of [the judges] honestly held, OK. I would still disagree, but then we're off the hook in terms of there being no conspiracy. But there needs to be an independent investigation because it strains credulity that an event everybody saw as one-sided on way all three judges saw it as close. It strains credulity."

Arum also said he would hold off on a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch until Nevada attorney general Catherine Cortez Masto agreed to such a probe.

UFC President Dana White was also unafraid to share his opinion regarding the match, tweeting out to his followers, "Nevada state athletic commission at its finest!!! You've for to be f***ing kidding me!! that is disgusting Nevada state athletic commission!!" and "Worst athletic commission in the country!!!!!!!"

Earlier today, judges Duane Ford and Jerry Roth defended their scores in an interview with Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Ford said that he thought "Bradley gave Pacquiao a boxing lesson," and thus scored it 115-113 for Bradley.

Roth, who gave the match to Pacquiao, 115-113, said, "[Despite the last three rounds] I still thought Pacquiao had done enough to win."

The third judge, CJ Ross, declined to comment. She scored it 115-113 for Bradley.

Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Skip Avansino reiterated what co-worker Keith Kizer said when asked if the judges acted inappropriately, saying, "We had three seasoned professionals working and I don't question their determinations.

"I'm not going to second-guess our judges."

Curiously, Arum was hit with a $125,000 fine by the Nevada State Athletic Commission back in 1995, due to an attempt to bribe the International Boxing Federation. At the time, it was the highest fine ever issued, Sports Illustrated wrote. - AMD, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

Stunned Pacquiao eyes revenge in Bradley rematch

LAS VEGAS - Boxers usually look devastated in defeat but Manny Pacquiao smiled and turned his mind to quick, brutal revenge after being stunned by a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in their WBO welterweight showdown on Saturday (Sunday, PHL time).

Pacquiao said he was "100 percent" confident he had won the 12-round fight at the MGM Grand and, like his American challenger Bradley, eagerly looked forward to a rematch on November 10 at a venue yet to be decided.

"I didn't listen to the announcement because I thought I had won [verdicts from] all the judges," Filipino southpaw Pacquiao told reporters after ending an unbeaten run of 15 bouts.

"I respect the decision but 100 percent I believe I won the fight. I don't even remember if he hurt me one punch. He got me with a couple of jabs but I don't remember if he hit me a solid punch in my face.

"I give Bradley credit, maybe three rounds for him because in some rounds I relax. Aside from three rounds, every round I hurt him."

Pacquiao surrendered his WBO welterweight title after earning one verdict from judge Jerry Roth (115-113) while CJ Ross (115-113) and Duane Ford (115-113) gave the fight to the American.

The Filipino's trainer, Freddie Roach, was dumbfounded by the decision.

"I was very surprised they gave it so close," the bespectacled Roach said. "I had it for Manny by 10 rounds to two."

Even Bradley sounded surprised at the decision.

"Pacquiao was a tough, tough warrior. This guy can punch, he has speed. He has all the tools," he said.

"I used my ability to clear some rounds, maybe the last five rounds I feel, to get the victory. I am still shocked."

Dish served cold

While Pacquiao said he wanted to respect Bradley after a result which was roundly booed by the crowd, he promised to beat the American inside the distance when they next meet.

"It will make me a warrior in having this kind of rematch," Pacquiao said, looking to avenge the loss. "I want to finish him before the whole 12 rounds. I want the rematch."

Bradley, a 5-1 underdog against Pacquiao, was also itching to have the rematch, which he had arrogantly promoted during the build-up to Saturday's (Sunday, PHL time) fight.

"That was all my idea, pretty much," said the 28-year-old from Palm Springs in California after improving his career record to 29-0 with 12 knockouts.

"Just part of promoting the fight, hyping it up," he added, addressing reporters from a wheelchair.

"I felt I was going to win this fight so the rematch is in place, the date is there. It's definitely going to be a different fight."

Bradley conceded that hearing the boos from the crowd after the decision had been announced gave him added motivation to get back into the ring with Pacquiao.

"I'm happy to be the new welterweight champion but I definitely would like to do this again," said the American, who was back in the ring for the first time since he retained his WBO junior welterweight title by stopping Cuba's Joel Casamayor in November.

"I heard all the boos at the end of the fight, which is okay because we need to do this again. Let's make this more decisive."

Bradley spoke to the media while sitting in a wheelchair before being taken to hospital to have a check on his ankles, which he said he had twisted during the second round.

"I injured my left foot in the second round, twisted my ankle, and now both of my ankles are swollen," he added. "I got hit with some big shots early on but I persevered and went through the pain." - HS, Reuters

article source: gmanetwork.com