Pacquiao versus Mosley

Pacquiao versus Mosley Online Streaming Live Pay-Per-View on High Definition (HD)

2011-05-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Pacquiao vs Mosley fight will kick off this Saturday night at Las Vegas. Prepare yourself for Pacquiao vs Mosley live streaming that will be available via pay-per-view. This spectacular boxing event will feature former three-division champion Sugar Shane Mosley who is looking to redeem himself from a tough loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Meanwhile, Manny Pacquiao is looking for another remakable win in this fight. He is now an eight division title holder and considered as the number one pound-for-pound king. Pacquiao 52-3-2 win-loss record with a 38 KO’s while Mosley has 46-6-1 win-loss record to go with 39 KO’s.

Who will win between Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao? Be sure to watch Pacquiao vs Mosley live stream on May 7, 2011. Pacquiao vs Mosley fight will be broadcast live all the way from MGM Grand Garden Arena. Watch Pacquiao vs Mosley live online if you can’t make it to Las Vegas.

Breaking down Pacquiao versus Mosley

2011-05-07T08:28:00.000-07:00

When two surefire hall-of-famers meet in the ring, there is a huge possibility that it will be a tremendous match, even if the combatants are not necessarily at their primes.

Manny Pacquiao has not looked back since beating Erik Morales in their second fight. Everyone who tried defeat him failed, some failed more miserably than others. Shane Mosley is the next contender and at an advanced aged of 39, he will finally get a shot at the world’s best fighter.

For Pacquiao, the key to this fight is to stay on his feet. There is no possible way for Mosley to win unless he hurts Pacquiao badly. He will need either a knockout or multiple knockdowns to win a decision. Pacquiao’s punch output is on a league of its own and Mosley won’t be able to come near that. Pacquiao will win rounds easily as long as he does not get hurt.

With Mosley’s reach advantage, Pacquiao needs to find the perfect distance; the spot where he will still be able to connect with his punches but far enough to get the chance to evade Mosley’s attacks. He does not need to do anything different on offense. Pop Mosley with lead lefts, attack him to the head and body then move to the side when he throws a counter, and catch him with right hooks every time he tries to attack.

For Mosley, he will need to connect with something substantial and, if you ask me, the only punch in his arsenal that can cause trouble for Pacquiao is the lead right hand. If you ask the best boxing trainers in the world how to fight a left-hander, they will all tell you to concentrate on lead rights. If he catches Pacquiao napping, Mosley has the power to hurt him. The power of a fighter is the last attribute to go for older fighters and Mosley still has the power to hurt anyone in the welterweight division.

Freddie Roach told Pacquiao that they will need to stay in the outside for the first few rounds as this was where Mosley will be at his most dangerous. However, I highly doubt that Pacquiao will heed that call. As soon as Mosley connects with a pretty good punch, Pacquiao will want to get it back as soon as possible.

I see Pacquiao dictating the tempo of the fight from the start. Mosley will have his moments but Pacquiao’s speed will be to much for him. Pacquiao will dominate the early rounds and by the middle rounds, you will see a drop in Mosley’s punch output.

Pacquiao will step on the gas pedal around the sixth round and Mosley will be left behind. Pacquiao will connect with a hard right hook follow by two lefts to knock down Mosley in the eighth round. Mosley will get up but Pacquiao will finish him off with another flurry. Referee Kenny Bayless will call a halt to the bout if Naazim Richardson does not beat him to it.

I have Pacquiao winning by eighth round TKO.

This article was taken from GMANews.tv.

Watch Manny Pacquiao versus Sugar Shane Mosley live on pay-per-view online.

Mayweather versus Pacquiao Fight

2009-11-18T06:04:00.001-08:00

Mayweather Pacquiao fight, Pacquiao Cotto ppv numbers and Pacquiao Cotto ppv buys. Very soon, boxing fans will get a chance to watch the biggest fight in the ring: Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather. It is a fight that may make a history both on internet and beyond.

Mayweather, the great fighter that he is may be a favourite in the US to win the fight, but outside the US, it is Manny Pacquiao who rules the hearts of millions of boxing fans.

A Khabrein reader says, “Manny is one of the greatest fighter. He deserve a lot of respect. If the color was only white, he would have known as one of the greatest ever fighter as well. This is for Manny Pacquaio... I would like to salute you for your bravery and showing us an example with all your hard work. Congrats and best wishes to you....”

Another reader says, “If this fight happens and most likely it will, this fight is going to be boring because Mayweather is a boring fighter compared to pound for pound king Manny. Like Manny said he just want to make all the people happy and give them a really good fight”.

Another said, “Mayweather does not count at all. So forget about him. He aint a boxer he should be a clown making fool out of him”.

Manny Pacquiao has earned a name for himself by convincingly defeating Miguel Cotto via 12th-round knockout, lifting the welterweight championship.

This historic fight that will decide the champion is being held after Mayweather expressed his desire to have a fight with Pacquiao.

Mayweather said: "Manny Pacquiao is the fighter and every time someone asks him if he wants to fight me, he says it is up to his promoter, he's going to take a vacation, whatever the answer is."

He added: "I have yet to hear him actually say, 'yes I want to fight Mayweather.' We are the fighters and if one fighter is talking about fighting another fighter, then they should just come out and say it. Manny Pacquiao doesn't say anything directly about fighting me because he might just know it's not a fight he can win." Whatever his comment Mayweather knows this would be the most difficult fight of his life.

SOURCE

Will Manny PACMAN PAcquiao fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.?

2009-11-16T22:19:00.001-08:00

Hints at Mayweather fight

MANILA - Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao is bracing for two big battles in 2010: a congressional bid and a possible fight against former pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao told ABS-CBN's Umagang Kay Ganda on Tuesday that he is bent on running for a seat in Congress in 2010.

"Tuloy iyong pagtakbo ko next year (My plan to run in the elections next year is still on)," Pacquiao said.

The boxing great, however, did not reveal if he will run for congressman of South Cotabato, where he lost in 2007 to Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

There were reports that Pacquiao is planning to run for congressman in Sarangani province. He is also reportedly being courted to run in Quezon City.

Pacquiao had just snatched the WBO welterweight from Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, whom he beat after 12 rounds in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday.

The title was the Filipino boxer's seventh. He also holds six titles in six different weight divisions.

Pacquiao is scheduled to return to the Philippines on Friday. He said he will stay for a while in Manila before returning to his home in General Santos City.

The boxer said he would take a vacation until early next year before entering into another fight deal, possibly with the camp of Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Asked to pick between Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather Jr., he said he would prefer to fight the still undefeated Mayweather.

"I don't think na may manonood pa sa laban kay Marquez. Si Marquez ay tinalo na siya ni Floyd. Siguro bahala na si Bob Arum (I don't think boxing fans will be watching another a fight with Marquez. Marquez got beat by Floyd. I think I would have to leave it to Bob Arum)," Pacquiao said, hinting his desire to face Mayweather in his next fight.

Mayweather came back from retirement just hours before Pacquiao knocked down Mayweather's former opponent, Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton.

There were negotiations for a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight but the talks broke down.

Mayweather instead entered into a fight deal with the camp of Marquez while Pacquiao sealed the prize fight with Cotto.

This article is from www.abs-cbnnews.com

Who watched Pacquiao-Cotto fight?

2009-11-15T18:29:00.000-08:00

Manny Pacquiao’s 12-round annihilation of Miguel Cotto on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) gathered some of Hollywood’s top celebrities along with past and current athletic superstars.

Oscar-nominated actor Mickey Rourke and Mark Wahlberg were among those who watched as Pacquiao dismantled Cotto and completed his mission of winning a record seventh division title. Both actors are known Pacquiao fans with Rourke being a former student of Freddie Roach, the Filipino ring icon’s American trainer.

Manny Pacquiao salutes the crowd that features top Hollywood and sports stars after wresting the WBO welterweight belt from Miguel Cotto Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila.) AP
Also at ringside were veteran actor Joe Pesci, socialite Paris Hilton, R&B artist Sean “P. Diddy" Combs, comedian Will Ferrell and Jeremy Piven, star of HBO’s hit series “Entourage".

Some of the finest athletes also dropped by to witness the showdown dubbed “Firepower."

Former boxing champions Roberto Duran and Tommy “The Hitman" Hearns, reigning International Boxing Organization light heavyweight titlist Chad Dawson, undisputed light middleweight king and a current middleweight contender Winky Wright, Shane Mosley, New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, Derek Jeter of the World Series champs New York Yankees, and basketball legend Magic Johnson were also seen at ringside.

Philippine Vice President Noli De Castro, Deputy National Security Adviser and former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit" Singson and Mayor Bing Leonardia were among local politicians who trooped to Las Vegas to cheer for Pacquiao.

Kapuso singing group La Divas – Maricris Garcia, Aicelle Santos and Jonalyn Viray – sang the Lupang Hinirang followed by Ednita Nazario who sang Puerto Rico’s National Anthem. Fil-Am Ramiel of the American Idol fame sang the Star Spangled Banner before ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced both fighters.

Pacquiao reportedly earned $13 million (P611,000,000) from the megafight while Cotto pocketed $7 million just to have his face rearranged by the seven-division champion.

Undercard

Eight undercard bouts took place before the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown with two Filipino boxers, a relative of the deposed champion and an aspiring rabbi winning their respective matches.

Abner Cotto, cousin of the former WBO welterweight king, opened up the card with a victory over Lupe Guzman in their lightweight bout while Richie Mepranum, one of the two Filipino boxers in the undercard, won over Ernie Marquez by split decision.

Rodrigo Garcia defeated Martin Guerra by unanimous decision while Eden Sonsona, another boxer from the Philippines, scored a technical knockout victory over Eilon Kedem. Alfonso Gomez needed six rounds to beat Jesus Soto-Krass while Matt Korobov bested James Winchester in their middleweight division match.

Belarus-born Yuri Foreman of Israel, an aspiring rabbi, snatched the World Boxing Association super welterweight championship belt from Daniel Santos when he defeated the Puerto Rican via unanimous decision.

Julio Cesar Chavez outpointed Troy Rowland for the final undercard bout. – GMANews.TV

Manny PACMAN Pacquiao Wins the Fight!!!

2009-11-14T21:52:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to
Manny PACMAN Pacquiao

for winning against Miguel Cotto!!!

True enough,
the BEST MAN wins!!!

(12th Round TKO)

Pacquiao versus Cotto: A Day Before The Fight

2009-11-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Challenger Manny Pacquiao weighed in just one pound lighter than Miguel Cotto as the Filipino was greeted by deafening cheers from his supporters on the eve of Saturday's WBO welterweight title fight.

Pacquiao, 49-3-2 (37 knockouts), tipped the scales at 144 pounds in front of a boisterous crowd of about 6,500 at the MGM Grand Hotel's Garden Arena.

Puerto Rican Cotto, 34-1 (27 KOs), was right on the limit for the scheduled 12-round bout which will be fought at a contracted weight of 145 pounds.

Although Cotto has won a world title every year since 2004 and will be competing in his natural division, Pacquiao is widely viewed as the favorite.

The Filipino southpaw, who has never previously fought above light-welterweight, will be bidding to win a seventh world title in an unprecedented seventh weight class.

The atmosphere was electric as the two fighters made their way on to a raised stage for Friday's televised weigh-in where former boxing great Roberto Duran and undefeated WBO super bantamweight Juan Manuel Lopez were among those attending.

Shouts of "Manny, Manny" and "Cotto, Cotto" echoed before the tracksuit-clad boxers finally emerged and Pacquiao lived up to his billing as the people's champion by blowing kisses to the fans before he stepped on to the scales.

Cotto, who also wore headphones over a balaclava, then followed. A natural 147-pounder, he told the crowd he had no problem making the weight limit.

"I'm pretty healthy and my strength is too much for tomorrow," the 29-year-old said.

The Puerto Rican will be fighting for the first time since he retained his WBO title with a split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June.

Pacquiao, 30, last fought in May when he delivered a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand to claim the IBO light welterweight crown.

(Editing by Julian Linden)

This article is from news.yahoo.com

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WATCH PACQUIAO - COTTO FIGHT ONLINE LIVE!!!

More of the New and Improved Manny "PACMAN" Pacquiao

2009-11-12T22:40:00.000-08:00

Suddenly, Manila’s fashionable gay men were asking each other: ‘Would you do Manny?’ The answer: ‘Yes’

WHEN ERIC PINEDA first sat down with Manny Pacquiao in 2004, just when the boxer was about to make it big, he did not find it easy to spot the diamond in the GenSan boy’s rough coating.

“He was just wearing jogging pants, a jacket and a beanie cap,” recalls Pineda, a veteran publicist, political and marketing consultant, who is white-haired and speaks with the husky, imposing voice of a longtime sports commentator.

He is now the business manager of Pacquiao, after the boxer and Rod Nazario, the man who hired Pineda to sell Manny as a product endorser, had a falling out a few years back. He told Manny in those early days, “You win your fight with Morales and your whole world will change, 360 degrees.”

And that was what happened. After Pacquiao won his second bout with Morales with a TKO in Las Vegas in 2006, there was no stopping the fast and furious pace of the Pacquiao phenomenon. He was fighting in the biggest boxing venues in the world, knocking out Oscar dela Hoya in 2008, declared the number one “pound-for-pound” boxer in the world by boxing bible Ring Magazine, stopping for photo ops with the likes of Mark Wahlberg, and being followed by TMZ.

New and improved

Clearly, the “’siyano hip-hop” look Manny sported in ’94 is now but a blurry memory tucked in the farthest nook of his walk-in closet. These days he is making the rounds of parties and press appearances either in a bold colored argyle sweater and a matching painter’s cap ala Pharell Williams, or speaking to fans in England in a windowpane-patterned gray Giorgio Armani suit paired with spanking new leather shoes in tan.

Observers say people began seeing a new and improved Manny when he moved the parting of his hair from the Palito-style middle to the more proper and gentlemanly left.

Suddenly, Manila’s fashionable gay men were asking each other: “Would you do Manny?” The answer: “Yes.”

After all, while he obviously doesn’t look like a fashion model, one could say he embodies the modern GQ archetype: A successful man in a well-made suit, an athletic body underneath, supple skin thanks to years of training and discipline, and for that bit of edge, a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee perfectly framing a smile that is pleasant, naughty and aware of where he is in the world order.

Pacquiao was recently named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people of 2009. He also joins the likes of Tiger Woods and Kobe Bryant in this year’s Celebrity 100 List in Forbes Magazine, which reports that he earned $40 million from the second half of 2008 to the first half of 2009 alone, making him the sixth highest paid athlete in the world.

Just recently, he appeared in the latest Nike TVC where he shared screen time with Bryant, Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova. You can’t get any bigger than that.

On Philippine shores, his name these days is only associated with the top brands: McDonalds, San Miguel Beer, Ginebra and Smart. Other major endorsements run the gamut from flavored energy drinks to pain relief tablets.

Snazzy style

He is our very own Million-Dollar Man, and he is playing it to the hilt. But the snazzy personal style didn’t happen overnight, or because a stylist was made to join his entourage.

Eric and his wife Macy, a publicist in Manila, began by giving Manny clothes as gifts, stuff he could wear to appearances and functions.

“We tried to convince him that if you look at your contemporaries in his category, all of them wear suits. So dahan-dahan nasanay naman, simula sa jeans muna, then long sleeves; slowly the suit came into the picture.”

The suit has another layer of attraction for Manny: He had recently seen “The Godfather 2” and thought Al Pacino’s wardrobe was something he could adopt. Hence, the grey windowpane prints, the occasional vests over a crisp white shirt, finished off with a derby hat. He sometimes shops with his entourage or with family, going to stores like Banana Republic for casuals and relaxed suits, Salvatore Ferragamo and Armani for the more formal outfits.

Shopping haunts

He likes going to the Metro Park Mall in LA and scouring the Ed Hardy stores there, also True Religion, Rock and Republic and Seven for All Mankind. For shoes, he prefers the ones with narrow square tips, from Louis Vuitton or Ferragamo.

But the Pacman’s accessory-of-the-moment are clearly the hats. He recently bought $2,000 worth of hats in LA, from the fedoras made popular by Justin Timberlake to painter’s caps and the raffia styles that reminds Manny of home.

“Buri ’yan,” he would say. “Gumagawa kami niyan sa GenSan.”

If there is anything left from what the Pinedas call Manny’s “hip-hopper” days, it’s his fascination for bling.

“As most Asians and Filipinos, you associate your success with the watch you wear, so when he won the Barrera fight, he bought his first Rolex watch, a Daytona with a mother-of-pearl face,” says Pineda.

This was followed by another Rolex after the last Morales match, a bezel diamond-studded piece. Recently, Pineda reports, Manny has taken to wearing a Patek Philippe for more formal occasions. Manny also has an 18k gold necklace with a pendant shaped like two boxing gloves, also diamond-studded, a gift from one of his sponsors.

These days, when in the Philippines, Manny shuttles between his palatial home in General Santos and the family home in Brentville in Santa Rosa, Laguna, a property the Pacquiaos acquired because of its proximity to the Brent International School where Manny’s two sons are enrolled.

When work demands that he be mostly in Manila, for tapings of his show “Pinoy Records,” for example, and the Robin Padilla-headlined teleserye “Totoy Bato,” he mostly stays at the Renaissance Hotel where he and his entourage of 10 to 15 people (which includes his lawyer, bodyguards, personal masseur) occupy top-money suites.

Bullet-proof cars

Team Pacquiao drives around the city in a couple of bullet-proof vehicles: A Hummer 2 and an Escalade. Pineda says his ward is really not a diehard car fan, anyway.

“For him it’s just a way to get him from point A to point B,” he says.

Still, the right car is part of the star package. “When we started working, I asked him to buy a new car. ‘Manny Pacquiao ka eh.’ He bought a brand new Pajero which he uses when he’s in Manila. And then he bought a big trailer, a Porsche Cayenne na binili sa US tapos inuwi dito, a Mercedes SL 500 sportscar. He wanted to buy a Lamborghini but I advised him not to. ’Di mo kailangan yan, baka maaksidente ka pa.’”

Clearly, he is more keen on acquiring real estate property. Apart from the Gensan and Brentville homes, the Pacquiaos, says the Pinedas, have several other properties: A townhouse near Medical City in Ortigas, a house in BF Homes Parañaque and another in Davao, all bought within the past four years.

The house in LA is already in its finishing touches, with wife Jinkee being very hands-on when it comes to the choice in furniture, in consultation with an American interior designer. The house, a 4,500-sq m property located in an upscale neighborhood dotted with celebrity homes, is reported to have cost $2.17 million and was bought in March this year.

While the Pacquiaos are clearly learning the ropes of living big, Pineda insists his ward’s character hasn’t changed much. His idea of a party is still a big celebration with all of his friends where everything is happening all at once: Drinking, darts, billiards, singing, dancing, card games.

“He is still as grounded as when I first met him,” says Pineda.

Giving back

And the guy knows how to give back. He has consistently partnered with the PCSO and Pagcor for charity projects. He is building a village called Pacquiao Heights in General Santos which will have factories that will give jobs and benefit the people of Saranggani.

Indeed, the poor boy from Gensan who dropped out of school at a very young age to help his mother sell bread has done very well for himself. He hangs out with Hollywood stars, shakes hands with state leaders and tycoons, shops in the best stores, and dines in the best restaurants.

How does Manny Pacquiao order in a place like, say, the upscale Nuvo at Manila’s Greenbelt restaurant row?

“I would usually order for him,” says Pineda. “Alam ko naman ang gusto niya eh, basta may beef, chicken, fish. No pork.”

Pacquiao may not be the best person to peruse a fine dining menu, but the guy certainly knows how to reward excellent service. The last time Team Pacquiao checked out of the Renaissance Hotel in Makati, the staff bid their very important guest goodbye with bigger smiles than usual.

The tip Manny left them: P100,000. In style parlance, that’s what you call a flourish.

Reprinted from Filipino Style, California-based magazine for Fil-Americans.

This article is from lifestyle.inquirer.net

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WATCH PACQUIAO - COTTO FIGHT ONLINE LIVE!!!

Pacquio versus Cotto: "May the best man win,” says Manny Pacquiao

2009-11-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – Las Vegas, the world-famous US city known for its bright lights and a plethora of gambling and entertainment venues, and universally regarded as the capital of big-time boxing in the planet, has long been a home for Manny Pacquiao.

In fact, “Sin City” has played host to Pacquiao’s last five fights — all of them high-magnitude bouts. The Filipino won them all, decisioning Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez, and brutally knocking out David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.

And now for the sixth-straight time, the bustling city will once again be Pacquiao’s battleground as he chases boxing immortality against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Pacquiao, who is gunning for a record seventh world title in as many weight divisions, set foot on the main lobby of the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino yesterday and was welcomed with chants of “Manny, Manny!” from a packed crowd.

The Filipino spitfire has been installed as a -350 favorite as of this posting, meaning one must wager $350 to win a hundred bucks.

Cotto, the burly Puerto Rican banger who’s out to derail the Pacquiao freight train, arrived about an hour later with his own following. He enters Las Vegas as the underdog — albeit a heavy one — with those rooting for him needing to bet just $100 to net a cool $270.

But unlike Pacquiao, Cotto will be seeing action in a high-profile Las Vegas bout for only the second time since figuring in a brutal affair against Antonio Margarito two years ago. That fight, also staged at the MGM Grand, saw Margarito beat Cotto to a pulp for a merciless 11th round technical-knockout victory.

At the final press conference for Pacquiao-Cotto today, Las Vegas feted both fighters whose face-off at the end of the week is expected to assemble an audience composed of high-rollers, politicians and Hollywood personalities.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman graced the event and, in a simple ceremony, presented to Pacquiao and Cotto their “Keys to the City.”

“This is the most important fight in my career. It will make history in Philippine boxing. And it will be a big honor for my family, country and myself,” said Pacquiao, who also wished his foe luck as he had done in his previous fights.

“I respect Cotto’s team. They are nice and friendly. On Saturday, may the best man win,” he added.

Cotto, for his part, assured a great night of boxing for fans

“I am pretty happy and comfortable to be here. I trained a lot for this fight. It will be a great night not only for the Latinos but to the Puerto Ricans too.”

With Las Vegas showing its appreciation for two great warriors, one can expect Pacquiao and Cotto to willingly return the favor when they meet in the ring.

This article is from philstar.com

Pacquiao versus Cotto: "Nobody can help Manny or give him something to hit me with,” says Cotto

2009-11-11T02:13:00.000-08:00

LAS VEGAS— The lull in between the official welcome laid out by the MGM Grand for the two boxers facing off on Nov. 14 spoke volumes about how this was going to be more Manny Pacquiao’s show than it will be Miguel Cotto’s.

But it’s not like Miguel Cotto has no plans of ruining the storyline.

Pacquiao walked the red carpet of the MGM Grand lobby to deafening cheers and exploding flashbulbs and made his way up a makeshift ring adorned with a centerpiece golden lion statue to a reception fit for a king, a reception that surprised even the boxer-celebrity who is accustomed to crowds mobbing his every public move.

“I am surprised and happy that a lot of people came [to welcome me],” Pacquiao told reporters from both print and broadcast that tried to squirm their way in front of him to capture a sound bite or two even as photographers and cameramen jostled for prime shots at the world’s reigning pound-for-pound king.

After answers to a couple of questions, Pacquiao would turn his back and face the throng that had gathered at the hotel lobby as early as an hour or two before his late arrival to wave at fans, who would respond by shrieking “Manny! Manny!” with fervor.

Pacquiao faces Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand’s garden Arena, where the Filipino ring icon will attempt to become the first boxer to win world titles in seven different weight classes. And while Pacquiao has spoken several times about trying to win one for the victims of a string of violent storms that hit the Philippines, or writing about a page in boxing history, he insists he has nothing against the man who will be out to stop him.

“It’s nothing personal, I’m just doing my job to try and make people happy,” he explained.

And then, after a whirlwind of quickie interviews, Pacquiao left—and almost simultaneously, so did the air inside the hotel lobby. The moment the Filipino ring icon hit the exit, life was sucked out of the event organized by the promoting Top Rank, with the crowd—which had swelled to a couple of hundred—thinning to less than a third of its original size.

This was the audience Cotto was left to work with.

Although there was still boisterous cheering the moment Cotto arrived about half an hour later for his public appearance, the noise was seemingly amplified only by the echoes of a few rabid supporters in a relatively emptied lobby.

Not that Cotto minded.

“Everything Manny has, everything he gets, he has earned,” Cotto told reporters with the stoic nonchalance of a person who is familiar with the throng his opponent can attract, the ones that went off looking for the nearest lunch venue after Pacquiao had left the scene.

“He has earned the right to enjoy it all.”

While Cotto has accepted that he cannot do anything about the gulf in popularity between him and his upcoming foe, he knows he is in control of the most important aspect of this whole event—fight night.

And for all the adoring worshippers that collect at his feet with every step, Manny Pacquiao, Cotto said, will be left to fend for himself once the two boxers are let loose in the middle of the ring on Nov. 14.

“Nobody can come in there to help Manny,” Cotto told reporters present. “Once the fight starts, there is only going to be me, Manny and the referee. No one else will be there in the ring. Nobody can help Manny or give him something to hit me with.”

Pacquiao arrived at the venue wearing a brown coat over a green shirt. And although he came late for the event, there was a palpable sense of excitement in the air, one that caught fire each time television cameras panned to groups carrying Philippine flags or fight-related shirts and souvenirs.

He waltzed through interviews with his usual canned responses of doing his best for his countrymen and fighting hard enough to cement his legacy.

“If I win a seventh title in another weight, it will be history,” said Pacquiao. “This is a very important fight for me and I am very focused for this fight.”

For his part, Cotto said he wasn’t worried about Pacquiao’s speed, the overwhelming factor that has placed the General Santos City native as the odds-on favorite in possibly every proposition cooked up by sports bookies, because his camp has come up with solutions to negate that.

“We’ve studied him and we’re prepared for his speed,” said Cotto. “I have hand speed like Manny.”

“But can Manny's power equal Miguel Cotto's on Saturday night? I am very calm. I have been doing this for many years,” Cotto said in an interview with Reuters.

Cotto also dismissed claims that he was struggling to make the weight. Although the Puerto Rican’s cheeks looked more hollowed out than usual, there was none of the signs, indeed, of a person crash-dieting to make a certain weight limit.

He had a light spring in his step and he wasn’t cranky at all. “I’m not worried about my weight,” he said. “I’m eating well.”

This article is from sports.inquirer.net

Pacquiao-Cotto Fight : Pacquiao determined to get his seventh title

2009-11-10T18:02:00.000-08:00

Manny Pacquiao will be looking to make history Saturday night when he takes on Miguel Cotto in a welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The 29-year-old Filipino superstar, who made a grand entrance along with his opponent at the scene of the fight Tuesday afternoon to begin final preparations, hopes to become the first boxer to win titles in seven weight divisions. He has held title belts from 112 pounds to 140 pounds.

Saturday's bout (HBO pay-per-view, 9:30 p.m. ET) is considered a welterweight fight, even though it will be fought at a catch weight of 145 pounds, 2 pounds below the welterweight limit.

Cotto, however, has no intention of allowing himself to become Pacquiao's seventh victim. It is Cotto's WBO belt they're fighting for, and the three-time champion, known for his powerful body punching, has held a title every year since 2004.

"If he thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent," Cotto said in a recent conference call. "If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong."

Yet despite the fact that Cotto, also 29, from Puerto Rico, is a natural welterweight, and Pacquiao started his career in 1995 at 108 pounds, Pacquiao comes in as a heavy favorite. He's listed at -350, meaning you need to place $350 to win $100.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is coming off a spectacular second-round knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton last May, while Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) fought through a bad cut over his eye to win a split decision against African Joshua Clottey a month later.

The only loss of Cotto's career came in a brutal beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito in July 2008. But there's a cloud over Margarito's victory since he was discovered before his next fight to have hardened plaster in his gloves, was subsequently KO'd by Shane Mosley, and then suspended from fighting in the USA for at least a year.

Cotto is undeterred by the odds against him.

"I don't know anything about the betting business," he said. "I am just here to try and bring my best every day … and I am working to beat Manny. If the people bet for Manny, it's all right with me. All the people that are betting for Manny Pacquiao are not going to change the result of this fight."

Pacquiao's success against Mexican fighters has been well-documented. He was tagged as "The Mexican Assassin" after beating the best Mexican fighters of his era, including legends Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Berrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Cotto, however, says all that success means nothing against a fighter from Puerto Rico, which has its own proud boxing history, from world champions Wilfredo Benitez, Esteban DeJesus and Wilfredo Gomez to Carlos Ortiz and Felix "Tito" Trinidad.

"Different fighters and different styles, they had their moments with him," Cotto said of Pacquiao's Mexican opponents.

"It is going to be totally different with me. I have prepared myself for anything and everything that he brings. No matter who talks, or whoever says he is going to win, I know I am very confident that I am going to come out with a victory that night."

SOURCE

Do you think Pacquiao deserves to get his seventh title? Comments below.

PACQUIAO versus COTTO: “The way Manny and Miguel are talking about it, it could be like the three-round war between Hagler and Hearns,” says veteran promoter Bob Arum

2009-11-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Could Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto recreate 8 minutes of ring mayhem as Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns did 24 years ago ?

Promoter Bob Arum thinks it is possible.

Hagler v Hearns, at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, in April 1985, is regarded by many as the most exciting eight minutes in fight history, with Hagler the winner by a technical knockout in the third round. It was Fight of the Year after both men went at it from the opening bell like men possessed.

Miguel Cotto against Manny Pacquiao brings together two fighters who are sporting icons in Puerto Rico and the Philippines respectively, and who are regarded as boxing’s No 3 and No 1 pound-for-pound, respectively, at present.

Cotto, 29, a two-weight world champion, has fought at welterweight for three years, and has been beaten only once in 35 contests, while Pacquiao, 30, attempts to win a seventh world title in a seventh weight division, which has seen him come up over eight years from flyweight to welterweight. He has been beaten twice in his 55-fight career, with two draws.

Although this contest is taking place at 145lbs, Cotto’s World Boxing Organisation welterweight (147lb) crown is on the table.

When Hagler and Hearns met in 1985, for the WBC, WBA and IBF middleweight titles, Hagler was 30, and had lost only twice, much earlier in his career, while Hearns was 26 and had been beaten just once, stopped in the 14th round by Sugar Ray Leonard.

Arum, who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, visited both training camps – in Baguio City in the Philippines and Tampa, Florida.

“The way Manny and Miguel are talking about it, it could be like the three-round war between Hagler and Hearns,” the veteran promoter Arum told Telegraph Sport. “The conventional wisdom is that Cotto is best when he’s aggressive, but I don’t know if he feels he can be aggressive with this guy from the get-go. But if Cotto is aggressive, though, it could be a Hagler v Hearns all over again.”

This article is from blogs.telegraph.co.uk

Watch Pacquiao versus Cotto Live and Free Viewing

2009-11-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

Davao City (10 November) -- Comvalenyos are in for a treat-yet again! The much-anticipated Pacquiao-Cotto fight on November 15 will be seen live and free at the municipal gymnasiums all over Compostela Valley.

Gov. Arturo "Chiongkee" Uy bared this was made possible with the support of Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice Gov. Ramil Gentugaya, League of the Municipalities under Mayor Reynaldo Navarro, and Cong. "Way Kurat" Zamora and Cong. Bobong Amatong.

New Bataan, Mawab, Mabini, Laak, Maragusan, Monkayo, and Compostela will air the super fight at their respective municipal gyms. Nabunturan will air it live at the Assumption gym, Maco at Binuangan gym, and Pantukan at Cebulida gym.

Pacquiao versus Cotto: Roach and Pacquiao are "Inseperable"

2009-11-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach seem inseparable after almost a decade of enduring professional relationship. Pacquiao will see action on November 14 against Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight crown

'Inseparable, that's how he'll always be Inseparable, just you and me its so wonderful To know you'll always be around me'.

So goes the lyrics in a song title Inseparable made popular by song artist Natalie Cole. The song best describes the trainer-boxer professional relationship of Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao.

The father and son relationship between the two popular sports figures dates back eight years ago when Manny Pacquiao barged into Wild Card Gym to train for his fight with African Lehlohonolo Ledwaba as a last minute substitute opponent. The Filipino boxer won after brief coaching by Freddie Roach.

The first win of Pacquiao under Roach guidance marked the beginning of a long business and professional relationship. After the convincing win by Pacquiao against Ledwaba, Roach started to concentrate on the Filipino boxer's weak points while continuing to develop the areas where the fighter excelled. Roach knew that Pacquiao's left hand is exceptionally strong. He wasted no time in enhancing Pacquiao's formidable left hand by developing techniques that would complement its strength and power.

Roach biggest achievement in guiding Pacquiao's career is his skillful transformation of Pacquiao's right hand from a weakling to a powerful working tool that complemented Pacquiao's formidable left hand. Boxing critics say that Roach was particularly successful in this transformation after long years of constant practice.

A few years after Roach able stewardship, Pacquiao conquered the boxing world with his victories over the world's greatest boxers including Erick Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar de la Hoya, Barrera and Ricky Hatton, among others.

These victories have made this 'father and son' team multi millionaires and recipient of top sports awards from prestigious award-giving bodies.

On many occasions, their 'father and son' relationship had been subjected to a series of tests and each time, the tandem would stand united and become even more stronger.

New York Times reports:

Pacquiao, 30, viewed his trainer as a second father, even with the boundaries. Where he playfully spat water on other members of his team, or slapped them from behind, he never ventured there with Roach. Whenever Alex Ariza, his conditioning coach, tried to put new methods in place, Pacquiao always asked, “What does Freddie think?”

Critics say that the secret to their 'blooming relationship' is the respect that each one of them show as boxer and trainer. People around them and even the intrusive press have tried to test their relationship by sowing intrigues and malice in their enduring partnership but each time, they will emerge stronger and more closer to each other like father and son.

Geg Bishop of New York Times says: ”Inside the ring, they remain inseparable, but less father and son, more peers bonded by mutual respect. Outside, they must confront endless politics, the complex web of advisers and employees required for Pacquiao to make movies, records and boxing history.

“It’s magic,” said the promoter Bob Arum, the chairman of Top Rank Boxing. “Made in heaven.

They’re so in tune with each other, it’s like watching a ballet.”, Bishop added.

Inseparable? They look like they are...for now.

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines will face his opponent Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on November 14 at the MGM Grand garden arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Pacquiao is aiming for his seventh win in seven different weight classes to become the first boxer in history to attain such world record.

Also at stake is Miguel Cotto's WBO welterweight crown.

The fight will be televised worldwide and is available on pay-per-view.

This article is from www.digitaljournal.com

Manny Pacquiao wants to fight the best fighters

2009-11-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

MANILA - People's Champ and the world's pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said he wants to ensure his boxing legacy by fighting the best boxers in the world.

In a livestreaming event sponsored by Nike, Pacquiao said his family and the Filipino people continue to inspire him to excel in the boxing ring.

"When I started boxing I was young. I was 12. But then I kept winning and winning. I love boxing and I started fighting," he said during the "Under The Hood" livestream event sponsored by Nike.

Asked which fighter past or present that he still wants to take on in the ring, he said: "I want to fight the best fighters."

One person asked Pacquiao how he would fare against former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson if the latter was still in his prime. He replied: "Maybe I can fight Tyson in a video game."

Pacquiao said he spends about two months to prepare and condition himself everytime he goes into a fight. Manny is set to take on Puerto Rican pugilist and World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king Miguel Cotto on November 14.

Pacquiao has won six world titles in six different divisions, a distinction he shares with no less than the "Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya whom he defeated last year. A win over Cotto will make the General Santos native the only boxer in the world to win seven titles in seven weight divisions.

During the chat, Team Pacquiao members Freddie Roach, Alex Ariza and Buboy Fernandez praised Pacquiao for his work ethic and dedication to the sport.

"The best part [about working with Manny] is the fact that I don't have to motivate him...Wherever he is, he's 100 percent," Ariza said.

Roach said Pacquiao's now legendary bouts with Mexican Erik Morales remains memorable to the team.

"The rematch with Erik Morales. Of course we just devastated him. It was the first time we started using the right hand. We started working it and now it's as good [as the left]," he said.

US actors Emile Hirsch, Mario Lopez and Mark Wahlberg also wished Pacquiao luck in his upcoming fight with Cotto.

"You're humble, you love God and you love your people and that's why people love you," Wahlberg said in a video greeting. He also asked Pacquiao to send him more shoes "because everyone is asking about the shoes."

At the end of the chat, Melissa R., a Filipina who won 1st runner-up in the reality TV search 'Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll', serenaded Pacquiao with her own rendition of Manny's song "Lahing Pinoy" before eventually being joined by the People's Champ. - David Dizon, abs-cbnNEWS.com

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WATCH PACQUIAO - COTTO FIGHT ONLINE LIVE!!!

Manny Pacquiao News : I want to fight the best fighters

2009-11-07T20:19:00.000-08:00

MANILA - People's Champ and the world's pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) said he wants to ensure his boxing legacy by fighting the best boxers in the world.

In a livestreaming event sponsored by Nike, Pacquiao said his family and the Filipino people continue to inspire him to excel in the boxing ring.

"When I started boxing I was young. I was 12. But then I kept winning and winning. I love boxing and I started fighting," he said during the "Under The Hood" livestream event sponsored by Nike.

Asked which fighter past or present that he still wants to take on in the ring, he said: "I want to fight the best fighters."

One person asked Pacquiao how he would fare against former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson if the latter was still in his prime. He replied: "Maybe I can fight Tyson in a video game."

Pacquiao said he spends about two months to prepare and condition himself everytime he goes into a fight. Manny is set to take on Puerto Rican pugilist and World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king Miguel Cotto on November 14.

Pacquiao has won six world titles in six different divisions, a distinction he shares with no less than the "Golden Boy" Oscar De La Hoya whom he defeated last year. A win over Cotto will make the General Santos native the only boxer in the world to win seven titles in seven weight divisions.

During the chat, Team Pacquiao members Freddie Roach, Alex Ariza and Buboy Fernandez praised Pacquiao for his work ethic and dedication to the sport.

"The best part [about working with Manny] is the fact that I don't have to motivate him...Wherever he is, he's 100 percent," Ariza said.

Roach said Pacquiao's now legendary bouts with Mexican Erik Morales remains memorable to the team.

"The rematch with Erik Morales. Of course we just devastated him. It was the first time we started using the right hand. We started working it and now it's as good [as the left]," he said.

US actors Emile Hirsch, Mario Lopez and Mark Wahlberg also wished Pacquiao luck in his upcoming fight with Cotto.

"You're humble, you love God and you love your people and that's why people love you," Wahlberg said in a video greeting. He also asked Pacquiao to send him more shoes "because everyone is asking about the shoes."

At the end of the chat, Melissa R., a Filipina who won 1st runner-up in the reality TV search 'Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll', serenaded Pacquiao with her own rendition of Manny's song "Lahing Pinoy" before eventually being joined by the People's Champ.

SOURCE

We think it is just right for Pacquiao to fight the best fighter because he's one of the best.

Pacquiao versus Cotto News Update : Cotto is having an issue going down to 145 pounds

2009-11-07T07:26:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD – Alex Ariza has long been in the business of body conditioning and thus, knows exactly when an athlete is already in his proper frame of health.

One look at reigning welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at this point in time, and Ariza can clearly say the 28-year old warrior from Caguas, Puerto Rico is having an issue going down to 145 pounds.

“Personally, I think he’s having a hard time losing weight," Ariza said. “He looked a little gaunt."

But Ariza based it on how he sees Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion, in newspaper clippings and TV interviews.

“And also I only hear things about it, on how hard he’s been working out lately the way he has never worked out before," he added.

A natural welterweight, Cotto’s camp has been evading questions surrounding his current weight, insisting the champion would be able to meet the catch weight of 145lbs. The former Olympian has never fought below 147 pounds since 2006, and under the contract he signed for the Pacquiao fight, a pound in excess of the catch weight is equal to a $1 million penalty.

In contrast, Pacquiao appeared to be in control of his weight. Ariza said the Pacman currently weighs 149 pounds, although he goes down to 146 by the time he is over with his two-hour daily training at the Wild Card gym.

Pacquiao’s conditioning coach from Colombia said the ring idol from General Santos City will carry a weight of 144 or 145 during Friday’s official weigh-in, and then be at 149 on the night of the fight itself.

“That’s his natural weight (149) right now. He’s so fast for that. What you’re now seeing are pure muscles," said Ariza, adding that the world pound-for-pound king only has a six percent body fat.

Ariza also has high respect for Cotto’s conditioning coach Phil Landman, adding the key to the fight would boil down to who has the better trainer.

“It will go down as to who you have in the corner, and I have Freddie Roach with me. Unlike Cotto who only has some “average Joe" on his side," said Ariza in an obvious jibe against Joe Santiago, the former nutritionist turned trainer of the WBO title holder.

SOURCE

Manny Pacquiao would endure anything for flag and country

2009-11-06T19:09:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD – Manny Pacquiao would endure anything for flag and country.

That’s why a little pain while performing abdominal exercises, at the end part of his training on Thursday (Friday in Manila), is nothing as long as you have millions of your countrymen supporting you.

“Sakripisyo. Konting tiis," Pacquiao, who grimaces in pain, repeatedly said while doing the work out with help of assistant trainer Nonoy Neri.

For Pacquiao, the eight weeks of hard training comes to an end on Saturday (Nov. 14) next week when he finally meets Miguel Cotto in the ring and vies for the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title at the MGM Grand.

Now in the final phase of a two-month preparation that kicked off in the mountains of the Cordilleras and about to end in the sunny but cool weather of Los Angeles’ Wild Card gym, the 30-year old Filipino admitted that he already feels great and ready against an opponent who only had a single loss to show in 35 professional fights.

“We’re doing great in training. I already feel strong for the 12-round fight," said the boxing superstar as he concluded another round of sparring (six rounds) against Urbano Antillon and Rey Beltran.

So far, Pacquiao already sparred a total of 144 rounds, with a total of eight more scheduled on Saturday and possibly, Monday, before his entourage leave for Las Vegas.

Buboy Fernandez, the other Filipino trainer of Pacquiao, said they’ve already reached their total target of sparring rounds, but wouldn’t mind going beyond that.

“Lahat-lahat siguro around 152 to 156 rounds ang aabutin dahil may scheduled na two sparring days pa," said the jolly Filipino trainer.

Pacquiao, the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, said that the reigning WBO welterweight champion Cotto is the bigger and stronger fighter between them.

“He also punches hard. But I am confident about myself because I know I have been training very hard." he added. “I am ready to fight and I promise to do my best to win."

Three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach agreed. “Manny’s happy. He’s in a good mood and we’re right on schedule."

As usual, Roach noted that his famous ward again played a little bit during training.
“But when he wanted to turn it on, his form was there."

Pacquiao began the day by running for 25 minutes at the La Brea Park, just a block away from his high-end apartment at The Palazzo, and then ended it with a 10-minute interview by the HBO crew at the Wild Card gym shortly after training. – GMANews.TV

This article is from www.gmanews.tv

Manny Pacquiao will not be stronger says Miguel Cotto

2009-11-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

WBO champion Miguel Cotto has dismissed claims that Manny Pacquiao will be stronger when the pair clash on November 14 in Las Vegas.

The Puerto Rican was calm and confident as he played down the threat of the Filipino superstar who is searching for his record breaking seventh world titles in seven divisions.

“He’s coming from a lower division,” said Cotto. “If they think they have more power than Miguel Cotto, they’re wrong.”

Pacquiao has demonstrated his hand speed and strength with his devastating second round knockout of Ricky Hatton in May, but Cotto maintained he is ready for whatever comes at him.

“I’m prepared for anything he can bring…I’m prepared for all that he can show me,” said Cotto whose only defeat was marred in controversy after suffering a head-butt followed by an investigation into opponent Antonio Margarito’s hand-wraps.

Cotto bounced back from the defeat, going on to outbox Britain’s Michael Jennings and win a close points decision in a hard fought battle against Joshua Clottey. As for how he will handle Pacquiao, Cotto underplayed the possibility of a KO victory.

“I never come out to knock out any fighter, but if I hit him pretty good, I’m going for it.” said the champion who has knocked out 27 of his 35 opponents.

For Cotto, success against Pac-Man would propel him to the top of the boxing pecking order and make him a household name. Despite being the underdog he remains positive he can achieve this: “I’m very confident that I’m going to come out with a victory that night.”

SOURCE

What do you think? Will Cotto win this fight?

Pacquiao versus Cotto: “It’s 50-50," says Mickey Rourke

2009-11-06T00:24:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD – Mickey Rourke has been a disciple of trainer par excellence Freddie Roach and is known to be chummy with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

But when asked of his thoughts about Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt, the American actor and Academy award nominee said things are going to be even.

“It’s 50-50," Rourke shot back when pressed on who he favored to win the bout.

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, right, poses with actor Mickey Rourke after a media workout in Los Angeles, Wednesday (Tthursday in Manila). Pacquiao will face Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto in a welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas on Nov 14. AP

A one-time boxer in the early 90s who had no less than Roach for trainer, Rourke came over at the Wild Card gym here coinciding with the two-hour long media workout of the 30-year old Pacquiao.

The 57-year old Rourke, whose portrayal of Randy “The Ram" Robinson in the 2008 movie “The Wrestler" earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination, shook hands and had a pleasant conversation with Roach, and later on, had a photo op with Pacquiao while the pound-for-pound king was in training.

But he appeared less gracious when his thoughts about the WBO championship fight were raised.

Rourke said Pacquiao beating Cotto is not as easy as learning A-B-C.

“I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park," said the veteran actor. “He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter."

However, one thing going for Manny, according to him, is the Filipino superstar’s vaunted speed.

“Speed would be able to offset Cotto’s power. Speed is more important than power. Manny has got to stay away from Cotto’s range since he (Cotto) can bang with both hands," Rourke said.

Rourke knows where he’s speaking from.

After briefly staying away from acting in 1991, Rourke relived his love for the sport of prizefighting by turning pro under Roach’s watchful eyes.

He was undefeated in eight fights with two of them ending up in draw.

“I would have lost if I haven’t had Freddie, coz my training habit wasn’t that good," he said of his short-lived boxing career.

Rourke would quit boxing soon after, giving to Roach all his equipment that can still be found now at the Wild Card gym.

“He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be here now (Wild Card gym). He’s the one who brought me here," said Roach in acknowledging all the help Rourke did while the three-time Trainer of the Year was still starting off with his famous sweatshop at Vine St.

Given the chance, Rourke said he’s more than willing to accept a role should a Hollywood movie on Pacquiao be made.

And he already had an idea on who is he going to play.

“I would do the Freddie roach story but I would have to wait 20 years from now," he said, teasing Roach as being too old for him to play. – GMANews.TV

This article is from www.gmanews.tv

Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao, on the cover of TIME Magazine's Asia edition

2009-11-05T23:54:00.000-08:00

MANILA - The Philippines' most successful boxer Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao is on the cover of TIME Magazine's Asia edition, boxing website fightnews.com reported.

Pacquiao, who is aiming for an unprecedented seventh title in seven weight divisions, is featured by the prestigious magazine in a five-page story.

The story will also be included in the magazine's global editions, the boxing news site said.

The magazine will be out on newsstands starting this weekend.

"I absolutely had no idea that when I started my career in boxing, to provide a better life for myself and my family, that I would now be where I am today and on the cover of TIME Magazine," the news site quoted Pacquiao as saying.

The Filipino said being featured in the magazine is the "most humbling experience" in his boxing career.

He said "it is a great honor for me to be the face of my people and let everyone know we are a small but mighty country."

Pacquiao is set to face Puerto Rican boxer Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 14 (November 15, Sunday, in Manila).

The Filipino boxer would clinch his seventh title in seven different weight divisions if he wins against the Puerto Rican.

Pacquiao has defeated several boxing greats, including "Golden Boy" Oscar de la Hoya. He may also get to face American Floyd Mayweather if he wins against Cotto.

After taking on de la Hoya on December 2008, Pacquiao knocked down Britain's Ricky Hatton last May.

Pacquiao has won titles in the junior welterweight, lightweight, super featherweight, featherweight, super bantamweight and flyweight divisions.

This article is from www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mickey Rourke Prediction of the Pacquiao-Cotto Fight

2009-11-05T07:26:00.001-08:00

HOLLYWOOD – Mickey Rourke has been a disciple of trainer par excellence Freddie Roach and is known chummy with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

But when asked of his thoughts about Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt, the American actor and Academy award nominee said things are going to be even.

“It’s 50-50," Rourke shot back when pressed on who he favored to win the bout.

A one-time boxer in the early 90s who had no less than Roach for trainer, Rourke came over at the Wild Card gym here coinciding with the two-hour long media workout of the 30-year old Pacquiao.

The 57-year old Rourke, whose portrayal of Randy “The Ram" Robinson in the 2008 movie “The Wrestler" earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination, shook hands and had a pleasant conversation with Roach, and later on, had a photo op with Pacquiao while the pound-for-pound king was in training.

But he appeared less gracious when his thoughts about the WBO championship fight were raised.

Rourke said Pacquiao beating Cotto is not as easy as learning A-B-C.

“I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park," said the veteran actor. “He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter."

However, one thing going for Manny, according to him, is the Filipino superstar’s vaunted speed.

“Speed would be able to offset Cotto’s power. Speed is more important than power. Manny has got to stay away from Cotto’s range since he (Cotto) can bang with both hands," Rourke said.

Rourke knows where he’s speaking from.

After briefly staying away from acting in 1991, Rourke relived his love for the sport of prizefighting by turning pro under Roach’s watchful eyes.

He was undefeated in eight fights with two of them ending up in draw.

“I would have lost if I haven’t had Freddie, coz my training habit wasn’t that good," he said of his short-lived boxing career.

Rourke would quit boxing soon after, giving to Roach all his equipment that can still be found now at the Wild Card gym.

“He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be here now (Wild Card gym). He’s the one who brought me here," said Roach in acknowledging all the help Rourke did while the three-time Trainer of the Year was still starting off with his famous sweatshop at Vine St.

Given the chance, Rourke said he’s more than willing to accept a role should a Hollywood movie on Pacquiao be made.

And he already had an idea on who is he going to play.

“I would do the Freddie roach story but I would have to wait 20 years from now," he said, teasing Roach as being too old for him to play. SOURCE

“Pacquiao can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him,” says Cotto

2009-11-04T22:19:00.000-08:00

MANILA – Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto may be the co-headliner with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in the Nov. 14 “Firepower” bout, but Floyd Mayweather’s name surfaces every now and then as boxing fans wonder if a Pacquiao-Mayweather match will ever push through.

Pacquiao said it might not happen because Mayweather thinks it is all about the money, the Associated Press and Los Angeles Times reported.

His adviser Mike Koncz, meantime, told abs-cbnNEWS.com that it could take place “if the economics of the fight is right.”

American trainer Freddie Roach told DoghouseBoxing.com that he would want Pacquiao to take on Mayweather, adding that it is about what fans would definitely want to see.

Cotto, for his part, also shared his two cents on the matter.

“He can fight Mayweather as many times as he wants after I beat him,” Cotto told Agence France-Presse.

The Puerto Rican will put his WBO welterweight championship belt on the line when he faces Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The boxers will also fight for the WBC diamond belt.

Toughest guy

Despite his pronouncements that he will prevail over Pacquiao, Cotto still made known that he respects the Filipino boxing superstar because of what he has achieved.

“He has earned everything he has," stated Cotto. “Manny looked good against Oscar De La Hoya and (Ricky) Hatton. But I'm not Oscar or Hatton. Manny chose the right time to fight Oscar.”

Cotto, meanwhile, reminded that he only has 1 loss (34-1, with 27 knockouts) while Pacquiao has 3 defeats (49-3-2, with 27 KOs).

“It is the most important fight of my career, but we'll have to see on the 14th if he is the toughest guy I have fought in my career,” remarked Cotto.

Dead-set

Cotto earlier told ABS-CBN News that his training camp for “Firepower” was probably the best he has ever had.

“The communication between team members, all the focus I have for this fight make this the best ever,” he said.

In his media day at the Pound-4-Pound Gym in Los Angeles, California, Cotto reportedly looked “dead serious in his preparation for the biggest fight of his life,” according to PhilBoxing.com.

He did not even clown around with the Latino media. In addition, the welterweight champion looked “extremely fit.”

Cotto and Pacquiao have agreed to fight at a catch weight of 145 lbs. – With reports from Ma. Rosanna Mina, abs-cbnNEWS.com, Ed de la Vega, PhilBoxing.com, and Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News

Freddie Roach is ready to part ways with his hard-earned $3,000 money as bet for a win by Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao

2009-11-04T21:57:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD – Proof of how confident Freddie Roach is that Manny Pacquiao will knock out Miguel Cotto in their Nov. 14 gig for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown, the celebrated trainer is ready to part ways with his hard-earned $3,000 money as bet for a win by the Filipino ring icon.

Roach said it could be a knockout as early as the first round or late in the ninth or 10th round.

“I put a thousand ($1,000) on the first round. I put a thousand on nine and 10," said Roach point blank after supervising Pacquiao’s sparring session Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) when he went eight rounds with Urbano Antillon and Rey Beltran at the Wild Card gym here.

Roach never doubted Pacquiao is also going to demolish Cotto the way he did previously against Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eric Morales and David Diaz, to name a few.

And while he initially sees it as a decision win for the Filipino boxing champion, Roach has since made up his stand and predicted it to be by KO.

He even boldly declared that Pacquiao, who later in the night appeared in the popular show Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC, can take the reigning WBO welterweight title holder inside one round.

“He (Cotto) gets hit early and if we hurt him early, we’re going to take him down," said Roach of their fight plan.

Roach even mentioned Cotto’s penchant of getting peeved when hit early on, proof of how thoroughly he has studied the Puerto Rican ever since the fight was formally sealed in July.

“If Cotto gets hit early, there will be fouls and there will be low blows. These will be premeditated, so I don’t think the referee have to wait a second time (before disqualifying) him," said the three-time Trainer of the Year.

When showed of a semi-naked Cotto whose well-chiseled body bore a lot of tattoos, Roach vows to add more of them.

“He likes tattoos, so we’re going to put more tattoos, this time on his face," he said smiling.

Further reinforcing Roach’s belief on a Pacquiao win had been the way the 30-year old pound-for-pound king is conducting himself in training camp, now on its final week.

The 49-year old Roach said training is back to normal for Pacquiao following the series of distractions that hounded the camp early on when it was held in Manila.

“I’m happy with everything and he’s where I want him to be," said Roach, who bared the Filipino will spar six more rounds on Thursday and finally four on Saturday before heading to Las Vegas two days later.

But Roach said Pacquiao should be wise enough to avoid engaging Cotto on the ropes, saying “our fight is in the middle of the ring."

“We have to do a good job of staying out of the ropes. Foot speed and hand speed, then picked him apart," said Roach.

Unlike him who doesn’t want to engage Cotto should the champion goes beyond 145 pounds, Roach said Pacquiao is more than willing to fight him at any weight, at any time. “Manny will fight (Cotto) at any weight. Manny will fight King Kong." – GMANews.TV

This article is from www.gmanews.tv/

Miguel is going to win the fight

2009-11-04T06:26:00.000-08:00

HOLLYWOOD - Miguel Cotto’s camp declared that making the weight won’t be a problem for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion with his potentially explosive title showdown with Manny Pacquiao just around the corner.

The weight issue is actually of no concern for Cotto’s camp that trainer Joe Santiago is already predicting a victory for his Puerto Rican ward’s scheduled Nov. 14 slugfest against Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“We don’t doubt that Miguel is going to win this fight," said Santiago during Cotto’s media workout Tuesday (Wednesday Manilatime) at the Pound4Pound gym. “No matter what happens, we will win. We’ll have a big victory on the 14th (of November)."

Cotto’s chief trainer said the Filipino ring icon is definitely not cut out to fight at the 147 limit, where the Puerto Rican is definitely the man to beat.

At the most, Pacquiao’s perfect fighting weight is at super-featherweight, according to Santiago.

“Manny Pacquiao is a strong fighter at 130 pounds. He’s still not good in our division (147). No one is as big and strong as Miguel Cotto," said Santiago through his interpreter Brian Perez, the hefty, bosom buddy of the WBO title holder.

Pacquiao and Cotto will duke it out in a high-profile 12-round title bout, dubbed “Firepower" Saturday (Sunday Manila time) next week in a showdown to be fought at a catch weight of 145 pounds.

Cotto, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, has not fought below 147 pounds in the last three years, although he is considered as one of the elite fighters in the said division today.

In contrast, Pacquiao is fighting as a welterweight only for the second time in his illustrious career. His first attempt at the 147-pound class, however, ended up to be an enormous success as he had no less than the great Oscar De La Hoya for a victim, forcing the legendary “Golden Boy" from quitting on his stool just before the start of the ninth round, an embarrassing moment that eventually led to his retirement.

But Santiago would have none of the stuff, stressing that the De La Hoya Pacquiao had beaten was already at the end of his colorful career.

The Puerto Rican trainer even downplayed Pacquiao’s second round destruction of former two-time junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in his last fight six months ago, pointing out that the popular Briton “doesn’t have any defense."

“Miguel Cotto is a different fighter," said Santiago in comparing his ward to the last two fighters Pacquiao defeated.

“He (Cotto) is at his prime and at his peak. So it’s going to be an interesting fight.

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