
Pacquiao confident speed can trump Clottey’s size
DALLAS (Reuters) – Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey’s size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday.
“My quickness will be the key, my speed,” the seven-time world champion told Reuters as he prepared for a public workout in front of a throng of fans.
However, the WBO welterweight champion is not taking his Ghanaian opponent lightly.
“You cannot underestimate Joshua Clottey,” he said. “He’s a good fighter, and he’s bigger than me, and I have to be very focused in the fight.”
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach acknowledges that former IBF title holder Clottey, a natural welterweight, has a size advantage over the champion, who began his career forty pounds lighter.
“But I don’t think size wins fights,” he said. “I think skill does. He may be a little stronger than Manny on the inside, he might hit a little harder, but I think our speed will nullify that.”
Roach said he has been watching footage of Clottey’s fights, and has identified a few key habits that he and his fighter intend to exploit.
“He’ll wait for you to throw a combination and then, when you’ve stopped, he’ll throw back. So if you stand in front of him, you’re an idiot,” he said. “We’re not going to do that. He’s not going to be able to find us.
“Sometimes he uses his head,” Roach said of Clottey, 35-3 (20 KOs), whose first defeat came when he was disqualified for headbutts.
“If you fall into the pocket with him, his best punch is an uppercut and his second best punch is a headbutt. So we’re not going to go in there. We’re going to fight him at distance.”
A crowd of several hundred watched Pacquiao’s workout, a turnout that a beaming Pacquiao, 50-3-2 (38 KOs), described as ‘amazing’.
The fight will be the first to be held at Cowboys Stadium, with 45,000 spectators expected to attend, and the Filipino said he was looking forward to the opportunity to show his skills in front of such a large audience at a new venue.
“I’m very excited to fight in Cowboys Stadium, especially because this is the first fight there,” said Pacquiao. “It’s an honor to fight in Dallas. I can’t wait until Saturday. This is for the fans. This is my chance to show them what I can do.”
Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62850320100309?type=sportsNews

Pacquiao – Clottey: “The Event” Fight Predictions
Clottey’s advantages in size, physical strength, durability and stamina will be offset by Pacquiao’s advantages in speed, maneuverability, activity and the ability to make adjustments. Though Manny is not a “pure boxer” in any sense, his overall advantage in skill will win him this fight. While it appears to be a tough test on paper for the ‘Filipino Flash’, he has to be heartened by the fact that Joshua has never won his biggest fights to date, those against Margarito and Cotto. In June, he had Cotto on a silver platter and instead, tossed him back into promoter Bob Arum’s lap. This lack of a “finishing kick” or “second gear” will doom the Ghanaian next weekend. Barring a bad cut, and Manny has a propensity to swell up in the middle rounds, this one looks like a hard-fought and gritty, but unanimous decision for Manny. And Clottey will fight well enough to ensure that Arum brings him back another day. Pacquiao by UD
By Rick Assad
It’s not a grudge match by any means, like it would be if the opponent was Floyd Mayweather Jr, who still wants a piece of Manny Pacquiao. Joshua Clottey is a seasoned professional, with a solid ring record and remarkable durability. These assets will help the 32-year-old when he faces Pacquiao at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13, with the World Boxing Organization’s welterweight belt up for grabs. But it’s going to take more than Clottey, who resides in the Bronx, New York, by way of Ghana, to end the Pac-Man’s current winning streak at 11 in a row.
Clottey’s last ring encounter was June 2009, and was also one in which he lost a split decision to Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden in a WBO welterweight title match.
Four months ago, Pacquiao (50-3-2 with 38 knockouts) laid waste to Cotto at the MGM Grand in a welterweight title clash. The fight came to a close late in the 12th and final round. Clottey (35-3-0 and 20 KO’s) does have signature victories over Zab Judah (halted in the ninth round) at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas slightly over two years ago, and a unanimous decision over the late Diego Corrales in April 2007. In February 2006, Clottey dropped a unanimous decision to the always-tough Mexican Antonio Margarito at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. There’s a reason why Pacquiao hasn’t lost in five years, and is thought to be the best boxer pound-for-pound employed today.
The Pac-Man will show off his amazing ring generalship, and will use his lightning-quick hands and supreme punching power to seize the fight in the ninth round. Recently, there was some talk out of the Pacquiao camp that this may be his final fight. Hopefully, it won’t, because there’s still some unfinished business left with Mayweather. Pacquiao Will Triumph Late.
BY: Steve Hobden
I honestly think that Clottey does not stand a chance against Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is on another level in comparison. Clottey’s style is too upright and robotic. This kind of style won’t do him any favours against a guy that throws combinations from all sorts of crazy angles. Clottey has a pretty good left uppercut but I doubt he’ll ever be able to land that against a southpaw who moves in and out as quick as Pacquiao does. Also when Clottey throws the left uppercut he drops his right hand and I think Freddie Roach will take advantage of this. I predict part of Roach’s game plan will be to land the left hook counter and knock Clottey out in similar fashion to the punch that laid out Ricky Hatton. I believe the result of this fight will depend on how durable Clottey’s chin is. Pacquiao by knockout.
I honestly think that Clottey does not stand a chance against Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is on another level in comparison. Clottey’s style is too upright and robotic. This kind of style won’t do him any favours against a guy that throws combinations from all sorts of crazy angles. Clottey has a pretty good left uppercut but I doubt he’ll ever be able to land that against a southpaw who moves in and out as quick as Pacquiao does. Also when Clottey throws the left uppercut he drops his right hand and I think Freddie Roach will take advantage of this. I predict part of Roach’s game plan will be to land the left hook counter and knock Clottey out in similar fashion to the punch that laid out Ricky Hatton. I believe the result of this fight will depend on how durable Clottey’s chin is.
BY: Rizwaan Zahid
Despite the potential of an entertaining bout, this fight leaves something to be desired since this date was considered to be a night of history with Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao squaring off. Instead both fighters will be fighting different opponents in the upcoming months.
But I digress.
Clottey may not have ever been knocked out and he does have a solid chin, however he has never seen the speed that Pacquiao brings. Cotto was able to outbox Clottey and Manny should theoretically have a field day. Pacquiao will start quick, as usual, and eventually the damage will take its toll on a game, but outmatched Joshua. In the end, look for a stoppage around the 7th round.
BY: Rota Em
Joshua Clottey is tough and he’s never been stopped. All of his losses came in championship fights with the most recent being a close split decision loss to Miguel Cotto mid-2009. It could’ve gone either way. Pacquiao, however, seems to be indestructible at this point in his career. I can count on one hand the number of fighters that I believe
can possibly take down the Filipino, and the Ghana native isn’t one of them.
I see an assertive Clottey, much like Cotto was in the beginning against the Pacman, but ultimately Manny will land a flush shot that will change the night. I don’t think Pacquiao will run straight through Clottey but he will cruise all the way to a wide UD if not late round corner stoppage.
BY: Vitali Shaposhnikov
Repetition over time makes people get used to certain things, and thoughts outside of that “box” are hard to take to heart. When thinking about the Pacquiao vs. Clottey fight, and its potential outcome, there is only one thing that comes to my mind: Who can ever beat Manny?
I have made predictions against Pacquiao before, when he fought against very formidable, properly prepared opponents. Manny not only won all those fights, but he did it in a very relaxed and seemingly effortless fashion, via a K.O. or just a simple round by round domination. My prediction on his upcoming fight with a very strong and persistent opponent Joshua Clottey is this: Manny by a dominating UD or a late round K.O.
The more likely result is of course the knockout. Joshua is a power puncher; he likes to put the weight on his punches. This makes him slower and open from a variety of angles. Manny is a virtuoso at catching the open spot and landing a hard punch. I think that Pacquiao will slowly and strategically take Clottey apart, until Joshua starts to lower his arms trying to go for the one punch K.O. Of course many will say that Joshua would never do that, but after consistent punishment, most fighters tend to end up in a situation where their defense is no longer as solid as when the first bell rang
By: Cesar Zuniga
Since this fight has been announced I have been very excited for it. No, it’s not the Mayweather fight that had shivers running through all boxing fan’s bodies but it is a top welterweight. Those that feel like Pacquiao will walk right through Clottey and that he is only there to give Pac rounds have another thing coming. Clottey is a very tough and strong welterweight that would give any top fighter problems with his defensive style. He has shown a strong chin and is coming into this fight very determined. He knows that after his loss to Miguel Cotto, landing a mega fight with Manny Pacquiao is an unbelievable opportunity. The problem is Clottey’s strongest attribute can also be his poison. He’s not active enough and doesn’t let his hands go. Two things that against another fighter he might get away with but not the P4P king. Against the cyclone that is Manny Pacquiao, Clottey is going to have to change his style and look to be aggressive. If he stands there and get into his defensive shell not only will he loose this fight but run the risk of being stopped simply due to not throwing punches. If Miguel Cotto was able to unload a series of punches without being hit back Pacquiao is going unleash an arsenal. If Clottey looks to open up he runs the risk of Pacquiao landing something big. With the angles that Pac’s punches come in one of those could be devastating. It’s hard to pick against Manny Pacquiao and this stage and this writer is not going to do so here. Clottey will be game, he will make Pac work but I don’t see him changing his style enough to take the win. Speed kills and Pacquiao’s speed, movement and angles will be the deciding factor in this fight. PAC Unanimous Decision.
By: Albert Alvarez
In Pacquiao’s last fight, Pacquiao was tested by one of the hardest punchers in the sport in Miguel Cotto. I recall Pacquiao getting buzzed for a second or two in a wild exchange against Cotto in the very early going of their great action packed fight. After the light buzz, Pacquiao then took Cotto’s best shots and took them with ease, Pacquiao later said that the Boriqua Bombers hard shots did indeed hurt, but Pacquiao pretended in his own mind that they really didn’t hurt. Come March 13, can Pacquiao pretend that Clottey’s fierce left hook tickles? I sure hope so, because come March 13 I will be picking Pacquiao to get the W over Clottey. I however do not see this fight as a wipeout as most observers out there are seeing this affair play out. I see this fight as a 8 rounds-4 or 7 rounds-5 kind of fight for Pacquiao. Many are picking Pacquiao based on 2 things, that is speed and power. I will agree that Pacquiao does have the speed and power advantages over Clottey, but speed and power will not win this fight for Pacquiao. The things that will win this fight for Pacquiao will be heart and will.
Will Pacquiao’s heart will The Pac-Man to keep firing off shots when he finds a steel iron chin Clottey resting on the ropes with his ear muffs on? How will Pacquiao react when he discovers that he can’t hurt Clottey as easily as he was able to hurt has past foes? Those are great questions to ask, but the bottom line is that Clottey just doesn’t throw enough shots to derail the Pacquiao Express. If I am Clottey, I would bring the fight to Pacquiao and constantly have Pacquiao backing up, Pacquiao is at his best when he is the one moving forward sitting on his punches and picking his spots. This is why I would push forward and place Pacquiao in a whole different place, take the rythym away from him. Can the Grand Master from Ghana do just that? I don’t think so. Pacquiao By UD.
Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

Pacquiao vows new technique vs Clottey
MANILA, Philippines – With or without the alleged injury, 7-division champ Manny Pacquiao said he is all set for his world title defense against Joshua Clottey, adding that he has a “new technique” against the Ghanaian.
Pacquiao said all he is waiting for is the fight date itself which is on March 13 (March 14 in Manila).
“Right now 100% conditioned na tayo, ready na tayo sa fight. Maintain na lang sa kondisyon,” said the Filipino champ, who will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown.
He also said the alleged injury he earlier experienced will not affect his performance against the bigger Clottey.
“Wala namang injury, sore lang ang muscle,” he said.
The power-puncher from General Santos City also claimed that he has the answer to Clottey’s larger build—strong punches and skillful defense.
“We’ve created a new technique,” said Pacquiao. “It’s going to be exciting, and a lot of action in the ring.”
The Pacquiao-Clottey fight, dubbed as “The Event” will take place at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Clottey, for his part, said he is ready to take away Pacquiao’s welterweight title—and Manny’s Filipino fans are afraid that the Ghanaian meant it.
“I’m very, very, hundred percent for sure that I am the only one who can beat him!” Clottey said at a training session for the press at New York’s Kingsway Gym on Thursday.
Lenny de Jesus, Clottey’s trainer, believes Pacquiao is going to pass his prime.
“Pacquiao has been at the top for five years, I think his time is coming. Clottey is ready to fight tomorrow,” De Jesus claimed.
Fight seen to go until late rounds
Pacquiao fans in McAllen, Texas are not taking the fighter from Ghana lightly. Many believe Clottey can bring the scheduled 12-round boxing match to its later rounds.
“Mga ten. Bagsak yan si Clottey,” said Boboy Yongson, one of Pacquiao’s fans.
“I think the fight is gonna go the distance. Pacquiao will win by a close decision,” said boxing promoter Anthony Cavasos.
Foreign boxers also shared their own prediction regarding the outcome of the fight.
Junior lightweight boxer Jorge Luis Teron of the US, ranked 12th by the Word Boxing Association (WBA), said Clottey’s good defense will allow him to hold out: “It’s going to be real hard for Manny to knock him out. I think it might go to a decision.”
National American Boxing Federation reigning lightweight title holder Brandon Rios, also of the US, is confident for a Pacquiao victory before Round 12: “Clottey is a good fighter; he takes a lot of punches. I see a win later, maybe a knockout (for Pacquiao).”
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/03/06/10/pacquiao-vows-new-technique-vs-clottey

It’s clear that Floyd Mayweather Jr has finally ‘lost his mind’
With each day bringing surreal antics and discriminating comments from Floyd Mayweather Jr, I have officially come to the conclusion that Little Floyd has finally “lost his mind”.
Within the last 48 hours we’ve had Filipino reporters discriminated against and Floyd putting his hands on another reporter. These are just the latest actions in a long line of absurd moments that demonstrate Floyd has “lost his marbles”. Grab a seat, keep all hands and feet inside the windows, and let’s examine Floyd’s “Crazy Train”.
- Falsely accuses Manny Pacquiao of taking PEDs
- Floyd says Manny (and all foreign athletes) are liars and cheaters because they are not from America
- Floyd publicly belittles Shane Mosley’s divorce
- Says he sought out Shane Mosley to fight him but demands a rematch clause
- Floyd compares his “Drug Crusade” to Martin Luther King Jr and Malcom X
- Publicly says he only lives for himself
- Says he’s the greatest fighter of all-time
- Says the public isn’t as smart as him and that they need to look in the mirror before judging him
- 2 Filipino reporters are discriminated against
- Floyd puts his hands on a reporter

Is it time to start boycotting Floyd Mayweather Jr fights?
Has Floyd Mayweather Jr finally gone too far? Ever since Floyd has come out of retirement, he has turned up the level of egotistic discrimination. At first, “Money May” turned his focus toward Manny Pacquiao. But that wasn’t enough for him.
He then questioned if all non-American athletes were cheaters and liars? And if that weren’t enough, he then discriminated against Filipino reporters and put his hands on another reporter. The question needs to be asked. “Is it time to start boycotting his fights?” Let’s examine further.


Mayweather and Mosley’s Press Conference ‘brawl’ looked like 2 girls holding hands
The so-called brawl between Mayweather and Mosley was nothing more than two girls holding hands. For two guys who supposedly despise each other, this physical encounter was lame. I’ve seen Girl Scouts put up better fights when trying to establish their territories for selling cookies than this hand holding script.


Mosley already tired of Mayweather’s pre-fight antics
The Mayweather-Mosley fight at the Las Vegas MGM Grand was signed only after the mega-fight between Mayweather and WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao collapsed.
Mosley (46-5, 39 knockouts) bristles at the idea that he was an afterthought, having long sought a fight against either Mayweather or Pacquiao.
“I was waiting for a year to fight either one of these guys,” the WBA welterweight champion said softly. “Did they care if I was going to wait? No. But it’s the fans who are going to benefit from this fight.”
“I don’t play. I give 100 percent. I’m going to give everything that I have. Mayweather knows that.”
The 38-year-old Mosley was nattily attired in a charcoal gray suit, with a light-green shirt and a green floral tie. He glanced at Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), who was casually dressed in a sweatsuit.
Mayweather, 33, laughed with fans, signed autographs and posed for pictures. Each signature was accompanied with an insult lobbed toward Mosley.
Mosley shrugged and said: “I’m going to knock him out. I can’t wait to get into the ring and dig my teeth into Mayweather. It’s going to be the fight of the decade.”

Looking at the facts behind Floyd Sr. and Roger’s latest Pacquiao rants
The drug accusations are again coming thick and fast toward pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao, and as usual the Mayweather clan are at the forefront.
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Last week Floyd Sr. commented about how he thought Pacquiao was taking a military drug that made him numb to pain and immune to bullets.
His erstwhile and even less coherent brother Roger than last night made a similar inflammatory speech than the one he gave in the past. Claiming that Pacquiao was taking A-side meth which made him bulletproof and that he was scared of being tested as a result.
The full show can be listened to here:BoxingTruth, and contains such fascinating insights as:
“If Manny Pacquiao wanted to fight, he would have taken the fight already. He didn’t fight because number one, he didn’t want to take the test. Any time a guy don’t want to make $100 million dollars, that tells you right there he got s*** illegal in him anyway,”
“I know what that mother****** got. He’s got that A-side meth. You can look it up on the internet. How else is a guy going to turn down $100 million mother******* dollars?”
Compelling stuff.
What you may be shocked to hear is that beyond all the babbling and expletives, there is a historical aspect to some of the Mayweather’s hate filled rambles. It doesn’t support them or their accusations exactly, but it does explain where they perhaps got the ideas.
The following is an excerpt sent to me by an eagle eyed and historically astute paclander by the name of Merito:
“Good day Sir. I am a Filipino and avid reader of your articles. I like what and how you write for you explain point by point every aspect of it. I read your article about Mayweather, Sr. commenting that Manny is on something like a magical drug being used by the army or Filipinos 500 years ago when they are fighting the Americans here.
Actually what he is saying about the Filipinos back then, historically is half-true. Mayweather, Sr. is probably talking about our Muslim brothers from the islands of Mindanao. They are the kris-wielding juramentados of Mindanao who fought the American soldiers back then. They don’t die easily. One or two .38 bullets would not disable these warriors. It would need multiple bullets to disable and kill these juramentados. The juramentados are not on drugs. American soldiers back then thought they were on drugs because they cannot kill or disable them with one shot unless of course if hit on the head or the heart that would kill them instantly. This is the very reason why the Colt .45 was invented. The Americans created the Colt .45 solely for this purpose — to kill the juramentados instantly.

The entire Mayweather family has become an embarrassment to the sport of Boxing
- Being a liar because he’s not American
- Being on A-side Meth
- Not being a good fighter
- Being scared to fight Mayweather Jr
- Being afraid to take drug tests
- Being a liar because he’s not American
- Being on A-side Meth
- Not being a good fighter
- Being scared to fight Mayweather Jr
- Being afraid to take drug tests

Arum, Schaefer Agree: Floyd Sr. Comments are Idiotic
By Rick Reeno
A lot of people were shaking their heads after reading the recent comments that were made by Floyd Mayweather
Sr. on BoxingScene.com. The veteran trainer, and father of Floyd Mayweather Jr., lashed out at Manny Pacquiao on Friday. Despite Pacquiao filing a defamation suit in the state of Nevada; a suit where Mayweather Sr. is a co-defendant – the outspoken trainer continued to voice his opinion that Pacquiao is using performance enhancing drugs.
“He can’t beat Clottey without that sh*t in him. Even though he was dehydrated, he couldn’t beat De La Hoya
without that sh*t. He couldn’t beat Ricky Hatton without that sh*t and he couldn’t beat Cotto without that sh*t. I don’t even think he could beat that kid from Chicago [David Diaz] without that sh*t. He wouldn’t be able to beat any of the guys without enhancement drugs, that’s what I think. My belief is my opinion and you cannot change it. I know one thing, little Floyd will fight him fair,” Mayweather Sr. said.
Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, said the comments made by Mayweather Sr. are “laughable” at this point. He think it’s a sad situation because Mayweather Sr. probably believes his own comments.
“I think this only demonstrates just how scared the Mayweather family is of this kid. I think they really believe that sh*t. Some stuff from the military, what the f**k is he talking about? To me, it’s total craziness. They are just scared out of their minds,” Arum told BoxingScene.com.
“When I say Pacquiao is the greatest fighter that I’ve ever seen, I believe it. They search for some reason [to discredit that] and come up with a fairy tale. Next they’ll say he’s not really from the Philippines. They’ll say he’s from planet Krypton and has kryptonite in him. They have turned Manny into Superman.”
When I pressed Floyd Sr. for an answer on what exactly Pacquiao was allegedly taking to fight in such spectacular fashion, he told BoxingScene about some rumors that pertain to a performance enhancer being used by the military.
“It’s not a steroid. It’s something from the Philippines. Something they use in the army. When you hit the guy with a .45 or a .38 and they keep coming after they get shot. Whatever it is it has to be something strong for you to keep coming forward after you get shot,” Mayweather Sr. said.
Arum heard similar comments being made by Roger Mayweather, trainer of Floyd Jr. and brother to Floyd Sr. If Mayweather Sr. has information about an alleged wonder drug from the Philippines, then Arum has advised him to take this information to Washington.
“I heard the same thing from Roger. If they really believe that it’s true, then how come he’s the only fighter from the Philippines who is so blessed. How come in the whole history of the Olympics, there has not been single a Filipino fighter who owns a [gold] medal. This is like some of the people that swear the aliens have landed. Maybe that’s what it is. Maybe Manny is really an alien that landed in the Philippines and came to the United States,” Arum said.
“If Mayweather has information about something like that, then he has an obligation to go to Washington and speak with the Chief of Staff so we can get some of that and our troops don’t continue to get killed. That’s big news, he should take that information to Washington.”
The comments being made by the Mayweather Sr. is practically comedy relief to Arum. According to the veteran promoter, he is more bothered by the presence of Golden Boy Promotions in this ongoing saga with the Mayweathers.
“You take what the Mayweathers say, and you know that they are Mayweathers, but the real troublesome thing is Schaefer and De La Hoya joining the army. To me, that smells like greed by getting on the bandwagon with this stuff,” Arum said.
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer is surprised that Arum feels this way. Schaefer wants to make one thing clear - Golden Boy Promotions does not support or control any of the comments being made by Mayweather Sr.
Schaefer thinks Arum is more than justified in his outrage. In fact, Schaefer called Mayweather’s comments “idiotic” and agrees that people should move on and leave the subject alone. He thinks Mayweather Sr. is wrong for making these kind of comments about Pacquiao, who Schaefer repeatedly called a “great fighter” during our conversation.
“We have never accused Pacquiao of anything nor will we. We don’t control what Floyd Sr. says, so we have nothing to do with that. We are going to continue to maintain – innocent until proven guilty. I believe in that. We’re not accusing anybody of anything. Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter, a great athlete, a pound for pound king and innocent until proven guilty. I never have and never will accuse Pacquiao. People should just move off that and move on,” Schaefer told BoxingScene.com.
“I think the comments are wrong that he’s [Mayweather Sr.] making. He should move on too. I don’t control what other people say. I don’t control what Arum says, or what Mayweather says. I only control what I say, and I say innocent until proven guilty. The comments that Mayweather Sr. is making are idiotic. There is only one word – idiotic.”
Based on his actions, Mayweather Sr. is not intimidated by the pending lawsuit. Both Arum and Schaefer are in agreement - Mayweather Sr. [or anyone else] should face the music for these kind of comments.
“Everyone is held accountable for the comments they make. I think comments like that are wrong. If someone was making comments like that about a fighter who was under contract with Golden Boy, I would be pissed off too. We have a promotional piece of Manny Pacquiao and I think Manny is a great fighter. People should just move on.”
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=25668

Bob Arum ‘Manny would wipe the ring with Floyd Mayweather’

Nonito Donaire Sr. speaks out on his son Nonito Donaire Jr. and their estranged relationship
By Dennis “dSource” Guillermo — Filipino Sports Examiner
I was watching UFC 110 last week with my friends when I received a phone call from Nonito Donaire Sr. who at the time was in Puerto Rico preparing his ward Marvin Sonsona for his title shot against Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.
Sr. asked me if I had time to hear him out regarding his reaction on some headlines he read on the internet that painted his son in a generous and positive light.
Those who have followed my column are aware that I have followed the career of “The Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire Jr. and his rise to stardom.
At the end of the day however, I only call things as I see it and when Donaire Sr. offered his sentiments, opinions, observations and experiences regarding “the other side” of his son, I of course am not one to turn away a man who sincerely simply wants to be heard.
In the spirit of fairness, I have been writing all the positives I have seen from Nonito Donaire Jr. and things they have shared to me in the past. Now that his father reached out to me to have this interview made public, it is my job to do so.
Because of the circumstances that day, I requested Sr. if I could schedule an interview with him instead so I can record what he wanted to say and have him personally tell the story to our readers on his side of the story.
Much has been written in the media in the past about this issue but little has been heard from Sr. himself. As the story goes, after Donaire’s successful title defense against Mthlane back in 2008, the father-and-son tandem had a falling out. Follow the story as Donaire Sr. spoke from the heart and held back no punches. I also translated this interview in English below the video.
****
CLICK ON THE LINK FOR THE AUDIO:
PART ONE — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOn74B45p1s&feature=player_embedded#
PART TWO — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dve74aKyEkc&feature=player_embedded#
Translated quotes from part 1:
dSource – You had called me last Saturday after you’ve read some articles on the internet regarding your son. Let’s talk about what you wanted to share.
Nonito Donaire Sr. – I didn’t really read it, I just saw the header because I don’t really read any articles about him (his son Nonito Jr.) anymore because what for? He doesn’t really recognize us (his family) anymore. So it’s almost like we’ve lost interest on any news about him.
dSource – Yes and it’s really sad when you think about it.. so what’s the real situation now between you and your son?
Nonito Donaire Sr. – I really don’t understand it Dennis because for one, we didn’t get into any fight. After his fight against Mthalane, his second defense at flyweight, we didn’t get into an argument or anything and then after that fight I went home to the Philippines. When I was in the Philippines, all of a sudden I read on the internet that they were already looking for a new trainer without even consulting me. After that there was no more. We never really had any form of communication.
dSource – So it’s like all of a sudden there was a gap. What do you think caused that?
Nonito Donaire Sr. – I don’t blame anybody about that other than his wife because it’s like his wife is the one telling her to do everything. It’s like she’s his voice ever since they got married. Ever since they met each other, Jr. had nothing come out of his mouth other than ‘I’m so proud of my fiancee and stuff like that, ‘I’m so proud of my girlfriend’, that’s all you’ll ever hear. He’s not proud of the people that put him in the position he’s now in. He’s forgotten about the people that fed him.
dSource- I am not one to start controversy and there’s much written in the media. I just wanted to hear you out but if it were up to me I want to help find a solution to this. What do you think can help fix the gap between you and your son?
Nonito Donaire Sr. – It’s almost like there’s nothing that can be done anymore Dennis because if you can imagine he doesn’t even greet his mother anymore. When he sent $500 to his mom for her birthday, he didn’t really show his face or anything. He just wrote Happy Birthday then put $500 and they also included a list with all the grocery expenditures when he became a champion. They sent a letter calculating everything. They didn’t even think that when he didn’t have a job, it was all of us that supported him- me, his mom, his cousins and even his youngest sibling would take him out back when he had no money, but he changed. He even turned his back on his promise to his older brother that when he becomes a champion again that he will ask his brother to leave his job so he can focus on boxing, but when he got married, everything changed.
dSource – That’s sad to hear. If you have anything to say to Nonito and I’m sure this message will get to him, what do you want to tell him? Do you want to talk to him? What’s our stance here?
Nonito Donaire Sr. – I want to talk to him and ask him why he seems like he is so mad at our family as if we all have some disease that he is afraid of. Even his very own man, think about it Dennis, his mom that loves him so much, how it feels for a mom to hug her own child, what did he say? He just hugged her and told her to be thankful for the $500 he gave her. Is that how a son acts? Just because he gave $500 is that a big deal to him already?
dSource – So after your fight against Mthlane, you haven’t really spoken to you son?
Nonito Donaire Sr. – Not anymore because since he married Rachel they were doing this that I did not agree with like when we had a fight, they were already planning after-fight parties. I didn’t like that because we had a fight coming up and we didn’t even know what was going to happen yet and theiy’re already inviting all these people without even inviting our family. It’s all about them.
dSource – I am saddened by all of this because I personally witnessed none of these and simply report what I see and I have nothing but good experiences while following Nonito Jr. To me he seems like a good and generous person but I don’t see everything that goes on either.
Nonito Donaire Sr. – You can ask me or his mom so there’s no lies. One of the things that hurt about this is his wife keeps on saying negative things about us in their blogs, and she says all kinds of stuff about my family and the wife of his brother when we don’t even mind their business.
dSource – Has Nonito not supported you since you both parted ways?
Nonito Sr. – Since he married that girl… before he used to give his mom $500 a month. When they got married, that was cut off and Rachel was saying all kinds of things. Another painful thing is when he fought in the Philippines, it was his mom’s birthday. They (Rachel’s camp) gave her rules and regulations that she can’t ask for a shirt, she can’t ask for tickets and that she can’t stand from her seat when they declare Nonito the champion because their personal security won’t allow you to climb the ring. That’s why when I read that, I really felt bad for my wife. She herself raised her son. We supported him from the amateurs til’ he became a world champion and then that’s the thanks you get?
And another thing.. she was called by GMA after Jr.’s win for an interview and then Rachel’s mom told her “Where are you going? You know the rules right?” Imagine what pain a mother would feel being treated that way who didn’t do anything wrong to them and all she wanted was to answer the interview by GMA.
dSource – Wow, that’s really surprising. I’m sure there will be a backlash after fans hear and read this interview. I just don’t want any..
Nonito Sr. – There’s really no controversy Dennis because he purposely turned his back on us like we were hugely indebted to him or we did something really wrong to him for him to treat us like this.
Donaire Sr. – His older sister, when he didn’t have work, he was staying with her and she was feeding him but now when he saw her recently during his fight, he didn’t even bother say hi or ask her how she was doing. Nothing!
He changed a whole lot. There will be an end to all that Dennis. Nothing lasts forever.
dSource – So do you think there is no chance of fixing this?
Donaire Sr. – As long as his wife and his wife’s family are there, it’s not likely to happen because he is so afraid of his wife’s family. It’s like when he sees them, he gets goosebumps or something. Publish everything I am saying. He is so afraid of that family.
dSource – What can you say to the fans right now. I’m sure there’s people that will react to this especially that Jr.’s career is on the way up and there might also be those who will sympathize with you…
Donaire Sr. – It’s up to them especially the Filipinos. They can just think about it and if the same thing happened to them…
***
NOTE: Prior to releasing this article, I contacted the Donaires to inform them that I will be running this piece. I have also asked them if they wanted to respond to this interview. I for one wanted to stay away from matters outside the sport itself, but I can’t turn down a person who came to me as a man wanting to get things off his chest. Nonito Donare Sr. insisted that he wanted everything from our interview to be made public. Hopefully this interview can create a dialog between father and son that will ultimately squash this issue and for everyone involved to just get along.
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Filipino-Sports-Examiner~y2010m2d27-Donare-Sr-on-Jr-part-2

Mayweather Jr turns another year older but age hasn’t slowed down his massive ego
Yesterday, Floyd Mayweather Jr celebrated his 33rd birthday in probably “Money May” fashion. As one gets older, one tends to mature and become wiser. But, not Floyd Mayweather Jr. Age might slow down his physical attributes but age hasn’t slowed down Mayweather’s giant ego.

Manny is just angry, Floyd is definitely furious
The boxing world was shocked that a fight between the top two boxers today, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., went kaput over disagreement on how to conduct the Olympic style drug testing demanded by the latter.
Manny has expressed anger over accusations or insinuations, mostly from Team Mayweather that his incredible success in the ring of late was aided by performance enhancing drugs.
His statements in the media and the defamation suit he filed against those he perceives responsible is a proof of his sentiment on this.
What is not played up in the media, however, is how Floyd was the more incensed of the two that the March 13, 2010 bout did not happen.

Floyd was looking forward to his biggest payday and perhaps his greatest achievement in the ring after laying out a brilliant idea and game plan on how to ensure victory against Manny.
Not that he did see he can easily beat Manny as rumors coming out from his camp early on seem to indicate he is scared to fight the Filipino champion who just scored devastating victories over Oscar Dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in succession in a span of one year.
But Team Mayweather’s research and study of Pacquiao’s previous fights, particularly the ones he lost, may have given them an idea on how to have a much-needed crucial advantage come fight night.
What followed were the accusations and insinuations made in the media of Pacquiao possibly on steroids or PEDs before the negotiations and then Floyd, the usually demanding fighter immediately agreeing for a fight with Manny on even terms, easily approving the other fighter’s demand like purse split, use of gloves, even the staggering $10 million per pound penalty for over weight.
Then as everyone in the sport has become ecstatic and looking forward to the event, Floyd unleashed his ace, a seeming simple request for both of them to undergo Olympic style random blood testing.
The undefeated American did not foresee Manny walking away from the mega buck mega fight and was thinking the Filipino boxing superstar would be forced to accept his terms.
But as things have turned out, even a potential $40 million earning can’t make Manny agree on the so called blood testing scheme that’s just a cover for their strategy to put the Filipino fighter in a weakened physical condition like he was during his first bout with Mexican Erik Morales.
And so two months after the aborted megabout and after Pacquiao moved on to face another tough challenge in African Joshua Clottey, Mayweather Jr. is still furious because not only did the biggest payday of his life went down the drain, he was forced to fight another tough welterweight champion in Shane Mosley for much less.
And so don’t be surprised that even if Floyd is supposed to hype his coming fight with Mosley, he’d rather talk about Manny, unfavorably, of course.
Source: http://www.theboxinghistorian.com/news/6151_pacquiao88.html

Floyd Mayweather Jr. threw away 50 million dollars based on a ridiculous hunch

I’m sure you’ve heard it plenty of times before. It started from Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s camp down to Teddy Atlas and now the die-hard Mayweather fans and brownnosers. And the question goes, “Why would Manny Pacquiao throw away 50 million dollars over some blood tests?”
Usually that question is followed by a statement pointing out that if any person would be offered a huge amount of money to do his job and turn it down over some blood tests that there is something wrong with that person. And the prestige goes, “So why won’t Pacquiao just take the tests?”
Order in the court of truth! Judge dSource is now presiding over this case that has been blown out of proportion in the court of public opinion and press manipulation.
Let’s lay down facts shall we.
It’s been several months since Floyd Mayweather Sr., the convicted drug smuggler, former trainer of Money Mayweather, first made his steroids accusations public and yet Team Mayweather has failed to proved any form of tangible proof that would implicate Pacquiao other thank Roger Mayweather’s Philippine history lecture on how bullets used to bounce off Filipino soldiers 500 years ago because they were on a drug called A-Side Meth. And I quote in the exclusive I first published at the Examiner, Roger said “they (the Filipinos soldiers) weren’t even dying.”
Pacquiao has no ties with the people Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were connected with. No history of any failed tests that were administered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The same tests and commission that caught fighters like Fernando Vargas riding dirty. I repeat, there’s been no evidence of Pacquiao’s doping, no connections with shady people and nothing except a Roger Mayweather fictional tale. I say fictional because America didn’t even exist 500 years ago so how in the world will they try to invade the Philippines on top of drugs causing bullets to bounce and people not dying? Must be watching too much of that Twilight crap Roger.
But there’s much evidence on the fact that Pacquiao has had a history with blood tests and felt weak afterwards. I have written at length in the past on that topic, you can click this link if you want to read it.
And so the real deal is, Floyd Mayweather Jr. turned his back on 50 million dollars because of an urban legend from Uncle Roger? Okay, let’s incorporate all their other baseless assertions like Pacquiao’s getting bigger and him not getting knocked out by Cotto and saying he is knocking out people since he climbed upwards of 130. Fact is, Pacquiao was knocking people out before he turned 130 and that his overall weight gain in the past 5 years is about 4 pounds. Again you want to read facts about that,
So who turns his back on 50 million dollars based on baseless hunches and made up rules and demands not being given in to? If you were to be paid a lot of money to work at a place where there are baseless rumors about, would you walk away from it? And the prestige: “Why won’s Floyd just fight Pacquiao like he did everybody else?” Again, I got 3 letters for you.. K.. F.. C.
Source: http://philboxing.com/news/story-34800.html

Floyd’s allegations anger Manny. Roach: ‘The first time I’ve seen Manny angry at another fighter’
In a recent interview, Freddie Roach shared with the public how the allegations of steroids had really affected Manny Pacquiao. Roach described this experience as a first for him and Manny. Let’s examine these comments further.
Sharon Jones Sacramento, CA “How has the steroids accusations affected Manny Pacquiao?”
“He’s got a reputation, of course, and it’s the first time I’ve seen Manny angry at another fighter. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him like that.” Freddie Roach, FoxNews.com
In Roach’s own words, Manny was angry. It was the first time he’s ever seen Manny get angry at another fighter. I don’t see how that would bode well for Mayweather if they ever fought. Manny goes into fights without anger, imagine what it would be like if he actually disliked his opponent. I think he would destroy that opponent.
think this is another reason why Roach made the challenge to Floyd to fight for free, winner takes all. Because it really did frustrate Team PacMan and the only way to truly shut up Floyd would be to make this challenge. Notice how Floyd or GBP have not even commented on “Roach’s Challenge” yet.
Roach went on to also discuss the pending lawsuit that Manny has against the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions.
“Pretty much the allegations are unproven and there’s a lawsuit pending and I think he’ll lose that lawsuit. You can’t go around saying stuff like that without evidence.” Freddie Roach, FoxNews.com
Brian Hilton Fair Oaks, CA “Are there any updates on the defamation lawsuit?”
Ok here’s all I have so far in response to the lawsuit. I have personally emailed Manny’s attorney and have not heard anything back. So, I placed a call to his law office in the Los Angeles are and left a voice message. I also spoke to his secretary but she was unable to provide me any updates. So, until Manny or his attorney Dan Petrocelli makes an official comment, we are in the dark. If anyone has heard of any updates through others sources, please forward it to me so I may check it out. Otherwise, I will post an article as soon as I can pin down Dan Petrocelli.
Conclusion
Can you really blame Manny for being angry? He was attacked and publicly embarrassed with unfounded accusations by the Mayweathers and Golden Boy Promotions. He was treated like a common criminal. This should upset any decent human being. Hopefully, Manny will have the opportunity to win in the ring or in court against Floyd to get some measure of justice.

If Anyone Can Beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. it’s Manny Pacquiao.
Out of all the fighters out there in and around Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s weight division, Manny Pacquiao has the best chance of beating him.
Stylistically, Manny matches up well against Mayweather. If you take a look at the Floyd Mayweather Jr./Zab Judah fight, you’ll notice how Judah caught Mayweather with some good shots early on and in the middle stages of the fight. Zab Judah, like Manny Pacquiao is a south-paw with speed. But unlike Manny, Judah doesn’t have the stamina, chin or discipline.
Judah’s best weapon in that fight was the left hand – a punch Manny Pacquiao lands often against his opponents. There is no doubt that Manny would be landing a few of these powerful left hands on Mayweather’s chin in the course of the fight; how many can Floyd Mayweather absorb before he falls? Or the better question probably is, can Mayweather avoid the left hand all night? Possible. But doubtful.
Mayweather has a great defense, but Pacquiao has the offensive firepower, speed, activity and stamina to capitalize. Even if Manny doesn’t stop Mayweather, he certainly has the aggression and overall style to make it difficult for Mayweather, possibly out pointing Floyd in a close fight. Remember, most judges will favor aggression and activity. There is no doubt in my mind Manny will be more active, the only question will be how effective he will be.
It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that Manny Pacquiao WILL beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. if these two fight – I see a slight edge in favor of Manny – and that’s the reason why this fight is so attractive… but if anyone can beat Mayweather, it’s Manny Pacquiao!
Source: http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/miltzpacquiaowrap022310.html

James ‘Lights Out’ Toney: “I’d put my money on Manny Pacquiao to knock Floyd Mayweather out!”
Don’t miss what the always controversial James Toney had to say about a potential fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.!
James Toney: “I grew up with Floyd Mayweather… we all came from the same block in Michigan. Me, the Mayweather family, Buster Mathis, Tony Tucker… The ‘Hall of Fame’ block, you know what I’m sayin? I love Floyd and I’m glad he’s doing what he’s doing… but if you claim to be the best fighter in the world in the world pound-for-pound… fight! Don’t make no excuses.”
“Pacquiao’s going to knock Floyd out… and Floyd knows it. Floyd’s my man and I love him but I’m going to call it like I see it. The thing is this: Do you know what a rabbit does when it gets backed into a corner? It faints. And that’s what Floyd’s doing.”

Manny Pacquiao would fight Mayweather Jr for FREE, ‘Winner takes all’. Will Floyd accept?
In a startling announcement from Manny’s famed trainer Freddie Roach, the PacMan would be willing to fight Mayweather Jr for free with the winner getting the entire purse. Yes, that’s exactly what Freddie told the media. But would Floyd accept this challenge?
“We’ll fight him for free. Winner take all.” Freddie Roach, KTLA.com.
Christopher Mayes Sacramento, CA “What do you think of the challenge that Roach made to Floyd?”
Some say it’s a media chess match between the camps of Manny and Floyd. Well, with the latest quote from Freddie, Manny’s camp just put Floyd in “check”. Now the question is, “how will Floyd respond?”
Al Williams Sacramento, CA “Does Floyd just simply ignore this challenge from Roach?”
Unless Floyd can spin this scenario into something that makes him look good, then I think he will ignore this challenge from Roach. However, if he does ignore it, then Roach and Manny’s camp need to go in for the kill with this like a shark that smells blood in the water.
This challenge is a perfect media shot that will bring the “public pressure” back on Floyd. When Floyd and his “thugs” tried to smear Manny in the media by accusing him of taking PEDs, it did put a lot of “public pressure” on Manny. Pacquiao has had to defend his innocence and file a defamation suit. It was an effective strategy by the Mayweather camp because Manny’s public image did take a small hit. But now, Freddie’s challenge will turn things around for Manny and Mayweather will once again feel the brunt of criticism.
Once the public starts chewing over what Roach said, they will start calling for an answer from Mayweather. The longer Floyd “runs” from this challenge the more foolish he would look and then his critics can jump up and shout “See, he’s always been scared to fight Manny.”
Folks, Roach’s challenge was ‘Brilliant’. He took it to Mayweather on the stage that Mayweather has made his personal playground, the media.
Mayweather recently said that it’s not about the money that it’s about an equal playing field; well let’s see if he will truly stand by those words when he realizes that he has a chance to make around $100 million if he were to win “Roach’s Challenge”.
Hey Readers, how do you think Floyd will respond?

Mosley, Mayweather reach terms
Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have agreed to terms for a welterweight super fight, Mayweather adviser Leonard Ellerbe said Friday. Later Friday, Mosley signed his contract in Las Vegas, Mosley’s attorney Judd Burstein told ESPN.com.
“Shane has signed. I sat with him [Friday] and we went through every provision of the contract and he signed,” Burstein said. “He is excited to move forward with the bout.”

Mayweather

Mosley
Mosley will defend his welterweight title against Mayweather on May 1 on HBO PPV at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather’s signature is a formality, according to Burstein and Ellerbe.
“I confirmed with Leonard [on Friday night] that there are no issues,” Burstein said.
“All of the deal points have been agreed to,” Ellerbe said. “We still have to put pen to paper, but everything is agreed to. It’s with the lawyers. Shane is a great fighter, one of the best of his era, and so is Floyd. It’s going to be a great fight. It’s a fight fans have wanted to see for a long time.”
Ellerbe said that he expected Mayweather’s paperwork to be completed in the next few days with a formal announcement likely next week.
Financial terms were not disclosed, but Mayweather has the option for an immediate rematch in the event he loses.
The fight came together after an unexpected turn of events.
First, Mayweather became available for a fight three weeks ago when negotiations with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao disintegrated. They had agreed to all terms for a March 13 fight that loomed as the biggest in boxing — except for a drug testing protocol.
They had agreed to random urine testing, but Mayweather also wanted random blood testing, even though that is not required under the rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Pacquiao agreed only to three blood tests, but none within 24 days of the fight, and the third one immediately after the bout.
Mayweather has alluded to Pacquiao using performance-enhancing drugs, even though he has never produced any evidence, and Floyd Mayweather Sr. has outright said he believes Pacquiao uses.
The rancor over the drug testing issue caused the fight to fall apart and Pacquiao moved on. He will defend his version of the 147-pound title against former titlist Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Then Mosley became available two weeks ago. He was scheduled to meet Andre Berto in a title unification bout at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on Saturday night. However, Berto, a Haitian-American, withdrew from the bout after eight members of his extended family were killed in the earthquake in Haiti.
Immediately after the cancellation of Mosley-Berto, Mosley and Mayweather — the former welterweight champ and pound-for-pound king until giving up the mantle during a brief retirement — began negotiating.
“The negotiations were very cordial and went very smoothly,” Ellerbe said.
Mosley has agreed to undergo random blood and urine testing, as has Mayweather, Ellerbe said.
Mosley has admitted to using PEDs and was connected to the BALCO scandal. Although he publicly denied using PEDs for years, Mosley admitted during grand jury testimony, which was later released, that he used designer steroids “the clear” and “the cream” and injected himself with EPO, a blood oxygen enhancer, during the lead-up to his 2003 rematch with Oscar De La Hoya. Mosley said he took the steroids unknowingly.
“Floyd only wants to be sure of an even playing field no matter who he fights,” Ellerbe said.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs), a five-division champion, and Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), a three-division champion, have seemingly been on a collision course since the late 1990s, when Mosley was lightweight champion and Mayweather was junior lightweight champion.
Although their careers took different paths, talk of a potential fight heated back up in 2006 after Mosley’s two knockouts of Fernando Vargas, but talks never got too serious.
However, Mosley stepped up his call for a fight with Mayweather, 32, last year after Mayweather ended his 18-month retirement. After Mayweather easily beat lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez in a lopsided decision in September, Mosley crashed his post-fight interview in the ring and called him out to his face.
It didn’t look like Mosley would get the fight because two months later, Pacquiao knocked out Miguel Cotto and talks began for Pacquiao-Mayweather.
Mosley, 38, hasn’t fought since last January, when he upset Antonio Margarito to win his title via ninth-round knockout.
Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4870999

Mayweather’s comments hit Shane Mosley below the belt

Is there a line that Mayweather won’t cross with his comments? If there is, someone please show me. Mayweather’s recent comments toward Shane Mosley were clearly below the belt. If this were in the ring, Mayweather would be penalized a point. Let’s examine his comments further:
“I don’t really like to speak on people’s personal business, because his personal life is his personal life, but he just went through a divorce, and sometimes going through a hard divorce can be very, very excruciating. It can cost a lot of money.” FMJ, Grand Rapids Press
“I don’t really like to speak on people’s personal business”
Janine Robbins Rocklin, CA “Doesn’t Mayweather always talk about people’s personal businesss?”
It’s hard to tell when Mayweather doesn’t talk about someone’s personal business. But his comments on Shane’s divorce are just completely unnecessary and uncalled for. Floyd knows no limits to his “gum bumping”. This guy just goes and goes until the cameras and the microphones shut off.
“It can cost a lot of money.”
Mayweather is obsessed with money and he thinks that Shane wants to fight him because Shane wants this one last big payday. So, Floyd uses Shane’s personal experiences with a divorce to be part of his argument that Shane needs the money. Are you kidding me? How many years has Shane wanted to fight Floyd? At least a decade went by with Shane saying he wanted to fight Floyd. But now, since Floyd finally agrees to a fight, he thinks that Shane is only doing it for the money. Life must be a lot easier for Mayweather when you live in your own little world.
Douglas Hansen Sacramento, CA “Is Floyd delusional?”
I think Floyd is truly lacking something upstairs because you just don’t attack a man because he’s going through a divorce. How many times can you recall pre-fight hype including one fighter talking about another fighter’s wife and their divorce? Outside of Mike Tyson saying that he wanted to eat another fighter’s children, these comments from Floyd rank up near the top of the list for things you just don’t say about another fighter during pre-fight hype.
Conclusion
These comments were truly below the belt. From this point forward the only thing I want to hear out of Floyd’s mouth is whether or not he will accept “Roach’s Challenge” and fight Manny for free.

Roach: Pacquiao Will Fight Mosley if He Beats Mayweather
By Rick Reeno
Freddie Roach, trainer of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, is certainly intrigued with the possibility of a fight with Shane Mosley – if Mosley beats Floyd Mayweather Jr
. on May 1 in Las Vegas.
Everyone involved, including Top Rank, who promote Pacquiao, are confident a fight with Mosley would be much easier to make than a fight with Mayweather. In the last few days, Mayweather has already been boasting about his contract demands if a Pacquiao fight is brought back on the table. Mosley has gone on the record with BoxingScene, and made it clear that he “doesn’t care about the random drug tests.” He wants to get Pacquiao in the ring at any cost.
“Last year I was willing to go down to 140-pounds to fight him and he turned around and took a fight with Miguel Cotto,” Mosley told BoxingScene.com.
Roach is honest when asked for his prediction on Mayweather-Mosley. He thinks Mayweather will box his way to a decision but he gives Molsey a very strong shot at the upset. Let’s not forget, Joshua Clottey is training hard to become the spoiler on March 13 when he challenges Pacquiao for his title at Cowboys Stadium in Texas.
“I think Mayweather will win a decision. Mosley has a good shot to beat him, and if Shane wins the fight, we’ll fight him. Manny will fight anyone. I’ve always liked Shane and I think it would be a good fight,” Roach told BoxingScene.com.
Source: http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=25412

Manny Pacquiao ‘I’m not against Blood testing’

Once again, the world’s greatest boxer had to come out and set the record straight on blood testing. It’s not a matter of doing it, it’s a matter of when. Unfortunately, the non-stop criticism and false accusations from the Mayweathers and GBP have muddied the waters so much that Manny has to constantly answer questions about taking blood tests. Let’s examine Manny’s latest comments:
- “I’m not against Blood testing. Just not the day of the fight. I’ve had that happen in the (first) Morales fight. I lost that fight and my body felt very weak. I don’t feel I recovered. That is why I don’t want blood testing close to the fight.” Manny Pacquiao, Fightfan.com
So, to all of the Manny critics, once again Manny has come out and publicly stated that he’s not against blood testing. He never was. It was all about the timeframe of when the tests would be taken. He truly believes that he had problems in his first fight with Morales due to the taking of blood so close to the fight. It’s time to stop all the ignorant comments that he’s afraid of taking the “$25 million dollar” test. If you critics are so willing to believe Mayweather’s comments in the media that Pacquiao is scared, then you have to believe Manny’s comments to the same media, that he’s willing to take blood tests. Otherwise, you critics are truly being like your idol Floyd, which is a hypocrite.
- “I’m not disappointed because I know I’m not the one who didn’t want the fight and I have to defend myself.” Manny Pacquiao, Fightfan.com
It’s sad that we live in a country where a guy has to prove he’s innocent because another guy makes false accusations. Manny has never failed a drug test. In fact, Keith Kizer Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission specifically told me that “Manny Pacquiao has never failed a drug test in the state of Nevada” or anywhere else that he’s aware of. Manny has been fighting in the state of Nevada since 2001.
Why does Manny have to prove his innocence when he’s never been guilty? This country has gone backwards. It used to be “innocent until proven guilty”. It’s now become “guilty until proven innocent”.
Jenny Bronson Sacramento, CA “Why do people assume Manny’s guilty based on what Floyd says?”
Jenny, because they are either die-hard Floyd fans, ignorant, anti-foreigners, hypocrites, or all of the above. Manny has no track record of being arrested or beating women like Floyd does. Manny doesn’t live the lifestyle of “money and fame” but one of “country and God”. It’s absurd the amount of time that Manny has to spend fighting off false accusations. This is also why he filed a defamation lawsuit.
Candice Robbins Sacramento, CA “Is there any truth to what Floyd says bout Manny not wanting to take the blood tests?”
Candice, I hope this article answers your question. Manny is not afraid to take these blood tests. Hopefully, these false claims of Manny being scared can stop sooner rather than later. All we can do is constantly remind those who claim otherwise.

Floyd Trying to Talk His Way To Victory Over Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather is not especially intelligent but he understands he can’t beat Manny Pacquiao inside the ring, so he must embark on a smear campaign to try to defeat the Filipino outside the ring – in the arena of public opinion.
Floyd knows his fists and his skills are just not formidable enough to get the highly dangerous job done. He knows his mind is inferior and not smart enough to out-think Pacquiao under pressure. And Floyd realizes his will is not strong enough to subdue the ferocious intensity to win a 12-round boxing match against Pacquiao.
But there is a single quality where the dishonorable American pugilist does hold an advantage over Pacquiao: he has a bigger mouth which can tell repeated lies and mistruths without a sense of shame. As we know, if a lie is repeated enough, it will eventually be believed by many.
So that’s all Mayweather can do now – is use his mouth to try to do the job his frail fists and faltering confidence can not accomplish – defeat Pacquiao by spreading lies and falsehoods.
As you may have noticed, Mayweather has been hanging around major sporting events like the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. The fork-tongued double-talker has double intentions – to promote his upcoming fight with Shane Mosley on May 1 and to discredit Manny Pacquiao in every possible way he can think of.
Mayweather wants you to believe Pacquiao is the one who pulled out of the fight in January because he wouldn’t agree to all of Floyd’s – NOT the Nevada State Commission’s – but Floyd’s personal demands for excessive random blood testing. But the little-known truth is, Mayweather advisor Al Haymon’s associate George Peterson told me the decision to cancel the Pacquiao-Floyd was made as far back as early December – obviously, because Team Mayweather concluded a boxing match against Manny Pacquiao was a “no win situation.” Yes, a severely brutal knockout loss at the fists of a smiling Asian man is a no-win situation indeed for an arrogant pretender like Mayweather.
As if ducking Pacquiao once wasn’t enough, after the Super Bowl and NBA All Star Game, now we have learned Mayweather aspires to duck Pacquiao again. Even if Pacquiao were to agree to Floyd’s 14-day random blood testing demands, that might not be enough now, says Floyd. And Floyd also stated that the 50-50 split may not work if Floyd-Mosley does bigger pay-per-view numbers than Pacquiao-Clottey.
Only the dim-witted wouldn’t be able to comprehend this is Floyd’s way to lay the foundation to duck Pacquiao for 2010 and perhaps the rest of his career.
Floyd may think he’s successfully pulled off the greatest duck in boxing history and that he has won the media war of words with the humble, quiet man from General Santos City. But one must understand that the mighty truth shall always destroy the ugly false.
“The lie of the emperor is always believed before the truth of the peasant.” -unknown
“If you bury the truth and bury it under the ground it will but grow and gather itself such explosive power that the day it bursts through it will blow up everthing it its way.” -Emile Zola
“All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it’s violently opposed. And third, it’s accepted as self-evident.” -Arthur Schopenauer
Source: http://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/floyd-trying-to-talk-his-way-to-victory-over-pacquiao/

‘Jealousy rears its ugly head’, in the form of Floyd Mayweather Jr

Over the last few months, rarely a day went by without Floyd Mayweather Jr making comments about Manny Pacquiao. Even today, if you scroll through Pacland for articles on Floyd Mayweather Jr, you will find some harsh comments from Floyd about Manny. There’s no other logical conclusion about these obsessive comments other than Floyd is jealous and here’s why:
What Shane Mosley fight?
The first evidence of Floyd’s jealousy is the fact that he spends more time talking about Manny Pacquiao than he does his upcoming fight with Shane Mosley. You’d think Floyd would actually focus most of his energy on his fight with Mosley, who’s looking to knockout Floyd. Instead, Floyd continues to talk about drug tests and paydays that involve Manny Pacquiao.
- Feb 6th 2010 – All roads lead to Floyd Mayweather. I don’t need Manny Pacquiao. For him to get his biggest payday he needs me. FMJ, Boxingscene.com
- Feb 8th 2010 – “Manny Pacquiao didn’t want to take a 25 million dollar drug test. FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
- Feb 13th 2010 – “Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15, or 17,” Mayweather said. “And you know me, they may have to throw that extra five or 10 on mine, and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it.” FMJ, Grand Rapids Press
Pound for Pound Best Fighter
Sharon Collier Sacramento, CA “Rick do you think Floyd is jealous of Manny being the world’s pound for pound best fighter?”
Sharon, Floyd Mayweather is jealous of Pacquiao being rated the best pound for pound fighter in the world. When asked about it, he went off saying that people are entitled to their opinions but then says that he basically could care less what the fans think because he lives for himself. In another interview, Floyd goes on about how Manny has 3 losses and questions Manny’s greatness.
- February 8th 2010 – “Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. I live my life the way I live my life and I’m happy with what I do. I live for Floyd Maywetaher. I don’t live for the fans.’ FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
- February 6th – “How can you be indestructible with three losses and he’s been knocked out twice?” FMJ, Boxingscene.com
Manny is the People’s Champ
Floyd is also extremely jealous of the fact that the public embraces Manny more now than Floyd. In fact, Manny has an entire country that shuts down for his fights, Floyd probably has an entire “Folsom prison block” shut down for his fights. Here’s Floyd’s view on life and here’s Manny’s view on life. You can clearly see why more people want to follow Manny.
- February 8th 2010 – “I live for Floyd Mayweather. I don’t live for the fans. I love the fans but I live for myself. Self preservation is first. I must be happy first before I can make anybody else happy.” FMJ, SportsRadioInterviews.com
- February 4th, 2010 – “For me, it’s Boxing and God. I think what I have done in boxing is because of my sacrifices and my faith in God.” Manny Pacquiao, BoxingScene.com
Mainstream Attention
Floyd is all about the hype. But it’s Manny who’s getting the Mainstream attention. For a guy like Floyd, this lack of mainstream attention probably kills him. You see, Manny doesn’t have to go to the Superbowl or to the NBA All-Star game to generate attention; Oh no no, Hollywood’s celebrities, 60 Minutes, and Good Morning America are all coming to him.
- February 7th, 2010 – “CBS is going to start shooting material next Sunday at Coach Freddie Roach’s funky Wild Card Gym. Good Morning America on the ABC network is also going to do something on Manny.” Bob Arum, interview with Michael Marley, Examiner.com
In addition to the big TV news shows, celebrities like Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jeremy Piven and Mark Wahlberg have all recently stopped by to pay their respects and show their support.
Davey Johnson Sacramento, Ca “Rick, with all the celebrities stopping by to see Manny, do you think anyone will stop by Mayweather’s training?” Danny, I think the only people who will stop by are criminal associates of the Mayweather clan and the defense attorney for Roger Mayweather.
What other things do you think Floyd Mayweather Jr is jealous of when it comes to Manny Pacquiao?

Fight odds soar for Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao (left) and Joshua Clottey.
MANILA, Philippines – Not even Freddie Roach’s statement that he sees the fight going the distance could keep the fight odds from sky-rocketing in favor of Manny Pacquiao.
The other day, the four-time Trainer of the Year told fightfan.com that he’s not looking for a knockout. Instead, he said he sees a 12-round battle with Joshua Clottey.
But no one seemed to listen as oddsmakers for the March 13 showdown at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas remained convinced it’s going to be one-sided.
At least four online betting stations in the United States have placed Pacquiao as the overwhelming favorite, and the only way he could lose if he doesn’t show up on fight night.
Sportsbook, which has control of the betting stations in Las Vegas, has the 31-year-old Filipino superstar at -500 and Clottey, the hungry challenger from Ghana, at +300 with less than a month left.
It’s so huge that you need $500 to win a hundred bucks if you’re rooting for Pacquiao, and that a $100 bet on Clottey gives you $300 in return in case he pulls off the upset of the century.
At sportsbetting.com, Pacquiao was at -500 and Clottey at +350. Bookmaker.com was a little more conservative with its -440 for Pacquiao and +350 for Clottey while sportsinteraction.com has it at -556 and +300.
Clottey having problems in training makes it easier for oddsmakers to point at Pacquiao as the favorite.
First, the 33-year-old challenger could not take his long-time trainers with him to the United States after they failed to secure the required working visas from the US Embassy in Ghana.
And while he trained briefly in New York, a snow storm kept Clottey indoors and unable to do roadwork. For his part, Pacquiao is in the thick of things at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
Those close to him say Pacquiao looked so fit the past week that he’s ready to fight Clottey tomorrow. Roach has even ordered the number of sparring rounds slashed from around 150 to just a little over a hundred.
Still, Roach said he sees a tough fight.
“The first half of the fight will be very hard for both guys,” he told fightfan.com.
“Then we’ll take over in the middle or late rounds. Clottey waits for you to punch yourself out and get tired. But Manny Pacquiao doesn’t get tired,” he said.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=550070&publicationSubCategoryId=69

Holy moly, Batman, Floyd Mayweather wants $10 million edge

Maybe you missed the interoffice memo or the obituary notice.
But you’ve got to be, if you’re as inqusitive as I am, wondering who died and left Floyd Kill Joy Mayweather Jr. Boss?
I capitalize Boss, Bossman, Head Honcho, Grand Exalted Ruler and Dictator because this is how (self) important Mayweather is.
And, when I say that he is Da Boss with the Hot Sauce, I’m not only talking about his ultra busy Mayweather Promotions.
Among Mayweather’s grand delusions are that he is El Supremo, the Boss, of Everything.
He’s the head of Philthy Rich Records, a label whose roster of rap stars read like names taken from the guest register at your nearest Motel Six. I defy even the most ardent rapaholic to name one “talent” peforming under the Philthy Rich banner.
Guess Snoop Cat didn’t (litter) pan out. (That’s a joke, son, a joke.)
Mayweather is to random bloog testing crusade what Kim Il Johg, the not so funny fruticake who has North Korea on total locdown and its citizens eating one hot meal per day (a bowl of steam).
But as detailed in my adjacent column, Mayweather prefers to think of himself as a Malcolm X, a Dr. Martin Luther King were or what President Obama aspires to, an agent of societal uplift.
“Hope and change, change and hope.”
If he were a candidate for public office, that would be Mayweather’s campaign motto.
Oh, and lest you Pacmaniancs forget, L’il Floyd is also the Boss of Manny Pacquiao.
Top Rank/Chirs Farina Photo
I am basing much of this on Floyd’s latest diatribe, spoken to and duly recorded by his friendly hometown correspondent, David “Hold The” Mayo.
In Mayo’s Grand Rapids Press/Mlive.com piece, Mayweather tosses a bomb into the grave of the aborted in January negotiations for a humungous fight between he and Pacman.
Now, listening to Mayweather, you know that Mayweather doesn’t want his minions to broker a deal with Team Pacquiao, he wants to hold them hostage.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15, or 17,” Mayweather said. “And you know me, they may have to throw that extra five or 10 on mine, and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it.”
As a convenient excuse for this reversal of position, Mayweather said he will base that on his May 1 bout with Sugar Shane Mosley faring better in terms of PPV numbers than the March 13 between Pacquiao, a Filipino, and Joshua Clottey, who comes from Ghana.
See what an “all American” fellow Floyd is now?
Just as I predicted in writing on Feb. 8, after the first try to make the mega bout failed, Mayweather has taken the 50-50 split of all revenue off the table. I predicted that the money fight will cast a giant shadow if they try to put the fight together down the line and will be a bigger issue than blood vials and sharp needles.
Now, instead of the righteous even steven money split between two superstars who tower above their competitors, Mayweather is saying he will penalize Pacman from five to 10 million dollars because he didn’t roll over in round one of their talks.
I really hate to blow my own horn here, but if I don’t there may be no music so see what I penned as to this just seven days ago:
“In a saner world, you could logically deduce that making the mega match would be easier with only one pesky issue, the unbending Mayweather demand for totally random blood testing, to be battled back and forth.
But this is Bizarro World, this is boxing and, while I hate to be the nattering nabob of negativity, I think the second round of negotiations will be more difficult.
Let’s start with this premise, that the 50-50 revenue split has gone out the window because I think it has.
All bets from Round One are scratched.
Think of Pacman’s March 13 bout with I’m Not Joshing Clottey and Money’s May 1 Sugar Free Mosley fight as being like primary elections.”
Reviewing that makes me feel like Madame Auring or Larry Ellison, you know an oracle.
Mayweather is trying to turn his hated former promoter, Bob Arum, into a eununch.
And he’s doing it now when both he and Megamanny have prior business to handle at their offices.
Ask yourself, especially you devoted Floyd fans. why would he flip the script on the money now?
Instead trying to smooth the path to Pacquiao, he is erecting artificial barriers.
He’s like a guy who has a pebble stuck in his shoe and tries to remove it with a rock.
There really is only one answer for such public posturing and I suppose I can spell it for you slow readers and not so nimble thinkers.
Mayweather, the sport’s best boxer, does not want to fight the sport’s best fighter, Pacquiao.
I guess he doesn’t like to duke it out with employees.

Mayweather: Pacquiao should get less if fight pushes through
The trash-talking former holder of the mythical title of pound-for-pound king went on the offensive over the weekend, expressing his wonder to his hometown paper – the Grand Rapids Press – why Manny Pacquiao would not agree to “a $25 million drug test.”
Still resentful about the collapse of the lucrative bout with Pacquiao, Mayweather said that if their camps revive talks about a matchup in the next few months, the Filipino will have to agree to get less of the money at stake especially if his May 1 fight with Shane Mosley fares better than Pacquiao’s March 13 bout with Joshua Clottey.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15 or 17 and you know me, they have to throw that extra 5 or ten on mine and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it,” said Mayweather.
Pacquiao and Mayweather appeared on their way to agreeing on a deal but Mayweather demanded that Pacquiao undergo random blood testing to level the playing field even though Pacquiao has never failed a drug test ever.
While Mayweather insists that he is not accusing Pacquiao of somebody who uses performance-enhancing drugs, the American fighter sounds off that the current pound-for-pound king is guilty.
“The thing is this: I’ve never seen a guy who didn’t want to take a $25 million drug test. If you’re clean, take the drug test.”
Mayweather lamented the fact that he had agreed to an unheard-of demand by Pacquiao on the issue of penalties on excess weight.
“In my clause, he told me if you would weigh over 147 I had to pay him $10 million for each pound. I agreed but he didn’t agree to my terms and we both would have had to take tests. It wasn’t just steered toward him. It was both me and him.”
Stung by Mayweather’s nasty accusation, Pacquiao has filed a defamation lawsuit against him as well as the Oscar De La Hoya-owned Golden Boy Promotions.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, is right on track in his preparation against Clottey even though he took a break when he traveled to Las Vegas to throw his support behind the Filipino fighters who fought there.
Pacquiao told a Manila-based station covering the fight at ringside that he didn’t find it hard to regain his old fiery form because he was coming off a big fight.
Over at Clottey’s training camp in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, the Ghana banger is said to be awesome as well during sparring sessions, his chief handler Vinny Scolpino told ace fight scribe Mike Marley.
“He’s on target, he’s beating the crap out of people in sparring and I would say he is definitely on his A game,” said Scolpino.
Source: http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/243523/mayweather-pacquiao-should-get-less-if-fight-pushes-through

The contenders to Manny Pacquiao’s pound for pound throne
Manny Pacquiao has been the consensus number one pound for pound fighter in the world for the past couple of years now and has few rivals. When he either retires or gets beaten though, there will no doubt be new names vying for the top position in the sport.
In the immediate future, the only real contender there appears to be if Floyd Mayweather Jr. who has been at the top of the rankings before. His only path back to the top would probably be to get through Pacquiao though which could be problematic given the result of the last time the pair tried to put a fight together.
Should they come to terms in the future though, and should Mayweather win, which he was an early favorite to do, then he would once again top the list. Someone like Mosley or even Josh Clottey might beat Pacquiao, but have too many losses on their records for much to be made of it outside the welterweight division. Not to mention they have size and strength advantages against Pacquiao anyway.
Bernie Walker, Pittsburgh PA: “Pacquiao’s fans will all be crying when their little roid monster gets picked apart by a real boxer like Floyd Mayweather. He might have balut (aka drug) power but he won’t catch Mayweather all night long, if he don’t back out of the fight again”
(Scott: Bernie, I would advise you not say any of that stuff out loud if you find yourself in the Philippines anytime soon.)
Fellow Freddie Roach disciple and now latest Golden Boy signing Amir Khan is a fighter tipped for great things by many. Coming from an Olympic silver medal and now boasting a record of 22-1 and the WBA light welterweight title, Khan looks to be going places. Reportedly he even gets the better of Pacquiao sometimes in training when the pair are sparring, although of course this isn’t much of an indication of how a real fight would go.
Khan is unquestionably still a work in progress at the moment, and although he has almost every tool he needs for greatness, he has yet to face any top fighters. This might change in May when he fights in America for the first time, as he will look to quickly build up his name with a marquee opponent, and that means a big step up in skill as well.
Amir and Manny are said to be friends, and coming from the same gym are very unlikely to fight each other. By the time Khan is ready for someone of Pacquiao’s caliber, not to mention weight class, Manny will probably have retired anyway. Someday though, so long as Khan continues to progress under Freddie Roach as much as he has already, he might make it to the top.
Eric Waters, Pittsburgh PA: “Khan isn’t the best out there, but he does have al the makings of a great champion in the future. He works with Freddie Roach, spars with Manny Pacquiao and has a great background from his amateur days”
Edwin Valero is another exciting fighter who many have pegged as an eventual successor to Manny Pacquiao, although the Venezuelan would prefer to fight him instead. Holding a slightly padded record of 27 wins and 27 KO’s, Valero nevertheless proved there is some substance to his hype with a one sided crushing of Antonio DeMarco last time out.
So Valero has the desire to keep climbing the divisions and taking belts from whoever he comes across, but does he have the skill?
Not so very long ago I would have said definitely not, but it seems there is a lot more to Valero than meets the eye. In his next few fights when he will again take on bigger, stronger opponents we will see just how good his skills are if his power doesn’t do the job for him. But it’s a case of so far so good from Valero overall.
Suntok, via email:“Valero’s record is impressive, but I don’t know if he really fought skilled fighters. Also can Valero move to the Welterweight division? If ever Pacquiao wins over Clottey I think the next step of Pacquiao is to fight the winner of the Mosley-Mayweather bout. If Valero will get lucky he would be getting a fight with Pacquiao in 2011. Nevertheless, we really can’t say who will win but it would all defend on skills in the welterweight division. Regards to all.”
At the moment then, outside of Floyd Mayweather, all Pacquiao’s other challengers look to be a couple of years away from being ready at the least. The chances are pretty good that Pacquiao will retire as the pound for pound champion. But who will take the reigns from him when he’s gone is an interesting thought.

Mosley giddy over Mayweather fight
NEW YORK (AP) — Shane Mosley bopped around the Super Bowl media center last week, chatting with anyone who wanted to listen about his upcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. He seemed positively giddy as he stopped by radio row to talk about the serendipitous opportunity.
And after he departed sunny Miami for frigid New York, the smile still hadn’t left his face.
“This is not going to be personal for me, this is going to be fun for me,” he said Tuesday over lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. “This is like when I fought Oscar (De La Hoya) the first time. People told me, ‘Oh, you’re going to be afraid. Are you scared?’ No, no, this is what I want.
“It’s not going to be personal, I’m not going to be upset,” Mosley said. “I’m going to have fun. I’m going to have fun beating Mayweather.”
Two of the best 147-pounders in the world will meet May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, in what is easily the biggest fight in boxing that doesn’t involve a Filipino fighter named Manny.
Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) is a five-division champion whose flamboyance has made him a crossover star, with interests as diverse as WWE’s “Wrestlemania” and “Dancing With the Stars.” He’s been involved in some of the richest fights in boxing, but is still hounded by critics who claim he’s never fought a true welterweight in their prime.
Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) is a three-division champion who has pursued Mayweather since the late 1990s, when they were both in lighter divisions. He’s faced just about every big name available, from De La Hoya to Antonio Margarito, but has dealt with his own critics after admitting to unknowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.
“It won’t be the fight of my life, but I just want to make a point that I’m the best fighter,” Mosley said. “There’s not a welterweight out there who can beat me. I don’t just want to talk about, I want to do it.”
After years or negotiations and the fight repeatedly falling through, Mosley and Mayweather wound up together in a sort of fortunate accident.
Mayweather was left looking for an opponent after acrimonious negotiations to fight Manny Pacquiao fell through and the pound-for-pound king signed to fight Josh Clottey instead. Mosley was supposed to face Andre Berto in a unification bout on Jan. 30, but Berto withdrew after the earthquake in Haiti killed several family members.
Even though Mayweather took his time signing the contract — leaving Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions on edge — everything officially came together last week.
“He was waiting for that opportunity for so long and finally it’s here. He couldn’t be happier,” Schaefer said. “Sometimes with those big fights, when you don’t try too hard they happen, and when you try too hard they don’t. You just have to let things fall into place.”
Another issue that needed to be overcome was the protocol for drug testing, which scuttled the proposed fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao. Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style testing and refused to budge off blood tests two weeks before the fight, while Pacquiao claimed he feels weak when he gives blood and refused to do so less than 24 days out.
Mosley readily agreed to blood testing, which is far more extensive than the normal urine tests that are required by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“The people have in their mind that it’s Manny Pacquiao, it’s Mayweather, and everybody’s focusing on that,” Mosley said. “I’m coming through the backdoor and I’m going to make sure they know I’m here. This is my era, and I’m not going to let nobody take that from me.”
Sure, Pacquiao is considered by many the best fighter in the world regardless of weight. And others believe Mayweather is even better than him. But there is little disputing the resume that Mosley has put together, especially over the past few years.
After dropping a pair of close decisions to Winky Wright, Mosley rattled off five straight wins, beating Fernando Vargas twice and Luis Collazo for an interim belt. After losing another close decision, this time to Miguel Cotto, Mosley stopped Ricardo Mayorga to set up a showdown with feared puncher Antonio Margarito.
Mosley looked nothing like a 39-year-old fighter at Staples Center that night, battering Margarito from post to post before ending the fight in the ninth round.
“Put the guys I fought against the guys he fought and what happens?” Mayweather said, joining in the criticism of Mayweather’s opposition. “I fought guys that come into the ring at 172 (pounds), he fought guys that don’t even reach the 147-pound limit. I’m fighting guys that are taller and bigger than me in every way, and knocking them out.”
Considered one of the most affable fighters in the game, it’s little surprise that Mosley has trouble wiping that smile from his face. He stops mid-sentence to sign autographs and take photographs with fans, then gets right back to answer whatever question he was asked.
All the while, he wears a giant grin on his face.
And it’s never been bigger.
“He was down there for two days meeting with the media,” said HBO Sports vice president Mark Taffett, referring to the Super Bowl festivities in Miami. “He was simply phenomenal. He has the energy of a 20-year-old.”
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/boxing/02/10/mosley.mayweather.ap/index.html?section=si_latest#ixzz0goctYEN6
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