Thurman returns to beat Lopez, retain WBA welterweight title

NEW YORK -- Keith Thurman returned from a near two-year layoff to retain his World Boxing Association welterweight world title with a 12-round majority decision over Josesito Lopez on Saturday.

America's Thurman, showing no sign of rust, knocked down Lopez with a massive left hook to the chin in the second as he controlled the early rounds.

He weathered a storm in the middle rounds, with Lopez unleashing a fierce barrage in the seventh that had the champion in trouble.

Thurman was deemed the winner by two judges by scores off 115-111 and 117-109 with the third seeing it a 113-113 draw.

"The champ is back!" said Thurman, who was forced to surrender his World Boxing Council belt as he was idled by injury but retained his WBA "super" world title, one rung above the "regular" WBA belt held by Manny Pacquiao.

Thurman, who improved to 29-0 with 22 wins inside the distance, said he'd be ready to take on the Filipino ring icon before the year is out.

"Maybe Brooklyn, maybe Vegas, wherever Manny Pacquiao wants it," Thurman said. "I'd even fight him in the Philippines if I have to."

Thurman was fighting for the first time since edging Danny Garcia by split decision in March of 2017 to unify two 147-pound titles.

The next month he had surgery to remove calcium deposits from his right elbow, and as he was readying to return to the ring he suffered a left hand injury in March of 2018 that forced him to take more time off.

Nevertheless, he quickly took control against Lopez, moving well against the aggressive challenger and landing solid punches.

But Lopez had him on the run in the seventh, connecting with a huge left hook to Thurman's jaw and backing up the champion.

"He had me buzzed, he had me shaken up," Thurman admitted. "I was trying to stay on the outside. I just was a little off in my prediction of his long arms and the way that he was lunging in, willing to really swing and commit for the knockout. He was coming for me."

- 'World title performance' -

After another solid performance from Lopez in the eighth, Thurman regained control and said he'll only get better from here.

"I told everybody, you're not going to see the best Keith "One-time" Thurman after 22 months, but you will see a world title performance."

On the undercard, Polish-born, Brooklyn-based heavyweight Adam Kownacki remained unbeaten with a spectacular second-round technical knockout of former world title challenger Gerald Washington.

Kownacki improved to 19-0 with 15 wins inside the distance. He sent Washington to the canvas with a massive right hand in the second round. Washington beat the count, but the referee called the halt moments later -- at 1:09 of the second round -- as he failed to put up any defense under a barrage from Kownacki.

In a World Boxing Association featherweight eliminator, Mongolia's unbeaten Tugstsogt Nyambayar improved to 11-0 with nine knockouts with a unanimous 12-round decision over Claudio Marrero.

Nyambayar won by scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 116-111 as Marrero, who had a point deducted for a low blow, fell to 23-3 with 17 wins inside the distance.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Boxing: Fear of losing drives Joshua to remain world's 'best heavyweight'

World heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua may have proclaimed himself "the best in the division" ahead of putting his titles on the line against Russia's Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium, but he also stressed a defeat would not signal the end of his career. 

The 28-year-old British boxer has won all 21 of his fights since entering the paid ranks, with 20 by way of knockout, although his last title defense, against New Zealand's Joseph Parker in Cardiff in March saw him go the distance for the first time as a professional before he secured a unanimous points decision.

But Joshua, citing the example of many great boxers, insisted a reverse in front of his home crowd on Saturday would not see him bow out of boxing.

"That fear of losing is always there," Joshua, the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization champion, told reporters at Wembley. 

"Sugar Ray Robinson, the best fighter of all time, can lose. Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns, Roberto, Duran, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, (all lost)."

"So who am I to go undefeated?...I have lost before as an amateur and that didn't deter me from getting where I am today," added the London 2012 Olympic champion.

When it was put to Joshua that losing would not end his career, he replied: "One hundred percent and I know that it could happen because I know how tough this sport is."

"That's what I say in boxing, there's no league one, league two...You are either the best or you're not."

Joshua has a significant height and reach advantage of several inches over Povetkin, the 2004 Olympic champion.

Friday's weigh-in also confirmed a significant size difference, with Joshua tipping the scales at 17 stone 8 pounds (111.5 kilos) compared to the 39-year-old Povetkin's 15st 12lbs (100.7 kilos).

This fight sees Joshua returning to the scene of arguably his greatest triumph, an 11th-round stoppage of former champion Wladimir Klitschko last year.

Klitschko is the only man to have inflicted a blemish on Povetkin's 35-fight record, with a points win back in 2013.

Povetkin, however, served notice of his formidable punching power with a sickening knockout of Britain's David Price on the Joshua-Parker undercard at Cardiff's Principality Stadium.

Nevertheless, Joshua had no doubt his best would be good enough to defeat Povetkin.

"Yeah 100 percent," he said. 

"I am the best in the division. There is no doubt about it. It's been proven. There hasn't been a time in boxing since I've been an amateur that I haven’t been on top," added Joshua, whose management have yet to secure a heavyweight unification fight with World Boxing Council champion Deontay Wilder.

'Well is deep' 

Joshua though insisted he was fully focused on the challenge posed by Povetkin.

"I’m up against one of the best fighters in the world, he's a top three fighter in the world, so I have got to be on my A game," he explained.

But Joshua believes the fact he won a grueling contest against Klitschko would stand him in good stead on Saturday.

"Povetkin says he is not the same fighter he was when he lost to Klitschko, he's stronger," said Joshua. 

"I can reflect and say I'm the same. When I fought Klitschko, I thought we would have a good boxing match. You know, two tall guys jab, one-two, one-two hook and I’m probably going to knock him out like I did the rest of the fighters. It turned out to be a completely different kind of night," he said. 

"Klitschko at the end of his career, he was 39, wanted his hands on the championship belts and he said he was obsessed."

"He was probably in good condition, because most fighters are if they train, but he was obsessed. Povetkin, same thing. Back at Wembley at the end of his career, same age, wants his hands on the belts so I have got to be prepared to go through hell and back," he said. 

"Without that Klitschko fight, I wouldn't be as prepared as I am now," Joshua explained.

"I think my well is deep, my heart can definitely go through hell and back."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

World champion again! Pacquiao staves off Father Time, downs Matthysse

Manny Pacquiao has demonstrated he can do a lot of things and take on different kinds of roles.

But at the end of the day, he is only one thing to millions of Filipinos — boxing's GOAT.

And Pacquiao made his countrymen believe in that again when he defeated Lucas Matthysse via seventh-round knockout at Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday to capture the World Boxing Association welterweight world title.

The exact time of stoppage was at the 2:43 mark.

"From the first round, I had in my mind I can control the fight. But our strategy is be patient, don't rush, don't be careless. Just focus, on our hard punches, power punches. That was our strategy resulting to a knockout," Pacquiao said.

"Like I said I'm not done, I'm still here. It's just a matter of time you got to rest then get it back. I owe it to my country."

It was Pacquiao's 60th career win, with the prizefighting senator accomplishing it in front President Rodrigo Duterte, who was seated at a lofty area in the stadium where he was joined by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Until his demolition of the Argentinean fighter, capped by a vicious left uppercut to Matthysse's face, Pacquiao hadn't won via stoppage since he eviscerated Miguel Cotto in 2009.

Many had wondered whether that version of Pacquiao would ever come back, especially this time he was without Freddie Roach.

Roach and Pacquiao decided to part ways this year, ending a partnership that began in 2001.

It was clear Pacquiao didn't need the hall-of-fame coach, at least not this time, to return to his bruising way of finishing his opponents off.

And on Sunday, the 8-division world champion revived that long-held reputation and subsequently restored hope that there's still more fights — and a big payday, perhaps? — ahead of him.

"I feel so blessed especially Buboy's strategy is very effective," Pacquiao said referring to his new chief trainer, childhood buddy Restituto Fernandez. 

"And then also we did a good job in this training camp and we're blessed with this convincing knockout victory."

Right from the opening bell, this had the makings of a lopsided fight.

Pacquiao floored Matthysse thrice — the first caused by an uppercut in the third round.

The next was in the fifth when Pacquiao let loose a pair of right hands to the chest that got Matthysse falling down on one knee.

When he fell a third time in the seventh, referee Kenny Bayless waved the fight off sending the predominantly Filipino crowd into a frenzy.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Unbeaten Garcia outpoints Guerrero to capture crown

LOS ANGELES -- Unbeaten Danny Garcia beat Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision Saturday to capture the World Boxing Council welterweight crown vacated by the retirement of undefeated Floyd Mayweather.

Judges awarded the 12-round victory in the all-American slugfest to Garcia by three identical scores of 116-112.

Garcia rose to 32-0 in only his second bout in the 147-pound weight class since moving up after winning the WBC and World Boxing Association titles at junior welterweight.


"It was a great fight," Garcia said. "I felt I won the fight clearly and the judges said the same thing."

Guerrero, 32, pressed the attack early but Garcia, 27, answered with hammering exchanges, rocking his rival particularly in the sixth and ninth rounds.

An intense exchange of blows in the final round had the crowd standing and cheering. The fighters fired rapid flurries of punches then hugged in the center of the ring after the final bell.

Southpaw Guerrero fell to 33-4 with one drawn. It marked his third world title loss in the division, having fallen to Mayweather in 2013 and unbeaten Keith Thurman, the reigning WBA champion, last March.

Garcia faces a mandatory defense against England's Amir Khan, who was stopped in the fourth round by Garcia in 2012, but other foes are possible as well.

"I want to fight the best," he said. "Danny Garcia never ducked anybody."

Thurman, who provided television commentary on the fight, defends his WBA crown in March against former world champion Shawn Porter and longingly eyed Garcia's title.

"That green belt looks pretty good," Thurman said. "I would like to see it around my waist later this year."

Mayweather, who retired last September after a 49-0 career, watched from ringside and rejected any notion of a return to the sport anytime soon.

"As of right now, I don't have the urge to fight," Mayweather said, avoiding a choice on who he sees as his successor by saying, "There's a lot of great talent out there."

Filling the void as the welterweight king after Mayweather's retirement could take some time as rival champions have differing agendas.

Britain's unbeaten Kell Brook defends his IBF crown in March against Canadian Kevin Bizier while American Tim Bradley defends his World Boxing Organization crown in April against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather doubtful, Garcia next for Pacman - Roach

Trainer Freddie Roach played down hopes of a Manny Pacquiao showdown with Floyd Mayweather and said unbeaten two-belt world champion Danny Garcia could be next for "Pacman" after he fights Chris Algieri on Sunday.

The drop to light welterweight (140lb) would be a further blow to prospects of a $1 billion megafight with the unbeaten Mayweather, whose last three contests have been at light middleweight (154lb).

Roach instead is targeting the impressive Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) who holds both the World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association belts at light welterweight.

"I've been waiting three-and-a-half years for this (Mayweather) fight. I don't think it's going to happen," Roach told reporters on Friday at the Venetian Macau.

"(Promoter Bob) Arum says it might happen but can they deliver Mayweather? I don't think so," added the Hall of Fame trainer, who has guided "Pacman" since 2002.

"You know, if it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now. I want it to happen as badly as you guys."

Pacquiao defends his World Boxing Organization welterweight (147lb) crown on Sunday morning (Saturday night US time) against American Algieri at an agreed catchweight limit of 144lb.

"If Manny feels good in this fight at 144 then I think his next fight will be at 140 because he makes 140 very easily," said Roach.

"First fight back? Danny Garcia. That's my personal opinion."

The fear is that Sunday's clash with the largely unknown WBO light welterweight champion Algieri will not attract the lucrative pay-per-view figures in the United States of previous Pacquiao contests.

There is a dearth of truly world-class opponents in the 147lb division, making the explosive Garcia -- who has recorded fourth-round knockouts against both Britain's former world champion Amir Khan and Mexican great Erik Morales -- the most attractive alternative to the elusive Mayweather.

"Danny Garcia at 140, we'll go there," added Roach. "There are options out there. Mayweather's not everything.

"I think Manny's a better fighter at 140. He's faster and more explosive -- I think the knockouts will come back."

Roach hinted that Pacquiao could drop further, maybe back to lightweight (135lb) if the right opportunity came up.

"Yes he could make 135. He's been in the 130s a couple of times during training camp already," Roach revealed.

"When he gets a little too low in weight I send him home and tell him to have a good steak."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Donaire, Walters make featherweight limit

CARSON CITY, California -- The Stub Hub center is expecting a full house this weekend as the world featherweight championship takes place between two champions Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters.

Before fight night, fans were given a taste of what the competition will be like as the official weigh in was held open to the public.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer called the fighters on stage.

Walters came in at 125.6 pounds, clearing the 126 pound limit. The Jamaican looked fit and declared he is in tip top shape to face the more popular Donaire.

Donaire didn’t have any problems making weight coming in at 125.6 pounds as well.

He is very happy he had a pretty comfortable weight loss program and feels strong to show the firepower that has given him titles in 5 weight divisions

Fans enjoyed the stare down as the fighters posed for the media.

Team Donaire is psyched and confident the serious hard work put in the last two months will pay off.

The Jamaican is equally confident, determined to keep his record clean and claim the honors as featherweight king.

Donaire has won twice at the Stub Hub Center. This weekend he is hoping to score his third.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Donaire all set for title fight vs Walters

MANILA, Philippines – WBA featherweight super champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. already has his game plan set for Nicholas Walters this weekend.

The boxer’s father and coach Nonito Donaire Sr. said they have practiced the steps numerous times to make sure that they will be able to subdue the Jamaican knockout artist on Saturday in Carson City, California (Sunday, Manila time).

“We have a good game-plan which we worked on during 12 rounds of sparring with Guy Robb last Thursday and I’m not worried. I know Nonito will do it,” the elder Donaire told Philboxing’s Ronnie Nathanielsz.

Donaire Sr. reported that the five-division champion has become faster and stronger as they approach fight night. He added that his son is walking around 130 pounds and that making the featherweight division’s 126-pound limit will be no problem.

“He looks impressive,” he said.

Walters earlier claimed he will knock out Donaire in six rounds. The Jamaican has an immaculate record of 24 wins, with 20 coming by way of stoppages.

"I am very hungry and I am confident I will defeat Nonito Donaire, I believe I will knock him out in five or six rounds,” the Jamaican, nicknamed the “Axeman,” said.

Donaire, however, is the craftier and more experienced boxer with 33 victories against two defeats.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Stop blabbing and fight me, Pacquiao tells Mayweather

Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao threw down a fresh challenge to Floyd Mayweather Jr on Thursday, daring the American world champion to "fight me" instead of setting terms that could torpedo the dream bout.

"He's all talk. Until now he has not yet agreed to fight me. Instead of blabbing, he should face me atop the ring," Pacquiao told AFP in an interview.

Ring fans the world over have been baying for a mega-fight between two of the world's greatest boxers of their generation, but previous talks have always broken down before a deal could be signed.

Pacquiao, 35, has held world titles in eight separate weight divisions.

He is training to defend his World Boxing Organization welterweight title against another undefeated American, Chris Algieri, in Macau in November.

Mayweather, who scored a lopsided victory over Marcos Maidana in a rematch in Las Vegas on Saturday, pushing his record to 47-0, later denied he was trying to safeguard his unblemished record by avoiding Pacquiao.

However, he said a Pacquiao bout would have to be on the American's terms.

Pacquiao retorted Thursday that great fighters did not duck facing the best and did not let any challenge pass by.

"I'm tired of his alibis. If he really wants to fight me, he knows how to reach me. We can fight anytime, anywhere," Pacquiao added.

The Filipino, who has won 56, lost five and drawn two fights, also dismissed the manner of Mayweather's second Maidana win, in which the American retained his World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association welterweight titles.

"To me, Maidana won that fight. Mayweather's face and lips were swelling compared to Maidana's unblemished face," Pacquiao said.

Ahead of his bout in Macau, Pacquiao said he would not underestimate Algieri, 30.

"I'm not taking Algieri lightly. He's taller than me and moves around the ring with savvy. That's why I started my training early," Pacquiao said.

His assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez said they would focus on developing a game plan, as well as honing Pacquiao's technique and footwork.

"Algieri uses the ring well and he loves to lean on the ropes. We must devise a strategy to counter this," Fernandez added, warning Pacquiao to beware of the American's left uppercut.

"He's fast, but not as fast as Timothy Bradley. So he can be an easy target for our boxer," Fernandez said.

American Bradley beat Pacquiao in a controversial split decision in 2012, but lost the rematch by unanimous decision last April.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather wins rematch over Maidana

LAS VEGAS - Champion boxer Floyd Mayweather ran his unbeaten streak to 47 straight fights by beating Argentine slugger Marcos Maidana by a unanimous decision in their bad-tempered rematch Saturday.

Mayweather, who hasn't lost a fight since the 1996 Olympics, successfully defended his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council welterweight belts and the WBC junior middleweight belt.

He improved to 47-0 as two judges scored it 116-111 and the third had it 115-112 for the champion.

"I didn't stay on the ropes. That was the difference," Mayweather said. "I felt I did better in the first fight. This fight I felt dry and dead."

Mayweather was a heavy favourite coming into the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino bout in Las Vegas after winning their first fight by a majority decision in May.

- Forearm shiver -

At one point, referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight and deducted a point from Maidana in the 10th round after he used his left forearm to push back Mayweather, who dropped to the canvas.

There is no love lost between the two boxers, who accused each other in the build-up to this fight of using dirty tricks in their first bout.

Both fighters used questionable tactics over the course of the fight, as Maidana appeared to bite the champ's hand in the eighth round and Mayweather delivered a low blow that buckled Maidana in the 11th.

For the second straight time, Mayweather boxing fans rushed and battled outside the MGM Grand Garden Arena after the fight.

A stampede in May resulted in a number of people being taken to hospital with various injuries after being trampled on and crushed against the walls of the arena entrance.

Witnesses said Saturday's incident also saw fans being knocked over as people pushed their way into the narrow corridor that leads out of the entrance. There were no initial reports of injuries.

Mayweather, 37, never allowed Maidana (35-4, 31 KOs) to get into a proper rhythm in the rematch, landing the better right hands and counterpunches. He connected on 102 power punches compared to just 82 for Maidana.

Mayweather complained bitterly after the fight about Maidana allegedly biting him on the left hand in the eighth.

The two were in a clinch when Mayweather pulled his hand back sharply and complained to Bayless that he was bitten. Bayless stepped between them as Mayweather pointed and yelled at Maidana.

"He bit my fucking hand. He bit me," Mayweather said to Bayless.

Mayweather said after the fight was over that his hand bothered him from the eighth round on.

"I couldn't feel my hand the rest of the fight," he said.

Maidana denied biting Mayweather, saying it is not possible while wearing a mouthguard.

- 'He thinks I am a dog' -

"He thinks I am a dog. But no, I never bit him," Maidana said.

Mayweather will earn a minimum $32 million for the fight while Maidana's purse is $3 million, double what he got for the first fight.

Maidana was given the rematch after landing more punches on Mayweather in the first fight than any other fighter. One judge scored the May fight six rounds each.

Mayweather, who also heads up his own fight promotion company, criticized the judges and referee for the first fight. So organizers replaced two of the three judges and brought in Bayless, who had refereed four previous Mayweather fights.

Maidana came into the fight much lighter than he did for the first bout when he gained almost 20 pounds between the weigh-in and the fight. This time he gained just 11 pounds, reaching 157 pounds.

Mayweather's game plan was to stay off the ropes but his decision to put Maidana in a bear hug every time he couldn't slither out of trouble only ended up making Maidana more frustrated and angry.

Maidana entered the ring first but he didn't have to wait long as Mayweather followed him out of the dressing room.

Mayweather wore a snakeskin robe, which he took off to reveal matching black and white snakeskin trunks. Maidana had red trunks with black trim.

Maidana said he felt he did enough to win the fight.

"I thought I won the fight. But if the judges want to give it to the guy who runs, that is how it is."

Mayweather plans to fight twice more in 2015. He denied he is avoiding Filipino star Manny Pacquiao and said if a deal can be worked out, he would go for it.

"I will go back and talk to my team," Mayweather said. "I am not ducking or dodging no opponent. If a Manny Pacquiao fight presents itself, then let's make it happen.

"Pacquiao needs to focus on guy in front of him, then we will see what the future holds."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather wants 'statement' win over Maidana

LAS VEGAS - Floyd Mayweather, coming off one the biggest scares of his undefeated boxing career, wants to send a message Saturday when he faces Argentine brawler Marcos Maidana.

Mayweather, who won a majority decision over Maidana in May, will battle the South American again for the World Boxing Association welterweight title and World Boxing Council welterweight and junior middleweight crowns.

"I know that I am almost 40 but I am still going strong," the 37-year-old Mayweather said on Wednesday. "I am coming to make a statement."

This is just the second rematch Mayweather has given since turning pro in 1996. Mayweather won a controversial unanimous decision over Jose Castillo in 2002. The pair fought again eight months later for the WBC lightweight title and Mayweather won by another decision.

Mayweather, 46-0 with 26 knockouts, will need to get off to a better start against Maidana than he did in their first fight in order to keep his perfect record intact.

Maidana will be trying to pace himself so that he doesn't run out of steam in the later rounds.

"I don't have to make any adjustments. He do," Mayweather said. "I won. He has to make adjustments."

Maidana, 35-4 with 31 knockouts, came the closet of anyone to becoming the first fighter to beat Mayweather, landing 51 percent of his punches with Mayweather on the ropes.

His aggressive game plan worked for the first six rounds as he landed 221 punches on Mayweather, the most of any opponent. The only other fighter to land 200 punches on Mayweather was Castillo, who landed 203 in their first fight.

"I am very well prepared but this time around I already know him," Maidana said. "Floyd is not used to giving rematches. So I got this great opportunity."

Maidana said one of the keys for him is to be more patient and sacrifice quantity for quality.

"I am going to pace myself this time. I am not going to waste punches," he said.

Vegas oddsmakers have listed Mayweather as an 8-1 favorite ahead of Friday's weigh-in.

His longevity in the sport has been attributed to brilliant counterpunching skills and a stingy defense that doesn't allow opponents to land many clean shots.

And he said Wednesday that is just the way he likes it.

"I try not take no shots," Mayweather said. "I don't want to be known as the guy that can take a good shot. I want to be known as the guy that can dish it out."

- More Mayweather mixed messages -

Mayweather said prior to his May fight with Maidana that he could retire at the end of that fight. But once the bout was over and pay-per-view figures were in, he quickly reversed his tune.

Mayweather provided more mixed messages Wednesday, telling reporters he might stop or he might fight past his current contract with Showtime if they come to him with a good offer. He is currently in the middle of a six-fight contract with Showtime.

"I can't really say. They may come with another contract. I am pretty sure they will," he said. "It is not hard to stop right now. But I feel good. I am just ready to fight."

Kenny Bayless will be the referee Saturday, marking the fifth time he has been in the ring as the referee for a Mayweather fight.

Mayweather complained bitterly about the choice of gloves that Maidana wanted to use prior to the first fight, saying they didn't have enough padding.

Maidana's trainer, Robert Garcia, said Wednesday that an agreement has been reached to use eight-ounce gloves on Saturday.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Injured elbow slows down Mayweather

LAS VEGAS - Pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather said he dislocated his left elbow in the middle of his majority decision over previously unbeaten Saul Alvarez on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Mayweather earned a record $41 million purse for a dominating 12-round victory in which he claimed Alvarez's World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association super welterweight belts.

"I could have used more combinations down the stretch. I think I dislocated my elbow," said Mayweather during the post-fight news conference.

Mayweather said that for rounds six and seven he couldn't use his jab because of the suspected dislocated elbow, although round seven still turned out to be one of his strongest of the fight.

"My arm was hurting, and I wanted to stop using my jab and just paw with it," Mayweather said.

Doctors were expected to examine the elbow this week.

He used his superior hand speed to keep Alvarez at bay, but Mayweather still only managed to win the fight on two of the three judge's scorecards.

Judge CJ Ross surprisingly scored it a draw, 114-114. The other two judges, Craig Metcalfe (117-111) and Dave Moretti (116-112) had Mayweather winning in a breeze.

Ross surprised many by giving six rounds to Alvarez. She is also one of two judges who scored a win for Timothy Bradley over Manny Pacquiao last year.

Mayweather criticized Ross after the fight.

"I think it is a woman, and she could be older," said Mayweather.

Mayweather was fighting for just the second time since being released from prison after serving a sentence for assaulting the mother of his children.

Mayweather gave away 13 years in age and 15 pounds to the younger and stronger Alvarez.

The Mexican fighter tipped the scales at Friday's weigh in right on the 152-pound catch weight. But by the time he entered the ring, Alvarez had ballooned to 165, 13 pounds heavier than he was at the weigh in. It was also 10 pounds heavier than the weight he had been sparring at in the week leading up to the fight.

The added weight made him look slow and awkward in the ring as he suffered the first loss of his career.

This was the second fight in Mayweather's six-bout, 30-month contract with Showtime that could pay him more than $200 million.

Saturday's fight marked the first time since 2007 that he has fought twice in a calendar year, and Mayweather said he plans to repeat that schedule in 2014 and 2015 by fighting in May and September.

Mayweather repeated several times after the fight that he is counting down the months until retirement, and he believes he will stop boxing sometime in 2015.

"I only got 24 months left," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather dominates Cotto for WBA belt

LAS VEGAS — Undefeated American Floyd Mayweather won the World Boxing Association super welterweight title with a unanimous 12-round decision over Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand.

Mayweather, who stepped up in weight to fight Cotto, on Saturday used his superior hand speed and solid defence to win the fight on all three judges’ scorecards.

Cotto, of Puerto Rico, made Mayweather work for the victory as he won some of the middle rounds and showed a willingness to engage Mayweather in the centre of the ring.

Mayweather ultimately survived one of the toughest fights of his career to extend his winning streak to 43-0 with 26 knockouts.

The fighters exchanged vicious punches in the 12th round with Mayweather landing the better of the shots. He appeared to wobble Cotto twice but couldn’t knock him down.

source: interaksyon.com

Mayweather faces Cotto, but Pacquiao lurks in the background

LAS VEGAS — For once Floyd Mayweather set the bluster and bombast aside as he looked forward to his battle Saturday with Miguel Cotto for the Puerto Rican’s World Boxing Association super welterweight world title.

“Miguel is a true warrior, a tough champion, and to go down in the Hall of Fame as one of the best, you have to face the true champions out there,” Mayweather said as the two met the press on Wednesday.

The American’s gacious words were a stark contrast to the kind of vitriol he has directed at Manny Pacquiao — the Filipino fight king who has evolved into Mayweather’s nemesis even as a mega-fight between the two has repeatedly failed to materialize.

The mention of Pacquiao was enough to set Mayweather off on a diatribe on Tuesday, although he insisted he bore Pacman no ill-will.

“Just speaking my mind,” Mayweather said. “When you have two fighters who get to this level there’s no losing. That’s the ultimate goal is for the top fighters to meet each other. Somebody got to win and somebody got to lose when you get to this level.”

Cotto, meanwhile, has been unapologetic in the build-up to the fight even as pundits bemoan the fact that it’s not a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown.

“I didn’t care about hearing one more thing about that,” Cotto said in a Los Angeles publicity stop prior to the bout.

“If people want to see that (Mayweather-Pacquiao) fight, they have to wait until I beat Mayweather.”

This week the 31-year-old Cotto, a three-division champion, promised to end Mayweather’s unbeaten run.

“I’m a quiet guy, and I prefer to talk in the ring,” said Cotto, who brings a record of 37-2 with 30 knockouts to the bout. “I had a tremendous camp in Orlando. All the work that we put in will bring me the victory Saturday night.

“No matter what, I am going to use what I have to fight Floyd. I’m prepared for his style.

“I am going to be the first guy to beat Mayweather.”

Mayweather, needless to say, has other ideas, even though he’s stepping up in weight to challenge for Cotto’s title.

Mayweather hasn’t fought at 154 pounds since beating Oscar De La Hoya in a split decision in 2007.

In his last fight, Mayweather came off a 16-month layoff to knock out Victor Ortiz and take the World Boxing Council welterweight title in September, a triumph that took his record to 42-0 with 26 knockouts.

Cotto easily retained his WBA super welterweight title in December with a technical knockout of Antonio Margarito.

He pounded Margarito, who fought the last few rounds with his right eye shut, the result of a barrage of strategically aimed left hooks from Cotto.

While the bout is projected to be a clash of Mayweather’s speed and precision against Cotto’s tough physical presence, Mayweather said it might not pan out that way.

“I don’t have to be moving and running,” he said. “I just have to box. I just have to take my time and whatever happens, happens. Whatever plays out, plays out.”

source: interaksyon.com