Arum doesn't believe Pacquiao is retiring

Boxing promoter Bob Arum admitted that he is not totally convinced that Manny Pacquiao will be hanging his gloves for good after the Timothy Bradley fight this April.

“I can't come to grips with the feeling that this is his last fight,” Arum said in Boxing Scene. “Maybe he will retire. But I'm not gonna lose sleep on it.”

Why the skepticism? Arum noted that it is common for boxers to change their minds after taking a hiatus from the fight game, citing “Sugar” Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Antonio Margarito and even Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Brandon Rios retired after his last fight [with Bradley]... and unretired half an hour later. Some of these fighters, they retire when they have one wife, and when they get another one, they un-retire,” he said.

Pacquiao has a different reason for retiring, however.


The boxing superstar and congressman is set on pursuing a political career and is running for senator in the May elections.

“If his first thing is gonna be politics then he has to do that as well if not better than he did as a boxer,” Arum said in a separate interview with Boxing Scene Radio Rahim. “If a political career will interfere with him boxing in the future, so be it... he has to look as to what he's gonna do for the rest of his life.”

“When he told me that this was gonna be his last fight, I took that with a grain of salt. But if it is his last fight, I'll acknowledge what a great ride it has been.”

But Arum said there are two things that could affect change Pacquiao’s mind about his imminent retirement. One is a stellar performance against Bradley; and two is the possibility of Mayweather coming out of retirement.

Nostalgia

The boxing promoter admitted that he could not help but get emotional about his friendship with Pacquiao.

What made the Filipino boxer so special, he said, is Pacquiao’s rise to superstardom in the US despite being a non-American.

“Think of where he came from,” explained Arum. “He was as obscure as you can get, a little guy, coming from half-way around the world. It is a tribute to him, but it is almost a bigger tribute to this country (the US), which accepted him, even embraced him. He couldn't speak English.

"If he had been Hispanic, or African-American, he might have had a leg up. But he wasn't.”

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

Pacquiao welcomes praise for documentary

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is all smiles for the praise he is getting regarding his documentary.

The documentary, titled “Manny,” opened in Philippine theaters on Wednesday.

“Maganda naman 'yung movie daw, maraming nanood, at nakapagbigay inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan,” said Pacquiao in an interview with ABS-CBN North America Bureau’s Steve Angeles.

The film features the life of the Filipino boxing icon, his rise to fame, and even his misfortunes.

It was narrated by Academy Award nominee Liam Neeson and directed by Academy Award winner Leon Gast and Ryan Moore.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao continued his training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles on Tuesday as part of his preparations for his upcoming rematch against Timothy Bradley.

The fighting congressman even bloodied the nose of one of his sparring partners, despite having jetlag from his long flight to the US.

“Ayos naman ang first day [of training] natin dito sa America. May jetlag pa tayo so adjust adjust pa ng konti," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Rios ready for 'scary' Pacquiao, says trainer

MANILA, Philippines -- With Manny Pacquiao looking to return to his former self that saw him win eight titles over as many divisions, trainer Robert Garcia said Brandon Rios will be ready for the "scary" Filipino superstar.

"We're training for the Pacquiao that has done everything. The Pacquiao that is so fast, and so powerful, and who has knocked everybody out. We're preparing for the Pacquiao that's scary," Garcia said in an interview with RingTV.com in Las Vegas.

The trainer revealed that Rios is working on his speed for the November 24 bout.

"We don't like to publicize what's going on in training, but I'm so impressed. Brandon's been knocking our sparring partners out. He's doing a good job, looking so strong and so fast, and we've still got six weeks before the fight," said Garcia.

Rios recently lost his last fight at 140 pounds against Mike Alvarado in May but Garcia was quick to point out that Rios is going to be faster fighting as a first-time welterweight.

"Brandon's going to fight at welterweight, so he doesn't have to kill himself to make weight. He's strong and he's walking around 10, 12 pounds over the weight," he said.

"But at six weeks before the fight that's no problem. Brandon's going to be faster," warned Garcia.

The trainer also admitted that even though the Filipino is not the same Pacquiao his team faced when he was in Antonio Margarito's corner in 2010, Rios still needs to be wary of the threat.

Pacquiao won that fight against Margarito by a unanimous decision but has since suffered back-to-back losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez.

"I don't see the same Pacquiao of five years ago. I know that a lot of people will agree with me, but we still need to prepare for that scary Pacquiao," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao set for April tune-up, then Marquez V in Sept

MANILA – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is already mapping out his ring return following his shocking loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

Pacquiao’s legal adviser Franklin Gacal told The Philippine Star’s Abac Cordero that the Filipino boxer wants to make his ring return in April.

But Gacal said they won't let Pacquiao go up against Marquez just yet.
 
“April is too early for that. We will get there. Manny needs to fight someone else to rebuild his confidence,” he said.



If the results are good, Gacal said they can arrange a fifth face-off between Pacquiao and Marquez in September.

“First, he wants to fight in April,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fred Sternburg, Top Rank’s publicist, clarified that Pacquiao’s mandatory suspension following his sixth-round knockout last December will only last for 90 days.

Earlier reports indicated that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) had meted Pacquiao a 120-day mandatory suspension as a result of the devastating knockout.

But Sternburg clarified that the suspension will run only up to March 9, 2013 or 90 days after the fight.

The no-contact order will be up to February 7, 2013 or 60 days after the fight.

“Hope this clears things up,” said Sternburg.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao to earn $25M in 4th Marquez bout

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is expected to earn at least $25 million in his fourth ring collision with his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, according to Top Rank president Todd duBoef.

If the pay-per-view breaches the 1.3 million mark set by Pacquiao-Marquez III last year, then Pacquiao’s earnings could reach $30 million, DuBoef said.

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer said Pacquiao has a guaranteed purse of $8.595 million for Saturday’s bout, while Marquez has $3 million.

But duBoef told Yahoo! Sports’ Kevin Iole that the biggest share of earnings will come from the pay-per-view sales and foreign television money.

Based on recent trends, the Top Rank executive said Pacquiao remains one of the biggest pay-per-view stars in boxing.

"We're getting more of the bars and restaurants, the chains, the Hooters, the Buffalo Wild Wings, places like that, buying the fight," duBoef said. "If [interest in Pacquiao is decreasing], I am not seeing it."

Pacquiao, who is due to fight Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), is the second highest paid athlete according to Forbes with earnings of $62 million.

His biggest rival, Floyd Mayweather, is on top of the list with $85 million in earnings.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacman: Training in GenSan better than in Baguio

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao is satisfied with his initial training in General Santos City for his Juan Manuel Marquez fight in December.

Pacquiao said that in contrast to his past training camps in Baguio City, he was less distracted in General Santos City.

"My security nga, hindi na naha-high blood sa pag-awat ng mga taong nagpo-pose for picture o nagpapapirma ng authograph,” he told Philboxing’s Eddie Alinea with a laugh.



(My security details are no longer having a hard time keeping me away from fans.)

Pacquiao said most of his kababayans in General Santos City understand the importance of his upcoming fight.

"Ayaw nilang magsilbing distractions sa preparasyon ko (They don’t want to distract me from my preparations)," the fighting congressman said.

Away from photo-opp hungry fans, Pacquiao has been enjoying uninterrupted road and gym work in General Santos.

He also said that favorable weather in the past weeks helped him get into shape.

"Medyo mainit kaya siguro na-regain ko agad ang stamina. Grabe kung pagpawisan kung kaya nakakaya kong gawin ang lahat pinagagawa sa akin," he said.

(It was quite hot here and it helped me regain my stamina. I perspire a lot, which is why I was able to do everything I was told to do).

Pacquiao is scheduled to fly to the US on Saturday for the remainder of his training.

The Filipino boxer will spend six weeks at the Wild Card Gym owned by his trainer Freddie Roach.

Pacquiao is scheduled to fight Marquez on December 8.

The Filipino champion has said he wants to erase the doubts about his previous victories against the Mexican champion.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao among Forbes' most powerful celebrities

World boxing superstar and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao has been included in Forbes magazine’s list of most powerful celebrities in the world for the year 2010.

Pacquiao ranked 55th out of the 100 richest and most powerful celebrities in the world this year, edging out Hollywood actors like Tom Cruise and George Clooney, according to Forbes’ website.

Television host Oprah Winfrey, meanwhile, was listed as the world’s most powerful celebrity in 2010, followed by singer Beyonce Knowles and Avatar director James Cameron.

Forbes estimated Pacquiao’s earnings from June 2009 to June 2010 at $42 million, $35 million of which he earned from his blockbuster fights against Joshua Clottey and Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao’s next potential opponent, Mayweather, ranked higher than him at No. 31 with an estimated $65-million earning in the past year.

The magazine likewise acknowledged Pacquiao’s political influence, being the newly elected representative of the lone congressional district of Sarangani province in southern Philippines.

“While still regarded by many as the best boxer in the sport right now, Pac-Man (Pacquiao’s monicker) is also busy outside the ring. He was elected a member of Congress of the Philippines in May… The boxing world awaits a potential mega-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.," Forbes said.

Negotiations are still ongoing for a potential November 13 showdown between Pacquiao and Mayweather. - KBK, GMANews.TV

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