Holyfield defends Pacquiao's lack of knockouts

Legendary heavyweight Evander Holyfield came to the defense of Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao over the eight-division world champion's on-going knockout drought.

Pacquiao has not won by knockout since 2009, when he stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round of their fight. He is, however, coming off a sensational six-knockdown demolition of Chris Algieri in Macau.

"The whole thing is that, a lot of times – he's a great fighter, the expectation is he's supposed to knock people out, because he was knocking people out," Holyfield said of Pacquiao during an interview with Fight Hub TV.

"But the one thing I realized – when you start knocking people out, people stop fighting hard," he added. "They start trying to preserve themselves, they don't wanna get knocked out."

"They're not gonna win, but they don't get knocked out."

Holyfield said this is likely what happened with Pacquiao, and the cause of his knockout drought.

"When they thought he was too small, they kept rushing, and he knocked people out. Then all of a sudden, everybody goes straight defense," he said.

"It's become kind of a boring fight, and it don't look like he's working hard, but the other guy don't try to win. They just want to say 'You didn't knock me out'," he explained.

Holyfield also pointed out that Pacquiao, unlike his opponents, has shown no fear of engaging, even after he got knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez when they last fought in December 2012.

"He ran into a shot one time. But you know what, he made no excuses," said Holyfield. "He got up and he wanted to come back."

"That's the character of a person, when a person don't make excuses. When a person says, 'You know what? I got hit with one I didn't see'," he added.

"He got up, and the next fight he came up and fought back. He's a good fighter. He's the type of guy, you can never count him out," Holyfield stressed.

Holyfield was, of course, asked about a potential showdown between Pacquiao and unbeaten American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., but the heavyweight refused to make a prediction.

He only pointed out that both Pacquiao and Mayweather could already be seen as winners considering the money they stand to make in a mega-fight.

"Other than becoming champion, you fight for money," he said. "So why not? Why not make the money? There ain't no loser in that fight."

"These two people are the very best. Somebody's gotta get the decision. Who's gonna be the best that night?" he added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Pacquiao wants to fight Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao wants to fight American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. so they can finally determine who is the true No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Pacquiao has made it clear that he has agreed to all terms for a May 2 fight against Mayweather, and is only waiting for the American to put his name on the dotted line.

"The challenge is… we know he's undefeated and claiming he's No. 1 pound-for-pound in the world," Pacquiao said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

"I just want to prove who's really No. 1," he added. "If the fight is on, and he beats me, I'm really convinced me he is No. 1."

"If not, I'm No. 1."

Pacquiao has said Mayweather has until the end of the month to sign the contract for the fight, otherwise he will move on to Plan B.

Pacquiao told the LA Times that British boxer Amir Khan and "a lot of boxers" are potential opponents for him should a Mayweather fight fall through, but he genuinely wants to fight the American.

"We just want to make that fight happen," he said, "for the sake of the fans, for the sake of millions of people around the world who are excited to see that fight."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao ready to fight Mayweather in 2015

Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao sent a strong message to unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. with a superb performance against challenger Chris Algieri in their welterweight fight Sunday in Macau.

The unbeaten Algieri was game but eventually out-classed, as Pacquiao knocked him down six times and won an overwhelming unanimous decision.

"Tonight I did my best," said Pacquiao, who won with scores of 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102 to hike his record to 57 wins with five losses and two draws.

Pacquiao, of course, could not escape the Mayweather question, and he responded in humorous fashion as the "Pacman" imitated his now-famous Foot Locker commercial.

"He's going to fight me? Yes! Yes!" Pacquiao exclaimed, to the delight of his entourage inside the ring.

Turning serious, Pacquiao made it clear that he is very willing to fight the American superstar who earlier this year routed Marcos Maidana keep his professional record spotless at 47-0.

"I think I'm ready to fight next year for him," said Pacquiao. "I want that fight. The fans deserve that fight."

Pacquiao has never wavered from his stance that he is willing to fight Mayweather at any time. While the "Pacman" believes his legacy in the sport won't be tarnished should he never fight the boxer known as "Money," he also acknowledges that fight fans genuinely want to see him and Mayweather in a classic encounter.

But despite repeated negotiations, a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight has never come close to fruition.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao floors Algieri 6 times en route to easy win

Filipino legend Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao put together a truly dominant display as he demolished American challenger Chris Algieri, registering six knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision victory Sunday morning at the Cotai Arena in Macau.

Against a taller fighter with solid boxing skills, Pacquiao showed that he still had the explosiveness, punching power and speed that once made him the top pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

The "Pacman" was never seriously challenged by Algieri, shrugging off the American's sporadic punches and putting together multi-punch combinations that caused Algieri's left eye to swell and wobbled his knees.

Pacquiao clearly wanted to end a knockout drought that stretches all the way back to 2009, but Algieri managed to stay standing until the final bell. The Filipino boxer nevertheless won in overwhelming fashion, with judges scoring the bout 119-103, 119-103, and 120-102.

"Tonight, I did my best," a beaming Pacquiao said after the fight. "I am satisfied with my performance tonight. I came to fight, I did my best, and that was enough."

Pacquiao hiked his professional record to 57 wins with five losses and two draws, and has now won three consecutive fights in convincing fashion since losing back-to-back bouts to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

Algieri, for his part, lost for the first time in 21 professional fights.

Six knockdowns
Pacquiao floored Algieri for the first time in the second round, although it was a contentious call as Algieri claimed he slipped.

Algieri repeatedly tried to dodge and duck Pacquiao's punches in the first four rounds, but the Filipino icon still found his mark.

"I knew he was gonna come on strong," Algieri said after the fight. "But Manny is the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao. That's really what it is."

Pacquiao wobbled Algieri in the sixth round with a huge left hand, and a flurry of punches put the American on the canvas again. Algieri beat the count but went down for the second time in the sixth round, although he once more argued that it was a slip.

Pacquiao continued to dominate the fight in the middle rounds, landing his left hand with regularity and connecting on combinations.

Algieri was more active in the ninth round, but paid for it when Pacquiao connected on a vicious left cross that sent the American tumbling to the mat once more. Algieri again beat the count, but was clearly on wobbly legs and had to hold on to Pacquiao while the Filipino was going for the kill.

Because of that, the referee called another knockdown on Algieri, and Pacquiao visibly tried to end the fight as he swarmed Algieri with punches from all angles, but the American managed to survive.

Algieri went down for the sixth time in the 10th round, but danced and dodged away from danger the rest of the way and managed to survive until the final bell.

"I was looking for a knockout, but he's fast," Pacquiao said. "He was moving, and it's hard to get careless and overconfident."

One legitimate knockdown

Algieri, however, claimed that the only "legitimate knockdown" was the one that occurred in the ninth round, when Pacquiao's left hook stunned him.

"I thought that it was my best round of the fight at that point," he said, adding that he wanted to go for a left hook of his own only to be shocked by Pacquiao's faster punch.

"That was the only shot that hurt me, but I had my legs pretty good when I got up," Algieri claimed.

Algieri's height and reach advantage, which was seen to be his biggest physical advantages entering the fight, proved to be of little use against Pacquiao who was able to solve the problem by the second round.

But Algieri said he still stuck to his game plan, which was to make it to the second half of the fight without incurring too much damage.

"We were looking to set up the pace (in the later rounds) and land shots that would hurt him… We were looking to put some damage on the guy," said Algieri.

But by the eighth round, Pacquiao was in complete control of the encounter and was simply shrugging off Algieri's punches.

Algieri said Pacquiao's fighting style was simply unique.

"He's perfected fighting like Manny Pacquiao. It's not so much the punching power, but its how he mixes the punches together. He's the best in the world at fighting like Manny Pacquiao, and it's a very, very unique style," he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao says he anticipated Bradley's tactics

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao said he was not surprised to see Timothy Bradley actively seek a knockout against him in their WBO welterweight rematch Saturday in Las Vegas.

Bradley, who is more known for his slick boxing style, fought aggressively against Pacquiao, often winding up for big shots, although the “Pacman” was able to evade most of his power punches.

“Alam na alam ko naman, anticipated ko naman ‘yung style ni Bradley, so hindi ako masyadong nag-adjust or nahirapan sa taas ng ring,” Pacquiao on “Buzz ng Bayan” on Sunday.

“Ine-expect ko na rin ‘yung tatakbo siya, and then makikipagpalitan siya, tatakbo siya then makikipagpalitan siya. Expected ko na ‘yun, na ganoon ang magiging style niya,” he added.

Pacquiao was briefly in trouble in the fourth round, when he got hit with a huge right hand that dazed him, but the Filipino recovered well and seized complete control of the bout a couple of rounds later.

When asked if he found the rematch easy, Pacquiao said: “Ang laban na ito, siguro, may madali at may mahirap din na pagkakataon.”

“Nahirapan ako noong gumagalaw-galaw siya. Mas madali sa akin, easy sa akin kapag nakahinto lang siya at hindi tumatakbo-takbo,” he added.

Pacquiao was more successful in the second half of the 12-rounder, when he was repeatedly able to pin Bradley against the ropes and unleash a flurry of punches. He also clearly hurt Bradley in the seventh round, landing a cracking left hand that buzzed the American.

Although Pacquiao was unable to register his first knockout victory since 2009, the “Pacman” was satisfied with the result of the fight.

“Maganda naman ang naging resulta ng laban,” he said, later adding, “Itong fight na ito ang magpapatunay na the journey of my boxing career will continue.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Classy Bradley makes no excuses for loss

When Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao controversially lost to Tim Bradley in June 2012, the “Pacman” was gracious in defeat. Two years later, “Desert Storm” returned the favor after losing their rematch.

 Pacquiao exacted his revenge against Bradley Saturday in Las Vegas, outworking the American over 12 rounds to win a unanimous decision and reclaim his WBO welterweight championship.

Bradley, who lost for the first time in 32 professional fights, was quick to pay tribute to the “Pacman” after the bout.

“He’s the better fighter tonight. That’s what it is,” said Bradley. “He has impeccable timing, great footwork. He’s very coordinated, with tremendous punching power.”

Bradley got a measure of satisfaction from surviving until the final bell even though he fought with an injury on his right calf. Despite this, he told ESPN after the fight that he has “no excuses.”

“Stuff happens,” he said. “I got nothing to say about it.”

“You can’t say nothing against Manny. I lost to one of the best fighters in the world. Manny fought his heart out. I tip my hat to his whole corner, Freddie Roach, and his whole team,” he added.

Leading up to the fight, Bradley repeatedly questioned Pacquiao’s killer instinct and hunger, and the Filipino answered those questions as he peppered Bradley with power punches, especially in the seventh round.

“I picked up more steam in the second half when I made adjustments,” Pacquiao told ESPN. “Bradley is much better than in the first fight we had. He hurt me on the chin.”

Bradley said he wanted to go for a knockout, which would have given him a decisive victory against the Filipino after winning their first fight in June 2012 in controversial fashion.

“I tried. I really tried,” said the American. “I wanted that knockout. Manny is a great fighter, one of the best in the world. I lost to one of the greatest fighters in boxing.”

Fight statistics showed that Bradley threw more punches, 627, to 563 by Pacquiao, but the Filipino fighter landed 198 punches, or 35% to only 141, or 22% for Bradley.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao may retire if Bradley wins again

Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao is in a “must-win” situation, according to Hall-of-Fame boxing trainer Freddie Roach, with less than a week to go before taking on unbeaten American Timothy Bradley Jr. in a rematch.

Pacquiao controversially lost to Bradley when they first fought in June 2012, and will be the challenger when he steps into the ring on April 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“This is a must-win situation on Saturday night,” Roach told Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph.

“If we don’t win this fight, we have to consider maybe retirement,” he admitted.

Pacquiao has been facing questions about his boxing future since December 2012, when he was shockingly knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez, just months after he lost to Bradley.

He rebounded with a masterful performance against the overmatched Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in November 2013, but Roach acknowledged that there are still those who doubt that the Filipino remains an elite fighter.

“This is a big, big fight for him,” he said. “We are in a must-win situation, it’s as simple as that. Some people think we are all done, and we have to prove that we are not.”

On Monday, Pacquiao said on ANC’s “Headstart” that he still has something left to prove and insisted that he alone will decide on his retirement.

“(Kailangan) patunayan na hindi pa tapos ‘yung career natin,” said Pacquiao, who for a time was the pound-for-pound king of boxing.

“Ayokong mag-retiro ng maaga, tapos babalik ako later on. Gusto ko, sulit. Pag retiro, retiro na, wala ng balikan. Ako naman ang magsasabi na ‘I think I have to hang up my gloves,’” said the Filipino idol.

Pacquiao insisted that he does not yet feel the need to retire, as he is still hungry to compete and still looks forward to the daily grind of training.

“Training lang naman ang capital ng boxing. Kapag dumating ang time na medyo tamarin ka na, eh medyo mag-isip-isip ka na,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley will be fighting the 'best Pacquiao'

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao welcomes the barbs of unbeaten American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. ahead of their welterweight rematch on April 12 in Las Vegas.

Bradley had spurred Pacquiao to show “no compassion” when they face off again, two years after Bradley controversially beat Pacquiao via split decision.

“I’m so fired up, I’m so determined. Manny Pacquiao gotta kill me to stop me,” Bradley said.

Speaking to PhilBoxing, Pacquiao assured his supporters that Bradley “will get what he wants.”

“He will be fighting the best Manny Pacquiao in a long time, because I will be stepping up that ring well-prepared and very determined to prove to all who really won our first encounter two years ago,” said Pacquiao.

“I have been training long and hard for this fight to win back the title that was unceremoniously taken away from me,” he added, referring to the WBO welterweight belt that he dropped to the American.

“I intend to do that for all the boxing fans who also thought I won the first fight, and especially to my countrymen.”

Pacquiao, who is in Los Angeles for the second phase of training camp, welcomes the news that Bradley has been preparing hard for their showdown.

“I know Bradley is also preparing hard, like me, (because) he also wants to prove something. Well and good. Ang ibig sabihin, laban din siya,” said Pacquiao. “So maganda ‘yan para sa mga boxing fans, matutuwa sila.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Boxing pundits convinced Pacquiao has plenty left

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao marked his return to the win column with an impressive performance against Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios Sunday in Macau, and the victory showed that the “Pacman” still has plenty left in the tank.

Coming off back-to-back losses – including a knockout at the hands of Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez – Pacquiao faced tremendous questions entering his fight against the hard-hitting Rios. But he let his fists do the talking in their 12-round fight, which he won via unanimous decision.

“In the aftermath of a horrifying knockout loss to Juan Manule Marquez last December, questions about whether Pacquiao would be the same fighter lingered,” Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated wrote after the “Clash in Cotai.”

“But while Pacquiao is not the same human wrecking ball he was through 2009, he proved against Rios that, at 34, he still has plenty left,” he added. “Boxing brilliantly, Pacquiao moved in, out and around Rios, peppering him with combinations, bruising his face with thudding power shots. It was an easy fight to score… with little controversy.”

Brian Campbell of ESPN wrote: “With the alternative being a third straight loss and possible retirement, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Manny Pacquiao is back following his 12-round whitewash of hard-charging Brandon Rios.”

Like Mannix, Campbell noted that Pacquiao may not have been as destructive as he was in 2009, when he routinely beat up bigger opponents, but it was still an impressive performance considering the stakes.

“In his first fight following a scary, one-punch knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez last December, coming off the longest layoff of his career, it wasn’t too shabby,” wrote Campbell.

“Pacquiao simply had his way with the one-dimensional Rios, establishing himself early to the body before continuously peppering the Mexican-American fighter with combinations upstairs en route to an easy, unanimous decision win,” he added.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said prior to the fight that he will advise the Filipino to retire should he lose to Rios, was satisfied with his prized ward’s performance, saying the Pacman fought a “perfect” fight.

Even Rios’ trainer, Robert Garcia, who got into an altercation with Roach prior to Sunday's showdown, acknowledged that Pacquiao was far from done.

“Pacquiao still has it. He has quickness and great speed. He’ll be around for a long time,” said Garcia.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Pacquiao didn't knockout Rios

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino pride Manny Pacquiao marveled at Brandon Rios’ ability to take his punches throughout their 12-round bout in Macau.

Pacquiao, who is known for his blinding speed and heavy hands, landed a total of 281 punches against Rios -- or more than double the Mexican-American’s output.

But Rios has a world-class chin and was able to withstand Pacquiao’s assault.

“He is one of the toughest opponents in my career. He took a lot of punches, the right hands, the left hands, but he is still standing,” the Filipino told fight commentator Larry Merchant during the post-fight interview.

Nevertheless, Pacquiao took home the win, owing to his superior boxing skills.

The fleet-footed Filipino bobbed, weaved and circled around the slower Rios, who managed to land only 138 of his 502 punches on Pacquiao.

Pacquiao also admitted that he took a more cautious approach, which was why he wasn’t chasing a knockout victory over Rios.

He cited his defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez 11 months ago, which he said taught him to become more patient.

“I learned in the last fight… If the knockout comes it will come. I'm very careful laying out punches and counterpunch, that what I did in this fight,” Pacquiao said.

With the Rios fight now behind him, the fighting congressman will have time to visit the typhoon survivors in Tacloban, to whom he dedicated his latest win.

“Thank you for all the support, my fellow countrymen. And to the people affected by the typhoon, I will see you there. I love you so much,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Jessica Sanchez to sing at Pacquiao-Rios fight

MANILA, Philippines – American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez has agreed to sing the national anthems before the highly-anticipated welterweight showdown between Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Mexican-American boxer Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

With less than a week to go before the fight, Pacquiao took to Twitter Tuesday morning to ask Sanchez if she will “do me the honor of singing the national anthems before our fight?”


Sanchez, the runner-up in the 2012 edition of American Idol, had sung the American national anthem during Pacquiao’s June 2012 fight against Timothy Bradley Jr., which the Pacman controversially lost.

Pacquiao is seeking to snap a two-fight losing streak against Rios, having been knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Bradley hoping Pacquiao defeats Rios

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten American boxer Timothy Bradley Jr. is hoping that Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will win his November 24 showdown against hard-hitting former champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

This is because Bradley, who defeated Pacquiao via a highly controversial split decision in June 2012, is hoping to get a rematch against the Filipino boxer.

“I just hope this guy wins, and beats Brandon Rios,” Bradley said in an interview with On the Ropes Boxing Radio. “And I hope he calls my name and says he wants to rematch me or something.”

Bradley recently defeated Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez to retain his WBO welterweight title, and although he has a host of options, he wants to fight Pacquiao again.

“Pacquiao, I want the Pacquiao fight,” Bradley said. “I want the Pacquiao fight for a couple of reasons.”

“One reason is because I can’t move on with my career, I can’t move forward. It’s always a dark side of my career. Every time someone even mentions Pacquiao, it bothers me,” he said.

Beating Pacquiao should have catapulted Bradley into stardom, yet the opposite happened as the American was widely perceived to be the underserving winner.

“I don’t think I lost,” Bradley said. “But a lot of people said that I lot, so I have to go back and revisit that. I got the guy that knocked him out -- Marquez -- and now I got to go back and seal the deal with Pacquiao.”

Bradley believes that if he fights – and beats – Pacquiao a second time, it will be “redemption” for him in a way, and will finally allow him to move on.

“Hopefully he will get into the ring with, hopefully we can fight again, and after I beat Pacquiao, then there is nothing else said about it, there is nothing else said about Pacquiao,” said Bradley.

“I’m going to beat him fair and square, and then I can move forward. Then I can go forward, but I have to go back and revisit that fight,” he added. “I have to fight this guy.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Korean boxer to test Pacquiao in sparring

MANILA, Philippines – Korea’s Min Wook-Kim will be the first boxer to test Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in sparring as he gears up for his November 24 fight against the hard-hitting Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios.

PNA’s Eddie Alinea reported Wednesday that Min, a light welterweight boxer, was vouched for by former world champion Gerry Peñalosa. [http://philboxing.com/news/story-87294.html]

“Parang si Rios ang kilos. Strong, quick at pasok din ng pasok,” Peñalosa said of Min, who has an 11-1-0 win-loss-draw record and stands at 5-foot-9.

“I told Manny and Freddie na pakikinabangan si Min, at least at a time when they are still scouting for a regular sparring partner,” Peñalosa told Alinea.

Alinea reported that Min will fly in from Seoul Wednesday and proceed immediately to General Santos City, where Pacquiao set up camp a week ago. The Filipino icon will work with Min until Freddie Roach arrives in the city with his regular sparring partners.

Roach is set to arrive in General Santos City in early October.

Pacquiao is starting his sparring early for this training camp, which an assistant trainer said is a testament to the boxer’s conditioning.

“Si Manny ang may gusto na mapaaga ang sparring,” said assistant trainer Nonoy Neri. “Ibig lang sabihin noon, nasa kondisyo na siya para doon. Next week, magsisimula na kami ng plyometric at isometric exercises for conditioning purposes.”

Pacquiao is trying to rebound from consecutive losses he suffered last year: a controversial split decision against Timothy Bradley Jr. in June, and a crushing knockout at the hands of Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in December.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao made a mistake in picking me, says Rios

MANILA, Philippines – Former lightweight champion Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios says Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao made a mistake in choosing to fight him, and guarantees the Filipino ring icon will realize this once they touch gloves on November 24 in Macau.

It was announced last week that Pacquiao will be making his ring return against Rios, a hard-hitting brawler who has only lost one fight in his professional career.

In an interview with Boxing Scene, Rios said the Pacquiao camp likely picked him because he was coming off his first professional loss.


“He picked me because I lost,” Rios said, referring to his unanimous decision setback against budding rival Mike Alvarado late in March.

“They probably think, ‘Brandon is easy to hit. Brandon gets hit all the time’,” he added. “But it’s a very different story when you get in the ring with me.”

Rios is determined not only to bounce back from his first career loss, but also to show that he has what it takes to keep up with a fighter of Pacquiao’s caliber.

“I’ve been waiting for this fight all my life,” he said. “They made a mistake picking me. This is my chance to show what I can do with a great fighter in front of me.”

But in order to beat Pacquiao, an eight-division world champion and a former pound-for-pound king, Rios acknowledged that he may have to change his tactics.

“I gotta come out in a smarter way. I’ve got to fight different that I usually do, because Pacquiao can hurt you,” he said. “He’s got a good knockout percentage.”

At the same time, Rios is positive that he can force the “Pacman” to fight his fight.

“When I’m inside the pocket, that’s my game. I can fight very well. I’ve proven it,” Rios said.

The November bout against Rios will be Pacquiao’s first since getting knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth bout last December 2012 in Las Vegas.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao has to get over hurdles, says Floyd

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not considering a fight with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao at the moment, saying the "Pacman" has to overcome certain hurdles first.

"Manny Pacquiao got a lot of hurdles to get over to get to (me)," Mayweather said in an interview with CBS Sports during the Final Four of the 2013 NCAA men's basketball tournament.

"He just got two back-to-back losses," he pointed out.

Pacquiao suffered a controversial split decision defeat to American Timothy Bradley Jr. in June 2012, and then was brutally knocked out by Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez when they faced off for the fourth time in December 2012.

Negotiations for a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao have broken down repeatedly over the past few years as neither side can ever come to an agreement.

But the American boxer insisted that he is only asking for one thing from Pacquiao.

"Only thing I was asking for was random blood and urine testing, just to show the world that the sport of boxing is a clean sport," Mayweather said.

Pacquiao has already agreed to random blood and urine testing, but early last year, talks broke down again after the two camps failed to agree on the revenue sharing.

While Pacquiao has yet to return to the ring following his devastating loss to Marquez, Mayweather is set to fight again on May 4.

He will face dangerous welterweight Robert "The Ghost" Guerrero, whom he called a "solid, tough competitor."

"He's strong, he's solid. We'll just see what he brings to the table on May 4th," Mayweather said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao gracefully accepts defeat

MANILA, Philippines – Displaying grace and class, Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao readily accepted his stunning knockout defeat at the hands of his greatest rival, Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.

In a phone interview on "TV Patrol" on Sunday, Pacquiao said his loss was just part of the nature of sports.

“Ginawa nating ang lahat, at talaga naman na kailangang tanggapin natin. ‘Yan ang trabaho natin, hindi lahat ng panahon ay panalo,” Pacquiao said.

“Nakita naman nila ang performance ko, aggressive. Maganda ang performance ko. Lucky punch talaga,” he added.

Marquez knocked down Pacquiao for the first time ever in the third round, although Pacquiao cancelled it out with a knockdown of his own in the fifth round.

But late in the sixth round, Pacquiao walked right into a short right hand by Marquez, and the “Pacman” dropped face first to the canvas and was motionless for several moments.

His wife, Jinkee, was hysterical after watching the boxer get knocked out.

“Nagulat ako at natako. First time kong nakita si Manny na na-knock out talaga. Matagal siya bago makabangon. Natakot ako kung ano nangyari sa kanya,” Jinkee said in an interview on "The Buzz."

Pacquiao went to a hospital after the bout as a precautionary measure, but the results of his CT scan were negative.

“Okay naman, ayos naman ang lahat,” he said. “Galing na kami sa ospital at wala namang diperensya.”

The knockout notwithstanding, Pacquiao seemed satisfied with his performance as he showed better movement and aggressiveness that he lacked in his previous fights.

“Maganda ‘yung laban namin. Balik na ‘yung aggressiveness ko. Talagang natiyempuhan lang tayo,” Pacquiao said, adding that he was leading on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.

But he said that he has accepted his defeat.

“Sa larangan ng sports, may panalo at may talo,” Pacquiao said. “Dapat handa ka rin na tanggapin kapag dumating na ang panahon na talo.”

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Filipinos still proud of Pacquiao despite loss

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos mourned after Filipino ring icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao was sensationally knocked out by his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth encounter, but remained proud of the eight-division champion.

After battling three times, with each fight ending in controversial decisions, Marquez finally earned a decisive victory over his rival.

In round six, the two fighters exchanged in toe-to-toe action, though Pacquiao got the better of the exchanges. But in a pivotal moment, Marquez caught an incoming Pacquiao with a perfect right hand that sent the Filipino to the canvas.

The official time of the knockdown was 2:59 of the sixth round. It was the first time that Pacquiao lost by knockout since 1999.

On social media, Filipinos were shocked over Pacquiao's defeat, but were also quick to rally behind the fallen champion.

The hashtag #ManaloMataloManYoureStillTheBestPacman was among the top trending topics in the Philippines, while #FilipinoPride was the top trending topic in the world.

"There are just too many reasons to be proud of this man. One defeat won’t change that," tweeted Leigh Precia.

"Heartbreaking. First time ko s'ya nakitang na KO," said Twitter user @deSuperDee.

"Nakakasad naman ang nangyari kay Pacquiao. Nangatal ako dun ha," added Christian Patiga on Twitter.

" like how Pacman got up smiling. He is a true Filipino. You're still the winner for us," tweeted Leny Tancio.

"Pacquiao has given us so much pride. He doesn't need to prove anything now. He's already a champ, ever since," added Joy Espia.

But despite the outpouring of pride online, Filipinos were still stunned to see Pacquiao lose for the second straight time this year -- and in such a devastating fashion.

"I'm so shocked. I can't believe it when Manny was ahead on points," barber Pedro Varela told Reuters. "It was a good fight. Manny gave it all. He was impressive, it was one lucky punch from Marquez."

Pacquiao's wife, Jinkee, was anguished after seeing her husband drop to the canvas, while in the boxer's hometown of General Santos City, the Pacquiao family was bitterly disappointed.

Jinkee had to be restrained by Pacquiao's promoter, Top Rank chief executive Bob Arum, from going into the ring.

"I went over to Jinkee and I comforted here. She was a little hysterical and I didn't want her to go to the ring. When he got up and we realized he was okay, I said she could go to the ring but she did not want to," Arum explained in the post-fight press conference.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's mother, Dionisia, is hoping that her son will quit the sport.

"Kung ako lang ang magde-desisyon, gusto kong magpahinga na siya, mag-relax na siya," she said in an interview with DZMM.

In Bacolod City, Pacquiao fans who packed shopping malls and gymnasiums were stunned to see their idol get knocked out.

Some of the Pacman's fans believe Marquez was just lucky to have landed a fatal punch on Pacquiao and believe that the Filipino is still the better boxer.

Pacquiao was sent to a hospital to get a CT scan as a precautionary measure and did not attend the post-fight press conference.

But immediately after the fight, the Filipino boxer said he plans to rest for a while but insisted that he will be back to train and fight next year. – Report from Marty Go, ABS-CBN News Bacolod; DZMM; Reuters

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Be it in Vegas or Mexico: Pacquiao ready to face Margarito

The feeling is mutual as far as Antonio Margarito is concerned.

With a November 13 showdown with Manny Pacquiao looming in the horizon, the 32-year old Mexican can’t help himself but be thrilled by the prospect of meeting inside the ring the man considered today as the best fighter in the world, pound-for-pound.

“I’d love to get that fight. I think everyone’s talking about it," said the `Tijuana Tornado’, a former two-time world champion.

Pacquiao also expressed his willingness to face Margarito in a possible title bout, believing the Mexican is the best available option for him after Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to sign the contract to face the Filipino ring icon in what many sees as possibly the richest boxing duel in history.

Now it’s Margarito who stands to benefit from it, just a year after falling from boxing grace following the discovery of a hardened substance in his knuckle pad shortly before his January 2009 title match with Sugar Shane Mosley.

In the aftermath of the controversy, Margarito was slapped a one-year suspension by the California State Athletic Commission, prohibiting him from fighting in the U.S.

Although the ban had already elapsed, Margarito has yet to secure a license to fight in America, and his chance to secure one rests the decision of where the fight will be held.

In the event he failed to obtain a license, Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arum has already expressed his intention of bringing the fight in Mexico.

The 31-year old Pacquiao, the fighting Congressman from the Philippines, doesn’t see any problem facing Margarito in front of an expected rowdy crowd, mentioning that it will be his first time to fight in Mexico.

At 5-foot-11, Margarito will also be the biggest opponent ever for Pacquiao, who stands 5-foot-6. The Mexican also has a reach of 73.

Owing to the size disparity, negotiations are now being made to have the match be made at a catch weight of 150 pounds and the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) light middleweight belt at stake. - RCJ, GMANews.TV