Tickets for Pac-Floyd still available, clarifies MGM

MANILA, Philippines – Contrary to earlier reports, MGM Grand Arena tickets for the much awaited super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are still available.

MGM Grand spokesperson Yvette Monet clarified that the Las Vegas hotel was nowhere near being sold out and that a computer glitch made it appear that they ran out of tickets.

“A computer glitch made it appear the host MGM Grand was sold out for May 1 and May 2 minutes after the announcement that Mayweather would fight Pacquiao, but the hotel was busily putting the word out Friday night that it has plenty of rooms available for the event’s weekend,” Martin Rogers said in his report to USA Today.

Hotel prices for May 1 and 2 went up as high as $615 per night when news spread last Thursday about Mayweather setting himself to announce the bout.

The MGM Grand Arena has hosted some of the biggest fight in recent years. It has a seating capacity of 16,800, but organizers are expected to make configurations to accommodate more fans.

Mayweather announced on Friday (Saturday in Manila) that he and Pacquiao already signed a deal for the most lucrative bout in boxing history.

“What the world has been waiting for has arrived,” Mayweather said on the social networking website Shots. “Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, is a done deal. I promised the fans we would get this done, and we did. We will make history on May 2nd. Don’t miss it!”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao, Bradley seek to erase doubts

LAS VEGAS - Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley go into their welterweight world title rematch on Saturday in Las Vegas aiming to lay the ghost of their polarizing first contest.

"I've got to knock him out, that's what I have to do," Bradley said Friday at a raucous weigh-in on a stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

California's "Desert Storm" Bradley seized the World Boxing Organization belt from the Philippine icon with a narrow split decision that many believed the American didn't deserve in June 2012.

Although Pacquiao took the defeat in stride, he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez in his next fight, and is out to prove his subsequent lopsided decision over Brandon Rios marked the start of another illustrious chapter in his storied career.

Conversely, another defeat to Bradley would see fresh calls for the 35-year-old Pacquiao to quit the sport.

Pacquiao weighed in at 145 pounds (65.77 kg), to the cheers of an adoring crowd.

He struck a pose on the scales as Philippine flags waved, while Bradley feigned shock at being greeted with boos on homesoil.

- 'Let's do this' -

The usual stare-down had a good-natured feel, and Pacquiao exited the stage with a blown kiss for his fans.

"Let's do this," Pacquiao declared. "I'm excited."

Bradley, who has twice defended the title he snatched from Pacquiao, tipped the scale at 145.5 pounds.

Pacquiao, a congressman beloved in his homeland, brings a record of 55-5 with two drawn and 38 knockouts to the bout.

Bradley boasts a record of 31-0 with 12 knockouts, but despite his unbeaten status and champion's belt, he has taken second billing to Pacquiao in this showdown.

Both men will make $6 million (4.3 million euros) from the fight, according to official documents filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission, but charismatic promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao is guaranteed $20 million once all the revenues are totted up.

Bradley, 30, says he doesn't care. He knows Pacquiao is the bigger draw, but he says "Pacman" is on the down slope of a professional career that stretches back to 1995.

"I think he may lack fire," the dogged American said. "His motivation is not there. He's been at the top for a very long time. He has over 60 fights in the ring with all the best. Maybe this is one fight too late for him."

That kind of talk has only strengthened Pacquiao's resolve, according to trainer Freddie Roach, who nevertheless knows that Bradley can't be taken lightly.

"Bradley is a better fighter than some people give him credit for, and we know he has a lot of heart," Roach said. "That doesn't change the fact that Manny has a plan that will beat him again -- this time for real."

The American followed up his win over Pacquiao with his best year, out-pointing Ruslan Provodnikov in a 12-round slugfest then gaining a decision over Marquez.

- 'He'll fight back' -

Bradley displayed solid tactical skills against Marquez, but Roach thinks that once he tastes Pacquiao's power he'll revert to the undisciplined street style that let him in for such punishment against Provodnikov.

"It's part of his nature," Roach said. "Once you hit Bradley, he'll fight back."

Bradley says he's prepared, no matter how the fight evolves.

"I've got so many dimensions," Bradley said. "I may fight with him, I may outbox him."

But Roach thinks Bradley was left vulnerable after suffering a concussion in the bruising encounter with Provodnikov -- and the memory of that tear-up might make him think twice on Saturday.

"Hopefully, when Manny starts throwing combinations, he'll be reminded of that," Roach said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marquez drops Pacquiao in Round 3

Juan Manuel Marquez knocked down Manny Pacquiao in the 3rd round of their fourth ring clash at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez surprised Pacquiao with an overhand right in the 3rd round, sending the Filipino to the canvas for the first time ever in their 8-year saga.

Prior to Sunday’s fight, the two ring warriors have already figured in three close bouts.

Pacquiao scored three-1st round knockdowns against Marquez in 2004 only to settle for a controversial draw. He won his next two bouts against the Mexican in 2008 and 2011 via close decisions.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

UFC 148 live blog: Anderson Silva ends Chael Sonnen rivalry emphatically

The greatest fighter in the UFC has a new greatest moment after Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Anderson Silva stayed undefeated in the octagon, winning his 15th straight and notching a victory that had to feel more satisfying than any of the other ones to defend his middleweight championship belt. Silva defeated rival Chael Sonnen 1 minute, 55 seconds into the second round with a TKO in the UFC 148 main event.

"He's a true champion, man," Sonnen said while still in the octagon.

If only for a split second, the sold-out crowd stood silent at that suggestion. It was Sonnen who had insulted Silva in every way possible over the past two years, making this bout into the biggest in UFC history and instilling the champion with a hatred no one had ever heard before.

Silva didn't break any of Sonnen's limbs as advertised, but he did manage to destroy the brash 185-pound wrestler with a barrage of strikes that included two right hands and a devastating knee to the body.

"Chael disrespects my country, but it's fine," Silva said. "This is a sport. This is the UFC."

With that, Silva wrapped his left arm around Sonnen's shoulder and attempted to end a feud that has captivated the sports world. He even invited Sonnen to a barbecue at his house, though that was likely a back-handed crack at the challenger who had turned his trash talk personal when he said he wanted to pat Silva's wife "on the (butt)" and tell her "to make me a steak, medium rare just how I like it,” on a radio show months ago.

The fight went Sonnen's way early. Just like their first fight, Sonnen managed to take Silva to the ground immediately. He threw ground-and-pound and smothered the Brazilian for the opening five minutes of the fight.

But Sonnen couldn't convert on a takedown to start the second round and Silva got the space he needed to operate. A right-hand dropped Sonnen and Silva then showed his killer instinct, rushing in to strike until it was impossible for the referee to let the bout go any longer.

"They gave me the opportunity," Sonnen said. "No one owes me anything. I'm very grateful to be here and have the chance."

The co-main event also delivered a conclusion to a long-running rivalry. Local fighter Forrest Griffin won a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Tito Ortiz for the second time in four years.

Ortiz knocked Griffin down in both the second and third rounds, but it wasn't enough as he faded late in each of the frames with Griffin coming on strong.

"I'm going to be linked to Tito forever," Griffin said. "We have had three really close fights. He was throwing the kitchen sink at me and I was too tired to get out of the way. It always comes down to fatigue. I don't know who won that fight to be honest. I'm going to need to watch that back."

Cung Le, Demian Maia, Chad Mendes and Mike Easton also thrilled with victories on the main card.

source: lasvegassun.com

Malacanang wishes Pacquiao the best in boxing match with American Bradley

MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang wished all the best for Sarangani Representative and Filipino boxing icon Emmanuel “Pacman” Pacquiao who will be exchanging mitts with American pugilist Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley as it expressed confidence that the Philippines’ pride will be victorious.

In a regular press briefing in Malacanang, Friday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said that the Filipino people will surely continue supporting Pacquiao as they will be watching the fight on June 10, Sunday (Manila time) which will be televised live from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada USA.

“We wish Congressman Pacquiao the best of luck… the nation will be watching intently. We watch him for his fight against Timothy Bradley and we know that again, the Pambansang Kamao will prevail,” Valte said.

The southpaw Pacquiao, who has a professional record of 54 wins (38 knockouts), 3 losses and 2 draws will be defending his WBO welterweight title against the undefeated Bradley.

The very first eight-division world champion Pacquiao have won six world titles. He was also the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes.

Pacman was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the 2000s (decade) by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time ‘The Ring’ and ‘BWAA’ "Fighter of the Year," winning the award in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

source: interaksyon.com

Pacquiao, Mosley make weight; fight inevitable

source: gma

The welterweight championship fight between Filipino boxing icon and Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao and Sugar Shane Mosley on Sunday (Manila time) is a go, after both fighters passed their weigh-in Saturday.

Pacquiao, 52-3-2 (38 knockouts), tipped the scales at 145 pounds while Mosley, 46-6-1 (39 KOs), made the 147-pound welterweight class limit, according to a report on dzBB radio early Saturday.

Most of the 8,000 plus crowd at the weigh-in at the MGM Grand Arena – about 70 percent – were Filipinos, the report added.

And since the weigh-in ceremony was free admission, some fans even lined-up as early as 8 a.m. to get good seats for the 3 p.m. event.

Pacquiao, whose supporters even held signs proclaiming him the sport's pound-for-pound king, was clearly the crowd favorite as fans reacted strongly and chanted his name when weigh-in ceremony emcee James Brown introduced the eight-division world champion.

Those present at the weigh-in, however, greeted Mosley with a mixture of "friendly" boos and applause prompting Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and Brown, urging the packed crowd at the MGM Arena to give the Pomona, California native fighter his due.

"(Mosley is) one of this generation's greatest fighters. (He's) an all-around great guy and humanitarian," said Arum.

Pacquiao 'The Great'

But Arum, who also promoted the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali and Oscar De La Hoya, reserved his highest praise for Pacquiao.

"Manny Pacquiao, and I said this two years ago and it’s even more true today, is the greatest fighter I’ve ever seen," said Arum.

"He’s fast, both with his feet and his hands. He has great ring intelligence and he can punch equally well with both hands. That’s like a Major League Baseball pitcher who can throw equally well with either hand."

No thrash talking

According to a Reuters report, the two fighters were all smiles as they posed for the photographers for their pre-fight pictures and they embraced one another once that task was done. There was no trash talking between Pacquiao and Mosley.

Both fighters could not keep a straight face when they face-off at the center of the stage. Pacquiao and Mosley are renowned for being ideal boxing ambassadors and have refused to indulge in any of the pre-bout trash-talking so common in the sport.

"I am just so excited to be in this fight," Mosley, a 39-year-old veteran who is a three-division world champion, said on the stage. "The whole world is watching. It should be great," Reuters quoted the American boxer as saying.

Pacquiao, a 10-time world champion in a record eight weight divisions, is a 6-1 favorite to win but he has taken great pains not to underestimate his American challenger, the report said.

"I believe that Shane Mosley is a strong fighter, a good fighter," the 32-year-old Filipino said. "He has trained hard for this fight so I have to train hard and focus on this fight."

Mayol in undercard bout

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol, who is being promoted by Pacquiao’s MP Promotions, will be fighting in one of the undercard bouts against Mexican Javier Gallo.

The Mandaue City, Cebu native Mayol weighed in at 112 lbs for his eight-round bout against the Tijuana-born Gallo, who tipped the scales at 114 lbs.

Mayol, 29, holds a ring record of 27 wins (21 by KO), five losses and two draws. He is also aiming to win his second straight fight after losing his title to Omar Nino Romero by decision last year.

Gallo (17-3-1, 9KOs) is coming off his best win to date over Jose Luis Araiza (29-3) last month.

Well attended

Among the boxing personalities in attendance where former five-division champion Roberto "Manos de Piedras" Duran, Marco Antonio Barrera and current International Boxing Fedration (IBF) cruiserweight title holder Steve Cunnigham of America.

Former Filipino champions Gerry Peñalosa, Morris East and Rolando Bohol were also among those on the scene.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez, who Pacquiao defeated in a split decision in 2008, were also present.

Surge of excitement

Reuters reported that the atmosphere was electric as the two fighters made their way on to a raised stage for Friday's televised weigh-in where former boxing great Roberto Duran and Britain's WBA world light welterweight champion Amir Khan were among those attending.

Shouts of "Manny, Manny" rang out before the tracksuit-clad boxers finally emerged, Pacquiao and Mosley each smiling and waving to the fans before stepping on to the scales, the report said, adding there were also "friendly boos" for Mosley who, despite being born in nearby Pomona, California, had a much smaller number of supporters in the arena.

Pacquiao, already acknowledged as one of the best offensive fighters of all time, is guaranteed $20 million from Saturday's bout while Mosley will earn a minimum $5 million.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao fans in the Philippines have been busy making ready some public venues that would show for free the awaited bout.

Some cities in the southern Metro Manila were reported making ready their gymnasiums, covered courts and other public places for the free viewing.

Also, the Armed Forces of the Philippines readied more venues to give soldiers a free showing of Sunday's bout.

Facilities were set up at the AFP Wellness Center in Quezon City; the Camp Aguinaldo Grandstand; the Philippine Navy multi-purpose hall; and the Philippine Air Force gymnasium at Villamor Air Base, radio dzBB's Divine Caraecle reported early Saturday.

The report said even soldiers confined at the V. Luna Hospital may benefit from facilities set up there for a free screening of the bout. – with reports from Ryan Songalia and Mico Halili, OMG/LBG/JVP, GMA News

Source: gmanews.tv