Pacquiao ponders ring retirement, political plans after loss

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Manny Pacquiao sounded like a fighter on his way out and a politician on his way up.

He might have concealed his battered face behind big sunglasses, but Pacquiao didn’t hide behind excuses or denial after a discouraging unanimous-decision loss to Yordenis Ugás on Saturday night.

Yes, Pacquiao disclosed that his legs cramped throughout the fight on the Vegas Strip, depriving him of the mobility that has always made his power so dangerous.

The eight-division world champion still acknowledged the larger fact that was obvious even to most of his devoted fans around the world: He deserved his loss to Ugás, a talented opponent who probably wouldn’t have been much trouble for prime Pacman.

And that might be a good reason to walk away.

“This sport is my passion,” Pacquiao said. “That’s why I’m still here fighting at the age of 42. I’m enjoying it, but sometimes you have to think about the response of your body. ... My mind, my heart, it’s 100%. But my legs were cramping.”

In the moments after he returned from a two-year ring absence with the loss to the rangy, resilient Ugás, Pacquiao repeatedly hinted he is planning to retire from boxing.

He is still alongside Canelo Álvarez as the two biggest active stars in the sport, yet Pacquiao (67-8-2) has never spoken so frankly about leaving behind 26 years in the pro fight game.

“I’ve done a lot for boxing, and boxing has done a lot for me,” Pacquiao said. “I look forward to spending a lot of time thinking about my future in boxing.”

Pacquiao’s postfight comments included a sprinkling of such catchy, pre-written phrases — sort of like a stump speech by a politician.

Indeed, the Filipino senator’s next fight is probably in the political ring: He is widely expected to enter the presidential race in the Philippines next month ahead of the May 2022 election.

“In my heart, I want to continue to fight,” Pacquiao said. “But the thing is, I also have to consider my body. I’ve put it through a lot of things. Especially back in my country, there’s a lot of things that I need to accomplish to help people. I want to be an inspiration to the Philippine people inside and outside the ring.”

Countless athletes have struggled mightily to find worthwhile ways to fill their time after retirement. That wouldn’t be a problem for Pacquiao: His chaotic life won’t get less busy, but it could be a bit more focused with only one career to consider.

If Pacquiao retires, he leaves boxing as one of the greats of his generation. Along with his stunning array of championship belts and his groundbreaking mobility across the sport’s weight classes, Pacquiao will be remembered for his utter fearlessness in taking on countless larger foes without blinking.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s devoted trainer for most of the past two decades, acknowledged being “a little worried” about the champ.

“He’s boxed for a long time, and he’s the best guy I’ve ever had,” Roach said. “The best guy, the best fighter. I hate to see the day when he retires, but this could be it. We’ll see what Manny decides.”

Another scenario seems equally plausible at this point: Pacquiao doesn’t win the presidency in nine months — he is behind several candidates in early polling — and he subsequently gets a highly lucrative opportunity to return to the ring late next year, when he will be nearly 44.

Given Pacquiao’s competitive nature and his relatively expensive lifestyle, his self-awareness could be overcome by the rewards of the fight game.

But in the moments after this cramping, frustrated great lost for the first time in four years, Pacquiao was thinking deeply about both his current state and future priorities.

“This situation might finish my career in boxing,” Pacquiao said. “But this is my statement to all the boxing fans all over the world: The most important thing is how we can help each other, especially in this pandemic.”

-Associated Press-

'Fast-paced Pacquiao will pick Rios to pieces'

MANILA, Philippines – Brandon Rios will find himself severely lacking when he goes up against a rapid punching Manny Pacquiao, according to a fighter who has already beaten the Filipino superstar.

WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley said that although he thinks Rios is the bigger puncher, he believes Pacquiao’s speed will be too much for the Mexican-American to handle.

“There is always risk when you are in there with a big puncher, absolutely, but like I always tell everybody, speed kills, speed kills in every sport, it does not matter what sport it is,” Bradley, who edged Pacquiao via a controversial split decision, said in an interview with On The Ropes Boxing Radio.

Bradley added that Rios tends to slug it out while applying pressure on his opponents. This, he said, makes the Mexican-American vulnerable to Pacquiao’s quick and well-timed strikes.

“Rios is not a real big defensive guy at all. He keeps his hands high, but Pacquiao is the kind of fighter that punches through guards,” he said.

“I feel that he’s going to punch through Rios’ guard and pick him to pieces.”

Bradley said that if Pacquiao successfully hits Rios with regularity, that is a possibility that the Mexican brawler might succumb to pressure and go down.

“I don’t know if he’ll knock him out, but there’s a possibly that he can, he can bust him up and possibly get him out of there,” he said.

Former junior welterweight contender Marcos Maidana begged to disagree with Bradley.

Maidana, who trains with Rios under boxing coach Robert Garcia, said Rios is the younger and hungrier fighter.

He stressed that with youth, the 27-year-old Mexican-American can offset any advantage the 34-year-old Pacquiao might have.

“His (Pacquiao) speed and his strength and his boxing ability could give him problems. But Brandon is Brandon and he’ll definitely overcome that,” said the Argentine boxer in Hustle Boss.

“[Brandon is] a fighter and like I said, he has the youth, and that’s going to be a major factor,” Maidana added.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao showing early signs of Parkinson's disease?

MANILA, Philippines – A neurologist on Thursday said he has been observing early signs of Parkinson's disease from Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Dr. Rustico Jimenez, President of Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines, told radio dzMM that among the early signs of Parkinson's being exhibited by Pacquiao include stuttering and hand twitching.

Jimenez urged the Filipino champion to retire from boxing in order to avoid what happened to Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) and award-winning trainer Freddie Roach who were both afflicted with the progressive disorder of the nervous system.

"Kung ako naman ang tatanungin, siguro dapat mag-retiro ang ating pambansang hero na si Manny," he said.

"Lalo pong nadadagdagan ang trauma, lalo pong magkakaroon siya ng problema. Pwedeng later on Alzheimer's disease naman."

In a separate phone interview, Jimenez clarified that he could be wrong with his observations, but nevertheless told Pacquiao to be cautious.

He said while he has not met Pacquiao to personally check on his condition, his hand twitches during television interviews should be a cause for concern.

"Yung movement, although mabilis ang reflexes, napapansin ko lang - another view or personal view lang naman ang sa akin - parang may early signs," he said.

"May mga movements napapansin mo sa kamay. Sa kamay usually, sa ulo hindi natin makikita agad, nagtu-twitch ng konti. Although I haven't seen very close, parang nakikita ko lang mayroong ganoon."

Chronic trauma

This is not the first time that a medical expert raised concerns over Pacquiao's health.

Dr. Raquel Fortun, a renowned forensics expert in the country, earlier said she is not convinced with the CT scan results clearing Manny Pacquiao following his knockout loss to Mexican foe Juan Manuel Marquez.

She said severe head trauma could lead to Alzheimer’s disease or a form of dementia that worsens over time.

She said several studies have been done on the effect of chronic trauma or repeated hits to the head among athletes, particularly boxers and football players.

Fortun said the knockout punch that hit Pacquiao was actually 2 hits: when Marquez's fist connected with Pacquiao's face and when the boxing champ fell face down on the canvass.

"Delikado yun. Pag naalog yan yung utak mo kasi hindi fixed na fixed yan sa bungo so pag naaalog ang utak, may napu-putol putol na connections. May mga small hemorrhages ka," she said.

She said a severe blow to the head could damage the dura mater, which is a membrane that surrounds the brain. Once damaged, it could lead to a subdural hematoma.

The forensic expert expressed alarm over reports that Pacquiao allegedly had a slight seizure after falling unconscious from Marquez's hammer blow to the head. – with David Dizon, ABS-CBNnews.com

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao fans gird for Marquez clash

MANILA, Philippines - Two days to go before the blockbuster fourth fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez and even the fans of the Pacman here and abroad are ready to rumble.

In his home province of Sarangani, preparations are underway for the live viewing of thousands at their gym as they already gave away tickets for the event.

“Suportado talaga namin si Pacquiao, sir. Magaling siya!” said Pacquiao supporter Marvin Dagame.

“Mananalo si Pacquiao dahil magaling ‘yan, mana-knockout niya si Marquez,” said Jerome Abansado, another Pacquiao fan.

Meanwhile in Las Vegas, the odds are not as big ,but they still favor the Pacman.

A $290 bet for Pacquiao will net a bettor $100 if he wins while a $100 bet for Marquez gets $230 if the Mexican wins.

“Tataya ako kalahati ng sweldo ko ay itataya ko kay pacquiao, Pacquiao go go go," said one Pinoy bettor in the US.

"We love Pacquiao so much. Everytime may laban si Pacquiao dito sa Vegas we have a party," said Las Vegas resident Divina Averilla.

For veteran boxing analysts, the fight should not, and likely will not last long.

“What Pacquiao can do I think is win by TKO, cut this guy up so badly that [referee Kenny] Bayless will stop the fight,” said local ring commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz. “The nice thing about him is that the fire within him has rekindled.”

“Si Manny should win via TKO or KO in the 7th round, kasi kung magde-decision pa ‘yan delikado pa si Manny,” boxing analyst Recah Trinidad, said for his part.

“Atsaka dapat wala na syang injury sa calf nya, ‘di na dapat magka-cramps.”

Expert or simple boxing fan, by now most everyone agrees the sport needs this 4th and likely final installment of one of the greatest rivalries in boxing history to finally determine who is truly the better man in the ring. – TJ Manotoc, ABS-CBN News; Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Who's Singing At Pacquiao Fight?

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino-American lass will sing the Philippine National Anthem before the world stage when Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao fights American Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas, ABS-CBN News reported Saturday.

Kirby Asunto, a 14-year-old New Yorker, was handpicked by Pacquiao to follow in the footsteps of Charice, Arnel Pineda, and Maria Aragon, who sang “Lupang Hinirang” in Pacquiao’s previous bouts.

The report said Asunto caught Pacquiao’s attention when she sang at the Mass offered before the boxing pound-for-pound champ’s November 2011 match with Juan Manuel Marquez. “That’s when he first heard me sing,” Asunto said in an e-mail to ABS-CBNnews.com.

Pacquiao was captivated by the young talent’s voice that he asked her to perform in his after-fight concert, following his controversial win over the Mexican.

While in the US last week to promote his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight showdown with Bradley, Pacquiao invited Asunto to his Los Angeles residence and asked her to sing the national anthem on fight night.

Asunto said she didn’t think twice and said “yes.”

“He asked me if I knew how to sing the national anthem of the Philippines,” Asunta told ABS-CBNnews.com by e-mail. “I actually had a video on YouTube of me singing ‘Lupang Hinirang’ here in New Jersey.”

Born on November 6, 1997 in the Philippines, Asunto said she has had aspirations of being a professional singer since she was young.

“I aspire to be a famous singer one day. I want to be just like Adele, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, and many other famous singers whom people know today.”

Her ticket to fame may be her coming performance in Las Vegas when the world watches Pacquiao vs. Bradley.

“I would want to be known in the whole world so that my fellow young talents back in the Philippines would be inspired to be a famous singer,” she said. “I was very happy and very honored.”

source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao guaranteed $25-m for Bradley bout

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao’s paychecks are growing as he closes in on retirement.

Pacquiao, the eight-division boxing champion, is guaranteed to earn $25 million (over P1 billion) for his fight against Timothy Bradley, said Top Rank’s Bob Arum in a conversation with News5.

This is $3 million higher than his $22 million guaranteed purse for fighting Juan Manuel Marquez for the fourth time last November.

The guaranteed purses reflect the amount Pacquiao will receive for the fight, and do not include earnings from pay-per-view sales and commercial endorsements.

The fighting pride of General Santos City is set to defend his WBO welterweight title for the fourth time against southern California’s “Desert Storm” on June 9 (June 10 in Manila) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Bradley will receive $5 million for fighting Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound king. This will be his biggest paycheck in his career.

Arum added that Pacquiao is expected to sign his contract when he flies the United States. Over the weekend, Bradley announced that he already signed the contract.

Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles via a Philippine Airlines flight on Thursday.

Arum likewise confirmed that both fighters will hold press conferences in Las Vegas on February 19 (February 20 in Manila), Los Angeles on February 21 (February 22 in Manila), and New York on February 23 (February 24 in Manila).

“Pacman,” as the 33-year old boxing champion is fondly called, is expected to begin his high-altitude training in Baguio City in March.

source: interaksyon.com

Pacquiao drops to No. 2 in pound-for-pound list

MANILA, Philippines - For winning a close fight, on a night when almost everyone had hoped he’d score a knockout, Manny Pacquiao has been demoted to No. 2 in the pound-for-pound rankings of Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports.

Floyd Mayweather, the undefeated American, moved to the No. 1 spot following a 21-month layoff from December 2007 to September 2009, and three successive wins over Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez and Victor Ortiz.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, had gone undefeated for more than six years, winning 15 in a row. In the span of time since Mayweather announced his retirement, Pacquiao has won all his nine fights in convincing fashion.

The 32-year-old Filipino fought fighters almost twice his size, and demolished them, from Oscar dela Hoya to Miguel Cotto to Antonio Margarito. He also breezed past Ricky Hatton, Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley.

Until last Sunday, when he fought Marquez, his fiercest rival inside the ring, for the third time.

Pacquiao had great difficulty against Marquez’s counter-punching style, and almost ran into trouble each time they engaged. But in the end, after 12 rounds, he ended up throwing and landing more punches as the official punch stats showed.

The judges awarded Pacquiao a majority decision, with one draw and two winning scores, and he held on to his WBO welterweight crown.

It was not the best performance for Pacquiao since he assumed the No. 1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings a few years back. But he pulled off the victory, a very close one, and for that he’s being made to pay the price.

Mayweather, Pacquiao’s fiercest rival outside the ring, gets a free ride back on top, just because Pacquiao wasn’t impressive against Marquez.

Mayweather outfought the smaller version of Marquez in his comeback fight in September 2009, and was rocked by Mosley in the early rounds before scoring a lopsided win in 2010. Last September, he knocked out Ortiz in the fourth round, landing the telling blows when Ortiz wasn’t looking.

If these victories weren’t enough to make Mayweather pound-for-pound king once more, then Pacquiao’s close win over Marquez, a 10-1 underdog, was all that was needed to shake up boxing’s hierarchy.

Ring Magazine, known as the “Bible of Boxing,” had Pacquiao hanging on to the pound-for-pound title after Sunday’s hotly contested match in Las Vegas, as well as www.boxrec.com , which continued to recognize the Filipino boxer as the best.

Perhaps the only way Pacquiao can regain the lofty status, in the eyes of the boxing experts from Sports Illustrated, ESPN and Yahoo! Sports, is if he beats Mayweather in the fight everybody wants to see.

Until that happens, don’t expect Pacquiao to be back as No. 1.


Source: philstar.com

Pacquiao at 143 lbs, Marquez at 142 make weight for bout

Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and challenger Juan Manuel Marquez both made the 144-lb catch weight on the eve of their 12-round welterweight bout on Sunday (Manila time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao, who will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) 147-lb title, tipped the scales at 143lbs while Marquez was a pound lighter at 142.

The official weigh-in was held Friday in front of 7,000 screaming fans at the MGM's Grand Garden Arena.

A catch weight of 144lbs has been set for the 12-round bout, the third installment of one of boxing's most intriguing rivalries.

Both the champion and challenger declared themselves ready for the match that comes three years after their epic 2008 rematch won by Pacquiao behind a razor-thin 12-round split decision.

"I'm going to rest and prepare for the battle tomorrow (Sunday)," said Pacquiao, owner of a 53-3-2 record, with 38 knockouts and defending his welterweight belt for the third time.

"I am ready for this fight, which is the most important in my career," Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) said. "I need to win every round clearly."

HBO Sports aired live the official weigh-in, a step that’s unprecedented in the history of boxing.

"These are two great warriors who represent their country well," said Bob Arum, the Top Rank Promotions chairman. "I promise that you'll see a fight for the ages."

A separate report on SB Nation said Pacquiao "looked very muscular as usual," debunking reports he was underweight the night before.

"He did not look drained one bit despite being under the 144 pound limit," it said.

Both Pacquiao and Marquez looked in great shape, "and hopefully that translates into a great fight," it added.

Sunday's event has been billed as the bout that would finally decide who between the two is the better fighter.

Both fighters had extensively promoted the match worldwide.

A separate article on Bad Left Hook quoted Pacquiao's strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza as saying the champ is in prime shape for the weigh-in.

A day into the title match, Pacquiao, 32, remains a heavy 9-1 pick to win over Marquez.

Both fighters are guaranteed to receive their biggest paycheck yet. Pacquiao, universally recognized as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter today, has a purse of $22 million, while $5 million goes to Marquez.

Pacquiao and Marquez first fought to a controversial draw in 2004 in a match that saw the Filipino ring icon decked the durable Mexican three times in a blazing opening round.


Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao carries extra passion to beat Marquez

LAS VEGAS - Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao has little to prove after world titles in a record eight weight classes, but he carries an extra fire into Saturday's fight with Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao, regarded as the world pound-for-pound king, will defend his World Boxing Organization title against Marquez after they fought to a 2004 draw and the Asian southpaw won a 2008 rematch by one point on one judge's scorecard.

Marquez taunted Pacquiao by saying he truly won both prior fights, inspiring "PacMan" to train like never before.

"This is one of the most important fights I have had," Pacquiao said. "This fight is really important to me because he says he won the first two fights. The question is what do I need to do to prove to people I won those fights."

A knockout would leave no doubt about which fighter is superior and both men have made changes to boost their chances of landing such a blow, Marquez adding muscle to boost his power and Pacquiao improving his footwork and right hand.

"With the aggressiveness Manny has had in training, I'm sure that's what he's looking for," Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said. "He has a little extra fire in him. His attitude is aggressive. He wants this fight badly.

"If Manny puts him down I don't think he will get up."

Pacquiao knocked down Marquez three times in the first round of their first fight but could not win and knocked him down in the third round of the rematch before barely escaping with the decision.

"I will go to my death and know that (Marquez) won that second fight," said Ignacio Beristain, Marquez's Hall of Fame trainer.

"I thought we won both of them," Roach said. "They were great fights."

Coming up empty twice against Pacquiao drives Marquez, who at 38 is six years older than the champion.

"I'm just as motivated as he is. I'm just as upset as he is because I deserved to win those two fights," Marquez said. "We're going to cure a lot of doubts."

Pacquiao, 53-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, has given Beristain sleepless nights studying video while trying to find a strategy to end the 14-fight win streak of "PacMan."

"You can lose a lot of sleep thinking about Manny Pacquiao," Beristain said. "He is going to come like a lion to this fight. He has the whole Philippines on his shoulders.

"Pacquiao has a great punch. Every minute of every round you are in danger if you get hit. We have worked on ways to avoid that. We talked a lot about being more explosive with his punches.

"Manny Pacquiao is a spectacular fighter. He likes to exchange. He always wants to fight. And he has found a guy who wants to stay in there and fight with him."

Marquez, 53-5 with one drawn and 39 knockouts, is more cautious about Pacquiao's improved right hand skill compared to the first two fights.

"In the past he didn't use his right hand," Marquez said. "Now he is using the right hand with speed. We have to be careful of both hands.

"His left hand was always the big one, the one we tried to nullify. I think his right is the better one now. You have to be careful knowing that he can knock you out with either hand."

But Beristain sees a possible edge for Marquez in Pacquiao's evolution.

"He's a more complete fighter. That helps us," Beristain said. "Before he was throwing wild punches from different angles. You never knew where he was coming from. Now you know right where he is coming from. You know what he's going to do."

Not so fast, Roach warns, citing Pacquiao's footwork.

"That's the key to the fight. That's the way to draw out Marquez," Roach said. "Manny's balance is better. He will throw the wild shot here and there. With Manny, it's hard to know when he's coming.

"It's because of the footwork. It's going to cause Marquez problems."

Marquez has added muscle but that has brought speed concerns, although Beristain says Marquez can trade blows or evade punches when necessary.

"I was very concerned at the beginning. I could see he was slowing down," Beristain said. "But in the last 15 days, he has picked it up. I'm very happy with how his speed is now. He's going to be fine for the fight."

Roach sees Marquez attacking fast to make the most of his extra size.

"Marquez is going to start quickly. Why else do you put that weight on?" Roach said. "He's going to try to get Manny out of there early.

"I don't see the muscle helping at all. I don't think muscle turns into punching power. Muscle doesn't make you a better puncher." — AFP


Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao ready to face Mayweather in winner-takes-all match

World boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is ready to face American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a winner-takes-all match.

The Filipino boxer made this statement during his pre-fight tradition of guesting on the American late-night talk show “Jimmy Kimmel Live" last week.

During the show, host Jimmy Kimmel proposed that Pacquiao and Mayweather face off in a boxing match where the winner will get all the money.

“Rather than any issue on financial considerations on who gets what, winner takes all, winner gets all the money. Would you sign up for a deal like that?" Kimmel told the Filipino boxing superstar on the show.

Pacquiao answered the television host’s question by saying, “Of course."

He however added that he does not think Mayweather will agree to such arrangement.

An article on ESPN.com earlier quoted Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, as saying that Mayweather is planning a fight with Pacquiao in May next year.

Motivation vs. Marquez

During the same TV guesting, Pacquiao said that the claims of Mexican boxer Jose Manuel Marquez that he won their first two matches do not bother him. “I’m not angry, but I always ask myself… what I need to do to prove that I won the fight," he said.

Pacquiao is scheduled to face off with Marquez for the third time on November 13 (Manila time) in Las Vegas for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt.

Kimmel also said that he feels like he was part of Pacquiao’s previous victories, having guested the Filipino boxer in pre-fight interviews for five times already. “Each time you’ve been here, you win the fight. I feel like we’re a team," he said.

To which Pacquiao replied, “I feel like you’re lucky."

After the interview, Pacquiao and Kimmel did a duet rendition of the Bee Gees hit “How Deep Is Your Love?" — KBK, GMA News

Source: gmanews.tv

Pacquiao presses US court for judgment vs Mayweather

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyers of boxing star Manny Pacquiao are asking a Nevada court to “issue a default judgment” against Floyd Mayweather after efforts to subject the American to deposition have failed.

Pacquiao’s lead lawyer Daniel Petrocelli told Manila Bulletin that his team has presented more than 20 dates for the deposition to take place but these were all unacceptable to Mayweather, who has implied many times in print and broadcast that the Filipino has been using performance-enhancing drugs to help him carry his power from 105 lbs to 150 lbs and defeat the big names of the sport.

“Floyd Mayweather Jr. refuses to appear for his duly-scheduled deposition, despite a court order commanding him to appear. We have offered him over 20 dates, but he has refused all of them, claiming he is in training and cannot be disturbed,” said Petrocelli, who is being assisted in the legal proceedings by David Marosso.

Petrocelli has submitted to the Nevada District Court evidence that Mayweather has been lying constantly to avoid being subjected to deposition.

“We presented photos and videos to the Court showing that he has been in nightclubs in Atlanta and Las Vegas during the days he claimed not to be available. We are asking the Court to issue a default judgment against him for his defiance of the court’s orders and processes.”

When the court ordered that Mayweather undergo deposition, the fighter refused to cooperate, claiming he is in the thick of preparations for his training camp for the Sept. 17 showdown with Victor Ortiz.

In a document dated Aug. 3, 2011, and forwarded to the court, Pacquiao’s lawyers said: “Floyd Mayweather may be 41-0 in the ring, but he is not above the law.”

Petrocelli is asking Mayweather to reimburse them with the expenses incurred, stressing that Pacquiao is also entitled to monetary sanctions.

source: mb.com.ph

Cebu promoter warns of Mosley upset win

source: mb.com.ph

MANILA, Philippines — The recent spate of upsets in boxing is making one of Manny Pacquiao’s closest allies a bit worried.

Cebu kingmaker Wakee Salud said boxing is “so unpredictable that it’s not easy to predict what will happen in a fight even if a certain fight looks lopsided.”

Salud pointed to two fights that took place over the weekend in the US and Puerto Rico as prime examples as the entire Filipino nation braces for the May 7 world welterweight war between Pacquiao and challenger Shane Mosley.

“Juan Manuel Lopez (of Puerto Rico) was expected to blow away Orlando Salido (of Mexico) in their fight in Puerto Rico but look at the result…Lopez got knocked out,” exclaimed Salud.

Salud also was shocked with the gallant showing of Mexican Erik Morales, who came off a long hiatus and stood up to the furious assault of the heavily-favored Marco Maidana of Argentina in their bout in Las Vegas. Although Maidana won, Morales had his moments and only lost by majority decision.

Salud said that even if Mosley is already nearing 40 years old, the American cannot be taken for granted.

“It’s a mortal sin to take someone lightly in boxing,” said Salud, who has been into promoting boxing and managing boxers the last 30 years.

Pacquiao is a 6-1 favorite to run roughshod over Mosley in their scheduled 12-rounder at the MGM Grand. Salud said he understands the public’s view of the fight but remains wary of what happens in a boxing ring.

Still, Salud is upbeat that Pacquiao is going to live up to his lofty billing and win in a sensational manner.

“Manny has got everything and I can see that he is not taking Mosley for granted,” added Salud.

And this is the reason why Salud has already booked himself a ticket to Pacquiao’s post-fight party cum concert.

Deal or no deal: Pacquiao insists on 50/50 split

CEBU, Philippines- Unless a 50/50 purse split will be put in place, a Manny Pacquiao superfight against Flloyd Mayweather, Jr. is not going to happen.

This was the hardline stance of Pacquiao himself, saying that there is no way he’s going to climb up the ring against Mayweather if the split on prize money and other revenues is not even or in other way favorable to the unbeaten American warrior.

“Kung 50/50, seguradong madayon ang away (If it’s going to be a 50/50 split, the fight will definitely push through),” said Pacquiao in an exclusive interview with this writer at his suite at Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino
last Sunday.

Pacquiao and his amiable wife Jinkee were in Cebu during the Father’s Day celebration. It was his first trip to the Queen City of the South since he was elected congressman in the lone district of Saranggani Province.

“Karon wala pay klaro. Dili man siya mosukol (Right now, it’s not yet clear. He’s afraid to fight me),” added Pacquiao, who recently received the “Fighter of the Decade” award from the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

After Pacquiao’s clinical 12-round whipping of Joshua Clottey last March 15 in Texas, Mayweather’s name swiftly cropped up as the next opponent of the Pacman.

Initial negotiations of what could be the biggest bout in boxing history fizzled out after Mayweather batted for an Olympic-style drug testing, which was strongly rejected by Team Pacquiao.

Most recently, Mayweather’s handlers purportedly demanded for a 60/40 purse split, something that Pacman’s camp is frowning at.

“That is too much for Mayweather to ask. Besides, that’s unfair to Pacquiao because he’s the main draw being the current pound-for-pound king,” said Pacquiao’s confidant and top advisor Rex “Wakee” Salud.

But according to certain David in his blog posted on www.usanewsweek.com, the best solution for the megabout to happen is for both fighters to agree on a 50/50 split.

He doubts though if Mayweather will agree to such set-up.

“The best solution would be that the fighters agree a 50/50 split and if they are not willing to reach a common ground then a simple solution would be that the winner of the fight gets 60 and the loser walks home with 40 percent,” said David.

“But it seems unlikely that Mayweather would agree on a 50/50 purse split because he knows that Pacquiao is a tough opponent and he will find it tough to defeat the Filipino star. Mayweather knows that this could be his last mega bout and he wants to earn maximum out of it because if Pacquiao beats him then his next fight on Pay-per-view would not attract much viewers,” the blogger added.

When pressed for her gut feel, Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee said her husband is likely to face next Mayweather because “there’s no viable opponent out there other than Flloyd.” (THE FREEMAN)

Article Source - philstar.com