Mayweather-Hatton II, Marquez-Pacquiao III would sell

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

Like all pundits, this pugilistic pundit’s specialty is snap judgments.

The endless “deadline” pressure of the Internet makes for even more rapid dispensing of verdicts and opinions.

I make mistakes like any pundit. And I must admit my first reaction to Ricky Hatton’s suggestion that he fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. a second time and Freddie Roach’s trial balloon for a third Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez bout were both wrong...

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Cotto hits back at Roach; Pacquiao flies to LA tonight

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach will do anything for his fighter, and that includes throwing the opponent off.

Miguel Cotto, however, isn’t buying any of his statements.

“I have never seen a fighter win with the talking of his trainer,” Cotto, who’s just 20 days away from a fight with Manny Pacquiao, told Puerto Rican paper El Nuevo Dia yesterday.

“So, I want to tell Freddie Roach, Miguel Cotto and his team do not care. The important thing here is that I’m not going to see Freddie Roach’s face in the ring. I will be there with Manny Pacquiao,” Cotto added.

Roach is playing mind games with Cotto the way he’d played them with Pacquiao’s most recent opponents.

He did it with Juan Manuel Marquez by trading harsh words with his counterpart, Nacho Beristain, with Oscar dela Hoya through his famous “can’t-pull-the-trigger” battlecry, and with Ricky Hatton when he told Pacquiao he’d be...

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Rankings: Pac-man back on top

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sports.yahoo.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

The Yahoo! Sports monthly rankings underwent big changes in October despite the fact that none of the top-ranked fighters were in action.

Manny Pacquiao, who faces Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas in what is expected to be a high-paced bout, supplanted Floyd Mayweather Jr. for the top spot. Mayweather had a one-point edge over Pacquiao in September, but Pacquiao climbed past him by five points in October.

Three fewer voters participated in the voting in October than did in September and that appeared to help Pacquiao. Pacquiao received 13 of the 25 first-place votes from the elite panel of boxing writers, with Mayweather picking up the other first-place 12 votes.

The difference turned out to be that all of those who did not vote for Pacquiao as No. 1 had him as No. 2. However, Mayweather had nine second-place votes, two third-place votes and one fourth...

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PACQUIAO'S TRAINING BOOSTS UP BUSINESS AT MALL

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from philboxing.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

Mandaluyong City -- Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao's training at the Penalosa Boxing Gym located at the 2nd floor of the Marketplace Mall here has made the already well-populated area even livelier and added more business to the mall which caters to the lower-income bracket of the city's residents.

The mall is located in Kalentong, a street named after a general who fought for Philippine independence against the Spaniards at the turn of the century, one of the busiest wet market area in Metro Manila. Pacquiao has trained here since Monday after the team left Baguio ealier than scheduled for fear of another round of heavy rains due to another typhoon approaching the northern summer capital.

"It's fun! A lot of people come here everyday to get a glimpse of Manny," Esther Garcia, the mall's administrator said. "But sometimes it's difficult because a lot of people, from the media and elsewhere, try to force their...

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Expect a focused Pacquiao amid typhoon turmoil on HBO’s “24/7”

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from examiner.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

For all the distractions that have plagued Manny Pacquiao’s training camp in the Philippines, you’re likely to find him focused on his Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Cotto as HBO’s “24/7 Pacquaio/Cotto” premieres Saturday. We may well see that Cotto is in greater disarray.

There was talk in early September that promoter Bob Arum and/or trainer Freddie Roach felt Pacquiao didn’t hit the ground running. Then Manny’s financial manager Mike Koncz was nosing around, pissing off Roach and his boys until strength trainer Alex Ariza reportedly smacked Koncz. Pacquiao’s original manager died Sept. 24. And then the persistence of a horrible monsoon season has devastated the country, necessitating Pacquiao’s philanthropy – and empathy, to be sure...

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Examiner's prediction for Pac vs Cotto: the winner is . . .

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from examiner.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

The moment is arriving, and it is time to make a prediction for the November 14 mega-fight. After countless hours of research, analysis, and pre-fight observations, we reach a conclusion. To quote an ancient Chinese proverb, "the journey is the reward." In the Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight, I predicted a wide unanimous decision for Floyd. This one has a far different outcome.

The Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto will be an extravagant event - but the night will end in an anti-climactic conclusion to the war. And the army of an archipelago will march victorious under the Arc de Triumph.

Cotto, he is one of the most courageous welterweights of this generation - a brave warrior who never backs down. He insists on meeting a challenge. Unfortunately, that ring adversity comes in its maximum form straight from the sport's summit. Pacquiao is not just the pound-for-pound lion king, he is also an all-time great. One who is gunning for a historical seventh title in an incredible seventh weight class. HBO's 24 / 7, the marketing gurus, will cast its magic dust and successfully convince millions of viewers that this is not an overrated fighter (Cotto) whose best days are in the past. The series will effect a mass delusion, resulting in greater pay-per-view dollars. On Saturday's fight night, Cotto will undergo a nightmare, a humiliating and embarassing defeat at the hands of a humble monster...

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“START AGGRESIVE, STRONG, FAST” - ROACH

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from philboxing.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

Manila - The world's best boxing trainer pound for pound Freddie Roach was a guest at the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (SCOOP) Forum held at the Kamayan Restaurant in Manila Friday morning.

Roach emphasized the importance of Manny Pacquiao starting aggressively in the opening round against WBO welterweight champ Miguel Cotto. “Manny needs to start aggressive, strong and fast so that he'll make Cotto remember the beating he got from Antonio Margarito.”

Cotto is a notoriously slow starter and Roach said that there is a window of opportunity in the early minutes to catch him cold. They have prepared for two different Cottos – the boxer and the puncher. But Roach feels Cotto cannot counter like Juan Manuel Marquez and change styles in six weeks. “If he gets hit, he'll fight.”...

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GATO SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT COTTO AND HIS DISMISSAL FROM CAMP

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from fighthype.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

There's always two sides to a story. After learning of Miguel Cotto's recent statements regarding his dismissal from training camp, jr. welterweight contender Frankie "Gato" Figueroa wanted to set the record straight about events leading up to his removal. Having served as Cotto's sparring partner...

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Cotto vs. Pacquiao worth $54.95?

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from examiner.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

Obviously if you watch it with your gang and everyone chips in it makes a difference and it's a lot more fun. If you go to a sports bar or gentleman's club you're in for $10 if you shop it right.

But I'm not talking about that. The fighters deserve to get paid. I'm talking about the fact that the prices have clearly gone over the $50 mark now with some normalcy.

How high will they eventually go? Which fighters can demand it?

But this fight? Even Top Rank is even quite proud of its Latin Fury cards. Latin Fury is at $39.95, sure Cotto vs. Pacquiao if worth just $15 more, and Pacquiao only fights...

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Pacquiao's treat: Henson's trick or Rivera's threat

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from philboxing.com Sat, Oct 2009

San Leandro, California: I've tried just about every hat in my life-long involvement in boxing -- starry-eyed fight fan when I was young, eager spectator of semi-inebriated Filipino writers during lively libations, and lately as manager, cornerman, aspiring writer and photographer.

Never would I have imagined being the "Third Man In the Ring" as RP journalism heavyweights Joaquin Henson and Hermie Rivera lock horns inside their literary squared circle.

My father is never one to back down in a verbal tussle nor run away from rabid dogs.

I still remember him late 1970's kicking one "Asong Ulol" (shielding me from harm) enroute to a hospital to visit an interesting fellow named Bing Bong (surname Crisologo)...

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Boricua Bear Trap: Freddie Roach may snare Miguel Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from examiner.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

He’s like a weatherman in that he is predicting a Manila Ice storm at the MGM Grand Hotel on Nov. 14. And he is like a bear hunter who has set out a trap for Miguel I’m No Angel Cotto. I don’t know exactly how you would label a combination meteorologist-bear hunter but his na...

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Miguel Cotto Unloads on Roach, Vargas, Explains Gato

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest New from boxingscene.com Sat, 24 Oct 2009

WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto is not bothered by the big talk of Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. In a recent interview with BoxingScene.com's Ronnie Nathanielsz, Roach said Pacquiao stood a chance of knocking Cotto out in the first round of their bout on November 14. "I have neve...

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PACQUIAO’S HISTORIC WELTERWEIGHT BID

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

Less than a month from now Manny Pacquiao will be fighting as a welterweight for the second time in his career. When he fought Oscar dela Hoya last December, Pacquiao weighed 142 pounds during the official weigh-in and went up to 148.5 lbs at fight night. Pacquiao was awesome as a welterweight even against the faded but still a 2 to 1 favorite Golden Boy. Will a major title at the 147 pound division be just a mere formality?

Miguel Cotto is the defending WBO welterweight champion but was willing to concede to the catchweight of 145 pounds and purse split just to get a mega-match against the Pacman. But Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach has said that they will be ready even if Cotto will not comply with the contracted weight...

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Holyfield and Johnson both predict Pacquiao victory over Cotto.

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

In my recent interviews with former 4 time heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield, and former light heavyweight world champion Glen Johnson, both men predict that Manny Pacquiao will defeat Miguel Cotto. The Holyfield Podcast will be available for listen tomorrow evening at http://www.8countnews.com and the Glen Johnson Podcast is available now.

Holyfield recently appeared with former heavyweight champion "Iron" Mike Tyson on the Oprah Winfrey show. Tyson publicly apologized to Holyfield for the ear biting incident that happened back in 1997. The two men also appeared on the show to set an example for the youth of America that people should forgive each other. Violence does not pay, and people should be kind to one another...

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‘Pacquiao to devour Cotto’—Peñalosa

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from

MANILA – Filipino veteran prized fighter Gerry Peñalosa is certain that Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao will prevail in his Nov. 14 fight against Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.
He said this after watching Pacquiao hold an intense workout at the Gerry Peñalosa Boxing Gym in Mandaluyong City on Monday.
“He was focused, determined and every inch the champion,” Peñalosa said of the pound-for-pound king in his Oct. 19 “Fearless” column on PhilBoxing.com.
He added that Pacquiao did not even look exhausted after training

“I am every bit confident that the Pacman will devour Miguel Cotto... Manny might be the smaller guy but he was so fast,” he wrote.
Peñalosa even suggested changing the Pacquiao-Cotto fight title of “Firepower” to “The Quick and the Dead.” He continued, “Pacman is the quick one... can Cotto be the ‘dead’?”
Pacquiao left Baguio City on Sunday to continue his training in Manila as Typhoon “Ramil” is threatening to hit Northern Luzon this week...

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FANS WANT 50-50 SPLIT FOR MAYWEATHER vs PACQUIAO, AND MORE...

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from braggingrightscorner.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

If you haven't become our friend on Facebook yet, you are missing out! Everyday we bring you new topics to discuss, and feature our best material from the website itself. So please stop by and become a friend by going to www.facebook.com/braggingrightscorner Sending out an S.O.S Once again we...

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FREDDIE ROACH: "COTTO IS A TOUGH GUY...WE'LL BUST HIM UP"

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fighthype.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

"About eighty percent, eighty-five percent. I think we still have two and half weks to go...with the sparring partners, the timing is still off a little bit," stated world-class trainer Freddie Roach as he gave an update to GMANews.tv on Manny Pacquiao's training less than 4 weeks away from his high...

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Brian’s Boxing Mailbag (Super Six, Manny Pacquiao, and Much More!)

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

Greetings boxing fans, and welcome to my boxing mailbag. The much-anticipated Super Six super middleweight tournament kicked off this weekend with a double header. That is the main topic to start off the mailbag this week. Further down I answer emails about Sugar Ray Robinson, Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather, Yuriorkis Gamboa, among other subjects. And, as you know, there is a Manny Pacquiao fight looming so you better believe we touch on Pacquiao as well.

This edition is jam packed so I will jump right into the emails. Please enjoy. I look forward to your reactions...

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Miguel Cotto Update

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fightnews.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

During his training camp in Tampa, welter weight world champion Miguel Cotto, has had some very interesting visitors including hall of fame trainer Angelo Dundee, who spent some time with the champ talking boxing. Cotto also got a nice present from Everlast a heavy bag with his next target Manny Pacquiao as he prepares to defend his WBO championship belt next November 14 at the Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas. The big “Firepower” championship card will be televised by HBO pay-per-view...

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PACQUIAO WATCH: Asia’s best guns for immortality

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

FILIPINO boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao is set to leave for the United States Saturday where he will resume training for his November 14 title fight against Puerto Rican Miguel Angel Cotto. Pacquiao will try to wrest Cotto’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown and annex his seventh title in as many weight divisions...

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‘Manny Pacquiao is like Bruce Lee’

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from blogs.timeslive.co.za Tue, 20 Oct 2009

Many readers have commented on the upcoming Manny Pacquiao v Miguel Cotto fight on November 14.

Among the more memorable messages is this one, from a Chinese fan: “NICE PACMAN YOUR GREAT…FROM CHINA PEOPLE..YOU LIKE BRUCE LEE HERE IN OUR PLACE….”

The comparison is interesting, because Pacquiao and Lee have at least one thing in common – both were born in the house of Sagittarius (Lee’s birthday was November 27 1940, and Pacquiao’s is December 17 1978).

At a stretch it’s worth noting that two of Pacquiao’s greatest wins have occurred within a fortnight of what would have been Lee’s birthday – his TKO win over Marco Antonio Barrera (November 15, 2003)...

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Dean of Puerto Rican boxing: Manny Pacquiao prevails over Miguel Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Tue, 20 Oct 2009

He’s the Dean of all Puerto Rican boxing figures. His name is Mario Rivera Martino and he’s even older than Don King and Bob Arum.

I thought this important Boricua boxing guy would give homeboy Miguel I’m No Angelo Cotto a strong vote of confidence going into the Nov. 14 super bout against Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.

I thought wrong because the veteran journalist who is now public relations director for the Puerto Rico-based WBO, gives the WBO 147 pound champion from Caguas only a slim chance of an upset victory over the speedy Filipino...

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The Pacman is Back in Manila and He's in My Gym!

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Early today, Team Pacquiao left the cold climate of Baguio City and went straight to Penalosa Boxing Gym in Mandaluyong City. To say the least, it was quite exhilarating to see an old friend once again and if the original plan goes through he'll be spending his workouts here till the day he leaves for the US to challenge Miguel Cotto for the WBO World Welterweight title. He was accompanied by the most popular boxing coach, Freddie Roach, and the rest of the Team Pacquaio, Buboy & Blas Fernandez, Dodie Penalosa, Mike Koncz, Alex Ariza, Nonoy Neri, Bobby Pacquiao, and all of his corner men. The Gerry Penalosa Boxing Gym welcoming committee is composed of me and my wife, Goody, our resident trainer, Carmelo Penalosa, the new WPBF Featherweight champ Michael Farenas and my brother in-law Abet Pestano.

Manny did an intense boxing workout, at least 30 rounds, and it looks like he was not at least bit exhausted after the training. He was focused, determined and every inch the champion. The gym was filled with media...

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Peñalosa opens his gym to Pacquiao as ‘Ramil’ KOs Baguio camp

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from gmanews.tv Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa has been a familiar fixture in almost every training camp of Manny Pacquiao in the United States.

The two actually even sparred when Pacquiao was preparing for his first-ever shot at the world crown, the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight belt which was then held by Thai legend Chatchai Sasakul. Pacquiao stopped Sasakul in the eighth round to claim the crown back in 1998.

On Monday afternoon, Peñalosa opened the doors of his Mandaluyong gym to Pacquiao, who arrived on the same day in Manila after several hours of land trip from Baguio City...

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'There's only one Manny Pacquiao': Pacquiao Chronicles part 16

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

After the biggest victory of his career against Oscar De la Hoya in December of 2008, Manny Pacquiao officially crossed over as boxing's biggest international superstar.

Not in the wildest dreams of even his most loyal and "hard-hugging" fans did anyone expect Pacquiao to reach such heights. With the victory over Dela Hoya, Pacquiao went from boxing superstar and a Filipino icon to a boxing legend and the face of the sport.

Whether his newfound status atop the sport's highest echelon would translate into revenue the way the man he unseated did, remained to be seen. But part of the perks of being the biggest star in boxing was that Pacquiao had the luxury to choose whoever in the sport he can prove his star power against...

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Pacquiao-Mayweather: Who Would Win?

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from boxing.fanhouse.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are considered by many to be the top two fighters in the world. Each could own the 'best pound-for-pound boxer' title based on their past performances.

In this video we ask fighters, fans, managers and ring girls who they think would win if the two superstars got into the ring to face each other. One thing is for sure -- everyone has a different opinion...

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Live from the Fight Factory: Trainer Pete Fernandez picks Cotto to stop Pacquiao in nine

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

It’s hard to recall a recent fight in the sport of boxing that has been as anticipated or littered with pre-fight coverage the way the November 14th Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao showdown has been. Everyday there seems to be a new storyline emerging from both sides of the camp and there has been discussion amongst fans that neither camp has gone as smoothly as expected.

As everyone knows Pacquiao has tucked himself away in Baguiao City in the Philippines and the results have seemed to be mixed. While Pacquiao’s sparring has reportedly gone well there have been other distractions that have had many scratching their head as to what is really going on behind the scenes...

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Pacquiao abandons Baguio camp

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from mb.com.ph Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Manny Pacquiao has uprooted his training camp in Baguio City for fear of being stranded there in the coming days owing to the fast-approaching storm that is expected to hit Northern Luzon either Tuesday or Wednesday.

Pacquiao, preparing for a Nov. 14 clash with Miguel Cotto, left Baguio City early Monday morning for Manila and was back in training mode right after noontime as he showed up at a gym in Mandaluyong owned and operated by ex-world champion Gerry Peñalosa.

Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for the US this Saturday and will make Peñalosa’s gym as the site of the remaining days of his training camp.

This afternoon, Pacquiao is booked to spar with Shawn Porter, Jose Luis Castillo and possibly against Urbano Antillon or Danny Escobar. Freddie Roach has also lined up the same cast when Pacquiao bangs bodies on Thursday and on Saturday.

The decision to leave Baguio City in haste stemmed from the possibility that Pacquiao might get stranded there in the event the storm causes massive flooding and landslides just like two weeks ago when roads were blocked going in and outside the resort city.

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Pacman in Manila!

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fightnews.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Manny Pacquiao is now in Manila ready to resume his training for the Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Cotto. Team Pacquiao left Baguio City early Monday morning amid the threat of a storm. As of this writing, Pacquiao is being driven to Gerry Penalosa’s gym in Mandaluyong City. Pacquiao had camped out in the City of Pines since Sept. 20. It expected that Pacquiao will report to the...

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JAMES TONEY: "FLOYD'S GOING TO HAVE THE HARDEST TIME WITH MOSLEY AND PACQUIAO"

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fighthype.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

"I've fought the best in every division that I've been in. Floyd can't say that. He can't say that, but, you know, I'm not knocking Floyd. Floyd's a great fighter, a hell of a fighter, but there's Floyd Mayweather, there's boxers and there's a master boxer, which is me. I'm the master. Period, hands...

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Early Pacquiao-Cotto Insider Picks II

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fightfannation.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Paulie Ayala (Former 2-Time World Champ, Fought Tapia, Barrera, & Morales)
I think Pacquiao is going to be too fast and Cotto has had a lot of tought fights and I don’t think he recovered from the Margarito fight. And with Clottey, he took another beating. And I think with all the changes in his camp and Pacquiao is getting better every time. So I’m going with Pacquiao in the late rounds. I give Cotto a lot of credit, but I just think Pacquiao is going to be a little too much for him.

Jack Mosley (Father & Trainer of Sugar Shane Mosley)
Cotto is strong, he’s not as fast Pacquiao, but he’s strong enough to disrupt Pacquiao’s speed, but I’ m not sure who is going to win, but it’s going to be a good fight.

Andre Dirrell (168 pound Super-Six Tournament Participant & 2004 Olympic Medalist)
I love Pacquiao. He’s fast on his feet. One of the fastest guys I have ever seen on his feet and he has fast hands. He’s matured over the years and all that movement, bouncing and getting in and out and knowing how to use your power as well is amazing so I believe he is going to give Cotto another loss.

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Pacquiao Focuses on Life Inside and Outside Ring

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from boxing.fanhouse.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

In the Philipines, the expectations of Manny Pacquiao have reached lofty levels: his countrymen are starting to believe that there is nothing their champion can't do.

In preparation for Nov. 14, when he'll challenge WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 knockouts) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas at a catch-weight of 145 pounds, Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) appears to be in sensational shape thanks to a grueling training regimen.

Reportedly a four-hour ordeal, Pacquiao's workouts are simply "inhumane," said his promoter, Bob Arum, "something very few people in the world" can endure.

Pacquiao is also a political force in his country, where he is running for Congress. There have been typhoons in the Philippines, and Pacquiao is helping to save lives by personally delivering food into devastated areas.

And if you ask Arum, "Pacquiao's people" are close to believing that he is more powerful than a locomotive, is able to out-run a speeding bullet, and is capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound...

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Pacquiao to earn more than $12M

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sports.inquirer.net Mon, 19 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines—The Nevada State Athletic Commission appointed Kenny Bayless the referee for the Nov. 14 bout between Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and reigning WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The match could be the biggest money-earning venture of Pacquiao, with the reigning lightweight king expected to earn more than $12 million as he guns for Cotto’s belt in a bid to become the first boxer to win titles—including linear ones—in seven different weight classes.

With HBO selling pay-per-views at $54.95 and Top Rank chief Bob Arum earlier predicting that the bout, dubbed “Firepower,” will exceed 850,000 buys brought in by Pacquiao’s destruction of Briton Ricky Hatton earlier this year, Pacquiao is looking at the biggest paycheck in his career...

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Shaq has plans Nov. 14 that don't include Manny Pacquiao

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

If Jose Sulaiman and his World Boxing Council really want to be involved with Pacquiao vs. Cotto, I say do away with the Diamond Belt and pull Freddie and Manny aside and say "No" to Shaquille O'Neal and all future celebrities and wannabes that want to "do" ringwalks.

We have all had a lot of fun, but its too much already. After Shaq, then everybody and their uncle are going to want a celebrity to walk them into fights with their music; into restaurants, movie theaters, Department of Motor Vehicles, libraries, etc.

Today in boxing you have four - round prelim fighters and their "people" at the day before weigh -ins confronting arena management that they must have their eight- minute rap song played and video on or their fighter isn't fighting, let alone make the 90 - second ring walk...

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Limpag: Manny Magicsing and Nonito Aquino

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sunstar.com.ph Mon, 19 Oct 2009

WE GOT so serious the past few issues it’s killin’ my two running companions’ creative juices.

Suspension this, suspension that and before we know it, we’d be in suspended animation.

Whew, let’s take a break, shall we?

If movie producers want to discover the latest comedians, they’d best go to the next live boxing match. There are a lot of them. It’s also why I love live boxing matches; someone is always bound to break the tension with a wisecrack here and there.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Last Saturday, one guy in the upper box provided the color commentary—or was it a monologue?—during the Marjun Yap vs. Pramuansak Posuwan match. He was so loud you could probably hear him from the casino...

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Pacquiao vs. Cotto: Keys to Victory Part 3: The Heart of a Champion!

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from 8countnews.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

On November 14th, both Pacquiao and Cotto will square off in a 12th round WBO welterweight title fight. These two fighters will once again show why they are fan favorites and living legends in their respective home countries.

When two opponents match up very evenly on many things like punching power, toughness and skill level. In my opinion, the difference maker in the bout will inevitably be the heart of each fighter. The biggest heart usually last 12 rounds and even wins the fight. No matter how skilled a boxer or no matter his corner come up with an effective fight strategy, but if the boxer is too tentative to execute those strategies it could even spells trouble or even lose a battle. A real fighter ain't scared of showing his intentions in the ring. He lets his heart speak, as it is the voice of the true emotions that will guide him in his battle. A fighter sees each scar, each pain, each injury with pride and courage, as they are fruit of his efforts to go further. And he doesn't mind in getting more scars and bruises every second and minute of each and every round, as they are proof of his victories in the past, even if the victories are over himself...

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Come hell or high water, he stays in Baguio

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Unless he comes up with another last-minute decision, Manny Pacquiao is staying put in Baguio City amid the threat of another super typhoon.

“There are no concerns yet that should force us to leave,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, amid fears that another super typhoon might create more landslides or flooding in the area and leave Team Pacquiao stranded up there.

“In the first place there’s no guarantee yet that the typhoon is going to hit us,” said the Canadian national, adding that there’s no reason to be alarmed since Pacquiao is not scheduled to return to Manila until Thursday.

Pacquiao has been in the mountain summer capital since Sept. 20 and is set to train there four more days, including sparring days this Tuesday and Thursday, the day they are scheduled to drive back down to Manila...

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Shaq wants to lead Pacman to ring for bout

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Shaquille O’Neal leading Manny Pacquiao up to the ring against Miguel Cotto?

Well, to Pacquiao’s chief trainer, Freddie Roach, it sounds a good idea.

The hottest trainer in boxing today said the bulging NBA superstar had thought of leading Pacquiao to the ring although Roach said he has yet to take it up with Pacquiao seriously – barely four weeks the fight set at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Roach said that awhile back, during the NBA break, he had the chance to give the 7-1 O’Neal, who wears size 23” shoes, some boxing lessons in Los Angeles, and the former Laker superstar brought up the idea and offered himself for the role.

“He sounded like he really wanted to do it,” said Roach, not forgetting that a couple of wrestling superstars have led Pacquiao up the ring in his previous fights...

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Mayweather, Pacquiao cast huge shadow over the UFC

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Mon, 19 Oct 2009

Leading up to the Maweather vs. Marquez fight, UFC and most MMA fans assumed that boxing was on life support and that MMA had surpassed the once great sport. Well, after the Mayweather fight, UFC was in for a heavy dose of reality.

Boxing has rolled out its 1-2 combo of Mayweather and Pacquiao in less than a 2 month period. This combo has knocked Dana White and the UFC into the realization that boxing is not dead. Actually, the realization is that not only is boxing not dead, it’s alive and kicking the UFC’s butt.

Mayweather Jr proved why he is still one of the sport’s top draws as his fight brought in around the 1 million mark for PPV buys. Now, Pacquao vs Cotto might not bring in the same amount, but I’m willing to bet that it’s at least 850,000...

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Pacquiao, Cotto in best shape ever

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from manilatimes.net Mon, 19 Oct 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C.: With less than four weeks left to their title clash, boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto are leaving nothing to chance even as both fighters declared they are already in excellent shape for their biggest fight ever.

“I am in great shape and almost ready for Cotto,” Pacquiao said in his latest Abante column.

Pacquiao said he hopes to make boxing history—winning a record seventh world title in different weight class—when he clashes with Cotto, the World Boxing Organization welterweight champion, in the super fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

“I’m training very hard for this fight. I’m in great shape and doing quite well with by sparring partners,” said Pacquiao who is now sparring nine rounds with different spar-mates and hopes to log 12 rounds in the coming days.

He also expressed satisfaction with his training staff led by renowned trainer Freddie Roach and his able assistants—Filipinos Buboy Fernandez, Nonoy Neri and his Colombian conditioning coach Alex Ariza...

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Pacquiao wants a piece of boxing history

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sunstar.com.ph Sun, 18 Oct 2009

NOW that he is the current pound-for-pound king, Manny Pacquiao is eyeing a piece of history in his Nov. 15 (RP time) fight against Miguel Cotto—to be the first boxer to win seven titles in seven weight divisions.

“At stake in this fight is a record that nobody has achieved or reached,” Pacquiao wrote in Filipino in his regular column at www.philboxing.com.

“Nobody has had the honor of winning seven world titles in seven weight divisions,” Pacquiao wrote.

Sun.Star accepts donations for victims of Typhoon Ondoy

Pacquiao, who started at 106 pounds and last fought against Ricky Hatton at 142, said the prospect of making history is what drives him to work harder to sieze Miguel Cotto’s World Boxing Organization welterweight title.

“As of now, only I and Oscar dela Hoya have six world titles in six weight divisions and if I win, I will be the first and only boxer to achieve this (seven world titles),” said Pacquiao...

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Typhoon may force Pacquiao to flee Baguio

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from mb.com.ph Sun, 18 Oct 2009

American trainer Freddie Roach reported from Baguio City that boxing idol Manny Pacquiao is about 75 percent ready for his Nov. 14 showdown with Miguel Cotto after completing a third of his required 160 sparring rounds.

“No worries as far as his conditioning is concerned,” said Roach as he was awaiting word if they will uproot their training camp later in the day in anticipation of heavy rains and howling winds with the arrival of a new typhoon in Northern Luzon.

“We just can’t jeopardize Manny’s training so we might just go down to Manila and resume training there,” said Roach, who will fly to Los Angeles this Saturday for the most crucial stage of preparation beginning next Monday (Oct. 26) at the Wild Card in Hollywood.

Pacquiao had initially wanted to train in Baguio right until the day he was scheduled to leave for the US and then made a slight alteration when his handlers disclosed that they will instead leave for Manila on Thursday afternoon...

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Pacquiao’s weakness exposed

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from mb.com.ph Sun, 18 Oct 2009

Joe Chavez, who once worked for Manny Pacquiao as a cutman, said he holds the key to the victory of Miguel Cotto over the Filipino pound-for-pound king when they clash on Nov. 14 in Las Vegas.

While Chavez has a different role inside Team Cotto with Joe Santiago as head trainer, the seasoned cornerman has immersed himself so much in Pacquiao’s corner that he claims that he knows some of Pacquiao’s innermost secrets.

“When attacked, he (Pacquiao) doesn’t know what to do,” Chavez told the Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia over the weekend.

Before the Argentine-born Miguel Diaz was recruited by Team Pacquiao, Chavez had been a familiar fixture in the corner manned by Freddie Roach, having aided Pacquiao in his bloody brawl with Juan Manuel Marquez and a few of other fights.

“I have other work here (in Team Cotto), but if they ask me, I can help and do my comments and I know Pacquiao very well,” said Chavez.

Aside from Team Cotto’s observation that Pacquiao doesn’t do well when he is the one being pursued, Chavez believes that Cotto’s natural advantage in size will eventually prove to be Pacquiao’s downfall...

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How Freddie Roach changed my life: "The Shane Langford story"

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

It's been a crazy up-and-down roller coaster week for Pacland with all the drama that surrounds the Filipino boxing icon's training camp in Baguio City Philippines which for the most part involves his team members.

From bickering, to denials, to punches thrown and conspiracies, Manny Pacquiao's camp has been anything but boring. But the story I'm about to share is somewhat a heartwarming and comforting one that involves one of Pacquiao's Wild Card family members.

Oblivious to the drama and power struggle that goes on within Pacquiao's inner circle, this feature is a change-up to all the childish controversies and nonsense out there...

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Kenny Bayless, no surprise, ref for Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

All of you out there in Pacland who needlessly sweated bullets about even the possibility of the Nevada State Athletic Commission tabbing "Fair But Firm" referee Joe Cortez (a Puerto Rican) as the third man for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto super bout Nov. 14, don't you feel foolish now?

You should've listened to WOIO, meaning the Wise, Old Irish Owl, meaning yours truly and not Billy Dooley.

I told you guys it was a lock that that Keith Kizer and the Silver State boxing board would select its top rated referee, Kenny Bayless, and that's what has just been made official.

There is nothing wrong with the rest of the panel as Nevada also picked veteran judges Duane Ford, Dave Moretti and Adelaide Byrd. Ford can be a bit erratic but he has a marked tendency to favor "the house fighter" and can there be any doubt that promoter Top Rank hopes that Pacman wins?

I think Ms. Byrd does not get her props as she is consistently good in scoring. Moretti is an old pro in the best sense of the term.

I can't see either Team Cotto nor Team Pacquiao bitching about this four person panel...

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Housecat notes; Bayless gets Cotto vs. Pacquiao

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

* Veteran referee Kenny Bayless has been chosen to referee the Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto fight Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The three judges will be Duane Ford, Dave Moretti, and Adelaide Byrd, all of Las Vegas.


* Question for you: Why did it take until the last week of the training camp for the news that trainer Freddie Roach wasn't even staying at the same hotel as Manny Pacquiao and the rest of his team? What else don't we know? I'd like to know.

* Team Pacquiao is scheduled to move camp on October 22 from Baguio to Manila, and leave on October 24 for Los Angles to continue training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in nearby Hollywood...

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Will Size Matter: Manny Pacquiao’s Challenge of Miguel Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from ringsidereport.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

It was a breath of fresh air. I saw recently a “taster” film for HBO’s upcoming 24/7 series about the Pacquiao/Cotto matchup, in which Max Kellerman brought the two fighters together across a table and questioned them about their potential fisticuffs.

Consider the following quotes: first, Cotto on Pacquiao:

“You have to give some credit to him you know. He’s a good boxer, he’s a great fighter; all the things he has, he’s earned.”

Pacquiao on Cotto:

“Miguel is bigger and stronger than me. I’m the challenger here in this fight. He’s the champion.”

Cotto on the fight:

“This fight is going to be like Hagler-Hearns. For many years people are going to remember this fight. The winners in this fight will be the fans.”...

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Ring of regrets: Manny Pacquiao, inner circle apologize

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield set the tone on Friday sitting down with peacemaker Oprah Winfrey in her Chicago TV studio.

So I say, following their fine example, that today is Apology Day, a time to say I’m sorry and time to forgive and forget, in the Manny Pacquiao training camp in Baguio.

I mean, why not? As far as is known, strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza did not pull a Tyson.

He punched out Agent 008, controversial Michael Koncz, he did not bite off a hunk of his earlobe.

How, you may ask, would Marley, sitting in his White...

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Paghahangad sa Espesyal na Record

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

BAGUIO CITY—Magandang umaga, tanghali o gabi sa inyong lahat, saan man kayo datnan ng aking pagbati. Nawa ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan saan mang panig ng mundo kayo naroroon. Kung ako naman po ang inyong kukumustahin, okay na okay po ang aking kundisyon at handing-handa na ako sa susunod kong laban na nakatakda sa Nov. 14.

Apat na linggo na lang ang nalalabi at mainit na bakbakan ang magaganap muli sa loob ng malawak na MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas kung saan ay makakasagupa ko si Miguel Cotto, ang pambato ng Puerto Rico. Lalong umiinit ang laban habang lalong papalapit kami sa araw ng kampeonato para sa World Boxing Organization welterweight title at ang World Boxing Council diamond belt, na kapwa nakataya. Para sa akin, espesyal ang dalawang sinturon na ito at lubos akong inspirado na makamit pareho ang mga ito.

Bukod sa paghahangad na makuha ang dalawang sinturon na ito na parehong prestihiyoso, mayroon pang isang katangi-tanging bagay na gusto kong makamit. Iyan ay ang ikapito kong championship sa ikapitong weight class na aking pinagdaanan mula pa noong ako ay nagsimulang lumaban noong ako ay labing-anim na taong gulang may 14 na taon na ang nakakalipas...

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Castillo says Manny too sharp for Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo is convinced there’s nobody out there within weight range capable of beating Manny Pacquiao and that includes Floyd Mayweather Jr. whom the Mexican has faced twice.

It goes without saying that Castillo, now working as Pacquiao’s sparmate, is sure the Filipino icon will dispose of Miguel Cotto when they meet at a catchweight limit of 145 pounds for the WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.

Trainer Freddie Roach shared Castillo’s remarks the other day as he assessed the 35-year-old warrior’s performance in two sparring sessions in Baguio City so far. Castillo flew in from Los Angeles via Hermosillo, Mexico, with another sparmate Danny Escobar and arrived in Baguio City in former Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson’s private plane last Sunday...

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Pacman peeking at the right time

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sunstar.com.ph Sun, 18 Oct 2009

MANNY Pacquiao’s training camp is set to add more rounds of sparring with his scheduled fight on November 15 draws nearer.

The six time champion in six different weight categories said with barely less than a month before his highly touted bout against Miguel Cotto, there are still a lot of areas to work on in his training with just a month away from fight night.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

The 30-year-old Pacquiao is in the thick of training at the Shape Up gym in Baguio City. He has so far sparred 38 rounds, alternating with Urbano Antillon, undefeated Shawn Porter and the latest new addition at the camp, former world champion Jose Luis Castillo.

“Isang buwan na lang ang bibilangin at magkakasubukan na kami ng lakas, bilis at talino ni Miguel Angel Cotto, ang kampeon mula sa Puerto Rico na aking makakaharap sa MGM Grand Garden Arena sa Las Vegas, Nevada. Excited na akong lumaban ulit,” said Pacquiao in his website...

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Pacquiao close to fulfilling target

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from mb.com.ph Sun, 18 Oct 2009

Manny Pacquiao has completed a third of the required number of sparring rounds after the Filipino pride went nine rounds on Saturday with a battery of sparring partners in his Baguio training camp, less than a month before he collides with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

Since kicking off his sparring session three weeks ago, Pacquiao has so far logged 55 rounds and still needs 105 to fulfill the targeted number that top trainer Freddie Roach wants him to do to prime himself up for the expected grueling bout with Cotto at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao had three rounds with Porter, a 21-year-old super-welterweight who he had floored twice last Thursday, then banged with battle-scarred Jose Luis Castillo for another three and had only two with Urbano Antillon after Antillon sustained a cut.

Roach then called on Porter up the ring for another round – the ninth – to cap the intense workout at the Shape Up Gym.

Next week, Pacquiao will start sparring ten and even as much as 12 rounds in one session as he gets himself ready to uproot his training camp for the more familiar confines of the Wild Card in Hollywood...

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Pacman revs up training

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

CEBU, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao went about his business
of shaping up for the Miguel Cotto fight yesterday, bloodying one of his sparring partners amid reports of fighting between two of his trusted men.

Pacquiao sparred 10 rounds on a relatively fine day in Baguio City. He did four rounds with Shawn Porter, three with Jose Luis Castillo and another two with Urbano Antillon.

Pacquiao was supposed to do three rounds with Antillon, but the Mexican fighter suffered a cut under his left eye, forcing chief trainer Freddie Roach to call in Porter for another round.

“It’s been a very busy week for Manny,” said his Canadian adviser Mike Koncz, adding that another sparring partner who’s in town, Danny Escobar, might be utilized starting on Tuesday...

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Why do I like Pacquiao? Here it is

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philboxing.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

A friend PM'd me a few moments ago. This is what he asked: Why do you like Manny Pacquiao so much? It's annoying!


Ooops, sorry, to annoy you, R., but let me answer that question.

First, because I am Filipino. Only fellow Filipinos can understand what it means to have an athlete that shares our color, our race, our collective experiences as a nation and then to become one of the world's best in his sport. Oh, wait. THE world's best. He is after all, the planet's No. 1 pound for pound boxer.

Second, because he is a living legend. A phenom that comes along only every few years or so. Each decade has its own defining champion: Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson...and then there's Manny Pacquiao. Look at his career and see how far he has risen.

Third, because he is a genius. At least, when it comes to boxing. And let's thank Freddie Roach for that as well although 80% of the credit goes to the great boxer himself because he does have that innate talent that only very few boxers are gifted with. You know that there are born boxers and there are those who aren't? Well, Manny Pacquiao was born with it. Eat your heart out.

Fourth, because I share the same city where Manny grew up in. And because he is proudly "Bisaya" as I most definitely am. "Kababayan" as we call it in our language. And that's that. No explanations necessary. Absolutely no apologies...

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Figueroa Says He Never Knocked Miguel Cotto Down

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from boxingscene.com Sun, 18 Oct 2009

Junior welterweight Frankie Figueroa wanted to set the record straight on BoxingScene.com about some of the gossip pertaining to his recent stint as a sparring partner in Miguel Cotto's training camp for the November fight with Manny Pacquiao. Figueroa denies any talk that he knocked Cotto down in...

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Pacquiao’s heart quicker than his blazing hands

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from manilatimes.net Sun, 18 Oct 2009

When tropical storm Ondoy left most parts of Metro Manila submerged in a sea of muddy water, Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao donated P1 million to a charitable institution to assist in its aid efforts. As if it was not enough, he left his camp in Baguio City to distribute personally the relief goods to the victims in Manila.

As tropical storm Ramil threatens to batter the northern and central part of Luzon still reeling from the onslaught of Typhoon Pepeng, nobody will be surprised if Pacquiao will take a break again from his training and extend a helping hand to the victims.

Trainer Freddie Roach called him a “machine,” and his hands have caused the worst defeats of great boxers like Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya and more recently, Ricky Hatton.

His hands may be lighting quick, but Pacquiao’s heart reacts even faster than his hands in responding to the needs of his impoverished countrymen.

Pacquiao was no stranger to poverty. He was born in the poor neighborhood of Kibawe, Bukidnon, where he worked in various jobs to help her mother Dionisia support his four other siblings. Those experiences humbled him. Even as he amassed the wealth he had never imagined as a child, his feet remained firmly planted on the ground until now.

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Pacquiao/Mayweather Superfight Depends on Pacquiao/Cotto PPV Numbers

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from sportingnews.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told Boxing Scene today that he thinks Mayweather should get the lion's share of the money in any eventual fight with the winner of the Manny Pacquiao/Miguel Cotto fight on November 14.

But he did add a caveat to that statement. If Pacquiao vs. Cotto does a million PPV buys or above, then he believes there is reason to consider a 50-50 split.

You know what? He's probably right about that, and the upshot is pure financial mathematics - Pac/Cotto does a million or higher, and we fight fans have a shot at seeing the Pacquiao/Mayweather superfight get made. Pac/Cotto falls short of a million buys, and it's never going to happen.

My sense is that Pac/Cotto not only needs to make a million buys, it needs to exceed that number. But not by too much. I would say, oh, maybe 1.2 million gets the job done nicely.

For the sake of discussion, I'm going to leave aside the possibility that Cotto beats Pacquiao and that we're talking about a Mayweather/Cotto fight on November 14th. The fact of the matter is that no matter what Pac/Cotto does at the box office, if Cotto wins and is in line to fight Mayweather next, it's a much easier negotiation. Cotto is going to get the short money, end of story...

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The Zombie that refuses to die: Big Floyd insists Pacquiao is on steroids, Mosley too

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

Just like an undead Zombie, I thought this whole issue regarding Floyd Mayweather Sr.'s accusation or perhaps the better term for it would be creation of his imagination, that Manny Pacquiao is on some kind of "subtams" (refer to D Source dictionary for definition) has been laid to rest. I guess just as the movie "Zombieland" suggests, to kill a Zombie, you need to give it a "Double Tap". And this perhaps is my double tap on this issue Big Floyd seems to be intent on pushing.

Again, Big Floyd did not hold back on his insinuations and even dragged "Sugar" Shane Mosley to the mix. Mosley on his part has admitted to steroid use in the past on the grounds that he allegedly did not know he was taking it. I guess, he just wants us to believe he is stupid or perhaps we are for him to think we are going to believe it...

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Maybe Cotto has a serious shot at beating Pacquiao

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

My old friend Sonny and I went to lunch today. He had pulled Miguel Cotto's fight record off of boxrec.com and he was prepared with a page of notes and a lot of attitude.

He really let me have it, saying my column about Cotto being "shot" that I ran yesterday was totally wrong and idiotic.

Here's a link to my Cotto story yesterday:

http://www.examiner.com/x-11372-Dallas-Boxing-Examiner~y2009m10d15-Cotto-wont-stand-up-long-against-Pacquiao-November-14

"Everyone hates you for it. You pissed off both the Cotto and Pacquiao people," said Sonny.

"Cotto's practically undefeated. Other than the Margarito fight which he was winning easily and they had the concrete in the glove issue, he's beaten every man he's fought including many undefeated world-class fighters.

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Manny Pacquiao agent Michael Koncz: No hate for Freddie Roach

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

BOMBS OVER BAGUIO – PART 2, AGENT KONCZ UNPLUGGED

Before I let Michael Koncz explain and vent a bit more, let me say that anyone who resorts to death threats and other stupid acts concerning Manny Pacquiao’s self-chosen right hand man is not a Pacman fan.

Anyone who does this, even anonymously on the Internet, is an idiot.

Settle down, class. We’re talking about boxing. We’re talking about an athlete.

I certainly don’t encourage let alone condone such mindless activity.

Koncz is a human being. He’s got children. To hear him tell it, he does what Boss Manny tells him to do...

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Pacquiao knocks down sparring partner as his conditioning coach knocks down his adviser

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

Just when the weather forecast over Pacland yielded rainbows and sunshines, Manny Pacquiao's drama-filled training camp in Baguio City, Philippines just provided fans with another reality show-type plot twist.

Fortunately for Pacquiao fans, almost none of it has anything to do with the Pac Man's training itself as the Filipino boxing icon is looking more and more like the little monster truck that ran over Britain's favorite fistic hero Ricky Hatton in May.

Reports coming from Baguio have given fans reason to be relieved this week as Pacquiao bloodied and dominated new sparring partner Jose Luis Castillo, whom a lot of people believe beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. when they initially squared off in the ring...

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Pacman floors sparmate twice

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao flooring Shawn Porter twice in sparring last Thursday doesn’t mean much for his chief trainer, Freddie Roach.

“Nothing,” said the three-time Trainer of the Year over the phone yesterday from Baguio City, right after another heavy, non-sparring day at the Shape Up Gym.

“It only means that he’s ready for the fight and that he’s doing very well,” Roach told The STAR, saying that Porter, the undefeated 21-year-old junior middleweight was floored twice by Pacquiao.

Roach said Pacquiao sparred four rounds with Porter, and caught the big and burly native of Ohio, a 2007 National Golden Gloves champion, with two powerful lefts in the third round of their skirmish...

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Manny Pacquiao coach Alex Ariza: Why I punched out Michael Koncz

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, PART ONE

He couldn’t run and he couldn’t hide.

So, when Manny Pacquiao strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza finally exploded in the “Collision at Cooyesan (Hotel)” in Baguio, the controversial Canadian showed his true colors.

Koncz didn’t lay down. He stayed down, taking about five solid punches to the face from Ariza, a 35-year-old usually even-tempered native of Bogota, Colombia.

Koncz did not even try to defend himself from the sudden physical attack.

I spoke at length with Ariza, who is prepping for his fifth major bout working alongside Pacman and Coach Freddie Roach, by telephone. Ariza was standing in the hotel lobby Friday night.

Ariza explained to me why he felt compelled to punch Koncz out...

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Isolated: No room at Manny Pacquiao inn for Freddie Roach

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 16 Oct 2009

PART 2—EXCLUSIVE REPORT—BOMBS OVER BAGUIO

When Manny Pacquiao’s widely revered Coach Freddie Roach got to the Pinoy Idol’s training camp in Baguio, his arch rival Michael Koncz had a little surprise for him.

Most of the Pacman crew, including the fighter himself, were checked into the Cooyesan Hotel.

But, according to Pacman strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza, there was no room at the inn for Roach.

Instead of bugging out and possibly upsetting the boxer, Roach accepted accommodations at the Manor Hotel.

“Koncz did that, he did that on purpose,” Ariza told me Friday by telephone from the Cooyesan Hotel.

Ariza physically attacked Koncz in Pacquiao’s suite when he discovered that the furtive Canadian agent—labeled only an “errand boy” by Ariza—was trying to change Pacman’s mind and have him replaced in the corner on fight night with, guess who, Koncz...

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Manny Pacquiao shoots hoops as entourage plays punch out

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

PART 3

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: BOMBS OVER BAGUIO AS PACQUIAO EXPLODES IN FIGHT

His strength, conditioning and nutrition guru Alex Ariza just jumped on his agent and go-fer Michael Koncz.

Manny Pacquiao’s beefy bodyguards had to pull an enraged Ariza off the older man in the living room of the boxer’s palatial suite at the Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio.

Ariza rained punches in the Canadian’s grill when Koncz told Coach Alex ”it’s none of your fugging business” in reply to a question about why the backstabbing and occasionally front stabbing agent was trying to persuade Megamanny to put him in his corner on fight night and remove the Freddie Roach assistant...

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Manny Pacquiao go-fer Koncz: 'Like Hitler without charm, brains'

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Sat, 17 Oct 2009

PART FOUR

BOMBS OVER BAGUIO – MANNY PACQUIAO EXPLODES

There seems to be no end to people connected to Manny Pacquiao who complain about the machinations of furtive Canadian agent Michael Koncz.

Koncz tossed gasoline on the already burning feud between himself and Pacman trainer Coach Freddie Roach when he uttered the famous line, “Roach is just the trainer.”

Now I’ve revealed how, according to strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, Koncz deliberately failed to reserve a room for Roach at the Cooyesan Hotel in Baguio where everyone except for the trainer is staying.

Ariza, of course, has had all he can stomach of Koncz trying to block like the Steelers offensive line and exploded on the agent’s head with four or five rapid fire punches in Pacman’s plush suite on Thursday. Beefy bodyguards saved the older man from a real beat down by grabbing Ariza to stop the assault...

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Roach predicts KO victory by Pacquiao

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from mb.com.ph Fri, 16 Oct 2009

BAGUIO CITY — Three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach here Friday predicted Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao will win his seventh title when he collides with World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto next month.

Pacquiao and Cotto will be testing each other’s mettle in a blockbuster title bout on November 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Manny has been doing excellent work in his training here. We are confident we could finish the fight early to prevent Cotto from getting his second wind.” Roach stressed.

In his latest sparring session late Thursday afternoon, the 30-year-old world champion floored undefeated superwelterweight contender Shawn Porter in the second round of their four-round blistering encounter with a solid left straight to the latter’s jaw.

After knocking down Porter, Pacquiao also virtually mauled two-time world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo of Mexico as he displayed awesome speed and power...

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Amir Khan to spar again with Manny Pacquiao in LA

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from blogs.telegraph.co.uk Fri, 16 Oct 2009

Amir Khan has his routine at the Wild Card Gym, Freddie’s Roach’s Hollywood training base. He runs, he goes on the pads, then he spars in the afternoon. The plan is laid out by Roach, thousands of miles away.

Before his last two fights, Khan has had his mobile phone confiscated by Roach so that the many friends of the British fighter leaves him in peace. Right now, that mobile phone is a direct line of instruction from The Philippines to Los Angeles.

Khan revealed in the last few hours that he speaks daily with Roach who gives him his training routine. Roach is in Baguio City where he is in camp with Filipino idol Manny Pacquiao, in phase one of their training ahead of the November 14 meeting with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and Roach return to the Wild Card in eight days’ time...

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Pacquiao to get $20 million in upcoming fight vs.Cotto

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from manilatimes.net Fri, 16 Oct 2009

CALIFORNIA: Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum has assured his top fighters Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto of a record paycheck for their November 14 title fight in Nevada.
Arum, whose Las Vegas-based company Top Rank is promoting the Pacquiao-Cotto, said that between them, the two welterweight superstars will easily earn $30 million in what could be the richest fight this year.

“I take great pride in this fight,” Arum told Rick Folstad of TheSweetScience.com. “We have two guys who are going to make their biggest payday on November 14. Pacquiao will make over $20 million and Cotto will make over $10 million. And I helped create that.”...

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All work, no play for Freddie

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from philstar.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach has fallen in love with Baguio City but while admitting the summer capital is a romantic place, he said yesterday there’s no time for romance as it’s all business in Manny Pacquiao’s training
camp.

A certified bachelor, Roach said he’s currently unattached. “No Filipina girlfriend,” he added. “Not yet.”

Roach, who arrived in Manila from Los Angeles early morning last Sept. 22 and immediately went to Baguio City to work out with Pacquiao that afternoon, said he was never against training in the high-altitude location, about 5,000 feet above sea level.

“I was never against it,” he said from his Manor House suite. “I was concerned about the time zone, the jet lag Manny will have to overcome when he flies to the US. But I think adjusting is no problem. We’ll arrive in Los Angeles three weeks before the...

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Manny Pacquiao’s support rockets

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from blogs.timeslive.co.za Fri, 16 Oct 2009

Support for Manny Pacquiao, who takes on Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on November 14, has grown substantially over the past 24 hours – at least on this blog!

On Thursday night 51% of respondents on my poll had picked Pacman to beat Cotto inside the distance (if you haven’t yet voted, click here to do so).

But just 24 hours later that percentage had rocketed to a staggering 81%. A further 8% are tipping the Filipino to win on points.

By contrast, 9% reckon Cotto will beat Pacquiao inside the distance, and a mere 1% believe he will be declared the victor after the final bell.

Another 1% think this fight will end in a draw...

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Politician Pacquiao's battle against coal-fired plant

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from examiner.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

Boxing's pound-for-pound king and Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao voiced his opposition, in September 2009, against the construction of a 200-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant. The proposed initiative is located in his hometown of Sarangani Province, situated in the southern Philippines. Pacquiao, who intends to run as representative in the Philippine Congress during the May 2010 elections, galvanized support from various civil and religious groups to prevent the proposed large-scale project from being built.

The Kamanga Power Plant (KPP) would supply electricity to the Mindanao grid, and is a project championed by Conal Holdings Corporation (CHC). CHC is a joint venture with Thailand company Egko and Mindanao-based Alsons Consolidated Resources. The family of the Sarangani governor holds a significant equity stake in the venture, as reported by Philippine Inquirer...

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MAYWEATHER CAN WAIT; ARUM LIKES REMATCH OR MOSLEY FOR PACQUIAO-COTTO WINNER

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from fighthype.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

"If, on November 15th, that fight is possible, then we'll pursue it. If it's not, the boys have a lot of options. Manny, if this is a great fight, he can do a rematch. He can fight Shane Mosley, which will be a great fight. He can do a third fight with Marquez or he can fight Floyd. There's four...

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Is Manny Pacquiao Overrated?

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from ringsidereport.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

Manny Pacquiao…need I say more?

A brilliant fighter who has pummeled opponents through the ranks of professional boxing; earning his reputation respectively. More importantly, most people view the current IBO Light Welterweight Champion Manny Pacquiao in two ways; you either love him, or hate him. As fighters pursue their dreams, and move up through the ranks, labeling a fighter comes into play. However, the term, “overrated” is easily dished out in many unconventional ways.

No doubt, Nonito Donaire and Manny Pacquiao are the Philippines’ two biggest boxing superstars. Both fighters, especially Pacquiao, have dished out many losses to great opponents. Moreover, it’s what both fighters do inside and outside the ring that makes them notable. Manny Pacquiao has given so much to the Philippines, and in turn the support Manny receives is amazing. Also notable, Manny Pacquiao was listed in Time Magazine as one of the world’s most influential people for the year of 2009...

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Floyd Mayweather Sr blasts Pacquiao, Roach, and Mosley! Stands firm on steroid beliefs

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from 8countnews.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

8CountNews spoke with famed fight trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr and got his thoughts on a wide array of topics. Big Floyd stands firm with his opinion on Pacquiao and the usage of steroids, and now throws Shane Mosley into the same category as well. Floyd goes in depth with his opinion on this subject and makes no bones about it, he feels both men are using them. Big Floyd also talks about little Floyd's performance over Juan Manuel Marquez and the possibilities of a Pacquiao vs Mayweather showdown.

Floyd predicts that Manny Pacquiao would get knocked out if he ever faced his son, and goes on to say that Shane Mosely would get put to sleep as well. We also talk about Floyd's current health situation. Floyd battles a lung disease, something that he lives with everyday. Big Floyd informs 8CN that his health has been doing better as of late, and that he is much happier in life with the reunification between himself and his son. Don't miss what else Floyd Mayweather Sr had to say in this exclusive 8CountNews podcast!

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Cotto Getting Ready In Florida; Arum Says Pacquiao's Trainer Gives Edge

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao Latest News from thesweetscience.com Fri, 16 Oct 2009

TAMPA - Interesting tattoos. They spread out across the arms and torso of Miguel Cotto like a creeping vine, growing upward, closer and closer to his cheek and chin, toward that crazy Mike Tyson look that Cotto might want to avoid.

When it’s jokingly suggested by a member of the media that Cotto doesn’t let the tattoo creep up onto his face ala Tyson, Cotto just grins. He’ll do what he wants, but I’m guessing the artwork won’t stretch past the collar line.

The tattoos have grown some since the last time Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) was here training at the Fight Factory. That was this spring when he was getting ready to fight Joshua Clottey in June at Madison Square Garden. He won that fight, but it didn’t come easy. He won by split decision and received a bad cut over his eye from a head butt early in the fight. Any questions about his heart were answered...

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