Without the WBO belt, Pacquiao-Cotto's Nov. 14 bout will flop. Mark my words, if Bob Arum insists on staging a beltless Pacquiao-Cotto bout on November 14, the returns will be significantly less than he expects it to be and burn him a lot more than the $150,000 sanctioning fees the WBO demands for him to pay for the bout to have Cotto's title on the line.
See it's not really about the luster of the WBO belt. We all know the value of ABC belts in boxing have depreciated similar to houses all across the US but the fact is, Pacquiao is on the verge of making history.
Besides, haven't we been here before? Wasn't it just a few months ago when Pacquiao's value was being underestimated during discussions about the purse-split between him and Ricky Hatton? At the time Arum was also quoted expressing his disappointment with Pacquiao asking for more than a 50/50 split when he could've very well fought for his ward. We all know what happened in that one and after his destruction of Hatton and how he made the proud Brit look like a bum sparring partner, one has to wonder how Hatton was even paid remotely anywhere close to 50 percent of the pot against Pacquiao. Okay I get it, he has a huge buying fan base, but the theme is increasingly disturbing as to how Pacquiao's fan base, arguably the most active followers of the sport today, are being taken forgranted once again.
It's a slap on Pacquiao's face and his fans to say that nobody cares that he wins a seventh divisional crown, something nobody else in history has ever done. Perhaps Arum is banking on Pacquiao's newfound non-Filipino related US boxing fanbase to pull thru in terms of buying the fight card because I'm guaranteein you right now, Filipinos from all around the world will not purchase this fight if they continue to belittle their significance in the grand scheme of things.
So nobody cares in the US cares about Pacquiao making history? You can either interpret that as saying America simply wants to see Pacquiao fight Cotto regardless of what's at stake or that Bob Arum considers Pacquiao's fans in the US as "nobodies". Truth be told, all you have to do is have Michael Marley forward you a copy of the 18 thousand names and signatures he received in a span of 24 hours expressing their desire for Pacquiao and Cotto's fight on November 14 to be for all the marbles.
It's not even about weight. Two pounds under 147 is acceptable and is a far-cry from the 143 Pacquiao said to have wanted. Even Floyd Mayweather's trainer Roger Mayweather gave props to Pacquiao saying he has "some major balls" to have the audacity and move up to challenge Cotto. For one, his nephew never even bothered take that challenge and opted to fight the smaller Juan Manuel Maruez instead.
Perhaps Arum’s master plan is percolating as we speak. Maybe this is a publicity stunt as some people say it is, but one thing's for sure, if Arum wants this fight to exceed expectations in terms of PPV sales, he needs to throw Cotto's belt in the mix which isn't such a bad promotional tool either. The people have spoken, and I do not condone ripping these fights off and watching them for free on online stream sites but I know how these things go. Filipinos know how to use their technology and fight back when they are being pinned against the wall and signs are pointing towards a boycott of Pacquiao-Cotto if they don't feel like they will get what they and their idol deserve. The ball is in your court Bob. Make the right move!
It takes a special kind of breed to be a prizefighter, but it doesn’t mean that all prizefighters are built alike.
There are those who make it all the way to the top, then manage to preserve their lead by engaging in fights where the reward always outweigh the risks. They don’t remain at the top forever, but earn millions for their troubles, though leaving behind a sea of “What If” scenarios regarding the contenders and titlists they glossed over in pursuit of fortune and fame.
In the opposite direction exists fighters who never gain a gull grasp of their fair market value, and wind up standing in line for opportunities that never come. They toil in obscurity due to constantly pricing themselves out of meaningless fights, only to get clipped somewhere along the way for far less than the paydays they’ve previously rejected.
Somewhere in the middle lies the type of fighter that doesn’t really give a crap who’s standing in the other corner or how many zeroes are to be found on his paycheck. All they want to know is that a fight is in their future, knowing that if they keep fighting and beating good opposition, they will earn the public’s respect, which in turn creates demand for future fights.
This weekend’s SHOWTIME main event features two such fighters, which is what makes the junior welterweight scrap between Tim Bradley and Nate Campbell such a delectable treat.
Even more befitting is the fact that both fighters are willing to ignore past signs suggesting it was never meant for their paths to cross. Barring history repeating itself, they not only appear on the same show, but against one another in headlining a televised doubleheader live from the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California (SHOWTIME, Saturday, 9PM ET/PT).
For Bradley (24-0, 11KO), the 20 minute drive from his Palm Springs hometown to the venue represents a homecoming after having spent the past year traveling the globe and collecting titles. The Californian had never fought outside of his home state prior to 2008, yet has traveled to four separate countries for his past three fights.
The numbers read like they should probably appear in reverse, but the fourth trip resulted in his being a spectator rather than a participant. His 2008 campaign – which served as a breakout year – was to begin in a Mexican bullring, where he was supposed to face former lightweight king Jose Luis Castillo for the right to challenge for one of the alphabet junior welterweight titles.
Bradley was fit and ready to go, but the same couldn’t be said of his opponent. Infamous for his follies at the scales, Castillo never bothered to show up for the weigh-in after reportedly being told by a physician that he was at serious risk if he proceeded with the fight. An unofficial pre-fight weight check had him at 144½ lb, 4½ over the junior welterweight limit.
Rather than fighting for the right to challenge for a major championship, Bradley would instead get his first up-close and personal look at Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25KO).
It was unknown at the time that the two would eventually collide, nor did Bradley have any particular interest in chasing after the born-again boxer, who turned back the clock in dismantling previously unbeaten Juan Diaz in the evening’s co-feature to collect a gaggle of lightweight belts.
Two months later, Bradley would scoop up a belt of his own, traveling to Nottingham, England to face the UK’s own Junior Witter. It was a huge leap in competition for Bradley, a regular on the Shobox circuit (which also played host to this bout in what was billed a special presentation) but largely against gatekeepers and fringe contenders.
Witter was considered at the time the top threat to the lineal crown held then by his elusive in- country rival Ricky Hatton. Twelve rounds later, Bradley replaced Witter at the top, riding a sixth round knockdown en route to a well earned decision win and his first championship.
Though never specified to be on a collision course, Bradley and Campbell were once again slated to appear on the same card. A Showtime doubleheader in September was to feature the duo making the first defense of their respective titles in separate bouts, Bradley facing Edner Cherry and Campbell in a typically tough fight against undefeated Joan Guzman.
For the second straight time, plans to have both appear on the same show fell by the wayside.
This time, it was Campbell forced to sit ringside and take in a night of boxing action, after Guzman missed weight by a lot and was later admitted to a nearby hospital for dehydration.
Campbell was willing to allow the fight to go on under any circumstances, regardless of his opponent’s weight. His stance was in line with his genuine tough guy persona; all he wanted to do was just fight.
Unfortunately, Guzman’s actions also fell in line with the longtime perception surrounding his career; long on talent, short on results. Gone was the fight, as well as Campbell’s chance to recover from bankruptcy since he lost out on a $300,000 payday.
It would be another five months before Campbell would finally make his way to a boxing ring, only for the Floridian to be on the humbling end of a weigh-in controversy. Coming in 2 ½ lb heavy for what was supposed to be his first lightweight title defense against mandatory challenger Ali Funeka, Campbell was forced to concede his belts at the scales.
He went on to win the fight, scoring knockdowns early and late to overcome a mid-rounds surge by his beanpole opponent to escape with a well-deserved majority decision win in their HBO headliner this past February.
What was lost from the fight was the opportunity to go in with any sort bargaining power for a desired showdown against lineal lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez. Such a fight never had much of a chance of occurring anyway, but there would always remain demand so long as one had lineage and the other had a collection of belts and the public’s respect.
It’s what propelled Campbell to headlines upon the win over Diaz, when demand suddenly came for a rematch with Joel Casamayor, the lineal king at the time. The two met in 2003, with Campbell suffering his first defeat and spending the next five years trying to scratch and claw his way back towards the top.
The rematch would never happen, despite negotiations and a purse bid taking place for such a fight. A showdown with Marquez never reached the negotiating stage, not so long as Campbell refused to become part of Golden Boy Promotion’s endless stable of lightweight contenders.
Instead, the 37-year young fighter was forced to look elsewhere for his next payday.
He only had to wait another six weeks and the return of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, which came April 4, headlined by Bradley’s third fight in as many countries in facing fellow junior welterweight titlist Kendall Holt.
It turned out to be both his best performance and biggest scare, as his boxing clinic was bookended by knockdowns in the first and last round of their alphabet unification match in Montreal, Canada. His performance from rounds two through 11 were enough to escape with a convincing decision win, and his managing to recover from two knockdowns against a talented athletic fighter like Holt proved his mettle.
However, his efforts weren’t enough to keep both belts for very long. A decision had to be made of which mandatory challenger to face – Campbell or Devon Alexander.
This weekend’s top billing provides the answer, and also the opportunity for Alexander to perhaps get next in line.
Bradley giving up one belt creates a Six-Degrees-Of-Separation scenario for the evening’s undercard. The contender he was asked to face – Alexander – now faces Junior Witter, the man whom Bradley replaced as champion last year.
Given the in-ring history of Bradley and Campbell, there’s no reason to believe that the main event winner couldn’t next defend against the evening’s co-feature.
Sure, more lucrative bouts are out there, such as a dream fight with divisional leader and the sport’s biggest draw in Manny Pacquiao. Emphasis on dream, as the Filipino’s schedule remains booked for the remainder of the year and hardly figures to fill up in 2010 with the likes of anyone from this weekend’s show.
Given all that he’s accomplished through the years, Pacquiao has earned the right to pick and choose who gets to punch – and get punched by – for pay; the run he is on is truly priceless.
There are plenty of fighters waiting in line for their turn at the sport’s pound-for-pound king, many of whom believe they will one day hit the jackpot, but stand the chance of growing stale waiting for that dream to come true.
Fortunately for fight fans, there are also fighters like Tim Bradley and Nate Campbell, who prefer to break open the door rather than wait for opportunity to come knocking.
MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao wants Miguel Cotto’s belt.
“Let’s make it a title fight,” Pacquiao said yesterday during his visit to The STAR, referring to his Nov. 14 match with Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Questions about the fight being a non-title fight came up when Bob Arum announced last wek that Cotto doesn’t want to put his WBO welterweight crown at stake because he didn’t want to pay the sanction fee.
Pacquiao himself said a few days ago that the title was not part of the agreement made when the fight was sealed two weeks ago. No contract has been signed but Arum said very soon he’ll get things done.
But WBO president Francisco Valcarcel had been insisting that it should be a title fight even if the fight is to be held at a catch weight of 145 lb, two pounds short of the welterweight limit.
The WBO chief said the sanction fee could amount to more than $300,000, including those for the boxers and the promoter as well.
Pacquiao fans insist that the fight be for the title so the Filipino ring icon can go for a historic seventh world crown and add up to his flyweight, super-bantam, featherweight, super-featherweight, lightweight and light-welterweight.
“The people want this fight. And they want it to be a title fight. So, let’s make it a title fight,” said Pacquiao.
“I’m willing to pay the sanction fee. But I don’t know with Cotto. It seems that he doesn’t want to pay,” added the pound-for-pound champion.
His lawyer, Franklin Gacal, said he has informed Arum, the Top Rank president who has both Pacquiao and Cotto under his wings, of the plan to make it a title fight.
“To remove the cloud in the minds of some, and for the satisfaction of the greater majority of the boxing fans, Manny Pacquiao wants his November bout against Cotto to be a title bout,” said Gacal.
“I have already talked to Bob Arum about Pacman’s decision. I also relayed through a telephone conversation to the WBO president that the fight be sanctioned as a championship bout at a catch weight of 145 lb,” he added.
Gacal said if Cotto still refuses to stake his crown, it only means one thing.
Freddie Roach, always cool and calm, was uncharacteristically frantic over the phone on Tuesday.
“If you get to talk with Manny, please tell him to give me a call,” Roach said as he was about to call it a day at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. (Roach’s message has been forwarded to Pacquiao).
Roach was jumpy after receiving word about a vital decision concerning Pacquiao’s training camp for the Nov. 14 fight with Miguel Cotto.
Owing to tax issues, Pacquiao has to spend a reduced number of days on American soil, Top Rank head Bob Arum told The Bulletin on Tuesday.
“It’s an IRS (Internal Revenue Service) regulation,” said Arum, about the Substantial Presence Test, defined as a calculation that determines the resident or non-resident status of a foreign national for tax purposes in the US.
Because Pacquiao will exceed the number of allowable days present in the US if he follows the original schedule of setting up training camp in Los Angeles eight weeks before the fight, Arum had to find a remedy.
And here’s what he suggested: “He’s going to set up training camp in the Bahamas for several weeks then head to Los Angeles three weeks before the fight and the last week will be spent in Las Vegas.”
Roach said he has to get in touch with Pacquiao at the soonest possible time because it’s being arranged that he fly to the Bahamas this weekend for an assessment not only of their prospective place but their temporary residence as well.
“I have to set up training camp there so I got to talk to him,” said Roach.
It’s no secret that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is both the most beloved and hated character in professional boxing today. If you were to ask Floyd whether this distinction was acceptable or even relevant in his life, I would imagine that he would relish in his detractors hatred and bask in their ignorance. The reason I say ignorance is because no matter what side of the fence you tend to stand on in reference to Mayweather Jr. and his career
, one thing is clear and that is that the man in a phenomenon. He can box your ears off, and he can back up everything he says. When a fighter has that much clout they tend to become a target. Fans cry foul because anyone you put in front of the man basically gets demolished. love him or hate him, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is undefeated and he’s willing to make sure you remember that fact. Sometimes when a boxer is truly the best out there everyone resents him. Floyd Mayweather Jr. falls into this category unfortunately. I’ll be honest with you here; I didn’t used to like Floyd for that very same reason. Fighters that I was a fan of and liked would get crushed under his leather in the ring. At first I couldn’t help but dislike him, but he represented everything that is actually great about professional boxing, and I came to realize that the only reason I didn’t like him as a fighter is because he beat all the fighters I liked. I disliked Oscar De La Hoya for the same reason, but with time and insight, and a true love for the sport of boxing, I realized that Floyd, much like De La Hoya, were just men doing their job and doing it proficiently, amazingly, and most importantly far better than the boxers who I admired. You have to swallow your pride and call it like you see it. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is one of the best fighters if not the best fighter of our generation. There is no question that he is the number one Pound-For-Pound fighter out there. I agree with Mayweather and his having a “chip” on his shoulder and I’m going to tell you why. He has every right to have one. He’s stated that he no longer fights for bragging rights and he has a point. There is basically nothing left for Floyd to prove in the ring. He could drift off into the sunset still very young and very rich without a care in the world and a bank account that is overflowing. But that wouldn’t be fair to Floyd the boxer and it wouldn’t be fair to the fans who need to witness his brilliance in the ring once more. I admire and respect Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his boxing prowess and his defense of not only his career but the legend that he has built in its wake. I have read on message boards from fans that his fights are boring, which is a ridiculous assumption. It’s just that his skill level is so incredible and that the critics watching his bouts are so ill-versed and unknowledgeable about boxing that when any type of skill or mastery is displayed in the ring they find it boring. You can’t help but tune into a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. His numbers and earnings over the year prove it. Even when someone who doesn’t like the fighter knows he has a fight coming up they’ll be sure to watch it. Deny him as you must, but Mayweather Jr. has to be one of the most accomplished and intelligent boxers of our generation that’s still in action today. He speaks his mind and gives fans a performance in the ring and we criticize him for it, which to me is a little selfish and discourteous. And I agree with him also about his comments about the UFC. I’ve actually been saying that for years about the UFC. Truth be told, they are unskilled and look ridiculous dry humping one another for 20 minutes. Boxing takes true discipline and true talent, not clown colored hair and a few lucky shots placed here and there. And you can quote me on that, I’ll always defend boxing and its fighters. Just remember that without boxing there would be no UFC. That’s enough on that circus; don’t want to give them any more press as it is. Back to Mayweather. He has every right to have an enormous “chip” on his shoulder, and I’ve been watching his verbal sparring online with Brian Kenny which I find not only hilarious but entirely true from the angle of Floyd. He’s honest in what he says and he’s right, there are always excuses made by the press and media in regard to certain fights and who fights who. One guy fights another guy and they call the victor brilliant. But another fighter fights that very same guy and beats him and maybe they call the loser old, or past his prime. Judgments are passed down so frequently and persistently by writers who don’t really know boxing. Floyd Mayweather made an excellent point when he told Kenny that he doesn’t know anything about boxing, in a way he’s right. I have nothing against sports commentators but who are they, or we for that matter, any of us, to tell a fighter who he must fight or how well he did in our eyes? What right do we have? Isn’t that almost like trying to be somewhat elitist and talking out of your ass about something you haven’t experienced yourself? I think it is. So if Floyd or any of his people are reading this, I support you man and everything you do in the ring. You made me a believer a long time ago, but I have to be honest here and tell you that I will be rooting for Marquez in your fight with him. I’ve been a fan of Marquez for awhile, and I wrote an article a few years back saying that I thought Marquez beat Pacquiao as well; it’s just that with time most people don’t acknowledge the truth. I knew Hopkins would school Pavlik too, even when no one wanted to listen. This doesn’t make me knowledgeable or better than anyone else, what it makes me is honest and a boxing fan. Nothing more. Best of luck in everything you do, I know I’ll be watching.
BILOXI, Miss. (July 27, 2009) – In “Hook City,” two of boxing’s dominating left hookers, 8-time world champion Roy Jones Jr. and 2-time world champion Jeff Lacy, go to battle on Saturday, August 15 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi to determine the most powerful hooker and the NABO Light Heavyweight Champion. “Hook City,”, will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.
At the July 15 press conference to announce “Hook City” at Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Roy Jones Jr. stated that both fighters will come to fight and “the fight will definitely not go the distance.” That’s been weighing on Lacy’s mind as he returned to his camp in St. Petersburg.
“I’m a puncher and if Roy says it’s not going to go 12, then so be it! With the way I feel right now I agree with Roy, this fight won’t go the distance. I plan on bringing everything into the ring August 15th. The fight will end in a KO and Roy will not hear the last bell.”
Lacy also wants to deliver a message to Roy “Captain Hook” Jones Jr – “Tarver nor Johnson hit as hard as I do!”
“This fight is a huge challenge for me and it is a huge challenge for Roy. He knows that, too,” said Lacy. “I am very motivated by this fight and I’ve been training very hard for Jones and I’ll be coming to Biloxi in the best shape of my life.
Said Lacy trainer Roger Bloodworth, “Both Jeff and Roy know what this fight means for each of them. Jeff is training very hard and will be 100% prepared for Roy Jones Jr. on August 15.”
Tickets for “Hook City,” presented by Square Ring Promotions in association with Left Hook Promotions and Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, priced at $150, $125, $100, $75, $50 & $25 are on sale and available at the MS Coast Coliseum Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or on-line at Ticketmaster.com.
The “Hook City” pay-per-view show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN, DirecTV and Dish Network for a suggested retail price of $34.95.
After the two sides hit a serious roadblock, BoxingScene.com was informed that progress is being made in the ongoing negotiations to finalize a middleweight fight between WBC/WBO champion Kelly Pavlik and challenger Paul "The Punisher" Williams. The fight would take place on September 26 with Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City as the most likely venue. As previously reported, HBO is offering $3.75 million for the fight. Pavlik would get $1.75 [plus a piece of gate, etc.], Williams to get $1.55 and Top Rank would get $500K.
According to several sources, Top Rank has raised their offer to Williams. Two different numbers are being thrown around I've yet to confirm, at the present, the actual new number. From what I know, the offer still appears to be a straight buyout - with Williams and his promoter Dan Goossen receiving no percentage of the gate and/or sponsorship money [estimated at a few million between the two]. And that is the major obstacle to overcome in finalizing the deal. Obviously Goossen would like his side to get a piece of the gate and other sources of revenue generated from the fight.
Both sides have strong arguments but Williams' side is holding an ace up their sleeve. I'll get to the ace later. Top Rank argues that Pavlik is the draw, will sell the majority of the tickets and their fighter is the champion. Williams does bring a lot to table. What he brings is nearly $2 million more than HBO was willing to pay [$2 million] for Pavlik vs. Felix Sturm.
The ace in Williams' corner is more or less a guaranteed date on HBO. If Pavlik-Williams crumbles, Williams is probably going to fight on October 3, on HBO, against WBO junior middleweight champion Sergei Dzinziruk [or another HBO approved opponent]. Pavlik on the other hand is backed against a wall because there is no guarantee that he gets a date on HBO, at least in 2009. That gives Williams and Goossen an advantage in the negotiations because Pavlik has not appeared on HBO since last year's decision loss to Bernard Hopkins, and he needs to get back in the spotlight with a strong win over a strong opponent to erase the stench of the Hopkins loss. On the other side, Williams’ career would reach new heights if he were to beat the number one middleweight in the world. That would open up some heavy opportunities for Williams in the future.
Pavlik-Williams is a very strong fight and both of these guys need this kind of fight. The fact that both sides are still talking and trying to work things out is a good sign. Hopefully they sit down; both sides budge a little bit, HBO gets involved and they finalize the deal.
Lightweight pugilist specialist Joan Guzman has inked a promotional agreement with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. Perhaps the greatest boxer to ever come out of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo’s Joan Guzman has already compiled a spectacular resume that includes a 1996 Olympic berth, 29 professional wins without a defeat and world titles in two weight classes. The 33-year-old Guzman, however, is far from done and has now enlisted Golden Boy Promotions to help lead him to a third world championship.
“This is a special day for me in my career,” said Guzman. “I’ve always admired Oscar de la Hoya in the ring as a boxer and outside of it for what he’s done with his promotional company. This is the team that will take me to the top of the lightweight division again and I couldn’t be happier.”
“Everyone in boxing knows how good Joan Guzman is,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “He can box with the best of them and he can also knock you out with either hand. Now it’s time for Joan to take things even further with super fights against the best fighters around the lightweight division have to offer and we’re going to take him there. Boxing fans are going to be in for a treat when they see what Joan brings to the ring in the future.”
One of the greatest amateur boxers to ever lace up a pair of gloves, Joan “Little Tyson” Guzman (29-0, 17 KO’s) compiled an amazing 310-10 record while winning Gold Medals at the Pan American, Central American and Caribbean Games in addition to earning a spot on the 1996 Dominican Republic Olympic Team. He turned professional in 1997 and earned a reputation as a knockout artist thanks to an early 17-0 start with 13 KO’s. In August of 2002, he won his first World Title as he knocked out unbeaten Argentinean Fabio Oliva for the vacant WBO World Junior Featherweight Title. Guzman defended the title twice (including a seventh round stoppage of former World Champion and countryman Agapito “Ciclon” Sanchez) before moving up in weight. In September of 2006, he won his second world title belt by defeating Argentinean former World Champion Jorge Rodrigo “La Hiena” Barrios by decision for the WBO World Junior Lightweight title. After two more defenses of his crown, Guzman moved up to the 135-pound weight class and in his last bout on December 20, 2008, he won the WBA Fedelatin Lightweight title by defeating Ameth Diaz over 12 rounds.
Undefeated 140 pound champion Timothy 'Desert Storm' Bradley faces Nate 'The Galaxxy Warrior' Campbell on Aug. 1 on the Showtime network. Both fighters recently gave their thoughts on one another and the fight!
Tim Bradley: “Basically, to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. I consider Nate Campbell one of the best fighters at 140 pounds. That’s why I’m taking this challenge. I want to be the best fighter in the world at 140 pounds and I have to beat Nate Campbell to do that.”
Nate Campbell: “I’m going to bust Timmy’s ass! When the bell rings, I go out there to do damage. We can be cool and friends after round 12. From the first round to the last I’m going to take your head off. I’m going to bust his ribs. I don’t care. I’m going to hurt him, and he better be doing the same.”
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Nate Campbell vs. Tim Bradley preview:
Video courtesy of SHOWTIME
Unbeaten World Boxing Organization (WBO) 140-pound champion Timothy “Desert Storm’’ Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs) of North Palm Springs, Calif., and challenger and former unified lightweight belt-holder Nate “The Galaxxy Warrior” Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KOs) participated in a spirited conference call on Thursday to discuss their eagerly awaited showdown on Saturday, Aug. 1, live on SHOWTIME® (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The Bradley-Campbell scheduled 12-rounder will follow a second 140-pound world title fight on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING.
In the first half of a world championship doubleheader, undefeated, No. 2-rated Devon Alexander “The Great’’ (18-0, 11 KOs) of St. Louis will face No. 3 Junior Witter (37-2-2, 22 KOs) of England for the World Boxing CouCampbellil (WBC) strap that Bradley voluntarily relinquished.
The biggest boxing event in the history of The Coachella Valley in Southern California will emanate from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa in RaCampbellho Mirage, Calif. It will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions and Thompson Boxing Promotions in association with Don King Productions and Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa.
Limited tickets are still available purchase online at www.HotWaterCasino.com/TheShow or by calling (800) 585-3737.
Opening Comments:
TIMOTHY BRADLEY: “It’s going be a great fight. I know Nate comes to fight hard. I’m looking forward to a war with Nate Campbell. Fans should get ready fireworks on Aug. 1.”
NATE CAMPBELL: “I want to thank Timmy for taking this fight because he didn’t have to take it. I’m just ready to fight. I’m over talking about it, let’s get it on.”
How impressed were you by what Nate Campbell did to Juan Diaz last year?
BRADLEY: “I couldn’t believe it. I actually lost money on that fight. I bet my promoter, Alex Camponovo, that Juan would be able to come back. When I saw Nate put his hands on Juan, I was like, ‘wow, this dude is unbelievable.’ I was like, ‘I would never want to get in the ring with that dude.’ But it came down to it. Basically, to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. I consider Nate Campbell one of the best fighters at 140 pounds. That’s why I’m taking this challenge. I want to be the best fighter in the world at 140 pounds and I have to beat Nate Campbell to do that.”
What makes you so confident that what happened to Diaz isn’t going to happen to you?
BRADLEY: “I’m not Juan Diaz. I’m not one dimensional. He can’t box and he can’t adjust in the ring. That’s what makes me confident because I can do it all. I can box, I can bang, and I can stand there and trade with you. I can move the fight, too. I can make my adjustments in the ring and that’s what makes me so confident.”
Can you tell us what this opportunity to again become a world champion means to you?
CAMPBELL: “Every fight for me is the fight of my life. Because of the danger that I carry in the ring, no one wants to fight me anyway.
“I’m just a fighter, that’s what I do. When the bell rings, I fight. I make adjustments. I think I’m one of the most complete fighters in boxing. I can do anything I want whenever I want to do it. I’m an angry guy to deal with.”
How can fans be sure that you’re as good now as you were 17 months ago when you beat Juan Diaz, given that you are 37 years old?
CAMPBELL: “I really don’t understand why people worry about my age. I was 25 years old the first time I fought. I’ve taken care of my body. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. I’ve been an athlete my entire life. Even when I wasn’t participating in sports, I was always athletically involved in something.
“I don’t think I have too much to prove to the fans. It’s just the media that makes those kinds of statements. As you all know, fighters are fighting longer and better.”
You said you were angry that you couldn’t get fights?
CAMPBELL: How in the world did I have three of the four belts and I couldn’t get fights? No one was going to fight me for the simple reason that they didn’t want to take (me on).
What are you going to do now to make people fight you?
CAMPBELL: “At this point in my life, whenever they put me in the ring with a fighter, my only quest is to ruin that fighter. My job is to ruin the fighter they put in front of me. I’m going to make them fight me. I’m going to ruin everyone I fight until there is no one else to fight but me.”
What are some of the challenges of training and fighting at home?
BRADLEY: “I’m used to fighting here in California. I’ve fought the majority of my fights here. I’m very comfortable. I just turn off my phone during the day. I’ve never in my life left my home for a training camp and I never will.”
Is it still special to have your name on the billboards?
BRADLEY: “It’s actually pretty cool. Now, I’ll be driving around and people will just come up to me and say ‘hello, how you doing, champ?’ It’s just out of the ordinary and weird. They never did that before. A lot of people come up and say, ‘are you the champ? Are you Tim Bradley?’ Things like that are different. I appreciate the billboards. It’s a lot of exposure.”
What did you learn from your fight with Kendall Holt?
BRADLEY: “I learned not to let fighters get under your skin. Just stick to your game plan. Now, I’ve just got to do what I do. Not get angry in there, be relaxed, stay posed and just fight my game plan.”
Talk about moving up in weight. Is this the weight class you want to stay in?
CAMPBELL: “Actually, I’m knocking on weight right now. I can make weight today. But I don’t want to.
“When I turned pro, I turned pro as a featherweight, but I was fighting at welterweight. Not because I couldn’t make featherweight, but because I couldn’t get fights at featherweight. So I was fighting and getting knockouts at a higher weight, 147, 140, and 135.
“In my case, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been at 140. I’m really, really strong 140 right now. I’m going to be here for a while.”
Are you worried about fighting in Bradley’s backyard?
CAMPBELL: “I don’t care. Terry (Trekas) knows I can explode at any moment. I’m a danger throughout. I can get you out during all rounds and every round. I don’t know if people want me to feel pressured, but I have no pressure. They already think that Timmy’s going to win, so I’m just coming to do my thing.’’
How have things changed since you won the Holt fight?
BRADLEY: “Everything is pretty much the same. I still have a lot to prove. I’ve only been in the game for five years. Fighting Nate says a lot. He’s one of the best fighters at 140 pounds. He was the best, in my opinion, at 135 pounds. Me fighting Nate Campbell and beating Nate Campbell is just more proof that I am the best fighter at 140 pounds.
“Manny Pacquiao is the poster boy, but whatever. He is not the best fighter in the division. He’s fighting bigger fighters who are chopping down to make weight. And he’s chopping them up because they’re weak.
“Life is pretty much the same. I still drive a Ford Explorer.
“I want to fight the best fighters in the world. That’s it. You’ll never see me fight a weak opponent. I want to fight the best, period.”
Were you surprised that Bradley took the fight?
CAMPBELL: “Yeah, I was. I was surprised, but then I wasn’t. A lot of people say I’m old. I’m at a point in my life where I’ve had so many fights against so many guys that were supposed to smash me that I just overlook what people say. If you’re going to beat me, you’ve got to show me. Everybody has a plan until I hit them in the mouth.”
You usually go out on a limb and make statements. Do you have anything to say about Tim?
CAMPBELL: “I’m going to bust Timmy’s (expletive). When the bell rings, I go out there to do damage. We can be cool and friends after round 12. From the first round to the last I’m going to take your head off. I’m going to bust his ribs. I don’t care. I’m going to hurt him, and he better be doing the same.”
What do you think about that?
BRADLEY: “I don’t think anything of it. In 24 fights, all these people thought they were going to beat me and no one did.”
CAMPBELL: “You’ve never fought anybody like me.”
BRADLEY: “I agree. It’s going to be a war. I’m not going to lay down for anybody.”
CAMPBELL: “I don’t want you to lie down. I want you to stand and fight me.”
BRADLEY: “I’m going to stand toe-to-toe with him.”
CAMPBELL: “I’ll believe you’ll stand toe-to-toe with me when I see it.”
How much of a role is experience going to play in this fight?
CAMPBELL: “Everyone knows who I’ve fought. Everyone knows I’ve fought quality opposition. I’ve got more knockouts than he has wins (and) against good fighters, very, very solid fighters.
“This is a sport that is to be determined by what a man brings to a ring. Timmy can make his mouth fight now, but, when they bell rings, he has to prove that he can beat me. And I have to prove that I can beat him. That’s the beauty of being a prizefighter. I love being a prize fighter.
“But I also have something that Tim does not. When I lose, I don’t get another shot. So, every time I fight, I fight with reckless abandonment. I don’t care what happens, I must win this fight.”
BRADLEY: “That sounds like me. I learned a lot from my last fight.”
CAMPBELL: “But, you’re last fight was not me.”
BRADLEY: “You’re right. It wasn’t you. But it doesn’t matter. All I can say is Aug. 1, be there or be square. It’s going down.”
CAMPBELL: “Ya’ll can talk all you want, but, when the bell rings you’ll take three steps in and it’s on. I like it like that.”
CAMPBELL: “It’s going to be you and me and I’m going to take you to the abyss.”
BRADLEY: “Bring it. Bring it. You’re going to bring the best out of me, Nate.”
CAMPBELL: “I want you to bring your best.”
BRADLEY: “I’m serious. I didn’t have to fight you, Nate. I wanted to. I can beat you, Nate. I want to beat you.”
CAMPBELL: “You’re going to have to prove it.”
BRADLEY: “I am going to prove it.”
CAMPBELL: “I’m going to put it on you. I’m going to take the fight out of my mouth. I’m going to take you out of there.”
BRADLEY: “I have never been in the ring with anybody in my life that could beat me. Ever.”
CAMPBELL: “I’m not old. I’m something special. At 37 years old, you’re going to see what experience can do to you.”
BRADLEY: “No, you’re going to see how tired your (expletive) is going to be after the fight. Nate, I’m going to wear your (expletive) out.”
CAMPBELL: “You keep telling yourself that.”
BRADLEY: “I’m a young, hungry lion. I’ll be the one doing the damage.”
CAMPBELL: “I’m going to tear you up. You can run your mouth all you want, but I’ll tear you up.”
BRADLEY: “The only way you’re going to beat me is by knocking me out.”
CAMPBELL: “I’m going to do it. Don’t take this (expletive) whooping personally
Bob Arum has a sound basis in saying that whether or not the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight is for the WBO welterweight championship, "nobody in the US cares". Neither fighter represents the US.
But why aren’t you sensitive to the Filipinos’ feelings Bob?
To Filipinos this is not just another Manny Pacquiao fight. Manny is about to set a new world boxing record. Winning his 7th world title in 7 weight divisions would place Manny atop boxing’s all time greats.
"Nobody in the US cares" is a general statement. There are many boxing fans who are still Filipinos and former Filipinos who are in the US who care. And I read with amusement Boxing Examiner Michael Marley’s observation that US citizen Oscar dela Hoya cares, albeit, from the adversarial point of view.
In taking Ricky Hatton’s 140-lb titles last May, Manny equalled Oscars 6 division world titles record. Oscar is no longer alone relishing the accolade. And Oscar shares the rare distinction with the fighter who is responsible for his retirement. And while Manny has the chance to win #7, Oscar had lost it.
And I think US citizen Michael Marley cares as Filipinos do. His articles say no less.
And Bob? He speaks for the rest in the US and as one of them who don’t care.
But look beyond the US Bob. You’ve been to the Philippines and you know how significant Manny’s accomplishments are to Filipinos. Do something to make Cotto’s title on the line.
Winning the WBO 147-lb belt would also equal Manny’s 2008 feat. Manny won the 130-lb and the 135-lb WBC belts last year. He already has annexed the IBO and Ring Magazine 140-lb titles early this year. Winning two division titles in a year and doing it in two consecutive years would also be a record of sort.
Winning a record 7th division title is a new boxing record long to stay in the books. This is too big a source of joy and sense of pride for Filipinos not only in this generation but also in many more to come.
The reports that were made previously in the media about boxing star Vernon Forrest being murdered in an episode of car jacking are not correct, according to Atlanta Journal Constitution. Instead, it was a case of simple robbery. Forrest, 38, was at a Chevron service station on Whitehall street in Atlanta around 11:00 PM on Saturday night, putting air in one of the tires of his Jaguar when he was confronted by a male who then robbed Forrest at gunpoint, taking several items.
It’s not known what those items are at this time. After the individual fled, Forrest decided to chase after him in an effort to try and get back the items that were stolen from him. Forrest was armed with his own weapon and based on reports, he got involved with an exchange of shots with the individual resulting with Forrest being shot seven to eight times in the back.
Forrest’s girlfriend’s 11-year-old son was at the Chevron service station at the time of the shooting. The boy, however, didn’t witness the shooting, but he did see the suspect and gave the information in detail to the police. After the shooting, the suspect and another man got into a red Monte Carlo and fled the murder scene.
Former WBA super flyweight interim champion, Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion now has a new member added to his training camp: amateur fighter Raul Lopez, who is going to help as a sparring partner. Lopez arrived from New York on Monday in the early morning, and ran with “Torito” at 6AM and sparred at the Pedro Alcazar gym by at 1PM. “He didn’t rest enough, but we wanted to see him in action today” said Concepcion’s manager Damon D’Berry. “He will stay with us until we fly to Las Vegas on August 9″ added D’Berry.
Lopez has Puerto Rican roots, so he speaks very fluent Spanish and immediately adapted to the Panamanian boxing environment. He sparred 3 rounds with Concepcion, then stood by D’Berry to watch another 4 rounds between “Torito” and experienced Armando Cordoba.
Concepcion (13-3-1. 8 KOs) will face Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire (21-1, 14 KOs) on August 15 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, for the WBA super flyweight interim title.
Sauerland Event sent out a press release that referenced the WBA's latest rankings, and in particular their removal of Ruslan Chagaev as "champion in recess" of the heavyweight division. Chagaev, who had to pull out of a fight with Valuev in June because of a licensing denial in Finland, is now slotted in as the No. 1 contender, though No. 2-ranked John Ruiz is listed as the official (or mandatory) challenger.
David Haye, who will face Valuev on November 7, is ranked fourth.
Most importantly, this gets that joke title off of Chagaev and allows for Valuev-Haye -- no matter what you think of either guy or their fight -- to be contested for the full WBA title, though who knows how long that will last? By the time that comes around Kali Meehan might wind up fighting Ray Austin for an interim title or some such nonsense.
Of course, you could also bring up the following:
Chagaev won the title from Valuev and never lost it to him in the ring. Valuev beat (or robbed, depending on your view) Ruiz for the vacant title in August 2008, even though it wasn't really vacated.
Most people feel Evander Holyfield deserved a decision over Valuev in December, so there's also that.
And then you have the other scenario: If you never bought Valuev as "champion" in the first place, you have Chagaev, who lost to Wladimir Klitschko in June. The WBA didn't allow Chagaev to put his "champion in recess" title on the line. So that might make you think Klitschko deserves the WBA title.
The following guys could be considered "WBA champion" if you want to get down to it: Valuev, Chagaev, Klitschko, Holyfield, and Ruiz. How much more worthless can this title get?
David T. – Freddie let’s take a look at the super middleweight elimination bouts sponsored by Showtime. Start with Carl Froch vs. Andre Dirrell.
Freddie Roach – You would give me the tough one first. Froch is a strong puncher with a solid chin. Dirrell is a southpaw with great boxing skills. Prediction: Froch in a very, very, close fight.
DT- Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward
FR- Kessler by decision. Ward has boxing skills but not enough power to present a problem for Kessler.DT – King Arthur Abraham vs. Jermaine Taylor
FR – Middle round Kayo by Abraham.
DT – Amir Khan vs. Dmitriy Salita
FR – Khan with an easy victory by Kayo. I am constantly being asked if Amir Khan is the next pound for pound champ. My answer is maybe in six years. Amir will be sparring with Manny during training camp. He has a great future in this sport if he stays focused. I am pushing hard for this fight to be on the undercard of the Pacquiao/ Cotto fight. Fight fans deserve better undercards on the pay for view fights.
DT – Kermit Cintron vs. Shane Mosley
FR – Cintron has struggled a bit lately and Shane is full of confidence after his impressive win over Antonio Margarito. Shane should win this one by a knockout.
DT – Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
FR – Great fight. I’m just worried about Marquez going up so much in weight, the fight is at 147 lbs. At 135 Marquez was behind in the 6th round of the Diaz fight. He eventually won but now he is moving up two divisions from that weight. It’s going to be difficult for him to do but if anyone is capable it is Marquez because he is a very clever, clever fighter. Marquez is basically a counter puncher but has been more aggressive in recent fights. I’m not quite sure that his style will beat Mayweather. I’m taking Mayweather by a decision.
DT – Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto
FR – I am aware that many fight fans believe that Manny will beat Cotto the same way he handled Ricky Hatton. I am sure that Manny will win but I need to study more video of Cotto. Of course I have seen the Margarito fight and the Clottey fight but I need to see the fights where he was at his best. This is the only way that I can study his strengths as well as his weaknesses. In a couple of weeks I will be able to tell Manny how to beat Cotto and he will work on this strategy in the gym.
DT – With the many, many, weight divisions and the 100’s of sanctioning associations, many fans look to the “Pound for Pound” list for the top fighters. Fans would love to read the Freddie Roach list of top 10 fighters.
FR – Keep the tape running because I might have to make some changes as we go along: 1.Manny Pacquiao – Who else? I have been preaching this for the last three years. 2.Floyd Mayweather Jr. – He gave us the title but he should be the second best. The Marquez fight will dictate whether he stays there or not. 3.Juan Manuel Marquez – What can I say? One tough hombre and will hold his own against Mayweather. 4.Edwin Valerio – Some will question this pick but he has something like 25 victories by Kayo without a loss. 5.Shane Mosley – His big victory over Margarito moves him up the list. 6.Arthur Abraham – A really tough puncher with quick hands and a concrete chin. 7.Mikkel Kessler – Only loss to former pound for pound champ, Joe Calzaghe. He should wind up fighting Abraham for the Super Middleweight title. 8.Andre Ward – Great boxing skills and looked very impressive against Edison Miranda. 9.Israel Vasquez – You got to love his heart. Truly a champion as he proved in his fights against Marquez. 10. Amir Khan – I know that some will question Amir on the top ten list. Trust me, he is the real deal! #
We caught up with top trainer Roger Mayweather at the Mayweather gym in Las Vegas and got his thoughts on Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto, and a potential bout between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr! Only on FightFan.com!
FF: FightFan.com here at the Mayweather gym with Roger Mayweather. Roger I wanted to start out by reflecting back on an interview we did with you earlier in the year where you went out on a limb and predicted that Shane Mosley would “Whoop Antonio Margarito’s ass.” What do you have to say about that?
RM: There you go. And what happened? It was just like I told you!
FF: It was particularly interesting because your prediction was pretty bang on when a lot of people though Margarito would win that fight…
RM: Well most people don’t know shit about boxing so it never really matters what ‘a lot of people think’. You get a lot of people saying things because they saw one fighter beat someone else. People will look at a fighter score a decent win over someone and think it means they’ll go on to beat someone who’s really skilled.
Remember that Shane Mosley is a real fighter. He’s fought some good fighters and he had a good amateur career. The only reason he didn’t go to the Olympics was because of Vernon Forrest… and Vernon Forrest was a good fighter. He just happened to have the style to beat Mosley. But Mosley is a good fighter. Look at how he beat De La Hoya twice. He beat a lot of good fighters and he just beat Fernando Vargas twice too. That just goes to show you what kind of fighter he is, and why styles make fights.
FF: What do you think about Manny Pacquiao fighting Miguel Cotto?
RM: I really don’t know if Pacquiao will beat Cotto. I look at that fight… and I don’t believe Pacquiao will beat Cotto.
FF: Well let me ask you this, because you’ve told me about a few fighters you didn’t think Pacquiao would beat. Earlier this year you sat here and asked me “What the fuck is Pacquiao going to do to De La Hoya?”
RM: That’s a different case though, because De La Hoya had to drop weight. He didn’t beat the De La Hoya that my nephew beat. He beat a De La Hoya that was under-weight.
FF: All right, that’s fair…
RM:I think De La Hoya beat himself because he dropped that weight. De La Hoya was all about the money, he figured the dude was too small to beat him… so he dropped too much weight. He ended up dropping to 145 and that sucked his (strength) out. That’s why Oscar lost. It wasn’t as much about Pacquiao beating De La Hoya as it was De La Hoya beating himself by dropping too much weight.
FF: All right well what about the Ricky Hatton fight. You picked Hatton to beat Pacquiao as well did you not?
RM: I did think that Ricky Hatton would whoop Pacquiao.
FF: Do you think you may have sold Pacquiao a bit short in the past?
RM: I certainly did against Ricky Hatton because I thought he would beat Pacquiao. Obviously, I was wrong.
FF: Let me ask you this then… how good is Manny Pacquiao in the grand scheme of things?
RM: Obviously he’s a much better fighter than I thought he was. Regardless of how he beat De La Hoya, he still beat De La Hoya. Regardless of how he beat Ricky Hatton, he beat Ricky Hatton. Obviously, he’s a better than I thought he was.
FF: What about his skills? You’re big on head movement and defense and he’s been doing those things well. Has he impressed you recently with his skills?
RM: (Shakes his head no) He fought a wild fighter in Ricky Hatton who doesn’t have any skills.
FF: And as you mentioned earlier, you don’t think Manny Pacquiao is going to beat Miguel Cotto?
RM:I don’t think he’s going to beat Cotto. If he does beat Cotto, I’ll be amazed. That will tell me how good he really is. He’s fighting a guy who can make the weight, and who’s a pretty good puncher. I’ve got to see him beat Cotto… I’ve got to see it with my own eyes.
FF:Let me ask you a bit of a hypothetical question here. All the money and politics aside… do you think your nephew Floyd Jr. is going to fight Manny Pacquiao some day? If I’m a betting man is the smart money on that fight happening at some point?
RM: I sure hope so! If Manny Pacquiao beats Cotto, I know it’s going to happen. That would be the biggest fight in the world for Pacquiao. It would also be the biggest fight in the world for my nephew if they were to fight in the near future.
But as you say… it all depends on what happens between Pacquiao and Cotto. Obviously if Pacquiao is taking the fight with Cotto, he thinks he can beat him. That should tell you right there… for a little guy, he’s got some balls!
FF:He’s up ten weight divisions from where he started his career… he has six titles in six weight divisions…
RM: He’s got some serious balls. Fighting Miguel Cotto… De La Hoya… Ricky Hatton. All of those guys are much bigger than he is.
Currently the biggest name in boxing that is not actually a boxer would be Freddie Roach. Roach is one of the most well known and well respected boxing trainers in the world. When you look down the list of great/legendary boxers Roach has worked with it is no surprise that he is one of the most popular trainers in boxing. Roach has been voted Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2003, 2006 and 2008 and has many other great honors to his name.Recently, however Roach is bigger than ever and this is mainly down to the Ring Magazines #1 Pound for Pound boxer in the world – Manny Pacquiao. Roach and Pacquiao have been together for over 14 fights and Roach helped Pacquiao step up to the Featherweight division and shock the world by beating the Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera by TKO in the 11th round. Since then Pacquiao has lost one, drawn one and won 11. This doesn’t look all that impressive on paper until you realize that in those 13 fights, there were 5 different weight divisions and he fought against the likes of; Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Obviously you cannot give Freddie Roach all the credit as Manny Pacquiao is a very special fighter with great boxing abilities but when you look at Manny Pacquiao’s record before Roach came on the scene you have to wonder how Freddie Roach has managed to make Manny the P4P King. I say this because before Manny and Roach got together Manny had been KO’d twice at Flyweight level and drawn at super bantamweight. Therefore the question has to be asked, Can Freddie Roach really work miracles? To be able to step up in weight and class and have such a good record against such great fighters is really unbelievable after he struggled to take punches at Flyweight level. Maybe I am giving Roach too much credit and Pacquiao has just stepped up his game and worked much harder in recent years and Roach has just been a good trainer helping him succeed.
Manny Pacquiao is now set to face Miguel Angel Cotto on the 14th of November this year and although this should be another great boxing match I think Manny will easily beat Cotto by KO or UD. Therefore I think the real test that will show whether Freddie Roach really works miracles will be the showdown everyone in boxing wants to see and that is the matchup between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. If in a years time Manny Pacquiao has managed to beat Floyd Mayweather (Former P4P king) then I think Freddie Roach undisputedly can perform miracles.
Recently Roach has taken on an upcoming superstar in Britain’s Amir Khan and has had a successful period working with him.
Before Roach started working with Khan, Khan suffered a devastating 1st round knockout to a big hitting Breidis Prescott in September 2008. Khan then looked like his career was in jeopardy as he had been hurt by lesser opponents such as Michael Gomez and Graham Earl and questions were then raised about his fragile chin and heart. After the Prescott fight Khans promoter, Frank Warren quickly sacked Khan’s trainer Jorge Rubio and replaced him with Roach. Three Months later Roach and Khan had there first fight together against an easy opponent in Oisin Fagan. Khan KO’d Fagan in the second so therefore the critics didn’t get to see any evidence of Khans fragile chin. In early 2009, it was announced that Khan would fight former seven-time and three-weight world champion Marco Antonio Barrera on 14 March 2009. Roach obviously new Barrera’s style well after Pacquiao faced him twice and this showed as Khan looked rejuvenated and stuck to a game plan that used his strengths such as speed perfectly. Khan won this fight after it was stopped in the 5th due to a severe cut on Barrera’s head. Barrera suffered the cut in the opening round due to a huge clash of heads which then made the fight much easier for Khan to dominate. Although Barrera struggled because of the cut Khan looked at ease, kept to his strategy and gave his best display yet. This then led to Frank Warren saying
“I’d like to see him get a belt round his waist by the end of this year.”
On the 18th of July Khan and Warren got there wish as Khan stepped into the ring with the WBA World Light-Welterweight champion Andreas Kotelnik. As soon as this matchup was announced critics were quick to point out that Kotelnik is viewed as the easiest Light-Welterweight champion and is not known for any punching power. Being that as it may, Khan still impressed winning the bout by a unanimous decision, 120-108, 118-111, and 118-111.
Khan still has to prove a lot of critics wrong by taking on a real champion or a heavy hitter to show that Roach has worked his magic with him just like he did with Pacquiao.
According to Fight News, a fight between the hard hitting brawler, Marcos Maidana and Khan could be happening as soon as October this year. After watching Maidana impressively beat one of the Golden boys, Victor Ortiz by KO I doubt Khan would be able to take that sort of punching power, however to take the fight would show Roach believes in his man like he does in Pacquiao. Other contenders out there that wouldn’t mind stepping in the ring with Khan would be Junior Witter and Breidis Prescott. A Witter – Khan fight would be a great British fight that I believe Khan could win and silence some critics by doing so. I think Khan will now avoid the fight with Prescott especially since Prescott has just lost his most recent fight and looked very average in doing so.
So the question is can Freddie Roach really work miracles?
This will definitely be answered through the rest of Khans career if Khan goes on to achieve greatness like Pacquiao has. Pacquiao however would already suggest Roach can work miracles with quotes calling Roach “a gift sent from heaven.”
Now that Manny Pacquiao has agreed to fight Miguel Cotto, trainer Freddie Roach will have several months to put Pacquiao's game plan in place for the Nov. 14 bout at the MGM Grand Garden.
Roach said he has been working on a strategy to beat Cotto for a couple of months.
"I know Cotto pretty well," Roach said. "But I haven't really studied him yet. I have a pretty good idea how we want to fight him, but until I sit down, watch the tapes and talk to Manny, we're still in the planning stage."
The bout will be contested at a catch weight of 145 pounds, between welterweight (147) and junior welterweight (140).
Pacquiao is relaxing at home in the Philippines, and Roach said serious training is probably a few weeks away. A typical Pacquiao camp lasts from eight to 10 weeks, starting in the Philippines, then moving to Roach's gym in Hollywood and finishing in Las Vegas.
"I'll go (to the Philippines) sometime next month and we'll get started," Roach said. "For this fight, speed is going to be important. I think if you get Cotto in a fast-paced fight, he'll tire. So we want to come out quick and set a fast pace. Speed is our biggest asset."
Roach said Cotto figures to be stronger than Oscar De La Hoya was when Pacquiao fought him in December at 147 pounds. He said Cotto's power is a factor.
"He's a little bit bigger and a little bit stronger," Roach said. "But I think Manny's the better boxer, and Manny's defense is the best it's been. I think Pacquiao will stop him along the way."
Roach has kept busy since Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton on May 2. He was in London last weekend working Amir Khan's corner when Khan beat Andriy Kotelnik for the WBA junior welterweight title. While Roach was in London, one of his newest fighters, Cuban super bantamweight Guillermo Rigondeaux, was impressive at Planet Hollywood, winning by first-round knockout over Robert Griffin.
"Amir did a nice job. He looked very good," Roach said. "Rigondeaux, I heard he did well. He's a kid with a lot of talent. He's coming back to the gym this week, and we'll keep working with him and get him in the ring soon."
New York, NY- One reason Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is considered the consensus number one ‘pound for pound’ boxer is because of the general doubt experts had that he would conquer recent opponents. Not only did he prove his doubters wrong, but he emphatically proved them wrong, leaving no question that he was the better man on fight night. In the fall (November 14), Pac will now officially take on likely his toughest task to date in Miguel Cotto (34-1 27 KOs). Pac a former lightweight (135 lbs) titlist three fights removed will face Cotto not at the welterweight limit of 147, but at 145 lbs. Pac’s critics think he’s bitten off more than he can chew, but his fan’s think he’ll once again elevate his campaign to become unquestionably the best fighter on the planet. One thing is for certain, Pac versus Cotto should be a great fight and no one should doubt Pac’s ability to win and win big.
MAYWEATHER SKIPPED COTTO FOR HIATUS
Even the starkest Floyd Mayweather Jr. fan would have to give him his just do if he were to have taken on and beaten a prime Cotto two years ago before he abruptly retired after dismantling Ricky Hatton in ten rounds. With that said, Mayweather cited Cotto as a small attraction although it was at the time the one fight any fight fan would have loved (and paid) to see.
PAC CHOOSES RISK SEEING CHINKS IN COTTO
Pacquiao will now do what Mayweather failed to do two years ago and attempt to take on and beat Cotto. Although Cotto will not be a dehydrated Oscar De La Hoya or a shell-shocked, defense deficient wrecking ball like Ricky Hatton, he’s also not the same Cotto of two years past. Questions arise when we consider that Cotto decided to take a knee and eventually quit against a a possible cheat in Antonio Margarito. As Cotto stood bloodied and broken his uncle Evangelista Cotto threw in the towel in a strikingly similar scene that occurred just five months later as Oscar De La Hoya declined (see quit) to continue against a soon to be familiar opponent in Manny Pacquiao.
DID MARGARITO’S TOOLS EXPOSE LACK OF HEART?
Whether his gloves were loaded or not, Margarito did expose the once methodical and machine like qualities that made Cotto previously unbeatable. It is for this reason that Pac will be seen as the betting favorite, because he’ll have to be thought as one to have to be literally stopped to beat. Cotto just might quit, it it’s too much is undoubtedly on the minds of Roach and anyone who believes in Pac. Cotto may be big and good enough to stop Pac, but it’s his own vulnerabilities that will make that outcome less likely in the minds of many.
WINNER VS. MAYWEATHER IS WHAT FANS WANT
Everyone is waiting for the winner of Juan Manuel Marquez and Mayweather in the fall to take on the winner of Cotto and Pacquiao. If all goes according to plan, Pacquiao versus Mayweather will happen and will define each fighter’s legacy and determine who is truly the best in the sport. Right now it looks like Pac is in the lead. There is no doubt that Pac is willing to take the risks but it’s up to fate to determine the scope of his legacy. Cotto is a big fight, but Mayweather would be even bigger. The financial rewards have come and will come from here on no matter what the outcome in the fall. For his sake, let’s hope his luck doesn’t run out, he might have a chance to be even bigger than he himself can imagine.
Everbody knows that family. The one that has two brothers , maybe three , and one brother is always fighting for respect. He is courteous and well mannered. But maybe he wasn't quite as successful as the others. Nobody comes out and says it , but you know that his family looks at him just a little differently. They're proud of him. Just not busting with pride when his name comes up in conversation.
Such is the plight of Miguel Cotto. He has vanquished every opponent put in front of him. Except for the illegal hand wrapping Antonio Margarito.
Miguel's older brothers are Puerto Rican icons Wilfredo Gomez and Felix "Tito" Trinidad. The two set lofty goals for any future Puerto Rican boxers to live up to. Not only were they great fighters , but they were men of the people.
Of course they weren't brothers in the family sense , but Puerto Rican fighters share a special bond.
But something is missing when it comes to the adulation that Miguel receives. Cotto is more withdrawn and happy to keep his private life private. He is consumate professional. The only negative publicity that has surfaced on Cotto was the breakup with his trainer , who just happens to be his uncle. The split was long overdue and many felt that it was more of the uncle's doing than Miguel's.
Some of Miguel's popularity may suffer because Cotto has become more of a boxer puncher. While his fights always tend to be exciting , Puerto Ricans like their fighters to be stalkers. Always on the prowl for that big knockout.
But Cotto is Cotto. A mixture of power and ring smart. And now comes his biggest test. In November Miguel will square off with boxing superman , Manny Pacquiao. Odds makers have made Manny the betting favorite. They also know that this will be Pacquiao's toughest fight since moving up to and above the junior welterweight division.
Will a win by Cotto finally put him into the Gomez-Trinidad elite status? Gomez and Trinidad were thought to be unbeatable by Puerto Rican fans. But a recent survey showed that many Puerto Rican fight fans thought that Manny Pacquiao would win their upcoming fight. Maybe a win will find Cotto's name listed among the other greats from that small island. Either way , it would appear that Miguel will be fighting two opponents on that night. One against Manny and the other for respect.
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