Posturing already starting for Pacquiao-Mayweather

by Jim Slater

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao's devastating fists sent a powerful message to Floyd Mayweather Jnr about his comeback - the path to deciding boxing's pound-for-pound king goes through the Filipino superstar.

Unbeaten American Mayweather, the former undisputed welterweight champion, tried to upstage Pacquiao's junior welterweight showdown with Ricky Hatton by announcing his return from a 17-month layoff just hours before the fight.

Mayweather, who will face Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 in his return to the ring, dismissed the idea of fighting the Pacquiao-Hatton winner, saying he was taking his daughter bowling rather than watching the fight.

"I'm not worried about that," Mayweather said. "I don't have to call fighters out. They are all calling me out."

But it's safe to say Mayweather heard about Pacquiao's domination of English hero Hatton and the punishing left cross that knocked out Hatton one second before the end of round two to bring the Phillipines star a historic win.

Moments after the fight, Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told the Filipino southpaw "You are going to be the greatest fighter who ever lived" and said he might be the best fighter he has promoted, a list that includes Muhammad Ali.

"If Mayweather wants a piece of the 'little Filipino', just be my guest," Arum said.

Pacquiao won the International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title to match a boxing record by claiming a crown in a sixth career weight class and back up his claim as boxing's pound-for-pound king.

Hatton was hospitalized as a precaution after lying unconscious on his back in the center of the ring, but doctors found no lasting physical injuries.

The top fight boxing fans hunger to see now is Pacquiao against Mayweather. It's the only mega-fight that will bring huge pay-per-view profits for both men and decide which is the true pound-for-pound king.

Posturing from both camps began with Mayweather's decision to book his first fight before Pacquiao's victory. Arum, who has the task of negotiating a deal, and Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach fired the next verbal volleys.

"Mayweather, he just had to wait one day and he could have fought Manny. I think he's afraid of Manny. He made the fight maybe not happen," Roach said before predicting "Pacman" would beat Mayweather if they do fight.

"He doesn't like to engage in the ring. He's going to run from us."

While there is hope Mayweather-Pacquiao can happen by the end of the year, Mayweather must first handle Marquez in July and Arum says Pacquiao will wait until Miguel Cotto fights in July before deciding upon a next opponent.

A potential foe for both men before they meet is US veteran Shane Mosley.

"He knows he is at the end of his career and he wants to make some big money off me," Mayweather said.

Roach had a considerably higher opinion of Mosley.

"The most dangerous guy put there for Manny right now is probably Shane Mosley," Roach said. "They both like to fight and his pace is dangerous."

Another issue will be weight. Marquez, a star at 135 pounds, and Mayweather, a force at 147, have yet to settle on a catch weight for their fight, likely to be at 144 pounds.

A similar size issue will come into play during Pacquiao-Mayweather talks.

"At the right weight? No problem. At 147? Forget it," Roach said. "Manny doesn't need it. Manny's best weight is 140."

Dividing the money will also be troublesome, with both men likely to want the lion's share of the profits from the rich pay-per-view spectacle. Pacquiao made 12 million dollars against Hatton, who made eight million.

Mayweather played the loudmouth to lure a record 2.4 million purchases against Oscar de la Hoya and one million more against Hatton, saying he pushed the numbers even though his rival's fan base drove creation of the fight.

With Pacquiao as Asia's super fighter, a new untapped market could test Mayweather's moneyspinner skills.

Another factor will be pay-per-view numbers for Mayweather's comeback and the Pacquaio victory. Should tough economic times hold down the profits, it could push organizers to delay a showdown for financial conditions to improve.

Page’s family, friends gather to honor champion

By NANCY ARMOUR, AP National Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)—Greg Page was remembered by family and friends as a champion inside and outside the ring, who saw the devastating injury that cut his life short as a chance to save other boxers.

The former heavyweight champion suffered a severe brain injury during a 2001 fight that left him partially paralyzed, but he never complained. Instead, he and wife Patricia used his experience to campaign for stronger safety rules.

Page, 50, died April 27 of complications from the brain injury.

“He said, `This happened for a reason, Teish, this happened for a reason,”’ stepdaughter Teisha Page said Monday. “He was a fighter in so many other ways, and I wish everyone else in this room could know him the way I did and take a little bit of him with you every day.”

A Louisville native who grew up in a family of boxers, Page was sparring with Muhammad Ali by the time he was 15. He became the National Golden Gloves heavyweight champion in 1978 at age 20. He lost his first shot at the WBA heavyweight championship in 1984 to Tim Witherspoon.

In December 1984, Page knocked out Gerrie Coetzee in the eighth round of their bout in South Africa to claim the title. Five months later, he lost on points to Tony Tubbs. Tubbs was among the 100-plus family and friends at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for Page’s two-hour funeral.

“It shows right here what Greg is all about,” high school friend Stephen Peoples, looking out at the crowd that filled the church. “Greg stood out. He was a star, and he shined. He’s going to be missed, but he’s not going to be forgotten.”

Page was 42 and had a 58-16-1 career record going into the $1,500 fight against Dale Crowe at Peels Palace on March 9, 2001, in Erlanger, Ky., near Cincinnati. Page went down after 10 rounds and didn’t get up. There was no oxygen at the ring or ambulance on standby.

He finally was taken to a hospital but had a massive stroke, and was in a coma for nearly a week. He remained paralyzed on his left side and had problems with his vision and memory.

Page eventually won a $1.2 million settlement in 2007 with Kentucky boxing officials, who also agreed to establish a medical review panel for the Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority.

“Greg had the spirit of joy. Even in his suffering, he endured with joy,” the Rev. William Farris said. “He always demonstrated courage.”