By PAUL ALEXANDER, Associated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines (AP)—Nothing seems capable of stopping Manny Pacquiao these days, not even the threat of a typhoon or swine flu, as he rides a wave of popularity that swells with each dominating victory.
Bigger fighters? No problem—a few more pounds of muscle have added even more power to the quickest hands in boxing. Just ask Britain’s Ricky Hatton, who was knocked down twice before being knocked out just before the end of the second round of their junior welterweight title fight last weekend.
Nearly a week later, Pacquiao still dominates the headlines and airwaves in his native Philippines, where he’s an instantly recognizable icon, one of those stars who transcends sport.
In a country that has grappled with deep financial problems and political divisions for years, Pacquiao has created a fanatical following that bridges the divide between rich and poor.
The sprawling archipelago of more than 7,100 islands grinds to a halt when he fights. Crime drops, and traffic slows to a trickle. Even communist and Muslim insurgencies take a break.
Spokesman Eid Kabalu said many members of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Muslim guerrilla group in the volatile south, trooped back to their communities to watch the Hatton bout. While ecstatic over the result, the rebels had one complaint: Pacquiao ended the fun too quickly.
Theatres showing the fight live were packed, and the delayed broadcast on national TV drew two-thirds of the viewership in Manila, a sprawling city of 12 million.
Pacquiao’s popularity is spreading overseas, too. Early estimates suggest the Hatton bout exceeded expectations and drew the fourth-largest pay-per-view audience ever.
The story of his rise from a poverty-wracked childhood as a street vendor to the man widely regarded as the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer is serving as inspiration to every down-on-their-luck Filipino, not to mention fostering dreams among a whole new generation.
Now the question is where his next fight will take place—another huge payday in the boxing ring, where a possible matchup with recently unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr. is being touted; or in the political arena, where Pacquiao is eying another candidacy for Congress with suggestions he could run for president.
He already ranks as perhaps the most popular Philippine athlete ever, swarmed everywhere he goes. Local radio has been playing a patriotic Pacquiao song entitled “Filipino Race,” in which he professes his deep love and pride for his country and people. An MTV version has been posted on YouTube, showing the boxing star strumming a guitar and singing with his countrymen in front of a huge Philippine flag along with a montage of him demolishing opponents.
His singing isn’t likely to result in a music career, but the song could easily be turned into a political battlecry.
Pacquiao returned from the U.S. early Friday, brushing off the approach of a typhoon and suggestions from the Philippine health minister that his entourage should self-quarantine themselves a few days to make sure none of them was carrying swine flu from Los Angeles.
Authorities at Manila’s international airport tried to set up a cordon to keep Pacquiao and his entourage at a distance, but well-wishers and reporters broke through to get close to him.
After breakfast, Pacquiao and friends repeated their tradition of going to Manila’s Quiapo church, where hundreds of fans jostled each other to try to get a glimpse of him. He shook hands with the crowd inside the church.
His victory parade was postponed to next week, although the typhoon arrived early and largely missed the capital. But Pacquiao also got a taste of his own medicine—and what lies ahead in politics.
Pacquiao has been borrowing a line from the Spiderman movies that “With great power comes great responsibility,” and some radio commentators took swipes at him for ignoring the swine flu advice. One said he missed the rare chance to show responsibility and likened him to other powerful people who only want to get their way.
“The situation would be worse if I stayed longer in the U.S., because there are a lot of fans visiting my place, taking pictures and asking for autographs,” Pacquiao said. “My team and I would be more vulnerable to catching the flu.”
Pacquiao has petitioned for accreditation of his People’s Champ Movement as a political party in what’s expected to be another run for Congress in 2010; he fell short the first time, but that was before high-profile victories over Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton.
Some suggest a political career could harm the boxer’s legacy. Photos of him dancing with two young women have been circulating and could be used to undercut his relatively wholesome image. Then there are the accusations that only come with being in office.
“Today he is admired,” commentator Neal H. Cruz wrote in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. “But when he becomes a congressman, people will curse him and call him ‘thief,’ ‘liar’ and ‘corrupt.”’
Friday, May 8, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Hungarian boxer Andras Nagy dies in Australia
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP)—Hungarian light-heavyweight boxer Andras Nagy has died after suffering a brain injury while training in Melbourne, Australia. He was 23.
“He was a very talented boxer. His death is a terrible tragedy,” Hungarian Boxing Federation president Sandor Csotonyi said.
Csotonyi said Nagy—who had a 3-0 professional record—was on a six-month stay in Australia, boxing with a Croatian license.
After butting heads with a smaller opponent during a training bout on May 1, his birthday, Nagy was hospitalized with brain swelling.
He underwent two operations in Melbourne, on May 1 and 4, and was placed in an artificial coma, but died Thursday, Csotonyi said.
Nagy’s remains will be brought back to Hungary, Csotonyi said.
During his amateur career, Nagy, a native of the city of Gyor in northwest Hungary, competed for the Vasas sports club.
Competing in the 165-pound class, Nagy won a silver medal at the 2002 World Cadet Championship in Kecskemet, Hungary.
He took part in the 2005 World Senior Boxing Championships in Mianyang, China, winning his first match and losing the second.
“He was a very talented boxer. His death is a terrible tragedy,” Hungarian Boxing Federation president Sandor Csotonyi said.
Csotonyi said Nagy—who had a 3-0 professional record—was on a six-month stay in Australia, boxing with a Croatian license.
After butting heads with a smaller opponent during a training bout on May 1, his birthday, Nagy was hospitalized with brain swelling.
He underwent two operations in Melbourne, on May 1 and 4, and was placed in an artificial coma, but died Thursday, Csotonyi said.
Nagy’s remains will be brought back to Hungary, Csotonyi said.
During his amateur career, Nagy, a native of the city of Gyor in northwest Hungary, competed for the Vasas sports club.
Competing in the 165-pound class, Nagy won a silver medal at the 2002 World Cadet Championship in Kecskemet, Hungary.
He took part in the 2005 World Senior Boxing Championships in Mianyang, China, winning his first match and losing the second.
ERIC ESTRADA RETURNS AT “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2”ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR MAY 29TH CHICAGO CARD
CHICAGO, IL (May 6, 2009) Sensational Chicago based bantamweight prospect Eric “EL LOCO” Estrada will return to action against Laredo, Texas native Olvin Mejia in the co-main event at “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2”, an evening of world class professional boxing set for Friday, May 29th at the UIC Pavilion in downtown Chicago.
“WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2” is presented by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING.
The 21 year old Estrada has quickly become amongst the most talked about prospects in boxing with his aggressive all action style and fearless attitude in the ring. Since turning professional in September 2007, he has run his record to 7-0-0 with three knockouts.
Two bouts ago, on November 14th, Estrada battled the much more experienced Ivan Rodriguez to a six round decision win at Cicero Stadium. The back and forth battle had the huge crowd on their feet from start to finish.
Said Pesoli, “Right from the start Eric has wanted to face other good fighters to test himself. He’s always in great fights and that why the Chicago fight fans love him. Against Mejia, it’s the same situation; he’s facing a very tough, young kid from Laredo, Texas , who’s going to bring the fight right to him.”
The Mexican born Mejia, brings a record of 3-2-2 (3KO’s) into the scheduled six rounder against Estrada. In his last bout, on April 18th, Mejia valiantly fought the final two rounds with a swollen left eye against undefeated, highly regarded San Antonio prospect James DuBois, battling to a hard fought six round draw.
Prior to that fight, Mejia travelled to Houston and fought undefeated hometown prospect Eleazar Renteria to a four round draw at Toyota Center on September 6th.
“This is a very tough fight for Eric. Mejia has faced two undefeated prospects in his last two fights, both draws, and is a talented, very gutsy kid. This is just the type of fight our fans love. Estrada wants to stay undefeated and impress in front of the hometown fans and Mejia is coming here to win and spoil all of that” said Pesoli.
Headlining “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2” is an excellent rematch between Chicago’s Jaime “SUPERFLY” Sandoval and Juan Carlos “EL PEZ” Martinez of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, for the World Boxing Foundation Americas Lightweight Championship, which will be contested over ten scheduled rounds.
On October 19, 2007, Sandoval and Martinez battled over eight epic, bruising rounds, with Martinez winning a hard fought unanimous decision at Cicero Stadium.
A full undercard and further details on this event will be announced shortly.
Advance tickets for “WINDY CITY FIGHT NIGHT 2”, starting at $31, are on sale now through the 8 Count Productions office at 312-226-5800 and through Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or http://www.ticketmaster.com/.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine , just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at http://www.uicpavilion.com/
8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. In 2003, Pesoli along with former featherweight contender Mike Garcia, opened JABB Boxing Gym, a 6,000 square foot venue dedicated to the finest Chicagoland boxers of all talent levels.
For more information on 8 Count Productions and JABB Boxing Gym, please visit http://www.8countproductions.com/ and http://www.jabbboxing.com/
Pacquiao to return home, ignores swine flu advice
MANILA, Philippines (AP)—Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will return to Manila as scheduled, ignoring advice from Philippine health officials to observe self-quarantine in the United States to help prevent the spread of swine flu.
In interviews with Manila television and radio networks, Pacquiao said Thursday he and others in his entourage, who were in Los Angeles, do not have any flu symptoms that could justify their quarantine. They will fly home as planned on Friday, he said.
“If you are healthy, why should you be quarantined?” he told DZBB radio.
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged Pacquiao—who beat Ricky Hatton in a light welterweight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night—to postpone his homecoming because the virus was found to have spread to California.
Duque cited the “strong recommendation” from the World Health Organization for Pacquiao and his entourage to observe self-quarantine for at least five days — time enough for any infected person to show flu symptoms.
The WHO advised Pacquiao and his group to observe self-quarantine for the same length of time after their return on Friday, and airport welcomers should maintain a 1-yard distance from the boxing champ and his party, avoiding handshakes and hugs.
The WHO has reported a “third-generation human-to-human transmission” of the virus in Los Angeles, citing the case of a Mexican who infected another individual, who in turn contaminated a third person.
A “national day of celebration” for Pacquiao’s latest triumph has been postponed for next week and a meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Pacquiao originally set for Friday has been moved to Monday, executive secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
Environment secretary Lito Atienza, a staunch Pacquiao supporter, said “no one can stop Manny from returning home because that is his right.”
He said, however, Pacquiao’s victory parade around Manila may be held in the middle of next week “because we are also taking precautions.”
The Philippines has no confirmed cases of swine flu, while three of five patients under observation have been cleared, Duque said.
In interviews with Manila television and radio networks, Pacquiao said Thursday he and others in his entourage, who were in Los Angeles, do not have any flu symptoms that could justify their quarantine. They will fly home as planned on Friday, he said.
“If you are healthy, why should you be quarantined?” he told DZBB radio.
On Wednesday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged Pacquiao—who beat Ricky Hatton in a light welterweight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night—to postpone his homecoming because the virus was found to have spread to California.
Duque cited the “strong recommendation” from the World Health Organization for Pacquiao and his entourage to observe self-quarantine for at least five days — time enough for any infected person to show flu symptoms.
The WHO advised Pacquiao and his group to observe self-quarantine for the same length of time after their return on Friday, and airport welcomers should maintain a 1-yard distance from the boxing champ and his party, avoiding handshakes and hugs.
The WHO has reported a “third-generation human-to-human transmission” of the virus in Los Angeles, citing the case of a Mexican who infected another individual, who in turn contaminated a third person.
A “national day of celebration” for Pacquiao’s latest triumph has been postponed for next week and a meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Pacquiao originally set for Friday has been moved to Monday, executive secretary Eduardo Ermita said.
Environment secretary Lito Atienza, a staunch Pacquiao supporter, said “no one can stop Manny from returning home because that is his right.”
He said, however, Pacquiao’s victory parade around Manila may be held in the middle of next week “because we are also taking precautions.”
The Philippines has no confirmed cases of swine flu, while three of five patients under observation have been cleared, Duque said.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Boxer dies 5 days after fight in Dallas
DALLAS (AP)—Boxer Benjamin Flores has died five days after he was hospitalized following a title bout with Al Seeger in a Dallas hotel.
Bout supervisor Bob Lenhardt says the 25-year-old Flores died Tuesday at Parkland Hospital.
Referee Laurence Cole awarded the victory to Seeger in the eighth round of the North American Boxing Federation fight Thursday night at the Hilton Anatole hotel.
Lenhardt said the Houston fighter was helped to his stool before lying down. Lenhardt said doctors rushed to his side and Flores appeared unconscious when removed on a stretcher.
The fight was for the vacant NABF super bantamweight title. Flores was 19-3 and weighed 122 pounds. Seeger is from Savannah, Ga.
Bout supervisor Bob Lenhardt says the 25-year-old Flores died Tuesday at Parkland Hospital.
Referee Laurence Cole awarded the victory to Seeger in the eighth round of the North American Boxing Federation fight Thursday night at the Hilton Anatole hotel.
Lenhardt said the Houston fighter was helped to his stool before lying down. Lenhardt said doctors rushed to his side and Flores appeared unconscious when removed on a stretcher.
The fight was for the vacant NABF super bantamweight title. Flores was 19-3 and weighed 122 pounds. Seeger is from Savannah, Ga.
Monday, May 4, 2009
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.
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.”
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.”
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Lot to like about the new king of boxing
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Sports Columnist
VEGAS (AP)—Floyd Mayweather Jr. took his daughter bowling Saturday night after announcing his return to the ring. Good thing, because if he had seen Manny Pacquiao fight he might have figured out what boxing fans now know—that the future of boxing lies in the furious fists of a most unlikely new superstar.
Had he been watching, Mayweather might have been as stunned at what he saw as his estranged father seemed to be in Ricky Hatton’s corner. Fighters just aren’t supposed to do the kind of things Pacquiao did to Hatton in 5 minutes and 59 seconds of utter domination before a thrilled crowd at the MGM Grand hotel.
All Mayweather can do now is get in line. The road to greatness now runs through a fighter who truly does let his fists do the talking.
“If Mayweather wants a piece of the little Filipino, just be my guest,” promoter Bob Arum crowed when it was all over.
That’s not likely to happen right away, but the odds are good it will happen eventually. There’s too much money involved for it not to.
But give Pacquiao Round 1 already. On a day when Mayweather tried to steal his thunder by unretiring, Pacquiao went into the ring and showed why he is the most exciting thing to happen to boxing in a long, long time.
He didn’t just beat Hatton. Didn’t just knock him out.
He demolished a world class fighter who had never lost at his natural weight of 140 pounds, and he did it with such precision and ease that the talk afterward wasn’t whether Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but whether he might be one of the best ever.
A right hook—a punch most southpaws don’t even have—started it all, dropping Hatton midway through the first round. A left cross that may be one of the greatest single punches ever thrown in a big fight ended it with a dramatic flourish.
When it was over, Hatton was sprawled motionless on his back in the center of the ring. Pacquiao and his corner were celebrating and the sellout crowd was trying to digest what they had just seen.
And Mayweather was at a bowling alley somewhere trying to pick up a spare.
A few hours earlier, Mayweather had declared that “The king is back” and said he was ready to reclaim his title as the best pound-for-pound fighter. But boxing has a new king in an unassuming fighter so good that he won his last four fights in four different weight classes.
It’s a remarkable story even in a sport where tales of rags-to-riches are commonplace. There was a time when Pacquiao lived in a cardboard shack in his native Philippines, and there didn’t seem anything special about him when he fought his first fight there at 106 pounds in 1995.
But he began growing and started knocking people out. He hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach and learned how to use his right hand as well as his left.
He sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement, and may have done the same to Hatton.
And he’s such a hero at home that there’s talk of him running for president.
Boxing fans have responded by embracing Pacquiao, filling every seat at the MGM Grand and spending $49.95 for the pay-per-view to watch him fight from home. With good reason, because he gives fight fans what they want to see.
While Mayweather plays the villain with great success, Pacquiao comes across as a humble fighter who cares about nothing except doing his job, then getting together with his band as he did after stopping Hatton to make some music. He’s fairly fluent in English and makes a point of speaking it instead of relying on a translator, and he acts like a professional in everything he does in boxing.
Most importantly, though, he comes to fight. Oh, does he come to fight.
“He has the opportunity to become the best I’ve ever promoted,” said Arum, who promoted Muhammad Ali and Marvelous Marvin Hagler among others. “Other fights reach a certain level and they think they know everything and never get better. Not Manny. He’s always learning.”
Pacquiao brought his mother over from the Philippines for her first trip to the United States, but she couldn’t bear to watch her son fight. Instead, she stayed in a hotel suite praying for his success and health.
The rest of us were watching closely, though.
And there was a lot to like about what we saw in the new king of boxing.
Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org
VEGAS (AP)—Floyd Mayweather Jr. took his daughter bowling Saturday night after announcing his return to the ring. Good thing, because if he had seen Manny Pacquiao fight he might have figured out what boxing fans now know—that the future of boxing lies in the furious fists of a most unlikely new superstar.
Had he been watching, Mayweather might have been as stunned at what he saw as his estranged father seemed to be in Ricky Hatton’s corner. Fighters just aren’t supposed to do the kind of things Pacquiao did to Hatton in 5 minutes and 59 seconds of utter domination before a thrilled crowd at the MGM Grand hotel.
All Mayweather can do now is get in line. The road to greatness now runs through a fighter who truly does let his fists do the talking.
“If Mayweather wants a piece of the little Filipino, just be my guest,” promoter Bob Arum crowed when it was all over.
That’s not likely to happen right away, but the odds are good it will happen eventually. There’s too much money involved for it not to.
But give Pacquiao Round 1 already. On a day when Mayweather tried to steal his thunder by unretiring, Pacquiao went into the ring and showed why he is the most exciting thing to happen to boxing in a long, long time.
He didn’t just beat Hatton. Didn’t just knock him out.
He demolished a world class fighter who had never lost at his natural weight of 140 pounds, and he did it with such precision and ease that the talk afterward wasn’t whether Pacquiao is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, but whether he might be one of the best ever.
A right hook—a punch most southpaws don’t even have—started it all, dropping Hatton midway through the first round. A left cross that may be one of the greatest single punches ever thrown in a big fight ended it with a dramatic flourish.
When it was over, Hatton was sprawled motionless on his back in the center of the ring. Pacquiao and his corner were celebrating and the sellout crowd was trying to digest what they had just seen.
And Mayweather was at a bowling alley somewhere trying to pick up a spare.
A few hours earlier, Mayweather had declared that “The king is back” and said he was ready to reclaim his title as the best pound-for-pound fighter. But boxing has a new king in an unassuming fighter so good that he won his last four fights in four different weight classes.
It’s a remarkable story even in a sport where tales of rags-to-riches are commonplace. There was a time when Pacquiao lived in a cardboard shack in his native Philippines, and there didn’t seem anything special about him when he fought his first fight there at 106 pounds in 1995.
But he began growing and started knocking people out. He hooked up with trainer Freddie Roach and learned how to use his right hand as well as his left.
He sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement, and may have done the same to Hatton.
And he’s such a hero at home that there’s talk of him running for president.
Boxing fans have responded by embracing Pacquiao, filling every seat at the MGM Grand and spending $49.95 for the pay-per-view to watch him fight from home. With good reason, because he gives fight fans what they want to see.
While Mayweather plays the villain with great success, Pacquiao comes across as a humble fighter who cares about nothing except doing his job, then getting together with his band as he did after stopping Hatton to make some music. He’s fairly fluent in English and makes a point of speaking it instead of relying on a translator, and he acts like a professional in everything he does in boxing.
Most importantly, though, he comes to fight. Oh, does he come to fight.
“He has the opportunity to become the best I’ve ever promoted,” said Arum, who promoted Muhammad Ali and Marvelous Marvin Hagler among others. “Other fights reach a certain level and they think they know everything and never get better. Not Manny. He’s always learning.”
Pacquiao brought his mother over from the Philippines for her first trip to the United States, but she couldn’t bear to watch her son fight. Instead, she stayed in a hotel suite praying for his success and health.
The rest of us were watching closely, though.
And there was a lot to like about what we saw in the new king of boxing.
Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg@ap.org
Hatton’s dad says beaten son won’t rush to quit
LONDON (AP)—Ricky Hatton’s father says his son won’t hurry a decision on whether to retire after being knocked out by Manny Pacquiao in the second round of their 140-pound title fight.
After being knocked down twice in the opening round, the 30-year-old Briton was flattened in the second by Pacquiao’s left cross in Las Vegas on Saturday night for his second defeat in 47 fights.
After spending several minutes on his back in the ring, the two-time light-welterweight world champion had to be taken to a hospital for a precautionary brain scan, which the father said revealed no damage.
“He’s perfectly all right,” Ray Hatton told BBC Radio Five on Sunday. “They’ve checked him out. He’s had all the tests and everything. He’s not got a mark on him.”
However, the loss may leave a lasting mark on Ricky Hatton’s confidence, with his flimsy defense making him an easy target.
Ray Hatton said his son, whose other loss was a 10th-round knockout defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007, would now have to consider whether to carry on.
“Obviously, we will support him in whatever he does and we’ll leave that with him,” Hatton said. “At this moment in time, he’s probably got a few mixed feelings about it. He’ll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him.”
Ray Hatton said his son did not need to continue boxing for the money, and that the fighter was convinced he had caught Pacquiao with some good punches.
“He just said, ‘The old heart ruled the head again, Dad; steaming in, got my warning signs in the first round. Set off OK at the start of the second round, caught Manny with a few shots. Really worried Manny a little bit. Manny was just throwing wild shots.’ He said, ‘Then the heart ruled the head again and I went steaming in.”’
Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., called on him to quit.
“I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day, it’s his decision,” Mayweather Sr. said. “He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it’s time to leave the ring. He made a good profit. Sometimes you have to go when your prime is still there.”
Carl Froch, who knocked out Jermain Taylor a week ago to defend his WBC super-middleweight title, also hopes Hatton retires.
“I have to say, if I was in his position after last night’s performance, I would definitely retire,” Froch said. “But I can’t speak for another fighter. He will decide what he’s going to do.”
After being knocked down twice in the opening round, the 30-year-old Briton was flattened in the second by Pacquiao’s left cross in Las Vegas on Saturday night for his second defeat in 47 fights.
After spending several minutes on his back in the ring, the two-time light-welterweight world champion had to be taken to a hospital for a precautionary brain scan, which the father said revealed no damage.
“He’s perfectly all right,” Ray Hatton told BBC Radio Five on Sunday. “They’ve checked him out. He’s had all the tests and everything. He’s not got a mark on him.”
However, the loss may leave a lasting mark on Ricky Hatton’s confidence, with his flimsy defense making him an easy target.
Ray Hatton said his son, whose other loss was a 10th-round knockout defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007, would now have to consider whether to carry on.
“Obviously, we will support him in whatever he does and we’ll leave that with him,” Hatton said. “At this moment in time, he’s probably got a few mixed feelings about it. He’ll make that decision whichever way he wants to and the family will support him.”
Ray Hatton said his son did not need to continue boxing for the money, and that the fighter was convinced he had caught Pacquiao with some good punches.
“He just said, ‘The old heart ruled the head again, Dad; steaming in, got my warning signs in the first round. Set off OK at the start of the second round, caught Manny with a few shots. Really worried Manny a little bit. Manny was just throwing wild shots.’ He said, ‘Then the heart ruled the head again and I went steaming in.”’
Hatton’s trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., called on him to quit.
“I would suggest he retire. At the end of the day, it’s his decision,” Mayweather Sr. said. “He tried twice. He failed twice. He lost to my son and to lose to someone below that, it’s time to leave the ring. He made a good profit. Sometimes you have to go when your prime is still there.”
Carl Froch, who knocked out Jermain Taylor a week ago to defend his WBC super-middleweight title, also hopes Hatton retires.
“I have to say, if I was in his position after last night’s performance, I would definitely retire,” Froch said. “But I can’t speak for another fighter. He will decide what he’s going to do.”
Moreno wins split decision over Sidorenko
BREMEN, Germany (AP)—Anselmo Moreno of Panama has retained his WBA bantamweight title with a split decision over former champion Wladimir Sidorenko of Ukraine.
Moreno, who beat Sidorenko in May 2008 to win the title, won 115-112 and 115-113 on two judges’ cards with the third giving the fight to the Ukrainian 115-113 on Sunday.
Moreno, who beat Sidorenko in May 2008 to win the title, won 115-112 and 115-113 on two judges’ cards with the third giving the fight to the Ukrainian 115-113 on Sunday.
Manny Pacquiao VS Ricky Hatton
Brilliant Pacquiao cements legacy with win
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports
LAS VEGAS – It took just 359 seconds to add the latest devastating chapter to a legacy that will last for decades.
Manny Pacquiao’s flurried fists made short work of Ricky Hatton on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and delivered the most emphatic proof yet that boxing has a superstar for the ages operating at his peak.
Pacquiao sent the Englishman crashing to the canvas twice in a frenetic first round, then sealed the contest with a brutal left hook that had Hatton out cold on his back with one tick remaining in the second round.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have announced his comeback from a brief and scarcely-believable retirement on Saturday morning. But there can be no doubt that Pacquiao is boxing’s undisputed king as he continues to ride a remarkable wave of momentum.
“Our strategy was the one punch,” Pacquiao said. “Left hook. Right hook. That was going to be the key to this fight.”
The Filipino fighter is a quiet and reserved man out of the ring, but between the ropes he morphs into an electrifying machine – and Hatton felt his full force.
The Hatton camp had hoped their man’s power would be telling, yet he simply had no response to Pacquiao’s pace and precision. A right hook put Hatton down with 54 seconds remaining in round one and proved to be the beginning of the end.
“I knew it was over,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. “Ricky fights the same way over and over. He doesn’t have the ability to adjust.”
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As Pacquiao moved in for the finish in the second round, Hatton tried to cling on only to be sent down again with a fierce straight left. Doctors immediately rushed to the aid of Hatton, who eventually and thankfully was able to walk from the ring under his own steam.
“I am surprised this fight was so easy,” said Pacquiao. “I did work hard in my training camp and it paid off. This is as big a victory for me as when I beat Oscar De La Hoya.”
That December triumph over De La Hoya did not convince the entire boxing fraternity of Pacquiao’s ability, primarily as the Golden Boy’s powers had so clearly dimmed from his prime. Now there is no speculation. Pacquiao is the top dog, until someone proves otherwise in the ring.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a no-show at the postfight news conference, leaving Hatton’s co-trainer, Lee Beard, to explain the mauling by Pacquiao.
“We knew about Manny’s speed and that it could play a factor in the fight,” Beard said. “What you saw was two rounds of action and Ricky got caught.”
Roach’s status as a trainer grows in line with each victory his top fighter posts and it became clear his game plan was perfect. Hatton could not avoid Pacquiao, who landed with 73 of his 127 punches. The Brit could only land 18 of 78.
“This is no shock at all,“ Roach said. “Hatton pumps his hands before he throws a punch, and it makes him a sucker for the right hook.
“Manny is a monster. He is the best fighter ever. There is no surprise here.”
Defeat was a bitter blow to the thousands of Hatton fans among the 16,262 in attendance who had journeyed across the Atlantic but saw their dreams dashed within a few brutal minutes.
The typical symphony of chanting carried on even after their man had been sparked out, but it may not strike up again. Hatton, who was alert in his locker room before being taken to the hospital, is one of the most popular boxers ever with an incredible fan base, but his fighting future is now in serious doubt.
For Pacquiao, the future is brighter than ever, and his legend continues to grow.
Said Pacquiao: “I can fight anybody.”
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports
LAS VEGAS – It took just 359 seconds to add the latest devastating chapter to a legacy that will last for decades.
Manny Pacquiao’s flurried fists made short work of Ricky Hatton on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and delivered the most emphatic proof yet that boxing has a superstar for the ages operating at his peak.
Pacquiao sent the Englishman crashing to the canvas twice in a frenetic first round, then sealed the contest with a brutal left hook that had Hatton out cold on his back with one tick remaining in the second round.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have announced his comeback from a brief and scarcely-believable retirement on Saturday morning. But there can be no doubt that Pacquiao is boxing’s undisputed king as he continues to ride a remarkable wave of momentum.
“Our strategy was the one punch,” Pacquiao said. “Left hook. Right hook. That was going to be the key to this fight.”
The Filipino fighter is a quiet and reserved man out of the ring, but between the ropes he morphs into an electrifying machine – and Hatton felt his full force.
The Hatton camp had hoped their man’s power would be telling, yet he simply had no response to Pacquiao’s pace and precision. A right hook put Hatton down with 54 seconds remaining in round one and proved to be the beginning of the end.
“I knew it was over,” said Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer. “Ricky fights the same way over and over. He doesn’t have the ability to adjust.”
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As Pacquiao moved in for the finish in the second round, Hatton tried to cling on only to be sent down again with a fierce straight left. Doctors immediately rushed to the aid of Hatton, who eventually and thankfully was able to walk from the ring under his own steam.
“I am surprised this fight was so easy,” said Pacquiao. “I did work hard in my training camp and it paid off. This is as big a victory for me as when I beat Oscar De La Hoya.”
That December triumph over De La Hoya did not convince the entire boxing fraternity of Pacquiao’s ability, primarily as the Golden Boy’s powers had so clearly dimmed from his prime. Now there is no speculation. Pacquiao is the top dog, until someone proves otherwise in the ring.
Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a no-show at the postfight news conference, leaving Hatton’s co-trainer, Lee Beard, to explain the mauling by Pacquiao.
“We knew about Manny’s speed and that it could play a factor in the fight,” Beard said. “What you saw was two rounds of action and Ricky got caught.”
Roach’s status as a trainer grows in line with each victory his top fighter posts and it became clear his game plan was perfect. Hatton could not avoid Pacquiao, who landed with 73 of his 127 punches. The Brit could only land 18 of 78.
“This is no shock at all,“ Roach said. “Hatton pumps his hands before he throws a punch, and it makes him a sucker for the right hook.
“Manny is a monster. He is the best fighter ever. There is no surprise here.”
Defeat was a bitter blow to the thousands of Hatton fans among the 16,262 in attendance who had journeyed across the Atlantic but saw their dreams dashed within a few brutal minutes.
The typical symphony of chanting carried on even after their man had been sparked out, but it may not strike up again. Hatton, who was alert in his locker room before being taken to the hospital, is one of the most popular boxers ever with an incredible fan base, but his fighting future is now in serious doubt.
For Pacquiao, the future is brighter than ever, and his legend continues to grow.
Said Pacquiao: “I can fight anybody.”
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Mayweather return looms over Hatton-Pacquiao fight
by Jim Slater
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (AFP) - Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jnr reportedly will announce his return from a 17-month layoff just hours before Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton meet Saturday to decide which is his top rival.
Stealing the thunder from a long-awaited showdown for the pound-for-pound throne that Mayweather abdicated by retiring in December of 2007, the Los Angeles Times and ESPN reported that the 32-year-old American will fight again in July.
Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer has scheduled an afternoon news conference only six hours before Britain's Hatton and Filipino star Pacquiao fight for the Englishman's junior welterweight title.
The announcement is expected to be the return of Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, on July 18 against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-4 with one draw and 37 knockouts at the same MGM Grand arena where Pacquiao will face Hatton.
ESPN reported that talks concluded Friday with a deal struck to stage the bout at a catch weight of 144 pounds, less than Mayweather's former undisputed 147-pound division crown but well above 135-pound champion Marquez's weight.
During the week leading up to Hatton-Pacquiao, Mayweather was a looming shadow. His return diminishes Pacquiao's claim as pound-for-pound champion and follows a 10th-round stoppage of Hatton 17 months ago.
"I would love another crack at him," Hatton said before news of Mayweather's return. "It would be a different outcome."
Mayweather's father, Floyd Mayweather Snr., serves as Hatton's trainer and had said last week that his son was back in the gym. A major question will be if father will help defeat son, something Mayweather Snr would not do when his son fought Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.
"This is a business," Mayweather Snr said. "He doesn't take care of me, so I have to take care of myself."
Pacquiao, seen as pound-for-pound king in Mayweather Jnr's absence after beating de la Hoya last December, said this week he would welcome a chance to fight Mayweather, also likely to come at a catch weight.
"I would fight him if he decided to fight again," Pacquiao said. "I can fight at different weights. It depends on the fighter."
Mayweather Snr taunted Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, with his take on the prospect of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight should Hatton lose Saturday.
"I know Freddie Roach does not want Manny Pacquiao fighting my son. He knows what's going to happen," Mayweather Snr said. "You know he ain't going to see Floyd. He's going to get knocked out by Ricky. Trust me."
Roach said he had no problem with the idea.
"Manny is not afraid of anyone," Roach said. "Whatever comes next comes next. If Floyd comes out of retirement, OK."
Mayweather played the loud-mouth role to the hilt against de la Hoya to help spark the richest fight in boxing history and also against Hatton in another huge pay-per-view moneymaker.
De la Hoya's large Hispanic following and Hatton's loyal British supporters were the financial engines driving the bouts.
But the challenge of Mayweather spurred profits and his return could help the sport now that de la Hoya has retired to focus on promotion and economic conditions worse than before.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada, (AFP) - Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather Jnr reportedly will announce his return from a 17-month layoff just hours before Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton meet Saturday to decide which is his top rival.
Stealing the thunder from a long-awaited showdown for the pound-for-pound throne that Mayweather abdicated by retiring in December of 2007, the Los Angeles Times and ESPN reported that the 32-year-old American will fight again in July.
Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer has scheduled an afternoon news conference only six hours before Britain's Hatton and Filipino star Pacquiao fight for the Englishman's junior welterweight title.
The announcement is expected to be the return of Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, on July 18 against Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-4 with one draw and 37 knockouts at the same MGM Grand arena where Pacquiao will face Hatton.
ESPN reported that talks concluded Friday with a deal struck to stage the bout at a catch weight of 144 pounds, less than Mayweather's former undisputed 147-pound division crown but well above 135-pound champion Marquez's weight.
During the week leading up to Hatton-Pacquiao, Mayweather was a looming shadow. His return diminishes Pacquiao's claim as pound-for-pound champion and follows a 10th-round stoppage of Hatton 17 months ago.
"I would love another crack at him," Hatton said before news of Mayweather's return. "It would be a different outcome."
Mayweather's father, Floyd Mayweather Snr., serves as Hatton's trainer and had said last week that his son was back in the gym. A major question will be if father will help defeat son, something Mayweather Snr would not do when his son fought Oscar de la Hoya in 2007.
"This is a business," Mayweather Snr said. "He doesn't take care of me, so I have to take care of myself."
Pacquiao, seen as pound-for-pound king in Mayweather Jnr's absence after beating de la Hoya last December, said this week he would welcome a chance to fight Mayweather, also likely to come at a catch weight.
"I would fight him if he decided to fight again," Pacquiao said. "I can fight at different weights. It depends on the fighter."
Mayweather Snr taunted Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, with his take on the prospect of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight should Hatton lose Saturday.
"I know Freddie Roach does not want Manny Pacquiao fighting my son. He knows what's going to happen," Mayweather Snr said. "You know he ain't going to see Floyd. He's going to get knocked out by Ricky. Trust me."
Roach said he had no problem with the idea.
"Manny is not afraid of anyone," Roach said. "Whatever comes next comes next. If Floyd comes out of retirement, OK."
Mayweather played the loud-mouth role to the hilt against de la Hoya to help spark the richest fight in boxing history and also against Hatton in another huge pay-per-view moneymaker.
De la Hoya's large Hispanic following and Hatton's loyal British supporters were the financial engines driving the bouts.
But the challenge of Mayweather spurred profits and his return could help the sport now that de la Hoya has retired to focus on promotion and economic conditions worse than before.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Pacquiao weighs in at 138, Hatton at 140 for title showdown
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) - Manny Pacquiao weighed in at 138 pounds, his second-largest weight ever for a bout, while Ricky Hatton was at the 140-pound limit Friday ahead of their junior welterweight fight Saturday.
Filipino hero Pacquiao, seeking a title in his sixth different weight class, tipped the scales at 145 pounds when he stopped Oscar de la Hoya in the eighth round last December in the only heavier weight he has recorded.
English star Hatton, seeking the pound-for-pound crown as he defends his International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title, has not weighed more since 2000 except for welterweight bouts in 2006 and 2007, both of those when he was also on the limit at 147 pounds.
In the only other world title bout on the card, World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Humberto Soto of Mexico weighed in at 130 pounds, one pound heavier than Canadian challenger Benoit Gaudet.
Filipino hero Pacquiao, seeking a title in his sixth different weight class, tipped the scales at 145 pounds when he stopped Oscar de la Hoya in the eighth round last December in the only heavier weight he has recorded.English star Hatton, seeking the pound-for-pound crown as he defends his International Boxing Organization junior welterweight title, has not weighed more since 2000 except for welterweight bouts in 2006 and 2007, both of those when he was also on the limit at 147 pounds.In the only other world title bout on the card, World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Humberto Soto of Mexico weighed in at 130 pounds, one pound heavier than Canadian challenger Benoit Gaudet.
A big underdog last time, Pacquiao is now favored
By TIM DAHLBERG, AP Boxing Writer
LAS VEGAS (AP)—The last time Manny Pacquiao displayed his many talents he stopped Oscar De La Hoya in a fight no one thought he could win. The beating he administered that night not only sent De La Hoya into retirement, but cemented Pacquiao’s status as boxing’s newest star.
Pacquiao returns to the ring Saturday night much the same fighter he was five months ago, taking on Ricky Hatton in a lucrative 140-pound fight matching two guys who love to brawl. The big difference now, though, is that everybody expects him to win.
One big fight can create a lot of expectation, and the biggest task for Pacquiao may be managing them in the ring.
His trainer isn’t worried. Pacquiao, says Freddie Roach, is more focused than ever.
“The win over Oscar just gave him more confidence,” Roach said. “So many people said he couldn’t do it but he did. Oscar could still beat a lot of guys, but he didn’t win a second of that fight.”
Once again, Pacquiao will be facing a fighter who is bigger than him as he fights for only the third time above 130 pounds. Pacquiao weighed in at 138 pounds Friday while Hatton was at the class limit of 140 pounds.
But oddsmakers who saw him dismantle an even bigger De La Hoya make him a 2-1 favorite to beat the once-beaten Hatton and win a title in his sixth weight class since turning pro. Coming off a rugged training camp that Pacquiao believes was his best ever, he’s not about to argue the point.
“I believe that I am improving and everybody knows and can see that by my last few performances,” Pacquiao said.
Those last few performances have made Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) a fighter in demand in a sport desperate for stars. He’s such a hero in his native Philippines that he talks about one day running for president there, but the win over De La Hoya in particular catapulted Pacquiao into rarified status in the sport.
He’ll make $12 million to square off for a minor title against Hatton, who will earn $8 million in a fight that sold out the MGM Grand hotel’s arena and will be televised on HBO pay-per-view with the main event beginning about 11:30 p.m. EDT.
“I do feel different now than before I fought Oscar,” Pacquiao said. “There is a big difference in my popularity now and I think that was because Oscar was popular too.”
Hatton, who will be backed by his usual throng of singing and chanting English fans, is coming off a knockout win over Paulie Malignaggi that seemed to help him regain any confidence lost in the only loss of his career, a 10th round stoppage in December 2007 at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Still, he knows there are a lot of people in boxing that look at him as little more than a tough guy brawler who likes to party a bit too much between fights.
“People say (I’m) over-hyped, overprotected, a fat, beer-drinking Englishman,” Hatton said at the final prefight press conference. “Well, I’m going to shock the world again.”
Though both fighters love to mix it up, they go about it in different ways. Hatton (45-1, 32 knockouts) tends to throw wide punches while moving constantly forward and trying to smother his opponent, while Pacquiao fights down the middle with hands held high from his southpaw stance.
Both say they plan to box more in this bout, but both have been known to simply start trading punches when they get hit.
“I don’t see it being a tickling contest,” Hatton said. “I see it being an absolute war because we’re both fighters by nature.”
A Pacquiao win could lead to an even bigger fight sometime later in the year. With rumors buzzing about Mayweather coming out of retirement for a July fight, there’s a possibility the two could meet in the fall in a clash of the holder of the current mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world against the man who used to have that title.
Pacquiao is only 30, but he has been fighting professionally since making his debut as a 106-pounder in the Philippines in 1995, and he has engaged in slugfests over the years.
Roach said he would like to see him fight just two more times, then move on to other things.
“He wants to get into politics, but I told him you can’t do both,” Roach said. “Maybe if he could get Floyd out of retirement that would be it. No sense in going any further after that.”
LAS VEGAS (AP)—The last time Manny Pacquiao displayed his many talents he stopped Oscar De La Hoya in a fight no one thought he could win. The beating he administered that night not only sent De La Hoya into retirement, but cemented Pacquiao’s status as boxing’s newest star.
Pacquiao returns to the ring Saturday night much the same fighter he was five months ago, taking on Ricky Hatton in a lucrative 140-pound fight matching two guys who love to brawl. The big difference now, though, is that everybody expects him to win.
One big fight can create a lot of expectation, and the biggest task for Pacquiao may be managing them in the ring.
His trainer isn’t worried. Pacquiao, says Freddie Roach, is more focused than ever.
“The win over Oscar just gave him more confidence,” Roach said. “So many people said he couldn’t do it but he did. Oscar could still beat a lot of guys, but he didn’t win a second of that fight.”
Once again, Pacquiao will be facing a fighter who is bigger than him as he fights for only the third time above 130 pounds. Pacquiao weighed in at 138 pounds Friday while Hatton was at the class limit of 140 pounds.But oddsmakers who saw him dismantle an even bigger De La Hoya make him a 2-1 favorite to beat the once-beaten Hatton and win a title in his sixth weight class since turning pro. Coming off a rugged training camp that Pacquiao believes was his best ever, he’s not about to argue the point.
“I believe that I am improving and everybody knows and can see that by my last few performances,” Pacquiao said.
Those last few performances have made Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 knockouts) a fighter in demand in a sport desperate for stars. He’s such a hero in his native Philippines that he talks about one day running for president there, but the win over De La Hoya in particular catapulted Pacquiao into rarified status in the sport.
He’ll make $12 million to square off for a minor title against Hatton, who will earn $8 million in a fight that sold out the MGM Grand hotel’s arena and will be televised on HBO pay-per-view with the main event beginning about 11:30 p.m. EDT.
“I do feel different now than before I fought Oscar,” Pacquiao said. “There is a big difference in my popularity now and I think that was because Oscar was popular too.”
Hatton, who will be backed by his usual throng of singing and chanting English fans, is coming off a knockout win over Paulie Malignaggi that seemed to help him regain any confidence lost in the only loss of his career, a 10th round stoppage in December 2007 at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Still, he knows there are a lot of people in boxing that look at him as little more than a tough guy brawler who likes to party a bit too much between fights.
“People say (I’m) over-hyped, overprotected, a fat, beer-drinking Englishman,” Hatton said at the final prefight press conference. “Well, I’m going to shock the world again.”
Though both fighters love to mix it up, they go about it in different ways. Hatton (45-1, 32 knockouts) tends to throw wide punches while moving constantly forward and trying to smother his opponent, while Pacquiao fights down the middle with hands held high from his southpaw stance.
Both say they plan to box more in this bout, but both have been known to simply start trading punches when they get hit.
“I don’t see it being a tickling contest,” Hatton said. “I see it being an absolute war because we’re both fighters by nature.”
A Pacquiao win could lead to an even bigger fight sometime later in the year. With rumors buzzing about Mayweather coming out of retirement for a July fight, there’s a possibility the two could meet in the fall in a clash of the holder of the current mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter in the world against the man who used to have that title.
Pacquiao is only 30, but he has been fighting professionally since making his debut as a 106-pounder in the Philippines in 1995, and he has engaged in slugfests over the years.
Roach said he would like to see him fight just two more times, then move on to other things.
“He wants to get into politics, but I told him you can’t do both,” Roach said. “Maybe if he could get Floyd out of retirement that would be it. No sense in going any further after that.”
Thursday’s Fights
By The Associated Press
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)—Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym, Thailand, stopped Rafael Hernandez, Venezuela, 9, to win the interim WBA super bantamweight title; Kwanthai Chor Nor Pattalung, Thailand, stopped Little Roseman, Indonesia, 4, to retain the PABA minimumweight title.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Gonzalo Omar Basile, Argentina, stopped Hugo Anibal Abad, Ecuador, 2, to retain the WBO Latino heavyweight title.
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP)—Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym, Thailand, stopped Rafael Hernandez, Venezuela, 9, to win the interim WBA super bantamweight title; Kwanthai Chor Nor Pattalung, Thailand, stopped Little Roseman, Indonesia, 4, to retain the PABA minimumweight title.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Gonzalo Omar Basile, Argentina, stopped Hugo Anibal Abad, Ecuador, 2, to retain the WBO Latino heavyweight title.
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