Exclusive images: Pacquiao dominates Clottey for decision win, open to either Mayweather or Mosley

Mayweather vs Mosley
Las Vegas Boxing Examiner | Chris Robinson

Moments ago at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao retained his title with a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey. Despite not every being able to drop or severely hurt Clottey, Pacquiao was the busier, sharper fighter and won on judges’ cards by scores of 120-108, and 119-109 twice.

After giving away the early rounds, trainer Lenny De Jesus pleaded with Clottey to start throwing more punches. Unfortunately Clottey was never able to get off track and Pacquiao controlled every round with his sharp combination punching while working the Ghanaian’s body with well placed shots. When the dust had settled Pacquiao land 246 out of an impressive 1231 punches.

Following the contest Pacquiao claimed that Clottey was a very tough opponent and stated that he is still open towards a match with Floyd Mayweather, who is scheduled to face off with Shane Mosley this coming May 1st. However, Pacquiao noted that if Mosley were to emerge victorious in that contest that he would consider fighting him. Pacquiao and Mayweather failed to come to terms on a bout due to their disagreement on terms regarding Olympic style drug testing that would have been required from both fighters.

Trainer Freddie Roach was asked his thoughts on a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather matchup and noted that Floyd needs to ease up on his demands for the bout to become a reality. Roach stated that Floyd needs to simply worry about fighting and meet Manny in the ring for the bout to become a reality.

Las Vegas based photographer Chris Farina was in Dallas and was able to capture all of the action from tonight’s card. Click on the slideshow below to access a few images from tonight’s Pacquiao-Clottey showdown…

Source: Examiner.com

Clottey, Mosley just setting table for Mayweather-Pacquiao fistic feast

Mayweather vs Mosley
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

GRAPEVINE, TEXAS—The biggest disaster of Manny Pacquiao's career?

Oh, that's easy, it would be if he somehow loses to bigger, stronger Joshua Clottey Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium.

It wouldn't totally wreck any hopes of a mega, mega, megafight against Floyd Mayweather by year's end but it would drop the total revenue by a humungous amount.

I said previously and I say now, in the hours after Friday's weigh in which a totally ripped Clottey (the Ghanaian did not have a six pack of abs, it was more like a 14 pack) weighed the welterweight limit of 147 pounds with Pacman at 145 ¾ pounds, that this train wreck is not going to happen.

Clottey, for all his druability and fighting spirit, is a Grade B fighter matching his skills against the world's best boxer pound for pound, a Pinoy phenomenon who has been blistering all foes, knocking them out and into retirement.

Some around Pacman turned into worrywarts after the two combatants posed for photos outside Jerry Jones' gleaming football playpen. How come, they ask, Megamanny wasn't as ripped looking as he usually is?

Look, he's 31 years old but does he train any less diligently than he did before destroying Ricky Hatton and Oscar de la Hoya, among others?

The answer is no so let's not pay much attention to how the Pacman belly was not as impressive as usual. It's called getting older, folks.

Yes, Clottey will look huge, maybe even eight pounds heavier than his weigh in weight, by the time they square off.

Your White Gorilla is unconcerned as being bigger, more buff and all that just means Clottey will be slower and less able to handle Pacquiao's amazing, two-handed attack that comes from weird but effective angles.

In many ways, Clottey is a pedestrian fighter. Do you think promoter Bob Arum and his matchmaker Bruce Trampler selected him because they believe he will derail Pacman?

No, Pacquiao will deliver the goods although maybe not as devastatingly and brilliantly did in annihilating Oskie and Ricky.

I am still calling it Pacman by TKO in 10 rounds.

Pacquiao must be vigilant about headbutts and he can't wrestle inside with the African but he knows all that.

When the bout ends, Pacquiao will have notched his 51st pro victory and, if Floyd disposes of hane Molsey like I am convinced he will come May 1, the Lollapalooza will be back in play.
I'm seeing, with Pacquiao winning here and Mayweather victorious in Vegas, their confrontation as historically inevitable.

They talk about big banks in America which are “too big to fail.” Mayweather-Pacquiao is too big not to happen, blood testing be praised or damned.

When it does, unless role players Clottey and/or Mosley rain on the Manny and Floyd parades, it will be bigger than it could have been before.

Pacquiao can win that fight. You know it, I know it and everyone named Mayweather knows it.

HBO might have play the big bully role to get it done but it will get done.

Clottey is a footnote. Mosley is also a “B side” actor in the larger drama.

Pacquiao wins here, Mayweather's May Day is a good day and their collision course will be reset.

And, as the days, weeks and months roll by, I'm beginning to wonder about this...does Mayweather really think he can beat Manny?

Clottey and Mosley will just set the table for the fistic feast to come at the end of 2010 or the start of 2011.

Bet on it.

Clottey is coming to get respect and he will but he will also go home with his fourth loss.

Bet on it, bet dollars to doughnuts. Bet beer to balut.

Bet the next few mortgage payments.

Neither Joshua nor Sugar Shane are going to jeopardize the Big Dance.

Source: Examiner.com

Pacquiao V. Mayweather: "The Greatest Fight Never Fought"

Mayweather vs Mosley
GQ has a wonderful story about Manny Pacquiao written by Andrew Corsello in April's issue. Here's the sidebar, written by Daniel Riley, they gave us permission to republish, which is not online yet.

March 13. MGM Grand. The world's two greatest boxers, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, are slated to pummel each other for a payout of roughly $35 million each. And then it all falls to pieces. Mayweather accuses Manny of doping, demanding random blood tests up until the day of the fight-a highly unusual move in the boxing world. Manny says having blood taken within thirty days of a bout screws him up physically and mentally. Then Manny reduces the window to twenty-four days. Not good enough for Mayweather. Fight's off. Two guys who won't compromise-that's all it is, right? Or is it? Three popular theories:

Mayweather-who is 40-0-is terrified of losing.
Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, lays it out better than we ever could: "Mayweather knew when he made his demand that it would never be accepted-and that's why he made it. You gotta understand Mayweather. He is an extremely good boxer. But something about his mentality is flawed. It's like, ‘If I lose a fight, I become nothing.' It's like death. This is not to say he doesn't believe he can beat Pacquiao. But he's not sure. And he doesn't want to risk psychological death. Honestly, I feel sorry for the kid. Physically, he's not afraid. But psychologically, he's a coward."

Pacquiao actually is using steroids.
Remember when we knew Jose Canseco was full of shit when we found out that he was right about more than a few? Manny's suing the Mayweather camp for defamation, and lots of people believe him. Manny's never failed a drug test. But lots of people don't.

It's all just a charade to boost the purse of a future fight.
Imagine it: the rematch of the match that never was! The bad blood! The hype squared!

The $100 million purse?

Source: deadspin.com

Pacquiao – Mayweather Battle for Pound for Pound Supremacy

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Mark Le Roy: At the beginning of the year many of us believed Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather would square off putting to bed any arguments of who sat atop the pound for pound listings.

Floyd Mayweather was the king before announcing his temporary retirement. In his absence Filipino Manny Pacquiao reigned supreme, and justifiably. However upon Mayweather’s return many fans believed their man to be top of the pile.
The only way to clarify the coveted title was to have both fighters compete in the ring, as we are all too aware there was an attempt to put together such a fight before the negotiations where swallowed up by the drug testing vortex.
Both now have scheduled fights against true welterweight opponents. The general consensus is that Floyd Mayweather has the toughest test of the two, so is there anything the self-styled money man can do to win back his crown, will these bouts affect either pound for pound standings.


Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley
Mayweather is the most defensively gifted fighter of his generation and usually dominates his opposition. Would dominating such an opponent as Mosley be enough to place the name Mayweather atop the P4P summit? What if Mayweather knocked Mosley out, would that be enough?

Looking at both fighters styles I would suggest Mosley’s best chance is to throw the kitchen sink at Mayweather as if he were fighting an eight rounder. The danger here is the 38 year-old may gas out and be taken out late, but I feel it’s his best chance, I just can’t see him winning over 12 rounds against such a gifted fighter as Mayweather. I don’t envisage a scintillating war, more like a boxing clinic. The problem for Floyd is too few of us appreciate his mastery.

The truth is there is nothing Mayweather can do himself to be regarded as the pound for pound king, everything hinges on how Mr Pacquiao performs this Saturday against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey
The Pac-Man embodies the term pound for pound and introduced a new brand of hell fire to the ranks. As the Filipino moved up the divisions he not only defeated but stopped David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Not only did he stop them each man was sent to a place deep in the fighters psyche where they revise their future. Diaz took a fifteen month layoff following the beating he suffered, De La Hoya was sent into retirement, Hatton has not been in the ring since and Cotto had a long layoff.

Floyd Mayweather was the king before announcing his temporary retirement. In his absence Filipino Manny Pacquiao reigned supreme, and justifiably. However upon Mayweather’s return many fans believed their man to be top of the pile.
The only way to clarify the coveted title was to have both fighters compete in the ring, as we are all too aware there was an attempt to put together such a fight before the negotiations where swallowed up by the drug testing vortex.
Both now have scheduled fights against true welterweight opponents. The general consensus is that Floyd Mayweather has the toughest test of the two, so is there anything the self-styled money man can do to win back his crown, will these bouts affect either pound for pound standings.


Floyd Mayweather vs. Shane Mosley
Mayweather is the most defensively gifted fighter of his generation and usually dominates his opposition. Would dominating such an opponent as Mosley be enough to place the name Mayweather atop the P4P summit? What if Mayweather knocked Mosley out, would that be enough?

Looking at both fighters styles I would suggest Mosley’s best chance is to throw the kitchen sink at Mayweather as if he were fighting an eight rounder. The danger here is the 38 year-old may gas out and be taken out late, but I feel it’s his best chance, I just can’t see him winning over 12 rounds against such a gifted fighter as Mayweather. I don’t envisage a scintillating war, more like a boxing clinic. The problem for Floyd is too few of us appreciate his mastery.

The truth is there is nothing Mayweather can do himself to be regarded as the pound for pound king, everything hinges on how Mr Pacquiao performs this Saturday against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboy’s stadium, Arlington, Texas.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey
The Pac-Man embodies the term pound for pound and introduced a new brand of hell fire to the ranks. As the Filipino moved up the divisions he not only defeated but stopped David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. Not only did he stop them each man was sent to a place deep in the fighters psyche where they revise their future. Diaz took a fifteen month layoff following the beating he suffered, De La Hoya was sent into retirement, Hatton has not been in the ring since and Cotto had a long layoff.

Source: theboxinghistorian.com

Does Mayweather Jr have the mental edge over Shane Mosley?

Mayweather vs Mosley

Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell

When it comes to getting into an opponents head, I don’t think there’s a boxer out there who does it better than Floyd Mayweather Jr. For all the bad things that come out of his mouth, it’s clear that his “gum bumping” gets under the skin and in the head of his opponent. You can already see how it has affected Mosley. Let’s examine further.

There’s been so much animosity and finger pointing between these two over the last decade that it’s not hard for Mayweather to frustrate Mosley. I have to agree with some of Floyd’s recent comments that Mosley is out of his element when engaging in a war of words. Mosley’s not known for being a huge trash talker but he’s trying to go toe-to-toe with “Money May” in the war of “gum bumping”.

“Shane is out of character in this whole thing. He doesn't talk trash. That's not like him to call out somebody. I think Bernard Hopkins [Mosley's business partner] put a battery in his back and pumped him up to say those things." FMJ, ESPN

I don’t think it bodes well for Shane if he’s already getting out of his element. There’s really nobody that can keep up with Floyd in the mind games. I do give Freddie Roach a lot of props for his encounters with Floyd but that’s a different story because he doesn’t have to fight Floyd. Floyd is the “dirtiest player” in the mind game. In fact, I would even go as far to call Floyd the Ric Flair of Boxing’s mind games. Flair is often referred to as the “dirtiest player in the game”.

Just take a look at some of the things that Floyd has said about Shane ever since their announced fight back in early February.


* He’s questioned Shane’s skills at his age
* He’s said Shane is only in this fight for one last payday
* He’s said that Shane had been the one who ducked him
* He’s talked about Shane’s divorce.


Another great example of Shane being defeated in the area of mind games is the fact that he’s not even sure how he feels about “Pretty Boy”.

"We'll dislike each other before May 1 -- and actually, I'm not even sure I dislike him now. But after May 1, we won't dislike each other unless we have to fight again." Mosley, ESPN

Are you serious Shane? This guy has verbally smacked you in the “grill” and you think you guys are friends or could be friends. Clearly, Mayweather is already in Mosley’s head.

Jason Caffey Sacramento, CA “What do you think is Floyd Jr’s biggest strength?”

Without a doubt it’s Floyd’s ability to talk trash. He has become a Jedi Master at trash talking. It’s why he is so great at getting “under the skin” and into the minds of his opponents. Don’t underestimate the value of mind games and trash talking. In sports, if you get your opponent off their game plan before they even step foot into the competition arena, then you have already scored a victory. It’s clear to me that Mosley has already been taken off his game plan by Mayweather Jr.

Source: Examiner.com

Mosley's ticket to Pacquiao goes through Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley

Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney

Shane Mosley has been in the boxing game for quite awhile now. He made his pro debut back on February 11th, 1993. Seventeen years in the professional boxing ring is a long time, so Mosley needs to land that fat payday before father time grabs hold of him and forces him to hang em up. So what does he have to do in order to get that fat payday? He needs to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 1st.

Mosley has had a certain hall of fame career, he has defeated the likes of Oscar De La Hoya (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Margarito, Collazo, and Mayorga. With that said, he has proved that in the sport of boxing that styles can certainly trip you up. Mosley came up short against the late Vernon Forrest (twice) and he lost to Winky Wright (twice) as well. So the question is, will Floyd's style trip him up as well?

In order to land the money fight that he so desperately wants, he will have to get past Mayweather. A showdown against Manny Pacquiao is possible, but not until he gets past Floyd. The other issue, or question is, how long will Manny Pacquiao be in the game? His desire to be in politics concerns not only his fans, but it concerns his trainer Freddie Roach. Roach while talking to HBO said, "If Manny wins the election I could lose my best fighter."

Pacquiao's possible exit from the sport due to politics was the recent discussion at Fitzgerald's casino in Tunica, MS. Fans that were attending the last Prize Fight Promotions card before the fights started were talking Pacquiao. Many of them shared the same concern. Will Manny hang up the gloves if he wins the congressional seat in the Philippines? Shane Mosley certainly hopes that Manny sticks around. In fact, he's probably crossing his fingers that Manny loses this election.

Read up more on Mosley vs. Mayweather here - http://http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Filipino-Sports-Examiner~y2010m3d7-Tracing-the-roots-of-Pacquiaos-success-Intangibles--Pacs-uncanny-ability-to-focus-and-deliver

Even boxing fans in Mississippi that are not big Pacquiao fans respect what the man has done in the ring, and they would like to see a Pacquiao vs. Mosley fight. The fans that I have spoken to about this all would rather see Manny beat up Floyd Mayweather, but they are not opposed to Shane getting his shot against Manny.

Read up more on Manny Pacquiao here - http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Filipino-Sports-Examiner~y2010m3d7-Tracing-the-roots-of-Pacquiaos-success-Intangibles--Pacs-uncanny-ability-to-focus-and-deliver

The BIG money fight of course would be if Pacquiao and Mayweather were able to settle their differences and fight. Mosley doesn't even want to entertain that thought, he is focused and knows how to get his ticket to Pacquiao. He must defeat Mayweather, or he can kiss a Pacquiao fight goodbye.

Read up more on Pacquiao, Mosley, and Mayweather here http://www.8countnews.com

Source: Examiner.com

Pacquiao and Mayweather: One Bout Away from the Big One?

Mayweather vs Mosley

It is 7:13 a.m. in Los Angeles and Manny Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, is jogging on a public high school track. There are palm trees in the distance, and the low hum of traffic on I-10 is starting to turn into a low roar as the Filipino boxer, clad in a red tracksuit, dashes around the dirt oval despite a painful shin splint. A handful of early-arriving students hang on the chain-link fence surrounding the track and watch him do his work. The Pac-Man is preparing for his March 13 fight against Joshua Clottey, a dangerous but relatively unknown welterweight from Ghana. The $49.95 pay-per-view fight is billed as "The Event" but could easily be called "The Letdown."

Just three months ago, boxing was preparing for its version of the Super Bowl. Fresh from his mega-fight win over Miguel Cotto, Pacquiao had begun negotiations with Floyd Mayweather Jr., a brash welterweight whom non-sports fans know best from his appearance on Dancing with the Stars. The proposed battle was being compared to some of the greatest matchups in boxing history. Even people who had given up on boxing or hadn't really thought about it much were talking about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, which would probably earn each boxer $40 million, the most lucrative match ever. (See pictures of Manny Pacquiao's boxing career.)

But negotiations became so acrimonious that they descended to the level of bad soap opera. Mayweather insisted on Olympic-style random blood testing, which Pacquiao refused, saying that drug-testing rules should be decided by boxing commissions, not individual fighters. Though suspicions were raised that Pacquiao was on some sort of performance-enhancing drug, the Filipino boxer — who has won an unprecedented seven belts in seven weight classes, putting on 40 lb. throughout his career — has never tested positive for banned drugs. He says he is willing to submit to random urine testing. (See pictures of Olympic athletes' tattoos.)

Pacquiao's camp says the boxer refused the blood testing because he is superstitious and doesn't want to give blood so close to fight time. He was blood-tested a couple of days before his fight with Erik Morales, and lost. "It made me weak," says Pacquiao, who is suing Mayweather for sullying his reputation. There is speculation in some boxing gyms that Mayweather knew about Pacquiao's aversion to pre-fight blood testing and used it as a tactic to duck him. But Mayweather insists that he simply wants to reform the sport's drug policies. "I am taking a stand," he says, adding, "I should get to choose who I want to fight." But by allowing the negotiations to collapse, Pacquiao and Mayweather quickly became defined as the boxers who wouldn't fight each other. "I think Floyd is scared of Manny," says Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer. "I think the public is disgusted by the controversy, but they still want the fight to happen." (See "The Meaning and Mythos of Manny Pacquiao.")

To fill the vacuum and assuage dissatisfaction, each boxer decided to take on formidable interim opponents. Pacquiao will fight Clottey, and Mayweather will battle "Sugar" Shane Mosley on May 1. The hope is that if Pacquiao and Mayweather both win their respective fights, they will work out their differences and fight in the fall. "My nails are going to be bitten down to the bone waiting until May 2," says Ross Greenburg, president of HBO Sports, which is hoping to televise the Pacquiao-Mayweather spectacle.

Source: time.com

JEFF POWELL'S BOXING COLUMN: Manny Pacquiao is the only thing to leave Floyd Mayweather lost for words

Mayweather vs Mosley
By JEFF POWELL
Last updated at 12:29 AM on 09th March 2010

The fastest mouth in the West since the Louisville Lip - otherwise known as Cassius Clay and Muhammad Ali - was operating at full volume has fallen strangely silent on the subject closest to his ego.

Maybe it has something to do with the libel action brought by Manny Pacquiao, to which he must file a response by the end of this month, but Floyd Mayweather Jnr is refusing to talk about his arch-rival for boxing's mythical title of best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet.

Since it is not normally possible to keep this man quiet about any subject, this reticence has come as a shock, not to mention disappointment, to our American colleagues as they follow the coast-to-coast promotional tour for Mayweather's upcoming challenge to Sugar Shane Mosley for the WBA welterweight championship of the world.

Since that event does not take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas until May 1, Mayweather's refusal to answer questions about Pacquiao is allowing the media spotlight to focus on Dallas.

It is here this coming Saturday, in the first fight to be staged at the Cowboys Stadium, that Pacquiao takes on Ghana's New York based Joshua Clottey in defence of the WBO version of the world welterweight championship.

Both these fights have been arranged as alternatives to Pacquiao and Mayweather meeting each other to decide which of them really is the best boxer on earth.

Yet while we wait for them to get their act together - perhaps in the autumn - Pacquiao is outscoring Mayweather in the propaganda stakes.

Says the Philippines phenomenon known as the Pac-Man: 'This makes a change from the trash talking with which Mayweather sets such a poor example to kids everywhere.'

It was that tendency to rubbish every opponent which brought the libel action down on Mayweather's head in the first place. He, his father Floyd Snr and his Golden Boy promoters variously claimed or insinuated that Pacquiao had used proscribed substances while building himself up from flyweight to become the only boxer to win world titles in seven weight divisions.

Mayweather's refusal to fight unless Pacquiao was subjected to almost daily blood sampling caused the postponement, at least, of the richest fight in ring history.

Pacquiao offered to comply with any additional drugs testing ordered by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. When the Mayweather camp still bridled at that proposal Pacquiao turned his attention towards Dallas.

By way of compensation - not least financial - for the Mayweather cancellation, the Pac-Man will now fight Clottey in front of an expected crowd of almost 50,000, as well as on Pay-per-View television.

Mayweather, meanwhile, has asked for no extra testing of Mosley over the next six weeks, even though his opponent failed one such examination previously.

By the time that fight takes place, Pacquiao will be back home campaigning for election to the Filipino Congress.

As he concentrates on the plight of the poor in his homeland will he be thinking of the man who calls himself Money Mayweather?

The rhetorical reply: 'Who needs him?'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

David Diaz Talks Soto, Pacquiao-Clottey, Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley

By Ryan Burton

David Diaz (35-2) is looking to get his second win in a row since losing his WBC lightweight title to Manny Pacquiao in 2008. The lightweight contender talks to BoxingScene.com about his upcoming fight with Humberto Soto for the vacant title. Diaz talks about what winning back the same title he lost to Manny Pacquiao in 2008 would mean to him and he also gives his picks for Manny Pacquiao versus Joshua Clottey fight and the Floyd Mayweather versus Shane Mosley in this exclusive interview.

BoxingScene.com: First off how is training going for the Humberto Soto fight?

David Diaz: Training camp is going great. Thank goodness everything is going well and I have strong sparring. We feel pretty good.

BoxingScene.com: What does this opportunity mean to you? You have a chance to regain the title you lost to Pacquiao.

David Diaz: It is an awesome feeling man. We won the title before but to get a second chance at it is a blessing. We are planning on taking full advantage of this opportunity.

BoxingScene.com: What do you think the key to fight will be?

David Diaz: I think I need to make him do things he doesn't want to do and me just being consistent. The best conditioned fighter is going to win this fight. I am putting my money on me that I am the best conditioned.

BoxingScene.com: If you win this fight it will be two wins in a row since the Pacquiao loss. Give us your thoughts on the momentum you will be building?

David Diaz: It feels good. That is the plan to take this one fight at a time and hopefully it leads to bigger things down the road. First off hopefully everything goes as planned on March 13th.

BoxingScene.com: How does if it feel to be on the undercard of such a high profile fight?

David Diaz: It feels good really does. It is an opportunity we need to take advantage of. These types of opportunities don't always come your way and when they do you have to be ready for them. We have to work hard but the prize is well worth it.

BoxingScene.com: Have you seen the Cowboys stadium? If so what do you think of it?

David Diaz: I haven't been there yet. I have seen the pictures and it is beautiful but really we aren't going to pay attention to that stuff. We gotta bigger issue. We have Humberto Soto in front of us and we need to be ready for him. We can take pictures afterwards.

BoxingScene.com: What do you think of Soto as a fighter?

David Diaz: I think he is a great champion. He is a great fighter. He is a great boxer when he wants to box. He is a guy who knows how to mix it up so we are in for a tough fight.

BoxingScene.com: If you get the win where do you plan to go from there?

David Diaz: Oh man I can't worry about that now. We have to win and see what happens. We need to take care of Soto first and then I can elaborate more on that.

BoxingScene.com: Who do you like in the Pacquiao-Clottey fight?

David Diaz: I said it since the Hatton fight that I am not going against Pacquiao anymore (laughing). I got Pacquiao in this fight.

BoxingScene.com: Who do you like in the Mayweather versus Mosley fight?

David Diaz: That is going to be a good tough fight. I am going to go with Floyd in that fight. I think it will be a good close fight.

BoxingScene.com: Do you have a message for the fans?

David Diaz: Thank you for your support. God willing everything will turn out alright on March 13th and I will be champion again.

Source: boxingscene.com

Pacquiao-Clottey, Bradley, Mayweather and Pavlik highlight the April 2010 issue of Ring Magazine

Mayweather vs Mosley
Las Vegas Boxing Examiner | Chris Robinson

The April 2010 issue of The Ring magazine is in newsstands now with Palm Springs native and current WBO Jr. Welterweight king Timothy Bradley gracing the cover. The magazine also features an exclusive preview of this Saturday’s bout between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey and takes a different twist on Teddy Atlas’ email speculation regarding Team Pacquiao. The Ring also focuses on Kelly Pavlik and his chances against some of the fighters near his division.

Timothy Bradley: “Boxing Changed Everything”

It’s hard to think of a fighter who is as eager to prove himself to the world as Timothy Bradley. At 26 years of age and sporting a 25-0 record with 11 knockouts, Bradley has stepped up the competition in recent years by facing the likes of Junior Witter, Kendall Holt, and Nate Campbell. His December decision over Lamont Peterson was one of his most impressive performances to date and Bradley is looking to make the most of his opportunities.

Joseph Santoliquito did an in depth interview with the Palm Springs native and much was revealed. Some of the highlights are below…

An angry kid…
“I used to fight all the time, every single day. I was six years old and I got kicked out of three elementary schools. I was an angry kid. I was a bully basically. I think it was my personality. I was just angry. I didn’t know how to walk away. I grew up in a tough neighborhood, where you didn’t back down. We fought all the time. I got my butt whipped every day when I got home. I used to get beat so often with the belt, it didn’t faze me anymore.”

The hard way…
“I came up the hard way like Shane Mosley, through the back door. It took a lot of people a while to recognize Shane Mosley, fighting in ballrooms and things like that. Looking back, it means more to me now the way I came up in boxing. I wouldn’t change anything though. Fighting where I fought is what built me.”

Going through hard times early in his career…
“It got so bad that I wasn’t able to buy my wife a Valentine’s gift and Christmas presents for my kids. I was personally training people to get money. That’s how I had to survive, that and on my wife’s income. We had to take out two loans. I was living like a poor, poor man, and that can you hungry. Not too many people know that story. There were a lot of stressful nights and we lived paycheck to paycheck.”

Over in Mexico…
“I can go down the street here in Palm Springs, and someone might nod their head because I look familiar. But I go to Mexico, I’m huge over there. They were showing my fights early in my career in Mexico and other South American countries on Fox Sports. But here in the United States, other than a few appearances on ShoBox, my face wasn’t on TV a lot.”

Beating Junior Witter to become champion of the world…
“When I beat Witter I saw tears in my father’s eyes. We got emotional together. We came a long, long, long way. Even in my amateur days, we had nothing handed to us, but we worked through it. There was so much politics in the amateur game and we went through some hard times in the amateurs and early in my pro career. My mother kept telling me that I didn’t lose the battle and keep fighting. I get all of that from my parents. They’re a big part of my boxing career.”

Later in the interview Bradley would get speaks on this Saturday’s clash between Pacquiao and Clottey, calling the fight ‘a joke’ and later claiming he would be the first man to defeated Floyd Mayweather if ever given the opportunity. To hear more about those exact remarks click HERE or on the picture below…

Pacquiao-Clottey: Texas-Sized Consolation Prize

On pages 38 through 45 of the magazine, Don Stradley takes a look at this Saturday’s potentially great bout between hard charging challenger Joshua Clottey and dynamic champion Manny Pacquiao. Despite a bout with Mayweather never coming to fruition, as of yet, the Pacquiao-Clottey contest is a fine fight and Stradley took a look at some key storylines revolving around the contest…

Clottey’s chance is finally here

Stradley starts off the article but taking us back to the night of June 13th, 2009, just moments after Clottey had lost a spirited split decision to Miguel Cotto. Clottey and his team were in disbelief, fully believing they had won the fight, and felt as though no opportunities would be available in the future because the Ghanaian was considered a high risk/low reward type of fighter.

But with the Mayweather fallout taking place earlier this year, Clottey’s chance is just around the corner. For a fighter who has suffered his share of heartbreaking losses in recent years perhaps we can chalk this one up to simply being a case of good karma. Surely Clottey will be looking to make the most of his coveted opportunity this Saturday night.

The challenges that Clottey presents

Stradley also takes a look at Clottey’s style and assesses the danger that he presents to the Filipino fighter. Stradley believes that Clottey presents a number of challenges, such as being a full-sized, physically powerful Welterweight who has never been stopped in his career.

Stradley also points out that Clottey works behind a rock-solid defensive stance, sometimes standing perfectly still with his hands over his face. Clottey is also a very capable counterpuncher who can be effective to the body and he has a sneaky uppercut on the inside.

Distractions and a possible comedown for Pacquiao?

Stradley points out that a letdown from Pacquiao is possible simply because he has been through a lot lately in and outside of the ring and he could easily be distracted. From the war of words with Mayweather, the threats of legal action, the drug testing fiasco, and another upcoming political run in the Philippines, Pacquiao’s plate is full and who knows what exactly his mental state is heading into the fight.

It was also pointed out that when a big fight is taken away from a fighter that they have trouble getting up for the replacement opponent. While Clottey can hardly be looked at as a tune up this contest surely doesn’t have the appeal of a showdown with Mayweather Jr. and only Manny and those in his camp know how motivated he is for this one.

(Click for an inside look at Pacquiao, Clottey, Mayweather, Kessler, Atlas, and the other storylines in this month's ring Magazine)

Did Mayweather Duck Gender Test?

On page 20 of the magazine Ivan Goldman calls into question the validity of Teddy Atlas’ anonymous source who claimed he saw incriminating email messages from Manny Pacquiao’s camp practically confessing to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Goldman later went on to poke fun at the allegations, suggesting that he might have a source who told him that Floyd Mayweather’s people were worried their fighter might not make it past a gender test. The reference in regards to the Las Vegas fighter is an obvious joust at Atlas’ claims.

Goldman later stated that Atlas either believed in the existence of the phantom emails, accepted his source’s fabricated excuse for not producing them or he was too lame to ask to see them. Goldman later produced an answer for Atlas’ question as to why Pacquiao, if he had nothing to hide, wouldn’t just give in to Mayweather’s demands. Speaking boldly, Goldman summed it up best by stating ‘Pacquiao’s nobody’s bitch’.

Also in the magazine

- Middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik was featured as The Ring took a look at Pavlik’s top 10 contenders, their chances at a title shot, how the fight would do at the box office, and what would happen in the ring if they were to fight Pavlik. Names such as Felix Sturm, Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, and Anthony Mundine were all thrown into the mix, with drastically different results.

- Promoter Frank Maloney’s career is highlighted in the magazine as he spoke from his headquarters in Chisleworth, London about his success and misfortunes in the sport of boxing. Maloney goes on to discuss his recent years, his stable of fighters, and his still present passion for the sport.

- The ‘Super Six’ Stage 2 matchup between champion Carl Froch and challenger Mikkel Kessler is also broken down. In their Stage 1 matchups Froch escaped with a split decision over Andre Dirrell while Kessler was outclassed by Andre Ward. Most telling is the reality that Kessler now finds himself in a must win situation following his last fight and that his image may have been damaged by Ward as much as his record.

For a closer look inside the April 2010 issue of The Ring please click on the Collage below to see the fighters, fights, and storylines that graced the pages…

Source: Examiner.com

Mayweather and The American & Filipino Media

Mayweather vs Mosley
New England Boxing Examiner | Peter Czymbor

Floyd Mayweather has created headlines throughout the Filipino boxing media the past week for ignoring them. Reportedly, Mayweather refused to speak with the Filipino media last week while on a press tour promoting his fight with Shane Mosley.

Why? Because he doesn't want to talk about Manny Pacquiao.

While Mayweather did take the time to chat with several American media outlets one on one last week, he didn't seem to care to talk about Pacquiao too much.

On ESPN's Sportcenter he was asked if he'd be watching Pacquiao vs. Clottey? To which Mayweather responded by saying he would be in the ring watching himself fight Mosley.

Realizing Mayweather was avoiding the question, the interviewed asked him to, "just say Pacquiao".

"Mosley", Mayweather replied.

He's ducking and dodging the question the same way he ducks and dodges punches in the ring. And he sure doesn't want to be bombarded by the Filipino media with Pacquiao questions.

Remember, Floyd didn't do prefight sit down interviews with the HBO commentating team prior to his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez and then beefed with Max Kellerman during the postfight interview. He doesn't mind having an adversarial relationship with the press.

The only real way these questions will end is if Pacquiao loses to Clottey this Saturday. While that's not likely, it's not impossible as some in the mainstream media have led people to believe. Clottey is a very capable fighter.

Otherwise, the Pacquiao questions will only get louder next week and Mayweather will be forced to speak the name of the man everyone wants to see him fight.

Source: Examiner.com

Mayweather spits in journalists' faces, tell them it's raining

Mayweather vs Mosley
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

"I don't really have time to read the secondary sites. I know that Floyd Mayweather gave interviews. And I don't want to get involved in a back and forth with Bob Arum," said Schaefer. "I have nothing else to say about it."

Everytime I try to stand tall, to defend the Forces Of Evil when I think they might not be wrong, they kick me in the teeth.

That's Golden Boy's Richie Rich Schaefer, on the defensive about L'il Floyd completely dissing some Filipino journalists and refusing to even speak to them at the Thursday Mayweather-Mosley press tour shindig in Los Angeles.

Schaefer, in speaking to Lem Satterfield at AOL Fanhouse, is basically spitting in all our faces and then telling us it is raining.

Let's parse this brusque and supremely arrogant response from Oscar de la Hoya henchman:

1. Schaefer has no time for “secondary sites,” does that mean Examiner.com and does that mean all the Pinoy sites including that of huge TV network GMA (whose Chino Trinidad was among those brushed off by the petulant Mayweather? Pray tell what Schaefer has to do that is more important than taking the pulse of the boxing public as reflected on any and all sites? In other words, Richie Rich is too busy to survey what his paying customers are reading and thinking about? Bottom line, he could care less.

2. .Imagine if Mayweather and his minions had rejected ALL Mexican journalists, the shock, the horror, the weeping and gnashing of the Goldens. All RRS cares about is his solid information that the mercurial Mayweather granted SOME interviews. Ignoring journalists from the Philippines...well, who cares? RRS is a busy, busy executive who doesn't want to dirty his hands to probe this disturbing incident.

(See Paula Duffy's column in which Mayweather flack Kelly Swanson, respected boxing veteran who got her start working with Riddick Bowe and his mercurial promoter Rock Newman, contends that Mayweather refused to discuss Pacquiao or drug testing with ANYBODY Thursday in Los Angeles.)

3 RRS doesn't want to play verbal volleyball with Arum on this isssue because he knows Arum is in the right, not always, but is in the right but this time. On this issue, he is absolutely correct. Having just spent five successive days at Manny Pacquiao's Wild Card workouts, I did not see a journalist of any nationality, race, creed or religion (“No Buddhists or Mormons Allowed”), even those miserable wretches from the “secondary sites” were freely admitted and even on days besides the Media/Open Workout designated day. Basically, what I saw at Pacquiao Central was free, untramelled access for ALL boxing journalists. No questions, no subject was deemed taboo.

4. Schaefer dismisses the whole topic as in it's worthy of my important time and energy, he is such a puffed up important guy, you see. So what if a few guys from a Third World nation got no time from Mayweather, who really cares?

Schaefer is right about one thing, now it's time to let this issue go. Someone said the Pinoy journalists were late for the presser and that's why they were brushed pff by Mayweather. He couldn't spare a few minutes for guys who flew all the way from Manila to get to LA?

5 .But you Filipinos, whether you are journalists or just their readers or viewers, are on notice.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn't think you matter. He doesn't think refusing to speak to a respected, fair and balanced guy like Trinidad, someone who has millions upon millions of viewers, is any major deal.

Maybe you should not forget this public slight.

Maybe you can return the favor to him and to Golden Boy.

It might be impertinent of me to ask but when will Oscar The Grouch speak out, give his take on the situation?

My guess would be May, June or July...when Oscar hears about it!

By then, Oscar may have perused even the secondary sites, lol.

For Mayweather, for his hired, Golden hands, this is strictly a secondary issue.

It's not an issue of racism, or of discrimination, it's just thoughtless conduct borne of arrogance.

Second class treatment for second class journalists.

I mean, they're Filipinos, not Americans, right?

How important could they possibly be?

Source: Examiner.com

Mayweather legacy on life support

Mayweather vs Mosley
Mississippi Fight Sports Examiner | Brad Cooney

Floyd Mayweather Jr even with his undefeated record and his titles has all but killed his legacy. It's been a self inflicted death blow. Many of his detractors do not like his swagger. Many do not like his cocky ways and his eagerness to flash his money around. This behavior has not won Floyd many fans. Has Floyd done some good things for his community? Perhaps, but if so not many people have heard about it.

Floyd's detractors will quickly dismiss his accomplishments in the ring accusing him of cherry picking smaller opponents. For those who dislike Floyd, his undefeated record does not hold water. Is Floyd Mayweather a talented prize fighter? Yes, one would have to say that he is. Even for those who dislike him, they would be foolish to dismiss Floyd's talent inside of the boxing ring. Of course most do not like Floyd's style. Floyd is a defensive fighter with the ability to counter and time his opponents.

Read more about Mayweather Jr and his antics here - http://www.examiner.com/x-10947-Filipino-Sports-Examiner~y2010m3d4-The-Lord-of-the-Ring-Pacquiao-brings-out-the-worst-in-Mayweather

When you compare Floyd's resume with Manny Pacquiao's resume, you will quickly see which man has fought the more dangerous of opponents. Clearly Manny Pacquiao has stepped up and has taken on all comers. This same thing cannot be said for Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao has cleaned house in seven different divisions. In doing so, he's wiped out legends.

With the recent steroid allegations launched by team Mayweather at Manny Pacquiao, a firestorm ensued and a PR nightmare followed. Mayweather's already damaged reputation took a much worse hit. A lawsuit filed by Manny Pacquiao for being slandered by the Mayweather's was the final nail in the coffin. Previous to all of this, Mayweather created his own rules and demanded that Manny be subjected to random blood testing. Not one commission in the country demands such testing. This created even more anger and further damage to Floyd's legacy as a result.

Mississippians that I have spoken to at the local sports bars in Jackson all have concerns with Floyd's behaviors. I found a few of Floyd's fans at the "Time Out Lounge" in Jackson, MS and got their thoughts. Kevin Spivey, a Floyd fan respects Floyd's inside the ring work, but not his outside of the ring work, " Floyd has mad talent inside of the ring. I just wish that he would be as good outside of the ring as he is inside of it. He doesn't need to be throwing his money around like he does. People know that he has money, we don't need it thrown in our faces."

Jason Fowler of Ridgeland, MS also is a Mayweather fan, and he too dislikes Floyd's arrogance. Fowler also wishes that Floyd would be as good outside of the ring as he is inside of it, "I love to watch Floyd fight. He is a defensive minded master, and he can counter punch with the best of them. I just wish that he would close his mouth more. Nobody likes a trash talker, and nobody likes arrogance."

So with the Mayweather/Pacquiao fight being scratched, both men moved forward. Pacquiao will take on Joshua Clottey on March 13th. Mayweather takes on a dangerous Shane Mosley. If Floyd loses to Shane Mosley, stand by for a new wave of hate. This is a must win for Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather's reputation has taken a real beating over the past few years. His legacy will pay a price, but the question is....Does Floyd even care about his legacy? Some say that he does not. Some say that Floyd is all about the money, and none about the legacy.

The history books will record accordingly.

Read up more on Mayweather and Pacquiao here - http://www.8countnews.com

Source: Examiner.com