Freddie Roach talks Mayweather-Mosley, drug testing, and more with Jim Rome

Mayweather vs Mosley
Las Vegas Boxing Examiner | Chris Robinson

In a recent edition of Jim Rome is Burning, world renown trainer Freddie Roach dropped by to discuss a myriad of topics ranging from his own career as a fighter, his fighter Manny Pacquiao’s bout with Joshua Clottey, the upcoming Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley bout and more.

Roach also went in depth about the recent Olympic style drug testing fiasco that prevented a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout from ever becoming a reality. Mayweather insisted that both fighters should have put themselves through a strenuous testing process which including blood testing but the two men were unable to come to terms. During the interview Roach went in depth about Pacquiao’s mental state following giving blood and how it affects him.

Roach is going to be in Las Vegas the weekend of April 10th to oversee the 4th professional fight of his latest prospect, Lightweight Jose Benavidez and the following month he has a huge assignment as his charge Amir Khan will be defending his WBA belt against Paulie Malignaggi in New York. As far as Roach’s future with Pacquiao it is still uncertain as to what will happen as the WBO Welterweight champion has been talking retirement amidst an upcoming political push.

In his own words this is what Roach had to say about everything, from his relationship with Pacquiao, thoughts on Mayweather and Mosley, and more…


Reflecting on his time in Dallas during Pacquiao’s victory over Joshua Clottey…
“Great audience, great venue. Cowboys Stadium was the part of the trip probably. The thing was that I told Jerry Jones he had a lot of guts for building that place. I asked him ‘how are you going to pay for it?’. Pacquiao fought a good fight and he did what he was supposed to do. He won every round. I like Joshua Clottey, he’s a real nice guy and a real gentleman, but you have the world title in front of you maybe once in a lifetime and you have to die trying to win that. He was just content with going to distance. I think once he realized how fast Pacquiao was in the first round he just didn’t want to get knocked out and just wanted to go the distance.”

Pacquiao playing around with the two-handed punch…
“I did have a concern because he does like to play a little bit and he did play when he did the double punch. He’s always told me that he wanted to do that at least once in the fight and I told him ‘Don’t do it!’. He laughed and he had a big smile on his face and I said ‘The sonofagum did it’. He wanted to get that out of his system I hope.”

His relationship with Manny Pacquiao…
“The thing is that I don’t hang out with him and don’t go out to socialize with him too much. I want to keep that separation between trainer and fighter. I learned once in my life when I got to close to my fighter and we became friends and I told him to do something and he laughed and not take me seriously. [That was] my first champion Virgil Hill. I told him ‘I mean it, get to work’. But we became too close and it affected our working relationship.”

Putting his foot down…
“The thing is that I do have to put my foot down sometimes. In the last camp he came to the gym and everyone was tired and sleep and I asked them what was wrong. He said that they were singing karaoke until 2 AM. I got the bunch together and I told them all off and I told them we were here for a fight and we were here for training camp. I said curfew is at 9 o’clock and I said to head security ‘What were you doing?’ and he said ‘I was signing’. I just said ‘Oh my god’. [Pacquiao] was very quiet for two days. He iced me for two days. It worked itself out. I heard that he was more interested in finding who ratted him out.”

Does Roach believe Mayweather vs. Pacquiao will ever happen?
“I believe so. The thing is, Mayweather is a good fighter and I just believe he came up with these excuses because he wasn’t ready for Pacquiao yet. He only had one fight in two years and I think he needed more time. He’s got another fight coming up of course and after that all of the rust will be gone if he beats Mosley. He’s in a tough fight though. The thing is Shane has a little bit of trouble for boxers and I think it’s a good fight for Mayweather. I think he will win on points. Then he will be sharp and ready for a guy like Pacquiao.”

His thoughts on drug testing…
“The thing is that we have never flunked a test before. We have tested before and after every fight. If we were on steroids we wouldn’t pass. It’s not like there isn’t testing and it’s not like they just test you some times. If you are in a title fight they test you every time and the commission has been doing that for a long time. The Olympic style drug testing they couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t do it the day before the fight. That’s an issue because Manny Pacquiao doesn’t like giving blood. I told him that that they can do urine, saliva, hair test, and any test in the world that would show exactly the same thing as blood. You see when he gets cut he doesn’t handle it well. He doesn’t like blood. I would but the thing is that everyone knows that he blames when he lost to Morales the first time because he had to give blood the day before the fight. I lose him for about three days. He’s not as strong. I’m not sure about that. He just feels that it’s in his head that it affects him for like three days and then he starts feeling better after that.”

His thoughts on Mayweather’s mission to clean up the sport…
“I think that Mayweather is going to let the commission do their job just as they always do. He said that he wants to clean the sport up but I don’t think steroids are that used in boxing to be honest. It’s part of our life and the society that we live in today. Again, let the commission do their job and we aren’t going to let Mayweather run the show, that’s for sure. That’s giving the first two rounds away. Why would I do that? The next thing you know he’ll be saying we are fighting with 16 ounce gloves or in two minute rounds. We’re going to go with what the commission says and I’m sure there is going to be a tradeoff between Manny dropping the lawsuit and him dropping the drug test.”


His own career and knowing when to call it a day…
“Eddie Futch, my coach, told me to retire five fights before I did. I fought five more times and I lost four of the five so he’s probably right. I might not have Parkinson’s disease if I did. I was just really frustrated. I put my whole life into it and I wanted to be a world champion. I cried that day when he told me it was over and it was just hard to realize that. It’s hard to swallow. It’s something I chose and something I did but I am happy.”

To check out Freddie Roach working with the likes of Pacquiao, Khan, James Toney, Bernard Hopkins, Oscar De La Hoya and more please click on the collage below…

Source: Examiner.com

Coach Roach calls ultimate Mayweather bluff on Pacquiao bout

Mayweather vs Mosley
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

PARIS—Coach Freddie Roach's bits of brilliance are not limited to the square ring.

His intelligence goes beyond the funky four corners of the Wild Card Gym.

I've long thought, and told Roach so, that I think he could run a great boxing promotional company. Maybe we call it No Joke Coach Roach Promotions or Winter Hill Gang Boxing (sorry, that is a Boston in joke at least in gangland).

But credit Roach for thinking outside the box and outside the ring with his verbal pearl just dropped on the nationally televised Jim Rome Show.

Romey The Homie was grilling Manny Pacquiao's mentor about why Pacman would spun a random blood test at any time when he could garner $40 million to fight the boted drug crusader, Floyd Kill Joy Mayweather Jr.

Fair question, and Topic A in boxing for too long. Rome wanted to get past the stock answer about Manny's aversion to needle pricks, as opposed to regular pricks, so close to a bout.

And Roach, who went to jab and duck school but not law school, came up with a Solomonic solution to the dispute between the respective camps, a way to make the fight the worldwide public demands a reality.

Let Mayweather drop his random blood tests at all times demands and, on his side, Pacquiao will drop his pending litigation against L'il Floyd and his mudslinging acolytes.

Here's what Roach told Rome:

His thoughts on drug testing…

“The thing is that we have never flunked a test before. We have tested before and after every fight. If we were on steroids we wouldn’t pass. It’s not like there isn’t testing and it’s not like they just test you some times. If you are in a title fight they test you every time and the commission has been doing that for a long time. The Olympic style drug testing they couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t do it the day before the fight. That’s an issue because Manny Pacquiao doesn’t like giving blood. I told him that that they can do urine, saliva, hair test, and any test in the world that would show exactly the same thing as blood. You see when he gets cut he doesn’t handle it well. He doesn’t like blood. I would but the thing is that everyone knows that he blames when he lost to Morales the first time because he had to give blood the day before the fight. I lose him for about three days. He’s not as strong. I’m not sure about that. He just feels that it’s in his head that it affects him for like three days and then he starts feeling better after that.”

His thoughts on Mayweather’s mission to clean up the sport…


“I think that Mayweather is going to let the commission do their job just as they always do. He said that he wants to clean the sport up but I don’t think steroids are that used in boxing to be honest. It’s part of our life and the society that we live in today. Again, let the commission do their job and we aren’t going to let Mayweather run the show, that’s for sure. That’s giving the first two rounds away. Why would I do that? The next thing you know he’ll be saying we are fighting with 16 ounce gloves or in two minute rounds. We’re going to go with what the commission says and I’m sure there is going to be a tradeoff between Manny dropping the lawsuit and him dropping the drug test.”



That's a beautiful concept, I say, a fair way to move on and make the Big Fight, the welterweight answer to Ali-Frazier.

I think the immediate silence from the Mayweather/Golden Boy camp will be deafening at least until May 2, a day after Mayweather beats Sugar Shane Mosley like a recalcitrant mule.

Of course, please note I have picked a few (million) bouts incorrectly before. In that case, making Mosley agasinst Pacquiao will be a piece of cake.

Finally, while saluting Roach for this settlement solution, let me ask this pertinent question: if totally random blood testing is so great, so comprehensive and so effective at catching the filthy scofflaws, then pray tell how many have been nabbed in the past eight years of so called Olmypic style testing?

Roach's equitable solution is simple, Mayweather makes blood test concession, Manny drops pending litgation

One is the loneliest number, just a single scofflaw, some British rugby player caught juicing it up with HGH I read.

Big bleeping deal, I say. Is this that more effective than totally random, whenever you want urine tests which Pacman agreed to right off the bat?

Roach has thrown down the gauntlet and done it cleverly.

What say you, Merry Mayweathers?

I can't hear you.

Source: Examiner.com

Drug Testing For HGH: Scientifically Valid or Just Politically Correct?

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Patrick C. English, Esq.

The Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr debacle has led to an incredible amount of posturing and, as a result, misinformation and incomplete information. This posturing has been under the guise of a campaign for a drug-free sport, something we all favor. But the posturing obscures the scientific truth.

First, the best experts in the field report there is no good test for HGH. At present, there is no urine test that works. And Dr. Don H. Caitlin, head of the UCLA Olympic Analytical Lab and for many years one of the most knowledgeable experts in the area - possibly the most knowledgeable – has stated that he believes blood testing is impractical. He points out that, out of 1,500 blood tests, only one came back positive for HGH despite a well-founded suspicion that HGH use is far more prevalent. In part, this is because the detection limit is short, about 24 hours. In other words, the athlete would have had to use HGH within approximately 24 hours of the test to actually be caught.

Further, the one athlete who was “busted” for HGH after testing admitted to use. Many scientists do not believe that, if it came to proving the scientific validity of the WADA drug testing protocols for HGH in Court or before an arbitrator, the results would survive legal challenge based upon scientific validity. Dr. Peter Sonksen, a pioneer in the field of HGH testing, says “There’s very little new [data verifying the WADA test], and I think it would be quite easy for a lawyer to draw “cart and horses through it in Court.” This charge is echoed by epidemiologist Dr. Charles E. Yesalis of Penn State, who contends that the scientific data to back the testing protocols is insufficient to the point of being “almost criminal.”

Dr. Caitlin has said flatly that the method of testing used by WADA “alone doesn’t work. It’s political. The whole thing is political.”

Further, anyone who has ever been involved in Olympic style testing knows its flaws and limitations. Blood tests, if done randomly, are exceedingly infrequent. Athletes who are subject to in-and-out-of-competition testing go years with no blood tests (though urine testing is another matter).

Further, unannounced Olympic-style testing involves a level of intrusion that few professional athletes can or would countenance. As an example, spur of the moment activities must be reported to WADA, according to the rules, 24 hours in advance. If an athlete decides to go to the shore on a sunny day, to go to assist a friend, or any of the plethora of activities of which we all partake every week, it must be reported to WADA in advance. This is tough enough to do with college athletes, more or less captive on campuses and virtually impossible with professionals with normal lives. In recognition of its difficulty, athletes are permitted to miss three tests due to unavailability before action is taken. That brings us right back to the testing protocols. If HGH is detectable for only 24 hours, all an athlete needs to do is to arrange to be unavailable for testing the following day. Chances are overwhelmingly small that any test will be taken the following day. But if one is to be taken, the athlete can simply make himself unavailable that day without penalty.

Further, the Olympic process is slow. The example of one Olympic level athlete is illustrative. Jessica Hardy, a swimmer, gave a urine sample on July 4, 2008. It was not until July 23 that she was notified of the failed drug test. She initially challenged the result and thus had the right to a hearing. That hearing began on August 1, 2008, when she withdrew her challenge. Thus it took approximately three weeks before she was even notified (resulting from the need to test the “B” sample) and four weeks before the matter was resolved. The Hardy matter involved a steroid with established scientific validity and an admission. If, as claimed by Dr. Sonksen there are flaws in the methodology for HGH testing, a legal challenge will take very considerably longer.

Whether Jessica Hardy was allowed to compete or not, the Olympics were going to proceed and her situation had no impact on its promotion. However, the same is not true of a boxing promotion. We have seen far too many situations when results from an “A” sample and from a “B” sample do not correspond (thus both need to be tested) and even situations from reputable labs where contamination, later discovered, made results unreliable. This is why the due process of a hearing is necessary. By the time this is completed, a boxing event will have either already taken place or been irretrievably destroyed.

Drs. Caitlin, Sonksen and Yesalis are not advocates for abuse of drugs in sport. To the contrary, they are respected researchers who have done much to attempt to eliminate performance enhancing drugs in sport. Dr. Caitlin heads the most respected drug testing laboratory in the United States and developed the test which broke the Balco scandal. Dr. Sonksen is a fellow of the Royal Society of Physicians with some 315 scientific publications, many on this very topic. Dr. Yesalis co-authored the first comprehensive surveys of teen steroid use.

Caitlin, Sonksen, and others are working on legitimate, more reliable tests for HGH. While it may appear politically correct and provide a good “sound bite” to jump on the bandwagon for drug-free sports, the truth is that the blood testing suggested for HGH is, at best, limited and impractical and at worst scientifically suspect. Efforts should be toward developing tests that work and then implementing them; not in pretending that there are good and generally accepted scientifically valid testing techniques when there are not.


Patrick C. English, Esq. is an attorney with the firm of Dines and English, L.L.C. He has handled numerous matters involving drug testing and drug testing protocols, both on behalf of athletes as well as defending testing protocols.

Source: secondsout.com

Pacquiao's retirement decision inextricably linked to Mayweather vs. Mosley

Mayweather vs Mosley
Pittsburgh Fight Sports Examiner | Scott Heritage

Manny Pacquiao's latest statements about whether or not he will be retiring soon seem to indicate several things.

Despite Bob Arum's best efforts to find viable alternatives, the only fight Pacquiao seems to be interested in now is the winner of the Mayweather vs. Mosley fight in May.

He has said several times recently that he wants to retire with his faculties in tact, which in other words means before he has many more fights.

Some are suggesting that Pacquiao is getting swept up in the idea of retirement merely as a side effect of his upcoming electoral campaign, and there might be some truth to the idea. Starting a new life as a politician would be easier without the constant media circus and time commitments that come along with being the worlds best boxer.

In this case though Pacquiao seems to be getting a little ahead of himself, given that most are fairly sure he will lose the upcoming election to the superior political pedigree of Roy Chiongbian. It might be that if he wins he will think retirement is a necessity in order to concentrate fully on his political ideals. It might also be the case that should he lose this election he will be more likely to have a few more fights rather then just possibly one more.

Manny hasn't needed the money from his fights for quite a few years, but has been boxing since childhood and doesn't really know any other lifestyle. If the canceled concert in Hawaii is anything to go by his singing isn't a viable career in the long term. Politics might be, but at the moment seem to depend on his winning the upcoming elections.

If Pacquiao were going to retire, he would surely have done it already, which would have given him a much better chance of winning the election. As it stands, many of his fight fans might assume he will quit if he does win and so vote against him. So if continuing to fight or at the very least being ambiguous about retirement hurts his political cause, he surely must want to keep fighting.

The feeling of unfinished business is surely none other than Floyd Mayweather, a man who he feels has set out to ruin his reputation and undermine his achievements in the ring. Of course if Mosley wins their showdown, then he becomes the next best thing.

Floyd's trash talking and constant insults leveled at Pacquiao have been seen as a bad thing by many fans, but in actual fact they might be the very thing keeping Pacquiao fighting right now. Beating Mayweather would be the crown jewel in Pacquiao's achievements and the welterweight division would be completely scoured of all credible challengers.

Al Jones, Pittsburgh PA: "Without the two fighting, people will always ask which was better, Pacquiao or Mayweather. I don't think Manny is willing to leave that up to chance"

Ryan Burford, Pittsburgh PA: "Bob Arum is building up Margarito as the next challenger for Pacquiao, and I'm sure he wouldn't be if he didn't know soemthing we all don't"

Colin Taggart, Greensburg PA: "If the rematch clause comes into play with the Mayweather and Mosley match, then Pacquiao will probably take another fight in between now and then anyway. All this talk of retirement is just for publicity anyway"

Source: Examiner.com

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao...The real blood test!!

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Johnny Barreto the real blood tests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In life, like in boxing you need to be humble, tough and smart in order to survive. Most true boxing fans will tell you that Floyd Mayweather has ducked most of the best fighters in his division in this era. Fighters such, as Cotto, Margarito, Mosley, Williams,Clottey, Cintron, Collazo, Berto, Wright and now Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, who is consider P4P the best fighter in boxing by many it’s now being questioned by Floyd….

Why?.... Well, Floyd questions the legitimacy of Pacquiao’s recent victories by demanding further blood testing, implying that Pacquiao most have use some form PED in order to achieve his recent success. Floyd insisted on random blood testing, even though, foul play as yet to be proven against Pacquiao.

I really thought that money is what drives Floyd to fight not pride and honour, but I was wrong. To pass up 30 million dollars plus these new demands on blood testing, just leads me to believe that Floyd most have jealousy, fear or disbelief in what Pacquiao has been able to achieve lately as boxer. Otherwise, why demand further blood testing? Yes Floyd, the most gifted boxers of this generation, the one who poses excellent boxing skills offensively and defensively, and in my opinion is the P4P most skilful boxer in the sport. But because of this blood issue in addition to his grandiose and arrogant personality, Floyd has brought himself many critics, including myself for not stepping in the ring to face Pacquiao or any of the best fighters in his division.

Boxing writer William Dettloff writes, “If you‘re going to talk as much as Mayweather does, you simply have to fight the best guys available or you’re a fraud.”… On the other hand, Pacquiao, a very humble yet a ferocious warrior in the ring is in my opinion the P4P greatest boxing warrior of this era and one of the greatest of all time. To watch him fight is one of the most exhilarating and intoxicating events you will ever witness. His speed, his offbeat movement, his power and heart is beyond belief. To be able to win championships in 7 weight classes is an unbelievable and rare achievement in boxing. Unlike Floyd whose boxing matches tend to be boring because of his defensive style.

But now Floyd is finally stepping up to the plate and will face a real warrior call Shane Mosley. Yes, Mosley who is 1 of the best boxers of this era and of all time and who at the age of 38 still poses great skill. Mosley will most likely take Floyd to deep waters and really test Floyd. Yes, Finally a real test...In boxing “there is nothing more courage’s than to watch a warrior struggle against adversity”….”When you are a real warrior, the only blood test you need is the one you spill in the ring”….. “Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning”…………..Let the blood test begin….

Source: theboxinghistorian.com

Floyd Mayweather Vs Manny Pacquiao: Cutting Through the Hype

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Geno McGahee

Manny Pacquiao has a record of 51-3-2, 38 KO’s, and owns the WBO Welterweight Title. In his last defense at “The Event,” the Pacman easily outworked the challenger, Joshua Clottey, winning every single round en route to a decision. It’s difficult being Pacquiao because the easiest thing to do is to tear down the opposition. Oscar De La Hoya was spent, Miguel Cotto was mentally shot, Ricky Hatton was never that good, and Joshua Clottey showed up for a payday. All that aside, Manny still won and forced some good fighters to quit.

There are two fighters currently battling in the public for the right to be called “Pound for Pound Best in the Game.” The more popular at this point is Manny Pacquiao and he makes a good case. He has beaten some of the best fighters in the game, sending most of them into retirement. He has beaten Erik Morales (2 out of 3 times), Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Juan Manual Marquez, De La Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, and Clottey. He has done what a fighter in his position should be doing and that is to fight the best available opponent.

The other pugilist with a case is Floyd Mayweather, JR., 40-0, 25 KO’s, currently gearing up for his May 1st meeting with Sugar Shane Mosley, the only other big name in the division outside of Pacquiao. Floyd will win this fight. Shane had his back and forth with Cotto in 2007 and scored the knockout over “Hands of Plaster” Antonio Margarito in early 2009, but other than those two outings, he has looked less than spectacular.

In 2008, he stopped Ricardo Mayorga in the final round in what was an even fight at that point. This is the same Mayorga that Oscar De La Hoya easily destroyed and the same one that Felix Trinidad battered. Mosley should have dominated the fight, but he had trouble and Floyd is going to present a whole lot more of it come May 1st.

As popular as Manny is, Floyd is still the man to beat. He’s never lost, dominates his opposition with ease, and has beaten his fair share of great fighters including Jose Luis Castillo, Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Genaro Hernandez, and Zab Judah. Some question the record of Floyd, but when you examine it, you have to be impressed. He is the modern day Pernell Whitaker…a genius in the boxing ring.

Pacquiao stated that he wanted the winner of Floyd/Mosley next, which means he wants Floyd, but the fight fell apart on one occasion…it’s possible that it might fall through again considering the demands of both sides.

The big steroid scandal destroyed the chances of the two meeting on March 13th, giving Clottey the chance to step in…a chance that he elected to throw away by not fighting. Now we move on and the public demand is higher and will skyrocket when Floyd is victorious. There is a great deal of money to be made with these two colliding and style-wise, it’s a great fight.

The relentless aggressor versus the smart boxer.

The majority of the public will be picking with their hearts rather than their minds if the two great fighters can iron out the details and sign to officially fight. You will see most picking Manny to win, most Pacquiao die hard fans will pick him to win in the first or second round, and then some groupies posing as writers will pick him to win just to get the approval of the masses of Pacfans out there. Manny has a very good chance to win, more so than any other fighter that has ever faced Floyd, but realistically, he is still an underdog going in.

HBO has found a cash cow in Manny and they are going to do whatever they can to keep this money express on the tracks, including Jim Lampley screaming “Bang,” every forty seconds during the Clottey fight. What was that about?

Because of this incentive, there is a great deal of overplay. Manny is a great fighter without question, but much of his great wins were over guys on the way out. He is a knockout threat at nearly any weight, has the will to win, and will be a hard man to beat, but all of this talk of Floyd Mayweather, JR., being beaten down and stopped by Pacquiao is hard to imagine.

Floyd is painted as the villain. He is a thug, Manny is humble…well, that’s the sale. Floyd sells tickets as the bad guy that you want to see lose. He talks big, flashes money, and even refers to himself as “Money Mayweather.” People want to see him lose, so it translates into Manny winning. This sort of thinking is rampant with boxing fans, especially those that are considered “die hard” or live vicariously through the athlete.

Pacquiao has a chance to win when he eventually clashes with Floyd. He’s quick and hits hard, but getting through the defense of Floyd and overcoming the precision and timing is going to be a hard thing to do for the “Pacman.” Most will want to see Floyd lose and some will even pick Shane to beat him, but he has been flawless in the ring thus far and will not panic like Clottey did and will not come in terrified.

With Pacquiao getting by Clottey, that leaves Floyd to beat Mosley and when he does, the two will negotiate again and hopefully sign to fight in the biggest fight in the past 10 years, but Floyd remains the man to beat. What is so exciting about it is that Manny will have the best chance thus far throughout the career of Mayweather, and if anyone can do it, he can, but the odds are still against him. At least both parties seem eager to settle the score and the public demand is so high that it will most likely happen.

Although there will be many Pacquiao fans upset the day after, more than likely, the fact that he has become this force in boxing is impressive, winning fights that not many would have predicted. Perhaps Floyd will prove to be another example of that.

Source: ringsidereport.com

MAYWEATHER RIGHT AT HOME PLAYING BOXING’S FAVORITE VILLAIN

Mayweather vs Mosley
March 24th, 2010 | by Sabrina Montez

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has an allegiance of fans, but his persona strikes a negative cord within the boxing community. Why is a fighter with a 40-0 record continuously criticized? Perhaps it’s jealousy, his lack of humility, or his selection of opponents. Whatever it may be, Mayweather has become accustomed to playing the boxing villain. His Uncle, Jeff Mayweather, recently shed some light on Floyd’s bad guy image.

“He has picked the role of being the bad guy because he’s flashy, flamboyant and in your face with it, and speaks his mind, whether you like it or not. A lot of people don’t like that and want to see him fall, but its no different than Ali; many people hated him too. The same type of people that liked Ali back then are the same people that like Floyd now. It is just generations later repeating itself ,” stated Jeff.

He continues, “My opinion of it is this is a business and at the end of the day, you do what you do to generate capital and only two types of fighters make money, the extremely good guy that can fight or the bad guy that seems to get under everyone’s skin, but has the talent to back it up. At the end of the day, you may not like it, but when it comes to their craft, you have to respect it. It is what it is. At least when your the bad guy, you can be yourself when the cameras come on.”

Floyd is certainly no stranger to being in the spotlight, whether it is in the field of entertainment or sports. Whether people love him or hate him, Floyd wants to be recognized for who he is, one of the best fighters in the world. Ever since Floyd and Manny Pacquiao butted heads and couldn’t come to an agreement on a possible dream bout, Mayweather has received a barrage of criticism, even more than usual. His desires for Pacquiao to subject himself to strict Olympic-style drug testing, which Pacquiao declined, has sent many blasting Floyd’s motives, feeling as if he shouldn’t be allowed to make up his own rules. Also add in the fact that he is naturally vocal, and flamboyant, and it makes people really want to see the guy fail.

One thing I noticed about Floyd over the years is that he knows how to play the villain role when the time is right. Mayweather is living in his world and whether you are for him or against him, he wants to be noticed…one way or another.

Source: vegas.fighthype.com

Pacquiao proves he is the greatest plus Mosley – Mayweather fever

Mayweather vs Mosley
By: Albert Alvarez

Pacquiao/Clottey 700,000 PPV Buys!- In case you haven’t already heard, Manny Pacquiao is a SuperStar. Not only does Pacquiao pack 51,000 in Cowboys Stadium, but Pacquiao also does 700,000 PPV Buys against an unknown. I mean Clottey is known, but Clottey is really only known to the die hard boxing fans that really follow the sport. I got to be honest here when I say that I am very surprised to hear that high figure. I was expecting for Pacquiao/Clottey to do somewhere between 400,000-550,000 PPV Buys.

Money Mayweather can say that he is the bigger draw since Mayweather/De La Hoya, Mayweather/Hatton, and Mayweather/Marquez did larger numbers than when Pacquiao faced Oscar, Ricky, and Juan Manuel. What can I say, the Gift of Gab is a great thing to have, but excitement these days, packs a harder punch. What I mean by that is that I feel that the word of the excitement that Pac-Man brings has now traveled around the world twice thus now making Pacquiao reach Icon status. MannyMania has landed and has now made Manny the biggest star and draw in the sport, how do I know this? Because no way in hell would Mayweather/Clottey ever pack 51,000 in any stadium, and it also wouldn’t do 700,000 PPV Buys or more.

Mosley/Mayweather Fever- A month and a week away from Mosley/Mayweather and I can not wait to see this bout. I am a fan of both fighters, ok ok I admit that I respect and admire Mosley more than I do Mayweather, but feelings aside Floyd is one of the best pure boxers ever. Shane on the other hand can not be ignored however, Shane to me is a combination of Timothy Bradley and Andre Berto rolled into one fighter. Which is why it kills me to hear most of the masses already talking Pacquiao/Mayweather.

I get it, money rules the world. Thing is that more money doesn’t always equal better fight. The more action packed fight would be the Clash Of The Titans match between Pacquiao and Mosley. Does that mean that I don’t want to see Mayweather/Pacquiao? Of course not, I would love to see #1 and #2 going at it to see who really reighns supreme. Curiosity is the driving force that drives me into the direction of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, but the fan in me brings forth the adrenaline and would rather see Mosley/Pacquiao.

Truth be told, I really don’t see Pacquiao/Mayweather happening. I just do not see Mayweather backing away from his stance and I don’t see Pacquiao backing away from his stance. Why throw everything away over ego? So is ego and ego alone to blame for this position? That all depends on who you ask. What I do know is that all this future big fight talk is making Mosley a very dangerous man. The forgotten always seems to reappear and remind us all of who or what it really is.

So Pacquiao has now done his part and punched the snot out of Clottey, now Mayweather must do his part. Is Pacquiao/Mayweather really that close? I feel that it may be farther apart than it’s ever been. Something tells me that Mosley would love to close the book shut on all the Pacquiao/Mayweather dream match talk. I’m done talking Pacquiao/Mayweather or Pacquiao/Mosley for that matter, the talk now is Mosley/Mayweather. Mosley The man with the heart of a lion against Mayweather the Master Boxer.

Source: diamondboxing.com

Pacquiao Predicts Win by Mosley Over Mayweather Jr

Mayweather vs Mosley
Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao thinks Shane Mosley will prevail over the undefeated Floyd Mayweather in their May 1 encounter in Las Vegas. He said Mosley's speed will be a big factor in winning over the highly defensive Mayweather.

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao says Shane Mosley will win over the undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr in their May 1 encounter at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“I pick Mosley to win that fight because he can throw a lot of punches compared to Mayweather who’s a very defensive boxer. Defense can’t win fights, especially against a fighter like Mosley who relies on speed,” said Pacquiao.

The popular Filipino boxer has returned to the Philippines Monday after beating Joshua Clottey of Ghana in their fight last March 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas.
Upon arrival, Pacquiao hinted at an early retirement after his mother renewed her call for him to quit boxing now and not months or years later. The WBO welterweight champion is struggling with her mother's call for his early retirement from boxing as he made a promise to her that he will quit after one more fight.

Pacquiao is set to start his campaign sorties in his electoral district in southern Philippines where he is seeking a congressional seat in the coming may 10 elections.
A win by Shane Mosley over Mayweather will pave the way for a Pacquiao-Mosley fight. Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach said he would like to see Mosley fight Pacquiao, saying it is good for boxing. But he added Mosley will have a tough fight with Mayweather.
“I like Shane because he’s a real fighter. It will be an exciting fight than the one involving Mayweather,” said Roach.

Source: digitaljournal.com

Camacho wants Pacquiao or Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley
Lorne Scoggins

8CN talked to future hall of famer, Hector “Macho” Camacho. Camacho said he wants to make boxing history by fighting Pacquiao or Mayweather. At 47 years of age, Camacho still holds an impressive record of 79-5-3 with 38 KOs. None of his losses came by way of KO. Camacho is planning his next fight against Saul Duran at the Indian Culture Center in Tampa on May 14.


8CN: Hi Hector. I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. How's it going?

HC: Ah, doing alright, training every day, you know, feeling good, staying sharp. I've been training for 7 months. I was going to fight Allan Vester in Denmark on March 26, but he got hurt training. Now I'm going to fight on May 14 here in Tampa against this guy by the name of Saul Duran.

8CN: You're still doing good at 47 years of age. What's your secret?

HC: I'm blessed. I been doing this all my life, you know?

8CN: Tell me about your upcoming fight with Saul Duran.

HC: Well, you know, after the (Luis Ramon) Compas fight...before that I used to train about 1 month or 2 months for a fight but I noticed that I just can't come out from not fighting and train for 1 or 2 months. It's just not enough for my body to get sharp. I'm not as young as I used to be anymore, you know? I don't recuperate quickly anymore. So what I did for this one was, after the Compas fight, I stayed in the gym and trained every day, ran everyday. So I'm back to being sharp. I can stick, I can move...I'm back to being myself. After my opponent got hurt I took my own money and I got a team together and promoted this fight with Duran. He's about right, you know? He's somebody that's going to come to fight me, or try at least, to do what he wants to do, but he's gonna notice that I'm just full of youth, I'm quick, I'm smart, and I'm seasoned. I've given myself enough time to really get sharp so I'll have a lot of fun.

8CN: Alright man. Your record is amazing. 79 wins, only 5 losses and 3 draws. That's outstanding.

HC: Well, thanks a lot, but you know, maybe if I would have been more dedicated like I am now, maybe I wouldn't have suffered 5 losses. But, you know, it happens. I lost to the best. I lost to De La Hoya. I lost to Trinidad. I lost to Chavez. The other 2 were just (BS) decisions. But I feel great.

8CN: I'm 42 and I wish I was in the kind of shape you're in.

HC: You are, you just don't show it.

8CN: (Laughing)

HC: You know me, I'm doing very well. I'm living good, I'm training every day. That's all I'm doing is just training because I know I'm 47 years old, and I know I'm just taking it to the extreme of what a fighter normally does. So, you know, I'm going for what you call real greatness at the age of 47 years old, and I'm still able to compete at a professional level.

8CN: What fighters inspired you?

HC: Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali is one of my great idols. George Foreman is one of my great idols. I used to admire Sugar Ray (Leonard) a lot before he started talking nonsense and I got brave and I knocked him out. But other than that, do I admire other fighters out there? Yes I do. I like Oscar De La Hoya. I admire Felix Trinidad. I admire Floyd Mayweather. I like people who are different and look at difference as a commodity. I watch other guys coming up, and I watch them and I pick up different things, but I don't really look up to anybody to be like anybody else. I'm just myself, one of a kind.

8CN: Well you've always been one of a kind and always exciting to watch.

HC: Thank you, brother.

8CN: What do you think of the Mayweather-Mosely fight?

HC: I think it's a great match-up. I think you have one who's a fabulous counter puncher, which is Mayweather, and then you have one who really comes to fight, which is Mosley. Mosley fights more than Mayweather. Mayweather likes to paw and lay on the ropes and act cute, you know? Mosley, on the other hand; he throws a lot of punches. He comes to fight. He's not afraid of getting hit. He ain't going to just stay there and allow Mayweather to do whatever he wants. He's going to be first. And you know, Mosley's fought better fighters. Mayweather's fought some good, decent fighters, but not as consistently as Mosley. He can box, he can move. I'm going to give Mosley the edge, but I won't count out Floyd Mayweather. He's young, he's cocky, he's got the speed, he's got the smarts. That's a great match-up.

8CN: You have some sons that fight now. Tell us about them.

HC: Yeah, I got Hector Jr. that fights. Then I got Christian M C. He's 17 years old. He's competing for the US Olympics. He's a very cute, lovely boy. So I got two that are fighting. They want to be just like their father. I got a smaller son who's 13 years old. He's into drumming and skating and stuff, but he does a variety. He isn't boxing. Then I got another one that's 20. He's into music. He's a DJ. He likes to mix music, you know? But I got four lovely boys. They all love and admire me.

8CN: That's great. Will you still be fighting Vester in Denmark at some later date?

HC: Yeah, I promoted this fight with Duran to make some action. So after there's action, I can go on to Denmark and get that title, kick his butt, and come back and do some kind of miracle. But I'd take on any of these guys like Pacquiao, or Mayweather, you know? I don't care. I've fought the best. I've fought everybody. I ain't going to be ducking. Especially at this stage. I'm looking to make boxing history. That's why I am what you call a living legend in the making, and I'm going to do anything it takes to leave a great mark like George Foreman did.

8CN: You've already made history brother.

HC: Yeah, I know, but at this age and stage, they're always trying to knock you down, you know? They knocked me down when I first was coming up and they're all trying to do it now. I'm able to give myself, and I want to see myself really make a difference out there. I just want to do the impossible, and I am.

8CN: Alright Hector. Do you want to say anything to your fans?

HC: It's Macho time. Yes indeed.

8CN: Thank you so much for your time. It's a pleasure to talk to you, Hector.

HC: Thank you brother.

Source: 8countnews.com

Pacquiao: Mom says retire, mind says retire Mayweather

Mayweather vs Mosley
Only weeks after his victory over Ghana native Joshua Clottey, talks about the future of Pacquiao have taken a turn in many different directions.

First their was talks of Margarito visiting the his homeland of the Philippines to put on what would have been a massive event. From there, talks went to a possible showdown in Texas stadium with Venezuelan power puncher Edwin Valero.

Seems the new angles come from two sources a little closer to home, as Pac-Mom Dionesia and advisor Wakee Salud recently decided to shoot a few thoughts into the ear of Pacquiao.

Pac-Mom Dionesia has expressed deep fear and worry relative to the future of Pacquiao, urging her son to leave the sport before the unprecedented streak of success falls short at the hands of time. Advisor Wakee Salud seems to support Pacquiao's quest to walk away from the game, but only after he tries to send his P4P contemporary into retirement as well.

It's difficult to truly gauge what exactly Pacquiao wants, as normally we hear the thoughts from everyone around him instead.

Let those sources around him tell it, Pacquiao wants nothing more than a shot at Mayweather, but the recent words of Pacquiao to the press was that he "doesn't need Mayweather, Mayweather needs him".

This back and forth dialogue between Team Pacquiao camp members and the media has become somewhat confusing, as there's no true indication as to what reality holds.

With a ton of money on the table and perhaps a larger pot of pride, the reality here is that some way, some how, these two men are gonna have to meet; particularly if Mayweather is successful against Shane Mosley on May 1st in Las Vegas.

There have been many things said, but a greater intelligence tells us that the true decision of Pacquiao will come somewhere after the summer. By that time, several things will be decided. Mayweather will have faced Mosley, Cotto will have faced Foreman, and Margarito's license scenario will have played itself out.

If Mayweather is successful, the obvious destination is a night with him. If Mayweather is unsuccessful, the possible destination could be the talented but light-hitting Foreman, who if victorious over Cotto would still be holding what would be an unprecedented 8th title in an 8th division; a fight that would put a lot of seats in Yankee Stadium.

If Mosley is victorious, despite the fact that his style would be the best matchup for Pacquiao, it's hard to say whether he would chance ending a dynamic streak at the hands of a man who is more than capable.

When it all boils down, none of us know which direction Pacquiao will go, but before he decides to ultimately walk down the 'Hall' (of fame), a Mayweather victory over Mosley will only mean one thing.....and it doesn't take a genius to connect those dots!

Retirement may be in the back of Pacquiao's head, but taking a shot at retiring Mayweather will remain at the front of ours.

Stay tuned.

Source: Examiner.com

Will it be either Mayweather/Mosley or retirement for Pacquiao?

Mayweather vs Mosley
The recent comments made by Manny Pacquiao hinting about his retirement are said by some to merely be a strategy to help his fledgling political career.

How exactly that is supposed to gain him votes rather than lose then I'm not sure exactly, but I'm sure Pacquiao and his advisors have some reasoning behind it.

It might even be the case that Pacquiao has told his mother, who has been asking him to retire for several years now, that he will leave boxing if his political career takes off.

Losing this election by saying he will retire if he wins then gets him off the hook with his mother for the time being and allows him to fight on if he chooses.

The other possibility is that he just isn't that interested in many of the options that Bob Arum is putting on the table for his next fight. Antonio Margarito, Edwin Valero and Juan Manuel Marquez are all big names, but hold little interest for most fans.

Marquez he has beaten before, Margarito he might feel doesn't deserve the pay day after his previous behavior, and Valero needs time to both build up his name and climb the weight divisions.

The only opponent who makes much sense for Pacquiao assuming he isn't interested in any of Top Rank's offerings would be the winner of Shane Mosley vs. Floyd Mayweather.

Mosley, in beating Mayweather would instantly make himself the number one contender for Pacquiao's pound for pound throne, and has already said he would take the fight if offered.

Mayweather and Pacquiao clearly dislike each other, and have had an ongoing war of words for several months now. At first largely fueled by Mayweather and his family's comments to the media, but now seemingly having developed into a fierce rivalry between the two.

Supposing Mayweatehr beats Mosley as most are predicting, and the fight against Pacquiao then doesn't come off, it still isn't that likely Pacquiao will retire for good. He knows when he has had enough and with the current crop of fighters in his weight class he might be uninspired. There are always options of moving up, moving back down or sitting out for a while though.

Even as little as a few months down the line there might be a couple of new faces on the scene who Pacquiao and the fans can get excited about. But until that happens, Pacquiao's immediate future might be a case of Mayweather/Mosley or retirement.

Retirement in today's sport though isn't the same as it was years ago when a fighter only retired if he could barely tie his own shoelaces anymore. Fighters with huge bank balances but little else to fill their time tend to come back to the ring sooner or later, and Pacquiao would probably be no different.

Enjoying singing, acting and playing basketball are all well and good, but some of the fun derives form the fact that getting to do those things is a reward for his hard work in training. Having all day every day to pursue his hobbies will probably not sit well with Pacquiao sooner or later, a man who seems to like to have a very busy schedule all of the time.

That isn't to mention that as a philanthropist who likes to help out his friends and countrymen, the money he earns from boxing, easy fights or otherwise, goes a long way to helping a lot of people in the Philippines. With his coffers under the constant strain of his own generosity, as well as some rather unscrupulous associates who try to take what they can get, he may need the money he makes from boxing to keep up all the projects he does and causes he takes up.

Jared Thomas, Pittsburgh PA: "You can't be surprised Pacquiao isn't interested in fighting Top Rank stooges for the rest of his career. Arum needs to think about the fans not his own wallet for once and put together some real fights"

Jacob Luciano, Pittsburgh PA: "Pacquiao should keep fighting as long as he is still at his best. If he retires now and Mayweather goes on for another ten fights or so, people will remember Mayweather as the better of the two"

Source: Examiner.com

The End Is Near For Floyd’s Reign

Mayweather vs Mosley
Published by Scoop Malinowski on March 23rd, 2010

There were some very surprising happenings at the Mosley vs. Mayweather Los Angeles press conference earlier this month which seem to have been overlooked by the media. I just saw the video this week and let me tell you this, Floyd is showing signs of falling apart mentally.

Unlike in New York and Washington DC, Mayweather was heavily booed repeatedly on this sunny afternoon in Los Angeles. And this harsh reaction at the introduction of his presence seemed to have an effect on the sensitive 33-year-old who tried his best to ignore it and cover up the hurt.

Remember, Sonny Liston could not overcome the negativity his reputation and behavior inspired and surrendered to Clay in Miami. George Foreman also was deeply affected by playing the role of the villain and those “Ali Bomaye!” chants in Zaire and was destroyed by Ali.,

“The humble shall be exalted and the exalted shall be humbled.”

Shane Mosley is highly respected by just about everyone in boxing because he’s always been a gentleman, always carried himself with class and humility, always taken on the best of the best. He is the symbol of a true champion, a positive inspiration of the people.

Sugar Shane stated at the podium simply that “May 1st is gonna be May’s first (loss). I’ll make sure of that. Thank you.”

The key phrase was spoken softly but with a severe certainty. “I’LL MAKE SURE OF THAT.”

Floyd was booed again as he rose to speak. He seemed flustered and frustrated about it, and that Mosley was exuding a supreme confidence. Floyd is not used to dealing with that intangible. Floyd also seemed hurt by the fact that after all he’s worked for and all he’s been through, the fans greeted him with a shower of insulting and disrespectful boos as he walked meekly to the podium. It was as if Floyd felt shame and just did not have the strength to combat them. Maybe he understands they’re right to disrespect him for all his wicked conduct.

I’ll never forget the time in Miami when Floyd lifted his head up to acknowledge the huge roar of love from boxing fans to Oscar De La Hoya at the Oscar-Floyd Miami press conference in January 2007. Floyd was in awe and proud to even hear something like that, surely craving that kind of positive adoration for himself someday. All the money in the world can’t buy that type of respect.

Three years later, Floyd’s behavior has made him arguably, as evidenced by the booing, one of the most loathed characters in all of sports. He has no love except from a small band of fans and his team of sychophants.

Floyd composed himself to speak a fair bit but none of it was convincing in the least, “I want Shane to believe in himself. I believe in my skills…”

It was eery to see such a self-proclaimed great champion look and sound so weak and command such little respect. And appear so vulnerable. “I have a great trainer, he has a great trainer, we must understand – our trainers can’t fight for us…”

“That’s what I want to do, I want to test my skills against the best guys out there…”

About the new drug testing protocol he demanded for this fight…”I just want to change the way the sport of boxing is. I want to say, My sport is clean.”

The truth is he never cared about any of this until it was time to be sacrificed to Manny Pacquiao on March 13.

In the middle of this soliloquy, a red glove was brought over to Shane to sign from Floyd’s side of the stage. Floyd kept on babbling this bulljive to himself, which only an ignorant few really believe. “That’s why me and Shane are taking random…”

But suddenly Floyd began to stutter badly. The pressure to conceal the truth suddenly broke out. It was as if the hidden truth was leaking out of himself. He was losing his mind. He really didn’t know what he was talking about, it wasn’t coming straight from his heart, it was all really a horrible scheme concocted to defame and discredit Pacquiao, to avoid getting brutalized by Pacquiao on March 13.

The stuttering continued, astonishingly. “…random urine and random blood, random blood…” Floyd began to wave his hands helplessly, stuck for words, he really didn’t even know what he was talking about, even Richard Schaefer and Mosley looked up at him, like, wow, partly embarrassed for him.

He finally figured out what to say: “..random blood test.”

Floyd could not have sounded more unconvincing and fake. The whole random blood testing is obviously a lie, a scam, a fraud to prevent the bigger fraud from being revealed.

I believe the massive booing hurt Floyd and weakened him to expose his true self in Los Angeles. If Mosley has enough left in his tank, the now clearly fragile and flustered Floyd will be destroyed once and for all in Las Vegas on May 1.

But it could actually be a blessing in disguise for Floyd. If he can take the loss with class, he will gain more respect by far in defeat than all his wins combined.

“The humble shall be exalted. The exalted shall be humbled.”

“The man enslaved to wealth can never be honest.” — Democritus

“The truth annihilates falsehood.” –Qoran

Source: boxinginsider.com

Mayweather-Mosley: Face Off

Mayweather vs Mosley
Posted By Avi "Shoefly" Korine 4:30 PM

HBO released the latest of their new "Face Off" promotional fight hyping pieces, and if it's any indication of what's going to come we can expect Mayweather-Mosley to have perhaps the best 24-7 yet. We all know that these two guys have contrasting personalities and it is immediately clear in the video above.

Some notes from the video:

* I've always wondered what Shane Mosley's career would have been like if he had fought with a different manager and trainer. A lot of guys say they want to fight the best, but Shane is one of the few who actually means it. He never had to fight Vernon Forrest or Winky Wright, and he certainly never had to rematch them. Sure, he skipped a fight here and there, but Shane walked the walk. He deserves respect.

* Mayweather is truly obsessed with that zero on his record. We know this, but it's still always remarkable to hear him return to the subject over and over again. I've said this before, but I honestly believe a loss would be incredibly liberating for Floyd and allow him to truly show his greatness. Mosley might be the one to give him that bitter gift.

* I thought it was clever of Kellerman to bring out the old Ring Magazine featuring both fighters, Not only does it show the depth and meaning of their rivalry, but it points to the excellence of these two fighters. These two are still considered in the top handful of participants in this, most cruel of all sports, after a decade of battles. It shows the quality of the match up and the men.

* You could tell Floyd got a little uncomfortable when Mosley referenced his former appreciation of the older champion. Floyd has undergone a dramatic transformation over recent years, going so far as to laughably deny even watching Shane's fight with Margarito or Manny's recent bout with Clottey. One can't argue with his methods, his bad guy persona has certainly been more lucrative than Shane's humble demeanor, but sometimes you sense even Floyd isn't entirely convinced in his own act.

* That internal conflict was clear when Floyd discussed the distinction between money and legacy. I find Floyd's argument convincing, I would never have the audacity to tell a man to risk his health for simple glory. But still, we crave those types of people, we remember them. Shane has the desire, if not the quality to be amongst the very greatest. Floyd might get there despite himself, simply because his talent is so profound.

Source: sportingnews.com

Even in United Kingdom, Mayweather can only run, not hide, from Pacquiao

Mayweather vs Mosley
Boxing Examiner | Michael Marley

LONDON—Try it, see if you can do it now that everyone is wondering if Floyd Mayweather Jr. can accomplish it.

Do what?

I'm talking about escaping the global brand, the worldwide reach and superstatus that Manny Pacquaio currently enjoys.

You can run but you can't hide from Pacquiao, something that Mayweather seems to already know and understand.

I've got more evidence of same, having landed at Heath. row on Monday to begin a brief Euro jaunt that began Monday night t the tony Royal Automobile Club over at 89 Paul Mall in the Piccadilly Circus area of this awesome city.

Upon landing, I saw a sad and costly sight, row upon row of parked British Airways jets, the BA system beset by labor strike. As if traveling these days wasn't traumatic and stress-filled enough...

Settling in at my hotel in chic Knightbridge, I dove into the various tabloid newspapers. It seemed they all carried news of the day from the Philippines about Megamanny.

(The hotel is the Rembrandt, named after some Dutch guy whp painted houses.)

''I MAY RETIRE FOR WORRIED MUM, REVEALS PACQUIAO'' was the troubling banner in the free to all commuter newspaper City A.M.

Wait a second, I thought, isn't this the United Kingdom where we're continually told how important American Mayweather is, how British boxing fans take to him like bangers and mash?

There was one other big boxing related story in this country on the day and that was the passing, at the ripe, old age of 84, of the nation's greatest boxing broadcaster, Harry Carpenter.

If Britain ever had a sportscaster with the national stature and profile of America's Howard Cosell, I dare say it might have been Carrpenter although he was a beloved, not a controversial figure like my former boss Howard was.

Carpenter teamed over the fight microphone many times with former world heavyweight champion, the immensely popular Frank Bruno. Bruno's Cockney accented throwback line to Carpenter was “know wot I mean 'Arry?'

I think there's only two ways the Pacman retirement scenario plays out.

One, he is just paying lip service, as a dutiful son, to his Aling Dionesia's oft expressed maternal wishes.

Two, maybe he lays out of boxing, regardless of whether he wins or loses the Sarangai electoral fight against Roy Chiongbian, well connected scion of a business and political dynasty.

Maybe, as I have stated previously, Manny opts not to take a November bout, eschewing whatever easy opponent Bob Arum serves up out of his well stocked but hardly enthralling bullpen of B Listers.

Among those honoring Pundit Powell, who think he knows more about how to win football games than any coach, was legendary figure as a player then as a manager, Terry "El Tel" Venables. Count the raconteur-entrreprenur Venables, a sort of Red Auerbach in soccer, as a Manny Pacquiao fight. "El Tel" likes the excitement the Pinoy Idol brings to boxing (Daily Mail Photo)

It could be next March, a full year, before Pacman, his mental and physical batteries fully recharged from this sabbatical, climbs into another ring for a fight

And maybe, just maybe, we will all be shocked to see Floyd Mayweather nee Sinclair in the opposite corner.

I don't have any problem with that, do you?

At that point, Kill Joy will still be a bit older than Pacquiao.

Time out might be Manny's friend and not Mayweather's.

I'll continue my travelogue in future dispatches but let me get back to the Royal Automobile Club and the stag only social soiree I was lucky to be invited to.

I even had to suit up, to run over to Moss Bros on Regent Suit to get myself what Cockney slang refers to as “a whistle and flute.”

For you uneducated folks, that means a tuxedo, an outfit your White Gorilla is rarely found in.

Pal Jeff Powell, who I jocularly refer to as Lord Powell, was honored by his powerhouse newspaper Daily Mail for who he has cut his veins on a daily basis for a term of 45 years.

One of the gentle giants of UK journalism in person, Powell's print personality runs to the biting, caustic and acerbic side laced with doses of well place humor.

Among the prominent boxing figures came out to honor the Jim Murray (he really is that gifted) of England were the promoters Fearless Frank Warren and equally Fearless Frank Maloney (he of the famous Union Jack flag suit he wore in support of his man, Lennox Lewis), undefeated and aspiring WBO lighweight champion (he fights Michael Katsidis) Kevin Mitchell and former Mickey Duff financial supporter and promotional partner, Jarvis Astaire.

Oh, and fellow boxing writer and former world champion, the Clones Cyclone and pride of Ireland Wee Barry McGuigan was also on hand with one of his sons.

The insider newspaper tales, the facts and fiction of historic Fleet Street, were bandied back and forth as football luminaries also including the legendary coach and Powell pal Terry Venables also chimed in.

Being a football ignorarus and UK sports ignoramus, I had to be told who so many other luminescent luminares at the tribute were, including none other than:

--Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of dreadnaught Manchester United for lo those 24 years and winner of 32 major trophies including two, count 'em, two European titles. Those who know deem Sir Alex as the greatest all time soccer head coach.

--Sir Bobby Charlton, iconic Man U footballer now on the Board of Directors and likely the most well known British player around the world.

--Sir Clive Howard, head coach of Englsh rugby when the won their only world diadem.

--George Graham, famous player, then manager of Arsenal FC.

Ossie Ardiles--Don't cry for him, Argentina, as this native son won fame and acclaim for that football mad nation.

Lord Colin Moynihan--Bossman of the British Olympic Association, key figure in bringing 201 Games here.

Lord Rothemere--Esteemed publisher of the Daily Mail.

Nasser Hussain--First and only Muslim to gloriously captain England in cricket.

Danny Jordaan--CEO of the South Africa 2010 World Cup.

Like I say, if had been thrown out and claimed I've been 69'd from better places and sent away from better people, that would have been a big lie.

Naturally, the late playboy and football legend George Best was talked about in reverential and humorous tones.

Huge cardboard photographs of the intrepid Powell posing with a young Mike Tyson and the 7-foot, 5-inch Nikolai Valuev adorned the private room at the RAC.

But, on this grey, drizzling but not foggy night in London Town, only two boxing names were really on everyone's lips.

Toasts were made to Carpenter for his awesome career.

Toasts were made to Pacquiao for restoring the electricity to boxing which certainly seemed to unainmously be the second favorite sport of all the football lads.

If he based his career decision on this festive group, out for a night to honor one of boxing's real wordsmiths, Pacman would have to disappoint the hand that rocked his cradle in General Santos City.

“Do you think that Pacquiao can beat Mayweather?” more than one ink-stained wretch or former Premier League football superstar asked me.

As the 2008 Pouilly Fuisse and the 2007 Chateau Haut-Pezat coursed through my veins, I was still sober enough to correct all those who inquired.

“You've got it backwards, chap,” I said. “What we're asking in America now is whether Mayweather can beat Pacquiao.”

Here we are, only five weeks before Mosley-Mayweather which is an all American bout but no big deal anywhere outside the USA, and the names boxing guys and boxing fans were discussing in the heat of London were neither Floyd Jr. or Sugar Shane.

Carpenter and Pacquiao, Pacquiao and Carpenter.

One now gone but the other with miles to go before he sleeps.

Maybe Manny can find some new hobby for Mumsie to distract her because I would bet an entire stories of whistles and flutes (at 300 British Pound Sterling per) that Manny fights on.

I sure hope as the Marley Social Security fund is not too big to fail.

Stick to your knitting, Aling.

A Pacquiao rest I understand. A retirement for the man at the top of his game, that I don't.

I suppose I can always go back and renew my hackney license in Cambridge.

I refer to the one on the other of the muddy water of the River Charles in Boston and nowhere near the River Thames.

The boxing world needs more Pacquiao just as the British literary scene needs more epic columns and dispatches from ringside and from the pitch by Powell.

Source: Examiner.com

'Fight Mayweather, then retire'

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star) Updated March 24, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Now is not the right time for Manny Pacquiao to retire.

“He must fight Mayweather first,” said the boxer’s adviser Wakee Salud yesterday after Pacquiao, at 31 still at his prime, announced the other day that he’s seriously thinking of retirement.

Pacquiao, who has won his last 12 fights, including big ones against Oscar dela Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, said he would consult with his family and see if they’re all in the same page.

But Salud said as long as Floyd Mayweather Jr. is around, trash-talking his way into the elite boxing circle, it would be very difficult or impossible for Pacquiao to just turn his back on the sport.

“I don’t believe that he’s going to retire soon,” said Salud from Cebu.

“It’s a tough call. He can announce today that he’s retiring but after four or five months he will surely look for a fight,” said Salud, and that’s regardless of what happens to Pacquiao’s bid in the May elections.

The matchmaker from the south said it would be much easier for Pacquiao to hang up his gloves if Mayweather did not come out of his own retirement last year, in pursuit of the super-fight with the Filipino boxer.

“As long as Mayweather is there, and they haven’t fought, it will be very tough for Manny to retire,” he said.

Salud explained that there’s just too much money to be made in a fight against Mayweather, and with so much hype and attention the projected bout has generated, it just makes it more attractive.

Pacquiao, who has earned $53 million for his last four fights, including the $12 million he got for beating Joshua Clottey last March 13 in Dallas, stands to earn as much as $50 million if he takes on Mayweather.

“The purse will be huge. How can he retire? And aside from the money, the Mayweather fight is the fight that the people will ask for. Manny is a boxer, he’s a fighter. If he is called to a fight, he will fight Mayweather,” said Salud.

“I don’t think he would simply retire.”

What Pacquiao should do, his adviser said, is face Mayweather in November, beat him, and if he wins, then he can retire.

“Because once he beats Mayweather, only then can he say that he has accomplished everything in boxing. And once he beats Mayweather, everybody can say that there’s no one else out there for Manny to fight,” said Salud.

“That’s the best time for Manny to retire – once he beats Mayweather. That will be the perfect ending to his career,” he added.

Source: PhilStar.com

Mayweather vs. Someone Bigger Than Him

Mayweather vs Mosley
New England Boxing Examiner | Peter Czymbor

Remember the last time Floyd Mayweather fought someone bigger than him? It was March 30, 2008.

His opponent? Not junior middleweight Oscar De La Hoya. Not junior welterweight Ricky Hatton. Not lightweight Juan Manuel Marquez. But The Big Show, a super heavyweight former pro wrestling champion.

The fight was a no disqualification staged pro wrestling match at WWE's annual Wrestlemania extravaganza. With the help of legal brass knuckles, Mayweather scored a knockout win over the 7 foot tall 485 pound lumbering giant.

So with Wrestlemania this weekend and Mayweather's fight against welterweight titlist Shane Mosley on the horizon, I thought I'd go back and watch this piece of pop culture that showcased Mayweather for the entertainer he is.

It's not as entertaining as the thought of Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, but it's still fun nonetheless.

Source: Examiner.com

KIZER SAYS NEVADA WILL CONDUCT ITS OWN TESTS ON MAYWEATHER, MOSLEY

Mayweather vs Mosley
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Mar 2010

The executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Keith Kizer says the NSAC will conduct its own tests on Floyd Mayweather Jr and Shane Mosley who face each other at the MGM Grand on May 1.

Kizer informed insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that the NSAC “will be performing steroid and drug tests of athletes on that card, including the main event boxers,” Mayweather Jr and Mosley.

Kizer made it clear that by allowing the United States Anti Doping Agency or USADA to undertake its own and separate tests as agreed upon between the camps of both fighters, the Nevada Commission’s authority and jurisdiction over the fight and the fighters involved was not being undermined.

Kizer made it clear that the NSAC has “directed Golden Boy (Promotions) to have the lab send us the results of any and all steroid and drug tests performed on Mr. Mayweather and Mr. Mosley” directly.

At the same time Kizer stressed that the Nevada State Athletic Commission was “not setting aside its own procedures” of testing in the Mayweather Jr-Mosley fight.

Under an agreement reached by the promoters and Mayweather Jr and Mosley, both fighters will be subject to random drug tests which would include blood tests conducted by the USADA whose findings will apparently be binding on both fighters and should any one or both of the fighters be found to have taken any illegal substance they would face a ban of up tp two years.

However, as of this time there has been no indication as to what the situation would be if the findings of the USADA and the NSAC which conducts urinalysis and not additional blood tests, produce different results.

A mega-buck super-fight between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr unraveled after the undefeated former pound-for-pound king insisted on random blood tests up to 14 days before their originally scheduled fight on March 13. Pacquiao’s counter proposal in which he said he would be prepared to take the random blood tests 24 days before the fight and immediately after the fight in his dressing room was rejected by Mayweather and his advisers.

Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank and members of Team Pacquiao have been peeved by stories claiming that Pacquiao was not prepared to take the random drug tests which they pointed out was clearly inaccurate and indicated malicious intent to place the acknowledged “Fighter of the Decade” in a bad light.

Upon his return home on Monday after his masterful twelve round unanimous victory over Ghana’s former world champion Joshua Clottey, Pacquiao said he didn’t need a Mayweather fight to cement his legacy and that if anything Mayweather needed him more than he needs Mayweather.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Shane Mosley has gone from ‘Grudge Match’ to ‘Drug Match’

Mayweather vs Mosley
Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell

What was once a “must see” fight, Mayweather vs. Mosley has now taken a back seat to the Olympic style drug testing. A fight that was a decade in the making has been TKO’d by all the talk and hype over drug testing. Let’s examine further.

Drug Testing Publicity

Since Mayweather shifted focus to fighting Mosley, drug testing has had an equal amount of publicity as the fight itself. Just a few days ago, GBP had a press conference officially announcing the details of the drug testing which included USADA CEO Travis Tygart who was extremely happy and excited over Floyd’s push for this type of testing. You remember how Tygart kept referring to how “courageous” Floyd was?

FMJ

This fight was supposed to settle the differences between two fighters who despised each other. Instead, we get Mayweather talking more trash about Manny Pacquiao than Mosley. Floyd has hyped up his feud with Manny more than this fight with Mosley. For a guy who was supposed to be about “the money” he really hasn’t done much to generate the hype that will draw the money.

Mosley

Shane Mosley hasn’t done much better. He can’t even make up his mind whether he’s friends with Mayweather or not. Are you serious Shane? This guy has trash talked you for 10 years now. You finally get your chance to shove your fist in his mouth and now you aren’t sure if you are friends.

Holding Hands

Just recently the two fighters appeared on HBO’s Face-Off with Max Kellerman and Floyd is saying that he rooted for Shane because he’s a “Black American”. Hey Floyd, this is the same guy that you bad mouthed for a decade and now we come to find out that you cheered for him?

I can see why the hype is shifting toward the drug testing. The two fighters can’t figure out whether they really dislike each other or not. The fight will feature a “dancer”, a “puncher”, and “drug testing”. I don’t know about you guys but I’m really excited now. I can’t wait to see if someone fails the drug test. Please realize that I’m being sarcastic.

Conclusion

Christian Wallace Sacramento, CA “Has the drug testing killed off the excitement for this fight?”

Jason McTavish Sacramento, CA “Is there more hype for the drug testing than the fight itself?”

Absolutely, this drug testing talk has put out the flames to a potentially epic encounter. I’m sick and tired of hearing about this drug testing. Does anyone actually think that either of these two fighters will get caught? With the entire Boxing world and USADA watching, it would be the biggest blunder in the history of sports if either man gets caught cheating. There’s no suspense to the drug testing. As far as the historical precedent, I’m not excited about that either.

I wanted to see a grudge match. Instead, I’m in store for two guys who root for each other and rather hype up drug testing or Manny Pacquiao. I think I will save my 50 bucks.

Source: Examiner.com

Chris Arreola's trainer thinks Pacquiao should concede to Mayweather's drug testing demands

Mayweather vs Mosley
Anaheim Boxing Examiner | Brent Alderson

Henry Ramirez is one of the sports up and coming trainers and currently has a stable of fighters which includes 140 pound fringe contender Josesito Lopez, undefeated bantamweight prospect Jonathan Arrellano, and his prized pupil, the exciting heavyweight slugger Chris Arreola. Ramirez first became involved in the sport as a teenager and had over fifty amateur fights. Then after deciding not to turn pro he started helping out his trainer, Andy Suarez. After Suarez died, Ramirez took over his training responsibilities and today at thirty four years of age is considered by many to be one of the game’s up and coming trainers.

Unfortunately for Pacquiao fans, Ramirez is a Mayweather supporter and openly vocalizes his opinion that he thinks Mayweather’s defensive prowess will shut down Manny Pacquiao’s offensive genius when and if the two meet. The trainer also believes that Pacquiao should submit to the rigid testing prescribed by team Mayweather and commented, “I don’t think its unfair and I maybe mistaken, but I do recall them saying that there would be a 10 million dollar fine for Mayweather which isn’t through the commission, which is through the stipulations of the contract, that they were making that he would be fined 10 million dollars if he were a pound over 147. So if he is conceding to that, why not concede to the drug test? It’s not like Mayweather is asking him to do a drug test that he isn’t doing himself. It’s not like Mayweather isn’t fighting a fighter of any note, he is fighting Mosley. It’s not like he’s not fighting Pacquiao and fighting someone who is a lesser of a fighter. You take Mosley, Pacquiao, and Mayweather and those are the three best welterweights in the world however you care to number them.”

Ramirez is also less optimistic about the possibility of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight coming to fruition and commented, “You know I would like to think so because we all think there is too much money and a fight of this magnitude can only do good for the sport. Hopefully after the first go around that ultimately there is some kind of compromise, but with the egos involved who knows. Who really knows? I was optimistic before, but I‘m not so optimistic now to be honest.”

Notes:

Favorite Quote: Jake LaMotta fought the great Sugar Ray Robinson on six different occassions. Unfortunately for the italian american from the Bronx, he only won one of their bouts and commented, "I fought Sugar so many times that I'm lucky I didn't get diabetes!"

Mexican great Erik Morales is coming back as a welterweight this Saturday against the tough Jose Alfaro, a fringe contender at lightweight. It will be interesting to see if the two and a half year break will rejuvenate the Mexican slugger.

Wladimir Klitschko looked great this past weekend. Its too bad we won't ever get to see a unification bout between the two brothers.

Source: Examiner.com