St-Pierre's Manila Visit

   Last week, UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre visited Manila and he thought that it was just another visit to another country. And he was wrong. Fans crowded the Ninoy Aquino International Airport just before his arrival at 5 AM. From there on, it was all amazement for GSP as he roamed Manila. He stopped by ABS-CBN's top-rating Showtime to promote his activities. He also dropped by in a gym where his idol, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao trains. He even had some tips from Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. The day after he went on a MMA clinic at SM Mall of Asia where thousands of Filipino MMA fans gather to see one of UFC best top fighters.

   GSP's next bout is against Josh Koscheck on UFC 124, December 14, 2010.



(TheBloggerSays: This is one big proof, that MMA or UFC is really the fastest growing sport anywhere.)

Pacquiao Believes Margarito Knew About The Hand Wraps

   Multi-division champion Manny Pacquiao said that he believes that his next opponent, Antonio Margarito, do not knew anything about his illegal hand wraps, discovered in his dressing room before his fight with Shane Mosley in January of 2009.

   "I believe he knew. He's the one watching his hands wrapped and he doesn't know what's in there? he;s just making some alibi for some reason." the Filipino said during their kick-off presser for the November 13 bout. After the fight and the suspension, Margarito blamed and fired his then-trainer Javier Capetillo.

   Although he said that he had forgiven Margarito for his actions, Pacquiao also said that he wants someone to watch Margarito in his locker room wrapping his hands before the fight.



(TheBloggerSays: I believe and respect what Manny believes in. As a boxer like Margarito, he's the one aside from either the trainer or someone appointed to do the boxer's hand, who should know what's inside the wrap. Not the promoter. Right, Bob?)

Margarito Says He'll Beat Pacquiao, Calls De La Hoya Out

   "Margarito has the strength, the power, he's hungry to be the best and prove everybody wrong. He's the bigger man."

   Those were the words that came out from Antonio Margarito's trainer, Roberto Garcia during an interview with Dennis Guillermo of The Examiner for his fighter's bout against Manny Pacquiao. "I honestly see a very big chance of us pulling it out." he added. With his fighter already busy training and conditioning himself for their scheduled fight on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Garcia is also busy watching Pacquiao tapes everyday to study the Filipino's boxing moves.

   Meanwhile, Margarito has expressed himself towards to another fighter, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya during an interview in TV Azteca. "I don't know what he has against me, I really don't understand. what I do know is he had a big influence in California State Athletic Commission with everything he said against me. I am upset because he talked too much and said some nasty things and he has a shady past himself that most of us know about".

  "I hope he takes off the fishnet, stop acting like a sissy and fight me. If you have something against me, then get in the ring and fight me." Margarito says towards De La Hoya. "I will knock Pacquiao out and show the world that I am back. this the fight of my life and Manny will be in for a tough night. I won't quit like De La Hoya did." he added.


(TheBloggerSays: There is no doubt about Antonio's conditioning. Training this early while Manny is not yet, he will surely get in his fighting form before the bout. But will that be enough? His fight against Roberto Garcia didn't convince me that he's really that good. But prior to his hand wrap controversy, he did. I just hope that we'll see the old Margarito back to give us a explosive showing.)

Texas Grants Antonio Margarito A License

   Mexican Antonio Margarito needed only $20 and no six hour hearing is required like he had at California to ensure a license and that his super fight with Filipino Manny Pacquiao will go on. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation granted Margarito his license to fight within their grounds. The Pacquiao-Margarito bout, scheduled November 13, will take place at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

   "I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the United States. I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement." Margarito said. He then added "On November 13, this great opportunity will ultimately be fulfilled when I battle Manny Pacquiao."




(TheBloggerSays: As I've said, Antonio doesn't deserved to be denied of a license. He's not a repeat offender, and with his passion for the sport, I don't think that he'll try to do the same offense. And with that, we'll have a fight on Nov. 13.)

With Margarito Denied, Golden Boy Offers Dinamita

   After Antonio Margarito got denied for a license in California, Golden Boy Promotions Founder Oscar De La Hoya quickly offered their fighter Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez as a replacement foe for Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13.

   "The case I want to make is that Marquez is right there, already licensed." De La Hoya said. "Manny Pacquiao wants to fight. The only one who does not want to fight is Bob Arum, and that's not fair. That is not fair to the public, and that is not fair to Manny Pacquiao. That is not fair to Marquez." he added.

   Marquez and Pacquiao fought to a controversial draw on 2004 then Filipino won a narrow split decision last March of 2008.



(TheBloggerSays: This will be of course, an entertaining match. This won't be what the fans always wanted to see, but won't be the least wanted. At least all issues will be settled.)

Margarito Denied; Fight With Pacquiao In Doubt

   Former world champ Antonio Margarito was denied by the California State Athletic Commission for his boxing license due to his illegal hand wraps he had in his hands before his fight with Shane Mosley last year. And due to this, his bout with Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 in US soil is now in doubt.

   His Nevada application also said to be depending on the California decision while the Texas commission is still unclear on their willingness to give Margarito a license to fight. However, these rulings and suspension do not apply outside the US soil. So the option for a Margarito-Pacquiao in Mexico or anywhere outside US is now a big candidate.

   Margarito's former trainer, Javier Capetillo, whom he blamed on the hand wrap issue, is also suspended.



(TheBloggerSays: It's such a shame that they didn't grant Antonio's license. He's not a repeat-offender. And the fighter of his stature, I think, should be forgiven.)

Marquez Beats Diaz Again, Looks For Pacquiao

   In a rematch of their war from February 2009, WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (51-5-1, 37 KOs) again defeated former unified lightweight champion Juan Diaz (35-4, 17 KOs) on Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. In another spirited give-and-take affair, Marquez had the upper hand almost from the get-go as he methodically battered Diaz, but couldn’t break him as the game Texan went the full twelve. Scores were 116-112, 118-110, 117-111 with Marquez taking a unanimous decision.

 “When he’s ready to knock on my door, I’m right here,” says lineal lightweight champion Juan Manual Marquez, of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. “There’s no hiding. No running. I’m waiting for him."

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/

Pacquiao - Margarito Set?

   Will it be Manny Pacquiao vs, Antonio Margarito at super welterweight on Nov. 13 this year? Looks like it will be if Margarito can provide his license to fight again at Las Vegas, But alternate location will be at Monterey, Mexico. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said that Manny have already beaten Miguel Cotto last year so a fight against Margarito would be more lucrative. Arum also added that he's already working on the negotiations and will try to finalize it all this week. The WBC super welterweight belt vacated by Sergio Martinez will be at stake.



(The Blogger Says: This is what I am really praying for besides the Pac-May! I think their style will compliment each other and Margarito's size advantage will surely leash out the best in Pacquiao.)

Pacquiao - Mayweather Megafight Officially Off

   As for the 78-year old Top Rank boss Bob Arum, the fight that all boxing fans dying to see will have to wait for at least up to May 2011 as Floyd Mayweather's camp failed to beat the deadline Arum gave him.

   One speculated reason why Mayweather failed to sign the deal is because is uncle and trainer Roger Mayweather will go on trial in Las Vegas after he assaulted a female boxer he trains. As for Manny Pacquiao, his promoter Arum will start negotiating with either Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito next week, depending on who Pacquiao prefers to fight.




The Blogger Says: I think this fight won't happen anytime soon. Unless, Manny Pacquiao suddenly retires and if Floyd is still active after a year or two, I'm pretty sure that Floyd will call him out or, if Manny gets worn out by fighting all of top contenders out there except Floyd. Better luck next time, Bob!

El Terrible is Back!

   Known for his trilogy fights with fellow countryman Marco Antonio Barrera and Filipino Manny Pacquiao, former 3-division title holder Erik "El Terrible" Morales made his awaited return to the boxing ring against Jose Alfaro as a welterweight yesterday, March 27 at Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.


  Morales, (49-6, 34 KO) now 33, captured the vacant WBC International welterweight title against Alfaro (20-3, 18 KO) in a unanimous victory. Prior to the fight, Morales stated that he wanted to face Pacquiao again for the fouth time as well as Juan Manuel Marquez.


  “One must pursue the dream” Morales said, “Defeating Pacquiao is my greatest accomplishment in the ring. I remember seeing him cry after our fight. I would love another chance at Pacquaio and I also look forward to fighting Juan Manuel Marquez in the future.”


El Terrible is also known as the last man who defeated Pacquiao, the fighter who is considered as todays best. In March 2005, Morales won a unanimous victory that left Pacquiao bloodied. The two faced each other again in January and November 2006 which both resulted in a knock-out win for Pacquiao after 10 and 3 rounds respectively.

Clottey's "The Event" Aftermath

   Now, we all know who won The Event. The Filipino undisputed king of the ring Manny Pacquiao reigned supreme in his last fight over the Ghana, Africa native Joshua Clottey and retained his WBO Welterweight belt at the Cowboys Stadium last Sunday, March 14, 2010 (Manila time).

      Pacquiao, (51-3-2, 38 KOs) earned a unanimous victory over Clottey (35-4, 1 NC, 20 KOs), who barely fought through the whole 12 rounds of the fight. Dismayed over Clottey's luck-luster performance is the 51,000 strong, the biggest since the Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. - Greg Haugen fight where 132,274 showed up to set a record for fight attendance in boxing. The Event also garnered 700, 000 PPV buys, lower compared to 1.25 million that the Pacquiao - Cotto bout sold last November.

   We already heard the most of Manny's thoughts about the fight, so that leaves the people (at least for some not-so hardcore boxing fans) wonder why Clottey fought that way.

   I think Clottey, having fought some of the boxing's biggest names, already knew before the fight that he'll face the sports top fighter. So, in my opinion, did the right thing. Protect himself from humiliation. 

   Unlike David Diaz (KO 9), he (Clottey) covered himself all fight long to avoid those lightning speed punches. According to Diaz, whenever Manny's throwing up combos, he thought that Manny's trainer, Freddie Roach, was also throwing up punches against him. So Clottey, aware of Manny's talent, avoided those dreaded punches. Compared to Oscar Dela Hoya (TKO 8), Clottey moved a little more around the ring. Oscar had his legs stiffed against Manny which resulted to Oscar being cornered and pounded. According to CompuBox, Pacquiao unleashed an average of 73.1 punches per round (far above the welterweight average of 58) against Dela Hoya while in his fight against Clottey, Pacquiao averaged 102.5 per round, result of Clottey's "turtle-shell" defense and more ring movements. That made Manny threw up more punches to chase him and open up his defense. Against Ricky Hatton (KO 2), Manny let himself be bullied by Hatton and provided him with a finishing left hook, which did not happen in his fight against Clottey, again it's because of his boring yet effective defense. Lastly, Miguel Cotto (TKO 12), Manny left him bloodied and bruised, which Clottey didn't suffer in their fight. Clottey provided some more "extra careful shots" to Manny. Unlike Cotto who exchaged blows that left himself uncovered that resulted to a knockdown in rounds 3 and 4. Clottey and Cotto both share the punching power against the smaller Pacquiao but still in boxing, "speed kills".

   Those four shared the common fate, knock out loss. As a result after their loss, there's also one thing in common on what to do next, retirement, as what the people close to them suggested. Clottey, on the other side, also suffered loss but doesn't include retirement as one of his future plans. Clottey can still face other big names in boxing like Andre Berto or Paul Williams, dubbed as welterweight's "most avoided man". He can even go down back a notch to light welterweight to face Amir Khan, who Roach predicted as the one who can beat Manny in the future. He may even face again Antonio Margarito or Cotto in a rematch, if Cotto decides not to retire.

  As for now, Clottey can go back home for a short time then find the right next opponent as a comeback while he's still in his tip-top body shape.