The Battle Of Combat Sports

   After last weeks "Boxing vs. MMA" bout between boxing champ James "Lights Out" Toney against UFC star Randy "The Natural" Couture live on UFC 118 PPV, many fans and sports athletes have been wondering on which combat sport is dominating the other, based on PPV sales, gate attendance and the winner between two fighters of different sport.

   Today's sport stars like UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, Bobby Lashley and Bob Sapp all became professional wrestlers first before trying out their skills in MMA.While Anderson Silva, Eric "Butterbean" Esch, Marcus Davis hanged up their gloves to pursue a MMA career. Other notable fighters like Vladimir Kozlov, Ken Shamrock, Sylvester Turkay and Daniel Puder are all trained MMA fighters who transitioned to WWE, a sports-entertainment wrestling brand. 

   With all people buzzing around and wondering, The Fighting Pride asked some sports analyst to take on topics varying from transitioning fighters to which brand is better than the another.

   Asked about why do fighters, despite being on the peak of their career, switched from boxing or pro-wrestling to MMA, one of Philippines' most-respected sport analyst Ed Tolentino said: "MMA offers an intriguing challenge  to anyone who is engaged in particular discipline. The offer of big bucks for short bouts is very tempting. In most cases, wrestlers and boxers who are already over-the-hill switch to MMA switch to salvage whatever remains in their careers. Rare is the case of Brock Lesnar. But note that he only joined MMA after he failed make it as a football player in NFL."

   In 2009, MMA's "UFC 100" PPV garnered the most PPV buys for the year while boxings "Fire Power: Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto" have the second most buys. That's why the fight fans are having thoughts, is the boxing losing it's fans to MMA world? "No. Die hard boxing fans as are loyal as they come." says Anthony George of Zutes Sports Show. "There seems to be more MMA gyms in the U.S. than boxing gyms.UFC is the biggest brand in all of combat sports and young guys are attracted to that. The trouble is, boxing is not attractive enough to young people." Archer added. Tolentino seems to agree with the boxing's rich stories by saying that: "Boxing has a lot of history behind it. However, they need to police it's ranks to keep MMA at a safe distance." 

   With Couture of MMA defeating Toney of boxing, some fans assumed that MMA is the one really dominating the world of combat sports. But Lesnar, a NCAA champion and former WWE wrestler himself, proved to be that even a man form another sport can become a MMA champ. How do really former boxers and wrestlers fare in MMA? "Nowadays, there is not just one discipline that will amke it in MMA, you have to be well rounded. Wrestlers do well in MMA because it allows most of them to pick-up the BJJ discipline a lot easier than folks with no wrestling base." says Archer. 

   And asked if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., two of the boxing world's best fighters, do stand a chance in MMA, Tolentono said: "Yes. As long as you have legitimate martial arts background, you can excel. Pacquiao and Mayweather are legit boxers."

(TheBloggerSays: It's good to have Mr. Tolentino and Mr. Archer to have this conversation. I do really believe in what they say, and I respect it.. Thank you guys.)

Ricky Hatton: "I'm Done."

   Sixteen months after being knocked out in the second round by Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ricky Hatton officially announced in BBC Radio at Manchester that he may never come back to the boxing ring and fight again.

   "You can never say never. But if I was to put my last pound on it, i would say 'no, that's me done'" Hatton said. Hatton also said that he'll just concentrate on promoting other fighters. He added: "I announced that I was going to make a comeback. I came back off holiday and went into a training camp for three weeks, but it wasn't just the same."

   But Hatton himself hinted about his return. Hatton recently renewed his boxing license with Bristish Boxing Board of Control. Asked why, he answered "Just in case one day I do wake up and think 'come on, let's give it another go.'"



(TheBloggerSays: I thinks Ricky's retirement is made just too soon. There's still so much left in him. He can still have good match up and bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez or Amir Khan. Or even maybe Michael Katsidis.)



  

Roy Jones Jr. To Fight Next Month

   Former Pound for Pound King Roy Jones Jr. is scheduled to face former championship challenger Danny Santiago next month, October 7. The fight will take place probably on Jones' hometown, Pensacola, Florida. Further announcements about the bout will be made next week.



(TheBloggerSays: I wonder why these senior citizens of boxing (Hopkins, Jones Jr.) keep fighting. But for me, win or lose, they should be hanging up their gloves after their respective fights.)

Marquez To Fight Katsidis On November; Hopkins Vs. Pascal On December

   After a failed negotiation to fight Manny Pacquiao for the third time, Mexican warrior and champion Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez agreed to fight the Australian slugger Michael "The Great" Katsidis on November 27 at MGM Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.

   The bout will be for Marquez's WBO lightweight belt.

   Another champion, Jean Pascal, is also scheduled to fight a boxing warrior, former champion Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins. The bout will be on December 18. This will be Hopkins' second fight this year after defeating Roy Jones Jr. last April. This will be also Pascal's second fight this year after defeating Chad Dawson and successfully defended his WBC light heavy weight championship for the third time.



(TheBloggerSays: All-out war is what I am expecting for the Katsidis-Marquez bout. But Hopkins against Pascal? These promoters are really getting really bad for the sport. Why not Luciano Bute?)

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.)

UFC 118: Randy Couture Forces James Toney To Submit!

   The difference between two athletes of two different sports proved to be very large as MMA's man and UFC legend Randy "The Natural" Couture made an easy work of the heavyweight champion of pro boxing James "Lights Out" Toney in UFC 118 at TD Garden, in Boston, Massachusetts.

   Couture wasted no time taking down Toney, who sported his natural boxing stance, and needed only no less than 30 seconds to finally ground the boxer. As Couture pummels the defenseless Toney, the boxer struggled to get out of trouble. It was only a matter of time until Couture forced Toney to submit via triangle choke at 3:19 of the very 1st round.

   In the main event, Frankie Edgar defended his title and bested out BJ Penn for the second time around.



(TheBloggerSays: James Toney really needed to reassert himself as well as his techniques if he wants to stay in the sport. For Randy, if he wants to end his MMA career right now and do Hollywood instead, this time's the perfect one.)

Bautista, Jaca Victorious

   Boos and dislikes resounded the full-packed Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City, Philippines as the crowd reacted to the result of Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista winning over Alejandro Barrera via technical decision, 1:14 of the 4th round.

   A cut on the Mexican's eyelid forced the ringside doctor to halt the fight, caused by exchange of punches by both Bautista and Barrera.

   With the win, Bautista improved to 29-2 with 22KOs and now scheduled to fight at Dubai on Oct. 29.

   In the co-main event, Jimrex Jaca made an easy work of his opponent, Pipino Cuevas Jr in a  first round KO. A left uppercut by Jaca that connected perfectly ended the fight at 2:22.



(TheBloggerSays: With these win by two good boxers, it seems another ray of light is coming upon them. Boom-Boom,  was a young hot-prospect. Even Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya was impressed the way he trains back then. But now, with a big fight to an unnamed opponent yet, he must do more better than this  to fulfill what he has started and once again, be one of the Philippine boxing's big names. Same with Jaca too.)

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.)

Juan Manuel Marquez To Face Amir Khan On December?

   According to sources, Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez and British Amir Khan may face each other before the end of the year. Both under Golden Boy Promotions, the fight may fall on December 4, which the promotions has a reservation on cable network HBO PPV. Marquez  and his promotion team has ruled out a possible 3rd fight with Filipino Manny Pacquiao, who fights under Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions and will possibly face Mexican Antonio Margarito on November.

   Freddie Roach also trains Khan, the same trainer who handles Manny Pacquiao. Marquez just came off his 2nd fight with American Juan Diaz.



(TheBloggerSays: I don't know if this fight will pull that many fans as much like Diaz and Marquez did in their two bouts. For me, I think Amir still has lot to prove on the boxing grounds. A Ricky Hatton, in my opinion, will be a much better fit for the young Amir.)

UFC 118: Randy Couture To James Toney "Let's Go!"

   "James or any other boxers, they think they're just gonna walk in there with just their boxing tools and be terribly effective, I'll show him mistake."

   Those were the words by UFC legend and former heavyweight champion Randy Couture regarding his opponent, boxer James Toney, scheduled on UFC 118 this August 28.

   The said heavyweight bout will be the co-main event along with Penn-Edgar lightweight fight.

   The whole UFC Couture interview below. Courtesy of UFC's official Youtube site.

(TheBloggerSays: I think this heavyweight bout will just be an attraction, for the fans of course. But surely will be entertaining. I wanna see if Toney will be able to counter all of Randy's kicks and take downs.)

Eric "Butterbean" Esch Q&A Interview

   Known as "King of the 4 Rounders" in boxing, Eric "Butterbean" Esch, now a MMA athlete, answered some questions thru his Facebook account exclusively for this blog. He talked about his coming MMA fight on Sept. 18 against Marius Pudzianowski and his future plans after the said bout.

Good day Mr. Esch! You've just turned 44 and you've knocked down and out so many guys all over the world via different types of combat sports, are you still planning to switch to another sport after doing MMA?

- Boxing maybe? Depends who.

Do you have a dream match or opponent for yourself?

-No. Just whatever comes my way at this age.

I learned that your two good sons are also fighters, do you train them yourself? 

-Yes, I do train them. And a few of other fighters that I know.

Now about your upcoming fight against Marius Pudzianowski, what can you say about the guy? I mean he's a strongman champion and looks like a human-hulk, do these credentials intimidate you?

-I think he's stupid. Being a strong man and fighting MMA is like apples and oranges. Intimidate ME? NOT AT ALL!! You'll see when I fight him, I WILL KNOCK HIM OUT!!!

After the fight, do you have immediate plans for the the future? Do you plan to fight one more guy?

-I will have another fight after. not sure who yet tho.

You worked with WWE twice, a staged and a shoot fight as well with Knoxville (Johnny) in Jackass. Which one do you enjoy more?

-Jackass!!!

Do you have any message for the fans on your next fight and future endeavors?

-I WILL KNOCK OUT Pudzianowski BY THE 2nd ROUND!! BET ON IT!!! I feel good and I will keep fighting until I feel it it time to retire. But not yet.




(TheBloggerSays: Mr. Esch is humble enough and great to give me this opportunity. I hope this will be the first of my many chats or interviews with big and great athletes like Mr Esch.)






Photo Credit: espnmilwaukee.com

JuanMa-Marquez Showdown Postponed

   The much awaited showdown between WBO featherweight champ Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico and Rafael Marquez of Mexico scheduled on Sept. 18 will be postponed due to the injury the Mexican suffered during his training.

   "I am very disappointed but I know that these things happen on boxing. I hope the fight gets rescheduled soon an look forward to fighting Rafael Marquez" Lopez said, and Marquez also stated "I am very disappointed with what has happened to me. Everyone knows that's the fight I was waiting for. But I definitely won't be ready by Sept. 18. I don't know what will happen now. I came from the doctor and he told me not to fight. i'm sad for myself and the all of the Mexicans wanted to see us fight."

   The promoters, Top rank and Gary Shaw, are seemed to be pushing the bout 4 weeks from the original date.




(TheBloggerSays: Thank heavens that this fight will still go on. Boxing really needs fight like these nowadays.)

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.)

WWE SummerSlam Results

From Staples Center, Los Angeles, California.

Dark Match: 

Evan Bourne def. Zack Ryder

Televised Matches

Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston (no contest)

WWE Divas Championship: Melina def. Alicia Fox

3-on-1 Handicap match: Big Show def. Straight Edge Society

WWE Championship: Randy Orton def. Sheamus (DQ)

World Heavyweight Championship: Kane def. Rey Mysterio

7-on-7 Elimination Tag team match: Team WWE def. Team Nexus

(TheBloggerSays: The WWE championship match disappointed me, while Team Nexus entertained me  as well as the live audience. I just wished that Bret Hart wrestled more. Also wishing that Kane will hold the title for much longer.)

Pascal Defeats Dawson

   Just when Chad Dawson realized that he had a fight to work on to, an accidental clash of heads occur that had him unable to continue and let WBC champ Jean Pascal go away with his IBO light heavyweight title at Bell Center, Montreal, Canada via unanimous technical decision.

   Pascal started to work early throwing punches to the body to the taller Dawson. He control much of the fight until he rocked Dawson in the 8th and continued the barrage of power punches in the 9th round. Dawson later showed a sign of fatigue as he went down by a bump by Pascal. The Canadian took advantage of Dawson's condition as he threw more body shots. Dawson emerges out of his corner on the 11th and shook Pascal with an uppercut but was unable to capitalize and kept Pascal busy defending himself as he poured punches all over. Then an accidental head butt came later that left a big cut over the eye of Dawson which makes him unable to continue according to the ring side doctor.

   The judges scored it 108-101 and 106-103 for the other two.


(TheBloggerSays: The fight really kept me in my seat. As I really wanted to see if Chad can sustain Jean's punches. There was no knock down happened. But it was a good fight and the live audience love it especially when Dawson seems to be on his way down. For Dawson, I think he's in shock that he's fighting a twenty-something for this fight. He fought fighters in late 30's in his last 4 fights (Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson). So fighting a much skilled, faster and powerful boxer for the first time in two years seems like really different for him. As for Pascal, a fight with undefeated Lucian Bute in Canada would be a hit and would sell-out a stadium.)

Arreola Back At Win Column

   Heavyweight Chris Arreola (29-2, 25 KOs) got back into the win column with a one-sided twelve round unanimous decision over Manuel Quezada (29-6, 18 KOs) on Friday night at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Arreola, who came in five-and-a-half pounds heavier than he did in his loss to Tomasz Adamek in April, was too big and too strong for Quezada as he controlled the first eight rounds, then floored Quezada twice in round nine. Quezada rallied a bit in the next few rounds, but was dropped again in the twelfth. Scores were 117-108, 118-107, 118-107. After the fight Arreola said he injured both hands.

Source: http://www.fightnews.com/

RIP Lance Cade, 29

  World Wrestling Entertainment has confirmed the death of former superstar Lance Cade.

“World Wrestling Entertainment was informed Friday morning by Lance McNaught’s father that he has passed away of apparent heart failure. WWE extends its deepest condolences to the McNaught family.”

“Mr. McNaught was under contract from March 2003 to October 2008 and performed under the name “Lance Cade.” He returned to FCW, WWE’s developmental territory, in September 2009, and was released in April 2010.”

  Following the news that former WWE superstar Lance Cade was found dead this morning at the age of 29 due to apparent heart failure, several people from WWE and TNA have posted messages on Twitter regarding the news:

Jim Ross: “Multiple sources have reported that Lance Cade passed away a few hours ago of heart failure. Our condolences go out to his family & friends”

Shawn Michaels: “5min aft my morning tweet I got the call about Lance. No words will b good enuff. 1 of my boys is gone.”

Matt Hardy: “Was saddened to hear about the passing of Lance Cade today. My condolences & thoughts are with his family & children. It’s a sad situation.”

Christopher Daniels: “RIP Lance Cade.”

Mick Foley: “I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Lance Cade. Only 29 – I had no idea he was so young. My thoughts go out to his family.”

Taz: “More deepest condolences to Lance Cade’s family. I got to know Lance slightly in WWE, He was a good guy with tons of potential…RIP. “

Matt Morgan: “Very sad to hear loss of Lance Cade! Great young performer,lance trained in ovw with alot us and had limitless potential! Our condolensces to Lance’s family. He had two beautiful daughters. RIP buddy. I hate that this keeps happening. “

Shannon Moore: “My thoughts and prayers go out to Lances family and kids. I have many great memories of lance and was fortunate to spend a great amount of time with him when we lived in Cinci for WWE. You will be missed!!!!”

Source: http://www.lordsofpain.net/






(The Blogger Says: Another big loss for the wrestling world. A talent that has never reached it's potential.)

Holyfield To Fight On Nov. 5

   47-year-old, four-time world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (43-10-2, 28 KOs) returns to the ring November 5th against veteran Sherman “Tank” Williams (34-11-2, 19 KOs) of the Bahamas. The bout will be for Holyfield’s newly acquired WBF title he won in his last bout which was an 8 round TKO of Francois Botha. Site of the fight will be the Joe Louis in Detroit, Michigan.




Source:  http://www.fightnews.com/