The much-anticipated bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is all but set for March 13, a source told Yahoo! Sports.
Mayweather has agreed to terms and promoter Bob Arum is making a trip to Manila, Philippines, to finalize a deal with Pacquiao, the source said.
More From Kevin IoleMailbag: Pacquiao gets snubbed Dec 1, 2009 Funeka the latest victim of boxing robbery Nov 30, 2009 Las Vegas, Dallas and New Orleans are the front-runners to host the bout, which is expected to become the highest-grossing boxing match in the sport’s history.
Pacquiao is the top pound-for-pound fighter in nearly every major ranking, including Yahoo! Sports. Mayweather is No. 2 in most rankings and was No. 1 in nearly all of the polls before he briefly retired in June 2008.
Pacquiao is coming off a 12th-round stoppage of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a bout in which he won the World Boxing Organization welterweight championship and erased fears that he is not a legitimate welterweight.
Cotto was a legitimate welterweight in his prime and Pacquiao dominated, knocking him down twice and cruising to the one-sided victory.
Mayweather routed Juan Manuel Marquez, who had previously been ranked No. 2 in the Yahoo! Sports poll, in a Sept. 19 fight at the MGM Grand.
The public demand for the fight has been enormous, putting pressure on Arum and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, who represents Mayweather, to get a deal done.
Promoters had targeted May 1 for the fight almost from the moment that Pacquiao stopped Cotto. But Pacquiao filed Tuesday to run for Congress in the Philippines and the election will be held on May 10.
Given that, the bout with Mayweather had to be moved up to March 13 or pushed back until September.
Though there were reports that Arum was considering matching Pacquiao with new WBO super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman on March 13 in Dallas, that was a diversionary move and was never serious, the source said.
A survey team from Top Rank will inspect Dallas Cowboys Stadium as a possible venue. The MGM Grand Garden Arena and the New Orleans Superdome are also in the running to host the mega-fight, the source said.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
ARUM ARRIVING TO MEET WITH MANNY
Now that pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao has filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the lone congressional seat of Sarangani, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is arriving in Manila on Thursday morning from Las Vegas to meet with the boxing hero and map out plans for his next fight.
Arum appeared a little disappointed that the assurances he was given by Team Pacquiao members that Pacquiao would run unopposed and that influential individuals in government, including President Arroyo, would succeed in convincing the well-established Chiongbian family in Sarangani not to run against the boxing hero, failed to materialize. The efforts to convince the Chiongians to give way to Pacquiao obviously didn't work and Chiongbian filed his C-O-C on Tuesday night.
Prior to boarding his flight for Manila, Arum told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he would “meet with Manny about a fight and then announce my new deal with ABS-CBN.”
The giant broadcast network which has significantly advanced its involvement in sports on television has kept boxing in the forefront alongside its telecast of major billiards events like the just-concluded World 10-Ball Championships won by Mika Immonen who beat Filipino Lee Van Corteza in the finals and the on-going inaugural World 10-Ball Mixed Doubles Classic where the top seeds are pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit, winner of the inaugural World Women’s 10-Ball Championships.
ABS-CBN is also well known for its coverage of the exciting UAAP and NCAA basketball tournaments and other sports events both on Studio 23 and its cable network Balls with its major boxing events also telecast on its pre-eminent Channel 2. Arum indicated a formal announcement of the ABS-CBN partnership will be made on Friday.
Top Rank fights were previously telecast by Solar Sports who will however continue to telecast the fights of Pacquiao who is under a long-term contract with Solar Entertainment.
Arum told us late Tuesday night that he was trying desperately to find out whether there was any candidate opposing Pacquiao but that he had learned some hours before leaving Las Vegas that indeed Chiongbian had filed and will contest the congressional seat Pacquiao is also eyeing.
Arum indicated that with this development Pacquiao would have to fight a lesser opponent in a planned March 13 event in the new billion-dollar stadium of the Dallas Cowboys in Texas while negotiations for a multi-million dollar super-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr will have to be held in abeyance with a possible fight date in September. He told us earlier "what's there to talk about" if Pacquiao is running for a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2010 elections.
Arum and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer met last week over lunch in Las Vegas and began initial talks on a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather fight after the Mayweather camp headed by chief adviser Leonard Ellerbe gave Schaefer the broad parameters for negotiations, Ellerbe himself didn’t wish to hamper the negotiations by his direct participation since he and Arum have had some differences in the past and he, Ellerbe, didn’t wish to be a stumbling block in the effort to get a fight deal done.
Arum appeared a little disappointed that the assurances he was given by Team Pacquiao members that Pacquiao would run unopposed and that influential individuals in government, including President Arroyo, would succeed in convincing the well-established Chiongbian family in Sarangani not to run against the boxing hero, failed to materialize. The efforts to convince the Chiongians to give way to Pacquiao obviously didn't work and Chiongbian filed his C-O-C on Tuesday night.
Prior to boarding his flight for Manila, Arum told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he would “meet with Manny about a fight and then announce my new deal with ABS-CBN.”
The giant broadcast network which has significantly advanced its involvement in sports on television has kept boxing in the forefront alongside its telecast of major billiards events like the just-concluded World 10-Ball Championships won by Mika Immonen who beat Filipino Lee Van Corteza in the finals and the on-going inaugural World 10-Ball Mixed Doubles Classic where the top seeds are pool legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit, winner of the inaugural World Women’s 10-Ball Championships.
ABS-CBN is also well known for its coverage of the exciting UAAP and NCAA basketball tournaments and other sports events both on Studio 23 and its cable network Balls with its major boxing events also telecast on its pre-eminent Channel 2. Arum indicated a formal announcement of the ABS-CBN partnership will be made on Friday.
Top Rank fights were previously telecast by Solar Sports who will however continue to telecast the fights of Pacquiao who is under a long-term contract with Solar Entertainment.
Arum told us late Tuesday night that he was trying desperately to find out whether there was any candidate opposing Pacquiao but that he had learned some hours before leaving Las Vegas that indeed Chiongbian had filed and will contest the congressional seat Pacquiao is also eyeing.
Arum indicated that with this development Pacquiao would have to fight a lesser opponent in a planned March 13 event in the new billion-dollar stadium of the Dallas Cowboys in Texas while negotiations for a multi-million dollar super-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr will have to be held in abeyance with a possible fight date in September. He told us earlier "what's there to talk about" if Pacquiao is running for a seat in the House of Representatives in the May 2010 elections.
Arum and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer met last week over lunch in Las Vegas and began initial talks on a possible Pacquiao-Mayweather fight after the Mayweather camp headed by chief adviser Leonard Ellerbe gave Schaefer the broad parameters for negotiations, Ellerbe himself didn’t wish to hamper the negotiations by his direct participation since he and Arum have had some differences in the past and he, Ellerbe, didn’t wish to be a stumbling block in the effort to get a fight deal done.
Arum hand delivers Mayweather offer that Pacquiao can't refuse
As you read this, a soon to turn age 78 year old named Robert Arum is piling up the frequent flyer miles from Las Vegas to Manila.
The Top Rank Top Dog isn’t going to the Philippines to discuss Sarangani local politics with Manny Pacquiao.
And he's not to extend sympathy because Sports Illustrated tabbed Yankees superstar Derek Jeter as Sportsman of the Year over the more deserving National Fist.
He’s going to see his star client with a firm deal in hand for Pacman to face undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 in a Las vegas mega bout.
Forget the smokescreens about Pacman fighting junior middleweight champ and rabbinical student Yuri Foreman. And ditto for the one about Mayweather going to Manchester to beat up Matthew Hilton.
Arum has what he feels is a fair and viable deal in hand and he will present to Pacman for a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
If Pacquiao is amenable, septuagenarian Arum might even seal the big deal before his Dec. 8 bithday and well before Dec. 17, when Megamanny turns age 31.
They used to say, “Don’t trust anyone over 30” back in the New Age, Woodstock Generation but promoter and fighter have come to trust each other as they have piled up millions of dollars in tandem in recent Pacquiao bouts, victories all for the Pinoy Idol.
It’s an easy guess that, at least publicly, the revenue split will be said to be 50-50 and I feel that is fair to both sides. Mayweather is unbeaten, he is an American fighting in his homeland and he used to occupy the Pound For Pound throne which now belongs to Pacman.
The working date is March 13 and, again, I totally discount Texas Stadium.
What happens in Vegas won’t stay there when casino operators work together to land this whopper, this once in a generation mega fight.
When Vegas steps up, it will be, “Fumble, Jerry Jones, fumble Cowboys!”
Fight fans won’t have to beware the Ides of March, instead they will embrace it for the Biggest fight That Can Possibly Be Made is coming to fruition.
What say you, Megamanny?
The money is right, the legacy is there for the taking.
In this case, I hope Pacquiao does like Jim Carrey in that movie.
I hope Pacquiao is a “Yes Man.”
Arum lands in Manila bearing an offer, Manny, that you can’t refuse.
It's your move now, Manny.
The Top Rank Top Dog isn’t going to the Philippines to discuss Sarangani local politics with Manny Pacquiao.
And he's not to extend sympathy because Sports Illustrated tabbed Yankees superstar Derek Jeter as Sportsman of the Year over the more deserving National Fist.
He’s going to see his star client with a firm deal in hand for Pacman to face undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. on March 13 in a Las vegas mega bout.
Forget the smokescreens about Pacman fighting junior middleweight champ and rabbinical student Yuri Foreman. And ditto for the one about Mayweather going to Manchester to beat up Matthew Hilton.
Arum has what he feels is a fair and viable deal in hand and he will present to Pacman for a thumbs up or a thumbs down.
If Pacquiao is amenable, septuagenarian Arum might even seal the big deal before his Dec. 8 bithday and well before Dec. 17, when Megamanny turns age 31.
They used to say, “Don’t trust anyone over 30” back in the New Age, Woodstock Generation but promoter and fighter have come to trust each other as they have piled up millions of dollars in tandem in recent Pacquiao bouts, victories all for the Pinoy Idol.
It’s an easy guess that, at least publicly, the revenue split will be said to be 50-50 and I feel that is fair to both sides. Mayweather is unbeaten, he is an American fighting in his homeland and he used to occupy the Pound For Pound throne which now belongs to Pacman.
The working date is March 13 and, again, I totally discount Texas Stadium.
What happens in Vegas won’t stay there when casino operators work together to land this whopper, this once in a generation mega fight.
When Vegas steps up, it will be, “Fumble, Jerry Jones, fumble Cowboys!”
Fight fans won’t have to beware the Ides of March, instead they will embrace it for the Biggest fight That Can Possibly Be Made is coming to fruition.
What say you, Megamanny?
The money is right, the legacy is there for the taking.
In this case, I hope Pacquiao does like Jim Carrey in that movie.
I hope Pacquiao is a “Yes Man.”
Arum lands in Manila bearing an offer, Manny, that you can’t refuse.
It's your move now, Manny.
Pacquiao promises Mayweather pain: "There will be some lingering ill-feelings"
As the saying goes, a dog that is ready to bite doesn't do a lot of barking. And as short as the four words he uttered to officially confirm his desire to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr.- anytime, anywhere- when he said "For the record, yes," Manny Pacquiao's choppers are sharp, and ready to gobble up another big name to add to his already legendary resume.
This one will be different however. And Pacquiao may have very well saved the best for last. Truth be told, I would not want to be "Money" Mayweather when he faces the Pac Man in the ring whenever, wherever- if ever. I can even say this without any least bit of exaggeration. I'm afraid for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Why you ask? Simple. The mini-monster that has been destroying boxing legend after boxing legend is actually mad for the first time. In an interview with GMA TV in the Philippines not too long ago, Pacquiao, who admittedly is annoyed with all the baseless accusations the Father-and-son team of the Mayweathers have done to discredit him and link his name to steroids (the Nevada State Athletic Commission has repeatedly stated Pacquiao has never failed their intensive drug tests) said,
"I consulted my attorney about the issue, and he (Mayweather Sr.) got scared, so he withdrew all his accusations. He said that he was just joking around, and that the statement that he made about me using steroids wasn't true."
and added,
"If our fight happens... maybe he should warn his son that there will be some lingering ill-feelings there because of his accusations." (translated from Tagalog video below)
I don't know about you and I'm telling you the cultural difference between Filipinos and African-Americans have something to do with this case because I have never heard Manny make any form of warning or threat of this nature in the past. Granted he was smiling when he made the comment, but I can read through his words and the manner in which he said the statement that Pacquiao is salivating to get his paws on Floyd Jr. If there were a way that both Sr. and Jr. could be in the ring at the same time, it's safe to say that Pacquiao would welcome it. What trash-talking is to a lot of African-Americans, which for the most part is simply aimed at intimidation, to a Filipino warrior like Pacquiao, it's a promise. Floyd can bark all he wants, Pacquiao is ready to bite.
The question is, will it be a dog-fight if these two men do lace em up? Or will it be a cat-and-mouse, or should I say dog and pussie (cat) chase all night long? With Pacquiao's speed and unorthodox style however, I think it wouldn't really matter as much as a lot of people think it would. Sooner or later, Pacquiao will get to Mayweather. And I don't care how good of a defensive fighter you are, matter of fact, it might even amount for more against Floyd who isn't used to getting hit. Once one of Pacquiao's left "See you at the Karaoke Party" punches land flush on an opponent's jaw, it's over. And I don't see enough heart in Floyd to even get back up and put up a fight like Miguel Cotto did when that happens. If I were Floyd Mayweather Jr., I'd be scared too.
This one will be different however. And Pacquiao may have very well saved the best for last. Truth be told, I would not want to be "Money" Mayweather when he faces the Pac Man in the ring whenever, wherever- if ever. I can even say this without any least bit of exaggeration. I'm afraid for Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Why you ask? Simple. The mini-monster that has been destroying boxing legend after boxing legend is actually mad for the first time. In an interview with GMA TV in the Philippines not too long ago, Pacquiao, who admittedly is annoyed with all the baseless accusations the Father-and-son team of the Mayweathers have done to discredit him and link his name to steroids (the Nevada State Athletic Commission has repeatedly stated Pacquiao has never failed their intensive drug tests) said,
"I consulted my attorney about the issue, and he (Mayweather Sr.) got scared, so he withdrew all his accusations. He said that he was just joking around, and that the statement that he made about me using steroids wasn't true."
and added,
"If our fight happens... maybe he should warn his son that there will be some lingering ill-feelings there because of his accusations." (translated from Tagalog video below)
I don't know about you and I'm telling you the cultural difference between Filipinos and African-Americans have something to do with this case because I have never heard Manny make any form of warning or threat of this nature in the past. Granted he was smiling when he made the comment, but I can read through his words and the manner in which he said the statement that Pacquiao is salivating to get his paws on Floyd Jr. If there were a way that both Sr. and Jr. could be in the ring at the same time, it's safe to say that Pacquiao would welcome it. What trash-talking is to a lot of African-Americans, which for the most part is simply aimed at intimidation, to a Filipino warrior like Pacquiao, it's a promise. Floyd can bark all he wants, Pacquiao is ready to bite.
The question is, will it be a dog-fight if these two men do lace em up? Or will it be a cat-and-mouse, or should I say dog and pussie (cat) chase all night long? With Pacquiao's speed and unorthodox style however, I think it wouldn't really matter as much as a lot of people think it would. Sooner or later, Pacquiao will get to Mayweather. And I don't care how good of a defensive fighter you are, matter of fact, it might even amount for more against Floyd who isn't used to getting hit. Once one of Pacquiao's left "See you at the Karaoke Party" punches land flush on an opponent's jaw, it's over. And I don't see enough heart in Floyd to even get back up and put up a fight like Miguel Cotto did when that happens. If I were Floyd Mayweather Jr., I'd be scared too.
Floyd Mayweather knows Manny Pacquiao leaves foes hurtin' for certain
Waiting for Godot is one thing. Waiting for Floyd Joy Mayweather Jr. is quite another.
Which reminds me that, as Larry Holmes often said (about 14 times each day), you can’t cook with cold grease.
I mention this to say that the Mayweather crew will have badly misjudged the mood and temperament of fight fans if they EVEN THINK ABOUT taking a fight against someone not named Manny Pacquiao next.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao stew is bubbling and crackling like French onion soup on the front burner.
The time to strike, for both sides, is now. If this fight is not announced by Super Bowl time (Feb. 7 in Miami), I will be shocked at the stupidity of the two sides.
Now is the right time (meaning May or June) and Vegas is the proper and only venue. Let Steve Wynn get a 30,000 parking lot stadium erected quick ,fast and in a hurry and it’s a go.
But, as per usual, I have one other concern. I think that Mayweather is having difficulty with a mental equation about a physical problem.
I think the Unbeaten One keeps asking himself a key question, maybe THE key question, about what happens when the bell first goes ding.
We’ve all seen how Pacman has been leaving opponents hurting for certain.
We’ve seen the vainglorious Oscar knocked into retirement after taking a beatdown in a bout he considered a lark in the park.
We’ve seen Ricky Hatton demolished, laid to waste, in rapid order, in less than six total minutes.
And, lastly, we’ve seen Miguel Cotto backing up and trying only for survival until the final bell, unable to fend off the Pacquiao razor blade attack.
So, when he goes to sleep at night, don’t you think L’il Floyd asks himself:
“Self, you can give LBGFGS (Little Brown Guy From GenSan) a boxing lesson, sure and no doubt. But, Self, I ask you now and I ask you for a cogent answer, how can I physically hurt him? Dashing and slapping won’t get that done. Do I really want to fight a guy who I KNOW can leave me hurting for certain, a guy who I can only defeat with a jabfest performance?”
Maybe that’s Mayweathers fight before the Pacquiao fight.
Maybe unless he gets a better answer he tries to avoid or delay the inevitable Pacman mega bout.
Maybe he won’t pen to paper (on a contract) until he can answer or least rationalize, in any way, shape or form, that serious question.
Call it Mayweather’s doubt before the bout.
It’s a nagging concern and the only location where Mayweather can really get an answer is in the ring, when he takes the opposite corner and looks across to see Pacman.
Pacquiao won’t win a boxing match, as I’ve essayed before. But, make it a rumble, a fight, and it is really on.
For the first time, Mayweather will have to contend with a foe who can leave him hurting for certain.
Before they can get physical, it's a head game and I believe that Manny's capacity for punishment is lodged deeply in L'il Floyd's cranium.
No amount of badass attitude or boxing platitudes can erase that.
Which reminds me that, as Larry Holmes often said (about 14 times each day), you can’t cook with cold grease.
I mention this to say that the Mayweather crew will have badly misjudged the mood and temperament of fight fans if they EVEN THINK ABOUT taking a fight against someone not named Manny Pacquiao next.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao stew is bubbling and crackling like French onion soup on the front burner.
The time to strike, for both sides, is now. If this fight is not announced by Super Bowl time (Feb. 7 in Miami), I will be shocked at the stupidity of the two sides.
Now is the right time (meaning May or June) and Vegas is the proper and only venue. Let Steve Wynn get a 30,000 parking lot stadium erected quick ,fast and in a hurry and it’s a go.
But, as per usual, I have one other concern. I think that Mayweather is having difficulty with a mental equation about a physical problem.
I think the Unbeaten One keeps asking himself a key question, maybe THE key question, about what happens when the bell first goes ding.
We’ve all seen how Pacman has been leaving opponents hurting for certain.
We’ve seen the vainglorious Oscar knocked into retirement after taking a beatdown in a bout he considered a lark in the park.
We’ve seen Ricky Hatton demolished, laid to waste, in rapid order, in less than six total minutes.
And, lastly, we’ve seen Miguel Cotto backing up and trying only for survival until the final bell, unable to fend off the Pacquiao razor blade attack.
So, when he goes to sleep at night, don’t you think L’il Floyd asks himself:
“Self, you can give LBGFGS (Little Brown Guy From GenSan) a boxing lesson, sure and no doubt. But, Self, I ask you now and I ask you for a cogent answer, how can I physically hurt him? Dashing and slapping won’t get that done. Do I really want to fight a guy who I KNOW can leave me hurting for certain, a guy who I can only defeat with a jabfest performance?”
Maybe that’s Mayweathers fight before the Pacquiao fight.
Maybe unless he gets a better answer he tries to avoid or delay the inevitable Pacman mega bout.
Maybe he won’t pen to paper (on a contract) until he can answer or least rationalize, in any way, shape or form, that serious question.
Call it Mayweather’s doubt before the bout.
It’s a nagging concern and the only location where Mayweather can really get an answer is in the ring, when he takes the opposite corner and looks across to see Pacman.
Pacquiao won’t win a boxing match, as I’ve essayed before. But, make it a rumble, a fight, and it is really on.
For the first time, Mayweather will have to contend with a foe who can leave him hurting for certain.
Before they can get physical, it's a head game and I believe that Manny's capacity for punishment is lodged deeply in L'il Floyd's cranium.
No amount of badass attitude or boxing platitudes can erase that.
Pacman could fight Foreman - Roach
Manny Pacquiao may fight Yuri Foreman before taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr, trainer Freddie Roach has revealed.
A super-fight appears to be on the cards next year between Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, and Mayweather, the undefeated American who recently returned to the ring from retirement. Negotiations to make the fight are under way, but Roach is weighing up the option of first pitting Pacquiao against Foreman who currently holds the WBA light-middleweight belt.
"We want to fight in March and we don't really want to wait," Roach told Press Association Sport. "Mayweather doesn't want to fight in March, so we might fight for the 154 pound title in March and move up for that eighth world title."
He added: "I'm thinking about that still and it's something that I'm kicking around in my head right now.
"Yuri Foreman might be the opponent. It is a possibility, and then Mayweather in September. If they guarantee me that, we'll do that, but I need more of a commitment from Mayweather because he's not negotiating too well.
"It has to happen, and with the money they are going to make out of it, I feel it will happen. Mayweather can't make that money with anybody else."
Roach is fully confident Pacquiao's aggression will triumph over Mayweather's defensive skills in what is set to be the biggest bout of the decade.
"Offence wins fights. He (Mayweather) has a great defence, you don't score points with defence," Roach said. "I have a good game-plan for Mayweather. I have studied him hard and I know him pretty well.
"He's very difficult and he gives us problems but I think we can get to him. We can match his speed and our footwork is a little better than his so I think we can excel in those spots. Obviously it's a tough fight but I think we can get to him and break him down."
A super-fight appears to be on the cards next year between Pacquiao, the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, and Mayweather, the undefeated American who recently returned to the ring from retirement. Negotiations to make the fight are under way, but Roach is weighing up the option of first pitting Pacquiao against Foreman who currently holds the WBA light-middleweight belt.
"We want to fight in March and we don't really want to wait," Roach told Press Association Sport. "Mayweather doesn't want to fight in March, so we might fight for the 154 pound title in March and move up for that eighth world title."
He added: "I'm thinking about that still and it's something that I'm kicking around in my head right now.
"Yuri Foreman might be the opponent. It is a possibility, and then Mayweather in September. If they guarantee me that, we'll do that, but I need more of a commitment from Mayweather because he's not negotiating too well.
"It has to happen, and with the money they are going to make out of it, I feel it will happen. Mayweather can't make that money with anybody else."
Roach is fully confident Pacquiao's aggression will triumph over Mayweather's defensive skills in what is set to be the biggest bout of the decade.
"Offence wins fights. He (Mayweather) has a great defence, you don't score points with defence," Roach said. "I have a good game-plan for Mayweather. I have studied him hard and I know him pretty well.
"He's very difficult and he gives us problems but I think we can get to him. We can match his speed and our footwork is a little better than his so I think we can excel in those spots. Obviously it's a tough fight but I think we can get to him and break him down."
Roach and Pacquiao a boxing duo for the history books
What a ride it's been for two different men from two different parts of the world. The kid from General Santos City, Philippines and the kid from Dedham, Massachusetts would meet, and together they would rise from boxing names to international boxing stars. When Manny Pacquiao first walked into the Wild Card Gym, in Hollywood, California, nobody, including Freddie Roach would know what would happen next. Together these two men would clean out 7 different divisions, an leave a path of destruction in doing so. Victims such as Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto would all fall short, and would all feel the reprecussions of what happens when you mix it up against Manny Pacquiao.
Both men have reaped the benefits of success. Pacquiao has international star power now, appearing on national American televisions shows such as The Jimmy Kimmel show, and having been blessed with huge sponsorships such as Nike proves that. Roach is the most famous trainer in the world now, his face is everywhere, including boxing magazines, his own suppliments, his own boxing training videos, and he's the most in demand trainer in the world. This all as a result of the success that both men have done together. Both men have made a lot of money, and both men have kick started boxing as a whole.
Roach and Pacquiao brought us the Morales trilogy, the Barrera wars, the De La Hoya show, the Hatton beat down with the Mayweather/Roach sideshow. The two men are like peanut butter and jelly, they just go together. With the success comes the hate. Success breeds hate, so their success hasn't come without some of it. Pacquiao has been accused of taking steroids. An allegation that has no basis or merit I might add. Roach has been called overrated, and has been accused of riding Pacquiao's wave of success. These sorts of accusations and hateful comments are common when someone achieves such success. When you're on top of the hill, someone always tries to knock you off.
There is no taking away from what these two men have accomplished in boxing. People can try all day, but at the end of the day the historians will all write similar things about them. Together they have conquered 7 different weight divisions and have defeated legends in the process. The closing chapter on such a great story would be of course to take down the one and only Floyd Mayweather Jr. This fight is currently being negotiated, and hopefully will come to fruition in the near future. A victory over Mayweather for Pacquiao would put the icing on the cake for a history making career. A career that will no doubt place him among the elite all time greats in boxing.
When the closing chapter of this story is finsihed, people will look back and appreciate what these two men have accomplished. Right now it is still an unfinished story, the pages are still turning. One day it will be over with, and it is then when people will most appreciate it. This writer is very thankful for the opportunity that I have had to cover it.
Both men have reaped the benefits of success. Pacquiao has international star power now, appearing on national American televisions shows such as The Jimmy Kimmel show, and having been blessed with huge sponsorships such as Nike proves that. Roach is the most famous trainer in the world now, his face is everywhere, including boxing magazines, his own suppliments, his own boxing training videos, and he's the most in demand trainer in the world. This all as a result of the success that both men have done together. Both men have made a lot of money, and both men have kick started boxing as a whole.
Roach and Pacquiao brought us the Morales trilogy, the Barrera wars, the De La Hoya show, the Hatton beat down with the Mayweather/Roach sideshow. The two men are like peanut butter and jelly, they just go together. With the success comes the hate. Success breeds hate, so their success hasn't come without some of it. Pacquiao has been accused of taking steroids. An allegation that has no basis or merit I might add. Roach has been called overrated, and has been accused of riding Pacquiao's wave of success. These sorts of accusations and hateful comments are common when someone achieves such success. When you're on top of the hill, someone always tries to knock you off.
There is no taking away from what these two men have accomplished in boxing. People can try all day, but at the end of the day the historians will all write similar things about them. Together they have conquered 7 different weight divisions and have defeated legends in the process. The closing chapter on such a great story would be of course to take down the one and only Floyd Mayweather Jr. This fight is currently being negotiated, and hopefully will come to fruition in the near future. A victory over Mayweather for Pacquiao would put the icing on the cake for a history making career. A career that will no doubt place him among the elite all time greats in boxing.
When the closing chapter of this story is finsihed, people will look back and appreciate what these two men have accomplished. Right now it is still an unfinished story, the pages are still turning. One day it will be over with, and it is then when people will most appreciate it. This writer is very thankful for the opportunity that I have had to cover it.
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