DOES MANNY HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST OSCAR?

By Tim Smith

There is an old adage in boxing: A good big man beats a good little man. That assumes that both men are in
their prime and are at peak condition.

When Manny Pacquiao, a very good little man whom many believe is the best "Pound-for-Pound"boxer in the sport, steps into the ring against Oscar De La Hoya, a good big man in Las Vegas on Saturday night, Pacquiao will be hoping that De La Hoya isn't the De La Hoya of six years ago. Actually he'll be counting on it.

If De La Hoya is anywhere near his peak, he'll knocko ut Pacquiao within three rounds. If he is not, then the "little man" is going to give him fits.

I still believe this is a mismatch in the classic sense. It is supposed to be a welterweight match. But De La Hoya hasn't fought at 147 pounds since he beat Arturo Gatti in 2001. Since then he has fought at junior middleweight and middleweight. His last two fights against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Steve Forbes was fought at 150 pounds.Read Full Article ...

MANNY PACQUIAO 100 YEARS FROM NOW

One hundred years from now when our faces will just be faint images in the memories of our great great grandchildren and our names will just be alphabetical inscriptions in our moss-covered tombstones, Filipinos will remember Manny Pacquiao just as our generation recall and glorify the heroism of Dr. Jose Protacio Rizal Mercado.

The Rizalists may exclaim: "Blasphemy!" They would have every right to complain if Manny Pacquiao were compared to Jose Rizal in the context of the national hero's ultimate sacrifice -- dying for the his country and people.

Indeed, they are two contrasting personas.

Rizal came from a rich family which showered him with love and support. Pacquiao was a street kid who was abandoned by his father as a young boy and who had to struggle to survive in the concrete jungles of the Big City. Read Full Article ...

Oscar and Manny: Curiosity, money and an empty 45?

Go ahead, admit it. No matter how much of a purist you are, no matter how much you ridiculed this fight’s announcement, no matter how much you see this spectacle as the eulogy of a decadent era, the fact is you are damn curious to see its first minute.


The first minute of Oscar De La Hoya versus Manny Pacquiao, of course. A fight held at the welterweight limit of 147 pounds. Pacquiao has only fought above 130 once. De La Hoya has not fought under 150 in almost eight years. They will meet at an in-between weight closer to De La Hoya’s side of the scale, in MGM Grand this Saturday.

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A Look At The Legacy Of Oscar De La Hoya - With And Without The Gloves

By Vivek Wallace: In less than a week, fight fans will get the opportunity to watch as one of the sports most recognized athletes delivers the latest chapter of his famed career. For the last 16 years boxing fans around the globe have watched as Oscar De La Hoya entertained in a way that only he can, and despite the many setbacks encountered, his most recent mega-fight with the sports former pound for pound king (Floyd Mayweather Jr.) showed exactly how relevant he remains. In that event Oscar set the bar even higher, breaking records in several categories - ranging from PPV buys (2.4M), to purse money received ($52M), and many more. As the week moves along we'll get into fight strategy and hype, but serving as an appetizer, today we take our first look at a man who needs no introduction. None of us know exactly how much longer the Goldenboy will dwell between the ropes, so out of respect for this legendary figure, today we take a quick trip down memory lane to revisit his many milestones, accolades, and accomplishments in the first installment of our 'Snapshot', which highlights his existence in the sport..
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BREAKING NEWS: PACQUIAO ARRIVES IN L.A. FOR THE DE LA HOYA FIGHT

Los Angeles, CA:- If the huge crowd that swarmed the Tom Bradley International Airport Terminal tonight is an indication of how many people will be seeing the Oscar de la Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight on December 6th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, then selling the fight will be a no-brainer for the three promotions companies (Top Rank, Golden Boy and Manny Pacquiao Promotions) putting up the event.
The Philippine Airlines Flight 102 from Manila touched down at the LAX at 8:10 pm and at 9:15 pm, Pacquiao and his trusted lawyer Franklin 'Jeng' Gacal walked up the hallway that led from the Immigation and Customs Section out to the city. Read Full Article ...

PACQUIAO WATCH: Failed expectations?

HAS Manny Pacquiao become a victim of his own success?

This might as well be the question that should be answered instead of endlessly and passionately debating whether he won or lost his rematch and overly hyped unfinished business with Juan Manuel Marquez.

Many boxing analysts in the world of boxing are still disagreed with the split decision awarded to Manny to snatch the World Boxing Council diadem from Marquez last Sunday (March 16, Manila time).

Eminent Filipino sports scribes are as polarized as the country’s political landscape.

But majority of them could not categorically claim Manny lost that one.
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(UPDATE) Pacquiao is new WBC super featherweight king

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao snatched the WBC super featherweight belt after outpointing Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez via a controversial split at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada, Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Two of the judges saw it 115-112, 114-113 for Pacquiao, while the third scored 115-112 for Marquez.Read Full Article ...

MAKING THE LIMIT IS NO WEIGHTY PROBLEM FOR PACQUIAO AND MARQUEZ (WITH PHOTOS)

Las Vegas, Nevada -- Today, at the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino, the site for tomorrow’s blockbuster fight, the official weigh-in for all the boxers involved in the card was held free for the public to witness.

The headliners for the said fight card, WBC Super featherweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez and challenger, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao easily made weight.

Marquez tipped the scales at 130 pounds while Pacquiao was a sizzling 129 pounder.

The other fighters on the card made weight as well except for Diosdado Gabi. Gabi, in spite of being stripped bare, was still 119.5 lbs. He was given an hour to come back and try again. Rumors had it that Gabi was 6 pounds over the limit as late as yesterday. Why? Your answer is as good as mine! Personally, I strongly feel there was no reason why Gabi could not make weight unless someone is negligent in keeping track of it!Read Full Article ...

Press Conference Videos...

Manny




Juan Manuel




Arum


Roach

Marquez goes to great heights in training for Pacquiao fight

TOLUCA, Mexico -- For more than six centuries Mexicans have believed there are special powers hidden in the towering Nevado de Toluca volcano.

In pre-Columbian days, Aztec religious leaders would hike the 15,354 feet to the volcano's two craters to make offerings to the feared rain god Tlaloc.
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FINAL MARQUEZ-PACQUIAO II PRESSCON QUOTES AND PHOTOS!

The final press conference was held earlier for the the WBC super featherweight champion between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao Saturday night at the Mandalay Bay Resorts and Casino and live on HBO Pay-Per-View. As of today's presser Pacquaio was a -230 favorite, while Marquez backers can get +190.
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Handa Na Po Ako

LAS VEGAS — Magandang araw po sa inyong lahat. Sana ay nasa mabuti kayong kalagayan, malusog sa pangangatawan at pag-iisip.

I am truly amazed how time flies. It seems it was just yesterday when we started training for Saturday’s fight (Sunday in Manila ) more than two months ago. Ilang tulugan na lang at bakbakan na. Excited na ako, let’s get it on!

Naibuhos ko na po ang lahat ng aking lakas, tiyaga at pawis upang paghandaan ang laban na ito at masasabi ko, handa na po ako. Maginhawa ang aking pakiramdam, maayos ang aking mental preparation at wala pong problema sa timbang.

Humigit-kumulang sa 140 rounds na ng sparring ang aking naitala para paghandaan ang lahat ng pwedeng ibato sa akin ni Juan Manuel Marquez. Matagal at mahaba ang preparasyon namin ni Coach Freddie, Buboy, Nonoy at Eric Brown sa paghimay sa lahat ng kilos at maaaring ikilos ni Juan Manuel sa pangalawa naming paghaharap.Read Full Article ...

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez: Round 1 Knockout Bet Would Pay Big Bucks

Juan Manuel Marquez has never been knocked out in his 52-fight professional boxing career. Aside from a disqualification in his first fight 15 years ago, his only losses have been 12-round decisions. So as Marquez prepares to fight Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, why do I find it tempting to place a little wager on Pacquiao beating Marquez in the first round? Probably because I remember how the first round went when these guys fought four years ago:Read Full Article ...

How It'll Happen: Pacquiao/Marquez II

Few sports have the potential to be as satisfyingly conclusive as prizefighting. The image of one fighter knocking out their opponent is about as decisive as it gets. The superior competitor is decided without dispute, which is essentially the heart of competitive athletics.

It’s for this same reason why boxing can also be so agonizingly dissatisfying. Whenever the fans, as well as the fighters, are deprived of conclusiveness and closure, an unresolved void remains. Boxing craves declarative statements, not interrogative questions.Read Full Article ...

Pacquiao vs. Marquez II: For All The Marbles

After four years of waiting, we finally get to see WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (48-3, 35 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (45-3-2, 35 KOs) go at in a rematch, which will be taking place at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their first bout, fought on May 8th, 2004, was incredibly exiting with Marquez being knocked down three times in the first round alone. However, after the knockdowns, Marquez seemed to solve Pacquiao’s style and beat him in most of the remaining rounds to eventually earn a draw. Many, however, felt that Marquez received a poor decision, in that he had controlled the fight from the 2nd round on until the 12th.Read Full Article ...

Marquez focused for Pacquiao rematch

You wouldn't think anyone could get too comfortable while going toe-to-toe with Manny Pacquiao in a boxing ring, but Juan Manuel Marquez says that's exactly what happened on May 8, 2004, when Pacquiao sent Marquez to the mat three times in the first round.

Marquez's trainer, Ignacio Beristain, says that his longtime pupil was connecting with punches early in the bout but appeared too relaxed, perhaps taking for granted that his opponent had dozens of knockouts on his resume, including a recent dismantling of Marco Antonio Barrera.Read Full Article ...

Pacquiao aims to make history against Marquez

LAS VEGAS — There’s no turning back for Manny Pacquiao’s stab at immortality on Saturday night when he aims to become the first Filipino to capture world titles in three different weight categories.

"This is it," Pacquiao said on Tuesday night while playing host to a group of well-wishers packed inside his suite at the Mandalay Bay. "I am ready to go."
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Marquez treated like work of art

LAS VEGAS — In the final days leading to the fight, Mexican maestro Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain will treat his fighter Juan Manuel Marquez like an expensive figurine.

Since breaking camp last Friday in Mexico City, Beristain has been looking after Marquez as though he was some kind of girl being taken on a date by the campus heartthrob.Read Full Article ...

The Strengths and Weaknesses of Marquez and Pacquiao

In analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of both Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, it has come to my attention that we are set to potentially witness the highest level of prize fighting so far in 2008. Both men have strengths in abundance while their weaknesses are far and very few between.

While the difference in styles between both men couldn’t possibly be more varied, the depth of their abilities that compliments their styles is on another level of nasty.

Let us take a look at some of the aspects of each combatant’s game leading in to Saturday’s battle starting with the “Pacman”:
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Marquez: ‘Pacquiao can’t take my belt away’

LAS VEGAS—Juan Manuel Marquez alighted from the black stretched limousine clad in a sport jacket with his World Boxing Council super featherweight belt slung on his left shoulder.

According to Marquez, the title belt wasn’t merely there for display. He said it symbolized his determination to keep the title he wrested from fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera and defended against another countryman, Rocky Juarez, last September.Read Full Article ...

Judge Marley's Verdict: Marquez Won 7-5 In Rounds, Pacquiao Won 113-112 On Points!

I’ve been scoring fights for 45 years. It was so long ago that I began that I can remember learning the old and honored New York State system in which you scored the rounds.

It may be hard for younger people to accept but Madison Square Garden ring announcer Johnny Addie would read the verdicts like this: “Judge Artie Aidala scores it 8-7 for Emile Griffith; judge Joe Blow scores it 7-5-3, Nino Benvenuti. And judge I.B, Crooked scores it 9-6 for the winner by split decision and still welterweight champion of the world

(dramatic pause)…Emile Griffith.”Read Full Article ...

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

After their hellacious, give-and-take slugfest four years ago, Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao are anxious to override their draw and prove superiority over the other. What can you expect from the proud fighters?Read Full Article ...

Boxing bible sees Pacquiao victory

ADD the top man of the Ring Magazine, which is considered as the bible of boxing, as one of those who see Manny Pacquiao emerging victorious in their rematch this Sunday (RP time) dubbed “Unfinished Business” in Las Vegas.

Ring Magazine editor-in-chief Nigel Collins told Philboxing.com that he sees Pacquiao winning his second match against Marquez, the reigning World Boxing Council champion, four years after their first match ended in a draw.Read Full Article ...

DOES MARQUEZ HAVE A PRAYER WITH PACMAN?

Las Vegas, NV- As we approach the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch Saturday, picking a winner is something split among racial lines. Much like the Democratic Presidential run between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both sides are deeply vested when it comes to choice. When Pacquiao was in San Francisco last week, he displayed speed, punching power, and an overwhelming level of confidence.Read Full Article ...

Manny can’t wait to rumble

LAS VEGAS – Three days before the fight, Manny Pacquiao is cutting back on everything – except his will to win.

“I’m ready to go,” Pacquiao declared Tuesday, a light and easy day at the office as compared the last 50 days or so.

Pacquiao went out first thing in the morning, and took a 30-minute run inside the UNLV campus. Gone were the days he’d climb the mountains in LA, those days like he was training for a marathon.Read Full Article ...

Too close to call

LONDON – Four top outspoken British boxing writers are surprisingly hesitant to predict who will wind up unfinished business in Las Vegas this weekend but they’re sure of one thing – the rematch between WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and challenger Manny Pacquiao will be a humdinger.

“Pandemonium has to be defined in Webster’s as a Manny Pacquiao fight,” wrote Joe Rein in Boxing News, the weekly trade magazine published here. “It’s a wonder the casino can get insurance, considering the earthquake Pac and JMM caused almost four years ago at the MGM Grand. Mark it on your calendar, tattoo it on our chest, this is one Ides of March even Caesar wouldn’t miss.Read Full Article ...

Marquez swears he’s not parting with belt

LAS VEGAS – Juan Manuel Marquez stepped out of a gold limousine Tuesday morning with his WBC belt slung over his left shoulder.

He said he has no plans leaving Vegas without it.

“I’m hanging on to this belt,” the super-featherweight champion from Mexico City said in Spanish as he spoke to ABS-CBN sportscaster Dyan Castillejo.

“It’s not going to be taken away from me. If Manny Pacquiao wants to get it, it’s going to cost him a lot,” he added.

Marquez was welcomed at Mandalay Bay by well-wishers, the media and an eight-man mariachi that played cheerful Mexican music.Read Full Article ...

Beristain: No rivalry with Roach

LAS VEGAS – Nacho Beristain, the maker of great champions from Mexico, said Tuesday there’s no animosity between him and fellow trainer Freddie Roach of the US.

Or at least he tried to hide it.

“No, not at all,” Beristain told Filipino scribes Tuesday during the formal welcome ceremony for boxers Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez at Mandalay Bay.

“I respect Freddie Roach and his work. There is no rivalry,” added the Olympian, who has trained 16 world champions over the last 40 years.Read Full Article ...

How Could Judges Turn In Pacquiao-Marquez Scores 10 Points Apart?

I joke that I was in prison in Montana on May 8, 2004. There was a duck hunting incident or something like that. Or maybe that was when I was living in that little grass shack on the beach in Bora Bora. I was drinking copious amounts of coconut-tinged drinks served by a wicked wahine wearing a newly-mowed grass skirt.

I forget.

I have to have an excuse for completely missing the Manny Pacquaio-Juan Manuel Marquez WBA-IBF title bout at the MGM Grand. Actually, I was then defending the unjustly accused (well, some of them actually were) in criminal cases in Manhattan, Brooklyn, The Bronx and Queens. Read Full Article ...

Pacquiao’s bout with Marquez live on Manila’s giant screens

MANILA, Philippines -- Manny Pacquiao will again be seen live in Manila on Sunday as free wide-screen telecasts of the boxer's rematch with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez will be shown in the city's sports complexes.

Mayor Alfredo Lim said he asked city administrator Jesus Mari Marzan and parks and recreation bureau chief, Engineer Deng Manimbo, to prepare the live-via-satellite airing of "Unfinished Business" on 16 x 24 ft projector screens for Manila's residents.Read Full Article ...