Team Melindo: Estrada is Tough, But We Are Tougher

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Undefeated Milan Melindo, the mandatory challenger for the WBO flyweight title of Mexico’s Juan Franciscio Estrada is prepared for war against the champion who won the WBO/WBA titles with an impressive win over Brian Viloria last April 6 in Macau.

Melindo will face Estrada at the same Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino but isn’t fazed by the challenge.

ALA Promotions premier trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard they would leave for Macau on Sunday “to wind down training, adjust to the climate and environment and get ready for war.”

Villamor said Melindo is in “great condition and mentally prepared” like he always is.
Melindo who scored a smashing 4th round TKO over Indonesian toughie Tommy Seran (23-1, 14 KO’s)  on the undercard of the Estrada-Viloria title fight , impressed Top Rank promoter Bob Arum with his showing to earn the title shot on a blockbuster card that will be telecast on July 24 at 10:15 a.m. over ABS-CBN Channel 2 with a replay on Studio 23 and coverage over The Filipino Channel worldwide.

Villamor said Melindo had watched the Estrada-Viloria fight live in Macau and also reviewed some of his fight tapes. He said they saw some flaws and would capitalize on them on fight night.

However, Villamor conceded that “Estrada is fast and this will be a hard fight. But if he’s tough, we are tougher.”

The 23 year old Mexican champion has a record of 24-2 with 18 knockouts while the 25 year old Melindo, regarded as a technically efficient boxer sports a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts.

http://www.boxingscene.com/team-melindo-estrada-tough-we-tougher–67772

Ricky Burns will defend his WBO lightweight World title against Raymundo Beltran at the SECC in Glasgow on September 7, live on Sky Sports.

The Scotsman makes the fourth defence of his title against the highly rated Mexican after coming through a tough test against José González in May in Glasgow, with the Puerto Rican rattling the champion before Burns held onto his title after González retired ahead of the tenth round.

The 30 year old Coatbridge ace returned from an eight month absence from the ring to battle past González and is adamant he will turn on the style against Beltran.

“It’s great to be back out again in Glasgow and against another tough opponent,” said Burns. “It was a tricky night against José but I got myself through it like a true champion does and I will be looking to step up a gear against Beltran, who I know will be coming to Scotland full of confidence, so it should be another great night in Glasgow.

“Raymundo is coming over to cause an upset and take the title – and it’s a chance he has earned. But there will be no mistakes from me on the night and you’ll see the best of me in there.”

Beltran, 31, enters the fight on the back of three straight wins and is ready to grasp his first World title shot with both hands.

“I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time,” said Beltran. “I have been on the wrong side of some close decisions but I have never quit on myself or my goal to be World champion.

“I will prepare for a long night and a hard fight. He is the champion so he won’t give it to me I have to take it from him. I am not flying across the ocean to just show up. He’s going to know that he’s in a war and he’s going to know this was no tune up or stay busy fight for him. I have never fought easy fights. Whatever it takes to win – knock out, points, it will be a definitive for me so no one can question that I deserve to be the champion. He has had his time and I respect him now but the night of the fight he will get none until it’s over. Then its two warriors who have respect again. But he’s in for 12 rounds or less with me giving my all.

“This is for my family, my kids, so I can give them a good future. I’m taking them into the ring with me in my heart. You know it’s hard to explain but I’m excited to be here and now that I am here I am not going to just take it for granted. It’s too important. It proves that of you never give up your time will come. Sooner or later it will come. Then it’s up to you.

“Ricky Burns will no longer be the champion when he wakes up on Sept 8th because I’m taking his belt the night before.”

“Ray Beltran is the Mexican buzzsaw who is always in the kind of action fight that fans like to see. Beltran will fight in a real entertaining battle against Ricky Burns. British boxing fans are in for a real treat,” said Bob Arum, CEO, Top Rank.

“This has always been a fight that stylistically makes sense,” said show promoter Eddie Hearn. “Beltran is a hugely entertaining and tough opponent who is on a hot run and ranked impressively across the governing bodies. Fans can expect a great main event and a deep card as Ricky continues his journey in the 135 pound division.”

Hearn revealed the early undercard at a press conference today in Glasgow, and said Scottish fans can expect a great night of action with John Simpson, Stephen Simmons, Scotty Cardle and David Brophy all fighting and more names to be announced soon.

http://www.boxingscene.com/ricky-burns-i-step-up-gear-with-ray-beltran–67038

By Miguel Maravilla
Photo: Chris Farnia/Top Rank –

Unbeaten WBO welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) of Palm Springs, California and four time division world champion Mexico City’s Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs) kicked off their two city press tour for their October PPV showdown on Wednesday afternoon at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The two will square off Saturday October 12 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I want to welcome you all to what I believe will be the fight of the year or certainly a candidate for fight of the year,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “This fight is for legacy. Timothy wants to win this fight to beat the top Mexican fighter in the world and Juan Manuel Marquez is looking to make history to win 5 world titles in five weight divisions.”

Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, who co-promotes Marquez, was also on hand as he spoke on the upcoming bout, “This is the fight everyone wants to see. Two professional fighters, of course, because of their last performances. I think Timothy really fought with his heart. It is one the most sensational fights I have seen live.

“These guys are going to go at each other. They know how to get into it. This is a real fight, a boxing match. Not a guy that is going to be running around outclassing his opponent with his skill but not giving the fans what they paid for. So these two guys will give the fans their money’s worth.”

Marquez trainer Nacho Beristan talked with the media as he anticipates a tough one.

“This is a real natural interesting fight. We recognize the quality of the champion, the way his trainer handles him. I think we will have a complicated night but we have every right to say we will come out victorious,” Beristan said.

Team Bradley was represented by his manager Cameron Dunkin along with Timothy’s father Ray Bradley and trainer Joel Diaz. Diaz spoke about the upcoming preparation and challenge they have in facing Juan Manuel Marquez.

“We are back again in another tough fight. We have by far one of our toughest fights against one of the toughest opponents, an Aztec warrior which is Juan Manuel Marquez. Behind him stands the professor of boxing, the best trainer in the world Mr. Nacho Beristan,” Diaz said. “Now it’s in my hands to put together a plan to beat Juan Manuel Marquez with my fighter, the world champion Tim Bradley.”

Juan Manuel Marquez followed as he welcomed everyone in attendance talked about his upcoming showdown speaking both in English and Spanish, “I want to thank Team Bradley for this fight. Well I have always said if I want to be the best I have to beat the best. Bradley is the champion. I am ready for this fight. The people will see October 12 another great fight because of our styles. I feel focused for October 12. I am training real hard on my strength and speed. That is what is really important for this fight, the speed.”

“This belt is beautiful. Everyone knows what happened in November 2011. This belt should be mine, but October 12 I will be back for it. This is my motivation. I feel happy for this opportunity,” Marquez concluded.

Timothy Bradley made his statement, speaking highly of his counterpart, and promises to give another great performance.

“I want to thank Juan Manuel Marquez It shows you what type of fighter and talent Juan Manuel Marquez has. He is 40, his ability and mental state of wanting to fight the best.”

“I am so pumped up can’t wait to get back to the gym and start training for this fight. I know what I have in front of me, the obstacle I have. It’s going to be a tough challenge. I am not taking him for granted. I don’t care how old he is what he has done in the past, he is facing me now. After October 12 I will be on everyone’s pound for pound list without a doubt. Don’t miss this fight I am telling you it’s going to be an unbelievable night,” Bradley stated.

The press conference concluded as both faced off for the cameras and things got a little tensed as Bradley stepped up to Marquez but that situation was quickly defused.

“You got two top athletes. Marquez in his eyes is very determined and hungry like he wants something it looks like he wanted to take something from me there and I looked the same at him I mean we are both warriors. Call us roosters or gallos (Spanish),” Bradley told Fightnews.com.

“It’s all part of boxing. It’s the psychological tactic of a fighter. For me it’s nothing new. Let’s just say the psychological war has begun,” Marquez told Fighntews.

The Bradley-Marquez press tour resumes Friday in Mexico City. The Bradley Marquez undercard will include Top Rank’s recently signed light heavyweight Shane Monahan (18-0, 11KOs) of Long Beach, New York vs. Anthony Caputo Smith (14-1, 10KOs) in a ten round light heavyweight bout. More on the undercard to be announced shortly.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/bradley-marquez-press-conference-report-207932

By Miguel Maravilla
Photos: Chris Farina/Top Rank –

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Timothy Bradley Jr., and four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez formally announced their October 12 world championship event today with a Los Angeles news conference at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Timothy Bradley: This is an opportunity for me that I had in the Pacquiao fight that slipped away due to the controversy to become a superstar in boxing and a force too be reckoned with, to be recognized and have a position in boxing. And that didn’t happen. But in this fight it’s gonna happen. It has to happen. Because I wanna be a superstar in boxing. I wanna be a household name. I’m a four-time world champion and I still don’t have a position in boxing yet. I should be on everyone’s pound-for-pound list, but after this fight, October 12, I will be on everybody’s pound-for-pound list without a doubt.

Juan Manuel Marquez: If I want to be the best, I need to beat the best and the best is the champion. Bradley is the champion and I’m ready for that fight. Everyone know what happened in November 2011 (Bradley’s controversial win over Manny Pacquiao). This belt should be mine. On October 12 I’ll be back for the belt!

Bob Arum: Some writers asked me ‘Do you think this event will be overshadowed by the event in September, Mayweather-Canelo, and the event in November, Pacquiao-Rios?’ And I said, ‘No I don’t think so because I think this fight is the best of the three of them. This is the most competitive fight and I think the fans will realize it.’ It’s my hope that the fans buy all three fights because all three fights are very interesting and deserve the support of the fans. But I don’t believe this fight will be overshadowed by anyone.

The Bradley-Marquez press tour will conclude tomorrow with a news conference in Mexico City.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/bradley-marquez-kickoff-presser-quick-quotes-207884

Por Ricardo Jiménez, Prensa Top Rank Inc. –

El campeón mundial welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el invicto estadounidense Timothy Bradley, y el cuatro veces campeón del mundo mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez, iniciaran un gira de dos ciudades (Los Ángeles y Ciudad de México) este jueves 20 de junio para anunciar su duelo de campeonato mundial que se realizara en el Thomas & Mack Center de Las Vegas el 12 de octubre y que será televisado vivo por HBO a través del sistema de pago por evento y el viernes estarán en la ciudad de México.

Junto con Bradley y Márquez estarán el legendario promotor Bob Arum, de Top Rank, y el presidente de Promociones Zanfer, Fernando Beltrán. La conferencia de prensa será en el Crystal Ballroom del Beverly Hills Hotel (9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, California. 90210) a las 11:30 a.m. (hora del pacifico).

Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs), de Palm Springs, California expondrá su corona welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) ante Márquez (55-6-1, 40 KOs), de la Ciudad de México, quien ha ganado campeonatos mundiales en cuatro divisiones diferentes y buscara convertirse en el primer mexicano and conquistar cinco campeones mundiales en igual número de divisiones.

La función es una promoción de Top Rank, Promociones Zanfer , Wynn Las Vegas y Cerveza Tecate y será televisada por HBO Pago Por Evento comenzando a las 6 de la tarde (hora del Pacífico).

BOLETOS A LA VENTA

Los boletos para esta gran función saldrán a la venta este viernes 21 de junio. Los Boletos tiene un precio de $800, $600, $400, $300, $200 , $100 y $50 y pueden ser adquiridos en las taquillas del Thomas & Mack Center pot Internet visitando la pagina   UNLVtickets.com , y en UNLVtickets Outlet Town Square Las Vegas Concierge, y teléfono llamando al 702-739-3267  GRATIS.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Bradley_y_M_rquez_inician_gira_el_20_6.php

By Jeff Zimmerman
Photo: Joel Colon/PR Best

Undefeated WBO Featherweight Champion Mikey Garcia and former 2X world champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez along with Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum and former Heavyweight Champion George Foreman took center stage at the final presser for this Saturday’s mega fight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas and also shown live on HBO.

The usual cheery Juanma, though, wanted to set the record straight about his career and the caliber of talent he has faced compared to Mikey. He believes everyone is so focused on his losses to Salido and how Mikey demolished Salido that he therefore has no shot in this fight. He made it very clear that this is not his first rodeo.

“If you go by Salido, Mikey should beat me by knockout. I knocked out Concepcion in 2 rounds and he beat him in 8 rounds. Salido was a great fight [against Mikey], but Salido was on his way out.”

All this Salido talk has really started to bother Juanma.

“Yea it bothers me because they don’t look at my whole work and I have been a 2x world champion. I have beaten some guys; he went 12 rounds with Lontchi and I knocked him out. There are other guys in there that you should be looking up besides that one fight.” Juanma also believes he has had the superior career to date.

“I believe that, I believe that I have fought better opponents. I have been a world champion longer and fought a lot of tough fights as a champion, so I do believe that I have faced tougher guys than he has.”

Juanma added, “My world championship fight will be #12 on Saturday, this is only going to be his 2nd fight as world champion.”

Juanma is aware of Mikey’s versatility as a boxer and puncher.

“You know, he’s a boxer but he’s also a puncher if he needs to be, he’ll trade with you. I am not afraid of trading with him. I know that will happen during the fight – he will trade with me sooner or later. It’s the question of making my fight, making him adjust to my fight.” Juanma, though, has no doubt he is bringing the title back to Puerto Rico.

“Mikey wants to keep the title and I want to get something that was once mine.” “One time I saw Mikey in New York and told him don’t worry, you will have an opportunity and become world champion. I hope he is in great condition and willing to die in the ring, because come Saturday it will be the toughest fight of his career. I come to take the title back to Puerto Rico Saturday night.”

Mikey displayed his usual classy self and respect for his opponent but with the utmost confidence in his ability.

“I know my opponent is a tough guy. He is experienced and has been a champion twice. I don’t take him lightly. When you are champion there are no easy fights,” stated Mikey. Mikey responded to Juanma’s frustration with the Salido comparison and Juanma’s comment about Concepcion.

“That’s the truth. It’s the truth, he did take Concepcion out in round 2, but he was also almost knocked out in the 1st round by Concepcion and I didn’t even get touched by Concepcion. So you can’t really compare the fighters, it’s not really a fair comparison, really.”

“The fans and media keep pushing something like that, the Salido fight or whatever, but it’s not fair, because you catch them at different times in their career. I can actually have a better Juanma this time around then when he fought Salido, until Saturday night we’ll find out.”

Was Salido a finished fighter when you fought him?

“I don’t think so. I just made it my fight, if I stand toe to toe with Salido and I make it an interesting fight and it’s a close fight and give him opportunities. If I stay on the outside and box my way around him, it’s easy for me.” Mikey is confident.

“I think I am a better fighter overall, just a better fighter, whether it’s punching power or boxing ability, speed, whatever. I think I’m the better fighter and that’s why I will win.” “This is another opportunity to show everybody that I truly am the best featherweight in the world.”

Arum sees a slugfest in the making and puts in historic fashion, comparing it to the to the classic Salvador Sanchez vs Wilfredo Gomez. “Absolutely it will [be a classic] and somebodies winning by a knockout. I would not be surprised if both of them go down.”

Arum also compared his former Heavyweight Champion to these Featherweights.

“There wasn’t a bigger puncher than George Foreman, but these featherweights pack a good punch as well.”

Arum continued, “Everyone is really excited about the main event. You have a former champion from Puerto Rico, who has a record of sensationally knocking guys cold. Guys couldn’t get out of first round with him and then they went on fighting other people and won a world championship.”

“A Mexican American kid from Oxnard, California coming from a family steeped in boxing, his father was a trainer, his brother a trainer and former champion so a family that has lived and breathed boxing and whose has had a sterling record as a professional.”

Arum added, “This match is very, very exciting, when you put a great Puerto Rican fighter vs a great Mexican, Mexican American fighter, there is no other rivalry that stirs the blood like that rivalry does.”

Co-promoter of Juanma, Peter Rivera of PR Best Boxing echoed Arum’s feeling when Mexicans and Puerto Ricans square off. “Mexicans and Puerto Ricans make great fights, one of the most tremendous fights you can see in boxing. We are confident Juan Manuel will be champion again…we have no doubt about that.”

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel also weighed in on the matchup.

“It’s a pleasure to be here with my favorite champ [George Foreman]. We have 2 big weapons fighting each other in this fight. You will see a great fight on Saturday.”

George Foreman, along with his sons is co-promoting with Bob Arum and Top Rank and is glad to a part of it.

“I’m happy to be here, especially in Dallas. We call it the big city next to Houston”, stated Big George. “You won’t have to go out of the country to see a great fight. Once the bell rings there is no champion so sit back and get ready for a good show.”

Big George can’t wait for fight night.

“Each fight, all fights are as equally exciting to me. That’s the advantage I have over most people, they are looking for a big fight, and I’m just looking for any fight. I love fighters and I love action and this I am looking forward to.”

Big George does give Juanma a puncher’s chance but loves Mikey’s left hook.

“When the bell rings, the title is vacant. There aren’t any champions, that title is vacant. You have no winners until the first punch is thrown, anybody can walk out of there with the crown.

“I’m looking for this Mikey Garcia. I call him the best left hooker to never come out of Philadelphia.”

* * *

Arum is very high on the co-main event as well that puts Alejandro Sanabria (33-2, 30KO’s) against Terrence Crawford (20-0, 15KO’s) for the NABO Lightweight Championship.

“This is a very good competitive match, the kind of match that is extremely fan friendly. People will be on the edge of their seats watching,” stated Arum.

Sanabria was happy to introduce himself to America.

“I come here with a desire to prove to the American public my talent and going out there Saturday night. This is a great opportunity in my career. I know I have trained very hard.”

Arum tells the story how they discovered Crawford after fighting on several of Top Rank’s undercards and then suddenly becomes a last minute replacement to fight Breidis Prescott and beats him handily.

“This is a true story of how boxing works, it’s not a Cinderella story, it’s a story,” stated Arum. “This is how Lou Gehrig replaced Wally Pip. He got the opportunity. For those of you that don’t remember, Wally Pipp was the 1st baseman for the Yankees and Lou Gehrig was a rookie and Pip got injured and Gehrig came in and replaced him and never relinquished the 1st base position until he had set all kinds of records for consecutive games played.”

“So Terrence stepped in, he was the Lou Gehrig of boxing of our time and here he is performing on the big stage as a HBO fighter in what should be a tremendous fight.”

The Gehrig / Pipp comparison was probably lost on the 25 year old Crawford, but he was definitely glad to be there.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank god for blessing me with the opportunity to be here and HBO / Top Rank for having me again. I trained really hard for this fight, I never overlook an opponent and I am just ready to go out on Saturday to display my talent once again and to show everybody that I was no “one hit wonder.”

Both Big George and Bob Arum are expecting the beginning of great things together in Big D starting with Juanma vs Mikey, but understand it doesn’t happen overnight. “Yea, it’s a process. We have done it all over Texas. I don’t why we can’t do it here in Dallas,” Arum said.

Added Big George, “You are just going to have to see when they walk up, but it’s a hard thing when you say HBO, everybody thinks you are supposed to stay at home and watch it on TV, but I want to show them it’s more exciting going out to a live match then you would ever get on television.”

Below photos by Chris Farina / Top Rank

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/juanma-sets-the-record-straight-for-saturdays-showdown-with-mikey-206848

MIKEY GARCIA vs. JUANMA LOPEZ

WORLD FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

DALLAS/FT. WORTH MEDIA FIGHT WEEK SCHEDULE

PUBLIC INVITED TO EVERYTHING!

DALLAS (June 6, 2013) — Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion MIKEY GARCIA (31-0, 26 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif., and former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico, will break training camp and arrive in Dallas next week! Yes, sir! Fight week is about to begin as the two featherweight gladiators prepare for their world title rumble at American Airlines Center®. Joining them at various events will be Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum and former two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman, who are co-promoting this championship card. The Dallas / Ft. Worth Media Fight Week schedule is as follows (all times are Central Time):

TUESDAY, JUNE 11 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FIGHTERS WORKOUTS

American Airlines Center – Outdoors at the AT&T Plaza (south side of AAC) 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

· 2:00 p.m. Juanma Lopez

· 2:30 p.m. Mikey Garcia

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

GARCIA and LOPEZ PUBLIC APPEARANCE / AUTOGRAPH SESSION

La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth Mall – Center Court

4200 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX. 76115

· 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

THURSDAY, JUNE 13 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

FINAL NEWS CONFERENCE

American Airlines Center – Arena Floor, North Concourse Area

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75129

· 1:30 p.m. Doors Open

· 2:00 p.m. News Conference Begins, followed by one-on-one interviews

FRIDAY, JUNE 14 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN

American Airlines Center – Arena Floor, North Concourse

2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX. 75219

· Noon Doors Open

· 1:15 p.m. Fighters on the scale

· 1:30 p.m. Garcia and Lopez on the scale

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2013/06/mikey-garcia-vs-juanma-lopez/

Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Mikey Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) of Oxnard, Calif., former WBO junior featherweight and WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez (33-2, 30 KOs), of Caguas, Puerto Rico will be squaring off in a title fight which will take place on Saturday, June 15 and will be televised live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on HBO Boxing After Dark.

Garcia and JuanMa will be hosting a press conference this Thursday,  May 9, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT,  at the American Airlines Center (2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, TX 75219) to officially announce the fight. Two-time heavyweight champion George Foreman and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum will also be in attendance.

This will mark the first time HBO has ever broadcast a fight from the American Airlines Center.  The Garcia – Lopez world championship event will be promoted by Top Rank®, in association with PR Best Boxing, Foreman Boys Promotions and Tecate.

Garcia vs. Lopez would have been a real mouth-watering fight a couple of years ago. Of course, Top Rank took its time giving Garcia his shot, and since then, we all know what’s happened to JuanMa, being knocked out twice. Garcia now holds JuanMa’s former belt, which he lost to Orlando Salido.

This almost feels as if they’re feeding their once cash-cow to their next up and coming star. But we don’t really know how Mikey will respond to the offense and power of Lopez, so there’s definitely still some intrigue and excitement here. Their two styles should mesh well to produce a fun fight, too.

http://www.proboxing-fans.com/mikey-garcia-vs-juan-manuel-lopez-set-for-june-15-on-hbo_050613/

Posted by: Rene Umanzor –

Four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6-1, 40 KO) will be chasing his fifth title on September 14th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las vegas. In an earlier article on BoxingScene.com, Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum said a fight between Marquez and WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (30-0, 12KOs) was close to a deal for September 14th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Marquez views Bradley as the best possible option right now, because he wants to make history by capturing a fifth world championship in a fifth weight class. And what better time to do it than Mexican Independence Day.

“I will fight on a very important date for Mexicans, and it is a joy for me to fight for the welterweight championship on that day. [Bradley’s belt is] a title which belonged to me since 2011 but I was denied in the third fight against Manny Pacquiao and why shouldn’t I go and get what’s mine,” Marquez stated.

“To me, this is the best option. Bradley is the best welterweight and to be the best you have to fight the best. He is an undefeated fighter, elusive, difficult, so I must work on speed. I think the key [in this fight] will be to counter his speed.”

“Choosing Bradley was not difficult. I always had it in my mind that my victory over Pacquiao was very important, but I wanted to go forward and not backward [by fighting Pacquiao a fifth time], and Bradley is a challenge that I know the Mexican fans will like and I think it’s time to turn the page with this new goal.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/juan-manuel-marquez-bradley-best-option-me–64735

Por Ernesto Castellanos, Esto.com.mx –

El mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez, campeón mundial superligero de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), declaró ayer que prefirió irse de vacaciones con su familia en un excelente fin de semana, a viajar a Carson, California, para presenciar la pelea del estadounidense Timothy Bradley y el ruso Ruslan Provodnikov.

Márquez señaló que fue invitado especialmente para asistir a esa función celebrada en el Home Depot Center de Carson, un estadio de tenis que adaptan para el boxeo, ubicado junto al estadio en donde juega Chivas USA, pero prefirió no estar presente.

Después de conocer el resultado de esa pelea, Márquez expresó que Bradley es uno de los candidatos a pelear con él, en lo que sería un encuentro de campeones del mundo reconocidos por la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, ya que mientras Bradley ostenta la corona de peso welter de esa agrupación (147 libras), Márquez es el monarca de las 140.

Bradley derrotó en forma controversial al filipino Manny Pacquiao en junio pasado para coronarse, y ahora ante el ruso pasó serios apuros y fue derribado en el último asalto, pero ganó por puntos.

Juan Manuel ratificó que aún no decide si sigue o no en el boxeo, para eso se tomará todo este mes y el mes de abril y lo va a platicar con su familia.

Juan señaló que entre sus planes, de continuar en el deporte, está el disputar el campeonato mundial welter, para agregar una gema más a su carrera.

“Desde hace tiempo sonaba el nombre de Bradley para pelear conmigo, y se ratifica después de ganar su pelea del sábado pasado”, aseveró Juan Manuel, que aclaró que para decidirse el nombre de su siguiente rival habrá una negociación con sus promotores, Fernando Beltrán y Bob Arum.

Márquez señaló que su siguiente pelea puede ser en superligero (63,500 kilos) o en welter (66.678 kg.).

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/JM_M_rquez_dispuesto_a_pelear_a_Bradley.php

 Faja de Campeón de la Década, hecha por Sartonk Designs. // Champion of the Decade Belt made by Sartonk Designs.

El promotor Bob Arum sostiene la faja de Campeón de la Década  que otorgo la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB). // Promoter Bob Arum holding up the Campion of the Decade Belt given away by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Juan Manuel Marquez con la correa de Campeón de la Década de la OMB, que le entrego el presidente Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel tras su triunfo por nocaut técnico en el sexto asalto sobre Manny Pacquiao en Las Vegas. // Juan Manuel Marquez with the WBO Champion of the Decade Belt, given by the WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel after his win by tko on the 6th roundover Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

El ex campeón peso completo Mike Tyson se probo la correa de Campeón de la Década que la OMB otorgada al ganador del combate Juan Manuel Marquez. // Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson trying on the Champion of the Decade Belt.

Press Release:

4 December, 2012 — The winning fighter at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas will be awarded an exclusively crafted and elaborately refined rendition of the WBO Championship motif. “This Champion of the Decade belt is a work of art,” Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, WBO President, said. “It’s a magnificent job by Master Craftsmen Ardash Sahaghian and Edward Majian who once more have demonstrated their unsurpassable creativity and originality.” With perfectly detailed contours and a hand polished mirror finish, the winner takes home a truly one-of-a-kind trophy, to mark his aggregate contribution to the sport of boxing and the World Boxing Organization.
“Every crevice of this belt has been carefully finished, and the results, I think, speak for themselves,” Edward S. Majian, President of SARTONK, stated, before reflecting: “Some purists criticize belts. But ours is the perspective of the craftsman. Our work aspires towards perfection, and we put every ounce of ourselves into that aspiration. What you see in this belt is devotion to boxing. And don’t the fighters deserve that? When the moments are long-gone, this belt will immortalize the time these men met to put themselves on the line and gave their fans one more epic bout.”
President Valcarcel will travel tomorrow, Wednesday, December 5th, to Las Vegas to attend the Weigh-In and the unveiling of the belt, and to attend the historic fourth bout between the two great Super Champions and future Hall of Famers, Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Photos will begin circulating via SARTONK and WBO’s Twitter and Facebook feeds this week.
To contact Sartonk Designs, send an e-mail to contact@sartonk.com

//

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- La correa especial “Campeón de la Década”, que la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) obsequiará al ganador de la pelea entre el filipino Manny Pacquiao y el mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez, que se medirán este  sábado, 8 de diciembre, en el MGM Grand Arena de Las Vegas, ya fue confeccionada y va camino al escenario del cuarto duelo entre estos dos futuros miembros del Salón de la Fama.

“Es una real obra de arte este gran trabajo que realizaron en Sartonk Desings con esta correa de ‘Campeón de la Década’”, dijo el presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel.

El cinturón, que premiará al vencedor del cuarto choque entre Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) y Márquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs), honrándolos por su labor sobre el cuadrilátero durante estos pasados 10 años, es uno de colección manufacturado con la más fina artesanía por Sartonk Designs, el más importante creador y diseñador de correas de títulos mundiales en el mundo.

La pieza cuenta con  una muestra lujosa de la clásica correa de campeón mundial actual de la OMB. La misma tiene sobre 170 cristales Swarovski colocados a mano, importados de Austria con un trabajo de metal que cuenta con una placa que lee “Campeón de la Década”; una revisión del águila que lo hace más lujoso con grandes piedras y una refinada definición; acabados en espejos que reflejan la luz como ninguna otra correa OMB; un nuevo medallón adaptado para esta correa que dice Organización Mundial de Boxeo; espejos laterales terminados que reflejan tridimensionalmente imágenes de Pacquiao y Márquez, así como otras joyas en oro y muestras con las más finas terminaciones.

“Cada pedazo de esta creación ha sido cuidadosamente terminado, y los resultados, pienso, que hablan por sí mismo”, dijo Edward S. Majian, president de Sartonk Desings.

Pacquiao y Márquez se han enfrentado tres veces, empatando la primera vez en 2004, y venciendo Pacquiao por decisión dividida (en 2008) y por decisión mayoritaria (en 2011), respectivamente, siendo bien discutidos los tres compromisos.

Por otro lado, Valcárcel estará viajando mañana, miércoles, 5 de diciembre, a Las Vegas para estar presente en el cartel estelarizado por el choque entre Pacquiao y Márquez.

Por Aleudi Rosario

яндекс

HBO and Showtime want to feature WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire in a fight card in July.

That’s the word from Top Rank promoter Bob Arum who told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Donaire and his wife Rachel were in his offices in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Arum indicated they talked about Donaire’s next fight even as he revealed that HBO and Showtime were “both talking about a July date.”

As of now the opponent being considered is former world champion and classy boxer  Cristian Mijares even as Arum scuttled suggestions by promoter Fernando Beltran that Donaire take on featherweight champion Orlando Salido sometime after Donaire faces Jorge “Travieso” Arce perhaps in November and hopefully wins.

Arum wants Donaire to fight at super bantamweight for some time as Donaire himself has said he wants to unify the title by facing talented southpaw and WBC  champion Toshiaki Nishioka of Japan in a four-fight program he wishes to fulfill this year.

Donaire had his first fight this year when he won a comfortable twelve round unanimous decision over former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr in San Antonio, Texas last February 4.

He had previously won the WBC/WBO bantamweight title with a spectacular 2nd round knockout of Mexican veteran Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel on February 19, 2011 at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino and then scored a twelve round shutout in his first title defense against undefeated two-division champion Omar Andres Narvaez of Argentina on October 22, 2011 at The Theater in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Donaire then moved up in weight and captured the WBO super bantamweight title.

The 29 year old who is ranked No. 4 in the Ring Magazine pound for pound list behind “Fighter of the Decade” Manny Pacquiao, undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr and middleweight champion Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez is expected in Manila on Sunday for the 12th Annual Gabriel “Flash” Elorde awards at the Dusit Thani hotel where congressman Pacquiao will be the guest of honor and speaker.

Mijares is a 30 year old southpaw with a record of 44-6-2 with 20 knockouts and is coming off back to back TKO victories. He is the former WBO bantamweight champion but has moved up to super bantamweight in recent fights.

He scored a 3rd round TKO over Jonathan Perez (19-8, 16 KO’s) on September 10, 2011 followed by another 3rd round TKO over Alejandro Valdez (25-6-2, 19 KO’s) on December 17, 2011.

Mijares is scheduled to face another former  WBO bantamweight champion Cruz Carbajal for the WBC International silver title on March 31.

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50871

Former WBC/IBF and WBA super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares who has moved up to super bantamweight is being groomed as the next opponent of newly crowned WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire when he makes his  first title defense planned for July 14 in Texas.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that promoter Fernando Beltran was visiting the Top Rank office this week and hopefully they will finalize details for the title defense against Mijares on July 14.

He said Mijares has a scheduled fight against former WBO bantamweight champion Cruz Carbajal (32-18-2, 26 KO’s) in Mexico on  April 14  “and then he’ll be ready to fight Donaire in July.”

The 30 year old Mijares is an excellent boxer but does not have the power of Donaire even though Mijares won his last two fights as a super bantamweight by stoppages. He scored a 3rd round TKO over 25 year old Jonathan Perez (19-9, 16 KO’s” on September 10, 2011 and followed it up with another 3rd round TKO over 28 year old Alejandro Valdez (25-6-2, 19 KO’s) on December 17, 2011.

Mijares won the WBC super flyweight title with a 10th round TKO over Japan’s Katsushige Kawashima opn January 3, 2007 and grabbed the IBF title with a unanimous twelve round decision over Juan Alberto Rosas on December 11, 2010 after winning the WBA 115 pound title with a twelve round split decision over Alexander Munoz on May 17, 2008.

After losing the bantamweight crown to Nehomar Cermeno on September 12, 2009, Mijares has won 8 fights in a row, 5 of them by knockout and 2 at 122 pounds.

Four division champion Donaire is coming off an impressive twelve round unanimous decision  over former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr in San Antonio, Texas last February 4 in which he dropped Vazquez in the 9th round with a patented left hook despite having hurt his hand early in the fight..

The 29 year old has a record of 28-1 with 18 knockouts and is ranked No. 4 in Ring Magazine’s pound for pound list headed by his countryman and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

For his smashing 2nd round demolition of veteran Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel to win the WBC/WBO bantamweight title last February 19, 2011 and his twelve round shutout win his  first defense against previously undefeated two division champion Andres Narvaez of Argentina on October 19, 2011  the prestigious Philippine Sportswriters Association named Donaire the “Athlete of the Year” for 2011.

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50116

New York, N.Y. —   (L-R)  Superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. pose during a press conference in New York City Thursday during their cross-country media tour for their upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49904

Beverly Hills, Ca. (L-R)  Superstar Manny Pacquiao and undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr. pose during the first stop in Los Angeles of their cross-country media tour to announce their upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on Pay Per View. Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank and Media View.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley go on sale This Friday!  February 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT, and are priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200.  Ticket sales at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two (2) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49834

WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has agreed to terms to defend his welterweight title against junior welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley Jr. on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Michael Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser, told ESPN.com on Monday.

The Bradley side still needs to finalize its deal with promoter Top Rank.

“From our end, the fight is done,” Koncz said. “I just got off the phone with (Top Rank’s) Bob Arum and Manny, so we’re done. I don’t assume there will be a problem from the Bradley side. We came to terms with Top Rank on the fight and Manny has approved everything. This morning I had a number of conversations with Bob negotiating the June 9 fight and I relayed everything to Manny.”

Top Rank president Todd duBoef told ESPN.com that he is still working to finalize Bradley’s end of the deal.

“We are going to be having further conversations with Bradley and his management early this week and hopefully finalize the deal,” duBoef said. “But the truth is my (promotional) agreement with Bradley lays out certain parameters for a Pacquiao fight, so there is a framework already.”

The hopes for a long-anticipated Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight ended last week when, after the sides once again did not come to terms, Mayweather announced he would challenge junior middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto on May 5. Cotto had also been in the running to face Pacquiao in a rematch, but Pacquiao and Cotto could not agree on the weight for the fight. Pacquiao wanted the 147-pound welterweight limit, which Cotto said was too low for him, and he accepted a deal from Mayweather.

The other names in the running to face Pacquiao in the pay-per-view fight were junior welterweight titlist Lamont Peterson and Juan Manuel Marquez, who is 0-2-1 in three incredibly close and exciting fights with Pacquiao, including a majority decision loss to him in November.

Bradley would move up in weight to challenge Pacquiao for his title.

“We’ve been talking about this for over a month and we always had a Plan B in case Mayweather didn’t happen,” Koncz said. “Last time I went to the Philippines, I took Manny tapes of all of the opponents we were talking about and he watched them with his wife, Jinkee. Bradley was one of them, as everybody knows.”

There is a chance Marquez will fight Peterson next, with the winner of that bout getting a fall match against Pacquiao if a Mayweather fight still is not made.

Koncz flew to San Antonio last weekend to meet with Arum, who was there promoting Saturday night’s Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-Marco Antonio Rubio middleweight title fight at the Alamodome, about the Bradley fight. Cameron Dunkin, Bradley’s co-manager, was also in San Antonio and met with Arum.

Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs), 28, of Palm Springs, Calif., does not have the kind of profile as the other opponents who were in the running, although he is widely considered one of the top 10 fighters in the world even though his most recent fights have not been hits.

Thirteen months ago, he won a sloppy, head butt-induced 10th-round technical decision in a heavily hyped junior welterweight unification fight against Devon Alexander. It did poorly at the gate and did not come close to the ratings expectations HBO had hoped it would achieve, despite spending millions on the fight and its marketing.

Then Bradley rejected a July fight he had called for with Amir Khan to further unify the 140-pound division, even though Khan, who brought far more economic muscle to the fight, offered him a 50-50 deal.

Bradley then split with co-promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson and, despite litigation, signed with Top Rank, knowing a Pacquiao fight was possible.

Top Rank gave Bradley the high-profile co-feature slot on the Pacquiao-Marquez III pay-per-view card in November. Bradley stopped faded former lightweight champion Joel Casamayor in the eighth round of an uncompetitive, foul-filled fight.

But Bradley is in his prime, fast and experienced against good opponents, and he could give 33-year-old Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) a competitive fight.

“Bradley is a young, undefeated fighter who deserves a chance,” Koncz said. “Manny is excited. Until we name an opponent, boxing is out of Manny’s mind. He’s busy working in (the Filipino) congress. But he gets interested in boxing again when he has an opponent and a fight. Now we know we have a date (and) an opponent and he’s excited.”

Koncz, who lives in Southern California, said he is flying to the Philippines on Tuesday night to meet with Pacquiao and go over logistics for the media tour for the fight.

Dan Rafael is a boxing writer for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter @danrafaelespn.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/7547798/manny-pacquiao-agrees-terms-fight-timothy-bradley-jr

According to Top Rank’s CEO, Bob Arum, the next opponent for WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao could be revealed as early as next Tuesday. Pacquiao’s return is scheduled to take place on June 9th, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. While Arum refused to fully confirm the opponent, it appears Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12KOs) is going to secure the lucrative opportunity.

There were four names on Pacquiao’s list of potential opponents – Juan Manuel Marquez, Lamont Peterson, Timothy Bradley and Miguel Cotto. The first choice, by Pacquiao and Arum, was Cotto. But, the Puerto Rican star is now three fights forward as a full fledged junior middleweight and refuses to fight Pacquiao at 147. Arum is attempting to match Marquez and Peterson against each other  – which only leaves Bradley.

“We wanted Cotto, but he said that he can’t make 147. If the other two guys are fighting each other and Cotto can’t make the weight, then it only leaves one guy, but lets see what happens,” Arum told BoxingScene.com.

“We won’t announce anything until after the Super Bowl. I don’t want to take anything away from the Chavez fight [on Saturday]. We want to wait until after the Chavez fight, and after the Super Bowl [to make the announcement]….probably Tuesday.”

However, Arum believes anything can happen between now and next week.

“What if Cotto has an epiphany and suddenly calls and says he can make 147?,” Arum noted.

By Rick Reeno

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49089

Michael Koncz, the advisor to WBO welterweight beltholder Manny Pacquiao, told RingTV.com on Monday that he is in Las Vegas to speak with Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum about Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Although WBA junior middleweight beltholder Miguel Cotto appears to be the current frontrunner, Koncz told RingTV.com that WBC welterweight titleholder Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not yet out of the picture.

Koncz would not confirm or deny whether or not he expects to meet with Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas.

“I am in Las Vegas right now having various discussions and meetings with different people, and we have not closed the door on Floyd Mayweather,” said Koncz.

“I’m here in Las Vegas pursuant to Manny’s instructions trying to finalize his next bout. No doors have been shut on any of our options to this point.”

Pacquiao has been targeted for a return bout on June 9 in Las Vegas at either the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand, with the possibilities being Cotto, Mayweather, RING lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez IBF/WBA junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson or WBO junior welterweight beltholder Tim Bradley

Cotto’s advisor, Gabby Penagaricano, has confirmed to RingTV.com that there have been talks with both Pacquiao and Mayweather, the latter regarding a fight on May 5.

Koncz and Mayweather have been in personal communication since late-November, when Koncz made a visit to the unbeaten fighter at his Las Vegas-based gym.

Last week, Pacquiao confirmed to the Filipino TV network ABS-CBNthat Mayweather had called him in the Philippines from Las Vegas and that they spoke by telephone

The conversation with Mayweather “went OK, the talk about the negotiation proceeds forward,” said Pacquiao, adding, “I said that the 50-50 was approved and there’s no problem. Anytime. It’s in your hands. We’ll just wait if it’s OK with you.”

Mayweather’s version of the conversation differed a bit.

“He asked about a 50/50 split and I told him no, that can’t happen, but what can happen is you can make more money fighting me than you have made in your career,” said Mayweather.

“I also let him know I’m in control on my side, but he needs to get on the same page as his promoter so we can make this fight happen.”

Mayweather is slated to begin an 87-day jail sentence staring on June 1, and has targeted May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his next bout.

But Arum and Koncz have dismissed that date for Mayweather-Pacquiao, citing their camp’s desire to construct a 40,000-seat, temporary outdoor venue near the Las Vegas Strip in late May or early-June to maximize revenue.

Pacquiao’s selection process began on January 10 in his native Philippines, when Koncz and Arum presented the candidates to him.

Photo by Chris Farina, Top Rank Inc.

Photo by Tom Hogan, Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

by Lem Satterfield

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/171215-pacquiaos-advisor-

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao has chosen his next opponent, and it’s not Floyd Mayweather. In an interview at his office Wednesday, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao has chosen his next opponent — whom Arum would only divulge was one of the four previously reported candidates, Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley, Miguel Cotto or Lamont Peterson — and plans to make his return to the ring on June 9 at a new outdoor facility off the Strip.

Arum reiterated that the problem with making a May fight with Mayweather was the timing. Mayweather has insisted that the fight take place May 5, tweeting Tuesday that “the date can’t change.” Arum says construction on a 38,000-seat temporary facility cannot be completed until later in the month. On Wednesday, Arum said he met with construction officials as well as officials from the Wynn and Sands Hotel. Arum also visited the construction site, a 40-acre plot jointly owned by the two hotels.

“To be safe, they said they needed until the end of May to get it done,” Arum said. “Economically, it’s a problem that Floyd created. The amount that would be lost by moving it up to May 5^th is enormous. The fight is not going to happen on May 5^th. We’ll do the fight in November. There is no real magic in doing it in May.”

Arum says he plans to move forward with building the outdoor facility and test it out in Pacquiao’s next fight. Arum added that he and Pacquiao were on the same page as far as Pacquiao’s future.

“He realizes that economically the May 5^th date is not smart,” Arum said. “If you postpone it two or three weeks, you can make so much more money. Mayweather told the court he was committed to fight on May 5^th. I think they lied and said Pacquiao was ready to fight him. Now they are saying the judge ordered them to fight on May 5? Was the MGM behind this? If the judge says you have to surrender yourself on June 1^st, what the f— does it matter to the judge if you fight on May 5^th or two weeks later?”

A call and text message to Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, was not immediately returned.

Chris Mannix

http://mma-boxing.si.com/2012/01/18/arum-pacquiaos-next-fight-will-not-be-against-mayweather/

Reports have begun swirling Wednesday evening of the official death to any chance of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather squaring off the in the spring. The majority of the uproar stemmed from a breaking story by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated quoting Bob Arum as saying Pacquiao’s return will come on June 9 in an outdoor stadium to be built on the Las Vegas Strip.

Whether Pacquiao returns on June 9 or in late May largely depends on whom he will be facing. An opponent has not yet been decided, mainly because they haven’t yet exhausted all options on what the Hall of Fame promoter insists is their primary goal.

“June 9 is our Plan B for Manny Pacquiao,” Arum told Boxingscene.com Wednesday evening. “Our Plan A is the same that it has been for the past few weeks, to fight Floyd Mayweather at the end of May.”

When exactly the fight can take place has become the latest hurdle in a superfight now more than two years in the waiting. Mayweather recently went on record during a Wednesday afternoon function to insist that he is obligated to fight on May 5 at the MGM Grand.

Arum, a Harvard-educated former lawyer, has a hard time believing that to be true, specifically from a legal precedent.

“No judge ever said that Floyd Mayweather has to fight on a certain day,” Arum states. “Sure, he has to fight before he goes to the clink on June 1. But any day in May is OK. You can read the transcript and the court minutes from that (January 6) hearing – you’ll see the judge never required his next fight to take place on May 5.”

Mayweather was to begin a 90-day sentence on January 6, only for his legal team to plead his case to have his prison term delayed by five months in order to fight in May. Among the reasons cited were the amount of revenue his fights are able generate in the Las Vegas area.

With that in mind, Team Pacquiao continues to question why Mayweather would want to restrict what is suggested to be the most lucrative fight in boxing history, to one venue when another that boasts a much larger capacity would generate that much more money.

“The outdoor stadium we are working on, will seat 38,000,” says Arum. “My initial estimates were 40,000, but it’s a little less.  But you do the arithmetic – a venue more than twice the size of the MGM Grand means you bring in more than twice as much money. It’s a no-brainer.”

What’s not as cut and dry is why the fight can’t take place on May 5.

On the surface, some believe it to be just more posturing in a two-year run filled of both sides going big dick with one another and finding new reasons to not make the fight happen.

For Mayweather’s side, the insistence is that it’s May 5 or bust due to commitments on their end.

For Pacquiao’s side, it’s a matter of Rome not being built in a day.

“Why are we so insistent on the end of May – it’s a fair question,” Arum acknowledges. “We had the architects in here going over all of the plans. The earliest estimate for having the stadium completed is the beginning of May. But of course, you have to be conservative.

“A couple of extra weeks to ensure that it goes up with no lingering problems, it makes the end of the month a no-brainer, and gives Mayweather time to fight before he has to do his bit.”

The back-up plan remains the same four names in previous reports – a rematch with Miguel Cotto; a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez; or challenges from 140 lb. champs Tim Bradley or Lamont Peterson, both of whom are willing to move up in weight for the fight.

Arum insists that he hopes for matters to not reach that point but plans to have a decision in the near future, one way or another.

“We’re going to be making a decision shortly. Hopefully it will be Mayweather. If not, then the other four remain possibilities.”

By Jake Donovan

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48702