A busy Day 1 at the 32nd WBO Convention in Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan – The 32nd annual WBO convention officially began yesterday at the luxurious Tokyo Dome Hotel with the first day packed with meetings and other activities.

The Executive Meeting took off with the President’s Report, Treasurer’s Report, Championship Committee Report, Grievance Committee Report, and annual presentations given by the regional directors of the WBO Latino, WBO International, WBO Europe, WBO Inter-Continental, WBO Global, WBO Asia Pacific, WBO Africa, WBO China Zone and NABO.

On safety issues, the priority of this convention:

“The doctors in the ring have to be prepared for the possibility of a fighter being seriously injured, including the possibility of brain damage. Sometimes the supervisors don’t know about medical procedures and doctor specialized care for these situations”, WBO President Francisco Valcárcel, Esq, said. “Supervisors should work to enforce our rules. Sometimes the doctor is a general practitioner. Sometimes they don’t know or ask about the distance from the fight venue to the hospital or if the hospital have a neurologist or neurosurgeon available that night. Not everybody can be a supervisor or a doctor in a boxing match.”

“If you’re dealing with boxing, the best doctor to work a fight should be a neurologist or neurosurgeon,” Valcárcel added.

WBO Legal Advisor Andre Horn stated: “It’s clear we are not here to run the show in a boxing event but to enforce the WBO rules. We want to protect not only the WBO fighters but all fighters. We are all brothers.”

At the end of the session, the Japanese press interviewed Valcárcel and asked about a possible bout between Japanese star and Bantamweight World Champion Naoya Inoue and newly crowned WBO Bantamweight World Champion Johnriel Casimero, of the Philippines.

“We have been working on that fight. Inoue got a contract to fight in America with Top Rank. Manny Pacquiao is Casimero’s promoter. He’s very close to WBO too. Before the fight between Tete and Casimero, I talked to Casimero’s team, Frank Warren, Team Tete, Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao to make the unification fight with Inoue possible early next year. Inoue is in an elite position and needs elite fights. And I can assure you that if something happened during this convention, I can give you the date of the fight this week. Carl Moretti, VP of Top Rank, and Sean Gibbons, representing Casimero’s team are here in Tokyo. For sure they will start a conversation for that fight. It will be a tough fight for both. We are talking about two elite fighters.”

The night concluded with a Welcome Cocktail Party for all members and participants at MLB CAFÉ (Tokyo Dome City).

Photos by Robert Richard / WBO

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- El clasificado número uno de la OMB en las 105 libras, el puertorriqueño Wilfredo “Bimbito” Méndez, tendrá su ansiada oportunidad mundial el sábado, 24 de agosto, frente al filipino Vic Saludar, monarca de la OMB, en Puerto Rico en una presentación de PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP).

“Ya se llegó a un acuerdo y Vic Saludar vendrá a Puerto Rico a defender su título frente a Bimbito (Méndez), que es el retador mandatorio. Estamos trabajando en el escenario para este combate y estaremos anunciándolo próximamente junto a otros detalles de la cartelera”, expresó Peter Rivera, vicepresidente de PRBBP.

Bimbito Méndez (13-1, 5 kos), de 22 años, viene de vencer por decisión unánime a su compatriota Janie “Pototo” Rivera el 24 de mayo para defender por primera vez su cetro NABO de la OMB en las 105 libras y ganarse el derecho de clasificarse primero y enfrentar a Saludar.

El oriental Saludar (19-3, 10 kos), por su parte, cuenta con 28 años y ganó su correa de la OMB en las 105 libras el 13 de julio de 2018 cuando derrotó al japonés Ryuya Yamanaka, defendiéndolo en una ocasión, el 26 de febrero de este año, al imponerse sobre el también japonés Masataka Taniguchi. Ambos pleitos fueron en Japón.

Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions is handling the highly anticipated return of the widely acclaimed SUPERFLY series set for Saturday, September 8 at the ‘Fabulous’ Forum in Los Angeles, CA. The triple-header will be televised live on HBO Boxing After Dark beginning at 9:45 p.m. ET/PT. (photos by Tom Hogan/Hogan Photos).

For the vacant WBO Jr. Bantamweight World Title, four-time world champion DONNIE ‘The Snake’ NIETES, (41-1-4, 23 KO’s), of Bacolod City, Philippines, moves up one division to challenge countryman ‘Mighty’ ASTON PALICTE, (24-2-0, 20 KO’s) of Bago City, Philippines.

Nietes, who has won the WBO Mini Flyweight and WBO Jr. Flyweight World titles is looking to be a WBO three division champion, with a victory over Palicte. ( Nietes has also won the IBF Flyweight World Title )

Oscar De La Hoya (130 lbs, 135 lbs, 160 lbs), Miguel Cotto (140 lbs, 147 lbs, 154 lbs), Jorge Arce (108 lbs, 115 lbs, 122 lbs), Fernando Montiel (112 lbs, 115 lbs, 118 lbs) and recently Terence Crawford (135 lbs, 140 lbs, 147 lbs) are the only fighters who have won WBO crowns in three different divisions. *Female boxer Amanda Serrano has won WBO World titles in 4 divisions*

Advance tickets for SUPERFLY 3, priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000) and the Forum Box Office. The Forum is located at 3900 W. Manchester Blvd, Inglewood CA 90305. Doors on the night of the event will open at 4:00 p.m. PT.

Date:  Thursday, August 1, 2013

WBO Bantamweight Championship

Location:  Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines

Promoter:   Kameda Promotions

Supervisor:    Luis Perez

Referee:    Raul Caiz, Sr.

Judges:   Tom Miller (117-111), Waleska Roldan (116-112), Carlos Colon (118-110) 

Result:    Tomoki Kameda won the title, bested Paulus Ambunda by unanimous decision.  Kameda becomes the first ever fighter from Japan to win a WBO belt.

Date:  Saturday, July 13, 2013

Title:  WBO Mini-Flyweight Championship

Location:  Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Promoter:   ALA Promotions

Supervisor:    Leon Panoncillo

Referee:  Raul Caiz Jr.

Judges:   Salven Lugumbay, Ulysses Glenn, Joe Garcia  

Result:   Merlito Sabillo retained his title stopping challenger Jorle Estrada by TKO in the ninth round.  Estrada down through body shot.

Pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao demonstrated incredible hand speed and amazing power Tuesday during a workout at  his MP Towers Gym which sits on the old L&M Gym site where he trained as a young aspiring boxer in the mid 90’s.

Pacquiao ripped into the punch-mitts and drove longtime friend and Filipino trainer Buboy Fernandez to claim that in all the years he has worked out with Pacquiao he has never felt such power.

Fernandez said he was surprised that after one week’s training in General Santos City he saw a “huge difference between the Manny Pacquiao of his previous fights and a very different Pacquiao today. He is like the hungry teenaged fighter who first came to Manila. He’s hungry again. It’s the old Manny.”

He explained that this is because of a dramatic change in Pacquiao’s lifestyle with “no late nights and no problems to think about. His only mission is to study the Bible. When you see that he is known the world over and is a congressman  and you see him in front of you explaining the scriptures no matter who you are, your hair will stand on end.”

While recalling the many who criticized Pacquiao’s performance in his more recent fights with Shane Mosley and his controversial decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in their third fight, I will tell you now after what I witnessed this afternoon I am sure he will drop Bradley. I feel there is someone guiding him.” 

Fernandez remarked that Pacquiao was once again a hungry fighter and with his current condition he is confident that undefeated light welterweight champion Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley will be staring at a knockout.

He said “I am big but if he connects with one shot it will be an early night for me, which will be the same for Bradley.”

Fernandez added that “when Manny gets to Baguio, Freddie Roach will be stunned to see what shape Pacquiao is in.”

Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz said they are not underestimating Bradley because “he’s a young fighter with an opportunity to prove himself to the world. Manny was the same way many years ago. I’m sure Bradley will come prepared in the best shape he cam be in and will give it all he has that’s why I believe its going to be a very exciting fight with a lot of punches thrown .”

However Koncz said he is confident that Pacquiao “is going to prevail. I’m sure how long the fight will last but it will be a very good fight. Manny knows that because of his showing in the last fight  he needs to add an exclamation mark to this fight so I think he’s going to  go out there and try to end it early and the fans will win again.” 

Unknown to many, Pacquiao has been training in General Santos City to get into shape when his Baguio City training camp opens tomorrow with trainer Freddie Roach and strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza who have been in Baguio since over a week ago training former WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan for his rematch with Lamont Peterson, the fighter who took the title away from Khan in a controversial decision.

 

by Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=51876

No. 1-rated contender MIKEY GARCIA will risk his undefeated record, his NABO and NABF featherweight titles and his rating when he faces two-time world championship challenger BERNABE CONCEPCION on the Lopez-Salido II card which will take place Saturday, March 10 and will be televised live from Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, P.R. on SHOWTIME Championship Boxing®, beginning at 10 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast). Photos by Peter Amador/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=50417

WBO bantamweight champion Jorge Arce (60-6, 46KOs) has warned the critics to avoid counting him out in a possible September clash against Nonito Donaire (28-1, 18KOs), the WBO’s champion at super bantamweight.

Arce expects to land an undercard position on the Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley pay-per-view, which takes place on June 9th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. And then he anticipates a clash with Donaire in September.

“Right now we are taking it step by step, fight by fight. We’ll [move on] to June 9 and then face Nonito Donaire in September – because that’s the fight I want,” Arce said. “A lot of people are leaving me for dead with Donaire, but I have to remind you that [I was viewed in the same light] against Yo-Sam Choi, Hussein Hussein and Wilfredo Vazquez – and you saw how those fights played out.”

“Boxing is about styles and moments. I think Donaire will beat Toshiaki Nishioka if they fight, because [Donaire] is younger and faster. We have seen flaws in Donaire and he showed them in the fight with Vazquez in San Antonio, and that’s where we plan to attack.”

 

By Salvador Rodriguez

Salvador Rodriguez covers boxing in Mexico for The Record.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49781

 

MEXICAN Jorge Arce has accepted the challenge of World Boxing Organization (WBO) super bantamweight titleholder Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. that could possibly takes some time in May or June.

In response to Donaire’s challenge, the 31-year-old Arce (59-6-2 win-loss-draw card with 45 knockouts) also told the 29-year-old Filipino, who recently beat up Wilfredo Vazquez through a 12-round split decision that he’s not Manny Pacquiao.

“It’s a highly anticipated fight [against Donaire],” Arce, the present WBO bantamweight champion, told writer Salvador Rodriguez of boxingscene.com over the weekend. “The people are asking for it because Nonito beat Vazquez, the fighter I knocked out.”

Arce, who will fight on February 18 against Lorenzo Parra in a non-title bout in Mexico, said that he would put Donaire back where he really belongs. If Arce comes out victorious, he will immediately move up to the super bantamweight class to face Donaire.

“I’m not impressed with the way he fights. I have the style to beat him. He says he’s the best of the division and I just say that I’ll beat him. I will demonstrate that he’s not the monster that they say and not a successor to Pacquiao,” Arce told Rodriguez.

But Donaire (28-1 with 18 knockouts), who is now a four weight division champion from flyweight, super flyweight, bantam to super bantamweight, reiterated his claim that Arce won’t beat him.

 

Written by : JOSEF T. RAMOS

http://manilatimes.net/index.php/sports/top-sports-news/17042-jorge-arce-accepts-nonito-donaires-challenge

Former super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (21-1, 18KOs) believes he is one week away from shocking the boxing world on February 4th in San Antonio, Texas – when he faces Filipino Nonito Donaire (27-1, 18KOs) for the vacant WBO title. HBO will televise. Vazquez feels that he corrected his mistakes from last May, when Jorge Arce knocked him out in the twelfth round of their Las Vegas clash.

“I prepared myself thoroughly and that’s why I stayed away from the media. I was alone in my gym. I changed my train schedule and included many new people to my team. And now I have no concerns. The pressure is on Nonito Donaire. The only ones I care to trust around me are my wife, my daughter and my team,” he said.

Vazquez respects Donaire and credits him for being a great athlete, but he also says the Filipino boxer is not invincible and although many people are trying to project him as such – he is not another Manny pacquiao either.

“It’s a great opportunity and he is a great athlete but not invincible. Everyone wants to imitate Manny Pacquiao and that is a big mistake. I have seen thousands of fighters and I have not seen anyone who can move in the ring like Edwin “Chapo” Rosario. These are qualities that life gives to one person to have originality. And I am calm and at peace. I’m going to surprise everyone, even the people who want to see me lose. I am ready to prove people wrong,” Vazquez said.

 

By Rey Colon

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49040

Mandaue City, Cebu – The World Boxing Organization (WBO) sponsored a basketball tournament involving teenagers from four barangays in the city of Mandaue. This is part of the organization’s program to encourage kids to stay in school, get into sports and say no to drugs.

The tournament was opened Saturday morning at the basketball court of the Greenhills Subdivision and Leisure Park. Aspiring cagers from Yocra,Agro, Greenhills and Kasuntingan were divided into Gold,Red,Black and Blue teams.

WBO Asia-Pacific Vice President Leon Panoncillo spoke about their Kids Drug Free Philippines program and emphasized the need for young Filipinos to continue their studies and avoid the temptations of illegal drugs.

The event was held with the cooperation of the Greenhills homeowners association lead by Basil Raya and Sammy Gello-ani’s SGG Promotions. Also in attendance were international referee Atty. Danrex Tapdasan and former WBO interim lt.flyweight titlist Johnriel Casimero.

The sportswriters in attendance were the judges in choosing the best team muse.

The winner of the tournament will each get one mountain bicycle.

 

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-65782.html


The co-feature being planned for the Juan Manuel Lopez-Orlando Salido featherweight rematch, would have Jose ‘Chelo’ González (18-0, 13 KOs) defending his WBO Latino lightweight championship against US-based Filipino Mercito Gesta (24-0-1, 12 KOs) on March 10th at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico.

“This year I hope to become a world champion and for that I’m going to prepare hard. I’m returning on March 10th, on the undercard where Juanma Lopez fights in a rematch with Orlando Salido, and we plan to do well against this undefeated Filipino and with God’s favor we’ll win and go after a world title fight,” Gonzalez said.

 

By: Rey Colon

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48453

Filipino-American World Boxing Organization flyweight champion Brian Viloria punched his way to an eighth round technical knockout victory over Mexican challenger Giovani Segura to keep his 112-pound crown and earn his place in the roster of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world Sunday at the half-filled Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Sticking to his game plan of attack-counter-attack all throughout that confused Segura, the 31 year-old Viloria, known in the international boxing world as the “Hawaiian Punch,” proved true to his moniker by implanting a big mouse above Segura’s right eyebrow right in the second round mostly on left hooks that developed into a huge hematoma as the fight wore on.

That same left shot staggered the challenger going into the last 20 seconds of the eighth and as the Mexican’s body looked to turn around led referee Samuel Viruet embraced Segura signaling the fight is over gifting the Ilocos Norte-born and Waipahu, Hawaii-based fighter his 30th victory, his 17th via stoppage in his six-year pro-career.

More importantly, with the win, Viloria accomplished what he really had wanted – barging into the list of pound-for-pound best; an honor he has long been targeting but continued slipping from his hands due to a roller-coaster career.

Viloria, a former amateur standout and a member of the United States Olympic team in 2000, actually, was punishing with volley of left and right combinations earlier in the period before landing the finishing kick to end what he himself described as the best fight of his career, sending Segura, ranked ninth in the world’s best pound-for-pound, to the nearby Medical City Hospital for further checkup.

“Yeah, that was my best fight in my career, Viloria told media men during the post-fight press conference. “It was even better than Miranda ((Mexico’s Julio Cesar Miranda from whom he stole the title last July).”

“It was easy, yes but only because I trained hard for this fight and I stuck to my game plan by not going into the ropes. I just met him in the center of the ring and avoided turning the fight into a brawl in which he (Segura) is at his best,” he said.

“He has heavy hands, but he didn’t hurt me. I often saw his punches, prepared to avoid them, then counter-attack,” he said drawing concurrence from his American manager Gary Gittelsohn.

“That was a fight between the two very best flyweights in the world and it’s a pity the U.,S. missed hosting it,” Gittelsohn said, who added, his ward might stick it out in the 112-pound category although plans are also afoot to invade higher divisions.

“We’ll stick it out in the flyweight division, but we might also try to test the waters, say in the 115-pound class,” the manager said.

Except for two rounds – the first and second, which Malaya Business Insight scored as draw, all rounds were Viloria’s convincingly.

Viloria wound up with a slight cut in his left eyebrow inflicted in the second round and a swollen left cheek but was never really threatened as he repeatedly pummelled the former WBO and World Boxing Association light-flyweight kingpin with crispy lefts and rights to the elation of the crowd that included Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division champ Gerry Penalosa. Judge Danrex Tapdasan saw the fight, 69-64 at the time of the stoppage , judge Ulysses Glen,70-63, and judge Harry Davis, 68-65, all in favor of Viloria.

 

By Eddie Alinea

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64039.html

Pasig City – In an incredible display of skill, heart and sheer will power, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria successfully defended his WBO world flyweight title against Mexican “Aztec Warrior” Giovani Segura at the Ynares Sports Center.

Segura, who attacked from a southpaw stance, had Viloria on the back foot in the opening minutes of the fight but Viloria’s left hook began to find its range going into the second round. Viloria stunned Segura with a right hand lead followed by a left hook and had Segura on the ropes twice. Viloria bled from a cut on the left eyebrow but Segura looked dazed and confused at the end of the round.

A hematoma started to form on the Mexican’s right temple as Viloria’s left landed with impunity in the subsequent rounds. Segura continued to press the action but missed wildly. His power was evident as Viloria covered up and winced as Segura’s hooks connected.

The partisan crowd cheered for every punch Viloria threw. Past the halfway mark, the swelling on the right side of Segura’s head got bigger and his right eye would eventually get affected and started to close as well. Segura was still dangerous but Viloria, with blood continuing to leak from his cut, pressed his advantage by landing hard shots.

The crowd was in a frenzy sensing a Viloria victory. Segura faded and after the 7th, referee Samuel Viruet checked and talked with the Mexican cornermen.

Segura answered the bell for the 8th round but Viloria pounced on him with a brutal volley prompting Referee Viruet to save the challenger from further punishment. Official time – 0:29.

Viloria (30-3, 17 KO’s) finished with a swollen left cheek aside from his cut. But he made sure he would retain his title in front of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and former two-division world champ Gerry Penalosa and lustfully cheering fans who trooped to Pasig on a Sunday morning.

The scores prior to the stoppage had Viloria ahead – Judge Danrex Tapdasan – 69-64, judge Ulysses Glen – 70-63 and judge Harry Davis – 68-65.

Segura (28-2-1, 24 KO’s) was ranked ninth by Ring magazine in their pound for pound list prior to this bout. Viloria’s win makes three Filipino boxers on that prestigious list by year’s end.

 

Photos by Dong Secuya.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-64016.html

Three-time and reigning WBO world flyweight champion Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs), a dual citizen of the U.S. and Philippines and a 2000 U.S. Olympian, is ready to take on Mexican challenger Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura, on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines. “I’ve sparred with Segura in the past and we beat the hell out of each other,” Viloria said. “It was the kind of sparring where we could have charged the audience for an entrance fee and they wouldn’t have complained. Knockout specialist Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), a two-time world light flyweight champion (World Boxing Association Super champion), knocked out previously undefeated WBO champion Ivan Calderon (34-0-1) in a unification fight in 2010 and again this past April in a rematch before moving up in weight.

Integrated Sports Media, the pound-for-pound king of sports distribution in North America, will distribute the Saturday night “Island Assault 3″ for live viewing at 9:00 PM/ET, 6PM PT. The event is available on satellite pay-per-view via DISH Network, and on-line pay-per-view at http://www.ustream.tv/integratedsportsppv

“We’re looking forward to bringing this action-packed card, headlined by two of the best lighter weight fighters in the world, Viloria and Segura, to US boxing fans,” Integrated Sports Media president Doug Jacobs said. “This exciting show continues the heated Filipino vs. Mexican boxing rivalry that is one of the most intense in the sport today.”

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/viloria-ive-sparred-with-segura-in-the-past-and-we-beat-the-hell-out-of-each-other-103913

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO- World Boxing Organization (WBO) president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referee and judges who will work on the WBO flyweight title bout between Flyweight champion Brian Viloria and former Junior Flyweight titlist Giovani Segura this Sunday, December 11 in the Yñares Sports Arena in Manila, Phillipines in a Promociones Zanfer and Saved by the Bell Promotions presentation.

Valcarcel reported that for the first title defense of Viloria (29-3, 16 KOs) against the Mexican Segura (28-1-1, 24 KOs), the referee will be Samuel Viruet, from the United States. Viloria won the 112 pounds belt on July 16 when he beat Mexican Julio Cesar Miranda by unanimous decision. Segura reigned in the WBO 108 division from 2010 to 2011.

Meanwhile, the judges for Viloria vs Segura are: Danrex Tapdasan, from Phillipines, Harry Davis, from Canada, and Ulysess Glen, from United States. WBO supervisor for this fight will be Leon Panoncillo Jr.

 

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2011/12/wbo-announces-referee-and-judges-for-sunday-december-11-viloria-segura-title-bout-in-phillipines/

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao returned home to the Philippines and as usual he was mobbed by the local fans, who greeted the boxer as he arrived from the United States. Pacquiao won a twelve round majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao would later attend mass at the Quiapo Church in Manila.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46263

 

Juan Manuel Marquez will not make a decision on his future for at least several weeks, but he expects to make an announcement within 20 days to a month. The Mexican boxer is still very angry with last Saturday’s twelve round majority decison loss to Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao and his promotional team, Top Rank, are pursuing a fourth meeting with Marquez, but the Mexican champion is still unsure if he plans to continue his career. “Within 20 days or a month I will announce my decision whether I plan to retire or make a fourth fight with Manny Pacquiao. I have to consult my family first, then with my team. I proved that I’m the best fighter in the world. Everyone saw that Pacquiao is not the best fighter in the world. Bob Arum saw that he’s not the best fighter on the planet. [Pacquiao] says he won the fight, but I invite you to watch the video of the fight and see that he lost. Me and my corner were sure of victory, but when they announced the winner was [Pacquiao] I felt frustration,” Marquez said. “Fortunately, the best judges are the fans, the public, who condemned the decision. The match was viewed by the best audience in the world, the Mexican fans, and they rejected that verdict. As Mexicans we lose, but we also win. If I had lost in the ring, no Mexican fans would have said anything, and they would have accepted the reality. Decisions such as this stain boxing. If I decide to continue, [the fourth] fight will not be in Las Vegas. He can come to Mexico and do it on my terms.”

 

by Ernesto Castellanos, notifight.com

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46074

By Chris LaBate

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is still very interested in facing Floyd Mayweather Jr., who captured the WBC title with a fourth round knockout of Victor Ortiz in September. Pacquiao defends his belt against Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

After defeating Ortiz, Mayweather told members of the media – “I don’t need Pacquiao. Every time I go out there I’m going to make $70 million. I don’t need Pacquiao. Pacquiao is famous because he is attached to my name. When they say Pacquiao, they say that’s the guy they are trying to get to fight Floyd Mayweather. When they say Floyd Mayweather – they say that’s an all-time great.”

Pacquiao, during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, said he’d like to fight Mayweather, but he can’t force his rival’s hand to make a deal. Mayweather claims Pacquiao is not willing to agree to a pre-fight random drug testing protocol, which the Filipino boxer says he’s willing to accept. Pacquiao claims it’s Mayweather who doesn’t want to fight.

“Whoever I have to fight the rest of my career, I’m happy and satisfied with what I’ve done. I don’t need somebody else to be satisfied with what I’ve done. I don’t need to be looking for, or chasing, a fight. I want the fight, but I cannot force him to take it. He has to show he wants to fight me,” Pacquiao said.

http://www.boxingscene.com/pacquiao-i-t-force-mayweather-jr-fight-me–45266

 

 

Mexican challenger Juan Marquez told your returning Counterman he’ll go for a knockout against defending champ Manny Pacquiao in their Nov. 12th titular World Boxing Organization showdown at MGM’s Grand Arena in Las Vegas Nevada.

“Nothing like beating Marquez decisively with Pacquiao’s speed,” said trainer Freddie Roach.

“This is to settle what’s bugging Juan Manuel after failing to beat the Pacman twice,” the American trainer stressed.

Speed has been Manny’s chief asset as we’ve repeatedly noted.

A calculating puncher like Manny will be in his usual side-to-side movements, unloading neat yet deadly combos when needed and

always looking for openings to drop his bombs.

Expect a hell of a brawl as the long-running telenovela winds up

in climactic finish at the Grand.

To clarify contrasting claims on “D’ Brawl,” I sought and got, the Mexican’s thoughts on the Filipino idol.

C: If a knockout of Manny Pacquiao is being worked out ‘fast and furious’ by Team Marquez, isn’t that limiting your chances of beating the pound-for-pound champ, since he can get you in more ways than the one you have in mind?

JMM: I am not sure I understand the question, but yes I will seek a knockout in this fight.

C: Without revealing plans for Pacman’s KO, what can the fans expect in this fight?

JMM: This third fight is just like the first two–closely-fought and very much a war.

C: Pacquiao is seen as the fighter gaining a knockout coup since the agreed catch-weight (144lbs) tips the balance in his favor being a natural welterweight, right?

JMM: Again, it is not about the size, it is about the mind and style. I have also knocked out bigger guys at 135 pounds. The smarter, best-conditioned fighter will win this fight.

C: You’ve had that problem when you first ventured into

the welterweight class against Floyd Mayweather Jr?

JMM: I think everyone has problems with FMJr. He is a very defensive fighter and will not engage. This makes for boring fights.

C: In your twin failures with the boxing congressman, you went down four times. What’s your take on claims that Manny will put you to bed early, what with his power-bombs as a full-sized welterweight?

JMM: We will both find out on Nov. 12 on how easy or how hard it will be for him to beat me or even try to beat me. We both know who won the first two fights and who got the decision. This third fight is a whole new chapter. The first two fights are history, let’s see what happens in the present.”

So there!

We’ll feature Manny’s side next week, assuming he ain’t that busy attending to the needs of his Canadian advisor on hygienic concerns.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideSportsop.htm?f=2011/october/15/hermierivera.isx&d=2011/october/15

Manny Pacquiao is an eight-division world champion, the first boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions. He is also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000’s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time The Ring “Fighter of the Year”, winning the award in 2006, 2008, and 2009. At the age of 14, Pacquiao moved to Manila and lived, for a time, on the streets. He started boxing and made the Philippine national amateur boxing team where his room and board were paid for by the government. Pacquiao reportedly had an amateur record of 64 fights (60–4). After two years, Pacquiao made his pro boxing debut at the age of 16. At the age of 32, Manny is a 16-year pro – he made his debut at 16. Boxing’s biggest and brightest star, he has been fighting at the top levels of competition and given some of the most

sensational performances in the ring in recent years. He has won world titles at 112, 122, 126, 130, 135, 140, 147, and 154 pounds. Not only has Manny won against bigger men, but he has defeated the very best of each division such as: Marco Anonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Antonio Margarito. Manny is not only recognized by most observers as the best fighter at any weight in the ring today – the best “Pound for Pound” – but is also considered one of the sport’s all-time greats. He is the national hero of his native Philippines – the entire country of over 96 million people comes to a virtual standstill to watch whenever he fights. He was elected last year as a Congressman in the Sarangani province in the Philippines. He is also a recording artist and an action-movie star in his home country.

REGIONAL TITLES:

1. OPBF Flyweight Champion

2. WBC International Jr. Featherweight Champion

3. WBC International Jr. Lightweight Champion

WORLD TITLES:

1. WBC Flyweight Champion

2. IBF Jr. Featherweight Champion

3. The Ring Featherweight World Champion

4. WBC Jr. Lightweight Champion

5. The Ring Jr. Lightweight Champion

6. WBC Lightweight Champion

7. The Ring Junior Welterweight World Champion

8. WBO Welterweight Champion

9. WBC Jr. Middleweight Champion

Donnie Nietes, who is a Filipino professional boxer, was born in Bacolod City, Philippines on May 13, 1982 and stands 5 feet 3 inches. His first fight was against Walter Suaybaguio in San Fernando, Cebu, Philippines, winning a six round unanimous decision. Also known as Ahas, he has fought 29 times, winning 25 with 14 of those wins via knockout, with 1 loss and 3 draws.

He won the WBO minimumweight title with a unanimous 12-round decision against Pornsawan Porpramook in Cebu City Waterfront Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines on September 30, 2007.

Nietes currently holds the WBO Jr. Flyweight title, which he won back on October 8, 2011, when he defeated then WBO champion Ramon Garcia Hirales. Nietes captured the title by a 12th round unanimous decision.