Pacquiao seeks place in world boxing history

Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao is on the brink of achieving a “sixth” world title, this time in the 140-pound division, as he challenges International Boxing Organization (IBO) and the Ring Magazine junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton.

The pride of General Santos City and of the whole Philippines as well has already won the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight, the WBC super featherweight, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super bantamweight, and the WBC flyweight world titles.

He also won an “extra” world title when he copped the lineal featherweight championship by beating Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, though he never held a sanctioning belt in that division.

According to Wikipedia, the lineal championship is an abstract world championship title held at some moment in time by a boxer universally acclaimed as “the best in the class”.

If Pacquiao beats Hatton, he gets another lineal title in a fourth division.

“In other words, he'll be considered the ‘real’ champion in a fourth division, not just a mere titleholder, the way he was when he claimed his junior featherweight belt and lightweight title,” explained analyst Dan Rafael in his article posted on ESPN.com.

Boxing historian Bert Sugar said Pacquiao will become one of the boxing greats if he wins a junior welterweight title.

“Even with all the belts, he's still the lineal champion in so many weight classes. I make him out to be the greatest Asian fighter of all time, and conceivably, one of the greatest fighters of all time if he can carry this off,” said Sugar.

Pacquiao said a win over Hatton is very important to him.

"It is very important for me to win [titles] in six different divisions for the people of my country," said Pacquiao. "Being a six-division champion, if that happens, people will want to put my name in boxing history, and that will be my legacy."

Even Oscar de la Hoya, who was considered the lineal champion in three weight divisions, is aware of what Pacquiao is trying to accomplish.

"He's in a position now where he can make history," said de la Hoya, whom Pacquiao beat last December. "It's not easy to jump six weight classes. It's not easy at all. It's probably the most difficult task that any fighter can have. I've always said it was more difficult than just being world champion for 10 years at one weight class."

Mayweather Jr. set to return?

As tension for the Pacquiao-Hatton fight continues to escalate, rumors of the "unretirement" of former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather began to swirl.

Dan Rafael cited sources as saying that Mayweather is close to sealing a fight deal with Pacquiao's nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico. as his return match after springing back from retirement.

"The deal was finalized Friday afternoon following a flurry of conversations over a six-hour period, a source said," said Rafael.

Mayweather is reportedly set to announce his return to the ring the same day Pacquiao and Hatton will be fighting.

The former pound-for-pound king, who remains undefeated in 39 fights, has been away from boxing action for more than 17 months.

Mayweather might face Pacquiao should the Filipino win over Hatton.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/05/02/09/pacquiao-seeks-place-world-boxing-history

ANALYSIS pacquia vs de lah hoya

The dream match manny vs oscar

pacquiao vs de lah hoya

MANILA, Philippines - The last of the formalities has been formalized.

A final weigh-in, as usual, officially ended the training period and began a 24-hour wait for the main event. This final weigh-in, as expected, was trouble-free.

Manny Pacquiao tipped the scales at 142 pounds on Saturday (Friday, US time) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Oscar de la Hoya came in at 145 pounds.

Both were well within the welterweight (147-pound) limit set for their match.

Now that that has been set aside, everybody knows what time it is. Game time.

"There's nothing more we can do. Now Manny knows he’s going there to do his job," Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, said.

Hornets beat Wizards in preseason game in Berlin

BERLIN – Chris Paul showed no signs of fatigue as he set the tone for the New Orleans Hornets in a 96-80 victory over the Washington Wizards in an NBA preseason game in Berlin on Tuesday.

“I feel like I need to hold up my end of the deal, and that’s to continue to get better and take as good care of my body as possible," the All-Star point guard said.

Paul had eight assists and scored four points to help the Hornets jump out to an 18-0 lead. He played the entire first and third quarters and sat out the other two, finishing with 11 assists and nine points.

Hornets coach Byron Scott said he was trying to keep Paul fresh after a long summer in which Paul helped the US Olympic team win gold in Beijing.

“He is a competitor, but also I understand how long the season is," said Scott. “I have to make sure he gets as much rest as possible."

It was the first of two games between the Hornets and Wizards in the NBA’s annual preseason tour of Europe. They will meet again on Friday in Barcelona.

The injury-plagued Wizards did not score until 5¼ minutes into the game when Darius Songalia scored off an offensive rebound.

The Hornets built on their lead in the second quarter, relying largely on their reserves.

Hornets reserve forward Rasual Butler scored 12 points.

James Posey hit a 3-pointer as the Hornets closed the first half with a 9-0 run to take a 61-24 lead into the break.

Wizards coach Eddie Jordan credited the Hornets’ tough defense with frustrating his squad early in the game.

“We missed some shots, and they forced us to miss some," Jordan said.

Jordan said the lopsided score and sloppy play in the first half showed in the reaction of the sold-out crowd at new O2 World Arena.

“I don’t know if the whistles and jeers were because we were missing shots — I thought it was because we were missing shots, and we didn’t show up," he said.

For the Wizards, the European tour is a chance to test their rookies and learn to work with a short bench. Three key Wizards players remained in Washington to nurse injuries.

“We need to use this time to give experience to some of our young players," said Jordan.

The Hornets opened the second half without forward Julian Wright, who had to be carried off the court with a sprained ankle in the second quarter. Scott said Wright’s injury would put him on a “week-to-week" recovery plan.

“He’s hurt pretty good, and we just have to hope that at 21 years old he’s a fast healer," Scott said.

Washington outscored the Hornets 22-15 in the third quarter, led by guard DeShawn Stevenson’s three 3-pointers. Stevenson hit five 3-pointers and finished with 15 points.

“The second half gave us some confidence that if we play that way it’ll be a better game in Barcelona," Johnson said.

The sold-out crowd of 14,000 included Detlef Schrempf, the German and three-time NBA All-Star who retired from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2001. – source

Pacquiao KOs Diaz for WBC lightweight title

LAS VEGAS – Round-by-round coverage of Manny Pacquiao’s WBC lightweight title-winning effort against David Diaz from the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

ROUND 1
Crowd is heavily pro-Pacquiao as Michael Buffer introduces them. Ex-world champion Fernando Vargas, who has gotten very heavy, walks to the ring with Diaz. The fighters meet in the center of the ring as the bell sounds. Pacquiao lands two lefts. Pacquiao is circling and Diaz is moving forward. Diaz lands a combination to the body. Combination to the head and body by Pacquiao. Hard left by Pacquiao. Diaz lands a left. Pacquaio’s jab gets through three times in a row. Combination to the head by Pacquiao. Speed edge is huge for Pacquiao. Diaz misses badly with a hook. It’s easy right now for Pacquiao. Diaz lands a right and Pacquiao is warned for holding. Four-punch combination by Pacquiao brings a roar from the crowd.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 2
They trade inside as the round starts. Now, they’re wrestling. Diaz fires a combination to the head, but Pacquiao lands a counter left. Left-right-left from Pacquiao lands. Good left from Diaz. Hard left by Pacquiao. Right hook and a left from Pacquiao. Jab and a hook to the body by Pacquiao. Overhand left from Pacquiao lands. Right hook snaps Diaz’s head. Left-right combination to the head by Pacquiao. He’s teeing off on Diaz. Right hook by Pacquiao. Pacquiao lands a five-punch combination. It’s ridiculously easy at this point for Pacquiao. He’s far outclassing Diaz. Diaz has reddening around the eyes. Another hard combination by Pacquiao.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 3
Diaz opens with a jab. Pacquiao double jabs and then a left. Right hook from Pacquiao. Diaz lands a good right. Four-punch combination to the head by Pacquiao. Hard left by Pacquiao. Pacquiao is simply far too fast. It’s a mismatch at this point. Right hook by Manny lands. Diaz digs to the body. Diaz has a cut on the bridge of his nose, but it shouldn’t be a factor. Jab-left by Pacquiao snaps Diaz’s head. They tie up for only a second and the crowd boos. It’s been a fast pace. Diaz roughs Pacquiao up inside and lands a short right. Combination to the body by Pacquiao. Left cross lands by Pacquiao. Hook to the body by Diaz.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 4
Pacquiao opens with a jab. Diaz lands a right. Hook to the body and hook to the head by Diaz. Pacquiao lands a left that stuns Diaz. Another hard left by Pacquiao. Diaz is cut badly on the right eye. Referee Vic Drakulich stops the fight briefly to allow the doctor to examine the cut. He’s OK to go, but it will bother him. Hard right by Pacquiao. Right hand and then a big left by Pacquiao. Diaz wobbles. Pacquiao is firing away and landing hard, crisp shots. He’s totally dominant. Left by Pacquiao and then they clinch. They trade hard blows, but Pacquiao lands several more. Hook by Pacquiao.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 5
Diaz’s corner has done a good job closing the cut. Diaz lands a hook to the body. Pacquiao lands a hard right. Right by Pacquiao and then a right-left combination on the chin. These punches are going to take a toll on Diaz pretty soon. Chopping left by Pacquiao. Diaz bending at the waist and bobbing and weaving, trying to find a way to avoid the punishment. Two rights by Pacquiao lands as the crowd roars its approval. Left to the body by Pacquiao. This is an extremely impressive performance. Diaz cracks Pacquiao with a good right, his best punch of the fight. Three-punch combination by Pacquiao to the head.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 6
Diaz’s cut is on his eyelid and is in a very bad position. Pacquiao is circling and flicks a jab. Diaz lands a right. Pacquiao lands a double hook. Cut is bleeding heavily. Pacquiao not quite as aggressive in this round, but is still landing what he throws. They wrestle in the center. Diaz warned for hitting behind the head. Good left to the head by Pacquiao. Short right inside by Pacquiao. Diaz lands a jab and then a right hand. Three-punch combination inside by Pacquiao and then a hard right to the head. Drakulich calls time to have the cut checked. He lets it continue.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 7
Diaz said in between rounds, “Those punches are just too fast.” Diaz misses badly with a hook. Pacquiao lands a jab and then a right. They’re warned for rough tactics. Right to the body by Diaz, but Pacquiao answers with a 1-2 to the head. Left to the body and then to the head by Pacquiao. Diaz lands a jab. Three-punch combination inside by Pacquiao, who just gets off so much quicker. They clinch in the middle. Diaz pops a jab. Pacquiao lands an uppercut and then a right.
Iole scores it 10-9, Pacquiao

ROUND 8
Pacquiao opens with a couple of hard punches to the head. How much punishment is the corner going to let Diaz take? They need to think of stopping it now. Diaz seems to have no shot, not even the lucky punch chance to keep his title. Right-left-right by Pacquiao sends Diaz sagging to the ropes. Diaz fights his way off, only to be pummeled in the center of the ring with a blistering combination. Pacquiao raking him along the ropes. This is horrendous. Diaz is taking a frightful beating. Pacquiao continues to batter him with shots. Pacquiao lands a five-punch combination to the head, all of which were hard shots. Left by Pacquiao catches Diaz on the way in. Diaz is wincing.
Iole scores it 10-8, Pacquiao

ROUND 9
Diaz’s face is a mess as the round starts and Pacquiao resumes the assault. Pacquiao lands a three-punch combination to the head. Diaz throws a left and a right, which Pacquiao blocks with his gloves. Diaz simply can’t land much. Straight left by Manny snaps Diaz’s head back. Diaz’s left eye is blackening and closing quickly. Pacquiao circles and flicks a couple of jabs. Right hand inside followed by a left sends Diaz down face first. The ref doesn’t even bother to count and waves off the fight at 2:24.
Pacquiao wins by knockout

A truly sporting treasure

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – There is no doubting the popularity of Manny Pacquiao at the world stage! No exaggeration that he is considered as the best pound-for-pound fighter nowadays. He brings a package of excitement to every bout that he fights.

But what caught my attention even during his third and final bout with Erik Morales is his calm demeanor.

Dati-rati si Manny ay halos lamunin ang kalaban sa gigil kahit na hindi pa sila sumasampa sa ring. Pero ngayon iba na ang tindig ni Manny. Naging malumanay sa pagdadala ng kanyang sarili lalo na pag malapit na ang laban.

For his upcoming fight with Jorge Solis, Manny is the consummate diplomat. Offering a smile and a firm handshake to an overwhelmed Solis, who at this point is just happy to get a shot at sharing the stage with today's most exciting fighter. (Manny even posed for a picture with Jorge and his brothers right after their press con at the Alamodome.)

I say this comes from a newfound confidence which is the result of all the hard work that has brought him this far in his boxing career.

The only thing that we could hope for is that he doesn't become overly confident with his status as the world's best fighter.

Militant group calls off rallies during Pacquiao title fight

MANILA, Philippines - Militant organizations did not schedule any protest action for Sunday to get a chance to watch the fight of Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao against Mexican pug Juan Manuel Marquez.

“No major protests are scheduled tomorrow as we join the Filipino people in wishing Manny Pacquiao the best in his fight against Marquez," Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes told GMANews.TV in a text message Saturday.

However, he assured that his group would pursue its “unfinished business" with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after Pacquiao’s fight.

Reyes said that in the “return bout" against Arroyo, Bayan expects a “political knockout" victory regardless of the number of rounds the fight might take.

The Pacquiao-Marquez fight will be held at Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort in Las Vegas on March 15 (March 16 in the Philippines).

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said it expects another zero-crime-rate day in the country as with past Panquiao fights.

On Thursday said authorities anticipate most Filipinos to be hooked to their television sets during the duration of Pacquiao's title bout versus Marquez.

"Just like in the past fights of Manny Pacquiao, we expect again a tremendous decrease in the crime volume this Sunday, or even to the extent of anticipating a zero-crime rate during the period of the fight," said Police spokesman Sr. Supt. Nicanor Bartolome in a news briefing at Camp Crame Thursday.

"This goes to show that we Filipinos are really in support of a countryman who will again show the true form of a Filipino boxer," he added.

But Bartolome assured the public that despite this anticipated low crime incidence, the PNP will not let down its guard, especially against criminals who might also take advantage of the situation.