Just a few weeks back Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr 18-0-1(15) joined his father as the first Puerto Rican father/Son combination to win a world title when he KO’d Marvin Sonsona in 4 rounds to capture the vacant WBO Super Bantamweight crown. Going it is was seen by many as a 50-50 contest, clearly Vazquez was paying attention to this and demolished his younger Filipino opponent who was thought to be the second coming of Manny Pacquiao. Vazquez 25, came into the fight with without any amateur experience and only 77 rounds in the pro’s however what he does have is a big punch something he’s inherited from his father of the same name who in the late 80’s early 90’s won 3 world title as three weight’s including Super Bantamweight. Here’s what Vazquez had to say.

Hello Wilfredo, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Congratulation’s on winning your first World title. Looking back at the fight what can you remember about the fight & What did it mean to you personally to realize your dream?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – Thanks, I remember all of my fans supporting me, this was my biggest accomplishment in my life, being able to win the title and make history with my Father it was a big dream.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve only fought once in Puerto Rico so far in your career but what did it mean to you that you won the title in front of your own people?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – I fought only once before but I’m use to fight with the fans behind me in Kissimmee, Florida where a lot of Puerto Rican’s live and I made most of my career.

Anson Wainwright – Word is that you have to make your first defence against Zsolt Bedak of Hungary. Though it’s early days for you what are your feelings about that fight and the possibility that you may end up travelling to Europe to defend your title?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – Yes we made a commitment with the WBO to fight mandatory challenger Bedak, my Promoter (Tuto Zabala Jr) is working hard with my Father to bring the fight to Puerto Rico.

Anson Wainwright – As many people know your the son of Wilfredo Vazquez Snr. Can you tell us what it meant to you to follow in your fathers foot steps as he was a 3 weight world champion?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – I will take it step by step, I will love to do it but we are only starting.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what it was like growing up with famous father in Puerto Rico? Can you tell us how and when you first become drawn to Boxing?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – It was nice but also some pressure, I became interested in becoming a fighter after my daughter was born and I was without a job, I saw it like an opportunity to support my family and everything has come out well.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the team behind you, your manager, trainer & promoter as well as where you regularly train for your fights?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – I train in my Father’s gym in Bayamon, My Father is my manager and trainer, Tuto Zabala Jr my promoter, Angel Rosario my assistant trainer and Roberto Quesada my cut man.

Anson Wainwright – Your father fought in 20 world title fights and many of them took place around the world. Were you with him for any of these fights and what can you tell us about those experience’s?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – I only went to a couple of fights, the one I remember most was the Orlando Canizales in San Antonio (Vazquez Snr was the underdog but won a twelve round decision).

Anson Wainwright – When your not fighting what do you like to do to relax?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – Spend time with my wife and daughter.

Anson Wainwright – Did you have an amateur career before you turned pro?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – No amateur fights, I only fought in school and on he street.LOL

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Puerto Rico & the rest of the world?

Wilfredo Vazquez Jnr – I want to send my best and keep supporting WV2.

Thanks for your time Champ.

Thanks to you for the opportunity.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Sizzling Hot to jedna z najpopularniejszych gier slotowych, która od lat cieszy si? nies?abn?c? popularno?ci? w?ród graczy na ca?ym ?wiecie. Dzi?ki swojej prostej mechanice i atrakcyjnym wygranym, sta?a si? ikon? wirtualnych kasyn. Gra ??czy w sobie klasyk? z nowoczesno?ci?, oferuj?c rozgrywk? na pi?ciu b?bnach oraz pi?ciu linii wygrywaj?cych. Kolorowe symbole owoców i klasyczne siódemki sprawiaj?, ?e ka?dy obrót b?bnami to emocjonuj?ce do?wiadczenie, pe?ne napi?cia i oczekiwania na wielk? wygran?.

Strategie wygrywania w Sizzling Hot

Aby odnie?? sukces w Sizzling Hot, warto zastosowa? kilka sprawdzonych strategii. Pierwsz? z nich jest gra z umiarem i kontrol? bud?etu. Niezale?nie od tego, czy jeste? do?wiadczonym graczem, czy pocz?tkuj?cym, wa?ne jest, aby nie przekracza? za?o?onego limitu finansowego. Kolejn? strategi? jest wykorzystanie opcji hazardowej, która pozwala podwoi? wygran?. Jest to ryzykowny, ale jednocze?nie ekscytuj?cy element gry, który mo?e znacz?co zwi?kszy? nasze saldo. Warto równie? regularnie analizowa? tabel? wyp?at, aby dok?adnie zrozumie? potencjalne wygrane.

Po??czenie Sizzling Hot z boksem

Ciekawym aspektem jest po??czenie tematyki gry Sizzling Hot z boksem. Obie dziedziny wymagaj? dyscypliny, koncentracji i doskona?ej strategii. Tak jak w boksie, gdzie zawodnicy musz? by? przygotowani na ka?dy cios przeciwnika, tak w Sizzling Hot gracze musz? umiej?tnie zarz?dza? swoim bud?etem i korzysta? z dost?pnych opcji, aby maksymalizowa? swoje szanse na wygran?. Oba te ?wiaty ??czy równie? emocjonuj?ce napi?cie i nieprzewidywalno??, co sprawia, ?e zarówno boks, jak i Sizzling Hot oferuj? niezapomniane wra?enia.

Techniki i taktyki w Sizzling Hot

Zarówno w boksie, jak i w Sizzling Hot https://news.niezlasztuka.net/sizzling-hot-na-prawdziwe-pieniadze-online/, kluczem do sukcesu jest zastosowanie odpowiednich technik i taktyk. W grze warto skupi? si? na d?ugoterminowej strategii, która umo?liwi zarz?dzanie ?rodkami w taki sposób, by stopniowo zwi?ksza? wygrane, nie ryzykuj?c przy tym zbyt wiele. Opanowanie emocji i zachowanie zimnej krwi, podobnie jak w ringu bokserskim, mo?e mie? kluczowe znaczenie w osi?gni?ciu sukcesu.

Jak zwi?kszy? swoje szanse?

Aby zwi?kszy? swoje szanse na wygran? w Sizzling Hot, warto poszukiwa? kasyn oferuj?cych bonusy i promocje. Cz?sto mo?na znale?? oferty specjalne, które pozwalaj? na gr? bez ryzyka w?asnych ?rodków, co jest ?wietn? okazj? do przetestowania strategii bez obawy o utrat? pieni?dzy. Dodatkowo, praktyka i zdobywanie do?wiadczenia poprzez gr? w wersj? demonstracyjn? mo?e pomóc zrozumie? mechanik? gry i lepiej przygotowa? si? do gry na prawdziwe pieni?dze.

Podsumowanie

Sizzling Hot to gra, która??czy w sobie emocje i strategi?, podobnie jak sporty takie jak boks. Aby osi?gn?? sukces, nie wystarczy tylko liczy? na szcz??cie. Konieczna jest analiza, planowanie i kontrola bud?etu. Graj?c w Sizzling Hot, pami?taj, by korzysta? z dost?pnych opcji gry z rozwag?, analizowa? mo?liwe scenariusze i dostosowywa? swoje dzia?ania do aktualnej sytuacji w grze. W ten sposób, podobnie jak bokserzy na ringu, b?dziesz móg? skuteczniej zmaga? si? z wyzwaniami, które niesie ze sob? ta fascynuj?ca gra slotowa.

Angles, hand speed, reflexes, foot work; we fetishize these things in boxing. They have the allure of the uncommon. But they’re not uncommon in the ring. “Slow” is a speed. Shifting weight back-to-front is something you learn in kindergarten gym class. And “he uses angles” could mean just about anything, geometrically speaking. Why do we do it, then? To end debate, to intimidate laymen.

But you know what actually works in a boxing ring? Jab-cross. Left-right. Force = Mass x Acceleration.

Evidence of this came in Dusseldorf, Germany, last weekend when Ukrainian heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko beat on American Eddie Chambers for 11 rounds then rendered him unconscious in the 12th.
More evidence will come this weekend when Germany’s Arthur Abraham fights American Andre Dirrell in Detroit’s Joe Luis Arena – the first Group Stage 2 match of Showtime’s “Super Six World Boxing Classic.”

An appeal to fundamentals brings us towards a topic treated in Michael Lewis’ “Moneyball” – a book about baseball you can enjoy even if you don’t enjoy baseball. Major league scouts for years preferred the magic of tools like arm strength and bat speed to answering baseball’s fundamental offensive question: “Does he get on base?” Anyone can look at stats and answer that question, but the scouts figured it was their eye for talent one needed to see the attributes of a special prospect.

Boxing has many such scouts. They love things they can’t see, like flurried combinations and angles. They find a kid who has these attributes and allow him to reinvent the sport a little. You don’t want to obscure your view with high hands? No problem, kid, you’re so fast they can’t touch you! You don’t want to settle down, stay in one stance, and punch? Go ahead and switch it up, kid, they’ll never figure you out!

You get the sense something like this might have happened with Andre Dirrell, who calls himself “The Matrix” and who, despite being the most physically gifted fighter in the Super Six, will likely be eliminated from the tourney Saturday. He’s been allowed – maybe encouraged – to eschew boxing fundamentals for a fruit salad of natural movements that showcase his reflexes.

His October loss to Carl Froch was a mess. Much of the blame for that belongs to Froch, a man who really wants to fight even if, at times, it looks like he might not know how. Dirrell’s constant stance switching – dare we use “Matrix” as a verb? – helped nothing, though. Dirrell showed up in Froch’s hometown and turned a prizefight into an athletic fashion show. It was Dirrell’s fight to lose, and that’s exactly what he did. But has anyone told him yet?

We see this in the gyms before boys become men. There’s the stand-out amateur with all the talent who’s allowed to build confidence at his lessers’ expense. These lesser kids don headgear and make a go of it, and often grow to make good trainers. They rarely hang with the junior superstar. That job goes to the kids who are in the gym – hats cocked to the side, dress code just right – working combinations on an imaginary bag and never wrapping their hands. Tomorrow’s hangers-on.

Has too much time around the hangers-on compromised Dirrell? He seems to have a good mind for the sport. He beat Froch pretty convincingly in the minutes he fought. Showtime’s “Fight Camp 360” program shows Dirrell determining quite quickly that Arthur Abraham uses a “hit me till you’re done then let me hit you” defense. Dirrell said the solution aloud. But will he use it?

Sometimes even having the solution and using it isn’t enough. Ask “Fast” Eddie Chambers. Slip Wladimir Klitschko’s extended left glove and leap underneath with a body shot. That was the blueprint. Chambers flew to Germany in good shape and tried to follow the plan. Then physics intervened.

At this point as Americans, it’s safe to put our hope away. Chambers really was our last best chance. He had the temperament and character a 209-pound man needs against one who weighs 245. But Klitschko’s mastery of trainer Manny Steward’s style is finally here, and so we can stop talking about angles and hand speed and the rest of that jazz. If you’re not big as Wlad, you’re not going to beat Wlad.

Why not? Saturday showed us when Chambers’ shoulders fit within the width of Klitschko’s chest. To slip Klitschko’s jab properly – to the outside – required too much motion on Chambers’ part. To get outside Klitschko’s jab, never mind his hook, Chambers had to go a meter or two away from Klitschko’s chin. Since Chambers is a fighter, that wouldn’t do.

Now you’re slipping Klitschko’s jab to the inside. You’re putting your head in the direct line of Klitschko’s right cross. You can block that punch, but know this: So long as Wladimir Klitschko’s right cross is regularly colliding with any part of your body, you will not remain conscious for 36 minutes. Chambers came awfully close. Then at 35:55, he tipped head-first into the ropes, ruined from the exhaustion and profound unpleasantness of being struck by a giant who knows how.

Chambers didn’t lose to Klitschko so much as physics itself.

And so will Andre Dirrell if he tries to Matrix his way past Arthur Abraham, a man who’s slighter than Klitschko but also knows how to punch. Abraham can be outworked. It hasn’t happened yet. So, in order to outwork him Dirrell will have to pick a stance and stay with it. He’ll need to leverage punches correctly and hurt the man across from him. Until he has Abraham’s respect, he’ll be merely an 0-1 contender in a tournament Abraham currently owns.

But he’ll also be a crowd favorite fighting only 50 miles from home. A little adherence to boxing’s millennia-old common wisdom could go a long way. It could at least make the fight interesting.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

From the second the opening bell sounds, New Brunswick NJ’s Jorge “Kid” Diaz is ready to go to war. The all action Diaz has already been in a number of entertaining bouts, making him a pugilist that thrives on giving fans their moneys worth in the entertainment department. Although he was a notable local prospect following a good amateur career, Diaz gained notoriety outside of the Garden State after viciously knocking out 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Yan Barthelemy last October.

On Saturday night, Diaz, 12-0 (8 KO’s), looks to take another step in the right direction when he takes on unbeaten Mexican Alejandro Lopez in Key West, FL on Fox Sports Espanol. We had the opportunity to catch up with Diaz, who is just one day away from his first televised bout.

MY: Saturday night you are taking on an unbeaten opponent in Alejandro Lopez. What do you know about him besides that he is 13-0 with 2 knockouts?

JD: That on March 20 he will be 13-1 with 2 knockouts (laughing)!

MY: This will be your first time on National TV. Does this add any extra pressure for you?

JD: No not at all. All jokes aside I know Lopez is a boxer but I am going to come in and apply pressure and make it a war. In terms of pressure fighting (on TV), there isn’t any because I know at the end of the day win, lose or draw, I am going back to the projects, so I have everything to gain!

MY: You are known as an action fighter who goes for the knockout. Considering this is yet another step up and your first eight rounder, are you planning to box a little more and take your time?

JD: I am prepared to go eight hard rounds to the point where I am so tired after the bout that I feel like passing out! Leather will still be flying though because that is how I fight!

MY: There are a lot of good up and comers in the featherweight division such as Mikey Garcia, who has been featured on TV as well. Who is on Jorge Diaz’ radar considering he has been moving up?

JD: That isn’t my job I just go out there and fight. Everything else is up to my promoter Pound 4 Pound, my manager Sal Alessi and trainer Mike Skowronski.

MY: I know you were in camp with two time world champion Juan Manuel Lopez last year. What was it like to spar with one of the top fighters out there?

JD: It wasn’t what I expected. I got there the first day, worked out and it didn’t go as I wanted. I wasn’t pleased with what I did. The experience actually makes me not want to go back to a training camp. They ended up changing my opponent anyways.

Editor’s note: When Diaz was in camp with Lopez, both were preparing for fights on October 10 at Madison Square Garden.

MY: Moving back to October 09’ when you had the best win of your career against 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Yan Barthelemy. You were put in with a skilled boxer and an enormous amateur pedigree. Coming into the bout, were you worried at all about the fight considering it was a huge step up in competition?

JD: To be honest with you, I didn’t know who he was until I knocked him out. I don’t get into that, I just fight. They tell me the day I am fighting I say ok. They tell me (Barthelemy is the new opponent on short notice) I said ok. I just fight.

MY: So I take it you don’t watch tapes of your opponents based on your last statement?

JD: Yeah I leave that up to my coach. I am not the coach you know so I let him (Mike Skowronski) do that. I don’t watch any tapes but maybe in the future I will.

MY: Being that you are an action fighter from New Jersey with a warrior mentality and are willing to take two punches to land one, is the late Arturo Gatti a fighter you try to emulate?

JD: It would be a pleasure to be mentioned in the same sentence as him. However Gatti is Gatti, Jorge Diaz is Jorge Diaz. I do whatever it takes to win the fight but it would be nice to help Arturo’s legacy live on, but it isn’t my initial plan.

MY: What is your plan from Saturday forward if you are victorious and it were up to you.

JD: Sh*t if it was up to me, I would get paid like $40,000 (laughing). They told me if I win on Saturday, they are putting me in Yankee Stadium (on the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman) undercard on June 5, but first I have to take care of business.

MY: Is that something you are potentially looking forward to because that will be a big card with 30,000 plus fans there?

JD: That right there would be to me, the highlight of my life! My only highlight I have in boxing is beating Yan Barthelemy. Now if I do get to fight at Yankee stadium, that would be such a great privilege since it would be the first fight ever at (the new) Yankee Stadium. That would be history!

MY: Jorge thanks for the time best of luck Saturday. What do you have to say in closing to all your fans and the readers on Gardenstatefightscene.com?

JD: I hope I don’t disappoint y’all on Saturday. Make sure to tune in watch. I will give you 100%!

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com

To say that Olympic-style drug testing is the right thing to do is the equivalent of a beauty-pageant contestant saying she believes in world peace. Between believing in it and doing it, however, there are arguments about procedure, ego and potential rancor, otherwise known as devils in the details. If it was so obvious and so righteous, we already would have seen Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

We haven’t, of course.

I couldn’t help but wonder if we ever will after listening to Mayweather advisor Leonard Ellerbe, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer, Shane Mosley attorney Judd Burstein and Travis Tygart of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) talk Thursday in a conference call about an agreement for blood-testing before the Mayweather-Mosley fight on May 1 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.

USADA officials met with both fighters and their camps last weekend. According to a Golden Boy release, the random testing can begin on Monday.

“If you’re clean, you have no reason not to be part of this program,’’ Tygart said. “In fact, you demand it.’’

Fact is, however, demand for the procedure, from sport to sport, is not exactly universal. Perhaps it was just coincidence, but as Tygart talked, World Anti-Doping Agency President John Fahey took some pointed shots Thursday at Major League Baseball and the Players Association. In a story from Montreal, Fahey urged baseball to do what Mayweather and Mosley will, Mark McGuire didn’t and Pacquiao wouldn’t.

In boxing, the blood-testing demand has only been heard from Mayweather, whose insistence killed the deal for a March 13 bout with Pacquiao, the Filipino icon who just said no to the comprehensive process and instead battered Joshua Clottey around like a blocking dummy last Saturday at Cowboys Stadium.

There’s a part of me that wants to admire Mayweather. It’s the same part that wants to agree with Ellerbe when he says that Mayweather is exercising some overdue leadership in a forever fractured business.

“Obviously with Floyd being the face of boxing, he wanted to clean up the sport,’’ Ellerbe said

I’m not sure what kind of face Tygart’s lieutenants will see when they show up, unannounced with test tubes and needles in hand, at the Big Boy Mansion in Las Vegas for a random test. The face of boxing might look at them as though they were Filipino journalists and throw them out onto the Strip. There’s another part of me that is wary of Mayweather, whose many faces can make him as hard to read as he is to hit.

To wit: Weight-gate. Before he humiliated Juan Manuel Marquez in a one-sided September decision, he willingly paid him $600,000 — $300,000 per pound – for being two over the catch-weight in their contract.

Then, he refused to step on Home Box Office’s unofficial scale the next night before opening bell. When asked why, he said it was nobody’s business.

Perhaps, it is an apples-to-oranges comparison, but the weight flap provides a glimpse at Mayweather’s unpredictable nature. He has taken the high-ground with the blood-testing demand. But the demand is nothing more than a beauty contestant’s prayer for world peace if he isn’t compliant with a process that Olympic athletes have called inconvenient, if not intrusive.

USADA enforcement power is another issue altogether. If an Olympic athlete tests positive for a banned performance-enhancer, the penalty can be a suspension for as long as two years. That punishment is part of an agreement with the International Olympic Committee. In boxing, however, the sport still is regulated by state commissions, which for Mosley-Mayweather means Nevada.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has the power to license fighters. It also has the final say-so in whether to revoke or suspend a license. USADA can poke, prod, draw and recommend. But it can’t suspend. Mayweather’s blood-testing demand looms as another argument for a federal commission, which Arizona Senator John McCain has tried to put into place for years.

According to news reports this week, the New York State Athletic Commission will consider Olympic-style testing after a study by its medical board. Ellerbe said he hopes the New York study will create momentum that will result in more vigilant testing in other states.

Mosley-Mayweather, Tygart says, “shows it is affordable at the right level. I always say it (a sport) can’t afford not to do it.’’

With legislative budgets in crisis during a lousy economy, however, chances of uniform blood testing from state-to-state appear slim.

Maybe, the fighters themselves can change that, although the nature of the beast is conflict, which precludes cooperation and fosters suspicion that whatever is done or said — including Mayweather’s blood-testing demand in the abortive Pacquiao talks — is driven by a personal agenda.

Nevertheless, Mosley, more than Mayweather, could be the real face of that movement. By now, it’s no secret that Mosley was tied to the BALCO scandal. He said he inadvertently took performance enhancers before a victory is 2003 over Oscar De La Hoya. He has a defamation suit against BALCO founder Victor Conte, who says he knowingly took performance-enhancers. Burstein says Mosley was misled.

“Shane would not be doing this is if there were any doubt in his mind that he is a clean athlete,’’ Burstein said.

Let’s just say that Mayweather gets Mosley and then other fighters to join him in a chorus for blood-testing. Maybe, then it works. Mosley has said he would fight Pacquiao without the testing he will undergo before and after the Mayweather bout. But let’s say that Mosley changes his mind. Let’s say he, like Mayweather, demands that blood-testing would have to continue against Pacquiao.

Something tells me we’ve already said too much for Pacquiao and his promoter, Bob Arum. In Dallas, Arum already has plans for Pacquiao to fight Edwin Valero, or Marquez, or even Antonio Margarito, who can re-apply for a license revoked in California more than a year ago for tampered hand-wraps.

In a prepared release Thursday, Mayweather and Mosley asked other fighters to follow them

But it sounded as if Arum had something else to say, something like:
See ya.’

NOTES, QUOTES
· In talking to the media a week ago in Dallas for the first time since his gloves were found to be loaded with a plaster-like substance before a loss to Mosley in January, 2009, Margarito took an initial step toward convincing the public that he deserves a second chance in the United States. But he needs to say more. Again, Margarito said that he didn’t know disgraced trainer Javier Capetillo had tampered with the wraps. Okay, but he also needs to say “Sorry, I should have known.’’
· After a long absence, boxing might return to Phoenix under the Showdown Promotions banner, which also represents Margarito. Showdown has reserved two dates, July 17 and July 31, at Wild Horse Pass Casino in the Phoenix suburbs.
· The more Top Rank watches 17-year-old Jose Benavidez Jr., a junior-welterweight from Phoenix, the more it sees an emerging star. Benavidez is 3-0, including a third-round stoppage of Bobby Hill on March 12 in Dallas on the eve of Pacquiao’s decision over a passive Clottey. Although hard to judge, Benavidez’ performance was solid. More significant, perhaps, there were young fans surrounding him after the bout. They stood in line to get his autograph. He has charisma, which is almost as fundamental to stardom as a jab.
· And Arum, on whether Pacquiao would have enough time to continue his boxing career if he wins a seat in the Filipino Congress: “If Filipino Congressmen are the same as U.S. Congressmen, they sit around and do nothing most of the year. So why wouldn’t he be able to fight?’’

Photo by Chris Farina /Top Rank

Germany’s Golden Boy is former amateur star Jack Culcay 2-0(1). He sprang to prominence in 2007 as an amateur when he came from know where to lose in the final of the Chemistry Cup which saw Culcay 24, win a place on the national team for the 2007 World Championships where he lost a Quarter Final match to American Demetrius Andrade. He followed that with Silver in the 2008 European Championships, however it was when he took home the Gold from last years World Championships that he really came into his own. Since then he’s signed professional forms with Klaus-Peter Kohl’s Universum, fighting twice winning both. He appears to have a bright future. Here’s what one of Europe’s rising stars had to say.

Hello Jack, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi Anson

Anson Wainwright – You debuted last last year and have taken your record to 2-0(1) when can we expect to see you back in the ring?

Jack Culcay – My next fight will be on the 24th of April, its my first fight in Hamburg so I am really excited.

Anson Wainwright – How have you found the move from the amateur’s to the pro’s? What have you found the biggest change?

Jack Culcay – I am glad that I finally turned pro end of last year. The biggest change now is the atttention from the media which really lacks in the german amateur boxing.

Anson Wainwright – Last year you won Gold in the World Amateur Championship’s. What can you tell us about the tournament from your point of view and what it meant to you?

Jack Culcay – It was a great tournament with very competitive fights. This tournament was my greatest achievement so far, you have to keep in mind that I am the first german amateur world champion in 14 years.

Anson Wainwright – What sort of reaction did you get in Germany for winning the World Championship? Did you get sponsor deals appearance’s on TV? How popular are you in both Ecuador & Germany?

Jack Culcay – The reaction in Germany was amazing, they were saying in the papers that no other fighter in Germany ever got as much attention in the press before his first fight as I did. I also got offers from various sponsors, however I only want sponsors that perfectly fit me. Me and my manager Moritz Klatten believe that only like that you can create long term partnerships. The reaction in Ecuador was also great and believe me I havent forgotten where I was born. My dream is to fight for a world title in Ecuador and also in the USA one day.

Anson Wainwright – You also fought in the 2008 Olympics but lost in the first round. What are your thoughts on the Olympics?

Jack Culcay – When I fought Kim Jung Joo the end result was 11:11, but because his world ranking was better then mine I lost the fight. That was the hardest point in my career. However I was still happy at least to be part of the olympics.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your toughest opponent in the amateur’s? What current pro’s have you fought in your amateur career?

Jack Culcay – My toughest opponent was Andrej Zamkojov in the final of the World Championships in Milano. I fought plenty of fighters that turned pro including Demetrius Andrade, Karo Murat and Oliver Güttel

Anson Wainwright – You were born in Ecuador and have moved to Germany where you now live. Can you tell us how this came about?

Jack Culcay – My mother is German and when I was young my parents thought that I can get more opportunities in Germany. So when I was 5 we all moved to Germany.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your younger years? Ecuador isn’t known for it’s Boxing background, how did you get into Boxing?

Jack Culcay – I got into boxing through my father. He attached a heavybag to the ceiling of our living room and the rest is history. My father was my trainer in the beginning of my career and he still works my corner now in the pros.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do with your time when your not Boxing?

Jack Culcay – I love hanging out with my family and my girlfriend and playing with all my nephews.

Anson Wainwright – Several fighters from other countries currently fight in Germany and are world Champions but word is that TV companies in Germany are clamping down on the dates. What are your thoughts on this and how it may effect you?

Jack Culcay – They are saying that a few stations are going to clamp down but so far it didnt happen and if you look at the viewership of boxing I dont see any reason why.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite fighter growing up?

Jack Culcay – I had three favorite fighters growing up. First it was Muhammed Ali, then Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jnr.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Jack Culcay – My goal is obviously to become world champion. And when I say world champion I really mean it on a international level, I am not afraid to fight outside Germany.

Thanks for your time Jack.

Thanks Anson, all the best

Arguably the best pure boxer in the game today Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon 33-0-1(6) will look to end his 9 month hiatus from the ring when he reappears on 29 May in Bayamon, Puerto Rico against WBO Interim champion Johnriel Casimero 14-0(8). The fight will be Calderon’s 6th defence of the WBO Light Flyweight title he won in 2007 when he bested Hugo Cazares. Altogether mighty mite Calderon 35, has taken part in 18 World title fights going 17-0-1(2) beating 9 past or present world champions a along the way. So far collected 2 world titles previously the WBO Strawweight crown & currently the WBO Light Flyweight title. Here’s what he had to say.

Hello Ivan, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly it has been mentioned that your next fight will be against your Interim champion Johnriel Casimero. What is the target date & where will it be? What do you think of him as a fighter?

Ivan Calderon – Yes, my next fight will be with Johnriel Casimero. This fight is scheduled for May 29, 2010 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. I think Casimero is a young good and strong fighter.

Anson Wainwright – How have you recovered from the cut on your forehead from your previous fight with Rodel Mayol? Did you have to have plastic surgery?

Ivan Calderon – Yes, I believe I have recovered from the cut on my forehead. No, I just had eight stitches.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about team Calderón. Who is your trainer, manager & promoter? Also what gym do you regularly use to train at?

Ivan Calderon – Team Calderon is composed of Jose Sanchez, my trainer along with Felix Pagan Pintor. My physical trainer is Angel Cotto and my cut man is Miguel Diaz. My manager and promoter is Puerto Rico Best Boxing Promotion with Peter and Ivan Rivera. I train at Wilfredo Gomez Arena Gym in Guaynabo.

Anson Wainwright – You had an impressive amateur career in which you appeared in the Olympics. Can you tell us what titles you won & what your final record was?

Ivan Calderon – As an amateur I competed in the Central American Games in 1998 winning a bronze medal. I also competed in the Pan-American Games in 1999 and was the only Puerto Rico boxer to win a medal [bronze].I went to the Olympic Games in Sydney Australia in 2000. My amateur record was 110 wins and 20 lost.

Anson Wainwright – Your thought of as one of the best pure boxers in the sport. What can you tell us about how you go into fights knowing that your going to have to box and go the full 12 as you don’t really have a big punch?

Ivan Calderon – I dedicate myself to training very hard. I train not for 12 rounds but for 15 rounds. My punch is not that big, but my ability to out box my opponent. Over passes my punch.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your early years growing up in Guaynabo and how you first became involved in Boxing?

Ivan Calderon – I moved to Guaynabo with my father at the age of fourteen. I did a lot of street fighting and one day my brother invited me to a gym. He quit and I stayed. I recognized that I was born to box. At the age of 17 I decided to get serious about my career in boxing.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What weight do you walk around at between fights?

Ivan Calderon – When I’m not boxing I’m dancing. I love to dance. I also spend my free time with my children. We have a four track and bikes. We do a lot of outdoor sports. When I’m not in training I weight about 118-120 pounds.

Anson Wainwright – Your nickname is Iron Boy why is that?

Ivan Calderon – I was called Tyson in the early years, but it was changed to Iron Boy by my promoter.

Anson Wainwright – You have won 2 world titles in 2 different weight classes beating 9 world champions. What goals do you still have in Boxing?

Ivan Calderon – My goal in boxing is winning in another weight class [112].

Anson Wainwright – Thirty five is thought of as old for a Light Flyweight, what are your thoughts on that? Do you look at things and have a time in your head that you’d like to retire? What would you like to do with your time then? Will you stay involved in Boxing?

Ivan Calderon – I think the age factor is not important. It is how you feel and your ability that counts. Retiring is not in my thoughts right now. When I retire, I will keep on training young boys to become good boxers and world champions.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero growing up?

Ivan Calderon – My boxing hero was Iron Mike Tyson and Wilfredo Gomez.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans?

Ivan Calderon – To my fans I say, always follow your dreams. Believe in yourself, work hard, live clean, believe in God and your dreams will come true.

Thanks for your time Ivan, keep up the good work.

Thanks Ivan Calderon Marrero.

While the Light Heavyweight division is largely dominated by 40+ year old veteran’s in the shape of Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jnr, Antonio Tarver & Glen Johnson there are a few younger guys who are looking to break through. One of these is Welshman Nathan Cleverly who is a former protege of Joe Calzaghe having learnt his trade early on with his his countryman. However when the Calzaghe’s relationship with Sports Network deteriorated Cleverly had to decide what he was going to do. He chose to stay with Frank Warren who promptly rewarded his young charge with a shot at the vacant Commonwealth title which Cleverly impressively won. Fast forward 16 months and it’s been onwards and upwards as Cleverly has dominated all in his way winning the British Title last summer and most recently claiming the European crown. Cleverly took time out of a hectic schedule. As well as being a Boxer he’s in Cardiff University where he’s studying for a Maths degree. Next up he hope’s to become Wales 10th World Champion.

Hello Nathan, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly Nathan, you won the European Light Heavyweight title last time out. What can you tell us about the fight? How did you rate your performance?

Nathan Cleverly – Yeah it was a great fight, a great occasion for me being the main event on such an occasion. It was such a big night of Boxing. A lot was on my shoulders, a lot of pressure, a lot of expectation. I think i showed a mature performance and pulled off a very good victory, in very good fashion. It was a very good display.

Anson Wainwright – It’s been a whirlwind 12 months since you won Commonwealth title and then added the British title last summer and now the European crown. What can you tell us about what has happened?

Nathan Cleverly – It’s happened so quickly in the space of 16 months i’ve had 7 Championship fights within those 7 fights i’ve picked up the Commonwealth title. I beat Tony Oakey, he was one of the toughest guys out there at the time. That was my first championship fight at Light Heavyweight, my first 12 rounder, i was 21 years of age. That was a massive break through onto the championship scene. I followed that with a series of KO victories. Followed by the British title fight, that was on ITV4 a lot of the Boxing public were able to see it with it being on terrestrial tv.

Anson Wainwright – Some people liked McIntosh going into your fight, seeing it as a 50-50 fight.

Nathan Cleverly – Yeah i think it was the manner in which i beat McIntosh. It was a standout fight which i dominated, another great performance. That was for the British title. Then obviously a nice defence against Courtney Fry who was a star amateur (Fry fought at 2000 Olympics) that was a nice defence for the Lonsdale belt that set me up nicely for the European title which i won in good fashion. So yeah it’s been a tremendous 16 months. Which has happened so quickly, it’s great it’s become reality. I’ve put my dreams into reality.

Anson Wainwright – Any idea when you’ll be back in action?

Nathan Cleverly – I think it’ll be around June time now. I’ve had a bit of a break since the last fight because it’s been such a busy year. I’ve Freshened up and I’ll comeback even stronger. So yeah, i think June time.

Anson Wainwright – Your currently a Maths Student as well as a Boxer. How do you divide your time between the two?

Nathan Cleverly – It’s challenging but at the same time very enjoyable. It’s nice that the Maths studies draws me away from Boxing sometimes which can be a good thing. It can be to much and get on top of you. Maths pulls me away an vice versa with the stress of the studies. Yeah it’s challenging around exam time and fight time. But the rewards are there when i pass my exams and have success in my title fights. All the hard work is worth it for that one moment.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team, who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to train at mainly?

Nathan Cleverly – Frank Warren who i’ve signed a contract with is my promoter & manager. Obviously my dad Vince and Alan Davies are my co-trainers. At the moment it’s working out to be a great team. The results are there to show.

Anson Wainwright – Your record of 19-0(9) doesn’t suggest you are a big puncher however you have stopped your last 6 opponents all inside 8 rounds. What do you attribute this too? How much do you think your power has come on over the last year?

Nathan Cleverly – Yeah it’s to do with a number of things. I couldn’t put my finger on one thing. Growing into a true Light Heavyweight with natural development, age, moving from a young man to a seasoned pro. Your going to get stronger with that. And a few changes in training with my Dad and Alan have obviously worked. I’ve probably turned into a world class puncher as well as a technical and fast boxer.

Anson Wainwright – Earlier in your career you were with The Calzaghe’s. Though you are no longer with them do you still speak or have any sort of relationship with Joe or Enzo or any of the other fighters from that camp?

Nathan Cleverly – Yeah, obviously i lost a bit of contact with them at the start when we went our separate ways. But Joe has always dropped me a text before every fight wishing me all the best. Obviously we don’t live far from each other. I see him out in the local town over a couple of nights. We get on great. They know i made the right decision and it’s no point Boxing ruining our friendship. We’re still friends. It’s a pity we had to break away. I had to do what was best for my career.

Anson Wainwright – Your from Cefn Forest in Wales, can you tell us about your younger days and how you first got into Boxing?

Nathan Cleverly – I was brought up in a place called Phillipstown in New Tredegar which is a notorious rough area. There aren’t many facilities around, so i found myself involved in street fights. I was very competitive. I wanted to channel my aggression & excess energy into a controlled environment which was the boxing gym. I found i had a talent for fighting. Since my first amateur fight i’ve never looked back. I knew my career was in Boxing.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do with your spare time when your not Boxing or studying?

Nathan Cleverly – I just try to relax and take my mind away from Boxing. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from my books and stress of study. I just try to get away from them when i can. I have a few games of Football with my mates locally. A few nights out, it’s good to have a healthy social life. I go away on a few weekends around the country. Anything really that gets me away from Boxing and studying.

Anson Wainwright – Who is your Boxing hero?

Nathan Cleverly – I’d say Joe Calzaghe & Oscar De La Hoya. Joe was an inspiration to me when i first started Boxing. De La Hoya was a brilliant fighter. He has a brilliant attitude he takes on everyone. He’s a great speaker, looks good. He’s a good role model.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Nathan Cleverly – To be undisputed Light Heavyweight champion. I think that’s would be great would be great. That’s where i see myself really. Maybe in a couple of years holding all the titles at Light Heavyweight. Beating all the top names out there. That’s the ultimate.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans in Britain and for people who may see this in America?

Nathan Cleverly – Just sit up and take note of my career. Everytime i step into the ring i excite, put a good show for the supporters & fans. I put my heart on the line. I look to entertain and put on a show. I hope the fans enjoy the journey to collect a world title.

Thanks for your time Nathan & good luck with your studies and Boxing.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Shamone “The Truth” Alvarez is looking to get back into contention following his impressive 7th round TKO victory over hard hitting Alexis Camacho March 6 in his hometown of AC. Alvarez, now 21-2 with 12 KO’s, is looking hungry as ever to prove that he belongs among the upper echelon welterweights, even though both of his defeats came when he stepped up. We had the opportunity to catch up with the confident Alvarez. Here’s what he had to say.

Garden State Fight Scene: Shamone, congrats on your knockout victory over Alexis Camacho. Tell us about it.

Shamone Alvarez: I am very happy that I won. This was a very difficult fight for me and I won it and won it (impressively). I am happy and pleased.

GSFS: It was impressive, but you do have a bunch of wins over Camacho type opponents such as Jose Luis Cruz. Some would question you ability to beat a top guy since both of your losses were when you stepped up against Joshua Clottey and Delvin Rodriguez. Are you planning to switch things up so you can beat one of these guys?

SA: I am waiting to see what (promoter) Joe (Deguardia) is going to do but I am willing to fight any of these guys. (Mike) Jones, that boy (Antonin) Decarie, and I would love a rematch against Delvin or Joshua Clottey to show I can beat those guys. The Delvin fight was bs but its whatever. I have my daughter and my lady so they are my motivation!

It doesn’t matter who they put in front of me because I will put them down and beat the hell out of them to show that I am worthy. Now I am what Clottey once was; a fighter who isn’t respected or looked upon and look where (Clottey) is now (getting big fights).

GSFS: We know that you are promoted by Joe Deguardia’s Star Boxing. Who manages and trains you?

SA: Arnold Robbins is my trainer and manager. William Johnson, the father of (the late Levander) Johnson is my assistant trainer. I have strength and conditioning coach (as well), plus Donnell Parker is my third man in the corner.

GSFS: You previously mentioned Mike Jones, who just won in AC and like you, has a local fan base. Mike is also eager to get a big fight and has been on the ESPN-Fox Espanol type cards. Is he somebody you are willing to fight to make it to the next level?

SA: Yes! Joe and I have discussed this. I was at his last fight against (Henry) Bruseles and I was looking at him like I am ready to step up and take on this guy.

GSFS: Is Shamone Alvarez calling out Mike Jones?

SA: I am calling out anybody I am calling out Jones, Decarie, Clottey, Delvin, all of these guys! I am not calling them out because I have beef or anything, but I want these guys because I am willing to fight anybody. If Mike Jones is guy they want me to fight that’s fine. Delvin is cool too. I would also love to fight Clottey again since he was the first to beat me. I really want to fight anybody I don’t want to specifically say Mike Jones. It’s also up to Joe and my manager.

GSFS: Most of your fights have been in or around Jersey. Are you willing to travel whether it be to Canada, Las Vegas or wherever?

SA: Yes! I was going to fight (unbeaten) Saul Alvarez but they wanted to do it in Mexico. I will fight him in Vegas or wherever but he is their golden boy. We were scheduled to fight Antonin Decarie before but we had to pull out with a knee injury. I am down for whatever as long as its fair.

GSFS: I believe Saul Alvarez’ next fight will be on the Mayweather-Mosley undercard on May 1 (cutting in).

SA: Yeah I knew (his next fight) was on some big undercard. If we fight in Vegas that is cool with me but if we were to fight in Mexico it would have to be for a lot of money. Once I beat him, I will be in position for a big money fight. So it is about the money, but it also isn’t about the money if you follow.

GSFS: What is your outlook for 2010 and beyond?

SA: I am just looking to fight! Joe and I have spoken (about future bouts). It would be nice to have three more fights this year but realistically, as a ten or twelve round fighter, I should get two more bouts. Like Antonio Tarver said, if you keep on winning, they will have to give you a shot!

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com

GRAPEVINE, Tex. – To look across the atrium of the Gaylord Texan resort on a Sunday morning – Alamo replica here, River Walk replica there – is to wonder: How did this place get built between Dallas and Fort Worth and not Mandalay Bay and MGM Grand? It would work well on the Strip; borrow a roller coaster from Arlington’s Six Flags and name the compound Texas Texas.

Bright as the atrium is with late-winter sunshine filtered through its domed ceiling, the natural light is but a solar imitation of what shone down from the roof of Cowboys Stadium Saturday night. To sit underneath “Jerrytron” is to bathe in artificial light so gentle and brilliant you start to wonder, Why can’t we do something like this with the sun?

A gentler question, itself, than what ringsiders asked as Saturday became Sunday: Why can’t we do something with Joshua?

No, Mr. Clottey did not acquit himself gloriously in his largest challenge before the largest crowd to see a prizefight in America since 1993. Mr. Pacquiao did. Of course.

The main event of “The Event” saw the fighting pride of the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao, unanimously decision Ghana’s Joshua Clottey by scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 119-109. The minority card in that trio is the one that had it right. The match was for a welterweight title, but only one man seemed to care.

Here’s the pep talk someone needed to give Joshua Clottey in his dressing room before the fight: “Josh, they call you ‘a good loser’. You make fun fights with guys expected to beat you, and you lose. You’re not going to win by decision tonight. So help me God, Josh, if you let this fight go 12 rounds, you damn well better not go to another post-fight press conference and say you were robbed. If you don’t stop this little guy by the end of the sixth, I’ll knock the microphone right out of your hand before I let you whine to the press again!”

Actually, that speech should have been given on the first day of training camp and followed by breakfast recitals each morning for the next six weeks. Clearly it wasn’t. Or it was, and Clottey’s impervious to speeches as he is to opponents’ punches.

Rather than a resentful b-sider ready to use every ounce of his likely 20-pound advantage on Pacquiao, we got a Ghanaian gentleman fully committed to winning the perfect way or no way.

At least he committed to something.

Clottey committed to a few uppercuts in the 10th round too, to be fair, but by then his discouragement had won the race with Pacquiao’s fatigue – a race on whose outcome the fight pivoted.

For the first time since he began making superfights, on Saturday Manny Pacquiao fought scared. Not cautious, like he began with Oscar De La Hoya or Miguel Cotto; not patient, like he began with Ricky Hatton. Scared. Muscle memory ensured Pacquiao’s combinations were tight and well-schooled. But quite often in the fight’s opening half, Pacquiao threw his hands because it was the one way to keep Clottey from punching him. And Pacquiao wanted no part of being punched by Clottey.

But everything had to be just right before Clottey would even attempt the feat. It was reminiscent of the way novelist Philip Roth once described the opening forays of a poet who discovered the craft late: He set off with all the confidence of a person who’s never succeeded at anything.

That’s not counterintuitive as it looks. It’s an apt way to depict someone who cruises through life attributing all past failures to carelessness: Once I decide to mean it, the world will be jarred by my genius.

That man needs things to be unconditionally perfect before he begins. Clottey fought like a guy who had 36 or so rounds to find the perfect platform for landing his perfect combination on Pacquiao. He was in absolutely no hurry. He was never in trouble; he knew in the first round that Pacquiao – for all his unorthodox angles and speed – didn’t hit anything like a natural 147-pounder does, certainly nothing like Antonio Margarito, a supernatural welter, did.

Pacquiao, though, had Clottey figured out quicker still. Not enough credit is given to Pacquiao’s ring IQ. But he’s been in 56 prizefights, guys, so maybe now’s a good time. Pacquiao noticed in round 1 that so long as his hands were in motion, Clottey’s were still. For the next 35 minutes, then, Pacquiao simply moved his hands every time Clottey found confidence enough to throw more than a meek, range-finding, right-hand lead. Clottey’s only meaningful punches all night came when Pacquiao imitated his shell defense.

Then Pacquiao would sample Clottey’s power, decide he wanted no part of it and start his body back in motion. And Clottey would follow along, expertly cut off the ring, then show Pacquiao’s onrushing knuckles the full brunt of his forearms. An unofficial count had Pacquiao striking Clottey’s gloves, forearms, ribs and face 1,300 times. Pacquiao didn’t have enough power to shake Clottey – nobody does – but he had power enough to keep Clottey from throwing back. That’s getting the job done.

So what’s next for the best fighter in the world, perhaps the only entertainer in history that could interest 51,000 people in a fight with Joshua Clottey? Probably not Floyd Mayweather. Their emissaries now speak different languages: My guy’s ticket sales against your guy’s pay-per-view buys. Probably Antonio Margarito, whose apology-free rehabilitation tour made him ubiquitous last weekend: Lobby, weigh-in, elevator, ringside, restaurant.

Promoter Top Rank’s masterful matchmakers will watch closely when Margarito next fights with unloaded gloves. You’ll know he’s more shot than you think if he and Pacquiao plan a two-step for September.

That’s how they dance in Texas. And after Cowboys Stadium was “The Event” last week, there are now reasons galore to make a second step in Arlington.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Photo by Chris Darina / Top Rank

ARLINGTON, Tex. – Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach promised a stoppage. Pacquiao couldn’t deliver. He didn’t have to. The building did it for him.

Cowboys Stadium’s star-power was the show stopper Saturday night in Pacquiao’s unanimous decision over Joshua Clottey.

From former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman among celebrities at ringside to a blue-collar crowd paying $8.50 for a bottle of domestic beer in the cheap seats, it was also a show that demanded a rematch. Not with Clottey.

But with the building.

“Of course,’’ said Reyna Aldrete, a Filipina-American and nurse in the Dallas area who showed up at Cowboys Stadium with a poster that included a red heart next to one name, Manny. “Who wouldn’t want to come back here?

Aldrete, one of many in pro-Pacquiao crowd, was also one of many who witnessed her first event at Cowboys Stadium. NFL games are expensive, even more expensive than a beer. In Pacquiao, she saw reason to return. A reason an encore.

A couple of hours before the first televised fight, Irish middleweight John Duddy’s split decision over Mexican Michael Medina, there were more ushers and beer vendors than customers. On the 11,250 square feet of high definition viewing on a screen nicknamed the “Jerrytron,” most of the seats looked the same: Virtually empty.

They didn’t stay that way for long.

Like anticipation for the main event, the crowd first grew slowly, then steadily. Suddenly, it looked as if it was big enough to be another municipality between Dallas and Fort Worth. Call it “Jonestown,” another local nickname for an NFL arena identified by the Cowboys’ celebrity owner, Jerry Jones.

The expectation was 45,000. At opening bell for Mexican lightweight Humberto Soto’s unanimous decision over Chicago’s David Diaz in the last fight before the main event, you didn’t need high-definition to see more people in more seats than Jones and promoter Bob Arum had envisioned. The crowd was reported to be 50,994 before Clottey and Pacquiao ever stepped through the ropes. That makes it the third biggest U.S. crowd to ever watch a fight in an enclosed arena.

The boxing record is 63,350 at the New Orleans Super Dome for Muhammad Ali’s victory over Leon Spinks in a 1978 rematch. A crowd of 58,891 at San Antonio’s Alamodome in 1993 for the Julio Cesar Chavez-Pernell Whitaker draw is second on the list. Pacquiao-Clottey might not be on any list if the roof had been opened at Cowboys Stadium. The crowd was less than half of the127,000 at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium for a Chavez’ victory over Greg Haugen. It also was less than half of about 108,000 at Cowboys Stadium a few weeks ago for the NBA All-Star Game.

Seats in the upper deck at Cowboys Stadium were never made available for Pacquiao-Cotto. They were hidden, almost imperceptibly, by a dark curtain.

But there were more than just empties behind those curtains. There was potential, hidden for one night, but there and waiting if Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.,fight. If they ever do, it might finally raise the curtain on a boxing renewal that has been forgotten as often as it has been forecast.

The forecast was there in Pacquiao’s familiar, yet enigmatic smile, as he paraded into the ring to the pounding beat of Eye Of The Tiger. When the crowd wasn’t chanting his name, it must have been smiling with him at the sight of a future that for one night was as bright as that screen 40 feet above the ring.

By the seventh round, there was some impatience. There were scattered boos at a fight that not even Pacquiao’s whirlwind pace could alter because of the stubborn, durable Clottey, who is hard to hurt and won’t be rushed. His defense, upraised gloves, hid his face the way those curtains hid the upper deck. It didn’t make him popular. But he was never the star anyway.

Pacquiao was. The chants and cheers resumed for him in the 10th, 11th and 12th rounds. In the end, it was his victory and his stadium, “Mannytown.”

For the boxing business, it could have been something more. It was in the building.

Marc Abrams
We always see something new from Pacquiao. Being that Clottey has a strong and is a very good fighter. he will competitive early until he gets stopped with a body shot in round eleven.

Norm Frauenheim
Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. It’s hard not to agree with Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach. After all, Roach is on a roll. He predicted Pacqjuiao would stop Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao delivered. He predicted Pacquiao would knock out Ricky Hatton. Pacquiao delivered. Now, he is predicting Pacquiao will be the first fighter to stop Clottey. Sorry, not this time. Durability won’t win this fight for Clottey, whose hard head might be dangerous if it collides with Pacquiao in a bloody butt. But durability will keep Clottey around after the final bell and in the middle of the ring to hear how the judges’ scored 12 rounds.

Natashia Aiello
Paquiao by body shot KO in the 6th

Adam Berlin
Joshua Clottey is the bigger man. He has a strong chin, a super-tight defense and while he’s not a one-punch KO artist, his punches do damage. But Manny Pacquiao is too quick and too smart to be daunted. And with Freddie Roach in Pacquiao’s corner, Joshua Clottey will be fighting two men, not one. (I still don’t understand how Clottey’s team didn’t hire a veteran trainer to help their charge between rounds; it’s unconscionable. Joshua Clottey will be all alone in the Lone Star state.) Clottey will prove PacMan’s toughest test, but in the end Clottey won’t be busy enough and Manny will win by decision.

Rick McKenzie
As good and as dominant as PacMan has been as of late, I still have doubt in my mind that he can continue at this torrid pace of making mince meat out of men. Clottey is truly bigger and will come in the ring 20 pounds heavier…I got Clottey By KO/TKO in the 10th.

George Phillips
I am going to go against the norm and state the Clotty will be the man to dethrone the king, well maybe. Manny is the best pound for pound right now and we all know what he can bring to the ring. He has a trainer in Freddie Roach that can devise a battle plan that would make General Lee jealous. On the flip side of the coin, this is a true welterweight fight and unlike previous fights for PacMan there is no catch weight. Clotty was fighting at 147lbs when Manny was a flyweight. Plus, Clotty will probably be walking into the ring at 160lbs after re-hydration. Clotty will bring a armored tank defense that could frustrate the champion. For Clotty to take advantage of this, he will have to up his punch count and will have to take advantage of Manny’s attack style of boxing to land effective counter punches. Should Clotty not capitalize on his defense then Manny will wear him down after 8 or 9 rounds.

Clotty has never been stopped and I do not see that streak ending. Will Clotty do enough to pull off a decision? Perhaps. A draw could be in the making as well. Look for a great fight well worth the PPV cost.

Anson Wainwright
Over the past few years when Pacquiao fights there seem to be several possible outcomes and Pacquiao has some how managed to do what hardly anybody though he could do. Beat up Oscar, annilate Ricky Hatton and stand toe to toe with Cotto scoring stoppages in each one. While Clottey is a tough skilled guy who has a solid chin, impressive defence it all points to Pacquiao using his speed and picking Clottey off to score a points win but that’s conventional wisdom. I’m looking for Pacquiao to do what very few think he can do and that’s stop Clottey. Pacquiao in the tenth.

Mario Ortega Jr.
Pacquiao UD12 Clottey

Joshua Clottey is a good welterweight, but Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. Pacquiao will be too quick handed for Clottey to open up out of his shell, and Pacman will win a wide decision. Clottey is too sturdy, and leaves too few openings for Pacquiao to score his fifth consecutive stoppage.

Johnny Schulz
So do I dare pick against pick against Pacquiao? I truly believe that Clottey has much more to offer as a challenge than his past 3 fights. I also know that he has a better chin than his last two for sure. Does the Pacman train continue its steamrolling ways? I believe this is where he gets stopped in his tracks. Not sure when or how, but I smell an upset. Pacman has everything to loose and Clottey everything to gain. All in all great fight. I could totally be off base here but, I dare to go there. -JSizzle

Alejandro Echevarria
Come Saturday night Joshua Clottey will once again step in the ring with the elite of the sport. In Manny Pacquiao, Clottey will be facing one of his most formidable opponents to date and if he wants to be considered one of the elite, he must win. No matter how close he makes this fight, Clottey must win in order to leave behind the stigma of always coming up short on his most important fights.

Only constant and effective pressure from Clottey forcing Pac-man to fight going back will give him the opportunity. If he can’t accomplish this for most of the fight, Pacquiao will dominate with his speed, volume of punches and multiple angles. In the end, the man from the Philippines will outhustle and outwork his opponent to earn a unanimous decision.

Matt Yanofsky
Pacquiao by decision. Pacquiao is far too fast and busy for the
offensively passive Clottey. The latter’s defense and physical strength
should be proficient enough to guide him to the final bell however.

David Winston
Unanimous decision for Pacquiao. Clottey is too defensive a fighter to outpoint the speedy and dynamic PFP champ. Manny will throw twice as many punches as his opponent. The “X Factor” will be Clottey’s obvious physical advantages. Can Pacquiao’s biggest/strongest foe actually hurt him?

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

ARLINGTON, Tex. – Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey tried to play it straight when they were asked to pose. The stare-down is supposed to be serious stuff. One blink signals fear. But Pacquiao and Clottey laughed like kids at play. They couldn’t stop laughing.

A weigh-in, a well-rehearsed ritual, can be funny. One in front of Cowboys Stadium Friday was more laugh-in than weigh-in. Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) and Clottey (35-3, 21 KOs) made the welterweight limit, Clottey at 147 pounds and Pacquiao at 145 ¾, for their fight Saturday night at the $1.2 billion arena.

After they stepped off the official scale, they must have laughed off another quarter pound or two. The Clottey camp played the straight man, the tomato can. Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach delivered the punch lines.

Clottey camper Gjin Gjini, owner of John’s Gym in New York, leaned over and told Roach that if the corners were fighting, Clottey’s corner would win in a beat-down. It was the equivalent of one kid telling another kid: My dad can whip your dad. No wonder they were laughing.

“He tells me that if the corners were fighting, we’d get beat up,’’ said Roach, who didn’t recall Ginji’s name and referred to him only as “the Albanian.”

At 50, Roach is well-past his best days as a brawling featherweight. Nevertheless, he has managed to become a target for insults from opposing corners. Floyd Mayweather, Sr., spouted dismissive poetry and few other things at Roach before Pacquiao knocked out Ricky Hatton. Joe Santiago took his rhetorical shots at Roach before Pacquiao’s stoppage of Miguel Cotto.

“When Manny fights Floyd Mayweather Jr., no telling what will happen between me and Roger Mayweather,’’ Roach said of Floyd’s uncle and trainer, also a former fighter. “Roger really doesn’t like me.’’

Anger at Roach from opposing camps might just be rooted in Pacquiao’s recent run of dominance. Nobody has been able to beat the Filipino, who was heavier than he has ever been at an official weigh-in. The Pacquiao reign isn’t expected to change against Clottey in a ring above the 50-yard line and beneath the biggest and brightest high-definition screen in this video universe and maybe a few others.

An undercurrent of rancor between the Clottey camp and Roach starts with Lenny DeJesus, who moved into Clottey’s corner as the lead trainer when Godwin Kotey of Ghana could not get a U.S. visa in time to travel to Dallas.

DeJesus was Pacquiao’s cutman. His role ended in 2005 after the Filipino’s loss to Erik Morales. It also was the last time Pacquiao lost. That fight represents some important history. DeJesus hopes it repeats itself. Roach has been making sure that it won’t. Pacquiao was badly cut over the left eye in the fifth round by head butt. DeJesus couldn’t stop the bleeding. Pacquiao, bothered by a river blood the flowed over and into his eye, couldn’t see well enough to stop Morales. Pacquiao lost a decision. DeJesus lost his job.

With Clottey, DeJesus has an opportunity at revenge with a durable fighter whose best weapon might be a head butt. A clash of heads against Cotto in June almost allowed Clottey to escape New York’s Madison Square Garden with a major upset instead of a loss by split decision.

“We won’t be there for that to happen,’’ Roach said of the head-butt possibility. “We’re at perfect fighting weight.”

Roach paused and added:

“We’re where we want to be.’’

Pacquiao has been for a while. That’s no joke.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

GRAPEVINE, Tex. – Antonio Margarito had hoped to fight Saturday night in Texas. He won’t. But he did show up Thursday night at the official hotel for the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight Saturday night and talked about his comeback in Mexico, his hopes for a fight in the United States and said again that he never knew his ex-trainer tried to load his gloves with a plaster-like substance before a loss to Shane Mosley.

“It was not my fault,’’ Margarito told 15 Rounds in a crowded lobby at the Gaylord Texan when asked about the glove controversy. “It is something my trainer did wrong.’’

Margarito’s license in California was revoked after his former trainer, Javier Capetillo, told the California State Athletic Commission that he inadvertently placed pieces of a plaster-like substance in his hand wraps. The substance was found when Mosley trainer Nazim Richardson asked Capetillo to re-wrap the hands before a bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in January, 2008.

Margarito’s license was revoked for a year. He was able to re-apply on Feb. 11. Promoter Bob Arum had planned for him to fight on the Pacquiao-Clottey undercard. Arum said there wasn’t enough time to complete the process. Margarito can apply anywhere, but there has been public pressure for him to first re-apply in California.

“I’m letting my attorneys handle that,’’ the Spanish-speaking Margarito said through an interpreter.

Meanwhile, Margarito, who has reunited with trainer Robert Garcia, said there is nothing he can do about public suspicions that he had to know his gloves were loaded.

“I can only go into the ring,’’ he said. “Only in the ring. That’s where the truth is.’’

Margarito said he is planning to be at Cowboys Stadium Saturday night because he hopes to fight Pacquiao, a heavy favorite over Clottey. There already is speculation that Arum will make a Pacquiao-Margarito fight if another round of talks for Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather, Jr. unravel a second time.

Margarito, who said he been training in Tijuana for a May 8 comeback in Mexico against Carson Jones, also said he would agree to a rematch with Miguel Cotto, whom he beat badly in July, 2008 in Las Vegas.

“Just name the time and the place,’’ he said. “Anytime, anywhere.’’

Photo by Chris Farina/ Top Rank

ARLINGTON, Tex. – It’s all about the building. Cowboys Stadium is the main event. It sits there, below a flight path to a Dallas-Fort Worth runway, rising toward the Texas sky like a giant tent. It’s the big top, a technical marvel that sometimes sounds as if it could be a ride at Disney World.

Next stop:

Manny Pacquiao-versus-Joshua Clottey.

How a Filipino, Pacquiao and an African, Clottey, wound up in the featured event at a state-of-the-art home for America’s Team is either baffling, or just another American import, or a terrific story about diversity. Take your pick. But the fight Saturday night in a ring on the 50-yard-line is unmistakably about location, location, location for a lost sport always trying to find its way back into the mainstream.

For one night at least, Cowboys Stadium looms as a symbol of boxing’s aspirations. Promoter Bob Arum, who has seen just about everything, hasn’t witnessed anything quite like it in the many years since Muhammad Ali’s victory over Cleveland Williams in 1966 at Houston’s space-age Astrodome.

“Since the Astrodome, I have never been in a situation when the venue plays as big a role as the fighters,’’ Arum said.

If Pacquiao wins as predicted, the stadium could become the star.

“Whatever works,’’ Arum said.

What’s at work in the Dallas Metroplex is a potential shift in how boxing markets itself. Over at least the last decade, it has become a casino sport. That means Las Vegas and high-rollers in ringside seats. The rest of the crowd is in the anonymous pay-per-view audience, unheard and known only by a number.

In Dallas, there’s not much talk about the pay-per-view numbers for Pacquiao-Clottey. The guess is between 750,000 and 1,000,000 for the HBO telecast. Good, but not great and probably a long way from the pay-per-view audience expected for the Floyd Mayweather-Shane Mosley showdown on May 1 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand.
But who’s counting. Only one thing matters here: In moving a bout
with the sport’s biggest international star in Pacquiao from Vegas to an untapped boxing market, it looks as if Arum is reaching out to a new audience with some old-fashioned salesmanship. He’s beginning to go door-to-door, or at least town-to-town.

“Bringing fights to the people,’’ said Arum, who in Pacquiao has a candidate for the Filipino Congress in a campaign that started with a party called the People’s Champ Movement.

The idea is as old as any entertainer hitting the road. If a live crowd likes what it hears or sees, there’s a good chance many in the audience will buy a CD or T-shirt or poster. With a big Mexican and Mexican-American population, Dallas is a good place to find some new pay-per-view customers. After Dallas, Arum moves on to Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman at the new Yankee Stadium in New York where he hopes to re-awaken some of history’s legends, including Joe Louis’ rematch victory over Max Schmeling at old Yankee Stadium in a 1938 bout that has become part of the American fabric. Then, the itinerary could include a stop in south Florida at Land Shark Stadium, the Miami Dolphins home.

“You get stale, doing the same thing over and over, going back to casinos to put on these big events,’’ Arum said.

Stale would have been just fine if the showdown had been Pacquiao-Mayweather at the MGM Grand. In fact, a poll probably would have shown a public overwhelmingly in favor of stale. But the Pacquiao-Mayweather possibility fell apart over Mayweather’s demands for Olympic-style blood-testing. Arum traded in stale for intriguing. Will it work? Maybe not.

If Pacquiao is somehow upset by, say, a Clottey head butt and suffers his first loss since a head butt bloodied him in 2005 against Erik Morales, Arum might get nostalgic about stale old days. If Pacquiao prevails, however, there is an opportunity for boxing to re-invent itself all over again.

In Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Arum appears to have found a kindred spirit. Jones knows that atmosphere is a key to the entertainment art form. If the customers have a good time, they will either be back in line for a ticket or buy the next pay-per-view. It’s no secret that the best advertising is word of mouth. Jones says that only seven percent of NFL fans have ever seen a game in an NFL stadium. But the rest of the country has heard from that seven percent. They have tuned in and turned the NFL into the modern American pastime.

Jones, who says he boxed as an amateur as a 10-year-old at the Boys Club in Little Rock, Ark., is a longtime fan. He remembers days when Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard fought in Montreal and then in New Orleans. He traveled to Las Vegas to watch Leonard and Marvin Hagler and Thomas Hearns.

“I’ve always thought boxing needs more exposure,’’ Jones said.

In Las Vegas, Jones entry into the sport must looks like a threat, a hostile takeover. Jones bid $25 million, which would have been a record site fee, for Mayweather-Pacquiao. But that possibility was headed to Vegas’ MGM Grand even before talks unraveled

“I wanted that fight, between those two guys, worse than my next breath,’’ Jones said.

Up and down the Vegas Strip, casino executives are holding their breath at what he might try next, especially if Pacquiao-Clottey is a success.

“But I think this is good and not a negative for Las Vegas to have a great fight in front of thousands of people,’’ Jones said in what might prove to be a new look at Sin City’s best-known marketing campaign.

What stays in Vegas isn’t always good for Vegas.

Or boxing.

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

This Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao will put his streak of brilliance on the line in one of the world’s most remarkable buildings. Four months ago the Dallas Cowboys’ brand new billion dollar stadium was poised to hold the long awaited showdown between Pacquiao and Mayweather, but it was not to be. While boxing fans from all four corners of the globe were dejected when the fight was scrapped, Joshua Clottey was gleaming from ear to ear. The Ghana native steps into an opportunity of a lifetime on one of the biggest stages imaginable, and presents Manny Pacquiao with what some say will be his most demanding physical challenge to date.

Manny Pacquiao

Record: 50-3-2 (38 KO’s)

Former Flyweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight, Junior Lightweight, Lightweight, Junior Welterweight and current WBO Welterweight champion. Currently recognized as the number one fighter in the world pound for pound.

Age: 31

Home: General Santos City, Philippines

Notable wins: Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera

Notable losses: Erik Morales

Joshua Clottey

Record: 35-3 (20 KO’s)

Former WBO Welterweight champion

Home: Bronx, NY via Accra, Ghana

Age: 32

Notable wins: Diego Corrales, Zab Judah

Notable losses: Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Carlos Baldomir

Speed/Athletecism

Weighing the athleticism variable in a Pacquiao fight is almost a formality. There is only one man in boxing that can match the Pac Man’s athleticism and that’s Floyd Mayweather. Clottey is a strong, formidable opponent but as far as speed and athleticism will go this will be a mismatch. If Clottey is going to beat Manny Pacquiao it’s going to have to be by doing something other than trying to outwork the Pac Man. Pacquiao is in a different stratosphere and I see his athletic skill set as the gamebreaker in this fight.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Matt’s Take: Pacquiao has tremendous athleticism and in terms of putting combinations together, his hand speed is second to none. They are essentially his bread and butter. Clottey has decent athleticism and average speed at best, but doesn’t heavily rely on either to help him emerge victorious. Many of the shots he landed in his fight against Miguel Cotto were due to terrific timing, not quick hands.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Power

This one is a bit trickier. Do you look at knock out percentages or brute strength? One would imagine Clottey is the stronger man, but Pacquiao has knocked more welterweights lately than Clottey, who has recorded one stoppage since 2004. I’d lean with Pacquiao here as well. I firmly believe the brunt of Pacquiao’s power is in his killer instinct. It was hard to find a those instincts in the Joshua Clottey that fought Cotto, and that could be his downfall in this bout. Where Clottey slips up, Pacquiao will capitalize.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Matt’s Take: It’s no secret that Manny Pacquiao has true pound for pound punching power ala Thomas Hearns; just ask naturally bigger opponents in Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Oscar De La Hoya. In his two fights at welterweight (where he meets Clottey), Pacquiao has used fast, hard combinations to batter the aforementioned Cotto and De La Hoya, making him a heavy handed fighter even as an undersized 147 pounder.

Clottey’s power has always been underrated in my book. Clottey, easily the biggest active welterweight, has tremendous physical strength and the ability to throw noteworthy punches at any given time. He hurt former world champion Zab Judah and also made things quite uncomfortable for Cotto in their June 2009 match up. He possesses a unique punching style, which I have always been a fan of, which includes body-head combinations and double hooks up top. While the man known as “Hitter” can definitely do damage if he connects, Pac Man’s other alias is “The Destroyer” for a reason.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Defense/Chin

If Clottey has a shot at knocking off Pacquiao it lies in his defense. Clottey survived twelve rounds with Antonio Margarito, and I hate to go there, but who knows what was in Margarito’s gloves at that time. Clottey’s defensive success may be a testament to his refusal to take risks, but that flaw nudges him ahead of Pacquiao in this category.

Pacquiao hasn’t hit the canvas in years, but he has hit the canvas nonetheless. If I see one scenario that has Clottey winning this bout it’s a product of him using his strength and defense to control the pace of the bout. Clottey won’t make himself as presentable a target like Pacquiao’s most recent opponents and that may be the one thing that could propel him to a decision victory.

Advantage: Clottey

Matt’s Take: Pacquiao has had a good chin since day one. Although he was twice knocked out as a severely weight drained youngster, he has consistently shown the ability to take a punch. The best proof of his proficient chin is something he once was; a poor defensive fighter. The old, lighter Pacquiao had no problem trading punches with anybody at any time, but the 140-147 lb version boxes and moves a lot more effectively. Moving up in weight gave him the opportunity to build up his legs, thus he avoids punches far better than in years prior. On the contrary, he had trouble avoiding Cotto’s jab in their November super fight and against a strong fighter like Clottey that could be a problem.

Like many African fighters, Clottey has an effective high guard defense and a good beard. His defensive style is very effective and he rarely gets hit with flush shots. Basic or not, Clottey’s defensive abilities are frustrating for opponents. His chin isn’t an easy target to find, but even when he was hit, Clottey weathered the storm. The rugged Ghanaian has never been seriously hurt and his only trip to the canvas (against Cotto) was due to him being off balance.

Advantage: Clottey

Heart

Yet another category that is hard to pick against Manny in. On top of being arguably the fighter of the decade, Pac Man has taken part in several fight of the decade candidates. Surprisingly, I saw more heart from Manny in his first bout with Marquez than I have seen in a long time. After putting his man down three times in the first round only to have him claw back into the fight, Manny stayed with it despite giving up the draw.

Clottey will come into Cowboy’s stadium with a world of desire behind him, but heart is something that either you have or you don’t. I believe Joshua Clottey does to an extent, but anyone who lets a defeated Miguel Cotto survive, and throw enough punches to steal the bout from him will have trouble matching the heart, desire and killer instinct of Manny Pacquiao.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Matt’s Take: Pacquiao is as gutsy as they come. He’s a number of times and never had any issue adopting to take on a bigger fighter (see above). His willingness to exclusively mix it up when he fought the world’s best in lower weight classes simply can not be overlooked, even if he has changed his style a bit. Manny has also taken the heart of many of his opponents, such as De La Hoya, Hatton, Cotto and Barrera.

Manny may very well take exactly that from Clottey, since this is perhaps his biggest weakness. The late, great Arturo Gatti and even a more fragile fighter like Floyd Mayweather have fought multiple times with hand injuries and other distractions, proving when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Unfortunately this isn’t the case for former WBO Welterweight champion.

Clottey went into a shell after injuring his hand against Margarito in 06, squandering a good start en route to losing a decision. Against Cotto, he didn’t fare much better, electing to cover up on the ropes rather than throw back consistent combinations when the rugged Puerto Rican applied heavy pressure. Unless his questionable antics change, he is in for a rough night against an opponent who has snatched the heart out of some of boxing’s best.

Advantage: Clottey

Experience

Joshua Clottey will take part in a fight that draws the eyes of the sports world onto him, and it will be the first time that he has done so. Pacquiao meanwhile has been to this dance before. Pac Man has captured titles at a number of weight classes, stared down boxing legends, and had the morale of an entire country on his shoulders.

Clottey is by no means a wide eyed kid in over his head, the 32 year old has fought all over the world against different breeds of boxers, but it’s hard to find a resume` that measures up to Pacquiao’s. It’s been reported that ticket sales are around 45,000, a far bigger audience than either fighter is accustomed too. I don’t know that either man has a case of stage fright but on a scale this big I’d have to give the edge to Pacquiao.

Advantage: Pacquiao

Matt’s Take: When I say Pacquiao has fought everyone, I mean Pacquiao has fought everyone. Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera (twice each) and Erik Morales (three times) among others, there are very few noteworthy opponents he missed along the way. In addition, Pacquiao fought all of the aforementioned opponents on pay per view and has delivered masterpieces when the most eyes were on him.

Whether it is an asset to how dangerous of an opponent he is or the fact his inability to capitalize under the bright lights, Clottey is lacking in experience compared to Pacquiao. His most notable opponents were Cotto, Margarito, Judah, the late, great Diego Corrales and Carlos Baldomir. Outside of those five, three of whom have beaten him, Clottey’s fought mostly gate keeper type opponents.

Advantage: Pacquiao

The Verdict:

I have a shot for shot screenplay of this bout playing out in my head. It’s of an aggressive Manny Pacquiao overwhelming Joshua Clottey with a high volume of punches. Clottey is game, but careful. He knows that taking a risk of any kind will land him into deep trouble so he finishes the fight by kicking it into safety mode. Pacquiao doesn’t walk through Clottey the way he did Hatton and Cotto, but walks away with an impressive decision.

Verdict: Pacquiao UD

Matt’s Take: Clottey is regularly criticized for not throwing enough punches. His loss to Cotto serves perfect example of why he is a fighter that can do far more on the offensive end, but for one reason or another, chooses not to. Rather than going to take the title from the champion by making sure his hands were consistently busy, Clottey had too many Punchless spurts and cost himself the fight; as he did against Margarito.

Pacquiao throws terrific combinations and moves well enough to avoid return shots from his much slower opponent on Saturday night. The Filipino icon’s busy hands and Clottey’s inability to get going on a steady basis will spell trouble for the latter. Clottey’s natural size advantage, good chin and defense will likely help him make it to the final bell, albeit as a loser in the majority of the rounds.

Verdict: Pacquiao UD

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Much is made of Boxers fight at the Olympics and using them as a spring board to monetary gain once they opt to make there way in to the proffessional sport. Here’s a look at the guys who have won gold at a said Olympics and then gone on to enjoy further success in the way of World titles. Boxing first took place in the Olympics in the 1904 games and has remained ever since with only breaks for World War 1 & 2. In total 35 fighters have gone on to win a World title in the pro’s after winning Gold at the Olympics

Super Heavyweight – Over 201 – Lennox Lewis 1988 Olympic Champion (BRI) 3 time Heavyweight Champion. Wladimir Klitschko 1996 Olympic Champion (UKR) 2 time Heavyweight Champion.

Heavyweight – 201 – Joe Frazier 1964 Olympic Champion (USA) World Heavyweight Champion 1970-1973. George Foreman 1968 Olympic Champion (USA) World Heavyweight Champion 1973-1974 & 1994-1995. Ray Mercer 1988 Olympic Champion (USA) Heavyweight Champion 1991.

Light Heavyweight – 178 – Muhammad Ali 1960 Olympic Champion (USA) World Heavyweight, Mate Parlov 1972 Olympic Champion (YUG) World Light Heavyweight 1978. Leon Spinks 1976 Olympic Champion (USA) World Heavyweight Champion 1978. Slobodan Kacar 1980 Olympic Champion (YUG) World Light Heavyweight Champion 1985-1986. Vassiliy Jirov 1996 Olympic Champion (KAZ) Cruiserweight Champion 1999-2003. Andre Ward 2004 Olympic Champion (USA) Super Middleweight 2009-.

Middleweight – 165 – Floyd Paterson 1952 Olympic Champion (USA) Heavyweight Champion 1956-1959 & 1960-1962. Michael Spinks 1976 Olympic Champion (USA) 2 weight World Champion. Henry Maske 1988 Olympic Champion (USA) Light Heavyweight 1993-1996.

Light Middleweight – 156 – Frank Tate 1984 Olympic Champion (USA) Middleweight 1987-1988. David Reid 1996 Olympic Champion (USA) Light Middleweight 1999-2000.

Welterweight – 152 – Nino Benvenuti 1960 Olympic Champion (ITA) World Light Middleweight Champion 1965-1966 & Middleweight Champion 1967 & 1968-1970. Mark Breland 1984 Olympic Champion (USA) 2 time Welterweight champion 1987 & 1989-1990.

Light Welterweight – 141 – Sugar Ray Leonard 1976 Olympic Champion (USA) 5 weight World champion. Patrizio Oliva 1980 Olympic Champion (ITA) Light Welterweight Champion 1986-1987.

Lightweight – 132 – Pernell Whitaker 1984 Olympic Champion (USA) 4 weight World Champion. Oscar De La Hoya 1992 Olympic Champion (USA) 6 weight World Champion

Featherweight – 126 – Jackie Fields 1924 Olympic champion (USA), Meldrick Taylor 1984 Olympic Champion (USA) Light Welterweight 1988-1990 & Welterweight 1991-1992. Giovanni Parisi 1988 Olympic Champion (ITA) 2 weight World Champion.

Bantamweight – 119 – Maurizio Stecca 1984 Olympic Champion (USA) 2 time WBO Featherweight Champion. Kennedy McKinney 1988 Olympic Champion (USA) 2 time Super Bantamweight. Joel Casamayor 1992 Olympic Champion (USA) 2 weight World Champion. Istvan Kovacs 1996 Olympic Champion (HUN) Featherweight 2001.

Flyweight – 112 – Frankie Genaro 1920 Olympic champion (USA), Fidel La Barba Olympic champion 1924 (USA), Pascual Perez 1948 Olympic Champion (ITA) World Flyweight Champion1954-1960. Leo Randolph 1976 Olympic Champion (USA) World Bantamweight 1980. Yuriorkis Gamboa 2004 Olympic Champion (CUB) Featherweight 2009-

Light Flyweight – 106 – Brahim Asloum 2000 Olympic Champion (FRA) Light Flyweight Champion 2007-2008.

Here we look at the number of different weight classes and the number of fighters who won gold that turned pro.

Olympic Gold medallist to pro
Year & number of weight classes

1904 – 1/7
1908 – 1/5
1920 – 5/8 Frankie Genaro
1924 – 5/8 Jackie Fields, Fidel La Barba
1928 – 6/8
1932 – 6/8
1936 – 4/8
1948 – 6/8 Pascual Perez
1952 – 7/10 Floyd Paterson
1956 – 4/10
1960 – 5/10 Muhammad Ali, Nino Benvenuti
1964 – 3/10 Joe Frazier
1968 – 5/11 George Foreman
1972 – 2/11 Mate Parlov, Ray Leonard
1976 – 5/11 Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks, Leo Randolph
1980 – 3/11 Slobodan Kacar, Patrizio Oliva
1984 – 10/12 Frank Tate, Pernell Whitaker, Meldrick Taylor, Maurizio Stecca
1988 – 9/12 Lennox Lewis, Ray Mercer, Henry Maske, Mark Breland, Giovanni Parisi, Kennedy McKinney
1992 – 4/12 Oscar De La Hoya, Joel Casamayor
1996 – 5/12 Wladimir Klitschko, Vasiliy Jirov, David Reid, Isvan Kovacs
2000 – 4/12 Brahim Asloum
2004 – 6/11 Andre Ward, Yuriorkis Gamboa
2008 – 3/11

– 109/228

106 fighters who won Gold turned pro out of 228 fighters who have won Gold. Lazslo Papp won Gold in three consecutive Olympics & Guillermo Rigondeaux won Gold in two consecutive Olympics meaning 48% of fighters who won gold turned pro of that 33% of those fighters went onto to successfully win world titles.

First, an anecdote. The night before Ghana’s Joshua Clottey fought Miguel Cotto, we took a cab from the BWAA awards dinner to Times Square. The driver was a Ghanaian. When I told him we were in town for Saturday’s big match at Madison Square Garden, he said, “Who’s fighting?”

The morning after Clottey lost to Cotto, I went to Central Park in a different Ghanaian’s cab. When I told him I’d stayed up late to cover Saturday’s big match at Madison Square Garden, he said, “Who fought?”

Joshua Clottey can bring a violent end to such anonymity Saturday night by beating Manny Pacquiao. The fight happens in Arlington, Tex. That can mean only one thing: Cowboys Stadium – the House that Jerry Built, and the anticipatory roar of 45,000 spectators. A tip of the cap to Mr. Jones and promoter Bob Arum for having a long enough view of things to make it happen.

Now let’s treat vulnerability. Pacquiao hasn’t been this vulnerable since the last time he fought in Texas, which was the last time he ran for congress in the Philippines. On Friday, Norm Frauenheim examined Pacquiao’s distracting political aspirations but couldn’t divine a reason for them. Neither can the rest of us.

Joshua Clottey is Pacquiao’s least-noteworthy opponent in the 35 months since Pacquiao’s last fight in Texas. Oh, Clottey’s more formidable than David Diaz turned out to be – more formidable than Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, too – but not better known.

If you were Pacquiao, then, how excited would you be about a guy who lost his last fight to the guy you stopped in November?

Well, there’s the stadium. Surely that gets Pacquiao’s attention? Not necessarily. Cowboys Stadium means more to the rest of us, as Americans, than it means to Pacquiao. After all, the Cowboys aren’t “Philippines’ Team” and Pacquiao could draw 45,000 folks to a “Wapakman” DVD release party in Manila.

Then how about a chance to preserve his undefeated streak in the Lone Star State? Pacquiao’s 2-0 (2 KOs) in Texas. His first fight was the breakthrough event of his career. In November of 2003, he blitzed Marco Antonio Barrera when many of us thought Barrera was invincible. Still, Pacquiao’s second knockout in Texas is more important to this week’s fight – and not because you missed it.

Both Pacquiao’s previous fights in Texas happened at Alamodome, the cavernous venue named after a Catholic mission that hosted a battle 174 years ago last Saturday. Alamodome is a mile east of where this column is now written, which puts it about two miles east of Pico de Gallo restaurant – where Jorge Solis sat anonymously sipping menudo the morning of his fight with Manny Pacquiao on the second Saturday of April 2007. As I recall, Solis looked kinda hopeless 10 hours before he faced Pacquiao.

He didn’t look hopeless in the opening rounds, though. Pacquiao was less than himself that night. His trainer Freddie Roach had been in Puerto Rico working with Oscar De La Hoya for “World Awaits” or “Fight to Save Boxing” or whatever it was called. Pacquiao had been in the Philippines campaigning for congress; “Vote for Manny” buttons were all over San Antonio. Team Pacman was out of sync.

Then an accidental clash of heads made Pacquiao see his own blood. That did it. Pacquiao went directly through Solis after that. Order was restored.

Which returns us to Joshua Clottey. There are only two things to break Clottey’s concentration in a prizefighting ring: Rules infractions, and a belief he’ll win.

A head butt, a hip toss, clinching, a low blow – any of these can send Clottey’s mind spiraling away from the matter at his hands. Against Cotto, he reacted theatrically to roughhousing. Then he did some corner-stool calculus, decided he’d won the fight and didn’t do much after the 10th round.

Clottey might never get convinced he can win Saturday. But with Pacquiao leaping at him from a southpaw stance, there’s a good chance Clottey’s head is going to get bumped by Pacquiao’s. Cotto tells us how Clottey reacts to such infractions. And Solis tells us how Pacquiao reacts to the sight of his own blood.

Does Clottey have the physical toolbox to beat Pacquiao? Sure does. Clottey’s much bigger than Pacquiao. He’s rugged as hell. He starts fast. He outboxed both guys who decisioned him. He’s got good power, good defense and a great chin.

Does Clottey have the mental toolbox to beat Pacquiao? Doubtful.

You have to think Pacquiao’s promoter Top Rank knows this. They might have been scrambling after the Mayweather fight fell through; they knew Pacquiao in Cowboys Stadium was an idea not to be squandered. But there’s exactly no chance they would risk boxing’s one globally transcendent commodity in a fight they thought he might lose. They had Cotto pegged, didn’t they?

We know what Clottey is. We know what Pacquiao is. Pacquiao could possibly lose to Clottey – en route to winning a congressional seat in the Philippines – but Clottey is not going to beat Pacquiao. At least, I don’t think he is. Besides, whatever I know about Clottey or Pacquiao, I don’t know nearly enough about Cowboys Stadium.

Can’t wait to see it. Can’t wait for the moment the lights dim before the main event and the fighters begin their ringwalks. The electricity of those four or five minutes is the one part of a prizefight television will never adequately capture.

After that, Pacquiao will hit Clottey with a variety of unexpected punches. Clottey will block many more. Pacquiao will do enough to win most rounds. Clottey will do enough to believe he won most rounds.

Or maybe something unexpected will happen. I’d love to see Clottey become famous. I’d love to see Pacquiao tested. I believe these things could happen or I wouldn’t go to Dallas. But I sure don’t expect them to happen.

I’ll take Pacquiao: UD-12.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

On the cusp of boxing’s super-season the world’s focus remains on Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. While we await their hopeful showdown both men have tall tasks in front of them this spring. Mayweather will face Shane Mosley on May 1, a bout that will be touched off on in the coming weeks, while Pacquiao dukes it out with the upset minded Joshua Clottey. I have compiled the thoughts of a number of boxers, and am lucky enough to be able to put together an amazing list of predictions. I consulted fighters from lightweight to heavyweight, male and female, amateur prospect to world champion, from America to Australia to see how they see this event playing out. Some were elaborative, while some kept it short and sweet. See how their predictions match up with mine and your own, and tune in March 13 to see who’s vision plays out.

I think Pac will overwhelm Clottey with a lot of activity, I look for a late stoppage or unanimous decision. I also see very game and tough Clottey throughout. – Steve Forbes, former super featherweight world champion

Manny is too fast and elusive for Clottey. Clottey is Strong, stronger than Cotto but he doesn’t throw enough punches. Pacquiao’s speed will be too much. –Bobby Gunn, cruiserweight world title challenger

Pac is too fast and too strong for Clottey, too awkward to be honest. I love Josh but he had Cotto and let him get away, if he doesn’t have the killer instinct with Pac he is done. It will be a great fight but I give Pac the edge. –Ishe Smith, junior middleweight contender

I pick Manny by decision because Clottey fights safe enough not to be ko’ed but too safe to win the fight.- Jeff Mayweather, world class trainer, former lightweight contender

This is a much more difficult fight for manny than people think. It will be a hard fought bout with pac winning on points. –Billy Dib, featherweight contender

I like Clottey by a twelve round decision. He’d have to be able to take the punishment then work. –A.K. Laleye Contender Season 4 participant

It will go the distance and it will go to Pac-Man. – Jason Litzau, NABF super featherweight champion

I like Clottey’s relentless pressure. I think Pac-Man’s fire is going to ignite Clottey, it will be a close fight but Clottey comes out with the decision. –Hasim Rahman Jr. world class amateur fighter.

I’m Going with Pacquiao by U.D. 🙂 – Mia St. John former female lightweight world champion

A dangerous fight for Pac-Man because of Clottey’s size and strength but I think the speed will be too much for Clottey to overcome. I’m going with Pac Man and I will be VERY impressed if he wins by stoppage. – Caleb Truax, WBF International super middleweight champion.

Mmmm, I don’t know, this is a pick ‘em – Nate Campbell, former undisputed lightweight champion

My only thoughts are do I get to fight the winner? – Emanuel Augustus, former IBA champion

This is a tough one. Clottey is such a physical terror for any welterweight to handle and he boasts an iron jaw. Still, I think Pacquaio will get by him. Not because of speed, power, or combination punching, but because he’s got too much riding on a potential showdown with Mayweather/Mosley. Great fighters find a way to win and I think Pacquaio will do just that. –Ryan Coyne, cruiserweight prospect, Contender Season 4 participant.

I said it prior to the Cotto fight, and it proved obsolete but I’ll say it before this one too, Clottey has to knock Pacquiao out. If you think Mayweather-Pacquiao isn’t still in HBO’s fold this fall you’d have to be punch drunk. For Clottey to derail this event he’s going to have to stop Pacquiao which I don’t see happening. I thought Oscar, and Cotto would both be too big for Pac-Man but I’m not making that mistake again, Pacquiao at his best is not too small for anyone. It will come down to aggression and Pacquiao will win that war every time, I’ll take Manny via wide UD. – Brett Mauren, 15rounds, Phantom Punch Productions

Final Tally

Pacquiao : Mauren, Forbes, Gunn, Smith, Mayweather, Dib, Litzau, St. John, Truax, Coyne

Clottey: Laleye, Rahman Jr.

Neutral: Campbell, Augustus

With as many different viewpoints as we have just seen, someone’s call is bound to play out, and we will find out which one on March 13. Please support these exciting fighters as their careers unfold and stay tuned for the Mayweather-Mosley prediction piece in the coming weeks.

One of the most underrated boxers in world Boxing Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez 44-2-2(24) is just six weeks from the biggest fight of his career when he challenge’s Kelly Pavlik for his WBC/WBO Middleweight titles. Originally from one of the tough suburbs of Buenos Aires in Argentina Martinez has carefully honed his skills since making his debut in late 1996. He quickly raced to 16-0-1(6) with all his fights taking place in his homeland. Then he got the call to take on another young gun a certain Antonio Margarito it was on the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera-V-Erik Morales 1. Despite his lack of pro experience it was a great chance for Martinez. It proved to be to soon for him and he was dually stopped in the seventh. Not one to be perturbed he was back in the ring 2 months later and remained active and winning the Argentinean Welterweight title the following year. He moved to Europe in 2002 and after 3 fights in Britain he bided his time with several stay busy fights until he caught the attention of promoter Lou DiBella who brought him to America in 2007 where he won a WBC eliminator at Light Middleweight. Over the next year he stayed active though couldn’t force a fight with then champion Vernon Forrest. In October 2008 he fought Alex Bunema for the WBC 154 Interim Championship, it proved to be a coming out party when he stopped Bunema in the eighth round. In 2009 his star rose higher in two fights even though he won neither…officially. First came Kermit Cintron in the February, Cintron was down and out in the seventh. Inexplicably Frank Santore Jr. allowed the fight to continue. When Martinez appeared to of done enough to of won but again was foiled this time by two of the judges who scored the fight a draw. When the much anticipated Kelly Pavlik-Paul Williams fell out for the umpteenth time Martinez got his chance and faced Paul Williams up at Middleweight. In one of the fights of the year both guys put it all on the line and though many ringside thought “Maravilla” had done enough to take the fight he was again taken away from him by the judges. Leaving Williams to take the majority decision. After a break when Martinez went on a cruise before Christmas he got the call to fight Pavlik for the titles. It provides Martinez with his ultimate opportunity, if he can take this one it’ll go along way to undoing the two wrong’s in his mind from last year.

Hello Sergio, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – I believe you will be fighting Kelly Pavlik on 17 April In Atlantic City. That looks a tremendous fight. How do you see it? What do you see as Pavlik’s strengths and weaknesses?

Sergio Martinez – I think it will be a great fight; it can be a tremendous battle as I had with Paul Williams. Kelly Pavlik is a big puncher with a lot of power. He has an explosive right hand and I will have to take all precautions to avoid it. I see few weaknesses in Pavlik, but the few that he has I will exploit. In a few days my team and I will begin to discuss Pavlik’s past performances and set up a game plan to beat him.

Anson Wainwright – Last year your profile increased though you didn’t win either fight. First you drew with Kermit Cintron then lost a majority decision against Paul Williams. Looking back how do you see both of those fights now?

Sergio Martinez – For the Cintron fight he waited for me to attack and tried countering me all night; he needed to do more to win my world title… the ruling was an embarrassment to boxing, first to cancel my KO in the 7th round and then giving me a draw.
In the Paul Williams fight we both laid down all our cards in the ring, when you get two great competitors like that you get a classic fight. It was a close fight and we both wanted a victory that night but, I believe I was the better fighter that night. How can we forget that horrible judges score card (Mr. Benoist) giving me only one round the whole entire fight, WOW!! That’s was crazy.

Anson Wainwright – You were 35 on 21 February but seem to have become a better fighter with age. What do you put this down too?

Sergio Martinez – Personally, I believe I am in the best shape of my life. As I have gotten older I notice that my fitness has improved and my boxing has quantum leaped. I always knew to have success in this sport you need to be fully committed, disciplined, and have a relentless preparation program. I guess all my learning experiences and pitfalls has brought me to this point of my life which means that today I am entering the prime of my career.

Anson Wainwright – How do you feel fighting at Middleweight last time out? Do you intend to go back to 154 or are you a Middleweight from now on?

Sergio Martinez – I feel really good fighting at Middleweight; I need to continue training hard to maintain my muscle mass to keep my strength at middleweight. Not sure wants going to happen after April 17th my managers, my team, and I will evaluate my options I have for my future after the fight.

Anson Wainwright – I believe you live in Spain now? What made you decide to leave your homeland of Argentina to live in Spain? Do you get recognised in Madrid by people or are you relatively unknown?

Sergio Martinez – In the year 2002, I decided to migrate to Europe. Due to the bad economy in Argentina I went to Spain for work and boxing and decided to stay. I am not very popular in Spain because boxing is not as popular as other sports like soccer. I currently live in Oxnard, California which I love but it’s very different and low key.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about the team that you have around you. Who is your manager, trainer & promoter? Also what gym do you use to get ready for a fight?

Sergio Martinez – My team is Lou Dibella (promoter), Sampson Lewkowicz (matchmaker), Ricardo Atocha (manager), Juan Leon Diaz (coach), Cicilio Flores (2nd), and Daniel Sanchez (2nd). I do all my preparations and conditioning at World Crown Sports Training Centre located in Oxnard, CA.

Anson Wainwright – Your from Buenos Aires originally, can you tell us about how life was in your early years and how it took you towards a career in Boxing?

Sergio Martinez – I grew up in a very humble home in a low poverty neighbourhood. At age 14 I started working because the economic situation at home was like any poor family. At age 20 I started to box, my first day at a boxing gym was the May 2, 1995 I tried it once and I was hooked, I have not stopped ever since.

Anson Wainwright – When you’re not boxing what do you like to do with your spare time?

Sergio Martinez – If I am not in California training or relaxing I am in Spain hanging out with friends and family. One of my greatest pleasures in my life is to travel the world and get to visit different countries and meet new people. I try to visit my family in my country Argentina as much as possible. I am constantly moving and staying active. I never stop training; I like to stay in shape all year round.

Anson Wainwright – Looking back at the Antonio Margarito fight in 2000 do you think he was loading his gloves back then or was it just a bad night at the office?

Sergio Martinez – The night of February 19, 2000 when I fought Margarito, I did not think he had his gloves loaded. He was the better fighter that night and he was better prepared than I was. I have no regrets and it was early in my career; I have become a better fighter because of it.

Anson Wainwright – When you retire from Boxing do you intend to still be involved with the sport in some capacity or do you have other business venture’s? If so what?

Sergio Martinez – I am 100% focused in my boxing career; I am taking it one step at a time right now.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your Boxing hero?

Sergio Martinez – Muhammad Ali and Carlos Monzon.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for Pavlik & your fans ahead of the fight?

Sergio Martinez – First, I would like to thank Kelly Pavlik for giving me the opportunity to fight for his titles. It is an honour to confront a great champion that he is. He is considered by many to be the best in the world and it only makes sense for me to fight the best.
I also want to thank my fans for their loyalty, their support and I promise another great performance the night of April 17th in Atlantic City NJ. I want to send a big hello to my family and friends back home in Argentina. This is my best training camp ever, I feel great, and I can’t wait till fight night.

Thanks for your time Maravilla

Thank you very much, Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez

Anson Wainwright

15rounds.com

It’s hard to know when Manny Pacquiao got interested in politics. Maybe, it happened at about the time he added a right to his left. It’s also hard to understand why. But Pacquiao is serious, even after he lost by a reported 37,000-to-38,000 votes in his last and only run in 2007 for an anonymous seat in the Filipino Congress.

Maybe, Pacquiao just hates to lose. Ask Eric Morales, who discovered just how much he detests defeat after Morales’ initial victory was followed by two devastating losses to the motivated Filipino. Three years ago, Pacquiao’s political ambitions looked like a lark. Between fights, politics was like shooting hoops and singing. It was something to do. But by now, we know he’ll never be in the NBA or play Carnegie Hall.

But Congress is beginning to look about as good as a victory over Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in the Dallas metroplex.

Thirteen days after Pacquiao is expected to sack Clottey like a linebacker in a blitz of a poorly-defended quarterback, he will be back on the campaign trail. He is running in a different district, Sarangani instead of General Santos City. There is different opponent. By all accounts, there also will a different result.

This time, Pacquiao is expected to prevail against Roy Chiongbian. I’m tempted to send Chiongbian a campaign contribution, although he apparently doesn’t need one. Chiongbian is reported to be a billionaire, which makes him even richer than Pacquiao, who has become a multi-millionaire in a string of rich fights, including a 2008 upset of Oscar De La Hoya.

Let’s just say that I’m a member of the Filipino party that reportedly cheered when Pacquiao lost in 2007 to incumbent Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

Memo to would-be Congressman Pacquiao: The Philippines need another politician about as much as Imelda Marcos needed another pair of shoes. A Congressional seat will always be there. A chance at enduring stardom as a fighter will not.

Yet, the quixotic seriousness of Pacquiao’s political pursuit is unmistakable, both in a conference call and in subsequent media reports. If a congressional seat forces him out of the ring and eliminates any renewed possibility of a showdown with Floyd Mayweather, Jr, Pacquiao seemed to say:

So be it.

“I don’t need to fight him,’’ Pacquiao said in a conference call when asked about negotiations that failed when Mayweather demanded Olympic-style blood testing. “What I believe is Floyd Mayweather is not ready at this time to fight with me. That’s why he makes the reasons to cancel the fight. I feel bad and disappointment because he is accusing me of using drugs or whatever and trying to ruin my name in boxing. People know I have been successful through God and hard work.

““I don’t really need Floyd Mayweather because what I have achieved in boxing is good enough for me and people know that by comparing my achievements in boxing to his achievements.’’

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach are skeptical that the Filipino whirlwind will leave one ring and enter another. But neither rules it out either.

In the gym, Roach said he has witnessed some ferocious flashes of anger at Mayweather. The frustration is rare for Pacquiao, who walks into the ring with a shy, somewhat enigmatic smile on a face that always seems to say he doesn’t dislike anybody. But Mayweather altered that with demands that imply Pacquiao abuses performance-enhancers.

“Sometimes, when Manny is shadowboxing, he will show me how Mayweather fights and how he will take care of the problem,’’ Roach said. “ I’ve never seen Manny do that before. He was trying to ruin our reputation with those allegations, so we do want to fight him and we do want to knock him out.’’

But, yeah, Roach says, the Clottey fight could be his last if Mayweather continues to make the drug-testing demands without an approved process from a state Commission, or if Shane Mosley upsets Mayweather on May 1, or if a victory at the ballot box takes Pacquiao out of the gym and into office for good.

If, if and if.

The biggest one could be what Pacquiao might have been. Arum, Roach and much of the media have been saying that Pacquiao is poised to become something special, meaning he is about to occupy the same orbit as Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali. But as an active Congressman and a retired fighter, anything special would be speculative. Pacquiao is good. Make that great. He will be in the Hall of Fame. But he is still a fight with Mayweather, or maybe a Mosley, from being special

Then, there is the potential for cynicism. If Pacquiao leaves boxing for politics, I can already hear the Mayweathers — Floyd Jr., Floyd Sr. and Roger. All together now:

“See, I told you so.”

Pacquiao has undergone and passed every required drug test. If a Commission tells him there are new rules, I believe he will agree to a more rigorous process. Fair or not, it is the only way he can definitively answer a question that the Mayweather chorus raised. There are a variety of interpretations as to the motivation for the Mayweather demand. Maybe, he was trying to bully Pacquiao by trying to dictate terms. Maybe, Mayweather was trying to get out of the fight. Maybe, it was gamesmanship.

But there’s only way to answer and it’s not from a seat in the Filipino Congress.

WHAT PROBLEM?
Vic Darchinyan (33-2-1, 27 KOs) is sick of hearing about a rematch of his loss to Nonito Donaire. Still, he was asked about it repeatedly this week before the defense of super-flyweight titles on Showtime Saturday against Mexican Rodrigo Guerrero (13-1-1, 9 KOs) at Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, Calif.

Darchinyan, knocked out by a Donaire three years ago, has dismissed the rematch possibility by saying he is moving up in weight.

Funny, but that’s the same thing Donaire said last month before his third-round stoppage of Manuel Vargas in Las Vegas. Then, Donaire said it was “now or never,” because he was moving up to bantam and featherweight.

On the scale, Darchinyan and Donaire are heading in the same direction, which should also include a rematch.

NOTES, QUOTES FROM THE SUPER SIX
· Arthur Abraham almost made it sound as if Jamaican sprinter Usian Bolt was a sparring partner in training for Andre Dirrell at Detroit in a Super Six Classic bout on March 27, which was rescheduled from March 6 because of a back injury suffered by Dirrell. “I have sparring partners who run,’’ Abraham said from Germany during a conference call Thursday.

· Dirrell is out of the tournament if he loses because of a controversial loss by split decision to Carl Froch in his last bout. “I call it a do-or-die situation,’’ said Dirrell, who believes he was robbed on the scorecards against Froch. He also said Froch engaged in “dirty tactics” that took him out of his fight plan.

· Promoter Gary Shaw predicts that Dirrell will be the first to beat Abraham, an Armenian who speaks German and hopes to become an American star. Shaw said that Abraham, the tournament’s leader in points with three, is more comfortable at middleweight, 160 pounds. That, Shaw said, is one reason he beat Jermain Taylor, also more comfortable at 160. At 168 pounds, Dirrell has an advantage, he said. “The bigger and faster man always wins,’’ Shaw said. “In this fight — although I have a world of respect for Arthur Abraham for his record, his style, his abilities and his demeanor — I believe Andre Dirrell will win and possibly stop Abraham.’’

Photo by Chris Cozzone/ Top Rank

One of Boxing most outspoken characters James “Lights Out” Toney 72-6-3(44) took time out from training to speak with us earlier this week. Originally from the tough streets of Grand Rapids, MI, Toney was brought up the hard way first entering the ring as a pro in 1988 now a full 22 years later he’s still plying his trade in the squared circle as he approaches his 42 birthday this August. In that time he won the IBF Middleweight which he defended six times before vacating to move up to Super Middleweight where he won the IBF title and made three defence’s before losing the crown to Roy Jones Jnr in 1994. Though he remained active sometimes fighting at Heavyweight nobody believed Toney would ever win another world title however he got his chance against IBF Cruiserweight champion Vasilliy Jirov 9 years after the Jones fight. Toney rolled back the years and posted one of his best wins ever when he outboxed his younger foe even punctuating the victory with a twelfth round knock down. That win reinvourated him and he made a run up at Heavyweight beating living legend Evander Holyfield and then John Ruiz for the WBA Heavyweight title only to be stripped of it later for taking a banned substance. He ran Hasim Rahman close when they drew in 2006 before losing twice to Samuel Peter. Since then Toney has won 3 with one no contest and hopes to get back in the mix…if he can get a chance that is. Here’s what the straight talking 3 weight world champion had to say.

Hello James, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly you last fought in September when you beat Matthew Greer in two rounds. Were you happy with how it went?

James Toney – Oh very happy. I you know I wanted a better opponent, you know what i’m saying. Klitschko’s, Valuev, David Haye, someone of there calibre. But i did what your supposed to do, i beat who was in front of me.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have anything in the works that you can tell us about?

James Toney – We’re trying our best to get everyone in the ring. The Klitschko Brothers, excuse me Klitschko sisters, they keep running from me. David Haye he keeps running from me. I’ll fight anybody place or anytime that’s my moto you know that.

Anson Wainwright – It has been rumoured that you may face Antonio Tarver, what can you tell us what the current situation is with that fight?

James Toney – That was going to happen but Tarver ‘s a chicken like everyone else you know what i’m saying, no balls. Like European fighters haven’t got balls, come fight me they say i’m old well put me out of my misery, don’t go being scared. There all hiding behind there momma’s skirt, there scared to death, there chicken sh1ts! They don’t wanna come fight in the States and if they do they fight soft opponents.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your team. Who is your manager, your trainer & promoter & also where do you regularly train for fights?

James Toney – I’m self managed, my advisor is John Arthur and my wife. I train at 360 that’s my main gym. But i’m going to work with Freddie Roach in the near future.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about how things were for you growing up in Grand Rapids, Ma and how they took you into Boxing?

James Toney – As you know they call Grand Rapids fighters row because all on one street we had the Mayweather family, The Tony Tucker family, Buster Mathis we all live on one street. That’s how i grew up but i left there early.

Anson Wainwright – It’s funny how both you and Floyd Mayweather Jnr come from the same place did your paths ever cross back in those days?

James Toney – We talk, his family we’re cool. Floyd’s doing his thing, i’m doing mine.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us what still motivates you to fight at 41? What are you still hoping to achieve in what is already a Hall of fame career?

James Toney – My motivation is to unify the World Heavyweight Championship. I got one, i been Heavyweight Champion. They didn’t recognise me. The title didn’t make me i made the belt. I want every title there is David Haye, Klitschko sisters they got no balls. If they have balls come see me.

Anson Wainwright – Is there ever a fighter that you would really like to fight that you’ve never be able to so far? Maybe Bernard Hopkins who you were linked with in 2003. How come that never came off?

James Toney – I’m an old school fighter, he’s an old fool! If you look at Bernard Hopkins old school fighters do not run in there with there head and hit and hold. That’s what he does, he’s a coward. Bernard Hopkins is a straight up coward. Antonio Tarver coward, The Klitschko sisters coward, all of them. I pride myself on fighting the best opposition out there.

Anson Wainwright – Your an old school fighter who uses very subtle moves defensively like the shoulder roll and the way you tuck up. Can you tell us a little about how you learnt all those things that have preserved you so well over these years?

James Toney – The shoulder roll came from the 50’s & 60’s the great Jersey Joe Walcott. Well basically i learned it from my first trainer Bill Miller. He trained me as a child. We practiced old school moves all the time until one day it just came off. I can fight in the middle of the ring, i can fight going forward, i can fight going backwards. That’s where i got my skills from watching them guys. Archie Moore, Ray Robinson. All the greats, that was a great era for Boxing. I love my Boxing.

Anson Wainwright – In which fight do you think it all came together and was your best in your career to date?

James Toney – It aint happened yet, it’s coming. In the passed Evander Holyfield because everyone saying i couldn’t beat a real Heavyweight. I beat him real good.

Anson Wainwright – You have fought 14 World Champions in 5 weight classes. Who do you consider the best fighter you ever fought?

James Toney – Mike McCullum.

Anson Wainwright – You’ve been a pro for over 20 years and had 83 fights, what was your proudest moment in Boxing so far and why?

James Toney – Winning my first world title. I was a 20-1 underdog. I shocked the world.

Anson Wainwright – You must of trained with many good young fighters is there one who stands out that you could mention who you think has a big future?

James Toney – I aint noticed any great fighters. There babied to much. I don’t see anyone of my calibre. Manny Pacquiao yeah, i love watching him he trains with Freddie.

Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do when your not Boxing James?

James Toney – Oh play with my kids. My family is everything to me. I love my family, i cherish it.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have a message for your fans?

James Toney – I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. Keep watching my fights. For all the haters keep hating on me and spread hate.

Thanks for your time James, it’s much appreciated.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

In the biggest fight of his life Bobby Gunn showed up, fought his heart out, and was told he had had enough. With a world title opportunity lost, at age 35 it may have looked as though Bobby Gunn was finished, He’d like people to know he is far from.

“That fight was for the Ring world title, there are a lot of titles but everyone knows the Ring title is the only real one, very few men can say they have fought for it”

Thomasz Adamek earned a victory over the game Gunn, but failed to knock the New Jersey native down or stop him completely, as the Gunn corner made their desire to continue clear. Something of a consolation can be found in Adamek’s last two outings, where he stopped veteran Andrew Golota and outpointed Jason Estrada, at heavyweight.

“There were no knockdowns in that fight and I felt like I could have kept going and won a couple more rounds if it would have continued. I got to see him recently and he was about 220, I told him I was glad he wasn’t that big when we fought! He laughed and gave me a hug I really like the guy, it’s nothing against him but I didn’t agree with the ruling that night.”

Gunn may have had a chance to peer into his own future that night however, when he watched Ran Nakash do battle on the same card.

“A fight with Ran Nakash is in negotiations and I really like that fight. He’s 22-0 and it will be a great opportunity for me, it will be a great fight.”

A win over the undefeated Nakash would springboard Gunn right back into title contention and that is something he goes into this fight fully aware of.

“If I fight this guy Nakash and get the win I could be fighting for a world title again by the end of the year, I’d love to fight the Cunningham- Godfrey winner.”

Prior to the whisperings of a showdown with Ran Nakash Gunn was offered a bout in Nigeria with Bash Ali, an opportunity he also would have savored. Traveling to Africa would have been a rare opportunity, and a nice pay day.

“They offered me a number I couldn’t refuse but just my luck the fight fell through because of the things going on with their president. How would the president effect boxing? Well the fight was funded by the Nigerian government so things just didn’t work out.”

If anything can be learned through Bobby Gunn’s story it is that it’s never over until you decide it is. Having a world title opportunity fall through his fingertips by way of controversial stoppage, and missing out on a major pay day in Nigeria, Gunn still finds himself in the driver’s seat. In a sport where one shot can make or break an outcome Bobby Gunn has more than a puncher’s chance against Ran Nakash, but with Gunn’s power one shot may be all it takes. Now in position to put himself back into title contention Gunn offers east coast fans, and boxing enthusiasts across the country something that is easy to root for.

At 36 years old Gunn insists he feels the best he ever has and aims for another run at the title. With his previous conqueror finding success in the heavyweight division , he sees the cruiserweight door as wide open and has a message to relay to his fans.

“Just when you think it’s over, it’s just beginning”

15rounds in association with Gardenstatefightscene.com brings you our inaugural New Jersey pound for pound list, which will be updated on a regular basis. Unlike regular P4P lists, this one was a bit tricky, as many fighters are at different stages. In compiling the list, we factored resume with potential and what each fighter has left. Without further ado, here is who we think are New Jersey’s best.

1. Tomasz Adamek Heavyweight Secaucus: Adamek, easily Jersey’s best fighter, has impressed thus far since vacating his IBF/Ring Magazine Cruiserweight titles to move up in weight. The beloved Pole most recently took a competitive decision over 2004 US Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada, where he was hit a few more times than one would have liked.

Next up is an April 24 HBO showdown with heavyweight contender Cris Arreola in Arreola’s home state of California. This is fight fan’s dream, thus had been discussed within boxing circles in recent months since both men like to mix it up and have tremendous chins. Outside of a matchup with WBA champion David Haye, is there anything better that we could have asked for?

NEXT FIGHT: April 24 vs Arreola

2. Carlos Tamara Junior Flyweight North Bergen: Tamara went from a virtual unknown to one of the most talked about fighters locally after his stunning 12th round TKO over IBF Junior Flyweight champion Brian Viloria in the Philippines. Viloria, a Filipino-American, was up on points early, but Tamara rallied back late to end the fight in devastating fashion, giving him one of the best wins by a local fighter in years.

The 2004 Colombian Olympian was chasing a fight with WBO champion Ivan Calderon, but reports indicate Calderon has a fight lined up against another opponent in May.

NEXT FIGHT: TBA

3. Kendall Holt Junior Welterweight Paterson: Holt was shockingly stopped after six rounds by unknown South African Kaizer Mabuza last Saturday in Atlantic City. Holt was expected to win the fight – an IBF 140 lb eliminator – en route to taking on the winner of this weekend’s Juan Urango-Devon Alexander fight, but this wasn’t the case. Holt had a good opening round but after that, it went all down hill.

Mabuza took the fight over and Holt’s corner stopped the fight following the sixth. With back to back losses, especially considering how he lost to Mabuza, Holt has a tough road back. With that said if he can refocus himself and get back to the Kendall Holt who beat Demetrius Hopkins, he can still be a major player at 140 lbs.

NEXT FIGHT: TBA

4. Pawel Wolak Junior Middleweight North Arlington: The rapidly improving Wolak impressed in a virtual shut out victory January 23 at Madison Square Garden over once beaten Ishmail Arvin. Wolak’s defensive adjustments make him a potential player in the 154 lb division with another win or two. Since his last two fights have been on Top Rank’s most recent cards at MSG, expect him to return on the Miguel Cotto-Yuri Foreman undercard.

NEXT FIGHT: June 5?

5. Mike Arnaoutis Junior Welterweight/Welterweight Atlantic City: Arnaoutis dropped a debatable split decision to Tim Coleman December 3 in New York City. The bout wasn’t pretty, but Arnaoutis appeared to do enough to warrant a close decision. Unfortunately, two of the judges didn’t think so. Arnaoutis, who has struggled to make 140 lbs recently, is taking a risk by moving up to 147 lbs to challenge contender Delvin Rodriguez April 2 on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights. In addition to taking a tough fight in a new weight class, Arnaoutis is fighting at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, where Rodriguez is a fan favorite. The cards are really stacked against him in this one.

NEXT FIGHT: April 2 vs Rodriguez

6. Shaun George Light Heavyweight Wayne: George is yet another local fighter who suffered a devastating loss last time out when he was stopped on July 10 by fellow 175 lb contender Chris Henry. George got off to a strong start but faded after the second round en rout to being viciously in round six. After some time off, George is reportedly back in the gym and close to signing with a new promoter. The talent is definitely there with George and at age 30, he can get right back into contention with a few notable wins.

NEXT FIGHT: TBA

7. Shamone Alvarez Welterweight Atlantic City: Alvarez fell just short last March against the aforementioned Rodriguez, dropping a split decision in an entertaining fight. The volume punching Alvarez also lost a decision to Joshua Clottey a few years back, which has caused some to question if he can truly hang with a top welterweight. He returns to the ring Saturday night in AC against hard hitting Alexis Camacho. A loss would likely destroy his career while a victory can help push him towards a minor title fight.

NEXT FIGHT: March 6 vs Camacho

8. Prince Badi Ajamu Light Heavyweight Camden: Ajamu was scheduled to face fringe contender Daniel Judah November 20, but surprisingly missed weight by 10 lbs, canning the fight altogether. Since then, he has been on a hiatus and his next move is unknown. Whether he fights on at cruiserweight (which appears likely since he is 38) or light heavy, he will be a handful for any contender/up and comer.

NEXT FIGHT: TBA

9. Jeremy Bryan Junior Welterweight Paterson: If this list was purely on potential, Bryan would easily be number one. He is a good boxer and has shown the ability to apply pressure as well. In his most recent bout, Bryan demolished Darren Fallen, decking the experienced veteran three times en route to a second round TKO.

Bryan is scheduled to return April 17 in AC as pat of the Kelly Pavlik-Sergio Martinez undercard and is definitely ready for a step up in competition. If he is victorious on the 17th, hopefully we can see him on an ESPN, ShoBox or Top Rank Live (who have a good relationship with Bryan’s promoter Pat Lynch) card in the near future.

NEXT FIGHT: April 17 vs TBA

10. Vivian Harris Junior Welterweight Carlstadt: Once upon a time Vivian Harris was the WBA champion and the most avoided man in the 140 lb division. Unfortunately for Harris, it seems all too long ago. Harris’ skills have greatly diminished and he honestly hasn’t been the same since getting viciously knocked out by Junior Witter in 07’. Since then, Harris had to come off the canvas twice to beat journeyman Octavio Narvaez, battled to a scary no contest with Noe Bolanos and was controversially stopped by unbeaten power puncher Lucas Matthysse on February 20.

Harris had a few good moments against Matthysse, but it’s clear he isn’t what he once was. Due to the controversial stoppage (the referee strangely halted the bout after Harris was buzzed by a single punch) a rematch appears in place for April 2 on ShoBox. His resume can get him a notable fight if he wins the rematch, but a loss would all but likely end his career.

NEXT FIGHT: April 2 vs Matthysse?

Honorable Mention:

Jorge Diaz Featherweight New Brunswick: Outside of Adamek, Diaz is the most entertaining fighter in Jersey. He returns March 20 against unbeaten Alejandro Lopez on a Top Rank Live card from Florida. His October 2009 knockout over Olympic Gold Medalist Yan Barthelemy was one of the best in recent memory.

Francisco Contreras Junior Welterweight Irvington: Contreras made a major statement in his National TV debut February 5, blowing away Juan Castaneda inside of one round on ShoBox. The cement fisted Contreras has been kept busy by promoter TKO Boxing. Hope to see more of him soon.

Bobby Gunn Cruiserweight Rochelle Park: Gunn captured the hearts of local fight fans with his gutsy performance against Tomasz Adamek on July 11. Gunn’s chin and willingness to mix it up with Adamek earned him more respect than all of his wins put together. Gunn recently notified us that he is targeting a showdown with unbeaten Ran Nakash and hopes the bout will take place in AC.

Patrick Majewski Middleweight Atlantic City: Majewski, an all action Pole, has solid wins over Latif Mundy and Jimmy Lubash. Like Adamek, his willingness to mix it up makes him worth the price of admission.

Jerson Ravelo Super Middleweight Newark: Talent wise, Ravelo is as good as anybody in Jersey, but many have questioned his ability to beat a top fighter (three of his four losses came to world champion Andre Ward along with contenders David Lopez and Allan Green) and how much he has left in the tank due to injuries. A self proclaimed refocused fighter, Ravelo hopes to surprise his harshest critics and show why he was a highly touted prospect coming out of the 2000 Olympics.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to gardenstatefightscene.com

When you think of the Wild Card in Los Angeles you think of Manny Pacquiao first and formost, however there are fighters behind the scene’s who though only fledgling pro’s would appear to have obvious talent. One of those guys is Dean “The Irish Lightening” Byrne 11-0(4). Bryne 25, hails from Crumlin in The Republic of Ireland first debuted in early 2006 in Australia having had his first six fights there he moved to California and hooked up with Freddie Roach and has had 5 fights so far in America. Here’s what one of The Wild Card’s top up and coming prospects had to say on various things.

Hello Dean, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s you have very recently just become a proud father. How are things going?

Dean Byrne – Yeah its so great being a dad I have been blessed, he’s so good eats and sleeps. He was 2 hours old and posing for a picture with his fists like a fighter I guess he takes after his dad! Haha

Anson Wainwright – Your currently back in London because of the birth of the baby. When do you intend to head back to Los Angeles and then fight next?

Dean Byrne – I’m heading back to the States next week Wednesday my flight is. I can’t wait to get straight in to some hard work possibly fight in April I don’t no exacted date.

Anson Wainwright – You had your first 6 fights in Australia but then moved to Los Angeles and fight and live there now. How did a guy from Ireland end up fighting so far from home?

Dean Byrne – I travelled a lot as I was fighting for Ireland as an amateur we boxed in Australia and I met Johnny Lewes out there he saw me fight and asked me if i’d like to go pro and stay in Oz. It was a lovely place so I started my journey with a legend who trained Jeff Fenech Kostya Tzsyu and then wanted to work with me which was a good boost at the time and within 5 fights I became Australian champion so I proved him right I guess.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have any aspiration’s to one day fight in Britain?

Dean Byrne – Fight in Britain sure why not my boy was born here so I would probly like to fight here some day the 02 headlining a World title defence give the English fans an Irishman to talk a bout not just any Irishman Irish lightning.aka right now my dream is in America to be world champion and prove Freddie Roach right.

Anson Wainwright – Who is your manager, trainer & promoter?

Dean Byrne – Freddie Roach he’s my trainer and manager. Also Steven Feder manages me with Freddie and they have big plans for my future. I’m in talks now with big promoter in the States so I haven’t signed just yet in negotiations.

Anson Wainwright – Training at the Wild Card is obviously very exciting and beneficial to you because of the impressive clientele. What are you feeling about the guy and what it does for you as a person and fighter?

Dean Byrne – As a fighter in Wild Card it feels like nothing else, so many champions and so much respect it really makes you feel good to be part of that and you learn from the best what it feels like to train like the best and be humble and enjoy it.

Anson Wainwright – Your a Light Welterweight so you right in the thick of things as far as being the same size as Manny, Amir & Jose Benevidez. Do you train and spar with them? Can you tell us about these experience’s?

Dean Byrne – I’ve sparred with Pac-Man for 2 World title fights. Amir Khan for 2 of his big fights. It’s great to be part of a team that at such a world class level. I haven’t sparred Jose Benevidez yet I will do when i’m back there. It’s great to train and spare with pound for the pound best on the planet when I know I can hold me own and learn from them. It wont be long be for Irish Lightning is World champion and i’ll be a name people will know.

Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career. What titles you won and what was your final record?

Dean Byrne – My amateur career was not to bad over 100 fights have won 80% of them. I’ve had Silver and Bronze medals in multi-nation competitions representing my country at Senior level Irish champion Leinster Senior Champion.

Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?

Dean Byrne – My goals are to be world champion and move up weights like Pac-Man and win as many as I can and be a name people will always remember.

Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite fighter growing up?

Dean Byrne – My favourite fighters were Roberto Duran, Ray Leonard, Ali. Today my favourite is many Pacquiao.

Anson Wainwright – So far what is your best memory as a boxer?

Dean Byrne – Best memory is beating the Australian champion and winnng my first belt. Being Champion is a great memory.

Anson Wainwright – Finally when your not Boxing what do you like to do?

Dean Byrne – What I like to do when not boxing, play poker like the game only when i’m not in training for a fight of course.

Thanks for your time Dean, keep up the good work.

Thank you for your time and wanting to no bout Irish lightning talk soon take care an god bless.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

“Regard friendship as the greatest thing in the world; for there is nothing which so fits in with our nature, or is so exactly what we want in prosperity or adversity. But I must at the very beginning lay down this principle: Friendship can only exist between good men.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero, “Treatises on Friendship and Old Age”

There is a certain refreshing selfishness about prizefighting. Rare is the fighter who is admonished by the boxing community for pursuing his own best interests. The most we do is criticize a prizefighter for misapprehending those interests and allowing shortsighted greed to send him careering away from what’s memorable.

Because boxing has no league, there’s no chance for the disingenuous spectacle of a television spot in which a participant recounts his selfless donation of time to children or elderly folks (when he’s told he has to). The boxing ring abides no half truths, and as a rule you should believe all sacrifices in prizefighting end at the apron’s edge.

But there are exceptions. One happened a couple of Thursdays ago in Brooklyn. Friends gathered at New York’s St. Francis College to announce the creation of the Arthur Curry Scholarship Fund on what would have been Curry’s 50th birthday had he not perished from a staph infection on April 6. Curry was a long-time employee of HBO’s. The nature of his position, colleagues and friendships at the network provides a different perspective on our beloved sport.

Following his beginning in the mailroom – a corporation’s least auspicious starting line – Curry worked his way into a self-made position of liaison between his employer and its talent. That is, Curry represented HBO to the prizefighters that fought under its banner. Often his job was to join under the tent of his credibility those who practice the sincerest profession – prizefighting – with entertainers whose insincerity is high art, and managers and promoters whose insincerity is lowest art.

The role was essential because by the time a prizefighter gains esteem enough to fight on HBO, he’s distrustful – not always because he started that way. Most prizefighters come from backgrounds in which their would-be perpetrators don’t trifle with stylish presentations; those who would do them harm rush across the street and do so.

Not until a fighter has shown a superlative spark, then, does he get introduced to men who assure his best interests before they fleece him with punches he can’t see. The unscrupulous manager or promoter may be among the first men in a young prizefighter’s life who say they give a damn about him. That sort of hard-won trust gets violated, and the prizefighter finds it easiest to distrust everyone going forward.

Arthur Curry’s job was to speak to prizefighters in their language and establish enough trust between them and his employer that mutually beneficial shows could be put together. His role was not without self-interest. Curry was a company man, in the best sense of the term. He kept a closet’s worth of HBO apparel. He was immensely proud of his opportunity. He represented his network from a position of gratefulness impossible to fake.

Curry had seen enough fakes. Those who would remember him on his 50th birthday mentioned how deftly he detected a hustle. Curry’s youth had been a picture of urban inhumanity, a portrait of the cruelty perpetrated on young folks by areas overcrowded with poverty and immorality. So he saw instantly the sorts of hustles fighters might see and try to exploit, or fear.

What made Curry’s position unique, though, was that he offered prizefighters a good deal. Think of all the criticism HBO Sports has taken in the last decade, and ask yourself: Does any of it reduce to profiteering at fighters’ expenses? To its viewers’ occasional dismay, HBO has made a habit of overpaying for talent. Curry may have represented a large corporation that made money by broadcasting prizefights, but he sure didn’t represent any ruinously one-sided deals.

That’s part of the reason Roy Jones Jr. was the keynote speaker at Curry’s 50th birthday party. As distrustful a champion as we’ve seen in a generation, a man whose legacy was made on HBO, a man who was later fired by HBO, Jones spoke happily of his close association with a person introduced to him by HBO. That said a lot about Curry’s character. It also said a lot about the character of Roy Jones.

Today fundraising efforts for Chile officially commence. They enter a life-and-death struggle with efforts in behalf of Haiti. Both countries suffered earthquakes. Both countries are about to suffer man’s finite capacity for caring about others’ misfortunes. A last commentary on what made the St. Francis College event special: It happened almost 11 months after Curry’s passing.

In the days that immediately follow a friend’s death, we all make memorial plans. We often renege as time passes. No one blames us. Commemoration promises are part of grieving’s calendar and sometimes go better unobserved. But Roy Jones, HBO commentator Jim Lampley and writer Thomas Hauser, among others, deserve recognition for remembering and exemplifying Henry Ford’s definition of quality: “Doing it right when no one is looking.”

None of this says you need to cheer Jones in his next fight. You don’t need to agree with Lampley’s play-by-play. Go right ahead and rebut Hauser the next time he fires a broadside at HBO management. But also acknowledge the friendship they shared with Arthur Curry by nodding to Cicero and giving them the benefit of the doubt as good men.

Too, when you get a chance, google “Roy Jones, Jr. & Jim Lampley Celebrate Life of Arthur Curry” and watch their video. Boxing needs more men like Curry. You didn’t need me to tell you that.

But boxing also needs more of the men that make guys like Curry possible – the very purpose of the Arthur Curry Scholarship Fund.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter.com/bartbarry

When Edison “Pantera” Miranda 33-4(29) steps into the ring next month and will try to win a world title at the second attempt when he faces Lucian Bute for Bute’s IBF Super Middleweight title. The fight will take place on home territory for Bute in Montreal. Miranda hopes capitalise on this fantastic opportunity which goes out on HBO. Miranda is used to fighting with his back to the wall in both life and the ring, the bigger the challenge the more he likes it. He’s an all action knock out artist who can back up his words more often than not. Miranda 29, is a highly entertaining fighter who fans and media a like enjoy watching. Previously he’s come up short in some of his biggest fights losing twice to Arthur Abraham PTS12 where he broke Abraham’s jaw and then LKO4. He also lost to Kelly Pavlik KO7 & Andre Ward PTS12. This fight gives Miranda the chance to prove he’s not a nearly man anymore. You can bet on one thing there will be fireworks in Montreal on 17 April.

Hello Edison, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s on getting the opportunity to fight Lucian Bute for the IBF 168 title. What do you think of that fight?

Edison Miranda – I am very excited for this opportunity. Bute is a great fighter and has a big heart. I will need to be at my best to defeat him.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think Bute does well and what do you think you can capitalize on?

Edison Miranda – He likes to fight and so do I. It will be a very good fight for the fans. He makes mistakes and we are working on taking advantage of these.

Anson Wainwright – You were scheduled to fight Robert Stieglitz for his WBO title in January but became ill. What can you tell us about this?

Edison Miranda – I was very upset having to cancel that fight. I was so much looking forward for the chance to fight in Germany again and in front of all the European fans. We had been training very hard and I had gotten sick. We tried to work through it slowly, but it just kept getting worse. I finally got to the point where I couldn’t even get out of bed. I wanted to train and stay in shape but it was not possible.

Anson Wainwright – Since we last spoke i believe you have changed trainers and now train with Joe Goossen in L.A. How did the change come about? What difference has this made to you?

Edison Miranda – I have always had great respect for Joe Goossen. I got to meet him and talk with him when I was in Oakland to fight Andre Ward. After that fight I felt in my heart it was time to make a change. Jose Bonilla is a fantastic trainer and he is like a father to me. I still talk to him almost every day. My managers and I both liked Joe Goossen for me and we set up a time to meet and it felt great. I knew very quickly that Joe would be a trainer that could get me to the next level. I feel like a new boxer already. People will see what Joe Goossen has done for me on April 17th.

Anson Wainwright – What do you think of the Super Six tournament that they are showing on Showtime? Who has impressed you and who do you think will win it?

Edison Miranda – I have said from the beginning that Andre Ward will beat Abraham in the finals.

Anson Wainwright – You have inside information having fought three of the six fighters in the Super Six. Who do you think will win the upcoming fights between Abraham-Dirrell, Ward-Green & Froch-Kessler?

Edison Miranda – Abraham will KO Dirrell. Ward will beat Green, but it will not be as easy as most people think. Don’t sleep on Allen Green. He is a very strong fighter. Froch will beat Kessler.

Anson Wainwright – Who do you consider to be the best fighter you have fought so far and why?

Edison Miranda – Andre Ward is the best fighter. I was in great shape for that fight. I would have beaten almost anyone else. He surprised me with his incredible athleticism. Andre will go on and be a great fighter for many years. After I beat Bute, maybe we can have a rematch when the tournament is over! With Joe Goossen helping me, I think we can expose his weakness.

Anson Wainwright – You are known as a big puncher having KO’d 29 of your 37 opponents leading to a 78% KO rate but which knock out do you consider your best and why?

Edison Miranda – Although my knockout of David Banks is considered to be one of the highlight KOs of all time, I still consider my stoppage of Howard Eastman to be my most memorable stoppage. That was the day people learned the name Edison Miranda and my power was no longer questioned. After April I may have a different answer for this question (laughing).

Anson Wainwright – You fought in Britain last March, can you tell us about that experience?

Edison Miranda – The people in London are very friendly and supportive. It was a small fight in York Hall. A place with much history in boxing. My hopes were to maybe return there someday and face Carl Froch. He and I would put on a great fight for the fans in Britain.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for your fans & Bute?

Edison Miranda – I want to thank my fans for sticking with me. It has been a rough ride these past few years and I know that I have let them down. My concentration since my loss to Andre Ward has been on boxing and I stay very focused. My switch to Joe Goossen has been better then I could have ever dreamed. If anyone is going to be in my corner to help me become a champion, Joe is the right man for the job. I am sure that Bute is training very hard and not looking past me. I promise to give him the fight of his life and a war for the fans to enjoy.

Thanks for your time Pantera, good luck on 17 April.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Timing and circumstances haven’t been kind to Joshua Clottey. He isn’t Floyd Mayweather, Jr., the welterweight everybody wanted to see against Manny Pacquiao on March 13.

Instead, Clottey has been cast as the substitute, which to a cynical public only means he isn’t Mayweather and he doesn’t have a chance against Pacquiao on a night when Cowboys Stadium in the Dallas metroplex might be the biggest attraction.

If he doesn’t feel like last season’s Detroit Lions or St. Louis Rams, then Clottey knows what it is to have been one of those replacement players in the last NFL work stoppage. In 1987, none of those guys belonged there and that’s exactly what you hear and read these days about Clottey. Pacquiao is supposed to kick him around like the soccer ball Clottey used to chase as a kid in Ghana.

Fair? I don’t think so. Then again, I’ve been wrong about these things before. I actually thought Juan Manuel Marquez was skilled, smart and tough enough to challenge Mayweather. After watching Mayweather humble Marquez through 12 one-sided rounds in September, I wondered if I had been kicked in the head one too many times.

Nevertheless, I like Clottey, perhaps not enough to pick him over Pacquiao, especially without a familiar trainer in his corner. He split with Kwame Asante after his loss by split decision in June to Miguel Cotto over a reported disagreement over money. Then, Godwin Kotay, also of Ghana, was denied a U.S. visa. Instead of Asante or Kotay, cut-man Lenny DeJesus will take the lead in Clottey’s corner.

In front a potential crowd of 45,000 and against Pacquiao’s varied skills and dangerous power, an unfamiliar face in the corner looms as a problem, especially when – not if – Clottey is in trouble.

Still, Clottey’s size, strength and durability are enough to make it difficult for Pacquiao, whose motivation could have taken a hit when an agreement to fight Mayweather fell apart because of demands that the Filipino icon undergo Olympic-style blood-testing for performance-enhancers.

Pacquiao also will jump directly into a rough-and-tumble political campaign in the Philippines after the fight.

In part, the public’s lack of any respect for Clottey might be a spillover from disgust at the abortive negotiations for Pacquiao-Mayweather. Fans and media are still angry. What they have forgotten, however, is just how close Clottey came to an upset of Cotto in front of the Puerto Rican’s loyal New York fans at Madison Square Garden.

“I did not lose the Cotto fight,’’ Clottey said Thursday during a conference call from his training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Maybe not.

But Clottey also didn’t do enough in the last couple of rounds to convince anybody at ringside that he deserved more than a draw. That, like the victory he still thinks he deserves, eluded him. Clottey has been criticized for not throwing enough punches, which could quickly leave him with a deficit on the scorecards against Pacquiao’s whirlwind pace. But he is confident he can make his power count.

“I am not a flyweight,’’ Clottey said during the conference call, which will be followed by one Friday with Pacquiao. “I’m not a bantamweight. I’m a welterweight. I throw punches that connect.’’

As a natural welterweight, unlike the smaller Pacquiao (5-foot-6 ½), the 5–8 Clottey might have enough leverage to inflict some damage. Before Pacquiao’s 12th-round stoppage of Cotto in November, the Filipino’s trainer, Freddie Roach, said Clottey’s punches almost made Cotto quit during the ninth round.

“The more I play it over, the more I realize how competitive this is and that nobody with any certainty can predict the result,’’ said Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters. “Everybody knows how Manny Pacquiao fights. Everybody knows the angles from which he throws punches.

“And everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is a tremendous defensive fighter and can put a real hurt on an opponent. And everybody knows that Joshua Clottey is the bigger man and Manny is the smaller man. There is talk about Manny going up in weight. But he really hasn’t. He couldn’t make 130 pounds anymore, He fought at 135. He was 138 when he fought (and knocked out) Ricky Hatton.

Now, he goes into the ring at 142 or 143 pounds on the scale and that’s not because he’s putting on weight. That’s because he has breakfast and lunch before the weigh-in. If he had to, he’d still make 135 pounds. So, the idea that he’s a big man is just not true.

“Joshua has the size. He’s the natural welterweight. Manny Pacquiao isn’t. That’s the intrigue in this fight.’’

The intrigue, at least, doesn’t include more of the noisy debate about blood-testing for performance-enhancers. Clottey, ever the gentleman, said he did not and would not demand the Olympic-style testing that Mayweather says he and every one of his future opponents, including Shane Mosley on May 1, will undergo.

“No, I don’t want to do that, because I respect him so much,’’ Clottey said. “He is a very nice guy. I feel comfortable around him. He’s respectful of everybody. I don’t think Manny Pacquiao did that thing. I trust him.”

If only, Clottey could enjoy some of that same trust. He’s not Mayweather. But, trust me, he’s a better fighter than people think.

It’s Thursday now, 2 days to the fight. I can honestly say I am in the best shape I’ve ever been in for a fight thus far in my life. I am already on weight! You know someone recently asked me, what’s the difference from fighting in MMA? Why did you start boxing? See in MMA I fought because I wanted to open my own gym eventually, and needed the experience. I never really saw it as a way to make a living or a future. It didn’t matter what the outcome was I just had fun. That’s the difference I guess in boxing. I can see a future; there is something at the end of the finish line. I like that in boxing every fight counts. There is no option but to win.

Since I started boxing one year ago, people have got behind me in a strong way. I am building a huge fan base and most of my MMA fans have followed me out of the cage and through the ropes. I can’t wait till Saturday; anticipation is already boiling in my blood. I truly love to fight, and I love the pressure it puts on you. I love the way the fans come alive with emotion. South Jersey has been great to me since moving down here. I grew up in Perry County, Pennsylvania and after my time in the Coast Guard I stayed down here to train. It’s been six years and a blast and it’s my home away from home.

I have recently got my first sponsor in Maxwell Construction. This is a huge deal for me as I grew up around men working hard to earn a living. I admire how hard these guys who go out and brave the elements all day and sometimes half the night to put food on the table. I reflect often when feeling tired at the gym about my Pop working constantly just to keep the lights on when I was a kid. So when my trainers say,” Troy that’s enough you workout too much” in my mind I think about it and say not as hard as these guys. So it’s great to be able to represent a company like Maxwell construction. They have been great to me and have really helped with training expenses, not to mention the names kind of catchy.

So Saturday night is 2 days away and we just put the finishing touches on my training. The hard stuff is done. Next comes the fun part we get to go in there and throw some punches. All I can say is I guarantee you’ll see , “My trainers teach me how to box with skill, and where I grew up taught me how to fight with will, so come out and you’ll be in for a thrill”.

Troy Maxwell takes on Stanhope’s Todd Eriksson Saturday night at Bally’s in Atlantic City in a four round light heavyweight contest.

For more New Jersey boxing news, go to Gardenstatefightscene.com

“Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1 12KO’s) and Wilfredo “Papito” Vazquez Jr. (17-0-1 14KO’s) will be looking to make history and add to the brewing rivalry between Puerto Rico and the Phillipines come Saturday night. The two undefeated boxers will square off for the WBO super bantamweight title at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón Puerto Rico.

Sonsona is, along with Ben Villaflor (54-8-7 31KO’s), one of the two youngest ever Filipino world champions having both won their first belts at the age of 19. Unlike Villaflor, whose last fight was fifteen round decision loss against Puerto Rican Samuel Serrano, Sonsona is moving up in weight, two divisions, to look for his second world title. After winning the WBO super flyweight title from Puerto Rican José “Carita” López (39-8-2 32KO’s) last year but having failed to make weight for his first defense against Alejandro Hernández (22-7-2 11KO’s), “Marvelous” skipped the bantamweights altogether and is aiming to become the youngest ever two division Filipino world champion.

Vazquez Jr. on his part is also a young fighter at 25. Not as young in years as his next opponent but the fact that he didn’t have an amateur career helps him look fresher than his age would suggest. Still, it is not age which offers a spot on the history books for “Papito” but his lineage. His father, Wilfredo “The Pride of Puerto Rico” Vazquez is a former three division world champion and one of the island’s most cherished fighters. Winning the world title this Saturday would make them the first ever Puerto Rican father and son duo to win world titles.

Still, more history could, and probably will, be made this Saturday. This is because for several years now, a rivalry has been developing between Puerto Rico and the Philippines in terms of boxing. Manny Pacquiao, by himself, has made sure that Filipino boxers are considered when speaking of any division south of junior middleweight but he may only be the tip of the iceberg.

The biggest match to date is Pacuqiao knocking Cotto out but many other titles have been disputed and many other match-ups have produced great battles. Even though it was mostly one sided, Juan Manuel López and Gerry Peñalosa was an entertaining fight with good action with the WBO super bantamweight title on the line. Recently, Mario Santiago and Bernabe Concepcion gave us a good show on the same card that Eric Morel and Gerry Peñalosa fought for an interim version of the WBO bantamweight title. Sonsona himself showed maturity well beyond his years when he fought tough veteran “Carita” in a very entertaining affair and Rodel Mayol gave Iván Calderón all he could handle for twelve rounds over the course of two title defenses.

Come Saturday night, we will have two young, undefeated fighters fighting for their countries, their place in history and their livelihood. Sonsona, an accomplished amateur boxer, enjoys clear advantages in reach and amateur experience while Vazquez Jr. should be more comfortable at the weight and should come in the heavier man.

At 115lbs. Sonsona had serious power. Only “Carita” López, a man who has never been stopped, went more than five rounds with the Filipino and when they met each other September of last year. López was down on the fourth and never really recovered fron the straight left that put him there. Nonetheless, Sonsona’s failure to make weight for his first defense and the resulting draw may have shed a little bit of light into his incredible power. Enjoying advantages in size over of his previous opponents may have proved very advantageous and he is now jumping, not one, but two divisions and seven pounds north to face a natural super bantamweight.

Sonsona is also a southpaw with good punching technique and decent ring generalship. Yet, he often carries his hands low and keeps his stance wide when looking to counter. This could prove dangerous against Vazquez Jr. who has good power on his hands and can go to the body fairly well. Sonsona’s skinnier frame may be too available for Vazquez Jr. if he can’t keep the Puerto Rican at bay with jabs and straight lefts.

Papito will most likely carry the weight advantage the day of the fight and will have a hometown crowd cheering for every punch he throws. He should also feel more comfortable absorbing punishment and if he can take Sonsona’s firepower for the first half of the fight, has a chance of wearing the Filipino down. It must be noted that Vazquez Jr. has not faced a southpaw the likes of Sonsona and he may find it difficult to adapt his footwork properly.

With both fighters carrying power and motivation into the fight, this should be an exciting bout with a very good chance of ending before the final bell. Sonsona said he will look for the knockout and his own piece of history, Vazquez Jr. says he is looking for the money a victory would put him in position to earn. With WBO featherweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” López set to defend against Bernabe Concepción this summer, the rivalry between the nations just keeps getting more interesting.