LAS VEGAS, NV (August 6, 2015) — The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame will unveil its internet radio station, iNVBH, as part of its Induction week festivities at Caesars Palace. The broadcasts will begin Today! at 3:00 p.m. ET / Noon PT and culminate with a live stream of the Induction Ceremony Saturday night. A variety of hosts will man the microphones during the week ranging from sportscasting professionals to boxers themselves. The station is powered by the Interactive radio-connective company RadioFlag, a rising tech giant.

Boxing legends Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roger Mayweather and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad have confirmed their attendance to the popular charity event.

Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame President Rich Marotta said, “This is a cutting edge move for the NVBHOF, to put it in even greater contact with boxing fans. It is not just for this week. iNVBH is now a permanent radio home where we can provide information, features, interviews and broadcast live events.”

To listen to the new Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame internet radio station, simply download the RadioFlag app for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone, register and search our call letters iNVBH. You can also tune in via www.RadioFlag.com.

RadioFlag was founded in 2007 by Anthony Roman. From a simple early premise of combining radio and social media, it has evolved into a company re-inventing radio for a new generation of listeners around the world.

“Our social radio web and mobile app connects listeners with radio hosts and DJ’s, music artists and content creators of all types, onto a single platform,” said Roman. “This way listeners can share and discover content not found on traditional radio, such as the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.”

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame is a 501-c-3, non-profit organization. Ticket purchases and donations are tax-deductible. Remaining tickets for Saturday night’s Induction Ceremony and Dinner can be purchased on-line at: the Hall’s website: www.nvbhof.com.

LAS VEGAS, NEV. (July 31, 2015) — Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson became the latest mega-star to announce that he will attend the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction gala, which will take place in eight days, Next Saturday! August 8, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

Tyson, a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2013, will present “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, for induction.

Tyson joins legends Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Roger Mayweather and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad who will attend the popular charity event.

Remaining Tickets for the August 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

A member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, as well, Tyson was the biggest star of his era. He was 50-6 with 44 knockouts and is renowned as one of the most feared fighters ever.

He is the youngest man ever to win the heavyweight title and had two stints as heavyweight champion.

He attended the second annual event in 2014 to present his long-time rival, Evander Holyfield, for induction.

“We are thrilled to have Mike join us for the third consecutive year,” said Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame president/CEO Rich Marotta. “It’s a big treat for all of the boxing fans who plan to attend the induction gala. Mike’s addition just continues the dizzying array of stars who plan to attend in person to show support for our event.”

The Hall was founded in 2013 by Marotta, a noted boxing broadcaster. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 29, 2015) — Rich Marotta, the president and chief executive officer of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday that Academy Award-nominated actress Rosie Perez and International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Bernstein will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the third annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction dinner on Saturday, August 8, at Caesars Palace.

Remaining Tickets for the August 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

Perez, who is returning for her second year as the event’s MC, is a diehard boxing fan. She served as a co-host for the Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, “The View,” and she starred in several popular films. She earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her role in “Fearless.”

She also starred in Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing,” and Andrew Bergman’s “It Could Happen to You.” She made her directorial debut with the documentary film, “Yo Soy Boricua Pa’que Tu Lo Sepas!” It was a featured film at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival.

Perez made a return to Broadway this past year as she starred in Larry David’s “Fish in the Dark.”

The past year proved very busy for Rosie Perez as she returned to Broadway for the highly-successful Fish in the Dark with Larry David and was also co-hosting ABC’s Emmy Award-winning daytime talk show, The View.

Throughout her career, Perez has been a vocal activist for a number of causes and serves as the Artistic Board Chair for Urban Arts Partnership. Rosie details her childhood upbringing and career in her book, “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (with Great Hair).”

A Las Vegas resident, the popular Bernstein was a member of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s star-studded inaugural induction class in 2013.

Bernstein is a familiar face for boxing fans, first as the analyst for ESPN’s boxing series and currently as the analyst for Showtime Championship Boxing.

A former journalist who has a rich history in radio, Bernstein has appeared in many movies and on television. His movie credits include, “Rocky V,” “Streets of Gold,” and “Play It to the Bone.” He has made two guest appearances on the HBO series “Arli$$,” and appeared in the Showtime movie “Paradise” and the HBO movie “Glory Days.”

In 1980, Bernstein wrote his first book, called “Boxing for Beginners,” an instructional/historical book on boxing. His most recent book is “30 Years, 30 Undeniable Truths about Boxing, Sports and TV,” a lighthearted, but enlightening look back at his 30 years in broadcasting

Bernstein has now moved onto the Internet and hosts an online show, “Al Bernstein’s Boxing Hangouts,” which fans can see by going to www.youtube.com/AlsBoxingHangouts. It gives him a chance to talk boxing and provide programming for boxing fans around the globe.

Marotta also announced that Crystina Poncher, an analyst for Top Rank Boxing and Turner Sports, will serve as a roving reporter for the evening. She’ll interview inductees, members of their families and whatever other celebrities she may find.

In addition to her boxing duties, Poncher serves as a host, reporter and correspondent for the NFL Network and NFL.com. She previously worked for Fox Sports.com, Fox Sports West and Prime Ticket.

Among the honorees for the 2015 event who have confirmed they will attend in person are former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis; ex-middleweight champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler; former middleweight, super welterweight and welterweight champion Felix “Tito” Trinidad, former linear featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera, ex-light heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and former super lightweight champ Roger Mayweather.

Boxing’s pound-for-pound king, Floyd Mayweather, will be honored as the Nevada Fighter of the Year, and will be presented the award by legendary Hall of Famer Sugar Ray Leonard.

The Hall was founded in 2013 by Marotta, a noted boxing broadcaster. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.

LAS VEGAS, NV. (July 28, 2015) — Rich Marotta, the president and CEO of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame, announced Tuesday that legendary champion Sugar Ray Leonard has confirmed his attendance at the third annual induction gala on Saturday, August 8, at Caesars Palace.

Leonard, a 1976 Olympic gold medalist, was a member of the inaugural class of NVBHOF inductees in 2013 and last year presented his one-time rival Roberto Duran for his induction.

He scored the biggest wins of his career at Caesars Palace, defeating both Thomas Hearns and Marvelous Marvin Hagler at Las Vegas’ “Home of Champions.”

Marotta said that Leonard will present the Hall’s annual Fighter of the Year award to pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“I’m very excited to announce that Ray will join us for the third consecutive year and that he’s agreed to present Floyd with his Fighter of the Year honor,” Marotta said.
“Ray has long been one of the sport’s most popular figures and I know fans are going to be excited to see him again.”

Leonard, whose legendary career included world championships at welterweight, super welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, is currently serving as the boxing analyst for NBC’s broadcasts of the Premier Boxing Champions series.

Most of boxing’s greatest stars have played at Caesars, and a number of the biggest have confirmed they will attend the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction gala dinner on August 8.

In addition to Leonard and Mayweather, other superstars who are committed to attend are 2015 inductees Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Lennox Lewis, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Roger Mayweather.

Remaining Tickets for the August 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible, as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

The Hall was founded in 2013 by Marotta, a noted boxing broadcaster. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 23, 2015) — Unbeaten pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. made it three in a row when he was chosen as the Nevada Fighter of the Year once again by the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. Mayweather also won the award in 2013 and 2014. The annual Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame induction gala will be held Saturday, August 8, at Caesars Palace. This year’s event will have special meaning to Mayweather, whose uncle, Roger, is being inducted into the Hall for his brilliant boxing career.

A number of the greatest stars in boxing history will attend the popular induction ceremony on Aug. 8 at Caesars Palace. Among the big names who have confirmed they will be in attendance are Lennox Lewis, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad and Roger Mayweather.

The boxer known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, is also among the inductees.

Remaining Tickets for the August 8 induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com. Donations are also accepted at http://nvbhof.com.

The Nevada Fighter of the Year announcement was made by NVBHOF Founder and CEO Rich Marotta, who recognized Mayweather for wins over Manny Pacquiao and Marcos Maidana. Mayweather scored a convincing win over Maidana in a Sept. 13, 2014, rematch at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He followed that with a brilliant performance in a wide win over Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2015, in a bout that set all sorts of financial records.

“I appreciate the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame for selecting me as Fighter of the Year once again,” Floyd Mayweather said. “My uncle Roger is also being inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. He was a great fighter and is a fantastic trainer who doesn’t always receive the credit he deserves. It’s nice for him to be recognized by the NVBHOF for his role in boxing for so many years.”

Mayweather’s bout with Pacquiao was billed as “The Fight of the Century,” and smashed all financial records. Mayweather earned more than $200 million in purse money after setting a record by selling 4.4 million pay-per-views.

It also smashed the record for the largest paid gate, at $72.2 million. Mayweather’s 2013 bout in Las Vegas was the previous mark, at $20 million.
Mayweather, who has been involved in the three top-selling pay-per-view in boxing history, has the three largest gates in Nevada history as well as five of the top six.

He is 48-0 and heading into the final bout of his career on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas.

Marotta also announced that the NVBHOF will honor Layla McCarter as its women’s Fighter of the Year and Jarred Santos of the University of Nevada, Reno, as its amateur Fighter of the Year.

It will present its President’s Award to Mike Martino and its Humanitarian Award to Yank Barry.

The Hall was founded by Marotta, a noted boxing broadcaster. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

For more information, phone 702-3-NVBHOF, or 702-368-2463.

LAS VEGAS, NV (July 15, 2015) — Marco Antonio Barrera, a fierce competitor whose nickname of ‘The Baby Faced Assassin’ defined his fighting style, confirmed that he will attend the third Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame’s induction ceremony, Saturday, August 8, at Caesars Palace. He will be among the other notable boxers who have confirmed their attendance, including Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Felix Trinidad, Roger Mayweather and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

Remaining tickets for the induction ceremony are $300, $175 and $75 and are fully tax deductible as the NVBHOF is an IRS 501 (c)3 charity. They can be purchased online at the Hall’s website, nvbhof.com.

“I am very, very happy because I will be the second Mexican boxer going into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame,” Barrera said. “It is an honor to be inducted just after Julio Cesar Chavez. I lived the Chavez Era and it is an honor to be a part of this, especially because I didn’t expect it. This is very meaningful for me and I will really have something to show off to my kids.”

Though Barrera is best known for his stirring trilogy with Erik Morales, all of which were fought in Las Vegas, he met most of the major stars of the day. He turned professional at the tender age of 15 and fought for 22 years, compiling a 67-7 record with 44 knockouts.

He scored notable victories over Morales, Prince Naseem Hamed, Johnny Tapia, Paulie Ayala, Kennedy McKinney and Rocky Juarez. He also was in the ring with Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez and Amir Khan, among many others.

Barrera was a slick boxer who could work behind the jab and use the ring, but he had the heart and competitiveness of a slugger. So, as often as not, he’d meet his opponent in the middle of the ring and trade.

His three bouts with Morales, on Feb. 19, 2000 at Mandalay Bay; on June 22, 2002 at the MGM Grand; and Nov. 27, 2004, at the MGM Grand, were all contenders for Fight of the Year. The Boxing Writers Association of America voted Barrera-Morales III as its Fight of the Year.

Barrera’s victory over McKinney, a one-time star on the U.S. Olympic team, christened HBO’s popular “Boxing After Dark” series.

The Hall was founded by noted boxing broadcaster Rich Marotta. Its chief operating officer is Michelle Corrales-Lewis, whose late husband, Diego Corrales, was an inaugural inductee into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame.

LAS VEGAS, NEV (November 18, 2013) — Boxing’s royalty will be in Las Vegas this week talking about the historic 12-round welterweight showdown between Fighter of the Decade MANNY PACQUIAO and former world champion BRANDON RIOS. Broadcasting throughout the day Live from the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium inside The Palazzo Las Vegas — sister property of the The Venetian Macao, the resort site hosting Pacquiao vs. Rios — Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22, 13 national and regional radio shows will be interviewing a boxing’s Who’s Who — in-person, including Hall of Famers George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Pacquiao rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Timothy Bradley, Rios’ professional nemesis Mike Alvarado, and former world champion Ray Mancini.

The appearance schedule is as follows:

Thursday, November 21
· Timothy Bradley, undefeated two-division world champion who dethroned Pacquiao last year to claim his WBO welterweight title. Claimed his first world title in England, dethroning WBC super lightweight champion and hometown favorite Junior Witter.
· Marco Antonio Barrera, former three-division world champion who fought the majority of his fights outside his native Mexico, including two fights with Pacquiao.
· Mike Alvarado, the former WBO jr. lightweight champion who is 1-1 against Rios.

Friday, November 22
· George Foreman, former two-time heavyweight champion. Fought all his world title fights outside the U.S. during his first title reign.
· Sugar Ray Leonard, former five-division world champion who had one fight outside the U.S. — against Roberto Duran in Montreal — where he lost a unanimous decision — and his welterweight title to Duran.
· Roberto Duran, former four-division world champion who fought the majority of his major fights outside his native Panama.
· Ray Mancini, former lightweight champion who fought outside the U.S. once, in Italy, winning a narrow decision to retain his title.

“While the fight takes place in China, we want U.S. fight fans to be treated to the same real time experience they enjoy for all pay-per-view mega-fights,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. “With the star-studded group of fighters, the breadth of the radio stations broadcasting live, and the television and print interviews which emanate from Las Vegas, we will be able to provide a constant flow of news, information and entertainment which U.S. boxing fans can engage on their time. Additionally, the press conference and weigh-in from Macau will take place live at times which are convenient for the U.S. audience; and of course the live fight telecast on Saturday night November 23rd will take place at the usual time of 9 pm ET/6 pm PT.”

The seven boxing superstars will be discussing their experiences — the victories and the losses — when they fought on foreign soil as well as their analysis of the upcoming Pacquiao-Rios battle. Both Barrera and Bradley have first-hand knowledge of what Rios should expect from Pacquiao and what Rios will need to do to have his hand raised in victory in just five days. The same is true for Alvarado, who has tangled with Rios in two Fights of the Year. .

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, Warner Bros. Pictures “Grudge Match,” and Eva Airlines, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23, at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For Pacquiao, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006, which took place in the Philippines. Rios, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, has only fought outside the U.S. twice, in México, winning a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez and knocking out Daniel Valenzuela in the second round in 2008 and 2009, respectively. .

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, is providing an all-access pass to Pacquiao vs. Rios. The final episode of “24/7: Pacquiao/Rios” debuts Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00 p.m.), just two days before the welterweight showdown.

The Venetian and The Palazzo will be the only resorts in Las Vegas to offer the live closed-circuit broadcast of Pacquiao vs. Rios. The bout will be available for viewing inside The Venetian Ballroom and at Lagasse’s Stadium. Doors open at 5 p.m., undercard fights begin at 6 p.m. Tickets for The Venetian Ballroom are $50. Food and beverage minimums apply for Lagasse’s Stadium. Tickets: 702-414-9000.

Las Vegas residents will still be able to order the live HBO Pay-per-View telecast in their homes.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, and twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacRios to join the conversation on Twitter.

BOB ARUM: Welcome to the new global age, where fights take place around the world and promotions kick in as if we were still in Las Vegas. On Thursday and Friday we will have Radio Row broadcasting live from the Palazzo Waterfall Atrium inside The Palazzo Las Vegas resort. Thirteen national and regional radio shows are participating and we’ll have a whole host of great fighters from the past – guys who made this sport what it is today and as popular as it is today. George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Ray Mancini, Marco Antonio Barrera; and the stars of today — Tim Bradley and Mike Alvarado — in-person being interviewed on their views on Pacquiao vs. Rios and talking about their experiences fighting outside their own countries. The world is becoming a very, very small place. This event in Macao is making a huge impact in Asia and around the world. I thank all of the participants on today’s call, A lot of them have fought abroad throughout their career and you can ask them about their experience fighting in multiple time zones from where they trained.

Tim, what can Brandon Rios expect from Manny when he gets in the ring?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: First of all, he should expect to see Manny Pacquiao being very quick and very elusive and lots of feints in this fight. Manny Pacquiao dropped a lot of feints on me and it kept me off balance as far as shots. He is very difficult to hit at times too because he is always angling out. He’s coming in, he’s out, he’s angling out to the right or to the left. That’s what Brandon Rios should expect. He shouldn’t expect Pacquiao to come right at him. He is going to have to expect a lot of angles in this fight. Rios, if he is going to have a chance to beat Pacquiao he is going to have to close the distance. He is going to have to get close, stay close and punch. Pacquiao has a tendency to stay on the ropes with his hands high and stay in position to allow opponents to punch him at times and that will work in Rios’ favor. Rios likes to bring the pressure and throw uppercuts and body shots and I think that’s how he’s going to be effective in this fight. If he’s out too far, he’s doomed. If he can close the distance, he’ll be OK. And expect Pacquiao to come right back too … he has to have really good defense after he punches. And if he does that, he’ll be successful but if he allows Pacquiao to move on him and find angles … Manny has power in both hands, he can hurt you. I know Rios can take a punch but this is not Mike Alvarado – he is facing Manny Pacquiao who has speed and power.

George, you won your first title out of the country and defended it out of the country – what should Rios expect since he is making the long trip?

GEORGE FOREMAN: It’s going to be rough and that’s all there is to it because you can say to yourself ‘I am accustomed to it’ but you can be there for a month. I have been there for two weeks – it’s just not going to help you. You wake up at the wrong times. You eat at the wrong times. Pacquiao, because he lives in that area, boy it’s probably going to be a shut out if he is on his game at all.

Fighting in the morning – can you get over that – after being used to fighting in the evening?

GEORGE FOREMAN: It’s a challenge because like I said, it’s a thing you can’t control. It’s your body. Forget about the mental showdown. It’s a physical showdown. You really have to pick the fight out of the guy at 8 in the morning – it’s just not going to be the same.

Ray, Rios will be attacking and Pacquiao is coming off the knockout – do you think that will affect him?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: What Brandon Rios needs to do is not let Pacquiao forget about what took place in his last fight. Rios has to jump right on top of Pacquiao, because what happens is when you get knocked out in the fashion that Pacquiao was knocked out, it becomes like an Achilles heel. But if there is anyone that could block that out, Pacquiao is definitely the guy to do that. This fight depends on whose game plan, who dominates the other, takes control early in the fight.

Roberto, when you fought Ray Leonard, Ray was a huge star and very popular. Rios is now fighting a huge star that is very popular with the people. How does that play in the fight?

ROBERTO DURAN: First of all, the stars live in the sky. On Earth, everyone is an equal. Yes, Manny Pacquiao is a well-known star and he is not finished by any means. He is embarrassed by the Marquez loss and he feels that he needs to redeem himself. Brandon Rios needs to be very careful because I once was knocked out and I came back and won the title so by no means can you count Manny Pacquiao out – he is a very dangerous fighter. Brandon Rios needs to be intelligent in the ring, protect himself at all times because he doesn’t know where these hits are coming from. Manny Pacquiao is not finished in my eyes and I still believe he is one of the world’s most dangerous fighters in the world. I just give some advice to Brandon Rios – go in and attack and don’t be afraid and don’t hesitate because he can win if he fights intelligently. Manny Pacquiao is still a very dangerous fighter.

Do you feel the fighters will have a difficult time getting acclimated?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: Getting acclimated is one of the biggest obstacles along with facing Manny Pacquiao. In fact, Roberto Duran really described it and put things in perspective about what he said about this fight. Pacquiao is not finished even though he was knocked out in a viscous manner. If there was anyone that has the ability to come back, both physically and psychologically, it’s Manny Pacquiao. So Rios, having to become acclimated to being there, even though he is there now, it does take time. It’s an intriguing fight.

ROBERTO DURAN: I don’t think he’s going to have any problems as long as he is not extremely overweight and having to worry about losing a lot of pounds. I think Brandon will be just fine as long as he gets there in time. I have never been out that way so I can’t really say how it is but I think he will be just fine acclimating to the time zone.

BOB ARUM: Manny’s problem is not the weight in the sense that he has to eat five meals a day. A couple of weeks ago when I was in General Santos City he was down to 143 pounds – 4 pounds below the weight. Brandon has been used to fighting at 140 now he is fighting at 147 so he has no problem with the weight. So at least for this fight we don’t have to worry about the guys being overweight when they hit the scales.

Could you each make a prediction on the fight?

GEORGE FOREMAN: I think it’s going to be a 12-round decision and I give Pacquiao the hometown decision. How about a home-region decision.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: I think Pacquiao will win although I give Rios a shot, a big shot. It’s not going to be an easy fight. I’m picking Manny because he is Manny Pacquiao.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I’ve got Manny Pacquiao by a mid to late round KO. Eight rounds.

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: I think it is a complicated fight for both of them. You have Brandon Rios who comes straightforward and will apply the pressure on Manny. Then you have Manny who moves around the ring very well and picks and chooses his spots and comes at different angles and is a very strong fighter with a lot of speed. It’s just going to be a tough fight for both of them.

How do you think Manny can deal with the distractions of the typhoon?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: I want to offer my condolences first and foremost, and my prayers, to the victims of that horrible disaster. But Manny is a fighter and a warrior. He can – he will have to – block out everything and have tunnel vision going into the ring against Brandon Rios. I say intriguing because it’s a big question mark over that ring. Who goes into the ring that night with the mindset of winning and not thinking about other things.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I have had some things in the past during training camp, but Manny has a job to do and he needs to take care of his job first. Then after that he can go back and take care of everything else he needs to.

GEORGE FOREMAN: Just before I fought Michael Moorer there was a big tragic flood right here in the Houston area and I had to wade through waist-deep water to rescue my family. There were many deaths. But when it came time to put on the boxing trunks – it all disappeared.

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: Distractions play a big deal and in many Pacquiao’s situation, say if you train 100%, distractions could take away 40% of the training of all the work that you put in. Manny has to concentrate on one thing and that’s boxing. He does have responsibilities with the typhoon and everything, which makes it harder, but he can’t separate himself from being a boxer. If he tries to be a politician and a boxer at the same time, he’s going to be in trouble. In Brandon, he is facing the toughest and the most important fight of his life. That’s the type of fighter Manny is going up against, so I just say that Manny better be 100% focused as a boxer for this fight.

Freddie Roach said Pacquiao should retire if he loses, what do you think?

GEORGE FOREMAN: I think the hardest thing for any boxer is to retire. It takes a phenomenon really (laughter). You almost have to pull him [a fighter] out of there. We don’t like to retire. I don’t think that’s going to be in his mind and even if it was it will disappear quickly.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: It’s the hardest thing, like George said. After a loss, you try to fix that. You try to repair that. As a fighter, you go back. You go back time and time again. Even if you win, because that win becomes seductive – you go back. I wish both guys the very best.

Did you think about retiring after your first fight against Roberto Duran in Montreal?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: I contemplated it, naturally, because of the physical fight. It was so physical and it just didn’t feel good. I went home and went on vacation and cleared my head and came back. It all depends on how you lose that last fight. That plays a significant role in your decision-making.

Do you think Pacquiao will fight Mayweather if he wins?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: Pacquiao-Rios, that’s what is important to Manny Pacquiao right now.

What do you remember with your first fight with Pacquiao?

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: What I do remember is fighting a guy I knew nothing about and a very explosive fighter. What I remember about other than losing the fight was he really beat me with the body shots. He was an extremely quick fighter that I was not prepared for. More than anything, Manny Pacquiao gained a lot of respect from the fans by beating me. Other than that, he continued his success – and by beating bigger guys. He threw logic out the door because everyone thought that a guy in a smaller weight would never beat a heavier guy. Manny Pacquiao has made himself a star and gave smaller fighters the idea that ‘hey, I can make it in the bigger weights.’ That’s the type of fighter that Manny Pacquiao is.

Bob, of all the international events you promoted, which one stands out the most?

BOB ARUM: The one that sticks out and is most comparable because it takes place in the same time zone is the Thrilla in Manila when Muhammad Ali faced off against Joe Frazier. That fight took place the same time that the Pacquiao-Rios fight will take place – around Noon Manila time. It was one of the greatest fights I have ever seen in my life. These guys went at it and Eddie Futch wouldn’t let Joe Frazier come out for the 15th round and Muhammad won the fight. What I remember most was going outside the Coliseum after the fight was over – we had just seen this unbelievable fight and the sun was the brightest that I have ever seen it and it was almost as if everyone was blinded by the daylight and it was one of the most memorable experiences I ever had in my life. It’s now almost 50 years from that date and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

What do you think Rios’ biggest concern should be?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I think the biggest concern should be that left hand of Pacquiao. Pacquiao has a huge left hand. He feints a lot and tries to lure you in. He will probably let Rios get off first. And he’s going to make him pay for every mistake he does. Rios has a tendency to lunge in so he better be careful because the left hand is definitely coming over the top so he better be aware of it. I told my manager Cameron Dunkin to let him know to stay away from that left hand.

Do you think Manny can overcome that knockout?

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: Absolutely – you saw me in my last fight and I overcame a brutal fight with Ruslan Provodnikov – I took a lot of punishment in that fight and suffered a concussion. I bounced back and I fought smart. I got hit with some shots in that fight and I was OK. The big thing is styles – styles make fights. We all know that and Rios definitely has a style that suits Manny Pacquiao – he comes forward and he’s face-first. He doesn’t care about defense. He gets his with big shots. But what Rios has to understand is that he never took a shot from Manny Pacquiao, who throws them with either hand. I’m telling you, I’ve been in the ring with this guy and what’s special about him is that he throws combinations and every shot is a death blow. Every shot is hard. Rios is going to have to be on his P’s and Q’s. Rios is a big puncher and I know he comes to fight but I think he’s a tad too slow for Pacquiao and I don’t think he has the power in his punch either, so…

What do you think about staying on your diet when you go overseas?

GEORGE FOREMAN: When I went to fight everything was cooked in the same fashion that as I received it when I was home. Maybe a little better so that won’t mean anything. Just like home but maybe a little better. When I went to Macao, the food was great. It was great.

BOB ARUM: George was over in Macao a couple of times and the food at the Macao was first class. It’s mostly western. Steakhouses, buffets all western food. I don’t think the food will be a problem for Rios and certainly not for Manny. I know Rios had a chef with him and I know Manny will have a chef with him. They both have suites that have kitchens so they can prepare their own food.

Ray did you bring your own chef?

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: Well yes, I brought my mom and dad. Home cooked meals and never a problem.

Marco, you had to move your training camp for your first fight with Pacquiao – did it affect your training?

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: First I would like to say I am not making any excuses – Manny Pacquiao beat me clearly. Because of the distractions, I probably trained a total of 20 days for that fight. The first distraction was there was a fire in Big Bear and we had to evacuate training camp. Then after that I had to get evaluated – get my head checked by my surgeon in Houston – and that delayed some of the training camp as well. There were distractions but it just goes to show that you have to stay focused and how much distractions will really affect the outcome of a fight.

Tell us about your China fight…

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: What I remember most about that fight was asking myself, ‘do I stay in boxing or retire?’ I remember that there were a lot of boxing fans in China and they treated me really well. There are a lot of fans out there and Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios will both see that. The Pacquiao-Rios fight will be very entertaining for the fans. Two great fighters clashing.

In closing…

BOB ARUM: I want to thank all the fighters for being on the call. I leave for Macao tomorrow. I am looking forward to this event. It has world-wide significance and I hope that everyone enjoys Saturday night November 23rd because they are going to see a great show.

GEORGE FOREMAN: I look forward to a great fight. Both guys know this is a showdown for their career. I am going to make certain that everyone I know sees it because it’s going to be a great fight. I was distracted, that’s why I lost [in Zaire.]

MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA: I know it’s going to be a great fight – an explosive fight. A fight of styles and styles make fights. It is going to be a brand new type of public out there that is going to enjoy a great show. Americans and Mexicans, to them I say, do not miss this fight – it is the fight you want to see.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: I just want to tell Bob that I want to be there next time.

BOB ARUM: We are going to continue to do big shows in Las Vegas but this is a new market in Macao and China and so we’ll be back on an number of occasions. Mark your calendar Ray, February 22nd is going to be the next big show at The Venetian Macao.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD: I am marking it down right now. I feel that Pacquiao is going to surprise the majority, even being knocked out the way he was it could be over, but it’s all about the mind. Pacquiao has incredible mind and confidence and conditioning. Rios is not just coming in to play – it’s going to be an incredible fight.

TIMOTHY BRADLEY: I came into the Pacquiao fight in the best shape of my life. I trained extremely hard for that fight. I remember it being around the 4th round – I was exhausted – after four rounds! I am in the best shape of my life and I am exhausted. Pacquiao drops so many feints on you and he keeps you so tense – he hits hard with both hands – you always have to be alert and it drains you as a fighter. With that being said I hope that Rios is ready for that because Pacquiao will make it seem like he’s coming in and he’s not. I think it’s going to be explosive and Bob Arum is giving the fight fans another great fight and another great promotion and for all the fans in China – I wish it was on U.S. soil – enjoy this great show that Top Rank is putting on and I can’t wait to see this fight – it is going to be exciting.

*************************************************

Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, Warner Bros. Pictures “Grudge Match,” and Eva Airlines, Pacquiao vs. Rios will take place Saturday, November 23, at The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™. It will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

For Pacquiao, this marks the pound-for-pound box office monarch’s first fight outside the U.S. since his 12-round super featherweight unanimous decision victory over former world champion Oscar Larios in 2006, which took place in the Philippines. Rios, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, has only fought outside the U.S. twice, in México, winning a 10-round split decision over Ricardo Dominguez and knocking out Daniel Valenzuela in the second round in 2008 and 2009, respectively. .

HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured 17 Sports Emmy® Awards, is providing an all-access pass to Pacquiao vs. Rios. Episodes two and three of “24/7 Pacquiao/Rios” premiere in prime time this Saturday, Nov. 16 (9:30 p.m.) and next Thursday, Nov. 21 (10:00 p.m.), just two days before the welterweight showdown.

For fight updates go to www.toprank.com or www.hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/trboxing, facebook.com/trboxeo or facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/trboxing, twitter.com/trboxeo, and twitter.com/hboboxing. Use the Hashtag #PacRios to join the conversation on Twitter.

LOS ANGELES, June 22 – It’s a night of legends on the Sunday, June 23 edition of Golden Boy Classics on FOX Deportes headlined by the ageless wonder of the fight game, Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins. Golden Boy Classics will preview the match-up on June 23 which will air on FOX Deportes at 5:00 p.m. ET/2:00 p.m. PT.

In the Classics main event, it’s a look back as Hopkins takes on then-undefeated Kelly Pavlik in a 2008 fight that shocked the boxing world. Plus, Manny Pacquiao meets Marco Antonio Barrera in their 2007 rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Written off by many after his controversial loss to Joe Calzaghe, then 43-year-old Bernard Hopkins entered the ring at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on October 18, 2008 determined to shock then (34-0) Kelly Pavlik and he did just that. Hopkins put on a boxing clinic en route to a clear cut 12-round decision victory. “The Executioner” wouldn’t be underestimated again.

In November of 2003, an unknown Manny Pacquiao upset Mexican superstar Marco Antonio Barrera, but four years later, on October 6, 2007, Barrera got his shot at redemption and despite a spirited effort, it was Pacquiao who emerged victorious again, this time via 12-round decision.

For more information visit: www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.FOXDeportes.com
and follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing and www.twitter.com/FOXDeportes and visit on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, and www.facebook.com/FOXDeportes.

I started to write about boxing because of Erik “El Terrible” Morales, whose face, along with those of Israel Vazquez and Juan Manuel Marquez, is the first my mind associates with the word “prizefighter.” Morales was not my first favorite fighter. He wasn’t even my favorite fighter in his first two matches with fellow Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Morales’ charms were not immediate or obvious as other prizefighters’. But they were lasting.

Morales’ third match with Barrera was the first time I wrote about prizefighting – in an email exhaustive enough for a friend to post on his website. Columns followed. My seventh treated El Terrible’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. Morales UD-12 Pacquiao induced a euphoria, even through television’s bastardizing lens, that I innocently assumed would be a regular compensation for journalizing the sport. How naïve. I’ve revisited that euphoria scarcely more often since March 2005 than Morales has visited the indomitable form he showed against Pacquiao seven years ago.

And yet. Saturday I will cover El Terrible from ringside for the first time. It is an honor I did not believe would happen, a privilege for which, had you presented me a contract 380,000 words ago, I would have gladly written volumes about prizefighting. Morales will fight undefeated Philadelphian Danny Garcia for something called the WBC light welterweight title, in Houston’s Reliant Arena in a fight HBO will televise, though the fight itself is mostly beside the point. That point, championship-level violence, will be lent support by a 10-round undercard scrap between Texan James Kirkland and Mexican Carlos Molina. The main event needs help because nobody should follow any sport in which a 35-year-old Erik Morales is the greatest 140-pound practitioner.

We didn’t grow up together though we’re close in age. The first time I wrote seriously about El Terrible, he was at the apogee of his prime, already the bloated, dehydrated/rehydrated victim of a fair and unfavorable decision in his rubber match with Barrera. What Morales presented was an initial catalyst, a first promise that struggling to describe boxing holds a private reward of its own, independent of others’ affirmation. That late-prime Morales remains a standard against which I judge prizefighters and find most deeply wanting.

Morales was an unlikely standard. He was not eloquent as Barrera. He was not thrilling or durable as Pacquiao. He was steered wide of Marquez. He didn’t throw the hook like a Mexican but used instead a deceptive and jarring right uppercut triggered by the touch of a glove on his elbow, a punch to dissuade his countrymen’s voracious, liver-feeding left hands. He was awkwardly skinny, too, a gawky, rib-tallied Tijuananense with a big nose.

Good God, but he made the masculine choice every time.

Masculine, macho, entertaining – Morales was all of these words, not one a synonym for “prudent.” His finest moment was imprudent as hell. Ahead on official scorecards after 11 rounds against Manny Pacquiao, Morales fought the 12th as a southpaw, several times realizing his folly before willing himself back in an awkward stance that assured Pacquiao every chance to hurt him. This, just after his father pleaded with him not to do anything crazy – y nada estupido. Before you compare your favorite fighter to Morales, ask first: Would my guy offer his head to Pacquiao for three minutes of a fight he is winning, just to entertain someone like me?

Six months after such unforgettable boldness, Morales moved up to lightweight to fight Zahir Raheem and proved, definitively, that a man who cannot make super featherweight is by no means a lightweight. Then Pacquiao blew him out, twice, and the David Diaz match came nine months after Pacquiao KO-3 Morales. By then I’d published enough to be credentialed for Chicago, but see, El Terrible had said goodbye thrice against Pacquiao – once when he winked at his dad from the canvas and twice in an interview bungled by HBO’s former interpreter – and I took him at his word.

Morales’ comeback, after 2 1/2 years of retirement, has a whiff of boredom to it, as if El Terrible were sitting at home one night, tired of domesticity and grown fluffy, and saw Amir Khan hightailing from Marcos Maidana while being called great, and said “¡Ya basta!” to his television set. Morales has a Twitter account for combating boredom, too, one he uses to retweet wife jokes and regularly post, of his training regimen, “The mouse likes cheese.” There has been no reason to board a plane for a Morales fight since 2007, as any aficionado knows, but Houston is within driving distance.

Morales’ comeback also feels a little like Julio Cesar Chavez’s “Adios” tour. Chavez was 12 years and pounds beyond his prime, at age 42, further beyond his prime, by far, than Morales is at 35, and came back in pursuit of money. A few tilts in, Chavez found himself a patron to pay for the tour and promote his son. In a fine show of incremental audacity, Chavez’s one “Adios” fight became “Adios Los Angeles” then “Adios Arizona” then “Adios Phoenix” – with “Adios Tucson” and “Adios Flagstaff” lurking – before someone named Grover Wiley put an end to the silliness in America West Arena.

Danny Garcia should decision Morales, Saturday – and what ever happened to Grover Wiley, anyway? So long as Morales acquits himself nobly, though, he’ll be presented a WBC silver or diamond belt before April Fools’ Day, and his comeback will go on till he tires of training or being beaten on. Or maybe Morales will win Saturday like he did in September, in a fight you probably watched, even if you can’t now remember Morales’ opponent or its official outcome.

It will be an honor to sit ringside at a Morales fight, regardless. A feeling of pride, a certain personal indulgence, will wash over me when the name “El Terrible” rings through Reliant Arena. We made it, kid.

Bart Barry can be reached at bart.barrys.email (at) gmail.com

A friend visited me from Mexico last week. Between trips to Austin and strolls along the San Antonio River, we had occasion to watch a number of old Marco Antonio Barrera fights – the Junior Jones debacles and the classic trilogy with Erik Morales. But it was the first Manny Pacquiao fight that filled me with a dull sense of foreboding about November.

What does Barrera have to do with November? Probably not much unless Top Rank needs undercard filler. What Barrera tells us about Pacquiao’s waning interest in combat, though, might be plenty instructive as we begin to look forward to Pacquiao’s third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez.

First, a note or two about what it was like to be an average boxing fan in Mexico for the last decade. My friend lives in Tampico, Tamaulipas, a city located about 300 miles south of the U.S. border. In the 1940s, he boxed in amateur events as a boy in the Mexican state of Veracruz. He loves boxing at least as much as you do.

But until last week, he had never seen Barrera-Morales I, II or III. Those fights, you see, were on pay channels, and a municipal employee in Tamaulipas’ fifth-largest city didn’t earn a salary large enough to justify such an expense. That meant, in some way, boxing stopped commanding his interest. There were the old days, nostalgia for such scrappers as Rodolfo “Chango” Casanova, sure, but with its accessibility issues, boxing moved to a distant second behind soccer.

That is now changed. Boxing is everywhere on Mexican public airwaves again. But the lost decade of Mexican prizefighting, and its consequences for the quality of product coming out of Mexico today – read: Canelo and Junior – is worth an annual reconsideration or two by American fight fans looking at bandwagons to jump.

The Barrera that fought Morales in February of 2000 has never been seen again. He would go on to teach Naseem Hamed how to box in 2001 and decision Morales in their 2002 rematch, but he would never fight with the abandon he showed in his first match with “El Terrible.”

Seventeen months after winning a first decision over Morales, Barrera would come to San Antonio and get fully undone by a young Filipino prodigy nicknamed Pac Man. With trainer Freddie Roach whispering in his ear about Texas judges – with the ghost of Chavez-Whitaker still haunting the Alamodome scorer’s table (and yes, trivia buffs, Gale Van Hoy was an official judge for Barrera-Pacquiao I) – Pacquiao would make no mistakes in his championship rounds with Barrera.

Fresh as an insolent child after 30 minutes of combat, Pacquiao would hunt and raze Barrera. Beginning in the ninth round, Barrera would glide, retreat and engage only when imperiled. And Pacquiao’s ferocious fighting spirit would not stop imperiling the champion till Barrera’s corner stopped the match.

Four years later, in a fight that marked a temporary rapprochement between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, Barrera challenged Pacquiao to a rematch Barrera had no thought of winning. Barrera cashed himself out, gliding and retreating for 36 minutes, engaging only when imperiled and announcing a retirement immediately afterwards.

And Pacquiao let him. Fighting as the favorite in Las Vegas, Pacquiao had no fears of crooked Lone Star scorecards. He did enough to win each round. Drained from making 130 pounds for the last time, Pacquiao did a 12-round dance with Barrera that looked like nothing so much as a business transaction.

What happens, then, if that Manny Pacquiao meets the wrong Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 at MGM Grand?

To this point, worries about Pacquiao-Marquez III have all treated Marquez’s health. Marquez, great as he is, does not belong in a fight one ounce above the lightweight limit of 135 pounds. Pacquiao is an established, if ever-light, welterweight. Their rubber match will happen at 144, where Pacquiao seems most comfortable.

Marquez has shown us that he, too, is capable of a business transaction. Told by his trainer and longtime manager Nacho Beristain not to fight Floyd Mayweather at welterweight in 2009, Marquez did it anyway to gain a career payday. Dropped early in the match, Marquez fought hard enough to frighten the ever-cautious Mayweather from pursuing a knockout in the half hour that followed. Mayweather could not knock out Marquez, in other words, because he hated the thought of a hellacious exchange.

After losing most every round to Mayweather, though, Marquez showed no regret. On the contrary, he stated plainly that he had nothing about which to feel shame. He’d challenged a much larger man, remained on his feet and cashed a much larger check.

Since then, Manny Pacquiao has shown, in fights with Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley, that if an opponent is hellbent on not-fighting, Pacquiao won’t force him to do it. The likely beneficiary of every close round, Pacquiao now stays busy, picks his moments, flurries and leaps out, and collects decision victories and immense paydays.

What happens, then, if that Pacquiao squares off with that Marquez? Two words, actually: Uh oh.

We’re readying the boxing rally caps, I know – the now-annual rite of Pacquiao-Mayweather-fight promises will soon spill forth as if on a timer – but it might be helpful to remember this. Whatever happens from here, however easily Mayweather decisions Victor Ortiz in a few weeks, however easily Pacquiao decisions Marquez two months after that, Pacquiao-Mayweather will never again hold the promise it held at the end of 2009.

The Fight to Save Boxing, 2012 vintage, is an event already corrupted by greed and shortsightedness. Let us hope nothing happens in November to cause further erosion of interest.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

Marco Antonio Barrera has warned us about cases like Mexican Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. No, not by name – the way Juan Manuel Marquez just did – or by specific timeframe, either. Barrera’s warnings come only by implication: boxing was off Mexico’s public airwaves for most of the last decade, and that will have consequences.

Boxing is back on Mexico’s airwaves, and the pueblo’s appetite for our sport is voracious. Mexicans see more boxing these days than Americans do; all those European cards and American undercards you need a pirated link to see are broadcast on basic cable, there. To invert Sir John Falstaff’s advice, though, Mexicans are about to start calling some counterfeits true pieces of gold.

Is “Cinnamon” Alvarez a counterfeit? We don’t know yet, and at this rate we won’t know for a long time. We got only a little closer to the truth of this horse-mounting Jalisciense with red hair and freckles, Saturday, when he battered Matthew Hatton, a determined b-grade Brit with a famous brother, and won a unanimous decision by three scores of 119-108, on HBO.

Alvarez is not exactly what Barrera warned us about, but he may be in the vanguard of the movement. When most Mexicans without satellite dishes stopped seeing boxing with any sort of regularity, Alvarez was nine years old. In Mexico, as in every other place on Earth, the children of homeowners with satellite dishes do not populate boxing’s amateur ranks. How many young Mexicans of inauspicious beginnings did not take up the sport – for want of exposure – in the 11 years Alvarez was building himself from an ethnic anomaly to a ticket-selling attraction?

How much better, in other words, were the Mexican 15-year-olds against whom Barrera and Marquez learned their craft in the 1980s?

It’s a good question. Here is a better one. What did a decade away from routine examination of fighters do to Mexico’s national afición?

There is a reasonable assumption in Mexico that the best of their countrymen are the best prizefighters in the world. To come out of Mexico in the past, a prizefighter had to survive so many tests that his mettle could not be doubted. But for the next five to 10 years, the default assumption that steels Mexicans’ support of their fighters may well be disconnected from the reality of what tests their young fighters now pass.

Take that possibility and add to it Mexicans’ spring-loaded appetite for boxing, and you get a phenomenon like Canelomania, one that puts more than 10,000 fans in an arena to see a showcase bout.

But is Alvarez’s promoter Golden Boy Promotions really doing anything differently from what rival Top Rank did with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.?

Yes, actually. Chavez Jr. was going to be a draw whether or not he could fight even a little bit. A Mexican form of self-deception was not needed to sell Chavez Jr.; the kid’s father was the only thing that went right in Mexico in the 1990s, and Mexicans are a proud, loyal people.

Alvarez is a supposedly organic discovery, on the other hand, from a place – Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Jalisco – most Mexicans couldn’t pronounce any more easily than they could find it on a map. Alvarez is marketed as a true piece of gold; Oscar De La Hoya says he’s never seen a 20 year-old so very developed – and that means a lot to fight fans in Mexico who still think of De La Hoya as a fighter, not a promoter.

But was Alvarez the most-developed 20 year-old you’ve ever seen, Saturday? Of course not. He realized in the first five minutes that not one Hatton punch, lucky or otherwise, could hurt him. Then he spent the next half hour stalking Hatton, with his hands and chin lowered. He wacked away at Ricky’s brother with impunity and beat him pretty good. He never dropped him, though, and Hatton was still on his toes bouncing when the 12th round began.

Alvarez has no defense to speak of. He has strong legs, but he does not bob. His footwork is simple; it’s not wrong, by any means, but neither is it complicated. His hands stray low every time he loads a punch. His head stays between opponents’ shoulders.

None of this would be a problem, one supposes, if he had break-you-in-half power. He does not. His left hooks are wide and sometimes sloppy. His uppercuts are thrown well and authoritatively, but does he have hand-speed enough to land them against elite fighters?

If they were to fight next week, James Kirkland would tear Alvarez apart. Alfredo Angulo would wear him down. Paul Williams would outland him 30 to 1. Miguel Cotto would likely finish the job his brother started 10 months ago. And Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would outbox him. No, that’s not a typo.

¡Cálmate, cabrón! Alvarez is only 20 years-old. How can you compare his chances to such beasts as those listed above?

Fair point. Alvarez needs more seasoning, some time in the minors to hone his skills. Who could argue?

Which raises one last question. Since when is HBO our sport’s minor-league affiliate?

Sometime in the last three years – that’s the answer, if you’re scoring at home. Saturday’s telecast was fine an example as any of what HBO has become: an Oscar De La Hoya-search company that populates its undercards with Al Haymon-managed trial balloons. That’s why it is now our sport’s number two network.

Alas, that’s someone else’s problem. But Alvarez and Chavez Jr. are our problem, as aficionados, because they represent Mexican prizefighting in the near term. Until they fight one another, we shouldn’t take either too seriously. Americans already know this. Mexican fans might need a reminder:

Hasta que pelean Canelo y Junior, hay que cuidar nuestro apoyo completo.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter: @bartbarry

After embarking on an outstanding amateur career Robbie “Bomber” Peden turned professional back in late 1996, nearly ten years later he retired aged aged 33. Having gone 25-4(14) the highlight coming in February 2005 when in a rare appearance in his home country of Australia he won the IBF Super Featherweight title when he stopped Nate Campbell in the eighth round. The aforementioned amateur career saw him represent Australia in both the 1992 & 1996 Olympics. He then based himself in America for 10 years in which time he fought both Marco Antonio Barrera & Juan Manuel Marquez, so he’s well accustomed to the nuances of the game. Now 37, he works in the community with underprivileged kids though admits to being tempted by a return to the ring.

Hello Robbie, welcome to 15rounds.com

Anson Wainwright – It’s been three and a half years since you retired from the Boxing ring, what have you done since you retired?

Robbie Peden – I started a not for profit organization Indigenous Solutions Aboriginal Corporation where I coordinate and facilitate programs for disadvantaged youth and families. I manage The Fitzroy Stars Health and Fitness Academy and co own a mobile gym company ( Mobile Gyms Australia) with my mate and former Commonwealth champion Julian Holland . I also tutor Indigenous/ Aboriginal children at local high schools trying to better lives of Aboriginal children through out Australia.

Anson Wainwright – Do you have anything to do with Boxing today?

Robbie Peden – Anson I run the Fitzroy Stars health and fitness academy. Here the boxing program is run through out the year from Monday to Friday.

Anson Wainwright – I would imagine the best part of your career was winning the in 2005 when you stopped Nate Campbell for the Vacant IBF Super Featherweight title. Looking back now what are your thoughts on that win and what it meant to you?

Robbie Peden – It was my ambition to go to America to test myself against the best in the world not to fight at home with hand picked opponents. Luckily the opportunity came for me to fight for the title in Australia. Although I didn’t get paid by the promoter Tony Caradona it was still one of the greatest experiences I have had in my life.

Anson Wainwright – Looking at your record it struck me that you had 29 fights but only 2 of them took place in Australia. Why was this?

Robbie Peden – I never wanted to be a big fish in a small pool. I wanted to swim with the sharks, I even bit a few! Obviously I did things a little different then most but I am happy with the choices I made in my career.

Anson Wainwright – You were a road warrior fighting in America many times plus Poland & New Zealand, can you tell us about some of the experiences you had going to all those places?

Robbie Peden – I was based in America for 10 years, but fought in Poland, New Zealand and Vanuatu as well. Andrew Golota wanted me to fight on his undercard in Poland against a Polish Olympian. But travelling with the Australian National team for 6 years, well there wasn’t much I hadn’t seen.

Anson Wainwright – How did you first become interested and then involved in Boxing?

Robbie Peden – I only started boxing to get the girls! (Joking) My father Brian Peden was a fighter and also excellent trainer. He trained my mother’s brothers so it was a natural progression.

Anson Wainwright – I would imagine from fighting so many times in America that you have several friends in the Boxing community? Can you name them & tell us about some of those relationships?

Robbie Peden – Many friends indeed, Roger Bloodworth my trainer, well with out him none of my Professional career would have been possible. I think there are too many people to name whom I consider friends over there. I will say I lost 2 of my good mates last year Vernon Forrest and Arturo Gatti as well as my daughter, so 2009 wasn’t a good year for me!

Anson Wainwright – I’m sure you have seen some crazy things in the Boxing world or been involved in some amusing things. Could you share one of your favourite Boxing stories with us?

Robbie Peden – The training camp with Pernell Whitaker when he was getting ready for Delahoya. That camp was a blast, everyone playing practical jokes on each other. Very funny camp!

Anson Wainwright – You fought many top guys in your career with the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera & Juan Manuel Marquez being the two biggest names. What can you tell us about those fights?

Robbie Peden – Both legends and Hall of fame specials. As for the Marquez fight I spewed up in the 9th round. I entered that fight with a virus but as it was a great opportunity I didn’t want to let it get away from me like the Proposed Augie Sanchez fight.

The Barrera fight I had a pretty good camp but was looking after a friend whom had a lot of issues. Of course things didn’t work out for me and I wasn’t as focused as I should’ve been.

I would like to add I do not wish to take away anything from these tow great fighters victories but I wasn’t 100% for them fights.

Anson Wainwright – Just a few pounds above were you fought two Australians Michael Katsidis and Lenny Zappavigna are making waves on the world scene. What are your thoughts on them and how good do you think they are? What do you think happens when Katsidis fights Marquez?

Robbie Peden – Both Michael and Lenny have been very, very well managed. Michael is never in a boring fight and Lenny is still learning his craft. I think that they’re just below the top echelon in the light weight division at the moment.

I went to Stathi’s (Michael’s brother) funeral last month. Having known both guys for a long time I knew how close they were. It will be very difficult for Michael to won this fight on even terms let alone with this tragedy happening, but things like this can take people to greatness!

Anson Wainwright – What guys do you think could make an impact on the World scene that you guys have in Australia that perhaps aren’t so well known and are on there way up?

Robbie Peden – We are a country of only around 20 million people so out talent pool in very small. Boxing has changed and is more about manipulating the ratings and the media to make the fighters seem better then they really are. I actually very rarely watch or attend boxing because of this reason.

Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Boxing world and you fans?

Robbie Peden – I am seriously thinking of returning to boxing in 2011 to help bring attention to Aboriginal Men’s health. There is about a 15 to 20 year difference in the life span for Aboriginal men to non Aboriginal men in Australia. So I’d really like main stream media get behind my cause.

Thanks for your time Robbie.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com

Weekend Flurries – So far, and if we learnt anything in 2010 it was that your best laid plans are likely to be turned upside down, with several cancelations of big fights. It looks like an impressive 2011 calendar Bradley-Alexander on 29 January in Detroit, Montiel-Donaire on 19 February in Las Vegas, Lucian Bute fights in March & Manny Pacquiao’s next appearance will be on 16 April…A couple of interesting cards this weekend, Top Rank are doing their independant PPV in Anaheim, Ca i look for Donaire to outpoint Wladimir Sidorenko & Humberto Soto to stop Urbano Antillon late. Solid fight for Mikey Garcia against Olivier Lontchi, who’s been very active in 2010. I’m interested to see how Jessie Magdeleno & Gabino Saenz look early in there fledgling career’s. Also this weekend Saul Alvarez gets back in action against Lovemore Ndou, I think Alvarez will be the first to stop Ndou. In Scotland Ricky Burns makes the first defence of his WBO 130 against Andreas Evansen, I see Burns outpointing his Scandanavian challenger.

SAN ANTONIO – By the 10th round, Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was marching forward, legs wide, feet crossing over, left shoulder lowered and ready to fire a hook. He no longer respected John Duddy’s ability to hurt him at all. That says more about Chavez’s conditioning, chin and heart than it says about Duddy.

Saturday night in the main event of “Latin Fury 15,” before 8,172 Texans at Alamodome, Chavez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) went toe-to-toe with Duddy (29-2, 18 KOs), a throwback Irishman if there ever was one, handled him roughly and won a unanimous decision by scores of 120-108, 116-112 and 117-111, in the first 12-round fight of Chavez’s career. The 15rounds.com scorecard concurred, 117-112.

After two rather even opening rounds that might even have favored the Irishman, Chavez began to employ a jab that trainer Freddie Roach had implored him to learn in training camp. It worked, backing Duddy up and successfully keeping him off. Throughout the night, Chavez’s surprising speed, power and ability to relax while under fire proved the difference.

Duddy got the fight his people hoped for; much of the night Chavez stood in the center of the ring and traded with him. It was of no use, though, as Chavez was simply too young, too fit and too good for Duddy to figure him out.

“I fought a very strong fighter tonight,” Chavez said of Duddy. “A real warrior.”

Accompanied by his famous father to ringside, Chavez comported himself in every way as a main-event attraction on Saturday.

“There’s a new star in boxing!” said an elated Bob Arum after the match.

Duddy, a consummate sportsman, also offered praise to Junior.

“I thought it was a good fight,” he said in the ring after the cards were read. “I take my hat off to Julio Cesar Chavez.”

LEGENDS FIND A WAY
Although his name was only the second-most-famous in the ring Saturday night, Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera was easily its greatest fighter.

Facing Brazil’s Adailton de Jesus (26-5, 21 KOs) after a long layoff, Barrera (66-7, 43 KOs) found a way to neutralize the younger man and cruise to a decision victory by unanimous scores of 100-90, 98-92 and 99-91.

After a somewhat uneventful opening round, Barrera began the second with a commitment to the left hand – hook, uppercut, hook – that made his longtime fans smile. It also made De Jesus wince, as a Barrera left to the body quickly lowered the Brazilian’s right elbow and sent him spinning leftwards and away.

By the end of round 4, though, Barrera’s age and softness began to tell. Despite maintaining his placid expression from bell to bell, Barrera found himself clipped by left hooks that he would never have been hit with in his prime. He also forced his first clinch of the fight, validating the concerns of those who noticed his less-taut midsection at the Friday weigh-in.

But any veteran of 72 prizefights knows a few tricks, and Barrera – arguably the smartest fighter of his era – knows more than most. Without increasing the match’s pace, Barrera began to control it. He jabbed De Jesus on the way in, hooked him hard on the way back and rested in the moments between. Despite bloodying Barrera’s nose in the eighth, De Jesus, whose trunks rose practically to his sternum, often found himself reduced to complaining about low blows.

The match’s final two rounds brought no new action, and the fighters embraced afterward, both knowing whose performance had won the day.

In the co-main event of “Latin Fury 15,” Barrera proved himself an intelligent competitor who still resents the hell out of anyone who tries to hit him. And he can still easily beat b-level opponents. But as the old master approaches his 37th birthday, one wonders if he’ll not soon run out of reasons to fight on.

MARTINEZ WINS BATTLE OF SAN ANTONIO
Raul Martinez and Gabriel Elizondo may have come of age in the same amateur program, but they were in two different professional classes Saturday night.

Martinez (27-1, 16 KOs) came out scowling at Elizondo (22-4-1, 10 KOs), his friend and fellow resident of the Alamo City, and never relented throughout, winning every round, dropping Elizondo four times and eventually forcing referee Rafael Ramos to stop the match at 2:00 of Round 7.

After a competitive start to the fight, in the opening moments of round 3 Martinez saw Elizondo start a jab, took a step back and blasted him with a right-hand lead that buckled the veteran. Elizondo’s conditioning and pride kept him upright, though, and the next five minutes made a fairly even affair that nevertheless favored Martinez.

But early in the fifth round, an accidental collision of heads put Elizondo in an uncertain place. Ninety seconds later, both men started right hands, Martinez’s got there first, and Elizondo dropped to the canvas for a second time.

Round 6 began with a fight in the crowd, which brought Alamodome spectators to their feet, and ended with Elizondo being felled once more, this time by a Martinez left hook at 2:59. Elizondo rose again, though, and withstood Martinez’s onslaught for the first two minutes of the seventh.

But a last right cross from Martinez ended Elizondo’s night. Referee Ramos did not so much as begin his count, choosing instead, and wisely, to wave his hands over his head and declare Martinez the Texas junior bantamweight champion.

TORTOISE BEATS HAIR
Salvador Sanchez II came to Texas for the second time in 2010 and waged a battle of patronymic importance against a second Mexican named Villa, Saturday. Unluckily for Sanchez, Tomas proved twice the hombre Jaime was.

Texan Tomas Villa (23-7-4, 14 KOs) battered Tianguistenco’s Sanchez (19-4-2, 9 KOs) – the nephew of famous Mexican champion Salvador Sanchez – and chased him around the ring before ultimately decisioning him by unanimous scores of 77-75, 79-73 and 78-74.

Sanchez proved to have inherited little more than hair and charisma from his uncle Salvador, never establishing pop enough in his punches to keep Villa off him. But for a flurry every two or three rounds, Sanchez’s gloves slapped and his power wanted, and despite Villa’s plodding manner and predictable attack, Sanchez was unable to win a single round on all three judges’ cards.

Too bad. Sanchez had charmed San Antonio’s fight aficionados all week. His class as a person will be missed, even if his class as a fighter won’t be.

LEDEZMA KEEPS SAN ANTONIO UNDEFEATED
The last match on Saturday’s untelevised undercard saw a third battle of Texas, as San Antonio middleweight Emanuel Ledezma (9-1-1, 2 KOs) squared off with Houstonian Nelson Ramos (4-1, 2 KOs). As it turned out, Ramos’ 0 had to go, and Ledezma won a unanimous decision by scores of 39-37, 39-37 and 40-36.

SON OF PHOENIX SHINES
Top Rank matchmakers are very excited about young Phoenix super lightweight prospect Jose Benavidez (7-0, 7 KOs), and Saturday, Texans got a chance to see why. Wasting little time without seeming to be in a hurry, Benavidez made quick work of Rhode Island’s Josh Beeman (4-7-2, 2 KOs), stopping him at 1:20 of round 1.

Benavidez, who is extremely tall for a fighter weighing only 138 1/2, kept Beeman at the end of a long jab before wading in with two hooks to Beeman’s body. The first shot, a right hook, did little more than tilt Beeman leftwards and open him for a second shot. And that was a left hook to the button, Beeman’s liver, that brought a decisively early end to the match and kept Benavidez’s perfect knockout record intact.

OH! HENRY
Houston’s Omar Henry (10-0, 8 KOs) began Saturday’s third fight by tearing out his corner and assaulting Idaho middleweight Hilario Lopez (12-10, 8 KOs), throwing a dozen unanswered punches in 30 seconds and showing why Texans are so excited about “O. Henry.” But as much as Henry committed to his punches, winging them with the baddest of intentions, he was unable to chop down Lopez.

Henry finally cracked the light-hitting Lopez’s granitic chin in round 4, dropping him with two minutes to go in the bout. Lopez would not be stopped, though, finishing the fight on his feet, despite bleeding from above his right eye. Still, the match was not close, and Henry won decisively, 40-34, on all three official scorecards.

LONE STAR SCRAPPERS
The evening’s second undercard match featured a theme similar to its first – two Texans swinging freely – as San Antonio super lightweight James Cantu (6-0, 3 KOs) matched up with Laredo’s Antonio Gamez 3-3-1, 1 KO) for four entertaining rounds. Ultimately, Cantu prevailed via unanimous decision scores of 39-36, 39-36 and 40-35, after dropping Gamez in round 3 and winning enough of each the match’s other three stanzas.

Saturday’s action began with a six-round Texas welterweight battle between San Antonio’s Jose Juan Fuentes (6-1, 3 KOs) and Fort Worth’s Rogelio Barron (12-7, 4 KOs). Fuentes started the match in every way the classier fighter but then found himself assaulted by right hands and hit the canvas in both rounds 1 and 3.

In the end, though, Barron’s conditioning betrayed him, and Fuentes dusted himself off to win by TKO at 1:12 of round 5, when a succession of unanswered right hands forced the referee’s hand.

As scheduled, Saturday’s first bell rang at 6:25 P.M. local time.

It’s easy to find a professional athlete who will talk to you about his strengths. It’s only slightly harder to find one who will tell you about his peers’ weaknesses. A professional athlete who will speak to you in good faith about his own weaknesses, though, is a rare thing.

Those were my thoughts Thursday afternoon as I walked up the Alamodome ramp to Parking Lot A. They were thoughts that came courtesy of an interview with Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Still under the spell of Barrera’s courteousness, friendliness and apparent openness, I was about an hour from noticing something I’d missed with Barrera.

He hadn’t told me half as much as I’d imagined.

Barrera was at Alamodome to help Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. promote Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 15,” which happens June 26 in San Antonio. Until last week, “La Furia de México” had a different Mexican in the co-main event. Jorge Arce was scheduled to fight Puerto Rican Eric Morel but sustained a fight-canceling gash in sparring. That meant Barrera’s match with Brazilian lightweight Adailton De Jesus acquired a new importance and mandated his presence at a rescheduled press conference, Thursday.

Barrera, dressed in a striped charcoal suit with a raspberry-sherbet tie, arrived late and strode in the arena with his wife. He stood on stage beside Chavez and posed for pictures, looking darker and duller than usual. He spoke in the hastily acquired English he’s been using since Golden Boy Promotions decided he had crossover potential five years ago, and he told us his goal was to win a fourth world title. Then he switched to Spanish and became Barrera once more.

His upcoming match with De Jesus will add nothing to his legacy, a legacy that includes a historic trilogy with fellow Mexican Erik Morales, a legacy that will win him a first-ballot vote to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He understands his role in this promotion; he lends his name, a famous one in Mexico, to the name of Chavez’s dad, a more-famous one in Mexico.

Certain people radiate with intellectual horsepower. You find them occasionally on college campuses, rarely in corporations, and almost never in professional athletics. It is not the athlete’s place to supply such radiance, and to look for it is often a sign of envy: What kind of society values this guy a thousand times more than me?

Barrera is an exception. As you interview him in Spanish, a language he’s mastered, you feel him examining you right back. There’s no moral intent, per se; he doesn’t seem to care if you’re honest or will treat him honestly. Rather, he examines you as a rival, as though he wants you to challenge him with a question. He’s confident you can’t, of course, confident to a point that is often taken for arrogance. He shows no defensiveness.

Now that he’s done protecting the Golden Boy Promotions brand as a “partner,” he is accessible. Now that he’s temporarily under Top Rank’s banner, he is even more accessible.

Top Rank lets you put hands on its people. It understands the importance of access better than its rivals. It allows public arguments within, or even against, the media, because it understands what a younger generation of promoters has yet to learn: So long as people talk about you and your event, whatever they say, they promote your event.

Thursday, I didn’t want the interference of a translator, and I sure as hell didn’t want Barrera’s English-speaking imposter. I wanted the most eloquent prizefighter I’ve met, alone, and in Spanish. I approached the table where Barrera and his wife waited for print media to finish interviewing Chavez, shook Barrera’s hand and told him that whatever he opined of my questions, he should understand they were good-faith inquiries from someone who admired him.

“Of course,” he said, and he smiled.

I asked him why, demons, he returned. What did he hope to gain by fighting on?

“Something to prove, there is not,” he said. That sentence was about as different in Spanish as it looks in English. He didn’t say there was nothing to prove, in the double-negative way of pedestrian, if still proper, Spanish. He used an alternative emphasis.

“The open television in Mexico permits more people to see me now,” Barrera said. “People who did not, before, have the opportunity to see Barrera. There are Mexicans who know solely the Barrera from that last time.”

In 2006, just before its presidential election, Mexico passed the “Ley Federal de Radio y Televisión.” This law effectively deregulated Mexican television, in the name of bringing digital cable to the people, and eventually returned boxing to free channels. Like most deregulation ploys, though, it disproportionately enriched a very small number of people. A Mexican Supreme Court ruling in 2007 delayed its implementation. And there would be further delay in converting average Mexican cable viewers’ hardware. Barrera’s contention, then, is that very few of his countrymen were able to see him for most of his career.

Since 2007, Barrera has fought thrice. A 2008 fight happened in China. An early 2009 fight was the Mexican equivalent of an Off-Off-Broadway show, in Zapopan, Jalisco. And then there was that U.K. fight 14 months ago.

“That was a bad experience,” Barrera said, of his match with English sensation Amir Khan. It saw Barrera’s upper forehead sliced opened and bleeding freely in the first round. U.K. officials, though, allowed the fight to continue until the fifth round, at which time the result went from a no-decision to a technical-decision in Khan’s favor.

“It is an experience that I am going to erase,” Barrera said. “If a fourth championship comes along the way, good. But I return to erase that fight.”

At this point in our interview, someone handed Barrera a cell-phone with a picture of the cut. It was a scripted move, and as a script is beneath Barrera, I moved away from it:

As someone who admires you for your intellect as well as your boxing, I am nervous, if not sad, about your return, I said. Tell me how I am mistaken.

“To the contrary, friend, you are not mistaken,” Barrera said. “Boxing is filled with bad experiences. Many bad experiences.”

And when you bade farewell to “this beautiful sport” at Mandalay Bay in October of 2007?

“That was all about my promoter,” Barrera said, and he laughed. “I was not happy with my promoter, and I did that to escape them.”

The day after Barrera easily survived 12 rounds with Manny Pacquiao, never imperiling himself or Pacquiao, en route to a unanimous-decision loss, I wrote of his relationship with Golden Boy Promotions: “Barrera had become an overqualified employee in De la Hoya’s company, a guy who was too smart for the corporation, quietly resenting each new workday and the boss who caused it.”

“Exactly,” Barrera said, when I paraphrased this for him.

A better reporter would have plumbed the depths of Barrera’s resentment for his former promoter, a resentment he didn’t seem at all interested in hiding. Instead, I asked Barrera about a curious relationship he’d developed with a man whose life ended terribly last month.

On that night of your goodbye to boxing, I reminded him, you brought Venezuelan Edwin Valero on stage with you. You complimented him at length and called him a friend more than a sparring partner.

“We invited him to the city,” Barrera remembered of that training camp. “It was a friendship. A very good friendship. That night, I said he would beat Pacquiao. That was true. Unfortunately, they were never able to have that fight.”

And when he heard that Valero had murdered his wife, on April 19, before apparently committing suicide in a Venezuelan jail cell?

“I regretted it, I felt very badly,” Barrera said. “We waited to hear confirmation of the news. I regret it even now. I flee that date. But none of it surprised me. (Valero) had many psychological problems.”

I thanked Barrera and his wife, both, for being the people they have been, and for handling their celebrity with such grace.

On my way out, I stopped and spoke to Carlos Hernandez – who now resides in San Antonio – because on my way in, Jesse James Leija had told me Hernandez and Edwin Valero had trained together and been friends in Los Angeles. Few prizefighters are charismatic or likable as Hernandez. When I asked him if he were surprised by the news of Valero’s end last month, Hernandez shook his head.

“I wasn’t surprised,” Hernandez said. “But we didn’t talk about family much in the gym. We talked about other things.”

Such as?

“Venezuelan politics,” Hernandez said, and we both smiled at the oddity of such a conversation in the gym. “He was really into it.”

“Too into it,” Hernandez’s wife added.

Bart Barry can be reached at bbarry@15rounds.com

SAN ANTONIO – The son of legendary Mexican prizefighter Julio Cesar Chavez was at the Alamodome Thursday morning. He shared the stage with Mexican prizefighting legend Marco Antonio Barrera. He posed for pictures with famous American prizefighters Jesse James Leija and Carlos Hernandez. His name was the most recognizable, though. Even if his resume was the shortest.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. can take a big step toward finally justifying his celebrity and paychecks next month when he fights Ireland’s John Duddy in the main event of Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 15.” Chavez, who dressed in an open-collared shirt and fashionable jeans that appeared bloodstained, at Thursday’s press conference, said the right things, looked trimmer than usual, and expressed a long-overdue desire to become a great fighter.

“We are going to prove that I am ready to prove that I am ready to fight for a world title,” Chavez Jr. said from the podium.

June 26 will mark Chavez Jr.’s second match in Alamodome, his first as a headliner. And the venue has been good to La Familia Chavez.

“I am happy to be coming back to San Antonio,” Chavez Jr. said. “This is where my father set the attendance record (against Pernell Whitaker). This city has been good to us.”

Top Rank president Todd DuBoef, too, had good things to say about his company’s return to the Alamo City.

“In this show, we felt, nothing better than the Alamodome,” DuBoef said Thursday. “San Antonio is an incredible hotbed for boxing.”

ENTER FREDDIE ROACH
Chavez Jr. and his people seem to realize that John Duddy is by far the best opponent Chavez has faced in his 41-fight career of beating setup men from the Midwest. To prepare for Duddy, then, Chavez Jr. acquired the services of esteemed trainer Freddie Roach and moved his training camp to Los Angeles.

“They’ve been in L.A. the past couple of days,” DuBoef said Thursday.

Asked for an early opinion of his new trainer, Chavez Jr. didn’t wait for a translation, and even switched from Spanish to English.

“Best trainer in the world,” Chavez Jr. said of Roach.

Asked how familiar he was with John Duddy’s style, though, Chavez Jr. was a bit less emphatic.

“I know he is a fighter with a punch,” Chavez Jr. said. “He is strong. He has had many fights at middleweight.”

Next month’s fight will happen at junior middleweight, though, the lowest weight at which Duddy has ever fought. That will be six pounds lighter than Duddy was the night he decisioned Yory Boy Campas at Madison Square Garden in 2006. Chavez Jr. has yet to prove himself anywhere near Campas’ caliber. What, then, does Chavez Jr. believe he’ll have on June 26 that Campas did not?

“Campas didn’t have his youth in that fight,” Chavez Jr. said. “And I am going to be in my best form.”

Finally, Chavez Jr. listed his current weight as 175 pounds. Asked if that were a normal weight for him, one month from a fight, Chavez Jr. and his manager Fernando Beltran were both adamant.

“Better!” said Chavez Jr.

“Much better!” said Beltran.

TOP RANK’S SILENCE STILL GOLDEN
Nothing newsworthy was said Thursday of Top Rank’s negotiations with Golden Boy Promotions for a November fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

“Nothing,” said Todd DuBoef, when asked what might be new.

And those rumors that DuBoef is in constant communication with Richard Schaefer to ensure the fight gets made?

“I haven’t had a conversation with him since December,” DuBoef said.

Legendary Marco Antonio Barrera discusses his “comeback” and his thoughts on Saturday night’s Mosley – Mayweather fight

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