Posts Tagged ‘Mike Tyson

13
Jan
12

Boxer Pacquiao calls Mayweather’s bluff

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MANILA, Phillipines, January 12 – Manny Pacquiao on Thursday accepted US rival Floyd Mayweather’s provocative challenge for a showdown of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, though sticking points to the mega fight remain.

The unbeaten Mayweather dared the Philippine icon this week on Twitter to “Step up Punk”, attempting to entice Pacquiao into a May 5 bout in Las Vegas, a fight that boxing fans have wanted to see for years.

Mayweather and Pacquiao, 33, previously saw a fight derailed by the US fighter’s demands about blood testing, with both boxers accusing the other of running scared.

“I want to fight him. This is the fight the world wants,” Pacquiao declared at a news conference in the Philippines with his US promoter Bob Arum.

Pacquiao, 54-3 with two draws and 38 knockouts, said if the 34-year-old Mayweather, 42-0 with 26 knockouts, can find a promoter who would give him a guaranteed purse, the fight would be on.

Arum said he favours a showdown in late May and previously told the Los Angeles Times he could secure $40 million more with the construction of a temporary venue in Las Vegas before more than twice as many spectators.

“Mayweather wants a guaranteed purse so what he has to do is get a promoter who can give him the guarantee,” Pacquiao said. “I don’t have problems getting a guarantee because I have a promoter who will give me my guaranteed purse.”

“If he gets a guarantee, then we are going to share the revenue on a 50-50 basis,” Pacquiao added, referring to the money raised from pay-per-view television, gate and broadcast rights.

Arum added: “There is no problem on our part — the problem is on Mayweather’s.

“Mayweather needs somebody on his side that’s going to guarantee his purse. Mayweather has nobody on his side and GBP (Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions) is not going to guarantee his purse.”

Arum insisted that if there was to be no fight in late May against the American then he would move forward with a Pacquiao clash on June 9 against someone else.

He listed a re-match against Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez or Puerto Rican southpaw Miguel Cotto, as well as Americans Tim Bradley and Lamont Peterson, as potential alternatives.

Arum had originally said that Mayweather was not on Pacquiao’s hit-list.

Pacquiao, a southpaw, won a majority decision over Marquez in November to keep his World Boxing Organisation welterweight title.

Mayweather, who turns 35 next month, won the World Boxing Council welterweight title with a fourth-round knockout of compatriot Victor Ortiz.

But he is currently awaiting the June 1 start of a 90-day jail sentence on domestic violence charges, further complicating things.

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13
Jan
12

Mayweather calls out Pacquiao for May

Floyd Mayweather Jr. could not be any clearer about the opponent he wants to fight on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Mayweather wants Manny Pacquiao — at least, if you are to believe his tweets on Tuesday afternoon.

Several hours after tweeting a photo of a betting slip from a Las Vegas casino for a $400,000 win on Monday night’s Allstate BCS Championship Game, Mayweather sent out two tweets calling out and antagonizing Pacquiao.

 

Mayweather Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out let’s fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see.

– Floyd Mayweather Jr., on Twitter

 

“Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out let’s fight May 5th and give the world what they want to see,” read Mayweather’s first tweet.

One minute later, Mayweather followed with this: “My Jail Sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in. Step up Punk.”

Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, told The Los Angeles Times that Pacquiao will fight Mayweather, but not on May 5.

“June 9 is perfect,” Arum told The Times from The Philippines where he is meeting with Pacquiao to talk about his next opponent. “May 5 is out, that’s impossible.”

Mayweather’s upcoming jail sentence however, complicates the issue.

Mayweather was due to report to the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas last Friday to begin an 87-day sentence. He pleaded guilty to a reduced battery domestic violence charge and no contest to two harassment charges, stemming from a hair-pulling, punching and arm-twisting argument with his ex-girlfriend in front of two of their children.

However, Mayweather’s attorney successfully argued that the sentence should be delayed until June 1 so he could fulfill a contractual obligation for a fight at the MGM Grand, which he estimated would pour more than $100 million into the ailing Las Vegas economy.

Arum told The Times that he would be “willing to chip in for lawyers’ fees” to get Mayweather’s report date moved to allow the fight to happen on June 9.

Leonard Ellerbe, one of Mayweather’s advisers, told ESPN.com that Mayweather was serious about calling out Pacquiao.

“You heard him,” Ellerbe said, noting that Mayweather is personally responsible for the content of the tweets sent from his verified account.

So Mayweather is now free until June 1 and intends to fight May 5. However, he is without a dance partner.

 

Rafael’s boxing blog

Rafael Get the latest scoop and analysis on the world of boxing from ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael in his blog.

 

The two names most often mentioned as potential opponents are junior middleweight titlist Saul “Canelo” Alvarez — who is one division above Mayweather, the welterweight titlist — and lightweight Robert Guerrero, who is two divisions below.

Alvarez and Guerrero are being named as likely opponents because they would be fairly easy deals to make. They are both promoted by Golden Boy, which has served as Mayweather’s de facto promoter in recent years, promoting his last five bouts even though they do not have a formal promotional contract.

However, a fight between Mayweather and fellow welterweight champion and pound-for-pound star Pacquiao looms as the biggest fight in the sport — and likely the richest fight in boxing history. There seems to be no legitimate impediment to making the match for May 5, Arum has not seemed interested previously.

When Mayweather was supposed to go to jail last week, Arum talked about Pacquiao fighting on May 5 to take the spot of Mayweather. The next day, when Mayweather’s sentence was delayed, Arum said Pacquiao would probably have to fight in June, blaming that on a cut Pacquiao suffered in his November majority decision win against Juan Manuel Marquez as the reason — even though a cut taking more than six months to heal is unheard of.

Arum’s list of possible opponents for Pacquiao did not include Mayweather. Rather, it includes a rematch with junior middleweight titlist Miguel Cotto, whom Pacquiao stopped in the 12th round of a 2009 welterweight title bout; Marquez, for a fourth time; or a fight with junior welterweight titleholders Lamont Peterson or Timothy Bradley Jr.

After Mayweather’s sentence was delayed, Arum said he was not interested in talking to Pacquiao about fighting Mayweather in May.

“We’re fighting in June, one of the four guys,” Arum told ESPN.com last week. “My mission is to go over to the Philippines and talk about these four guys. If Manny feels he wants to go in May, he will tell me. I want to make sure Manny’s cuts are healed. We won’t fall under this kind of pressure. June is much more likely for Manny’s fight, not May.”

Arum also said he was concerned that Mayweather might not be licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission with a conviction hanging over his head and jail time slated for June.

“I don’t even know if Mayweather will be licensed before he serves his time,” Arum said.

Although Mayweather is likely to be ordered to a hearing before the commission because of his conviction before it will license him for a May 5 fight, it is likely the commission will license him. After all, the judge in Mayweather’s criminal case was swayed by the economic impact of a Mayweather fight on the Las Vegas economy as one of the reasons for the delay. It is hard to imagine the commission, all political appointees, denying Mayweather a license for a fight that would bring the local economy millions of dollars.

Dan Rafael is the boxing writer for ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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12
Jan
12

Manny Pacquiao Vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. Fight is on!

I’m ready to put my belt up. What about you Manny Pacquiao? Let’s make history.

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11
Jan
12

Manny Pacquiao to try to force Mayweather fight: I want Floyd next

Top Rank Boxing promoter Bob Arum’s alleged unwillingness to pit his welterweight attraction Manny Pacquiao, against undefeated pay-per-view sensation Floyd Mayweather, may be negated by the Filipino fighter himself, as Pacquiao has told the press that his American rival is his most desired opponent for his next pugilistic outing. Manny added that he and Arum are due to meet as early as tomorrow, Tuesday, to discuss his summer fight.

Pacquiao and the band-aid covering a 28-stitch cut

“I’ve said this over and over before and I’m saying this again,I want Floyd Mayweather Jr to be my next opponent and I haven’t changed my choice despite recent developments,” said Pacquiao, as quoted by Phil Boxing.

A showdown between Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko) and Mayweather (42-0-0, 26ko) would not only represent a welterweight unification contest for the WBO and WBC world titles, it would also decide whom the true pound-for-pound best prizefighter currently is.

The prospective bout is expected to far surpass the records for gate receipts and PPV purchases and, as such, Arum wants to maximise earnings for his fighter as much as possible.

So much so, that the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, which seats 18,000, is deemed to be too small a stage and the experienced promoter, instead, would favour the construction of a temporary stadium to be built on the city’s famous strip.

Mayweather had already reserved the date of May 5 to box at the MGM Grand, yet his own participation was jeopardised due to an imminent 87-day imprisonment for domestic violence charges, however, Mayweather’s lawyer was successful in having the sentence postponed due to the obligation to fight.

The May date was deemed too early by Arum, who – following consultation with a plastic surgeon – claimed Pacquiao would need further time to recover from a 28-stitch cut sustained during his most recent clash with proud Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez.

Arum was believed to favour the four options of Top Rank super lightweight Timothy Bradley, three division world champion Miguel Cotto who is expected to continue being represented by Top Rank on a fight by fight basis, Marquez who has boxed Pacman three times and feels he deserved victory in each and every contest and, finally, Lamont Peterson – the unified champion of the WBA/IBF titles at 140lbs.

The Mayweather option has not been completely discarded by Arum, as he reportedly would consider aligning Pac with Floyd if the date was pushed to the end of May or even in June, however, Mayweather is expected to turn himself in to the prison authorities by June 1.

“I am meeting with my promoter, Bob Arum on Tuesday and I will insist that the fight with Mayweather be given the preference than the four others in the list I will fight next,” concluded Pacquiao.

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11
Jan
12

Floyd Mayweather officially calls out Manny Pacquiao: Step up punk

Floyd Mayweather Jr has laid down the gauntlet. The undefeated 34-year-old has challenged welterweight rival Manny Pacquiao to follow through with his recent statements and agree to a fight later this year, on the date – May 5 – and venue – MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas – that had already been reserved by Mayweather late last year. “Step up punk,” Floyd intonated on his social media networks earlier today, Tuesday.

A Mayweather v Pacquiao match-up would be a tri-belt bout. Credit: Stacey Verbeek – Maple Avenue Boxing Gym, Dallas

The boxing and wider sporting world has demanded a showdown between prizefighting’s two most notable names for years and is one Mayweather (42-0-0, 26ko) and his camp have publicly been pursuing since Floyd’s first gear, fourth round dismissal of former WBC welterweight world champion Victor Ortiz, in September, 2011.

Legal troubles had threatened the lucrative fisticuffs from happening this year as the libel case leveled against Floyd, by Manny, for defaming Pacquiao’s character by insinuating the foundations of the Filipino’s success had been down to ‘power pellets’ (performance enhancing drugs), combined with Mayweather’s mounting domestic violence charge that had culminated with an 87-day imprisonment, appeared to push a contest back that had already twice failed at the negotiation table.

However, Mayweather’s lawyer, just last week, had succeeded in delaying his client’s jail sentence until June so that Floyd could honour his obligation to fight in May.

All he needs is a dance partner.

Robert Guerrero has been lobbying for a shot at the fight game’s biggest draw and it was rumoured over the weekend that the California-resident had the edge over his closest rival for Cinco de Mayo with Mayweather – Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

Both fighters, though, may have to wait. Mayweather, as per his latest comments, appears to have only one candidate in mind.

“Manny Pacquiao I’m calling you out; let’s fight [on] May 5th and give the world what they want to see,” said the current incumbent of the WBC championship at 147lbs.

Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38ko), who holds the WBO title, has entered discussions with his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank Boxing over whom he most wants to fight next. There had been four candidates to be presented to him: Miguel Cotto, Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley or Lamont Peterson, yet Pacquiao claimed yesterday that he would reject them all in order to accommodate a match-up with Mayweather.

“My jail sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in,” continued Mayweather, before sending a direct message to Pacman: “Step up punk.”

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11
Jan
12

Muhammad Ali Home from Hospital after Losing Consciousness

December 2, 2011

*Muhammad Ali is back home and recuperating after he was hospitalized last month in Arizona, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

The paper spoke with Ali’s close friend and Louisville radio personality John Ramsey, after Ramsey told Star magazine that the boxing icon had been hospitalized “after slipping out of consciousness at his Phoenix-area home.”

Ramsey said he spoke by telephone with Ali’s wife, Lonnie, last night and was told Ali is “home and well, for a person who has had Parkison’s since the 1980s. He may not be going in the direction you or I like, but no one is on alert. That’s the truth.”

Ramsey said the Alis still plan to be in Louisville in mid-January for a celebration of the three-time heavyweight champion’s 70th birthday, Jan. 19.

Ramsey said he didn’t have any details of Ali’s hospital treatment but that he believed, “I don’t think he stayed very long,” Ramsey said.

The Star reported that it had been told by multiple sources that Ali was rushed from the couple’s home in Paradise Valley to the Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center on Nov. 19. The Star also said it confirmed a 911 call from the residence, and that Ali was unconscious at the time.

The Star quoted Alan Laitsich, a spokesperson for Paradise Valley Police, saying: “The victim started to pass out in the car and when they got him into the house he fell unconscious.”

The magazine said it didn’t have details of Ali’s treatment or his length of stay at the hospital.

The Nov. 19 rush to the hospital came just five days after Ali attended the funeral of his greatest rival, Joe Frazier. Another boxer who fought Ali for the heavyweight title, Ron Lyle, died Saturday at the age of 70.

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11
Jan
12

Ali returning home to Louisville for 70th birthday

LOUISVILLE (AP) – Muhammad Ali is coming home to celebrate another milestone — his 70th birthday.

The iconic heavyweight boxing champion will bask in the limelight once again at a private birthday bash on the evening of Jan. 14 at the Muhammad Ali Center in downtown Louisville. Ali turns 70 on Jan. 17. The party will double as a fundraiser for the center — a cultural and education center that also features a museum focusing on Ali’s long career as a boxer, social activist and humanitarian.

Ali Center spokeswoman Jeanie Kahnke said on Saturday that Ali will be surrounded by old friends and people who made a difference in his life, including his longtime trainer Angelo Dundee. The party will feature a dinner, entertainment and speeches.

She described it as a “retrospective look and celebration” of Ali’s life.

“It’s significant for anyone to turn 70 years old,” Kahnke said. “But for such a global icon, who has literally touched the lives of millions of people, it’s a momentous event to celebrate.”

A few tickets remained available for the $1,000-per-person event, she said.

Kahnke said that Ali and his wife, Lonnie, are looking forward to returning for the celebration. The Alis have a residence in Louisville but have recently been staying at their home in Arizona, she said. Ali is battling Parkinson’s disease.

A series of community events — titled “Seven Days for Seven Decades” — will be offered from Jan. 15-21 at the center, touching on both the serious and fun sides of Ali.

The events include a “compassion fair” and workshops focusing on examples of compassion throughout the world. An exhibit will delve into the lives of people with dual African American and Native American ancestries. There will be screenings of films based on Ali’s life.

On Jan. 15, a magician will perform in the center’s main lobby — a recognition of Ali’s love of magic tricks. Also, people visiting the center during that week will receive a discounted admission for bringing non-perishable food items for a food bank.

“We really want to thank the community that has supported and loved and embraced Muhammad,” Kahnke said.

The center opened in 2005 and draws about 85,000 visitors a year.

Ali, who began his boxing career as an amateur in Louisville in the 1950s, won a gold medal in boxing in 1960 at the Rome Olympics. He went on to become a three-time world heavyweight champion. He first won the title by defeating Sonny Liston in 1964. Ali was then stripped of his boxing title in 1967 for refusing to be drafted for military service during the Vietnam War.

He regained the title in 1974 when he defeated George Foreman in Zaire. Ali’s last title came in 1978 when he defeated Leon Spinks. Ali had three epic fights against his chief rival, Joe Frazier.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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02
Dec
11

Pacquiao Negotiations for Mayweather fight Done

abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 11/30/2011 6:33 PM | Updated as of 12/01/2011 7:19 AM
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MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxer Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao has revealed only a few details need to be ironed out regarding his possible mega-fight against American fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao recently confirmed that negotiations are ongoing with Mayweather’s team. Mayweather also called on Pacquiao to sign a contract for a May 5 fight date.

“Ready na tayo. Kung natuloy ‘yan, ‘pag pumirma na s’ya sa kontrate, pirma na rin tayo,” Pacquiao said. (We are ready. If it pushes through, once he signs the contract then I’ll sign the contract.)

Pacquiao said there are only a few details left to be tackled in the negotiations.

“Maliit na bagay na pinag-uusapan, malapit ng matapos ang negotiation,” he said. (Only the little things are being worked out and negotiations are almost done.)

He said he has no issue with the May 5 fight date, saying it is a good month for the fight.

Pacquiao also laughed off Mayweather’s recent comments about him, wherein the American boxer said Pacquiao actually has 6 losses on his record instead of 3.

Mayweather said Pacquiao lost to Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez three times, bringing his total number of losses to six.

“Kung ganyan ang paniniwala n’ya, eh di respetuhin natin,” Pacquiao said. (If that’s what he thinks, we have to respect it).

The fighting congressman from Sarangani is planning to watch the friendly match between the Philippine Azkals and the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Stadium along with his wife and kids.

“Magchi-cheer ako sa Azkals,” Pacquiao said. — From a report by Jay Dayupay, ABS-CBN News SOKSARGEN

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15
Nov
11

Muhammad Ali the Great pay respect to Joe Frazier

PHILADELPHIA –  With his championship belt and a pair of gloves draped over his casket, Joe Frazier was going one more round.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson asked mourners to rise, put their hands together and for one last time “show your love” for the former heavyweight champion.

Muhammad Ali obliged.

Wearing a dark suit and sunglasses, a frail and trembling Ali rose from his seat and vigorously clapped for “Smokin’ Joe,” the fighter who handed Ali his first loss.

Ali was among the nearly 4,000 people who packed the Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church for a two-hour “joyful celebration” of Frazier’s life. He died last week of liver cancer; he was 67. Also attending were former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and promoter Don King.

His body ravaged by Parkinson’s disease, Ali was accompanied by members of his family and wife, Lonnie, who rubbed his back while he was seated and held his hands as he entered and left the church.

Jackson delivered a stirring eulogy, describing Frazier as someone who “came from segregation, degradation and disgrace to amazing grace.”

“Tell them Rocky was not a champion. Joe Frazier was,” he said, referring to the hometown character from the boxing movie, “Rocky,” and whose statue stands at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “Tell them Rocky is fictitious, Joe was reality. Rocky’s fists are frozen in stone. Joe’s fists are smokin’. Rocky never faced Ali or Holmes or Foreman. Rocky never tasted his own blood. Champions are made in the ring not in the movies. There deserves to be a statue of Joe Frazier in downtown Philadelphia.”

Mike Tyson, a catch in his voice, sent a videotaped message of condolence as did real estate magnate Donald Trump and actor Mickey Rourke.  Fellow Philadelphia fighter, longtime middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, also attended. The Rev. Al Sharpton was forced to cancel Monday morning.

“We made history together,” said King, who promoted Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle fight against George Foreman, who was knocked out in the eighth round. “We tried to make America better.”

King, wearing an U.S. flag scarf and clutching a mini-flag, walked over to shake Ali’s hand before the funeral; Holmes greeted “The Greatest” when the service ended — with a 10-bell salute, boxing’s traditional 10-count farewell to its own.

Thousands of mourners turned out Friday and Saturday for a public memorial viewing at the Wells Fargo Center.

Frazier beat Ali, knocking him down and taking a decision in the Fight of the Century at Madison Square Garden in 1971. He would go on to lose two more fights to Ali, including the “Thrilla in Manila” bout.

Frazier was embittered for years by Ali’s taunts and name-calling, though he recently said he had forgiven him.

Their epic trilogy was recalled not only by speakers at the service but those who sent letters to be read at the ceremony. Rourke got the biggest laugh when he joked about Ali getting knocked down by Frazier — with Ali’s friends and family laughing the loudest.

Smokin’ Joe was a small yet ferocious fighter who smothered his opponents with punches, including the devastating left hook he used to end many of his fights early. That’s what he used to drop Ali in the 15th round of their epic bout at MSG.

While that fight is celebrated in boxing lore, Ali and Frazier put on an even better show in their third fight, held in a sweltering arena in Manila as part of Ali’s world tour of fights in 1975. Nearly blinded by Ali’s punches, Frazier still wanted to go out for the 15th round, but was held back by trainer Eddie Futch. The bout, Ali would later say, was the closest thing to death he could imagine.

Frazier won the heavyweight title in 1970 by stopping Jimmy Ellis in the fifth round of their fight at Madison Square Garden. Frazier defended it successfully four times before George Foreman knocked him down six times in the first two rounds to take the title from him in 1973.

Frazier would never be heavyweight champion again.

11
Nov
11

Joe Frazier viewing at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly on Friday (10AM – 5PM) & Saturday (10AM – 1PM).

Joe Frazier

In addition to the Monday service for Frazier, apparently he will also “lie in state” at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly on Friday (10AM – 5PM) & Saturday (10AM – 1PM).

Here’s the article excerpt:
“Legendary heavyweight boxer Smokin’ Joe Frazier died Monday after a bout with liver cancer. He was 67.
On Wednesday Frazier’s family released funeral details.
Smokin’ Joe’s body will be lying in state at the Wells Fargo Center Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“This will be an opportunity for his many fans, supporters and boxing lovers from around the world to pay their final respects to Joe Frazier,” his family said in a release.”
Thanks, Henry Hascup
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