WBO Jr. Featherweight World Champion Angelo Leo Battles Stephen Fulton Jr

In the long-awaited battle between undefeated rising junior featherweight stars, WBO 122-pound World Champion Angelo Leo meets Stephen “Cool Boy” Fulton Jr., in the main event of the first SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast of 2021 Saturday, January 23 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT live on SHOWTIME from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in a Premier Boxing Champions event.

The co-main event pits two more undefeated 122-pound boxers against each other as Ra’eese Aleem and Victor Pasillas face off in a 12-round bout for the interim WBA title. The telecast opener features rising prospect Rolando Romero against Justin Pauldo in a 12-round lightweight bout for Romero’s interim WBA title. The six fighters’ combined ring record on the card is a remarkable 96 wins with just one loss.

Mayweather Promotions and TGB Promotions promote the event.

“We’re rolling straight into 2021, ready to keep creating as many opportunities as we can for our fighters,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “Angelo Leo and Rolando Romero will both be defending their titles for the first time and will be put to yet another test in their respective bouts. Everyone has been working hard and fine-tuning in preparation for January 23, and it’s going to be another great night of boxing filled with inspiring talent to kick off the new year.”

“Leo vs. Fulton is a true 50-50 matchup between two rising stars entering the primes of their careers,” said Tom Brown, President of TGB Promotions. “Fulton’s chance at capturing the title was delayed, but his opportunity finally comes January 23 on SHOWTIME. Leo worked incredibly hard to capture the world championship in August and will come prepared and determined to defend it successfully.

“The super bantamweight division will have a clear world title contender emerge from the co-main event, a battle of unbeatens between Aleem and Pasillas. Add in the opening bout of ‘Rolly’ Romero vs. Justin Pauldo, a fight that can launch a prospect into a contender, and we have an excellent fight card to kick off the year.”

Leo (20-0, 9 KOs), who fights out of the Mayweather Promotions stable, became the first world champion from his hometown of Albuquerque, N.M., since legendary three-division champion Johnny Tapia when he defeated Tramaine Williams by unanimous decision in August. The 26-year-old was originally scheduled to face Fulton for the vacant WBO junior featherweight world title that evening in the first SHOWTIME boxing event following the sport’s pandemic shutdown. Still, Fulton was forced to withdraw following a positive COVID-19 test.

“It’s been a crazy year for everyone, but to say I walked out of 2020 a world champion is truly incredible and humbling,” said Leo. “I spent 16 years training for that moment to become a champion, and here I am, preparing for my next camp for my first defense top of 2021. That’s a blessing, and I thank Mayweather Promotions and my team for that. My experiences with Floyd’s last camp would really put me in a great position going into this fight.

“My father Miguel has been instrumental in keeping me grounded and reminding me that all of these fighters are eyeing my spot. My goal in 2021 is to remain champion and get more belts, and Fulton is that next test.”

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pa., Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) has faced impressive competition in his young career while rising to the 122-pound ranks, where he is currently rated No. 1 by the WBO. In his last 12 professional fights, the 26-year-old has beaten seven unbeaten fighters, including Josh Greer, Adam Lopez, and Luis Saul Rosario. Fulton’s two most recent wins are a knockout over Isaac Avelar in August 2019 before most recently scoring a dominant 12-round unanimous decision victory over Arnold Khegai in January.

“Training is going great,” said Fulton. “I feel like everything happens for a reason because I’m 10 times more ready now than I was the first time around. I’m excited to fight for the title, and I expect nothing but Angelo Leo to be himself and fight his fight on January 23.”

Ranked in the top-10 by the WBA and IBF at 122 pounds, Aleem (17-0, 11 KOs) can take a big step closer to a world title shot when he faces fellow unbeaten Pasillas for the interim WBA strap on January 23. Raised in Michigan and training out of Las Vegas, Nev., Aleem, 30, has stopped his past six opponents inside the distance as he continues to step up his competition.

“This is a high-stakes fight, and the winner will get a guaranteed world title fight,” said Aleem. “It’s going to be a good fight, but I am at the top of the heap. I knew I belonged at the top a long time ago, and after my last fight, that was proven. Winning this fight makes me the number-one contender, and the only thing left after this is to win the world title.”

Pasillas (15-0, 8 KOs), who hails from East Los Angeles, is fresh off a dominating sixth-round knockout over then-unbeaten Ranfis Javier Encarnacion September 2020, which launched him into the WBA’s top-10 rankings. Like Aleem, the 28-year-old Pasillas also carries significant power. He has stopped his four most recent foes, including a first-round knockout of Ernesto Guerrero.

“I’ve envisioned being in this position since I first stepped into a boxing gym at age eight, and now it’s time to seize the moment,” said Pasillas. “I’m going to take full advantage of this opportunity and show the world, and everyone watching on SHOWTIME, that I belong on the big stage with the elite fighters at super bantamweight. Aleem is a good fighter, but he won’t be able to hang with me. I’m going to punish him until I knock him out. East L.A. in the house, let’s go!”

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nev., Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) returns to SHOWTIME following his controversial unanimous decision victory over Jackson Marinez in August. The 25-year-old captured the interim WBA lightweight title with that win and went the distance for just the second time in his professional career. Fighting under the Mayweather Promotions banner, Romero has been matched tough early in his career with just two losses among his four most recent opponents, including the once-defeated Pauldo.

“I’m going to approach this fight like I do any other fight; I don’t feel the need to sell myself,” said Romero. “I’m thankful for my fans who have been with me since day one. I fight for them because a fan of Rolly is to be an underdog, to be doubted, and that’s all I have ever been. Whether you’re with me on January 23 or against me, I know you will be watching.”

Following an impressive unanimous decision victory over a tough Josec Ruiz in August 2020, Pauldo (14-1, 7 KOs) returns against his career’s stiffest test when he faces the blue-chip prospect, Romero. Hailing from Orlando, Fla., and training in Houston, Texas, Pauldo, 26, owns a four-inch reach advantage over Romero, who is the third unbeaten foe of his career.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I’m excited for all of my years of hard work to pay off on January 23,” said Pauldo. “I was already training and in shape when I got the call for this fight, so I’m going to be 100% on fight night. Romero is a one-gear type of fighter who comes straight forward. I believe that I have better skills and am a better all-around fighter. This is definitely going to be an interesting fight with contrasting styles, and I can’t wait to show off my skills and bring this title home.”

WHEREAS, on Saturday, May 2nd 2015, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. earned a unanimous-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao in one of the most highly anticipated boxing matches ever to become the Unified WBO/WBA/WBC Welterweight Champion of the World; and,

WHEREAS, during the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Post-Fight Press Conference at the MGM Grand on the night of the historic bout, Mr. Mayweather spoke at length about affording the opportunity to other fighters, particularly those of a younger generation and specifically stated that “Other fighters need to get a chance” and “I’m not greedy. It’s time to let other fighters fight for the belt.” (See, e.g., Floyd Mayweather will relinquish all his title belts before final fight); and,

WHEREAS, pressed on the issue of vacating the championship belts, Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather productions, added: “Floyd has been in the sport 20 years and has accomplished everything in the sport.” “What else can he accomplish? There are younger guys up and coming and they’ll get an opportunity;” and,

WHEREAS, due to Champion Mayweather’s statements that he would relinquish all titles and his expressed desire to fight one non-title 12-rounder bout before retiring to allow for the development of young fighters, the WBO World Championship Committee approved the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World; and,

WHEREAS, on May 20th 2015, having heard boxing commentators talk of an upcoming Bradley-Vargas bout for the Vacant WBO Welterweight title, a concerned letter is received from the Mayweather camp through his attorney, John Hornewer, stating that Mr. Mayweather had no definite plans for the future other than the September 2015 bout and specifically, desired to have a written confirmation from the WBO that he remained the WBO/WBA/WBC Unified Welterweight Champion of the World; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO, having acted on the previous statements of Mr. Mayweather in sanctioning the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World, nonetheless, due to the WBO’s and Timothy Bradley, Jr.’s and Jessie Vargas great respect for Mr. Mayweather, the status of the June 27th 2015 bout between Timothy Bradley, Jr. and Jessie Vargas for the Vacant WBO Welterweight Championship of the World was amended to an Interim WBO Welterweight Championship of the World to allow Mr. Mayweather additional opportunity to make his determination whether he wished to retain the WBO Welterweight Championship in conformity with the WBO Rules; and,

WHEREAS, on May 22nd 2015, the WBO World Championship Committee sent a letter requesting that Champion Mayweather convey in writing -on or before Monday, June 1st 2015— his unequivocal intent to retain his WBO Welterweight title, in accordance with the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests; and,

WHEREAS, the letter sent to Mr. Mayweather advised that Section 15 (b) of said regulations would require that he relinquish his WBA/WBC 154 lb. title, for “no WBO Champion may hold a non-WBO Championship in a weight class that is different from the weight class of his WBO Championship;” and,

WHEREAS, on June 1st 2015, a friendly reminder letter was sent to Mr. Mayweather, Jr. stating that his letter relinquishing the WBA/WBC titles was due on the same day; and,

WHEREAS, on the afternoon of June 1st Mr. Mayweather, Jr. sent a letter asking that the WBO World Championship Committee utilize its power and discretion conferred upon it as per Section 1 (b) (20) of the WBO Regulations in order to grant an exception or variation from the Rules and allow him until August 1st to respond to the May 22nd letter on whether he would relinquish his titles; and,

WHEREAS, Mayweather Jr. further stated on the June 1st missive that “entered the bout [on May 2nd 2015 against Manny Pacquiao] holding the WBA and WBC Welterweight and Super Welterweight Division titles,” respectively; and,

WHEREAS, Mayweather, Jr. furthermore expressed that “he is pleased and proud to be recognized and acknowledged as a WBO Champion” and that although “it has taken almost two decades for him to cross paths with the WBO, he is proud and honored to have done so;” and,

WHEREAS, on June 3rd, WBO President Francisco Valcarcel advised Mr. Hornewer that a request was made to the WBO Championship Committee to render a decision on Champion Mayweather’s request no later than Friday, June 5th 2015; and,

WHEREAS, on June 5th 2015 this WBO World Championship Committee resolved that while no future precedent was to be construed of the Resolution, that Section 1 (b) (20) of the WBO Regulations did in fact allow for certain extraordinary exceptions and flexibility, but that under no circumstances could it be interpreted as rendering any of our WBO Rules ineffective, and finally, that an extraordinary extension to allow Champion Mayweather to advise the WBO of his position within the WBO Welterweight division was granted until 4:30 PM EST on Friday, July 3rd 2015, under the following conditions:

1. Mr. Floyd Mayweather Jr. ’s legal representatives had to confirm within the next five (5) days that they were in agreement with the conditions set forth on the June 5th Resolution.
2. The WBO reserved the right to protect its Welterweight Division from stagnation, and to proceed in accordance with our Rules and Regulations and to afford the opportunity to other fighters, particularly those of a younger generation, in the spirit of Mr. Mayweather’s statements on May 2nd 2015; and,
3. If Mr. Mayweather were to fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the June 5th Resolution and his legal representative not notify the WBO World Championship Committee of his intention to vacate titles in other weight divisions by the July 3rd deadline, the WBO would cease to recognize him as the WBO Welterweight Champion of the World.
4. Finally, that the WBO Championship Committee would not grant any further extension on the matter.

WHEREAS, on June 10th 2015 WBO President Valcarcel and members of the WBO Championship Committee received an email communication from John Hornewer on behalf of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Mayweather Promotions LLC, confirming the acceptance of the four conditions set forth in the June 5th Resolution and thanking the WBO for accepting their request for an exception; and,

WHEREAS, the July 3rd 4:30 p.m. EST deadline passed, and the WBO received no response from Mr. Mayweather or his legal representatives advising of his intent to vacate titles in other weight divisions and complying with WBO Rules and Regulations of World Championship Contests, the matter has been referred to this WBO World Championship Committee; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO Championship Committee has full authority as per our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests to resolve this matter and may, within our powers and discretion according to Section 1 (7) of the aforementioned Regulations, “recommend to the President and the Executive Committee that a Title should be vacated if a Champion fails to comply with the WBO World Championship Rules (Emphasis added); and,

WHEREAS, the WBO acknowledges Mr. Floyd Mayweather’s undeniable place atop the “pound for pound” lists as well as his notable performance on May 2nd 2015 to capture the WBO Welterweight Championship of the World against another extraordinary fighter in Manny Pacquiao; and,

WHEREAS, the WBO has the utmost respect for Floyd Mayweather Jr. and all that he has accomplished during his storied career, and that Mr. Mayweather has always agreed with and understood that World Championships have both privileges and responsibilities and that status as WBO Champion is subject to and conditioned on compliance with the WBO Rules; and,

WHEREAS, Section 16 (1) of our Regulations stipulates that the WBO shall be paid a “Sanction Fee” (both Champion and Challenger) of a rate equal to three percent (3%) of their purses with a minimum of $1,000.00 and a maximum of $200,000.00 per boxer; and,

WHEREAS, it is expressly against our Rules (Section 15 (b)) for boxers to hold world titles in multiple weight classes and if a WBO Champion wins a title in a higher or lower weight division, the WBO Champion shall have ten (10) days to determine which weight division the WBO Champion will retain.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the WBO World Championship Committee according to our Regulations that:

1. In the present case, Mr. Mayweather, Jr. failed to pay the $200,000.000 fee required of him as a participant of a WBO World Championship Contest.
2. Despite affording Mr. Mayweather Jr. the courtesy of an extension to advise us of his position within the WBO Welterweight Division and to vacate the two 154-pound world titles he holds, the WBO World Championship Committee received no response from him or his legal representatives on this matter.
3. The WBO World Championship Committee is allowed no other alternative but to cease to recognize Mr. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as the WBO Welterweight Champion of the World and vacate his title, for failing to comply with our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests.
4. This is a final decision of the WBO World Championship Committee. The affected WBO Participant may appeal to the Complaint and Grievance Committee pursuant to WBO World Championship Section 34, which per Rule 3(e) of the WBO Appeals Regulation, must be submitted in writing to the WBO President within fourteen (14) days of the date of this decision as its sole and exclusive remedy.

Dated in San Juan, Puerto Rico on this 6th day of July, 2015

Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Chairman

WBO Championship Committee

PDF File: 150706 RESOLUTION TO VACATE – FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR (1)

El campeón mundial welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el filipino Manny Pacquiao, estará enfrentando al campeón mundial welter de la Asociación Mundial de Boxeo (AMB) y el Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC), el estadounidense Floyd Mayweather Jr., en la Súper Pelea de este mismo sábado, 2 de mayo, en la legendaria Arena Grand Garden del Hotel MGM Grand de Las Vegas, Nevada. 

El invicto estadounidense Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. y el filipino Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao se encontraron este miércoles, al mediodía, en la última conferencia de prensa, previa a su mega pelea, en el teatro “KA” del Hotel MGM Grand. 

“Quiero agradecer a Dios por este día fabuloso para todos. También a todos los sponsors y promotores de este evento. Mi primera pelea fue aquí en el MGM en Junio del 2001 y mucho ha pasado desde entonces, el apoyo de los fanáticos y los medios. Agradezco y los invito a ver esta buena pelea este sábado. Quiero que sepan que todo lo que he logrado fue porque Dios me dio la fortaleza. Antes estaba hambriento en las calles y nunca imagine que llegaría a esta posición y todo es gracias a Dios. Los dos hemos trabajado duro y espero que logremos un gran espectáculo para la gente este sábado. Yo daré todo de mí, por la historia del boxeo,” dijo el campeón de la OMB, Manny Pacquiao. 

“Primero, quiero agradecer a Dios, que sin el, nada de esto es posible. Esto ha sido un evento increíble y mucha gente ha vendido. El entrenamiento fue increíble. Mi papa hizo un gran trabajo, con mi tío, tuvimos un gran campamento de entrenamiento. Agradezco a todos los fanáticos del mundo, que nos han apoyado en los últimos 19 años, quiero decirles ‘Gracias!’. Es tiempo de pelea ya. Han venido aquí a sentir emociones, a ser testigos de un gran evento y eso es lo que traemos a la mesa. Esta es pelea más grande en la historia del boxeo y yo soy parte de esto. Es algo muy grandioso. Me siento bien, me siento fuerte y los veré a todos el sábado. Gracias!,” dijo el campeón del CMB y súper campeón de la AMB, Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

Estaban presentes en la mesa principal, el promotor Bob Arum, el entrenador de Pacquiao, Freddie Roach, el presidente del CMB, el mexicano Mauricio Sulaiman y el presidente de la OMB, el puertorriqueño Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel. 

“Estoy honrado de estar aquí representando a mi padre, Jose Sulaiman. Estoy muy orgulloso y agradecido por todos en hacer esta pelea una realidad. Estarán peleando por el orgullo y por la eternidad. El CMB creo la faja esmeralda que ganar el ganador. Estoy muy contento que el CMB pueda contribuir con esta faja especial en una de las peleas mas importantes en la historia del boxeo,” dijo el presidente del CMB, Mauricio Sulaiman. 

“Cuando estaba caminando hasta este teatro, los fanáticos del boxeo me paraban y me preguntaban, ‘¿Paco, Paco, quien ganara esta pelea?’ y yo solo respondí ‘El Boxeo será el ganador’. En el boxeo todo puede pasar y al final, el ganador será el mundo del boxeo y sus fanáticos,” dijo el presidente de la OMB, Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel. 

Dos duelos de campeonatos del mundo del CMB y la OMB, que serán televisados en el PPV, son los principales del gran respaldo del Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, que incluye un total de seis peleas. 

El campeón mundial supergallo del CMB, el mexicano Leo Santa Cruz (29-0-1 y 17 KOs), estará exponiendo su titulo ante su compatriota, José Cayetano (17-3 y 8 KOs). 

El campeón mundial pluma de la OMB, Vasyl Lomachenko (3-1 y 1 KO), esatara defendiendo su cetro ante el retador boricua, Gamalier Rodríguez (25-2-3 y 17 KOs). 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao es un duelo de Campeonato mundial unificatorio pactado a 12 rounds en peso welter y es una promoción de Mayweather Promotions y Top Rank Inc y será televisado por PPV (HBO y Showtime) en Estados Unidos, por Azteca y Televisa en México, desde las 9:00 p.m. Este/ 6:00 p.m. Pacifico desde el MGM Grand Garden Arena de Las Vegas.

http://notifight.com/mayweather-y-pacquiao-en-gigantesca-ultima-conferencia/

No toda las conferencias de prensa tienen una alfombra roja. Floyd Mayweather Jr. y Manny Pacquiao la tuvieron ayer, lo que refleja la magnitud del combate que ambos están por enfrentar.

Mayweather Jr. y Pacquiao se vieron las caras el miércoles en el único frente a frente que tendrán hasta los días previos al mega pleito entre ambos el 2 de mayo en el MGM Grand de Las Vegas, Nevada.

Los campeones del peso welter, considerados como los mejores libras por libra de los últimos tiempos, se encontraron en un atestado Nokia Teather de Los Ángeles, lugar que recibió desde horas tempranas a los cerca de 500 miembros de la prensa que se congregaron para presenciar la histórica presentación.

Una enorme alfombra roja dirigió el camino de los púgiles desde la entrada del teatro hasta el escenario.

El anunciador insignia de HBO, Michael Buffer se encargó de presentar a Pacquiao, un diez veces campeón del mundo y un ocho veces reinante en divisiones diferentes.

Mientras que ‘El Clásico’, Jimmy Lennon Jr., voz principal de los eventos de Showtime, tuvo a su cargo la presentación del invicto, Mayweather.

Ambos púgiles no tardaron en posar frente a frente por cerca de un minuto desplegando una electrificante energía en el icónico recinto del Este estadounidense.

“Gracias a HBO y a Floyd, a Top Rank y a todos por hacer este combate posible. Creo que este es el combate que han estado esperando desde hace cinco años. Estamos bien contentos y trabajaremos lo más duro para éste combate”, dijo Pacquiao.

“Los haremos felices el 2 de mayo. Y lo más importante es que el nombre de Dios sea glorificado. Que la gente, sepa que es Dios, que hace que uno venga de la nada, y logre todo lo que soy hoy”, agregó el filipino que tiene marca de 57-5-2 y 38KO’s.

Fue un encuentro cordial entre ambos equipos. Las únicos que tuvieron un encuentro de ‘egos’ fueron los representantes de las televisoras, Stephen Espinoza (Showtime) y Ken Kershman (HBO), quienes dejaron en claro sus logros en las carreras de ambos peleadores.

“Ha sido un largo camino. Pero aquí estamos ahora”, dijo Mayweather Jr.

“El 2 de mayo, el combate del siglo, será entre los dos mejores peleadores. Creo que no pudimos escoger el mejor momento. Mi equipo buscará el mejor plan tal y como lo hemos hecho en todos mis combates. La acción hace las peleas, yo trabajaré hasta el límite de mis capacidades. Pero una cosa sí sé sobre cualquier deporte, cuando pierdes está en tu mente. Si pierdes una vez, o dos, es en tu mente. Desde el día uno he dicho que seré el ganador y así será”, aseguró Mayweather quien tiene foja de 47-0 y 26KO’s.

Pacquiao y Mayweather acordaron la última semana de febrero firmar el combate del que venían hablando desde el 2009. Floyd tendrá una garantía de $150 millones, mientras que Pacquiao obtendrá $100 millones.

Se espera que el choque genere más de $300 millones y que las ventas de ‘pague por ver’ superen las 3 millones.

Mayweather es campeón welter y súperwelter del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (CMB), mientras que Pacquiao es titular de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB).

“Primero fue Alí-Frazier, luego Leonard-Durán, Leonard-Hagler. Y ahora es el momento para Mayweather-Pacquiao”, dijo el promotor Bob Arum. “Todo el mundo debe estar interesado en el combate. Senadores, presidentes, artistas, personalidades del deporte. Todo el mundo”, agregó el fundador de Top Rank.

Un total de 150 países podrán tener acceso al combate que será presentado en alianza entre las dos más grandes empresas de televisión, Showtime y HBO.

“Hubo grandes obstáculos. Pero luego de que ellos dos se encontraron, pues ahí fue que supe que el combate podría celebrarse”, comentó Stephen Espinoza, director de Shotime Sports, previo al frente a frente.

Leonard Ellerbe, representante de Mayweather Jr., dijo que los boletos del pleito comenzarán en los $1,500.00 hasta los $7,500.00.

Hace unos días el promotor Bob Arum comentó que todos ellos ya habían sido vendidos.

http://elvocero.com/prometen-ser-combate-del-siglo-mayweather-y-pacquiao-ver-galeria/

The countdown has begun, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is now set for May 2nd and the two fighters will meet in the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Even though it took over five years to come together, boxing fans are still looking forward to what will be the biggest fight in boxing history. Besides the fans and media, sports books have also been eagerly awaiting this bout as it’s sure to bring a new wave of bettors looking to make some money placing a bet on their favorite boxer. For those who can’t make it out of Vegas to lay their bets, here is a guide showing how easy online betting can be http://www.gamblingsites.com/sports-betting/online/.

Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) opened as a -240 betting favorite, while Manny Pacquiao is currently listed at +200 underdog. Regardless of the betting line, most fans are split down the middle on who they believe will win this fight, as Mayweather has shown some signs decline in recent years, while Pacquiao has looked as dominant as ever in his last few bouts. Mayweather, who turns 38 tomorrow, has been hit more in his last two bouts than people are used to seeing and his footwork has appeared to slow down. Pacquiao, who is now 36, still looks to have the same speed and athleticism that made him an eight division world champion.

While the years have brought the two fighters closer in terms of ability in the ring, Floyd Mayweather will still carry in a tactical advantage as he is one of the best defensive fighters in the sport and certainly one of the best counter punchers — something that has caused issues for Pacquiao in the past in his four bouts with Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao on the other hand is one of the fastest, most athletic fighters Floyd has faced, and also brings a southpaw style that has shown to give Mayweather some issues, as was evident early in his fight with Zab Judah.

Beyond the strengths of both fighters, this bout stands to break the box office records, as currently the PPV record holder is Mayweather-De La Hoya at 2.4 million, and the upcoming Mayweather-Pacquiao bout is expect to shatter that with over 3 million PPV buys. The event truly will be the Super Bowl of boxing, and rewards for each fighter go beyond the belts that they will win in the fight. Mayweather currently holds the WBC/WBA welterweight belts and Pacquiao has the WBO welterweight strap, three of the four belts will be unified with the winner, but the real reward will be the estimated $120 million and $80 million pay checks Mayweather and Pacquiao are set to make, respectively.

The fight is now less than ten weeks away, and there will be no promotional tour, and no 24/7 series to promote it. All the promotion that this fight has ever needed was the names Mayweather and Pacquiao, and now that both have signed on the dotted line, the only thing left to do is to see these two titans of this generation step in the ring and decide once and for all, who really is the best boxer in the world today.

http://ontheropesboxing.com/floyd-mayweather-vs-manny-pacquiao-how-all-roads-lead-to-the-two-fighters-facing-each-other-at-the-perfect-time/

By Chris Williams: In yet another case of the skepticism that abounds in the boxing world about whether the Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao fight will take place, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel says he has his doubts whether the May 2nd mega-fight between these two superstars will take place.

Valcarcel thinks the negotiations has too many paths where it can be blocked, one of which is the HBO-Showtime negotiations.

“You have too much stuff all around the board that have to be agreed too; Showtime, HBO, promoters and all kinds of things. I have my doubts that the fight will take place,” said Valcarcel via Fighthype.com.

I believe the fight will take place, because it’s in the best interest of all parties that it happens. HBO and Showtime obviously don’t want to miss out on this mega-fight taking place, because it could very well be the last time they get a chance to put this fight on. Further, it’s not as if the same negotiation points won’t be there later on if HBO and Showtime decide to kick the can down the road to September to try and get the fight made.

The problems that are there now in terms of the rebroadcast rights for the fight will still be there in September. And if the idea is to wait until Mayweather is no longer under contract with Showtime in 2016, I have a feeling that Mayweather will re-sign with Showtime rather than become a free agent and sign with HBO.

I think the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight will mean less in 2016 than it does now because both fighters will be a year older, and there’s a chance that one or both of them will look less than impressive in their next two fights in 2015 if they take on high quality opposition.

Pacquiao has things easier in my view because his promoter Bob Arum has been putting him in with soft touches in Brandon Rios, Tim Bradley and Chris Algieri recently ever since he was knocked cold by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012.

I don’t expect for Arum to suddenly start putting Pacquiao in with guys that would have a chance to beat him like Danny Garcia, Amir Khan, Kell Brook and Keith Thurman. I see Arum instead putting Pacquiao in with one of his Top Rank stable fighters like Jessie Vargas in his next fight on May 30th, and then after that I can definitely see Brandon Rios being trotted out again for a second fight against Pacquiao.

Arum will likely say that Rios has been improved because of his win over Mike Alvarado and whoever Arum puts Rios in with in his next fight. I don’t see Rios being improved, but I see him being matched against guys that are beatable and that make him look good in comparison like Alvarado did.

This is the best chance to make the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight happen, and it would be a shame if the parties don’t iron out their differences. Mayweather is the A-side in the negotiations, so there’s no reason why he and Pacquiao can’t agree to the full terms for the fight. The only thing that could potentially trip up the fight is if HBO and Showtime fail to agree. That’s only thing that I can see stopping this fight unless we get some stubbornness setting in with one of the fighters failing to give.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/02/wbo-president-doubts-mayweather-pacquiao-fight-will-take-place/

According to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, he was treated like an opponent during last week’s infamous telephone call with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao claims he was offered a $40 million dollar guarantee – but nothing further- for a welterweight mega-fight on May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Mayweather would retain 100% of the money generated from pay-per-view, and other various sources of revenue. Pacquiao turned the offer down and requested an even 50-50 split, which Mayweather rejected.

“He said he will guarantee me $40 million but I won’t have any share on the pay-per-view and other sources of revenue,” said Pacquiao to veteran reporter Nick Giongco of Tempo. “How can he leave me out of the pay-per-view when I generate more than him in pay-per-view sales? I am still praying that Mayweather gets enlightened because I believe that I am not being unreasonable.”

By Edward Chaykovsky

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48942

Michael Koncz, the advisor to WBO welterweight beltholder Manny Pacquiao, told RingTV.com on Monday that he is in Las Vegas to speak with Top Rank Inc. CEO Bob Arum about Pacquiao’s next opponent.

Although WBA junior middleweight beltholder Miguel Cotto appears to be the current frontrunner, Koncz told RingTV.com that WBC welterweight titleholder Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not yet out of the picture.

Koncz would not confirm or deny whether or not he expects to meet with Mayweather, who lives in Las Vegas.

“I am in Las Vegas right now having various discussions and meetings with different people, and we have not closed the door on Floyd Mayweather,” said Koncz.

“I’m here in Las Vegas pursuant to Manny’s instructions trying to finalize his next bout. No doors have been shut on any of our options to this point.”

Pacquiao has been targeted for a return bout on June 9 in Las Vegas at either the Thomas & Mack Center or the MGM Grand, with the possibilities being Cotto, Mayweather, RING lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez IBF/WBA junior welterweight titleholder Lamont Peterson or WBO junior welterweight beltholder Tim Bradley

Cotto’s advisor, Gabby Penagaricano, has confirmed to RingTV.com that there have been talks with both Pacquiao and Mayweather, the latter regarding a fight on May 5.

Koncz and Mayweather have been in personal communication since late-November, when Koncz made a visit to the unbeaten fighter at his Las Vegas-based gym.

Last week, Pacquiao confirmed to the Filipino TV network ABS-CBNthat Mayweather had called him in the Philippines from Las Vegas and that they spoke by telephone

The conversation with Mayweather “went OK, the talk about the negotiation proceeds forward,” said Pacquiao, adding, “I said that the 50-50 was approved and there’s no problem. Anytime. It’s in your hands. We’ll just wait if it’s OK with you.”

Mayweather’s version of the conversation differed a bit.

“He asked about a 50/50 split and I told him no, that can’t happen, but what can happen is you can make more money fighting me than you have made in your career,” said Mayweather.

“I also let him know I’m in control on my side, but he needs to get on the same page as his promoter so we can make this fight happen.”

Mayweather is slated to begin an 87-day jail sentence staring on June 1, and has targeted May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas for his next bout.

But Arum and Koncz have dismissed that date for Mayweather-Pacquiao, citing their camp’s desire to construct a 40,000-seat, temporary outdoor venue near the Las Vegas Strip in late May or early-June to maximize revenue.

Pacquiao’s selection process began on January 10 in his native Philippines, when Koncz and Arum presented the candidates to him.

Photo by Chris Farina, Top Rank Inc.

Photo by Tom Hogan, Hogan Photos/Golden Boy Promotions

by Lem Satterfield

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/blog/171215-pacquiaos-advisor-

WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26KOs) is apparently not on board with WBO king Manny Pacquiao’s request for a 50/50 revenue split, which pertains to a potential May 5th mega-fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. As previously reported, Mayweather recently made a direct phone call to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz, who placed Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38KOs) on the phone with the undefeated star from Las Vegas. Pacquiao told Mayweather that a 50-50 split would seal the deal on a possible May fight.

But, during the latest episode of ESPN’s Sportscenter, Mayweather was quoted as saying the following:

“He asked about a 50/50 split and I told him no, that can’t happen, but what can happen is you can make more money fighting me than you have made in your career. I also let him know I’m in control on my side but he needs to get on the same page as his promoter so we can make this fight happen.”

If Mayweather does not agree to a 50-50 split, then Pacquiao will likely return on June 9th at temporary outdoor venue near the Las Vegas Strip.

Expect more in the coming days..

By Chris Robinson

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48745

Having drawn 1.4 million buys the last time, Manny Pacquiao said on Friday night that it is just fair and square that he and Floyd Mayweather equally share the revenue of a planned fight in May. Pacquiao’s rubber match with Juan Manuel Marquez generated that hefty number of buys, while Mayweather’s controversial kayo of Victor Ortiz only posted 1.25 million. “It’s just right that we share equally,” said Pacquiao. “Floyd has to look at the PPV numbers to understand why it be fair for us to split it in half,” added Pacquiao.

Mayweather spoke on the phone with Pacquiao on Thursday and the Filipino clearly told his caller that it has to be 50-50. If Mayweather doesn’t agree, Pacquiao said he will have no choice but to fight somebody else possibly on June 9.

By Nick Giongco

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/pacquiao-insists-on-50-50-sharing-106404

El campeón mundial estadounidense Floyd Mayweather Jr. quiere enfrentar al filipino Manny Pacquiao, y por esa razón lo llamó para conversar con él y tratar de organizar un mega combate que seguramente paralizaría el boxeo mundial, confirmaron fuentes de ambos bandos.

En un reporte de la agencia de noticias AFP, Leonard Ellerbe, consejero del ‘Money’ Mayweather, confirmó a la cadena ESPN la llamada de su pupilo al “Pacman” filipino, y lo mismo hicieron durante el día el promotor de Pacquiao, Bob Arum, al sitio BoxingScene.com, y el propio Pacquiao al canal ABS-CBN en Filipinas.

La emisora filipina informó que Pacquiao había dicho no tener problemas para realizar el pleito si Mayweather estaba de acuerdo con dividir las ganancias 50-50, de lo que se espera será la pelea con la bolsa más jugosa de todos los tiempos.

El invicto Mayweather y el “Pacman” filipino, señalado como el mejor púgil libra a libra del mundo, estuvieron a punto de pelear hace dos años, pero la insistencia del norteamericano de realizar exámenes antidopaje de sangre echaron por tierra las negociaciones.

Ahora, Mayweather ha sugerido la fecha del 5 de mayo para realizar la pelea en Las Vegas, mientras Arum desea una fecha más lejana a fin de que esté terminada la arena gigante al aire libre que se construye en la Meca del Juego, y que podría recaudar hasta 50 millones de dólares en venta de taquillas.

“Floyd desea pelear con Manny Pacquiao el 5 de mayo y quiere llegar lo más rápido posible, y personalmente, a un acuerdo para realizar el pleito”, dijo Ellerbe.

Pacquiao (54-3, con dos empates y 32 victorias por nocaut), ha ganado sus últimas 15 peleas en los últimos siete años, mientras Mayweather (42-0, 26 kos) ha tenido un sólo combate en cada uno de los pasados tres años.

El norteamericano debe ingresar a la cárcel el 1 de junio para cumplir una condena de 90 días por violencia doméstica, y por eso presiona para que la pelea se lleve a cabo el 5 de mayo.  Sin embargo, Arum no está convencido de esa fecha y propuso realizar el combate en noviembre. Software development Ukraine with Echo.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Mayweather_Jr_llam_a_Pacquiao.php

LAS VEGAS — Manny Pacquiao has chosen his next opponent, and it’s not Floyd Mayweather. In an interview at his office Wednesday, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao has chosen his next opponent — whom Arum would only divulge was one of the four previously reported candidates, Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley, Miguel Cotto or Lamont Peterson — and plans to make his return to the ring on June 9 at a new outdoor facility off the Strip.

Arum reiterated that the problem with making a May fight with Mayweather was the timing. Mayweather has insisted that the fight take place May 5, tweeting Tuesday that “the date can’t change.” Arum says construction on a 38,000-seat temporary facility cannot be completed until later in the month. On Wednesday, Arum said he met with construction officials as well as officials from the Wynn and Sands Hotel. Arum also visited the construction site, a 40-acre plot jointly owned by the two hotels.

“To be safe, they said they needed until the end of May to get it done,” Arum said. “Economically, it’s a problem that Floyd created. The amount that would be lost by moving it up to May 5^th is enormous. The fight is not going to happen on May 5^th. We’ll do the fight in November. There is no real magic in doing it in May.”

Arum says he plans to move forward with building the outdoor facility and test it out in Pacquiao’s next fight. Arum added that he and Pacquiao were on the same page as far as Pacquiao’s future.

“He realizes that economically the May 5^th date is not smart,” Arum said. “If you postpone it two or three weeks, you can make so much more money. Mayweather told the court he was committed to fight on May 5^th. I think they lied and said Pacquiao was ready to fight him. Now they are saying the judge ordered them to fight on May 5? Was the MGM behind this? If the judge says you have to surrender yourself on June 1^st, what the f— does it matter to the judge if you fight on May 5^th or two weeks later?”

A call and text message to Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, was not immediately returned.

Chris Mannix

http://mma-boxing.si.com/2012/01/18/arum-pacquiaos-next-fight-will-not-be-against-mayweather/

Reports have begun swirling Wednesday evening of the official death to any chance of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather squaring off the in the spring. The majority of the uproar stemmed from a breaking story by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated quoting Bob Arum as saying Pacquiao’s return will come on June 9 in an outdoor stadium to be built on the Las Vegas Strip.

Whether Pacquiao returns on June 9 or in late May largely depends on whom he will be facing. An opponent has not yet been decided, mainly because they haven’t yet exhausted all options on what the Hall of Fame promoter insists is their primary goal.

“June 9 is our Plan B for Manny Pacquiao,” Arum told Boxingscene.com Wednesday evening. “Our Plan A is the same that it has been for the past few weeks, to fight Floyd Mayweather at the end of May.”

When exactly the fight can take place has become the latest hurdle in a superfight now more than two years in the waiting. Mayweather recently went on record during a Wednesday afternoon function to insist that he is obligated to fight on May 5 at the MGM Grand.

Arum, a Harvard-educated former lawyer, has a hard time believing that to be true, specifically from a legal precedent.

“No judge ever said that Floyd Mayweather has to fight on a certain day,” Arum states. “Sure, he has to fight before he goes to the clink on June 1. But any day in May is OK. You can read the transcript and the court minutes from that (January 6) hearing – you’ll see the judge never required his next fight to take place on May 5.”

Mayweather was to begin a 90-day sentence on January 6, only for his legal team to plead his case to have his prison term delayed by five months in order to fight in May. Among the reasons cited were the amount of revenue his fights are able generate in the Las Vegas area.

With that in mind, Team Pacquiao continues to question why Mayweather would want to restrict what is suggested to be the most lucrative fight in boxing history, to one venue when another that boasts a much larger capacity would generate that much more money.

“The outdoor stadium we are working on, will seat 38,000,” says Arum. “My initial estimates were 40,000, but it’s a little less.  But you do the arithmetic – a venue more than twice the size of the MGM Grand means you bring in more than twice as much money. It’s a no-brainer.”

What’s not as cut and dry is why the fight can’t take place on May 5.

On the surface, some believe it to be just more posturing in a two-year run filled of both sides going big dick with one another and finding new reasons to not make the fight happen.

For Mayweather’s side, the insistence is that it’s May 5 or bust due to commitments on their end.

For Pacquiao’s side, it’s a matter of Rome not being built in a day.

“Why are we so insistent on the end of May – it’s a fair question,” Arum acknowledges. “We had the architects in here going over all of the plans. The earliest estimate for having the stadium completed is the beginning of May. But of course, you have to be conservative.

“A couple of extra weeks to ensure that it goes up with no lingering problems, it makes the end of the month a no-brainer, and gives Mayweather time to fight before he has to do his bit.”

The back-up plan remains the same four names in previous reports – a rematch with Miguel Cotto; a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez; or challenges from 140 lb. champs Tim Bradley or Lamont Peterson, both of whom are willing to move up in weight for the fight.

Arum insists that he hopes for matters to not reach that point but plans to have a decision in the near future, one way or another.

“We’re going to be making a decision shortly. Hopefully it will be Mayweather. If not, then the other four remain possibilities.”

By Jake Donovan

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48702

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has set his next date, and picked his opponent, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not on the menu. In a recent interview with Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum revealed that Pacquiao was going to return on June 9th at a new outdoor venue on the Las Vegas Strip. Mayweather is scheduled to fight on May 5th at the MGM Grand. The temporary venue wil be constructed to seat 38,000 fans, says Arum.

Arum would not reveal the name of the opponent. Pacquiao selected his opponent from a list of four names – Juan Manuel Marquez, Timothy Bradley, Miguel Cotto or Lamont Peterson.

Fans were hoping to see Pacquiao fight Mayweather, but Arum will explore the fight in November. In an earlier interview on BoxingScene.com, Mayweather’s adviser, Leonard Ellerbe, said the date of May 5th wouldn’t change – because Mayweather was legally obligated to fight on that particular date. Mayweather’s 90-day jail sentence, for a domestic abuse charge, was delayed to June 1 in order to allow the boxer to fight on May 5th.

“If you postpone it two or three weeks, you can make so much more money. Mayweather told the court he was committed to fight on May 5th. I think they lied and said Pacquiao was ready to fight him. Now they are saying the judge ordered them to fight on May 5? Was the MGM behind this? If the judge says you have to surrender yourself on June 1st, what the f— does it matter to the judge if you fight on May 5th or two weeks later?,” Arum said.

By Edward Chaykosvky

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48688

According to WBO President Francisco “Paco” Varcarcel, his organization’s welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao (54-3, 38KOs), will return in the month of June. The WBO President states that Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, told him Pacquiao was going to fight in June.

“I was told by Bob Arum that Pacquiao would fight in June, not in May,” Varcarcel said.

The likely date for Pacquiao’s return is June 9th. The most likely opponent, at the moment, is current WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto (37-2, 30KOs) of Puerto Rico. Pacquiao previously stopped Cotto in the twelfth round in 2009.

A fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. does not seem like a probable scenario for the first half of 2012. Mayweather has a return date of May 5th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – and then he reports to jail on June 1, where the boxer will serve out a portion of a 90-day sentence for a domestic incident.

By Miguel Rivera

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48604

The Philippine Star reports that WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao has selected his next opponent – if a deal can’t be reached with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Pacquiao and his promoter, Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, sat down yesterday and the veteran promoter saidthe meeting took 30 minutes. There were four choices on the table – WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, WBA 154-pound champion Miguel Cotto, WBO junior welterweight champion Tim Bradley and IBF/WBA 140-pound champion Lamont Peterson. Arum would not disclose the name of the opponent.

“We got everything done in 30 minutes,” Arum said. “Yes, he has made the choice. But I’m not gonna talk about it. Now I’m going back and let’s see if we can make what Manny wants to happen. We need to be sure everything is secure and that things are done the way they should be done.”

Arum said Pacquiao is going to fight in the last week of May or the first week of June. If it’s not against Mayweather, then it will be against the opponent he picked.

“Don’t say that,” Arum told a Filipino reporter when asked if Mayweather is out of the picture.

Pacquiao’s adviser, Michael Koncz, expects Pacquiao to make his announcement by the end of next week.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48531

Manny Pacquiao could decide today or tomorrow whether he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th — this according to Manny’s trainer.

Freddie Roach just told TMZ Manny and promoter Bob Arum are in the Philippines, figuring out if they can put off several deals to fight other boxers  … to clear the decks for a Mayweather fight in May.

Roach is scoffing at Mayweather’s tweet, in which he calls Pacquiao a “punk,” saying, “He should look in the mirror.  He’s been ducking us for 2 years.”

As for what weight class Pacquiao will fight Mayweather … Roach said 147 lbs — that’s the upper limit of welterweight.

Of course, even if Pacquiao can rearrange his schedule, both sides have to agree on a financial deal.  Roach says, “We’ll do it on even terms.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=48384

By Michael Collins: Someone needs to tell Bob Arum that WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is saying his cut is okay and he’s ready to take on WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. because Arum is still going on the belief that Pacquiao needs more time for his cut to heal. Arum is meeting with Pacquiao today in the Philippines to assist him in picking out his next opponent.

If Pacquiao really wants the Mayweather fight, then something productive should come from this meeting. If not, then you’ll have to assume that Pacquiao really didn’t want the Mayweather fight.

Pacquiao told Manila Standard writer Ronnie Nathanielsz “There is a possibility of fighting Mayweather in May and I’ll discuss what is best for us to do…[the cut is] fine and there’s no problem.”

Arum has an issue with the size of the MGM Grand, which is where Mayweather wants the fight to take place. The Grand only seats around 16,800 fans, and Arum wants to have a bigger arena that seats 45,000. Arum figures that $20 million will be lost if he agrees to let Pacquiao fight Mayweather at the MGM Grand rather than a larger venue.

Of course, Arum doesn’t seem to recognize that even more money will be lost if never takes the leash of Pacquiao and lets him fight Mayweather. The fight will generate huge profits on pay per view, both at home and in small theaters nationwide. Holding back on the fight just because the venue isn’t big enough is a narrow way of looking at the fight. Pacquiao won’t make anywhere near the kind of money he’ll make for a Mayweather fight if he goes ahead a takes on one of the four opponents that Arum has selected for him.

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=30310&more=1

El campeón mundial welter del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo (WBC), el invicto estadounidense Floyd Mayweather Jr., ha comenzado a desafiar al campeón mundial welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB), el filipino Manny Pacquiao. A través de su cuenta de la red social Twitter, retó al “Pacman” para que lo enfrente el próximo 5 de mayo, noche en que sus manejadores han reservado el MGM Grand en Las Vegas, para que realice su próximo combate ante un rival por confirmar.

Si bien “Money” Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) ya cuenta con la confirmación de su siguiente aparición, mientras que Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) había sido mencionado para regresar a la actividad el 9 o 16 de junio. Más allá de fechas, el filipino debía decidir quién sería su rival luego de la reunión que mantendrá con su promotor y titular de Top Rank, Bob Arum. El mismo Arum había señalado que sería Manny quien decidiera sobre las opciones del mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez (cuarto duelo), el puertorriqueño Miguel Cotto, o los estadounidenses Timothy Bradley y Lamont Peterson.

Pero en los últimos días, el astro filipino señaló que no tendría inconvenientes en enfrentar a Mayweather. Incluso advirtió que estaría dispuesto a realizarse las pruebas antidopaje que tanto reclama el equipo de su potencial oponente. “Si el combate no se realiza, no es por nosotros”, había remarcado. Y la respuesta de Floyd no tardó en llegar.

“Manny Pacquiao, te estoy convocando públicamente. Peleemos el 5 de mayo y démosle al mundo lo que quiere ver”, escribió Mayweather hoy en su cuenta de Twitter.

“Mi sentencia de prisión fue postergada porque la fecha (5 de mayo) está cerrada. Anímate, idiota“, agregó.

El viernes pasado, Mayweather recibió la noticia de que no irá a prisión hasta el 1º de junio, a pesar de que había sido sentenciado el 21 de diciembre a entregarse el 6 de enero, luego de que fuera condenado a seis meses de cárcel (90 días efectivo y 90 en suspenso) en conexión a una causa abierta en la que afronta cargos menores por agresión y violencia doméstica, según decidió la jueza de Paz de Las Vegas, Melissa Saragosa, en la Corte Suprema del Condado de Clark.

Saragosa señaló que dio lugar a los pedidos del abogado del boxeador, en torno a las obligaciones contractuales ya asumidas y que deben ser cumplidas. En tal sentido, el abogado del campeón, Richard Wright, había solicitado a la jueza permitir a su representado cumplir con sus obligaciones en torno al combate, enfatizando el beneficio económico hacia Las Vegas cada vez que Mayweather pelea.

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Mayweather_desaf_a_a_Pacquiao.php

MANNY Pacquiao confirmó que a partir de este martes se reunirá con el promotor Bob Arum en Filipinas para tratar de definir su siguiente contienda. El filipino reiteró su deseo de medirse con Floyd Mayweather, aun contra los planes de Arum, quien argumenta que esa megapelea merece un escenario mayor en capacidad que el MGM Grand de Las Vegas- a éste le caben 18 mil personas-, por lo cual le planteará al tagalo medirse con Lamont Peterson o Timothy Bradley el 9 ó 16 de junio, en tanto que el entrenador Freddie Roach tratará de que sea Lamont Peterson el rival.

El periodista Michael Marley se remite a estas declaraciones que Pacquiao hizo desde su patrias al veterano reportero Eddie Alinea:

“Lo he dicho antes una y otra vez y lo diré de nuevo, quiero a Floyd Mayweather en mi siguiente salida y no he cambiado de opinión pese a los recientes hechos. Insistiré ante Arum en dar preferencia a Mayweather sobre los otros cuatro mencionados (Peterson, Brdley, Juan Manuel Márquez y Miguel Cotto) para mi siguiente rival”.

Manny, de 33 años, remarcó: “Peleo para los fans, quiero hacerlos felices siempre. Pelearé contra quien sea que ellos quieran. No escojo combates. El que diga que esquivo a este o aquel peleador, no me conoce, o quiere ponerme en mal. Nunca eludí a nadie. Si lo hiciera, no estaría donde estoy”.

Pacquiao enfatizó: “Sabemos que Maywather no tiene promotor. Él negocia sus peleas. Y si no hay pelea, no será por mi causa”.

Arum, según Marley, parece favorecer a Peterson o Bradley.

Mike Koncz, agente de Manny, insiste en que debe ser Mayweather.

En tal situación, no volvió a mencionarse a Juan Manuel Márquez, para el que sería el cuarto encuentro del azteca con el asiático.

http://www.oem.com.mx/esto/notas/n2376933.htm

“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.”

Thus World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao declared by way of reacting to reports in media partly blaming him should the projected mega-fight not materialize.

“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,” Pacquiao told this writer in Tagalog in a long distance telephone conversation yesterday from General Santos City.

Asked where and what time his meeting with Arum, will be held, except to say that the American Hall of Fame promoter is arriving today .

“It’s not really fair for some quarters to blame me if, in the long run, the fight wouldn’t push through,” the 33-year-old RING MAGAZINE pound-for-pound best quipped. “As I have also been saying many times before, I fight for the fans. I want the fans to be happy always.”

“Whoever the fans want me to fight, I will face him atop the ring. I don’t choose fight. It is my promoter who does because it’s his job. My job is to fight, everybody must realize that,” Pacquiao, a lawmaker, a singer, movie actor, television host and a columnist, emphasized.

“Whoever says I’m ducking this fighter or that fighter, doesn’t know me, or just plainly wants to put me in bad light,” he surmised. “I never dodged from fighting anybody. If I did, I won’t be where I am now.”

The Pacquiao-Mayweather confrontation, the fight all of the boxing world wants to see, looked to have cleared of the impediments that aborted previous tries for it to materialize after Nevada Justice of the Peace Judge Melissa Saragosa deferred the unbeaten American welterweight 90-day incarceration she herself handed down shortly before year 2011 ended.
Statements coming from Arum though beclouded its realization in May as Mayweratherr himself wants leading every Tom, Dick and Harry to finger-pointing and blaming all those concerned, including the eight-division kingpin. The Harvard graduate Arum wants the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown held in November instead.

One of the arguments Arum advanced was that since the fight could be biggest in the history of boxing in terms of economics, he wants the fight held in a bigger arena he’s proposing to be constructed in the sing city of Las Vegas rather than the MGM Grand the World Boxing 147-pound belt holder had, in fact, reserved.

“After we’ve met, there will be negotiations between my promoters and his counterpart in whoever I’m going to fight. And you and I know that many things can happen in a negotiation,” he related. “If we agree that I will face Mayweather, then my promoter will talk to his counterpart in the Mayweather camp.”

“When Arum sits in the negotiation table, he will be laying on the table all the conditions we want, which , everybody knew already are simple. That I will abide by his demand for drug testing. I am even agreeable to get lesser purse just so the fight would push through,” he recalled. “In other words, as far as my side is concerned, there will be no problem.”

“We know, too, that Mayweather has no promoter. He negotiates by himself. So if the fight won’t be realized, it’s no longer because of me,” Pacquiao said.

By Eddie Alinea

http://philboxing.com/news/story-65006.html

Speculation persists that WBO world welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao and WBC world welterweight titlist “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather will meet May 5 in Las Vegas at a venue to be determined.

Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), the first pugilist in history to win 10 world crowns in eight separate weight divisions, earned an extremely controversial majority decision victory over WBA, WBO and The Ring lightweight king “Dinamita” Juan Manuel Marquez in their third fight last month at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In stark contrast to Pacquiao, Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) badly outclassed, and essentially embarrassed, Marquez (53-6-1, 38 KOs) with a shutout unanimous decision triumph in September 2009.

Pacquiao, named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), is an extremely powerful puncher with lighting-fast hands.

Nevertheless, Pacquiao’s legendary trainer, Freddie Roach, told abs-cbnnews.com Wednesday that he cautioned his fighter that Mayweather may possess even slightly quicker fists.

“I will bring in a whole new crew of sparring partners, guys that can imitate Floyd well,” said Roach, 51, a native of Dedham (Mass.) who was voted Trainer of the Year on four occasions by (BWAA). “There isn’t a lot of guys in the world that are like Floyd, so it would be tough to find them. We would prepare for his counter punching ability, and his speed, which is maybe equal to Manny’s, if not better.”

Mayweather, a spectacular talent who has captured nine world titles in five different boxing weight classes, has essentially dominated the sport of boxing since he made his professional debut with a second round TKO victory over Roberto Apodaca in October 1996.

“Pretty Boy” is a man whose ample abilities have primarily allowed him to avoid facing adversity in the ring.

In all likelihood, Mayweather is a better boxer than Pacquiao and he would be a decided favorite if the two ever clash in the future.

Still, Roach is confident that Pacquiao could exploit Mayweather’s flaws and overcome the dominant loudmouth.

“I think we can take advantage of those habits,” said Roach. “He does have some bad habits that can be exposed.”

One of Mayweather’s “bad habits” may not actually be a visual fault.

Unlike Pacquiao, Mayweather has never been in a violent struggle and his tenacity has been questioned by some critics.

To emerge victorious over the more complete Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao “can take advantage” of his oversized heart and attempt to vanquish “Pretty Boy’s” willpower as the rounds pass.

As 42 other prizefighters have discovered, such a simple plan may be prove to be utterly complex.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-boston/roach-says-pacquiao-can-take-advantage-of-mayweather

After the holidays, Michael Koncz, adviser to WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, plans to sit down with the Filipino superstar to discuss his next opponent. There are two viable options, WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who returns on May 5 in Las Vegas, and WBA/WBO lightweight beltholder Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao fought Marquez for a third time on November 12th, winning a close twelve round majority decision. Because of the close and controverial nature of the outcome, there is pressure to stage a fourth meeting with Marquez. However, there is also mounting pressure to fight Mayweather on the already scheduled May date at the MGM Grand.

Since the fight with Marquez, Koncz has not discussed any boxing related matters with Pacquiao, who returned to Manila earlier this week. The boxer is spending time with his wife and kids and doesn’t plan to discuss his next fight until after the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas, are over. Once the holidays are over, Koncz and Pacquiao will discuss all of the lucrative options – Mayweather, Marquez and whatever else is on the table. But, even Koncz admits Mayweather and Marquez are the two most lucrative options for Pacquiao’s next fight. Based on their discussion, Koncz will speak with Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum.

“Honestly, there’s been no discussions with Manny about boxing and we don’t plan to discuss the opponent [for 2012] until after the holidays,” said Koncz to AKTV. “[Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee] are having some quality time together.”

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