The World Boxing Organization on Wednesday announced it has assigned five judges to re-score Manny Pacquiao‘s controversial loss by decision to Palm Springs’ Timothy Bradley in an effort to convince state commissions to widen the pool of judges for major fights.

Although many at ringside for Saturday’s fight gave Pacquiao between nine and 11 rounds, judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross scored the bout 115-113 (seven rounds to five) in Bradley’s favor, and a third Nevada judge, Jerry Roth, had it 115-113 for Pacquiao in the WBO welterweight title contest.

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel said five judges, from New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico, will re-score the bout and submit their work confidentially to the WBO, with the scores to be gathered by Monday.

Valcarcel said that armed with that information, he will submit to the Assn. of Boxing Commissions by its July meeting a request that state commissions such as Nevada’s work more diligently to bring in judges from outside their states for fights of the magnitude of a world title contest.

Before the Pacquiao-Bradley judges were assigned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, Valcarcel said he submitted a list of 20 judges from elsewhere who could be assigned to the bout. None were chosen.

“We’re asking the ABC to make recommendations how a sanctioning body like ours can work better with a state commission, to use this experience to have better scoring in the future,” Valcarcel said.

Valcarcel said he is not considering stripping the WBO belt from Bradley, and will not order a mandatory rematch, because Pacquiao’s contract stipulates he would get a rematch if he lost the bout. In promoting the fight, Bradley had printed up a poster and ticket hyping Bradley-Pacquiao II on Nov. 10.

“This wasn’t Bradley’s fault, and we’re not saying there was any evidence of fraud or corruption here,” Valcarcel said. “That’s outside the scope of what we’re doing.”

He said he’s also not questioning the integrity of Ford or Ross.

“There are excellent judges available internationally, and they should be considered,” Valcarcel said. “We’ve done it here in Puerto Rico, bringing in judges from Nevada.”

 

By Lance Pugmire

http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-boxing-wbo-pacquiao-20120613,0,7574716.story?track=rss

MGM Grand, Las Vegas – Boxers usually look devastated in defeat but Manny Pacquiao smiled and turned his mind to quick, brutal revenge after being stunned by a controversial split decision loss to Timothy Bradley in their WBO welterweight showdown on Saturday.

Pacquiao surrendered his WBO welterweight title after earning one verdict from judge Jerry Roth (115-113) while CJ Ross (115-113) and Duane Ford (115-113) gave the fight to the American.

“Pacquiao was a tough, tough warrior. This guy can punch, he has speed. He has all the tools,” Bradley said. “I used my ability to clear some rounds, maybe the last five rounds I feel, to get the victory. I am still shocked.”

Bradley, a 5-1 underdog against Pacquiao, is also itching to have a rematch, which he had arrogantly promoted during the build-up to Saturday’s fight.

“That was all my idea, pretty much,” said the 28-year-old from Palm Springs in California after improving his career record to 29-0 with 12 knockouts.

“Just part of promoting the fight, hyping it up,” he added, addressing reporters from a wheelchair.

“I felt I was going to win this fight so the rematch is in place, the date is there. It’s definitely going to be a different fight.”

Bradley conceded that hearing the boos from the crowd after the decision had been announced gave him added motivation to get back into the ring with Pacquiao.

“I’m happy to be the new welterweight champion but I definitely would like to do this again,” said the American, who was back in the ring for the first time since he retained his WBO junior welterweight title by stopping Cuba’s Joel Casamayor in November.

“I heard all the boos at the end of the fight, which is okay because we need to do this again. Let’s make this more decisive.”

Bradley spoke to the media while sitting in a wheelchair before being taken to hospital to have a check on his ankles, which he said he had twisted during the second round.

“I injured my left foot in the second round, twisted my ankle, and now both of my ankles are swollen,” he added. “I got hit with some big shots early on but I persevered and went through the pain.”

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53822

MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV – Welterweight Manny Pacquiao spoke to the media shortly after his controversial split decision loss to Tim Bradley. The eight division champion was shocked at the scores and felt he won the fight.

“I respect the decision but 100% I believe I won the fight. I have to respect the decision and give my opponent credit,” Pacquiao said.

The Filipino also said that he wants to face Bradley again. The date of November 10th had been reserved at the MGM Grand for a rematch if Bradley was to win.

“I want the rematch but its up to my promoter Bob Arum,” Pacquiao said.

Arum said he had no problem making the fight if the congressman wanted it.

“If you want it Manny, we will do it. We have the right to it and it’s up to you. If you want it that’s what we do,” Arum told Pacquiao. 

Pacquiao finished his thoughts on the rematch by saying that he doesn’t want to let the fight go the distance and that he didn’t want to leave it in the judges hands.  

In a rematch my thinking is I don’t want it to go the whole twelve rounds,” Pacquiao

 

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53816

If you listen really carefully, you could hear the sound of laughter. Where is it coming from? From the Palm Springs area in the Southern California desert.

Still do not have an idea who it is coming from? Well, he was criticized by the media and diehard boxing fans for passing up on a guaranteed payday against Amir Khan last year and is about to step inside the ring against Manny Pacquiao this Saturday night.

Timothy Bradley had heard all the criticisms before, yet stood steadfast on his decision and the hope that there would be a big payday down the road.

That hope became a reality when he signed the contract and is only days away from taking on the one of if not the pound for pound boxer today.

Bradley will face Pacquiao in a 12 round bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. The bout will headline an eight-bout card, presented by Top Rank. The card will be televised on HBO Pay Per View.

Lost in the buildup and hype of the bout is that Bradley is challenging for Pacquiao’s world title belt. However, the bigger prize for Bradley is to assume the mythical title of pound for pound fighter, to certain members of the media, and cashing his biggest payday as a professional fighter.

Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) is coming off an eighth round technical knockout over faded former world champion Joel Casamayor back in November. Ironically, Bradley appeared on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III bout, which Pacquiao won by a disputed 12 round majority decision.

Prior to the Casamayor fight, Bradley was involved in a roller coaster of events. After defeating Devon Alexander in January of last year, Bradley had a guaranteed $1.4 million payday waiting for him and a potential deal lined up to fight Amir Khan.

However, that deal never materialized as Bradley was involved in promotional issues with Gary Shaw and Thompson Boxing. After being sued by both promotional companies and waiting for his contract with both promotional companies to expire, Bradley signed on with Top Rank.

The move by Bradley and manager Cameron Dunkin was widely criticized by the media, especially when there was a guaranteed payday of almost $1.5 million for Bradley after his victory over Alexander.

However, the decision by Bradley turned out to be a shrewd and wise one as he will be making about five million dollars for the fight, about the same amount that Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley made. Marquez and Mosley were Pacquiao’s last two opponents. Not to mention that he has a legitimate opportunity to defeat Pacquiao.

“I heard all the criticisms from the media regarding that deal,” Bradley told Fightnews.com over the phone on Tuesday afternoon. “I didn’t care about what they said about me. I knew there was a better opportunity out there for me and I capitalized on it. Cameron Dunkin deserves the credit for working hard and making this fight happen.”

“When it was all said and done, I was the one who had the last laugh.”

However, the last laugh would be to defeat the popular Filipino fighter, an achievement nobody has done since Erik Morales defeated Pacquiao back in March of 2005.

Bradley’s style could give Pacquiao problems as Bradley has shown in previous fights to press the fight and be the aggressor in an attempt to back up his opponents. However, Bradley has shown in the last couple of years that he could box and not just come forward and throw wild punches.

Bradley’s speed and tenacity could work for him or against him, but one thing that he does not lack is confidence, something that he has showing more of during press conferences and on the hit HBO series, 24/7: Pacquiao-Bradley.

“I talk more now because I have a lot of confidence in what I do. I didn’t have as much confidence as I do now and now that I have that confidence, I’m more open. It’s through all that hard work that I’ve put in with my team (his trainer Joe Diaz and his father, Timothy, Sr.) over the years.”

While Bradley admits that the intensity of this camp has been the most strenuous of his career, he has not had any outside the gym distractions like Pacquiao has had in leading up to Saturday’s fight.

Aside from the hardcore training regimen one is accustomed to seeing in the gym by Pacquiao, most of the news on Pacquiao has been on him participating in bible readings due to prior infidelity issues and the ongoing drama between trainer Freddie Roach and strength/ conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Bradley does not think that will be a problem for Pacquiao, wanting to fight him at his best and not because of any distractions. Bradley would know about bible readings as he is deeply religious and involved in his church back home in the Coachella Valley.

“Manny is a good fighter and a professional. Being at those bible readings will help make him a stronger person. I don’t think any of those issues with Freddie and Ariza will get to him. He’ll still have both guys in his corner.”

After a stellar amateur career that began when he was 10 years old, Bradley began his professional career almost eight years ago at an outdoor warehouse yard in Corona, CA. No one at the venue knew that night Bradley, nine days shy of his 21st birthday, would be in the position where he is now based on his second round technical knockout over Francisco Martinez.

The Bradley fight opened the card for fighters such as Chris Arreola and Josesito Lopez that night.

Bradley has worked hard to get to where he is at now. While some favor for Pacquiao to win on Saturday night, it has not hurt the ego or confidence of Bradley. He has heard it all too often in the past and has enjoyed proving naysayers wrong.

He did so when he traveled to England and defeated Junior Witter to win his first world title belt. He did so when he got up from being knocked down twice to defeat Kendall Holt.

He is confident he will do the same on Saturday night against Pacquiao.

“I have motivation to fight for my family, but I also have the motivation to prove these people wrong. A victory over Manny will just be the beginning for me. I’ve worked so hard to get to where I’m at now.”

“I can’t wait to fight on June 9th.”

A victory on June 9th will indeed give Bradley the last laugh.

 

Story by Francisco Salazar
Photos by Chris Cozzone

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/bradley-ready-to-have-last-laugh-117584

On the most recent edition of The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com’s official audio show, undefeated Tim Bradley told us that he is relaxed as he enters the final stages of his training camp for his June 9th pay-per-view fight against WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao.

“I’m just thinking about backing up everything I’ve said. I’m just thinking about doing what I got to do. I want to see what it feels like when I step in with the best pound for pound,” Bradley said.

The Palm Springs, California native said that it won’t take him long to know how difficult his fight against Pacquiao will be. 

“I will know in the first round if I am going to win the fight. I will know if it’s going to be an easy or a difficult fight. I want to test his speed, his power.  It only takes me two rounds to figure guys out. I figure guys out fast and I am like ‘I know what he’s trying to do. He’s trying to go to the body’ and I take that away from him,” Bradley would tell us on The Boxing Lab.

The 28-year old fighter said that while he has been labeled a volume puncher, he has many other attributes.  Bradley said that he uses whatever skills are needed to beat the opponent in front of him and that against Pacquiao he will need to put all of his talent on display. 

“A lot of people call me a high volume puncher and it is true, I have done that in some fights. If I see a guy isn’t on my level I just take them out. In the Pacquiao fight I will need to use my boxing ability and my pressure as well,” he concluded. 

You can listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here: http://tobtr.com/s/3194849

 

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53464

Hollywood, California.– El campeón mundial invicto Tim Bradley hizo un viaje especial por carretera a Hollywood de California desde su campo de entrenamiento en Indio, California, para continuar promocionado su esperado duelo contra Manny Pacquiao, que se realizará el próximo 9 de junio en el MGM Grand de Las Vegas.

 “ Esto ha sido muy grato para mi, pues estoy muy contento de todo la atención que esta pelea muy ha atraído y la oportunidad de demostrar todo mi talento”, dijo Bradley, actual monarca de peso welter jr. de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB). Bradley, habló con la prensa en el Gimnasio Fortune de Hollywood, antes de trabajar con su entrenador Joel Diaz por espacio de una hora y media.

“ Ya me siento listo y estoy ansioso de subir al ring para enfrentar al reto mas importante de mi carrera profesional. Estoy seguro que será una gran pelea”, dijo Bradley.

 ¿Que tan confiado estará el equipo de Bradley de ganar? Ayer durante el entrenamiento, traina un poster gigante y presentaron a la prensa credenciales para la segunda pelea contra Pacquiao el próximo 10 de noviembre.

 “ Ya firme para la revancha de Pacquiao, todo lo que tengo que hace es ganar esta primera pelea, pero como estoy tan seguro que la ganaré, ya quiero que le gente se prepare para la segunda en noviembre,”, dijo un sonriente Bradley.

“ A mi nunca nadie me han regalado nada y es que tendré que estar al cien por ciento para derrotar al mejor peleador del mundo y crean me que lo voy estar. Esta la victoria que cambiara mi vida y la de mi familia”, dijo Bradley.

 Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s) expondrá su campeonato de peso welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) ante Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs), el actual monarca superligero de la OMB en el duelo estelar de una función que será televisada en vivo a través del sistema de pago por evento, comenzado a las 6:00 p.m. (Hora del Este)/ 9:00 p.m. (Hora del Pacifico).

 La magna función que incluiría el regreso del tetra campeón mundial mexicano Jorge “Travieso” Arce quien se enfrentara al boricua Jesús Rojas, y dos peleas de campeonato mundial, en una Mike Jones buscara su primera corona mundial cuando se enfrente al ex campeón mundial Randalla Bailey por la corona de peso welter de la Federación Internacional de Boxeo (FIB) y en la otra el cubano Guillermo Rigondeaux expondrá su corona de peso supergallo de la Asociación mundial de Boxeo (AMB) ante Teon Kennedy.

La magna función será promovida por Top Rank en asociación con MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T y el MGM Grand de Las Vegas.

 Los boletos para la Pacquiao-Bradley ya están la venta y tienen un precio de $1,200, $900, $600, $400 y $200. Los boletos de $1,200, $900, $600 y $400 tienen un límite de compra de10 por persona y los de $200 tiene un límite de dos boletos por persona. Por teléfono pueden ser adquiridos llamando a Ticketmaster al (800) 745-3000. Por Internet www.mgmgrand.com o www.ticketmaster.com.

 

Por Ricardo Jiménez, Top Rank

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

 

Hollywood, Ca.  — “STORM WARNING IN LA” — Undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.(ctr), dad Ray Bradley (L) and trainer Joel Diaz(R) and unidentified member(back left) pose during a jam-packed media day Tuesday in preparation for his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against  superstar Manny Pacquiao. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53407

Hollywood, Ca.  — Superstar Manny Pacquiao hits the speed bag during training at the Wildcard Boxing Club Monday in preparation for his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on HBO Pay Per View. — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52867

From the moment he officially signed on to face Manny Pacquiao, there has been an unwavering sense of confidence coming from the camp of Timothy Bradley. An unbeaten titleholder in the junior welterweight class, Bradley will be moving up in weight to challenge Pacquiao for his WBO welterweight crown inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9th.

Bold proclamations and heavy bravado are familiar traits of underdogs in boxing but there are times when you can sense a genuine beleif coming from a fighter and his team. Such is the case with Bradley’s head trainer Joel Diaz, a man who has been guiding Tim’s career since his professional debut against Francisco Martinez in August of 2004 in Corona, California.
 
While other trainers may either be more outspoken or have collected more accolades than Diaz, who was a former title challenger and came from a fighting family, he seems content on staying away from the spotlight and focusing on honing Bradley’s skills as the Pacquiao clash inches closer.

I caught up with Diaz recently and got some updates on Bradley’s camp in Palm Springs, California.
 
Whether discussing how Bradley is looking thus far in camp, admitting that it will be quite the chore trying to find future sparring partners, or revealing a little bit of his blueprint as far as how to fight Pacquiao, Diaz spoke with a candid tone that couldn’t fully mask the eagerness he too carries.
 
In his own words, this is what Diaz had to share…
 
Positive vibes…

“Everything’s going real good. We’re ahead of schedule and everything is moving along real, real well. It’s just all positive vibes. Everything around the camp, everything is positive. And a lot of hype. Everybody around the team is very excited, because we see the improvement in Tim. His hand speed, we see everything that he’s been doing. Of course, it’s a good feeling and we feel we’re going to be victorious on June 9th.”
 
Maintaining Bradley’s progress in camp…
“I have to keep my schedule of workouts and maintain it, as well as the rest of the team. They have to do their job as far as keeping in touch with how he’s doing and what he’s doing. He’s been training already for a month and a half, but for three days a week. This week we started camp officially, every day, since Monday. [Wednesday] was his second day of sparring and he looked really, really good. As a matter of fact, for being the second day, he looked spectacular. That was something that that got everybody got excited. As soon as he finished his sparring, that’s all he did, because the day before he put in his gym work and then he did his conditioning. To me, it was basically focusing on sparring. He wanted more, but I had to cut the work.”

Keeping Bradley moving…
“But he’s complying pretty good and he’s not saying ‘No’ to what we decide, especially when I tell him, we’re still quite a ways ahead. I don’t want him to be burned out. Because he started his conditioning training, his running, and all that stuff he started a month ago. When it comes to coming down to the gym and I was like ‘No, no, no. We’re just going to come to the gym three days a week for now’. We have to watch his training and that’s my job. He looked good in sparring and tomorrow we’ll focus more on what happened today. On Saturday, it depends how he’s feeling. I might have him move in the ring with a southpaw, somebody who can keep him busy, keep him moving.”
 
The sparring partners in camp…
“These kids we’re sparring now, they’re good fighters but I don’t think they’re going to last. We got a couple of them already, they came down and sparred. Real good fighters, real strong kids, but after today, they can probably finish the week and then I got to send them back and get some other sparring partners. Because he’s dialed them in right away and all they do is they just become another opponent. And I don’t want nobody to get hurt. Right now, with Timothy’s hand speed, his movement, and his strength is becoming a big factor. I’m looking for another two or three sparring partners for the following week.”
 
The difficulty in recruiting future sparring mates…
“Let me tell you one thing; watching Manny Pacquiao, you cannot find sparring similar as Manny. That is very hard. What I am focusing on is just having some young, fresh fighters. I’m not looking for veteran fighters, old fighters. Because old fighters have a slow pace, they’re more experienced type of fighters. I want fighters that are aggressive, fast, and they’re constantly throwing punches. That’s the reason why I have two, three, even four sparring partners in line, because I’m switching them every two rounds. I’m switching them, I’m starting guys fresh, from the beginning. I don’t want to have a kid go four, five rounds by himself, because Tim, after the second round, he will start breaking him. So after the third round, they’re just taking a beating. My strategy right now is to have four fighters on standby and keep throwing them in there after every two rounds.”
 
Not concerned about Bradley’s weight…

“As far as his weight, that’s not even an issue. He’s walking around right now at 155 [pounds]. He says ‘You know what coach? By the end of May, I want to be at 148. I want to be slim and fast and strong’. I told him ‘You don’t have to. I need you to be at 150, 152’. And he says ‘Coach, for that fight I’m going to come in at 145, 146’ and I asked ‘What for? I want you at 147’. He goes ‘Because I want to be solid muscle. Fast, solid muscle’. With his diet and the way he runs, he’s always looking really, really good. The way he’s working out, he’s generated a lot of hand speed. He’s faster, he’s stronger, his movement, everything. We’re putting everything together. We’re putting the whole package together.”

Why you have to take risks against Manny Pacquiao…
“Look, me as a trainer, my plan goes in different stages. Early, middle, and end. And that’s the way it’s going to be. At the same time, it’s not going to be a game of chess. It could be, early in the rounds, early in the fight. Because we have to study the fighter, we can’t just get in there reckless. But it’s going to be a very exciting fight, because Tim wants to win it. I want to win. If you want to win against Manny Pacquiao, you’ve got to take risks. You’ve got to take risks, but smart risks. You can’t just get reckless. At the same time, you can’t just let Manny unload all the time. You have to take risks no matter what. Early in the fight, due to the fact that you have to study your opponent, of course it’s going to be a game of chess early in the fight. But after that, by the middle of the fight, I think it’s going to be a fight.”

 

By Chris Robinson

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52030

New York, N.Y.  —  Undefeated Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy “The Desert Storm” Bradley Jr.(R) arrives in New York late Tuesday night with his trainer Joel Diaz(L) on the cross-country media tour to promote his upcoming World Welterweight title mega-fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao. Bradley is in town for a Thursday press conference at Chelsea Piers-Pier 61.  Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Bradley will take place, Saturday, June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on Pay Per View.  — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49856

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS, NEV – Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and TIMOTHY “Desert Storm” BRADLEY, JR. will embark on a two-city, coast-to-coast media tour, beginning in Beverly Hills, Calif., Next Tuesday!  February 21, to announce and celebrate the Pacquiao vs. Bradley World Welterweight Championship.  Pacquiao and Bradley, who have won 11 world titles between them, will go toe-to-toe for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship on Saturday, June 9, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.  The fight will be broadcast Live on Pay-Per-View.  Joining Pacquiao and Bradley on the tour will be their respective trainers, Freddie Roach and Joel Diaz, and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Tecate, AT&T and MGM Grand, tickets to Pacquiao vs. Bradley will go on sale Next Friday!  February 24 at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, and will be priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200.  Ticket sales at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two (2) per person.  To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000.  Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com .

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23 – Open to the Public!

Chelsea Piers at Pier 60 – THE LIGHTHOUSE

23rd Street and the Hudson River

New York, NY 10011

Noon ET – News Conference

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49638

 

Last week, WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao chose undefeated Tim Bradley to be his next opponent.  The undefeated junior welterweight champion was selected from a list of four fighters that also included Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Lamont Peterson.  During the selection process, Pacquiao received criticism for having two junior welterweights in Bradley and Peterson on his short list of opponents.  Some critics said that those fighters would be too small for Pacquiao even though the Filipino icon typically weighs in far below the welterweight limit and seems to be a natural junior welterweight himself.

BoxingScene.com recently caught up with Bradley to get his opinion on moving up in weight to face Pacquiao.  Bradley immediately debunked the theory that he will be too small for Pacquiao and said that there is a good chance he will be the heavier man on fight night.

“When I enter the ring I will probably be 150 or 151 pounds, give or take a pound or two,” Bradley told Boxingscene.com.

The Southern California based Bradley also said that he regularly fought in the 152 pound weight class in the amateurs and that he will have more power as a welterweight.  In July of 2010 Bradley soundly defeated Luis Carlos Abregu in his HBO debut in a fight fought at the welterweight limit.

“147 is my natural weight.  People don’t know but in the amateurs I fought at 152 pounds,” stated Bradley.  “People say I don’t have power but it is a real struggle to get down to 140.  I walk around at 160 or more.  I will be a lot more comfortable and have more pop at 147.  People will see that on June 9th,” he continued.

Pacquiao-Bradley takes place on June 9th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV and will be broadcast by HBO pay-per-view.

 

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=49507

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-

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

El filipino Manny Pacquiao, campeón welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB),  ha puesto fecha para su siguiente, ha escogido a su rival y Floyd Mayweather Jr. no está sobre el tapete.

En una entrevista reciente con Chris Mannix de Sports Illustrated, Bob Arum, director de Top Rank, reveló que Pacquiao volverá el 9 de junio en un escenario al aire libre en Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mayweather está programado para luchar el 5 de mayo en el MGM Grand. El escenario al aire libre que será construido temporalmente para la presentación de Pacquiao, será de 38,000 aficionados dijo Arum.

Arum no reveló el nombre del rival. Pacquiao seleccionó a su rival de una lista de cuatro nombres: Juan Manuel Márquez, Timothy Bradley, Miguel Cotto y Lamont Peterson.

Los aficionaos esperaban ver Pacquiao combatir contra Mayweather, pero Arum tratará de organizar el combate para el mes de noviembre.

En una entrevista anterior con BoxingScene.com, el consejero de Mayweather, Leonardo Ellerbe, dijo que la fecha del 5 de mayo no se cambiaría, porque legalmente obligaron a Mayweather a luchar esa fecha en particular. Mayweather tiene una sentencia de 90 días de cárcel por abuso doméstico y fue retrasado hasta el 1 de junio para permitir al boxeador actuar el 5 de mayo.

 

http://www.notifight.com/artman2/publish/Reporte_7/Pacquiao_volver_a_al_ring_el_9_de_junio.php

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

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

RingTV.com has learned that former WBO/WBC bantamweight titleholder Nonito Donaire will climb a division to make his junior featherweight debut against THE RING’s No. 9-rated 122 pounder Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on Feb. 11 or Feb. 18. Las Vegas is the likely locale for the fight.

Donaire-Vazquez would be for the WBO’s junior featherweight belt that is being vacated by Jorge Arce, who dethroned Vazquez Jr. (21-1-1, 17 KOs) by 12th-round knockout on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s unanimous decision over Shane Mosley in May.

Arce has dropped back down to bantamweight for a unanimous decision victory over Angky Angkotta to earn the vacant WBO belt in that division no Nov. 26.

Promoted by Top Rank Inc., Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs) is coming off last month’s unanimous decision over WBO junior bantamweight beltholder Omar Narvaez, who lost every round on the cards of the three judges in their bout at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Donaire returned to sparring and training on Monday, according to a source close to the fighter.

RingTV.com initially reported that Donaire-Vazquez as being eyed as a pay per view main event in Las Vegas, but other reports have since indicated that Donaire could return to New York.

 

by Lem Satterfield

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/rumors/articles/170485-donaire-vazquez-likely-for-february

It has happened many times before. A fighter brought in to face a young, undefeated fighter that is on a collision course for a big money fight. Or even a world title opportunity down the line. Most often, the unbeaten fighter is not only favored to win such a fight, but he is expected to do so in an impressive manner over the underdog fighter. Such was the case just 10 days ago, when then-unbeaten Luis Cruz fought against Juan Carlos Burgos on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez bout in Las Vegas. In the eyes of many members of the media, Cruz was supposed to defeat the hard-hitting Mexican.

Burgos deserved better. The 26 year old had only lost once in his professional career and was ranked in the top five by a major sanctioning body. Still, Burgos understood the situation at hand: He was fighting the house fighter (Cruz is promoted by Top Rank) and was an underdog to members of the media and fight fans alike.

However, Burgos flipped the script and fought a mostly-solid fight against Cruz. Burgos started very well and finished strong, earning a hard-fought 10 round majority decision.

“It didn’t bother me that I was the underdog,” said Burgos at a luncheon on Monday to celebrate his victory over Cruz. “I just demonstrated what I was capable of and that I was just as good if not a better fighter than him.”

Also at the luncheon, Burgos was officially presented with two belts that he had won that night: the WBC silver super featherweight title and the WBO Latino super featherweight title.

Burgos (28-1, 19 KO’s) is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing Promotions and Banner Promotions.
Burgos had won two bouts in a row since the only loss on his record, which was a 12 round unanimous decision to Hozumi Hasegawa last November. Even in defeat, Burgos, who made his professional debut 16 days shy of his 17th birthday, gained a great deal of experience in the fight.

“I learned a great deal in my first loss,” said the soft-spoken Burgos, who resides in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. “I learned that I could not be too confident going into a fight, especially a world title bout. I reflected and moved on to this opportunity. My preparation was very well for this fight and I demonstrated it against Cruz.”

Burgos knew what he was up against with Cruz. The Puerto-Rican fighter had mowed through decent, but not stellar competition within the last year or so. In his last fight in September, Cruz brutally knocked out former world title challenger Antonio Davis.

Studying film from Cruz’s victory over Martin Honorio, Burgos and his team, which includes former bantamweight Gerardo Espinoza, put together a game plan that would take the fight to Cruz.

“We saw that Cruz was not as fast or hit as hard. He (Cruz) hit Honorio solid, but the punches did not affect him. As you saw, the left hand kept landing for me. I had to box him and not fall into his fight. We had to win as many rounds as possible because he was the promoter’s fighter.”
“This was the fight of my life and I was pleased with my performance.”

Although Burgos won two regional belts at 130 pounds, he wants to still campaign at 126 pounds. Burgos has campaigned at mostly featherweight and went up in weight to fight Cruz on November 12th.

Burgos is eager to get back in the gym and face another top fighter in the featherweight division. No more 10 round fights. No more tune-ups. Burgos is eager to face the best of what the division has to offer.

“My main objective is to face the best fighters at 126 pounds. I want to be a world champion in the featherweight division. I want to fight the best fighters out there. I think that I demonstrated against Cruz that I’m capable of fighting and beating those fighters.”

When asked about whom he would like to face, Burgos responded, “Whomever. Jhonny Gonzalez. Orlando Salido. Juan Manuel Lopez. (Miguel Angel) Mikey Garcia. I want to fight the best out there.”

Burgos has slowly emerged as a legitimate contender. He is also an emerging contender from the fight town of Tijuana, which has seen its great deal of champions and contenders.
Located along the border opposite the city of San Diego, Tijuana just might see another one of its fighters win a world title belt as soon as next year. Although Burgos is eager for that to happen, he is not getting ahead of himself and actually respects those Tijuana fighters that came before him.

“It is a great motivation for me to be another fighter to win a world title from Tijuana. Obviously my uncle (Victor Burgos), (Antonio) DeMarco, (Antonio) Margarito, Erik (Morales) have kept Tijuana on the boxing map. Seeing those fighters and their success motivates me to become a world champion. I definitely give extra work in the gym because of that.”

Everything may have been in line for Cruz to win. Except Burgos did not receive the memo that Cruz was supposed to win. Instead, Burgos did fight the bout of his career, winning a deserving decision.

Next time a bout takes place between an unbeaten fighter on the rise and “the underdog,” do not always assume that the unbeaten fighter will win.

Juan Carlos Burgos proved that theory does not always hold true. Based in his eagerness to face the best and well-known fighters in the division, he is eager to prove people wrong again.

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/juan-carlos-burgos-receives-belts-after-upset-win-102512

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquaio is confident that he won a twelve round decision in his trilogy fight with Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Probably since the second fight with Marquez in 2008, Pacquiao has dominated the competition – including lopsided wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Joshua Clottey, David Diaz, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.

The third bout with Marquez was another close fight. Pacquiao won a twelve round majority decision, scores of 114-114, 116-112 and 115-113. There are many people who scored the fight in favor of Marquez. Because of his recent string of wins, Pacquiao told Filipino reporters that everyone expects one-sided performances in every fight but boxing doesn’t work like that.

“I believed that before the bout was over, I was ahead and winning. [But] I was not convinced in my performance and I wasn’t able to deliver what the people expected of me. That’s boxing. There are instances where you don’t win through a one-sided fight. You can’t always beat your opponent in a lopsided way. They also have fists. It so happened that my fight was a close fight,” Pacquiao said.

By Pawel Pronishev

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46280

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao returned home to the Philippines and as usual he was mobbed by the local fans, who greeted the boxer as he arrived from the United States. Pacquiao won a twelve round majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao would later attend mass at the Quiapo Church in Manila.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46263

 

November 17, 2011 (BOXING)  –  On Thursday, Francisco Valcarcel gave me his thoughts regarding the yellow substance Juan Manuel Marquez ingested on November 12.  Mr. Valcarcel, a Puerto Rican lawyer who serves as the president of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), said: “. . . in Nevada, a fighter can ingest the Gatorade refreshments during the bout.  Please remember that according to the Muhammad Ali Act, the Nevada State Athletic Commission has jurisprudence.”

Muhammad Ali Act  >

According to Section 2 (2) of the Act, “State officials are the proper regulators of professional boxing events, and must protect the welfare of professional boxers and serve the public interest by closely supervising boxing activity in their jurisdiction.”  The Muhammad Ali Act was enacted by Congress in 2000.

On Wednesday, Mr. Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), was kind enough to give me this response:  “Water and electrolyte drinks are allowed in the corner.  Any electrolyte drink must be brought to the arena in factory-sealed, plastic bottles.   Mr. Marquez used water and Pedialyte on Saturday night.”

Pedialyte  >

Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution, is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and is designed to rehydrate one’s body, replacing fluids and mineral lost either through illness or strenuous activity.

Referring to NSAC’s rulebook (see NAC 467), we could not identify regulations specifying what a fighter is allowed to ingest during a bout.  However, in Section 28 part (a) of the WBO’s rulebook, “Only plain water may be given to a contestant in the course of the bout.”

 

By: Mary Dumon International Sports Examiner

http://www.examiner.com/international-sports-in-national/wbo-s-official-statement-on-yellow-substance

CIUDAD DE MEXICO — El mexicano Juan Manuel Márquez afirmó que se se realiza una cuarta pelea contra el filipino Manny Pacquiao por el campeonato mundial welter de la Organización Mundial de Boxeo, “él pondrá las condiciones”.

Dinamita Márquez llegó al aeropuerto internacional de la ciudad de México procedente de Las Vegas, Nevada, donde el sábado perdió ante Pacman Pacquiao en una controversial decisión, por el fajín welter OMB en el hotel casino MGM Grand.

“Si se llega a firmar un cuarto combate ante Pacquiao, yo pondré las condiciones para evitar fallos injustos como el del sábado donde merecía ganar y es el sentir de todos los aficionados”, comentó el peleador.

Pese a que llegó pasada la una de la mañana, un numeroso grupo de medios lo esperaron en el aeropuerto capitalino, donde fue recibido por su esposa e hijos y dio sus impresiones del desafío ante el ídolo asiático.

“Todo mundo vio la pelea y el ganador fui yo, pero los jueces vieron otro combate y se lo dieron a Pacquiao. Espero que la OMB revoque el resultado porque yo gané la pelea con la mejor preparación de mi carrera”, destacó.

De un posible cuarto encuentro ante Pacquiao, mencionó que fuera en el Estadio Azteca, pero por lo pronto descansará con su familia para analizar su futuro, aunque no descartó el retiro después de 18 años en el boxeo profesional.

Acerca de la propaganda del Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) que portó en su calzoncillo, mencionó que no hizo proselitismo y que desconocía que había elecciones en el estado de Michoacán. “Yo estaba concentrado para la pelea y de la publicidad no supe nada”.

Márquez firmó autógrafos y gorras a aficionados que lo reconocieron en el tumulto de medios especializados que cubrieron la llegada del capitalino, considerado “el campeón sin corona” tras el polémico revés ante Manny el sábado en Las Vegas.

 

http://espndeportes.espn.go.com/news/story?id=1418004&s=box&type=story

WBO Latino featherweight champion Juan Carlos Burgos told The Boxing Lab, BoxingScene.com’s official audio show that he feels that Luis Cruz overlooked him in their fight this past Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Burgos, who moved up to 130 pounds for the fight, feels the Puerto Rican fighter was already looking ahead to future fights including a potential title shot.

“They thought it was going to be an easy fight. They didn’t give me any credit. At the press conference they said they would be a champ in 2012. This was a very big fight for me,” Burgos told The Boxing Lab’s Ernie Gabion.

Burgos said that they formulated their game plan based in part on Cruz’s fight versus Martin Honrio that took place this past April.

“We saw his fight before with Honorio and he was hitting him with a lot of left hooks so that was our strategy. After I hit the hooks early on he didn’t have as much movement so I knew the hooks were working. We were using them from the head to the body,”. Burgos told The Boxing Lab.

Burgos said that they wanted to apply pressure on Cruz from the opening bell. Based on the Honorio fight, he didn’t think Cruz would be abe to withstand the pressure.

“Our plan was to pressure him from the opening rounds and that is what we did,” said Burgos.

Cruz started to come on late but it was a case of too little too late. When asked if he was tiring towards the end of the fight, Cruz responded by saying, “I wasn’t tired at all. I was in great condition. Early on I connected on Cruz a lot. My strategy was to move around later on to frustrate Cruz and make him make mistakes.”

 

By Ryan Burton

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=46067