James DeGale will continue playing the pantomime villain if it sells tickets, but insists the act fails to reflect his true personality.

DeGale’s feud with super-middleweight rival and former amateur stablemate George Groves rages on with the fighters both renewing hostilities on Thursday.

They met at a press conference called to announce that they will both appear on Frank Warren’s bill at ExCeL London on December 9, facing as-yet unnamed opponents.

Eventually they are expected to meet for a second time in a professional ring – Warren wants to make the fight as soon as possible – when DeGale will seek to avenge the points defeat he suffered in May.

Groves won the popularity contest as well as prevailing in the ring and has seen his profile grow since that night at the O2 Arena.

Aware that he will always be cast as the bad guy, DeGale insists Groves brings out the worst in him.

“Anyone who’s not a boxing fan thinks I’m arrogant and too big for my boots,” said the European champion, who will be challenging for the WBO intercontinental title on December 9.

“It hurts me a little bit because everyone who meets and knows me sees that I’m a genuine and humble boy.

“But boxing needs this. It needs the rivalry and the personalities. People see me on TV and say ‘look at him, he’s arrogant’.

“But as long as people keep buying the tickets it doesn’t matter.

“It’s the role I’ll have to continue playing, especially with Groves, because I’ve been made out to be the villain.

“I read a letter in a magazine saying that I’m a control freak, and I couldn’t believe what I was reading. It was crazy.

“Sometimes part of me wants to go on a bit of a charm offensive. In my last fight I was humble and respectful.

“But with George…..I can’t do it.. He’s so smug and horrible. He winds me up.

“There’s real history there and it’s good for boxing. I feel confident around him, he doesn’t feel the same.

“You can feel the tension and it’s not coming from me, I’m cool with it.”

The enmity is based on personality as much as their rivalry in the ring.

The two are vastly different characters, DeGale noisy and self-assured yet affable in a way that is at odds with his public image, while the equally likeable Groves is more thoughtful and grounded, with a quick wit.

Groves believes their contrasting outlooks ensure friendship will always be impossible.

“I’m trying not to be the good guy. I reckon that if I went down the street kicking children I’d still be seen as the good guy!” he said.

“James is himself. You have to let him off the leash and be himself. Let people decide what sort of person he is.

“I just try to be myself, not a goody-two-shoes or a saint.

“I’m sarcastic and like to make fun of people and it’s easy to make fun of James DeGale.

“I don’t think we’ll ever be friends. He’s not my cup of tea. I don’t like who he is, the things he says, the way he acts.”

DeGale craves a rematch as early as possible, but Groves would rather wait to maximise the financial rewards.

“I want that cash cow (DeGale) to keep winning. He’ll be my pension fund one day,” said Groves.

“I got paid a reasonable amount for the first fight and I could get paid a life-changing amount for the second fight.”

Last night WBO cruiserweight champion Marco Huck publicly called out both Klitschko brothers on one of Germany’s biggest TV shows “TV Total.” ‘Captain’ Huck had a special present for host Stefan Raab who hosts a platform diving event this weekend which will feature Huck as one of the guest stars: A life-size cardboard stand-up of himself holding baby-versions of the Klitschkos in his arms, complete with broken teeth and with Wlad sporting a black eye. “I don’t care which brother I can get my hands on. I would fight both of them right away,” proclaimed Huck. Raab stated, “If you win our diving event I will talk to Wladimir and make the fight happen!” David Haye drew the ire of the Klitschko family with an image on a t-shirt. How will they react to this? On Best Survival Products you will find all the preparedness gear you need to be ready in case of emergency. Be equipped to ensure your safety with our self-defense products and to face natural disaters with our survival supplies and kits. Rotorm – Survival Products Shop Online – That said, getting the best survival bow may be the difference between merely surviving or thriving even under harsh conditions. Several brands purport to offer the perfect survival bow but this only makes it harder for you. However, we are here to help you discover some of the top bows on the market.

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/huck-calls-out-the-klitschkos-101257

 

WBO #8-ranked heavyweight Amir “Hard Core” Mansour (15-0, 10 KOs) will face Columbian Epifanio “Diamante” Mendoza (32-12-1, 28 KOs) in the ten-round main event on Friday, December 2 at the Rollins Center inside Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, DE. Mansour won the interim NABO heavyweight belt with a one-sided win over Dominick Guinn last time out, while Mendoza impressively stopped former Puerto Rican Olympian Carlos Negron in his last bout. “I respect Mendoza, but I feel that I can beat any heavyweight in the world, especially at Dover Downs because of the unbelievable support I have from the fans there. They would have to carry me out on a stretcher before I would disappoint them,” stated Mansour. The co-feature has the WBA’s #14-ranked lightweight, “Dangerous” Dorin Spivey (39-6, 29 KOs) taking on an opponent to be determined.

Mansour has gained a reputation as a spectacular knockout puncher, but has proved he could go the distance after he shut out steel-chinned former contender Dominick ‘The Southern Disaster” Guinn over ten rounds in his previous bout.

“Amir is like no other fighter I’ve managed,” said manager Keith Stoffer. “Outside the ring he is the nicest guy you’d meet, but inside the ring he is a force to be reckoned with. He’s proven repeatedly that he has a devastating punch and the last fight he proved he could go the distance – we’re ready to take it to the top.”

Also scheduled to appear on the card in separate bouts are junior welterweight Edgar Santana (26-3), NABF female super welterweight champion “Queen” Ronica Jeffrey (8-0), super middleweight “Mighty” Mike Tiberi (17-1), hard-punching light heavyweight Anthony “The Bull” Caputo Smith (11-0), junior welterweight Ryan Belasco, and super featherweight Omarr Douglas.

Matchmaker Nick Tiberi is putting together additional bouts, which will be announced shortly.

Tickets are priced from $35 to $200 and can be purchased by calling 800-711-5882.

Doors open at 6:30pm and the first bout begins at 7:30pm

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/mansour-mendoza-on-dec-2-101322

By Rick Scharmberg

 

 

 

 

31OCT11 S MANNY PACQUIAO vs JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (2)

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO VIEW THE OFFICIAL LETTER WHICH STATES:

Dear Bob:
The World Boxing Championship Committee sanctions, as per promoter’s request, the abovementioned Mandatory bout between Super Champions Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez to be held on November 12, 2011 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, subject to the WBO World Championship Rules and Regulations.

Yours truly,
Luis Batista Salas, Esq.

Timothy Bradley isn’t concerned about Joel Casamayor getting dirty during their fight Saturday night.

The crafty Cuban southpaw is a notorious rule-bender, but Bradley believes he is more than ready to respond appropriately if Casamayor does anything questionable in their 12-round fight for Bradley’s WBO junior welterweight title.

“I am rough in there, too,” Bradley said. “He is in there with a young lion, hungry for greatness. He can get rough all he wants because I have my tricks of the trade, also. We will talk to the referee [Vic Drakulich] in the pre-fight interview and let him know about his dirty tactics. We prepare for that in training. I know things he likes to do and we are prepared for it. He’s not going to sneak anything by me.”

Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs, 1 NC), of Palm Springs, Calif., and Miami’s Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs) will square off in the co-featured fight of an HBO Pay-Per-View broadcast that’ll match Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) against Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) in the 12-round main event at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

By: Keith Idec

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45849

Power and speed are Manny Pacquiao’s obvious advantages over Juan Manuel Marquez.

But Freddie Roach wants the superstar southpaw he trains to out-think one of the sport’s most cerebral, crafty technicians, too. In fact, he thinks the execution of a more patient Pacquiao’s strategy is the key to getting the knockout win Roach anticipates against one of the most effective counter-punchers in boxing history.

“We know [Marquez is] a great counter-puncher,” Roach said. “We can’t just walk to him recklessly, like we did in the first two fights. We need to go to him with a little bit of intelligence and Manny is very capable of doing that at this point of his career.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean we won’t see plenty of the persistent pressure for which the fiery Filipino has become famous Saturday night in Las Vegas.

“We’re going to have to make the fight,” Roach said. “We just have to be a little bit smarter about how we go about that. We can’t just [do what] he did in the first two fights. He was just a young, game kid back then, with one hand. He’s a much more intelligent fighter now and I’m very confident that we will knock him out. We’ll knock him out somewhere along the way.”

While Roach preached patience to Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) during training camp for their WBO welterweight title fight, he also reminded his fighter to expect to see a different foe than the one he drew with in May 2004 and he beat by split decision in March 2008.

“He has become a little more aggressive,” Roach said of Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs). “I think he had to for the TV people and for HBO, to make the money that he wants to make. He became a more aggressive fighter and I think that might be his downfall.”

By: Keith Idec

 

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45842

The numbers-crunchers fear Juan Manuel Marquez’s second welterweight fight will mirror his disappointing debut in that division.

They’re concerned that Marquez just can’t compete with top opponents above the junior welterweight limit, even if his fight Saturday night in Las Vegas will be contested at a contracted catch weight of 144 pounds, three beneath the welterweight limit.

Many of those involved in this WBO welterweight title fight disagree. They think Marquez’s third fight against Manny Pacquiao will be much more competitive and compelling than his one-sided, 12-round defeat to undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. two years ago in Las Vegas.

“Mayweather is a defensive fighter,” said Bob Arum, whose company, Top Rank Inc., promotes Pacquiao and Marquez. “If you’re a counter-puncher, you lose your advantage against a defensive fighter because, as a counter-puncher, you need somebody to make the fight against you. And so I am looking forward to this fight [being] another classic.”

Mexico’s Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) insists that fighting at the highest weight of his 18-year pro had “nothing” to do with his pedestrian performance in the Mayweather mismatch.

“I think it had everything to do with his style,” Marquez said. “He’s a defensive fighter, who doesn’t like to engage. He’ll never fight and it’s difficult to make him fight, [because] he’s so good. The styles, with Manny, it’ll make for a great fight.”

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, doesn’t think the 38-year-old Marquez’s skills have deteriorated all that much, certainly not to the degree the wide odds suggest. He obviously expects Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) to win, but he doesn’t anticipate an easy fight.

“I’m not so sure how much he’s slipped,” Roach said. “He didn’t look great against Mayweather, but Mayweather’s a talented guy. You have to take that into consideration.”

Pacquiao is about an 8-1 favorite as the HBO Pay-Per-View main event approaches, but Roach added, “We won’t underestimate him at all.”

By: Keith Idec

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45826

Las Vegas,Nevada  —  Superstar Manny Pacquiao makes his “Grand Arrival” aboard his special Team Paquiao bus at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Tuesday for his upcoming third mega-fight against three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions,Marquez Boxing,Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Marquez III will take place, Saturday, Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and .be produced and distributed by HBO Pay Per View.   — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45830

The filipino Manny Pacquiao, considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world, will fight for something more than just his WBO Welterweight title.

“Pac Man, as they call him, will also fight for the for the World Boxing Organization’s most prestigious gold, diamond, ruby, and esmerald ring that is given to their so called “Super Champions”.

Even though Pacquiao’s purse for this fight could allow him to cover the cost of hundreds of these rings, the added value the ring will have is that it will be given by the WBO in a ceremony held in the Philippines.

According to WBO President, Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, the ring will cost in between $13 and $20 thousand.

“When Oscar de la Hoya received his ring, its cost us close to $8 thousand. The price is not what matters but what its represents, Valcarcel explained, who is currently on his way to Las Vegas to witness the fight at the MGM Grand Arena. The WBO gives these rings commemorating a “Super Champion” on making five consecutive successful title defenses. With Pacquiao it will be an exception.

The Filipino won the WBO title in 2009 by defeating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto by TKO in the twelth round. Pacquiao successfully defended his title Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosely. Pacquiao fight against Antonio Margarito was for the vacant WBC Jr. Middleweight title.

Against Marquez, his third fight with the Mexican, will be his third official defense of his WBO Welterweight title.

Marquez, a former WBO Featherweight and current WBO Lightweight champion, already has his ring.

“If Pacquiao wins this fight, we will prepare something very special for him; probably something bigger than what we prepared for De la Hoya.

We are talking about possibly the best pound for pound fighter of all times; with much respect towards Sugar Ray Robinson. But he must first win Saturday’s fight in order to obtain this ring that, more than just having monetary value, its significance is very important. Pacquiao’s ring would be more modern; it has more precious stones.

In Puerto Rico, boxers like Juan Manuel Lopez, Alex “El Nene” Sanchez, and Ivan Calderon are some of the fighters of Latin America that posses this ring given to Super Champions. Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed, Marco Antonio Barrera, Johnny Tapia, Wladimir Klitschko and Arthur Gregorian are also some of the fighters to have obtained this prestigious ring.

“Pacquiao ring would be the most expensive one at the moment. We have made various modifications to the regular model which sum up to around $3 and $5 thousand. Pacquiao is a great champion and we hope that someday he may visit the island (Puerto Rico)

Article by:  Carlos Narváez Rosario, EL VOCERO  November 8, 2011

World Boxing Organization (WBO) Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel is aware that the process of making a dream fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather is very complicated. That said, Valcarcel believes that the best option, for the meantime, would be a fight with WBO Jr. Welterweight champion Timothy Bradley or IBF Jr. Welterweight champion Amir Khan.

Precisely, Bradley will be part of the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard, when he defends his WBO title against Cuban Joel Casamayor.

For Valcarcel, a rematch between Pacquiao and the WBA Jr. Middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, who Pacquiao defeated by TKO in 2009, is unlikely

Cotto is currently preparing to defend his title in a rematch against Antonio Margarito on December 3 in New York City.

“The fight should be against Mayweather, but the path to making the fight happen is complicated, although Bob Arum is an artist of negotiations. But there are a lot of people involved. Inpites of Mayweather being his own promoter, he still has some agreements with Golden Boy. There are many promoters involved in this process”, stated Valcarcel

“I think Timothy Bradley and even Amir Khan are two good options for Pacquiao, once he gets past Marquez. I don’t see Cotto as an option, but I don’t disregard him totally”.

Article by: Carlos Narváez Rosario, EL VOCERO  November 8, 2011

For the first time ever, HBO will telecast live a world championship fight weigh-in event when worldwide superstar, WBO Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao and his formidable challenger Juan Manuel Marquez tip the scales on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT.  The half-hour boxing special on HBO will be hosted by Jim Lampley, who will be joined by commentators Max Kellerman, Emanuel Steward and Harold Lederman, as well as featured guests in providing boxing fans with a ringside seat for the festivities.  All the action will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

In addition, boxing fans with broadband access can log onto insidehboboxing.com to view live streaming of the official weigh-in television program.

The official fight headquarters for boxing fans all week long is insidehboboxing.com where fans can log on for exclusives features from fight week in Las Vegas.  Follow HBO Boxing news at www.hbo.com/boxing ; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hboboxing ; and on Twitter @hboboxing.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45821

 

When boxing champion Timothy Bradley makes his Las Vegas debut Saturday, fans from the desert will be rooting for the Cathedral City product — both for who he is and what he represents.

Those who knew Bradley as a youth through his days at Cathedral City High School remember a dedicated athlete who talked about his dreams of fighting in Las Vegas.

Then there are those who discovered Bradley after he became a world champion, and see a role model and example of what can happen through hard work.

One local youth, 13-year-old Dominic Serna, trains at the Indio Boys and Girls Club, sparring in the same ring and hitting the same heavy bags as Bradley.

“It makes me feel like I’m training with the top fighters,” said Serna, one of the top young fighters in the area and in the country. “To be here in the same gym is a privilege. I don’t know him on a personal level, but I know him as a hard worker and very supportive.

“He’s humble. He treats everyone like he would treat anyone else.”

For nearly two years, Bradley has been recognized as one of the 10 best fighters in the world regardless of weight class. On Saturday, Bradley will defend his WBO title against 1992 Olympian Joel Casamayor at the MGM Grand.

A victory by Bradley could mean a chance at a big-time fight against Manny Pacquiao, regarded as one of the top two stars in the sport. Pacquiao is fighting the main event Saturday against Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Timothy proves that anything is possible,” said Marcos Caballero a boxing trainer with Coachella Valley Boxing Club whose son Randy is a promising prospect. “We all come from the same neighborhoods and for the kids, it’s a motivation to make it as far as he did.

“It will open the door for the amateur fighters we have.”

While Bradley mostly works out in the east valley, he has deep roots in the west side. He was born and raised in Palm Springs and went to school at Cathedral City High School, where his father, Tim Sr., is a security guard.

Bradley still lives in Cathedral City and is president of the Cathedral City Lions Junior All American Football program. His wife, Monica, serves as commissioner and his stepson, Robert, plays.

For many of the teachers and coaches who remembered Bradley at Cathedral City High School, they have a rooting interest. They have organized viewing of Saturday’s fight at Buffalo Wild Wings at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert. Proceeds from the food sales will go to the Cathedral City High School athletic program.

“It’s been very exciting. Everyone is on the edge of their seat,” said Lisa Johnson, a physical education teacher at Cathedral City High who taught Bradley and his wife. “We know how important these next fights are.

“He’s on the brink of being a household name.”

Many of the Cathedral City coaches had planned to attend the fight in Las Vegas until they saw the $500 price tag. A lot of the coaches had gone to Bradley’s fights when they were at The Show inside the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa.

“We were all spoiled. His wife Monica could get us tickets,” Johnson said. “Now we’re just trying to find that good spot to watch it together.”

Rob Hanmer, the former basketball coach at Cathedral City, said he still remembers teaching sixth-period PE, and Bradley was one of 10 athletes in the class who had the ability to earn a college scholarship.

But Bradley didn’t compete in the main sports of football or basketball despite the urging of the coaches. Because Bradley was working toward a shot on the Olympic boxing team, his father did not allow his son to play any sport where he could suffer an injury.

Hanmer, however, told Bradley he would make a spot for him on the basketball team if he could convince his father.

“He was excited about the opportunity,” Hanmer said. “He was in the gym, and then his dad came in and snatched him and put him back in the weight room. That ended his basketball career.”

Although Bradley stands at 5-foot-6, Hanmer said he had no doubt he could be successful on the basketball court.

“He has an unbelievable work ethic and really, really positive attitude,” Hanmer said. ”He was one of those kids trying to do the right things and work hard. Those are the kind of people you want to coach if you get the opportunity.”

But Hanmer and all the coaches knew Bradley was fully dedicated to becoming a boxer. It’s what they admired about him.

“Even when he was in high school, he had that drive and dedication,” said Johnson, a physical education teacher and former softball coach at Cathedral City High School. “You see something in a person, even at a young age. He had that drive. We see so many young people who have physical tools, but don’t have the heart. He had both at a very young age, that drive and heart.”

Cathedral City resident Brandon Revis, 29, went to school and church with Bradley and his family. Today, Revis’ 9-year-old son Adam plays in Bradley’s football program. But Revis said he can remember in high school how Bradley always talked about being a world champion and fighting in Las Vegas.

“This is great because he will do something he’s wanted to do his whole life,” said Revis. “I’m excited for him. He’s a disciplined, loyal and great guy.”

Bradley had to miss his 10-year high school reunion last weekend, but he is still visible at Cathedral City, training at the school and showing up at football games.

“He’s very humble, but he has a great personality,” Hanmer said. “He stops by school and says hello. He’s a part of our community. Even though he’s rich and famous, he’s still a person who comes to a football game and says hello to everyone. He’s a really good person.”

Bradley is also touching a younger generation of boxers, much like what his trainer Joel Diaz and his two brothers did before.

Bradley grew up idolizing the Diaz brothers, who were top prospects and all three fought for world titles, with youngest Julio becoming a two-time IBF lightweight champion.

Today, Bradley is setting an example like the Diaz brothers before him.

“I take my hat off to him; he’s proven a lot in the sport,” said Randy Caballero, a professional fighter with Golden Boy Promotions and top attraction at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. “What he’s doing is good for the sport and he sets a good example. If you stick to it, you can do what you love.

“The impact to the valley, he sets the tone. Some people don’t know him and I wish his name was bigger. With what he’s accomplished, his name should be out there because what he’s done is not easy.”

Written by: Leighton Ginn (The Desert Sun)

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20111108/SPORTS03/111080313/Determined-Timothy-Bradley-defend-title-Saturday-Vegas

A dream fight between Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38KOs) and Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27KOs) is possible – if Martinez agrees to a same-day weigh-in, according to Top Rank’s CEO Bob Arum, who promotes the Filipino superstar. Martinez is willing to drop down to a catch-weight of 150-pounds to face Pacquiao, the WBO’s champion at 147-pounds.

Arum’s concern with Martinez making 150, with 24 hours to rehydrate, is the possibility of the Argentine boxer coming to the ring at 175-pounds on the night of the fight. To prevent that, Arum would like to have both boxers make weight on a Saturday afternoon, a few hours before the fight.

“Here is the problem with Martinez. Let me tell you the problem with Martinez. Martinez says ‘I’ll fight him at 150,’ but that’s bullsh**. That means he’ll dehydrate until the afternoon of the weigh-in and come to the ring at 175, which he’s done before. What I say is, if you really want to fight Manny Pacquiao – I have a simple way to do it. You said 150, you will fight at 150, then let’s go to a commission, and not necessarily this [Las Vegas] commission….maybe New York, maybe Texas, wherever. And say ‘both fighters want to do the fight and they want to go back to the old days and we’ll weigh in on the day of the fight, at 150. If he wants to do that, we can start talking,” Arum said.

After last year’s fight with Antonio Margarito, at 150, Arum says Pacquiao and his team made a decision to avoid taking fights above the welterweight limit. Pacquiao, who tried to bulk up for Margarito, started dropping weight a few days before the fight because the added bulk was making him sluggish in the gym. Pacquiao weighed in at 144-pounds. During the fight, Margarito’s size became a factor when he trapped Pacquiao against the ropes and hurt him badly to the body.

“He was hurting for a month after that fight. We realized that he can’t continue to fight all of these bigger guys,” Arum said.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45795

In action on December 3 will be WBO & WBA Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs), who takes on an opponent to be announced. Ever since knocking out three former world champions – namely Lamon Brewster, Samuel Peter and Siarhei Liakhovich – Helenius is a superstar in Finland. “It´s a small country,” he said with a smile. “But the people love sports, especially boxing. It will be a great pleasure to fight in front of my hometown fans again. I know it will be very loud at Hartwall Areena on December 3.”
Helenius had already visited Helsinki last Thursday to attend a packed press conference before returning to Berlin to resume practice. On Monday afternoon, he joined Alexander Povetkin on the podium in the German capital. “It will be a great night of boxing in Helsinki,” coach Ulli Wegner said. “The fact that Robert has already knocked out three former world champions speaks volumes about his class. He will make his hometown fans very proud on December 3 – just like Cecilia Braekhus, who is the best female boxer out there.”
The WBO/WBC/WBA Female Welterweight Champion (18-0, 4 KOs) will make another defence of her title collection on December 3, taking on Kuulei Kupihea (7-1, 2 KOs). “It will be great to fight in Helsinki again,” she said. “My management regularly picks opponents from the top ten. I am happy to prove myself against the best challengers out there. I will continue my winning streak in Helsinki.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45794

Las Vegas, Nevada — Three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez makes his “Grand Arrival” aboard his special Team Marquez bus at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Monday for his upcoming third mega-fight against superstar Manny Pacquiao. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions,Marquez Boxing,Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Marquez III will take place, Saturday, Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be produced and distributed by HBO Pay Per View. Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45792

If WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao is annoyed that Juan Manuel Marquez has constantly stated that he beat him in their first two meetings, imagine how Marquez feels knowing that he was a round away in both fights of being 2-0 rather than 0-1-1.

A reversal of fortune could have seen “Dinamita” sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings and in possession of an even more celebrated career today than Pacquiao. It’s something that Marquez thinks about every single day of his boxing career. It pains him to watch Pacquiao be considered one of the greatest boxers of all-time; especially when he feels that he beat him when they met in 2004 and 2008. Yes, Marquez is 38-years-old and perhaps entering the twilight years of his career sooner than later. Yes, Marquez will come in with a size disadvantage as he hasn’t had as smooth of a ride up the scales as his counterpart has over the past few years. Yes, he’s been as much as a 9-1 underdog in Vegas. None of this matters to Marquez. All he wants is one last shot at Pacquiao to prove that he has his number. Nothing more, nothing less. This is personal.

“Without a doubt the fight is personal for me,” Marquez said on a recent conference call. “I didn’t get the two decisions I thought I won. I think I will win this fight because I should have won the first two.”

It wouldn’t be too farfetched to say that Marquez is right in his claims. Their first meeting in 2004 would have seen a drastically different outcome had it not been for the whirlwind of punches that sent Marquez to the canvas three times in the first round. The same can be said about the 2008 bout that saw Marquez go down in the 3rd round and proved to be the difference on the scorecards. This fight should finally settle the score.

“The first two fights were very close and this fight should end all doubt,” Marquez says. “We are not the only ones saying we won the fights. There are a lot of fans and media out there saying the same thing- that we won those two fights.”

And that whole age thing? That doesn’t worry Marquez one bit.

“I don’t believe age has anything to do with it. I prepare myself very well and I’m going to be just as good as I would have been a few years ago.”

Let’s all hope so because if the first two fights were any indication, this will be yet another barnburner.

“It is going to be great because we both want this fight and we are going to give it our all. The winners are going to be the fans because we are two guys that are going to go in there and give it our all.”

Story by Andreas Hale
Photos by Chris Cozzone

http://www.fightnewsextra.com/cc/2011/11-marquezstory.htm

Unbeaten WBO Intercontinental heavyweight champion Robert Helenius (16-0, 11 KOs) says his time is now. “I am ready for the Klitschkos,” proclaims the 6’6 star of the Sauerland stable. Helenius returns December 3 against an opponent to be named in Helsinki, Finland. According to his promoter, negotiations are ongoing with “two top people” and ‘Mister X’ will be announced in the coming days. “For me, it’s no problem,” says Helinius. “I just need a couple of weeks to adjust myself for each opponent.” Helinius has KO’d three former heavyweight champions and has stopped ten of his last eleven opponents.

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/helenius-targets-klitschko-101097

 

 

WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, announced today the referees and judges who will work on the two world title bouts, Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley vs Joel Casamayor this Saturday, November 12, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada in a Top Rank Inc. presentation. Valcarcel reported that the referee for the WBO Welterweight Championship between the champion Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) and the WBO lighweight titlist Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs), the referee will be Tony Weeks and judges will be Dave Moretti, Robert Hoyle and Glenn Trowbridge, all from Nevada. WBO Supervisor for this fight will be Valcarcel himself.

 

Meanwhile, for the WBO junior welter clash between Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs), who is going to defend his title for the fourth time against former two time champion Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs), the referee will be Vic Drakulich. The judges will be Levi Martinez, from New Mexico, and Adelaide Byrd and Burt Clements, both from Nevada. WBO Supervisor for this bout will be the Chairman of the Ratings Committee, Luis Perez.

 

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/pacman-marquez-ref-is-weeks-101073

Márquez: Today! Monday, November 7
Pacquiao: Tomorrow! Tuesday, November 8


MGM Grand Front Lobby at Noon PT

Open To The Public!

LAS VEGAS, NEV (November 7, 2011) – It began in August with a 25,000-mile international media tour and now, after two solid months of intense training, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and JUAN MANUEL MÁRQUEZ will break camp and head to Las Vegas to kickoff fight week for their mega world championship event with their Las Vegas Grand Arrivals which will be open to the public. Márquez, with Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum arrives Today! Monday, November 7. Pacquiao, along with five-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach and Arum arrives Tomorrow! Tuesday, November 8. Both arrivals will be at Noon PT at the porte cochere and inside the front lobby of the MGM Grand. Both will be transported by luxury buses custom-designed with their images.

Pacquiao and Márquez, who have won world titles in 11 weight divisions between them, will go toe-to-toe for Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship on Saturday, November 12, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. Pacquiao-Marquez III is Act Three of their exciting world championship trilogy that has had fans and media standing on their feet for 24 action-packed rounds.
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Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs), the lone representative of the Sarangani province in the Philippines, defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title against professional nemesis and three-division world champion Márquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs), of México City. Pacquiao and Márquez, will go toe-to-toe on Saturday, November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nev. Pacquiao-Márquez III will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Remaining closed circuit tickets, priced at $50, are on sale and available at all Las Vegas MGM Resorts properties.

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Márquez Boxing, Tecate and MGM Grand, The Pacquiao-Márquez III world championship telecast, which begins at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 92 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.

Episode No. 4, the finale of the all-access reality series “24/7 Pacquiao/Márquez” premieres This Friday! November 11, the night before the welterweight championship showdown, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on HBO. Episodes No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 are available at HBO ON DEMAND® and HBO GO® in addition to multiple replays on the network. The four-part series premieres on three consecutive Saturday nights before the finale airs the night before the welterweight championship showdown in Las Vegas.

For Pacquiao-Márquez III fight week updates, log on to www.toprank.com and www.hbo.com.

 

http://philboxing.com/news/story-62372.html

This past Saturday afternoon, Santa Anita Park hosted legendary Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and two of his fighters, Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley, who took part in a media workout where all three met with members of the horse racing and boxing media and also chatted with fans and signed autographs.  WBO Junior welterweight champion Bradley will be taking on Joel Casamayor in a twelve round world title fight as part of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III undercard on November 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Bradley is focused on Casamayor, because a win will place him in line for the big fights in 2012. Bradley wants them all, Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and even junior welterweight rival Amir Khan. There has been a lot of talk about a possible fight with Pacquiao in 2012. Bradley is picking Pacquiao to defeat Marquez, and he already sees a few exposable flaws in the Filipino boxer.

“I’ll take Manny in this fight (against Marquez). Manny just has too much size on him. I think it’s going to be a great fight. I’d have to fight a perfect fight to beat (Pacquiao) but I’ve seen weaknesses that I know I could expose and would win that fight. I’ll fight Mayweather right now. I’ll fight Manny. I’ll fight Khan. I’ll fight whoever they put in my way. I don’t care who it is. Just bring them on.”

 

By Pawel Pronishev

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45752

Ricky Burns’ decision to abandon his super featherweight belt – and with that, a date on HBO – proved to be a wise gamble.
The Scot immediately made his presence felt in the lightweight division on the strength of his upset win over Michael Katsidis in their 12-round main event at Wembley Arena on Saturday night in London, England.
Both fighters weighed in at the lightweight limit of 135 lb. for their highly anticipated showdown, which aired live on UK’s Boxnation.
Burns wisely came out boxing, shooting his jab and using his height and reach advantages to his benefit. Katsidis found a way inside early on and was able score with right hands upstairs, but was less effective once Burns was able to reestablish distance between the two.
Katsidis closed the gap considerably in the second round, scoring on the inside with left hooks and uppercuts. Burns absorbed well, and by the third round was once again able to stick and move. Katsidis ate a few right hands that had his head snapping back before firing back in return, but Burns was able to counter with left hooks to the body.
More of the same threatened to transpire in the fourth, until Katsidis was able to pin down Burns and wail away at his rail thin frame. Burns took it well and returned fire, but was outgunned for the first time in the fight.
Burns’ corner was displeased with the threat of momentum shifting, demanding their fighter shoot his jab over Katsidis’ guard to prevent the Aussie from getting off his punches. The strategy worked to a degree, but the disparity in power was telling as Katsidis continued to charge forward.
The middle rounds saw both fighters trade away, with Burns surprisingly holding his own every step of the way. Katsidis was the busier of the two, and also managed to constantly corner Burns, who would instinctively cover up and stop punching whenever under fire.
Catching an earful in between rounds, Burns came out in the ninth returning to what worked best. Katsidis was unable to adjust for the first time in several rounds, but fixed that problem in the 10th as Burns spent most of the frame in retreat and on the defensive.
As was the case throughout the fight, Burns managed to recover every time the fight threatened to get away from him. The lanky Scot bounced back well to box his way to a clear cut 11th round, which ultimately proved to be the difference on the cards.
Katsidis came out for the 12th and final round fighting like a man who knew he needed a knockout to win. The two-time lineal title challenger unloaded with non-stop punching, but was a bit overzealous in his attack as referee Phil Edwards twice warned him for rabbit punching.
Another flurry had Burns in trouble, but he punched his way out just enough to cause a break in the action, prompting a time out to have a large strand of loose tape clipped from his glove. Katsidis never fully regained momentum after that, still doing more than enough to win the round, but was far too behind at that point.
All that was left was for the scorecards to be read. The final tallies were way too wide, but had the right guy winning as far as the UK crowd was concerned.  Scores of 117-111 (2x) and 117-112 sent the live patrons into a frenzy, as Burns picks up a belt in a second weight class.
It’s not (yet) a full-fledged title, as Burns now awaits the outcome of lineal lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez’ third fight with Manny Pacquiao next weekend, as well as what Marquez decides to do afterward. In the meantime, he gets to spend the rest of the year reflecting in perhaps the biggest win of his career as he improves to 33-2 (9KO).
The bout extends his winning streak to 18 straight, dating back to 2007. Despite his lack of true knockout power, the supremely conditioned Burns continues to find ways to win, as evidenced in his off-the-canvas upset win over previously unbeaten Rocky Martinez.
Katsidis’ career heads in the exact opposite direction as his status as a top contender is now officially in trouble.
The all-action lightweight has proven himself at the best-of-the-rest level, but his struggles continue at the championship level. He loses for the third time in his last four bouts as he falls to 28-4 (23KO). The loss is also his first on UK soil, having previously knocked out Kevin Mitchell and Graham Earl.

By Jake Donovan, photos by Alan ‘Big Al’ Stevenson

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45762

 

Arcadia, Ca.  —  Three-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez waves to the thousands of fans wanting to meet the champ during a special boxing exhibition at Santa Anita Park. Marquez is preparing for his upcoming third mega-fight against WBO welterweight champion superstar Manny Pacquiao. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions, Marquez Boxing, Tecate and MGM Grand, Pacquiao vs Marquez III will take place, Saturday, Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and be produced and distributed by HBO Pay Per View.   — Photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45725

WINDHOEK – There seems to be no stopping Namibian boxers in their quest to become world-class boxers.

This was confirmed by Namibia’s pocket-sized undisputed World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion, Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda, when he retained his WBO bantamweight title after courageously trouncing South African Bongani Mahlangu on points, in a 12-round bout at the Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino on Saturday.

Ambunda started the first round with some good jabs, to which the skillful Mahlangu responded well.

In the second round, Ambunda started throwing his heavy blows, which kept the South African running for safety for most of the fight.

In the eleventh and twelfth rounds, it became a hit-and-run affair as Mahlangu was now constantly on the run, which made it difficult for Ambunda to hit his target.
Ambunda is still undefeated after 17 professional fights, while this was his opponent’s second defeat after 17 professional bouts.

In another exciting under-card fight, Namibia’s WBO Interim Africa super middleweight champion, Wilberforce “Black Mamba”, Shihepo was in no mood to compromise and made his opponent pay dearly for having the guts to accept a fight against him – a complete marauding Namibian boxer.

Shihepo made easy work of his fight against Johannes Pieterson of South Africa when he bombed the South African with a fifth round technical knockout.

In other action, WBO Interim Africa Welterweight champion Tyson Uushona and Ghanaian opponent Francis Gakpetor’s fight ended in a draw after a clash of heads that left Gakpetor with a stream of blood all over his face, which left the ring doctors with no choice but to end the fight.

 

by Otniel Hembapu

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41547&title=Ambunda%20retains%20title%20%E2%80%A6%20As%20Force%20goes%20for%20the%20kill

TOA BAJA, PUERTO RICO – José “Chelo” González and Manuel Alejandro Siaca picked up one-sided decision wins at the coliseum Antonio R. Barceló of Toa Baja, in a presentation by PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP), in association with Top Rank. The fights were televised as part of the eight edition of “A Puno Limpio”

Chelo Gonzalez (18-0, 13 KOs) retained his Latino lightweight championship of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), with a ten round unanimous decision over Fernando Trejo (33-16-6 and 19 KOs). All three judges scores the fight 99-91.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=45687