Friday, June 29, 2007

Finally! Peace Pact Between GBP and Top Rank

It seems that Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank have finally reached a settlement of the various legal disputes including that pertaining to Manny Pacquiao. This entails that bouts between Manny Pacquiao and marquee fighters under contract to Golden Boy will be co-promoted by Golden Boy and Top Rank.

Top Rank will promote fights between Manny Pacquiao against fighters other than Golden Boy fighters with Golden Boy retaining a promotional interest. The Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II super fight on October 6, 2007 at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas will be the first fight which will be presented under this arrangement.

The CEO's agreed that the settlement will be great for boxing as Top Rank fighters will be taking on Golden Boy fighters in the months and years ahead. There is not much else to report as all other details of the settlement remain confidential.

Ruy Salud, the founding secretary general of the WBC welcomed reports of a settlement reached between former bitter rivals Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arum of Top Rank.
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao’s former business manager Rod Nazario joined
Salud this great news. Nazario helped steer Pacquiao to two world titles before they parted ways amicably when Pacquiao signed up with Shelly Finkel.

I think boxing fans are also relieved by news of the peace settlement between both camps. Finally, we will be able to see the super fights that we have been hoping for and Pacquiao will finally be free to let his fist go.I just hope that this pact works out and that Manny resist the temptation to foolishly sign any contracts that will jeopardize his career.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Pinoy Boxing Updates: Mayol to Challenge for World Title



Filipino minimum weight prospect Rodel Mayol 23-1-18 KO’s) has a chance to wrest the title from Edgar Sosa. Their bout is scheduled on August 4 as one of the undercard bouts of the Erik Morales-David Diaz WBC lightweight title fight.

Joy Ouano who handled Mayol’s career in the past along with American Terry Carter said in an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, that the fight was arranged by Michael Koncz and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.

Mayol is currently living with Carter and Ouano at their home in Georgia. He has been jogging daily, working out at a nearby gym punching the bag, doing weights. However, he is only getting some light sparring since there were hardly any fighters in the gym. Fortunately, Mayol will fly to Las Vegas on Friday to step up training at the Top Rank Gym.

According to Mayol, he is comfortable at 108 pounds and won’t have any problems making the weight. He suffered his only defeat in a WBC minimum weight title fight against reigning champion Eagle Kyowa. This was due to the lack of proper training which caused him to fade in the second half of their fight on May 6, 2006.

I hope that Mayol will not commit the same mistakes in his upcoming bout. He is a very promising boxer who has great power and potential. He should train very well so that he won't run our of gas. I wish him Good Luck.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Pinoy World Title Challenger Updates

Amonsot is Working Hard at Wild Card Gym

In preparation for his challenge of undefeated WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis on July 21, ALA Boy Czar Amonsot is now training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. He includes daily uphill runs at the Griffith Park in the morning during non-sparring days, and runs on flat terrain on days when he has to spar.

He has also sparred with American David Rodela who is a constant spar mate of superstar Manny Pacquiao. Amonsot's big fight will happen underneath the Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright super bout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, the other Filipino fighters seeing action on the August 11 'World Cup' of boxing have also started training at Freddie Roach's sweatshop. Led by Boholano boxing sensation Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista, the group arrived last Sunday in Los Angeles accompanied by assistant trainer Jeremiah Quijano.


Condes Chaleenges Rachman to Stand and Fight

Filipino challenger Florante Condes has issued a statement, saying that Rachman 'should not run when they face off' after hearing to a report indicating that IBF minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman had sent a sparmate to a hospital in Indonesia.

On this coming July 7th,Condes will challenge Rachman for the latter's title at the Indoor Tennis Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to Fightnews,Rachman had reportedly sent spar mate Boy Suga to a hospital after absorbing a shot to the jaw in their sparring session in Blitar City, Indonesia.

Condes is currently wrapping up training, and will spar for the last time on Friday.
Team Condes flies to Jakarta on July 2. Joining him in the trip are his manager Aljoe Jaro, trainer George Sol and lawyer Joaquin Mendoza.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Ceferino Garcia: Master of the Bolo Punch


Since there seems to be no interesting piece of boxing news today, I decided to feature one of the greatest Pinoy boxers. I chose Ceferino Garcia because I have heard a few things about him and I would like to know more about him in the process of writing this post.

Ceferino Garcia was born on the twenty sixth of August, 1906 in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. He fought at welterweight (147 lbs. ) and was considered one of the best fighters in his time. He is best known for being the fist user of the bolo punch. According to Boxrec.com records, he fought a total of 142 fights. He won 102 of his bouts, 67 of them by knock out, he lost 28 fights and had 12 draws.

Among many the interesting things about him is that he had a few uncredited Hollywood movie roles in the 1940s. Interestingly, he also worked as a driver and bodyguard for actress Mae West. And surprisingly, he was inducted to the Boxing Hall of Fame twice!

Now that I've given you a few interesting tidbits about this legendary Pinoy boxer, I'm going to give you the chance to learn more about him and his life. You can do that by reading this great article called the Caferino Garcia story that was written by Rolando Borrinaga. Enjoy!

Monday, June 25, 2007

Rubillar KO's Opponent in First OPBF Defense

In his first defense of the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation light flyweight title, Juanito Rubillar performed exceedingly well with a smashing fifth round knockout victory over challenger Ken Nakajima of Japan. After training for some three months in a determined effort to put on an impressive showing and hopefully earn a world title shot, Rubillar came into the fight in the best shape of his life

Rubillar hurt Nakajima with vicious body shots and dropped him twice before putting him away for good at 2:42 of the fifth round. Rubillar improves his record to 42-10-7 with 19 knockouts with this while Nakajima dropped to 16-5 with 10 knockouts. The Filipino southpaw won the OPBF title with a seventh round TKO over tough young Indonesian Irfan Ogah on October 13, 2006 in Trece Martires City, Cavite.


Finkel Goes After Arum, Top Rank, and Manny

in the latest twist to the Manny Pacquiao saga, Shelly Finkel, Pacquiao’s former manager, is seeking unspecified damages that could amount to a tidy sum in filing a suit against the boxing icon, Bob Arum and Top Rank, Inc. The suit is for allegedly concealing vital information resulting in a breach of contract. Judd Burstein, Finkel’s lawyer submitted the case before the New York County Clerk’s Office last Friday. He also asked the defendants to reply to the complaint within 20 days.

Finkel was said to have met with Pacquiao in a New York City restaurant for about 30 minutes a few weeks ago. He was supposedly reviving talks of renewing his management contract that ended last Aug. 11. Allegedly, Finkel said Pacquiao’s promotional deal with Top Rank was not to his advantage. He explained that there were no specifics on a minimum purse, no time frame and no minimum number of fights on that contract. He then offered to relieve Pacquiao of the relationship with Arum’s group. The suit was filed , when it became apparent Pacquiao would not heed Finkel’s advice.

Friday, June 22, 2007

More Philippine Boxing Updates

Condes vs. Rachman

Despite
the confusion regarding the promotion in Jakarta, the IBF minimum weight title fight between Indonesia’s Muhammad Rachman and mandatory challenger Florante Condes of the Philippines will push through.

Former boxer Aljoe Jaro, the manager of the the Philippine champion announced that he had already received the money due for the airline tickets of the Condes contingent. The money is an reimbursement since he had already advanced the money to buy the tickets.


Amonsot Arrives in LA for Intensive Training

Czar Amonsot, the current WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight champ arrived ion LA yesterday after a long trip from Cebu and an overnight stop in Las Vegas. He will begin training in order to bring home a world title for his family and most especially for his benefactor, Antonio “ALA” Aldeguer of the famed ALA Gym in Cebu.

He surely needs alkl the training he can get since battle for the WBO Interim Lightweight title against Michael Katsidis of Australia who sports a record of 22 wins with 20 KO’s is an uphill climb. However, team Amonsot believes that he has an excellent chance to dethrone the Australian world champ.

Since Amonsot was supposed to defend his regional WBO title on July 7 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, he has already been in training for several weeks. However, an opportunity came about when the Katsidis’ fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California was cancelled last month due to a hand injury to his opponent. Team Amonsot took advantage of it. and they dumped the July 7 WBO regional title fight and accepted the world title fight with Katsidis on July 21st.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Rubillar Departs for First OPBF Title Defense

Juanito Rubillar, the current OPBF light flyweight champion leaves for Osaka, Japan today to make the first defense of his title. He will defend it on June 24 against Japanese Ken Nakajima.
To prepare for his title defense, Rubillar had trained for almost three months and is looking forward to an impressive win and a possible crack at the world title.

Rubillar won the OPBF title by a seventh round TKO over tough Indonesian Irfan Ogah last October 13 in Trece Martires City, Cavite. He is coming off a sixth round technical decision over Larry Mede in Baguio City last February 25. He has a record of 41-10-7 with 18 knockouts to his name while Nakajima who lost a ten round decision to countryman Takashi Kunishige on November 7, 2006 has a record of 16-4 with 10 knockouts.


He is currently rated No. 4 by the WBC and often laments the fact that despite being the No.1 contender on two occasions he was denied a crack at Brian Viloria. He battled the Mexican warrior Jorge Arce for the WBC title
twice. however, he lost on both occasions by a unanimous twelve round decision.

He is just one pound over the light flyweight limit and should have no problem making the weight after sparring 108 rounds against WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Drian Francisco and minimum weight champion Ryan Bito.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Noel Tunacao Returning to the Ring?

Noel Tunacao, the one-time WBA light flyweight title challenger, one-time WBO minimumweight title challenger and former IBO minimumweight world champ is gearing up for a ring return on July 10. His 8-round comeback bout will be against Jagna terror Carlo Magale in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

Tunacao's bout will on the undercard of the titular defense of RP junior welter king Mark Jason Melligen. Melligen will face challenger Jury Noda in a 12-round war. A few years ago, Tunacao was considered as one of the finest boxers in the country. He is nicknamed 'The Eel' for his exemplary ability to elude opponent's punches. Pinoy boxing fans will see if he still has the goods to even give him a chance to get noticed once again on July 10.


Condes Rarin' to Go

Dynamite-fisted Florante Condes weight just 107 lbs after doing his usual morning roadwork. As he still has almost two weeks before flying to Jakarta, Indonesia he should not find shedding the extra two pounds too difficult.

Condes is expected to reach 150 rounds of sparring this week, and said that he hasn't lost focus despite the fight getting postponed again. Condes is expected to do his final sparring on June 29, which will be a four-round session. He will have done a total of 164 rounds under him for the Rachman fight if plans don't miscarry, .

The promotional obligations for this fight have been taken over by Ndondo Sugiarto in partnership with Tourino Tidar. This is a result of original promoter Albert 'Mr Tom' Papilaya reported disappearance following a string of unfulfilled promises. The new promoters then petitioned the IBF to move the fight from its original schedule of June 16 to a new date on July 7.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Happy Birthday Boom Boom!

Today, rising Pinoy boxing star and undefeated ALA Boy Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista turns 21. However, he cannot afford to spend a lot of his time in celebrations as he continues to train for his August 11 challenge of WBO superbantam king Daniel Ponce De Leon.

We Pinoy boxing fans don't have to worry as the birthday boy seems to be foceused on his mission. In fact, he placed 8th among thousands who participated in the annual DYAB 10-Kilometer Run in Cebu last Sunday. He even bested some professional runners on the way to a 37-minute clocking. The decent finish in the 10-K event is a welcome sign that the young boxing phenom is well on his way to being ready for De Leon.

Pacman Update

Yesterday, Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain revealed a plan to make Pacquiao's next fight as main attraction of the 45th World Boxing Council Convention which the country will host from November 11 to 17 this year. The next fight of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao against either Humberto Soto or undefeated Joan Guzman will be held in Manila if this plan pushes through .

Buhain said, "we have ongoing series of meetings with MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions about the possibility of bringing Manny's next fight in the country during the boxing convention and Manny is considering that proposal."

He also added that, "whoever will be the next opponent of Manny would remain a big attraction during the World Boxing Convention and, hopefully, we can bring his next fight here in Manila again.

Buhain and his staff will have another meeting on Tuesday morning. However, this time it might be with Pacquiao himself who returned on Monday from the United States where he received the prestigious Boxer of the Year award from a group of American boxing writers.

The big boxing match will be held at the Araneta Coliseum, if Pacquiao's handlers, including Arum, agreed to GAB's proposal.Pacquiao defeated Mexican Oscar Larios on July 2, 2006 at the same venue.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Philippine Boxing Updates

Respected boxing trainer Edito Villamor and WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight king Czar Amonsot are scheduled to depart for the US on Tuesday. They hope to continue Amonsot's training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym. They will take the Cebu-Manila-Las Vegas route, and will take the almost six-hour drive to the City of Angels.

On July 21, the ALA Boy Amonsot is to challenge WBO interim lightweight king Michael Katsidis. Their clash will happen before the Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright superbout. The unbeaten Australian, Katsidis, was supposed to fight Joan Guzman last May 26. However, Guzman claimed injury causing the fight to be cancalled.

Many boxing fans thought he simply chickened out of the big fight. This speculation may well be true as Katsidis brings an extraordinary reputation as a boxer who fights with breath-taking pace and power
into the fight.


Asian Boxing Cup?

Sammy Gello-ani, Cebu’s prime boxing promoter is now on the finishing touches of the “more realistic” Asian Cup Boxing. This comes after his failure to bag the multi-million dollar Boxing World Cup. The Asian Boxing Cup will feature upcoming fighters from active boxing countries in Asia.

The Asian Cup is only for boxers under 23 unlike the pricier World Cup, where the best fighters from the Philippines and Mexico would have slugged out for glory. However, the Philippines youthful and rising stars AJ Banal and Rey Bautista will not be a part of this project since they are participants in the "World Cup" of boxing.

Friday, June 15, 2007

" World Cup" of Boxing Updates

In an interesting twist, the battle between Z “The Dream” Gorres’ battle and Mexican Gerson Guerrero has been elevated to an IBF title eliminator. This bout will be among the six fights on the much-awaited “World Cup: showdown between the Philippines and Mexico. This means that should Gorres win this fight, he will have a good change of having a title shot against the IBF title holder.

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today was informed by respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer that Golden Boy Promotions had verified that the fight will be a title eliminator with the winner getting a crack at the IBF crown.

RP bantam champion Michael Domingo has also just been given his American visa at the US Embassy in Manila. The Filipino champion immediately warned Mexican Miguel Roman of a tough night ahead when they tangle in an 8-round showdown in one of the under cards of the "World Cup" of boxing .

The “World Cup” will
take place at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California on August 11. It will be headlined by what promises to be a classic between undefeated Filipino ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and reigning WBO super bantamweight king Daniel Ponce De Leon. Former world champion Gerry Penalosa will challenge WBO bantam champion Jhonny Gonzales in the other world title bout, .

Bert Batawang will then take on Francisco Rosas also in a 12-round IBF eliminator under the junior flyweight category. The sixth match features unbeaten youngster AJ 'Bazooka' Banal against ex-WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Wakee to Pacquiao: Look Long Term

After arriving from Los Angles where he was at ringside for the Miguel Cotto-Zab Judah fight in New York, popular boxing manager and promoter Rex 'Wakee' Salud, advised Pinoy boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, to look at his career from a long-term perspective in terms of legacy and financial stability. he also advised him that he should carefully weigh the options available to him, as these only come once in a lifetime and to a very select people like him.

Since
two of the world's top promotional outfits--Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions and Bob Arum's Top Rank--are feuding over who is the rightful promoter for the Filipino icon, Pacquiao has to think over whatever decisions he will make.

In other news, hard punching
Florante Condes of the Aljoe Jaro Stable is expected to reach 150 rounds of sparring as he prepares to challenge IBF minimumweight champ Muhammad Rachman. The date for this oft-postponed card is now slated on July 7.

Juan Martin 'Bai' Elorde, Flash Elorde's grandson will return to the ring on July 14 against a soon-to-be-named foe at the family's Elorde Sports Center or at one of the malls in Manila. Like his famous grandpa, Bai is a southpaw and is campaigning at super-featherweight. He is hoping to continue his winning ways following his decision victories over Joseph Mateo and Leo Albao since turning professional.





Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Gorres vs. Guerreo Added to World Cup of Boxing

After his failed bid for the WBO super flyweight world title in the classy presentation of “The Moment of Truth” at the Cebu City Sports Complex last February, Z “The Dream” Gorres wants to gets back into contention for a shot at the IBF title. However, he has first to get over Gerson Guerrero of Mexico on August 11 in Sacramento, California.

According to respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, Golden Boy Promotions had informed him that the fight contract had been signed and the bout will be part of the “World Cup” of boxing between the Philippines and Mexico.

Gorres' oponent, “El Nene” Guerrero has a record of 33-7 with 25 knockouts. He is coming off back-to-back KO victories over Julio Grimaldo and Lupillo Sanchez. He is known to be a tough fighter who could give Gorres problems. However, Gorres should prevail and set himself up for an IBF title shot
if he demonstrates the superb skills he showed against WBO champion Fernando Montiel .

Included in the "World Cup" of boxing card is
the eadly young southpaw AJ “Bazooka” Banal. He will fight former WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz on the undercard. The WBO super bantamweight battle between undefeated emerging ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and reigning champion Daniel Ponce De Leon will be the main bout of the World Cup.

Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa clashes with WBC bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzales in the other title fight on the six-fight extravaganza for the $500,000 trophy studded with diamonds. World-rated Bert Batawang will also slug it out against Francisco Rosas in an IBF light flyweight eliminator while Philippine bantamweight champion Michael Domingo will face Miguel Roman in a super bantamweight bout in the " World Cup" of boxing.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

More Pinoy Boxers to Fight in High Profile International Fights

Pinoy boxer, Czar Amonsot has been named as the challenger of WBO lightweight king Michael Katsidis in a 12-round showdown on July 21 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a major development for Philippine boxing as it is uncommon for Pinoy boxers to get a title shot.

Originally, Katsidis was slated to face Joan Guzman last May 26, but the fight was canceled because Guzman suffered an injury while he was in training. On the other hand, Amonsot was slated to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight crown against Hero Katili in Cebu on July 7. However, in view of this more promising bout, he has too pull out from the fight.

However, this will be an uphill climb for Amonsot as Katsidis, an Australian named 'Rocky,' holds a perfect record of 22 wins with 20 KO's. He gained world prominence following his bout with Graham Earl last February. It was a give-and-take bout now considered by many as a possible Fight of the Year candidate.

AJ 'Bazooka' Banal, an unbeaten young Filipino boxing sensation will get the toughest test in his career when he faces former WBC light-flyweight king Eric Ortiz. The upcoming clash is one of the bouts for the August 11 'World Cup' of boxing at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.

This bout is a great stepping stone for Banal and he needs to capitalize on this opportunity. A big win over Ortiz will certainly boost his stock and will give him more opportunities and possibly a world title shot in the future.

Friday, June 8, 2007

No Rematch Against Barrera or Marquez for Pacman

Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said that despite the pronouncements of Top Rank promoter Bob Arum that he was working on a rematch between Manny Pacquiao and legendary Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera on September 15, either of the fights can't happen.

He explained that
on September 15 the current WBC super feather weight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (47-3-1, 35 KO’s) will fight the exciting Jorge “La Hiena” Barrios of Argentina (47-3-1, 34 KP’s) at the plush MGM Grand. He also informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Barrera wants to do “an easy fight next” coming off his tough and classic battle against Marquez.

Schaefer also made it clear, despite claims to the contrary by Arum who is remembered for his classic statement - yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth – that Barrera has “several fights left with us (Golden Boy)” although Arum has spread the word that Barrera is tied down for only one more fight and wanted a rematch with Pacquiao to avenge his November 2003 demolition in San Antonio, Texas.

Well, that means Pacquiao may face Edwin Valero, Joan Guzman or Humberto Soto on September 15. As he has had a tune up fight against Jorge Solis, it's a big possibility that Pacquiao will not fight another tune up opponent. However, I'm not giving up on a rematch yet. After all, a Manny Pacquiao rematch with either Marquez or Barrera is what we boxing fans want.

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Bobby Pacquiao to Go For the KO Against Soto!

The game plan for Bobby pacquiao's upcoming fight against the very tough Humberto Soto would be to go for the knock out. The younger brother of Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao takes on the No. 2 WBC super featherweight contender at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Manila Time. Freddie Roach says Bobby Pacquiao has the power to knock out Humberto Soto so they will definitely go for it.

The celebrated trainer said they will look “to close the distance and get this guy out of there”
in an interview with Brad Cooney of Boxing Talk. Even Manny Pacquiao himself expressed confidence that his younger brother would win. Booby had been training hard for the past two months at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles so he has the capability of finishing the fight early.

Additionally, Pacquao is “more hungry than ever”
besides training very hard. Roach also pointed out that Bobby is a good puncher and can defintely KO Soto if he catches him with a solid punch. Boobby has “great power” even if he doesn’t have the speed and combinations like his brother Manny. Of course, Roach realizes that it would be “tough” for Bobby to win on points against the very tough Soto so he will do his best to go for the knock out.

I personally think that Bobby will not be able to defeat Soto as he was very disappointing in his past fights. However, should he succeed in winning against Soto in a convincing manner, he will earn my respect and the respect of other boxing fans.


Manny Pacquiao Update

The are runors that a fat purse awaits Pacquiao if he will agree to fight Marco Antonio Barrera in a rematch. Reportedly its a fat eight-digit amount, which could refill his depleted bank account. Manny could earn more than 400 million pesos since the lowest eight figure amount is $10 million.

However, this deal would only be possible if the rematch will be promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. Since Bob Arum's Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions are fighting over who owns the right to Pacquiao's fights, the rematch is not really a big possibility. But then again, given Pacquiao's fickleness he might just make another crazy decision to defect to Golden Boy Promiotions.



Wednesday, June 6, 2007

The Philippines Greatest Boxers

I found another great boxing article. It gives a top ten list of the the Philippines' greatest boxers and was written by John Gregg.

The article also included a brief summary of the fighters' greatest achievements and other details such as the weight class they competed on and the length of their title reigns. Among the top ten are active fighter such as Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Penalosa. The list also included fighter who have long since hang up their gloves like, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, Francisco "Pancho Villa" Guilledo, Ceferino Garcia and Ben Villaflor.


Randy Suico Update

Randy “Kumo’ng Bato” Suico is scheduled to defend his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight belt in Cebu on July 21. He is expected to have his hands full against Japanese challenger Koji Samejima. The venue of the fight has yet to be announced.

Suico holds a 26-3 (22KOs) while Samejima, who is on a four-fight winning streak, including three straight by knockouts, parades a 15-1-1, 6KOs record.

This will be Suico’s second reign defense after taking the title over Pongpetch Chuwatana of Thailand in October 2006. Last April 23, he had difficulty catching up with the quick-footed Tomonori Nakagawa. Fortunately, he held on to a unanimous win over the Japanese challenger in his first defense with the help of his great heart.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

A Great Article and Pacman Update

I just read an excellent boxing article written by Manny Pinol on why Philippine Sports suck. The article compares the sports program of Cuba and the Philippines and how can the sports program in the Philippines can be improved.

Cuba like the Philippines does not have a big budget for sports development yet it is the top producer of Olympic quality amateur boxers. Ingenuity and dedication on the part of Cuba's sports officials as well as an excellent sports program is the key to their amateur boxing success. Joel Casamayor is probably one of the best known professional fighters who was trained as an amateur in Cuba.

Anyway, the point is that we we can also duplicate Cuba's success if can apply the same principle in our Sports program. We need more dedicated sports officials whose main concern is the development of our athletes. We need to cleanse our Sports program of corrupt officials who are siphoning funds that are meant for Sports development.

On to Manny Pacquiao...

Next week, Manny Pacquiao is expected to face a crack legal team of Golden Boy Promotions when his deposition in Los Angeles. The deposition is in connection with the case filed by Golden Boy against Top Rank promoter Bob Arum for “tortuous interference” in their seven fight contract which Pacquiao signed in mid-September last year.

This was because Arum signed Pacquiao to a four-fight contract some two months later and the popular and exciting fighter turned his back on the Golden Boy contract. Pacquiao then fought under Arum after receiving $1 million as bonus which was twice as much as he received from by Golden Boy.

Pacquiao is expected to have trouble answering questions about the signing of a contract with Golden Boy and then signing another contract with Arum. This is because he received $1 million as compared to the $500,000 he took from Golden Boy.




Monday, June 4, 2007

Schaefer: We Can Help Make Manny a Legend

Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer feels confident that Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao can “the legend he wants to be” and could also make “the big fights in the big venues” with their help. Hmmmm.... What would Bob Arum feel upon hearing this statement?

In a Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today interview, Schaefer said that this could only be done if Pacquiao whom he claims is “totally misguided” will eventually recognize this fact and do the right thing which is ”to honor the contract he signed with us.”

The CEO also claims that he was sure that everyone would agree with him that Pacquiao’s career has been “mishandled ever since he left Shelly Finkel” his last manager. He also noted that Finkel “got him out of the mess he was in, got him the biggest fights and purses and he was at an all-time high.”

He also noted that Pacquiao was on the cover of Ring Magazine. The magazine is generally considered by many as the “Bible of boxing, won awards from the Boxing Writers and is on some lists as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He also added that, “a few more (Jorge) Solis or (Humberto) Soto like opponents and his (Pacquuiao’s) fame will start to fade.”

The CEO challenged Manny to “wake up and take control and be outside the ring, the man he is in the ring. A man who takes charge, who is the boss and does not let anyone push him around. Do what Oscar De La Hoya did several years ago. Stand up and say enough is enough!.”

And so the tug of war between Top Rank and Golden Boy promotions for the rights to Manny Pacquiao continues. Will his ever end? Not in the near future I think as a fighter of Pacquiao's talent and charisma is too valuable to give up. And how will this affect Pacquiao's chances of fighting the fighters that are under contract with Golden Boy? Only time will tell....


Friday, June 1, 2007

Jose Sulaiman: Pacquiao is Ill- Advised and Misguided on Declining Marquez Fight

Filipino boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao, is “ill-advised and misguided” in turning down the opportunity for a mandatory title shot at WBC super featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, according to WBC president Jose Sulaiman.

The respected WBC chairman revealed that the WBC Board of Governors was contemplating supporting a 50-50 split of the purses of Marquez and Pacquiao if there were no successful free negotiations and it went to a purse bid set for June 18 at the WBC headquarters in an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today.

According to him, the usual 75-25 split in favor of the champion would not be followed since “nobody can deny that Pacquiao is the top super featherweight fighter of today and we all believe that they both deserve equal purses.”

Sulaiman is clearly disappointed over Pacquiao’s rejection of the mandatory challenge offer.
He said winning the WBC gold and green belt was “the dream of most fighters in the world” and it would have helped establish “who is better between Marquez and Pacquiao” following their controversial draw in 2004.

A few days ago, Pacquiao asked the WBC to name someone else as mandatory challenger in a three-paragraph letter prepared by Michael Koncz who is reportedly an adviser but is believed to be Top Rank promoter Bob Arum’s eyes and ears in Team Pacquiao.

While neither fighter can think that “he is superior to the other” Marquez holds the world championship and Pacquiao does not, the WBC chairman explained. He also added that, “while his ill-advisers might tell Manny the belt is not important the records of boxing in the future will show who is more and who is less as a boxer by the world championship records that are stated forever in history.”