PacMan's Corner

[bfg9000]

on to the long awaited, long overdue Pacquiao-Barrera rematch!

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Pacquiao sharpens up, decks big sparmate

 

 

Inquirer

Last updated 03:28am (Mla time) 10/09/2006

 

Published on page A25 of the October 9, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

HERE’S FAIR warning to Erik Morales. Manny Pacquiao already looks a winner.

 

This after the Filipino superstar knocked down his Swedish sparmate, Shadi Hamsho, an unbeaten super featherweight prospect, on Thursday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles where he is revving up for his rubber match with Morales next month.

 

The 5-foot-11 Hamsho, still unbeaten in eight fights, went down after Pacquiao unleashed a series of blows, based on an account by Los Angeles-based correspondent Ed De la Vega of Philboxing.com yesterday.

 

The knockdown, De la Vega reported, was confirmed to him by boxers Bobby Pacquiao, Gerry Peñalosa and Ernel Fontanilla.

 

“Manny knocked down his sparring partner and no one was there to take a picture,” said De la Vega, quoting the three boxers while they were on their way to the Wild Card Gym.

 

Pacquiao, who recently inked a deal with Oscar De la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, reported to the Wild Card Gym a bit ahead of his training schedule last month.

 

The Pacquiao-Golden Boy contract is good for seven fights. The Filipino ring icon reportedly received a $300,000 signing bonus on top of an assurance from De la Hoya himself that, win or lose, on Nov. 18 against Morales, he would be getting a rematch with WBC super featherweight champ Marco Antonio Barrera.

 

The third Pacquiao-Morales fight, dubbed the “Grand Finale,” is scheduled at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The Filipino lost in their first meeting by a close but unanimous decision last year before the Filipino exacted revenge last January with a 10th-round stoppage.

 

Aside from Barrera, Pacquiao’s victim in their first encounter, Golden Boy also promotes or co-promotes other big names in the super feather and lightweight division, such as Jesus Chavez, Joan Guzman, Jorge Barrios, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

 

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...rticle_id=25572

[clubber_lang]

Morales would not put a good fight after four rounds and I see him going down in the 9th.

 

At this stage of his carrer, Morales can no longer keep up with Pacquiao's speed and power.

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Manny says brains to decide ‘Grand Finale’

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/08/2006

 

All other things being equal, Manny Pacquiao said brains will decide the outcome of his rubber match against Erik Morales in the climax of their ring trilogy at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 18.

 

That’s the word from Pacquiao’s marketing whiz Eric Pineda who shared the fighter’s inner thoughts in a STAR interview yesterday.

 

"Manny expects Morales to be in the best condition of his career for the fight," said Pineda. "And Manny is working hard to be in the best condition of his life, too. So if they’re in the best shape of their lives, what will make the difference is how they use their brains in getting an advantage over the other."

 

Pineda said Pacquiao has a lot of surprises in store for Morales.

 

"Manny has studied Morales’ style carefully and thinks there’s nothing more Morales can show," said Pineda. "On the other hand, Manny is going to show things Morales has never seen before."

 

According to Pacquiao, he’s got 20 new moves to unravel in "The Grand Finale."

 

"He didn’t tell me what those 20 moves are," said Pineda. "But you know Manny, if he says something, he means it. He doesn’t say things just to say things."

 

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said his workouts at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles are proceeding without a hitch. Roach said Pacquiao is working on more head feints and sharpening up his right hook but wouldn’t reveal what’s being planned for Morales.

 

Pineda said not too many fans realize Pacquiao began working out in General Santos City before he left for the US last Sept. 18.

 

"That’s why when Manny reported for camp in Los Angeles, Freddie was surprised he was in shape," said Pineda. "It’s because in General Santos, all Manny did was run in the morning, work out in the gym for two hours then play basketball for at least another two hours a day."

 

Pacquiao showed up at the Wild Card Gym for his first workout weighing 138 pounds, only eight over the stipulated limit for the fight – an indication that he never let go since the Oscar Larios fight last July.

 

Pineda said fighter Gerry Peñalosa phoned the other day reporting that no one can keep up with Pacquiao in his early morning jogs in Los Angeles. Peñalosa, who joins Pacquiao in the dawn runs, is booked to face a still unnamed opponent on Oct. 21 in El Paso, Texas.

 

"It’s full-steam ahead for Manny in training for Morales," said Pineda. "He knows what’s at stake so he’s not leaving anything to chance."

 

Pineda said Roach is preparing a fight plan to counter a possible strategy where Morales will stick and run like Marco Antonio Barrera did to Rocky Juarez in scoring a dull decision recently.

 

"Morales will try anything to win and survive," said Pineda. "But I don’t think he can do to Manny what Barrera did to Juarez. For one thing, Manny’s a lot faster than Juarez. And he’s a lot smarter."

 

Although Pacquiao is not looking beyond Morales, Pineda said plans are now being laid out by Oscar de la Hoya for the Pacman’s schedule next year. Pacquiao recently signed a seven-fight deal with de la Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

 

Pineda said Pacquiao’s affiliation with de la Hoya brings a dangerous dimension to the Morales fight which is promoted by Golden Boy’s archrival Top Rank.

 

"Morales is promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum," said Pineda. "With Manny signed to Golden Boy, Top Rank will obviously want Morales to win. In a close fight, I don’t think the judges will give the decision to Manny. That only means for Manny to make sure he wins, he’s got to knock out Morales again. He did it once before so there’s no reason why he can’t do it again."

 

Pineda said there’s a special bond between Pacquiao and de la Hoya because they’re both fighters and they understand each other.

 

"De la Hoya doesn’t want Manny to fight two consecutive hard fights," said Pineda. "He knows how a fighter feels because he’s a fighter himself. De la Hoya plans to space out the big money fights and put in tune-ups in between so Manny doesn’t burn out. Look at what Morales’ promoters did to him. At 30, he’s taken a heavy toll because they kept on giving him hard fights."

 

Pineda said it looks like Pacquiao will take on Barrera in a much-awaited rematch in June or July next year. A tune-up in March, possibly at the new Wynn Hotel and Casino in Macau, is an option.

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610091603.htm

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Manny nixes TV shoot with Kobe

By Joaquin Henson

The Philippine Star 10/10/2006

 

To prove he’s serious in training for Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao turned down a rare chance to shoot a global TV commercial with pro basketball star Kobe Bryant in Los Angeles yesterday.

 

A Team Pacquiao insider said Nike is filming an advertisement showcasing its high-profile stars, including Bryant, LeBron James, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods and South Korean soccer star Park Ji Sung of Manchester United. Clips of the athletes will be edited for an institutional commercial. Bryant and Pacquiao were scheduled for shooting in the same Hollywood studio. A lunch date to introduce the Los Angeles Lakers star to Pacquiao was cancelled.

 

"Manny knows what’s at stake in the fight so he’s making sure his focus is 100 percent in the gym,"said the insider. "He’s now in deep training for Morales and that’s why he had to beg off from the shoot."

 

Bryant plays his first National Basketball Association (NBA) preseason game for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Utah Jazz at Fresno State tonight.

 

Pacquiao, who recently signed a two-year endorsement contract with Nike, would’ve been the only boxer in the elite circle.

 

Pacquiao’s contract covers shoes, training equipment (like skipping rope) and gym body-wraps. It does not include apparel as Pacquiao has a live contract with "No Fear" until next year. Pacquiao will pitch for Nike in print ads and billboards. He will also make public appearances.

 

The Nike contract was described by a Team Pacquiao source as "unprecedented" for a Filipino athlete as it was approved in the company’s Portland headquarters.

 

The source said Nike plans to fly Pacquiao to Las Vegas for the NBA All-Star Weekend in February next year as Michael Jordan’s special guest at the launch of the shoe Air Jordan XXII. A meeting with Nike boss Phil Knight may be arranged to formally welcome Pacquiao into the company’s league of superstars.

 

The All-Star Weekend will start off with the opening of the NBA Jam Session at the 350,000 square foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center and end with the All-Star Game at the Thomas and Mack Center on Feb. 18.

 

Roy Jones was the first fighter signed by Nike to an endorsement contract although it was strictly for the Jordan brand. Pacquiao is the first fighter to endorse the Nike brand.

 

When Pacquiao meets Morales in "The Grand Finale" in Las Vegas on Nov. 18, several Nike stars may be at ringside. Woods, for instance, may watch the fight if his schedule permits.

 

"There’s something about a Pacquiao fight that excites the fans," said Manny Pacquiao Promotions vice president for marketing Eric Pineda. "I wouldn’t be surprised if Tiger Woods watches the fight. He’ll be cheering for Manny, of course, since they’re both Nike stars and Tiger is half-Asian. I can’t think of a fight that was more exciting than Manny’s fight against Morales last January and this coming fight will be even more exciting. When you watch Manny fight, you know there will be fireworks."

 

Several shoe companies offered juicy contracts for Pacquiao to sign. A Chinese brand, that is starting to make waves internationally, made a serious offer and so did a well-known Japanese brand. But in the end, Pacquiao decided to go with Nike.

 

A source said a huge Nike billboard will be unveiled in Metro Manila on Nov. 2 showing Pacquiao in a fighting pose and the words "Just Do It" at the bottom. The reference is for Pacquiao to get the job done when he faces Morales in the climax of their ring trilogy.

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610101602.htm

[tobats04]

This is what I am afraid of...

 

"Morales is promoted by Top Rank and Bob Arum," said Pineda. "With Manny signed to Golden Boy, Top Rank will obviously want Morales to win. In a close fight, I don’t think the judges will give the decision to Manny. That only means for Manny to make sure he wins, he’s got to knock out Morales again. He did it once before so there’s no reason why he can’t do it again."

[tobats04]

pero eto maganda..

galing mo talaga Manny.. Pinoy Nike..

 

Manny+Nike Apparel = Japorms

ayos!

 

Pacquiao, who recently signed a two-year endorsement contract with Nike, would’ve been the only boxer in the elite circle.

 

Pacquiao’s contract covers shoes, training equipment (like skipping rope) and gym body-wraps. It does not include apparel as Pacquiao has a live contract with "No Fear" until next year. Pacquiao will pitch for Nike in print ads and billboards. He will also make public appearances.

[Cmayfrayna]

morales ako...hope pacman loses this....hehehe.....

 

 

 

 

:mtc:

[ponx_99]

Manny all the way!!! Wag lang siyang papadistract with all that's been going on tulad ng pagsign nya kay goldenboy. Go Manny!!

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Pacquiao training rated ‘A’ by Roach

 

By Nick Giongco

 

ALL PUMPED up and raring to get it on.

 

 

That was how Freddie Roach described Manny Pacquiao yesterday in an interview with the Bulletin from the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California.

 

 

After another "great day" with the Filipino puncher, Roach said that Pacquiao’s sparring sessions and gym workouts have been graded as A+ and that everything is going on smoothly with 38 days remaining before the third clash with Erik Morales in Las Vegas.

 

"Manny is fired up and hungry for work (training)," said Roach, who was still working on a fighter when the Bulletin caught up with him Tuesday night (early Wednesday morning in Manila).

 

No major concerns, according to the former featherweight contender from Boston save for one thing.

 

"I have no worries except that a lot of people are beginning to show up at the gym and I have decided to close the door starting on Monday from 1-3 pm," said Roach, who began working out with Pacquiao for the Nov. 18 battle with Morales three weeks ago.

 

Before the Wild Card begins to get the look and feel of a circus, Roach wants to limit the entry of people inside the sweat shop "so Manny don’t get distracted."

 

On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), the 27-year-old Pacquiao will again spar with Vicente Escobedo, a skillful Mexican-American who, like Pacquiao, fights under the Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar dela Hoya.

 

Roach revealed that Juan Lazcano, the tall and long-armed super-lightweight from Texas, will no longer be called in to spar but might be tapped after his scheduled bout this month.

 

Meanwhile, Morales was quoted as saying by the Mexican media that Pacquiao is "scared" to fight him in the rubber match.

 

In an interview conducted in his high-altitude training camp in the Otomi Mountains of Mexico, the 30-year-old Morales lashed at Pacquiao, who he described as just being lucky during the rematch.

 

"I was teaching a lesson in the first five rounds but I just got tired," boasted Morales, who had to be rescued by the referee in the tenth round of that January 2006 slugfest.

 

"I am the better fighter compared to him," said Morales, who won the first fight on points.

 

Morales also bared that the men who will work his corner are his father and long-time trainer Jose "Olivaritos" Morales, strategist Fernando Fernandez and Argentine cutman Miguel Diaz.

 

 

http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT2006101276833.html

[Kuya!]

question lang po.

hindi kaya baka masyado siyang maaga mag "peak" sa training nya?

 

o baka ma-"overtrain" naman siya

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Pacquiao brod faces Velazquez in Vegas

 

The Philippine Star 10/13/2006

 

Bobby Pacquiao will take on Hector Velazquez on Nov. 16 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas after his scheduled fight against Robbie Peden for the IBF elimination bout failed to push through.

 

Pacquiao’s management team, composed of Michael Koncz, Rex Salud and brother Manny, announced yesterday that its promoter, Top Rank, failed to reach agreeable terms with the Peden camp, thus paving the way for a clash with Velazquez.

 

"Rather than going to a purse bid with the possibility of the fight taking place in Australia, the management team elected not to participate in the elimination bout," said Koncz in a report at Fightnews.com.

 

Koncz added that contracts were signed yesterday for Bobby to face Velazquez, a one-time opponent of his brother. The bout will be a 12-round main event non-title fight. The card will be televised nationally to millions of homes by Versus Network (formally OLN).

 

Bobby Pacquiao has been undergoing extensive preparation along with his more illustrious brother at the Wild Card gym since Sept. 19.

 

Manny, according to Koncz, said that "Velazquez is a tough opponent but Bobby is training very hard for this fight and will be ready for the challenge. I will be at ring side to give Bobby encouragement and my support."

 

 

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200610131608.htm

[blue_blooded]

question lang po.

hindi kaya baka masyado siyang maaga mag "peak" sa training nya?

 

o baka ma-"overtrain" naman siya

 

Pacman only trains hard between 12-14 weeks tops.

 

Si Morales ang baka ma overtrain, remember that he already went into that weight reduction program before he started his high altitude boxing training. And he's mouthing off this early, not a very good sign of a fighter who is confident of his skills and strengths. He's trying to get into Manny's mind now. Pacman's doing the right thing by keeping generally quiet and just saying enough to keep everybody interested. Regardless of the results, Manny will come out looking good and Morales will come out looking bad. Manny will be exciting and fun to watch and will knock out Morales if he decides to slug it out. Erik will have a chance if he runs around and boxes Manny from a distance. But if Manny comes in prepared, he will eventually catch El Terrible and a short ending is always possible. The Pacman, win or lose, will walk away to bigger money fights as he will prove that he is the bigger draw, the boxer that people pay to watch. Morales even if he wins will be one step closer to retirement.

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Throng salivating for seat in Pacquiao-Morales III

 

 

By Hermie Rivera

Inquirer

Last updated 05:41am (Mla time) 10/15/2006

 

Published on page A26 of the October 15, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

 

THE much-awaited 12-round showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Eric Morales in Las Vegas, Nevada, is almost at hand.

 

As we approach the fight date of Nov. 18 (19th Manila time), the guys taking charge of this ring promo are one in saying that reporters and fans are still in the dark as to who has the edge in the final deal of this intriguing trilogy.

 

I guess you would be, too, if you count yourself part of the large throng salivating for a seat in boxing’s newest heaven—the Thomas and Mack Center—where Mora-les tumbled to submission courtesy of a 10th round knockout by the hitman from GenSan, Cotabato.

 

Before that, “El Terrible” Morales halted Pacquiao’s winning streak in May of last year, an outstanding feat that put a dent on Pacman’s winning form throughout much of his comeback.

 

But the Filipino boxing idol avenged his painful loss with aplomb—dealing the Mexican three-time champ his only knockout loss of his career.

 

Somehow I find my elation at nearing the conclusion of this bitter rivalry of the two ring icons stressed by the scheduled journey of a parasitic band, primed to leave for this spectacular fight of Manny Pacquiao at (you guessed it) his expense.

 

Favored officials of the Games and Amusements board have finalized their travel itinerary, unmindful of the need to look for ways to help our boxers needing assistance as mandated by their charter. This agency could not care less for as long as they are snugly ensconced at ringside for such boxing rarity.

 

Never mind if their presence is needed here to afford them a chance at lobbying for a professional boxing act that could set safety standards for our pugilists.

 

Not even health insurance is provided for our great unwashed, and the much needed protection for our fighters from absconding promoters is non existent under the current set-up.

 

Worse, this agency does not implement its own regulation covering purses which provides that prize money of contending parties must be paid in full before a championship match is executed.

 

Case in point: Luisito Espinosa’s 1997 unpaid purse of $150,000 owed to the boxer by the promoters led by ex Gov. Larry de Pedro, Rod Nazario and Lito Mondejar in that regrettable title setto in Koronadal, South Cotabato

 

What we’ve been treated to is the spectacle of GAB subalterns headed by their top honchos, constantly touring various capitals of the world attending conventions of dubious alphabet organizations.

 

Oh yes. These modern-day Marco Polos have been at it since heaven-knows-when, circumnavigating the world boxing capitals instead of finding ways to help solve some of the problems bedeviling the fight game. At our expense.

 

As in previous Pacquiao fights, it would also do well for everyone to keep track of the continued pilgrimage of our gallivanting politicos who’ll for sure be splurging at the fabulous sights and sounds of glitzy Vegas.

 

The same aggregation who’ve done nothing to help our bold practitioners of the art—our ambassadors who’ve brought honor and pride to the country.

 

We are left to stare at the utter helplessness of our ring campaigners utterly neglected by these heartless souls who abound in what the late Jimmy Cannon calls “the red light district of sports.”

 

Sound management is critical to the health of an organization, office or association. Sadly, the country is saddled with an agency that has outlived its usefulness.

 

About time a more robust sports body is created, one that could give a much needed-breath of fresh air to our hapless prizefighters. Any takers?

 

 

http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/sports/view_article.php?article_id=26780

[nathalia]

the battle begins.......very very soon :cool: