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Analyst tells Mayweather: Shut up

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:19 PST

source: ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Fight analyst Kevin Iole blasted Floyd Mayweather Jr. for his repeated claims that Manny Pacquiao has been using performance- enhancing drugs (PEDs).

In his latest Yahoo! Sports mailbag, Iole took notice of Mayweather’s statement against the Filipino champion while the American boxer was in Puerto Rico.

“Floyd Mayweather is not a cheater like Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao,” said Mayweather as he promoted his May 5 bout against Miguel Cotto.

Although Mayweather didn’t mention the words “performance-enhancing drugs,” Iole said the implication was clear.

“Mayweather is a brilliant talent and is, in my mind, clearly the best boxer in the world. But his insistence on tearing down Manny Pacquiao and calling him a cheater is wearing thin,” said the analyst.

The controversial boxer is actually facing a defamation suit for insinuating that Pacquiao benefitted from PEDs.

The Filipino superstar is suing Mayweather for trying to ruin his reputation.

Adding to Mayweather’s woes is his upcoming 3-month jail sentence after he pled guilty for beating up his former girlfriend. He will serve his sentence starting June 1.

“Memo to Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Shut up. Please. Button up now, before you open your mouth again and say something even more stupid than you’ve already said,” said Iole.

'Manny has more punching power than Bradley'

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:44:30 PST

source: ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten Filipino lightweight contender Mercito Gesta believes fellow Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has the upper hand in punching power compared to Timothy Bradley.

Gesta, who is set to fight in the undercard of the April showdown between Brandon Rios and Yuriorkis Gamboa, said Pacquiao could offset Bradley’s speed with superior punching power.

“Bradley’s fast but I don’t know about his [punching] power. I still think Manny will get that fight,” said the US-based Cebuano in Boxing Scene.

Most pundits believe Bradley lacks punching power as shown by his knockout (KO) record.

In 28 victories, the unbeaten American boxer was only able to notch 12 KOs.

Pacquiao, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion, has 38 KOs in 54 wins.

But Bradley claimed that although he fought most of the time as a junior welterweight, he is stronger compared to the Filipino champion.

“I walk around at 160, 165 (pounds). I’m way bigger than him,” he said.

“I’m strong, and I’m a lot thicker than he is, and I looked like I’m a lot stronger. I know that he can’t bench press no 300-pounds,” Bradley added.

Mayweather: I'm not racist

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:51 PST

source: ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten American boxer Floyd Mayweather is not backing off the comments he made regarding New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, but denied that he is a racist.

Last month, Mayweather made headlines anew after tweeting that Lin "is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise."

Lin, a Taiwanese-American player who went undrafted out of Harvard, led the Knicks to a seven-game winning streak and launched "Linsanity." In their most recent game, he tallied 19 points and 13 assists to help the Knicks rally past the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Mayweather drew flak for his tweet, with Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White telling him, "Yes, Floyd, you're racist."

But during a press conference promoting his May 5 fight against Miguel Cotto, the unbeaten fighter refused to take back his comment.

"Things happen, and you know, do I regret what I said? Absolutely not. I stand by what I said and I meant what I said," Mayweather said, as quoted by Boxing Scene.

But he claimed that the media overlooked his praise of Lin.

"They failed to put that in there, when I said Jeremy Lin was a good player," Mayweather said. "I don't have no hard feelings towards Jeremy Lin. Like I said before, when I said he was a good player, they failed to put that in any story that they was writing."

He also denied that he was a racist.

"I'm not racist at all. Jewish people work for me, Dominican, Mexican, white people," Mayweather said, adding that one of his best friends was white.

"I'm a black American. I believe and support my own first. Only they can feel my struggle, if they come from the same background I come from."

Mayweather also pointed out that Lin struggled in the Knicks’ loss to the Miami Heat prior to the All-Star break.

"I said Jeremy Lin was a good player. And you know, go back and look at when he played against the Miami Heat," he said, referring to Lin's eight-point, three-assist performance.

Mayweather has also been criticized in the past for making racist comments about his rival, Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.

Cotto says Margarito victory restored confidence

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:43 PST

source: Lem Satterfield | RingTV.com

WBA junior middleweight titleholder Miguel Cotto's impressive resume includes wins over ex-world beltholders Shane Mosley, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi, Zab Judah, Yuri Foreman and Ricardo Mayorga -- the last three by knockout.

In addition, Cotto, 31, is coming off December's 10th-round stoppage of Antonio Margarito at New York's Madison Square Garden, which avenged his 11th-round knockout loss -- the first of Cotto's career -- in July of 2008.

The Margarito win was the third straight stoppage for Cotto (37-2, 30 knockouts) since being dethroned as WBO welterweight beltholder by Manny Pacquiao in November of 2009.

"I never asked for anybody. I just sit and wait for what boxing can bring me. And I try to put on the best performance," said Cotto. "When I retire, I will be proud, because I never faced C-class opponents. I always wanted to face the elite."

But as the Puerto Rican icon enters what could be his most difficult challenge -- the fourth defense of his crown against seven-time, five-division titlewiner, Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- (42-0, 26 KOs) he still is answering questions about his vulnerability.

Much of that stems from his bloody wars against Margarito, Clottey and Pacquiao, the first of which left Cotto's face a battered crimson mask.

Against Margarito, Cotto's nose was broken, he had been knocked down once and taken a knee once, and blood flowed freely down his face from a deep gash over his left eye.

Although illegal plaster was found in Margarito's hand wrappings and removed prior to his ninth-round knockout loss to Mosley in his next fight in January of 2009, allegations linger over whether or not he had similar "enhancements" when he faced Cotto.

Cotto admitted to having a fractured mental pysche in the aftermath of his loss to Margarito, but that his pride was restored when he gained his revenge in December.

"After that first fight with Margarito, he took some things from me -- my confidence in myself. When I beat him in December, those things came back to me. I feel better right now," said Cotto.

"You guys noticed after the Margarito fight that I didn't look like the loser that I used to look like. A different Miguel Cotto came to fight. I feel myself this is going to be a new Miguel Cotto, a Miguel Cotto who was there from the beginning, who likes to fight, who likes to move, who likes to do everything to win the fight."

Cotto and Mayweather will enter the third day of a three-city press tour on Thursday in Los Angeles, one that followed stops in San Juan on Monday, and New York on Tuesday.

Mayweather, for his part, has dismissed Cotto's losses to Margarito and Pacquiao, owing to the handwraps scandal and the fact that Cotto fought Pacquiao at a what he believes was a strength-sapping 145-pound catchweight.

"You have a guy in Miguel Cotto, he has two losses. But one of his losses was from him fighting a guy at a catchweight where he wasn't 100 percent. And you got another guy that he faced who got in trouble for cheating in the sport. So I look at it like I'm going in here facing a guy that's undefeated," said Mayweather.

"He's solid, he's strong, and he's the king at 154. And I'm the pound-for-pound king in the sport of boxing until somebody proves me otherwise. The pedigree and the background of Puerto Rican boxing is truly amazing. My thing is that I come from a fighting family, and he comes from Puerto Rico, where they love boxing. So when you bring the two fighters together, you're going to get nothing but excitement."

Some of Cotto's renewed confidence stems from the presence of his new trainer, Pedro Diaz, a PHD in Pedagogical Sciences and an ex-university professor in sports science who replaced Manny Steward for the Margarito fight.

"I've known him since 1996, and him being here helped me for the last fight," said Cotto. "I know that he's going to bring good things and make me better and better."

Cotto sees an advantage over Mayweather with his size, said that he will not sacrifice speed against his unbeaten foe, and that he hopes to negate's Mayweather's speed "the same way I handled Shane Mosley a few years ago."

"My advantage is the weight class --154 is my weight. Power is going to be on my side. But I have to put other things like speed and movement on the upper level for this fight. People said he had that advantage over me. His speed is the same," said Cotto.

"We want to work on everything, pressure, movement...This is going to be that kind of fight, like the fight with Mosley. I'm going to have in front of me, Floyd Mayweather, the biggest boxer in our sport right now. I'm going to train for that kind of fight, like when I trained for the Mosley fight. This one [Mayweather] is the challenge right now."

Mayweather, Jr's perfect record becomes imperfect without Pacquiao's price tag

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:36 PST

source: Granville Ampong | Examiner.com

Felix Strunk of Fighthype.com quotes Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s latest ranting, "I am an all-time great with or without Pacquiao." Such statement is nothing short of saying: "I already have dismissed Pacquiao, all to my glory, forever and forever."

But, Mayweather, Jr.'s statement is one of subjective right.

Even though Mayweather, Jr. has the clear upperhand over Pacquiao in matters of his chance to win and the betterhold of the American market, Pacquiao still has the knack to make their fight, if it happens, more thrilling and more heart-breaking and, nonetheless, the crack of a chance to beat Mayweather, Jr., regardless of the percentage of probability. Rather, it's best to say Mayweather's perfect record would just become less than perfect without Pacquiao's price tag.

Strunk may have put it right, pointing out CompuBox's record unarguably stating Mayweather, Jr. as "the most accurate puncher and the least hittable fighter" bearing 42 undefeated professional fights.

But, Pacquiao may just be the right fighter who can stamp out that zero off his record even if Pacquiao has only a slim chance and even if fighting odds favor to his style and advances, of which, conversely, this prospect is less favorable to this writer's believing.

Popular demand dictates these two great fighters must face off in the ring of madness. And no doubt, both fighters are indispensable to each other's glory.

Tim Bradley believes Pacquiao’s retirement talks give him an edge

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:04:27 PST

source: Igor Frank | Examiner.com

“I don’t care how much they will promote June 9th fight,” exclaimed Big Steve punishing the heavy bag at the Y in Glendale:” Once Pacman hits Bradley flush it will be a different story. I don’t think Tim Bradley has ever been hit by any one like Manny Pacquiao.”

Lance Pug mire of Los Angeles Times asked Bradley about that last week during press conference announcing welterweight championship fight in Las Vegas.

“Kendall Holt is a big puncher. He put me on the canvass with a punch I didn’t see,” replied Bradley, 28:” I got up from it and I dominated the fight. I think that I’ve grown as a fighter since then I feel that I’ve learned a lot since that fight and I am getting better.” Actually Kendall Holt has dropped Bradley twice; once in the first round and once in the twelfth, but Bradley still managed to win that fight in convincing fashion.

Former two times light welterweight champion, Bradley is moving up to welterweight to face pound for pound king of sweet science, Manny Pacquiao. For most moving up in weight is a challenging proposition. Fighters lose speed or power or confidence to hurt their opponent or all of the above. Unbeaten fighter from Palm Spring feels different.

“I think at welterweight I feel that I am a lot stronger,” Bradley said:” And I should be able to take a bigger shot.”

While favorite son of Philippines, Manny Pacquiao is talking politics, Floyd Mayweather and retirement, Bradley believes he has a unique window of opportunity in his June 9th showdown.

“If he is thinking retirement than it does work kind of in my favor,” continued Bradley who carries himself with a confidence of an undefeated fighter:” I think that he thinks that this is the end of the road for him. If he is thinking retirement going into the fight, that’s not good. So, I am hungry and may be he is loosing that fire. May be he has other things he would like to do besides boxing. I am just saying that when a fighter is talking about retirement, I don’t think it’s a good thing going into a fight when you are talking about retirement after the fight. I just don’t think that’s smart at all. I think that his head is not in the game any more.”

Retirement or not Bradley is not planning to leave anything to chance when he faces the best of the best on June 9th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. So what would it take to get ready for a fight like this?

“Hard work, dedication and putting in the time and putting in the work to get my body prepared for an event like this,” Bradley said:” I am going to study his last five fights. I don’t really care that Manny Pacquiao didn’t look spectacular in his last couple of fights, because styles make fights. I don’t pay attention to that. I know this when fighters face myself they go back to the drawing board and they come out and they know they are in a fight, so they are going to train extremely hard for me.”

Well known for his exemplary work ethic in the gym, Bradley promises to be ready. “I am expecting the best Manny Pacquiao that anybody has ever seen before,” exclaimed Bradley:” And I am expecting him to try to take me out. I always rely on the distance. I am always able to go twelve hard rounds, but you never know; one punch could change the whole fight.”

Local champion from Palm Spring has watched his whole life turn around in an instant last week. From virtual obscurity to constant media attention, TV appearance and celebrity like status.” I am prepared for all that,” said Bradley:’ I was born to do this and I feel that I should have been at this moment a lot sooner and now its here. It’s part of the territory. Its part of the business and just something I got to get used to.”

Floyd Mayweather Jr: I am all-time great

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:03:47 PST

source: Roy Luarca | Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—Floyd Mayweather Jr. just can’t wait for others to extol his achievement as a fighter.

The unbeaten loudmouth has declared himself an all-time great. And that, he said, is regardless of whether his much-awaited fight with pound-for-pound rival Manny Pacquiao would push through or not.

“I’m an all-time great, with or without Pacquiao,” Mayweather told Fred Strunk of Fighthype.com on Tuesday during the New York stop of the promotional tour of his May 5 showdown with Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas.

Mayweather, the World Boxing Council welterweight champion, continued to be hounded by Pacquiao’s shadow wherever he goes.

Most questions centered on his seeming reluctance to tangle with the eight-division world champion Filipino, now the World Boxing Organization welterweight titlist, even if both of them could earn at least $50 million from the fight.

The megabuck bout could have pushed through in 2010 if not for Mayweather’s demand for Olympic-style blood testing.

Attempts to revive negotiations for the fight last year fizzled out due to Mayweather’s insistence on the dope-testing protocol.

There was a glimmer of hope last month, though, after Mayweather called out Pacquiao and offered the Fighter of the Decade $40 million but without any share in the pay-per-view revenues.

Pacquiao, who said he would agree to all of Mayweather’s drug test demands, declined and countered with a 45-45 split with the remaining 10 percent.

Photo: Mayweather Jr. and Cotto ‘Faceoff’, set to hit Hollywood tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:03:30 PST

source: Chris Robinson | Examiner.com

Recently, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Miguel Cotto were spotted across from one another during a taping of HBO’s beloved Faceoff segment. The shooting took place in Los Angeles as the two stars were joined by analyst Max Kellerman ahead of their press conference on Thursday afternoon in Hollywood, California.

Mayweather and Cotto were in Puerto Rico on Monday and one day later found themselves inside of the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. At approximately 1 PM/PT tomorrow, Floyd Jr. and Miguel will find themselves inside of Grauman's Chinese Theater for the final stop on this coast to coast tour.

As was the case in Puerto Rico and New York, the event will be open to the public.

Doc Rivers: No talk of Rajon Rondo deal

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:03:15 PST

source: Jackie MacMullan | ESPNBoston.com

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Doc Rivers spent an hour and a half with president of basketball operations Danny Ainge before Wednesday's win over Milwaukee, but the Boston Celtics' coach says they never discussed trading point guard Rajon Rondo.

"In all that time we did not talk once about any trades," Rivers said. "There was not one single thing about Rajon Rondo that crossed my desk."

Rivers said Thursday afternoon he is irked by reports the Celtics were aggressively shopping his mercurial point guard and frustrated that his relationship with Rondo is being cited as one of the reasons Boston is willing to part with him.

"My relationship with Rajon is as strong as it has ever been," he said. "Our communication has never been better. I want him here. I can say with almost 100 percent certainty he will be here with us when the season ends. I'm tired of this stuff. It's not fair."

Ainge called Rondo the team's "best player" and reaffirmed on Thursday during his weekly call to Boston sports radio WEEI that he's not actively trying to trade the 26-year-old.

"He's our best player, he's the most important part of our future," said Ainge. "There's no way we're actively trying to trade Rondo. That makes no sense, no logical sense."

Ainge went on to note that another team could always bowl over the Celtics with an offer to obtain Rondo's services and admitted he couldn't turn down one that made the Celtics better, but concluded, "I've made zero calls to try to trade him, and I won't."

As the March 15 trading deadline inches closer, Rondo's name will continue to be brought up. Boston did use Rondo as trade bait in an attempt to acquire point guard Chris Paul during the preseason, but the All-Star veteran ended up in Los Angeles with the Clippers instead.

Team and league sources said that while the Celtics were willing to part with Rondo if it yielded someone of Paul's caliber, they are not actively trying to unload him. Two general managers initially involved in the Rondo-Paul trade talks as a potential third party confirmed Thursday they have not received any calls in recent months from Boston regarding the point guard.

"I'm very confident that Rondo knows what I think of him, what I feel about him as a player and how important he is to our team," Ainge told WEEI. "I feel like Rondo is making incredible strides as a player, as a leader, as a teammate, and as a player in every way -- offense and defense."

Rondo's uneven demeanor has been a constant topic of discussion throughout his career, from his days at Kentucky when he butted heads with then-coach Tubby Smith to his time with Boston. Early in his career, Rivers actually hauled Rondo into his office and informed him: "Your own teammates can't stand you. You need to fix that."

According to his coach and his teammates, Rondo took that advice to heart and tried to be more communicative with and responsive to his fellow Celtics. He, along with his more decorated Big Three teammates, went on to win a title in 2008.

"Rondo is a moody guy," one Celtics official said, "but so what? Stand in line. There's a league full of NBA guys who are more high-maintenance than he is.

"He's a real competitor, wants to get better and he's a real gamer. Doc loves the fact that Rondo will fight through anything to be out on the court."

In fact, Celtics sources said, if there is any friction regarding Rondo, it well could be between him and his veteran teammates, who have publicly conceded that this is now Rondo's team, but still become occasionally irritated with his antics.

His outburst Feb. 19 when he threw the ball at referee Sean Wright and was given a two-game suspension was not well-received, nor was his anger over his initial All-Star snub. Rondo eventually was named to the team to replace the injured Joe Johnson.

The Celtics will continue to listen to offers for all of their players as the deadline approaches, with veteran Ray Allen continuing to draw the most interest.

Ainge has consistently said he will always listen to offers, but added Thursday, "That's a lot different from saying we're shopping a player. We aren't. We are not out there trying to trade Rajon Rondo."

Jackie MacMullan is a columnist and reporter for ESPNBoston.com. ESPNBoston.com's Chris Forsberg contributed to this report.

Heat's Bosh to miss at least next two games

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:03:07 PST

source: Espn.com

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Chris Bosh will miss at least the Miami Heat's next two games after a death in his family.

Bosh did not travel with the team to Portland for Thursday night's game against the Blazers and he will not play Friday night when the Heat play in Utah. The Heat close their road trip with a game Sunday afternoon against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra did not name a replacement starter. Most likely reserve Udonis Haslem will see increased minutes and veteran backup Juwan Howard will be pressed into service. The team is currently riding an eight-game win streak.

"He's been playing great for us this year," LeBron James said. "Hopefully guys will step up in his absence and we can keep the momentum going."

Also Thursday morning, Dwyane Wade reacted to Kobe Bryant's statements from Wednesday night, downplaying the All-Star Game foul that broke Bryant's nose and caused a minor concussion.

Bryant told reporters in Los Angeles: "It was very simple. He didn't mean to do it. It's just something that just happens. He's not that type of person."

"I didn't play to the added drama and Kobe didn't either," Wade said. "Kobe knew there was no ill intent on my part. We have a pretty good relationship, it is just one of those things. Maybe he put it to rest, maybe he didn't. (Sunday's) game is going to be competitive no matter what."

Brian Windhorst covers the NBA for ESPN.com.

Masked Kobe leads Lakers’ blowout of Timberwolves

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:03:01 PST

source: GREG BEACHAM | AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP)—Kobe Bryant could be excused for harboring a little grudge after Dwyane Wade broke his nose and gave him a concussion with a hard foul in the All-Star game, of all places.

Instead, Bryant professes nothing but love for his fellow U.S. Olympian, even when the injuries required him to wear a sweaty protective mask in his first game back.

And if Bryant had any hidden frustration about the whole situation, he probably took it out on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bryant had 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while playing in that uncomfortable mask, and Los Angeles returned from the All-Star break with its 17th consecutive win over the Timberwolves, 104-85 on Wednesday night.

Bryant didn’t miss a game after Wade fouled him awkwardly from behind, giving Kobe the first concussion of his athletic career. After getting late clearance from his neurologist, the NBA’s leading scorer slipped on a Richard Hamilton-style mask that quickly turned into “a sauna on my face,” but didn’t slow him at all.

“It happens,” Bryant said. “You just have to deal with it and try to heal up as quickly as you possibly can, and get back on the court.”

Although Wade and his Miami Heat visit Staples Center this weekend, Bryant is more interested in Friday’s visit from the Sacramento Kings. He’ll keep wearing the mask until his nose is less tender—but anybody expecting payback for Wade on Sunday is foolish, he insists.

“It was very simple: He didn’t mean to do it,” Bryant said. “He’s not that kind of person. … He’s a nicer guy than I am, to be honest with you. He’s just not the type of person who would do something like that (on purpose).”

Bryant has played through countless nagging injuries in the last few years as the prep-to-pro star hits his mid-30s. He’s been playing with a torn ligament in his right wrist since the season began.

The foul left Bryant with headaches, nausea and neck pain on his way out of Orlando.

“A lot of pressure,” Bryant said. “It just feels like constant throbbing at the base of my head and neck.”

He made significant progress in the previous 24 hours and passed every test for concussion problems from his neurologist, Dr. Vern Williams, who declared him symptom-free before the game.

“I understand the severity of the situation,” Bryant said. “You have to go through those steps. It’s part of the job. … It’s definitely different. In that sense, you’re pretty helpless. You just have to be patient and hope for the best.”

Bryant hit his first two jumpers in the opening minutes and finished the first quarter with 10 points. He also received several brief massages on the bench from the Lakers’ physical therapist, both before and after scoring 12 points in the third quarter while Los Angeles pulled away. He made 9 of 10 free throws with the mask.

Lakers coach Mike Brown felt confident enough in Bryant’s health to put him back in the game with the Lakers’ other four starters in the closing minutes when Minnesota chiseled the lead below 20 points.

“Kobe is a special human being,” Brown said. “I don’t have answers for him. I don’t know what he’s made of. He’s just different. His body reacts different.”

Pau Gasol scored 15 points and Andrew Bynum had 13 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who improved to 15-1 at home since losing their Christmas opener.

Michael Beasley and Martell Webster scored 14 points apiece as the Timberwolves played the middle game of a back-to-back-to-back set without Kevin Love, who sat out with an apparent case of the flu.

“From the start, they played harder than us,” Beasley said. “They wanted it more than we did. They were playing physical from the beginning. It got us out of our game, and we couldn’t fight back.”

Minnesota couldn’t duplicate its stellar shooting in an impressive win over the Clippers one night earlier, going 5 for 20 in the decisive third quarter of the Wolves’ second loss in their last seven games.

Rookie forward Derrick Williams, from nearby La Mirada, Calif., had 10 points while taking Love’s starting spot for Minnesota, which finishes its three-night odyssey on Thursday in Phoenix. Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman said he decided to rest Love in hopes he’ll be ready to play in the third game of the set.

Los Angeles led by 15 in the first quarter, but Minnesota got back within 50-44 at halftime. The Lakers gradually took control while outscoring the Wolves 33-15 in the third quarter, led by Bryant’s scoring and Gasol’s 10 points after a quiet first half.

Rose scores 29 as streaking Bulls stop Spurs 96-89

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:02:43 PST

source: PAUL J. WEBER | Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO (AP)—Derrick Rose and Tony Parker didn’t see much of each other during the All-Star game last weekend, but they got close enough Wednesday night to give the Chicago Bulls a scare.

Rose, last year’s NBA MVP, says his knee is fine after crashing into Parker — and the Eastern Conference leaders are still rolling along.

Shaking off a scary-looking collision with Parker in the first quarter, Rose scored 29 points and Chicago cooled off the streaking Spurs 96-89. The Bulls won for the 11th time in 13 games while becoming only the second visiting team to win in San Antonio this season.

Rose writhed on the floor for several minutes after banging knees with Parker, who stood unfazed after the impact. Bulls trainers rushed to the star’s side, but Rose got up slowly and walked back to the bench. He never left the game.

“When I first hit him, there was a lot of pain in there,” Rose said. “But after laying down there for a little bit, I got up and was good.”

Gary Neal led the Spurs with 21 points off the bench, scoring 15 in the fourth. He sank two big 3-pointers in the quarter, one knotting the score at 75 and the second putting the Spurs within three, but San Antonio floundered late and had its homecoming spoiled after going 8-1 during the winningest nine-game road trip in NBA history.

Joakim Noah added 10 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago. Rose scored six in the fourth, including two crucial shots on back-to-back possessions in the final 2 minutes.

“It’s very tough,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of trying to stop Rose. “He’s a great player.”

Tim Duncan had 18 points and 10 rebounds. He brought the Spurs back from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter after starting out rusty following the longest midseason break of his career. The 35-year-old wasn’t at All-Star weekend for the first time but relished the rest in the compressed, lockout-shortened schedule.

Duncan scored 12 in the third while Parker—who was an All-Star but played only sparingly in Orlando on Sunday night—struggled to keep pace with Rose. Parker finished with 11 points on 5-of-16 shooting, had nine assists and stumbled through his lowest-scoring game in a month.

“I thought the whole team was rusty,” Parker said. “I was rusty, too. I didn’t do nothing for four days, five days.”

In fact, Parker’s most memorable play may have been the one that nearly took out Rose. But after getting hurt, Rose immediately proved he was OK by darting toward the basket and finishing a tough layup on the very next possession.

After scoring 32 points and sinking a crucial jumper with 19.4 seconds left to beat lowly New Orleans on Tuesday night, Rose delivered late again. He scored 13 in the second half and hit a 9-foot bank shot with 1:46 left that put Chicago up 87-82.

Duncan quickly answered, but on the next possession Rose all but finished off the Spurs. This time it was a tough 18-footer over Duncan’s outstretched hand that put the Bulls up 89-84, and Luol Deng’s 3-pointer with 39.6 seconds left stretched the lead to six and sealed a winning start to Chicago’s three-game road swing.

“I told you, playing every point guard on the planet is fun, where I love the challenge,” Rose said of his matchup with Parker. “He’s a veteran point guard, knows all the moves, plays great for that team.”

San Antonio has been practically invincible at home. But the Spurs, now 13-2 at the AT&T Center, aren’t going anywhere soon: They’ll play their next six at home as amends for spending the last month on their most successful Rodeo Road Trip ever.

Danny Green added 11 points for the Spurs. C.J. Watson scored 12 off the bench for Chicago, and Deng finished with 10.

Richard Hamilton started again for the Bulls after returning from a monthlong absence Tuesday against the Hornets. Hamilton has been bothered by a sore thigh and played just 15 minutes, scoring two points on 1-of-8 shooting.

Powerade stakes unbeaten slate vs Barako; Meralco faces Alaska

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:24:00 PST

source: InterAKTV

Meralco tries to get back on the winning track as it collides with Alaska in the Friday’s opening game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Bolts have only a win to show in four games and coach Ryan Gregorio knows they can’t afford to lose more games to stay in contention.

“Find ways to win, that is our goal. It is important that our attitude is positive and believe it can be done,” said Gregorio as Meralco battles the Aces at 5:15 p.m.

“The changes in our roster were done to strengthen our rotation, ufortunately, when you make changes, it usually takes time to stabilize,” he added. “However with the format, you don’t really have the luxury of time.”

The Bolts have changed their import twice and Earl Barron debuted for them against Powerde but they fell to the highly-motivated Tigers, 82-94.

Sol Mercado also returned in that match but was held to just three points on 1-of-4 shooting.

“I believe that when Earl Barron gets his timing and Sol gets his game back, we will be competitive. Right now, we are pretty much in a feeling out each other stage again. But steps were undertaken the past week to find right ingredient to increase our chances of winning,” said Gregorio.

Alaska is holding a 2-2 win-loss slate and is also coming off a tough 110-98 loss against league-leader Talk ‘N Text.

In the main game, Powerade eyes a share of the lead with a win against Barako Bull as they square off at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers are on a sizzling 2-0 start and they did this despite issues surrounding the sale of its franchise and the aborted Marcio Lassiter trade to Petron Blaze.

“As of now, the only justification we have for our team’s existence is to keep on wining. We intend to do just that no matter what,” said coach Bo Perasol.

The Energy are parading a new import in Rodney White, who replaced the injured DerMarr Johnson. Barako Bull is on a three-game losing skid.

BARAKO BULL PINS HOPES ON HIGH NBA PICK WHITE VS UNBEATEN TIGERS

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:02:33 PST

source: pba.ph

Barako Bull introduces another NBA top draftee in Rodney White as the Energy tangle with the
Powerade Tigers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Friday night.

Barako coach Junel Baculi hopes White helps reenergize the team, having dropped their last three
games after a triumphant tournament debut versus the Alaska Aces.

“We have to check our slump or we move on the verge of disaster,” said Baculi.

White comes in while the team waits for Dermarr Johnson to recover from a groin injury he suffered versus Rain or Shine in Dubai Thursday.

“Tignan natin kung ano ang mangyayari. At least, may options kami,” Baculi said.

At 1-3, Barako is hard-pressed to win as it plays Powerade at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are out to keep pace with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, seeking victory No. 3 in the mid-season tourney.

“As of now, the only justification we have for our team’s existence is to keep on winning. We
intend to do that no matter what,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol.

The Tigers, the surprise second placers in the Philippine Cup, hope to get going, looking to sustain the momentum of their back-to-back wins over Rain or Shine and Meralco.

Perasol said they would size up White in the early goings then make the necessary adjustments.

What the Tigers know about White is what they see on the internet.

White, 31 and listed as a 6-foot-9 forward, was picked by the Detroit Pistons with the No. 9 overall selection in the 2001 NBA Draft. He later also had stints with the Denver Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors.

He starred for North Carolina-Charlotte in college before graduating to the NBA where he averaged 7.1 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 218 games from 2001-2005.

He enjoyed a career-best average of 9.0 points with the Nuggets in 2002-03 while playing 21.7
minutes an outing.

The Nuggets, however, had a bad season, enabling them to pick Carmelo Anthony in the succeeding NBA Draft.

With Anthony on board, the Nuggets packaged White with Nikoloz Tskitishvili in a trade to the
Warriors for Eduardo Najera, Luis Flores and a future pick.

White played sparingly in 16 games for the Warriors, averaging 5.1 points in 11.7 minutes. He was released the following summer.

From the NBA, White drifted to the Euro League before landing in Asia.

White flew in to Manila Wednesday fresh from the Chinese league.

“He’s bigger (than Johnson) at 240 pounds so we’ve improved our inside presence. He also has a
good touch from the outside,” said Baculi. (SB)

BOLTS, ACES TANGLE TO GET BACK ON TRACK

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:02:27 PST

source: pba.ph

The noose is tightening slowly around the Meralco Bolts with five games to go in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round.

Described as a “sprint to the finish” by most head coaches, the single round elimination will
send the top two teams to the best-of-5 semifinals, the third to sixth ballclubs to the best-of-3 quarterfinals, and the seventh to 10th placers out the door to an early vacation.

Where the Bolts lay now, at 1-3, is a dark cellar where two other blighted teams – Rain or Shine
and Barako Bull – dwell in forlorn silence.

Meralco, a power keg team with megawatt potential, hopes to start crackling Friday when it takes on the Alaska Aces at 5:15 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Aces are comfortably positioned in the middle of the field with a 2-2 win-loss slate, seated in the company of three San Miguel-based teams – alongside Petron Blaze (2-2) and B-Meg (2-2) and just underneath Barangay Ginebra (2-1).

They would be facing Petron in a three-game mini-series if the quarterfinals were to be held now. But with almost half a dozen more games left, the Aces are aware that a win by Air21 beneath them would vault the Express over while a loss would send them tumbling down with whoever lurks in the dungeon below.

Such is the dilemma facing both teams as they square off in the first game – both of them fighting for survival, both of them longing to see the lighted path to the playoffs.

The Bolts are coming off a 94-82 loss to inspired Powerade (2-0), a game where fiery Gary David
again set off the alarm with 29 points while drawing growling support from Tigers import Dwayne
Jones, Sean Anthony, and Marcio Lassiter, the guy at the center of an unconsummated trade deal.

Alaska is on the same boat, having dropped a 110-98 loss to now league-leader Talk ‘N Text,
unbeaten after three outings.

The Aces caught a huge break in that game after Tropang Texters import Omar Samhan suffered a torn knee ligament (ACL) in the fourth quarter, but they couldn’t convert.

Ryan Gregorio, the Bolts coach, knows where they stand – which is precariously on the brink of
disaster.

“We have to find ways to win, that is our goal,” he said. “It’s important that our attitude
is positive and we believe it that it can be done.”

The changes in their roster, Gregorio said, is designed to strengthen their rotation.

“Unfortunately, when you make changes, it usually takes time to stabilize. However, with the
format, you don’t really have the luxury of time,” he said.

The need to “fast track the process” to avoid losses, Gregorio admitted, is their biggest
challenge.

The Bolts are pinning much of their expectations on 7-foot NBA veteran and former Red Bull import Earl Barron, who had 22 points against Powerade, and the returning Sol Mercado.

“I believe that when Earl Barron gets his timing and Sol gets his game back, we will be
competitive,” Gregorio said. “Right now, we are pretty much in a feeling-out-each-other stage
again. But steps were undertaken the past week to find the right ingredient to increase our chances of winning.”

Alaska is not expected to hang around when that happens.

Adam Parada, the Aces import, along with LA Tenorio, Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss, won’t be
standing and applauding for the Bolts to come together. Instead, look for them to throw in disarray posthaste Meralco’s effort to assimilate all “newcomers” back to their system.

Joel Banal, the Aces coach, looks beyond the big guns of both camps.

“Both teams are coming off a bad loss, both teams have 7-foot imports, both teams have dominant
bigs in (Asi) Taulava and Thoss, both teams have prolific scoring guards in (Mac) Cardona and
Mercado, Baguio and Tenorio – it’s going to be a battle of the supporting cast,” Banal said.
(TST)

Mayweather Afraid Of Manny – Arum

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:01:35 PST

source: Nick Giongco | The Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — It’s beginning to get clear that, indeed, Floyd Mayweather Jr. doesn’t want to have anything to do with Manny Pacquiao.

As Mayweather was drumbeating his May 5 fight with Miguel Cotto during the New York leg of their promotional tour, the American fighter went on the offensive again, insinuating that Pacquiao uses performance-enhancing drugs, silly and is scared to fight him.

Mayweather told the media at the Apollo Theater in Manhattan that there’s no chance that he will give in to a 50/50 sharing with just about anyone who will face him in the ring.

“You fight Floyd Mayweather, you don’t get 50/50. No one is getting 50/50 (against me),” said Mayweather.

Mayweather’s East Coast rant was heard and felt as far as the West Coast where Top Rank big boss Bob Arum was relaxing after another hard day’s work in his Las Vegas office.

Arum didn’t let Mayweather’s statements pass without spewing out his own venom.

“He just doesn’t want to fight Manny,” said the 80-year-old Hall of Fame promoter, adding that Mayweather, who he promoted for 11 years, was an “egotistical maniac.”

Arum is also in the thick of promoting Pacquiao’s June 9 bout with Tim Bradley and believes Mayweather’s reason for not agreeing to equal sharing is testament to his unwillingness to get in the ring with the Filipino star.

Pacquiao has even agreed to a major demand of Mayweather – Olympic-style blood and urine testing – but even that has prevented both camps from reaching an agreement.

During the height of the negotiations to stage the super fight last January, Pacquiao and Mayweather even talked on the phone.

Pacquiao said he told Mayweather that 50/50 is just right but Mayweather immediately thumbed it down, countering that he will instead offer him a flat fee of $40 million but won’t have no share in the pay-per-view sales.

That convinced Pacquiao that Mayweather is pricing himself out of the fight and is not sincere in making the dream fight become a reality.

Cotto was my toughest opponent, says Pacquiao

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:04 PST

source: ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing icon Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao warned unbeaten American star Floyd Mayweather Jr. not to underestimate Miguel Cotto, because the Puerto Rican boxer gave him his toughest fight in recent years.

"(Mayweather) thinks that Cotto is an easy opponent, but he's not," Pacquiao told Boxing Scene. "Cotto is a good boxer, and he's strong."

"He needs to train hard, because Cotto is strong, very strong," he added.

Pacquiao said it was Cotto, and not his great rival Juan Manuel Marquez, who gave him the toughest challenge of his career.

Pacquiao defeated Cotto via a 12th round technical knockout when they fought in 2009.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought three times, with all three bouts ending in controversy. Their latest meeting in November 2011 ended in Pacquiao's favor even though the Filipino icon struggled anew against Marquez's counterpunching and footwork.

Despite this, Pacquiao still considers his bout against Cotto as the toughest.

"Through five rounds, (Cotto) was leading on points," he said. "If you saw the fight, one through five rounds, he was keeping up and leading on points."

Pacquiao eventually ended up wearing down Cotto with his speed and power en route to the TKO victory.

The Filipino boxer added that Cotto has "a big chance to win" against Mayweather, even though his trainer, Freddie Roach, disagrees.

"I think Mayweather can out-box (Cotto)," Roach said.

Roach is hoping that Cotto "gets one in and knocks him out and just shuts this guy up," but added that the Puerto Rican star is already on the downside of his career.

The Hall-of-Fame trainer is sure that no matter the result, the Mayweather-Cotto bout will not be exciting.

"I don't see it as being a really exciting fight... Mayweather is never in a really exciting fight anyway," he said.

Mayweather, widely considered as the finest defensive boxer of his generation, is unbeaten through in 42 professional bouts. Cotto, meanwhile, has a 37-2 record, with losses coming against Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito.

Cotto: 'It will be my best, biggest victory'

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:47 PST

source: Brian Campbell | ESPN.com

It wasn't that long ago, following two punishing -- and facially disfiguring -- losses in the span of 16 months, that Miguel Cotto appeared close to the end of his increasingly legendary career. But Cotto, 31, has undergone a career rebirth at 154 pounds thanks to three consecutive victories, all by knockout.

Most recently, Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs) avenged his first career defeat with an emotional victory over nemesis Antonio Margarito to set up the most important and lucrative bout of his 11-year career. On May 5, Cotto will defend his junior middleweight title against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KOs) on pay-per-view in Las Vegas. Ending, for the moment, a relationship with Top Rank that has spanned all of his 39 professional bouts, Cotto has enjoyed the freedom that comes with being a promotional free agent.

An exciting and often-vulnerable four-time champion in three weight classes, Cotto is at the peak of his marketability entering a fight that should draw colossal figures financially. Adding to the drama is the 35-year-old Mayweather's pending jail sentence, set to begin June 1, for domestic violence charges, along with his -- and the public's -- desire for a superfight with Manny Pacquiao following his release.

Just days before kicking off a three-city promotional tour in his native Puerto Rico, Cotto sat down with ESPN.com in our Bristol, Conn., headquarters to talk about his mindset two months away from fight night.

Most people believe this fight against Mayweather should have taken place five years ago. From your point of view, why hasn't it happened until now?
First of all, I'm always available to face everyone. My feeling is that if the fight didn't happen before, then it wasn't right for my case [at the time]. It is available now and will happen this year on Saturday, May 5, so I am going to be prepared.

Was the Mayweather fight one that you pushed for through the years at any point behind the scenes with Bob Arum?
I never pushed for it at any time before. I would just see what is the best fight that I can get fight by fight. This one is the best one for me now. This is the best chapter in my career so far.

You do look somewhat reborn at junior middleweight, especially under new trainer Pedro Diaz in your most recent fight. How different are you as a fighter now, compared to your early prime before the 2008 loss to Margarito?
I have always tried to be just a power puncher and work [the body]. That's exactly how I always want to fight. But like I told Pedro before, Margarito stole from myself a lot of things with the first loss of my career. When we started in preparation for [the rematch] against him, I felt more energetic and better. Margarito stole things from me, and now I am back.

Are you referring to Margarito "stealing" your unbeaten invincibility when he defeated you using allegedly loaded hand wraps? How much doubt did you experience after that fight? How important was it for you to defeat him so convincingly in the rematch?
In the beginning, right after the loss, there were moments that I felt this way. But now I trust myself. Beating him helped me close that for good. The huge thing about the victory was to prove to the world what he did in 2008.

What is it about working with Diaz that has made you so comfortable?
He brings like another kind of training. He brings new things to me that I have never done before. Those kinds of things make my training more challenging. They have made me more comfortable in trusting myself.

What does landing this fight with Mayweather and the possibility of winning it mean to you at this point in your career?
I am pretty excited. But I am more excited for getting into the gym, getting into my camp and being prepared enough for anything he can bring. This is going to be my best and biggest victory for everyone to see on May 5.

It seems no one has put Mayweather in any kind of danger over a series of consecutive rounds since Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Given the success of Floyd's defensive and counterpunching abilities, how much will you have to alter your style in order to be effective against him?
No matter which way Mayweather comes, I will prepare myself for anything he brings to the fight. If he decides to run or if he decides to stand and fight, I will be prepared. My life circumstances are better right now, and I will be ready.

With regard to those life circumstances, it seems you've achieved a level of peace unlike that at any other point in your career. Would you agree with that perception, and how has that translated to inside the ring?
The way I live now [outside the ring] is a better way. I have better circumstances and I have my whole family beside me. That has made me work and think better inside the ring.

The Mayweather fight will be the first of your career without Top Rank. Does that mean anything come fight night, or is it just business and something completely separate from the ring?
I have to give thanks to Top Rank and to Bob [Arum], Todd [duBoef] and others. They made me the boxer that I am today. But it's a new chapter in my career. Like they said before, it's a free-agent chapter and I'm going to enjoy it. Now I can understand the business better and I can go into places I have never been before because [Top Rank] has been there with me before. They have been my promoters. But now I am like my own promoter.

There were rumors before you signed for this fight that you were going to face Manny Pacquiao in a rematch. How close was the fight to coming off, and is getting a chance to avenge the loss something you're still interested in?
I'm always available for the big names and the biggest opportunities in my career. After this fight, if something like Pacquiao would be available, I could be interested. A few things happened in our fight -- I didn't keep the rhythm of the first two or three rounds. But now, with Pedro, he is the kind of trainer who is going to help me get into the perfect rhythm to get the victory.

How much do you think the pending prison sentence could affect Mayweather leading up to the fight? Do you think that he has slowed down at all or shown signs of slipping at age 35?
I don't know if he feels or felt his best before, but the only thing I have in my mind is that I have to get myself into my best shape and be in the best condition. I can't tell you these kinds of things stay in his mind. But it [can't] be easy for a person to have the knowledge that in a few days after the fight, they have to go to jail, and [to] keep this situation in your mind and train and go through your life. But I think he is pretty tough.

Finally, you turned 31 recently, and it's no secret you are in the second half of your career. Do you ever think about your legacy and how you want to be remembered?
I just want to be remembered like one of the good boxers in [the sport]. But the most important thing for me is what my family and what my kids think about me. That is all I have to care about.

Brian Campbell is an ESPN Mobile editor and contributor to ESPN.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCampbellESPN.

Floyd: Pacquaio must leave Arum for Manny-Money to happen

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:38 PST

source: Michael Woods | ESPN.com

He's right there with many of the glittering talents who have graced the stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem in the past century. Floyd Mayweather Jr. has "it," the charisma that forces people -- love him or loathe him -- to pay attention.

Thousands of folks waited outside the theater on Tuesday to gain entrance to see "Money" talk up his May 5 Las Vegas clash with 154-pound champ Miguel Cotto, the Puerto Rican ace who has held crowns in three weight divisions.

Once inside, several hundred fans made their presence felt -- noisily -- making it hard at times to concentrate on the goings on.

But my mind drifted during the event anyway. As I heard Mayweather talk about what a stern test Cotto is, and how his lengthy run at the top of the heap comes from his loyalty to hard work, I found myself pondering a fight that won't happen on May 5 ... or maybe at all. The Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao showdown.

Of course I asked the requisite questions, because that's only fair and righteous. It wouldn't be decent to Cotto to act as if he had no shot against Mayweather or that this exercise is merely an appetizer until we get to the main course. But, nothwithstanding how Cotto looked on Dec. 3 at MSG against Antonio Margarito, and how it looks like he has had a happy fire lit under him by Cuban trainer Pedro Diaz, I do think he will be in over his head on May 5.

That's no slam. I think Mayweather handles everyone from 140 to 160 pounds. He's simply a stunning, stellar pugilist whom I think mastered the shoulder roll in his crib.

The media conference got off to a late start -- what, you think Mayweather isn't going to make 'em wait, in the grand tradition of the main attraction? -- and we heard ample boos when the spotlight bathed "Money" and his name was announced. Mayweather didn't frown. No, he grinned, fully aware that each and every soul motivated to boo and hiss would also be motivated to purchase the pay-per-view in May.

This fight will take place at 154 pounds, and some wonder how Mayweather, maybe better suited for 147, will deal with the physical Cotto. Floyd managed to land a shot at Manny Pacquiao while delving into this matter. "I want to fight the best Miguel Cotto," he said. "I don't want to fight you at a catchweight." This referred to Pacquiao's occasional tactic of demanding that foes weigh under the high-end weight limit for his bouts.

Floyd was asked about his Jan. 13 Jeremy Lin tweet, which went as follows: "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise." He said he wasn't backing off the comment, but offered that the media does tend to twist his words and cherry pick to fit their needs. Why, he wondered, wasn't more made of his praise of Lin? He mentioned that a few people write his tweets, but this one, he said, was all him.

But of course, the topic of Manny Pacquiao came up. Mayweather was asked if he thought a fight with the Filipino would go down. He didn't sound optimistic, saying that any talk of a 50-50 revenue split with Manny is a non-starter. He said any talk of him being afraid to fight Pacman is nonsense, and offered one avenue to make the road to fruition easier to travel.

"The only way I think a fight the guy with three losses and I-don't-know-how-many draws, the only way that fight happens is he has to leave Bob Arum," Mayweather said. "And I'm not telling him to leave, because I know how the media is -- they take your words and screw them up. They make it the way they want to make it."

I asked Top Rank if Arum wanted to respond. A rep wrote back: "What's to respond to? Floyd clearly does not want to fight Manny."

Note: Cotto had been with Bob Arum and Top Rank forever, but he jumped ship to Golden Boy when his contract was up at the end of 2011. If he was still with Arum, almost certainly this date with Mayweather would not have been realized.

Note No. 2: Mayweather didn't dispute any specifics in the reports of the last round of negotiations. A couple weeks ago, Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz said he offered a compromise to Mayweather in the form of a $50 million guarantee to each and a 55-45 revenue split in PPV monies, with the extra portion going to the winner, and that Floyd turned it down, preferring for Pacman to simply receive a flat fee and no slice of the PPV pie.

Pacquiao's privacy under serious scrutiny

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:31 PST

source: Granville Ampong | Examiner.com

Philippines' GMA sports newscaster Manolo Chino Trinidad puts it right: "Before Tim Tebow and Jeremy Lin , there was Manny Pacquiao who, without fail, prayed before and after each fight..." Nothing is really new to his classic act in the ring of madness. At least, that's what Pacquiao has enthralled the worldwide television audience each time he kneels in the corner and lights up the flame of prayer in his heart to open and, consequently, to close his every ring performance.

Like us, he surely is not alone. His life is an open book to the entire universe with all the heavenly intelligences investigating his affairs and doing their respective ministerial tasks and manifesting guidance in unbelievable ways.

What the human agents and other investigative journalists would do as they delve into Pacquiao's unwarranted entries affecting his moral standing would be nothing compared to the transparency that these celestial agents have been privileged, even before the foundation of this human world.

What's most comforting is Pacquiao's public witnessing as he studies with his family and friends the Scripture. And the effect is being felt, indeed. What Helena Buscema, voice tutor of Pacquiao and charismatic congregational song and praise leader at the Christ the King Catholic Church here in Hollywood, shared to this writer is something one of awakening.

"His face lights up when I mentioned to him about a specific passage of the Scripture," says Buscema during the Pacquiao-Bradley Press Conference in the famous celestial-themed Crystal Ballroom of Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills last February 21.

"It's like he has so much peace in his heart. Really, I am seeing a different Pacquiao."

Buscema, out of her utmost regard and jubilance, brought a devotional bible. She said she will give it to Pacquiao.

While it is true that using God's name to justify an outward appeal to one's own family, in particular, and to the larger public, in general, to regain trust out of optimism amidst of the numerous controversies and to rectify his populairty which is deemed as plummeting, it might just be too premature to discredit his manifested change at this time.

But, one thing, though, Pacquiao is transforming - as in conversion as to metamorphosis. And perfecting his ways is the business of the Holy Spirit. Conversely, he is just as perfect at this stage of his engagement with Jesus Christ, his Creator, Lord and Saviour.

With his moment by moment relationship with the Most High as he has told, no one should be surprised if Pacquiao goes to the forefront and publicly admits what he so publicly denies. It's all between Pacquiao and his God, if indeed He is his God, who knows the deepest recesses of his mind. Tellingly, true repentance only comes after true confession. Though they both are gifts, they are inseparable.

Whether or not Pacquiao is truly intent on submitting to this sanctifying process, his case only rests seriously with an investigative judgment before the entire universe.

Could this be Pacquiao's “inconvenient truth” for feeling of being watched all the time?

Even then, there's only one boxer who has truly inspired the Filipinos, inclusive of the less cared, the disenchanted and the disillusioned, if so indeed they, collectively, are not decieved.

And Pacquiao couldn't just be scrutinized as much as he believes. Above all else, a higher authority exists.

Pacquiao knows.

We are going to try to make Manny think a lot- Joel Diaz

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:25 PST

source: Igor Frank | Examiner.com

“If you think about it, Tim Bradley is the most unlikely opponent for Pacquiao this summer,” opined Big Steve during our morning java at Starbucks on Alameda Avenue:” He is young and strong. He is skilled and agile and he is very hungry. He exudes confidence of undefeated fighter. And no one has ever heard of him. In short, Bradley is very high risk, low reward offer for Pacquiao.”

After a brief promotional tour to announce June 9th welterweight championship contest between pound for pound king, Manny Pacquiao and a former junior welterweight champion, Timothy Bradley, fighters went back to work or respective training camps. For Manny Pacquiao it starts at Baguio City in Philippines. For Timothy Bradley it starts and ends at Indio’s Boys and Girls Club in Indio.

“We don’t make no changes,” confirmed Bradley chief trainer, former fighter, Joel Diaz:” Everything is the same.”

What a difference a year makes, especially in a life of a prizefighter. Last year, following his convincing win over previously unbeaten Devon Alexander, Bradley’s career came to a screeching halt. Offered a major unification showdown with Amir Khan, Bradley decided to turn it down pending a resolution of conflict with his then promoter, Gary Shaw.

Manny, including his coach Diaz felt it was a wrong move. Bradley considered this a matter of principle. He cut ties with Gary Shaw and signed with Top Rank in hopes of someday being in sweepstakes to fight Manny Pacquiao. They say it’s better to be lucky than good. Bradley is both lucky and good. Manny Pacquiao ran out of big name opponents and here we are.

“Forget the biggest name,” exclaimed Bob arum of Top Rank after LA’s press conference:” Bradley is the most dangerous because he can match Manny for speed and for punch output. So Manny is going to have his hands full with Bradley.”

Even team Bradley is pleasantly surprised they got the call.

“I was surprised that we got this fight so soon,” confirmed coach, Diaz:” For some reason I really thought that we were going to get this fight, but not this soon.”

A champion at 140 pounds Bradley had to move up to welterweight division to face the best fighter on the planet, Manny Pacquiao. Some fighters lose speed and power moving up in weight. Would this be concern for Bradley?

“I don’t think it should be a problem,” replied Diaz:” he fought Carlos Abregu at 147. Abregu is an undefeated fighter, a heavy hitter. Tim at 147, he is a strong fighter. He is a very strong fighter. He makes 140 because he wants to, but some of his best fights in amateurs were at 152 and he fought some of the top amateurs in the world. I don’t think it’s going to be a disadvantage. I think he is going to be a strong fighter at 147.”

Team Bradley is very confident they are up to the challenge of facing the best. So what is the plan on handling Manny Pacquiao in the ring?

” The strategy is just to be very smart,” continued coach Diaz:” Stay smart and focused and don’t get lazy in that ring, because with Manny Pacquiao you got to be alert, alert a hundred percent, every second in that ring.”

But no matter how alert he is Bradley is going to hit by thunderous shots of Manny Pacquiao. Can Timothy Bradley take Manny punch and continue his own attack?

“Like I said, he is young, he is strong .He can take a punch,” replied Diaz: We are going to try to make Manny think a lot, because like I said Manny is unpredictable.” Making Pacquiao think in the ring worked very well for Juan Manuel Marquez. Could Bradley do even better?

Mayweather targets Cotto with Pacquiao in mind

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:19 PST

source: Lem Satterfield | The Ring

For the second time in as many appearances during an eventual three-day, three-city tour, Floyd Mayweather Jr. took shots at Manny Pacquiao while promoting his upcoming challenge against WBA junior middleweight titleholder Miguel Cotto.

"Pacquiao's an amazing fighter. He's an amazing fighter," said WBC welterweight beltholder Mayweather during Tuesday's press event at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem, N.Y. "But all I've got to say is that if you ain't got nothing to hide, take the test."

The day before, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mayweather proclamed that he "is not a cheater like Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao." Pacquiao has an ongoing defamation lawsuit against Mayweather for publicly insinuating that his success over eight weight classes is the result of having used performance-enhancing drugs.

"Everybody said Floyd Mayweather is ducking Pacquiao, saying, 'he's scared.' Going back to the Pacquiao fight, who wants to see...if I'm scared, if I'm a coward, why do you guys want to see me fight?" said Mayweather. "I have the will to win. Call me what you want to call me. I'm a winner, not a cheater."

On Tuesday, Mayweather also insinuated that Pacquiao's 12th-round knockout over Cotto for his current WBO title -- waged at a contracted 145 pounds in November of 2009, two pounds below the welterweight limit -- was well below Cotto's comfort zone and favored Pacquiao.

"The Puerto Rican boxing background is truly, truly amazing. A lot of great champions come from Puerto Rico. You guys have got another great champion in Miguel Cotto. Tough, strong, solid 154-pounder," said Mayweather.

"You know, I'm not the kind of fighter that's going to, you know -- I'm not looking to cheat. My thing is this: I told Miguel Cotto, 'I don't want to fight you at a catchweight. I want to fight the best Miguel Cotto.'"

Margarito was discovered to have illegal hand wraps in his gloves prior to his ninth-round knockout loss to Shane Mosley in January of 2009, causing speculation that he was dirty in his previous fight -- an 11th-round knockout of a badly-beaten Cotto in July of 2008.

Cotto avenged that loss in his last fight in December, scoring a 10th-round TKO over Margarito at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"To be the best, you've got to beat the best, and he's one of the best fighters out there today. You know, I'm going to finish putting the rest of the pieces together," said Mayweather.

"It's a puzzle, and you've got certain pieces that go to the puzzle. He's one of the pieces, so that I can solidify myself as one of the best fighters to ever live."

Mayweather and Cotto, who will face off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 5, will continue their tour on Thursday at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

"We have this press conference today and Thursday in Los Angeles. I want these days to pass quick to start training and to get focused for this fight," said Cotto, during his brief comments at the podium.

"I guarantee you, it's going to be one of the biggest fights that you've ever seen. On May 5, I'm going to make every Puerto Rican proud."

Speaking four days after having celebrated his 35th birthday, Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) said he's ready to prove that he's not too old to defeat Cotto (37-2, 30 KOs).

"At the age of 35, I'm still going strong. I'm still hungry, and I still want to give you fans nothing but excitement," said Mayweather. "I want you guys to tune in on May 5, support Floyd Mayweather and support Miguel Cotto, because they're going to be there to give you guys a toe-to-toe battle."

Photo by Jeff Fusco-Hogann Photos-Golden Boy Promotions

Floyd Mayweather: Manny Pacquiao is an Amazing Fighter, BUT ...

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:01:12 PST

source: Shawn Craddick | Boxing Socialist

Yes, you heard it from Floyd Mayweather's mouth "Manny Pacquiao is an Amazing Fighter". If you know any better you know that it does not stop there. Floyd went on to say "But if your not hiding anything, then take the Test". It's a little confusing because Manny Pacquiao already agreed to take the test. He has no problem with that. The problem now is the 50/50 Split on the PPV Purse.

While Manny Pacquiao will be making the most money ever, so will Floyd Mayweather. Both of them will receive the highest paid Purse in History. The problem comes down to the PPV Revenue. Mayweather does not want to give it up because he says he is putting "HIS" own money up to make it a success. If it was up to Floyd, he would cut Bob Arum out of the picture.

This will always be an on going Battle. The only way this will get resolved would be to get them all in a room. Floyd, Ellerbe, Haymon, Manny, Arum, Koncz, and HBO Executives. If it takes 8 hours to negotiate, then do it. Don't walk away leaving the Fans empty handed. Mentally you are breaking the fans down. If you not careful you will "lose" fans behind this. As the old saying goes, "you have to give a little to get a little".

Pacquiao vs Bradley: Timothy Bradley's Vegan Diet

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:28 PST

source: Waldo Rastel | Bad Left Hook

Fighters always seem to have strange dietary habits going into big fights. Hell, Juan Manual Marquez ate a bunch of raw quail eggs and drank his own urine. Fighters will burn a massive amount of calories everyday and they will need a sizable amount of protein to replenish micro-tears in the muscle fiber. However, this protein needs to be quite lean to keep weight gain in check. The eight essential amino acids can come from a variety of sources, but most people choose red meat. This type of protein contains all of the eight essential amino acids and can be quite lean depending on the source.

Timothy Bradley has a drastically different approach according to Jason Gay. In his preparations for big fights, Timothy Bradley becomes a strict vegan. This means that he does not eat any animal or anything that comes from an animal like dairy or eggs.

"Dude, I swear, it's the most unbelievable feeling ever," Bradley said. It was Thursday morning in New York City, and Bradley, 28, was riding to a news conference in a slick SUV, praising the diet he believes gives him a pronounced advantage in the ring.

"The reason I love it so much is that I feel connected to the world," Bradley said. He was wearing a charcoal gray suit jacket, a purple dress shirt, and jeans. "My thoughts are clearer, crisp. I am sharp. Everything is working perfectly-I feel clean. It's a weird feeling, man. It's just a weird feeling."

Bradley has been doing this since his 2008 bout against Junior Witter in England. His results have been great since he has made this decision. Also, if I could get abs like Tim Bradley then I would become a vegan too. I'm not sure it would be too difficult to be a vegan if you have a personal nutritionist. For people like you and me, it would be significantly more difficult (so many things have butter or milk in it) especially if you like eating out at restaurants. Do you guys think that being a vegan is an advantage for Timothy Bradley?

Wade: I apologized to Bryant for foul

noreply@blogger.com (Ultimate Fight Sports) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:20 PST

source: TIM REYNOLDS | AP Sports Writer

MIAMI (AP)—Insisting he meant no harm, Dwyane Wade revealed Tuesday that he has apologized to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant multiple times for a blood-drawing, nose-breaking foul during the All-Star game.

The first of those apologies, Wade said, came during the game when he saw Bryant’s face had been bloodied. Wade also said he sent the Lakers’ star a message after the game in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday night.

Wade said critics who questioned why he never offered an apology for the play—the likes of which seemed to be something not typical in an All-Star game setting—simply made incorrect assumptions.

“I don’t care what I’m portrayed as,” Wade said after Miami’s first practice following the league’s All-Star break. “It’s unfortunate, obviously. I don’t want to ever hurt anybody in this game, especially on a freak play like that. It’s unfortunate. I send my apologies. But it’s not intentional. If it’s something I did intentionally, it’d be a different story.”

A week ago, the Heat could make jokes about how they were out of the NBA spotlight, bumped by the meteoric rise of Jeremy Lin in New York.

Now it’s a different story.

Two plays seem to be generating the most attention from the All-Star game— Wade’s hard foul against Bryant and LeBron James’ ill-advised pass at the end of what became a three-point loss for the Eastern Conference.

“It’s an All-Star game. I mean, come on,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who couldn’t answer a question about what he thought of James’ play in the final seconds because he said he didn’t watch the game or see any replays of it since. “It’s a continuation of the theater of the absurd. I don’t even know if it’s going to motivate me to actually even look at it. I haven’t seen it.

“There’s nothing we can do about it, about the extreme exaggeration about everything that happens with our team,” Spoelstra continued. “All we can focus on is us. And at the end of the season, hopefully it ends the right way, and that’ll ultimately be the only way we can shut people up.”

The Heat enter the second half of the season tied with Oklahoma City for the league’s best record at 27-7. Miami starts a three-game road trip Thursday night in Portland, followed by a game at Utah—and then, in a nationally televised game that probably got a whole lot more interesting, at the Lakers on Sunday afternoon.

Bryant stayed in the game after the Wade hit, though his status going forward is unclear. James downplayed the foul Tuesday.

“D-Wade didn’t, at all, go for a hard foul,” James said. “He went to wrap his arms up and accidentally hit him in the nose. … He meant to foul him but he didn’t mean to hard-foul him like that.”

Wade acknowledged that he did try to foul Bryant, and said he did so to stop the clock so he could approach a nearby referee to complain about fouls that he felt were committed against him and went uncalled.

So not long after a Pro Bowl that was deemed by NFL fans and even Commissioner Roger Goodell as lacking any real sense of competition, the NBA’s version of a star-studded exhibition got too fiery down the stretch by some standards.

“Hey, what do you want?” Heat forward Chris Bosh said. “It was all about the game. It came down to the last possession. It was all for the fans. That’s what they want. You get competitors out there, it may go a certain particular way for a limited amount a time, but after a while guys, they’re really going to get after it. And those make the best games.

“That’s what people want to see.”

At the end, James found himself in the spotlight.

The East trailed by two points when James got the ball with about five seconds left near midcourt. Guarded by Bryant, James dribbled right, then tried slinging a one-handed diagonal pass back to his left. The pass was stolen by Blake Griffin, who made one free throw to close the scoring in the West’s 152-149 win.

It was reported Sunday that Bryant told James to shoot the ball in that situation, and James said afterwards he let his team down. But it didn’t end there.

That play has been questioned since.

“Is that something new?” James asked, rhetorically on Tuesday.

Wade apparently was ready to put the All-Star game behind him and said he was done discussing the issue after Tuesday. However, it’s almost certain to come up again when the Heat head out to face Bryant and the Lakers over the weekend.

“When I saw the blood in his nose, I was like, `Obviously, I wasn’t trying to do that, man,”’ Wade said. “I don’t know if anybody wants me to get down on my knees in front of the world and do it. I don’t have to do that. … I send my apologies to Kobe and I move on from it.”