BOXERS' CAMP

Melligen Coasts To a Unanimous Victory Over African Contender

2010-07-05T06:16:00.000-07:00

Big props to my boy Mighty Mark Jason Melligen for winning a much needed victory over Anges Adjaho last Saturday, July 3rd. Although it was a tough fight and Adjaho came out swinging (in spurts, that is), Melligen racked up the points to get the all the judges’ nods after 10 grueling (and not so grueling) rounds.

While many are happy with Melligen’s victory, I think I am not the only one who is partly disappointed with his performance. Although Melligen and his camp already explained that they did not expect Adjaho to be bigger than they supposed, Melligen should have worked his performance up. It was not a so-so performance from the Filipino. But it was not a blockbuster fight either.

Still, congratulations are in order and I really hope Mighty Mark would improve sooner than later. The welterweight house is packed with talent and he will need to hone his skills to their sharpest ever if he wants a shot at world titleholders like Andre Berto and Shane Mosley (hey, his belt was not on the line when he fought Mayweather, FYI).

Photo from Mark Jason Melligen's Facebook Account
______________________________________________________

On a very different note, my PERSONAL take on another website offended a lot of boxing fans. Filipinos mostly, which were the subject of the said article. Now I did said in the article title’s that it was PERSONAL. MY OWN. MY OPINION. And there was even a disclaimer on it. And I get tons of emails saying how I am wrong.

Well, I did get it wrong when I mentioned Solis (Jorge) when I meant Sanchez (Salvador) Don’t get my drift? Read all about it here. And if you do, please place your comments here so I can debate and take on all of you who disagree.

Melligen Will Own Anges

2010-07-03T00:10:00.000-07:00

I am basically saying this because I am a Filipino. But apart from that, I believe Mighty Mark Melligen has all the tools he needs to beat Anges Adjaho. That said, Adjaho is no doubt a tough man to beat. A former continental champion and a top tier contender, Adjaho is somewhat a hard man.

But I am confident that Melligen will come out victorious for the following reasons:

#1 Melligen is hell bent on revenge against Michel Rosales, who was supposed to face him. Rosales backed out, opening the door for Adjaho to come in. If I were Mighty Mark, I would not put to waste all that hate energy and instead, I will channel them to Adjaho.

#2 Melligen is hungry for victory and recognition. He is a man who wants a title shot and this is a very big fight for Melligen. A must win situation in fact. And I would not be surprised if Melligen’s hunger would be his drive to beat the African.

#3 This Bacolod City-native trains at Floyd Mayweather’s personal gym. Surely, the former pound for pound champ must have rubbed off some of his skills and passed down a few lessons to the young welterweight prospect.

#4 Filipino Pride is at stake. After a series of Filipino losses (Viloria, Julaton, Ciso Morales, Marvin Sonsona, and Rodel Mayol), a number of Filipinos are now winning again (Melindo, Bon Jovi Canillas, and just recently Ana Julaton). Melligen feels the pressure to win and he will deliver.

#5 Melligen is just a bad ass motherf@ck#r!

_______________
Photo from Mark Jason Melligen's Facebook Account

Prize Money Should Be PRIZED Money

2010-06-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

It is relatively hard to stay on top of the game and remain there until you retire. Many elite boxers have enjoyed and cherished the feeling of being at the top of the hill that some of them do not know when to step down when they have to step down. In most cases, some prize fighters who have been in the limelight for too long loved the fame and the glory that they do not see their own descent.

Manny Pacquiao is no doubt at the top of his career and will retire on top of the hill (if he sticks to his plan) after his November 13th bout, whether it’s against Floyd Mayweather or not. By the time Pacquiao hangs his gloves and dons the political suit, he will certainly be remembered as one of the smartest boxers of all time, finance wise. Smart in contrast to boxing elites like Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns, Mike Tyson, and former Filipino world champion Rolando Navarette.

Last year, Hearns had to auction his title belts so he could pay the IRS. Tyson, way beyond his prime, was forced to come out of retirement and fight so he could pay the same agency Hearns dealt with recently. And these are top dogs of the boxing world who have made millions of dollars during their notable careers.

Going back, Pacquiao himself suffered and endured poverty but as he rose through the ranks, so well he did financially. Now, Pacquiao is a legitimate billionaire, if you care to count his money in Philippine peso. He has various businesses that include a string of grocery stores, restaurants, and even his own boxing promotional outfit. He will certainly go down as one of the Greatest of All Time. But unlike those who have stood atop of the boxing summit, Pacquiao also retires from the sport financially sound and stable.

If there is anything boxers from the younger generation can learn from the Pacman apart from the man’s tenacity inside the ring and feats outside, is that they should learn how to handle their money wisely. Boxing is a brutal sport and there is nothing cool about getting paid to beat and be beat up, no matter how big the prize money is. A boxer knows how much punishment a body can take before the toll mounts up. And in most cases, some did not even reach their primes.

It is a sad truth. The squared circle can instantly be boxer’s death bed. And the sadder truth is they die poor, unknown and unsung.

Not everyone can become elite contenders and world champions. Just ask Bobby Pacquiao, who has been at the receiving ends of a series “blow blow” and whom Manny, his superstar of a brother, did not share his A-Side meth. But all boxers can be smart when it comes to money. I say this because being smart with money does not require a college degree. It requires common sense.

And every boxer in the world certainly has that. Even those that throw stacks of dollar bills while chilling in a Vegas club. At least he knows those bills were fake.

______________

Photo from Showbiz Gossips

BANG THE BOOK!

2010-06-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Bang The Book the premier online sportsbook review portal. BTB talks to all the bookmakers daily to get all members and visitors alike the best bookmaker bonus codes, and sportsbook promos! BTB also features daily free sports picks for all the major sports like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL College Football and Basketball. Stop by our sports forum and read our gameday sports betting previews to give you in the inside track when betting on the games. Good Luck and BANG THE BOOK!

Another Filipino Bites the Canvas

2010-06-22T00:38:00.000-07:00

First it was Brian Viloria. Then Marvin Sonsona. Then Ana Julaton. Seems like the topnotch Filipino boxers are getting pounded one by one. And last Sunday, another high profile Filipino champion got his share of pounding.

Former WBC light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol got dethroned by Mexican rival Nino Romero, in a bout that showcased how to bring on the headbutts and lose all the way. Mayol was clearly dominating the early rounds, outboxing Romero who tried to bring the fight to the Filipino but could not just land the telling blows.

That was until Romero bullied Mayol and made the Filipino fight his fight. Mayol can punch but Romero clearly have the upper hand once the game became up close and personal. It seemed Mayol lost his ground after he got deducted two points for head butting, and there is no arguing an excuse about this one.

Mayol’s defeat brings up a general, though unwritten rule in boxing – if you are fighting someone in his backyard, make sure you knock him out, even if you are the champion.

Yo Mayol! You can’t really expect to win on points if you fight on foreign grounds and you are fighting the hometown bet now, can you?

Maybe you should have pressed harder and tried to blast Romero out of the water. After all, Romero "uppercutted" you in the nut, right?

But day was not yet lost for the Filipinos as Edren Dapudong did follow the aforementioned rule and literally drilled Mexico’s Jesus “Destroyer” Jimenez to the canvas and nailed him there for the count.

Dapudong knocked Jimenez down twice. Jimenez, the taller, bigger and harder punching guy. Yeah, Dapudong knocked him out.

Out cold.

In the first round.

*(sniff sniff)

I am definitely hoping to see more good things from this kid.

___________
Photo from The Boxing Truth

Bernabe Concepcion: Lamb To The Slaughter

2010-06-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

Allow me to be blunt. Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KOs), or Abe, as Concepcion is fondly called by his peers and people who are close to him, is a lamb to the slaughter. On July 10th, Abe will face what would be perhaps the toughest assignment of his young career – wrench the WBO featherweight title from the undefeated Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico (28-0, 25 KOs). Abe is a talented fighter no doubt, but one that has still a long way to go before sharing a ring with elite competition.

Juan Manuel Lopez is perhaps one of the best featherweights today. And he should be pitted against Yuriorkis Gamboa if we are all for the great fights. I do have an inkling why the powers that be in the boxing world are not staging a mega clash between these two exciting fighters (READ: ECONOMICS and BOXING POLITICS). Instead we are treated to sideshow that I believe is a total mismatch.

In terms of opposition, Juanma holds the most impressive resume that includes big wins over boxing legend Gerry Penalosa and hard-hitting Daniel Ponce de Leon. Abe, on the other hand, only had Steven Luevano in his list of significant fights, albeit he lost that fight due to disqualification. Luevano also suffered a knockout defeat in the hands of Juanma.

Lopez is 5-0 with 4 KOs and a UD victory in his last five fights. On the other hand, Concepcion is 4-1 with just a lone KO victory and 3 fights reaching the distance, all in his favor.The fashion of their latest victories should give you an idea on how the fight would probably fare. Power belongs to Lopez. Rate of opposition also belongs to Lopez. Needless to say, all indications note that everything is stacked against the Filipino challenger.

And I am not the only one who believes that Abe bit off a lot more than he could chew. Several boxing scribes who I know personally know yet chose to remain anonymous felt that Abe does not have enough skills and power and the savvy to beat the far more superior Lopez.

I feel that Top Rank made a huge mistake in pitting Lopez and Concepcion together. Abe could have fought a couple of B-level fighters before he jumped on the gun and try his luck against the top tier contenders.

I will root for Abe, no doubt in my mind about that. But I won’t be surprised if he gets himself decked on the canvas and remain there for some time come fight night.

________________________
Photo from The CBZ Newswire

No Mayweather? Probable Pacquiao Opponents Line Up

2010-06-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

At this point in time, nobody knows whether or not Floyd Mayweather will once again go into a hiatus and leave the boxing world hinging on what could have been an explosive showdown between himself and Fighter of the Decade Manny Pacquiao. But in any case Mayweather does make true of his statements and leave boxing again and leave his crusade for drug-free boxing matches and “focus” on his other endeavors, here are some good fights Pacquiao and his camp may consider for his one last hurrah before the Fighting Pride of the Philippines shifts his attention to the Philippine politics.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto II (Light Middleweight)

Miguel Cotto tops the list of possible replacements should Pacquiao-Mayweather will never materialize. Cotto is coming off from a fresh win over former WBA light middleweight champion Yuri Foreman and rematch between the two presents a huge significance for Pacquiao. A victory over Cotto at light middleweight will give Pacquiao his 8th title in eight divisions, which would definitely up his ante exponentially. However, Pacquiao might be pushing himself if he does go north the scales and add more weight.

And then there is also the element of revenge. Cotto suffered a beatdown and should they fight again, expect the Puerto Rican to return the favor.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito (Welterweight)
Top Rank boss Bob Arum is bent on pushing this matchup should Mayweather decides not to fight. However, many in the boxing community do not feel Margarito deserves another marquee fight, or any other fight for that matter, after being suspended for attempted tampering of his handwraps against Shane Mosley. But whether Margarito deserves another shot or not, this matchup possesses intriguing elements, like the size differential and the styles of both fighters. It might be a good fight on paper, but it is not a very significant fight for Pacquiao, who wishes to close his career with one last battle.

Manny Pacquiao vs, Andre Berto (Welterweight)

Although Pacquiao is far from the twilight of his boxing career, a match with the youthful Andre Berto is akin to clash between a legend and a rookie. But by no means is Berto a fresh meat in the sport. He holds the WBC version of the welterweight crown and have defended it three times against high caliber opponents. For Pacquiao, a victory over Berto would unify the WBO and WBC championships and in the process, he will become the first Asian boxing champion to win and unify multiple belts at the welterweight division.

Fantasy Match-Ups

Manny Pacquiao vs. Amir Khan (Light Welterweight)

Two speedsters with potent punches and a huge array of offensive skills, this is a great fight both on paper and on the ring. Khan is much like the younger version of Pacquiao, only bigger and taller. Skill wise, Pacquiao will own the Bolton native, but Khan has the physical attributes and the power to stop the Filipino on his tracks, as well as handpseed that equals that of Pacquiao. That said, Pacquiao has the edge in experience and ring generalship. A very intriguing fight to say the least, one that people would definitely watch if the powers that be make it happen.

Manny Pacquiao vs Tim Bradley (Light Welterweight)

Bradley is perhaps the best at light welterweight today and he is technically sound and skillful enough to match Pacquiao. He might be able to hold his own and win some rounds, but Pacquiao’s overwhelming offense may prove to be too much for him should they meet. Interesting matchup though.

Manny Pacquiao vs Paul Williams (Welterweight)

This writer believes that if there is a fight Pacquiao has the greatest chances of losing, it is with Paul Williams. Williams, who have already expressed his desire to fight Pacquiao, can easily scale down to welterweight and meet the Filipino champion. Standing at 6’2, Williams will enjoy a major height and reach advantage over the 5’6 Pacquiao. Williams also have a considerable power in both hands. If both fighters agree to meet, Pacquiao’s chances of winning are slim, but nevertheless, the Filipino boxer-puncher will slug it out with the lanky Williams and go all out, all for the entertainment of the fans.

Holyfield-Botha: Both Should Really Consider Retirement

2010-04-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

I have said this once and I won’t be stopping there – Evander Holyfield needs to retire. There is no point for boxers his stature to go on and fight for the sake of glory when they basked in it during the pinnacle of their career. Of course, it is quite understandable that the Real Deal wants to retire with a world champion belt in his waist. Who doesn’t want to go out in the blaze of glory?

But for those who are not quite familiar with what he and Francois Botha will be fighting for would be the WBF heavyweight championship strap. For casual boxing fans, WBF would sound alien, unlike the WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA, and lesser known boxing institutions the IBO and IBA. WBF, or World Boxing Foundation, does not hold any glam to any degree at all.

It is quite difficult to fathom why would a boxing legend and future Hall-of-Famer like Holyfield would risk another loss to his already muddied career in search for another championship belt that do not spell prestige as much as its more visible counterparts. This is very much well past common sense and logic.

Holyfield needs to retire. And the same goes for Botha as well.

Adam Carolla: Unfunny Comic Disses Pacman, Pinas

2010-04-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

A lot of my friends in the boxing scene, from the Great White Gorilla to the Preacher Man, have something to say to the unfunny Adam Carolla, a promising comic who was never able to break the barrier and cross over to mainstream popularity. Being Filipino myself, I cannot help but brand this guy’s brand of humor nothing short of insulting and degrading.

But there lies some truth to what Mr. Carolla said in his infamous podcast. For one, despite being a predominantly Catholic nation, there are some indigenous Philippine tribes who include chickens (live ones, not bones) in ceremonies and traditional rituals. Of course, the chickens usually end up in the digestive vortex as chicken tinola to complete the circle.

As a nation, we are proud that we have a boxer who has been able to rise up through the ranks of the sport and win seven titles in seven differen weight classes in the process. But we, as a nation, do not build our world around him, because if we did, his movies would never have flopped, his albums went triple platinum, and his political career would have begun in 2007. His canceled concert in Hawaii indicates that our worship to Pacquiao is generally limited to the realm of boxing.

With regards to prostitution, we also have some flesh to offer. But doesn’t your country have some bodies in the trade too? Aren’t Jenna Jameson, Jenna Haze, and Nikki Rhodes notable traders of the flesh industry in your turf? I bet they make more money than you (and that wanted attention too). That said, we don’t have sex tours as much as you would like to imply and for your listeners to believe.

Mr. Carolla, we do have our fucking shit together. Clearly you don’t. It seems the one person who need to clear the shit off the ceiling, is you.

Hear what Carolla has to say about Pacquiao and the Filipino here.

Check out other related articles on Mr. Carolla’s racist remarks:

Public Enemy No. 1 for Pacquiao, Philippines: Humorless Adam Carolla

Manny Pacquiao or Adam Carolla: Who's the real idiot?

Adam Carolla puts a name and face behind ignorance and hate against Pacquiao and the Philippines

The Best Thing To Do Is Give Adam Carolla An Old Fashion Filipino Hospitality!

Too Giddy For Mayweather-Mosley (GO MOSLEY!)

2010-04-02T01:57:00.000-07:00

Mayweather-Mosley is now less than a month’s away from happening and honestly, I cannot make a concrete prediction on who can be the victor on May 1st. Floyd Mayweather, 40-0, 25 KOs, is a slick defensive genius who is pretty efficient with defense and pops an effective punch or two on the counter. On the opposite corner, you have Sugar Shane Mosley, who at 38 years old, boasts of a fine, impressive record of 46-5, 39 KOs, and prefers an all-out action throughout the fight.

It is quite understandable why many pick Mayweather to win this fight, owing to a number of facts: 1) the guy is one of the most skilled fighter today; 2) his defense wizardry has not yet been broken down; 3) he is the younger guy.

On the other hand, you have Shane Mosley, who is clearly at the twilight of his career. That said, let me remind you that this is the fighter who obliterated then the much feared Antonio Margarito over a year ago. Mosley, despite his advanced age, is still a force to reckon with when it comes to the welterweight division. There is a reason why he is still the lineal champion of the division.

I hope for a Mosley win since that would almost guarantee a Pacquiao-Mosley showdown, which to me, is a better matchup since both men love action. A Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown may seem good on paper, but Mayweather, as lauded as he is, will not engage the champion as Mosley would possibly do.

We all saw what Clottey did when he fought Pacquiao. Mayweather may ought to play defense all night long as well. The only good thing about that fight is that Clottey did not run.

And despite calls from Pac fans to boycott the Mayweather-Mosley fight, I, for one, will certainly watch how the fight will unfold. Aside from that, I want to see if Mosley is up to the task of beating Mayweather and call out Pacquiao for what could probably his last fight before he hangs up the gloves.

El Terrible Eager to Fight Pacquiao (Again), JMM

2010-04-02T01:51:00.000-07:00

For some reasons, Erik “El Terrible” Morales believes he has what it takes to compete on a higher level. After a very imposing victory over former lightweight titlist Jose Alfaro of Nicaragua, one has to ask, can he really take on the top welterweights out there?

After one fight, no matter how impressive his win was, one cannot certainly say that Morales can contend with even the top five welterweight marquees. At 36 years old, he is in an age where boxers are already in the winter of their careers. Sadly, the Morales victory only fuels the Mexican legend’s drive to push his very much ill-advised comeback.

Already an icon of the sport with three division championships to his name, Morales, as stated by this writer in a different article, has got nothing more to prove. His wars are worth to be noted in the record books of the sport and his resume consists of fights against the best there is.

A Fourth Match With Pacman

Morales takes pride in being the last boxer to beat Pacquiao. And he deserves every bragging rights to such claim.

Watching Morales dismantle former nemesis Manny Pacquiao in their first encounter was a thing of beauty. What Pacquiao’s previous opponents failed to do, Morales did so with relative ease, outboxing and totally outclassing the then one-dimensional, or rather, a one-handed Pacquiao. The Filipino back then was the bane of the lower weight classes, steamrolling the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Jorge Solis, and other Mexican pugilists.

Virtually, Morales exposed Pacquiao as a boxer with only a powerful left-hand in his arsenal. However, their second and third meeting showed the world how fast the Filipino champion can learn and develop and fine tune the essentials to become a complete boxer.

In a devastating fashion, Pacquiao decked the canvass with the legendary Morales’ and finally dealt the Mexican his first knockdown and knockout loss in the 10th round in Pacquiao-Morales II. In Pacquiao-Morales III, the Filipino punctuated his superiority over the Mexican in three rounds with speed, power, and an unrelenting will.

Since their last encounter, Pacquiao went on to a meteoric climb northward the scales. And in the wake of his ascent are legends and big names who are merely overwhelmed with what the Filipino can dish. The scary thing is that the Filipino may not have peaked yet.

A fourth encounter between the two may tragically end a glorious comeback to the squared circle of the famed El Terrible. In all honesty, brutal as it may seem, Morales cannot beat Pacquaio. Period.

A Bout With Juan Manuel Marquez

If there is a fight that would probably make the Mexicans (and some boxing pundits all over the world) drool, Morales-Marquez is one of those bouts. That said, this is a fight that should have happened when both guys are still in the peak of their boxing run.

Both in their mid-30s there is little wonder whether they can produce a fight that can shape, or at the very least, build so much excitement. There is no question to both of these men’s hearts and will. But rather, it is a question whether their bodies can still answer the call to action.

Marquez’s entry to the welterweight level against former pound-for-pound best Floyd Mayweather basically showed him as slow and sluggish. In that fight, Marquez was almost virtually ineffective. On the other hand, Morales, while victorious against Figueroa, also displayed certain amount of slow and sluggishness.

If these two future Hall-of-Famers meet, it will be a fight that will certainly generate a great deal of anticipation and hype. And while this writer believes that such match will not be as good if they have met years before, it might possibly an epic clash that could serve as a worthy ending to both men’s chapters of their lives inside the ring.

The Fighter's Mind Press Release

2010-02-23T19:54:00.000-08:00

THE FIGHTER’S MIND

INSIDE THE MENTAL GAME

SAM SHERIDAN

Author of A Fighter’s Heart

“Tirelessly curious and game, deftly sidestepping pretentiousness and macho posturing and all the other usual traps that snare writers who delve into the form and meaning of fighting, Sam Sheridan seeks out fearsome teachers and comes away with a rare prize: a deep understanding of the mental aspect of the fighter's craft and what it can teach us about how—and how not—to live.”—Carlo Rotella, author of Cut Time: An Education at the Fights

“Sheridan follows his successful A Fighter’s Heart with a wide-ranging exploration of how

great ‘fighters’ succeed. . . . Like its predecessor, this book should find an audience well

beyond the ring.” —Booklist

“Should be a knockout with fight fans.” —Library Journal

***

In his acclaimed national best seller, A Fighter’s Heart, Sam Sheridan took readers with him as he stepped through the ropes into the dangerous world of professional fighting, traveling from Bangkok to Rio to Iowa in a quest to understand why we fight. In his follow-up, THE FIGHTER’S MIND: Inside the Mental Game (Atlantic Monthly Press, February 9, 2010, $25, 304 pages, ISBN 978-0-8021-1935-3), Sheridan does for the brain what his first book did for the body, offering an unprecedented peak into the mind’s of the world’s best fighters and trainers.

As every athlete knows, physical skill and conditioning are only a small part of what makes a champion. When Sheridan spoke with his subjects, time and time again he heard the phrase (in Yogi Berra fashion), “Fighting is ninety percent mental, half the time.” But what do fighters and trainers mean when they say that? Fighting—two guys in a ring pounding on each other—is the ultimate physical endeavor. How could that be more mental than physical? Is it an empty cliché, or is there something more to it?

To get inside the minds of fighters, Sheridan interviewed dozens of the world’s most fascinating and dangerous men including celebrated trainers Freddie Roach and Greg Jackson; champion fighters Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock; ultra runner David Horton; chess prodigy (and the inspiration for Searching for Bobby Fischer) turned tai chi expert Josh Waitzkin; and legendary wrestler Dan Gable, among many others. Sheridan picked their brains to figure out their secrets. How do they stay committed through years of training? How do they deal with crushing defeat—and, after glorious victory, how do they keep their egos in check? What kind of mind games do they deploy? What effect do social supports and training camps have on the fighter’s mind? Sheridan offers up a fascinating and often surprising journey into the minds of fighters, who prove that there is much more to fighting than sheer naked physicality.

In A FIGHTER’S MIND, Sheridan writes, “We’re all fighting something.” So, in addition to his penetrating interviews with the aforementioned subjects, he also explores how techniques for mental toughness translate in the real world outside of the ring—techniques and lessons that can be applied to every realm, from personal improvement to the business world and beyond.

SAM SHERIDAN joined the U.S. Merchant Marines after high school and then attended Harvard College, from which he graduated in 1998. He has written for Men’s Journal, Newsweek, Fight!, and The Daily Beast. Sheridan also has a supporting role as an MMA announcer in the film Warrior, directed by Gavin

O’ Connor and set to be released in 2010.

THE FIGHER’S MIND: Inside the Mental Game

Sam Sheridan

Atlantic Monthly Press

$25, 304 pages, ISBN: 978-0-8021-1935-3

Publication Date: February 9, 2010

For Darchinyan, Donaire Fight Is An Imperative

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

No matter who Vic Darchinyan fights, as long as his loss to Nonito Donaire remains unavenged and the guy is out there winning, the Raging Bull will definitely have a hard time emerging from the shadow of that knockout. And if he wants to take another crack at Donaire, he better put a great show against top contender Rodrigo Guerrero (13-1-1, 9 KOs).

Darchinyan (33-2-1, 27 KOs), who is slated to defend his WBA/WBC super flyweight belts, admits that he has this burning desire to face Donaire once again. But time may be a bit short on him as Donaire is increasingly becoming a more bankable fighter than he is.

Make no mistake, Donaire has several doors of opportunities opening for him. Lucrative fights are looming over the horizon for the Filipino Flash. Bouts with Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez loom for Donaire should he decide to come up in weight. Victories over either one will elevate Donaire to a whole new level of boxing super stardom.

Guerrero is no pushover though. He is looking to extend his 11-win streak, with his last bout ending in a third round knockout against Rey Lopez last December. The brash Darchinyan is coming off from a lost in his bid to capture a title in the bantamweight division against Joseph Agbeko. In terms of confidence, the Mexican is definitely filled to the brim.

But it is hard to discount Darchinyan though, with his last two wins are over Mexican warriors Cristian Mijares and Jorge Arce. He is definitely a force in the super flyweight division and a win over Guerrero will set a stage for a Donaire-Darchinyan rematch.

And truth be told, Darchinyan needs this fight with Donaire and he needs to set it up now. But for the moment, he has to deal with Guerrero first and dominate. And should Darchinyan win, pray that his promotional outfit would finally work with the Donaire camp for the much-awaited second meeting between the two.

Otherwise, the Filipino Flash will inevitably move on and seek higher purses and higher competition and leave the Australian in a legacy limbo.

Send your comments, suggestions, and violent reactions tokragpala@8countnews.com

Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13: Champs Versus Chumps

2010-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

Despite the prestige and all the hype, the two main events of Pinoy Power 3/Latin Fury 13 featured world class champions versus average Joes. Many have predicted (and they proved to be correct) that both Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel would win their fights respectively. However, this was supposed to an event that billed the best of the Philippines against the best of Latin boxing.

Ciso Morales, though undefeated, was clearly raw and green against the seasoned Montiel. The Mexican brought the fight to a quick conclusion with a powerful left uppercut to the midsection of Kid Terrible. Morales obviously did not prepare his torso hard enough to endure vicious body attacks.

On the other hand, Manuel Vargas was clearly outmatched, outclassed, and bit more than he can chew when he signed up o fight Donaire. Of course, one can argue that Vargas has little time to prepare. But Guerrero was no different as he would have ended up in the canvas against the Filipino Flash.

It is a shame that this fight promised a series of showdowns between the best of Filipino and Latin boxers. The hype and the promotion have done their part of fanning the flames to spark interests among Filipino and Latin boxing fans. Sadly, what fans got were two main events that pitted elite warriors versus foot soldiers.

Not taking anything away from Donaire and Montiel, but it would have been better if their opposition were somehow legitimate and threatening enough. Ciso Morales, who suffered the first loss of his career, is still young and the experience will definitely teach him a lot of things – fighting at the elite level is no joke.

Hopefully, the next time Top Ranks concocts another Pinoy Power-Latin Fury spectacle, they’ll give fans a war.

Others News

Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines failed to bounce back from his recent loss to Juan Manuel Lopez last year in a very strong and brave effort against Puerto Rico’s Eric Morel. While considered as Philippines’ most technically sound boxer, Penalosa fought Morel’s fight, who box intelligently, using his size and reach advantage to their maximum potential.

Of course, Morel was seen excessively holding down Penalosa’s head, which warranted a deduction or two. However, no deductions came, which could have changed the results of the fight if they were implemented. Another note to consider is that that it was a close, tight fight. Nothing to be ashamed of for Penalosa, who really needs to hang up his gloves and call it quits after losing two fights in a row.

Perhaps the most exciting round would be Bernabe Concepcion vs. Mario Santiago. Both men gave boxing fans a dose pure boxing action from start to finish, with Concepcion flooring his rival once in the 6th round and Santiago retaliated with a rally in the final push. Concepcion’s win over SAntiago sets him a showdown with Puerto Rican superstar Juan Manuel Lopez.

Although untelevised, Philippines’ Mark Jason Melligen had a good time dismantling Raymund Gatica. Meliigen finished the bout with TKO victory in the 6th round.

Filipino boxing legends Manny Pacquiao and Z Gorres were at ringside to show support for their Filipino brothers.

Roger Mayweather: Crack History 101

2010-01-25T05:39:00.000-08:00

And the accusations still flies even after WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao moved on and laid his belt on the line against top welterweight contender Joshua Clottey. This time, Roger Mayweather now named the substance he “knows” Pacquiao is using – A-Side meth.

And Mayweather also threw in some history too. A-Side meth has been in the scene since for centuries now and was critical during the war between Filipinos and Americans that occur approximately 500 years ago. And get this, American were already using 45 calibers against Filipinos, but the bullets were just bouncing off them Filipinos’ backsides.

All these occurred 500 years ago.

While many would just pass this rambling as some figure of speech, Mayweather was really convinced that Pacquiao is indeed on A-Side meth, and that this performance-enhancing drug was used by Filipino soldiers against American forces. He was so convinced that he was speaking the truth and at the same time, dumb.

So to really put things in the light, here are some FACTS to help you judge whether Mayweather is right or otherwise.

The first time United States got tangled with the Philippine forces was in 1899, which was sometime around 111 years ago. Far from the 500 years Mayweather was pretty much bent on declaring.

45 caliber rounds were not widely used until 1911 when the US Army adopted the Automatic Colt Pistol as the standard small arms of the organization.

500 years ago, around 1510, the Philippines was not even discovered by Spanish explorers. The Spaniards landed on March 1521.

The list goes on. But it seems Mayweather allegations of steroid use by Pacquiao now borders on the ludicrous. But one thing is for sure, whatever lawsuit Pacquiao has thrown the Mayweathers, Roger is clearly undaunted.

Mayweather: Fight or Flee

2010-01-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

Can it get any better than this? Finally, Mayweather can’t say no without looking like a coward.

The pressure is now on Floyd Mayweather to fight Shane Mosley after Mosley’s intended opponent, Andre Berto, withdrew from the January 30th bout because of the loss of loved ones and the emotional burden he carries after a huge earthquake struck Haiti, his parents’ home country. If Mayweather ducks this one, the further damages the move would create to his already damaged legacy would be irreversible.

Mayweather, who used to call the shots and pick opponents who pose little or no threat at all, is now backed into a corner and the only way out is either he fights Mosley, or flees from the scene. The first option is his best choice. After the failed negotiations between his side and Manny Pacquiao’s camp, most of the boxing fans and a number of the boxing community blame him for the fallout.

To add more damage to his reputation, Pacquiao opted to fight and defend his WBO welterweight belt against former welterweight champ Joshua Clottey, a durable and tough boxer who is also considered one of the top ranking welters. Clottey is a high risk-low reward fight for Pacquiao and by taking him on, Pacquiao looked more impressive than Mayweather.

If Mayweather rejects to fight Mosley and decides to flee and look for easy matchups, then he might as well retire again and for good. Any other fight, unless it is Paul Williams, is utterly unacceptable and a great disservice to the sport and to the fans.

The Berto withdrawal have presented Mayweather with a golden opportunity. He better not waste it.

Filipino Pugilists Trump Contenders in Cebu

2010-01-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

Bakbakan sa Sinulog was a complete success with the Filipino pugilists sweeping through their foreign opponents convincingly and in very emphatic fashion. ALA Boxing Promotions’ prodigies and the event’s double-headers AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Milan Melindo have successfully trumped their opposition and further improve their records and their chances for a world stage.

Banal effectively used his height, speed, and strength advantage in dispatching Cecilio Boga Santos of Mexico in the fourth round of their non-title bantamweight bout. Santos landed some solid shots but was not quite consistent as he struggled with the young Banal’s physical advantages. The Filipino took no time in administering serious combinations with blistering speed to end the night for the Mexican Santos.

For the main event, Milan Melindo took on the young and slick California-native Anthony Villareal in a very exciting exchange. Villareal, the game champion, was very effective with his low-guard style until he got decked to the canvas by a solid right hook from the Filipino in the first round. Villareal was clearly stunned by Melindo’s power and was very careful throughout the fight.

Melindo was very patient and cool, although he kept on pressing the taller and bigger Villareal. Melindo concocted several combinations that would force the American champion to back down. But Villareal had his moments as well. He clearly won rounds 6, 8, and 10, evidently when he used his quickness and slick defense to slip Melindo’s punches and lands some solid shots of his own.

Round 12 proved to be a thrilling segment of the fight as Melindo, who was clearly ahead on points, decided to trade with the strong-punching Villareal. However, the Filipino proved to be a tough customer as Melindo and Villareal went for a knockout during the dying seconds of the fight.

Melindo won a rightfully-deserved unanimous decision. I scored the fight 7 rounds to 3 in favor of the new WBC Youth Intercontinental Flyweight champion.

Anthony Villareal vs Milan Melindo Round by Round - Bakbakan sa Sinulog

2010-01-14T05:18:00.000-08:00

Round 1

Both men are feeling each other out. Melindo stalks Villareal, who potshots him with jabs. Melindo catches Villareal with a right hook and sents him to teh canvas. Villareal clearly dazed and holds to survive the round.

10-8 Melindo

Round 2

Strong right hands from Melindo stagger Villarreal. Villareal recovers. Melindo clearly the busy fighter.

10-9 Melindo

Round 3

Villareal lands strong jabs and hooks. Melindo unfazed and fires back with power shots. Villareal caught a straight right and holds. Melindo all the way.

10-9 Melindo

Round 4

Back and forth action with Melindo giving out more. Melindo catches Villareal with another right hook. Villareal counters with his left.

10-9 Melindo

Round 5

Villareal tries to land some power shots but it's Melindo who is landing more meaningful blows. Melindo is dishing out punishmnet. Villareal is clearly running out of steam.

10-9 Melindo

Round 6
Villareal seems to come back in this round. He's landing cleaner shots now. Melindo gives out his share. Villareal fires a combo to end the round.

10-9 Villareal

Round 7

Both men went all-out. Hard round to decide. But I'll give it to Melindo since he lands the more telling blows.

10-9 Melindo

Round 8

Villareal is countering well in this round, catching Melindo wiith some serious shots on the way in. Melindo staggers Villareal with another strong right hook. Villareal displayed good defense.

10-9 Villareal

Round 9

Villareal owned the first minute with good defense and landing some counters. Melindo took over and unleashes some seriuous shots to the head and body.

10-9 Melindo

Round 10

Villareal looking for a knockout. Villareal unleashing more punches than Melindo. Villareal staggers Melindo with a left hook. Melindo stands his ground and trades back.

10-9 Villareal

End of Fight

AJ "Bazooka" Banal vs Cecilio "Boga" Santos - Bakbakan sa Sinulog

2010-01-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

Round 1

Santos starts with a jab. Banal retaliates with his own combinations. Santos fires with a couple of 1-2s. Banal finally established height and reach advantage and peppers Santos with jabs and power shots.

10-9 Banal

Round 2

Banal dishing a lot of punches. Santos fires back but not much. Santos covers up as Banal starts a body attack. Banal applies good pressure.

10-9 Banal

Round 3

Banal staggers Santos with a straight left. Banal unleashes combinations. Santos lands a few shots. Banal again with a straight left. banal with a left hook. Banal fires a 1-2 at the end of the round.

10-8 Banal

Round 4

Banal stings Santos with another straight left, Santos clearly hurt. Banal traps Santos in a corner. Barrage of punches from Banal knocks Santos out.

Banal winner by knockout.

James Bacon vs T. Singwancha Round by Round

2010-01-14T04:38:00.000-08:00

Round 1

Bacon uses his jab effectively. Bacon staggers Singwancha with a straight right. Bacon unleashes a combo and traps Singwancha on the ropes.

Singwancha struggles with Bacon's height and reach advantage.

Rd 1- Bacon 10-9

Round 2

Singwancha mounts a body attack and repelled by Bacon. Singwancha displays good tight defense. Singwancha slips. Both exchange blows. Bacon giving out more punches.

Bacon 10-9

Round 3

Singwancha knocks Bacon down. Ref rules it a slip. Both men exchange punches. Bacon staggers Singwancha with another straight right. Bacon lands three punches before the end of the round.

Bacon 10-9

Round 4

Relentless body attack from bacon. Singwancha falls and yields.

Bacon wins by TKO 55 seconds in the 4th.

On The Verge of Living The Dream

2010-01-13T03:22:00.000-08:00

I started out as an avid boxing fan.

My first memory that has anything to do with boxing was a classic Nintendo video game called Punch-Out! where you play a small boxer who had to whoop bigger boxers' asses. With my avid enthusiasm for the game, my dad bought me two pairs of boxing gloves for kids - one for me and another pair for those who chose to slug it out with me.

I never grew up to be a boxer, but I grew up practicing unholy idolatry for Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya and Luisito Espinosa. I never really cared about the technical aspects of the games, weight categories and all. All I cared about was making sure I watch their fights and read the news about them.

When I reached college, I initially went for a engineering degree but decided that journalism is my path. I have always hoped that I could practice sports journalism. However, life took me on a different route and ended up in making articles for various websites, ranging from healthcare to real estate.

So I am became a boxing blogger, on the side.

So yeah, being a sports journalist became a distant, far-fetched possibility for me. I decided to channel my frustrations in writing articles about boxing, hoping it would vent any disappointments in the basement.

Call it a stroke of luck or fate, somebody did took notice. And from there, I started contributing to popular boxing websites. At the very least, my name is getting out.

And then, I got my first live assignment - go to Cebu and cover the first major boxing event in the Philippines. Well, tomorrow is fight night. But now, I can safely say, I am Frustrated Analyst no more.

On The Clottey-Foreman-Pacquiao Debate and What Mayweather Can Do To One Up Pac

2010-01-12T21:42:00.000-08:00

Anybody who says that Yuri Foreman is a better challenge for Pacquiao than Joshua Clottey is wrong. Dead wrong.

For starters, Clottey is one of the most avoided welterweights today, a reason why he has fought only once last year - against Miguel Cotto in a fight where it could have gone either way or ended in a draw. Here is where Clottey ranked among the top welterweights today (this is my ranking by the way):

1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Shane Mosley
3. Andre Berto
4. Miguel Cotto
5. Joshua Clottey

Now, you might wonder why Pretty Boy Floyd is not included in the top five. Simple. Ask and answer yourself this question: "When was the last time Mayweather fought a true and legitimate 147 contender?"

If you dig really deep and look past behind his performance against Juan Manuel Marquez, who was a bloated lightweight during their fight (no disrespect to the Mexican warrior), it was Carlos Baldomir back in 2005. Baldomir was not even a top contender but he did campaigned extensively at the 147 territory.

Fact be told, Clottey is a dangerous route for anyone within the 147-154 range. True, Foreman could have been another historical notch for Pacquiao, an easy one, I might add. But opting to fight the formidable Clottey instead, Pacquiao has proven he is out there taking on all the best challenges available.

The native of Accra, Ghana poses a serious threat to Pacquiao. He is a strudy welterweight with solid and hard punches, an almost impregnable defense, a granite chin, and a large and towering physique which he rally puts into play. And he has never been stopped before. Cotto may have won that fight, but Clottey sure did made it a hell before losing to the Puerto Rican.

On the contrary, Foreman is not much of a threat to Pacquiao. Size may be a factor, but that's really arguable. Pacquiao has fought bigger guys and bested all of them, from David Diaz all the way to Cotto. But lest you forget, the Filipino already stated that he will stop at welterweight.

Foreman, undefeated as he is, is not really much of an exciting fighter. He has always been playing it safe. He effectively fights at a distance and prefers to potshot the other guy rather than oblige in a trade. In other words, it is going to be a long and boring night, regardless of who he is fighting. And with the physical advantages he has over the seven-division champion, it's going to be a looooong night indeed for the Filipino.

While some can and will deny that Clottey is a perfect choice for Pacquiao in the light of the failed negotiations with the Mayweather camp, it is very hard to argue that Pacquiao has taken the easy route.

And with such move, this forces Mayweather to a corner and think of options that are available to him if he wants to make a better something grander than what Pacquiao has recently done. And fights with either Matthew Hatton, whose campaigns at the welterweight division are so abysmal that he is ranked somewhere in the 30s, or Paulie Malignaggi, who is slick, fast, and brash but whose punches can hardly make an impact on anyone, are just ammunitions for more criticisms and damage an already hurting legacy.

Truth is Mayweather's is now in a position where he cannot pick a severely inferior opponent, claim another quick payday, and brag that he is the greatest. If he wants to do better than what Pacquiao has done, and that is challenge someone with serious and potent threat, then all Money May has to do is pick a fight with someone who is more menacing and more threatening than Pacquiao's choice. And to name a few, he could call out Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez, that is if he wants to battle it out in March.

Or he could weather the itch to fight (if he has it) and pick on the winner of Shane Mosley-Andre Berto. If he wants to save his legacy, that is if he still cares about such thing, considering that legcay does not pay the bills, he has to name one, top caliber opponent that can possibly beat the living daylights out of him. And win.

Mayweather is The Greatest Ducker of All-Time

2010-01-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Mayweather has finally done it – to show the world that his nothing but a coward who only fights opponents he knows he can beat. Many people expected that with all the potential money his fight with Pacquiao can generate, Mayweather would change his man and get it on with the Filipino boxing sensation. Money talks. Not this time however.

Am I surprised? Not one bit.

See, Mayweather has walked away from money before. Antonio Margarito, then known as the man to beat in the welterweight division and long before he was caught with illegal knuckle pads, casts so much fear in Mayweather that Floyd turned down a huge US$8 million payday to fight him. Hell, Floyd even stuttered when Margarito’s named is mentioned.

Am I disappointed? Yes, I am.

See, the Pacquiao fight was Floyd’s last chance to gain the respect of the whole boxing community and not just a loyal fraction of it. There lay in front of him was the opportunity to prove he is the best and in his own words, “win under any circumstances.”

But like he did when quality opposition is there to challenge him, he wiggles his way out. He is perceived as a great ducker (and rightfully so) when he refused to step into the ring with elite contenders like Shane Mosley, Margarito, Miguel Cotto, and Paul Williams. Mayweather sealed the coffin of his legacy by walking away from Pacquiao.

As for Pacquiao, his place in history has been secured and he does not need Mayweather to further cement that. The native of Gensan has taken on all the best there is, including the highly touted triumvirate of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Like a juggernaut, Pacquiao rammed through the division in a devastating fashion, an act that shoots him into the breadth of Muhammad Ali, Jack Dempsey, and Sugar Ray Robinson.

Mayweather’s legacy has been tarnished so bad that not even the strongest bleach can erase that ugly spot. Despite that pristine “0”, history will condemn Mayweather’s actions and the consequences will be irreparable unless he mans up and fights Pacquiao.

Majority, if not all, of boxing fans will not want to see Mayweather fight Matthew Hatton. But British fans are so engrossed in supporting their hometown heroes that they will be more than willing to pay just to see Matty try to avenge his bog brother’s loss, even though the Brit’s chances of winning is slimmer than a needle. Truth is Matthe Hatton is a big and easy payoff for Mayweather. But it does not carry any weight when it comes to legacy.

In closing, I will just say this: MAYWEATHER IS A COWARD!

The Only Man Who Can Beat Pacquiao is...

2010-01-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

Manny Pacquiao is the whole package in boxing – granite chin, amazing hand speed, extreme mobility, superbly agile, and packs dynamite punches in both hands. The scary thing about him, though, aside from all attributes mentioned, is that he continues to evolve and this nonstop learning process adds more punch to an already high combustible mix.

So the question surfaces, is there anyone who can beat Manny Pacquiao? The answer is yes.

But before you Mayweather fans think it is your man, I am sorry to disappoint. Mayweather will lose his pristine record against Pacquiao, if the former chooses to fight the latter. He may be slick and skilled, but he is not THE ONE.

The boxer who can beat Pacquiao should possess at the very least, equal hand speed, crazy combinations, and who also uses his feet. The only man who can beat Manny Pacquiao is STEVE FOX!

Steve got this crazy spin moves, side stepping techniques and some wrestling skills too, Coach Roach will have a hard time figuring this bomber from the United Kingdom. Steve’s too unpredictable that Pacquiao may not know what to do once he’s in the ring with him.

when you look at Steve's list of beaten opponents, he has taken them all - resurrected demons, kung fu masters, taekwondo jins, karate practicioners, and even cyborgs and wrestlers. He also took on, err, wooden dummies, and pandas, and errr, uhmm, girls. But that's beside the point!

The point isthat Steve never backs down from anyone and is willing to fight them inside and outside the ring, where the penguins play.

And Steve will certainly want a piece of Pacquiao after what he did to Ricky Hatton, and he will certainly make Pacquiao pay. And look cool while dismantling the Filipino warrior.

Check how Steve Fox will destroy Pacquiao in this video.

Fighters Who Should Retire This Year

2010-01-05T20:59:00.000-08:00

Call it stupidity or granite-headedness, some boxers really don’t know when to quit, to finally punctuate the chapters of their careers and close the books. Sadly, some of these fighters are those I have grown to admire when I was still in my childhood years. And this year, they are slated to lace up the gloves and partake in another beatdown.

Evander Holyfield (42-10-2) and Francois Botha (47-4-2, 2 no contest), Heavyweights

The 47-year old ex-world champion Holyfield is bent on retiring as a champion. And in an effort to do so, he is now on the stage with another aging boxer, 41-year old Botha, who is way beyond his prime (did he ever reached his prime?) and the current holder of the WBF heavyweight title. Seriously, what’s the WBF?

"I am going to win and I will cherish the WBF world title,” says Holyfield.

Seriously, what’s the WBF?

I hate to admit but these guys are so washed-up, and the fact that that they are fighting for a belt sanctioned by the WBF (seriously, what’s the WBF?!) makes them so wash-up even more. And get this, they won’t be fighting in the United States or Europe, but in Uganda. See how washed-up they are?

Gerry Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 KOs), Bantamweight

Before I say anything else, let me declare that I am Filipino and I love chicken adobo as well as sisig and papaitan even more so than the Pinoy sitting next to me. I have always loved Gerry and have watched him become an icon of Philippine boxing. But dude, you got to admit, at 37-years old, he is getting old. As technically sound and defensive-minded as he is, he’s over the hill. The beating Juan Manuel Lopez gave him last year should be a clear indication of that.

To Gerry, I implore you man. Quit. Hang those gloves. You got your legacy already secured; you have been through many wars and have given boxing a great boost, especially for us Filipinos. Heck, you made me proud when Juanma failed to knock you out, that you can take what he can dish. But no more fights man. You can be coach, a boxing analyst, but your time inside the ring is over. I hope you realize that.

Jermain Taylor (28-4-1, 17 KOs), Super Middleweight

I am a big fan of this guy. But with the losses he was dealt with, and the manner of how he lost, should make him really considering of calling it quits. Taylor’s last two losses (against Carlo Froch and Arthur Abraham) were so devastating that I am surprised he still wants more action. I admire the heart, but when your body can no longer take those types of shots, it is plain stupid to still ask for some more.

Roy Jones, Jr. (54-6, 40 KOs), Light Heavyweight

December 2, 2009. Got knocked out. In the first round. To an unknown fighter. End of story.