Chavez among Pacquiao’s sparring partners

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:01:00 09/16/2010

Filed Under: Boxing, Sports Events

MANILA, Philippines -- Unbeaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will join the training camp
of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in two weeks’ time, according to Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz.

In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer after joining Pacquiao on a flight to his hometown of General Santos City on Thursday, Koncz said three spar mates have been scheduled to arrive with trainer Freddie Roach on Sunday morning.

The sparring partners are 29-year-old Rashad Holloway (11-1-2, 5 KOs), a welterweight prospect and a regular during Pacquiao’s training camps; unbeaten 24-year-old junior middleweight Vanes Martirosyan (28-0, 17 KOs), who stands 6 feet tall; and 20-year-old prospect Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KOs) of New Jersey.

Koncz said the 6-1 Chavez made himself available after his Dec. 4 fight against WBO light middleweight champion Miguel Cotto was called off.

A different opponent for the 24-year-old Chavez (41-0-1, with 1 no contest) had been lined up by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum on the same date.

Koncz said he had spoken to Arum by phone and was told “Chavez will follow in two weeks. He will fight in December but it is not going to be against Cotto.”

Koncz said he had asked Arum to provide him with Chavez’s flight information and that he would meet him at the airport “so he sees a familiar face.”

Koncz said Pacquiao has scheduled his return to Manila on Sunday, in time for Roach’s arrival.
Team Pacquiao would set up training camp in Baguio City as originally planned.

“It is not working out here in Manila,” Koncz said.

Pacquiao’s congressional chief of staff lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal told Koncz that Pacquiao could skip some sessions in order to train for his Nov. 13 battle for the vacant WBC super welterweight title against Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Even House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had indicated it would be all right if Pacquiao missed some sessions.

Source: sports.inquirer.net

Team Pacquiao to Boost Baguio Tourism

By DEXTER A. SEE
September 16, 2010, 9:18pm

BAGUIO CITY — The upcoming four-week training in this city of boxing’s pound-for-pound king, Sarangani Representative Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao, is a tourism-booster for the country’s so-called Summer Capital.

In an interview Thursday, Mayor Mauricio G. Domogan told the Manila Bulletin that he believes Pacquiao’s return in this city to train for his fight against Mexican boxer Antonio Margarito in Texas on November 13 will attract tourists.

Domogan said Team Pacquiao’s stay in this city is a testament that it is safe to tour the Philippines, particularly this city, following the setback absorbed by the local tourism industry following the Manila hostage-taking last August 23.

Being the Pambansang Kamao and a well-loved boxer, the city mayor claimed wherever Pacquiao spends his training will be an added bonus in the promotion of his training venues, thus, the city government is thankful for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion’s decision to hold the first phase of his training in Baguio for the second time in his illustrious boxing career.

Last year, Team Pacquiao, with American trainer Freddie Roach and conditioning coach Alex Ariza, held a five-week rigid training in the city in preparation for Pacquiao’s showdown with then WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto, whom he dethroned.

Domogan disclosed the city government will provide the necessary security preparations for Pacquiao’s upcoming training.

Considering that Cordillerans are also avid fans of the pound for pound king and are peace-loving individuals, the local chief executive assured the Pacquiao camp that they will make sure that he will smoothly conduct his training in the city in the next four weeks.

Source: mb.com.ph

MANNY PACQUIAO: I THINK HE [MARGARITO] KNEW

By Charlene May

Earlier today, Official Scorecard was in attendance for the kickoff of the press tour for the upcoming bout between Manny Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KO) and Antonio Margarito (38-6, 27 KO) slated for November 13, 2010. The bout, which remains untitled, is promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank Promotions. Top Rank Promotions has been bringing championship boxing to fans for over six decades. This bout continues the tradition into a new decade. Pacquiao versus Margarito will be held at Cowboy Stadium located in Arlington, Texas. The winner will claim the vacant WBC Super Welterweight title.

The shocker of the day occurred during the one-on-one interview sessions, when the quietly-reserved Pinoy idol, Manny Pacquiao, spoke freely in regard to Antonio Margarito's suspension. Without reserve, Pacquiao responded openly to a targeted question from a member of the press. Members of the press surrounded Congressman Pacquiao silent, as he responded, "of course, I believe he knew. He's (Margarito) the one who wraps his hands. This was in response to a question regarding Margarito's possible knowledge of the illegal knuckle pads in his handwraps prior to his bout with Shane Mosley in 2009.

Pacquiao, one of the Philippines’ newest politicians, put his newly-acquired political skills to use in softening his stance on the matter. Tracking back on his original statement, Pacquiao stated that Margarito may have, “made a mistake.”

Pacquiao did, however, say he would designate a representative to supervise the wrapping of Margarito’s hands on the night expected to be the biggest fight of twenty-ten.

Stay tuned for more coverage of today’s press conference from Beverly Hills, California. Be sure to follow Official Scorecard's Texas Showdown: Pacquiao vs. Margarito Blog, Updated Daily to keep fans informed of every hook and jab thrown by two gladiators of the sweet science.

Here's to hoping you're picking up what I'm putting down!

Source: officialscorecard.com

Pacquiao needs size to handle bigger Margarito

MANILA, Philippines – Seven-division world champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao said that things are going well for him despite his busy schedule of training for his upcoming fight and fulfilling his duties as a congressman.

“So far, so good naman ang scheduling at nagagampanan ko ang aking tungkulin sa aking mga nasasaklawang kinatawan sa Sarangani province (The scheduling is so far, so good and I am able to fulfill my duties to my constituents in Sarangani Province),” he wrote in his September 16 “Kumbinasyon” column on PhilBoxing.com.

Pacquiao kicked off his preparations early this week but his formal training will begin when boxing coach, Freddie Roach, arrives in Manila on Sunday.

He has been jogging and doing several rounds in the mitts to get ready for Mexican Antonio Margarito whom he will face on November 13.

“Excited na ulit akong lumaban sa magara at malawak na Cowboys Stadium sa Arlington, Texas kaya naman araw-araw na ang aking pagjo-jogging sa umaga upang magkaroon pa ako ng oras na kumain ng marami at magpahinga para sa sessions sa Congress sa hapon,” he said.

(I am excited to fight again in the massive Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas that is why I hold my jogging sessions everyday in the morning so that I will have time to eat a lot and rest for my afternoon sessions in Congress).

The reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king also revealed that he is packing the pounds since he and Margarito will fight for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) super welterweight belt. The catch weight limit for the two boxers will be at 151 pounds.

“Kung hindi ako kakain, babagsak ang aking timbang at lalaki ang kalamangan ni Margarito sa laki, taas at timbang. Sa boksing, ang pangangalaga sa aking katawan ang pundasyon ng tagumpay.”

(If I will not eat, my weight will drop and Margarito will have a huge advantage over me in terms of size, height and weight. In boxing, taking care of one’s body is the foundation of success).

The Filipino boxing superstar will be gunning for his record 8th title in 8 different divisions.

“Masaya ako dahil nagagawa ko ang dalawa sa passion ko sa buhay: ang boxing at ang manilbihan sa aking kapwa (I am happy because I am able to do two of my life’s passions: boxing and serving others),” he continued.

“Of course, boxing is my passion. This is my life. This is my first love… Boxing changes me. Being a congressman and being able to help and inspire other people around me completes me.”

Source: ABS-CBNNews.com

Donaire: Manny will last longer than Margarito

By Marjorie Gorospe, loQal.ph

QUEZON CITY, METRO MANILA— Though Antonio Margarito may be bigger, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire predicts Manny Pacquiao will prevail over the Mexican in the latter rounds of their November 13 title fight.

Pacquiao and Margarito will dispute the WBC super welterweight in their Las Vegas megafight. The Mexican is reportedly taller by about four inches over and has a longer reach than the Filipino ring hero.

“Magaling din si Margarito, malakas at matangkad but Manny has the intensity and speed and he will dominate the fight on the latter rounds,” says Donaire, who currently holds the WBA Super Flyweight interim title.

Donaire is a native of Bohol but he grew up in General Santos City like Pacquiao. Earlier this year, he expressed his willingness to fight in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Margarito bout but never heard word from his supposed opponent, Mexican bantamweight king Fernando Montiel.

Should this be the last fight for the “People’s Champ”, is Donaire ready to take on Pacquiao’s boxing legacy?

“Someone’s never ready for such big responsibility like Manny’s legacy but I would say that it is such an honor to represent the country. In every fight, I always say out loud that I am a Filipino and I will always be proud of being Filipino and a fellow of Manny (Pacquiao).”

At the moment, Donaire is taking time off to relax and indulge in his hobbies, including photography. “Right now, I’m just relaxing but once I have a date (of fight), I would go to gym and just focus,” he says.

Donaire also shares he is always willing to help promote Filipino boxers and wishes them all the success like him and Manny.

“You must always have the discipline because without it, nothing is accomplished. You must also have the heart to fight and work on it, believe that you can work for the things where you want to be.”

Photo by AP

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Glen Tapia: A Look At Pacquiao’s Chief Sparring Partner

Rising junior middleweight sensation Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. was supposed to make a trip to the Philippines along with Freddie Roach and crew to help seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao get into shape for the latter’s junior middleweight beatdown against former welterweight titleholder Antonio Margarito. But with Chavez’ looming bout in December versus WBA junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto, the Mexican superstar is advised to concentrate on his own training camp.

Chavez would have been the perfect sparring partner for Pacquiao for this particular fight, as the Mexican packs power and has the height that would really help Pacquiao and Roach to devise a plan on how to approach the Tijuana Tornado. With Chavez no longer part of the Pacquiao training camp, Roach tapped on rising light junior middleweight prospect Glen Tapia to take Chavez place.

Glen who?

Truth be told, this writer do not know anything about this young 20-year old kid from Passaic, New Jersey. So again, the cat took a look at Tapia and here are some of the tidbits about the guy whose main responsibility right now is give the Pacman serious sparring sessions for that November 13th date with Margarito.

Tapia’s professional boxing career spans nearly two years in a seven-fight winning streak, seven wins with five knockouts. As an amateur, Tapia’s record boasts of 143 matches, 130 wins against 13 losses. He also won the US Junior Olympics. He might be raw as a professional, but as a boxer, he certainly has the sport in his veins.

Despite his young age and less than 10 professional fights under his belt, Tapia is a sought-after sparring partner by the stars. Among the elite contenders who have tapped him to be their sparring partner include former champions Yuri Foreman, Joshua Clottey, Kendall Holt, Paulie Malignaggi, and the late Vernon Forrest. That’s a clear indication that this kid is going to be a somebody someday.

“Manny Pacquiao is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said the young Tapia. “Going there and to spar with him is a blessing.”

Tapia is a come-forward fighter who also happens to be a volume puncher, which is the reason why he is chosen by Coach Freddie Roach to replace Chavez.

“I could pick a lot of things from him, like fight a strong lefty like him,” Tapia said on the kind of experience he expects from sparring with Pacquiao.

Tapia hopes that he could be like Pacquiao, and that fans would someday see him as Glen Tapia, a great boxer, and not just follow him for the moment because Pacquiao hired him.

“I fight hard. I go in there and give it my all, just like him (Pacquiao). I fight to give your money’s worth.”

From where I stand, this kid is brimming with promise.

Source: filipinoboxingjournal.com

Sergio Mora puts Mayweather vs. Mosley, Pacquiao vs. Margarito into perspective

A lot has been made of the fact that Shane Mosley dismantled Antonio Margarito prior to facing Floyd Mayweather earlier this year, and it is one of the most frequently referenced points made by those critical of the upcoming Margarito vs. Pacquiao bout in November.

But glancing at Mosley's record aside from his admittedly impressive win over Margarito reveals that really he hasn't done that much over the last couple of years to warrant the number three welterweight ranking that he has consistently held onto. More than anything overtly impressive Mosley has done, seemingly the fact that everyone below him in the division has done even less had kept him where he is, even after being dominated as he was in May.

Aside from the stylistic advantages Mosley already had over Margarito, the fact that the then WBA champion was staring down the barrel of a possible lifetime ban for having been found with loaded wraps has to have affected him during the fight to some degree. That isn't to say many fighters could have punished Margarito as thoroughly as Mosley did that night, but also that wasn't a Tijuana Tornado anywhere close to his very best either.

Setting Margarito aside for the moment, Mosley's last fight before that was a hard fought win over an aging Ricardo Mayorga, which was much closer than most were predicting. Before this, Mosley was beaten by Miguel Cotto, which takes us back all the way to 2007. So his recent resume isn't exactly packed full of huge wins.

Compare for example Antonio Margarito's record since 2007 and there isn't a huge amount of difference. While he has lost the same amount of fights, one to Mosley and the other to Paul Williams, Margarito has also picked up wins against Miguel Cotto and Kermit Cintron. Yet him fighting Manny Pacquiao is being called a disgrace by some while Mayweather against Mosley was celebrated and lifted the former back to the top of several pound for pound ranking polls.

Enter Sergio Mora, a fighter nowhere near Mosley in the rankings and also someone he should have a big stylistic advantage over if the 'Latin Snake' stays true to previous form and starts exchanging at some point.

If Mosley loses to Mora however, and looks as tired and apprehensive as he did against Mayweather, talk will undoubtedly turn to just how impressive that particular win was for Floyd.

Even if Mosley looks past his best against Mora, Mayweather's win will still have been an impressive one, and regardless of merit, he was still the number three ranked welterweight at the time. Aside from facing Manny Pacquiao, which still appears to be on the agenda for both fighters at some point but not without more mind numbing negotiations, there wasn't a higher ranked opponent he could have faced.

But if Mosley looks to be well past his best and loses to a fighter barely in the top 50 according to some ranking systems, then surely Mayweather will be in need of another impressive win in the near future in order to maintain his current ranking?

And equally shouldn't Pacquiao and Margarito be given the same kind of praise that Mayweather and Mosley were, given the striking similarities between Mosley and Margarito's recent records?

Bradley Thomas, Pittsburgh: "Ive been saying for ages that Mosley vs. Margarito didn't mean anything, I think people who don't like the fight are just pissed about the loaded hand wrap thing still"

Sean Phillips, Phillly: "Floyd vs. Mosley was a great fight and Pac and Margo is going to be a slaughter, they are in no way similar in the slightest"

Source: Examiner.com