Amir Khan could make his long-awaited US debut on the same bill as Manny Pacquiao's superfight with Floyd Mayweather.
That showdown between the world's two best fighters has been marked down for March 13 in Las Vegas and Freddie Roach wants Khan to appear with his pal Pacman.
Khan's profile Stateside has gone up another notch following his sensational 76-second demolition of New Yorker Dmitriy Salita in the first defence of his WBA light-welterweight crown and Roach feels he is ready to conquer America.
"I would love for Amir to fight on the undercard of Manny's next fight," said Roach, who wants Khan to spar with Pacquiao for the Mayweather showdown.
"Amir would be ready by March, no problem, for another world title defence.
"There are a lot of big names for him now, here in Britain, and in the States. Marquez is one, while (Jose Luis) Castillo is making a comeback and has told me he wants to fight Amir.
"The only guy I don't want him to fight is Manny and I want him to spar with him before Mayweather.
"Amir's speed is good for Manny and Amir is the only guy who can keep up with Manny in the gym. When they train, they are like machines."
Roach missed Khan's first knockdown of Salita inside 10 seconds because he was climbing down the steps to his seat in the corner and even he was stunned by his protege's speed and power.
Khan flattened the previouslyunbeaten Salita with a lightning leftright hook combination and then forced the WBA's No.1 challenger to take an eight count under another flurry of punches before finishing him off with a left hook. Roach is delighted with Khan's progress under his tutelage at his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles and believes he can win world titles all the way up to middleweight.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more-sport/boxing/2009/12/07/amirican-dream-115875-21878933/
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Bad Left Hook Best of the Decade - Super Featherweight
Now that 2009 is getting close to wrapping up, it means this decade is almost over. Before the end of the year, I hope to get through all the weight classes, presenting to you some choices for the best fighter in a given weight class in the decade. I'm not going in any particular order here, but we'll get through all 17 weight classes.
When voting, please only consider the time that the fighter was in the specified weight class during this decade. Also, I'm not going to count obvious ballot stuffing when I tally these up at the end of the year.
In the 00's, the 130 pound weight class was mostly a transition division. Lots of the top fighters of the decade passed through the division at one point or another, but very few top fighters stayed there for an extended period of time. Most of the guys who did stick around in the weight class are actually in the other options for consideration - there are probably about 20 guys at least marginally worth a mention in this weight class, but the poll only holds 10 spots.
Marco Antonio Barrera - The Baby Faced Assassin went only 5-2 at the weight, but all of them were title fights, and he unified belts at one point during his reign. He also fought only the highest level of competition at the weight. His wins came against Erik Morales, Robbie Peden, Rocky Juarez (twice) and Mzonke Fana. His two losses came near the tail end of his career, when a clearly faded Barrera lost to Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Diego Corrales - Chico went 6-2 at the weight in the decade, including three title defenses. His best wins include Angel Manfredy, Derrick Gainer, Joel Casamayor and Justin Juuko. His losses came to Floyd Mayweather and Joel Casamayor.
Acelino Freitas - "Popo" went 9-0 at the weight, most of them title defenses, during the decade before moving up and also capturing a title at lightweight. He also unified titles and became lineal champion for a while. Brazil's best boxer of the last 20 years, Popo's best wins came over Joel Casamayor, Jorge Barrios, Daniel Attah, Javier Jauregui and Barry Jones. All but two of the victories came by way of knockout.
Juan Manuel Marquez - Marquez only had three fights in the weight class, but two of them were dominant wins against Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, and the third was a split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in a fight that many felt Marquez won.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. - Mayweather only spent two years at the weight during the decade, and many of his better wins in the weight class came in the '90's, but he's here because many think he was the greatest 130 pounder of all time, and because he does own a couple of very good wins at the weight. Pretty Boy went 4-0 in the weight in the decade, including decisive victories over Chico Corrales, Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez.
Erik Morales - Morales went 6-3 in the weight class, although the fights were almost exclusively against top competition, and the losses came after he was well faded. The best win of this period (and in retrospect, possible the best win of his career) came against Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao's only loss this decade. Other key wins include Jesus Chavez, Carlos "El Famoso" Hernandez, Guty Espadas Jr. and Rodney Jones. The losses came to Pacquiao (twice) and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Manny Pacquiao - Pacman went 7-1 at the weight, and during the course of his time at the weight, ascended up the pound for pound charts. He went 2-1 against Erik Morales and also earned wins over Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis and Hector Velasquez. The biggest of his wins, however, was a highly contested decision over fellow pound for pound entrant Juan Manuel Marquez that many felt Pacquiao lost.
Others for consideration: Jesus Chavez, Carlos Hernandez, Humberto Soto, Sirimongkol Singwancha, Joel Casamayor, Jorge Barrios, Joan Guzman, Rocky Juarez, Robbie Peden, Nate Campbell, Mzonke Fana, Malcolm Klassen
http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/24/1142490/bad-left-hook-best-of-the-decade
When voting, please only consider the time that the fighter was in the specified weight class during this decade. Also, I'm not going to count obvious ballot stuffing when I tally these up at the end of the year.
In the 00's, the 130 pound weight class was mostly a transition division. Lots of the top fighters of the decade passed through the division at one point or another, but very few top fighters stayed there for an extended period of time. Most of the guys who did stick around in the weight class are actually in the other options for consideration - there are probably about 20 guys at least marginally worth a mention in this weight class, but the poll only holds 10 spots.
Marco Antonio Barrera - The Baby Faced Assassin went only 5-2 at the weight, but all of them were title fights, and he unified belts at one point during his reign. He also fought only the highest level of competition at the weight. His wins came against Erik Morales, Robbie Peden, Rocky Juarez (twice) and Mzonke Fana. His two losses came near the tail end of his career, when a clearly faded Barrera lost to Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Diego Corrales - Chico went 6-2 at the weight in the decade, including three title defenses. His best wins include Angel Manfredy, Derrick Gainer, Joel Casamayor and Justin Juuko. His losses came to Floyd Mayweather and Joel Casamayor.
Acelino Freitas - "Popo" went 9-0 at the weight, most of them title defenses, during the decade before moving up and also capturing a title at lightweight. He also unified titles and became lineal champion for a while. Brazil's best boxer of the last 20 years, Popo's best wins came over Joel Casamayor, Jorge Barrios, Daniel Attah, Javier Jauregui and Barry Jones. All but two of the victories came by way of knockout.
Juan Manuel Marquez - Marquez only had three fights in the weight class, but two of them were dominant wins against Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez, and the third was a split decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in a fight that many felt Marquez won.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. - Mayweather only spent two years at the weight during the decade, and many of his better wins in the weight class came in the '90's, but he's here because many think he was the greatest 130 pounder of all time, and because he does own a couple of very good wins at the weight. Pretty Boy went 4-0 in the weight in the decade, including decisive victories over Chico Corrales, Carlos Hernandez and Jesus Chavez.
Erik Morales - Morales went 6-3 in the weight class, although the fights were almost exclusively against top competition, and the losses came after he was well faded. The best win of this period (and in retrospect, possible the best win of his career) came against Manny Pacquiao, Pacquiao's only loss this decade. Other key wins include Jesus Chavez, Carlos "El Famoso" Hernandez, Guty Espadas Jr. and Rodney Jones. The losses came to Pacquiao (twice) and Marco Antonio Barrera.
Manny Pacquiao - Pacman went 7-1 at the weight, and during the course of his time at the weight, ascended up the pound for pound charts. He went 2-1 against Erik Morales and also earned wins over Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis and Hector Velasquez. The biggest of his wins, however, was a highly contested decision over fellow pound for pound entrant Juan Manuel Marquez that many felt Pacquiao lost.
Others for consideration: Jesus Chavez, Carlos Hernandez, Humberto Soto, Sirimongkol Singwancha, Joel Casamayor, Jorge Barrios, Joan Guzman, Rocky Juarez, Robbie Peden, Nate Campbell, Mzonke Fana, Malcolm Klassen
http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/24/1142490/bad-left-hook-best-of-the-decade
Monday, December 28, 2009
Pacquiao vs Mayweather in Dallas
We asked the readers who they liked in the Paul Williams vs Sergio Martinez and Amir Khan vs Dmitiry Salita fights. The readers got it right in both fights. 88% backed Williams to win while 12% thought Martinez had the right stuff. Everyone was right about Amir Khan who received 100% of the votes. No one can question the winner of the Khan fight but a few arguments can be made about the winner of the Williams - Martinez bout.
And that's why I asked the readers today who they thought won the Williams Martinez fight. 70% of you feel Martinez did enough while 30% agreed with at least one of the judges decisions. Yes, it was a close fight, and it could have gone to either man but for one judge to score the fight 119-110 in favor of Williams is sick. Something needs to be done with the judging of a fight and it needs to happen NOW!
We wanted to know where you thought the Manny Pacquiao - Floyd Mayweather fight should take place if it happens. We gave the three most talked about locations Las Vegas, Dallas, and New Orleans. They say that everything is bigger in Texas and that's exactly where our readers think the biggest fight in boxing history should take place. Dallas received 55% of the votes while New Orleans came in second with 28%. Surprisingly Las Vegas only received 17% of the voting. I don't care where this fight takes place as long as it takes place.
http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/perraultpacquiaomaydallas120709.html
And that's why I asked the readers today who they thought won the Williams Martinez fight. 70% of you feel Martinez did enough while 30% agreed with at least one of the judges decisions. Yes, it was a close fight, and it could have gone to either man but for one judge to score the fight 119-110 in favor of Williams is sick. Something needs to be done with the judging of a fight and it needs to happen NOW!
We wanted to know where you thought the Manny Pacquiao - Floyd Mayweather fight should take place if it happens. We gave the three most talked about locations Las Vegas, Dallas, and New Orleans. They say that everything is bigger in Texas and that's exactly where our readers think the biggest fight in boxing history should take place. Dallas received 55% of the votes while New Orleans came in second with 28%. Surprisingly Las Vegas only received 17% of the voting. I don't care where this fight takes place as long as it takes place.
http://www.braggingrightscorner.com/perraultpacquiaomaydallas120709.html
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2010 fight
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2010 fight could be back on, if reports that are surfacing serve as any indication. Pacquiao is said to have all but cancelled the fight with his reluctance to agree to Olympic-style drug testing. Mayweather agreed to the testing, and doesn’t want to fight Pac Man unless he will succomb to testing.
Some think that Floyd Mayweather is overreacting, and that he is making the demands because he wants Pacquiao off his A-game. You see, Pacquiao doesn’t like to get his blood drawn because he feels it makes him weak. This psychological issue could be enough to give Mayweather an advantage.
On the other hand, others feel that Pacquiao’s reluctance to take Olympic Style drug testing makes him look suspicious. They think that they Pac Man could possibly be dappling in the world of performance enhancing drugs.
Pacquiao isn’t resisting the issue of drug testing – he is just refusing to have his blood drawn. The Pac Man has suggested that he will take the same drug tests used by the MLB and NFL. This would include urinalysis and other means of drug testing.
Mayweather’s promoter maintains that they Olympic style drug testing would ensure that the best sportsmanship was experienced during the fight. Pacquiao’s promoter has said that the fight is off.
Maybe there is a third theory. Maybe this tug of war that is taking place between Pacquiao and Mayweather is really a way to pump up the popularity of the fight? After all, there’s a lot of money at stake here. The fight would most likely be shown on pay-per-view, and would cost consumers between $60 and $80.
Video about the fight can be found here.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will take place on March 13th in Las Vegas – that is, if the fighters can come to an agreement. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2010 fight will be officially announced on January 11, 2010.
http://www.techbanyan.com/tag/pacquiao-vs-mayweather-2010-fight/
Some think that Floyd Mayweather is overreacting, and that he is making the demands because he wants Pacquiao off his A-game. You see, Pacquiao doesn’t like to get his blood drawn because he feels it makes him weak. This psychological issue could be enough to give Mayweather an advantage.
On the other hand, others feel that Pacquiao’s reluctance to take Olympic Style drug testing makes him look suspicious. They think that they Pac Man could possibly be dappling in the world of performance enhancing drugs.
Pacquiao isn’t resisting the issue of drug testing – he is just refusing to have his blood drawn. The Pac Man has suggested that he will take the same drug tests used by the MLB and NFL. This would include urinalysis and other means of drug testing.
Mayweather’s promoter maintains that they Olympic style drug testing would ensure that the best sportsmanship was experienced during the fight. Pacquiao’s promoter has said that the fight is off.
Maybe there is a third theory. Maybe this tug of war that is taking place between Pacquiao and Mayweather is really a way to pump up the popularity of the fight? After all, there’s a lot of money at stake here. The fight would most likely be shown on pay-per-view, and would cost consumers between $60 and $80.
Video about the fight can be found here.
Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight will take place on March 13th in Las Vegas – that is, if the fighters can come to an agreement. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather 2010 fight will be officially announced on January 11, 2010.
http://www.techbanyan.com/tag/pacquiao-vs-mayweather-2010-fight/
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Fiasco Adds Another Feather to MMA's Cap
If it's true that boxing and mixed martial arts are mutually exclusive, then Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are doing the sweet science a grave disservice.
For the record, I see no reason why that conditional would be true—there's certainly enough time in the day for both, and logic argues for the pair to complement each other rather than detract.
As for those who prefer MMA to boxing and using myself as one example, the disillusionment with boxing has little to do with the existence of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its competitors.
It's more about the existence of Don King, Bob Arum, and their lesser spawn.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a growing culture war between the two, perhaps born of their inherent pugilistic tendencies.
The aforementioned Arum lists amongst his many accolades this blinder in which he describes the UFC fan base as "skinhead white guys watching people in the ring who...also look like skinhead white guys."
Nor is he too impressed with the fighters or, as Bob puts it, the "guys rolling around like homosexuals on the ground" (keep watching for the rebuttal by Bas Rutten, pretty classic stuff there).
UFC President Dana White cannot play the innocent either, although his shots have been lobbed more directly at Arum as opposed to the overall sport or supporters.
Regardless, the schism seems to be very real and that means the Pacquiao/Mayweather superfight represents an ENORMOUS opportunity for the sweet science to reclaim some of its lost territory.
The currently "dead" bout would've seen the greatest thing going in the heavier gloves square off against the hombre some argue he replaced.
In other words, pick your superlative and use it to describe anything about the fight.
Profitability, public anticipation, capacity for promotion, whatever.
The UFC is gaining ground at an almost exponential rate and nothing would throw a hitch in its' giddy-up like a fantastic, high profile boxing match.
One that would hold the fight world's attention through multiple UFC cards (including the big boy, UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia).
Furthermore, if it turned out to be a classic once the gladiators got inside the ropes, the buzz would last for months.
Yet it looks to be stiff and getting stiffer in the morgue. Even worse, the dreaded "S" word has reared its ugly head, or are we calling it the dreaded acronym these days?
As in "PED?"
Whichever it is, the subject's been broached in boxing and there's no going back now (although the UFC shouldn't get too cocky—anyone who saw that dude, allegedly Frank Mir, demolish Cheick Kongo knows its day is coming soon enough).
Manny Pacquiao can make all the legal rumblings he wants, but he's a public figure so any claim for defamation against Floyd Mayweather Sr. is a non-starter.
Unless the elder Mayweather has some proof or sincerely convincing evidence that Pacquiao did NOT take performance-enhancing drugs and that probably doesn't exist.
It's an uncomfortable truth athletes and fans will have to accept, but the mere fact that the Filipino fighter has torn through a professional sport in the Steroid Era removes speculation over his possible usage from the "malicious" category needed to secure the charge for remarks made against a public persona.
I've referenced the story before, but Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones have both admitted to doping despite never failing an Olympic drug test—the most stringent applied as far as I know.
This means, until testing protocols are developed that can actually catch the guilty parties with credible reliability, suspicion and/or public debate over the topic will very rarely be legally actionable (so long as the individual is a public figure).
For those who don't trust a random blogger, law students call it "New York Times malice."
All this means is the whispers will continue as long as Manny Pacquiao refuses to surrender to the testing. Perhaps longer.
Is it fair?
Of course not—boxing rules don't require Olympic-style testing for any other fights so why should this one be any different?
Was it wise of Floyd Mayweather's camp to use the ploy?
Of course not.
Now the most visible and beloved face boxing has must face questions and unwarranted accusations about his training regimen and chemical intake.
Now, Pac-Man's claim to be superstitious of needles despite being plastered with tattoos looks awful, despite the difference in needle used.
Now, his willingness to submit to MLB/NFL/NBA-style testing seems fatuous given the known users who populate those ranks.
Now, his insistence on some semblance of a testing schedule sends up red flags and, even worse, it gives Bob Arum another chance to open his mouth.
According to this 78-year-old man, the United States Anti-Doping Agency's refusal to acquiesce to a schedule or testing limitation is "ludicrous."
Uh, no Bob, it's honoring the definition of "blind" and "random" tests, i.e. it's quite the opposite of "ludicrous."
Imagine, living that long without acquiring an ounce of integrity.
Wow.
All of this is bad for Manny Pacquiao, but it's also bad for boxing.
And that's good for mixed martial arts.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/314312-pacquiao-vs-mayweather-fiasco-another-feather-in-mmas-cap
For the record, I see no reason why that conditional would be true—there's certainly enough time in the day for both, and logic argues for the pair to complement each other rather than detract.
As for those who prefer MMA to boxing and using myself as one example, the disillusionment with boxing has little to do with the existence of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its competitors.
It's more about the existence of Don King, Bob Arum, and their lesser spawn.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a growing culture war between the two, perhaps born of their inherent pugilistic tendencies.
The aforementioned Arum lists amongst his many accolades this blinder in which he describes the UFC fan base as "skinhead white guys watching people in the ring who...also look like skinhead white guys."
Nor is he too impressed with the fighters or, as Bob puts it, the "guys rolling around like homosexuals on the ground" (keep watching for the rebuttal by Bas Rutten, pretty classic stuff there).
UFC President Dana White cannot play the innocent either, although his shots have been lobbed more directly at Arum as opposed to the overall sport or supporters.
Regardless, the schism seems to be very real and that means the Pacquiao/Mayweather superfight represents an ENORMOUS opportunity for the sweet science to reclaim some of its lost territory.
The currently "dead" bout would've seen the greatest thing going in the heavier gloves square off against the hombre some argue he replaced.
In other words, pick your superlative and use it to describe anything about the fight.
Profitability, public anticipation, capacity for promotion, whatever.
The UFC is gaining ground at an almost exponential rate and nothing would throw a hitch in its' giddy-up like a fantastic, high profile boxing match.
One that would hold the fight world's attention through multiple UFC cards (including the big boy, UFC 110 in Sydney, Australia).
Furthermore, if it turned out to be a classic once the gladiators got inside the ropes, the buzz would last for months.
Yet it looks to be stiff and getting stiffer in the morgue. Even worse, the dreaded "S" word has reared its ugly head, or are we calling it the dreaded acronym these days?
As in "PED?"
Whichever it is, the subject's been broached in boxing and there's no going back now (although the UFC shouldn't get too cocky—anyone who saw that dude, allegedly Frank Mir, demolish Cheick Kongo knows its day is coming soon enough).
Manny Pacquiao can make all the legal rumblings he wants, but he's a public figure so any claim for defamation against Floyd Mayweather Sr. is a non-starter.
Unless the elder Mayweather has some proof or sincerely convincing evidence that Pacquiao did NOT take performance-enhancing drugs and that probably doesn't exist.
It's an uncomfortable truth athletes and fans will have to accept, but the mere fact that the Filipino fighter has torn through a professional sport in the Steroid Era removes speculation over his possible usage from the "malicious" category needed to secure the charge for remarks made against a public persona.
I've referenced the story before, but Tim Montgomery and Marion Jones have both admitted to doping despite never failing an Olympic drug test—the most stringent applied as far as I know.
This means, until testing protocols are developed that can actually catch the guilty parties with credible reliability, suspicion and/or public debate over the topic will very rarely be legally actionable (so long as the individual is a public figure).
For those who don't trust a random blogger, law students call it "New York Times malice."
All this means is the whispers will continue as long as Manny Pacquiao refuses to surrender to the testing. Perhaps longer.
Is it fair?
Of course not—boxing rules don't require Olympic-style testing for any other fights so why should this one be any different?
Was it wise of Floyd Mayweather's camp to use the ploy?
Of course not.
Now the most visible and beloved face boxing has must face questions and unwarranted accusations about his training regimen and chemical intake.
Now, Pac-Man's claim to be superstitious of needles despite being plastered with tattoos looks awful, despite the difference in needle used.
Now, his willingness to submit to MLB/NFL/NBA-style testing seems fatuous given the known users who populate those ranks.
Now, his insistence on some semblance of a testing schedule sends up red flags and, even worse, it gives Bob Arum another chance to open his mouth.
According to this 78-year-old man, the United States Anti-Doping Agency's refusal to acquiesce to a schedule or testing limitation is "ludicrous."
Uh, no Bob, it's honoring the definition of "blind" and "random" tests, i.e. it's quite the opposite of "ludicrous."
Imagine, living that long without acquiring an ounce of integrity.
Wow.
All of this is bad for Manny Pacquiao, but it's also bad for boxing.
And that's good for mixed martial arts.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/314312-pacquiao-vs-mayweather-fiasco-another-feather-in-mmas-cap
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Pacquiao-Mayweather at Big Dome?
With millions of sports fans around the world already excited about the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight on March 13, 2010, Araneta Coliseum owner Jorge “Nene” Araneta has expressed interest in hosting the classic fight here.
All Filipinos have a stake in this fight,” said Araneta, the dapper millionaire land developer who was at ringside during the unforgettable “Thrilla in Manila” held at the Big Dome in 1975. “So it is only fair that it be held here where even minimum wage earners can afford to watch their boxing hero in action,” added the Araneta Group’s chair and CEO.
During the Big Dome’s inaugural event on March 16, 1960, over 30,000 delighted spectators witnessed boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde knock out then champion Harold Gomes of the United States in the seventh round of their world junior lightweight championship.
The price of a general admission ticket was only P0.60, a price which was very affordable then.
What followed was a succession of blockbuster boxing events, but one coliseum event that stood out was the “Thrilla in Manila” held on Oct. 1, 1975.
On that fateful day, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali successfully retained his world heavyweight crown against a fiercely determined Smokin’ Joe Frazier before a capacity hometown crowd and millions of television viewers around the world.
That title bout is now considered the greatest boxing match of all time and installed the Cubao coliseum as a major venue in the global arena.
The Big Dome is also the permanent home to the “Olympics of Cockfighting,” the World Slasher Cup hosted by the Pinkatasi of Champions and the Araneta Group, as well as the country’s most prestigious beauty contest, the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Known as the country’s mecca of sports and entertainment, the Big Dome is the centerpiece of the 35-hectare Araneta Center. It was here where Pacquiao won his first major boxing crown early in his checkered career.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20091217-242463/Pacquiao-Mayweather-at-Big-Dome
All Filipinos have a stake in this fight,” said Araneta, the dapper millionaire land developer who was at ringside during the unforgettable “Thrilla in Manila” held at the Big Dome in 1975. “So it is only fair that it be held here where even minimum wage earners can afford to watch their boxing hero in action,” added the Araneta Group’s chair and CEO.
During the Big Dome’s inaugural event on March 16, 1960, over 30,000 delighted spectators witnessed boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde knock out then champion Harold Gomes of the United States in the seventh round of their world junior lightweight championship.
The price of a general admission ticket was only P0.60, a price which was very affordable then.
What followed was a succession of blockbuster boxing events, but one coliseum event that stood out was the “Thrilla in Manila” held on Oct. 1, 1975.
On that fateful day, legendary boxer Muhammad Ali successfully retained his world heavyweight crown against a fiercely determined Smokin’ Joe Frazier before a capacity hometown crowd and millions of television viewers around the world.
That title bout is now considered the greatest boxing match of all time and installed the Cubao coliseum as a major venue in the global arena.
The Big Dome is also the permanent home to the “Olympics of Cockfighting,” the World Slasher Cup hosted by the Pinkatasi of Champions and the Araneta Group, as well as the country’s most prestigious beauty contest, the annual Binibining Pilipinas pageant.
Known as the country’s mecca of sports and entertainment, the Big Dome is the centerpiece of the 35-hectare Araneta Center. It was here where Pacquiao won his first major boxing crown early in his checkered career.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view/20091217-242463/Pacquiao-Mayweather-at-Big-Dome
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Manny Pacquiao: God Appeared and Assured me of Power and Strength
Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao said God appeared to him early in his professional boxing career and told him to have unconditional faith in him. God assured him of power and strength, Pacquiao revealed.
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao revealed his winning secret during his 31st birthday celebration in his hometown in General Santos CIty Philippines.
The Filipino boxing icon said God appeared to him when he was just starting out in his professional boxing career and recalled what he heard.He said God promised him strength and power. He said God told him: “Just trust me, I will not leave you, I will not abandon you.”
These are some of the the words that Pacquiao said God told him. And this is the reason why every time he climbs the ring to face his opponent, he would kneel and pray in his corner.
“Win or lose, I will pray at the corner to thank God for all the blessings” he said.
Pacquiao was brought up as a religious person by his mother.
The popular Filipino boxer is scheduled to face American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on March 13 in what appears to be next year's biggest boxing event
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/284299
WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao revealed his winning secret during his 31st birthday celebration in his hometown in General Santos CIty Philippines.
The Filipino boxing icon said God appeared to him when he was just starting out in his professional boxing career and recalled what he heard.He said God promised him strength and power. He said God told him: “Just trust me, I will not leave you, I will not abandon you.”
These are some of the the words that Pacquiao said God told him. And this is the reason why every time he climbs the ring to face his opponent, he would kneel and pray in his corner.
“Win or lose, I will pray at the corner to thank God for all the blessings” he said.
Pacquiao was brought up as a religious person by his mother.
The popular Filipino boxer is scheduled to face American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on March 13 in what appears to be next year's biggest boxing event
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/284299
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
