Manny Pacquaio

July 30, 2009
Pacquaio Thanks WBO for Making Cotto Fight a World Welterweight Championship Bout

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao officially announced today that his Nov. 14 battle with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto is a title fight, a world welterweight championship.
Meaning, if the Pacman wins, he will write history by annexing his seventh belt in different weight divisions, a feat never achieved by any boxer, not even the greats like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson and Oscar dela Hoya, among others.
Pacquiao thanked the World Boxing Organization, particularly its president Francisco Valcarcel, for heeding the clamor of his fans who incessantly expressed their desire via emails, phone calls, texts and internet chats. This is related by local and foreign boxing columnists, particularly Americans, most of them members of the Boxing Writers Association of America, an organization which hailed Pacman as the recipient of the 2008 Fighter of the Year Award.
“Binibigyan ko ng papuri ang WBO sa kanilang espesyal na pagbibigay ng konsiderasyon na ang laban na ito ay para sa korona ni Cotto, ang pinakamagaling na welterweight sa mundo sa kasalukuyan,” Pacquiao wrote in his weekly Abante tabloid column (Get your copy now).
Pacquiao said he is all the more excited and raring to start his training upon learning that he has the chance to surpass the achievement of the Golden Boy.
“Tanging si Oscar Dela Hoya lamang ang nakakagawa pa ng ganitong record sa kasaysayan ng sport na ito at ako ay magkakaroon na ng tsansa na malampasan ang ganitong record,” he said.
Pacquaio’s six belts were won against Thai Chatchai Sasakul (flyweight), South African Lehlohonolo Ledwabah (super bantamweight), Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera (featherweight), Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez (supper featherweight), American David Diaz (lightweight), and British Ricky Hatton (junior welterweight).
He asked the Filipino people and all his supporters around the world to pray for him.
For the meantime, Pacquaio is busy finishing all is commitments like shooting commercials and his new television show over GMA 7.
His trainer Freddie Roach said Pacquaio will spend at least eight weeks to prepare for the Cotto fight which will be held at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Reports said promoter Bob Arum will shoulder the almost $400 thousand sanction fee payable to WBO.
To those who want to read the columns of foreign boxing writers, I would like to recommend you to visit the Examiner.com website, particularly those written by Michael Marley, Vivek Wallace, Matt Stolow, Ricardo Lois, Dennis Guillermo and Eric Sloan, among others.
-30-

July 28, 2009

Good news to the millions of Manny Pacquaio fans all over the world.
A writer and boxing ringside physician by the name of Allan Recto wrote in Philboxing.com website that World Boxing Organization president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel needs only to talk to Pacman’s lawyer, Jeng Gacal, and promoter Bob Arum to make the Nov. 14 Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight a world title battle.
Valcarcel clarified that Pacquiao or Bob Arum has only to pay the sanctioning fee $150 thousand and WBO will put the welterweight belt on the line regardless if Cotto will agree or not.
With the WBO welterweight crown on the line, Pacquiao is attempting to annex his seventh title in as many weight division – feat not one of the great boxers ever achieved.
Pacquiao has already collected six weight division titles, a feat first achieved by Oscar dela Hoya. -30-
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July 28, 2009

Arum Should Pay the WBO Sanctioning Fee

Reports said Miguel Cottto is adamant in not putting on the line his World Boxing Organization Welterweight belt. The Puerto Rican does not want to pay the $400 thousand sanctioning fee.

In this regard, the thousands in attendance and millions watching all over the world would like to relay to Mr. Bob Arum the people’s desire to witness Manny Pacquaio annex his seventh world boxing title, a feat that is as rare as the Pacman specie.

If Cotto does not want to pay the sanction fee, why not Mr. Arum pays for it? It’s a small amount compared to what he had earned already from the fights of Pacquaio.

Filipinos all over the world will love Mr. Arum for this gesture of kindness and love of boxing.

If only Oscar dela Hoya was a champion by the time Pacquaio fought him, the Pacman had already won his sixth title. Remember they
fought at 147 pounds although they agreed to a catch weight. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Pacquiao is not insisting that Cotto put on the line his WBO welterweight title, which is true to his character.

Our hero is very humble.

Mr. Arum, give it as a gift to us although Pacquaio will sweat in getting it.

We are requesting you to give us the chance to write a “history”. -30-

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July 25, 2009

Pacquaio guns for seventh division title in his Nov. 14 fight against Cotto

Manny Pacquiao is on the brink making a difficult to break record in the history of boxing with his fight against World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.
According to the report of Michael Marley in his column at Examiner.com, WBP president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel gave an assurance that the Nov.14 battle at MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be a title fight.
“Valcarcel has heard the cry from the millions of Manny Pacquiao fans and those who devoutly follow the fistic fortunes of Boricua Bomber,” Marley said.
Marley said he caught up with Valcarcel as the latter was going through airport security last Friday afternoon.
“I know that Manny is looking to make boxing history. I can appreciate that as he goes after the very tough Cotto for a seventh weight division world title,” Marley quoted Valcarcel.
“You can tell all the people right now, the WBO title will be on the line. You’ve got a highly respected champion fighting the Number One contender. It would be ridiculous for this not to be for the title.”
“No matter what happens, I assure you that this will be a WBO welterweight title fight. End of story.”
So, there you have it. The Pacquaio-Cotto clash is a title fight.
Pacquiao took his sixth title after knocking out British Ricky Hatton to rule the 140-pound welterweight division last May. The only other boxer who won six division titles is retired Golden Boy dela Hoya who Pacquaio also annihilated last year. Pacquaio’s other title victories are:
Date Weight Opponent Outcome
Dec. 4, 1998 112 Chatchai Sasakul KO8
June 23, 2001 122 Lehlo Ledwaba TKO6
Nov. 15, 2003 126 Marco Antonio Barrera TKO11
March 15,2008 130 Juan Manuel Marquez W12
June 28, 2008 135 David Diaz TKO9

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July 24, 2009
Pacquaio vs Cotto

Manny Pacquaio vs Miguel Cotto fight is set on Nov. 14 at MGM Grand Arena. The fight will be at 145 pounds. Pacquaio will train for eight weeks.
Just like in previous fights, Pacquaio had been preoccupied with various engagements like shooting a film or commercial and even attending events related to politics weeks before the scheduled bout.
Actually those are not destructions. It only shows Pacquiao’s fabulous time management skill. He can even launch cockfight derbies or chess tournaments and even basketball leagues.
Let us pray that Pacquaio will not harm himself in attending to these grueling appointments.
I could only wish that he will maintain his focus to his primary job as a boxer. -30-
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Mga Salot sa Paligid ni Pacman
Pacquaio Mag-ingat Ka Sa Mga Oportunista, Na Pera Lang Ang Habol

Mas maganda siguro kung Tagalog ito. Tutal minsan na rin akong nagsulat sa Tagalog noong ako ay naging reporter at hindi nagtagal editor ng Abante sports. Mas kilala ako sa sports na Jimmy. Noong pumasok lang ako sa broadsheet Jaime na
ang pinagamit, hindi pwede palayaw. Pero ang topic dito ay si Pacquiao. Gusto ko lang iparating kay Pacman ang isang dahilan marahil kung bakit nilampaso siya ni Darlene Antonino-Custodio noong nakaraang congressional election sa General Santos City. Alam ninyo, nakatoka ako noong 2007 elections sa United Opposition at naikot ko halos ang buong Pilipinas kasama na ang Gen San. Ilan sa mga reporters na palagi kong kasama ay sina Joy Cantos ng Ngayon, Kiko Calado ng dzRH, Kiko Cueto ng Manila Times, Hannah Torregoza ng Manila Bulletin at marami pang iba. Kasa-kasama kami ng mga senatorial candidates. Minsan doon kami napadpad sa Gen San at itinira kami sa isang hotel, East Asia Royale Hotel. Kainitan noon ng kampanya. Nakasalamuha namin sa hotel ang mga campaign leaders ni Pacquiao. Nandoon rin ang ilang artista na sumusuporta kay Pacman. Nakausap ko rin si Jake Joson ang chief of staff ni Pacman. Minsan sa hotel restaurant, nandoon ang ilang campaign leaders ni Pacman at nang nagpakilala ako na isang reporter ng Manila Standard Today ay mabait naman sila at naging madaldal pa. At doon ko nadiskubre ang tunay na sadya nila sa pagsali sa kampanya ni Pacman. “Alam n’yo hindi naman talaga kami boboto kay Pacquaio. Sumama lang kami ditto kasi maganda ang bayad pero sa eleksyon si Custodio pa rin ang iboboto naming,” ani ng isang bading na leader. Ilan sa kanila ay palihim kong kinausap at marami ang umamin ng tunay nilang pakay. Kaya Pacquaio, sana natuto kana sa 2007 election. Wala na sana sa paligid mo ang taong opportunists na pera lang ang pakay sayo. -30-

Stick to boxing, bishop urges Pacquiao
By Dennis Carcamo Updated June 23, 2009 02:02 PM

MANILA, Philippines – People’s champion Manny Pacquiao should stick to boxing instead of running for Congress in 2010, a Church official today said.

Marbel bishop Dinualdo Gutirrez said if Pacquiao really wants to help his constituents in Saranggani province, the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer can put up a foundation that will send children to school or provide jobs to the unemployed.

“He could put up a foundation for example, scholarships, foundation for health care, foundation for a jobs, he can do that instead. He must capitalize on his stature to get some credible and competent people to manage the foundation,” Gutierrez said today in an interview with the Church-run Radio Veritas.

The bishop said Pacquiao will most likely lose again in his congressional, this time in Saranggani province, for his lack of political experience and credibility. He previously ran for congressman in South Cotabato and suffered a lopsided defeat to incumbent Darlene Custodio.

“Here we follow the three three Cs in voting candidates: credibility, commitment and competence. (In the) last election, we said he (Pacquiao) had credibility. He also had commitment to the Filipino people especially the poor. But in the field of competence, he fails. And this time, even his credibility is being questioned now,” Gutierrez said.

He said Pacquiao’s association with gamblers is also one factor that would go against the boxing icon.

“Especially with his gambler friends and the way he is getting lands here are all questionable. We have to look into that deeper,” he said.

Gutierrez claimed that some friends and administration officials are the ones who have prodded Pacquiao to run for an elective post despite his lack of political experience. -30-

Manny Pacquiao’s LA home

Do you want to have a glimpse of the Pound for Pound King home in Los Angeles?

Visit this web site www.sassyqarla.com

Counterpunch

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

CHASING MANNY

PhilBoxing.com

23 Jun 2009

Miguel Cotto’s status as front runner in the Pacquiao sweepstakes has not discouraged Shane Mosley from chasing the Filipino IBO/Ring magazine world jr.welterweight champion. This poses an interesting question – Will Sugar Shane be too sweet for the Pacman?

The current WBA welterweight champ does have the best credentials. He is a future Hall of Famer who beat a prime Oscar dela Hoya twice. In his last fight, he gave the feared Antonio Margarito a one-sided beating. Mosley has held world titles at three different weights including unifying the jr. middleweight division five years ago. He is currently ranked number four in Ring magazine’s pound per pound rankings.

Mosley can neutralize Pacquiao’s best asset – his speed. He is a natural welterweight and at 5’9” would have the size advantage. He has the skills to outbox and outmaneuver Pacquiao. He has the power to make Pacquiao respect him and can take a good punch. The last time he was really hurt was seven years ago against Vernon Forrest.

The 37 year old Mosley (46W-5L-1D, 39 KO’s) has indicated that he is willing to concede purse shares and fight at a catch weight He even has an ongoing internet survey as to who the fans want to face the Pacman next. The only thing he hasn’t said so far is that he’ll face Pacquiao in Gen.Santos or Sarangani. Mosley would not be this “desperate” unless he has the unshakeable belief that he can beat Pacquiao.

The current favorite, WBO welterweight champ Miguel Cotto is ranked number nine in the Ring’s pound per pound list. He beat Mosley by unanimous decision November 2007. Cotto has called out Pacquiao prior to the Ricky Hatton bout and said that he wanted to fight the winner. He does not have Hatton’s porous defense and can take a good punch. The Puerto Rican is also an excellent body puncher. He squeaked past Joshua Clottey in his last title defense and suffered cuts. If negotiations do not hit a snag, he will get to face Pacquiao tentatively in November.

Juan Manuel Marquez chased Pacquiao all the way to Manila after losing a narrow split decision in their second epic contest. All he got was a lot of bad press in the Philippines. He is ranked second to Pacquiao in almost all pound per pound lists. He was on the cover of Ring magazine last month where he declared that he doesn’t think he is the best till he beats Pacquiao.

The Mexican is a three division world champ and holds the bragging rights of having got up four times after being knocked down by Pacquiao and pushed him to the brink for twenty four total rounds. In an ideal and just world, there should be a trilogy.

Marquez’ landed a big fight with the returning Floyd Mayweather, Jr. but the fight is now in limbo after the American’s rib injury.

Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO’s) is the former number one pound per pound best boxer in the world before he “retired”. The undefeated 32 year old has held titles from 130 to 147 lbs. He has not lost since the 1996 Olympics. His outspoken personality has made him a fan favorite to face Pacquiao. His narcissism, however, will make it difficult during negotiations.

Mayweather is a slick boxer and has beaten the best; stars like Jose Luis Castillo, Diego Corrales, and Zab Judah. He did beat Hatton and Dela Hoya before Pacquiao did. But he was not a pay per view attraction before he faced and beat Arturo Gatti in 2005. Fans booed him even when he was winning every round.

Mayweather’s speed and skills will be a match for Pacquiao. But he now has to hurdle his injury as well as Marquez. Pacquiao may not hang around long enough as he has made public his plan to run for congress next year.

There are also two Australians who want to fight Pacquiao:

WBO Asia-Pacific Lightweight titlist Michael Katsidis was in Manila last June 5 to issue his formal challenge. He is the only one willing to face Pacquiao in Manila. The only chance he has is if negotiations for the above fighters will fall through and if Pacquiao decides to have a “farewell fight” on home soil. That is pretty slim at this point.

Vic Darchinyan has also called out the Pacman. The unified superflyweight world champ is ranked number 9 in the Ring’s pound per pound list. He is best remembered by Filipino fans for losing to Nonito Donaire by 5th round TKO in what was 2007’s upset and KO of the year. He also suffered a knockdown in his draw against Z Gorres in Cebu. He beat the very popular Jorge Arce last February by 11th round stoppage in a brutal contest. Darchinyan is moving up to bantamweight to challenge IBF Champion Joseph Agbeko. He will still be 22 pounds below Pacquiao’s present fighting weight.
All of these fighters will also have to contend with the fact that Pacquiao will retire in 2010 and pursue his political plans. Will 2009 really be his last year as a prizefighter or will he have a January 2010 bout? Is the Philippines ready to give up its boxing icon to politics? These are intriguing questions that will be answered in the coming months. -30-