DUNDEE GOES FOR COTTO

By Gerry Ramos

LEGENDARY trainer Angelo Dundee thinks Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto has all the needed armory to beat a boxing champion as revered as pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.


Dundee made the observation when he recently visited Cotto in training camp in Tampa, Florida, where he recently moved from Miami.

The former trainer of heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali and George Foreman and ring great Sugar Ray Leonard chanced upon Top Rank promoter Bob Arum at Cotto’s camp and readily told him of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion’s shot of pulling an upset.

“If I had to pick anybody in the world to fight Pacquiao, it would be Cotto,” Arum quoted Dundee as saying.

“Cotto has the best chance of anybody to beat him (Pacquiao) because of his physical power and strong left hook.”

Twice in the past, Pacquiao had proven Dundee wrong.

The 88-year old retired Hall of Fame trainer helped prepare superstar Oscar De La Hoya when he fought the Filipino boxing champion a year ago in a mega-fight that ended with boxing’s so-called `Golden Boy’ quitting on his stool just before the ninth round of their `Dream Match’ showdown.

The bout proved to be De La Hoya’s last as he retired shortly after.

And only last summer, Dundee also picked two-time junior middleweight champion Ricky Hatton to beat the hell out of Pacquiao. The opposite happened as the 30-year old General Santos City native knocked the lights out of the boxer from Manchester and scored a swift, second round technical knockout.

As the man who promotes both Pacquiao and Cotto, Arum wouldn’t come out in public as to who he thinks will win the Nov. 14 slugfest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

But having seen the two sweat it out in training camps, the veteran boxing promoter, undoubtedly, is a lot impressed with Pacquiao’s work ethic.

“I think, in general, both guys looked very, very good,” he said.

“Cotto looked strong. He’s Cotto. He works hard for two hours, He does all his sparring. He’s in tremendous shape,” said Arum of the 28-year old champion from Caguas, Puerto Rico.

Yet for Arum, Pacquiao does more than that.

“I know Cotto works hard, but in contrast to the other guy (Pacquiao), it looks like he’s taking a vacation,” said the 77-year old promoter.

Read more...

147 OR LESS

By Gerry Ramos

FREDDIE Roach is still willing to push through with the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto title fight even if the Puerto Rican champion does a Floyd Mayweather Jr. by showing up a lot heavier than the agreed catch weight of 145 pounds come the official weigh-in for the bout.

But here’s a hitch.

Roach said the most Cotto should weigh-in is at 147 pounds. Anything higher than that, and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight fight would be off.

“That’s the highest we could go (147 pounds). I would call the fight off is he comes in weighing more than that,” said Roach, now back in the comforts of his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California after a month-long stay in the Philippines for the first part of Pacquiao’s training camp as he prepares for his Nov. 14 slugfest with the 28-year old Cotto.

“We’ll let that fight happen, but I think 147 pounds is our limit.”

Mayweather Jr. came up with that devious plan in his recent comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez as he came in two pounds heavier than the agreed catch weight of 144.

Although the unbeaten American shelled out $600,000 ($300,000 per pound over) as penalty for being overweight, Mayweather was spared from draining his body to meet the catch weight, and thus, came out fresh and the stronger fighter between the two.

In contrast, Marquez had to add weight (from 135 pounds to 144) in his first foray in the welterweight class, resulting in a spectacular, one-sided win for the 32-year old Mayweather.

Cotto, meanwhile, has not fought below the welterweight limit (147 pounds) since 2006 and needed to go two pounds below to make the fight possible.

In contrast, Pacquiao will be fighting as a welterweight for the second time in a year. He first fought at 147 when he retired the great Oscar De La Hoya in their `Dream Match’ last December.

Under the terms of the contract, Roach said Cotto is bound to pay Pacquiao $1 million for every pound over the 145 catch weight.

The WBO could also stripped Cotto of his welterweight title in case he comes in overweight.

Prior to departing for the U.S. for the last two weeks of training camp, Pacquiao already weighs in at 146.

Roach said he plans to have the boxing champion comes in at 140-142 pounds during weigh-in, and then be at 148 or 149 on fight night.

In contrast, Roach expects Cotto to be 160 by fight night.

“The bigger he is, the better for us,” said Roach.

Read more...

PACQUIAO IN L.A.

WILD Card gym head security Rob Peters (right) leads the group that welcomed boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao (middle)upon arrival at the JFK International Airport in Los Angeles, California last Saturday after more than a month of training in Baguio City for his Nov. 14 title fight against Miguel Cotto. Pacquiao will train at the famed sweat shop of Freddie Roach in the final two weeks prior to the bout.

Read more...

PACQUIAO US-BOUND

By Gerry Ramos

AS Manny Pacquiao leaves for the U.S. tonight for the remaining two weeks of his training, trainer Freddie Roach declared the boxing champion to be 90 percent fit ready for his Nov. 14 title fight with Miguel Cotto.

Roach said he expects Pacquiao to complete the remaining 10 percent still lacking in his preparation once they hit the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles by Monday.

Pacquiao, Roach, conditioning coach Alex Ariza and the rest of the team will be flying back to the U.S. after spending more than a month training at the Shape Up gym in Baguio City and Gerry Penalosa’s gym in Mandaluyong.

“Manny is now 90 percent ready,” said Roach. “Now there is two weeks to 100 (percent) and will hit that next week in L.A.”

Roach gave Pacquiao a day-off in training Friday following what he said was a rigorous roadwork in the morning.

“He’s been very tired after undergoing roadwork (at the Luneta) for an hour this morning (yesterday),” said Roach, who decided to give the pound-for-pound king a well-deserved rest after the Filipino failed to answer several of his trainer’s call by mid-afternoon Friday.

“I thought I have to give him a day’s off. He had a good 10-round sparring yesterday (Thursday), another good road work today, and I thought I owe it to give him his first day off.”

While he’s not looking past the 28-year old Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO welterweight champion, Roach didn’t hide his desire to meet Juan Manuel Marquez again, and possibly, the returning Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He said should the two mega-fights happen, the 30-year old Pacquiao can finally hang up his gloves.

“It will be a dream come true if we can fight Mayweather and Marquez. If that happens, there is nothing more to prove for Manny, and we can all retire," Roach said.

Of the two warriors however, a third meeting with Marquez is more of a possibility.

While he really wants a shot at Mayweather in what many boxing experts believe would be one of the biggest boxing fights of all time, the share in the purse hampers the bout from happening, since as Roach puts it, “Mayweather wants all the money.”

Pride more than the prize meanwhile, motivates the three-time Trainer of the Year from considering a third – and hopefully, last – meeting with the 35-year old Marquez.

“I want Marquez because he’s been crying a lot and I want to shut him up,” said Roach.

Pacquiao and Marquez fought to a controversial draw in their first encounter in 2004, before the Filipino ring icon eked out a close split decision in their 2008 rematch.

If ever, Roach said he wants to fight Marquez at 140 pounds, where he believes, the Mexican fighter is at his best.

Read more...

COTTO LIKES UNDERDOG TAG

BEING the underdog in his Nov. 14 title fight against Manny Pacquiao is not a big deal as far as Miguel Cotto is concerned.

For the Puerto Rican and his head trainer Joe Santiago, not installed as the favorite despite him being the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion could even work wonders.

“Miguel is driven by the people saying Pacquiao will beat him,” said Santiago. “It’s extra motivation and he is coming with fire because people are saying he can’t win.”

Three weeks before the highly-talked about much between two of the world’s best fighters today, Pacquiao remains a 2-1 favorite to bust up Cotto.

The 28-year old reigning champion was in a similar boat when he met Carlos Quintana in 2006 for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title.

The fight ended in a technical knockout in favor of Cotto.

“Many people were picking Quintana to win and that really motivated Miguel,” recalled Santiago. “The night of the fight, he was so focused to prove people wrong that it really gave him a boost in the fight.

“We’re seeing that again with the way so many people are picking Pacquiao to win on Nov. 14.”

Cotto is currently focused in training camp at Tampa, Florida, and the way Santiago has seen the 2000 Sydney Olympian worked out, there’s no doubt in his mind Pacquiao will be in for a tough, long night.

“Cotto is at his best, and he is out to show that against Manny. It will be a very tough night for Pacquiao because winning means so much to Miguel. There is so much desire,” said the trainer.

The 12-round bout will be fought at a catch weight of 145 pounds, the first time in years Cotto is going down at his natural weight of 147.

No problem with that, according to Santiago.

“We’re on track to make the weight. We’ve been working hard and all the monitoring shows we are on pace,” Santiago said. “We will be at 145 before the fight.”

Read more...

BAYLESS CALLS THE SHOT

REFEREE Kenny Bayless is fast becoming a fixture in Manny Pacquiao fights.

The top rated ring official will be there once again when the Filipino boxing champion takes on Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission announced over the weekend the selection of Bayless as the third man in the ring for the Pacquiao-Cotto title duel for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt.

Bayless was also the referee when the 30-year old world pound-for-pound top fighter today scored a brutal second round technical knockout of Ricky Hatton last April.

Likewise, he officiated Pacquiao’s 10th round destruction of Mexican Erik Morales in their 2006 rematch and his March 2008 return bout with Juan Manuel Marquez in a match the Filipino won via split decision.

The same commission from Las Vegas also made public the names of the three judges working the 12-round title match, namely Duane Ford, Dave Moretti and Adelaide Byrd.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao shrugged off the recent scuffle that marred his training camp in Baguio involving conditioning coach Alex Ariza and close adviser Michael Konz.

“Everything is under control,” Pacquiao said with a wink and a smile in his face.

Reports emanating from the summer capital had it that Ariza threw punches against Konz, whom the soft-spoken conditioning coach said had been trying to block his accreditation to be in Pacquaio’s corner for the Cotto fight.

This developed as Team Pacquiao is reportedly considering coming down to Manila from Baguio at an earlier date owing to the new typhoon threatening Northern and Central Luzon.

Pacquiao is set to leave for the U.S. on Saturday to resume training at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles, and getting stranded in the mountains of Cordillera at the crucial stage of his preparation is definitely one thing he’d rather not worry about.

Read more...

BOOM! BOOM!

CEBU CITY – Rey `Boom-Boom’ Bautista successfully made his comeback from almost a year-long layoff, scoring a 7th round technical knockout win over Indonesian Marangin Marbun to bag the World Boxing Council (WBC) International Interim featherweight title at the Waterfront Hotel here Friday night.

Bautista hurt Marbun with a left jab before following it up with an overhand right that forced referee Bruce McTavish to finally call it a night for the Indonesia.

The end came at the 1:25 mark of the seventh stanza.

Marbun earlier went down in the fourth round with a stinging left jab by the comebacking Filipino fighter.

The win improved Bautista’s record to 27-2 (20 KOs).

He last fought in the under card of the Ricky Hatton-Paul Malignaggi fight in November 2008, losing via an eight-round unanimous decision over Mexican Heriberto Ruiz.

Bautista’s triumph capped off a night of victories for Filipino boxers.

Jason Pagara scored a unanimous win over tough Decha Bankluaygym of Thailand, in a 10-round bout at lightweight.

Pagara won by scores of 96-93, 96-94 and 97-93.

Czar Amonsot also came through with a 10-round unanimous win over Jesus Muzaka in another lightweight action.

Super-flyweight Marjohn Yap stopped Pramuansak Posuwan of Thailand at the start of the 10th round as the Thai’s corner decided to waive off the fight. -Philippine Boxing

Read more...

IN THE FLESH

By Gerry Ramos

FINALLY, he’s here.

Jose Luis Castillo, the highly-touted former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight king is now in the country, ready to spar and trade heavy punches with Manny Pacquiao as the Filipino ring idol prepares for his Nov. 14 showdown with Miguel Cotto.

Castillo arrived at 5:30 a.m. Saturday via a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles, California.

Trainer Freddie Roach announced last week that the Mexican fighter was booked to come in as early as Tuesday, but didn’t appear in the flesh until the weekend.

The native of Sonora, Mexico, now campaigning as a welterweight, has been handpicked to be the third sparring partner of Pacquiao, the world’s current pound-for-pound king, as he trains for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight showdown with the 28-year old Cotto at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Castillo, 35, was accompanied in the long 13-hour flight by unbeaten super-lightweight Danny Escobar. The rising American pug is also being considered a probable sparmate of the Filipino boxing champion.

Castillo and Escobar however are still awaiting words on when to travel to Baguio where Pacquiao is currently holding training camp.

The country’s Summer Capital is currently not accessible by land owing to the series of landslides that rocked the city following the heavy rains brought about by typhoon Pepeng.

Pacquiao has already sparred a total of 24 rounds with regular sparmates Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon.

With the arrival of Castillo, sparring at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel is expected to get more intense.

Roach initially had reservations on whether the Mexican, best remembered for his classic 2005 title fight with the late Diego Corrales, is in shape to be Pacquiao’s third sparmate.

But a member of Team Pacquiao who fetched Castillo at the airport, said he appeared to be in very good condition.

“Mukhang ok, He looks in shape,” said the source.

Read more...

TIPON, SUAREZ PACE ABAP ELIMS

BAGUIO CITY – World championships veterans Joan Tipon and Charly Suarez yesterday swamped separate opponents in the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines elimination tourney.


That was the easy part. Now comes the hard part.

From atop the ring where Tipon, gold medalist in the 2006 Asian Games, overpowered Aston Francis Palicte, 2-1, to sweep the three-man bantamweight division, and Suarez clobbered Jhergigs Chavez, 3-0, the two national boxers now step down and await the assessment of the formidable panel of judges ever assembled.

And as impressive as they were, they still need to get the nod of American trainer Freddie Roach, Team Pacquiao assistant coach Buboy Fernandez, and Nonito Donaire Sr., father of world super-flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

Tipon had earlier beaten Glicerio Catolico III at the start of the three-leg elimination serving as tryouts for the national squad to the 25th Southeast Asian Games this December in Laos.

“Sweeping a division doesn’t mean an automatic berth,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson. “Kailangan lumusot pa ang mga kandidato sa assessement ng panel of jurors.”

ABAP secretary general Patrick Grerorio also attended the opening of the box-off, along with former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa, also a member of Pacquiao’s coaching staff.

Roach was unable watch the fights due to a scheduled taping with HBO’s 24/7 show but vowed to be present in the third and final leg tomorrow.

In the women’s side of competition, Asian Indoor Games-bound Michelle Martinez, a former Asian champion, outpointed Nesthy Peticio in the lightweight class, Josie Gabuco nipped Karen Jane Recaido in the flyweight level, and Mary Joy Cacal downed Rose Ann Monares in the bantamweight category.

Jimmy Vallares Jr. outclassed Dennis Galvan in a referee stopped contest two minutes and 27 seconds in the second round of a light-welterweight clash, the only bout that failed to go the distance.

Other results saw Michael Paragoso dumping Gerson Nietes (pinweight), Crisanto Godaren routing Bonifaciao Fernando (light-fly), Rey Saludar beating Wilberth Loberanes (flyweight), Jameboy Vicera trouncing Rolando Tacuyan (lightweight), Adonis Cabalquinto beating Mark John Rey Melligen, Delfin Boholts downing Wilfredo Lopez, and Emmanuel Lumantad clubbing Rogen Ladon.

Read more...

ROACH COMING TO THE RESCUE

COUNT trainer Freddie Roach in for Team Philippines

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines is in the thick of the selection process for the boxers who will represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December.

Ed Picson, the ABAP executive director, announced that box-offs are being held to determine who among the 30-plus members of the national pool are to carry the colors in the biennial event.

The current SEA Games format calls for each country to select six weight categories from 10 divisions to choose from. Each country may field only one boxer per weight category.

Two more days of competition have been slated after Sundays – October 7 and 10 in the People's Park in Baguio City.

Several personalities in the boxing community have been invited to assess the performances of the candidates, including several members of the working press.

Roach, Manny Pacquiao's chief trainer, has also indicated his willingness to provide inputs, together with assistant Buboy Fernandez and the father of one of Pacquiao's sparring partners, Ken Porter.

Porter, here with his son Shawn, a middleweight tapped to spar with Pacquiao, is said to have brought three American fighters to the Olympics.

Nonito Donaire Sr., who guided his sons Glenn and Nonito Jr. to the Golden Gloves championships in the United States and is also acknowledged to be responsible for his son’s world title, has also volunteered to share his expertise.

In consultation with the national coaches, Picson pinpointed the following candidates:

45 kg.- Michael Paragoso, Bill Vicera, Gerson Nietes

48 kg.- Harry Tanamor, Conrado Tanamor, Wilbeth Loberamis

51 kg.- Rey Saludar, Godfrey Castro, Aston Palicte

54 kg.- Joan Tipon, Godfrey Castro, Aston Palicte

57 kg.- Charly Suarez, Jherjigs Chavez, Jherits Chavez

60 kg.- Joegin Ladon, Jameboy Vicera, Rolando Tacuyan

64 kg.- Genebert Basadre,Adonis Cabalquinto, Mark John Rey Melligen

69 kg.- Wilfredo Lopez, Delfin Boholst, Adonis Cabalquinto

Read more...

PACMAN IN 5 OR 6 --- NACHO

By Gerry Ramos

AFTER boldly declaring Manny Pacquiao will win over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 title fight, highly-respected trainer Nacho Beristain is going a notch higher in his prediction.

Arguably, the best boxing trainer ever produced by Mexico, Beristain said the Filipino is going to win by knockout and wrest the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt currently being held by the champion from Caguas, Puerto Rico.

“I believe Pacquiao should put him on the canvas in five or six rounds,” said the veteran trainer.

Pacquiao’s own trainer Freddie Roach initially sees a dominant win by the Filipino ring icon on points, but after seeing his ward improved by the day in his training camp in Baguio, the Hall of Famer now also share the same outcome as Beristain predicted, although with a slight twist.

“We’ll gonna knock this guy off in the later rounds,” he said shortly after Pacquiao’s workout last week at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel.

The pound-for-pound king resumed sparring Tuesday, going three rounds each with junior middleweight Shawn Porter and lightweight Urbano Antillon.

A third sparmate in Jose Luis Castillo, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion from Mexico failed to show up yesterday in the City of Pines.

But Pacquiao adviser Michael Konz assured that Castillo would be coming to the country by Thursday and is ready to spar on Saturday.

Roach however, wants to see first how fit the 35-year old Castillo is, after last climbing the ring a month ago with a second round technical knockout of Carlos Urias.

“I won’t hesitate to send him back if he’s not in shape,” said Roach of Castillo, who has a known history of weight problem in his 19-year pro career.

Beristain didn’t have the opportunity to train Castillo in the past, but two famous boxers he previously handled in Juan Manuel Marquez and legendary Oscar De La Hoya, both tasted defeat at the hands of the Pacman.

He sees Cotto following the same path, pointing out Pacquiao’s speed will be too much to handle the way Marquez and De La Hoya learned the hard way.

The Mexican trainer pointed out Cotto has not been the same since suffering an 11th round technical knockout against Antonio Margarito.

And that was very obvious when he struggled to churn out a split decision win over Joshua Clottey in his last fight June of this year at the Madison Square Garden.

“In the fight against Clottey, you could see some of the aftermath of what happened with Margarito,” said Beristain. “Clottey is not a top-level fighter, but nevertheless, in some moments, Cotto was put in predicaments and the punches were affecting him.”
p

Read more...

SHOCK THE WORLD

Pacquiao resumes training at the Shape-Up gym. Looking on is Buboy Fernandez.-CESAR REYES

By Gerry Ramos

HE’S not biased, but having felt the power of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, Ken Porter has no doubt in mind that Manny Pacquiao will triumph over Miguel Cotto in their November 14 title fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Definitely, he’s the best in the world today,” said the young, stocky, and promising junior middleweight from Akron, Ohio, who serves as the main sparmate of the boxing champion in his Baguio training camp.

“He’s gonna shock the world again,” he said of Pacquiao, who previously stunned the boxing community with remarkable victories over the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Lehlo Ledwaba and the legendary Oscar De La Hoya.

Unbeaten in 10 fights (with eight KOs), Porter had been dominant in his first five rounds of sparring with Pacquiao until Saturday when the Filipino ring icon, slowly getting back in fight shape, finally got the better end of his solid exchanges with the former U.S. Olympic team alternate in three punishing rounds.

The spirited effort certainly satisfied American trainer Freddie Roach, who rated Pacquiao’s present condition to be within the 40 percent range.

But he expects the 30-year old Filipino to get much, much better as the fight approaches,

Porter readily agreed.

“He’s boxing better each passing day,” said Porter, 21. “Is he (Pacquiao) strong? Yeah, definitely.”

Barring any last minute hitch, former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo is set to join Porter and Urbano Antillon as Pacquiao sparmates in his training camp at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel.

Castillo (60-9-1, with 52 KOs) fought memorable wars with the likes of the late Diego Corrales, Joel Casamayor, Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Pacquiao is already priming himself up for the coming tough three weeks of training at the famed mountain hideaway, arriving in Baguio City near midnight of Sunday after spending the rest of the day in Manila distributing relief goods to victims of tropical storm Ondoy.

He was back at the gym Monday, spending 15 draining rounds of sparring at the mitts with Roach and at least half an hour of isometrics with conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Sparring resumes today with Pacquiao expected to go six rounds.

Meanwhile, the boxing champion donated a check of P1 million to the Kapuso Foundation as part of his contribution to help all those affected by the recent calamity in the country.

“Bahagi po ito ng pag-tulong natin sa ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyo,” said Pacquiao, who went against the advise of Roach and traveled back to Manila Saturday at the height of super-typhoon Pepeng in Baguio in order to personally help distribute relief goods to all calamity victims.

“Nandito ako bilang morale support ko para sa kanila,” he added.

Read more...

NEW SPARMATE COMING

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City – The one day break in training augurs well for Manny Pacquiao.

Freddie Roach guaranteed that a blistering work out awaits the boxing champion when he reports Monday for training camp - now on its third week – at the Shape-Up boxing gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel here.

“It’s going to be more rounds of sparring and lots of hard work,” said Roach when asked about what’s in store for the Filipino ring idol for the entire week.

Pacquiao braved the strong winds and heavy rains brought by super-typhoon Pepeng Saturday night to be in Manila to personally distribute relief efforts to victims of tropical storm Ondoy and celebrate the third birthday of daughter Mary Grace Divine Princess.

He was to return back here late Sunday night.

Pacquiao already sparred a total of 12 gruelling rounds in three days with sparmates Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon. He went five rounds Saturday and then did intense isometric workouts prepared by conditioning coach Alex Ariza before heading home to Manila.

No workout was scheduled yesterday, Sunday being a rest day.

That should be enough to get the Pacman ready when sparring resumes tomorrow with the expected arrival of former World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.

The Mexican warrior, best remembered for his memorable, classic title fight with the late Diego Corrales in 2005, has been tapped by Roach to be Pacquiao’s third sparmate in camp as he prepares for his Nov. 14 showdown with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto.

Castillo is coming as a last minute replacement after negotiations to bring in unbeaten welterweight prospect Henry Omar bogged down.

Roach is keeping his fingers crossed that Castillo would be in tip-top shape.

“Or else I wouldn’t hesitate to ship him back home,” the three-time Trainer of the Year said on a cool, lazy Sunday morning at his cozy room inside the Manor House Hotel.

Read more...

PACQUIAO LENDS A HELPING HAND

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City – Manny Pacquiao is planning to do the most out of his precious rest day in training camp.


Weather permitting, the 30-year old boxing champion intends to get out of this summer hideaway and be in Manila by Sunday morning to personally distribute relief goods to victims of tropical storm Ondoy and at the same time, attend the second birthday celebration of daughter Princess.

But trainer Freddie Roach has already advised Pacquiao from leaving, especially with super-typhoon Pepeng battering Northern Luzon Saturday afternoon, including this so-called Summer Capital of the Philippines.

“Manny wants to go down to Manila and help out and see his daughter who celebrated her birthday which was yesterday,” said Roach.

“I’m trying to talk him out not to go. I don’t want him to go because of the safety issue alone. The weather is starting to get bad right now.”

The world’s top fighter pound-for-pound has personally expressed his intention to help the thousands of victims by storm Ondoy last week and already made plans of doing charity work on his rest day until typhoon Pepeng came along the way.

Mary Divine Grace or Princess, turned three years old last Thursday (Oct. 1) just as Pacquiao was busy training here at the Shape-Up gym for his Nov. 14 title fight with Miguel Cotto.

Yesterday while he was shadow boxing, Pacquiao bared how hard he prayed that Manila and other nearby provinces be spared of typhoon Pepeng’s wrath.

“Kaya naman nagpasalamat akong mabuti sa Panginoon noong lumihis nga ito ng landas at hindi na naapektuhan pa ang Metro Manila at ibang karatig bayan,” he said.

“Wala naman imposible basta mananalig tayo sa kanya,” added Pacquiao, a known Catholic devotee.

In as much as two pressing matters are compelling Pacquiao to travel back to Manila, Roach insisted it would be better if he stays put.

“I want him to stay here and get some rest,” he said.

Ultimately, it would be Pacquiao’s call whether to go or not.

“He’s a grown man now so he has to make the decision himself,” Roach added.

And the three-time Trainer of the Year?

“I’m staying here. I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

Read more...

AMAZING MANNY

Manny Pacquiao doing isometrics under conditioning coach Alex Ariza. - CESAR REYES

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City – A shade of the real Manny Pacquiao showed up in sparring Saturday at his training camp at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel here.


Loose, relax and focus, the boxing champion heat up the closed-door sparring session held on a cool, stormy weekend by repeatedly pounding the bigger Shawn Porter in three rounds of heavy punching.

From right hook to his dreaded left, Pacquiao was connecting on just about every angle, leaving Porter a little bit battered for the first time since sparring in his camp began last Tuesday.

Asked about it when he was finally doing some shadow boxing, Pacquiao belted out a wide grin on his face.

“Relax lang kasi kayo,” he said, huffing and puffing on top of the ring. “Masyado kasi kayong nagpa-panic e.”

In the five previous rounds he had with the 21-year old junior middleweight, Pacquiao was mostly on the receiving end, getting hit by solid rights and a couple of left jabs by the stocky boxer from Akron, Ohio.

Not yesterday.

Although Pacquiao also got tag by a powerful right, in general, the Filipino ring icon was in control of the action, often eluding many of Porters’ crisp punches that previously found its target.

The performance got more than just a passing mark from trainer Freddie Roach.

“He was more focused today,” said Roach, who just the other day denounced his famous ward for having too many activities outside of training camp.

“There’s no more distraction and I like what he showed up in our training today. He’ll get better as time goes on.”

Pacquiao also sparred for two rounds with Urbano Antillon, bringing to 10 the total number of sparring he had with the two Americans.

“Are you alright Shawn?,” Antillon later asked the former National Golden Gloves champion as Porter sat on a stool and appeared sluggish.

Boxing fans, including the RP women’s team based here led by former Asian gold medalist Michelle Martinez, were allowed to get inside the gym when the five-round sparring was over, getting a glimpse of Pacquiao doing his routine at the double end, speedball and the skipping ropes.

As he shadow boxed, Pacquiao gamely joked with the crowd, mostly people from all walks of life including children as young as one-year old.

Then turning his focus on a group of Manila-based sportswriters intently watching his moves, he told them, “ito ang susi sa panalo,” letting out a fast 1-2-3 combination before quickly moving out to another direction.

Roach acceded that’s the best way to beat the 28-year old Cotto on Nov. 14 when the Puerto Rican stakes his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

“The more important thing is the 1-2-3 combinations and then get out of the way,” Roach said, believing the volume of punches and Pacquiao’s vaunted speed are enough to wear out Cotto.

Conditioning coach Alex Ariza capped yesterday’s training by adding some isometrics on Pacquiao’s stretching routine, an exercise that improves balancing and incorporates every muscles in his body.

At some point, Pacquiao grimaces in pain and was short on complaining about it to Ariza, who kept on stressing, “that’s just the start of it. We’re still going to do it for six more weeks.”

Ariza said they’ve been doing the exercise since the Oscar De La Hoya fight and plans to have it thrice a week on Pacquiao’s training camp.

Read more...

GOLDEN FISTS

DRIAN "Golden Fists" Francisco punched his way to a thrilling 10th round TKO victory over former two-time world champion Roberto Vasquez of Panama to capture the vacant WBA super flyweight international title yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

The 26-year-old Francisco shocked the highly-favored Vasquez with his unorthodox style to stretch his unbeaten mark to 18 wins, including 14 knockouts.

Saved by the Bell Promotion president Elmer Anuran, who staged the fightcard dubbed as Battle of Manila Bay: First Strike in cooperation with Solar Sports, Francisco is now eyeing to challenge WBA super flyweight titleholder Nobou Nashiro of Japan early next year.

"Our next target is to challenge reigning WBA super flyweight champion Nobou Nashiro of Japan. True to his promise, Drian did not disappoint but there’s always a room for improvement," Anuran said.

A native of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, Francisco used his powerful left hooks and combinations to take the fight out of the Panamanian, who dropped to 27-4, including 20 knock outs.

He decked Vasquez in the fifth round. Francisco jarred his foe with a left hook near the end of the 10th where he pummeled the helpless Panamanian with combinations forcing Vasquez’s corner to stop the fight.

"I dedicate this win to our countrymen especially those who were victims of Typhoon Ondoy. I also would like to thank my parents and my supporters," said Francisco, who trained at the Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas.

In the main supporting bout, Michael Farrenas won the World Professional Boxing Federation crown with a 9th round TKO win over Korean Jon Ang Baek.

Lightweight Al Sabaupan posted a unanimous decision over favored Mexican titleholder Josafat Perez; light-flyweight Milan Melindo won by unanimous decision over Mexican Guadalupe Martinez in a bloody bout and Michael Domingo triumphed by TKO over American Jose Navarro in the 7th round in the other supporting bouts.

Read more...

NO STOPPING IT

RAIN or shine, the clash between Drian ‘‘Gintong Kamao’’ Francisco and former two-time Panamanian world titlist Roberto ‘‘Spider’’ Vasquez for the World Boxing Association super flyweight international title will push through as scheduled October 3 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

"We would like to assure all the fans that Battle of the Bay: First Strike between our local bet Drian and Panama’s pride will not be postponed," said Elmer Anuran of the Saved by the BellPromotion which has joined hands with Solar Entertainment in making the fightcard possible.

Anuran said the weigh-in between Francisco and Vasquez and the other protagonists will be held today at the 10 a.m. at the Ocean Park.

Anuran said the fightcard will start at 9 a.m. ‘‘The Francisco-Vasquez clash will be televised live by Solar Sports in the United States and other parts of the world,’’ Anuran said.

Read more...

RELAX, DON'T PANIC

Manny Pacquiao with main sparring partner Shawn Porter. CESAR REYES

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City – Manny Pacquiao assured everyone else including his trainer Freddie Roach, that he is slowly getting back in shape and expects to be a 100 percent ready by the time he climbs the ring and faces World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.


“Ok `yung kondisyon ko ngayon. Malayo pa ang laban, still six weeks to go, pero maganda na `yung pakiramdam ko,” said Pacquiao to a bunch of Manila-based sportswriters who visited him during the three-hour, closed door workout he had Friday at the Shape-Up gym inside the Cooyesan Hotel here.

His declaration came a day after Roach proclaimed that the 30-year old boxing champion is still 40 percent fit as far as his conditioning for the Nov. 14 showdown with Cotto is concerned.

While he’s not about to dispute the assessment of his long-time trainer, Pacquiao stressed that more rounds of workout and sparring eventually, would help him get back to his old rhythm.

“Maganda naman kasi nakaka-recover na ako kaagad,” said the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “Yan naman ang maganda pag nag-training na ako, mabilis akong nakaka-recover.”

To stress his point, Pacquiao was scheduled to go 13 rounds with Roach in the mitts yesterday, but shortly after, requested conditioning coach Alex Ariza for `one more round.”

“He doesn’t want to stop,” Ariza said afterwards.

“He was better yesterday, but that was with the mitts,” said Roach. The job was still to bring what he does to the mitts to fight night.”

Later, he did his usual routine at the double end and speedball, then worked on the skip ropes and had his regular stretching before calling it a day.

Earlier, Pacquiao hit the road at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) grounds, where he jogged alongside some of the Filipino cadets, had breakfast with them, and of course, did some photo ops.

Roach said the cadets failed to keep in step with the Pacman, but stressed that the incident is nothing unusual since `they are not professional athletes.”

Pacquiao also downplayed the matter, saying,” may mga nakasabay rin naman.”

Only two weeks in training camp here and Pacquiao is already looking forward to making it a part of his training for future fights.

“Maganda rito. Mapuwersa ka kasi mataas ito (1,500 meter above sea level),” he said. “Mag-improve talaga `yung stamina mo.”

Roach has no problem with that, except for one.

“No more fun games,” said the three-time Trainer of the Year, referring to the basketball games Pacquiao played with some of his friends Wednesday shortly after training.

That resulted in Pacquiao failing to do his morning jog the following day.

“He can’t play basketball, running and training all at the same time. And he’s gonna miss more days of running because of basketball,” said Roach.

“Training for a fight is hard work. We’re getting ready for a fight, and at this stage, there should be no distraction. It should not happen again.”

Read more...

40 PERCENT FIT

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City – Trainer Freddie Roach admitted Manny Pacquiao has yet to get his rhythm back with his 12-round title fight against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto already slated for next month.

No need to worry though, as Roach expects the boxing icon to get better and better as training camp at the Shape-Up gym here builds up leading to the Nov. 14 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The three-time Hall of Fame trainer assessed Pacquiao’s current condition to be within the 40 percent range.

“Where he is now? I’d say 40 percent,” Roach said in reply to one of several concerns members of the press raised during the jampacked open-day workout Pacquiao held Thursday for both the media and boxing fans.
“Yeah, it’s been a great start. His energy, mental attitude had been great, but his performance today wasn’t what gonna be Cotto. We have to get a lot better obviously,” added Roach.

Thursday’s workout marked the second day of sparring session in the two-week long training camp, with Pacquiao going two rounds each against 2007 Golden Gloves champion Shawn Porter and Urbano Antillon.

The same way during the opening day of sparring, the 21-year old Porter, an unbeaten junior middleweight contender (10-0), again gave the Filipino ring icon a hell of a time, often snapping back Pacquiao’s head with his constant jabbing and solid rights.

But Pacquiao also had his moments against the unbeaten boxing prospect, an alternate with the U.S. Olympic team in the 2008 Beijing Games, dazzling those at ringside with his blinding speed and quick combinations.

“Is he (Pacquiao) strong? Yeah, definitely,” said Porter after the sparring. “He boxed better today than the first time we sparred (three rounds), and I expect him to get even better.”

As training camp enters its third week, one more sparmate will be coming over in this mountain hideaway to help Pacquiao get in shape for his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight championship fight with Cotto.

Alex Ariza, the conditioning coach of the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, bared that undefeated welterweight Omar Henry has already been offered as possible Pacquiao sparmate, with the camp of the Filipino ring superstar only awaiting confirmation from the manager of the young boxer from Austin, Texas.

“He (Henry) looks exactly like Cotto, moves like Cotto, fights like Cotto and wants to be like Cotto,” said Ariza of Henry, who sports a 14-0 ring record.

After sparring with Porter and Antillon, Pacquiao did the mitts with Roach, worked with the speedball, shadowboxed, before capping the day by doing some stretching with the help of assistants Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

No road work was held in the morning as Roach let Pacquiao take a rest after playing 10 games of basketball the night before, causing him to show up at the afternoon workout wearing a protective gear on his right leg.

Roach said training camp in this City of Pines will last for three more weeks, before Team Pacquiao leaves for the U.S. and shifts camp at the Wild Card gym in Los Angeles for the final two weeks.

And just how confident he is at Pacquiao readily regaining back the form that sent the great Oscar De La Hoya into retirement and knocked out cold former junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, Roach again reiterated a possible knockout win for the Pacman.

“I think we’re gonna knock him out in the early rounds,” he said.

Read more...

A PACQUIAO-COTTO REMATCH?

By Gerry Ramos

BAGUIO City - Top Rank big boss Bob Arum would rather not delve first on what boxing fans had been clamoring all along – a super fight between Manny Pacquiao and unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The veteran boxing promoter responsible for putting together some of the most memorable fights in the history of prize fighting, stressed that Pacquiao should win his coming title bout first against World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king Miguel Cotto before anyone else start thinking about arranging the ring duel many consider could be the richest boxing fight ever.
“We have to treat it one fight at a time,” said Arum, who flew in from Las Vegas all the way here to personally attend the open-day workout Manny Pacquiao did for members of the media in his training camp.

“No, no, no,” Arum repeatedly said as he was asked a number of times about Pacquiao taking on the 32-year old Mayweather on his next fight.
Mayweather came out of retirement recently and dominated Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez in their non-title welterweight fight in Las Vegas, a win that all the more bolster a future showdown with the Pacman, now regarded the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world following the retirement of Mayweather.
But Arum stressed he’s not thinking of any fight for Pacquiao at the moment other than his Nov. 14 duel with Cotto.

“I believe this could be one of the greatest fights in the history of boxing,” said Arum, who didn’t hesitate to say that a return bout may be made in the event the match turns out to be a success.
“Who knows, there might be a rematch,” he pointed out.

Read more...