Several major American cities want Pacquiao-Mayweather

James Carville is attempting to make a play that would bring Pacquiao-Mayweather to New Orleans. Several American cities want the fight.

The fight has barely started any negotiation at all and is mostly still in the press, but Bob Arum of Top Rank is fielding offer upon offer from major American cities that want to host a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Las Vegas

Go back a few days and read Brick's breakdown of why this fight needs to be in Las Vegas. Also recognize that the reasons listed point to this fight almost sure landing in Vegas. I'd say it's 95% that Sin City hosts Pacquiao-Mayweather. It's the most likely, most logical, and most profitable. Arum is also said to be working with a group willing to build a 30,000-seat outdoor stadium on the Vegas Strip:

Perhaps it's fitting that Las Vegas officials and casino magnate Steve Wynn have already contacted Arum about staging Pacquiao-Mayweather on the Strip. One possibility would be to build a temporary, 30,000-seat outdoor arena on a vacant lot at the old Frontier, where there would be room for corporate hospitality tents and a Super Bowl-like atmosphere.

New York or New Jersey

Yankee Stadium, Citi Field (home of the Mets) and Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (home of the NFL's Giants and Jets), have all been in contact. None are happening, and Arum explains why to FOX Sports:

"There's no conceivable way the fight can take place in New York City because of the tax structure."

In short, 15% of the purses would go to municipal, state and other taxes if the fight were in New York, and the Jersey taxes aren't much lighter. There is absolutely no way you convince Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao that this makes sense for them, because it doesn't make sense.

Los Angeles

The Staples Center has been in touch, reportedly. Pacquiao-Mayweather would surely obliterate the arena records set by Margarito-Mosley this past January, but they simply may not be able to afford it. In fact, it's beyond unlikely that they could outbid the casino folks in Vegas.

Dallas

Pacquiao hadn't even fought Miguel Cotto before this rumor started. The extravagant Cowboys Stadium could hold about 100,000 for boxing, and Texans have turned out in recent times, at least for Juan Diaz fights in Houston. Given that Pacquiao-Mayweather blurs most all fan lines, the fight could do very, very well, and would easily break Texas' record for live gate (which is Marquez-Diaz, by the way). But in the end, would they really make enough money? It'd be tough. But I still say you cannot count out Jerry Jones' desire for attention for himself, the Cowboys, Dallas and that damned mall stadium of his. Jerry might get reckless with the money just to have a trophy case sort of setup out in one of the halls of the stadium with lots of photos of himself standing too close to Mayweather and/or Pacquiao.

Texas also doesn't have those fight taxes.

New Orleans

James Carville -- yes, that James Carville -- is talking with Arum about bringing Pacquiao-Mayweather to The Big Easy, and sees it as a chance for poetry in violence:

"There is an incredible narrative here," Carville said. "This fight could signal a rebirth for boxing and the city of New Orleans. We could have one together."

The Superdome (home of the Saints) hosted the Leon Spinks-Muhammad Ali rematch in 1978, and capacity for that fight was 65,000. Officials say it would be about 70,000 now. Carville is speaking with the Louisiana Governor's office about getting the tax waived to try and help New Orleans' case. The Superdome was also the host for the "No Mas" Leonard-Duran fight. There's plenty of boxing history in New Orleans, but I don't think the juice is there to beat Vegas.

By the way, I went ahead and set up a coverage page to keep all of the Pacquiao-Mayweather talk together while we await what appears to be the inevitable, which is a fight made for May 1, 2010. If the date changes, I'll change the date. If it winds up not happening, the page goes away. But it's there for those interested.

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This is how big this fight is and the repercussion to the boxing industry if this boxing fight does not materialize. After the manhandling Miguel Cotto in 12 rounds, the crowds chanted "We want Floyd" [Mayweather]. And I am sure promoters will move both heaven and earth to make this boxing fight a reality. This is the fight all boxing fans are waiting for. But it's hard to imagine at first that Manny Pacquiao who started fighting professionally at 106 lbs. will now be defending his Welterweight Championship belt at 147 lbs. It does defies the laws of Physics, I may seconded other boxing writer's thoughts. Now that Pacquiao mentioned in an interview that he will fight Mayweather, let us hear the other camp and I hope he [Mayweather] will make the purse split an excuse to duck or avoid Manny Pacquiao. The boxing fans are waiting. Manny Pacquiao always guarantees that he will make the boxing fan's money worth it by letting them watch a fight like no other.

Raul B. Romilla

Boxing Fanatico

Sports Writer Thinks Cotto Will Win, Puts His Career On The Line

For sheer guts in the field of sports writing, this one wins them all. We have our own reasons for believing one boxer would win against another maybe because one sports analyst sees and knows something that others don't. Yes, I believe Miguel Cotto has the boxing skills and strength to give Manny Pacquiao a run for his money. But being so overly confident as to give a fearless statement that says that he would end his career for a wrong boxing prediction would simply be like a career suicide. Even asking other boxing fans to join his bet in favor of Cotto. Win or lose, that's a big mistake. He puts not just his name on the line, but also the name of the organization that he is in.

I'm still for fellow countryman Manny Pacquiao, whom I've been an avid boxing fan even before winning his Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation title for fighting Chokchai Chockvivat for the OPBF flyweight title.

Here's my analysis of Manny Pacquiao's skills. He's really, really quick on using his mitts, that's one. Two, he's also a sharpshooter when it comes to his punches, meaning he's not just throwing punches, Pacquiao or the "Pacman" makes sure he hits the target effectively. That plus the extra power punch of the Filipino boxing pride would mean disaster to the opponent. And last but not the least is the variety of his punches that comes from different crazy locations as if fighting not one, but seems fighting ten boxers simultaneously.

Too bad I don't gamble and I'm not willing to bet anything of monetary value. Just national pride and bragging rights.

Below is the statement of the boxing writer that I am mentioning in this blog.

"I still stand by my statement that if Cotto does not beat Pacquiao, I will quit my writing career. Trust me, put your mortgage on Cotto, he is going to stop the little Filipino. Just trust me." said Liam Santiago. [Full story]

Raul B. Romilla
Boxing Fanatico

COTTO: PACQUIAO WON'T BEAT ME

BOXING NEWS

Cotto - vowed to halt latest Pacquiao's title bid.

Miguel Cotto is convinced he will beat Manny Pacquiao in Saturday's Las Vegas superfight.

Cotto is rated the underdog by the bookmakers for the pair's showdown at the MGM Grand, where Pacquiao will be seeking a seventh world title - namely Cotto's WBO welterweight crown.

However, the Puerto Rican is adamant that will not happen.

"If he thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent," said Cotto.

"If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong."

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, has spoken about how his man could end the fight in the very first round but, not surprisingly, Cotto has scoffed at such suggestions.

"Forget about Freddie Roach," he said when asked about the trainer's comments. "The only thing Freddie can do is train Manny. He can't go over the ropes and into the ring to fight against Miguel Cotto. He can only train Manny the best he can.

"He may say and think Manny will knock me out but at the end of the day, it is just Manny and Miguel Cotto in the ring. No matter what kind of things Freddie Roach says before the fight, I have a very strong mind. The psyche game? I'm not going to follow that game."

There have also been suggestions that the Pacquiao camp are already planning ahead for their man's next fight in March - possibly against Floyd Mayweather Jr - but Cotto says if that's the case then they are playing a dangerous game.

"What they say and what they do does not concern me," Cotto added. "They know what they have in front of him. He better be focused on what they will have in front of him in Miguel Cotto.

"Once I beat Manny Pacquiao they can continue their plans and do what they want but I am not going home without winning this fight."

Instead it could be Cotto facing Mayweather should he win on Saturday night.

Asked about the prospect of such a fight, Cotto said: "I am here for the big names and ready for the hot opponents. That's what boxing needs for the guys at the top to fight other guys at the top, like it was 20 years ago. Make the fights that fans want to watch.

"I am here for any boxer that wants to fight Miguel Cotto. They have to start with my company and I am more than ready to fight the biggest names in boxing."

sportinglife.com

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The suspense is killing me and the days seems taking forever. I already secured a ticket to watch it live on a mall near our town. If I stay at home at watch it on TV, it will be approximately three hours delayed and the news of who wins the bout will reach us first even before the first round starts. This time I'm really hoping the oddsmakers are correct on who will most likely to win and I hope Manny Pacquiao wins as convincingly similar to his last three opponents. No offense to Puerto Ricans but being a Filipino myself I am rooting for my countryman Manny Pacquiao. On November 15, Manila time, let us all enjoy the greatest boxing event of the year.

Raul B. Romilla

Boxing Fanatico

Pacquiao set to deliver knockout to Cotto, says Roach

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has predicted a knockout by the Filipino southpaw when he challenges Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto for the WBO welterweight title next month.

Roach had initially forecast the November 14 bout in Las Vegas would go the full distance but he has since changed his tune because of his fighter's impressive work in training camp.

"Camp is going very, very well and we are 100 percent ready for the fight," Roach said on a teleconference call with Pacquiao on Wednesday.

"I feel like Manny, the way he is punching right now and with the power has at this weight, is going to knock Cotto out. I am very confident and I look forward to the win.

"I just think Miguel Cotto's defense isn't good enough. He's hittable and people that Manny can hit he knocks out."

Pacquiao, who has a career record of 49-3-2 with 37 knockouts, spent a month training with Roach in the Philippines before returning to Los Angeles this week to complete his preparations.

Although their time in Manila had to be cut short with Pacquiao being distracted by mass local attention, Roach described their trip to Asia as a great success overall.

"We had the best first four weeks we have ever had and Manny was on fire from day one," he said. "We are just getting ready for Miguel Cotto whatever he brings. If he wants to box us or if he wants to fight us, we are ready for both."

Pacquiao, a winner of six world titles in as many different weight divisions who is regarded by many as boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, is again moving up in weight to take on Cotto.

SPLIT DECISION

He respectfully acknowledged the challenge posed by the Puerto Rican who retained his WBO title with a gruelling split decision win over Ghana's Joshua Clottey in June.

"Cotto is a bigger guy than me, a hard puncher and strong," Pacquiao said. "He is the champion for this fight and I am the challenger.

"So I am not underestimating Cotto's abilities in boxing," added the Filipino, who cemented his status as the sport's top fighter with a stunning second round knockout of Britain's Ricky Hatton in May to claim the IBO light welterweight crown.

Cotto, 34-1 with 27 KOs, is renowned for his punching power, strength and intelligence but Roach firmly believes Pacquiao's speed will give him the upper hand.

"He (Cotto) makes certain adjustments when he fights southpaws and it's something we expect," Roach said. "But he has never fought a guy like Manny Pacquiao with his speed.

"I think he's going to have trouble with that speed. I really don't think he can handle it."

Roach also rebuffed the danger posed by the Puerto Rican's left hook.

"It's pretty strong but I don't think it's the strongest we ever faced though," he said. "Hatton was supposed to be stronger than us also but I had no worries about that because that doesn't win fights.

"Boxing ability will win fights and Manny is a better boxer than him and will show that on the night."

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All I can say that good luck to both fighters but I hope Manny Pacquiao delivers. Do make us proud again Manny and we're counting on you.

boxingfanatico.blogspot.com

Pacquiao-Cotto bout 50-50 affair, says Rourke

11/05/2009 | 09:06 PM

HOLLYWOOD – Mickey Rourke has been a disciple of trainer par excellence Freddie Roach and is known chummy with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.

But when asked of his thoughts about Pacquiao’s 12-round title fight against Miguel Cotto for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt, the American actor and Academy award nominee said things are going to be even.

“It’s 50-50," Rourke shot back when pressed on who he favored to win the bout.

Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, right, poses with actor Mickey Rourke after a media workout in Los Angeles, Wednesday (Tthursday in Manila). Pacquiao will face Puerto Rico's Miguel Cotto in a welterweight boxing match in Las Vegas on Nov 14. AP

A one-time boxer in the early 90s who had no less than Roach for trainer, Rourke came over at the Wild Card gym here coinciding with the two-hour long media workout of the 30-year old Pacquiao.

The 57-year old Rourke, whose portrayal of Randy “The Ram" Robinson in the 2008 movie “The Wrestler" earned him an Oscar Best Actor nomination, shook hands and had a pleasant conversation with Roach, and later on, had a photo op with Pacquiao while the pound-for-pound king was in training.

But he appeared less gracious when his thoughts about the WBO championship fight were raised.

Rourke said Pacquiao beating Cotto is not as easy as learning A-B-C.

“I don’t think Cotto would be a walk in the park," said the veteran actor. “He’s gonna be strong. Cotto is the bigger fighter and a very good fighter."

However, one thing going for Manny, according to him, is the Filipino superstar’s vaunted speed.

“Speed would be able to offset Cotto’s power. Speed is more important than power. Manny has got to stay away from Cotto’s range since he (Cotto) can bang with both hands," Rourke said.

Rourke knows where he’s speaking from.

After briefly staying away from acting in 1991, Rourke relived his love for the sport of prizefighting by turning pro under Roach’s watchful eyes.

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He was undefeated in eight fights with two of them ending up in draw.

“I would have lost if I haven’t had Freddie, coz my training habit wasn’t that good," he said of his short-lived boxing career.

Rourke would quit boxing soon after, giving to Roach all his equipment that can still be found now at the Wild Card gym.

“He’s my best friend. I wouldn’t be here now (Wild Card gym). He’s the one who brought me here," said Roach in acknowledging all the help Rourke did while the three-time Trainer of the Year was still starting off with his famous sweatshop at Vine St.

Given the chance, Rourke said he’s more than willing to accept a role should a Hollywood movie on Pacquiao be made.

And he already had an idea on who is he going to play.

“I would do the Freddie roach story but I would have to wait 20 years from now," he said, teasing Roach as being too old for him to play.


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That's a safe statement from Mickey Rourke for he feels he can not decide to choose between the pound for pound king who'll move up in weight as a challenger or the bigger WBO Welterweight Champ. Although oddsmakers favors Pacquiao, we may never know the outcome until the final round or the final referee's count. They are right in the Pacquiao vs Hatton fight but blundered big time in Pacquiao vs Dela Hoya bout.

Being a long time follower of Pacquiao's fight, I observed that the person whose prediction is the closest to the outcome of every Pacquiao fight is none other than the guru itself Freddie Roach.

If my memory serves me right, he predicted a 9th round stoppage of Oscar Dela Hoya, a 3rd round knockout to be dealt by Pacquiao to Hatton and a total annihilation of David Diaz for he (Roach) sees nothing in him that could give Pacquiao trouble inside the ring.

On this coming fight with Miguel Cotto, I am just happy to hear that Freddy Roach is confident that Pacquiao will win. That's enough for me.


boxingfanatico.blogspot.com


Bob Arum: "We’re going crazy!" - Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto Now officially the Hottest ticket in Town!

By Johnny Benz (Nov 5, 2009) DoghouseBoxing

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It's the hottest ticket in town! Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto is officially sold out and tickets are no where to be found for the November 14th event. If you got your tickets, then you are in great shape... all others are probably going to have to sell an organ, like a kidney to get their hands on some.

Promoter of the event Bob Arum confirmed yesterday to Steve Kim of MaxBoxing.com that tickets are absolutely gone. "Absolutely, you call them, there’s not one ticket left," stated Arum.


The tickets have been all purchased that not even Arum can get anymore tickets to fill in requests from people who want to get their hands on some. "Not one. Sold...completely... out. I mean, we’re going crazy, we got a list of 100 names of people that want tickets and we don’t have any," Arum told MaxBoxing. Arum went on to add: " I defy anybody to call the box-office and buy a ticket. I got the box-office report this morning. Yesterday we had five $1,000 tickets left and yesterday they picked them all up."

Arum did say there are still closed-circuit venues in Las Vegas with about 22,000 seats remaining.

Miguel Cotto Could Be Next Spoiler As Puerto Rican “Game Changers” Not Unusual In Sport’s History

Although boxing and betting experts are bestowing their beliefs and bank accounts on a Manny Pacquiao victory over Miguel Cotto on Saturday November 14, Miguel Cotto believes differently and boxing history books tell a different story as there have been many a Puerto Rican fighter—from an island rich in producing infamous boxing champions—who have come in the underdog and walked away with the upset victory. Cotto looks to keep the tradition of these former Puerto Rican fighters alive by doing the same to Pacquiao when they meet in one of the most exciting boxing battles of the year..

March 30, 1965: Jose Torres KO 9 Willie Pastrano, MSG, NYC (Wins world light heavyweight title): Pastrano, a veteran of 82 fights, is dropped by Cus D'Amato protege and 1956 Olympic silver medalist Torres, 34-1-1, in the sixth round, and the fight is stopped between the ninth and 10th. Torres, 28, becomes an instant hero in NYC. Pastrano, 29, never fights again.

November 13, 1965: Carlos Ortiz W 15 Ismael Laguna, San Juan (Regains WBC lightweight title): Seven months earlier, Panamanian speed demon Laguna, 40-2-1, had taken the title from the 28-year-old Ortiz in Panama City. In the rematch, Ortiz, 45-5, stuns the world by negating Laguna's speed and reclaiming the title by unanimous decision. They would fight a rubber match in 1967, with Ortiz winning by unanimous decision in New York City.

March 6, 1976: Wilfred Benitez W 15 (split) Antonio Cervantes, San Juan (Wins WBA junior welterweight title): Puerto Rico's Benitez, 17, becomes the youngest world titlist in history (record still stands) by brilliantly outpointing consummate pro Cervantes, 30, who was making his 11th defense and engaging in his 86th fight. It can be argued that defensive genius Benitez, 26-0, never matched this performance despite going on to win world titles at two additional weights.

November 17, 1972: Esteban DeJesus W 10 Roberto Duran, MSG, NYC (non-title bout): In the first of what would be three epic battles, the 21-year-old DeJesus, 33-1, floors lightweight champion Duran, 31-0, with a left hook in round one and goes on to win a unanimous decision to the delight of the predominantly Puerto Rican crowd at the Garden. Duran would win the second and third bouts, both title fights, by kayo, and DeJesus would go on to win the WBC 135-pound title.

October 28, 1978: Wilfredo Gomez KO 5 Carlos Zarate, Hato Rey, PR (Retains WBC super bantamweight title): The 21-year-old super bantamweight champion Gomez, 21-0-1, shocks the boxing world by crushing Mexico's Zarate, the reigning bantamweight champion who is ranked in the top three on virtually all pound-for-pound lists. It is Gomez's sixth title defense. Zarate was favored because he entered the ring with a barely believable record of 52-0 with 51 kayos. Both fighters struggle to make weight, but Zarate needs four trips to the scale to reduce to 122, and is clearly weakened by the effort

September 26, 1986: Edwin Rosario KO 2 Livingstone Bramble, Miami Beach (Wins WBA lightweight title): After losing to Hector Camacho in June, Rosario, 28-2, is a significant underdog against the 26-year-old Bramble, 24-1-1, and in his prime after scoring wins over Ray Mancini (twice) and Tyrone Crawley. Rosario, 23, flaunts his crushing kayo power against a fighter with a defense that had been thought to be impenetrable. It is the start of Rosario's second reign as a 135-pound titlist.

September 18, 1999: Felix Trinidad W 12 Oscar De La Hoya, Las Vegas (Retains IBF welterweight title; Wins WBC welterweight title): In a hotly anticipated battle of unbeaten champions and icons, Trinidad and De La Hoya add a significant chapter to the history of Puerto Rico-Mexico (or Mexican-American) battles. The 26-year-old Trinidad, 35-0, rallies in the late rounds, forces De la Hoya to retreat and wins a controversial majority decision.

ABOUT PACQUIAO vs. COTTO

Promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions, Miguel Cotto Promotions, MGM Grand and Tecate, FIRE POWER: PACQUIAO vs. COTTO will take place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View®, beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.

Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque,” winning world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocking out and retiring Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta. This year, he picked up where he left off last year – winning another world title in a new weight division – by dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a one-punch second-round knockout on May 2.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico has sold more tickets to Madison Square Garden in this millennium than any other fighter. He has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the WBO junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006, successfully defending it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title in February, knocking out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion. Notable scalps on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Paulie Malignaggi and Demarcus Corley.

The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com or www.toprank.com.

HBO's® fast-moving reality series "24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto" returns with an all new episode on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their November 14 pay-per-view showdown. Episodes one and two are available on HBO ON DEMAND®.

Source: East Side Boxing

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Upsets are not uncommon in boxing and seemingly invincible boxing champs got beaten in a pulp by once unheralded boxing newcomers or washed up looking old-timers. Always a possibility in the world of boxing. But for me, as long as Manny Pacquiao follows Freddie Roach's training regimen, he can take care of himself inside the ring. I'm sure Roach is aware of Cotto's punching power being the bigger guy and makes the necessary adjustments in defense. I hope Manny Pacquiao wins convincingly and I wish him more success to his endeavors.

Raul B. Romilla
BoxingFanatico.blogspot.com