Thoughts on Mayweather vs Marquez 24/7 episode 1

"Boxing is what I do. I lace up my boots. I put on my fly shorts, and I fight. Just like that. Ya dig?!"

Love him or hate him, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is like a train wreck you simply can't resist looking at. No doubt the former pound-for-pound best boxer in the planet is talented. No doubt the man they call "Money May" will go down in history as one of the greatest. No doubt Mayweather still makes a lot of money. But is he still the best boxer in the planet? That's when the doubts start coming in.

And to those small-thinkers who think I am one of the Mayweather bashers that wish for his fight to not sell, you got to start thinking fresh and realize that if I truly wanted to bury Mayweather and Marquez's fight, I would simply not write about either of them. Truth be told, I am a supporter of all fighters. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifices to be a legitimate fighter. You can hear me preaching like a pastor during MMA events on how boxing is a great sport and vice-versa. With that said, I just call it how I see it. And today, I wanted to share my thoughts on last night's first episode of Mayweather-Marquez 24/7.

The pilot episode highlighted two things. First, it announced that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is indeed back and that he still lives lavishly. Second is perhaps the fact that Juan Manuel Marquez has definitely moved on from his loss against Pacquiao in March of 2008- or at least he says he has and did it by acknowledging himself in his head that he actually defeated Pacquiao twice. I tend to do things like that sometimes too when I try to make myself feel better like this one night in Vegas when I convinced myself I won a lot of money in the casinos to cover the bitter reality that I actually lost a lot.

It's unfortunate how Marquez's career is still being defined by those two fights against Pacquiao, especially when he kissed the canvas four times in those two fights. Marquez has definitely accomplished a lot and perhaps this is his shot to finally step outside Pacquiao's shadow and shock the world by beating Mayweather or forever be cast inside it as one of the greatest who fell victim to the greatest of this era.

Mayweather Jr. is back and said he rediscovered that fire to box after a couple of years of finding himself and soul-searching.

"I know how fighters is. They love that limelight." said Roger Mayweather, Floyd's uncle and trainer.

Floyd wasn't the only person back however. He reunited with his dad Floyd Mayweather Sr. after nine years of discord and attempt to rekindle their father-and-son relationship. Sr. was not only back in Mayweather Jr.'s camp, he was also back in HBO's 24/7 show. Sr. notably stole the show on Pacquiao vs. Hatton's 24/7 with his colorful personality and hilarious quotes and tirades over Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach.

It was a nice look behind the scenes seeing father and son back together and getting a glimpse at their human side. Mayweather Jr. also showed how he gave back to the community when he gave away hand-outs to homeless people in the streets of Vegas. I wonder what was in the small brown bag though that he gave away together with a bottle of water. I mean, as much cash "Money" was flashing, that better not be just a dollar quarter-pounder and I hope he does indeed do all of that on a regular basis and not only when the camera is rolling.

Speaking of rolling, I will never take my son rollerskating in Vegas ever. I take some of the kids I mentor in the Indianapolis area to the skating rink, and it is a lot of fun as well, but gunshots at a skating rink? Really? Whoever is guilty of that should definitely be locked up. If they gave Plaxico Burress two years for shooting himself on the hip, they should put this guy away for firing a weapon around kids.

Another issue that begs questioning is the condition of Mayweather's ribs. I was kind of suspicious of all the padding Mayweather Jr. had on his ribs. If I was Nacho Beristain right now, all I'll be preaching my student would be ribs, ribs and more ribs. I'll even put a picture of some honey barbeque baby back slabs on my punching mitts just to get my point across.

Overall the first episode of Mayweather-Marquez 24/7 was okay. Got to give HBO props for the shots and camera work they did. If you missed the show, I have attached the video of it below.

Thoughts on Mayweather vs Marquez 24/7 episode 1

Cotto vs. Pacquiao Fighter’s Fight

Cotto vs. Pacquiao Fighter’s Fight

By Walter Fonseca: On Nov 14th, Miguel Cotto will be facing Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. If your a fight fan and or fighter/boxer, you should be excited as I am. Two of boxing’s exciting and great warriors are set for battle and it promises to be an all out action packed WAR.

First, we have Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2 37 by ko), who is coming off of a recent destruction of Ricky Hatton, a fighter who in my opinion wasn’t overrated at all. He was just not as good as everyone thought he was. Pacquiao has the chance to become the first boxer to win 7 belts in different weight classes, a huge accomplishment if he can get pass Miguel Cotto.

Now lets analyze the Pacman: First of all, he has very fast hands and good foot work, and over the past few fights has had good lateral head movement. However, he still has the tendency to get a little wild at times and tries to brawl which would not serve him well against a pretty good counter puncher like Cotto.

I believe that most people feel that Pacquiao’s greatest weapon for this fight is his speed and ackward movements, which often give his opponets trouble. The question on everybody’s mind is can Pacquiao really take hits from a real welterweight, even though Cotto isnt a really big welterweight?

Well, in my opinion no he was caught a few times by Oscar De La Hoya, and it didnt hurt him but it got his attention. The same for when hatton connected – which neither De La Hoya and Hatton did much of – but that doesn’t mean that Pacquiao will be beaten by Cotto. Pacquiao can still win. Manny can’t stay still or get caught or it isnt going to be an early night.

I honestly don’t see how anyone can say that Pacquiao is going to stop Cotto. I just dont see it happening at all. The only way I think Pacquiao can win is by scorecards or because of a referee stoppage due to a cut.

Manny is a very talented fighter, ferocious and has got a lot of guts. Even though I think that he is good, I don’t think he’s an all time great. By no means am I taking anything away from him; He has accomplished a lot and has given his people a lot to cheer about, but I cant help but notice that many of his opponents have been cherry picked.

Pacquiao fought both Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera at the end of their boxing careers, beating both of them. But I think Pacquiao lost both of his fights against Juan Manuel Marquez. Now to more recent fights, Pacquiao fought a washed up, old, dehydrated DeLa Hoya and Hatton, who was never an elite fighter to begin with, and who has zero defense. But again not taking anything away from Pacquiao, he did what he had to and his trainer, Freddie Roach picked good fights for him.

We have Cotto (34-1, 27 KO’s) who is coming off of his slim win over Joshua Clottey in June. I felt that Clottey rightfully lost the bout because of the first round knockdown and Clottey’s lack of work in the last rounds. I hear so many people say Cotto will get dominated and he will get knocked out, and so forth and so on. But I don’t think that’s the case.

Cotto has a good shot at winning. He has at least to me proven that he still has heart and good boxing skills. Cotto did seem a little uneasy at times in the Clottey fight but to me its understandable Clottey is a big welterweight.

Cotto might be able to offset Pacquiao’s speed with his counte punching, his power and good boxing skills, like Cotto did against Shane Mosley, Carlos Quintana and Zab Judah. Many people believe that Cotto is damaged, but I personally don’t think that. Cotto can win if he finds a way to hit Manny.

I do believe if it goes to the score cards it will be hard for Cotto to win. The favorite – in this case, Pacquiao – always has a advantage, just like the Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz fight, which was a shame for boxing. Cotto has a tendency to get gassed in the later rounds and do a lot of baking up. He needs to be prepared and in top shape to prevent that from happening.

Cotto isn’t slow at all but he isn’t faster than Pacquiao. Not taking anything away from Cotto but he isn’t what he was before (before his 11th round TKO loss to Antonio Margarito) but he is slowly coming back to his former self.

Whether Margarito used plaster or not, a loss is a loss no matter if it wasn’t fair. Cotto needs to get back up and move on fast if he intends to win. It’s going to be an interesting fight no matter the outcome and I’m counting down the days. Cotto/Pacquiao is going to be a very great fight, a fight of the year. I hope the fans show both Cotto and Pacquiao the respect and admiration these two great warriors deserve for what they do for the sport of boxing.

This wouldn’t be a good piece without a prediction, so here it goes: I see the fight not going past the 10th round. The only way Cotto can win is by stoppage or knockout in the later rounds, maybe sooner. I believe that Cotto right now is the hungrier fighter and that he will deal with Pacquiao’s speed. It might give him trouble in the beginning but he will adapt like he has against the other fast fighters he has fought. I don’t see Pacquiao taking Cotto’s shots but again it’s boxing and anything can happen.

So there’s my prediction. I see Cotto winning by late stoppage or knockout in later rounds. I think he’ll be too strong for Pacquiao, and a lot stronger than anyone Manny has faced as of yet. People said that about both De La Hoya and Hatton but Cotto is on a whole different level.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Fight

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Fight


Everyone around the globe is now excited and can’t wait for one of the biggest upcoming bout this year: The Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez bout.

The said fight was scheduled for 12-round in a welterweight division. Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight was scheduled on September 19, 2009. The said fight was rescheduled after Mayweather suffered a rib injury during his training. It was supposed to be scheduled last July 18, 2009, if not of the injury that happened to Floyd Mayweather.

“Number One vs. Numero Uno” is the “title” of the said fight since both of the fighters claims to be the number one boxer back in their countries.

The Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight will take place at the ever popular MGM Grand Arena at Las Vegas. It will also be televised live on HBO’s Pay-Per-View. It’s the same date of the Mexican Independence Day.

Mayweather vs. Marquez: “Number One/Numero Uno,” is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions in association with Marquez Promotions and is sponsored by Cerveza Tecate and Southwest Airlines.

Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $600, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale Friday, May 22 at 10 a.m.

Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $600 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at

Cotto vows to stop Pacquiao

Miguel Cotto exuded confidence when asked about his chances against Filipino fireball Manny Pacquiao in a recent ‘interview’ made possible by the Puerto Rican’s legal adviser, topnotch lawyer Gabriel Penagaricano. Less than three months before he collides with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Cotto told Fightnews and Manila Bulletin that Pacquiao is beatable and he has Pacquiao all figured out. “His weaknesses are obvious to me,” said Cotto.

While Cotto acknowledges that Pacquiao is one hell of a customer in the ring, the 28-year-old bomber is not awed.

“(Pacquiao) lost to (Erik) Morales in their first fight, had a draw against (Juan Manuel) Marquez and then a razor-thin victory in the rematch. Pacquiao faced a very tired and aged (Oscar) De La Hoya. Then Ricky Hatton, an overrated fighter,” said Cotto.

“Against me the story will be different. It will be a war,” said Cotto, who is already in his fourth week of training in Puerto Rico under the watchful eyes of chief trainer Joe Santiago and South African conditioning coach Phil Landman, who has arrived from Los Angeles.

Landman was amazed at the condition of Cotto when he first reported for work on Monday, stressing that the fighter followed the advice that he gave him following the June 13 victory over Joshua Clottey.

Cotto will continue to train in Puerto Rico in the coming weeks and will try to keep in shape even while on a four-city press tour with Pacquiao beginning Sept. 10 in New York. Other stops of the Top Rank traveling circus would be Caguas in Puerto Rico, San Francisco and finally, Los Angeles.

Cotto will transfer his training camp to Tampa, Florida, on Sept. 19.

Told about the key to victory against Pacquiao, Cotto was direct to the point.

“Hard training as always has been the key to my victories.”

And his message to Pacquiao and the Filipino people?

“I will only say that in November 14th I will step into the ring as always in excellent condition, and will win the fight for the glory of Puerto Rico,” concluded Cotto.

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight Prediction

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight Prediction

Ex-Pacman rival picks Pacquiao over Cotto

CHICAGO - Former world lightweight champion David Diaz has become a firm believer in Manny Pacquiao ever since the Filipino ring icon took away his 135-lb belt via a ninth-round TKO last year.

And now that “Pac Man" is proceeding with his plans to conquer the heavier weights, particularly the welterweight division in his upcoming “Firepower" duel with tough Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico, Diaz sees yet another Pacquiao triumph.

“Manny is beating the best of the best," Diaz said during a recent press conference in Chicago, admiring how Pacquiao dismantled two marquee rivals after him, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. "He’s doing unbelievable things, He is awesome. My hat’s off to him, a great fighter, a great person."

David Diaz, left, with Jesus Chavez during a recent press conference for their Sept. 26 duel at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. – Joseph G. Lariosa
But the 33-year-old Diaz said it won’t be totally a walk-in-the-park for the 30-year-old Pacquiao given Cotto’s “patience."

“(In the end,) Manny will outbox him (Cotto) and beat him in the later rounds. (There’s going be) no KOs (though)," he predicted.

Diaz is making a comeback after a year off following his loss to Pacquiao. On Sept. 26, Diaz is battling two-time world champion Jesus “El matador" Chavez of Mexico in the “Warriors Collide/Windy City Fight Night 6" card set at the UIC Pavilion in his native Chicago.

While Diaz (34-2-1) can predict the outcome of the Pacquiao-Cotto showdown, he declined to make a projection on his duel with Chavez (44-5-0), who previously held the WBC super featherweight and IBF lightweight belts

Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao are bigger than the WBO

All of the drama surrounding the WBO's intervention into the Miguel Cotto-Manny Pacquiao contract negotiation was pathetic and pure madness. I appreciate that many of you want to see Manny try for a record seventh world title. I do too, but the title issue, which I understand has been resolved, was an afterthought. Money and catch weight drove this thing initially--period.

The World Boxing Organization wanted it to be a title shot because it technically is a fight that will occur within the welterweight limit and the entity stands to make a good chunk of change. Fine. What if the two fighters had contracted to meet at 141 instead of 145? The WBO template still exists since it is above the junior welterweight limit. Mandatory title fight? The better question may be what if Cotto weighs-in at 147 instead of 145? Most certainly such would breach the Pacquiao contract; however, he would absolutely be in compliance with WBO rules regarding maximum weight for welterweights.

The reality is that the World Boxing Organization turned on its champion and the most blatant example is making Manny Pacquiao the number one challenger in order to force Miguel's hand. The WBC doesn't have Manny ranked at welterweight. There is no Pacquiao listed at 147lbs on the IBF ratings board. How about the WBA? Negative. The Ring? Nope. The WBO didn't even have Manny on its radar screen at welterweight until this month. I could be wrong, but I believe the WBO did the same thing when David Haye-Wladimir Klitschko was still an option.

The Cotto-Pacquiao bout in November is going to be an all time classic and it was going to be that way whether or not the WBO played a role. The fact that the title is on the line now though means that it may have historical significance. It is highly unlikely that Manny will defend the title if he is able to secure it, well at least not at the full 147lb weight limit and certainly not against whoever the number one challenger may be (Joshua Clottey is currently ranked number 2). My guess is that if Floyd Mayweather, Jr. can get past Juan Manuel Marquez next month, he will come out of nowhere to be the WBO's number 1 welterweight contender (Mayweather is not currently ranked by the WBO).

Manny Pacquiao beat Oscar De La Hoya into retirement and has most likely done the same to Ricky Hatton. He won't accomplish that against Miguel Cotto. Win, lose, or draw and Miguel will still be a force within the welterweight division. He doesn't need a title to justify anything, let alone the WBO title. Neither does Manny. Both men are bigger than any championship strap.

If Manny wins in November, my hope is that he will raise the belt and then hand it to the WBO president, Francisco Valcarcel. If Miguel wins, then my hope is that he gives it to Bob Arum for picking up the sanctioning fees required by the WBO. The belt will make a touching parting gift between Cotto and Arum. Cotto can then go get his old WBA belt back from Shane Mosley.
source: examner.com