Pacquiao not in best shape, says trainer

MANILA, Philippines - Coach Freddie Roach said Manny Pacquiao is far from his best.

But if it was true, it didn’t show yesterday when the 31-year-old Filipino icon sparred five rounds with Mexican Glen Tapia at the Shape Up Gym in Baguio City.

“He almost went down,” said Team Pacquiao’s Nonoy Neri of the Mexican sparring partner who, according to Roach, may be just as good as Antonio Margarito.

Roach described Tapia as “cocky” and that he did “very, very good” when he sparred four rounds with Pacquiao last Thursday, the first day of sparring for the awaited Nov. 13 showdown.

The other sparring partner, Michael Medina, also did four rounds with Pacquiao last Saturday, and took some solid shots from the pound-for-pound champion that he looked ready to go as well.

A couple more sparring partners are coming in with reigning WBA super-welterweight champ Amir Khan probably on the way to Manila as of presstime, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on standby.

Pacquiao has always done so well in sparring, even when Roach threw taller, bigger partners at him. He had a couple of boxers bloodied in his previous camps, and yesterday he was all over Tapia.

Still, Roach said Pacquiao is far from tip-top shape.

“The direction I want him to move is a little better. The stuff we were doing yesterday came through today. He’s not 100 percent; we still have a long way to go,” Ted Lerner of Ring Magazine quoted Roach as saying.

“We’re just beginning to get the game plan down and get the timing and so forth. He did what I wanted him to do a couple of times. It’s a work in progress,” added Lerner, embedded in the Pacquiao camp.

Roach said if Pacquiao fought today, chances are he’d lose, but that won’t really happen in November.

“If that Manny Pacquiao
went into a fight, we’d probably lose. But that’s why we have an eight-week training camp, so we can improve. You can’t expect too much out of a guy who hasn’t been in the ring since last March,” Lerner wrote.

Roach said Pacquiao was at 50 to 60 percent of himself when they arrived in Baguio more than a week ago, and said the Pinoy icon should be close to 90 percent before they fly to Los Angeles later this month.

Roach said Team Pacquiao should be in LA on Oct. 23, a Saturday, so Pacquiao could rest the whole of Sunday before plunging back into training the following day.


Source: http://www.philstar.com

Paul Williams Aches For A Pacquiao Shot

“I would go down to 147 if Pacquiao or Mayweather challenges me,” former welterweight champion Paul Williams said in a radio interview with On The Ropes Boxing Show, directly referring to seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao and former pound-for-pound top fighter Floyd Mayweather.

Apart from Mayweather, many boxing followers, casual fans and experts alike, believe that Williams is the other best fighter who could pose a serious challenge to the Filipino before Pacquiao calls it quits. Standing at 6’2, Williams is a very tall fighter even at middleweight, but he claims he has no problems shedding the pounds if Pacquiao would want to fight him at welterweight.

Pacquiao is slated to fight Antonio Margarito of Mexico on November 13th in Arlington, Texas. On the other hand, Williams is set to settle a score with middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, who was first beaten by Margarito via knockout in a welterweight showdown. Having said that, Williams is confident he will come out victorious in his second encounter with Martinez.

Williams is also sure Pacquiao will nab a win over the towering Margarito, who, at 5’11, is the tallest opponent Pacquiao has ever faced. Margarito will also be the heaviest rival Pacquiao has to square off against in his entire career.

‘Pacquiao is a fast fighter,” Williams said, “Pacquiao is going to win the first seven rounds off of muscle.”

“I would love the winner.”

But there is no doubt that Williams really wants a faceoff with Pacquiao. He likes the Filipino’s explosive style and how his own would provide fans a great fight. A victory over Williams will make him the WBC middleweight champion, but he is still willing to fight Pacquiao at a catchweight if that’s what it takes to set him up against the Filipino slugger-turned-boxer.

“They can do 47, 54, whatever weight they want to go at, I’ll be game to go at with them at that weight.”

Williams said he does not mind if he gets beat by the smaller Filipino, if the fight should materialize. For the boxer known as the Punisher, a match with Pacquiao is going to be all-out action.

“He’s going to be throwing punches and I’m going to be throwing punches,” Williams said while visualizing a Pacquiao bout.

When punches are flying, anybody could get caught. I know I’m going to take some shots and I know he’s going to take some shots, so it would be explosive to see.”


Source: http://filipinoboxingjournal.com

PICTURES: Pacquiao spotted training in Quezon City while Mayweather remains incognito

It’s almost hard to believe how much intrigue a possible clash between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather has lost in recent months. Floyd has seen his life spiral out of control in well-documented fashion while Pacquiao is now focusing on a November 13th date with Antonio Margarito in which he will challenge the Tijuana fighter for the vacant WBC junior middleweight championship of the world.

Pacquiao was recently spotted working out with trainer Freddie Roach at the Elorde Gym in Manila’s Quezon City in the Philippines. Having not seen his charge for roughly half a year, Roach came away pleased with his fighter’s mindset during their light training routine.

“We had a very good start," Roach told GMANews. “We didn’t rest in between rounds. Manny already knows what to do with that guy (Margarito)."

Roach arrived with two of Pacquiao’s sparring mates, New Jersey-based prospect Glen Tapia and Michael Media, who were also present at the gym. The team will make their way to the mountains of Baguio City to begin full preparation either Wednesday or Thursday.

Recently while in Las Vegas, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum advised Roach that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. would not be making the trip to the Philippines as expected. However in recent days it has been reported that the 24-year old Sinaloa, Mexico fighter will indeed be coming to camp, just a few weeks later than the rest of the crew.

As for the Las Vegas-based Mayweather, people are still up in arms over his recent struggles, including a Ustream tirade against Pacquiao as well the recent dilemma he faces after being charged with various counts of larceny and assault after the mother of three of his children, Josie Harris, claimed the fighter physically attacked her in front of his children on September 10th.

Pacquiao and Mayweather are obviously in different places right now in their lives and come mid-November we will have a better understanding of both of their futures. Mayweather’s court date is scheduled for November 9th while Pacquiao meets Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas just four days later.
















































Source: http://www.examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao & the Rise of the Southpaw

I may be dating myself, but have any of you combat sports fans ever hear of the Huey Lewis and the News Song “Hip to be Square?” And why the reference to an obscure 80s song? Ever since Nonito Donaire and his noble experiment at southpaw, I got to thinking – and yes, I have a very long thought process, I started to wonder about the idea of fighting southpaw or fighting orthodox.

As MMA has shown, a fighter can attack in all four ranges, punching, kicking, close quarters with elbows and knees, and also on the ground. But in boxing, aptly named the sweet science, where punching range is the only range, I suddenly went through a list of my favorite fighters. There are a LOT of southpaws. Why the sudden rise of the southpaw? Is this a new trend? Is it a sort of back up to an arsenal a boxer can rely on just to confuse his opponent?

Since I’ve studied Jeet Kune Do, my brain did a switch every time my Sifu told us to do drills in a right lead. I suddenly became aware of the feeling of fighting in a right lead and it felt uncomfortable. But as I go through some of my favorite southpaw fighters, I thought I’d also provide some input as to who would make a great fellow southpaw competitor, and given the current state of questionable matchmaking these days, I’ll have fun with this one.

At welterweight, and yes I have to start at this one, it’s the most obvious one. My favorite fighter, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, 51-3, 38 KO’s is currently ranked #2. Up next, as we all know (and dread), Pacquiao goes up against orthodox fighter Antonio Margarito on November 13th. I’m still wavering on this PPV. Times are hard for this barely working boxing reporter. Timothy Bradley had called out Pacquiao earlier this summer. Bradley isn’t quite there yet. As for Mayweather, I don’t really care to discuss it. It’s a done non-deal.

At light welterweight, Devon Alexander, 21-0, 13 KO’s, is currently ranked #3 in the division. His next opponent? The fighter I just mentioned, Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley, 26-0, 11 KO’s set for January 2011. I like this fight and glad to know that Alexander is putting up his undefeated record and his WBC/IBF Light Welterweight titles on the line. I love this. Bu let’s not forget the return of Zab “Super” Judah, 39-6, 27 KO’s, to the boxing ring.

Judah’s boxing style had been compared as Pacquiao-like. Judah could make the division a southpaw dominated division and then move into the welterweights. Even at 32, he needs a good fight and a financially rewarding one. Judah is currently set to fight Michael Clark, 40-5, 18 KO’s, in November.

In the light middleweight division, Paul “Punisher” Williams, 39-1, 27 KO’s, is currently ranked #1. Williams’ last two fights have been questionable victories. It showed that the height advantaged southpaw has some vulnerability against a fighter that stands in the ring and outboxes him.

As for the middleweights, Sergio Gabriel “Maravilla” Martinez, 45-2, 24 KO’s is ranked #1 in the division. As for a challenger, it’s a rematch really. Martinez is a boxer that pushed Williams to a 12 round MD. Their fight made me question judges’ cards. I was happy to see that Martinez went on to win his next fight and the WBC/WBO middleweight titles against Kelly “Ghost” Pavlik, 36-2, 32 KO’s, although the WBO title was later stripped. I’d say it’s a rematch in the making between southpaws Martinez and Williams.

Shall I continue with the Super Middleweights? There’s Lucian Bute, 26-0, 21 KO’s currently ranked #1. In the Super Six alone, there’s Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell, 19-1, 13 KO’s ranked #2. And also, there’s Andre “S.O.G.” Ward, 22-0, 13 KO’s, listed as orthodox, but can comfortably switch into southpaw if necessary.

At light heavyweight, “Bad” Chad Dawson, 29-1, 17 KO’s is now ranked #3. Dawson lost against talented Canadian Jean Pascal, 26-1, 16 KO’s for the light heavyweight title last month. Pascal may or may not fight veteran Bernard “Executioner” Hopkins, 51-5, 32 KO’s, sometime in December.

Finally, I have to mention two of my favorite fighters in the lighter weight divisions. At super flyweight, Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire, 24-1, 16 KO’s ranked #1. And at bantamweight, of course, Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan, 35-2, 27 KO’s is currently ranked at #1. These fighters never fail to challenge and lift each other into a better fight. With Donaire experimenting at southpaw, these two must match up. It would be a very entertaining and exciting fight to watch.

Keep in mind that in Donaire’s last fight, he did okay as a southpaw, but he won with his orthodox style. I’d like to see how he’d do against Darchinyan.

So, to take a few words from Huey Lewis, I’ll pose the question again, albeit modified, “Is it hip to be a southpaw?” The answer is a resounding yes – and however un-orthodox, the southpaw remains to look as backward as anything, but I guess as long as the southpaw keeps winning, I’m thinking maybe an Eminem song, “Ain’t nuthin’ but a southpaw!”

For the record, I don’t listen to Eminem, I was just trying to be hip.


Source: http://ringsidereport.com

Antonio Margarito Training Tough in Phase One of Camp

Three-time world champion Antonio Margarito is running up the mountains in San Bernardino, Ca. in his first phase of training for the mega fight against Manny Pacquiao on November 13.

"Margarito goes straight up - no trails - he runs through brambles and bushes," said chief trainer Robert Garcia today.

Garcia said he drives Margarito to Mount Baldy, elevation 4,193 feet, in San Bernardino County.

"We need strong legs to beat Pacquio," Garcia said. "Antonio runs up the mountain for a hour, returns and then we're off right away to the El Monte Gym which is nearby. There, Antonio goes into a hard workout - mitts, then heavy bag, jump rope, speed bag, It's a long, hard workout. No sparring - at least, not yet."

Garcia said Margarito will break camp at the El Monte Gym at the end of this week and then begin phase two of training in Oxnard, Calif.

"Margarito will spar for six weeks beginning next week," said Garcia. "This is our game plan and we are right on schedule."

Pacquiao vs. Margarito on November 13 is promoted by Top Rank in association with MP Promotions and Cowboys Stadium. Pacquiao vs. Margarito will be available on HBO Pay Per View. For the latest event updates, log into Toprank.com


Source: http://www.boxingscene.com

Pacquiao practices game plan vs Margarito

MANILA, Philippines - With the arrival of coach Freddie Roach on Sunday (Sept. 19), the Team Pacquiao training group in Manila is complete.

From here on, they will watch over Manny's preparation for the fight against Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Also in town from the US are fitness coach Alex Ariza, 2 very tall sparring partners, Glen Tapia and Michael Medina, and local coaches Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

The group will train in Manila the next couple of days before moving up to Baguio City.

Roach says Manny needs to be in tip top condition to beat Margarito.

On the first day of training, it was all business and very serious.

Today was their first mitt session, and one could immediately see the great connection between the coach and his ward.

Roach and Pacquiao did 7 rounds in the mitts, with no rest in between.

Coach was quite pleased with Manny's starting condition.

"Very good , he's got the game plan already in mind. He knows the angles we have to use against this guy, knows he has to stay away from the right hand," Roach said.

Sparring will start next week, and both Tapia and Medina promise they will give Pacquiao the work he needs to get ready for the taller and bigger Margarito.

"I'll give him power and just go in and give him the hard work, that pressure, you know, that Margarito has," says Tapia.

"This is sparring and I'm gonna make him pay up and get prepared for a very hard fight," says Medina.

Aside from Medina and Tapia, 2 more sparring partners will be coming in, one of them, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Pacquiao worked out almost 2 hours, then did a quick change to attend to duties in Congress.


Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pacman training goes full blast

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao made a lot of noise yesterday, the type of noise champions should be making when they gear up for a big fight.

For seven rounds, Pacquiao pounded the mitts with his chief trainer Freddie Roach, fired away at the heavy bag, worked the double-end and made the speed ball sound like a jackhammer at the Elorde Gym in Quezon City.

Officially, it was the first day of workout for Pacquiao, even if he’d been to the same gym at least twice last week, and at the oven-hot gym in General Santos City the other day. There’ve been morning runs for almost two weeks now.

It’s safe to say that Pacquiao isn’t taking his Nov. 13 fight with Antonio Margarito lightly.

“He’s not underestimating his opponent. He’s taking things seriously,” said Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, during their quick trip to the House of Representatives right after the two-hour workout at the spacious gym.

Koncz said there’s more than enough time considering that the fight is eight weeks away.

Roach flew in the other day with a couple of sparring partners, and according to Koncz, the celebrated trainer was surprised at how Pacquiao moved on top of the ring, and hit the mitts like he’s never stopped hitting them.

“Freddie was really surprised after the seven rounds with the mitts with Manny. He said it was like Manny’s been training for weeks now. Well actually he is. He’s been playing basketball, too and that kept him in shape,” said Koncz.

From the gym, Pacquiao gave Roach a brief tour of Congress and showed him his office.

Last week, Pacquiao said he weighs around 150 to 151 lb, meaning there’s nothing much to worry about when it comes to the 151 lb catchweight as he disputes the vacant WBC super-welterweight (154) crown with Margarito.

Koncz said Pacquiao will continue to train in Manila until he leaves on Wednesday evening, with the entire team, for Baguio City. Pacquiao may skip Thursday’s morning run then report to the gym in the City of Pines in the afternoon.

They’re all in, including strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri.

While in Baguio, Pacquiao will set his duties as a congressman aside even if he may continue to run his office through the wonders of technology. Then after a month or so, it’s on to Los Angeles for the final push.

House Speaker Sonny Belmonte had said that the rest of the members of the Lower House won’t mind if Pacquiao skips the sessions as he prepares for another big fight at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

“He’s already doing the country a great service,” Belmonte said in way of excusing Pacquiao from the sessions.

Already in town to spar with Pacquiao when tapped by Roach are Glen Tapia (7-0) of the Dominican Republic and Michael Medina (24-2 with 19 KOs) of Mexico.

Also coming in soon are Vanes Martirosyan of Armenia and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, of Mexico.


Source: http://www.philstar.com

Budget for Pacquiao's projects delays Baguio training

MANILA, Philippines - Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao's training in Baguio City has been delayed as he works on securing the budget for his provincial projects on Wednesday's (Sept. 22) hearing.

Pacquiao said on Monday this is why the start of his training in Baguio City has been moved to Thursday instead of today (Sept. 20).

Pacquiao leaves for USA on October 20 and will stay there until his fight against Mexico's Antonio Margarito on November 13.

He said his constituents don't need to worry that he might neglect his legislative duties since he's securing the budget for the projects for his constituents before he leaves for Baguio.

Pacquiao said he is not worried about being absent for a month in Congress because he'll have many projects for his constituents. In contrast, he said there are some legislators who are always present, but don't have projects.

Coach Freddie Roach said Pacquiao needs to focus first on boxing. If necessary, he said Pacquiao can go back on weekends to do legislative work or if it's really urgent.

Even if his ward has been busy with his work as a member of Congress, Roach said Pacquiao is still in fighting form and has not missed a beat.

He also said he also wants to see a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight come true.

Roach visited Pacquiao in Congress on Monday, and was among the guests acknowledged by the House of Representatives. Roach sat in the gallery designated for guests, beside Bobby Pacquiao. -- report from Timi Nubla, ABS-CBN News



Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com

Mayweather's PED allegations against Pacquiao now under extreme scrutiny

Since Floyd Mayweather Jr's reputation has recently declined to an all-time low, it seems fitting for this subject to be brought up again.

Many boxing fans felt that Mayweather stooped to an all-time low when he released a Ustream video in which he heavily criticized Pacquiao in a video laced with hatred, profanity and racist remarks. Mayweather's apology, which was released on the following day, did little to redeem the fighter in the public eye.

Mayweather's reputation then suffered all the more following his arrest, and allegations that were brought against him over recent incidents involving Jose Harris, the mother of three of his children.

These allegations came with actual accounts from witnesses and a police report that has now been made public. In other words, although Mayweather is innocent until proven guilty, there is plenty of evidence to support the possiblity that he has broken the law.

Now one might ponder the following questions:

1. Where are the accounts from witnesses against Pacquiao's alleged PED use?

The obvious answer is that there are none. It's been said a million times, but Pacquiao has never tested positive for any drug test.

Moreover, nobody from Pacquiao's inner circle has ever come forward to report that Pacquiao has dabbled with any performance enhancing substances.

2. Where is the evidence to support claims of Pacquiao's PED use?

The closest thing to "evidence" is Pacquiao's successful rise through the weight classes, and that is not acceptable evidence. Claims that Pacquiao has rapidly packed on a great deal of lean muscle in the past few years is utterly false.

In October of 2006, Pacquiao weighed in at 129 lbs for his third fight against Erik Morales. By the night of the fight, he had rehydrated to 144 lbs.

In March of 2010, Pacquiao weighed in at 145-3/4 against Joshua Clottey. Although he did not weigh in on fight night, it is estimated that his weight was 149-150 lbs.

That's an actual weight gain of only 6 lbs since late 2006.

Click here for an article that contains a more detailed assessment of Pacquiao's weight gains.

3. Why has Pacquiao's KO% gone up as he moved up to face bigger opponents?

The answer to the previous question tells the story. While he dehydrated 15 lbs for his weigh in against Morales, he only dehydrated approximately 4 lbs for his last fight.

Pacquiao has recently fought very near his walking around weight. While the dehydration / rehydration process used to weaken him, he now enters the ring without having to go through the grueling ritual that his larger opponents still practice.

Boxing fan Jarrod Essman of Paris, Arkansas feels that Mayweather's former allegations of PED use by Pacquiao don't hold water.

"I think that Floyd Mayweather Jr's lack of credibility leaves a huge hole in any claim or accusation," Essman said. "If he knew Pac was shy of blood testing, it's possible he did so out of desperation."


Source: http://www.examiner.com

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR: "I'M MAD THAT LIL' FLOYD APOLOGIZED..."

"I'm mad that Lil' Floyd apologized because you only apologize when you've done something wrong. He didn't do or say anything wrong. In fact, he didn't say nothing that I hadn't already said. I done called Pacquiao a lil' yellow midget. That doesn't mean I'm calling him yellow because he's Asian, but when you say someone is scared, you say they have a yellow streak down their back. But it is what it is and they can take it however they want to take it. I've called him far worse things than Lil' Floyd has and I stick by it. It's like Floyd can't say he's going to make Pacquiao make him sushi rolls, but it's okay for Pacquiao's entire camp to call Floyd a coward. Which one is worse," stated world-class trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. as he shared his thoughts on all the drama that his son has been going through over the past few weeks. Check out what else he had to say!

PC: How has everything been going Big Floyd?

FM: Everything is good man. I'm just getting a few things done.

PC: I won't even ask you to discuss Lil' Floyd's current legal situation, because as of now, it's all speculation and really none of my business.

FM: Well, I know what's going on and the truth, so it will all play itself out. Like you said, it's all speculation and is in the courts, so we will see how it all plays out. I think he will be okay.

PC: I do want to ask you about the video that he put out, because that was public and a lot of people took offense to it. I thought it was more stereotypical than racist. What do you think?

FM: I agree with you. It's a stereotype to say all Asians eat sushi rolls. Hell, all black people don't eat chicken and watermelon, but people seem to think that. Not that they being racist; it's just a stereotype. I'm mad that Lil' Floyd apologized because you only apologize when you've done something wrong. He didn't do or say anything wrong. In fact, he didn't say nothing that I hadn't already said. I done called Pacquiao a lil' yellow midget. That doesn't mean I'm calling him yellow because he's Asian, but when you say someone is scared, you say they have a yellow streak down their back. But it is what it is and they can take it however they want to take it. I've called him far worse things than Lil' Floyd has and I stick by it. It's like Floyd can't say he's going to make Pacquiao make him sushi rolls, but it's okay for Pacquiao's entire camp to call Floyd a coward. Which one is worse? Get the fuck outta here with that bullshit man. People need to stop acting like they don't say this kind of shit on a daily basis.

PC: Last time we spoke, you said it was sad to see Ricky Hatton in the position he was in. I wanted to ask you about another former pupil of yours and that's Chad Dawson. What did you think of his fight against Pascal?

FM: Aw man, he didn't do anything in that fight. Pascal was tired after 5 rounds and Chad still couldn't do nothing with him. I'll be honest with you man, Chad lost to a nobody. Pascal can't fight man; especially when he's tired after 5 fucking rounds. That's why I stick to my shit man. It's my way, no other way, or the highway. I didn't have time for the shit he was doing and now they gotta put him back together again. He just wouldn't throw no damn punches, man. You ain't gonna beat nobody like that.

PC: I appreciate your time. It sounds like you're getting busy. I will catch up with you later this week.

FM: Yeah man, I'm about to walk into this place, but call me next week.

PC: You got it. Thanks Big Floyd.

FM: Alright, take care of yourself now.


Source: http://www.fighthype.com

Playtime Over for Pacquiao as Roach, Sparmates Arrive

MANILA, Philippines – Playtime for Manny Pacquiao is over.

Top trainer Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Sunday morning from Los Angeles accompanied by a pair of mean-looking junior-middleweights who will lend a hand in Pacquiao’s buildup for the Nov. 13 showdown with Antonio Margarito.

“We’re going to train tomorrow (Monday),” Roach told the Bulletin as soon as he emerged from a throng of well-wishers and fellow passengers at the Centennial Airport.

Roach came in with Glen Tapia (from the Dominican Republic) and Michael Medina (Mexico), who will be the other half of sparring partners that would also include Vanes Martirosyan (Armenia) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (Mexico).

Tapia has a 7-0 record with five knockouts, while Medina has a 24-2 mark with 19 stoppages.

“We’re looking forward to working with Manny Pacquiao,” said Tapia, who got Roach’s attention as he shadow-boxed while waiting for their hotel keys at the lobby of the New World.

Martirosyan and Chavez Jr., son of the legendary Julio Cesar Sr., are expected to hit town anytime this week in time for the start of training camp in Baguio City, according to Roach.

Roach said Rashad Holloway, who was tapped when Pacquiao revved up for Oscar De La Hoya in 2008, will be utilized once Pacquiao and the celebrated cornerman return to the familiar confines of the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood in the third or fourth week of October.

Roach had wanted to proceed immediately to Baguio City but Pacquiao’s adviser Mike Koncz said the pound-for-pound king plans to send a few more days or the rest of the week in Manila before going up to the City of Pines.

Baguio had been used by Roach and Pacquiao as training camp when they were preparing to face Miguel Cotto at around the same time last year.

Last week, Pacquiao trained briefly at the Elorde Gym on Del Monte Ave. in Quezon City before returning to General Santos City for a brief R&R.

Already in the country since last week is Alex Ariza, the revered conditioning coach and nutritionist of Pacquiao.


Source: http://www.mb.com.ph

Roach arrives with 2 big sparring partners for Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Trainer Freddie Roach arrived at 3:45 a.m. Sunday, bringing with him with two big sparring partners for Manny Pacquiao, light middleweight Michael “ Murder Man” Medina ( 24-2-2, 19 KO’s) and undefeated welterweight Glen Tapia (7-0, 5 KO’s).

"We have a big fight ahead of us, we have some great sparring partners and we are ready to go to work,” he said.

Roach said he would meet pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao later on Sunday, after Pacquiao’s arrival from his hometown of General Santos City and “work everything out.”

While his plan has been to move the training camp to Baguio City “after a couple of days,” Roach stated emphatically “we will start training tomorrow (Monday)” at the Johnny Elorde Gym in Quezon City where Pacquiao trained for two days last week.

Roach said that “without a doubt,” he had enough time to get Pacquiao in shape to battle the bigger and much taller Antonio Margarito—five inches taller with a six-inch reach advantage—for the vacant WBC super welterweight title at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium on November 13.

“No problem at all,” he said. “We have seven good weeks and we’ll make the most of it.”

The celebrated trainer who has presided over Pacquiao’s amazing run of seven world titles in seven different weight divisions said Pacquiao wanted to train in the Philippines because “we had good luck here last time” referring to the successful title victory against WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto last November and the one-sided decision over Joshua Clottey in March.

Roach said he could train Pacquiao “any place I have a ring I’ll have no problem with. Give me a ring and I’ll get him ready.”

Roach emphasized that Pacquiao “has to be fit for Margarito or for any fight because the way Pacquiao fights his condition is the key. His style is nonstop and that’s why he is the best in the world today. We have to be in one hundred percent shape.”

A smiling Roach pointed at his two tall sparring partners Medina and Tapia and said they would be joined in the next couple of weeks by undefeated Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr who are both six feet tall.

He said “these guys will get him (Pacquiao) ready for the height and reach advantage so we can take that away from these guys as well as Margarito. The ‘tornado’ is going to be downsized to a tropical storm I promise you.”


Source: http://sports.inquirer.net

Margarito braces for mega bout

If his training and choice of sparring partners is any indication, Antonio Margarito is preparing for his fight November 13 showdown with Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao like never before in his career—hoping his hard work would lead to a big upset win over the Filipino pound-for-pound king.

Margarito, who trains very hard like Pacquiao, is “already in great shape” having started his preparations for Pacquiao in the second week of September, according to his chief trainer Robert Garcia.

Garcia said the Oxnard, California-based Margarito would have no problem making the 151-pound catch weight for his Pacquiao fight since he stays fit in between fights plus the fact that he always trains very hard.

“Good thing about Margarito, the first thing I did was weigh him Monday after training and he’s weighing 159,” Garcia told veteran boxing writer Chris Robinson of examiner.com.

“So he’s only got 9lbs to lose for his fight. That’s very good. It’s like a pound a week and that’s a great advantage for Margarito.”

What really excites Team Margarito is the confirmation that reigning world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez (45-2-2, 25 by knockouts) has agreed to help prepare the three-time Mexican welter champ for the biggest fight in his boxing career.

Martinez—35 and a power-punching southpaw like Pacquiao—holds the World Boxing Council and World
Boxing Organization middleweight titles. The Argentine slugger is rated seventh in the Ring magazine’s elite Top 10 best boxers, pound-for-pound.

“I’m very close to Sergio Martinez’s camp and he is such a great person and they offered to help us out with whatever we need,” said Garcia, a highly respected ring tactician.

He added that Team Margarito is lining up four other sparring partners for the Mexican-American brawler, a former three-time world welterweight titlist and the first fighter to beat Martinez in their February 2000 encounter.

Garcia said Team Margarito hopes their fighter would be able to trade leather with the Argentine champ at least twice a week to boost both fighters’ preparations for their coming fights.

He said Margarito has been taking regular morning mountain runs for two weeks followed by visits to the gym to build up his stamina and in preparation for formal training camp next week in Oxnard, where Garcia runs a gym.


Source: http://www.manilatimes.net

Meet and Greet Michael Medina: Pacquiao's Most Important Sparring Partner?

The sparring partners of Manny Pacquiao are set, and most of them have arrived in the Philippines. The only one who stayed behind is Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who is set to arrive in the country within two weeks.

But while all the attention have been given to Holloway,Chavez, Martirosyan and even Tapia, the most important sparring partner could be Michael Medina. He might be the least known out of the bunch, but he is a fighter with good skills, who has sparred with numerous solid fighters.

He is the current Mexican super welterweight champion with a respectable record of 24 Wins against 2 losses. His first loss was against Martirosyan early in his career during his second fight in the United States. The other loss came against a controversial split decision versus Duddy. According to Medina who I spoke with, he was not fully 100 percent since he had been ill in the last few days leading up to the fight.

Still, Medina gave Duddy all he could handle and even rocked the 'Derry Destroyer' a couple of times, which is why many, who attended the fight thought that he had pulled of a victory.

But it was a close fight that could have gone either way. Medina had the upper hand in the earlier rounds but lost steam in the later rounds, which can probably be attributed to the health issue and fighting at middleweight, a division where he had never fought before. However, he has been training hard in Wild Card Gym and is in much better condition.

But what probably makes Medina important is his experience in sparring against top fighters. He was Floyd's and Chavez Jr.'s sparring partner in their respective fights against Mosley and Duddy. Coincidentally, those fight are the biggest fights so far in the career of Floyd and Chavez Jr. So Medina might not just serve as an effective sparring partner but good luck charm as well.






Source: http://theboxingoracle.com

Roach, Pacman sparmates in Manila

Freddie Roach arrived in Manila early Sunday morning from Los Angeles in preparation for the eight-week training camp of Manny Pacquiao, who meets Antonio Margarito on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Roach was accompanied by junior-middleweights Glen Tapia of New Jersey and Michael Medina of Los Angeles. Tapia is a native of the Dominican Republic, while Medina is from Mexico. Roach plans to set up training camp in the cool mountains of Baguio City–a five-hour drive from Manila–later this week.

Two other sparmates–Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Vanes Martirosyan–are expected to hit town anytime in the week to help in the training camp. Roach, Tapia and Medina were brought to the New World Hotel in the trendy Makati area of Metro Manila as soon as they finished an interview with the two leading networks in the Philippines. Fightnews and Manila Bulletin were at the airport to greet Roach.


Source: http://www.fightnews.com

Experts Speak on Pacquiao’s and Margarito’s Strengths and Weaknesses

I will admit that I was (and still am) critical of the Pacquiao-Margarito showdown from a moral standpoint. How can someone like Antonio Margarito, whose reputation as a powerhouse in the welterweight division was tarnished because of doctored handwraps, deserve a fight with Manny Pacquiao? But if we could all go past that ethical fence and appreciate the fight for what it is, then we could all agree that Pacquiao-Margarito is going to be an exciting fight filled with action from the get-go to the last ding of the bell, if the fight gets that far.

As of this writing, every booking and gambling sites have the odds picking Pacquiao as the heavy favorite to win the fight. That said, bookers have been wrong before. As an old boxing adage goes, “everything can happen in boxing.” Who would have thought Carl Froch could pull a major upset over Jermain Taylor in their championship encounter last year? Right at the dying minutes of the last round?

Each fighter has their strengths and flaws. And each can play well, or not, to their advantage. Taylor had the upper hand in that fight against Froch in almost all departments – speed, ring generalship, skills, power, and footwork. But Taylor has stamina issues. Froch, on the other hand, lacks skills and technique but makes up for that with durability, an iron chin and a serious wallop in both hands.

I am not saying that the same can happen in the clash between Pacquiao and Margarito, but who knows? What I am basically driving at is that both Pacquiao and Margarito have their own sets of strengths and weaknesses that might play out their way or will be capitalized upon by the other.

So how will Pacquiao’s and Margarito’s assets and flaws play out in their upcoming match? Check what the boxing experts have to say.


Source: http://filipinoboxingjournal.com