Ortiz/Mayweather 24/7 Episode 1 (BLOG,VIDEO)

(BADLEFTHOOK)"What motivates me is putting the finishing touches on my legacy."

So says Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the start of HBO's "24/7: Mayweather/Ortiz," which debuted Saturday night, the latest in the premium subscription channel's four-part mini-series/hype machine for big fights. The show was Mayweather's brainchild, and in the time since its 2007 debut (in the lead-up to his Cinco de Mayo mega-fight with Oscar de la Hoya) he's further put his stamp on it, making it a personal playground for his boyish antics. This is Floyd's fifth time outing as a headliner, with the members of his inner circle having long since become familiar to the 24/7 faithful - in particular, Roger and Floyd Mayweather Sr., the fighter's uncle-trainer and father, respectively. The brothers are known for their star turns as supporting characters, joining Junior, the antagonist, in forming what is perhaps HBO's signature family outside of the ones once juggled by Tony Soprano.

In part one of the series' newest installment, things are status quo in their regard - at least until the episode's closing five minutes.

Mayweather, others sued in Vegas shooting incident (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Superstar boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing a civil lawsuit from a pair of men who say he orchestrated a shooting attack on them two years ago outside a Las Vegas skating rink.

The lawsuit obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press accuses Mayweather, Ocie Harris and others of making threats since the attack.

Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the undefeated boxer had nothing to do with the shooting or any of the alleged acts.

"As in most civil cases this is just another attempt to extort money," Ellerbe said.

"An educated observer would examine the background of these individuals and immediately question their credibility," he said.

A lawyer for Harris, who is accused of firing shots in the incident, was not immediately available for comment. Harris has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges in the shooting. His trial is scheduled for February.

Mayweather attorney Mark Ferrario said Mayweather looks forward to resolving the dispute in court but declined further comment.

Lawyers for Quincey Williams and Damien Bland said in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that they want Mayweather and his associates to stop contacting their clients, plus an unspecified amount of money for damages.

Robert Adams and Robert Eglet, the lawyers who filed the suit, were not available Wednesday because they were preparing for an unrelated trial, their office said.

Mayweather is undefeated in 41 fights and has won titles in five divisions. He currently is training for a Sept. 17 fight against Victor Ortiz.

According to police, Mayweather argued with Williams on the night of the shooting inside the Crystal Palace Skating Center. Police say the Aug. 23, 2009, incident started over a text message Williams sent Mayweather saying he hoped the boxer would lose his upcoming fight.

At the time, Mayweather was preparing to face Juan Manuel Marquez. Mayweather won that bout by unanimous decision.

Authorities have never accused Mayweather of firing shots and he has never been criminally charged in the case. Witnesses told police they saw Harris fire at least five shots at a BMW sedan with the two men inside after having earlier spoken with Mayweather. Neither man in the vehicle was wounded.

Mayweather later denied knowing Harris or having any knowledge of a shooting. But police said they linked the boxer and Harris through witnesses, surveillance videotapes and records seized when authorities served search warrants at Mayweather's home.

The lawsuit, which was first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, said the men now live in "immediate and mortal fear" of being hurt by Mayweather and the other people they say are responsible for the shooting.

Williams told the Review-Journal last year that he used to work for Mayweather years ago, but quit because of pay.

"He (Mayweather) feels like he's entitled to do whatever he wants and get away with it," Williams told the newspaper.

Mayweather has a history of court dealings.

He has been accused in a federal lawsuit alleging he defamed boxing rival Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather also faces felony charges stemming from a domestic argument and misdemeanor charges in other cases.

Pacquiao and Mayweather have come close to agreeing to terms on what likely would be the richest fight in boxing history, only for the discussions to repeatedly break down.

Mayweather to return against Ortiz in September (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Floyd Mayweather Jr. is returning to the ring.

The undefeated six-time world champion announced on his Twitterfeed Tuesday he will end a 16-month hiatus when he faces WBCwelterweight champion Victor Ortiz on September 17.

Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) hasn't fought since a unanimous decision over Shane Mosley on May 1, 2010, and has repeatedly declined to accept a bout against WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao — a dream ticket many boxing fans are eager to witness.

Instead, it was Mosley who squared off with Pacquiao in May, losing to the Filipino star in a lopsided 12-round decision.

Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) is riding a six-match win streak, most recently defeating Andre Berto in April to claim the WBC crown in a fight many consider the year's best.

"I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there for me; that is Victor Ortiz," Mayweather said in a statement. "At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me.

"Trust me, I will be ready."

The 24-year-old Ortiz, who is of Mexican-American descent, is one of the sport's strongest young fighters.

"I respect Mayweather because he has been a champion for many years and I know he will be ready, but so will I," said Ortiz. "I'm a world champion for a reason and I am not going to let go of my title any time soon. This is going to be a great fight, but I will remain a world champion for many years to come."

The 34-year-old Mayweather's time away from the ring has been riddled with legal troubles.

He faces felony charges in a domestic argument with his ex-girlfriend and two of their children last year.

And he faces misdemeanor harassment charges accusing him of threatening two homeowner association security guards outside his Las Vegas home. The charges stem from an October dispute over parking with guards in the gated community where the prizefighter lives.

Mayweather also faces a September trial on a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from allegations he poked a 21-year-old guard in the face during a separate argument over parking tickets in November.

The venue for the September fight has yet to be determined.

Bernard Hopkins Beats Jean Pascal To Make History (BLOG)

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - An Canadian attendance record was broken, with 17,750 screaming fans packing the venue to watch Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32KOs) make history with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jean Pascal (26-2, 16KOs) to capture the WBC/IBO light heavyweight titles. The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 115-114. Hopkins gets revenge after fighting Pascal to a controversial twelve round draw in December.

Hopkins, at age 46, becomes the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title - breaking the record set by a 45-year-old George Foreman in 1994 when he knocked out Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight crown.

They were feeling eachother out in the first round and the pace was slow. They began to take more chances in the second round, but it was still fought at a slow pace with very few punches being thrown and landed by either boxer.

In the third round, both boxers had their moments, but it was Hopkins who landed a good right hand to shake Pascal up. Pascal came back in the fourth round, when he opened up with combinations to push Hopkins back around the ring. In the final twenty seconds, Pascal rocked Hopkins with a hard right hook to send the crowd into a frenzy.

In the fifth, Pascal caught Hopkins with a hard combination. Hopkins was trading with Pascal at times and using rough tactics to frustrate the champion. Hopkins closed well with a good flurry.

Hopkins was leading with right hands in the sixth. He dominated the action with right hands that were finding their mark every time. In the seventh, Pascal was angry with some of Hopkins tactics and went after the veteran. He was taunting Hopkins and trying to bait him into a fight. Hopkins continued to throw right hand leads.

Hopkins continued his domination in the eight round, with the same right hand leads. Pascal could not figure out a way to prevent Hopkins from landing his right hand. In the ninth, Hopkins was still landing his right hand and started to mix it up by landing the left hook.

In the tenth, Hopkins was outboxing Pascal with movement and right hands. Hopkins landed a hard right hand that almost twisted Pascal around. The champion was being dominated for nearly the entire three minutes.

The eleventh round was very rough with a lot of holding and grappling. They were trading punches at the end of the round. Pascal started a rally in the final twenty seconds but Hopkins was smothering a lot of the punches by holding him close.

They were holding at the start of the twelfth round. They were trading punches in the second minute. Hopkins was more than willing to trade with the younger man. In the final minute, Pascal rocked him again with the right hand. Hopkins held on and got himself out of trouble. Pascal made the mistake of not following up to further hurt Hopkins.

By Chris LaBate

Article Link -http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=39442#ixzz1N3QxPEJs

Bernard Hopkins Beats Jean Pascal To Make History (BLOG)

Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada - An Canadian attendance record was broken, with 17,750 screaming fans packing the venue to watch Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32KOs) make history with a twelve round unanimous decision over Jean Pascal (26-2, 16KOs) to capture the WBC/IBO light heavyweight titles. The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and 115-114. Hopkins gets revenge after fighting Pascal to a controversial twelve round draw in December.

Hopkins, at age 46, becomes the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title - breaking the record set by a 45-year-old George Foreman in 1994 when he knocked out Michael Moorer to win the heavyweight crown.

They were feeling eachother out in the first round and the pace was slow. They began to take more chances in the second round, but it was still fought at a slow pace with very few punches being thrown and landed by either boxer.

In the third round, both boxers had their moments, but it was Hopkins who landed a good right hand to shake Pascal up. Pascal came back in the fourth round, when he opened up with combinations to push Hopkins back around the ring. In the final twenty seconds, Pascal rocked Hopkins with a hard right hook to send the crowd into a frenzy.

In the fifth, Pascal caught Hopkins with a hard combination. Hopkins was trading with Pascal at times and using rough tactics to frustrate the champion. Hopkins closed well with a good flurry.

Hopkins was leading with right hands in the sixth. He dominated the action with right hands that were finding their mark every time. In the seventh, Pascal was angry with some of Hopkins tactics and went after the veteran. He was taunting Hopkins and trying to bait him into a fight. Hopkins continued to throw right hand leads.

Hopkins continued his domination in the eight round, with the same right hand leads. Pascal could not figure out a way to prevent Hopkins from landing his right hand. In the ninth, Hopkins was still landing his right hand and started to mix it up by landing the left hook.

In the tenth, Hopkins was outboxing Pascal with movement and right hands. Hopkins landed a hard right hand that almost twisted Pascal around. The champion was being dominated for nearly the entire three minutes.

The eleventh round was very rough with a lot of holding and grappling. They were trading punches at the end of the round. Pascal started a rally in the final twenty seconds but Hopkins was smothering a lot of the punches by holding him close.

They were holding at the start of the twelfth round. They were trading punches in the second minute. Hopkins was more than willing to trade with the younger man. In the final minute, Pascal rocked him again with the right hand. Hopkins held on and got himself out of trouble. Pascal made the mistake of not following up to further hurt Hopkins.

By Chris LaBate

Article Link -http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=39442#ixzz1N3QxPEJs

Pacquiao Wins Unanimous Decision Over Mosley (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao caught Shane Mosley early, then chased him the rest of the night. Not much more he could do against an aging fighter who seemed only to want to survive.

Pacquiao won a lopsided 12-round decision Saturday night, retaining his version of the welterweight title in a fight that was roundly booed over the late rounds because Mosley refused to trade punches. He won every round on two ringside scorecards in extending the remarkable run that has made him the most exciting fighter in the sport.

Pacquiao knocked Mosley down with a left hook in the third round, a punch that seemed to sap Mosley's willingness to engage. Pacquiao ran after Mosley the rest of the fight, but the former champion who has never been stopped in 18 years in the ring managed to stay away enough to finish the 12th round upright.

Pacquiao won 120-108 on one scorecard, 120-107 on a second and 119-108 on the third. The Associated Press had him winning 118-110.

For Mosley, the fight was strikingly similar to his bout a year ago against Floyd Mayweather Jr. — except this time he didn't even land a big punch like he did early on against Mayweather. His biggest moment on this night came when referee Kenny Bayless mistakenly ruled that Mosley knocked Pacquiao down in the 10th round when he didn't even hit him with a punch.

The knockout that wasn't seemed to spur Pacquiao on as he went after Mosley the rest of the round and again in the 11th. By then the crowd was cheering "Knock him out, knock him out" but Pacquiao — bothered by a cramp in his left leg since the fourth round — didn't have enough to finish him off.

"It wasn't my best performance," Pacquiao had. "I did my best. I did not expect this result."

Mosley said he thought he did a good job despite losing round after round, and wouldn't blame his bad performance on the fact he is 39 and has been fighting ever since he was a child.

"I fought the best fighter in the world," Mosley said. "He has exceptional power, power that I've never been hit like this before."

Mosley was tentative from the opening bell, moving backward and seemingly unwilling to engage Pacquiao. With good reason, because a left hook by Pacquiao found its mark with a minute left in the third round and put Mosley on the canvas for only the third time in his 18-year pro career.

Pacquiao pressed the fight most of the night, but he too seemed unwilling to take many chances, which trainer Freddie Roach said was because of the muscle cramp that his corner tried to massage between rounds.

"He had no leverage to move after that," Roach said. "It was a very gutty performance in my mind."

Perhaps, but the sellout crowd of 16,412 came to see more, and booed repeatedly in the late rounds. The boos were directed at Mosley, not Pacquiao, but it was clear early on this would not be a classic fight.

Mosley fought as if trying to protect his legacy of having never been knocked out and, if that was his strategy, it succeeded. But it made for a lackluster fight and did nothing to burnish the legacy that the Filipino champion has built with 14 straight wins over the last six years — including some over some of the biggest names in the game.

Pacquiao made a minimum of $20 million for the fight, while Mosley was guaranteed $5 million.

Pacquiao Wins Unanimous Decision Over Mosley (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS – Manny Pacquiao caught Shane Mosley early, then chased him the rest of the night. Not much more he could do against an aging fighter who seemed only to want to survive.

Pacquiao won a lopsided 12-round decision Saturday night, retaining his version of the welterweight title in a fight that was roundly booed over the late rounds because Mosley refused to trade punches. He won every round on two ringside scorecards in extending the remarkable run that has made him the most exciting fighter in the sport.

Pacquiao knocked Mosley down with a left hook in the third round, a punch that seemed to sap Mosley's willingness to engage. Pacquiao ran after Mosley the rest of the fight, but the former champion who has never been stopped in 18 years in the ring managed to stay away enough to finish the 12th round upright.

Pacquiao won 120-108 on one scorecard, 120-107 on a second and 119-108 on the third. The Associated Press had him winning 118-110.

For Mosley, the fight was strikingly similar to his bout a year ago against Floyd Mayweather Jr. — except this time he didn't even land a big punch like he did early on against Mayweather. His biggest moment on this night came when referee Kenny Bayless mistakenly ruled that Mosley knocked Pacquiao down in the 10th round when he didn't even hit him with a punch.

The knockout that wasn't seemed to spur Pacquiao on as he went after Mosley the rest of the round and again in the 11th. By then the crowd was cheering "Knock him out, knock him out" but Pacquiao — bothered by a cramp in his left leg since the fourth round — didn't have enough to finish him off.

"It wasn't my best performance," Pacquiao had. "I did my best. I did not expect this result."

Mosley said he thought he did a good job despite losing round after round, and wouldn't blame his bad performance on the fact he is 39 and has been fighting ever since he was a child.

"I fought the best fighter in the world," Mosley said. "He has exceptional power, power that I've never been hit like this before."

Mosley was tentative from the opening bell, moving backward and seemingly unwilling to engage Pacquiao. With good reason, because a left hook by Pacquiao found its mark with a minute left in the third round and put Mosley on the canvas for only the third time in his 18-year pro career.

Pacquiao pressed the fight most of the night, but he too seemed unwilling to take many chances, which trainer Freddie Roach said was because of the muscle cramp that his corner tried to massage between rounds.

"He had no leverage to move after that," Roach said. "It was a very gutty performance in my mind."

Perhaps, but the sellout crowd of 16,412 came to see more, and booed repeatedly in the late rounds. The boos were directed at Mosley, not Pacquiao, but it was clear early on this would not be a classic fight.

Mosley fought as if trying to protect his legacy of having never been knocked out and, if that was his strategy, it succeeded. But it made for a lackluster fight and did nothing to burnish the legacy that the Filipino champion has built with 14 straight wins over the last six years — including some over some of the biggest names in the game.

Pacquiao made a minimum of $20 million for the fight, while Mosley was guaranteed $5 million.

Manny Pacquiao primed for Sugar Shane Mosley (BLOG)

Manny Pacquiao weighed in two pounds lighter than American Shane Mosley ahead of Saturday's WBO welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Filipino superstar Pacquiao, 32, is being heavily backed to retain his belt and tipped the scales at 145 pounds.

He said: "Shane Mosley is a strong fighter, a good fighter. He has trained hard for this fight so I have had to train hard and focus on this fight."

Mosley, 39, said: "I'm so excited. The world is watching. It should be great."

Pacquiao, rated as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, added: "I never underestimate Mosley - he is a good fighter.

"He is strong, he throws a lot of punches and he moves fast. I have trained hard for this fight."

Pacquiao, who has a career record of 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts, last fought in November, defeating Antonio Margarito to win the vacant WBC light-middleweight title.

Mosley last fought in September when he struggled to a draw with Sergio Mora.

'Sugar Shane', also lost to unbeaten compatriot Floyd Mayweather in May 2010 and has been defeated six times in 54 fights.

But the Californian, who has 39 KOs to his name, said: "This is going to be a terrific fight, a great fight.

"We're both warriors, we both love to fight and we're both winners.

"And when you get two winners in there, you know it's going to be a heck of a fight. So I'm excited. I'm ready. It's going to be a blockbuster, and I'm happy to be a part of this."

Last week, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter had never prepared more thoroughly for a bout, and he emphasised the point during a news conference on Wednesday.

"We know we're in a tough fight," said Roach, who also trains Britain's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan.

"We respect Shane and his camp. They have a great team. But we are 100% ready. Everybody has worked really hard at this training camp. I think it's the best training camp we've ever had and Manny is in the best shape ever.

"We need to peak for this fight because Shane's one of the most crafty guys out there. He's intelligent and experienced and you can't replace experience, that's for sure."

Manny Pacquiao primed for Sugar Shane Mosley (BLOG)

Manny Pacquiao weighed in two pounds lighter than American Shane Mosley ahead of Saturday's WBO welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

Filipino superstar Pacquiao, 32, is being heavily backed to retain his belt and tipped the scales at 145 pounds.

He said: "Shane Mosley is a strong fighter, a good fighter. He has trained hard for this fight so I have had to train hard and focus on this fight."

Mosley, 39, said: "I'm so excited. The world is watching. It should be great."

Pacquiao, rated as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer, added: "I never underestimate Mosley - he is a good fighter.

"He is strong, he throws a lot of punches and he moves fast. I have trained hard for this fight."

Pacquiao, who has a career record of 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts, last fought in November, defeating Antonio Margarito to win the vacant WBC light-middleweight title.

Mosley last fought in September when he struggled to a draw with Sergio Mora.

'Sugar Shane', also lost to unbeaten compatriot Floyd Mayweather in May 2010 and has been defeated six times in 54 fights.

But the Californian, who has 39 KOs to his name, said: "This is going to be a terrific fight, a great fight.

"We're both warriors, we both love to fight and we're both winners.

"And when you get two winners in there, you know it's going to be a heck of a fight. So I'm excited. I'm ready. It's going to be a blockbuster, and I'm happy to be a part of this."

Last week, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter had never prepared more thoroughly for a bout, and he emphasised the point during a news conference on Wednesday.

"We know we're in a tough fight," said Roach, who also trains Britain's WBA light-welterweight champion Amir Khan.

"We respect Shane and his camp. They have a great team. But we are 100% ready. Everybody has worked really hard at this training camp. I think it's the best training camp we've ever had and Manny is in the best shape ever.

"We need to peak for this fight because Shane's one of the most crafty guys out there. He's intelligent and experienced and you can't replace experience, that's for sure."

Manny Pacquiao respects Shane Mosley amid intense buildup (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao has been installed as an odds-on favorite for his WBO welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley but the Filipino has taken great pains not to underestimate his American challenger.

While Pacquiao is already acknowledged as one of the best offensive fighters of all time, he said on Wednesday he had not prepared for a fight in such intense fashion since he took on 10-times world champion Oscar De La Hoya three years ago.

"I have trained hard for this fight," Pacquiao, who has a career record of 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts, told a packed news conference at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theater. "I am in 100 percent condition. You know why?

"Because I never underestimate Mosley. Mosley is a good fighter. Do you think he's old? He's not old. He moves like a 32-year-old, a 31-year-old. His hand speed and foot speed is still strong."

Mosley, a four-times world champion in three weight divisions, is a boxing veteran at 39 and many critics believe he is a shadow of the man who twice beat De La Hoya.

Yet it has often been said that styles make fights and Pacquiao knows full well that his American opponent, an agile and highly intelligent boxer, loves to attack.

"Mosley is not that easy (an) opponent," the 32-year-old Filipino, who was smartly dressed in a black suit and white dress shirt, said of their showdown on Saturday.

"He is a good fighter. He is strong, he throws a lot of punches and he moves fast. He is the kind of fighter you can't under-estimate."

Asked by reporters when he had last felt a similar level of concern preparing for a bout, Pacquiao replied: "The De La Hoya fight. De La Hoya throws a lot of punches, moves fast and is bigger and taller."

Pacquiao, moving up two weight classes for his first fight at welterweight, stunned De La Hoya with an eighth-round TKO in their non-title fight in Las Vegas in December 2008.

FILIPINO'S PEDIGREE

That victory confirmed the Filipino's pedigree and he has since won a further four fights, most recently an eighth world title in an unprecedented eighth weight class against Mexican Antonio Margarito in November.

Last week, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter had never prepared better for a bout, and he emphasized the point during Wednesday's news conference.

"We know we're in a tough fight," the bespectacled Roach said. "We respect Shane and his camp. They have a great team.

"But we are 100 percent ready. Everybody has worked really hard at this training camp. I think it's the best training camp we've ever had and Manny is in the best shape ever.

"We need to peak for this fight because Shane's one of the most crafty guys out there. He's intelligent and experienced and you can't replace experience, that's for sure."

Mosley, who has not competed in the ring since his draw with Sergio Mora in September, predicted an all-action contest at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday.

"This is going to be a terrific fight, a great fight," said the American, who is 46-6-1 with 39 KOs. "We're both warriors, we both love to fight and we're both winners.

"And when you get two winners in there, you know it's going to be a heck of a fight. So I'm excited. I'm ready. It's going to be a block-buster ... and I'm happy to be a part of this."

Pacquiao, like Mosley, is no lover of the trash talking that so often dominates the buildup to professional fights and he had a special message for those attending Wednesday's news conference.

"All of my life, I have had to fight," said the Filipino, who rose from poverty in his homeland to become a beloved sportsman and win a seat in his national congress. "As a child, I had to fight just to eat.

"The biggest fight of my life is not in boxing. No, the biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country and this Saturday, I will wear yellow gloves (in the ring) as a symbol of unity and poverty."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

Manny Pacquiao respects Shane Mosley amid intense buildup (BLOG)

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) – Manny Pacquiao has been installed as an odds-on favorite for his WBO welterweight title defense against Shane Mosley but the Filipino has taken great pains not to underestimate his American challenger.

While Pacquiao is already acknowledged as one of the best offensive fighters of all time, he said on Wednesday he had not prepared for a fight in such intense fashion since he took on 10-times world champion Oscar De La Hoya three years ago.

"I have trained hard for this fight," Pacquiao, who has a career record of 52-3-2 with 38 knockouts, told a packed news conference at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theater. "I am in 100 percent condition. You know why?

"Because I never underestimate Mosley. Mosley is a good fighter. Do you think he's old? He's not old. He moves like a 32-year-old, a 31-year-old. His hand speed and foot speed is still strong."

Mosley, a four-times world champion in three weight divisions, is a boxing veteran at 39 and many critics believe he is a shadow of the man who twice beat De La Hoya.

Yet it has often been said that styles make fights and Pacquiao knows full well that his American opponent, an agile and highly intelligent boxer, loves to attack.

"Mosley is not that easy (an) opponent," the 32-year-old Filipino, who was smartly dressed in a black suit and white dress shirt, said of their showdown on Saturday.

"He is a good fighter. He is strong, he throws a lot of punches and he moves fast. He is the kind of fighter you can't under-estimate."

Asked by reporters when he had last felt a similar level of concern preparing for a bout, Pacquiao replied: "The De La Hoya fight. De La Hoya throws a lot of punches, moves fast and is bigger and taller."

Pacquiao, moving up two weight classes for his first fight at welterweight, stunned De La Hoya with an eighth-round TKO in their non-title fight in Las Vegas in December 2008.

FILIPINO'S PEDIGREE

That victory confirmed the Filipino's pedigree and he has since won a further four fights, most recently an eighth world title in an unprecedented eighth weight class against Mexican Antonio Margarito in November.

Last week, Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach said his fighter had never prepared better for a bout, and he emphasized the point during Wednesday's news conference.

"We know we're in a tough fight," the bespectacled Roach said. "We respect Shane and his camp. They have a great team.

"But we are 100 percent ready. Everybody has worked really hard at this training camp. I think it's the best training camp we've ever had and Manny is in the best shape ever.

"We need to peak for this fight because Shane's one of the most crafty guys out there. He's intelligent and experienced and you can't replace experience, that's for sure."

Mosley, who has not competed in the ring since his draw with Sergio Mora in September, predicted an all-action contest at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday.

"This is going to be a terrific fight, a great fight," said the American, who is 46-6-1 with 39 KOs. "We're both warriors, we both love to fight and we're both winners.

"And when you get two winners in there, you know it's going to be a heck of a fight. So I'm excited. I'm ready. It's going to be a block-buster ... and I'm happy to be a part of this."

Pacquiao, like Mosley, is no lover of the trash talking that so often dominates the buildup to professional fights and he had a special message for those attending Wednesday's news conference.

"All of my life, I have had to fight," said the Filipino, who rose from poverty in his homeland to become a beloved sportsman and win a seat in his national congress. "As a child, I had to fight just to eat.

"The biggest fight of my life is not in boxing. No, the biggest fight in my life is how to end poverty in my country and this Saturday, I will wear yellow gloves (in the ring) as a symbol of unity and poverty."

(Editing by Ian Ransom)

Muhammad Ali Sculpture is Complete in L.A (BLOG)

Muhammad Ali is one of the most famous athletes in history, and his recognition far exceeds that within the United States. Earlier this month, Ali traveled to Iran in an effort to free American hikers. This week though, Ali is making news in a more lighthearted manner.

A new sculpture of former boxer Muhammad Ali is now on display in downtown Los Angeles, standing over two stories tall and made of 1,300 punching bags, five miles of stainless steel, and two miles of aluminum tubing.

Ali's wife, Yolanda, recruited California artist Michael Kalish three years ago for a family piece after she saw his artwork on license plates, which led to this sculpture.

Along with making a name for himself in boxing, Ali spoke out against the Vietnam War, raised money for Parkinson's research, which he has lived with for decades, and raised funds for hunger-related aid. He also lectures about tolerance and racial equality.

The portrait of Ali is on display in Nokia Plaza through April 9 when it will go on tour across the country.

Shane Mosley Says He is Doing Mayweathers Dirty Work fighting Pac-Man (BLOG)

NEW YORK -- Shane Mosley believes he's doing Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s "dirty work" by facing Manny Pacquiao, and he has no intention of losing to the popular Filipino champion.

Pacquiao and Mosley were in New York on Monday to wrap up a three-city press tour promoting their fight, which will air on pay-per-view May 7 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Fans have been clamoring the past couple years for Pacquiao to face Mayweather in what could be the richest fight in boxing history.

But Mayweather has been reluctant to face Pacquiao, and he's now in legal trouble that could prevent the matchup from ever happening.

"I don't know what to make of Floyd not fighting this fight. It's mind-boggling to me," said Mosley, who lost a lopsided decision to the unbeaten Mayweather last year. "It's like I said on Twitter, it feels like I'm doing Floyd's dirty work."

Mosley thinks part of the reason Mayweather hasn't fought Pacquiao is that he's a southpaw, and left-handers have caused Mayweather trouble in the past.

But the bigger issue appears to be legal: Mayweather is accused of felony grand larceny, coercion and robbery from an incident last September, and also faces misdemeanor domestic battery and harassment charges.

There's no telling how long it will take those issues to be resolved, and no guarantee Mayweather will ever step in the ring again, much less against Pacquiao.

"What I have done in boxing, I am satisfied, I'm happy, and I'm not really pushing that fight hard," Pacquiao said Monday during an interview at The Associated Press. "If that fight happens, that's good for me and the fans, because the fans are very eager to see that fight.

"People want to see a good fight," he said moments later, "between me and him."

For now, though, they'll have to settle for one against Mosley.

The former five-time champion split with Golden Boy Promotions, of which he was part owner, just to land the opportunity against the sport's most bankable star.

Mosley even lobbied at the home of Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum that he should be chosen for the fight.

Now, the 39-year-old Mosley is defending himself against fans and critics who believe he's too far past his prime to give Pacquiao much competition.

After all, Mosley was nearly shut out by Mayweather last May and managed only an uninspiring draw against Sergio Mora in September.

"I'm sure there will be other opportunities," Mosley said, "but this is a fighter who is supposed to be one of the best in history. To take him out would be remarkable."

Mosley isn't the only one coming to his defense.

Arum called him "the epitome of what we like a fighter to be," and Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach said that it's hard to get motivated for a guy such as Mora.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao gushed over all that Mosley has accomplished, calling him one of the best of his generation.

"I respect and I really admire Team Mosley, because this is my first time to encounter an opponent where they're not talking trash," Pacquiao said. "In the ring, we'll have to forget we're friends and do our job and give everybody a good fight."

Pacquiao plans to spend about four weeks training in the Philippines, which allows him to spend time with his family and tend to his political career; he was elected to Congress from the Sarangani province last year.

Then he'll head to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles for about three weeks, before jetting off to Las Vegas for the week of the fight.

It'll be the first time Pacquiao fights in Las Vegas since 2009, after fighting twice last year at Cowboys Stadium near Dallas.

Tickets at the MGM Grand had nearly sold out by Monday, and closed-circuit tickets at casinos on The Strip are already on sale.

"I always said that the best matchup would be Shane Mosley and Manny Pacquiao," said Nazim Richardson, who will train Mosley for the fight and who joined the chorus of praise for boxing's current standard-bearer. "This guy has been one of the best in history.

"If you don't like Manny Pacquiao," Richardson said with a smile, "then he must have done something to you personally, because it's impossible not to like Manny."

KEYSHIA COLE TALKS MARRIAGE, BABIES, AND HER NEW ALBUM ON 'CHELSEA LATELY' (VIDEO)

Keyshia Cole sat down with Chelsea Handler on "Chelsea Lately" to discuss motherhood, her fiance Boobie, and her new cd. There will be a wedding going down early next year around Bora Bora.  

Here are the highlights:

 Chelsea: "So when are you going to get married?"

Keyshia: "We want to get married in February but we want to go to Bora Bora, well I want to go to Bora Bora, he's like we can go down the street to the courthouse, but I want to go to Bora Bora or Fiji."

Chelsea: "Now that your married because you always sing about breaking up and guys, so what are you going to sing about?"

Keyshia: "I actually wrote half of the album before we met, so I still had that heartbroken, not too optimistic about love thing going on and then I met him."

Chelsea: "Did you get your heartbroken a lot?"

Keyshia: "When I lived in Oakland, at home, I had, you know, that thing, and then I left that thing, and then ummm... okay, and then, yeah. So then, yeah, I got--yeah"

Chelsea: "When you got pregnant was it a surpirse?"

Keyshia: "Well, I know we have a child but we're going to stick together and through whatever storms we're going to stick it out for our son."

Check the vid:

Get your interview on, Keyshia...

Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sylvester Stallone picked for Boxing Hall of Fame (blog)

"CANASTOTA, N.Y. -- Mike Tyson, whose meteoric rise to the pinnacle of boxing and stunning fall from grace was legendary, was selected Tuesday for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum.

Three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez of Mexico and Russian-born Kostya Tszyu, a junior welterweight champion, also were selected, along with Mexican trainer Ignacio 'Nacho' Beristain, referee Joe Cortez, and screenwriter Sylvester Stallone.

Posthumous honorees to be enshrined June 12, 2011 include: bantamweight Memphis Pal Moore, light heavyweight champion Jack Root, and middleweight Dave Shade in the old-timer category; British heavyweight John Gully in the pioneer category; promoter A.F. Bettinson; and broadcaster Harry Carpenter.

Inductees were voted on by members of the Boxing Writers Association of America and a panel of international boxing historians.


Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press"

Interview: Chelsea Handler on Jay Leno Speaks on 50

Chelsea Handler Speaks to Jay Leno, Clowns his chin, and talks about going on vacation and More

Floyd Mayweather Jr Back in Trouble Again (Blog)

The victim is someone who he already once had problems with. Quincey Williams the victim of the shooting that took place in a roller skating rink in Las Vegas which an associate of Floyd, Ocie Harris took the fall for. He claims he was in a red Mazda and Mayweather was in his white Bentley and that Floyd immediately hit a U-Turn upon seeing him and tried to run him off the road. Witnesses say the Bentley never struck the Mazda. He is being accused of assault with a deadly weapon but has not been arrested.

Sergio Martinez With The Knockout of The Year ( FULL FIGHT VIDEO )

"ATLANTIC CITY - Sergio Martinez thought he got robbed of a decision the last time that he fought Paul Williams. He left no room for the judges' interpretations of his performance against Williams in the rematch, scoring a devastating KO victory at 1:10 of the second round to retain his WBC middleweight title before a sparse crowd of 5,502 at Boardwalk Hall Saturday night. When they met last Dec. 5, Williams (39-2, 27 KOs) won a 12-round majority decision in a back-and-forth battle that was considered "Fight of the Year." Martinez didn't allow it to go that far this time and landed what will probably be a candidate for "Knockout of the Year.""

Sergio Promised a Knockout.... and He did not Let Us Down!

Floyd Mayweather Sr. Talks Pacquiao (AUDIO)

Floyd Mayweather Sr. Sounds worried about his son fighting Paquiao, He eludes toward Pac-Man Doing something....He wont say that he is doing something illegal but damn...he might as well have! Listen!!

He says its no way that this "Lil Man, can take so many hits from a "Giant"...

The Big Payback: MAYWEATHER ACCUSED OF ATTACKING A SECURITY GUARD!

Earlier this month, we reported that Mayweather and his Baby Mom were going thru some things. Now, Mayweather is being accused of assault by a Las Vegas security guard!! Well damn.


Law enforcement sources tell us ... a private security guard who was patrolling inside Floyd's gated community drove up to Floyd's house a few hours ago to confront the boxer about a parking situation.

Allegedly, the security guard rolled down his window to talk to Floyd, and that's when Floyd supposedly unleashed his finger, striking the guard in the face.

Cops were called to the scene and knocked on Floyd's door. He refused to open up.

Since Floyd was only suspected of a misdemeanor battery, cops just took a report and did not make an arrest.

Law enforcement sources say cops plan to turn the case over to the D.A., who will decide whether or not to press charges.


Everybody out for that dollar. SMH