Pacquiao-Cotto Being Pushed By WBO as Title Bout

Francisco "Paco" Valcárcel, president of the WBO, is attempting to get the proposed bout, between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto, approved as a welterweight title fight. Paco has asked the WBO's board to place Pacquiao in the number one position for the bout with Cotto, the current WBO champion, and sanction it as a title fight - if the two sides finalize the November 14 showdown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The move to place Pacquiao in the number one spot will raise some issues with some of the other contenders in the rankings, but it really doesn't matter because if Pacquiao wins the crown, it's likely that he will return to 140-pounds and not stick around 147 - unless he decides to defend the title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2010. If Pacquiao wins and then vacates the title, the two highest contenders below him will face off for the vacant belt.

"I made a request to the committee to place Pacquiao in the number one position for the fight for Cotto's title," said Paco to Primera Hora . "I've already spoke with Bob Arum [promoter of Cotto and Pacquiao] and agreed the fight will be for the title."

Gabriel Peñagarícano, the legal advisor for Cotto, spoke to the paper and said the title being at stake is one of the points being negotiated by both sides.

"Miguel's title is part of the negotiations that are still ongoing," Peñagarícano said. "It will be one of the aspects to consider during the fight discussions. [There are people] saying the agreement is signed, that's not true. The only thing we agreed on is the fight being at 145-pounds."

Manny Pacquiao Set To Begin Filiming a New Movie

Uploaded by: RN Halawi


Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will begin filming a new movie titled “Wapakman” this month according to the news on the GMA television network with whom Pacquiao has a contract.

Pacquiao’s co-stars will be two popular sports and entertainment personalities who are part Filipino -WWE star Batista, who accompanied Pacquiao into the ring for his May 2 showdown against Britain’s Ricky “The Hitman” Hatton over whom Pacquiao scored a brutal 2nd round knockout last May 2, and Nicole Szcherinzger of the popular Pussycat Dolls.

According to GMA news Pacquiao will play the role of the hero and Batista, the villain.

The movie will reportedly be similar to Kung Fu Hustle, martial arts comedy that received excellent reviews.

The network quoted Pacquiao as saying shooting of the movie will not interfere with his training schedule in preparation for his next fight which is likely to be against Miguel Cotto on November 17 in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao has made a few movies in the past but none have been a box office success.

Mayweather/Marquez 24/7 Set To Debut on August 29

NEW YORK – With the intriguing showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez rescheduled for Sept. 19 in Las Vegas, HBO Sports’ groundbreaking “24/7” reality franchise, which has captured seven Sports Emmy® Awards, will premiere MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 on SATURDAY, AUG. 29 (10:15-10:45 p.m. ET/PT), it was announced today by Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. The all-new, four-episode, all-access series spotlights a host of intriguing storylines, with Floyd Mayweather, the sport’s most irrepressible superstar, returning after a year-and-a-half absence to face Juan Manuel Marquez, one of boxing’s most accomplished performers, as they prepare for their September pay-per-view showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Noted Greenburg, “Now that the fight has been rescheduled, we are excited to resume production. This latest edition of ‘24/7’ features all the ingredients that we look for in greenlighting the ‘24/7’ franchise: big-time boxing stars, engaging storylines and in Floyd’s case, a larger-than-life personality that is tailor-made for reality television.” Episodes two and three of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 debut on subsequent Saturdays – SEPT. 5 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) and 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m.) – while the finale debuts FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m.), just one night before the fight. All four episodes will have multiple replay dates on HBO, and the series will also be available on HBO On Demand.

MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 will provide exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews, as these determined warriors prepare for their mega-fight. This is Mayweather’s third “24/7” appearance, while Marquez is making his HBO reality series debut. Regarded as the best boxer of his era, the undefeated Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) is back after a brief self-imposed retirement. A training camp injury forced the fight date to be reset to Sept. 19.

Marquez is a dynamic fighter (50-4-1, 37 KOs) from Mexico City who shares at least one thing with his flashy opponent: They’re both willing to fight anybody in the sport, regardless of division. Marquez is moving up from the lightweight ranks to challenge boxing’s most provocative star.

Storylines for this fast-paced series will include the interaction between Mayweather and his uncle/trainer, Roger Mayweather, and Marquez’s rock-solid relationship with his longtime trainer Ignacio Beristain.

MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 is the latest installment of the widely acclaimed “24/7” franchise that began in 2007 on HBO with “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” and “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7.” The series continued in 2008 with “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” and “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7,” and resumed in 2009 with “Pacquiao/Hatton 24/7.”

Newsday.com has observed, “HBO’s 24/7 series is the best sports program on television. Bar none.”

At the 2009 Sports Emmy® Awards, “De La Hoya/Pacquiao 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthologies, while “Calzaghe/Jones 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound. At the 2008 Sports Emmy® Awards, “De La Hoya/Mayweather 24/7” was honored in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Special, while “Mayweather/Hatton 24/7” was honored in the categories of Outstanding Camera Work and Outstanding Writing.

On Saturday, Sept. 19 at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/6:00 p.m. (PT), HBO Pay-Per-View presents “Mayweather vs. Marquez,” live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The executive producers of MAYWEATHER/MARQUEZ 24/7 are Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein; coordinating producer, Dave Harmon. Liev Schreiber narrates.

Juanma vs Gamboa: Top Rank's Big Plan For 2010

Top Rank's Bob Arum has a master plan to slowly build a mega-bout between two of his young stars. Over the next year, Arum plans to build in the direction of a featherweight showdown between undefeated fighters Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa. Lopez is the WBO super bantamweight champion and by the end of the year he plans to rise to the featherweight division, where Gamboa is the WBA's "regular" champion.

Arum told BoxingScene.com's Jose Aguirre that a fight between Gamboa and Lopez can happen as early as the middle of next year.


"A huge fight would be Juan Manuel Lopez against Gamboa. And that is the fight that I'm [going to be] building for maybe a year and a half to two years from now. And that is going to be a monster fight. The biggest fight ever in the featherweight division," Arum said.

After his weekend win over Olivier Lontchi, Juanma spoke with BoxingScene.com's Bill Emes, and said he is in favor of meeting Gamboa once the two of them have built up their names to a certain level.

"Obviously we are both making our names right now. We are rising stars. Once we get up there - I think it will be a great fight together. No question about it, we are both great boxers," Juanma said.

Nonito Donaire Plans To Train at Wild Card For Concepcion

Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire, who still retains his IBF flyweight title after relinquishing his IBO belt, moves up to 115 pounds to battle Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion for the WBA super flyweight interim title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on August 15.

Donaire who has an impressive record of 21-1 with 14 knockouts has been eager to move up in weight since he has a hard time making the flyweight limit while Concepcion who is managed by likeable Damon de Berry of Optimum Sports Agency is comfortable at 115 and has a record of 13-3-1 with 8 knockouts.

Donaire told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports on Monday, Manila Time, that he is “a little bit happy” that he is fighting Concepcion as a super flyweight but indicated he would be happier if he could move up and fight as a bantamweight.

Donaire said he has begun training in terms of physical conditioning by running and working out at the Undisputed Gym in San Carlos, Los Angeles but plans to train at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach as well as in San Diego. Donaire indicated he would engage “bigger guys who can take punishment” such as featherweights who can also get back at him and make him work hard in sparring because fighters of his weight can't handle his power.

He said that Jonathan Penalosa, the brother of former two-division world champions Dodie Boy and Gerry Penalosa is with him and would be part of his team. The Penalosa brothers trained Donaire for his last IBF flyweight title defense where he dropped previously undefeated Raul “Cobra” Martinez ( 24-0, 14 KO's) four times en route to a 4th round TKO in an overpowering performance at the Araneta Coliseum last April 19.

Donaire said he was getting an undefeated Mexican featherweight with a 12-0 record to be one of his sparring partners but couldn’t recall his name. Donaire said he presently weighs around 130 pounds and believes that some day it would be “a great honor” if he could develop into a fighter like the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and move up to junior lightweight.

After watching tapes of a couple of Elorde fights, the 26 year old Donaire duplicated his moves by switching to a southpaw stance briefly in his fight against Martinez and continues to develop what he picked up from watching how Elorde moved, slipped punches and protected himself.

Donaire said he had see only a few seconds of a Concepcion tape but knows that the Panamanian who stunned AJ “Bazooka” Banal with a 10th round knockout in Cebu last year was tough and he won’t take anything for granted.

Donaire said that his training was coming along well. “So far, so good” he added.

The 27 year old Concepcion had earlier been scheduled to clash with undefeated Filipino Drian Francisco (17-0-1, 13 KO’s) last July but the fight was postponed allegedly due to a request from the Philippine Department of Health for a delay because of the so-called swine flu epidemic. Francisco is now scheduled to fight on September 6 and although Concepcion is listed as the opponent, that fight will not happen.

Concepcion's Handler Comments on Donaire, Anuran

The handlers of Panama’s world –rated super flyweight Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion say that they have no contract to fight IBF flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire as yet.

Damon de Berry-of Optimum Sports Agency told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports “as of this time we do not have a contract to fight Donaire.”

At the same time De Berry said he wished to comment on a story in boxingscene.com which claimed that Concepcion “opted to breach his contract when he signed a deal “ that will put him against Donaire for the WBA interim super flyweight title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on August 15.

Concepcion had been scheduled to fight undefeated Filipino Drian Francisco on July 26 at the Cuneta Astrodome but the fight was postponed to September 6 allegedly because of the threat of the A (HINI) virus.

Solar Sports CEO Peter Chanliong told us that their partner Elmer Anuran, who is the handler of Francisco, had claimed the Department of Health had requested the postponement because of the swine flu problem.

Anuran was reported to have considered taking legal action against Concepcion for signing a contract with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum when he had what Anuran regarded as a legally binding agreement to fight Concepcion .

However, de Berry made it clear to us that “after the postponement I did not sign a new contract and I let Elmer (Anuran) Know that I was going to explore our options” having earlier indicated that Concepcion had been training and was ready to fight on the original July date and could not wait until September to fight.

Anuran was quoted as saying he had already booked Concepcion’s team for round-trip flights and had spent so much money for publicity as well as print and broadcast promotions and that if Donaire was not a Filipino and Top Rank had not talked it over with him he may have pursued his legal rights.

Anuran was also quoted as saying that he let him go after WBA’s Gilberto Mendoza, the Top Rank people and De Berry had spoken to him last Wednesday.

In response de Berry said “I don’t know how he (Anuran) has all of a sudden purchased tickets for the team as he doesn’t have any names and had asked me to look at tickets.”

De Berry conceded that he understands the Filipino handler’s disappointment over the fact that they were not gong through with the Francisco bout but pointed out that “the date was changed and other opportunities are out there. Rafael ( Concepcion ) needs to fight and it is my job as his manager to search for the best opportunities for him.”

Francisco’s handlers are now reportedly looking for a replacement for Concepcion for their September fight card.

Arum Thinks Juan Manuel Lopez is the New Star

Bob Arum has promoted a multitude of of mega-events and superfights in his 40 plus years in boxing, and he promises to continue doing so. But in order to have a mega-event a fighter first needs to be nurtured and developed. This weekend Arum is promoting “Latin Fury 9” a pay-per-view event that will take place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

The centerpiece of the show will be Arum's new jewel, 25-year-old Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez, who will defend his WBO 122-pound title against Olivier Lontchi.

Arum is of the opinion that Lopez (25-0, 23KOs) will be the next big thing in boxing. But first, “Juanma” as he has come to be known, has to get by the undefeated Lontchi (18-0-2, 8KOs) who was born in Cameroon but now resides in Montreal and is known as the “Canadian champion.”

“Puerto Rico has produced so many great champions,” Arum said earlier this week. “The list is endless, but of course there is the great Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, “Tito” Trinidad and just last week you saw such a tremendously gutty performance in Madison Square Garden from Miguel Cotto. Now we've got Juan Manuel Lopez.”

Arum, 77, who has been around long enough to have promoted Muhammad Ali, is of the opinion that he will be able to build the young Lopez into another in the long line of his major attractions.

“I've got another one here now,” said Arum of Lopez. “He comes from the same town as Miguel Cotto – Caguas, Puerto Rico – and now he's the new star on the horizon out of Puerto Rico. His people really love him and it's almost like magic.”

Arum is of the opinion, that in the years to come, Lopez will be as big an attraction as Cotto is now. One of the ideas mentioned by the tireless promoter is to eventually put Lopez into the main event at Madison Square Garden on the eve of New York City's annual Puerto Rican Day parade. It's a spot thought to be exclusively reserved for Cotto, but Arum, ever the fistic visionary, one day sees that as a night that may instead be reserved for Lopez.

“As you know, we have a commitment to bring a major fight to the Garden the night before the big parade,” said Arum. “Now we have another great Puerto Rican star who will be able to fill the Garden like Miguel did. I'm very excited because this kid has everything. He's a boxer, he's a puncher and he's a nice, nice young man. He's a great family man and he represents all of us proud to be in boxing.”

Arum has had Lopez appear twice in “The World's Most Famous Arena” and both times it was on the undercard of Cotto fights on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Lopez is an exciting fighter with a good punch and no opponent has been able to last the distance with him in over three years

“Puerto Ricans adore this kid,” says Arum. “And now we have another really great Puerto Rican star.”

Latin Fury 9 Final Press Conference

Watch the Final Press Conference of Latin Fury 9 that will happen this Sunday @ 10AM Philippine Time live here on Onepunch Sports.

Manny, not Cotto, will dictate terms, weight

Article by: Abac Cordero, PHILSTAR.COM

MANILA, Philippines - It’s Manny Pacquiao, and not Miguel Cotto, who should dictate the terms of their projected showdown later this year.

“It’s up to Pacman,” said lawyer Franklin Gacal yesterday amid reports that trainer Freddie Roach has agreed to 145 lb as the catchweight for the anticipated showdown in Las Vegas.

Gacal said a couple of days ago that they want Cotto, the WBO welterweight champion, to go down to 142 or 143 lb for the fight, scheduled Oct. 17 at the MGM, to happen.

Roach said the other day he’s fine with 145 lb, adding that he doesn’t even care of the Puerto Rican champion who hasn’t fought under 145 in his last eight fights, weighs as much as 200 lb.

Gacal said with due respect to Roach, whatever the three-time Trainer of the Year said is not the boxer’s official stand on the weighty issue.

Pacquiao’s legal adviser said it’s Pacquiao who will have the final say even if the reigning pound-for-pound champion said last Monday he’d fight Cotto at any weight they agree on.

“Kahit ano (Whatever),” he said repeatedly. Then he retracted by saying everything is being discussed right now, including the purse split which could go 70/30 or 65/35 in Pacquiao’s favor.

Cotto, at 28 two years younger than Pacquiao, said he can’t go lower than 145 lb just to face the Filipino icon and stake his 147 lb crown, which he barely defended against Josh Clottey.

“Cotto will have the upperhand if he gets the 145. He’s younger, he’s bigger and he’s a natural welterweight,” said Gacal, adding that Pacquiao has only fought once over 145.

“Manny should be the one dictating the terms. Otherwise, it’s crazy,” said the lawyer.

Pacquiao said he wants to fight on Oct. 17 as previously announced, and not on Nov. 14 as promoter Bob Arum wants, citing the World Series in October as the main reason for the change.

Klitschko's Manager Denies Any Valuev Fight Deal

Bernd Bonte, manager for WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko has denied any deal being reached, or any potential plans to fight WBA heavyweight champion Nikolai Valuev in the fall. He said the fight has potential to take place in 2010, but not at any point in 2009. The two fighters spoke on the phone and some comments from both had appeared in several international newspapers. Promoter Wilfried Sauerland, sent out a press release advising the media that Valuev was ready to move forward with the fight.

Bonte said it won't happen this year.

"We currently have no interest in a fight with Valuev - neither Vitali or Wladimir [has any interest]. Sauerland negotiates through the media, and always with himself," Bonte said to RTL. "Both Klitschko brothers want their next fights to be against other opponents. Perhaps next year the fight is a possibility."

Vitali Klitschko is looking at bouts with David Haye and Chris Arreola, while Wladimir will make his IBF mandatory against Alexander Povetkin.