Diaz-Malignaggi II on December 12th

By Eric Thomas: We very likely could be seeing a rematch between Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi on December 12th, according to the latest boxing news. Contracts have reportedly been sent out for the fight. The bout will either take place in Las Vegas or Chicago, not in Diaz’s home town of Houston, Texas, where their previous controversial fight took place.

In that fight, Diaz won it by a 12 round unanimous decision with two judges scoring it closely and the third giving it to Diaz by a lopsided margin. Malignaggi, who appeared to win the fight by at least two rounds, was infuriated after the bout, complaining that he had been robbed by a bad decision. Diaz, however, felt that he had done more than enough to win the fight and naturally felt quite good about the decision that was handed down by the judges.

Malignaggi’s promoter has been trying to put together a rematch since then, but it’s been slow going because Diaz was looking to go in another direction, wanting to fight Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez. Diaz wants to fight Hatton, but the chances of Ricky deciding to fight Diaz of all opponents would seem very remote at best. Hatton obviously had better options available to him and doesn’t need to fight Diaz, a fighter who stopped by Marquez earlier this year in the 9th round and was also defeated by Nate Campbell last year.

It seems pretty clear that Malignaggi is Diaz’s best option, mainly because HBO is interested in showing the fight and boxing fans are somewhat interested in watching the bout. I say somewhat because this isn’t a championship bout, lets be clear on that. Malignaggi is a good light welterweight, but he’s far from being the best in the division.

That title probably would go to Timothy Bradley. And there are a number of other light welterweights besides Bradley that are better fighters than Malignaggi. Diaz really doesn’t have a place in the light welterweight division because he appears to be too small and not powerful enough to beat the better fighters like Marcos Maidana, Kendall Holt, Ricardo Torres and Victor Ortiz. Even at lightweight, Diaz might not be a championship caliber fighter anymore.

The top guys at that weight class are Marquez, Ali Funeka and Edwin Valero, all of whom would likely beat Diaz if they were to fight. So a fight between Diaz and Malignaggi is more of a kind of a spectacle rather than a fight between future champions.

Diaz might be able to be a champion again if he moves back down and fights strictly lightweights. But if he stays at light welterweight, he’s going to get beaten up again and again by the bigger, stronger fighters in the division. Diaz is a good fighter, talented enough to beat fighters like Michael Katsidis, but not good enough obviously to beat Marquez and Campbell. Diaz would probably have big problems with Valero as well due to his power.

Arum wants Mosley, not Mayweather

source: philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - Unless Floyd Mayweather comes to his senses, Bob Arum would rather see himself promoting a fight between Shane Mosley against the winner of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown on Nov. 14.

Arum, the maker of great fights, has described Mayweather, who insists that he’s still the best out there after coming out of a long retirement to beat a smaller Juan Manuel Marquez, as “delusional.”

He said Mayweather can’t even beat Mosley, Cotto or Pacquiao, and the undefeated ex-pound-for-pound champion is out of his mind to think of getting 60 percent of the purse if he gets to fight the Filipino superstar.

Arum, who was in the Philippines last week to take a glimpse of Pacquiao’s training in Baguio City, told Boxing Scene that Mayweather should fight Mosley, but since the flamboyant American won’t do that, then he better stay on the sideline.

A separate article that came out of SportingNews.com said Arum would “strongly encourage” the winner between Pacquiao and Cotto to fight Mosley instead for a unification of the WBA and WBO welterweight titles.

It was reported recently that the purse split between Pacquiao and Mayweather will keep the fight from happening because neither fighter would settle for anything less than a 50-50 split.

“If I start hearing 60-40 (from Mayweather) that just tells me to hang up and move on to the next guy,” Arum was quoted as saying.

“I think Cotto probably beats Mayweather. I think Manny probably beats Mayweather and I think Mosley beats Mayweather.”

Pacquiao, meanwhile, slugged it out for another six rounds with his sparring mates in Baguio City, raising the total number of rounds to 24 after five sparring days.

Pacquiao has been working out with American Shawn Porter and Mexican Urbano Antillon as he continues to await the arrival of another sparring partner in Jose Luis Castillo.

Castillo, the former WBC lightweight champion who has fought great fights against the late Diego Corrales and Mayweather, was supposed to arrive last Tuesday but until yesterday he was out of the radar.

'Boom Boom' clears the air

source: philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines - After nearly a year’s layoff, once world-rated Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is out for redemption and the first obstacle in his climb back to prominence is Indonesia’s Marangin (Dinamita) Marbun whom he faces in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant interim WBC International featherweight crown at the Waterfront Hotel ballroom in Cebu City on Oct. 16.

It remains to be seen if Bautista, 23, will be hampered by the ring rust resulting from an 11-month hiatus. Last February, he underwent surgery to repair the fractured scaphoid – the bone of the thumb side of the carpus that is the largest in the proximal row – in his left hand. The operation was performed by orthopaedic hand surgeon Dr. Tammy de los Reyes at the Manila Doctors Hospital.

In contrast, Marbun has been extraordinarily active, engaging in five fights this year. He is unbeaten in his last eight outings and has a record of 19-5-1, with seven KOs. Of his five defeats, only one came inside the distance when he lost to Duangpetch Saengmorakot in the sixth round in Surat Thani, Thailand, two years ago.

Marbun, 24, is determined to make good in his third Philippine assignment. He previously lost to Glenn Porras in Kidapawan and Ciso Morales in Tubod, both on points.

ALA Gym owner Antonio Aldeguer told The STAR yesterday Bautista is ready to barge back into the world ratings after losing an eight-round decision to Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz in Las Vegas last November. The loss snapped a streak of three straight wins that followed his first-round knockout setback to Daniel Ponce de Leon in a WBO superbantamweight title bout in 2007.

“After one or two recovery fights, Boom Boom wants a rematch with Ruiz then he’ll go after his old nemesis Ponce de Leon,” said Aldeguer.

More than just beating Marbun, Aldeguer said Bautista wants to clear the air on the status of his career, which critics are saying has reached an ebb.

Aldeguer said Bautista suffered a career-threatening injury in his left hand while sparring with Gerry Peñalosa at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles two years ago.

“Boom Boom was already having pains in his left hand when he fought Ponce de Leon but he never told us for fear of having the fight cancelled,” revealed Aldeguer. “He continued to keep it a secret – again for fear that people might say he was using the injury as an alibi for his first round knockout loss to de Leon.”

Aldeguer said Bautista fought with pain in his next three fights against Antonio Meza, Genaro Camargo and Eden Marquez – whom he beat. “On several occasions during sparring, his trainer noticed that Boom Boom would rarely jab or hardly use his left hand,” related Aldeguer. “An X-ray was then taken of his wrist and the initial finding was just a slight sprain and a pain killer (Arcoxia) was given to ease the swelling and the pain. It worked temporarily but the pain got back and it was worse when he last fought and lost to Ruiz.”

Aldeguer said a series of X-Rays and thorough examination confirmed the non-union of the fractured scahoid. The surgery involved a bone graft and inserting a screw in the left wrist. “It was an agonizing experience for Boom Boom since there was no assurance he could fight again – until a final assessment six months after the operation,” continued Aldeguer.

Last August, Dr. de los Reyes cleared Bautista to resume training but said if the pain recurred, another surgery may be necessary. X-Rays and CT-scans showed a clean repair job. In training, Bautista has felt no pain and doctors attributed it to his dedication in undergoing five months of daily therapy. Aldeguer said the smooth sailing in training camp has given Bautista renewed confidence.

“This only proves how determined he is to get back to his old form and it’s not to gain sympathy,” stressed Aldeguer. “It’s going to be a hard and long way back to gaining his former stature but Boom Boom is going to make it at all costs.”

Bautista was initially pencilled to take on WBC International featherweight titlist Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit but the Thai was injured in training and was replaced by Marbun who was described by Indonesian matchmaker Temuzin Rambing as a credible opponent.

Bautista’s biggest win so far was a 12-round decision over Argentina’s Sergio Medina in Las Vegas in 2007. He floored Medina in the sixth round and survived a standing eight-count in the 11th to carve out a hard-earned win on points. It was Bautista’s sixth victory on US soil.

Bautista was once ranked No. 1 in the superbantamweight honor roll but because of inactivity, his name no longer appears in the ratings of any world governing body. It’ll be an uphill battle for recognition by Bautista whose record is 26-2, with 19 KOs but Aldeguer said the mission is possible. The first step is to win convincingly over Marbun.

Is Mayweather running scared of Mosley?

By Chris Williams: If it’s already not obvious to all, Floyd Mayweather Jr. seems entirely disinterested in fighting Shane Mosley right now – and possibly forever – if one were to read the tea leaves from Mayweather’s comments made about Mosley, in which Mayweather said “I wish him [Mosley] nothing but the best in his career.”

And that’s a real tragedy if Mayweather chooses not to fight Mosley. I can understand Mayweather’s interest in a fight with Manny Pacquiao, because that is the biggest fight that can be made right now in boxing, but in the absence of that fight, the Mosley-Mayweather fight is the biggest one that can be made.

If there is someone besides Mosley and Pacquiao that Mayweather could be fighting, I’d like to know. Miguel Cotto obviously would be an option, but not if he ends up getting drilled into the canvas next month against Pacquiao. I shudder at the thought of Mayweather choosing a beaten up Cotto to fight, and I doubt that the boxing public would have much interest in seeing Mayweather fight Cotto if Miguel ends up getting taken out by Pacquiao on November 14th.

My real point is, if Mayweather is selecting for fighters that are beneath the talent of Mosley, is that an indication that Mayweather is afraid of Mosley and avoiding him? It’s hard not to see it that way if Mayweather continues to fight smaller fighters in the size of Juan Manuel Marquez.

I know Mayweather’s choice of Marquez is now seen as a genius move by Mayweather because of the large Mexican fan base that purchased the fight on pay-per-view, but there isn’t a lot of popular Hispanic fighters within the grasp of Mayweather unless he wants to dive down to the super featherweight division and try to grab Humberto Soto as an opponent.

At this point, I really wouldn’t put it past Mayweather, but I don’t think that Marquez was chosen because they thought he was going to make for a bigger fight than Mosley. I think they saw it as an easier fight than Mosley, one in which they could get a decent payday against and also serve the purpose of setting up a comparison between Mayweather and Pacquiao’s performances against Marquez.

Mayweather screwed it up by not coming in at the agreed upon catch weight, though, and ended up being heavier than Marquez at 146 to 142. We’re not precisely sure how much heavier Mayweather was the night of the fight because he didn’t let himself get weighed.

If Mayweather goes ahead and continues to fight other fighters in the lower weight classes instead of someone like Shane Mosley, it’s going to give the impression that Mayweather is ducking Mosley. Even if Mayweather says that Mosley turned him down in the past, and essentially blew his chance, I doubt that boxing fans will be paying much attention to this.

They’ll see what I see. A fighter picking from opponents in weight classes beneath him. Mayweather already fought Ricky Hatton and Marquez, both below him weight and now Mayweather is looking to fight Pacquiao, also smaller than him. It would be a breath of fresh air if Mayweather fought at least someone his own size or bigger, but I’m not holding my breath on that happening during the remainder of Mayweather’s career. It may be that this is what we’ll be seeing from Mayweather from now on.

Manny Pacquiao’s Legacy

By Samuel James: Manny Pacquiao’s Nov. 14 dethronement of Miguel Cotto of his WBO Welterweight title will not put a stop to his adventurism in scaling the weights. The Pacman has lots of interests outside the ring–like sports (basketball, golf, chess, billiards, darts), acting, music and politics. But all of his other interests have no historical significance. Boxing has brought him fame and fortune and his number one interest so that a win or loss against Cotto will only inspire him to go on.

The like of Duran, Foreman, Hopkins and Mosley who proved that fighting can still be competitive at “above age” can make Pacquiao continue his boxing career because by nature he is a fighter.

Pacman has bounced back from 3 losses in his career and became a better boxer and I don’t see him quit easily whatever kind of loss awaits him on Nov. 14.

He came, saw and conquered the boxing arena in astonishing fashion that a lot of boxing pundits and experts proven wrong by breezing across opponents who were all previously taunted as too big or too strong for him.

With these in mind, I’m looking past the Cotto-Pacquiao fight whatever will be the result but rather delve of his possible future bouts.

1. Pacquiao vs Mayweather

Will happen only if Paquiao loses to Cotto because Mayweather will not be fighting Cotto who is a natural Welterweight and obviously bigger and stronger than him. If Cotto handles Pacquiao, then there will be enough confidence for him to beat Mayweather. A Pacquiao loss will open the gate for Mayweather fight because the purse split could be easier to resolve and Mayweather will surely agree to it because Pacquiao is the small man and also a blockbuster since it will be an interesting fight between phenomenal aggressive and defensive fighter.

2. Pacquiao vs Jesus Chaves Jr.

Pacman versus Chavez Jr. may happen once Chavez gets a title and Pacquiao wins over Cotto. Pacquiao’s motivation will be for his 8th division world title which may never be duplicated and establish him as the best boxer who ever lived. I see no possibility of trilogy with Marquez or rematch with Hatton or a fight with Amir Khan or Valero.

Pacquiao is being dragged into Politics to boost the stock of the very unpopular government of his native country, the Philippines. The way politics is going on in the Philippines, it is a bad decision for Pacquiao’s career. Filipinos want him to fight in the ring rather than dip his prized hands in the dirty arena of politics; besides Pacquio is too humble and down-to-earth person to dip into politics. If he loses for his quest for congressional seat at Saranggani Province, I’m sure he’ll stay at boxing and more focused.

Sonsona to defend title vs ex-Latino champ

source GMANEWS.TV

Youthful Marvin Sonsona will return to the Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada – the site of his career-making conquest – on Nov. 21 (Nov. 22 in Manila) to defend his World Boxing Organization super flyweight title.

The 19-year-old Sonsona will stake his 115-lb belt against Alejandro “Payasito" Hernandez of Mexico, a former WBO Latino flyweight champion, PhilBoxing.com reported Wednesday.

This will be the Filipino teener’s first defense of the crown that we won via a knockdown-aided unanimous decision over veteran warrior Jose “Carita" Lopez of Puerto Rico (114-11, 115-110 and 116-109) last Sept. 4 at the same Canadian venue.

Regarded as “the next Manny Pacquiao," undefeated Sonsona (14-0, 12 KOs) is installed as the favorite against Hernandez (22-7, 11 KOs), the 23-year-old Mexican challenger having come from a failed bid to win the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) flyweight crown in Mexico last September.

Hernandez’s biggest achievement to date was his ascension to the WBO Latino flyweight throne after a 12-round victory on points over Jonathan Perez on Feb 16, 2007. However, he yielded the crown 10 months later after dropping a decision to Carlos Tamara.

Sonsona’s first title defense will take place a week after fellow General Santos City native Pacquiao’s anticipated “Firepower" showdown with WBO welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico over in Las Vegas.

Sonsona and pound-for-pound king Pacquiao, the reigning IBO and Ring Magazine light welterweight boss, belong to the elite list of Filipino world boxing champions.

In their company are WBA interim super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr., IBF light-flyweight champion Brian Viloria, WBO minimumweight kingpin Donnie Nietes and IBA female super bantamweight queen Ana Julaton.

Nietes, according to PhilBoxing.com, is being eyed for a title defense against yet another Mexican rival on Dec. 5 in Manila in a card that might also feature Fil-Am champs Viloria and Julaton. - GMANews.TV

Mayweather vs Pacquiao Eyed For March 13, 2010?

By Mark Vester

Top Rank's Bob Arum told the Manila Bulletin on Monday that Manny Pacquiao's 2010 debut would fall in the second week of March. The working date of March 13 is being tossed around. Arum warned that Pacquiao, and everyone else, should not look past the November 14 clash with WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

If Pacquiao is able to beat Cotto, Arum told the paper that he plans to begin negotiations with Mayweather's camp. If Arum is unable to reach a deal within a few weeks, he plans to find another opponent for Pacquiao. The negotiations are going to be very tough. Both Pacquiao and Mayweather have taken a hard line with the money. Both are asking for a bulk of the money. Both of them have refused a 50-50 split.

David Tua Destroys Shane Cameron in Two Rounds

By Mark Vester

After several years of trash talk and multiple postponements, the New Zealand "fight of the century" was held at the Mystery Creek Events Centre. In his first fight in over two years, heavyweight David Tua (50-3, 43KOs) returned to the ring and crushed his hometown rival Shane Cameron (23-2, 20KOs) in two rounds.

Some were afraid the fight might turn into a mismatch, and that's exactly what they got. Tua came out with a fury in the first round, hurting Cameron with a hook and dropping him twice before the round was over. Cameron was saved by the bell but he never recovered. Tua jumped on him with an arsenal of punches in the second round to force the stoppage.

Tua was in shape and looked like the Tua of old. He wants a title shot in 2010.

Nonito Donaire Joins Pacquiao To Help "Ondoy" Victims

By Mark Vester

WBA interim-super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire has come to the aid of victims who were affected by tropical storm “Ondoy." He joins the efforts of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao. Donaire has donated a cash prize of P1-million to the victims of the storm.

He recently received the prize from Philippines' President Arroyo for the title winning effort over Rafael Concepcion of Panama. He received consent on Thursday to donate the entire amount. Donaire wants to start a housing project for the thousands of victims who were left homeless.

"They have to rebuild," Donaire told GMA News.

Donaire plans to work with the AHON Foundaation and the GMA Artist Center to effectively use the money in the best way possible. Pacquiao has also donated P1-million. Manny plans to take a break from his Baguio City training camp, where he prepares for the November bout with Miguel Cotto, to personally distribute relief goods to victims in Manila

Roger Mayweather Has an Arrest Warrant Issued

By Mark Vester

An arrest warrant has been issued for trainer Roger Mayweather. The trainer failed to appear in a Las Vegas court on Friday to face battery and coercion charges. No legal counsel appeared on Mayweather's behalf.

The charges stem from Mayweather's August assault on female boxer Melissa St. Vil. Mayweather was the former trainer of St. Vil and the two had a falling out. He showed up at an apartment [he owned and was renting out] and found St. Vil staying there. When he tried to physically remove her, she defended herself and a violent brawl broke out. When police arrived on the scene, St. Vil was being choked and spitting up blood. She told police that Mayweather harassed her after she ended the training arrangement with him.

Ivan Calderon Willing To Accept Ulises Solis' Call

WBO junior flyweight champion Ivan Calderon is ready and willing to answer the challenge of former IBF champion Ulises Solis of Mexico. Calderon vs. Solis was a hardcore fan's dream but Solis was never interested in making the fight. In April, Solis was upset by Brian Viloria via knockout. After suffering his first loss since 2004, he returned on September 15 to dominate Dirceu Cabarca over eight. Now he wants a crack at Calderon.

Calderon is still recovering from the bad cut he suffered in September's technical decision win over Rodel Mayol. Calderon plans to visit a plastic surgeon to get a better on when he is able to return to the ring.

"The twists that you are given in this world. Now Ulises is the one who wants to fight me. I am willing to fight him if there is good money. I'm not afraid, "said Calderon to Primera Hora. "I will visit the plastic surgeon this week to check the cut and then I will know what I'm going to do. Depending on that, then I will know when I plan to fight again, either with Ulises or whoever."

Weights: David Tua 237.7, Shane Cameron 228.2

New Zealand heavyweights David Tua (53-3, 49KOs) and Shane Cameron (24-1, 20KOs) have officially weighed in for their Saturday showdown at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand.

In what will be his first fight in over two years, Tua tipped the scales at 237.7. He was rumored to have been close to 300 pounds prior to entering training camp and surprised a lot of people with his weigh-in number. Cameron weighed-in at 228.2.

The fight is being billed as the biggest bout in New Zealand boxing history. Tua and Cameron have been rivals for the last few years. The winner has been promised a title shot at some point in 2010.