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Showing posts with label Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Fight. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dela Hoya-Pacquiao Fight. Show all posts

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Report: Pacquiao, Hatton sides hope deal settled before year ends

MANILA, Philippines – The promoters of Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton stressed that a match pitting their fighters is close to being finalized, ESPN.com reported on Saturday.

Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc., Pacquiao's promoter, told ESPN.com writer Dan Rafael that he is "upbeat" about developments.

"I think we're there. We're just mopping up little details."

Richard Schaefer of Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Hatton, echoed the optimism.

"I talked to Ray Hatton [Ricky's father] and my hope is that we can finalize everything before the end of the year. I feel pretty good about it."

A May 2 date is being eyed, both promoters said. Although Las Vegas is seen as the host city, a specific venue has yet to be named.

Pacquiao, who is on track to be named 2008's Fighter of the Year, will be fighting in his fourth weight division in as many matches.

If Pacquiao takes on Hatton, the catch weight will be at junior welterweight (140 lbs), Hatton's domain.

Pacquiao fought at 132 lbs last April, 135 in June and 147 earlier this month when he blasted Oscar de la Hoya.

Pacquiao is currently the world lightweight (135lb) champion, while Hatton is the reigning 140lb world champion. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140558/Report-Pacquiao-Hatton-sides-hope-deal-settled-before-year-ends

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Thursday, December 18, 2008

Promoter: Pacquiao fight vs Hatton nearly finished

SAN FRANCISCO — Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton are close to finalizing a deal to meet in a 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) bout on May 2, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer told The Associated Press on Thursday.

The proposed fight, likely to be held in Las Vegas, would match boxing's unofficial pound-for-pound champion against one of the world's most popular brawlers, assuredly generating huge paydays for both fighters.

"I'm encouraged by the way it's going, and I'm talking to the Hattons (on Friday) again," Schaefer said. "You really have two of the most popular fighters of their generation fighting each other, and that's the kind of fight we want to make."

Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) seems to be at the peak of his skills and international fame after stopping Oscar De La Hoya in their long-anticipated bout on Dec. 6. The Filipino star had never fought above 135 pounds (61 kilograms), but he moved up two weight classes to batter De La Hoya, who didn't get off his stool after the eighth round.

He would move back down one weight class to face Hatton (45-1, 32 KOs), the hard-living English star who won his last bout against Paulie Malignaggi on Nov. 22, defending his 140-pound (63.5-kilogram) title. Hatton won twice this year after the only loss of his career, to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December 2007.

Schaefer said the sides are still negotiating the fight's location, but he would like to see it in boxing's capital city.

"This is a fight with tremendous global appeal, and both of them have built up a very strong following here," Schaefer said. "With Manny's following in Asia and Ricky's support in Europe, you could say Las Vegas is the center of everything."

Golden Boy has a promotional deal with Hatton. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Pacquiao, was traveling back from the Philippines on Thursday after celebrating Pacquiao's title.

Schaefer also will soon make a formal announcement of a Feb. 28 bout in Houston between Juan Manuel Marquez and Juan Diaz.

Marquez (49-4-1, 36 KOs), the Mexican star who has been Pacquiao's toughest opponent in recent years, won his lightweight debut in late September, stopping Cuba's Joel Casamayor.

Diaz (34-1, 17 KOs), a longtime lightweight champion, won his comeback fight against Australia's Michael Katsidis in September after losing his three 135-pound (61-kilogram) title belts last March to Nate Campbell. - AP

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140244/Promoter-Pacquiao-fight-vs-Hatton-nearly-finished

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Roach wants ‘De la Hoya-level training’ for Pacquiao vs Hatton

MANILA, Philippines – If Manny Pacquiao’s projected showdown with Ricky Hatton finally gets the green light, trainer Freddie Roach wants his boy to undergo the same regimen as he did when he trained for Oscar de la Hoya.

“I want him to be there (Wild Card gym) first week of March," said Roach, stressing that the length of training should just be fine for Pacquiao in a proposed but yet-to-be-finalized May 2 play date with the Hitman in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao prepared for more than two months for his fight against De la Hoya, a match that ended in a stunning eight-round technical knockout win for Pacquiao.

That Roach wants his most prized ward to mimic his preparation time with De la Hoya for Hatton is well-founded.

“Hatton’s a very good body puncher and is very dangerous," he admitted.

A former junior lightweight champion, the noted puncher from Manchester, England packs an impressive win-loss record of 45-1, 32 of which came by way of knockout.

His relentless style and vicious punching makes him “tailor-made" for Pacquiao, according to the two-time Trainer of the Year.

“Manny should stay away from the ropes when he fights Hatton," said Roach.

Along with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, the celebrated trainer arrived in the country Tuesday to join the lavish celebration of Pacquiao’s 30th birthday. The two left for Los Angeles Thursday night via Philippine Airlines. – GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140209/Roach-wants-De-la-Hoya-level-training-for-Pacquiao-vs-Hatton

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Hatton lawyer: Pacquiao camp was never in touch

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao is fighting Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas.

The only problem is Hatton doesn't know about that yet.

Hatton's lawyer admitted in a BBC Sport report on Wednesday that the English boxer's camp hasn't even began talking to Pacquiao's people yet.

Bob Arum, whose Top Rank Inc. promotes Pacquiao, has said recently that he has been in negotiations with Team Hatton.

"We're in negotiations with the (Ricky) Hatton people and I’ll leave it at that," Arum said in a separate report.

Gareth Williams told BBC Sport that no such negotiations have transpired.

"He's [Arum] not talked to us at all," Hatton's lawyer said. "We're happy to fight Pacquiao but it has to be on our terms."

Arum said that he is looking at a May 2 date for a Pacquiao-Hatton tiff and will most likely hold it in Las Vegas, not in London where Hatton is based.

Williams denied anything close to being formalized.

"We won't be bullied. We've had no contact whatsoever with him. That is the fight we want to make but we've got other options, we will do what is best for us." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/140079/Hatton-lawyer-Pacquiao-camp-was-never-in-touch

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British paper names Pacquiao as world’s top fighter

MANILA, Philippines – A British newspaper has named Manny Pacquiao as the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, beating nine other boxers and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters.

To shed light on the issue, The Sun compiled a list of who they think deserve to be called “Top 10 fighters."

Pacquiao beat the already retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Anderson Silva, who is still undefeated and the reigning middleweight champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in a poll made by The Sun from both boxing and MMA fans.

Pacquiao earned the status after an eight-round demolition of Oscar De La Hoya in their “Dream Match" last December 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He forced the Golden Boy to call it quits as the ninth round is about to start.

The Filipino boxing icon, who is celebrating his 30th birthday Wednesday, has only lost three times in his 53 fights where he won 48 times with 36 by way of knock out. He was twice held to a draw by Juan Manuel Marquez and Agapito Sanchez.

Mayweather, who is aiming to come out of retirement to fight Pacquiao, placed second while Silva placed third. BJ Penn, another MMA fighter who was the first non-Brazilian gold medalist in the Mundial World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championship came in fourth.

Marquez placed fifth and is challenging Pacquiao for a rematch after losing by split decision in their fight last March.

Rounding up the Top 10 pound-for-pound list are UFC’s Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (no.6) and Georges St. Pierre (no.7), light heavyweight Ring champion Joe Calzaghe (no.8), reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Antonio Margarito (no.9) and World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight champion Miguel Torres.

Meanwhile, the World Boxing Council (WBC) – one of the largest boxing organizations in the world – also gave Pacquiao a grand recognition by naming him as “World Boxer of the Year."

A separate online survey made by ESPN Sports also showed Pacquiao as the fourth most favorite sports hero.

Pacquiao, in an interview with 24Oras, and his promoter Bob Arum were elated by the results. The ring icon, however, humbly said he does not want such recognition to get into his head. “Ayokong isipin yan, pasalamatan natin lagi ang Panginoon dahil sa kanya lahat ito (I don’t want to think about it. Let us just thank the Lord because these are all his)." – With Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/139938/British-paper-names-Pacquiao-as-world%E2%80%99s-top-fighter

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Pacquiao sheds tears in his thanksgiving Mass

MANILA, Philippines — The world’s pound-for-pound king Emmanuel “Manny" Pacquiao on Wednesday shed tears upon hearing that God heard his prayers during a thanksgiving Mass held for his 30th birthday.

QTV’s Balitanghali’s JP Soriano reported that Pacquiao was unable to hold back his tears when the priest celebrating the Mass explained in his homily how Pacquiao’s victory made him cry.

“Pinipigilan kong maiyak. Naiyak ako kanina kasi totoo ‘yung mga sabi ng pari na hindi dahil sa magaling ako, nanalo ako hindi dahil sa masipag akong mag ensayo, nanalo ako dahil napakinggan ng mahal ng Panginoon yung dasal ko (I was trying to hold back my tears from falling. I cried because what the priest said was true. I did not win because I am a great fighter, not because I train hard. I won because God always listens to my prayer)," Pacquiao said after the Mass.

The prelate also thanked him for the honor he brought to the country.

The Mass was held at Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish in Pacquiao’s hometown in General Santos City. During the Mass, he was accompanied by his mother - Aling Dionisia - and his supporters and well-wishers.

Right after the Mass, Pacquiao proceeded to Malungon, Sarangani to join his relatives and friends for lunch.

The report also said that it was "all systems" go for the grand birthday celebration Pacquiao.

The party would be held Wednesday evening at the convention center of KCC Mall – the largest in General Santos City.

About 1,500 people including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Top Rank Promotions chief executive officer Bob Arum are expected to attend his “strictly invitational" Las Vegas themed birthday bash.

Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach and his defeated opponents Marco Antonio Barrera and David Diaz were also reportedly attending the celebration.

The Filipino boxing icon recently routed Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya in their much-touted "Dream Match" in Las Vegas last December 6. Dela Hoya was reportedly invited to the birthday party but could not make it. - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/139910/Pacquiao-sheds-tears-in-his-thanksgiving-Mass

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Pacquiao pumped up for Las Vegas-themed bday bash

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is excited for his 30th birthday celebration Wednesday evening, a radio report said.

A report over dzBB said Pacquiao started the day by attending a Mass at the Our Lady of Good Voyage in his hometown, General Santos City. The report said Pacquiao was also greeted by well-wishers in his mansion.

The pound-for-pound king’s Las Vegas-themed birthday bash will be attended by bigwigs in politics and boxing, including President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Top Rank Promotions chief executive officer Bob Arum.

Top Rank is Pacquiao’s promoter.

Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach and his defeated opponents Marco Antonio Barrera and David Diaz were also reportedly attending the celebration.

Pacquiao’s “strictly invitational” birthday party will be held at the convention center of KCC Mall – the biggest mall in General Santos City.

Some 1,500 top personalities from show business, politics and the boxing world have been invited to the party, organizers earlier said.

The Filipino boxing icon recently routed Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya in their much-touted "Dream Match" in Las Vegas, USA last December 6. Dela Hoya was reportedly invited to the birthday party but could not make it. - Sophia Dedace, GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/139894/Pacquiao-pumped-up-for-Las-Vegas-themed-bday-bash

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Friday, December 12, 2008

'Dream' 2008's richest; Pacquiao earns P548M

NEW YORK - Boxing and the economy may both be struggling, but Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao proved the biggest fights can still create a buzz.

Pacquiao's complete domination of De La Hoya last Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas generated about 1.25 million pay-per-view buys, according to numbers released by HBO on Wednesday. It's only the fourth time a non-heavyweight bout in the US reached at least one million, and De La Hoya has been involved in all of them.

The pay-per-view take generated about $70 million in revenue, HBO said, making it the most successful pay-per-view event in 2008.

Of that amount, HBO will get half the earnings and the other half will be split between Pacquiao and De La Hoya based on the estimated 30-70 split they had earlier agreed on. Pacquiao’s cut was pegged at least 32 percent.

That means Pacquiao will get an estimated gross amount worth $11.2 million or P548.8 million.

As stipulated in his contract, Pacquiao was guaranteed $11 million to fight De La Hoya. GMANews.TV learned that Pacquiao would only get the higher amount between the guaranteed clause and the PPV earnings, and not both.

"When it's all counted up, it will end up at 1.35 or 1.4 million [subscriptions]," Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank told ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael.

Rafael’s report noted that Pacquiao’s previous pay-per-view high was 405,000 buys registered in the Juan Manuel Marquez rematch last April.

De La Hoya owns the top four non-heavyweight pay-per-view earnings. Only his showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 (2.4 million buys) and a 1999 match versus Felix Trinidad (1.4 million) were higher than the weekend match.

"In this economy, our expectations were appropriately tempered," Mark Taffet, in-charge of HBO pay-per-view, also said on the ESPN report. “But 1.25 million buys shows tremendous support from boxing fans all across the country and reinforces the importance of continuing to present the biggest and best fights the sports has to offer."

The MGM Grand Garden was packed, with an announced attendance of just over 15,000.

Considered the top pound-for-pound boxer and a hero in his native Philippines, Pacquiao (48-3-2, 36 KOs) moved up two weight divisions to fight at welterweight. The one-sided bout was stopped after the eighth round when, with the fighter bruised and swollen, De La Hoya's corner threw in the towel. - AP, with GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138745/Dream-2008s-richest-Pacquiao-earns-P548M

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Promoters leaning toward Pacquiao-Hatton ... in April?

MANILA, Philippines - The group promoting hard-hitting Ricky Hatton of England will begin talking to their counterparts on Manny Pacquiao's side before the month ends reportedly to see where the discussion of Pacquiao-Hatton showdown "goes".

Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer said on Tuesday that he and Bob Arum, Pacquiao's promoter, would begin discussing details of Pacquiao's next fight within the next seven days.

"I'm sure Manny wants to go home and enjoy the birth of his child," Schaefer said. "But we'll start talking and see where it goes."

The opponent isn't surprising. But the proposed date for Pacquiao's next match somehow is.

Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr.'s names have been thrown inside the ring as possibly Pacquiao's next foe, with either foe creating a match-up expected to excite the boxing community.

But Schaefer suggested that Pacquiao could return to the ring as early "as April or May".

Pacquiao said recently he wanted to take a break and that he was looking at "around five or six months" of inactivity. His trainer Freddie Roach said he wasn't looking to be back in training camp until after six months.

Roach did admit, however, that the power-punching Hatton is the better choice over Mayweather Jr., who retired earlier this year with an undefeated record.

"Hatton is the best fight out there for us right now, money-wise, style-wise. He's a hard guy. He likes to fight. It would be a very interesting fight. I think the world would love to see that and Manny has been always wants to give the world what they want," Roach said. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138639/Promoters-leaning-toward-Pacquiao-Hatton--in-April

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Tuesday, December 9, 2008

"The Dream Match" De La Hoya vs Pacquiao ESPN



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Monday, December 8, 2008

Next fight: Pacman vs Mayweather?


LOS ANGELES – So who’s next for Manny Pacquiao?

Well, at least for now, he’s got Ricky Hatton to his left, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. to his right.

And all Pacquiao has to do is choose.

Pacquiao, fresh from his eight-round destruction of Oscar de la Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, said Sunday that the Mayweather camp had sent feelers about a possible fight with the Filipino superstar.

“They sent a message to us that if I beat De la Hoya, he will come out of retirement to face me,” said Pacquiao, referring to Mayweather who suddenly retired after beating De la Hoya and Hatton last year.

But following Pacquiao’s unbelievable win that pushed De la Hoya closer to retirement, there are calls for another big match, another dream match against Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound champion.

Pacquiao now wears that billing, and a fight with Mayweather, sometime in May or June, will be another great night of boxing.

But Hatton wants to face Pacquiao, too, and also offers a huge opportunity at 140 pounds. Pacquiao said he’s also willing to face the British superstar even if it means fighting him at the Wembley Stadium in England.

But whoever it is, Pacquiao should be in for another huge payday.

“Whoever is fine. You know me,” said Pacquiao inside his customized bus as he travelled four hours to get back to Los Angeles. He took the front seat with his pregnant wife Jinkee and was joined by relatives and friends.

“Are there any more Mexicans out there? I think Zorro is the only one left,” said the fighter who has beaten some of the great fighters from Mexico - Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Looking back at the fight against De la Hoya, Pacquiao said his speed, and good head and body movement enabled him to take away De la Hoya’s jab, and that made it easier for him in dominating his taller opponent.

“He couldn’t move anymore because I was so fast. And each time he threw his jab, I countered. That’s what we trained for - how to counter. I was a moving target and it was very difficult for him to catch me,” he added.

Pacquiao said he was only worried about his head because he knew De la Hoya’s jab and left hook are one of the best in the sport, and that he was never worried getting hit in the body.

“Imagine, I did 2,500 sit-ups a day so I didn’t have to worry about my body. De la Hoya worried about both his head and body. That’s why he looked so scared each time I hit him. I heard him moan after I hit him once in the body,” he remembered.

“Para siyang kandilang unti-unting nau-upos,” Pacquiao said.

The Filipino champion thought that it would have been over in the ninth round if De la Hoya got up his stool to answer the bell because he knew he had him, and that’s what his trainer Freddie Roach told him.

“Manny, this is it. Finish him off. Knock him out. You’ve got him,” he was told during the break.

And so he said he was surprised when he saw De la Hoya walking toward him, thinking he was charging at him until he saw his cornermen signaling the end of the fight.

Pacquiao said he felt that at 148 1⁄2, his weight when he climbed the ring against De la Hoya, he was even faster when he fought David Diaz for the WBC lightweight (135 lbs) crown only last June.

“Imagine, I’ve jumped and fought in three weight divisions this year,” he said, reminding everyone that last March he also defeated Marquez for the WBC super-featherweight (130 lbs) title.

Pacquiao said that after the fight, he received a phone call from Diaz, and he was surprised with what he said.

“Oh, man. You’re unbelievable. What kind of human (being) are you. You were so fast,” Pacquiao remembered Diaz as telling him.

Source: http://philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=422437

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Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton - Pacquiao Speaks


After dominating Paulie Malignaggi this past Saturday, Ricky Hatton hopes to land a fight with the winner of Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao. De La Hoya and Pacquiao face off next month on December 6th and Hatton reportedly will be there at ringside.

Pacquiao who remains focused on De La Hoya, admits he watched Hatton's destruction of Malignaggi and is prepared to face Hatton. Although Pacquiao is willing to fight Hatton, he is not willing to do so at the
expense of overlooking De La Hoya.

In regards to watching Hatton's last fight, in media interview sent to us here at Doghouse Boxing, Pacquiao stated :" I watched the fight happen. It was a good fight. I’m ready to fight him. I’m willing to fight Hatton but right now I’m just focused on this coming fight. And I don’t want to to change something that can affect my concentration to that fight.

Source: http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Benz/Benz_1126b08.htm

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Sunday, December 7, 2008

Manny Pacquiao vs Ricky Hatton - Pacquiao Speaks


After dominating Paulie Malignaggi this past Saturday, Ricky Hatton hopes to land a fight with the winner of Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao. De La Hoya and Pacquiao face off next month on December 6th and Hatton reportedly will be there at ringside.

Pacquiao who remains focused on De La Hoya, admits he watched Hatton's destruction of Malignaggi and is prepared to face Hatton. Although Pacquiao is willing to fight Hatton, he is not willing to do so at the
expense of overlooking De La Hoya.

In regards to watching Hatton's last fight, in media interview sent to us here at Doghouse Boxing, Pacquiao stated :" I watched the fight happen. It was a good fight. I’m ready to fight him. I’m willing to fight Hatton but right now I’m just focused on this coming fight. And I don’t want to to change something that can affect my concentration to that fight.

Source: http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Benz/Benz_1126b08.htm

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Pacquiao-De la Hoya fight highlights


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV"

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/video/32876/Pacquiao-De-la-Hoya-fight-highlights

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Shutting the critics: Roach grades Pacquiao 'A-plus' for work vs de la Hoya

MANILA, Philippines - If this was school, Manny Pacquiao would be consistently on the dean's list.

Because after his brutal schooling of Oscar de la Hoya on Sunday, Pacquiao's long-time teacher is giving him another high grade.

Coach Freddie Roach was clearly satisfied with the way Pacquiao executed their game plan which resulted in an eight-round, technical-knockout victory over de la Hoya.

Asked to rate his student's performance, Roach said Pacquiao deserved an "A plus".

"Manny went out there and fought the fight we were supposed to fight," said Roach, who stressed during training camp the need for Pacquiao "to fight the perfect fight" against de la Hoya.

At 35 years old and with his better days behind him, de la Hoya was a step behind Pacquiao throughout the contest.

Needing to trim down to 147 pounds for the first time in seven years, the naturally bigger de la Hoya remained a heavy pick to roll past Pacquiao.

But Pacquiao, despite jumping 12 pounds higher in the last six months, used his vaunted speed and maintained his power to give de la Hoya his worst beating in his career.

Roach also previously gave Pacquiao high marks in his matches against David Diaz (last June) and the first time he fought Marco Antonio Barerra (2003).

"He (de la Hoya) got older overnight and looked like he could not pull the trigger. I think Manny had a lot to do with that," Roach said.

"He was flawless in his in-and-out motion. When he's on his toes, he is going in and out like that, you know where he's coming and going. He darts in so fast and it's hard for anybody to deal with it, but it was really hard for Oscar because he was very slow," the Hall of Fame trainer added.

Despite being confident about his chances - and bordering on cocky on more than a few occasions - Roach admitted he had his anxieties too, facing de la Hoya, a 10-time world champion and an Olympic.

"I had sleepless nights and that’s why I’m tired right now. I thought maybe I bit off more than I could chew. Maybe I'm wrong," Roach went on.

"Then I couldn't sleep at night thinking about the fight, but I told myself that my guy is faster and he (Oscar) has trouble with southpaws and Manny's on top of his game and by the time I went to bed, I had Manny winning again," he added.

But the moment the bell rang for the opening round and Pacquiao began hitting de la Hoya with those bombing left straights, Roach knew the fight was Pacquiao's.

"Oscar was hesitant all night long," he recalled.

Winning against a legend like de la Hoya ranks among Roach's best works. But defying the odds is the one that gives him the most satisfaction.

"You know what, my favorite thing is to all those people who said we can’t do it, I just want to smile at them because that says it all." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138074/Shutting-the-critics-Roach-grades-Pacquiao-A-plus-for-work-vs-de-la-Hoya

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Pacquiao wants a breather; no fights until June

MANILA, Philippines - Three fights. Three wins. Two championships. One legend downed.

Nobody can blame Manny Pacquiao if he decides to rest on his laurels.

After his eight-round demolition of Oscar de la Hoya on Sunday, Pacquiao looks to have an extended break and doesn't see himself getting back in the ring until middle of next year.

"Let's see if we can do it again may be May or June?" Pacquiao told reporters while he was signing autographs on Sunday just outside the press room of the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.

For the fight with de la Hoya, Pacquiao trained for nine weeks, the longest he had in training camp.

He fought Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz in two title fights in a span of three months between April and June. In each of his meetings with Marquez, Diaz and de la Hoya, Pacquiao needed to go up in weight.

Trainer Freddie Roach, who admitted to also being exhausted, said he and Pacquiao both needed the rest.

"With Christmas coming up and his birthday party and he's going to have a baby soon," Roach said, "We'll need six months to rest before we start training again."

As who the next guy will be on line, Roach said it’s a toss up between hard-hitting Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather Jr., the acknowledged pound-for-pound king before he retired recently.

Given a choice, Roach admitted he was leaning toward the latter.

"Hatton is the best fight out there for us right now, money-wise, style-wise. He's a hard guy. He likes to fight. It would be a very interesting fight. I think the world would love to see that and Manny has been always wants to give the world what they want," he said.

Then again, Roach pointed out he’s not the one to decide on it.

"A lot depends on what makes sense. The economy is bad right now and we can't wait too long because I want to see Manny fight Hatton and Mayweather and retire the greatest fighter of all time," Roach added.

But for now? "I just want to enjoy this for a while." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138073/Pacquiao-wants-a-breather-no-fights-until-June

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Pacquiao: ‘It ain’t over yet, folks, more fights to come’

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from his historic win over legendary Oscar de la Hoya, the world's pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao made this assurance Sunday: “It ain’t over yet, folks, I’m still up for a few more bouts."

GMA-7's Showbiz Central asked Pacquiao if his fight against De la Hoya would his last, and the 29-year-old boxing icon was quick to clarify: “May mga ilang laban pa (There are still more fights)."

Pacquiao, however, did not name his next opponent. For now, he said, he wants to enjoy his victory with his family, loved ones and countrymen.

Last September, Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda said that Pacquiao is still good for a couple of fights. Pineda’s announcement came days after Pacman said he is set to retire by August next year.

Pineda said Pacquiao must face two of the world’s renowned boxers - Ricky Hatton on March or April 2009 and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on July or August 2009 – regardless of the result of the Filipino boxing hero’s fight against De la Hoya.

Also last September, Pacquiao was officially sworn in as a member of the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi). Pacquiao said he plans to seek political office again in 2010. Kampi is the political party of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Pacquiao ran but lost in the 2007 congressional elections.

During the interview, Pacquiao also thanked God for giving him strength to stand up against De la Hoya. He said the fight was not just for him but for the whole country as well.

Pacquiao plans to fly home Wednesday.- GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/138042/Pacquiao-It-aint-over-yet-folks-more-fights-to-come

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Saturday, December 6, 2008

Pacquiao Wins TKO 8

The fighters has decided... and it goes to Manny "The Pacman" Pacquiao, it's a TKO round 8.

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Pacquiao weirded by weigh-in difference


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV"

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao was sure he was at 146 pounds for the final weigh-in.

So it surprised him to see he came out four pounds lighter.

Pacquiao tipped the scales at 142 pounds, way off the weight he and his team were expecting.

"Yes, a little bit of a surprise. Seems the scale got calibrated," Freddie Roach told Manila-based journalists inside the press room on Friday after the weigh-in.

Shortly after the weigh-in, Pacquiao went back to his room and used a different scale. He came in at 145.5 pounds, the same weight he had in the morning after breakfast, according to Roach.

Pacquiao was amazed at the difference, disclosing the night before and just an hour before the official weigh-in that he both checked in at 146 pounds.

"I didn't do anything to reduce weight, so I don't know why I came in at 142?" Pacquiao said. "It's hard to be suspicious but as you can see, there's a difference between how I weighed out there and here."

Pacquiao said if there was a four-pound difference between his two "weigh-ins", it could be the same for de la Hoya. "So does that mean Oscar was at 149 pounds?"

A clause in the contracts signed by both Pacquiao and de la Hoya will have de la Hoya paying a $3-million penalty for every excess pound over 147 pounds.

Pacquiao said he didn't want to make a big deal out of the situation. "I don't want to make that an excuse for whatever happens."

Roach agreed.

"Maybe the scale … I'm not sure. But I'm not accusing anything (sic)," said Roach, who incidentally, also got a positive response from the Nevada State Athletic Commission later in the day, allowing the use of one-inch tape for the boxer's hands instead of two inches.

"But it really doesn't matter to me," he added. "The fight's on. The fight's here." - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/137922/Pacquiao-weirded-by-weigh-in-difference
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/32826/Pacquiao-De-la-Hoya-official-weigh-in-contested

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Former Pacquiao prospect Valero culprit of De la Hoya black eye

MANILA, Philippines - Edwin Valero had nothing nice to say to Manny Pacquiao when he was hot on the heels for a shot at Pacquiao.

But tables have been turned since Valero was unceremoniously banished from Oscar de la Hoya's training camp.

Valero spoke to a handful of reporters on Friday just outside the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and he said he was rooting for Pacquiao.

"Pacquiao will gonna knock Oscar out. I like Pacquiao," Valero, who hails from Venezuela, said through an interpreter.

Known as a vicious knockout artist, Valero was being built up by Bob Arum a few years back to go up against Pacquiao. He currently owns a 24-fight winning streak, 19 of those coming by way of a first-round knockout.

Valero, 27, taunted Pacquiao endlessly during that time and belittled Pacquiao's chances should their fight have pushed through.

On Friday, not only was he singing Pacquiao praises. He was also recalling his unpleasant experience at de la Hoya's Big Bear training.

Part of Valero's story? He admitted he was responsible for inflicting de la Hoya a black eye.

"I hurt Oscar a lot," Valero revealed. "I got kicked out after what I did. Oscar doesn’t want to spar with me anymore. They told me I couldn’t be there."

That black eye has posed a mystery to everyone who has seen it. De la Hoya would later say it was inflicted by welterweight prospect Victor Ortiz. Valero said it was "a lie".

Valero added that he was upset at the way de la Hoya treated him and that was the reason why he was "talking that way".

He even went on to say that De la Hoya did "not like to work out".

Valero, a southpaw like Pacquiao, sparred with De La Hoya for only eight rounds before he was promptly replaced after battering de la Hoya during their training.

Despite favoring Pacquiao, Valero said he still looks forward to meeting him in the future, even at a higher weight class.

"I've been waiting for years for Pacquiao. We can fight at 140 pounds if he likes to," he said. - GMANews.TV

Source: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/137920/Former-Pacquiao-prospect-Valero-culprit-of-De-la-Hoya-black-eye

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