All About BOXING: Past and Upcoming Fights..........

[inxss4]

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All About BOXING: Past and Upcoming Fights, pls share iSTORYANS all your views/comments on that particular fight be it a past fight or upcoming fights. Predictions are welcome on this thread.

Pls RESPECT MY THREAD and NO OUT-OF-TOPIC comments.

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Freddie Roach: “I still want the biggest fight in the world, I want Mayweather to step up and fight Manny Pacquiao!”




In boxing over the last 3 years, there has been one fight that has been talked about more then any other, that being a potential Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. The fight was debated over and over by critics and fans alike, and despite the buzz for the event, the bout never happened when the fight was at the peak of it’s hype. Now in 2013 fans thoughts on the bout have changed, as Manny Pacquiao’s definitive knockout defeat has forever changed fans views on the match, and the fight talk has shifted to what could of been.

In part 2 of my interview with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, he touches on the bout he believes fans still want to see the most, Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Freddie also comments on Pacquiao’s upcoming fight against Brandon Rios, and gives his thoughts on this choice of opponent. In addition, Roach discusses Juan Manuel Marquez’s choice to fight Timothy Bradley instead of Pacquiao, and also comments on that upcoming fight. Here is what Freddie Roach had to say.

JENNA J: Freddie, there were other opponents being talked about before Brandon Rios was picked, as Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley were both approached for the fight. Were you disappointed that you didn’t get either of those options for Pacquiao’s next bout?

FREDDIE ROACH: Well I’m real disappointed because the only fighter we wanted to fight was Marquez, we wanted the rematch. Manny was looking forward to it, I was looking forward to it, and then he went in a different direction. Hopefully he will fight us back someday, but you know, he chose not to fight us so we had to go with the second choice. We’re in a tough fight with a tough young guy coming up, it should be exciting though.

JENNA: Yeah, now you mentioned Brandon Rios should be exciting, he’s known for his wars in the ring. Are you at all worried that Pacquiao might get drawn in to that type of fight?

Roach: That’s fine with me, I know I have the better puncher and I know what type of fight we’re gonna fight in that fight. We’re gonna have a great game plan, we’ll fight to our advantage, believe me, I guarantee that 100%.
JENNA: You mentioned before that you thought the rest would be good for Pacquiao, to have him out of the ring longer. Do you think he’ll have any ill effects at all from that knock out to Marquez?

ROACH: Well you know, everyone reacts differently. Manny’s a pretty bright guy, he knows there’s a winner and a loser, he knows we made a mistake in the fight and you know before I took Manny Pacquiao over, he was knocked out twice before and he didn’t have any effects from those knock outs. I think he’s a realist, he understands the sport, he got caught and he knows that’s possible in this game. But the thing is, Bob Arum and I gave him a long rest, Bob took him to a neurologist to make sure everything’s ok, we got 100% ok stamp and he’ll be fine.

JENNA: Alright Freddie I want to turn things now to a fight that’s going be taking place onSeptember 14th, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez, they’ll be meeting at a catch weight of 152 lbs. I’m curious what are your thoughts on this fight and do you think it is as big as people think it’s going to be?

ROACH: Well don’t call it a fight cause it won’t be a fight , it’ll be a boxing match, ok. It’s definitely not a fight, it will be a very good boxing match and I feel Floyd is too slick for Canelo and I think he’ll win a decision. But the thing is, when Floyd boxes well, like he did in his last fight, it’s a little bit boring at times. It’s good for the eye of a big boxing fan and so forth, he’s very skillful but it’s a little bit boring. Don’t expect a big fight, I think people are expecting a war but Mayweather does not fight like that, he will box all night long.
JENNA: Alright now Freddie, what other fighters are you working with currently that you want to let the fans know about?

ROACH: Well I’m talking with Miguel Cotto right now, and we’re working things out and I’m excited about working with him. George St-Pierre has been coming up, he’s getting ready for his next fight, I went up to Montreal for 10 days to work with him and then he came back here, so he’s getting ready for his fight, and I got Ruslan Provodnikov who’s getting radio for a fight, our opponent has not signed the contract yet so we don’t have one currently, but we do have a date in October 19th, and Ray Beltran, he’s one of my fighters and he’s getting ready to fight for a world title over in Scotland, so we’re quite busy, we got a lot of things happening.

JENNA: Ok well Freddie, I have one final question for you. With all the fighters that you are working with, if you could have one fight for any of your fighters in the future, what would that fight be?

ROACH: Well I still want the biggest fight in the world, I want Mayweather to step up and fight Manny Pacquiao, he said Pacquiao is washed up, get in the ring and we will see!

JENNA: Thank you so much Freddie for once again coming “On The Ropes” I wish you all the best with all the fighters you work with in the future.

ROACH: Thank you very much, I appreciate it

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ROACH WILL BE AT PACQUIAO'S CAMP OCT 6




MACAU – Although Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao's training for his upcoming Nov. 24 fight against Mexican-American slugger Brandon Rios will start in earnest beginning next month, it will not be until Oct. 6, a day after Miguel Cotto's fight in Florida, when hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach will be at his camp, Roach informed Philboxing.com.

“Buboy [Fernandez] will be there, I will fly to Gensan on Oct. 6. We have six weeks together,” Roach said who has agreed to train comebacking Miguel Cotto for his Oct. 5 light middleweight fight against Dominican Republic's Delvin Rodriguez. Roach was on Pacquiao's corner when the Filipino eight division champioln destroyed Cotto on Nov. 14, 2009 by 12 round TKO.

Cotto is coming from a two-fight loss against Floyd Mayweather Jr in May last year and against Austin Trout in December, also of last year. Ironically Manny Pacquiao will also be coming from a two-fight loss when the famous trainer-fighter tandem start their camp this year. Pacquiao lost a controversial fight against Timothy Bradley in June and a heart-stopping one-punch knockout loss against perrenial opponent Juan Manual Marquez in December, all of last year.

Pacquiao's Nov. 24 fight against Rios could be the most crucial fight of his entire boxing career as the outcome could decide whether he hangs up his gloves or not. Roach however expressed confidence about his ward's chances against Rios. “Rios is tailor-made for us,” Roach said.

Roach will be in Zou Shiming's corner when the Chinese Olympic star takes on Mexico's Jesus Ortega this Saturday night at the Venetian's Cotai Arena for Zou's second professional outing. Roach will also be joined by Pacquiao opposite Brandon Rios and trainer Robert Garcia and Top Rank people during this Saturday afternoon's presscon, also at the Venetian Resort Hotel & Casino, formally announcing the Pacquiao-Rios fight. Rios and Garcia arrived in Macau earlier today.

The entourage will then embark on a multi-country tour beginning Monday, Aug. 1, to promote the Pacquiao-Rios fight with stops at Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.

[inxss4]

I hope he will succeed!

ESTRADA VS MELINDO: A MAKE OR BREAK BATTLE FOR TWO WORLD TITLES





Mexican WBA/WBO world champion Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada and unbeaten Filipino challenger Milan Melindo grabbed the spotlight today (Thursday) at The Venetian Hotel in Macau as the two top flyweights embark on a make or break battle that might reshape the 112-pound division; a fight that might as well be a fight of the year, as promoter Bob Arum has suggested.

Their fight this Saturday at The Venetian® Macau's Cotai Arena™ is not only for two world title belts of prestigious organizations, but for the attention of boxing fans around the world as their clash will be broadcast live on HBO and other powerful networks around the orb. Indeed, the world wide exposure will be huge.

Therefore, after years battling tough foes, this is a big fight that can not be lost. And, as time draws really close, both fighters appeared in good shape and high spirits, ready for a tough war.

The first fighter to address the excited audience at today's presser was Milan Melindo (29-0, 12 KOs), who was introduced to the Venetian Resort podium by Dennis Cañete, vice president of ALA Boxing Promotions.

"When I first came to Macau, my seat was over there in the back, looking unto the stars of the event and I said to myself that in a near future I would be one of the stars of the show, and here I am," said the 25-year-old Melindo of Cebu, Philippines, who has been training under the guidance of experienced trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor.

Later, it was the Mexican's turn. The world champion said that he prefers to do his talking in the ring, where he expects to emerge victorious. But he expressed some meaningful thoughts

"Melindo is the rated fighter. I'm happy to fight the best. It's a great experience to learn from the best so as to become the # 1," said Estrada.

He added that "training has been similar to the one had for Viloria. But the strategy is different. We'll find out on the top of the ring. But what I know now is that my belts go back with me to Mexico," commented Estrada who was accompanied by his handler Juan Hernández, his girlfriend, his trainer Alfredo Caballero, press officer Brenda Bonilla, Zanfer's Rafael Soto among others.

Importantly, Melindo has never fought a boxer of the quality of Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada.

None of Melindo's past opponents, even former champs Carlos Tamara, Jesus Geles, Muhammad Rachman and Jean Piero Perez, could compare to "El Gallo Estrada, being the Venezuelan Perez the one boxer who came closer to figuring out the way of defeating Melindo. But in the end, Perez could not make it.

In contrast, Estrada has fought opponents of awesome experience and talent such as undefeated super champion Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez - who is one of the best men in the lower divisions - and Brian "The Hawaiian Punch" Viloria, a veteran boxer of undeniable skills.

"It could be a really great fight," commented Leon Panoncillo, WBO Vice president.

Indeed, the fight could be a really tough one for both.

The taller Estrada cold have the edge in quality of opposition and punching power, as well as his ability to counterpunch and his uppercuts combined with good defense are fine; while Melindo has excellent speed, confidence and positive characteristics as a fighter, especially if he sticks to a well-thought game plan, a plan that he could modify with his cornermen as the battle progress.

Hopefully, Melindo's handlers have analyzed the Estrada-Viloria fight to create a suitable offense-defense strategy.

But worrisome, Melindo could fade by in later rounds. Indeed, in different fights - as in his rumble last year with the Venezuelan Perez - Milan's dangerousness level has slowly decreased.

In addition, should Melindo attempt to rumble as a brawler, as he has inexplicably done at times, things could turn complicated for the ALA star. A more "methodical" Melindo would have more chances against he tough Mexican world champion.

The weigh-in will be tomorrow at 3pm at the fight's venue, the Cotai Arena™. Doors open at 2:15pm.

[inxss4]

Maayo unta kung makadaog c MELINDO kay para pod sya makatagamtam as WORLD CHAMP.

[inxss4]

Juan Manuel Marquez vs Tim Bradley in Jeopardy Over Drug Testing?


Manny Pacquiao supporters may point to this and insist Juan Manuel Marquez's victory over PacMan last December was tainted.

Apparently, WBO Welterweight Champion Timothy Bradley and Mexican fight legend Juan Manuel Marquez are locked in a dispute over drug testing.

The two are set to meet in the ring October 12.

Earlier this week, Tim Bradley told BoxingScene Radio that Marquez vs Bradley is off if the Mexican refuses to undergo performance enhancement drug testing administered by VADA or USADA.
"My contract says VADA USADA is going to be involved. There's nowhere that says a third party is going to be involved. I spoke to (NSAC executive director) Keith Kizer earlier this week, with Marquez and everybody on the phone, and I let him know what my concerns were. "

Bradley added, "It is nothing against the Nevada State Commission. It is one of the best commissions in the world. They have been around for years but I just want VADA and USADA involved as well."

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Juan Manuel Marquez pose in December 2012 prior to Pacquiao vs Marquez 4. Marquez's gritty physique and newfound swagger in the ring leads some, including Freddie Roach, to believe the Mexican is taking performance enhancing substances (PEDs).
VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association)
Top Rank head Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, wants to leave testing in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission and insists he'd pay extra out of his own pocket to ensure stricter testing.

If Arum, who may be acting on behalf of Marquez, is willing to cough up his own money to ensure the Nevada State Athletic Commission performs more rigid testing, why doesn't he just let VADA do it?
Answer: No one tests better than VADA. Also, it's no secret that commission procedures are believed to be antiquated thus making it easier for athletes to mask the presence of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

So Tim Bradley, of course, is not receptive to Mr. Arum's offer.

"At this point if they are not going to be involved there is not going to be a fight at all. Just put it that way. If this guy doesn't get drug tested at all by VADA or USADA then the fight's not going to happen."
Juan Manuel Marquez has been beleaguered by PEDs accusations since last year. Even before he KO'd Pacquiao in December, photos of the Mexican during training showed the fighter with what appeared to be a more muscular physique.

Muscles and Power
And some noted he was noticeably stronger and better built in his April 2012 bout against Serhiy Fedchenko - a fight dominated by the Mexican.

His critics will also assert that Marquez, at 39, seems to have newfound punching power but Juan insists his new training and conditioning coach is responsible for the new-and-improved Marquez.

And by the way, that new conditioning coach, Memo Heredia, had been involved in the BALCO scandal. BALCO was a San Francisco Bay Area business that was busted in 2002 for supplying banned performance-enhancing substances to professional athletes.
Marquez's character certainly has not been suspicious and he's been a model pro throughout his long career. Also, at least to my knowledge, he has not refused to undergo VADA testing. (But it is a bit suspicious Arum is seemingly hellbent on the state commission handling testing proceedures)

Marquez's Trainer Fires Back

Marquez's manager, Nacho Beristain, told BoxingScene, "He has a bad fight [with Pacquiao] and the judges favor him and then gives a great fight [with Ruslan Provodnikov], but that does not mean that you have reached the big leagues. He has the obligation to respect other athletes, but he doesn't. [For Pacquiao], Juan was drug testing in the morning, before the fight and after the fight, and they did not find anything," said Nacho.
He added,"They will never find anything in Juan. He is a healthy athlete and all that he's done is put in a massive effort, because he's an athlete who trains and cares. Whenever an athlete is successful at something, they always say that you are taking something."

In Sum

And in defense of Marquez, fighters at any age can enhance their physique with improved dieting and smarter training. Also, although very rare, fighters do occasionally pick-up substancial power as they move up in age and weight (Sergio Martinez and Evander Holyfield).

However, if Marquez vs Bradley is cancelled because Juan refuses to engage in VADA testing, many are going to start wondering.... Was he on PEDs when he defeated Pacquiao?


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^^ see! I told you....

[makie29]

Can't wait for the Melindo-Estrada match tomorrow.
I hope for Melindo to win.

[makie29]

Sayang, Melindo lost..

[inxss4]

Sayang, Melindo lost..

yup....last 3 rounds he was being punished by ESTRADA.....

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Sayang, Melindo lost..

Kanta pa lang...Sayang na sayang....typical for ALA FIGHTERS!

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Darren Barker firmly believes he can dethrone world champion Daniel Geale in August


Darren Barker has banished his big fight doubts as he prepares to face IBF middleweight champion Daniel Geale in New York.

Barker fell short in his first shot at the top level, suffering a courageous stoppage defeat against Sergio Martinez in 2011.

But the Barnet man will face another of the division's main men when he battles Australian Geale on August 17.

"I'm reaching my physical and mental peak and I think this will show in this fight. I truly believe I've got his number."
Darren Barker

Barker admits he had concerns about his clash with Martinez, who is considered one of the best in the sport, but his creditable display gave him new-found confidence.

He told skysports.com: "When I fought Martinez, I wasn't in the best of places. Physically, mentally I was all over the place but the experience I have gained from that is invaluable. You can't buy it.

"I feel like this is my time. I'm so confident. I'm saying that I can beat him like I did against Martinez, but when I said it before I think I was hiding behind the words a little bit.

"But now I'm saying it and I truly believe it's my time. This is what I started out in the sport to do, which was win a world title."
Peaking

Geale took the belt from Felix Sturm before defending it against 38-year-old compatriot Anthony Mundine and Barker feels both of these foes were past their best.

The Londoner has warned Geale to expect an opponent in perfect condition when he makes his second defence.

"They don't hand out genuine world titles for nothing," said Barker. "He's won it, he's fought some good fighters, but the fighters he's fought, no disrespect to them because they are great fighters, but they are slightly over the hill.

"I'm reaching my physical and mental peak and I think this will show in this fight. I truly believe I've got his number. I do respect him, he's a world champion for a reason.

When asked whether Sturm was on the slide, Barker said: "One hundred per cent. You could see that in his fights with Macklin and Murray. He was on the decline.

"Sturm was at his best when he fought (Oscar) De La Hoya all those years go, but nevertheless he's beaten a good fighter."
Friend

Barker had to act as Lee Purdy's cornerman for last weekend's fight with Devon Alexander in Atlantic City after his trainer Tony Sims failed to get a visa in time.

Barker pulled his friend out following the seventh round and questions were asked about the stoppage, despite Alexander's dominance, but the 31-year-old is certain he made the right decision.

"No-one saw what he put himself through at a month's notice and to do what he did, to get down to near the championship limit at four weeks notice is impressive. I'm so proud," he said.

"He'll come back better than ever. Lee, if he could have done, would have done 200 rounds and I would have had to drag him out, but why would I have wanted to see that.

"There are too many brave coaches out there.

"It's easier to watch a fight unfold and be it Lee gets knocked out or he could have knocked him out, but it's easier to let it unfold.

"It takes more courage to say 'You're in the seventh round, you are well down on the scorecards, let's let you live to fight another day'. Lee will. He's a fighter and he would have fought all night if he could have."

[inxss4]

^ ^ karon na ning Aug.18 Sunday....