BOXING.....now and tomorrow

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 06:37 PM

This thread is for boxing news, perdictions, history, upcoming fights or what ever else you want to talk about in the boxing world.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 06:38 PM

Wrestling Icon "Christian" with Pacquiao at Today's Weigh-in

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 9, 2005) -- Team Pacquiao has beefed up its membership with two of professional wrestling's biggest grapplers. The Undertaker and Christian have tag teamed to support Manny Pacquiao in his 12-round rumble with Hector Velazquez for the WBC International super featherweight championship, Tomorrow night! at Staples Center.. Televised live by HBO, beginning at 9:45 P.M. ET / 6:45 P.M. PT, the card, entitled "Double Trouble, " will also feature Erik Morales in a 12-round championship bout against Zahir Raheem, for the WBC International lightweight title.

The 6'2 235-pound Christian, also known as "Captain Charisma," will be watching Manny's back at today's weigh-in at Staples Center Star Plaza, beginning at 3 P.M. and open to the public. The 6'10, 328-pound Undertaker will be leading Manny into the ring tomorrow night, carrying the America Flag. Both are huge fans of Manny and flew into Los Angeles today to personally support him at the fight.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 06:39 PM

Evander Holyfield Needs to Follow Jerry Rice’s Lead

08.09.05 - By Geoffrey Ciani: After an amazing twenty years in professional football, Jerry Rice has finally decided to call it a career. Having passed the point where he’s capable of performing at a top level, this decision couldn’t have come at a better time. Evander Holyfield should take note..

The similarities between the careers of these magnificent athletes are actually quite astounding. At the peak of their skills, each achieved the highest level of greatness possible in their professions. Rice was the most dominant receiver in football throughout much of the late 80’s until the mid 90’s; likewise, Holyfield was a top contender in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions during this same time frame. In fact, Holyfield once held the undisputed championship in each of those divisions.

A lot has changed since that time, and now it seems those days are long gone. Neither athlete has been at the top of his game for some years now. Both Rice and Holyfield have been in decline for near a decade, and each has hung around longer than he should have. It’s been three years since Rice has played at a Pro-Bowl caliber-level, and it’s been three years since Evander Holyfield last won a boxing match.

The biggest difference between the two right now seems to be that Rice—at least—had the sense to know when to get out of the game. Not wanting to be reduced to a minor role after such an illustrious career, Rice knew the time to leave was now as opposed to later. Sadly, Holyfield has no such sense. And in boxing, this can be detrimental to his health.

“I never thought I’d ever see this day.” Those were the words of the great Jerry Rice once he realized it was finally over. It’s difficult for someone with the competitive nature of a professional athlete to admit when his time is up.

This is especially true with truly outstanding athletes that have defied the odds time and time again. Father time does eventually catch up with everyone, however--even amazing athletes like Rice and Holyfield, whether or not the “The Real Deal” wants to admit it.

Holyfield is scheduled to move on with his career, and is slated to face 35 year old journeyman, Frank Wood on October 8, in Sardinia, Italy. This is an ill-advised decision on his part. “The Real Deal” is clearly a shot fighter, and has nothing left to offer himself or boxing fans.

His last win was in June of 2002 against Hasim Rahman, and even then it seemed to be somewhat of a fluke. Rahman’s face swelled to gigantic proportions after being on the receiving end of a legendary Holyfield head-butt. Since that time, he has been utterly outclassed by Chris Byrd and Larry “The Legend” Donald, and he was stopped in 9 rounds by former middleweight, James Toney.

This is not the same Holyfield we all love and remember. That version of “The Real Deal” is long gone -- much like the version of Jerry Rice who used to swipe passes on quick slant patterns from Joe Montana is long gone, and at long last Rice was able to realize that. Holyfield, who coincidently is just six days younger than Rice, really ought to follow the older man’s lead.

Holyfield, please retire.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 06:41 PM

MORALES DEALS THE CARDS
September 8, 2005

Erik Morales is in a most unique position for a prizefighter. He doesn't need anyone but himself to get to the prize.

Of course he needs opponents but he doesn't need a specific opponent. They, in fact, to a man need him. That is a distinction with a significant difference.

Whether you fight at 135 pounds, 130 pounds or 126 pounds, if you want to make real money today in boxing you need to fight Erik Morales. Fortunately for such boxers, and for the sport itself, Morales is happy to oblige. All you need to be is a real challenger.

Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Erik Morales is a guy always looking for a fight. He's not just looking for soft paydays. He's looking for the big risk that produce the big money. It used to be like that all over boxing but no more. Today too many fighters consult actuarial tables. They are risk averse. Erik Morales seeks out risks.

That's why he chose to face slick moving lightweight Zahir Raheem (26-1) in his first foray into the 135-pound division on Saturday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The fact that Morales will be fighting at that weight for the first time is not necessarily good news to the co-feature on that HBO-televised event however because junior lightweight Manny Pacquiao is one of those guys spoiling for a fight with Morales. He's just not looking to do it at 135 pounds.

This card has been billed as a tune-up for a early spring rematch between Morales and Pacquiao to settle an issue Morales feels doesn't exist. He prevailed the first time on a night when Pacquiao did not look good but Pacquiao later claimed outside distractions born from managerial and promotional problems adversely effected his preparation and focus.

Although Morales doesn't buy that excuse he's willing to give the hard-punching Filipino idol a second chance to prove his point.

Or will he?

Pacquiao and his trainer, Freddie Roach, have made clear that Pacquiao is not a lightweight. Even 130 pounds is a reach for him in their opinion, although he would make the effort to get there again to fight Morales despite the fact Roach feels his best weight is still 126. Morales, meanwhile, spoke this week like a man on the move up the fistic weight scales.

"Fans expect big fights, more championships, you know,'' Morales said. "Something great at 135. I give as much as I can for as long as I can to the fans. Winning a fourth title (after holding belts that have become all but meaningless to him at 122, 126 and 130 pounds) would be great. I want to show what I can do in this (lightweight) division.''

That would seem to eliminate Pacquiao despite the expectations of the public, HBO and his promoter, Bob Arum. Just because others have plans it doesn't mean Erik Morales' agrees with them and unlike most fighters if he doesn't agree he doesn't have to do a thing but wait for someone else to challenge him.

Yet there is one thing the popular Mexican firebrand can't seem to resist. He can't pass up a challenge. Or a challenger the public wants to see him face and so he gets back to Pacquiao just about as quickly as he left him to talk about advancing in the lightweight division.

"Some people feel Pacquiao was not at his best,'' Morales (48-2, 34 KO) said of their first fight. "I think he was. If there are some doubts I'll erase them in our second fight.''

That assumes there will be a second fight, which there might well be because of who Morales is. But then again, for the very same reasons, perhaps a fourth fight with his long-time rival Marco Antonio Barrera, who has given him his only two losses, will take precedent over that in his mind.

Or perhaps even a first showdown with the winner of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo rematch to settle who is the supreme ruler in the lightweight division will override all other considerations for Morales and convince him to stay at 135, a weight it's unlikely Pacquiao will try his hands at.

Whatever the future holds, Erik Morales will decide it for himself. He will not be dictated to by any fighter or any situation. He will fight who he wants, which fortunately for fight fans is usually the fighters they want to see him fight, when he wants.

"I have my own path drawn out,'' Morales said this week. "I don't depend on anyone else. Right now I'm not thinking of any other fighter than Zahir Raheem.''

That includes the guy who will step into the ring just before he does Saturday night. That includes Manny Pacquiao. At least for the moment.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 06:45 PM

MANNY PACQUIAO: SOUNDS OF SILENCE
September 2, 2005

Boxing is a lonely business but never more so than it is at the moment for Manny Pacquiao.

In the long weeks leading up to his classic confrontation in March with Erik Morales, Pacquiao was seldom left alone, either in the gym or in his thoughts. Every day the Wild Card Gym in downtown Los Angeles was jammed with his loyal following of Filipino fans. His every move was cheered and, his trainer now believes, his every move was also orchestrated more to please those crowds than to prepare himself for Morales.

When the crowds were gone, the din did not lessen. There were meetings with lawyers, managers and sycophants, all talking about how to defeat a new opponent, his soon to be former promoter Murad Muhammad.

When they all finally left him, Pacquiao sat alone but his thoughts seldom focused solely on Morales, who is one of the best 130-pound fighters in the world. Rather they kept coming back to what had become a seemingly endless war with Muhammad and his original handlers back in Manila, whom Pacquiao and roach believe shortchanged the fighter out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in purse money.

As the days wore own, Pacquiao wore down. His focus on Morales seemed to slip away until he appeared to be only a shadow of himself when Fight Night finally came. He fought bravely, as always, but he did not fight well and he was punished for it. Pacquiao's tactics seemed nonexistent and his stubborn insistence on finding a way to knockout the resilient and resourceful Morales with one punch led him to a painful defeat.

It has been five months now since that disappointing night and Pacquiao is back at the Wild Card Gym preparing for a tuneup against a Mexican professional named Hector Velazquez (41-10) on a Sept. 10 HBO card at the Staples Center. Pacquiao will share the spotlight with Morales, who faces Zahir Raheem (26-1, 18 KO) on the same card, both men knowing what those fights mean.

They mean a rematch for big money if both win as expected and abject defeat if they do not.

Pacquiao and Roach understand this but more importantly they understand what happened in the weeks before the Morales fight cannot be repeated. The legal problems with Muhammad have been settled and Pacquiao has signed a two-fight deal with rival promoter Gary Shaw, who he said this week "is funny.''

Perhaps just as important as the absence of legal problems is the presence of silence. The crowds of eager fans have been locked out of his gym in L.A. and Pacquiao now prepares to fight the way Roach likes him to. Alone.

"There were too many distractions before,'' Roach said this week of the months leading up to their loss to Morales. "This time things are more private. We close the gym to the public when Manny trains. There's room to breathe now.

"We love the Filipino fans but you couldn't breathe in the gym before Morales. Those fans have been great to us but Manny was performing for them and not so much for me last camp. Now he can concentrate on the fight and practice what we need to practice on.''

The first couple of days of training word had not quite filtered out yet about the closure and fans began to congregate around the old building. Roach finally employed several burly bodyguards to make the point but he also appealed to Pacquiao's fans to show if their love for him was real.

"They understood if they're really Manny's supporters they'd help him out and let him work,'' Roach said. "The fans respected that. They stopped coming.''

Pacquiao seldom does, which is part of his problem. His blind insistence on aggression and forward motion cost him dearly against the slick but warrior-like Morales and Roach is not in denial about that. He has his fighter working on increasing his body punching now, believing that is what's necessary to wear down Morales while also convinced that if he can take that approach in against the less dangerous Velasquez it will carry over to what is expected to be a pay-per-view rematch early next year between two of the most popular and two of the most dangerous fighters in the world.

"Velasquez has a similar style to Erik's,'' Roach said. "He's not of that caliber but he's very resilient. He's gone a lot of rounds with people so Manny needs to wear him down. It's the same with Morales. I felt Manny didn't work the body enough against Morales last time. My hope is if he does it this fight it will carry over.''

Of course to get to that fight Pacquiao first must rid himself of Velasquez (41-10, 30 KO). That is not as difficult a task as Roach might want you to think but then again it may not be as easy as some might assume either. That is why they are training in silence. It is a quiet reminder to his fighter not only what is at stake but also what cost him so dearly in March. It is a lesson, it seems, that Manny Pacquiao has learned well if perhaps a bit late.

"This time my training is focused 100 per cent,'' Pacquiao said from Los Angeles. "No distractions. no worries. I am focused only on Sept. 10. Last time I had a lot of problems. I couldn't concentrate.''

Last time, it seems, Pacquiao had so many problems outside the ring he forgot his biggest worry was Morales, who many consider the best super featherweight in the world despite the fact Marco Antonio Barrera would loudly dispute that.

Such mental slippage might seem odd considering Morales' reputation and proficiency but such were the promotional, managerial and, most of all, financial problems Pacquiao was coping with then that by the time he got to Morales all he wanted to do was punch his head off his shoulders, making him pay for the sins of people he had trusted with his future.

In a sense that has always been Pacquiao's approach for he is an action fighter of the highest order but in retrospect he knows his wavering mind conspired against him, leaving him unable to adjust as the fight wore on. Roach recognizes that but he also recognizes that he must work within his fighter's nature. He has a puncher in the Wild Card Gym and he will have the same on Fight Night at the Staples Center and so he adjusts his teaching methods and his fistic curriculum to his student's abilities and inclinations.

"Manny's nature is to be aggressive,'' Roach conceded. "He's a puncher. You can't take that away. But Manny's a much better fighter than he showed that night against Morales. Maybe I didn't do my job correctly (then) but with the bad people out of the way it makes a big, big difference.

"Manny showed a lot of guts in that fight but he stood right in front of the guy with not much head movement. He knows better than that.''

What he also knows, and what Roach is reinforcing in case he forgot, is that he has to use his jab more instead of concentrating solely on his powerful left hand. Against Morales he was beaten back and held at bay all night by the jab yet Roach believes his fighter has the superior one when he throws it. And so, in silence, Pacquiao throws it day after day with only Freddie Roach to please.

Throws the right jab and barrages to the body. No need for the pupil to please anyone but the teacher now because the classroom is empty. No one there but Roach and the memory of Erik Morales.

"We're not going to stumble and take Velasquez lightly,'' Roach said with assurance. "Believe me. Many could make 126 easily but he wants to fight Morales so that's why we're still at 130. That fight is the kind that can take something out of you. I think having this fight before a rematch is important. But if we don't win this fight there is no rematch. Manny understands that.''

No one has to tell Manny Pacquiao that, which is a good thing, because no one's around these days to do it. Which is the way Freddie Roach likes it.

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:11 PM

When's the Jones v Toney fight? And is Mayweather even scheduled for another fight w/in the next few months?

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goandykid

When's the Jones v Toney fight? And is Mayweather even scheduled for another fight w/in the next few months?

Jones is fighting Tarver. Mayweather just fought Gati

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:16 PM

The gatti fight was over 2 months ago, my b on the tarver fight.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goandykid

When's the Jones v Toney fight? And is Mayweather even scheduled for another fight w/in the next few months?

Antonio Tarver
23-3, 18 KOs

VS.

Roy Jones Jr. 3
49-3, 38 KOs 12-Rd. Light Heavyweight

October 1, 2005
9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT St. Pete Times Forum
Tampa, FL

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goandykid

The gatti fight was over 2 months ago, my b on the tarver fight.

They fought 6-25-2005
about 6 weeks ago

Mayweather has no scheduled fight right now.

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:23 PM

get technical y dont u

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goandykid

get technical y dont u

most of the top fighters only fight every 4-6 months....so about 2 to 3 times a year......

**P-funk** · 09-10-2005, 07:25 PM

I learned some boxing history today:

Snapple Fact #150- The first sport to be filmed was boxing in 1894.

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:26 PM

I jsut saw a rerun of that 7 foot fighter win. He's like Yao Ming. Tall and crappy.

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

I learned some boxing history today:

Snapple Fact #150- The first sport to be filmed was boxing in 1894.

I love snapple facts.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

I learned some boxing history today:

Snapple Fact #150- The first sport to be filmed was boxing in 1894.

Snapple has been proven to shrink your penis and to inhibit skeletal hypertrophy.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goandykid

I jsut saw a rerun of that 7 foot fighter win. He's like Yao Ming. Tall and crappy.

Nikolay Valuev
Sex Male
Nationality Russian
Alias Beast From The East
Global ID RU-00-019904
Hometown St. Petersburg, Russia
Birthplace St. Petersburg, Russia
Rated at Heavyweight
World Rank 23 / 1041
Date of Birth 1973-08-21
Age 32
Stance Orthodox
Height 7' 0
Trainer Manuel Gabrielian
Manager Wilfried Sauerland
W 41 (31 ko's) | L 0 | D 0 | Total 42
Far from crappy

**P-funk** · 09-10-2005, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Snapple has been proven to shrink your penis and to inhibit skeletal hypertrophy.

this explains a lot.

**P-funk** · 09-10-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Nikolay Valuev
Sex Male
Nationality Russian
Alias Beast From The East
Global ID RU-00-019904
Hometown St. Petersburg, Russia
Birthplace St. Petersburg, Russia
Rated at Heavyweight
World Rank 23 / 1041
Date of Birth 1973-08-21
Age 32
Stance Orthodox
Height 7' 0
Trainer Manuel Gabrielian
Manager Wilfried Sauerland
W 41 (31 ko's) | L 0 | D 0 | Total 42
Far from crappy

7ft tall!! Jesus! What is his body weight?

goandykid · 09-10-2005, 07:33 PM

I don't think my guy was russian 0.0 He was black, braided head, might have been an amatuer fight. It was on comcast sportsnet.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

7ft tall!! Jesus! What is his body weight?

Last fight he was 333

**P-funk** · 09-10-2005, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Last fight he was 333

Damn! At 7', 333, he must have a hell of a reach. I bet he packs a mean punch.

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 07:37 PM

**P-funk** · 09-10-2005, 07:39 PM

LMAO....that looks ridiculous! He looks like a giant next to that other dude. How the fuck can that guy get inside on a person this tall?

TJ Cline · 09-10-2005, 11:27 PM

Manny Pacquiao KO's Velazquez In 6th
Round!
10.09.05 - Jeff Bastasini: A dominant Manny Pacquiao (40-3-2, 31 KOs) had it easy defeating an overmatched Hector Velazquez (42-11-2, 16 KOs), in a sixth round TKO. Velazquez offered very little resistance to Pacquiao, who simply walked right in on Velazquez, and landing every punch he threw. The end was never in doubt from the opening rounds, as Velazquez didn't have the firepower to keep Pacquiao off him, as Erik Morales had done in their bout in March 2005. The fight was stopped at the 2:59 mark of the sixth round, with Pacquiao landing a devastating flurry that had Velazquez virtually defenseless and out on his feet. l 23 comments

The Monkey Man · 09-11-2005, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Jones is fighting Tarver

Tarver STILL! has some big ass lips.

The Monkey Man · 09-11-2005, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P-funk

LMAO....that looks ridiculous! He looks like a giant next to that other dude. How the fuck can that guy get inside on a person this tall?

I doubt he is very quick on his feet...
(Although I have not seen him move)

The Old Tyson... head slipping inside fighter, would be a good match

topolo · 09-11-2005, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkey Man

Tarver STILL! has some big ass lips.

would you bang him?

The Monkey Man · 09-11-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topolo

would you bang him?

SURE!...

With the bumper of my truck as he's crossing the street -

TJ Cline · 09-12-2005, 08:03 AM

Locche Passes Away

08.09.05 - By Amato: It is with great sadness to report that former world junior welterweight champion Nicolino Locche of Argentina has passed on. He was 66 years old. Reports from his homeland say that heart failure was the cause of death. Loche was a defensive genius who won the crown from Paul Fuji..

Locche had several successful defenses including one over the legendary Antonio Cervantes. He eventually lost the title to Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazier of Panama. Cervantes would defeat Frazier for the title and in a rematch, Locche would fail in an attempt to regain his crown from Cervantes.

Locche fought from 1958 to 1976. He ended his career with an impressive 117-4-14 record. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2003.

Rest in peace...

09-10-2005, 07:11 PM	#6
goandykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,378	When's the Jones v Toney fight? And is Mayweather even scheduled for another fight w/in the next few months? You guys are going to lose. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn’t winning in Boston for the season opener. I’m sorry. " - Gilbert Arenas

09-10-2005, 07:16 PM	#8
goandykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,378	The gatti fight was over 2 months ago, my b on the tarver fight. You guys are going to lose. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn’t winning in Boston for the season opener. I’m sorry. " - Gilbert Arenas

09-10-2005, 07:23 PM	#11
goandykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,378	get technical y dont u You guys are going to lose. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn’t winning in Boston for the season opener. I’m sorry. " - Gilbert Arenas

09-10-2005, 07:25 PM	#13
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 31,660	I learned some boxing history today: Snapple Fact #150- The first sport to be filmed was boxing in 1894. E-Book: Take Charge! Everything You Need To Know To Write Your Own Training Programs Online Consulting/Program Design Reality Based Fitness Podcast Check me out on Twitter! Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter! "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

09-10-2005, 07:26 PM	#14
goandykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,378	I jsut saw a rerun of that 7 foot fighter win. He's like Yao Ming. Tall and crappy. You guys are going to lose. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn’t winning in Boston for the season opener. I’m sorry. " - Gilbert Arenas

09-10-2005, 06:37 PM	#1
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	BOXING.....now and tomorrow This thread is for boxing news, perdictions, history, upcoming fights or what ever else you want to talk about in the boxing world.

09-10-2005, 06:38 PM	#2
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	Wrestling Icon "Christian" with Pacquiao at Today's Weigh-in LOS ANGELES, CA (September 9, 2005) -- Team Pacquiao has beefed up its membership with two of professional wrestling's biggest grapplers. The Undertaker and Christian have tag teamed to support Manny Pacquiao in his 12-round rumble with Hector Velazquez for the WBC International super featherweight championship, Tomorrow night! at Staples Center.. Televised live by HBO, beginning at 9:45 P.M. ET / 6:45 P.M. PT, the card, entitled "Double Trouble, " will also feature Erik Morales in a 12-round championship bout against Zahir Raheem, for the WBC International lightweight title. The 6'2 235-pound Christian, also known as "Captain Charisma," will be watching Manny's back at today's weigh-in at Staples Center Star Plaza, beginning at 3 P.M. and open to the public. The 6'10, 328-pound Undertaker will be leading Manny into the ring tomorrow night, carrying the America Flag. Both are huge fans of Manny and flew into Los Angeles today to personally support him at the fight.

09-10-2005, 06:39 PM	#3
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	Evander Holyfield Needs to Follow Jerry Rice’s Lead 08.09.05 - By Geoffrey Ciani: After an amazing twenty years in professional football, Jerry Rice has finally decided to call it a career. Having passed the point where he’s capable of performing at a top level, this decision couldn’t have come at a better time. Evander Holyfield should take note.. The similarities between the careers of these magnificent athletes are actually quite astounding. At the peak of their skills, each achieved the highest level of greatness possible in their professions. Rice was the most dominant receiver in football throughout much of the late 80’s until the mid 90’s; likewise, Holyfield was a top contender in the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions during this same time frame. In fact, Holyfield once held the undisputed championship in each of those divisions. A lot has changed since that time, and now it seems those days are long gone. Neither athlete has been at the top of his game for some years now. Both Rice and Holyfield have been in decline for near a decade, and each has hung around longer than he should have. It’s been three years since Rice has played at a Pro-Bowl caliber-level, and it’s been three years since Evander Holyfield last won a boxing match. The biggest difference between the two right now seems to be that Rice—at least—had the sense to know when to get out of the game. Not wanting to be reduced to a minor role after such an illustrious career, Rice knew the time to leave was now as opposed to later. Sadly, Holyfield has no such sense. And in boxing, this can be detrimental to his health. “I never thought I’d ever see this day.” Those were the words of the great Jerry Rice once he realized it was finally over. It’s difficult for someone with the competitive nature of a professional athlete to admit when his time is up. This is especially true with truly outstanding athletes that have defied the odds time and time again. Father time does eventually catch up with everyone, however--even amazing athletes like Rice and Holyfield, whether or not the “The Real Deal” wants to admit it. Holyfield is scheduled to move on with his career, and is slated to face 35 year old journeyman, Frank Wood on October 8, in Sardinia, Italy. This is an ill-advised decision on his part. “The Real Deal” is clearly a shot fighter, and has nothing left to offer himself or boxing fans. His last win was in June of 2002 against Hasim Rahman, and even then it seemed to be somewhat of a fluke. Rahman’s face swelled to gigantic proportions after being on the receiving end of a legendary Holyfield head-butt. Since that time, he has been utterly outclassed by Chris Byrd and Larry “The Legend” Donald, and he was stopped in 9 rounds by former middleweight, James Toney. This is not the same Holyfield we all love and remember. That version of “The Real Deal” is long gone -- much like the version of Jerry Rice who used to swipe passes on quick slant patterns from Joe Montana is long gone, and at long last Rice was able to realize that. Holyfield, who coincidently is just six days younger than Rice, really ought to follow the older man’s lead. Holyfield, please retire.

09-10-2005, 06:41 PM	#4
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	MORALES DEALS THE CARDS September 8, 2005 Erik Morales is in a most unique position for a prizefighter. He doesn't need anyone but himself to get to the prize. Of course he needs opponents but he doesn't need a specific opponent. They, in fact, to a man need him. That is a distinction with a significant difference. Whether you fight at 135 pounds, 130 pounds or 126 pounds, if you want to make real money today in boxing you need to fight Erik Morales. Fortunately for such boxers, and for the sport itself, Morales is happy to oblige. All you need to be is a real challenger. Unlike so many of his contemporaries, Erik Morales is a guy always looking for a fight. He's not just looking for soft paydays. He's looking for the big risk that produce the big money. It used to be like that all over boxing but no more. Today too many fighters consult actuarial tables. They are risk averse. Erik Morales seeks out risks. That's why he chose to face slick moving lightweight Zahir Raheem (26-1) in his first foray into the 135-pound division on Saturday night at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The fact that Morales will be fighting at that weight for the first time is not necessarily good news to the co-feature on that HBO-televised event however because junior lightweight Manny Pacquiao is one of those guys spoiling for a fight with Morales. He's just not looking to do it at 135 pounds. This card has been billed as a tune-up for a early spring rematch between Morales and Pacquiao to settle an issue Morales feels doesn't exist. He prevailed the first time on a night when Pacquiao did not look good but Pacquiao later claimed outside distractions born from managerial and promotional problems adversely effected his preparation and focus. Although Morales doesn't buy that excuse he's willing to give the hard-punching Filipino idol a second chance to prove his point. Or will he? Pacquiao and his trainer, Freddie Roach, have made clear that Pacquiao is not a lightweight. Even 130 pounds is a reach for him in their opinion, although he would make the effort to get there again to fight Morales despite the fact Roach feels his best weight is still 126. Morales, meanwhile, spoke this week like a man on the move up the fistic weight scales. "Fans expect big fights, more championships, you know,'' Morales said. "Something great at 135. I give as much as I can for as long as I can to the fans. Winning a fourth title (after holding belts that have become all but meaningless to him at 122, 126 and 130 pounds) would be great. I want to show what I can do in this (lightweight) division.'' That would seem to eliminate Pacquiao despite the expectations of the public, HBO and his promoter, Bob Arum. Just because others have plans it doesn't mean Erik Morales' agrees with them and unlike most fighters if he doesn't agree he doesn't have to do a thing but wait for someone else to challenge him. Yet there is one thing the popular Mexican firebrand can't seem to resist. He can't pass up a challenge. Or a challenger the public wants to see him face and so he gets back to Pacquiao just about as quickly as he left him to talk about advancing in the lightweight division. "Some people feel Pacquiao was not at his best,'' Morales (48-2, 34 KO) said of their first fight. "I think he was. If there are some doubts I'll erase them in our second fight.'' That assumes there will be a second fight, which there might well be because of who Morales is. But then again, for the very same reasons, perhaps a fourth fight with his long-time rival Marco Antonio Barrera, who has given him his only two losses, will take precedent over that in his mind. Or perhaps even a first showdown with the winner of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo rematch to settle who is the supreme ruler in the lightweight division will override all other considerations for Morales and convince him to stay at 135, a weight it's unlikely Pacquiao will try his hands at. Whatever the future holds, Erik Morales will decide it for himself. He will not be dictated to by any fighter or any situation. He will fight who he wants, which fortunately for fight fans is usually the fighters they want to see him fight, when he wants. "I have my own path drawn out,'' Morales said this week. "I don't depend on anyone else. Right now I'm not thinking of any other fighter than Zahir Raheem.'' That includes the guy who will step into the ring just before he does Saturday night. That includes Manny Pacquiao. At least for the moment.

09-10-2005, 06:45 PM	#5
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	MANNY PACQUIAO: SOUNDS OF SILENCE September 2, 2005 Boxing is a lonely business but never more so than it is at the moment for Manny Pacquiao. In the long weeks leading up to his classic confrontation in March with Erik Morales, Pacquiao was seldom left alone, either in the gym or in his thoughts. Every day the Wild Card Gym in downtown Los Angeles was jammed with his loyal following of Filipino fans. His every move was cheered and, his trainer now believes, his every move was also orchestrated more to please those crowds than to prepare himself for Morales. When the crowds were gone, the din did not lessen. There were meetings with lawyers, managers and sycophants, all talking about how to defeat a new opponent, his soon to be former promoter Murad Muhammad. When they all finally left him, Pacquiao sat alone but his thoughts seldom focused solely on Morales, who is one of the best 130-pound fighters in the world. Rather they kept coming back to what had become a seemingly endless war with Muhammad and his original handlers back in Manila, whom Pacquiao and roach believe shortchanged the fighter out of hundreds of thousands of dollars in purse money. As the days wore own, Pacquiao wore down. His focus on Morales seemed to slip away until he appeared to be only a shadow of himself when Fight Night finally came. He fought bravely, as always, but he did not fight well and he was punished for it. Pacquiao's tactics seemed nonexistent and his stubborn insistence on finding a way to knockout the resilient and resourceful Morales with one punch led him to a painful defeat. It has been five months now since that disappointing night and Pacquiao is back at the Wild Card Gym preparing for a tuneup against a Mexican professional named Hector Velazquez (41-10) on a Sept. 10 HBO card at the Staples Center. Pacquiao will share the spotlight with Morales, who faces Zahir Raheem (26-1, 18 KO) on the same card, both men knowing what those fights mean. They mean a rematch for big money if both win as expected and abject defeat if they do not. Pacquiao and Roach understand this but more importantly they understand what happened in the weeks before the Morales fight cannot be repeated. The legal problems with Muhammad have been settled and Pacquiao has signed a two-fight deal with rival promoter Gary Shaw, who he said this week "is funny.'' Perhaps just as important as the absence of legal problems is the presence of silence. The crowds of eager fans have been locked out of his gym in L.A. and Pacquiao now prepares to fight the way Roach likes him to. Alone. "There were too many distractions before,'' Roach said this week of the months leading up to their loss to Morales. "This time things are more private. We close the gym to the public when Manny trains. There's room to breathe now. "We love the Filipino fans but you couldn't breathe in the gym before Morales. Those fans have been great to us but Manny was performing for them and not so much for me last camp. Now he can concentrate on the fight and practice what we need to practice on.'' The first couple of days of training word had not quite filtered out yet about the closure and fans began to congregate around the old building. Roach finally employed several burly bodyguards to make the point but he also appealed to Pacquiao's fans to show if their love for him was real. "They understood if they're really Manny's supporters they'd help him out and let him work,'' Roach said. "The fans respected that. They stopped coming.'' Pacquiao seldom does, which is part of his problem. His blind insistence on aggression and forward motion cost him dearly against the slick but warrior-like Morales and Roach is not in denial about that. He has his fighter working on increasing his body punching now, believing that is what's necessary to wear down Morales while also convinced that if he can take that approach in against the less dangerous Velasquez it will carry over to what is expected to be a pay-per-view rematch early next year between two of the most popular and two of the most dangerous fighters in the world. "Velasquez has a similar style to Erik's,'' Roach said. "He's not of that caliber but he's very resilient. He's gone a lot of rounds with people so Manny needs to wear him down. It's the same with Morales. I felt Manny didn't work the body enough against Morales last time. My hope is if he does it this fight it will carry over.'' Of course to get to that fight Pacquiao first must rid himself of Velasquez (41-10, 30 KO). That is not as difficult a task as Roach might want you to think but then again it may not be as easy as some might assume either. That is why they are training in silence. It is a quiet reminder to his fighter not only what is at stake but also what cost him so dearly in March. It is a lesson, it seems, that Manny Pacquiao has learned well if perhaps a bit late. "This time my training is focused 100 per cent,'' Pacquiao said from Los Angeles. "No distractions. no worries. I am focused only on Sept. 10. Last time I had a lot of problems. I couldn't concentrate.'' Last time, it seems, Pacquiao had so many problems outside the ring he forgot his biggest worry was Morales, who many consider the best super featherweight in the world despite the fact Marco Antonio Barrera would loudly dispute that. Such mental slippage might seem odd considering Morales' reputation and proficiency but such were the promotional, managerial and, most of all, financial problems Pacquiao was coping with then that by the time he got to Morales all he wanted to do was punch his head off his shoulders, making him pay for the sins of people he had trusted with his future. In a sense that has always been Pacquiao's approach for he is an action fighter of the highest order but in retrospect he knows his wavering mind conspired against him, leaving him unable to adjust as the fight wore on. Roach recognizes that but he also recognizes that he must work within his fighter's nature. He has a puncher in the Wild Card Gym and he will have the same on Fight Night at the Staples Center and so he adjusts his teaching methods and his fistic curriculum to his student's abilities and inclinations. "Manny's nature is to be aggressive,'' Roach conceded. "He's a puncher. You can't take that away. But Manny's a much better fighter than he showed that night against Morales. Maybe I didn't do my job correctly (then) but with the bad people out of the way it makes a big, big difference. "Manny showed a lot of guts in that fight but he stood right in front of the guy with not much head movement. He knows better than that.'' What he also knows, and what Roach is reinforcing in case he forgot, is that he has to use his jab more instead of concentrating solely on his powerful left hand. Against Morales he was beaten back and held at bay all night by the jab yet Roach believes his fighter has the superior one when he throws it. And so, in silence, Pacquiao throws it day after day with only Freddie Roach to please. Throws the right jab and barrages to the body. No need for the pupil to please anyone but the teacher now because the classroom is empty. No one there but Roach and the memory of Erik Morales. "We're not going to stumble and take Velasquez lightly,'' Roach said with assurance. "Believe me. Many could make 126 easily but he wants to fight Morales so that's why we're still at 130. That fight is the kind that can take something out of you. I think having this fight before a rematch is important. But if we don't win this fight there is no rematch. Manny understands that.'' No one has to tell Manny Pacquiao that, which is a good thing, because no one's around these days to do it. Which is the way Freddie Roach likes it.

09-10-2005, 07:33 PM	#20
goandykid Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,378	I don't think my guy was russian 0.0 He was black, braided head, might have been an amatuer fight. It was on comcast sportsnet. You guys are going to lose. You might as well just cheer for me, because Boston isn’t winning in Boston for the season opener. I’m sorry. " - Gilbert Arenas

09-10-2005, 07:37 PM	#23
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545

09-10-2005, 07:39 PM	#24
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 31,660	LMAO....that looks ridiculous! He looks like a giant next to that other dude. How the fuck can that guy get inside on a person this tall? E-Book: Take Charge! Everything You Need To Know To Write Your Own Training Programs Online Consulting/Program Design Reality Based Fitness Podcast Check me out on Twitter! Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter! "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

09-10-2005, 11:27 PM	#25
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	Manny Pacquiao KO's Velazquez In 6th Round! 10.09.05 - Jeff Bastasini: A dominant Manny Pacquiao (40-3-2, 31 KOs) had it easy defeating an overmatched Hector Velazquez (42-11-2, 16 KOs), in a sixth round TKO. Velazquez offered very little resistance to Pacquiao, who simply walked right in on Velazquez, and landing every punch he threw. The end was never in doubt from the opening rounds, as Velazquez didn't have the firepower to keep Pacquiao off him, as Erik Morales had done in their bout in March 2005. The fight was stopped at the 2:59 mark of the sixth round, with Pacquiao landing a devastating flurry that had Velazquez virtually defenseless and out on his feet. l 23 comments

09-12-2005, 08:03 AM	#30
TJ Cline Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 12,545	Locche Passes Away 08.09.05 - By Amato: It is with great sadness to report that former world junior welterweight champion Nicolino Locche of Argentina has passed on. He was 66 years old. Reports from his homeland say that heart failure was the cause of death. Loche was a defensive genius who won the crown from Paul Fuji.. Locche had several successful defenses including one over the legendary Antonio Cervantes. He eventually lost the title to Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazier of Panama. Cervantes would defeat Frazier for the title and in a rematch, Locche would fail in an attempt to regain his crown from Cervantes. Locche fought from 1958 to 1976. He ended his career with an impressive 117-4-14 record. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2003. Rest in peace...

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