BY: Rota Em www.diamondboxing.com

2009 needs to be a year in which boxing is revived. I disagree with Joe Calzaghe, the sport isn’t dying but on the other hand it isn’t living in luxury either. We’ll leave it at hungry, not yet starving. One fight that can help to rejuvenate the sweet science is the “Hitman” going against the “Pacman”. No, it’s not a game although some children might confuse it for such and rightfully so. But it’s really a showdown to lay claim to the 140 pound division. Ricky Hatton has held his stake at the junior welterweight level his entire career and is set to face the current p4p kingpin Manny Pacquiao on May 2nd of next year. His two vacations outside his 140-lb home in the 147-lb division were lackluster performances, at best. 147 pounds is just too heavy.

Pacquiao is looking for a fourth victory in as many divisions. He’s already solidified his place in the hall of fame, but this win will surely add extra bragging rights– not to mention an open window to a ‘fight of the decade’ against Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

In “The Dream Match” it was speed that factored in most for the Pacman. For Oscar, it should’ve been his reach. You knew it, you called it. In this match-up, reach will play the biggest role. And by reach I’m referring to Manny’s left hand lead. In fighting David Diaz, who has a 69″ reach, Manny utilized his speed to chop down the, then, champion. In comparison, Pacquiao has a 5′6″ frame with a 67″ reach. Hatton is an inch taller but loses two inches in reach to Pacquiao. Now two inches isn’t much, just ask Diaz, but two inches with lightning in the form of the left hand behind it will do considerable damage. The last time Manny had a reach advantage was when he was mugged by Agapito Sanchez in a super bantamweight title fight in which I felt Sanchez should’ve been disqualified, this was 2001 and two months after 9/11. Or put it this way that was when Manny Pacquiao was not the consensus pound for pound king. So add a couple great trilogies and genuine championship experience, and you’ll be worried if you are a Hatton fan (like myself). I followed Hatton throughout most of his career and I felt he has always been a crisp puncher. He always seemed small, physically, in the ring but he sure had some pop behind his punches. The diving hook that put Carlos Maussa to sleep came straight out of the classis Nintendo game “Punch Out”. And the swirling sound your opponent made on his way to the canvas was what I heard when Maussa was draped across the ropes, helpless. Reach will do well for Manny, but Hatton has a good chance if he fights Pacquiao like he did Jose Luis Castillo. In that fight the “Hitman” stalked his opponent and slowly worked on the body. It took him only four rounds to stop the highly durable Castillo. The result: a one punch knockout to the body. It can happen. It has happened. It might happen again. Body shots are well a part of today’s sweet science.

Which “Hitman” will show up? And how will his rough-house tactics work against a speed driven brawler like the “Pacman”? We can answer this question through facts, past fights, and fighter comparison but it all comes down to styles. I cannot think of one opponent that Manny has faced that remotely compares to Ricky Hatton, in stat or in size. The closest would have to be Diaz but there was no power behind those cannonballs of his. Ricky has power. And I can see Manny doing exactly what he did against Diaz to Hatton, and that’s because the Tasmanian devil himself wouldn’t last in a fist fight with Pacquiao. He’s just too fast. You can’t hurt what you can’t catch.

It will be another great battle for the sport.

BOXING NEWS www.diamondboxing.com

 

Hatton and Malignaggi make weight and face off above.

Latest Boxing News - Ricky Hatton made weight right on the limit for Saturday’s junior-welterweight fight with American Paulie Malignaggi at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday night. Stripped down to his underwear, Hatton, 30, climbed onto the scales and belied suggestions circulating in American boxing circles that he was struggling with his weight, as he looked a lean and trim 140 pounds. Malignaggi, 27, comfortably made weight, tipping the scales at 139 pounds a little over 30 hours before challenging for Hatton’s Ring Magazine and IBO world championship belts.

Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) was forced to listen to a deafening chorus of Hatton chants from the estimated 2,500 fans that had begun assembling in the Grand Garden Arena some 90 minutes before the weigh-in. The New Yorker appeared pumped up by the hostile atmosphere as he made weight, gesticulating to the crowd as Hatton took his turn on the scales before leaving the stage without comment. Afterward, Hatton was handed the microphone by ring announcer Michael Buffer and thanked his fans for turning out. “I’m going to make you proud again,” Hatton said.

Team Malignaggi 

Hatton Fans Sing It Up. 

Paulie Malignaggi being introduced by Miachael Buffer.

Malignaggi hits the scales at 139 pounds.

Chad Dawson takes in the weigh-in.

 

The Hatton Band entertains.

Elvis is in the house.

Malignaggi all pumped up.

Hatton weighs in at 140 pounds.

The face- off Hatton - Malignaggi.

 

They are focused and ready to go Hatton - Malignaggi.

Hatton and Malignaggi pose down.

Co- Feature match James Kirkland vs Brian Vega.

James Kirkland 156 pounds - Brian Vega 157.

 

Ben Tackie 148 pounds as he gets ready to take on Matthew Hatton.

 

Matthew Hatton.weighed in at 148 pounds.

Matthew Hatton and Ben Tackie ready to duke it out.

Matthew Hatton and Ben Tackie face - off.

Lightweight superstar Juan Diaz.

Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

 

The Pacman looking fit demonstrated to the media today at the Wild Card Gym in L.A. his speed and power. Pacquiao looking great at his current weight of 151 pounds pounded the mitts of head trainer Freddy Roach in an intense workout session attended by Diamond Boxing. Pacquiao is in deep preparation for his December 6 clash with the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya.

Full Media Day Photo Coverage

Pacquiao pounds the mitts

Pacman focused and ready for De La Hoya on Dec. 6th as he trains with Roach

Pacman is ready to go on December 6th

Manny practicing his defense

Manny says this is the hardest he ever trained for a fight

Manny Pacquiao says he is ready for De La Hoya

Manny warming up before workout

Pacquiao power shot

Manny showing the press how he is going to pound De La Hoya 

Pacquiao super quick on the speed bag

Manny jumping rope to get down to 147 pounds

Amir Khan getting ready for his training session at the Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Amir Khan focused as he gets ready for his December 6th bout in the UK 

Amir Khan pounding it out with Freddy Roach

Pacquiao takes a bow

Manny Pacquiao all business

Pacquiao after his workout on media day

Manny in deep thought while getting stretched out

Pacquiao gets ready for his workout on media day

Manny stretching it out prior to his workout

Manny smiles when talking about what he is going to do to Oscar

Bobby Pacquiao training at Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Not Double vision it’s Bobby Pacquiao training at Wild Card Gym in L.A.

Manny Pacquiao taking questions from the press on media day

Freddy Roach talking it up with Al Bernstein

Bobby Pacquiao preparing for his bout against Robert Frankel on November 20

Latest Boxing News www.diamondboxing.com

Amazing action shots from the Kelly Pavlik vs Bernard Hopkins fight October 18, 2008 from Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall.

Reporting Ringside: Diane Bennett  October 4, 2008

Boxing fans who attended the Shamrocks and Dreams event promoted by Philadelphia Worldwide at The Northeast National Guard Armory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania were treated to a card full of hard punches, knockouts, upsets, first time victories, comebacks and one heart warming story.

You will read about Tim Witherspoon Jr. first professional victory, Paul Hyland’s first career defeat and Kassim Ouma’s first victory in his last four fights.

This night however, belonged to Philly’s own Jamaal Davis a young middleweight who took on another Philly boxer Chris Hall in a 4 round battle. Davis was not fighting for a championship belt, he was fighting with a champion’s heart while supporting cancer awareness month. It was not to long ago, last December that Jamaal’s young bride Patrilla passed away at the age of 25 after battling breast cancer for years. Davis all decked out in Pink entered the ring for the second bout of the night with the thoughts of his wife in his heart. Davis who has dedicated his career to honor his wife was determined to get back on the winning track after suffering three straight defeats. Tonight Jamaal did not let her down he simply out boxed his fellow Philadelphian Chris Hall for four rounds just like his trainer Sharron Baker planned. Davis earned a unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored the fight for Davis who improved his record to 8 -4.

Jamaal Davis works on the inside

After the fight the humble Davis with his whole family in the center of the ring, this included his two children, his mother, his mother in-law and his trainer Sharron Baker. Davis, thanked all his fans for their support, love and most important asked everyone to be aware of Cancer. Davis who plans to fight on not only for the love of boxing but for the determination to do what ever he could to help raise funds for the fight against the deadly cancer disease. Along with Diamond Boxing, Davis has his sights sets on other events to help promote Cancer Awareness. It’s Jamaal Davis on this night that should get the headlines for his courageousness, for the love and devotion he gives to his family, to his sport and his never give up attitude. IBF Cruiserweight champion Steve “USS: Cunningham who was on hand to support Davis also saluted the efforts of Davis.

Jamaal Davis addresses the fans about Cancer Awareness

Davis along with Diamond Boxing will be auctioning off a autographed pink T- shirt which was signed by many of the boxers who participated on the card and by many of the champions in attendance. The auction will take place on E-Bay and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.    

Jamaal Davis

Former world junior middleweight champion Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma, 26-5-1 (16 KOs) was pitted against Martinus ‘Magnificent’ Clay 13-19-4 (5KOs) from Wilson, North Carolina in a 10 round junior middleweight battle. Ouma coming off three straight defeats was looking to get his career back on track. At the early stages of the match Ouma who was sizing up Clay was able to land a few jabs but in most part was not that active. Ouma started to get into a groove in the third round while producing more output. Through the first four rounds the game Clay was able to hold his ground and actually buckled Ouma twice in the forth with powerful combinations that woke Ouma up. From that point forward Ouma dominated Clay, looking very sharp in the fifth round Ouma with the momentum now on his side dropped Clay twice in the sixth. After the second knockout with the agreement of Clay’s corner the fight was stopped at the 1:38 mark of the round.

Ouma works off the ropes

Clay takes a knee and gets counted out

The amazing and challenging life story of Kassim Ouma is being made into a motion picture which will be released this winter. Legendary Academy Award winning actor Forrest Whitaker is one of the Executive producers. The movie portraits Ouma’s incredible life journey from his days of being kidnapped from school at the age of six by the rebel army who was seeking to overthrow the Ugandan government all the way through his championship boxing days.

Kassim Ouma close up

In a four round Featherweight clash Paul Hyland from Dublin, Ireland put his undefeated record on the line against Lucian Gonzales. Both boxers came to battle slugging it out throughout. It was Gonzales who got the better of Hyland in round three landing solid body shots which he followed with a wicked combination knocking Hyland to the canvas. The hurt Hyland was able to finish the round the dazed Hyland after the bell walk to the wrong corner. In the forth round Hyland demonstrated his toughness and was able to gut out the round, while warding off the blows from the tough Gonzalez. In the end the three judges scored the fight for Gonzales 39-36,38-37 and 38-37. With the win Gonzales advances his record to 8-4, while Hyland’s record now stands at 12-1.   

 

Gonzales lands to Hyland’s body

In one of the co-featured fights up and coming star middleweight Simon ‘Slick Fighting Irish’ O’Donnell, 7-1 (4 KOS),a native of County Galway who fights out of Philadelphia. O’Donnell took on Antonio Baker (3-11-1, 4KOs) in a 6 rounder. O’Donnell in workmen like fashion was able to break down Baker and take him out in the fifth round. O’Donnell come away with a TKO victory after the referee stopped the fight at the 58 second mark of the fifth round.   

Team O’Donnell with IBF Champ Steve Cunningham

All the way from Dublin, Ireland, Patrick Hyland 15-0 (8KOs), faced off against Santiago, Dominican Republic native, Elvis Luciano Martinez 11-27-2 (5KOs), in a four round super featherweight battle. Martinez was no match for Hyland who just dismantled him in the second round. Hyland floored Martinez with a beautiful right in the first round and finished his business in the second round, dropping Martinez for a second and third time.      

Elvis Martinez gets counted out after being knockdown by Patrick Hyland

To start the evening off Tim Witherspoon Jr. the son of Former Heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in his second professional fight took on Julius Edmounds in a four round welterweight clash. Witherspoon Jr. did enough to earn his first professional victory by majority decision, two judges scored the fight 39 -37 for Witherspoon and the third judge had the fight even at 38-38.     

Tim Witherspoon Jr. and Witherspoon Sr. raise fist in victory