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.

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Pacquiao’s supporters (above) cheer him on against De La Hoya.

BY: Robert Epstein www.diamondboxing.com

With victories over Marquez, Diaz and De La Hoya and the title of current pound for pound champion all accomplished in the twenty ninth stanza of his life. Pacquiao now looks ahead to his thirties and the final stages of his boxing career. Not to leave doubt in any ones mind that Pacquiao deserves to be listed as one of The Greatest Boxers of all Time he will now take on Ricky Hatton.  Forget about any rumors of bouts with Kendall Holt or Zab Judah these make no sense or no money and will do Pacquiao no justice. A pound for pound champ wants to fight the best and the best name out there right now is Ricky Hatton. A Hatton – Pacquiao bout if held in the U.K. will break all of the boxing attendance records. However, as negations enter the final stages it appears that the bout will take place in Las Vegas in order to achieve the best economic results.  

While Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton will due their battling inside the ring some time in May 2009, the fans of these two boxing warriors have already begun to square off outside the ring. The message boards the rebuttals, the polls have already started to heat up. The pre fight hype is on and the fan comradery alone will be a battle in it’s self.

Pacquiao with his aggressive boxing style, his offensive approach, always on the attack mentality makes him fan friendly and his recent destruction of De La Hoya has added believers to The Pacman Nation. If you add in Pacquiao’s kind hearted good deeds along with his generosity it becomes very difficult not to be a fan. Pacman has his country of 91 million strong behind him and with the additional support around the globe growing by leaps and bounds Pacman Nation is at its peak stronger than ever. Pacman Nation is ready to take on the Hatton Cult.  

Hatton (above) greets thousands of his fans at the MGM in Vegas before the Malginaggi bout.  

Hatton by far is the leading box office draw, without a doubt if this bout was held at Wembly Stadium 100,000 strong will come and maybe the stadium attendance record of 126,047 could be challenged. When Hatton fights no matter if its home in England or in his second home Vegas the cult comes out. In his last two Vegas bouts against Mayweather and Malignaggi the Hatton following hit the Vegas desert in droves, by the tens of thousands. The pre-fight weigh-in-in is an event in it’s self with over 6,000 Hattonnites strong. Oh yes Hatton has his own Elvis and lets not forget his brass band.

The interest in this bout has already reached a fever pitch, the bout has not been officially announced and the entire boxing world is buzzing with Pacquiao – Hatton thoughts. Pacquiao who has been installed as the 2 to 5 betting favorite to win the bout will also be the global fan favorite. However with his traveling army Hatton for sure will still have the larger on-site fan support.

De La Hoya (above) slumped in the corner at the end of the eighth round

As Pacman journeys to another era in his career one has to reflect back on the amazing past year Pacquiao had, fresh in the minds of all is Pacquiao’s destruction of the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. Yes it was destruction from the opening bell to the lasting image of De La Hoya slumped on his stool in the corner at the end of the eighth round. That image will play in my mind for a long time as it wasn’t the end of De La Hoya’s career that I am thinking about but the beginning of Manny’s. I know Pacquiao has been boxing for over thirteen years, I know he has 48 victories and only 3 losses, I know he beat the likes of Barrera, Marquez and Morales all who may have been better boxers than De La Hoya. However, it’s the De La Hoya conquering that catapulted Manny as one of The Greatest Boxers of all Time.

Now Hatton must go face to face with the career ending giant Paquiao, if Pacquiao can achieve the same results and crush Hatton in De La Hoya like fashion Hatton’s cult will also be retired.

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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

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Diamond Boxing presents the month of October in review: 

Upset of the Month – Hopkins over Pavlik

When you reflect back on the month of October, definitely your first thought would be how the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins upset the younger Kelly Pavlik. Actually Hopkins went beyond expectations he dominated Pavlik round after round Hopkins schooled Pavlik in the art of boxing. Hopkins was quicker especially with his hand speed, was first to land and demonstrated a variety of different punches. Hopkins blooded Pavlik who required stitches afterwards, Hopkins even landed a windmill styled right as he toyed with Pavlik towards the end of the bout.

It was pure one sided even the judges agreed scoring unanimously the decision for Hopkins, one judge Alan Rubinstein gave all the rounds to Hopkins while the other two judges had Hopkins winning 118 -108 and 117-109. When you look back at the final punch stats they coincide with the scoring Hopkins landed 32% of his punches while Pavlik landed at a measly 23%. The power shot results also reflected the mere dominance of Hopkins who connected at a 49% rate compared to Pavlik’s 26%. At the end of the bout Hopkins glared into the media section staring at his critics who doubted he could beat the undefeated Pavlik. Hopkins now has his sights set on Roy Jones Jr.and for now on we are sure all the media will not overlook the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins.

The Next Pound 4 Pound Champ – Dawson over Tarver

Featured on October 11th was “Bad” Chad Dawson against Antonio Tarver in a light heavy weight battle from Vegas for Tarver’s IBF belt. Once again it was young against old, Dawson is only 26 while Tarver is 13 years his senior at 39. This one was a one sided match as Dawson took the action to Tarver who was on the defense all night. Dawson was classified by Floyd Mayweather Jr. who was in attendance as the number one pound for pound champ in the world lived up to Mayweather’s expectations. Dawson demonstrated his combination of speed and power throughout the bout and was able to drop Tarver in  the twelve with a solid uppercut. Dawson went on to record a unanimous decision victory.  

Lame Duck of the Month – Klitschko over Peter

In October we had to endure many one sided matches but no other was more difficult to watch than the Vitali Klitschko – Samuel Peter heavyweight showdown from Berlin, Germany. Klitschko coming back after a four year layoff and looking capture the WBC Title. Klitscko is the older brother of WBO, IBF and IBO champion Wladimir, a win by Vitali would allow the Klitscko to reach their dream of holding championship belts at the same time. Vitali delivered and from the opening bell there was no doubt that he was prepared and in great shape. Klitscko started early plucking away at Peter and landing at will. Peter who was on the defense all night, finally gave up after the eighth round and did not come out for the ninth. Vitali was declared the winner by TKO and the brotherly celebration began. The most excitement in this one came the way of the pre-fight ceremonies with the Pussycat Dolls performing and former heavyweight champions Holyfield, Forman, Tyson, Frazier and Lewis presenting Klitscko with supporting messages via video.

 

 

The Controversy of the Month– Bute over Andrade

The month did not pass without controversy in a bout broadcasted live on Showtime, Canadian fan favorite Lucian Bute survived a last second knockdown by the hands of Librado Andrade. Through eleven rounds Bute fighting in his hometown executed a solid game plan and dominated Andrade. With a significant lead going into the twelve and final round Bute simply had to stay out of arms way from rugged Andrade. Going into the twelve Andrade knew only one way to get a victory was by knockout. Andrade stalked Bute throughout the twelve round, continuously moving forward and snapping solid blows onto the face of Bute who made the mistake of trying to end the fight in impressive fashion.

With several seconds remaining in the final round Andrade hurt his prey, Bute was staggered by several solid blows, driving him backwards onto the canvas. This was the first time in his career Bute was knocked down. Referee Marlon Wright seemed to pickup the knockdown count very late, he began counting several seconds after Bute hit the canvas. As Wright began to count Bute out, he suddenly turned to Andrade and warned him to stay in the neutral corner allowing several more seconds of recovery time for Bute. After all was said and done twenty five seconds passed and Bute finally arose with Wright only on a six count. As Bute appeared unable to continue the final bell rang, saving Bute and his perfect record. Bute went on to receive a unanimous decision from the judges winning on all three of the judges cards by the scores of 115-110,112-109 and 115-111.Afterwards Andrade said “He was completely out””I did not come out of the corner”. So once again controversy rules over a championship fight.

British Star of the Month – Thaxton over Melero Diaz 

October has been an interesting month for British boxing with some great bouts and extremely interesting developments, the star of the month belongs to Jon Thaxton (34-8-0).Thaxton won the vacant Lightweight European Title in explosive fashion against Juan Carlos Melero Diaz (36-1-0). Thaxton disposed of his opponent with a KO in 2:29 of the 3rd after a spectacular right hook from an unorthodox stance connected beautifully sending Melero Diaz down for the count. The shot came out of nowhere showing why Amir Khan is staying well clear of Thaxton. With this fantastic performance by thirty-four year old Thaxton we are declaring him our British Boxing Star of the Month,

The Bling of the Ring – Scoops and News

Oscar De La Hoya – Announced his new training team which includes Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and The Legendary Angelo Dundee as a special consultant as he prepares for his December 6th show down with Manny Pacquiao.

It is now official that Amir Khan (18-1-0) will return to the ring for a bout against tough opponent Oisin Fagan (22-5-0) on Saturday 6th December at the ExCel Arena London without his new trainer Freddie Roach as it clashes with the mega fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya.

The Worlds worst boxer Peter Buckley retires after winning his first bout since 2002. On October 31^st Buckley who has 257 loses won in Birmingham, England his last bout before retiring. Buckley ends his career with a record of 31-257-12.

Cruiserweight now heavyweight David Haye finally announced his opponent for his heavyweight debut scheduled for November 15^th.Haye will take on American Monte Barrett.

Also it has been made official that Hennessy Sports have offered Joe Calzaghe £5million to fight Carl Froch early next year in Cardiff.First Calzaghe needs to get by Roy Jones Jr. on November 8th.

World Amateur Lightweight World Champion Frankie Gavin is turning professional with Frank Warren at the start of November and will be trained by Anthony Farnell with his professional debut likely to be in February 2009.

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BY: Diamond Boxing www.diamondboxing.com 

Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik is set to face Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins in a light heavyweight battle at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Saturday October 18. The bout will be shown on HBO PPV starting at 9PM EST. Pavlik is listed as a heavy favorite at 4 to 1 odds and looks to be the first one to knock out the future Hall of Famer Hopkins.

Pavlik who is coming off a 3^rd round knockout victory over Gary Lockett in a bout also held at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, will be stepping up to fight Hopkins at a catch weight of 170 pounds in this non title bout. Pavlik will also be putting his perfect record of 34 -0 on the line against the 43 year old Hopkins. The Ghost as many refer to him as will also carry the boxing torch with him into the ring. If he could defeat Hopkins in a decisive manner the pound for pound champion status could be his. With the likes of De La Hoya, Mosley, Roy Jones Jr. and European greats Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe winding down their careers, Pavlik can become the one boxing looks towards to carry the sport to the next level. This may include a major bout on national television to rival the MMA Events shown on CBS. Pavlik is likable he has that All American image, he is from the working class town of Youngstown, Ohio  and likes the family lifestyle. He trains in his home town at the local gym under the watchful  eye of his trainer Jack Loew  and after his first victory over Jermain Taylor back in September of 1997 Pavlik gained a great deal of fan respect. In that bout Pavlik survived a second round knockdown and came back to over power Taylor, knocking him out in the 7^th round. Pavlik in that second round demonstrated the heart of a champion, not many would have been able to comeback from the Taylor barrage like Pavlik did. The second round recovery sealed the Pavlik name in boxings all heart club. America likes heart, America likes Champions and in Pavlik they have both.

So now the next hurdle for Pavlik is the 43 year old six packer from Philly Bernard Hopkins. The crafty veteran Hopkins will not go lightly into the night. He will use his defensive style to his advantage, looking for the right moments to attack Pavlik and don’t forget the first round of Hopkins last bout with Joe Calzaghe. Hopkins caught Calzaghe in that first round and recorded a flash knockdown, even though Hopkins did not win the Calzaghe bout, he hung in there for all 12 rounds and actually was ahead on one of the judges score cards. So this will not be an easy task for Pavlik, who may just need to settle for a scorecard victory. Pavlik may not get the big knockdown over Hopkins but a workman like victory still will earn Pavlik a big victory over a well known and respected boxer. This will elevate Pavlik to another level and one step closer to the elite boxing status of pound for pound king.

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BY: Diane Bennett

Diamond Boxing hit the big city of Houston this weekend to take in the Juan Diaz vs Michael Katsidis clash held at the Toyota Center and shown on HBO Boxing After Dark. The weekend got off to a great start with the weigh-in held out side the Toyota Center on Friday. We were all greeted by the Golden Boy himself Oscar De La Hoya. Hitting the scales first was hometown hero Juan Diaz who weighed in at 134.5 Diaz was followed by Katsidis who also came in at 134.5 pounds.

Besides the appearance of De La Hoya the highlight of the weigh-in was the co – featured fight between Houston’s Rocky Juarez and the excitable Jorge Barrios. Barrios who was 5 to 6 pounds over weight a few days prior to the weigh-in needed to hit the scales fully naked and with a little prayer made the 130 pound limit. As for Juarez he needed two tries, on the first attempt we weighed in at 130.5 a half of pound over.  So now it was Juarez turn to lose the draws, the second attempt was successful Juarez was able to trim the half of pound and make the 130 pound mark.

Kudos to De La Hoya who stood around after the weigh-in to take questions from the media and then walked around to sign autographs for the hundred or so fans which gathered around to take in the weigh-in.

Fight night was great as the city of Houston was hosting a major boxing event which it has not done in quit a while. Fans were lining up well prior to the 6 pm start time in anticipation of seeing their hometown hero’s Diaz and Juarez. With many other hometown boxers on the card it was sure to be a feast for the Houstonian boxing fan.

The home town boxers were pitching a shut out going 4 for 4 with Roque Moreno (making his pro debut),Jermell Charlo, Lanard Lane and Crystal Delgado taking the first four bouts. The streak ended when Junior Lightweight Elizar Renteria fought Olvin Mejia to a draw.

No fear Houston got it back on track when up and coming lightweight Hylon Williams scored a unanimous decision victory over Jessie Ortiz. All three judges scored the four round fight the same 40 – 36 for Williams. 

As the stars entered the Arena and the fans started to pack in the Toyota Center the electricity was mounting. As Michael Buffer introduced George Foreman, Evander Holyfield, Ron Artist ( Houston Rockets), Dancing With The Stars Mario Lopez and of course Oscar De La Hoya the fans went wild.

CHAVEZ vs LEDESMA  

There was an extra treat for us boxing fans this night as former champion Jesus Chavez now at the age of 35, looking to get back into the title hunt took on Andres Ledesma in a 10 round lightweight bout. It took a while for Chavez to get into gear and then bombs away in the 7^th Chaves clobbered Ledesma on the side of the head with a left hook and dropping him. Ledesma was able to recover and survive the round. However, Chaves was back at him in the 8^th and in the 9^th Chavez completed his mission scoring a TKO victory on a right upper cut at the 42 second mark of the 9^th round.

 

JUAREZ vs BARRIOS

Rocky, Rocky, Rocky the screams for Rocky Juarez never stopped echoing throughout the Toyota Center. And Juarez did not let his fans down in true Rocky Balboa fashion Juarez bloodied and bruised Barrios and at the 2:55 second mark of the 11^th round Juarez gave Barrios a headache connecting with a viscous right to the head, Barrios could not recover and the fight was stopped by the doctor with Barrios tooth hanging out and blood splattered all over him. Early on these two warriors traded shots with Barrios suffering a cut over his right eye in the second round. Barrios delivered several low blows throughout the bout which cost him point deductions in the 3^rd and 9^th rounds. After the point deduction in the 9^th it appeared to excite Barrios who then kicked it up a notch. With Barrios knowing he needed a knock out to win he started to load up on power shots which lead to a classic 10^th round with these two banging on each others heads for all 3 minutes of the round. Finally Juarez was able to conquer Barrios in the 11th and take the WBO Latino Junior Lightweight Title with him. Rocky Juarez dedicated this victory to his grand father who pasted away a year ago.               

DIAZ vs KATSIDIS

This bout was for the IBO Lightweight Championship. Both Diaz and Katsidis were coming off their first losses of their careers. Both fighters desperately needed to win so the stakes were high. In the early going Diaz looked sharp and focused on executing his game plan which called for crisp combinations and avoiding brawling with Katsidis. Diaz did just that taking the lead through the first six rounds, Diaz connected on upper cuts various times throughout the first few rounds. By the time the second round ended Katsidis and his corner had to deal with a nasty cut above his eye. Throughout the bout Katsidis tried to lean on Diaz and bully him, Diaz would not stand for any of that and was able to control the action with his boxing skills. Katsidis however, held tough and was able to capture some of the middle rounds.  Katsidis looked solid in rounds 7 and 8. Diaz arose again in the 9^th and got back to boxing, picking very carefully his moments to open up an Katsidis, it was those quick flurries by Diaz which allowed him to finish strong. This when went to the score cards in the end it was Diaz eking out a split decision victory and capturing the IBO Lightweight Championship. Two judges had it 116- 112 & 115-113 Diaz while judge Glen Hamada scored it 115-113 for Katsidis.

Diamond Boxing scored the fight 116-112 for Diaz.

Post Fight Coverage 

In the post fight dialogue the bruised Katsidis thought he had won however, was prepared for a hometown Diaz decision.

The delighted Diaz in his post fight remarks told the crowd that he was never hurt by Katsidis and had to be well prepared since he did not want Katsidis to put him on his butt in his own hometown.

In the post fight press conference Diaz said he has thankful to Oscar De La Hoya for saving him from the big haired guy getting chuckles from all who gathered in the press room. Both De La Hoya and Diaz will be watching next weeks Casamayer – Marquez fight as the winner being a potential next opponent for Diaz.  De La Hoya also mentioned that they will look to have future bouts in Houston for Juarez and Diaz. 

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