Mayweather:” If you got nothing to hide, take the test.”

Photo courtesy of Fight Sports Examiner

“Son, let me tell you something, Victor Ortiz could have brought a baseball bat in that ring, it still would have been no help,” exclaimed my father during family lunch at Foxy’s onColorado Boulevard:” I didn’t see any controversy or any need for rematch.”

 

“I am not the judge. I am not the referee,” said Mayweather during post fight press conference addressing that issue: “I don’t duck from nobody. If a rematch happens, let’s do it.”

 

Rematch aside for the moment, what’s in the future for the undefeated WBC welterweight champion? “I am going to talk it over with my team to see where we go,” said Mayweather:” I’ve been in the sport a long time now. I am not thinking about retiring, but I am thinking about training fighters now.” History has shown that the best of athletes haven’t always made the best of trainers, but one thing is certain, Floyd Mayweather Jr. knows a lot about the sweet science.

 

No one at the media center on Saturday got excited about Floyd Money Mayweather , the trainer, because he has unfinished business in the ring, a long time in the making super fight with Manny Pacman Pacquiao. So, what would it take to make that into reality?

 

“We’ve been talking about this for the longest,” replied Mayweather:” Like I said before, Sugar Ray Leonard; he was great from his Olympic days. We knew he was going to be a great professional. Michael Jordan; we knew from college he was going to be a great professional. Floyd Mayweather; from the beginning of his career, from the nineties, we knew he was going to be a great professional. Now, you ask yourself, a fighter just don’t get twenty five and all of a sudden just becomes great. ”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mayweather-if-you-got-nothing-to-hide-take-the-test

 

Is Jessie Vargas the future of boxing?

Photo by Marlene Marquez

 

“Saturday fights were great,” said Big Steve during our lunch at Cafe Bravo onGlenoaks Boulevard:” I find it curious that’s the least talked about fight was the most competitive and intense. What do you think?”

 

Saturday night double venue professional boxing event dubbed “Star Power” which was televised by HBO PPV was everything fans could wish for and more. It provided dynamic action, blood, drama, knock outs and controversy. What else can a boxing fan ask for? The hotly contested opening act between two young and determined junior welterweights was a sign of things to follow.

 

In the opening bout of the telecast from MGM Grand Garden Arena, in a spectacular light welterweight fight, undefeated Jessie Vargas fromLas VegasedgedRiverside’s Josesito Lopez via split decision. Vargas’s promoter, Floyd Mayweather said that twenty one year old Jessie was a future of boxing. His performance against tough as nails, young veteran Josesito Lopez was the first big step in proving that.

 

 Judges scored the fight 95-94 for Lopez and 96-93, 95-94 for Vargas, but the real winners were fans who were able to see a classic battle of two young and hungry fighters leaving it all in the ring. “This was a great fight,” confirmed undefeated Vargas during a post fight press conference:” I feel the fans are the ones that won tonight.” I couldn’t have said it any better.

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/is-jessie-vargas-the-future-of-boxing

 

Mayweather:” Pacquiao is famous because he is connected to my name.”

Getty images

“I don’t want to talk about Victor Ortiz any more,” exclaimed Big Steve during our climb to the Hollywood sign atGriffithPark:” All I can say that if you see a snake expect to get bitten. What I want to know is when Mayweather finally going to fight Pacquiao?”

 Floyd Money Mayweather addressed that issue on Saturday night at the post Victor Ortiz fight press conference inLas Vegas, which took place at theMGMGrandMediaCenter.

 “Pacquiao is only famous because he is connected to my name,” said Mayweather from the podium addressing international media:” When they mention Pacquiao, they say who is that? They say that’s the guy we are trying to get to fight Floyd Mayweather. When they say Floyd Mayweather they say that’s an all time great.” By the way, tickets to Mayweather Ortiz fight were still available on the day of the fight, while Pacquiao Marquez bout, which is still two months away is already sold out.

 “I don’t take nothing away from Marquez,” continued Mayweather:” Pacquiao is fighting Marquez and we know he got his ass kicked twice; we know this. I took two years off. I came back and fought him. They say you are too big for Marquez, but you are not too big for Pacquiao, but they are the same size. I just don’t understand.”

 

Never at a loss for words, Mayweather continued his analysis of Manny Pacquiao, the only man public wants to see him fight.

 

“All Pacquiao doing is fighting my leftovers,” said Mayweather:” I beat Ricky Hatton when he was undefeated. After I already beat Ricky Hatton than he go fight him. I beat De La Hoya at the weight De La Hoya chose; he chose the gloves, he chose the weight class. He beat De La Hoya when De La Hoya hasn’t made weight in twelve years. They say Shane Mosley; his best performance was when he fought Antonio Margarito. When I beat him they say he is over the hill.”

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/mayweather-pacquiao-is-famous-because-he-is-connected-to-my-name

 

Morales enters record books with light welterweight title win on Saturday

Photo by Marlene Marquez

“Erik Morales did steal the show on Saturday night,” exclaimed Big Steve during our Monday morning java at Starbucks onWestern Avenue: It was a true Mexican blood bath.”

 The last man to beat Manny Pacquiao, Erik Morales continued his legend by becoming the first Mexican fighter ever to win a world title in four different weight divisions when he stopped young Pablo Cesar Cano fromMexicoon Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena inLas Vegas.

 After ten actions packed rounds. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight due to Cano’s face being a bloody mess. Erick Morales won a vacant WBC light welterweight title and adulation of fans inside the arena at the MGM Grand Hotel and around the world watching it on television.

 

“Thank you,” said Erik Morales addressing the media members that were critical of his come back:” Because you made me work that much harder.”

 Cano did not look in awe of legendary Erik Morales; he controlled the action in the first round with a stiff jab and good movement around the ring. Action intensified in the second stanza as both combatants participated in fierce exchanges. Pablo Cesar finished the round with a huge right cross that hurt Morales.

  After loosing the first two rounds Erik Morales pressed the action in the third landing some good combinations and electrifying the crowd. Legend of Erik Morales continued as he dialed in his offence in the fourth stanza, landing combinations and hurting his young adversary several times. Cano was also cut from a right hand of Morales, but young fighter continued to return fire.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/morales-enters-record-books-with-light-welterweight-title-win-on-saturday

 

Is Mayweather worried about Ortiz enough to fly Victor’s father to the fight?

Photo by Dr. Ed De La Vega

“Did you hear about Mayweather flying Victor Ortiz’s father to the fight?” inquired Big Steve during our jog throughBrandPark:” What do you think this is all about?”

“I read a report on Boxing Scene that Floyd reserved two tickets for Victor’s former trainer, Roberto Garcia and his star pupil, lightweight champion, Brandon Rios,” I replied.

Brandon Rios was elated to find out about a chance to go see the big event between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz on September 17^th at the Mecca of Boxing, MGM Grand Garden Arena inLas Vegas. But let’s face it, if he is ringside for the fight he will not be rooting for his former stable mate, Victor Ortiz. Even though they are both from Garden City,Kansas, their animosity towards each other has been well publicized in the media.

Former champion, currently well respected trainer, Roberto Garcia discovered young, Victor Ortiz and brought him toCalifornia. To make a long story short, Garcia family fell apart over Victor, who left Roberto several years ago and started training with his older brother, Danny. Brothers Roberto and Danny, who are also next door neighbors, are not speaking to each other till this day. Is Floyd Mayweather’s gesture designed to mend Garcia family? Is this the same Floyd that has been feuding with his father all of his adult life? Is Floyd also bringing Victor’s father to the fight?

 http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/is-floyd-mayweather-worried-about-victor-ortiz

 

Victor Ortiz brings thunder and lightening to Las Vegas

Photo by Paul Hernandez

“What’s the latest on my boy Victor?” inquired Big Steve during our morning Java at Starbucks onWestern Ave:”” Is he inLas Vegasyet?”

 Vicious Victor Ortiz has thunder in his fists when he comes to the ring. As if by request, Mother Nature greeted WBC welterweight Champion with thunder and lightening when he arrived on the private Gulfstream jet toLas VegasMonday night. Is this a sign of things to come when he defends his title against one of the best pound for pound fighters of our era, Floyd Mayweather on Saturday night?

 

Floyd Mayweather promised to meet young Victor Ortiz in the center of the ring and to fight him. If he is true to his words could the lightning strike twice in one week in Las Vegas? The answer to that question will be revealed on September 17^th when Victor and Floyd have a scheduled date with destiny at the MGM Grand Garden Arena inLas Vegas. HBO Pay Per View will televise the event live.

 

Supremely confident champion, Victor Ortiz seemed tired of speaking about this fight when I last talked  to him on Sunday inLos Angeles. He is ready to go to work.” I’ll beat him and then I‘ll beat him again,” said Ortiz when I asked him if there was a rematch clause in his contract.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/victor-ortiz-brings-thunder-and-lightening-to-las-vegas

 

Shaping up Manny Pacquiao into a welterweight frame

Photo by Zimbio Pictures

“I saw Manny Pacquiao last week inLos Angeles,” exclaimed Big Steve during our Sunday morning Java at Starbucks onWestern Avenue:” He is no welterweight. He looked so little. He looked much smaller than lightweight champion, Brandon Rios. How do they get him into shape to fight as a welterweight?”

 

That is a very good question for strength and conditioning Guru, Alex Ariza who is responsible for getting Manny into shape to fight as a welterweight. For more detailed information Alex Ariza started a blog to outline all the training he does with a pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao.

In case you just fell off the planet and do not know, Manny PacMan Pacquiao is scheduled to face his bitter rival, Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time on November 12^th, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena inLas Vegas. The contest for Manny’s WBO welterweight championship was contracted to be fought at 144 pounds weight limit.

 

Strength and conditioning coach was on hand inLos Angeleson Wednesday to answer all the media questions about shaping up Manny Pacquiao.

“Be honest,” requested Boxing Scene veteran reporter, Ernest Gabion:” How hard is it to keep Manny at welterweight?”

 “It’s hard. It’s very hard,” replied Ariza:” He just doesn’t carry that kind of frame.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/shaping-up-manny-pacquiao-into-a-welterweight-frame

 

Javier Garcia is back in the family business

Photo by Miguel Salazar

“Tell me about this kid from Oxnard, Javier Garcia. I think they call him Pelos. Did something terrible happen to him?” inquired Big Steve as we reached a Hollywood sign running through Griffith Park in Glendale:” Did he fight at Woodland Hills Marriot last night?”

 First time I saw Javier Garcia in the ring was almost four years ago, September 20th, 2007 to be exact at a club show in Calabasas, California at a popular San Fernando Valley restaurant, Sagebrush Cantina. That night is forever ingrained in my soul. Eighteen year old Javier, nephew of a former champion and a well respected trainer, Roberto Garcia, was involved in a six round battle with a boy from Reno, Nevada, Jackson Bussell. It was Garcia’s second professional fight and Bussell’s fourth.

 Two brave young warriors engaged in a violent toe to toe combat for the first five rounds, but in the sixth the fight turned; Garcia took over with ferocious body shots and was landing hard accurate blows one after another almost at will against a young fighter who was not able to defend himself. I remember sitting ringside and crying out inside for referee Jerry Cantu to stop the fight, but he never did. Garcia continued to administer punishment until the final bell. The judges scored the fight a draw, but it did very little to help Jackson Bussell who collapsed right after the bell and was taken to Northridge Hospital on the stretcher. He never woke up. Jackson Bussell passed away in the hospital next day.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/javier-garcia-is-back-the-family-business

 

Floyd Sr. says at the end of the day he is still my son

Photo by HBO

“As an old saying goes- It is much easier to become a father than to be one,” pondered Big Steve during our morning jog throughGriffithParkinGlendale:” I wonder how Floyd Sr. feels about his son now.”

 

“How do I feel about my son?” asked Floyd Mayweather Sir, probably just to buy time, during our interview at the Woodland Hill Marriot yesterday:” It was one of those things he did. My son was disrespectful. He was out of order. It’s nothing for me to get all upset about, because he’s got to answer to a higher power, not me.”

 

Father , trainer, ex convict, Floyd Mayweather Sr. got into a huge quarrel with his super star son in front of millions of viewers on the first episode of HBO’s 24/7. Floyd Jr was down right foul, calling his father out of his name and ordering him to leave the gym.

Surprisingly, father Floyd Sr. was philosophical about it.

“My thing is, he is still my son and I love him,” said Mayweather sr.:” We probably won’t be talking and mingling any more. We probably won’t be doing it right away, but at the end of the day he is still my son.”

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/floyd-sr-says-at-the-end-of-the-day-he-is-still-my-son

 

Promoting Manny Pacquiao

Photo by Chris Farina

“Why this huge promotional tour,” inquired Big Steve during out traditional cup of morning java at Starbucks onWestern Avenue:” When Pacquiao fight is already sold out? ”

“Good question,” I replied:” That is exactly what I asked the promoter on Wednesday.”

 

“Because most of the money comes from the television,” said Hall Of Fame promoter Bob Arum, when I interviewed him earlier this week inLos Angeles:” The fact that the fight is sold out is good, but there so many other revenue streams that you have to consider like Pay Per View. That’s why you do these promotions. We are going to spend probably five to six million dollars more on this promotion. It’s obviously not to sell tickets, because it’s sold out.”

 

Bob Arum has been promoting huge fights for a long time and picked up a few tricks along the way. His career began with every promoter’s dream, a fighter named Muhammad Ali who did as much talking outside the ring as he did inside. He once said:” I am the greatest; I said that even before I knew I was.” And he was the greatest at selling out his fights and providing drama for the fans.

   I remember as young boy watching Ali’s third fight with Joe Frasier” The Thriller in Manila” on a black and white TV in my grandmother’s house in Odessa, Ukraine. That fight was televised all over the world.

http://www.examiner.com/boxing-in-glendale-ca/promoting-manny-pacquiao