Just in time for the latest Manny Pacquiao virtuoso performance against Antonio Margarito in Dallas, Texas a new book arrives called “PacMan, behind the scenes with Manny Pacquiao- the greatest pound for pound fighter in the world.” Written by a young writer from Los Angeles, Gary Andrew Poole and published by Decapo Press, the book is a detailed biography of a phenomenon of Manny Pacquiao that actually reads like a novel.
http://www.examiner.com/sports-in-glendale-ca/pacman-the-book-is-a-gem-review
PacMan the book is a gem
Pacquiao Beats Down Margarito
Photo by Chris Farina
For a dozen rounds, Manny Pacquiao used Antonio Margarito as a virtual punching bag, and it became uglier as the bout progressed, launching blow after blow to the Mexican’s face and body.
By the final round of their World Boxing Council junior middleweight title match at Cowboys Stadium last Saturday evening, Pacquiao nearly closed the taller Margarito’s right eye, and bloodied his face.
All three judges had the Pac-Man ahead, and it became apparent that no one, with the possible exception of undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr., has even a remote chance of knocking off the Filipino legend.
At fight’s end, the question on everyone’s mind was will the two ever set foot in the ring.
“My job is to fight,” said Pacquiao. “My promoter [Bob Arum] gets me the fights.”
With that, it is now a waiting game, and could drag on for months, and depends on whether Mayweather wants to take the fight, and if his legal problems in Las Vegas are solved.
For now, we’ll have to settle for Pacquiao fighting Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Joshua Clottey, David Diaz, and perhaps Shane Mosley.
Max Kellerman, the astute HBO analyst, said afterward that Pacquiao, while still brilliant, wasn’t perfect.
“Maybe this is the right time for Mayweather to test Pacquiao,” bellowed Kellerman. “He did fine, but this wasn’t his best performance.”
If it wasn’t, it was pretty close. From the opening bell, Pacquiao (52-3-2 and 38 knockouts) blistered Margarito with rights and lefts delivered so fast, if you blinked, you missed them.
A whirlwind of punches is the Pac-Man’s trademark, and no matter how big and strong, he’s going to find an opening and make you pay.
Even giving away 17 pounds in weight, and nearly five inches in height, Pacquiao dominated in a fashion that everyone now is used to. That’s a tribute to his greatness.
“He’s strong,” said Pacquiao, who landed 44 percent of his total punches and 58 percent of his power punches. “I really do my best. He’s tough and strong. He hurt me in the body and face.”
He was hit some, but it was still like watching Dodgers’ Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax in his prime shred the opposition with a fastball that approached triple digits, and a curveball that sank. What chance did the batter have? And so it is with Pacquiao.
Credit must be given to Margarito, who stood in the middle of the ring and exchanged shots with the vastly-quicker Pacquiao.
“He’s very fast,” said Margarito, who went the distance despite the horrible-looking eye that some thought would force him to quit, and who found the mark on 43 percent of his power punches and 28 percent of his total punches. “No way,” he said. “I’m a Mexican, and we don’t quit.”
There were a few moments when Margarito (38-7-0 and 27 KO’s) had Pacquiao on the ropes, but he deftly moved out of the way like a matador would when a bull charges.
Robert Garcia, Margarito’s trainer, was asked if he considered ending the fight. “Tony’s a warrior. He wouldn’t let me stop the fight.”
Pacquiao said he felt the fight should have been halted in the 11th round. “I wanted him [the referee] to stop the fight. His eyes were bloody, and so was his face.”
Pacquiao carried Margarito in the 12th round. “I just wanted to finish the round,” he said.
Rios Stalked Lowther
Photo by Chris Farina
Undefeated Brandon Rios stalked Omri Lowther like a wild tiger during their junior welterweight battle last Saturday night at Cowboys Stadium.
Standing right in front of Lowther and daring him to take his best shots, Lowther did, but to no avail.
Rios was much stronger and tougher than Lowther, and proved it from the outset until Referee Raul Caiz Jr. stopped the fight with 43 seconds left in the fifth round.
Short of hitting Rios with a folding chair, there simply wasn’t anything Lowther (14-3-0 and 10 knockouts) could do.
So what happened was Rios pounded away at will, landing blows to the head and body, and when Lowther made contact, acted as though hit by a fly.
For Rios (26-0-1 with 19 KO’s), it was an evening in which he showed the large crowd there will be more of the same down the road.
Rios, who grew up in Kansas, but now lives in Oxnard, connected on 36 percent of his total punches, compared to 25 percent for Lowther. Rios landed 38 percent of his power punches, while Lowther made good on 39 percent.
Photo by Chris Farina
Coming in there was significant talk about Cuban defector Guillermo Rigondeaux, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, who looked sharp over the first five rounds of his Interim WBA world super bantamweight title fight with Panama’s Ricardo Cordoba.
Rigondeaux exhibited immense skills, and continued along in this manner, but slowed down during the latter rounds. Still, the much-faster and less-experienced Rigondeaux earned a split decision victory.
It was easy to see what all the fuss was about, as Rigondeaux floored Cordoba in the fourth round with a wicked left to the body. Then something happened in the sixth round, as Cordoba knocked Rigondeaux down with a short right hand.
Actually, Rigondeaux (7-0-0 and 5 KO’s), who connected on 28 percent of his total punches, while Cordoba (37-3-2 and 23 KO’s) landed 15 percent, wasn’t off his feet. Rather, his right glove touched the canvas, which technically is a knockdown.
According to Rigondeaux, he’s never been knocked down, not during sparring sessions, nor a fight. This was a first.
There was a chorus of boos directed at Rigondeaux late, who wanted to see more sustained action from the talented left-hander. Maybe that will come in time.
Photo by Chris Farina
Mike Jones owns a perfect ring record and hails from Philadelphia, the city that delivered Joe Frazier and Bernard Hopkins, two of the greatest fighters of all time.
Though not in that category, Jones was good enough to walk away with a majority decision over Mexican Jesus Soto-Karass in their NABA, WBO NABO and vacant WBC Continental Americas welterweight title fight.
After taking the first round, Jones (23-0-0 and 18 KO’s) followed with the best round of the match, nailing Soto-Karass with a flurry of punches in the second round that lasted nearly two minutes.
Even so, Jones couldn’t put Soto-Karass on the canvas, and appeared to get winded as the bout wore on.
Pac-Man Mighty Fine
Photo by Chris Farina
In the sometimes wild and wacky world of professional boxing, there is one constant: the greatness that is Manny Pacquiao, who on Saturday night at massive Cowboys Stadium will take on always-tough Antonio Margarito for the vacant World Boxing Council junior middleweight title.
Margarito’s name was sullied when he nearly stepped into the ring with loaded hand-wraps before facing Shane Mosley at the Staples Center. On his behalf, Margarito is trying awfully hard to recapture his good name, and whatever glory remains for the Mexican idol.
Beyond his obvious skill and talent, what makes Pacquiao (51-3-2 with 38 knockouts) other-wordly, is his relentless work ethic, which derives from having virtually nothing as a child. Now, the Pac-Man has the world at his fingertips, and boxing is all the better for it.
Take nothing away from Margarito, who stopped Puerto Rican great Miguel Cotto, but who likewise was halted by Mosley.Margarito is more than four inches taller than Pacquiao, and still a top-notch puncher who can be dangerous, even for someone as astute and ringwise as the Filipino icon.
It’s going to take more than Margarito (38-6-0 with 27 KO’s) to stop Pacquiao. The only man on the planet who has any chance of winning is undefeated welterweight king Floyd Mayweather Jr., but the list ends right there.
Pacquiao is a 6-to-1 favorite, and though it seems a bit high, will put on a show for the likely 70,000 fans in attendance.
In so many words, Pacquiao is simply too good and crafty to lose, and if there was any doubt, Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, will see to it that he doesn’t fall short.
The 12-round bout will be action-packed, and while Margarito will land some shots, Pacquiao’s non-stop, two-fisted fury will wear down his opponent in the ninth or 10th round.
Johnson crushes Green in eight
Late replacement to the Super Six tournament Glen” The Road Warrior” Johnson served a hard notice to other contestants brutally dominating and stopping Allan Green(29-3,20KO’S) from Tulsa, Oklahoma at thirty six seconds of the eighth round.
Johnson (51-14-2,35KO’S) who had to drop in weight at the age of 41 to enter super middleweight tournament simply seemed the stronger, more experienced fighter. “I am going to make the most of this opportunity,” said Johnson who earns a definite spot in the second stage of Super Six tournament with a spectacular win.
Coming forward from the onset Jamaican warrior landed a huge right hand that hurt Green in the middle of the first. Allan Green was not able to keep stronger veteran off him and caught another big right hand at the end of the first. Younger and taller Green tried to establish his long jab but was unsuccessful as determined Road Warrior marched forward and landed heavy body blows. Allan Green got used to a constant pressure and opened up a bit in the third, but his punches did not seem to have an effect on Johnson until he landed a crisp uppercut that snapped Jamaican’s warrior head back. Seemingly loosing the third round Johnson came back strong and trapped Green on the ropes and almost dropped him at the conclusion. Johnson continued to apply pressure and fight on the inside roughing up his opponent. Green landed occasional flurry, but he was being pushed around all over the ring. The fight took on a rhythm of its own; Johnson kept applying the pressure and Green trying to fight back without much zest. Road Warrior landed a huge right hand at the end of the fifth that stunned Green and excited the crowd. Quiet sixth stanza was culminated by another huge right hand landed by Johnson. Like a pit bull Johnson, holding his gloves high, continued to stock his prey inflicting heavy damage downstairs. Left hook to Green’s jaw ignited the crowd again. It seemed that the outcome was only a matter of time when Johnson landed an over hand right on the temple and dropped the younger fighter for the count.
” He hit me at the back of the head a little, not intentional,” said Allan Green:” I got up, but the referee waved it off.”
“I am just happy with my performance,” said Johnson, who took the outcome of the contest out of the judges’ hands:” I felt good through the training camp and I felt good through the fight.”
Lopez stops Marquez in a thriller
Photo by Chris Farina
In the main event of the evening in the grand tradition of Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry, Juan Manuel Lopez battled and beat a fierce Mexican warrior, Rafael Marquez in front of thunderous crowd of almost five thousand at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Lopez, a much younger and stronger fighter, retained his WBO featherweight title and added a huge name to his ever growing dossier. In one word it was a thriller.
It was a tactical affair early on with both warriors giving a lot of respect to each other. Lopez finished with a strong flurry likely winning the first frame. Still cautious in the second, Juanma started to inch forward landing a crushing right hook that was met By Marquez’s straight right hand. The battle commenced. Puerto Rican champion found a home for his right hook, but Marquez was firing back fluid combinations. Lopez hurt Marquez in the third with a left but staggered Mexican warrior fought back with the vengeance. Fireworks erupted in the fourth with Lopez seemingly the stronger guy until he got caught with straight right hand that almost lifted him off the ground. He managed to stay on his feet and continued to battle, but got penalized for hitting Marquez in the back of his head by referee Tony Weeks.
The real Puerto Rico versus Mexico battle raged on as both bruisers continued to land heavy bombs. Lopez pressed the action, but every time it looked like he was taking charge, Marquez would land a counter that stopped Puerto Rican in his tracks. Lopez found a home for an uppercut in the sixth hurting Marquez on several occasions. The war of attrition continued in the seventh. Marquez the proud warrior was taking a real beating inside, but he kept firing back inspiring the admiration of fans. Lopez continued fierce assault in the eighth, at times looking at the referee as if he wanted to say:” Do you want me to kill this guy or what? The bout was stopped between eighth and ninth stanza. Jimmie Lenon Jr. declared Juan Manuel Lopez a winner by TKO as Rafael Marquez was not able to continue. Marquez looked upset, like he wanted to go on, but I believe his corner did the right thing, stopping the fight protecting never die warrior from himself.
“The last couple of rounds, I thought he was hurt,” said 27 year old Lopez:” That’s why I asked the ref to stop it. I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
Even though it was Rafael Marquez who told his corner that he could not continue due to shoulder injury, he was not happy with the outcome. ” It would have been an all time great fight, said thirty five year old Marquez:” I hope to get a rematch.”
Lopez (30-0,28KO) said that he would be open to an idea of a rematch if Marquez would agree to fight in Puerto Rico. Juanma wanted to fight his next fight at home prior to his much anticipated and much talked about showdown with undefeated Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa in June of next year.
Early action results from Las Vegas
In the opening bout Puerto Rican flyweight McWilliam Arroyo (5-1,4KO’S) dispatched his Mexican opponent, Cesar Grajeda (7-2,1KO) at 2:55 of the very first stanza by TKO.
A second contest between local Jesse Magdaleno ,who was making his pro debut and a featherweight from New Mexico, Matthew Salazar (1-3-1) lasted even less time; knock out came at 1:38 of the very first round.
Mexican Marvin Quintero(20-3,16KO’S),on a comeback trail,was derailed by a lightweight veteran from Washington,DC, Daniel Attah(25-6-1,9KO’S) . After being on the defensive for the first round and a half Attah landed a right hook out of nowhere that dropped Quintero as if he was nailed into the ground by a huge hammer. Mexican warrior could not beat the count of ten administered by referee Jay Nady. The official time of the stoppage was 1:55 of the second frame.
Welterweights Danny Escobar(6-1,5KO’S) from Riverside, California and local warrior,Anthony Lenk (8-1,4Ko’S)staged a war that was worthy of a main event or at least television time. After six rounds of violent combat judges were in a agreement and scored it for Las Vegas fighter. First three rounds went by like they were half of minute long; stronger looking Escobar pressed the action,but the southpaw from Las Vegas just stood in the pocket and fired back,punch for punch igniting the crowd. Lenk discovered that he could be more effective fighting from the outside in the fourth round, but could not stay consistent with it and allowed the bout to turn into an inside brawl that got especially heated in the fifth,and just when it began to look like Escobar was taking control of the action Lenk landed a straight left hand that staggered his opponent. Both brave warriors gave it their all in the sixth and final stanza battling on the inside, punch for punch they went until the final bell. Escobar was more aggressive while Lenk was more effective,who used an experience that he got in a similar type of war that he was involved in last year with Jesse Vargas.
Former amateur stand out, lightweight from Cleveland Ohio,Mickey Bey(16-0,8KO’S) survived several rocky moments to convincingly defeat hard puncher from Puerto Rico, Erick Cruz(7-6-3,7KO’S) over six sizzling rounds. All three judges scored it for Mickey Bey 60-53 and 59-54 twice. better all around skills and speed allowed Bey to control the action in the
Left hook hurt the Puerto Rican banger in the middle of the second stanza. Cruz staggered from the shot and finally went down as if he was drunk and disoriented. Cruz beat the count and fought back and only survived the round because anxious Bey wanted to end the night with another left hook and forgot all about boxing. Bey ,intent on trying to finish early, went on the attack in the third when he ran in into a powerful left hook from Puerto Rican power hitter. Stunned and hurt,Bey retreated and inspired Cruz to attack and land a couple of big right hands. Wary of each others power they boxed most of the fourth round until Mickey Bey landed another crisp left hook that made Cruz forget where he was for a spell; miraculously he stayed on his feet till the end of the frame. Mickey Bey dominated final two rounds using speed and power, but was not able to end the night early.
Unbeaten local super featherweight Diego Magdaleno (17-0,5KO’S) made a relatively quick work out of overmatched opponent from Topeka,Kansas, Derrick Campos (20-10,11KO’S).
Not known for his power Diego decided to sit down on his punches and the result was impressive; he dropped Campos with a short right hook at the end of the first, then dropped him again in the third and finished the job at 1:15 of the fourth stanza. A pure boxer by nature, for the second time in a row Diego impressed local fans with h is power.
Marquez is ready to defy odds
Chris Farina
Rafael Marquez is planning to rewrite boxing history this Saturday when he faces undefeated young lion from Puerto Rico,Juan Manuel Lopez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Should he be victorious in a twelve round contest for WBO featherweight crown that currently belongs to Lopez,Rafael would earn three championship titles in as many weight divisions throughout his hall of fame career. Ironically, the man standing in his way carries the name of his older brother,Juan Manuel.
For complete story http://www.examiner.com/sports-in-glendale-ca/marquez-is-ready-to-defy-odds
Roach slanders Margarito
Photo by Igor Frank
Trainer Freddie Roach had a rough month in Philippines trying to coordinate his prized pupil’s training schedule and congressman Pacquiao political career. In short, according to most reports, it was a disaster. Back in Los Angeles, at confines of his own domain, famous Wildcard Boxing Club,Freddie could breeze a sigh of relief knowing that he still has time to get Pacman in shape for an upcoming bout with Antonio Margarito. Their much talked about showdown is scheduled to take place at a Dallas Cowboys billion dollars stadium on November 13th. For a complete article go to
http://www.examiner.com/sports-in-glendale-ca/roach-slanders-margarito
Born in Odessa, Ukraine in 1962, Igor Frank,
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