So Marvelous! Sonsona became the youngest Pinoy Champ!

The 'Marvelous' kid reacting after being announced as the
new WBO junior bantamweight champion.
(Photo: Reuters/Fred Thornhill)

By Ronsouthpaw

The 19-year old 'Marvelous' Marvin Sonsona defeated the tough champ from Puerto Rico Jose 'Carita' Lopez by a unanimous decision at Casino Rama in Ontario, Canada. He captured the WBO junior bantamweight title and gained recognition as the youngest ever Filipino to win a world boxing title.


I found the fight very exciting. It was a thrilling back and forth fight where we saw Sonsona scored a knockdown in Round 4. Lopez, the 37-year old veteran, showed true toughness by not only recovering fast after the fourth, but actually giving the Filipino fans scare during the mid-rounds.

Sonsona finished strong in the championship rounds to get the nod of the judges: 114-111, 115-110 and 116-109.

In my opinion, Marvin will make it big time. He's not just a skilled heavy-hitting fighter, he is also young and has all the time to improve some more.

Pacquiao to train in Baguio

Filipino boxing hero Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao said he will train in Baguio for his upcoming fight with Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico on Novermber 14.

Pacquiao also said that long-time buddy and assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez is already in Baguio checking the facilities.

"He's up there to check the facilities," said Pacquiao.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez in trouble?

There are reports saying that the upcoming fight between Mayweather and Marquez on September 19 is in trouble. Ticket sales is not moving fast and there are still available seats this late. Also, there's not enough positive buzz over the media which tells us that PPV may not do well.

Filipinos can't break an egg? Try a Manny Pacquiao left straight!

"Back then I couldn't get a manager I couldn't get a manager because of the fact that I was Filipino. I tried to call managers out there to sign me but they always say 'hey you know, I'm sorry, I like you kid but you know, you're not Mexican or you're not Latino so we can't really do nothing about it and that's why I'm really into this Pinoy Power. It gives an opportunity for Filipino fighters and for the Philippines to be recognized the way it is now and just keep going. So far we're in the right track. Before when I started, Filipinos were made fun of. They said Filipinos can't break an egg or a tomato and stuff like that."

-excerpt from Dennis "dSource" Guillermo's interview with the Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire.

******************
By Ronsouthpaw

When you realize that Filipino boxers had been treated this way, you will appreciate more what Manny Pacquiao did to uplift the image of Filipinos around the world.


Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans (among others) have all started to recognize what Filipinos are made of. All thanks to the reigning Pound-for-Pound King!

We now have Nonito Donaire, Brian Villoria, among others, who are making names in World boxing landscape.

The least we can do is support our countrymen in their quest for world boxing domination.

Let's continue what the Pacman has started.

Roger Mayweather arrested on strangulation charges

Melissa St. Vil. Apparently she is also a model.

Roger Mayweather arrested on strangulation charges

KTNV (Las Vegas) The trainer and uncle of Las Vegas boxing great Floyd Mayweather Jr., Roger Mayweather, is accused of strangling a woman. Police say the attack was bad enough she needed to go to the hospital. By the time police arrived she was coughing up blood.

Police say the attack happened in a condo owned by Mayweather, where the victim, Melissa St. Vil is living. St. Vil used to be trained by Mayweather but when she decided to change trainers, Mayweather reportedly started harassing her and following her around. Neighbors say they've seen Roger several times at the condo.

"He's really cool. Every time I see him he was cool. He says hi. He speaks. I'm definitely surprised," said one neighbor.

Police say when he stopped by Sunday morning, it wasn't a friendly visit. According to the police report, Roger Mayweather went inside the apartment and hit St. Vil several times in the ribs then wrapped his hands around her throat strangling her until she nearly passed out.

"I was looking out the bedroom window and I was like oh my what happened, she has a neck brace on so I thought she fell too. I didn't think anybody physically hurt her," explained one woman who lives nearby.

Action News went to Roger Mayweather's home, but no one answered. The arrest leaves many to wonder if it could knock out his nephew's upcoming comeback fight.

Floyd Mayweather is scheduled to come out of retirement and fight next month and Roger is his trainer. Action News contacted Floyd's manager and so far haven't heard back.

Source: ktnv.com

Manny nearly pulls out of Cotto fight

Photo: Manny Pacquiao (Philstar Photo)

By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star) August 04, 2009

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao came close to pulling the plug on Miguel Cotto if not for the assurance by promoter Bob Arum that the Puerto Rican will stake his World Boxing Organization welterweight title at a catchweight of 145 lb on Nov. 14.

Pacquiao’s lawyer, Franklin Gacal, yesterday said they were already preparing an official statement saying they will have to start looking for another opponent after reports said Cotto was not willing to stake his 147 lb title.

The reports quoted Cotto as saying he will only stake his WBO title if the fight is held at 147 lb, the welterweight limit, and that the 28-year-old champion was not willing to pay WBO the $150,000 sanctioning fee.

“Bob Arum told us not to believe everything that’s being reported. Then he assured me that Cotto will put his WBO welterweight title on the line -- at 145 pounds,” said Gacal from Gen. Santos City yesterday.

“We have to take Mr. Arum’s word on that,” added Gacal.

The Pacquiao lawyer said with the weight issue practically settled, now comes the money issue, although he said both camps have had an agreement regarding the purse sharing.

But Gacal did not give out the details, only saying that a 65-35 sharing in favor of Pacquiao should be the “worst-case scenario” for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion and today’s main attraction in boxing.

Gacal is hoping that the fight contract for Pacquiao vs Cotto be signed as soon as possible so both boxers can start focusing on what they have to do on the ring than on the negotiating table.

Reports said Cotto is scheduled to start working out today in Puerto Rico, while Roach wants Pacquiao to start limbering up before the press tour set on the second week of September.

“We were almost ready to issue a statement that we’ll start looking for a new opponent because of all those talks that Cotto wants Pacquiao to go up to 147 before he stakes his crown,” said Gacal.

Gacal, however, did not mention the boxer they had in mind in case the Cotto fight was scratched. It could be Shane Mosley, who’s offering Pacquiao everything but the kitchen sink, or someone else.

And that could even be Floyd Mayweather Jr., whom trainer Freddie Roach described as “the easiest fight of the three.”

Mayweather, who retired almost two years ago but is slated to return to the ring in September against Juan Manuel Marquez, another fighter drooling over Pacquiao.

The fight was supposed to be held in July but a rib injury sustained by Mayweather in training, coupled by poor ticket sales, led to a cancellation, and a new date on Sept. 19.

Source: Philstar.com

Online fans react over Pacquiao's training camp

Bahamas? Oh yeah!

By Ronsouthpaw

Now that Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum assured everybody that the fight will be at 145 lbs and will be for a world welterweight championship, Pacfans around the world are now debating on where should Manny Pacquiao train for the first half of his training.

Arum explained that the US Internal Revenue Service had changed its rules that Manny might be required to pay a very huge amount in taxes if he choose to train full-time in the United States. In order to avoid it, Manny will cut down the number of days he spends in the US.

So, here are the names of the places that were recommended in the last few days.

Philippines. Manny himself said he might hold the first half of his training camp in Cebu where he had trained during the Barrera rematch in 2007. Pacfans were quick to react that there are too much distractions in Cebu. Previous reports blamed his training there for a somewhat uninspiring performance against Barrera in their second encounter. Well, I agree.

Bahamas. Oh... that beautiful place. Arum suggested it first and went on saying that Pacquiao will love it there. At first, I disagree with this idea because Pacquiao may not feel pumped up. The place is just too beautiful that Manny might not get pumped up.

But when I learned that the Miss Universe Pageant will be held in Paradise Resort in Bahamas on August 26...I changed my mind. LOL (But Manny, you should start training earlier)

Canada. The brainchild of Pacquiao's lawyer Jeng Gacal. According to Atty. Gacal, there's a big Filipino community in Vancouver and it's an opportunity to maximize PPV profits. Hmm sounds like he was talking about promotion and not about Manny's comfort. Because of the popularity that Manny enjoys worldwide: Big Filipino community = distraction for the pound-for-pound king.

Mexico. Otomi Mountains in Mexico is an option. Pacfans are hesitant to let their idol train there because it's an "enemy territory." One pacfan feared that a Mexican with swine flu may visit the training camp. Another pacfan said that Juan Manuel Marquez may visit the camp to ask Manny for a third fight--another distraction. Funny discussions.

Hmmm Me? I don't like that place. Erik Morales had trained there for his third bout with Pacquiao and he lost badly. Erik was close to retiring at that time and they have had the same promoter. Sounds familiar?

So, Pacfans, what's your take?

Bradley won against Campbell; still a clear mile below Pacquiao

Photo: AP Photo/Mark Avery

By Ronsouthpaw

Timothy Bradley won his match against Nate Campbell via a third round technical knockout.

At the end of the third round, Nate Campbell himself told the ringside doctor that he can't see which prompted the doctor to stop the bout. But instead of a draw as per California boxing rules, referee David Mendoza declared a 3rd round knockout in favor of Bradley. WTF.

Any way, a win is a win.

But how he will fare against the likes of Manny Pacquiao, you ask?

If ever they face each other in the future (which is unlikely by the way), I will pick Manny without blinking.

Bradley is quick, but Pacquiao is quick and explosive. He has polished skills but Manny has turned into a well-rounded fighter that can box and brawl.

Bradley doesn't have enough power to rattle Pacquiao. But what if Pacquiao lands his powerful left to that fragile chin of his? Correct. Lights out baby.

For me, Timothy Bradley is a tough and well-schooled young fighter. But to compare him to Manny is almost a sin. (well, I just did and I'm sorry).

It took Hatton 3 months to come up with an excuse

Photo: Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

By Ronsouthpaw

Ricky "Hitman" Hatton has finally came up with an excuse for his loss against Filipino boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, after almost 3 months of silence.

He revealed that he overtrained himself ahead of the May 2 fight.

"It went from the best training camp to the worst as far as my form is concerned. I felt we overcooked it and left everything at the gym," Hatton said in an interview with the Sportinglife.

It's another blow to the capability of the self-proclaimed best trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. Fighting is not just about skills; it is also about conditioning--on how fit your fighter is to execute the skills he learned in the gym. A good trainer should be well aware of that.

Finger-pointing aside, I think Ricky lost fair and square. He needs an excuse for a possible comeback or maybe he really needs to blame his loss to something (or to someone) to lick his wounds and restore his bruised ego.

Maybe almost all fighters are like that. They need it.

When asked about a possible comeback against fellow English and Freddie Roach's new world champion Amir Khan, Ricky said "I don't want to go down that line, although I'm not saying it's never going to happen."

Reading between the lines, I think Ricky is going to stage a comeback sooner rather than later.

***********************************************************************************
For more boxing-related articles, please visit: The Fighting Pride