Manila Life Online - bits n pieces: Bob Arum

Showing posts with label Bob Arum. Show all posts

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Global 2013: Nonito Donaire May Not Face Rigondeaux

Guillermo Rigondeaux after the win vs. Rico Ramos 20JAN2012 Las Vegas - Palms Casino (Photo credit: stoyanvassev_)

Would it be unfair to suggest that "Filipino Flash," Nonito Donaire and his team are playing a high-stakes game of "Duck, Duck, Goose?" Or, in this case, "Duck, Duck, Darchinyan?"

Maybe it wouldn't be right to categorize the 2012 Fighter of the Year in that way, but appearance is a big thing in boxing. It's especially big among the fans, who only get to see the tip of the iceberg when it comes to contractual dealings and other behind the scenes issues.

When Abner Mares and Golden Boy Promotions walked away empty handed after trying to goad Top Rank and Nonito Donaire into a junior featherweight unification bout, there was, apparently, a silver lining to the storm cloud.

Team Donaire couldn't be coaxed into facing Mares for $3 million, but only because Donaire was already committed to a bout with the other junior featherweight titlist, Guillermo Rigondeaux. Right? That's what Top Rank bossman Bob Arum said, anyway. That's what the media reports indicated.

Now, as Mares has officially decided to move up to featherweight and the Donaire-Mares bout is forever left to message board debate, it appears as though the Rigondeaux fight is on shaky ground.

According to reports, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and current WBA junior featherweight champ is pressuring Top Rank to settle their ongoing lawsuit with his previous promoter, Caribe Promotions, before officially moving ahead with any future fight plans.

Nobody on the outside quite knows why Rigondeaux is insistent on settling old scores before moving ahead, but it may have to do with the chaos and distraction prior to trying to put together his last fight. Last September's bout with Robert Marroquin was on-again, off-again several times due to threatened legal action from Caribe Promotions and officially confirmed less than two weeks before the actual date. It's fair to want a distraction-free environment prior to a legacy-defining bout with Donaire.

Arum, however, feels that Rigondeaux is somehow being manipulated by his former promoter.

"It's craziness. If he don't straighten out, we'll go to [Vic] Darchinyan," Arum told Boxingscene.com. "[Caribe] is trying to use the kid to put muscle on us to settle a lawsuit that we feel has no value. We offered him the fight. We've offered him a lot of money for the fight. If he doesn't take it, we'll move on to the next guy. He has to understand that he is very much the B-side."

The question in this whole matter is: Did Rigondeaux suddenly get this idea that Arum and Caribe should settle their lawsuit or has this been a point of concern for awhile? Nobody other than the actual participants knows the truth and timing of this, but if this has been an ongoing issue, then Arum knew all along that closing a deal for a fight with the Cuban was going to lead to a dead end.

In turn, that would mean that the underlying reason for passing on Abner Mares was pure fabrication. Rigondeaux, who just shook up his team with a change in trainers, might never have been on board. Darchinyan, quite possibly, was the plan all along.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nonito-donaire-may-not-face-rigondeaux-either-top-051600663--box.html

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Global 2012: WBO: Pacquiao defeated Bradley

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 21: Manny Pacquiao attends a press conference announcing his upcoming World Boxing Organization welterweight championship fight against Timothy Bradley at The Beverly Hills Hotel on February 21, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)The World Boxing Organization (WBO) ruled Wednesday that Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao should have won his controversial bout against American fighter Timothy Bradley and recommended a rematch.

Bradley won a split decision at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on June 9 that prompted disbelief from the sporting world and had many calling the outcome corrupt.

The WBO met with five international judges to evaluate video of the match and they unanimously scored the fight in favor of Pacquiao, though they do not have the power to overturn the initial ruling and the result will stand.

Pacquiao has indicated that he would prefer a rematch to Bradley forfeiting the belt, according to Bob Arum, the promoter for both fighters.

Pacquiao said he will not accept the WBO welterweight crown from Bradley if the American gives it back to him after the five WBO judges who re-scored the controversial fight had the Filipino winning by a mile.

“Kung ibigay naman nina (Bradley), hindi ko naman tatanggapin. Baka isipin ng tao inaagaw ko ang belt (If they give it back I won’t accept it. People might think I’m grabbing it),” the Filipino ring icon said in a radio interview yesterday.

Bradley, the underdog, took the title away from Pacquiao via a controversial split decision after two of the three judges had him winning, 115-113. The third judge had Pacquiao winning by a similar score.

The results of the WBO re-scoring cannot reverse the decision.

The names of the five WBO judges, who did an individual re-scoring of the fight a few days ago, were withheld. But they all scored the bout for Pacquiao, 117-111, 117-111, 118-110, 116-112, and 115-113, contrary to what the two judges saw at the MGM.

It’s just impossible for these five WBO judges to get it wrong all at the same time.

The STAR spoke with Arum yesterday morning, and the ageless boxing promoter who helped put up the 1975 “Thrilla in Manila” said he’s not surprised at all.

“It doesn’t surprise me because most people scored it for Pacquiao. One thing is sure, though. Unless they find any criminal wrongdoing, they are not going to change the verdict,” said Arum over the phone.

There was an outrage right after the decision was announced, from the thousands who watched the fight live at the MGM Grand, to the millions from around the world. Even those who used to criticize Pacquiao felt he deserved the win.

Floyd Mayweather Sr., who can say all the bad things about Pacquiao, and Mexican boxer Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as boxing’s golden boy, Oscar de la Hoya, said the 33-year-old congressman from Sarangani won the fight.

Pacquiao said instead of Bradley giving the belt back to him, the WBO could declare the title vacant, and order a rematch to be held on Nov. 10. Pacquiao said that’s the way he prefers to take the title back.

“Kung ibibigay ni Bradley, ibakante na lang ang belt, wala nang champion diyan, kasi parang inaagaw rin (If Bradley will give it up, just declare it vacant, with no champion, since it would seem like to he grabbed it),” said Pacquiao, who was in Vigan yesterday, visiting his friend, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.

Two days after the fight, Pacquiao said that if a rematch is held, “There will be no need for judges.”

Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, the president of WBO, stressed even before the judges did the re-scoring, it was not meant to reverse the decision or to ask Bradley to surrender the belt.

The farthest the WBO can do is to call for an immediate rematch.

While his promoter, team members, family, friends and supporters raised a howl over the verdict, Pacquiao said after the fight that he respects the decision. He asked everyone to move on, and just look forward to the possible rematch.

Pacquiao also welcomed calls for an investigation of the circumstances surrounding the judging of the fight. He said an investigation should help boxing save its image and regain the trust of its fans following the unpopular decision.

Pacquiao said he was not surprised that the five WBO judges scored the fight in his favor.

“Hindi na ako nagulat dahil alam na natin sa puso natin kung sino ang nanalo (I was not surprised because we all know in our hearts who won the fight),” Pacquiao told radio station dzBB just as news about the results of the WBO re-scoring broke out.

“Pasalamat tayo nagkaroon ng ganyang desisyon. Mahalaga ang dangal natin at totoong nangyari ay lumabas din. Huwag sila mag-alala, makukuha rin natin ‘yan (Let’s all be thankful of this decision. Our pride is important. The truth is out. Don’t worry, we will get it back),” Pacquiao also said.

During the post-fight interview at the MGM Grand, Bradley came in and left on a wheelchair, saying he sprained his left ankle and hurt his right foot. He said he thought the judges were fair, and that he deserved the victory.

Pacquiao looked calm and collected after the loss, giving Bradley the credit and hardly criticizing the judges who scored it for Bradley.

But Pacquiao has said more than a couple of times he wants a rematch, and it’s up to his promoter.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=819695&publicationSubCategoryId=63

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Global 2012: Nevada judge defends Bradley card

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) and boxing promoter Bob Arum are interviewed during the official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
It could have been a slip of the tongue for Duane Ford, one of the two judges that had Timothy Bradley beating Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand more than a week ago.

But the 74-year-old boxing judge from Nevada certainly didn’t do a good job trying to explain how he had Bradley beating the heavily-favored Filipino superstar, 115-113.

“What I personally saw that night is that the first six rounds, clearly Pacquiao was the winner. It was an exciting six rounds,” Ford told HBO commentator Jim Lampley during the boxing program “The Fight Game.”

If he gave Pacquiao the first six rounds, it would have been impossible for him to score the bout, 115-113, for Bradley, who left the arena on a wheelchair, and the new WBO welterweight champion.

Ford went on to explain.

“But what I saw in the fourth round is that Pacquiao clearly won that. He hurt Bradley. But the Manny Pacquiao that I’ve judged in the past would have finished him.

“(But) He let him off the hook. And then in the later rounds, I thought he (Pacquiao) tired; his punches were, were missing a bit. Bradley’s punches were missing to the head, but Bradley was scoring. He was scoring well on the body,” said Ford.

Judge CJ Ross also had Bradley winning, 115-113, while Jerry Roth had it for Pacquiao, 115-113. All three scores were a poor reflection of the fight which was never close.

The result was a split decision for Bradley, a 5-1 underdog. After ring announcer Michael Buffer announced the verdict, cries of protest filled the air.

It’s not the first time Ford scored a Pacquiao fight in the United States. He was at ringside when Pacquiao fought Shane Mosley (120-107), Joshua Clottey (120-108), Miguel Cotto (108-99), Juan Manuel Marquez in 2008 and Erik Morales in 2006.

Ford had Pacquiao beating Marquez in their second encounter, 115-112.

An investigation is being sought through the efforts of Top Rank chief Bob Arum and WBO president Francisco Valcarcel who has tapped five judges to re-score the fight.

But Valcarcel stressed that they are not out to reverse the decision but to boost their efforts in calling for a wider pool of judges when it comes to major fights.

Filipino election lawyer Romulo Macalinta, a regular fixture in Pacquiao fights in the United States, has also filed a formal letter of complaint before Nevada’s Atto rney General’s office.

Macalintal said that while Pacquiao is not aware of his actions, he is requesting the Attorney General’s office to conduct an inquiry surrounding the circumstances of the scoring.

“I have summarized the various scorings made by world renowned sportswriters, columnists and sports agencies showing how Pacquiao won convincingly over Bradley.

“Wikipedia has recorded 51 such writers and agencies for Pacquiao with only three for Bradley. Fight Score Collector.com collected a total of 265 for Pacquiao with only 10 for Bradley and a total of 46 Boxing Press, Fan Forum and Boxing Site for Pacquiao with only one (1) for Bradley,” he said.

Pacquiao said he welcomed these moves, but maintained that he has nothing to do with it.

“Sila kung mag-ibestiga sila siyempre natural lang para hindi masira yung image ng boxing (Of course it’s natural for them to investigate so it will not destroy the image of boxing),” said Pacquiao.

http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/news/nevada-judge-defends-bradley-card-160618325--spt.html

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Global 2012: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. may finally be ready for Sergio Martinez

Julio César Chávez, Jr. vs. Sebastian Zbik (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Athletically, there is no comparison between Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Martinez is far quicker, significantly more agile and clearly better conditioned.

As hard as it may be to believe for those who have watched Chavez for years, though, Martinez is no guarantee to beat him when – or rather, if – they meet for middleweight supremacy this fall in Las Vegas. Chavez may not be an athlete, but what he is, as he proved on Saturday, is a fighter.

Chavez bludgeoned Andy Lee and stopped the former Olympian in the seventh round of a surprisingly entertaining fight at the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, to retain the World Boxing Council middleweight belt.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., top, screamed in celebration after beating Andy Lee. (AP)

The fight was the latest bit of evidence of Chavez's maturation from a sideshow attraction treading off his famous father's name into a legitimate, and entertaining, championship-caliber fighter.

Lee, an Irish Olympian in 2004, tried to exchange with Chavez and it proved to be his undoing. Chavez is a massive middleweight who bulled Lee into the corners and then ripped him with punishing shots, primarily to the body.

Lee trains with Martinez, who is No. 3 in the Yahoo! Sports rankings, and he sounded a word of caution for those who believe Martinez will roll if the fight with Chavez actually takes place. The sides have a signed letter of intent for the bout to occur on Sept. 15 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

"It's a tough fight for Sergio just because of the size difference," Lee said. "[Chavez] is better than people give him credit for. That's a hard fight for Sergio. He's a big fighter with a big heart and a good chin."

That Chavez would be able to get anywhere near a boxing ring with the No. 3-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the world without a ticket is somewhat stunning to those who witnessed his formative years. Chavez himself didn't seem committed, and that wasn't all that much of a shock.

He was a rich kid who didn't have to box, who did it almost as an afterthought. But Top Rank's Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler insisted that Chavez had the ability to eventually become a serious fighter.

On Saturday, he matured into just that, breaking down and then breaking the will of a quality, hard-nosed opponent.

"[Trampler] said it from the beginning, that the kid had loads of talent," promoter Bob Arum said. "He was green as hell and he was undeveloped, but Bruce told us from the get-go the kid could fight. I can market a fighter as well as anyone, but when it comes to assessing talent and projecting and determining whether a guy can fight, I leave that up to Bruce."

Lee threw 420 punches to just 252 for Chavez, but Lee only had a 121-116 edge in connects, according to statistics from CompuBox. That was a problem for Lee, because Chavez's shots were like sledgehammer blows.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing--gritty-julio-cesar-chavez-jr--may-finally-be-ready-for-sergio-martinez-after-beating-andy-lee.html;_ylt=AgUtI3kC36wia7haUvzqg2eUxLYF

Manila 2012: Pacquiao returns to help flood victims

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) steps on the scale as Joel Diaz, Timothy Bradley's trainer, looks on during the official weigh-in for their bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
Manny Pacquiao returned to the Philippines on Saturday to help flood victims in his home province, a week after his loss to Timothy Bradley.

Pacquiao was showered with confetti Saturday, although his homecoming was much less festive than usual because of his split-decision loss in the welterweight title fight in Las Vegas.

He cut short a vacation with his family in the United States to help thousands of victims of floods that hit Sarangani province, the area he represents in congress.

''Let us forget what happened, let us accept it wholeheartedly for God has a plan for us,'' Pacquiao said at a news conference where men dressed as gladiators lined up as his honor guards.

Later, he told GMA television he had asked supporters to skip the traditional ''hero's welcome'' for him and instead focus on helping those affected by the floods. He said he has already sent relief supplies.

Pacquiao went to the Roman Catholic church in Manila's Quiapo district where he addressed worshippers, urging them to accept the judges' decision and shun anger.

Pacquiao's controversial loss has prompted one of boxing's major sanctioning bodies to review Bradley's victory, the first step toward what promoter Bob Arum hopes will be ''clarity'' in the judging of the fight.

WBO President Francisco ''Paco'' Valcarcel said in a statement this week that the WBO's championship committee will review video of the fight with five ''recognized international judges'' and make a recommendation. He said the WBO does not doubt the ability of the scoring judges.

Most observers thought Pacquiao had easily defended his welterweight title against Bradley.

Pacquiao interrupted his vacation with his family in the United States following the bout with Bradley to help thousands of victims of flash floods that hit his province.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/pacquiao-returns-help-flood-victims-044005211--box.html

Monday, June 11, 2012

Global 2012: Timothy Bradley's win over Manny Pacquiao was a joke, but it wasn't bad for boxing

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 08: Boxer Manny Pacquiao (C) and boxing promoter Bob Arum are interviewed during the official weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao will defend his WBO welterweight title against Timothy Bradley on June 9 in Las Vegas. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
It was unfair, unjust and just plain wrong. But, contrary to what many might say, this was no bad night for boxing.

Timothy Bradley's controversial split-decision victory over Manny Pacquiao on Saturday in their World Boxing Organization welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden was one of the best things that could have happened for the sport.

It was a fast-paced, back-and-forth scrap between a pair of quality boxers at the peak of their professions.

That Bradley won a decision the vast majority of those in attendance and watching on television around the world thought was laughably wrong is hardly the "death knell" for boxing that promoter Bob Arum said it was seconds after the verdict was read.

Controversy sells. The bigger the controversy, the bigger the rematch.

This rematch will be bigger than Saturday's bout by a wide margin. Bradley will become a star; he's already a charismatic guy who performed well when he finally got his chance on the big stage. And Pacquiao's legion of fans will rally to his support, believing he was wronged and demanding justice in a second fight.

"Some rounds, I took off and relaxed and didn't throw so many punches," Pacquiao said. "I could give him three rounds, and almost every round I hurt him. I know he felt that."

Judge Jerry Roth had it 115-113 for Pacquiao, but he was overruled by his counterparts, C.J. Ross and Duane Ford, who had it 115-113 for Bradley. Ross gave Bradley the final three rounds and five of the last six. Ford scored five of the last six for Bradley as well.

Yahoo! Sports had it 117-111 for Pacquiao. The vast majority of reporters covering the fight at ringside had it for Pacquiao, the No. 2 fighter in the world in the Yahoo! Sports rankings. HBO's Harold Lederman, a former professional judge, scored it 11 rounds to one for Pacquiao.

Arum was outraged, at one point referring to the judges as "The Three Blind Mice," while he was introducing Pacquiao at the post-fight news conference.

"Can you believe that?" Arum said. "I had it 10-2! After I got into the ring after the fight, I went over to Bradley and said 'You did very well.' He said, 'I tried hard, but I couldn't beat the guy.' This is crazy. You talk about killing boxing? All three scorecards you throw out."

It was unfair to Pacquiao, who deserved to win.

But bad for boxing? Not in a million years. More people were talking about the fight when it ended than would have been had Pacquiao gotten the wide verdict most had expected.

It's created a lucrative rematch for November and helped turn Bradley into a star.

Even to those who felt Pacquiao won, there had to be a respect for Bradley, who fought a spirited, high-paced battle despite injuring both of his feet. He attended the news conference in a wheelchair.

Manny Pacquiao prays after his fight against Timothy Bradley. (Getty)

"Going into the last rounds, my corner was telling me I had to win the last couple of rounds to win the fight," said Bradley, who said he felt something snap in his left foot in the second round and injured his right in the fifth.

The only loser in the event was probably the state of Nevada, which likely won't get the opportunity to host the rematch. Arum said the rematch will be held in a "non-tax state," meaning it's likely headed to Texas.

That will cost Nevada millions in tax income, but the impact of not having the fight in the state is the only bad thing to come out of the fight.

Arum called the scoring "unfathomable" and offered to get the judges medical assistance.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/boxing--timothy-bradleys-win-over-manny-pacquiao-was-a-joke-but-it-wasn-t-bad-for-boxing.html;_ylt=Am8wVTeOXqRZzIVrL7JJME2UxLYF

Global 2012: Pacquiao appeases fans, vows KO in rematch

English: Rep. Manny Pacquiao at a speaking engagement in Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The outcry in this gambling city was so loud, Floyd Mayweather Jr. could have heard it in his jail cell. On the other side of the world, people cried in the streets in Manila, and the presidential palace issued a statement praying for the quick return of their hero's strength and fervor.

Through it all, Manny Pacquiao was a model of serenity.

"I hope you're not dismayed or discouraged," Pacquiao said. "I can fight. I can still fight."

That much was evident Saturday night (Sunday morning in Manila) in a fight Pacquiao seemed to have under control up until the time the judges' score cards were announced. He pounded Timothy Bradley early, landed more punches and looked a lot like the fighter who catapulted to fame on a remarkable undefeated run over the last seven years.

That he's a former champion now is thanks to some judging that was questionable, if not borderline incompetent. But boxing has always been a subjective sport, and anything shy of a knockout is always open to interpretation by the three judges who sit ringside and score things round by round.

Pacquiao understands that as well as anyone, which may account for his smiles and calm demeanor afterward. In his last fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, he was lucky to escape with a majority decision that just as easily could have gone to his Mexican challenger, and he's been the beneficiary of other close decisions, too.

He was never close to knocking out Bradley; he was never able to knock him down. He coasted some in the late rounds, and left his fate in the hands of other people – something every fighter is cautioned never to do.

It's a mistake he vows not to repeat if the two meet as expected Nov. 10, in a rematch both say they want.

"That will make me become a warrior in the next few months," Pacquiao said, "because in the rematch, my feeling is I don't want to go the whole 12 rounds."

The end of Pacquiao's 15-fight winning streak was even more startling because most near ringside didn't see it coming. Almost without exception, every writer had Pacquiao well ahead, and HBO's resident unofficial judge Harold Lederman had him winning 11 rounds out of 12. The Associated Press scored it 117-111 for Pacquiao.

"There's three judges out there. What do you want me to do?" Bradley asked. "Two of them felt I won the fight. That's all that counts."

Punching stats compiled by Compubox showed Pacquiao landing 253 punches to 159 for Bradley, and landing more punches in 10 of the 12 rounds. But boxing statistics are subjective, too, compiled by two people counting the punches they believe land in a fight — and this one got so wild at times it was hard to tell who was hitting whom.

Still, when the split decision was announced and judges Duane Ford and C.J. Ross had Bradley winning 115-113, the pro-Pacquiao crowd booed loudly, and 81-year-old promoter Bob Arum nearly went apoplectic.

http://www.philstar.com/sportsarticle.aspx?publicationsubcategoryid=63&articleid=816188

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Manila 2010: Pacquiao gives away P1 million, new car in birthday bash

Image via WikipediaMANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao celebrated his 32nd birthday in style last Friday, raffling off P1 million and a new Toyota Vios car during a five-hour party at the KCC Convention and Event Center in General Santos City. Pacquiao, clad in a gray business suit, made his grand entrance at half past 7 p.m. and stayed with his guests until past midnight.

More than a thousand guests who included Top Rank President Bob Arum and trainer Freddie Roach were on hand to join an evening of songs and dances.

The entire Pacquiao clan was in attendance, including wife Jinkee and mother Dionisia. Also present were top local politicians and movie celebrities. Comedians Bayani Agbayani and Long Mejia emceed the show.

Pacquiao performed three songs and raffled off appliances, a car, and P1 million. The new car, displayed at the lobby of the venue, was supposed to be the grand prize of the night. But after conferring with Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson, a close friend, Pacquiao announced that he and Singson have agreed to shell out P500,000 each for the top raffle prize.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/mb/20101218/tph-pacquiao-gives-away-p1-million-new-c-020e1c8.html

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Related articles

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Related articles

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Related articles

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Related articles

Related articles

Monday, June 11, 2012

Related articles

Related articles

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Related articles