Todd Dubeof: No decision has been made regarding HBO or Show Time

Despite reports that Top Rank was basically packaging their November 12 and December 3 pay-per-view events, Steve Kim spoke to Top Rank President Todd duBoef, who denied that any such package deal was in place"No decision has been made regarding HBO or Show Time for Pacquiao vs Marquez"

The idea of packaging the two pay-per-view events (Pacquiao vs Marquez and Cotto vs Margarito) was an interesting one, as it would have required someone to, in all likelihood, overpay a bit for Cotto vs Margarito.

Kim also reported on Twitter that Top Rank is looking at October 15 for the rematch between Juan Manuel Lopez and Orlando Salido, but that's the date of HBO's PPV headlined by Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson. Whether or not Showtime would want to pay for a Salido vs Lopez fight when they're going to lose a big chunk of a potential audience to an HBO PPV is debatable, but it wouldn't be a shocking little risk to take. Hopkins vs Dawson is destined to bomb on PPV (where everyone agrees it doesn't belong, but it's a budget issue), but even still, that's a night currently occupied by big name fighters. The October 15 date would also prevent HBO from bidding on the Salido vs Lopez rematch, but they just might not have any money available for it anyway.

Pacquiao-Marquez Fight is hot topic in Vegas

MANILA, Philippines – Four months before the 3rd bout Pacquiao vs Marquez is set to take place, it is already the talk of the town in the boxing capital of the world – Las Vegas.

The fight, which will take place on November 12 in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, is creating a stir in Las Vegas, and everyone seems to have an opinion regarding the fight.

Richard Schaeffer, the chief executive office of Golden Boy Promotions, said that Pacman will once again beat "Dinamita" Marquez.

"Marquez will not win, Pacquiao will win," Schaeffer said. "Marquez always comes to fight. It's not gonna be easy for Pacquiao, but Pacquiao knows that it's gonna be a good fight."

International R&B pop singer Jay Sean also gives his nod to Pacquiao.

"Pacquiao is on top of his game," Sean said. "Everybody wants to see Amir (Khan) fight Pacquiao, but they both train with the same guy."

Sean also said that he will definitely watch the trilogy bout.

"I think he is an inspiration for so many people, and he is very, very entertaining to watch, so definitely I'm gonna be watching," Sean said.

Marquez' quest to fight Pacquiao for the 3rd time is raising eyebrows, as boxing people believe that the Mexican is seeking revenge for their previous bouts.

Pacquiao and Marquez have fought twice before with controversial results each time.

Pacquiao settled for a draw in their 1st meeting in 2004, despite knocking Marquez down 3 times in the 1st round.

In their 2008 rematch, Pacquiao once again knocked down Marquez in the 3rd round en route to a split decision win.

But Marquez' fortitude inside the ring is not the only thing that is drawing attention, but also his practice in drinking his own urine while training.

Boxing scribe Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, however, is not a fan of Marquez' unique training practice.

"I talked to him about that before, and he said that he will (continue to drink his urine). He believes that it helps him, it does not!" Iole said.

"It's been proven by doctors that it does not. If he wants to do it, go ahead. His wife is probably not gonna kiss him in the morning," he added.

Iole also said that Marquez' practice will not affect at least one aspect of his upcoming fight with Pacquiao.

"He is gonna get punched in the face no matter what," Iole said.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, called Marquez' practice 'ridiculous.'

"This is ridiculous. It's a waste system. We have a waste system for a reason," Roach said. "Waste means we throw it away."

The upcoming fall will be a busy season for the boxing world. Aside from Pacquiao and Marquez' trilogy bout, Floyd Mayweather Jr is also going to make his ring return against ‘Vicious’ Victor Ortiz in September.

But aside from the competition inside the ring, there is also the question of which fight will bring in more box office and pay-per-view sales.

HBO may bag Pacquiao-Marquez bout

MANILA, Philippines – Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao’s 3rd bout against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez may be broadcast by HBO, according to various reports.

Michael Marley of Examiner.com said Top Rank boss Bob Arum will confirm by Wednesday or Thursday whether HBO will present the trilogy bout between Pacquiao and Marquez.

Pacquiao's last bout, a unanimous decision victory over Shane Mosley, was shown in Showtime. Despite being criticized as a 'boring' fight, it earned Pacquiao the highest pay-per-view numbers of his career.

Marley cites a source who said that Top Rank has gone back to HBO.

"They've gone back to HBO, nothing against Showtime, because for the trilogy bout with Marquez, HBO has come up with a superior offer," the source told Marley.

But Top Ranks public relations officer Lee Samuels told BoxingScene.com that no official decision has been made.

Samuels said that Arum and Top Rank President Todd duBoef are still reviewing the offers of both HBO and Showtime.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Only 2,000 tickets left for the Pacquiao-Marquez Fight

First day sales for the November 12 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have nearly sold out. Yahoo! Sports boxing columnist Kevin Iole tweeted earlier that just a few seats remain at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas after the first day of sales "Only 2,000 tickets left for the Pacquiao-Marquez fight after first day of sales. "

Source: badlefthook.com

Pacman favors new show over Marquez fight buildup

MANILA, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao wants the press tour for his fight with Juan Manuel Marquez cut short.

“Sana ikilian na lang nila (I hope they cut it short),” said the Filipino pound-for-pound champion the other day.

The reason, he said, is because he wants to be back in the country for his live hosting of his new pet: a game show on TV.

The press tour for the Nov. 12 fight, promoter Bob Arum said, starts on Sept. 3 at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

Up next are stops in New York, Los Angeles and Mexico City. Already scratched from the original plan are stops in London and another Asian country.

Pacquiao’s newest game show, “Manny, Many Prizes,” is aired live on GMA-7 on Saturdays.

“We’ll be at the Araneta Coliseum in the morning and then I can host my show in the evening. Then we leave the following morning for New York,” he said.

For the Shane Mosley fight last May, the press tour took both fighters to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York and Washington, where the Filipino icon got the chance to meet President Barack Obama at the White House.


If Pacquiao insists, Arum will have to pull the strings to take the show to New York, LA and Mexico City in just five days.


Source: philstar.com

HBO or Showtime? Decision imminent?

Top Rank boss Bob Arum announced earlier this week that he has received the formal bid from Showtime to air the November 12th Pacquiao vs. Marquez III pay per view fight.

After reviewing Showtime's bid along with HBO's, an announcement of which network will air the fight is expected from Arum in the next few days. He told The Ring:

"We received Showtime's offer today,"

"We will review it and analyze it and make a decision probably within the next week."

Despite personal preferences from many fans, there is currently no favorite as to which will land the event although the recent shake up at HBO could well play a part in Arum's decision.

Arum claimed prior to Mosley vs. Pacquiao that part of the reason for taking his business elsewhere initially was down to the deteriorating relationship he had with HBO top brass.

Former HBO sports president Ross Greenburg is now gone however, and many believe current vice president Kery Davis will be soon to follow him out the door.

No replacement has been named as of yet for Greenburg and because of existing contracts and obligations, holding off on a new president seems a prudent move.

Any replacement for Greenburg named now would have little influence over bouts already scheduled for the rest of the year, and as such Arum dealing directly with the HBO bosses rather than the sports department is probably a good move.

That being the case Pacquiao vs. Marquez III could still go either way, and will likely come down to which network can help them sell the most pay per views.


Source: examiner.com

Manny Blasted Marquez "He’s got nothing different, nothing new"

Pacquiao said he watched the one round knockout of Likar Ramos by Juan Manuel Marquez whom he fights in a much-awaited trilogy on November 12 said “I know what his strengths are and I know what his strategy is. He’s got nothing different, nothing new.”

In contrast Pacquiao said “I am different now compared to the last time we fought. He has to train hard and of course I will also train hard so we can give fans a good fight.”

The “Fighter of the Decade” who has won eight world titles in eight different weight divisions said he plans to start his training in the Philippines “for the first month and the last month in the US” at the Wild Card Gym of trainer Freddie Roach.

He disclosed that Marquez is scheduled to arrive in Manila on September 3 to kickoff the media tour at the Luneta Grandstand of the Rizal Park followed by a press conference.

Pacquiao at the same time commended newly crowned WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria saying “he did his best to win the fight and showed us a good fight.However, he seemed to tire out in the last few rounds which meant he was short on stamina. But he did well in that fight. He needs to practice in making boxing easier that what we think.”

He said that while boxing “is so hard and so difficult, there is a way to make that easier. When you have a fight you have to study the style of your opponent and when you train you apply the strategy you are going to use against your opponent while training in the gym.

Source: philboxing.com

Terrible miscalculation

If WBC lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez’s decision was to face Colombian southpaw Likar Ramos in a tuneup fight instead of former champion David Diaz, he made a terrible miscalculation.

Most fight fans, including ourselves, expected the fight to last at least six rounds so Marquez could have gotten rid of any ring rust and perfected his timing and counterpunching prowess in preparation for his trilogy with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on Nov. 12.

But the Colombian patsy caught one right straight and went down and remained on the canvas as though he was truly hurt (See story below).

No doubt he was, but watching the fight on ABC 5 immediately raised the question of whether Ramos merely decided to stay down, collect his purse and go home to Colombia.

* * *

There were even insinuations that it was a fix but that isn’t fair to Marquez or even to Ramos.

If ever there was a “fix,” it was in the choice of Ramos who, in February 2010, had been knocked out in the seventh round by lanky Jorge Solis, who himself was bludgeoned by a half-trained Pacquiao some years ago.

If the intention of Marquez was actually to get a mere gym-type workout and to score what seemed like an impressive victory to try and use it as a psychological ploy against Pacquiao and to scare the “Fighter of the Decade,” he’s got to be out of his mind.

Nobody scares Pacquiao as he has proven on so many occasions in the past.

As his strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza pointed out in a conversation we had with him after the fight, kids normally have no fear, that’s why they are unafraid to climb trees and do difficult things. But when they grow older, the fear factor sneaks in.

As Ariza emphasized, Pacquiao never had any fear, not as a kid and not now. It’s impossible to even try to scare him.

* * *

However, if it’s designed to build the inner confidence of Marquez, who will have to move up to fight Pacquiao at the catch weight of 144 pounds, it may help. Once he steps into the ring, though, we believe his confidence will dissipate as Manny catches him with devastating punches.

The knockout may add a little in terms of interest in the fight, as far as Mexican and Marquez diehards are concerned, but the knowledgeable boxing fans won’t bite.
What this all means is that either way, Marquez’ tuneup fight or his effort to try and scare Pacquiao or at least make him wary—if that was the intention in fighting a far less skilled boxer who looked more like a small-time club fighter—has failed. But, we must give Marquez credit for his effort.

Source: inquirer.net

Did Ramos take a dive against Marquez?

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing analysts and writers are questioning Juan Manuel Marquez' knockout victory over Likar Ramos last Sunday in Mexico.

Marquez had scored a first round knockout victory over Ramos in his tune-up bout for pound-for-pound king Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

But moments after the knockout, ESPN's boxing analyst, Dan Rafael, posted on Twitter: "Gotta be honest, that did NOT look like a knockout punch that would do such damage. Just did not look that bad."

Rafael also criticized how Ramos had seemingly braced himself for the fall after taking the punch from Marquez.

"Who stumbles like that and then goes out cold? Seriously?" he tweeted.

"It was almost like Ramos squeezed his eyes shut. When guys get KO’d COLD like he seemed to be it's because they hit their head. He didn't," Rafael added.

Rafael implied that Ramos had simply taken a dive when he tweeted: "A knockdown on that punch? Sure. Even a KO? Maybe. But out cold, didnt hit head, NO movement, eyes shut tightly? NO WAY."

Other writers also expressed their doubt over the knockout.

"It was a good clean punch, but the acting afterward was better," said Brad Cooney of 8countnews.com.

"Ramos fell backward and braced himself for the fall. He braced himself for the fall and once on the floor he then decided to go to sleep? Looked a little suspect to this writer," Cooney added.

Another writer from 8countnews.com said that Ramos' acting job spoiled the integrity of boxing.

"Ramos could have been one of the greatest 'spoilers' of the year if he had impressed against Marquez, instead it looks like the only thing that got spoiled was the integrity of boxing once again, undermining some of the truly great fights that did occur," wrote Darren Barcomb.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Pacquiao - Marquez Trilogy Tickets on Sale this Friday

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MP Promotions and MGM Grand, tickets to Pacquiao-Marquez III, priced at $1,200, $900, $600, $400, and $200, go on sale this Friday, July 22, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Ticket sales at $1,200, $900, $600 and $400 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $200 are limited to two (2) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000. Tickets also will be available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Juan Manuel Marquez Declares War against Pacquiao!

By Michael Marley

One minute, 47 seconds of the first round.

Promoter Bob Arum could not have scripted it better as Juan Manuel Marquez, age 37 but still a dangerous counterpuncher, used one countering right hand to blast out Colombian southpaw Likar Ramos (now 24-4) in the opening round of their scheduled 10 round junior welterweight bout in Cancun.

Now it's on to the big bonanza, the third Pacquiao vs Marquez fight, on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.

This KO 1 certainly lights match to the promotion for the trilogy bout.

"Dinamita" Marquez extended his Hall of Fame pro record to 53-5-1 and notched his 39th knockout.

"I happened to get a great punch on him and he couldn't take it, sometimes that is the way fights go," Marquez said.

"I will prepare well for Pacquiao and I want him to do that also. We can give the fans a war. (Floyd) Mayweather is so defensive a fighter...but with Pacquiao, it's going to be a war," Marquez said.

Marquez weighed 138 pounds for this bout.

Los Hermanos Marquez, Juan Manuel and Rafael, topped a festive boxing show Saturday night at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Juan Ma fought the main event against Likar Ramos in what was scripted as strictly a tuneup, and hopefully not a tuneout, for the third bout between Juan Ma and Pinoy Idol Manny Pacquiao.

With a guaranteed $5 million payday for the trilogy bout against Pacman, the 37 year old Juan Ma took the calculated risk against southpaw Ramos to prep for lefthanded Manny.

A treat on the undercard was the showing of the son of former great world champion Ricardo “Finito” Lopez fighting another boxer with the same last name.

Familia Marquez got the fistic evening at the bullring in Cancun off to a good start as Rafael “Raffa” Marquez, still fighting at age 36, had his way from start to finish in a “stay busy” bout against Eduard Becceril.

Becceril, now 12-8-2, was just a glorified sparring partner against Raffa, who improved his pro ring record to 40-6 with 36 knockouts.

Marquez played with Becceril, who had great former world champ Lupe Pintor working his corner, for the first three rounds and then floored him in the fourth with a sweet left hook.

A round later, Becceril landed some decent punches of his own. But he was still taking a bunch of head punches.

But, suddenly, the great Senor Pintor in Becceril’s corner halted the mismatch.

Marquez may never attain another world title but he’s still a viable top echelon featherweight contender. The fact that Raffa is still competing after he split those four ring wars against archrival Israel Vazauez is just short of amazing.

Last November, Raffa was stopped after eight full rounds by Puerto Rico’s wunderkind, Juan Manuel Lopez.

Becceril lost his first two pro bouts and then reeled off 13 successive victories. He was, however, 2-4 in his six prior bouts.

Also on the card, WBA junior flyweight champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (29-0, 24 KOs) stopped Mexico's Omar Salado (22-4-2, 13 KOs) in the seventh round. Gonzalez started fast, and tried to make his promise of a quick finish come true. He dropped Salado twice in the first round, but the Mexican challenger was able to survive the assault.

Gonzalez began to punish and bloody his opponent until yet another knockdown was scored in the seventh round. Gonzalez secured the stoppage shortly thereafter.

Source: boxingscene.com

VIDEO: Marquez One Shot KO against Likar Ramos

Marquez destroys Likar Ramos in the First Round!

WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) warmed up for his November showdown with Manny Pacquiao by knocking out Likar Ramos (24-4, 18 KOs) in the first round of a non-title jr welterweight matchup on Saturday night at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. An explosive right hand to the chin put Ramos on his back out cold. Time was 1:47.

Former world champion Rafael “Raffa” Marquez (40-6, 36 KOs) battered Eduardo Becerril (12-8-2, 4 KOs) for five rounds and Becerril didn’t come out for round six. Marquez knocked down Becerril with a left hook in round four. Marquez is eyeing a possible challenge against WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka later this year.

WBA light flyweight Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (29-0, 24 KOs) retained his title with a seventh round TKO against Omar Salado (22-4-2, 13 KOs). Gonzalez’ pressure paid dividends early with two knockdowns in round one. “Chocolatito” floored Salado again in the seventh and the bout was stopped at the end of that round. Time was :48.

Source: fightnews.com

Marquez vs Ramos Weigh-in in Cancun

Earlier today in Cancun, Mexico, WBA and WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez and his opponent Likar Ramos both made weight comfortably for their junior welterweight encounter tomorrow night at the Plaza De Toros. On the line for Marquez is a third crack at his rival Manny Pacquiao, a fight that is already set to take place inside the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 12th.

Many have questioned whether the Ramos fight was too big of a risk for Marquez but the Mexico City fighter insisted that a tune up bout was needed before he duels with Pacquiao for a third time. Marquez fought Pacquiao to a majority draw in May of 2004 and lost a disputed split-decision to him nearly four years later.

Ramos possesses a 24-3 record with 18 knockouts and has lost to notables such as Jorge Solis and Walter Estrada.

For images of Marquez and Ramos making weight, as well as younger brother Rafael Marquez, who fights on the undercard, please visit the slideshow on the left…


Source: examiner.com

Marquez takes risk against Ramos

Lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, one of the top fighters in the world, has yearned for a third fight with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao for three years.

They have fought to two controversial decisions: They drew in a 2004 featherweight title fight, and Pacquiao won a hotly contested split decision in their 2008 rematch for the junior lightweight championship. After three years of chasing Pacquiao since their last meeting, Marquez finally landed the fight.

They are scheduled to meet at a catchweight of 144 pounds for Pacquiao's welterweight title on Nov. 12 on pay-per-view at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. It's everything Marquez -- who will make a minimum of $5 million -- has wanted.

Yet Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs) has put himself in harm's way by taking a tuneup fight, knowing that a loss or major injury would shatter his dream.

He will face 25-year-old Likar Ramos (24-3, 18 KOs) of Colombia in a 10-rounder at 140 pounds at the Plaza de Toros bullring in Cancun, Mexico, on Saturday night.

"It is important for me that he is a left-hander, like Pacquiao, and this fight will give me the work I need to be ready for November," Marquez told ESPN.com through translator Ricardo Jimenez of Top Rank.

Ramos briefly held an interim junior lightweight title, losing it in his first defense when Jorge Solis knocked him out in the seventh round in February 2010. Ramos has won three in a row since, including one at 140 pounds.

The fight will headline a three-bout broadcast that will be will streamed live in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada on Top Rank's website, www.toprank.tv, beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Also scheduled to be shown: flyweight titlist Roman Gonzalez (28-0, 23 KOs) defending against Omar Salado (22-3-2, 13 KOs), and former bantamweight and junior featherweight champion Rafael Marquez (39-6, 35 KOs) -- Juan Manuel's younger brother -- facing Eduardo Becerril (12-7-2, 4 KOs) in a featherweight fight. Rafael Marquez will be fighting for the first time since suffering a shoulder injury in an eight-round TKO loss to then-featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez on Nov. 6.

Juan Manuel Marquez, 37, is also coming off a long layoff, caused in part by the long process of working out his promotional situation with Golden Boy (whom he has parted ways with) before he could accept an offer from Top Rank to fight Pacquiao.

Marquez hasn't fought since Nov. 27, when he survived a hard knockdown in the third round but rallied to defend the lightweight title by stopping Michael Katsidis in the ninth round.

Besides wanting work against a southpaw, Marquez said he took the fight with Ramos because he didn't want to go into a fight with Pacquiao coming off a year of inactivity.

"I need the activity," said Marquez, a three-division champion. "Every fighter needs to be active and busy. I just felt I needed a fight. I know there are risks involved. But I knew I needed to take this fight to be OK for November. Of course, I understand the risk, but in every fight there is a risk.

"Anytime you go in the ring, there is risk. Anything can happen. But we are intelligent, and I have prepared well for this guy. I just felt like I needed a fight so I could be at my best for Pacquiao."

The fight with Ramos is also a homecoming for Marquez, who, although popular in Mexico, has fought almost all of his career in the United States -- especially in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

He hasn't fought in Mexico in nearly 17 years. The last time was in October 1994, when Marquez -- in just his seventh professional fight -- won a four-round decision against Israel Flores.

"It was very important to me to fight again in Mexico in front of my people," Marquez said. "It's been 17 years. That is a long time. So I am very happy to be here fighting again. We wanted to have the fight in Mexico City [where Marquez is from], but we couldn't do it. It was a better opportunity in Cancun. But I am just happy to be fighting again in Mexico."

He will also have the company of his little brother on the card. The Marquez brothers haven't shared a card since they were on a Showtime telecast in 2006.

Juan Manuel won a vacant interim featherweight belt by knocking out Terdsak Jandaeng in the seventh round, while Rafael stopped Silence Mabuza in defense of his bantamweight title on the undercard.

"It's been a while since we have fought together on the same card, and it is important to both of us," Juan Manuel said. "So why not do it when we are here in Mexico, which makes it even bigger?"

In Marquez's only fight above the 135-pound weight limit, he lost a lopsided decision to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2009 welterweight fight. Marquez fought at a career-high 142 pounds.

Instead of moving above junior welterweight to fight Ramos, Marquez said he wanted to get comfortable at 140 before going higher for the fall fight with Pacquiao.

"I felt I needed to do a fight at 140 pounds first," Marquez said. "I wanted to be smart about things before the fight with Pacquiao. I want to see how my body feels at 140 and then 144. One step at a time.

"I'm very excited and happy to get the fight with Pacquiao. It's been a long time that I have wanted this fight. But it is important for me to do well on Saturday night and to show people that I am ready for November."

Pacquiao-Marquez tour

While Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is still weighing proposals from HBO and Showtime as he decides which company will handle the Nov. 12 Pacquiao-Marquez III pay-per-view, he is making plans for the most elaborate promotional tour he has ever staged.

Arum said the four-city international press tour will kick off Sept. 3 in Manila, where he believes Pacquiao -- the national icon of the Philippines -- can draw a crowd of 500,000.

"We're doing it in a big public park," Arum said. "We have people on the ground making the arrangements for it. It is going to be spectacular."

Sept. 4 falls on a Sunday, and Arum said he is attempting to arrange for the Archbishop of the Philippines to give Holy Communion to Pacquiao vs Marquez.

Arum said the tour would then travel to New York for a press conference on Sept. 6, and then another the next day in Los Angeles.

"Then, late Thursday afternoon we'll fly to Mexico City and do a press conference on Friday in a big square in the city," Arum said. "We think we can get 50,000 to come out. I'd like to get the president of Mexico to speak at that press conference. I'm doing this so elaborately because it makes a statement that Pacquiao is a worldwide figure, therefore you do it worldwide. It's the appropriate thing to do."

Arum said that in addition to lining up sponsors for the fight, Top Rank also has sponsors coming on board just for the press tour -- an unprecedented move.

Juan Manuel Marquez Public Workout in Cancun Mexico

Photos: Rafael Soto/Zanfer

Three-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez held a public workout today in Cancun where he will fight this Saturday night. In front of a big and enthusiastic crowd Marquez worked for about an hour and then took pictures with the fans and signed autographs.

“It has been 17 years since I fought in Mexico and I am looking forward to this fight Saturday night here in Cancun,” said Marquez.

Source fightnews.com

Juan Manuel Marquez is confident in beating Likar Ramos

MANILA, Philippines — Juan Manuel Marquez doesn't see his fight with Colombian Likar Ramos this Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in Cancun, Mexico, as a stumbling block to his Nov. 12 rubber match with Manny Pacquiao.

In fact, the Mexican counter-puncher believes his 10-round tuneup bout with Ramos is a stepping stone to his much-awaited third meeting with the Filipino pound-for-pound king.

Speaking to Mexican fight scribe Gabriel Cordero of fightnews after working out for the last time at the famed Romanza Gym in Mexico City, Marquez said he is “ready for this fight” and is looking forward to the faceoff with Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in November.

“All I have to say is I will win this fight and begin training for my next fight with Pacquiao,” said the 37-year-old Marquez, who will have the revered Nacho Beristain in his corner and a support crew composed of Raul de Anda and Jose Luis Zaragoza.

Marquez was forced to take a tuneup fight before the Pacquiao showdown to get rid of ring rust since his last fight was held in November last year.

Pacquiao, in contrast, has been quite busy, having fought Antonio Margarito late last year and Shane Mosley only last May for a combined total of 24 rounds. Before meeting Margarito, Pacquiao went 12 rounds with Joshua Clottey in March.

Source: mb.com.ph

Kobe Bryant: Manny is my guy!

MANILA, Philippines — He may be a towering figure in the sport of basketball, but Kobe Bryant admits to being impressed by boxing hero Manny Pacquiao’s competitive drive.

“Manny is a great friend. I love his fire and competitiveness,” Bryant, who is in Manila to promote the game of hoops, said.

Bryant, a member of the five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion Los Angeles Lakers, told reporters Wednesday about his mission of helping poor children achieve their dreams.

The talk eventually drifted away from basketball and to the Nov. 12 matchup between Pacquiao-Marquez fight. Asked who he was rooting for, Bryant said, “Manny’s my guy.”

Like Bryant, Pacquiao is an endorser for Nike, the sports clothing and gear company.

Bryant is in Manila as part of his Asian tour dubbed “Take Every Advantage.” His next stop will be Seoul before he visits select Chinese cities.

He has been in the Philippines twice before.

He dropped by the Gawad Kalinga in Taguig, visited the Nike Park at The Fort and presided over his basketball clinic at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bryant urged his fans to “take advantage of every opportunity like what I am doing now.”

“I don’t think it’s any more complicated than that. Whether you’re a journalist or a basketball player, you should take every chance you get,” said the 33-year-old Bryant, who mesmerized underprivileged kids from Taguig with some of his court moves.

He said he it “feels great” helping kids. “It’s not fair for kids to grow without them knowing they have a chance to do great things. That’s why I’m helping them,” he said.

At the Big Dome for the basketball clinic, Bryant checked if the collegiate players he had taught last time had made any progress in their hoops development.

“I love the passion of the players here. I love to see how far they have come,” he said.

Among those who watched the “Black Mamba” in action were members of Smart Gilas national basketball team.

Source: mb.com.ph

Pacquiao vs Marquez Fan-Made Video Trailer

Marquez is ready for his tune-up against Ramos this Sunday

Mexican legend and three-time world champion Juan Manuel Marquez is ready for his clash with former WBA world champion Likar Ramos of Colombia in Cancun, Mexico on Sunday, Manila Time.


Marquez who is using the Ramos fight as a tune-up for his much-awaited trilogy with pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao wound up his training camp at the Romanza Gym and said “I’m ready for this fight.”

Marquez who engaged Pacquiao in two close and controversial title fights, salvaging a draw in the first and dropping a split decision in the rematch indicated his focus is really on the Pacquiao fight when he told boxing writer Gabriel Cordero that he had a good workout which filled him with “joy and confidence to find the best condition for the fight against Pacquiao.”

Marquez who was accompanied by Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain said he would beat Ramos and then start training for the Pacquiao fight after a short break.

The WBC lightweight champion reiterated “I have dreamed of this fight (vs Pacquiao) for many years.”

Pacquiao’s strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza told the Daily Inquirer that Marquez could dream but “the fight will not last more than five rounds” and Pacquiao will stop the Mexican and effectively shut his mouth since he’s been claiming that he won both fights against Pacquiao but the judges didn’t give it to him.

The Marquez-Ramos showdown and the WBO flyweight title fight between former two-time world light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and “Pingo” Miranda will be telecast back-to-back by TV5 and Aksyon TV from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with both fights telecast on AKTV from 6:30 p.m. onwards.

Source: philboxing.com

Roach wants 9-week training camp for Manny

MANILA, Philippines –Manny Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, is planning a longer training camp for the pound-for-pound king’s upcoming fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

In a report posted on PhilBoxing.com, Roach revealed that he has set up a 9-week training program for Pacquiao, with 3 weeks being spent in the Philippines and 6 weeks in the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California.

The 9-week training camp will be one week longer than the usual preparation that Pacquiao undergoes.

Roach said the longer training camp will ensure that Pacquiao will convincingly defeat Marquez in their 3rd meeting.

“Manny’s previous 2 fights against Marquez were both close and this time, I want him to concentrate more to ensure that at the end of the trilogy, Manny will again emerge as winner, convincingly that is,” Roach said.

But Roach added he was not worried about Pacquaio possibly losing to Marquez.

“I can’t see any reason why Marquez can beat Manny. Likewise, Manny has shown so many times how serious he’s been in training,” he added.

Pacquiao and Marquez have faced off twice before. Their first bout in 2004 saw Pacquiao settling for a draw, despite knocking Marquez down thrice in the first round.

Pacquiao won a 2008 rematch via a split decision.

“The main reason why Manny consented into fighting Marquez for the 3rd time is to prove to all and sundry that he really is the better fighter between them, and that’s what we will be proving come fight time,” Roach said.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Manny Pacquiao to get 20 Million USD

MANILA, Philippines — World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Sarangani Rep. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is guaranteed $20 million (P860 million) in the much-awaited rubber match with Mexican nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas, reports from the US reveal.

The purse is exactly what Pacquiao got as a guarantee when he took the sting out of Shane Mosley last May, but the Filipino pound-for-pound king should make a killing in the extra income that will be generated by an expected larger pay-per-view audience.

If the Pacquiao-Mosley fight drew more than 1.3 million buys, ringsiders are more than optimistic that the Pacquiao vs Marquez showdown will do even greater what with the bad blood that exists between the two fighters.

Marquez is getting a guaranteed $5 million, the same amount Mosley was paid by Top Rank. Of course, the Mexican counter-puncher is also entitled to a share in the pay-per-view.

Top Rank chief Bob Arum believes the November encounter will go down as the biggest Pacquiao fight ever in terms of global impact and financial gain.

Arum is kicking off the promotional hype with a press conference at the Luneta on Sept. 3 with Marquez in attendance. From Manila, the tour will go to New York, Los Angeles and then onwards to Marquez’s lair in Mexico City.

Meanwhile, the long line of aspirants to Pacquiao’s throne has grown longer with the announcement made by world lightweight kingpin Brandon Rios that he wants a piece of the pound-for-pound king.

Speaking to the Orange County Register newspaper, Rios said: “I don’t know if I’ll ever get to fight him, but if I do, I’m going to make him fight.”

Rios, who is meeting many-time Pacquiao sparring partner Urbano Antillon this Saturday night in Carson, California, has already a gameplan for the Pacquiao fight.

“I am going to attack him, because that’s what I believe in,” said Rios, stressing that he is even willing to face Pacquiao for free.

Rios is the stablemate of Antonio Margarito, the Mexican giant Pacquiao mauled so badly that Margarito had to undergo an orbital bone operation so he can resume his boxing career.

Others drooling over the prospects of meeting Pacquiao include Floyd Mayweather, Andre Berto, Timothy Bradley, Kermit Cintron and Sergio Martinez.

Source: mb.com.ph

Mental preparation is first for Marquez

MANILA, Philippines – Not only does Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez need to prepare physically against Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, he also has to prepare mentally coming into their third fight.

Marquez said in Examiner.com that he needs to build up his mental fortitude to make sure that he can match Pacquiao punch-by-punch.

"First I must prepare myself mentally," he said Marquez. "Pacquiao is the best in the world. Mental preparation is first.”

Marquez will battle Pacquiao for the third time on November 12.

But before that, he will have a tune-up fight against Colombian Likar Ramos on July 16.

The Mexican boxer will also consult several medical experts and conditioning coaches to help him make the contracted 144-pound catchweight limit for the Pacquiao fight.

Pacquiao and Marquez will embark on a world tour starting in September to promote their fight.

Boxing promoter Bob Arum said the tour will begin in Manila, followed by stops in Tokyo, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, London, New York and Los Angeles. The tour will end in Mexico City.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Luneta will be the first stop of Pacquiao-Marquez III press tour

MANILA, Philippines — Two landmark sites in the Philippines and Mexico will play host to the much-awaited promotional tour of the Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez Nov. 12 fight, Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum said Wednesday from Los Angeles.

Arum told the Bulletin that the Luneta or Quirino Grandstand will be the first stop of a four-city press tour on Sept. 3 and that he expects a multitude to attend the event in Manila.

A similar function will be held in Marquez’s lair in Mexico City after stops in New York and Los Angeles, according to Arum, revealing that the main square called The Zocalo, which can hold more than 100,000 people, will be tapped to host it.

After the tour, Pacquiao and Marquez will head to their respective

high-altitude training camps: Pacquiao in Baguio and Marquez in Toluca.

There is bad blood in this third meeting between Pacquiao and Marquez with their first two matches ending in controversy. The first time they fought, the bout ended on a 12-round split draw and the rematch ended on a split decision victory for the Filipino.

Marquez remains bitter up to his day, telling Mexico City-based journalist Tim Johnson of the McClatchy newspapers in an article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee that “he (Pacquiao) knows he’s never really beaten me.”

Both fighters insist there’ll be no fourth fight as the convincing result of the rubber match will prevent one from taking place.

Nacho Beristain, the newly-inducted Hall of Fame trainer of Marquez, said Pacquiao’s metamorphosis from a wild-swinger to a more skillful puncher will make it a lot easier for his fighter to connect.

But Freddie Roach, who will join Beristain soon, said the added weight and the vast improvement will spell the difference.

Roach said Pacquiao will hand Marquez a devastating knockout loss.

Pacquiao and Marquez are fighting at a catch weight of 145 lbs.

Source: mb.com.ph

Mexican Goverment is excited for Pacquiao-Marquez III

By John F. McKenna (McJack): Mexico city will be the last stop of the media tour to hype the showdown of Pacquiao vs Marquez trilogy on November 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Philippine newspaper the Daily Inquirer that “the Mexican government is going absolutely nuts and has made available a special area that can accommodate up to 50,000 people. It’s the venue from which the Mexican president addresses the nation. They have agreed to let us use this for the press conference. It is really going to turn heads.”

Well known promoter Fernando Bertran, a friend and partner to Arum in several major boxing events is handling the final stop of the tour. Early indications are that it will take place outside the Palacio Nacional, which is the residence of the Mexican president.

Arum said that he would attempt to make similar arrangements in Manila, where the press tour will start in the last week of August. Arum said that he wants wto see a big public press conference to kick off the tour in Manila. With Pacquiao’s popularity in the Philippines, he will probably be able to get pretty much whatever he wants.

It is clear that Bob Arum is determined to make Manny Pacquiao an icon all over the world, not just in his native Philippines. While Arum is promoting Pacquiao’s fight with
Marquez, he is also looking to the future and using Manny’s exposure in the world tours to increase the value of his future fights, not just his fight with Marquez.

Manny Pacquiao for his part is not looking too far down the road. He understands more than anyone that if you are not focused as a fighter on your next fight that everything you worked on throughout your career can be gone in an instant. There have been numerous instances throughout boxing history where a fighter took an opponent lightly and lived to regret it.

Part of trainer Freddie Roach’s job is to keep his fighter focused on the task at hand.
No fighter should ever be taken lightly. Most recently Victor Ortiz had pretty much been written of as a serous contender. After his victory over Andre Berto however, he will be facing Floyd Mayweather Jr in September for the chance of a lifetime.

Pacquiao will more than likely make the most of his opportunity in November to once and for all prove to the world that he is a superior fighter to Juan Manuel Marquez.

Source: boxingnews24.com

Juan Manuel Marquez: I'm very focused on beating Ramos

By Jhonny Gonzalez

Juan Manuel Marquez is ready to put on an impressive performance against Colombia's Likar Ramos on the 16th of July in Cancun, Mexico. Marquez is already set for the fight of his dreams, a trilogy meeting with WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on November 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Marquez wants everyone to know that he is very focused on beating Ramos because Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum has advised him that a loss would cost him the third meeting with Pacquiao.

"I hope to win so I can think about the next fight, because it's going to be an important one. Likar is a strong fighter and we are preparing in the best way possible for this fight. It's a fight I really want to win because a lot of people have asked me if this fight is even important because on November 12 I'll be going against Pacquiao" Marquez explained.

"To get to the fight on November 12, I must first overcome the first obstacle in Ramos. I can't think of the [Pacquiao] fight because I have not finished [the one with Ramos]. With Pacquiao it will be a very good fight but also complicated because it's going to be at a different weight but I want to be victorious."

Source: boxingscene.com

Likar Ramos could be devasting if taken too lightly

Eager fans hungrily await the November 12th Pacquiao vs Marquez fight. Unable to lure Floyd Mayweather Jr. into a fight, Pacquiao’s camp instead settled for a third matchup with Marquez as the next best thing. Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) faced Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KO’s) in 2004 fighting to a draw and again in 2008, garnishing a split decision victory. Now moved up to welterweight, Pacquiao’s WBO title is on the line in a 12 round bout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.


As both previous fights have shown, the two fighters match up well and this one should approach pay-per-view records, but there is one forgotten obstacles that has been lost in all the pre-fight hype. The 37 year old Marquez still has a “tune-up” fight scheduled against 25 year old Columbian Likar Ramos (24-3, 18 KO’s) on July 16th at the Plaza de Toros in Cancun, Mexico. Ramos does not sport the fight resume of Marquez, but he has won his last three fights by KO and he’s certainly not viewing this as just another tune-up. He will be fighting hard for the win, some respect, and perhaps a future big payday of his own.


So how important is the Ramos matchup to Marquez? Well, it’s pretty important because the following Pacquiao showdown totally depend on him not only winning, but doing so in convincing fashion. Any other outcome would jeopardize the November bout and all the hoopla and hype that are sure to come with it.


A fighter of Marquez’s caliber should have no problem though, right? Most people are viewing this as a simple tune-up, as Marquez has been out of action since a November of 2010 TKO of Michael Katsisis. In the end, that will probably be the case for the superior boxer, Marquez. History has taught us valuable lessons though. Just remember Mike Tyson’s 1990 tune-up against Buster Douglas or Michael Bentt’s shocking upset of Tommy Morrison in 1993. Both fights were tune-ups that not only went wrong, but they both cost the heavy favorites championship titles. History should always be respected, and so should every opponent in the ring.


Marquez is looking forward to fulfilling his trilogy with Manny Pacquiao, and rightfully so. Somewhere in a gym right now though, Likar Ramos is training hard, hoping to be the next tune-up fighter to make history of his own. What is meant as an easy fight for Marquez could prove devastating if taken too lightly…..and that’s probably what Ramos is hoping for.

Source: 8countnews.com

Marquez: I knock him out or I get knocked out

MANILA, Philippines — Juan Manuel Marquez has only two visions of what will happen on the night he faces Manny Pacquiao for the third time on Nov. 12 in Las Vegas.

“(Either) I knock him out (or I get) knocked out,” Marquez said as quoted by the Spanish-language newspaper ESTO during a press conference for his July 16 tuneup against Colombian puncher Likar Ramos.

Admitting that a fighter of Pacquiao’s caliber poses serious problems, Marquez said he expects a “difficult and hard (fight)” but is highly optimistic he will make Mexico proud when the mushroom cloud dissipates at the MGM Grand.

Marquez said he will work on “fuerza y fortaleza” (force and strength) with the help of his training team, led by the newly-inducted Hall of Fame strategist Nacho Beristain.

Filipino fight fans will get the chance to size up Marquez as Top Rank chief Bob Arum revealed that Peter Chanliong of Solar Sports has acquired the rights to the fight that will be held in Cancun.

Marquez hasn’t fought on Mexican soil in 17 years and the 37-year-old counter-puncher is thrilled and is looking forward to his 10-round match with Ramos at 140 lbs.

But while Marquez has to get rid of Ramos first, Marquez is already drooling over the third Pacquiao fight, reiterating that he was the subject of a bum decision in their first two fights.

Pacquiao and Marquez drew in 2004 but Pacquiao escaped with a split decision in the rematch in 2008.

Source: mb.com.ph