The proposed megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. took a major step toward fruition Tuesday with Mayweather reportedly agreeing to terms on a deal that would have the fight held in mid-March.
Boxing
Light middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has tested positive for a banned substance following his Nov. 14 bout and is facing suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission.
Kelly Pavlik figured with all the bad luck he has had in 2009, a change of scenery might result in a change of fortunes.
Even under a gag order, it’s hard for Bob Arum to remain completely silent about a potential megafight between boxing superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It wasn’t the ideal way to train for a championship fight, but Amir Khan isn’t second-guessing himself.
While having his bloody right ear drained in the postfight locker room Saturday night, Manny Pacquiao could probably still hear the chants of the sellout crowd that wants him to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. next spring.
The chants began as soon as Manny Pacquiao was declared the new WBO welterweight champion Saturday night.
It is in Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s corner now. It is up to him.
Shane Mosley couldn’t call out Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he couldn’t get a date with Manny Pacquiao.
Freddie Roach was worried. He had watched Miguel Cotto’s earlier fights on film, watched the power and skill and confidence of a world champion, watched him cut off the quickness of Shane Mosley like a coyote might a jack rabbit’s attempt at escape, watched the jabs and uppercuts and counters and that thunderous left hook.
Tonight at the MGM Grand Garden, Manny Pacquiao, some 40 pounds heavier than when he made his pro debut 14 years ago, tries to add to his impressive resume when he faces veteran welterweight Miguel Cotto. With a victory over Cotto, the reigning WBO champion, Pacquiao would become the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven weight classes.
Manny Pacquiao made boxing history tonight, becoming the first fighter to win seven world titles in seven different weight classes as he scored a 12th round technical knockout victory over Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden to become the WBO welterweight champion.
Pacquiao (50-3-2) knocked Cotto down in the third and fourth rounds and dominated most of the fight. Cotto was badly bruised and cut when referee Kenny Bayless stepped in and stopped it 55 seconds into the final round. For Cotto, it was the second defeat of his career as he fell to 34-2.
It’s the fight virtually all boxing fans want to see, a fight the sport desperately needs to help re-ignite its mainstream appeal.
Blood was gushing from Miguel Cotto’s left eyebrow, rendering the WBO welterweight champion virtually blind.
In Freddie Roach’s perfect world, Manny Pacquiao would train full time in Los Angeles, Roach’s Wild Card Gym would be closed to everyone but him and Pacquiao, and those intrusive HBO “24/7” reality show cameras would be turned off.