FT Chronicle

LAS VEGAS (AP)— Floyd Mayweather Jr. finalized a deal to fight Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1 in a welterweight bout at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) agreed to the bout last week, but formally signed the contract on Wednesday for the former pound-for-pound champion’s second fight back from a brief retirement.

“This one is definitely for the fans, as I wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time with a meaningless tuneup bout and asked to fight Shane immediately,” Mayweather said. “I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won’t be great enough to beat me.”

Although the fight is an intriguing matchup between two veteran welterweights who have been circling each other for a decade, the dangerous Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) still wasn’t Mayweather’s first choice.

Mayweather agreed to the bout only after several weeks of negotiations with Manny Pacquiao failed to produce an agreement on what’s likely to be the richest fight in boxing history, if it ever occurs. Pacquiao balked at Mayweather’s stringent drug-testing demands, and instead will fight welterweight Joshua Clottey on March 13 at Cowboys Stadium.

Mayweather and Mosley agreed to participate in Olympic-style drug testing for their fight, saying they hope to set a new standard for safety in boxing. Mosley has acknowledged using steroids before a victory over Oscar De La Hoya in 2003, but claims he did so inadvertently through a coach who had connections with the BALCO lab.

“I’m real disappointed and real angry to be linked to juicing and steroids, because that’s just not me,” Mosley told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I don’t need to do that stuff. I like the testing for this fight. I want it, because I want to prove that everything I’ve done is all me, and not about steroids. I’ve never tested positive for anything, but I want everybody to know who I really am.”

Mosley was scheduled to fight Andre Berto on Jan. 30 at Mandalay Bay Casino before Berto dropped out while dealing with the earthquake in Haiti, his family’s home. Mosley expressed only sympathy for Berto’s family, but the setback quickly evolved into a chance for a major bout.

“I knew that there was a fight around the corner,” Mosley said. “I knew that Mayweather needed a dancing partner, and who else was he going to dance with? I’m a little stronger and wiser now. I’m very smart. Nothing he can do is going to rattle me and make me feel any different. I’m already in good shape, and I’m going into it feeling good.”

Mosley, the 38-year-old WBA welterweight super champion, has been vocal about his desire to meet Mayweather ever since Mayweather celebrated his ring return last September with a one-sided victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. Mosley, a partner in Golden Boy Promotions, jumped into the ring after Mayweather’s win and taunted the unbeaten fighter.

But Mayweather appeared to be focused on the biggest payday of all against Pacquiao until his hard line on drug testing scuttled the fight.

Mosley formalized his commitment last Friday but Mayweather didn’t sign the deal for five days, prompting worries for Mosley’s management and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Mayweather throughout the torturous negotiations with Pacquiao’s promoters at Top Rank.

Just a few days ago, Schaefer publicly acknowledged he was worried Mayweather might be having second thoughts about a tough fight against Mosley, who has only improved with age.

Mosley’s only loss since late 2004 was a narrow decision to Miguel Cotto in November 2007. He has fought just twice since then, stopping Ricardo Mayorga and former champion Antonio Margarito, although Mosley was scheduled for fights against Zab Judah and Berto that were canceled by his opponents.

Mayweather should have the services of Roger Mayweather, his uncle and longtime trainer. Roger Mayweather has a June 1 trial date in Las Vegas on several serious charges related to accusations of beating and choking a female boxer last summer at an apartment he owned.

CES in Las Vegas-A gadget being revealed that allows you to experience to be Tom Cruise in Minority Report when using your PC.

The film sees characters call up and manipulate video footage and other data in mid-air after donning a special pair of gloves. Now defense company Raytheon, based in Massachusetts, US, has finally refined on a real version of these pair of gloves called Peregrine.

“It is a seamless, customizable input device that you wear on your hand in order to better control increasingly complex real-time strategy and massively multiplayer titles”, says the company trying to explain what the Peregrine actually is.

The system under development at Raytheon lets users don a pair of reflective gloves and manipulate images projected on a panoramic screen. A mounted camera keeps track of hand movements and a computer interprets gestures. “Your hand becomes a Swiss Army knife,” says Underkoffler.

Raytheon plans to offer the technology as a way to sort through large amounts of satellite imagery and intelligence data. But the technology might also have non-military applications, says Stephen Brewster, who is also developing gesture-based computer interfaces at the University of Glasgow, UK.

This glove controller will let you interact with your favorite games by tapping and stroking your fingers. Gamers who add the Peregrine to their arsenal will gain access to more than 30 actions in the palms of their hands, allowing them to command armies and cast spells with speed, accuracy and comfort.

The glove will cost $129.99 and be available in the next couple of months.

The PacMan will be set on a fiery bout March 13 at Cowboys Stadium, but not against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao will engage a fight with Ghana’s Joshua Clottey at the billion-dollar state-of-the-art home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, promoters said Sunday.

Promoter Bob Arum and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced the deal a day after Arum attended the Cowboys’ NFL playoff victory over Philadelphia at the stadium on Saturday night.

Manny will defend his title against the hard-hitting Joshua Clottey who lost in a controversial split-decision against Miguel Cotto last June.

Pacquiao has a 50-3-2 record with 38 knockouts. He won the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title with a 12th round knockout of three-time world champion Miguel Cotto.

Clottey has a 35-3 record with 20 knockouts. He claimed the International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title in 2008 by defeating American Zab Judah but lost a split decision to Puerto Rican Cotto last June.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum said Sunday he has finalized a deal to match Pacquiao against Joshua Clottey in a welterweight bout after his debatable discussions for a mega-fight with Mayweather fell apart in a lingering dispute over blood testing.

“Too bad you didn’t get Mayweather, but what difference does it make?” Arum said Bush told him. “Everybody just wants see Pacquiao anyway.”

The Pacquiao-Mayweather bout, which had been tentatively scheduled for March 13 in Las Vegas fell apart over the issue of pre-fight anti-doping blood tests. Mayweather originally insisted they be conducted right up to the fight, while Pacquiao wanted a 30-day cut off before the bout.

An enraged Manny Pacquiao strikes back at the Mayweathers filing a lawsuit in federal court in Las Vegas on Wednesday alleging that Mayweather and others defamed him by falsely saying Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs.

“Liars go to hell. They should be man enough and own up to their words,” added Pacquiao, who provided proof that Mayweather Jr. had charged him of using performance enhancement drugs.

The Mayweathers (Floyd Jr., Floyd Sr. and Roger) had claimed in past interviews that Pacquiao, BoxingScene’s 2009 Fighter of the Year, was into some kinds of steroids.

Pacquiao said the black propaganda is intended at systematically tearing down his legacy as one of the finest fighters of all time.

In an October audio recording, Floyd Jr. maliciously attributed that the Philippines is a maker of the best PEDs, which irked the Filipino fighter more.

Pacquiao said Floyd Jr. and those who are blameworthy should be punished, whether it be in the courts or in the ring and he stressed that a lawsuit will be filed against his detractors whether or not his fight with Floyd Jr. will push through in Las Vegas.

Team Mayweather and Golden Boy Promotions require Pacquiao to undertake a new set of drug testing measures other than those already mandated by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Pacquiao repeated that he has no opposition to drug testing and will provide any specimen, whether it be blood or urine samples, just right after the fight but not a day or two before, for obvious reasons.

The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum is preparing to open negotiations with World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Yuri Foreman as talks with Mayweather falter.

LAS VEGAS— Manny Pacquiao pleads for more workouts though his corner wants to stop. That is the only problem Team Pacquaio faces on the final day of Pacquiao’s training for his bout against Miguel Cotto on Saturday at the MGM Grand.

Pacquiao worked four rounds with the mitts then hitting the double-end and the speedball and skipping rope. He went crunches for cooling down.

But Cotto seems to have weight problems with plans  to move the time of the weigh-in two hours later to give the Puerto Rican more time to shed off excess pounds. Cotto spent his last training day in a high-temperature room, to help him get rid of excess weight according to some news. Team Cotto recently issued a moratorium on replying to questions about weight.

Pacquiao, who is expected to fight at 149 pounds, weighed 146 later in the evening, after he had eaten his dinner, Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, revealed.

Pacquiao and Cotto will weigh in Saturday at the Garden Arena of the MGM Grand. The Filipino is expected to make the 145-pound catch weight easily, something that cannot be said—yet—of his Puerto Rican foe.

The fight contract includes a clause that a boxer will be penalized $1 million for every pound he registers above the catch weight.

Roach has said he will pull the plug on the fight if Cotto comes in more than two pounds over 145.

“It’s really not important to me what the boxing world wants to see,” Cotto said in sit-down interview with reporters. “I am not going home without winning this fight.”

Let’s just wait if Manny Pacquiao can grab a seventh title in a seventh division.

News and photo from Inquirer.net

LAS VEGAS — Trainers of the two fighters, Manny Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach and Miguel Cotto coach Joe Santiago, may have exchanged fiery words but that’s not how ‘Firepower’ will end but will start this Saturday at the MGM Grand.

“Miguel, good luck to you and your camp and we’ll see you Saturday night,” Roach said at the podium during the press conference. “We’re in great shape for the fight,” added Roach.

“Good luck Manny, you’re going to need it,” said Santiago.

Santiago was irked when Roach predicted Pacquiao’s knockout win in one round.

Roach answered back saying Santiago as someone “who doesn’t know what it takes to be in the ring.”

However, the both fighters tried to cool down the conference with exchange of words of respect to one another.

“I know Manny’s skill, that’s why I trained hard for this fight,” said Cotto.

“We have a game plan for this fight and it’s going to be a great night for boxing, especially for Latinos and Puerto Ricans.”

Pacquiao, as usual, was a model of humility during the conference.

“I respect Miguel Cotto and his team,” Pacquiao said. “They’re nice guys and they’re friendly. On Saturday, may the best man win.”

News via Inquirer.net

LAS VEGAS — Record hit it is! Just moments after the booths started selling tickets, they all went vanished! And huge numbers are expected from pay-per-view revenues.

“We are watching a phenomenon unfold before our eyes,” Top Rank chief Bob Arum said of Pacquiao. Arum talks about Pacquiao’s devastating combination of speed and power.

“Manny seems to be punching harder now,” Arum said. “People have been asking if he’ll lose his speed as he goes heavier, but Manny seems to be faster now.”

Arum also considered trainer Freddie Roach’s part on the ring, for he is the one who has shaped Pacquiao, who was once a one-time flyweight king who is now aiming to become the first boxer to win world titles in seven different weight categories.

Arum also refused to make predictions since he promotes both fighter but told audiences to watch out for the moment the bell rings and both fighter unleash their powers.

Pacquiao faces Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14, where he will be gunning for the Puerto Rican’s WBO welterweight crown, which actually what makes the highlight match of the card billed as “Firepower” one of the greatest the sport has ever seen, at a catch weight of 145 pounds.

News via Inquirer.net

Miguel Cotto may be bigger, but an upgraded Manny Pacquiao going to face that. Pacquiao’s conditioning coach Alex Ariza said that we must expect a much bigger and stronger Pacman.

Pacquiao has undergone a series of fast-twitch muscle exercises with a monitoring program of vital signs and nutritional diet to reach the ideal body composition.

Nothing to worry about, Ariza recollected that De La Hoya and Hatton were much bigger than Pacquiao but they both ended up with a Pacman’s punch.

“There’s no concern that Manny might not be able to bring up his power to welterweight,” said Ariza. “Some people thought Manny wouldn’t be able to hurt Hatton because he’s so big. When Manny took him out in two rounds, they called him a shot fighter. Manny just has to prove it all over again against Cotto.”

Pacquiao will shoot for the record to become the first fighter in history to win seven world titles in seven different divisions when he faces Cotto who is defending his WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Photo and news from Philstar

HOLLYWOOD— Pacquiao’s a one of a kind. That’s how Urbano Antillon finds it after serving as his sparring partner. “He’s one of the hardest workers in the sport,” said the California-based Mexican, currently the No. 1-ranked lightweight contender of the WBC who totes a record of 26-1 with 19 knockouts.

The 27-year-old fighter said that after months of trading leather with Pacquiao, he expects the rapid-punching, hard-hitting southpaw to dominate the match against Cotto using his vaunted speed.

“The speed has always been the key why Manny Pacquiao has been successful,” said Antillon, who, quite interestingly, lists Pacquiao’s brother Bobby as one of his victims.

“His speed is expected, but when you’re there (in the ring) with him, it’s really overwhelming,” he said.

Cotto is not worry about Pacquiao’s undefeatable speed, insisting that the game plan his corner has prepared is way more than countering the Filipino boxing ring icon.

“You know what? That’s why we prepare ourselves,” Cotto told Examiner.com. “He’s a fast fighter. We know he has speed. We know he has a style and we are prepared to beat it. You’ll find out on the 14th how I am going to deal with his speed. It’s not going to be a factor, even though everyone thinks it is.”

Pacquiao has said he will use his speed and his movement to counter Cotto’s size and strength, adding that he is confident about his chances in the coming match, where he hopes to take a seventh weight championship against Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14 for the Puerto Rican’s WBO welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I’m always confident in every fight,” said Pacquiao on Saturday.

News from Inquirer.Net

HOLLYWOOD—Manny Pacquiao is 100% worry-free after several training days but still not convinced about Cotto’s weight. “I think he’s dieting,” said Pacquiao.

Quite a lot of foreign journalists who saw Cotto during his press conference Tuesday think he’s about 150 to 152 lb and still loosing pounds with about a week to go before their Nov. 14 fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“Because of my training, I need to eat,” Pacquiao, enjoying the benefits of fighting in a heavier weight, told reporters after having five more sparring rounds at the Wild Card gym.

Pacquiao thinks positive about weight issues, emphasizing how tough it was to meet the super featherweight limit of 130 lb, which will help his bid to become the first fighter to win seven world championships in as many weight divisions

“It has a big effect on a fighter,” said Pacquiao. “When a fighter is engaged in a tight battle, it becomes a disadvantage if he had to lose weight before the fight.”

The Puerto Rican Cotto, who will stake his WBO welterweight crown against Pacquiao posted on Twitter in Spanish: “I feel good. I trained hard but I’m very happy.”

Pacquiao normally weighs at 149 pounds, but his weight easily goes down to 146 after training. Alex Ariza, Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, supposes that Cotto is under pressure to make the weight.

But Cotto’s own conditioning coach, Phil Landman, said they will easily meet the catch weight of 145. “We’ll be fine during the weigh-in,” Landman told reporters Tuesday.

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