Floyd vs. Manny doesn’t look likely for the boxing ring, but how about on the basketball court?

Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell

With Mayweather’s recent comments about how he will demand blood testing all the way up to the fight and taking a higher percentage of the purse, it appears less likely than ever that Mayweather and Pacquiao will square off in the ring. But, how about on the basketball court? They both claim to have a passion for the game and respectable b-ball skills. Let’s examine this match-up.

* “If I took it serious… I’m a well-rounded athlete so I think I could have been a top college basketball player. I’m skillful enough and talented enough. So if somebody had taught me all the fundamentals of basketball, I guess I could have played in the NBA.” FMJ, HoopsHype.com

So, Floyd thinks he could have played in the NBA? Just because he’s successful in boxing doesn’t mean he would be equally successful in basketball. However, he probably does have enough skills to have an epic showdown with Manny Pacquiao on the “hardwood”. I think these comments by Floyd have laid the foundation for arguably the most popular “1-on-1” basketball game outside of Jordan vs. Bird, Kobe Bryant vs. Lebron James, and me vs. Brian Hilton. Since we probably won’t ever see them in the ring, the basketball court might be the next best thing. Floyd has played in some past celebrity games so he’s familiar with the pressures of performing on the court. And we also know about how Manny has played in various leagues, charity games, and even owned a basketball team.


In regards to Manny’s love for basketball, here’s what Floyd had to say:

“If he’s a big basketball fan, more power to him. That’s all I can say.” FMJ, Hoopshype.com

Apparently, Floyd doesn’t respect Manny’s basketball game either. He probably hasn’t’ watched the following videos on Manny’s “game”: Check them out at the end of the article.

It’s no secret that Manny loves basketball and plays on a regular basis.

* “Deep down, Manny prefers basketball to boxing. It’s his favorite sport, more so than boxing.” Freddie Roach
* “Playing basketball is my cross-training, it’s my hobby.” Pacquiao HBO 24/7

Let’s breakdown their games and see who has the advantage:


Defense
I’m going to give the edge here to Floyd. Since his boxing is all about being on the defense and the occasional flurry of punches, he should have a solid “D” in basketball.
3-Point shooting
From what I have seen, Manny has a nice outside shot. It looks like he’s got the advantage here.
Dribbling
I’m going to say this is a push. Both have tremendous hand-eye coordination and fancy footwork.
Post-up game
Neither fighter turns their backs to their opponents in boxing so I can’t imagine either would be comfortable playing with their back to the basket.
Rebounding
Floyd doesn’t like to do the dirty work; which is why he’s been called “Pretty Boy”. Floyd has also avoided the bigger fighters in boxing. So, I don’t see him getting down low and going for the boards among the big-men on the court. Advantage – Pacquiao
Mid-range jumper
I’m going to give the advantage to Floyd here. Since he’s not a post-up player or a rebounder, he’s used to taking the mid-range shot. Also, in boxing, he likes to keep his opponents at a comfortable distance.
Free Throw Shooting
I’m going to say this is a push. Both guys are used to focusing on the little things in boxing so I believe they both wouldn’t over look the freethrow shot in basketball.
Layups
Manny can make the layup from any angle near the basket just like he throws punches from every angle in boxing. Floyd probably has better form, so I am going with the push here.


So when you breakdown their games it’s pretty much a push. My only question is, would Floyd demand blood testing for a basketball game too?

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Jackie Crayne Sacramento, CA “Who do you think would win in basketball between Manny and Floyd?”
Well Jackie, after scientifically breaking down their respective games (note the sarcasm), I think it’s too close to call. Unlike boxing, they’re closer to a push. In boxing, I give the advantage to Pacquiao.


Mickey O’Connors Sacramento, CA “Do you think you could take Manny or Floyd in basketball?”
Mickey, I have very little chance in the ring but I would be able to take it to Manny and Floyd on the hardwood. I would post them up all day. I’ve got at least 5 inches and 45 pounds on them. If I could take away the 3 point shot, then I can force it down to an exchange of buckets. As long as it doesn’t become a game of conditioning then I have a great chance.


Jerome Harris San Jose, Ca “Do you ever say anything nice about Floyd?”
Jerome, I just gave him credit for being a well conditioned athlete. Does that count as saying something nice?

Source: Examiner.com

The Final Score: Pacquiao is NBA All-Stars’ Choice

MICO HALILI
02/15/2010 | 07:57 PM

DALLAS, Texas - The stars came out for the Lone Star State for the 59th NBA All Star Game last Sunday (Monday morning in Manila). Celtics legend Bill Russell, hip-hop mogul P. Diddy, comedian Chris Tucker, rapper Drake, Knicks die-hard Spike Lee and actress Gabrielle Union dotted the glitzy landscape. During the game, another star quietly entered Cowboys Stadium. He strolled with his entourage and looked for his VIP seat.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. made a nondescript entry into the scene. Cowboys Stadium was set aside for Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather said, “No thanks." Then, those who wanted to watch Floyd and Pacman in the ring, including many of the 2010 NBA All-Stars, retorted, “No way."

“Oh, I was very, very disappointed that the fight didn’t push through," West All-Star Chauncey Billups, a fan of Pacquiao, admitted. “I love Manny Pacquiao. He’s one of the greats. I love his heart. I love his passion out there and he fights to the end."

Many of the 2010 NBA All-Stars believe Pacquiao knocks out opponents the way LeBron James slams the ball. Successful athletes, after all, recognize skill and resolve the way Simon Cowell identifies talent. They also recognize a missed opportunity for Mayweather to test his greatness against Pacquiao.

“Pacquiao’s just tenacious," West All-Star Brandon Roy said. “I mean he goes in there and not only gives a great show but a great fight, that’s why you really want to see him in boxing. He’s just a great athlete, a great competitor and he fights at a high level every night."

“I’m very impressed with Manny Pacquiao," 1st time All-Star Deron Williams added. "He’s arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter and the way he has been beating people has been ridiculous."

Billups, Roy and Williams refused to predict a winner in a Pacquiao-Mayweather bout. They all agreed, though, that a showdown would feature two great fighters.

“I don’t know who’ll win that fight," 5-time All-Star Chris Bosh said. “That’s why it’s going to be a great fight. No one knows what’s going to happen."

Mayweather still has loyal fans. 1st time All-Star Derrick Rose is one of them. Still, if Mayweather slid into Sunday’s game with little fanfare, Pacquiao blasted the boxing scene like a Dwight Howard two-handed slam. Pacquiao, who’ll face Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium on March 13, didn’t quietly enter the consciousness of the NBA’s boxing fans, he rocked their world.

“I’m just a big fan of boxing so I would love to see both those guys get in the ring together but just because it didn’t push through now doesn’t mean it won’t push through," an optimistic Roy said. “I still have high hopes that it will push through eventually."

“I love Manny Pacquiao," West All-Star starter Amare Stoudamire asserted. “He’s a great boxer. He was totally ready to fight Mayweather. I was waiting to see that fight but it didn’t happen."

When asked who would win the bout between Mayweather and Pacquiao, Stoudamire had one, clear choice.

“Pacquiao." - GMANews.TV

Source: GMANews.tv

Are the odds stacked against Joshua Clottey?

Pittsburgh Fight Sports Examiner | Scott Heritage

With most odds makers, Joshua Clottey was a pretty big underdog coming into his March 13th showdown with Manny Pacquiao.

Since then the odds have dipped further in Pacquiao's favor, and not just with the bookmakers.

The first problem Clottey encountered was that his head trainer was not allowed a Visa to enter the United States. He even appealed to the Ghanaian embassy and government for the Visa to be pushed through but as yet to no avail.

Apparently Clottey was having trouble getting focused at the start of his training without his trainer, although as reported by my quick witted pal Mr. Marley in New York, hes now tearing through training partners like he should be with a month to go.

Jacob Brandt, Pittsburgh PA: "Why was Clottey's trainer turned down for a Visa, hasn't he gotten them before? Also shouldn't the people at Top Rank check this stuff out before booking the fight?"

Even for someone used to applying for them, Visas are often complicated and there are a lot of questions aimed to catch people out. I personally have spent many a long hour slaving away over various forms from the government regarding these issues, and they aren't much fun I can tell you.

That aside, the responsibility is on Clottey and his team rather than Top Rank with this one. From the looks of things the problem was unexpected by all parties. Top Rank does have immigration experts on retainer though, (they have one working on Edwin Valero's case) so they might be helping out behind the scenes anyway.

Secondly the referee for the bout was changed from Laurence Cole to Rafael Ramos. Ramos has never officiated with either fighter before, but has a well respected record. Some might remember he was the third man for Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz.

Cole on the other hand is known for his odd decisions and bad calls more than anything else. He also usually gets most of the big fights held in Texas, and his father is the head of the boxing commission. I'm sure some might venture a connection there.

He also once apparently told Juan Manuel Marquez that he was ahead on the scorecards when fighting Jimrex Jaca when he was having a deep cut inspected. Effectively telling him he could have the fight stopped and still win. Warrior that he is of course, Marquez fought on regardless.

Charlie Whitton, Pittsburgh PA: "Cole is a joke, he almost cost Pacquiao the Barrera fight and he's been stinking up the circuit in Texas ever since. I guarantee the fight will be ruined if that's the guy in charge"

So why the diatribe about the refereeing? On the face of things a bad referee has been replaced with a very good one, and in the interests of fairness this is true. Keeping Cole as a referee would have favored Clottey though because he would have been able to get away with more in the ring. That isn't to say Clottey is a dirty fighter as such, but rather on with a bad habit.

As a quick glance at Clottey's record will show you, he has a tendency to come in with his head and cause a lot of cuts, and a cut stoppage is hardly fitting of the pound for pound champion. Neither is a referee who might miss it, get the call wrong or otherwise tip the balance in favor of one fighter with his decision making. Don't get the wrong idea here people, I'm not saying this wasn't the right move, just that it would have been an advantage for Clottey had the referee stayed the same.

M.B, Philly PA: "One day after the WBO announced who their referee would be-a State Representative(who will not make himself available for questions regarding this matter) has contacted the Texas Athletic Association and had the referee replaced. Everything that promoter Bob Arum has done to this point has been geared toward providing Pacquaio EVERY possible advantage before they even step into the ring!"

It might look that way on the surface, but as much as anything else, whoever made the change probably wanted to make sure the fight wasn't ruined by bad decision making. The Pacquiao vs. Barrera fight is a well known example of Cole's questionable decision making, and the powers that be certainly don't want a repeat of that.

Source: Examiner.com

Fight odds soar for Pacquiao

(The Philippine Star) Updated February 16, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Not even Freddie Roach’s statement that he sees the fight going the distance could keep the fight odds from sky-rocketing in favor of Manny Pacquiao.

The other day, the four-time Trainer of the Year told fightfan.com that he’s not looking for a knockout. Instead, he said he sees a 12-round battle with Joshua Clottey.

But no one seemed to listen as oddsmakers for the March 13 showdown at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas remained convinced it’s going to be one-sided.

At least four online betting stations in the United States have placed Pacquiao as the overwhelming favorite, and the only way he could lose if he doesn’t show up on fight night.

Sportsbook, which has control of the betting stations in Las Vegas, has the 31-year-old Filipino superstar at -500 and Clottey, the hungry challenger from Ghana, at +300 with less than a month left.

It’s so huge that you need $500 to win a hundred bucks if you’re rooting for Pacquiao, and that a $100 bet on Clottey gives you $300 in return in case he pulls off the upset of the century.

At sportsbetting.com, Pacquiao was at -500 and Clottey at +350. Bookmaker.com was a little more conservative with its -440 for Pacquiao and +350 for Clottey while sportsinteraction.com has it at -556 and +300.

Clottey having problems in training makes it easier for oddsmakers to point at Pacquiao as the favorite.

First, the 33-year-old challenger could not take his long-time trainers with him to the United States after they failed to secure the required working visas from the US Embassy in Ghana.

And while he trained briefly in New York, a snow storm kept Clottey indoors and unable to do roadwork. For his part, Pacquiao is in the thick of things at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.

Those close to him say Pacquiao looked so fit the past week that he’s ready to fight Clottey tomorrow. Roach has even ordered the number of sparring rounds slashed from around 150 to just a little over a hundred.

Still, Roach said he sees a tough fight.

“The first half of the fight will be very hard for both guys,” he told fightfan.com.

“Then we’ll take over in the middle or late rounds. Clottey waits for you to punch yourself out and get tired. But Manny Pacquiao doesn’t get tired,” he said. – Abac Cordero

Source: philstar.com

The New Manny Pacquiao Defends His World Title in Digos City

Balweg Bangoyan, the Filipino fighter that some people are calling the next Manny Pacquiao, will defend his WBC super bantam weight world title on March 2 at Don Mariano Track & Field Open Arena in Digos City in front of an anticipated crowd of around 50,000 people.

(PRWEB) February 15, 2010 -- Balweg Bangoyan, the Filipino fighter that some people are calling the next Manny Pacquiao, will defend his WBC super bantam weight world title on March 2 at Don Mariano Track & Field Open Arena in Digos City in front of an anticipated crowd of around 50,000 people.

Bangoyen boasts a 15-0 record with a 47% KO percentage. After he turned pro in 2006 Bangoyan has enjoyed an impressive career with the only blemish coming when his title was stripped from him for failing to defend it in the prescribed time.

Balweg "The Davao Hitman" Bangoyan will face up to 23 year old Korean, Jong Wong Jong, to defend his Super Bantam Weight Title.
But Bangoyan made amends when he outpointed Raymond “Foreman” Sermosa in Manila last year to regain the crown that he believed was rightfully his. At just 23 years of age Bangoyan is a promising talent with boxing commentators and scribes from around the world touting him as the next Manny Pacquiao.

With a handsome clean cut profile and a cheeky grin, Bangoyan is a favourite with the female fans and has amassed a large supporter base in his short career. He is currently training at the Tiger City Gym in Manila under the watchful eye of his trainer Frederick Wangkay. Balweg “Davo Hitman” Bangoyan will have to face up to the tough 23 year old Korean fighter, Jong Wong Jong to retain his title belt, but is quietly confident of a strong performance.

Bangoyan's early fame and strong performances have attracted the eye of a new sponsor, with an Australian pharmaceutical company stepping in to sponsor the fight in Digos City. The Elmore Oil Company is a manufacturer of a pain relief lotion, called Elmore Oil, currently sold in the Philippines and used extensively at Balweg Bangoyan's home gym in Davao City. The company has a strong community spirit and currently runs a charity for street children in Ozamiz City with the support of the cities Mayor, Reynaldo Parojinog.

The company's managing director, Mark Linford, believes Balweg Banyogan is a perfect fit for his company. “This young boxer seems to be a fine ambassador for his country and a great role model for the young people of The Philippines. This is exactly the type of person we like to support and assist in any way we can to progress their career. We will help Balweg progress and support him whenever we can because he is a good role model for kids and a future champion of the Philippine people.”

The fight on March 2nd will coincide with the birthday of Davao del sur Vice Governor Simplico “Fely” Latasa who has declared that as a gift to her local people the entry to the fight shall be free. Latasa described Bangoyan as “one of the brightest Filipino prospects in years to hold a world championship” and a future champion of the people.

Source: prweb.com

PACQUIAO, ARUM AND JUANMA AT PINOY POWER 3

PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Feb 2010

Las Vegas, Nevada -- (L-R) Seven-time world champion and "Fighter of the Decade" Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, General Santos, Philippines, Hall of Fame Top Rank promoter Bob Arum and WBO World Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel 'Juanma' Lopez attend Top Rank's "Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3" championship event, Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas. Pacquiao is preparing for his upcoming World Welterweight championship against Joshua Clottey, Ghana on Top Rank's "The Event", which will be held on Saturday, March 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas and televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View. -- Photo Credit: Chris Farina.

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Manny Pacquiao says goodbye to ‘Pac-Man’ and hello to ‘Mr. Hollywood’

Sacramento Fight Sports Examiner | Rick Rockwell

If Manny Pacquiao were a Hollywood trend, he’d be near the top of the list. It seems that his popularity is growing at a rapid pace and the Hollywood stars have taken notice. Each week, more and more celebrities come out to see Pacquiao train at the Wild Card Gym. It’s got me asking the question has Manny become the new “Mr. Hollywood”?

Last week 2 more Hollywood stars came out to see Manny demonstrate his in-ring skills. Jeremy Piven, the star of HBO’s series Entourage, stopped by a few days ago to show his support. Piven, is no stranger to the Pacquiao scene, he also stopped by to see Manny train for his fight last November against Miguel Cotto.

Mark Wahlberg, a big fan of Manny, also stopped by the same day as Piven. Mark brought his son and nanny with him to watch Pacquiao. Mark Wahlberg has also previously stopped by during Pacquiao’s fight with Cotto.
These two stars visited Pacquiao’s training sessions right on the heels of visits from Steven Seagal, Jean Claude Van Damme, and Danny Trejo. For more on these visits, check out my article “Move over Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao is now ‘Dancing with the Stars’”.

According to Philstar.com, numerous other stars have visited Pacquiao during his recent fights Denzel Washington, Lou Diamond Phillips and Mickey Rourke. Other stars have also reached out in attempts to visit Pacquiao Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

With all these stars stopping by or wanting to stop by, has Manny earned the new nickname of “Mr. Hollywood”? If so, does this mean we can say goodbye to the nick name "Pac Man"?

Casey Greene Sacramento CA “What do you make of all these stars visiting Manny?"

I think it’s a testament to how great of a fighter Manny Pacquiao really is. But, in addition to his boxing skills, he’s also receiving high praise for his personality and his faith in God. I think this also draws people out to be a part of the “Pacquiao Experience”

Joey Preston Davis, CA “Do you think Manny has a career in Hollywood after boxing?”

I do think there will be opportunities. Steven Seagal already said that he wanted to do a film with Manny. But I can see Manny doing appearances on shows like Entourage with Jeremy Piven or small parts in films with Mark Whalberg and Mickey Rourke. Manny might not be the best actor, but he can find a niche in film and television.

Source: Examiner.com