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Baguio ideal venue for champ's training

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BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – This city braces for Monday’s arrival of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who chose to set up his camp here in his buildup for his keenly awaited showdown with Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto in November.

“Baguio is a wise choice for his training, contrary to Freddie Roach and Bob Arum’s wishes, because it provides good cardio-vascular development as well as for stamina and strength,” said Boy Velasco, one of the coaches of the national boxing team.

Pacquiao said that eight weeks would be enough to put himself in top shape for the Cotto bout on Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas where the power-punching Filipino is aiming to add the WBO welterweight champion to his growing list of victims.

But Roach and Arum fear of distraction with fans expected to come in droves during gym training at the Teachers Camp and during roadwork.

“Team Pacquiao should really take into considerations distractions, especially that the city is a major tourist destination,” said former Gintong Alay national camp director Narciso Padilla.

However, Velasco said security has been arranged this early that would ensure the world pound-for-pound king’s unhampered training.

He added that the ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines) gym is ready.

“The facility has undergone face lifting even before Pacquiao decided to train here,” said Velasco.

Still, the greatest asset of this city is its high altitude, said Padilla.

“We hope, however, that local residents will cooperate in supporting Pacquiao’s two-month training program here by respecting the training regimen especially during his outdoor road-runs and work-outs,” Padilla said. – Artemio Dumlao

Pinoy icon's toughest test: Early fight odds on Pacman

By Abac Cordero (The Philippine Star)

SAN DIEGO – Bob Arum knows too well that Nov. 14 is not going to be a picnic for Manny Pacquiao.

In fact, the big boss from Top Rank expects a real tough fight for the pride of the Philippines who’s scheduled to challenge Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico for the WBO welterweight crown at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

With a quick glance at the fight odds, Pacquiao at +250 (you need to bet $250 to win a hundred) and Cotto at -210, it’s not hard to say that the Filipino icon is favored to win a record seventh world title in different weight classes.

But Arum said it won’t be a walk in the park.

“One thing is for sure. If Manny wins it’s not going to be easy. It will be tough,” said Arum yesterday from the frontseat of the Suburban that was taking him to a three-hour ride from Los Angeles to the Petco ballpark in San Diego.

Joining the legendary promoter in the trip to the home of the Padres, where Pacquiao was to throw the ceremonial pitch in the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, were Top Rank’s Lee Samuels and Bill Caplan.

“Believe me, this will be the toughest fight of his life,” Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, told the media during the “Firepower” press tour that took Pacquiao and Cotto to five key cities in the US the last six days.

The tour ended the other day at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Cotto has flown back to Puerto Rico, and should be ready to begin the hard grind in his camp in Tampa, Florida.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, stayed behind, and had to travel to San Diego at noon yesterday to be at the Petco Park. It was the third baseball stadium which he has visited the past week after the Yankee Stadium and the AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Arum said if Pacquiao gets past Cotto, and there’s no easy way he’s gonna do that, the reigning pound-for-pound champion will be back on the ring on March 15 against the lucky one who is picked as his next opponent.

“He doesn’t want to fight in February so we’re looking at March 15,” said Arum.

Pacquiao will seek a congressional seat in his hometown in Saranggani province in southern Philippines during the May 2010 elections, and a fight in March will be right inside the calendar.

“He can fight on March 15, and that gives him enough time to go out and campaign,” said Arum.

Among those being tipped as Pacquiao’s next opponent are Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated ex-pound-for-pound champion who takes on Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday (Sunday in Manila), Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Shane Mosley or Edwin Valero.

Pacquiao said depending on the results of their fights, he and Mayweather could end up facing each other next year. But whether it will be the one prior to the elections remain uncertain.

Once the fight pushes through, Pacquiao could earn from $25 million to $30 million or roughly P1.5 billion, and Mayweather a little less.

“Kapag nanalo kami pareho ni Mayweather, kami na yan (If I and Mayweather prevail, then it should be us),” said Pacquiao. “Nag-uusap na. Basta. Nag-uusap na (Talks are on).”

Notes; This back-breaking press tour of five key cities in seven days is nothing new to Bob Arum. The Harvard lawyer who has gone promoting some of the great, great fights in history over the last 40 years, has had some tours that would make this one look like a picnic. He said the toughest he’s been to was for the Marvin Hagler-Thomas Hearns fight in ’80s. “It took us 23 cities in just 14 days,” he told Pinoy scribes who travelled with him to San Diego from LA. “And it was fun even if the boxers got into each other’s nerves at one point and I had to break up a fist-fight in St. Louis. That’s why when the opening bell sounded there was no more feeling out between the two boxers. It was a street fight,” said Arum. The Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto press tour got off in New York last Thursday, and took both fighters to Puerto Rico, San Francisco and LA. There were days when they stayed longer up in the air (plane ride) than they were on the ground. But the result has proven to be a tremendous success, and Pacquiao’s adviser, Mike Koncz, said there’s never been like it in Pacquiao’s recent fights. Pacquiao was to take a late-night flight to Manila Tuesday and should be home on Thursday. Training, under Freddie Roach, Buboy Fernandez and Alex Ariza, begins on the 21st in Baguio City.

Mayweather vs Marquez Live Stream, Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Manuel Marquez Live Streaming

The boxing world is anticipating the explosive match of Floyd "Money" Mayweather vs Juan Manuel "Dinamita" Marquez. This is going to be a blockbuster match. Mayweather has returned to boxing and he has bravely put his undefeated record at risk when he agreed to face five-time world champion in 3 divisions, Juan Manuel Marquez.

Let's hear what our fighters have to say...

"That's right. I'm back and you can all get ready for another chapter of the Mayweather experience!" said Mayweather. "I told my CEO Leonard Ellerbe from the start that I wanted to come back fighting the best fighters out there and Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the best in boxing today."

"To be considered the best in the world, you have to fight the best, and I have made it clear even when Mayweather was away from the sport that he was the only man I really wanted to fight," said Marquez. "I'm happy that he's come out of retirement and accepted my challenge. Unfortunately for him he might be sorry he came back at all."

Will Mayweather be successful in reclaiming his pound-for-pound title by fighting Marquez? Or will Marquez take the title and add another victory to his amazing legacy? This is going to be a grand event, which will determine the king of this boxing era.

Catch MAYWEATHER vs MARQUEZ "Number One/Numero Uno" and see what happens when the bell rings on September 19, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Watch it via HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT

Marquez will beat Mayweather

by Edmond Navarro

I AM just as excited as most boxing fans are for the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez showdown dubbed as “Number One Versus Numero Uno” this Sunday (RP time).

The undefeated Mayweather is coming out of retirement and hopes to use this fight as a ticket towards regaining the recognition as pound-for-pound king. In fact, reports say that if Mayweather beats Marquez, a date with current pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao early next year is inevitable, thus settling the score as to who really is the P4P king.

Marquez, meanwhile, is obviously chasing Pacquiao and that this fight is all about him wanting a third bout with the Pinoy boxing hero. If that is not extra motivation to beat Mayweather, I don’t know what it is.

Different reasons but for the same opponent in the horizon.

Many boxing observers believe that Mayweather has the edge and should win this fight because he is bigger and he’s got the best defense.

But I beg to disagree. Marquez has proven that size (or moving up in weight) does not at all pose any much of a threat as evidenced in his last two fights, wherein he moved up from 130 pounds to 135 pounds with both fights ending in knockout victories.

Marquez scored an 11th round knockout over Joel Casamayor in September 2008 for the Ring Magazine lightweight championship and kayoed the former undisputed lightweight champion Juan Diaz early this year.

Mayweather may be undefeated but he has not faced a fighter of JMM’s caliber . In fact, he has been widely criticized for docking the best fighters in his division like Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley.

On the contrary, Marquez has fought the best, including Pacquiao, whom boxing aficionados and even Oscar dela Hoya believe has the fastest hands in boxing.

This will discount what many people believe, that Marquez will have problems against the hand speed of Mayweather, because he is used to it already with those two fights with Pacquiao.

I share the sentiments of dela Hoya that Marquez is not a one-two combination fighter. He throws a lot of punches and his technical skills are incomparable, not to mention the fact he too is a very good counter puncher.

All these plus that extra motivation to fight Pacquiao make me believe that Marquez will give Mayweather, Jr. his first loss.

Marquez by unanimous decision.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on September 17, 2009.

Pacquiao to start promo tour for bout

MANILA, Philippines - Late nights will soon be over for Manny Pacquiao.

The world’s best boxer today is set to embark on a whirlwind press tour of five key cities to mark the start of his preparations for the Nov. 14 clash with WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto.

He leaves for New York on Wednesday to be at the Yankees Stadium at noon of Sept. 10 for the launch of the press tour that would take him and Cotto to Caguas, Puerto Rico on Sept. 12, the AT&T Park in San Francisco for the Giants-Dodgers match on Sept. 13, the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles on Sept. 14 and the PETCO Park in San Diego (Pacquiao only) for the Padres-Diamondbacks match on Sept. 15.

After a day or two, Pacquiao heads back to the Philippines, hopefully with his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, on hand, for the start of his training in Baguio City. According to plans, Pacquiao will train in the country’s summer capital, and would move to the Wild Card Gym in LA three weeks before the showdown.

Once training starts, it means no more late nights, parties, and shooting of movies and commercials for the 30-year-old icon who said the other day that while he was very busy the last couple of months he made sure he knew his limitations.

“There are some late nights because I worked on my showbiz career. But I made sure I get enough rest. I know my body. Sinigurado ko naman na sapat din ang pahinga ko kahit na medyo napupuyat,” said Pacquiao, who vowed to give it all once training starts.

While his tireless Canadian adviser, Mike Koncz, worked for possible training sites in Mexico or Vancouver, Pacquiao chose Baguio City, and has asked Roach to come over as soon as the press tour is done and over with.

Pacquiao the other day cleared the air on the rumored rift between him and Roach regarding the training, and on some things being written about Koncz.

“Things are being said and written about Mike Koncz but to set it straight he’s just doing his job. I like him because he gets the job done. And contrary to what’s being said, it’s not him calling the shots. I do. He only does what I tell him to do. Masipag siya (He’s hardworking),” said Pacquiao of Koncz.

Pacquiao’s Filipino trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is now up in Baguio for an ocular inspection of the possible training camp inside Teachers’ Village. The route that will cover Pacquiao’s roadwork, both flat and mountainous courses, is being laid out by Fernandez.

He said eight weeks should be enough to get him in tip-top fighting form and everybody who knows the pride of Saranggani Province in Mindanao could attest to the fact that when he trains he trains like no other.

Tax laws have prevented Pacquiao from staying in the US for the duration of his eight-week training as aliens like him are only given so much time to stay there. He is close to his limit (180 days in three years), and if he goes beyond that he will be heavily taxed.

One man left standing

MILAN – Lightflyweight Harry Tañamor and bantamweight Joan Tipon unceremoniously crashed out of the party in the second round of eliminations at the 15th AIBA World Championships in the 11,000-seat Mediolanum Forum here Saturday, leaving the Philippines with only featherweight Charly Suarez still in contention.

It was a dark day for the five-man national squad that got off to a hot start, winning three of its first four outings, before tumbling to lose three in a row.

Suarez, the country’s last hope for a medal, faced lanky Korean Joo Min Jae yesterday. The result was not available at presstime.

Tañamor, 31, was a disappointment against fifth-seeded Hovhannes Danielyan of Armenia as he appeared lost in the ring, unable to score a single point in the third and last round. Danielyan, 22, led all the way in cruising to a trouble-free 11-3 decision.

Tañamor’s vaunted in-and-out southpaw attack was never a threat to Danielyan who was more aggressive. The Armenian had the better of the exchanges from both close and long range. Tañamor desperately tried to land a big punch down the stretch but Danielyan, who reached the second round in the Beijing Olympics, proved too smart to be caught.

The loss ended Tañamor’s dream of adding a gold medal to his World Championships collection of a silver and two bronzes.

National coach Pat Gaspi conceded defeat but Tañamor insisted he was robbed of points by the five judges, one of whom Frank Scharmach of Germany scored it 7-1 for the Armenian.

“I hurt him with body shots and I heard him grunt,” said Tañamor in Pilipino. “I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t scoring points. I wanted to bring him down in the last round with one shot but I ran out of time.”

Tañamor later admitted his timing was off.

“I think I could’ve been in better physical condition if I had more exposure,” said Tañamor. “Even while training in Cuba, I felt my body wasn’t in top shape.”

Tañamor hadn’t seen action in a tournament since winning the gold medal at the World Cup in Moscow last December. In that competition, Tañamor whipped Poland’s Lukasz Masczczyk, 12-4, in the semifinals before mowing down Cuba’s Yampier Hernandez, 15-7, for the gold.

Because of lack of international exposure, Tañamor lost his world ranking and wasn’t among the eight seeds in the 48-kilogram division here. Surprisingly, Masczczyk was seeded first.

“The seeding was critical because if Harry was in the top eight, he would’ve started out fighting the low contenders,” said Gaspi. “I thought that if Harry could beat Danielyan, he would go to the finals.”

Danielyan came with impressive credentials as a 2006 European Championships semifinalist and gold medalist at the European Elite Championships in Liverpool last year. His advantage over Tañamor was he kept busy this year. Another edge was his age – he is nine years younger.

“If Harry was 100 percent, he would’ve beaten Danielyan for sure,” said Gaspi. “But he was only 70 to 75 percent. It’s difficult if your body isn’t active. We missed out on at least four tournaments this year. It’s different training in the gym and fighting in the ring. Harry was beaten to the punch inside and outside. I’m disappointed in his showing because he was our best bet for a medal.”

As for Tipon, he was almost in tears after dropping a 2-0 verdict to second-seeded Abdelhalim Ouradi of Algeria in a fight that the 2006 Asian Games gold medalist could’ve easily won.

Tipon and Ouradi were scoreless at the end of two rounds. The flat-footed Algerian was an open target for the quick-stepping Tipon but the Bacolod City contender never came close to scoring with his jab-straight combinations. Tipon threw punches in the air, like he was shadow-boxing, and cautiously stayed away from getting hit.

In the third round, Ouradi repeatedly rushed Tipon and picked up two points down the stretch to eke out the victory.

“I lost my power,” said Tipon in Pilipino. “I don’t know what happened. I got tired throwing punches because I kept missing. I just couldn’t connect. In the second round, I hurt my right arm when we both missed and our arms locked. I’m so down because I could’ve beaten him if only my body was in good condition.”

Gaspi said if Tipon fought like the way he did in beating Sri Lanka’s Kamal Gamaethiralalage in the first round of eliminations last Wednesday, Ouradi would’ve lost.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Gaspi. “He complained that his body wasn’t reacting to what he wanted to do. I just know Tipon is capable of doing much more.”

While there is no doubt that both Tañamor and Tipon are skilled fighters, the question mark is their mental toughness. They lost to more aggressive fighters who took the risk of engaging. Tañamor and Tipon fought too cautiously, too defensively that they forgot it’s offense, not defense, that scores points.

Vargas cites advocacy in boxing

MILAN – Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) president Ricky Vargas ended his five-day stay here on a high note with the national team’s strong start at the 15th AIBA World Championships and vowed all-out support in the country’s quest for the first Olympic gold medal.

Vargas left for Manila early Friday morning after the five-man boxing squad raced to a three win-one loss record with lightwelterweight Genebert Basadre, bantamweight Joan Tipon and featherweight Charly Suarez chalking up wins in the first round of eliminations. Since his departure, the team has lost three straight.

Vargas said he would’ve stayed longer if not for pressing business commitments back home. He promised to return in the event at least one Filipino fighter makes it to the finals.

“We’re very proud of our boys,” said Vargas. “It was an encouraging start considering the quality of opposition. But we still have a long way to go in preparing for the London Olympics.”

The ultimate goal is to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. In 2012, boxing will welcome females to the Olympics for the first time and Vargas said it enhances the medal chances of the Philippines considering that at the Women’s World Championships in Ningbo City last year, lightbantamweight Annie Albania brought home a silver medal while pinweight Josie Gabuco and flyweight Analissa Cruz bagged a bronze each.

ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan has put up a P12 million reward for the Filipino fighter – male or female – to win an Olympic gold medal in London.

Crucial in the country’s preparations is international exposure. This year, the Philippines participated in only one foreign competition – the King’s Cup in Bangkok last April – before campaigning at the World Championships. Nine fighters, however, were brought to Havana for a 2 1/2- week training through the Philippine Sports Commission.

ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, who flew here to monitor the progress of the team and establish links with his global counterparts, said he hopes to arrange reciprocal training programs for the fighters. Australia, for instance, is sending a squad of junior and senior fighters to train with the Philippine team in Baguio City on Oct. 10-24. Gregorio said the Australians may be invited to participate in the North and South Luzon regional open as guests during their visit. In return, the Philippines is expected to be invited to train in Canberra where the Australian boxing team is based.

National coach Pat Gaspi said the fighters’ morale shot up sky high when Vargas and Gregorio arrived to show support. Vargas watched all the Filipino fighters’ bouts during his stay. He promised a bonus of $100 for every win plus $50 each for Gaspi and assistant coach Ronald Chavez aside from allocating P250,000 for a bronze, P500,000 for a silver and P1 million for a gold.

“I find an advocacy in boxing more than in basketball,” said Vargas who is also SBP vice chairman. “That’s because most, if not all, our fighters are from the grassroots, trying to work their way out of poverty. It’s not difficult to motivate our fighters to give it their all for our country.”

Vargas said a concern is to develop the next generation of fighters. “We are addressing the issue of the future today,” he continued. “We’ll go down to the grassroots. We’re introducing boxing in the school leagues and we’re moving forward with our four regional tournaments culminating in the National Open. But foreign exposure is essential and we’ll try to maximize with the help of the Philippine Sports Commission.”

The night before he left, Vargas hardly slept as he discussed the ABAP’s plans with Gregorio, executive director Ed Picson, Gaspi and Chavez until early morning.

Picson said he is now arranging a training schedule for the women’s team, possibly in India, and a similar program for the men’s squad in Mongolia or China. The immediate objective is to gear up for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Laos late this year.

Picson said the Laos organizers are limiting each country to send in a maximum of six male and four female fighters in the coming SEA Games. There are 10 weight divisions for males and six for females.

Vargas said the ABAP is still studying the possibility of joining the AIBA’s soon-to-be-launched World Series of Boxing, a professional league where fighters remain eligible for the Olympics. The franchise fee of $500,000 and an additional amount to operate a team on a home-and-away basis appear to be prohibitive. Vargas said he has been approached by AIBA officials asking if Filipino fighters may be drafted by World Series franchises as “imports.”

Donaire in stable condition after bout with dengue

MANILA, Philippines - World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Nonito Donaire remained confined at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa a day after he was brought in due to high fever. Initial blood tests showed signs of dengue.

The boxer himself texted The STAR last night, saying that while “signs of dengue platelets have dropped, my temperature (at 40 degrees Thursday evening) is going up and down.”

The reigning world champion said he’s still on IV (intravenous) and will remain confined at the hospital for another day.

“Thanks for all your prayers but this fight is not over yet,” said Donaire, just weeks after he defeated Panama’s Rafael Concepcion in Las Vegas.

Manager Cameron Dunkin says a regimen of intravenous fluids helped to reduce the fighter’s fever, which dropped to 100 degrees (38 degrees C) on Thursday after climbing above 104 (40).

Donaire’s wife, Rachel, thinks the boxer likely contracted the fever from a mosquito bite. More than 50 million people per year are believed to be affected by dengue fever, found largely in the tropics.

“Some people don’t react to it, some people do,” Dunkin said. “Rachel told me, ‘It can be dangerous, but we caught it very early and we got him in.”’

Donaire (22-1, 14 KOs) was the IBF flyweight champion before moving up to 115 pounds (52 kilograms). He hasn’t lost since his second professional bout in March 2001, most notably knocking out Vic Darchinyan to claim the IBF 112-pound (50-kilogram) title.

Despite the health scare, Donaire and his wife intend to remain in the Philippines for another month, Dunkin said. Donaire could have his next fight in early December, but he’s filling the time in between by singing on a Filipino television reality show, meeting politicians and doing charity work.

He also met with Manny Pacquiao, the pound-for-pound champion who hasn’t begun training for his Nov. 14 bout with Miguel Cotto.

Donaire and Pacquiao are major celebrities in the Philippines, but their trainers and promoters at Top Rank sometimes see both fighters’ focus wander under their native land’s spotlight.

No rift with Roach: Pacman prefers Baguio training for Cotto tiff

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao yesterday cleared the air as to where and when he’d like to start training for his upcoming fight with Puerto Rican champion Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao also said there’s no rift between him and his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, and they’d finalize the training schedule during the fight’s press tour next week.

Then the reigning pound-for-pound champion said Baguio remains as his choice as training headquarters. In fact, he said his Filipino trainer, Buboy Fernandez, is now up in Baguio.

“He’s up there to check the facilities,” said Pacquiao of the country’s summer capital, chilly most of the year, around 150 miles north of Manila and 1,500 meters above sea level.

Roach said Baguio is not an ideal place to train because of the distractions (too many fans and tourists), and has offered a secluded resort in Toluca, Mexico, instead.

Bob Arum of Top Rank wants Vancouver, but in the end it’s Pacquiao who makes the call, and as it is, it’s Baguio for the main bulk of his training for the Nov. 14 title fight with Cotto.

Pacquiao said he will discuss things with Roach when they hook up next week for the press tour in New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.

“Then maybe from there he can come along with me, and we’d start training in Baguio. It won’t be short. Kailangan niya pumunta dito (He needs to come here),” said Pacquiao.

He said eight weeks should be enough to get him in top shape for the fight, and said the last three weeks he might move to the Wild Card Gym in LA for the final push.

“I understand our countrymen or my fans feeling worried about my training. I want to assure them that I’m not taking it for granted. I know myself. I know that eight weeks should do it,” he added.

Pacquiao faced the press yesterday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas and announced his latest partnership with Solar Sports, led by Wilson Tieng and Peter Chanliong, regarding a new promotional outfit.

Together, they’re setting up an outfit that would help promote more Filipino fighters for fights overseas.

“Basically we’ll engage in the business of production, promotion and distribution of boxing shows to the world market, not only here in the Philippines. We have a lot of boxers who can fight on an international scale,” said Chanliong.

The Solar Sports chief operating officer said the outfit, which will be named soon, will not have any direct clash with the Manny Pacquiao Promotions which “has its own business.”

Chanliong said that in the new outfit, Pacquiao will be the “chairman and the boss” and that we’ll help “Manny make more money” as if Pacquiao is not yet close to being a Filipino billionaire.

“More money?” Pacquiao cut in.

He also said he’s now at 150 lb which is just five pounds off the catchweight agreed upon by both boxers.

“No problem,” he added, just enough to assure everyone that there’s really none.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao got another promotion in the army reserve force, this time being installed as sergeant major of his unit.

From being a master sergeant, Pacquiao was promoted to the rank of senior master sergeant, the second highest rank for enlisted personnel.

“Master Sgt. Manny Pacquiao was given the rank of Sergeant Major for the 15th Ready Reserve Division of the Philippine Army,” said Lt. Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, army spokesman.

Pacquiao was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal for the honor he has given the country in his past fights and serving as inspirations for many of the Filipinos, Burgos said.

In his speech, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who also attended the event, said that the boxing champ, instead of joining other civic organizations decided to “volunteer for Team AFP and don the military uniform where he could be of service to the country.”

He said that his fights are no longer a quest for personal achievement, but for the honor of the country that is truly proud of his feats in sports.

“Even groups who are fighting against each other stop just to watch Manny fight,” he said. with report from James Mananghaya.

24 amateur boxers see action at Mandaue Plaza tonight

TWENTY-four amateur boxers will wage war anew as the Mayor Jonas Cortes Boxing at the Park Amateur Series returns to the Mandaue Plaza Square tonight at 6 p.m.

Nine fighters coming from the Phil-Aust Boxing Gym (PABG) of Opao Mandaue City, six from the Flores Boxing Club (FBC) of Alang-Alang, four from Sanai Boxing Club (SBC) of Maguikay and a handful of school-based fighters will once again test their skills in 10 different weight categories.

Jerry Soreño Jr. of FBC will open the hostilities against Exel Mogar of PABG in the 20-kilogram match. Michael Cuizon of FBC will trade leathers with Kent Mike Tuñacao of PABG, while Ramel Casa-ñares of Pit-os takes on Richard Rama of PABG for the 25 kg. bouts.

The fights under the 30kg weight class are that of Miguel Semblante of PABG and Junreil Legaspe of FBC, and Melmark Dignos of FBC and Jeffrey Stela of PABG.

The other matches today will be between Ro-nald Velasquez of Caban-calan NHS and Eljun Alegado of PABG in the 37kgs class; Jason Tuña-cao of PABG and Uelmark Dignos of FBC in the 39kgs division; Eford Pesales of SBC and Kevin Jake Catara of Talamban NHS in the 42 kg. weight class.

Also competing today are Ferde San Roque of Cabancalan NHS and Jerry Baoga of SBC in the 44 kg. class; Joedel Talle of Alang-Alang and Sherwin Caday of SBC in the 50 kg. weight; Jundel Siaton of PABG and Juan Legaspi of FBC in the 54 kg. division; and Robert Etorma of Sibonga, Cebu and on Roldan Asero of PABG in the 60kgs weight class.

Another Filipino advances in world boxing finals

MILAN - Team Philippines maintained its strong start when it sent another fighter to the next round of the 15th Aiba World Amateur Boxing championships at the Mediolanum Forum.

Featherweight Charly Suarez joins other Filipino pugs Joan Tipon and Genebert Basadre to the round-of-32 after acing his first-round match defeating a much taller Romanian Iulian Stan, 18-8.

“Nilabanan ko ng sabayan kahit na mas malaki siya. Buti nagsitama ang mga suntok ko,” said Suarez after the victory—the most convincing so far by the five-member Filipino squad in the 144-nation tournament.

“Both his defense and offense were good. Even if his opponent is bigger, his jabs did not connect because of Charly’s defense,’’ said head coach Pat Gaspi.

The 21-year-old Suarez, who is on his fifth year as a member of the national team, joined lightflyweight Tañamor, bantamweight Tipon and light welterweight Basadre in the next round.

Among the three, Tañamor, the two-time Olympian, had the easiest time as he advanced to the next round after enjoying a first-round bye. His first match will be against Hoyhannes Danielyan.

Basadre, a 5-1winner over Pakistan’s Aamir Khan Tuesday, is set to meet Brazilian Myke Carvajo in the next round of the light welterweight division.

Tipon, who debuted with a scrambling 8-3 decision over Sri Lanka’s Kamal Gamaethira-lalage, will face Algerian Abdelhalim Ouradi.

The 5-foot-6 Suarez, who was discovered in the National Open in 2003 in Tagbilaran, Bohol, built a 4-2 lead in the first round and kept padding it as he repeatedly out hit the Romanian.

In the third and final round, he came away with a couple of 1-2 combinations as the clock expired.

Suarez will be fighting another taller opponent in the next round. He is set to battle South Korea’s Joo Min Jae.

The unorthodox Joo, who is about five inches taller than Suarez, used his height to good use to escape with a 9-2 decision over Etonia’s Vladimir Nikiforov.

Dead air irks Roach

WORLD-renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach is worried about the lack of communication between him and his prized student, Manny Pacquiao, and he blames Pacquiao adviser Michael Koncz for this.

Roach is concerned that he hasn’t talked with Pacquiao about the details on when they will start training for the Nov. 14 clash with World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Miguel Cotto at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I’m a little pissed off to be honest with you (about) the lack of communication,” said Roach in a report posted at abs-cbnnews.com. “I know I’m a realist, I know boxing.

Mike Koncz made a comment that we don’t need to talk to Freddie, he’s only the trainer. Well, Mike Koncz, I’m the only one in the (Pacquiao) camp that knows boxing and knows the sport,” blasted Roach. “If they don’t want me to be the trainer anymore, that’s fine with me. Do it yourself.”

Roach’s last chat with Pacquiao was three weeks ago.

Roach wants a date for the start of their training because he believes that they need to take Cotto seriously because he is a tough opponent for the 30-year-old pound-for-pound king.

“Anyone who thinks this fight is easy is a fool. He’s going to be at his best,” said Roach. “I’ve been studying this guy, watching his fights, I have a good strategy in mind and we just have to implement it now,” he added.

Unlike Roach, Koncz isn’t bothered at all as he believes that Pacquiao is still on the dot in his preparation for Cotto.

“There are plans for Manny, everything is on schedule. Manny started jogging on Monday, he will start training in Baguio for one week after the presscon,” said Koncz.

Pacquiao and Cotto will both be fighting for the WBO welterweight title and the prestigious World Boxing Council Diamond belt.

If Pacquiao comes out victorious and wins his seventh division world title, he will be overtaking the record of legendary Oscar de la Hoya, who he is tied with at six division world title.

Donaire confined due to high fever

MANILA, Philippines - Nonito Donaire was taken to the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Muntinlupa last night due to high fever, more than two weeks after he defeated Panama’s Rafael Concepcion and became the WBA Interim super-flyweight champion.

Donaire’s wife, Rachel, told The STAR that Donaire started feeling ill the other night, and took some medication. He was in bed practically the whole day yesterday and when his fever reached 40 degrees he was taken to the hospital.

Rachel said doctors are performing several tests on the 26-year-old boxer, and as of presstime there’s no word yet on his condition.

“They’re doing some blood tests on him. Right now they don’t know what’s wrong with him except that his running a very high fever,” said Rachel, who’s hoping that it’s nothing more than a case of the flu.

Roach: Cotto will go full route vs Pacman

MANILA, Philippines - Freddie Roach wasn’t joking when he said lately that Miguel Cotto would be Manny Pacquiao’s “toughest fight.”

Yesterday, the three-time Trainer of the Year, who’s still mourning the very recent death of his younger brother, Joey, told doghouseboxing.com that Cotto has all the qualities to make a very dangerous fight for Pacquiao.

Roach predicted knockouts in Pacquiao’s recent fights, and turned out to be a good fortune-teller as the Filipino pound-for-pound champion decked David Diaz, Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton one after the other.

But in a lengthy interview with David Tyler, the American trainer can’t say the same with Cotto.

“You know that I’ve been making a lot of predictions lately, and I will give you one for sure.....this fight will go the distance!” Roach said during the interview.

“Cotto certainly has his hands full but he has some advantages against us. By fight time he will be 20 pounds heavier than us. He will be the bigger, stronger fighter who is a very resilient guy,” Roach added.

Roach said Cotto is a natural welterweight (147 lb) and the fight being at a catchweight of 145 lb may not spell a big difference.

“He is a true 147 pound fighter, he is very strong, he is a tough guy,” Roach told doghouseboxing.com.

Roach said he’s disappointed that Pacquiao, just a little over two months before the Nov. 14 fight, has yet to decide where or when training would start.

Cotto has been at the gym for almost three weeks now while Pacquiao is busy shooting movies and commercials. But Team Pacquiao said they’d all be done and over with by Sept. 5.

Pacquiao will fly to the US next week for a whirlwind press tour that would take him and Cotto to New York, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Los Angeles in six days.

Then Pacquiao plans to return immediately to the Philippines and kick off his training in Baguio City, a tourist destination that does not sit well with Roach as training site.

“I’m not pleased with him training in the Philippines, there are too many distractions, but that’s what he wants to my understanding, and I believe he is taking this fight too lightly. Mark my words this will be the toughest fight of his life,” said Roach.

Z Gorres faces Carbajal in “Latin Fury 11”

ALA Gym star Z Gorres will have a tough fight on Sept. 12 in Mexico as he faces former world champion Cruz Carbajal in Top Rank’s boxing series, “Latin Fury”.

Although Gorres only learned of his opponent this week, he said he is ready to battle any opponent placed in front of him.

ALA president Michael Aldeguer said Gorres is eager to show the international boxing fans that he belongs with the elite fighters in the bantamweight division.

“Z is excited to fight. He wants the chance to show that he belongs at the top,” said Aldeguer yesterday.

Even though Carbajal lost 16 of his 47 fights, Gorres isn’t taking him lightly as the Mexican faced some of the best names in the lower weight categories.

“He fought a lot of great fighters before and his losses were from named opponents,” said Aldeguer of Gorres’ Mexican opponent. “We are not taking any chances. He was once a world-rated fighter. Z has to be prepared,” he added.

Carbajal, who holds a 29 wins, 16 losses and 2 draws with 25 knockouts record, has fought the likes of World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel, ex-WBO bantamweight titlist Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, erstwhile International Boxing Federation super bantamweight titleholder Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and defeated two division world champion Danny Romero via a fourth round technical knockout in 2002.

Carbajal won the WBO bantamweight crown in March 2002 by dethroning Mauricio Martinez via a ninth round stoppage. He defended it twice until he was defeated by Sor Vorapin by unanimous decision in Thailand in 2004.

“Getting Carbajal was getting more than we expected. This is the fight that Gorres needs,” said Aldeguer.

After this fight, Gorres is scheduled to headline another fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Nov. 13, on the eve of the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto mega war.


ALA fighter Mark Jason Melligen will also be fighting on the same card against Michel Rosales.

“Each fight now is very important for Z. Hopefully we’ll get a title shot next year because it’s high time for him to fight for a world title ,” said Aldeguer.

Also slated in Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 11” is World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight king Donnie Nietes, who will face interim champion Manuel Vargas.

Headlining the fight card is Mexico’s Julio Ceasar Chavez Jr., who is set to face Jason Lehoullier, and Montiel, who is defending his world title against Alejandro Valdez.