Boxing News: Pacquiao-Marquez, Andre Berto, James Kirkland and more

By Peter Wells

Image Credit Flickr User audiovisualjunkie

Juan Manuel Marquez was once again left to leave the ring after a bout with Manny Pacquiao with nothing to show for his performance. In parts 1 and 2 of the trilogy the fights were close and ultimately decided on knockdowns. This time though there were no knockdowns and in most people's eyes, Marquez was the winner.

Manny Pacquiao again got the nod by majority decision, by scores of 115-113 and 116-112 while the final judge couldn't separate the two scoring 114-114. It was a relatively close fight and many rounds were hard to score, but as the fight dragged on it seemed as though Marquez was taking command and he was even starting to force the exchanges. It could come down to Pacquiao's sublime speed which worked quite effectively in the first half of the fight.

I watched the fight on YouTube the next morning and can't give you my exact score, though I definitely said to myself while watching the fight, "That was Marquez's round", more than I said "That was Manny's round". I will have to watch the fight again to be able to give my exact scorecard.

For many it was a surprise that it was so close but I believed that the fight would be close as both styles will always make for a close fight. It was another super fight that has ended on a bad note, but it wasn't exactly a robbery, just a controversial decision.

Berto vacates title to get revenge on Ortiz

Something that was less of a surprise is that Andre Berto has vacated his IBF Welterweight title that he'd just won off Jan Zaveck. Andre would have been forced into a pointless defence against fading tough man Randall Bailey. Andre though isn't interested in titles if he can't get revenge on rival Victor Ortiz. The fight will likely happen early next year and the fans are hoping for more fireworks, while Berto hopes for a different result.

Both fighters know that defeat is not an option, even though the loser won't exactly be pushed out of contention for titles but super fights with Mayweather, Pacquiao, Marquez or Khan would seem a long way away. Victor Ortiz has already had one chance but knows another win against Berto may put him back in line - and with the way the Mayweather-Ortiz fight ended, not many people would begrudge Ortiz his second shot.

Berto though is extremely bitter as Ortiz took the opportunity that he felt was his and i'm sure the way it ended was as frustrating for him as it was for everyone who payed to watch it. This is his perfect chance at redemption and I believe this time he'll be the one on his way to fight one of the superpowers.

James Kirkland to be rewarded for fine performance

After James Kirkland magnificent brawl with Alfredo Angulo, it looks like the Texan will get his long awaited shot at a world title. Cornelius Bundrage, the IBF Light Middleweight champion has taken notice and is very much up for defending against Kirkland. The fight is not yet official, but it could be a very attractive fight for early next year, to add to the list of potential crackers.

Other Boxing News

Also I was very impressed with Chris Eubank Jr last weekend, he boxed very well in his professional debut, throwing his jab with authority and did well to stop his negative opponent. Eubank Sr gave his son a few tips during rounds, telling his son to go downstairs which he did well, landing some crunching body shots. Eubank clearly has a bright future to add to the ever growing list of British prospects.

Tyson Fury on the same show showed more weaknesses in his defence, getting floored by Canadian Nevan Pajkic. But to his credit he got up to rally home a stoppage in the next round to prove he was still out of his opponents league. His tendency to get caught by the overhand right is becoming increasingly worrying if he's to step up to world level.

Finally Julio Cesar Chavez Jr takes on Peter Manfredo Jr on Saturday night. It won't be the most exciting fight but Manfredo should offer Chavez a decent challenge, but will be on the wrong end of a one sided decision.

Ricky Hatton Retires From Boxing

Ricky Hatton has today officially retired from Boxing after 14 years in the business, although the Manchester-born fighter hasn’t fought since 2009 after losing to Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas the Hitman hasn’t officially came out and declared his retirement until today.

Hatton's retirement is the end of a dramatic career which saw him achieve success at welterweight and light-welterweight level.

Hatton enjoyed a successful career in Boxing with his most notable achievement coming from his win against Kostya Tszyu in 2005 where he won the IBF and Ring Light Welterweight titles in a comfortable victory for Hatton.

Ricky Hatton earned a reputation as one of Britain's most popular sportsmen and one of Britain’s greatest boxers, the Hitman went on to challenge WBC kingpin Mayweather in Las Vegas losing by knockout in the 10th round.

After his first loss in boxing, Hatton returned ring with victories over Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi before facing pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao.

The two met at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May 2009, Hatton was knocked out in the second round to leave the Mancunian with a 45-2, 32KOs record.

Roger Mayweather: Floyd Needs More Fights

Floyd Mayweather’s trainer and Uncle Roger Mayweather has insisted that his nephew will not fight Manny Pacquiao after facing Victor Ortiz, Roger has said Floyd will need more fights after Ortiz to regain his sharpness after being out of the ring for sixteen months.

The former two-weight champion suggests that Floyd will need to be more active in the ring before he faces the Filipino in order to be on Manny’s level,  Mayweather may suffer from ring rust having not fought for a while.

“It would be crazy for Floyd to go in the ring with Pacquiao after fighting Victor Ortiz. Floyd needs fights. He needs to be active,” Roger said.

“Floyd needs tune-ups like anybody else. It’s no different than any other fighter, if you are going to compete with a guy who has been active all the time.”

Mayweather, 34, is due to face Victor Ortiz in September and Pretty Boy Floyd will hope to take the Californian’s title and go on to dominate the welterweight division once again.

“Floyd is the greatest fighter out there, period.”

“He’s the most skilled fighter out there. All Floyd has got to do is prepare and do the work that he does,” added Roger.

Floyd Mayweather To Face Victor Ortiz

Floyd Mayweather Jnr has announced that he will face Victor Ortiz the WBC Welterweight Champion on September 17, Mayweather hasn’t been in the ring for over a year in which he beat Sugar Shane Mosley after a deal to fight Manny Pacquiao fell through.

Victor Ortiz lost to Marcos Maidana two years ago, but the 24-year-old has since beat the then undefeated Andre Berto who knocked Ortiz to the canvas only for him to get back up and beat him on points.

The fight everyone wants to see is Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather and should Money beat Ortiz and Pacman beat Juan Manuel Marquez later in the year, we could only hope that a fight between the pair would once again be in the spotlight.

"I am ready to return to the ring and give my fans a fantastic night of boxing by fighting the best out there and for me, that is Victor Ortiz," said Mayweather.

"He is the current champion and an extremely talented fighter who showed amazing skills, and heart, in his last performance against Andre Berto.

"At this stage of my career, these are the challenges I look for, a young, strong, rising star looking to make his mark in boxing by beating me. Like the rest of my opponents, he is going to try to prove that he can beat me.

"I commend him for accepting the fight, but on September 17, Ortiz is just going to be another casualty, the 42nd one who tried and failed. Trust me, I will be ready."

Pacquiao Training Footage Exclusive

On November 4, 2009, this film was made to witness the private press-only Pacquiao training session at the WildCard Boxing Club in Los Angeles.  This was prior to the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight.

Manny Pacquiao, is a Filipino professional boxer who has also entered the world of politics and is revered by his many fans. He is an the first (and therefore only) boxer in history to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions.

At the same time he is  also the first boxer in history to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was declared Fighter of the Decade for the 2000's by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). He is also a three-time BWAA and The Ring Fighter of the Year" in 2006, 2008 and 2009^.

Here is the exclusive footage from that legendary day.

Manny Pacquiao ready for Antonio Margarito

Pacman ready for Margarito

Filipino Manny Pacquiao says that he expects a tough fight when he faces Antonio Margarito on November 13th at the Cowboys Stadium, more of threat then when he faced Joshua Clottey. When Pacquiao faced Clottey, the American appeared to have  froze on the big stage, but insists Margarito is a different opponent all together.

Manny is aiming to record his eighth title in as many weight classes as he steps up for his first fight in the light-middleweight division.

"For sure there will be a lot of boxing because of his style," said the Filipino, who has lost only once in the last decade. "That's what I want.

"Margarito can give a good fight because he has an aggressive style and he throws a lot of punches. I believe it will be a great fight."

Speaking on Wednesday, promoter Bob Arum said, "This one, I think, will go over 60,000,"

"The response to the ticket sales has been great," he added. "We're tracking well ahead of where we were of the Clottey fight, so I'm very, very optimistic."

This will be Margarito first fight back since he was banned from the sport for illegal hand wraps in his gloves which were found just before the Shane Mosley fight, also fellow fighter Brandon Rios and trainer Robert Garcia has appeared in a video mocking Manny's coach, Freddie Roach, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and although they have already issued an apology, Manny will be determined to win.

Freddie Roach said, "I don't trust those guys. He [Margarito] will do anything to win,"

"He's done it before. He's a cheater and once a cheater, a leopard doesn't change his spots.

"I am predicting a knockout inside of three rounds but don't be surprised if we get him in the first.

He also added, "Margarito's a slow starter and we're going to take advantage of that."

But three-time world champion Margarito, nicknamed the Tijuana Tornado, is planning to cause an upset.

"This is my best camp ever," he said. "I want to show everyone that I am back and what I can do on Saturday."

BOXING: Mayweather and Pacquiao fight deadline passes

The fight between two of the greatest fighters on the planet at the moment Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao is destined to not happen, the latest twist in the tale saw Top Rank promoter Bob Arum's deadline of 3 a.m. ET come and pass without a word from the Mayweather camp to accept the terms of a deal for a Nov. 13 fight with Manny Pacquiao, to us and probably the rest of the boxing world it seems that Money Mayweather is ducking Manny Pacquiao for some reason.

In previous attempts to get the fight on, Floyd said he would only agree to fight Manny, if the Filipino would agree to blood testing before the fight. This would mean both fighters would need to give blood samples at least 30 days before the fight, but Top Rank promoter Bob Arum suggested that Manny can give blood 14 days prior to the fight. So that stumbling block has been over come.

Floyd boasts that he loves money so much and getting this fight on would be the biggest PPV fight in history. This would make both fighters more money than they have received in any previous fights. Something don't add up right and it seems that Floyd simply doesn't want to fight Manny.

Come on Floyd, pull ya finger out. We hope this sitation can be resolved and the fight date can be set and I'm sure we speak of many fans in the World of Boxing.

But can you see it happening?