The Neutral Corner

Manny Pacquiao returned to the Philippines a conquering hero. If at all possible, his popularity has risen higher since providing Oscar De La Hoya with a painfull boxing lesson.

They say that Manila grinds to a halt whenever Manny Pacquiao fights. It's hard for us to comprehend such an idea. The streets are empty because everyone is inside watching Pac Man fight.

Did New York City resemble a ghost town when the Yankees played in the World Series? No. Or how about the same for Chicago when Michael Jordan was winning NBA titles? No, again. But in the Philippines, Manny is MJ and the Bronx Bombers rolled into one.

Continue reading "Why Manny Pacquiao is adored in the Philippines" »

Nikolai Valuev, the 7-foot Russian, scored a majority decision over Evander Holyfield in Zurich, Switzerland to retain the WBA heavyweight title. Yes, majority decision, which means one judge scored it a draw and the other two scored it for Valuev.

Continue reading "Valuev beats Evander Holyfield by majority decision" »

DiBella Entertainment is wasting no time in 2009, promoting a pair of world title fights on HBO. WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto makes his second title defense against No. 1 contender and former WBA world champion Luis Collazo, from Brooklyn. Also, at junior middleweight, Sergio Martinez takes on undefeated Joe Greene, from Jamaica, Queens, for the interim WBC belt. The fights will be seen on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, on Saturday, January 17, from the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, MS.

Continue reading "Title fights for 2 New Yorkers in January" »

Britain's David Haye called out Wladimir Klitschko after his fight with Hasim Rahman over the weekend. He's getting the next best thing. Haye will challenge Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight title June. The bout may take place at the new Wembley Stadium.

Wladimir holds the IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, while Vitali, 37, is the WBC champ. Haye, 28, is a former cruisweight world champion. Haye made his heavyweight debut last month, knocking out former Top-10 contender Monte Barrett, who is originally from Queens. -- CASSIDY

Wladimir Klitschko defended his IBF-WBO heavyweight crowns by stopping former champion Hasim Rahman in the seventh round at SAP Arena in in Mannhein, Germany. Klitschko dropped Rahman with two left hooks in the sixth round.

The Neutral Corner offers a round-by-round recap of the fight, courtesy of HBO's telecast. (See Klitschko-Rahman fight photos)

Continue reading "Wladimir Klitschko hammers Rahman to retain heavyweight titles" »

Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, originally from Brooklyn, made a return to the ring on the Klitschko-Rahman undercard in Mannhein, Germany and scored an eighth-round decision over Germany's Gene Pukall. Bowe, 41, had not fought since April of 2005. His record stands at 45-1 with 33 KOs. Pukall, 31, now has a record of 14-13-2 with 12 KOs. -- CASSIDY

Plainview welterweight Tommy Rainone has recently fought in Argentina. He offered to provide these updates from South America.

Continue reading "Postcards from Argentina, part 3" »

Plainview welterweight Tommy Rainone has recently fought in Argentina. He offered to provide these updates from South America.

Continue reading "Postcards from Argentina, part 2" »

Jim Houlihan's ever popular Fighting Irishmen boxing exhibit, a mainstay in New York and Boston for three years, is on its way to Ireland! The eclectic exhibition of boxing photographs and memorabilia will be the featured attraction for 2009 at Ulster American Folk Park in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, just outside of Omagh.

Continue reading "Fighting Irishmen boxing exhibit on its way to Ireland" »

Plainview welterweight Tommy Rainone has recently fought in Argentina. He offered to provide these updates from South America.

Continue reading "Postcards from Argentina, part 1" »

The annual Ring 8 holiday party, featuring an awards dinner and live music, will take place Sunday, December 21 at Tony Mazzarella’s Waterfront Crabhouse (2-03 Borden Ave.) in Long Island City. This year's award winners include Champion of the Year: Paulie Malignaggi; Uncrowned Champion: Brian Adams; Promoter of the Decade: Cedric Kushner; Lifetime Achievement Award: Melvina Latham, NYSAC Chairperson; Writer of the Year: Sean Sullivan; Ringside Physician Award: Dr. Richard Istrico and Kid Gavilan Humanitarian Award: Bill Tate

According to a release sent out today by HBO Sports, the fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquia generated 1.25 million pay-per-view buys.

The 1.25 million buy total represents the highest performing pay-per-view event in 2008 and generated $70 million in pay-per-view revenue. It is only the fourth time in boxing pay-per-view history that a non-heavyweight event has attained the one million buy mark.

“Boxing fans across America showed tremendous support for this event and we’re pleased that they tuned in,” said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View.

De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao will be replayed this Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4:45 p.m. ET/ 1:45 p.m. PT on HBO. There will be a same day replay at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. It will be paired with Wladimir Klitschko's title defense against Hasim Rahman. -- CASSIDY

The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum announced today the Class of 2009. Living inductees include bantamweight champion Orlando Canizales (USA), heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (UK), junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell (South Africa), matchmaker / publicist / promoter Bob Goodman (USA), promoter Akihiko Honda (Japan), journalist Hugh McIlvaney (UK) and HBO broadcaster and former sports columnist Larry Merchant (USA).

Continue reading "Lennox Lewis, Brian Mitchell, Orlando Canizales elected to boxing hall of fame" »

At this time of year, the writers and pundits start talking about the Fighter of the Year award. And really, who could argue with Manny Pacquiao? After how easily he dominated Oscar De La Hoya, it would be difficult not to pick Pac Man.

But I have a different selection.

Continue reading "The Fighter of the Year" »

Manny Pacquiao's domination of Oscar De La Hoya was so thorough, so complete, it is hard to imagine who will be able to give Pac Man a good fight. Well, of course, we have some ideas.

Continue reading "After destroying Oscar, who is next for Manny Pacquiao?" »

In a stirring upset, Manny Pacquiao dominated Oscar De La Hoya before scoring an 8th-round TKO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday. Pacquiao, who began his career as a flyweight, proved to be too fast, too elusive, and ultimately, too strong, for the bigger De La Hoya. Pacquiao, the reigning lightweight champion at 135 pounds, moved up to 147 pounds to meet De La Hoya.

Continue reading "Manny Pacquiao dominates Oscar De La Hoya, scoring 8th-round TKO" »

Here is a round-by-round report of the fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

Continue reading "De La Hoya-Pacquiao, Round-by-Round" »

HBO's Larry Merchant is reporting on the PPV telecast that Manny Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach has protested the way Oscar De La Hoya tapes his hands to the Nevada State Athletic Commission. At issue is the type of tape used, the amount of tape placed between Oscar's knuckles and a thumb protector used on Oscar's left hand. According to the broadcast, the commission has agreed with Roach on some of the requests, but not all. Who knows if it will make a difference once the bell rings. But perhaps Roach has landed the first blow in the psychological bout. -- CASSIDY

Here are the weights for some of the bouts on Saturday night's card from Las Vegas:

Oscar De La Hoya, 145 pounds -- Manny Pacquiao, 142 pounds - 12 rounds

Victor Ortiz, 140 -- Jeffrey Resto (out of the Bronx) 140 -- 12 rounds

Juan Manuel Lopez, 122 -- Sergio Medina, 122 -- 12 rounds

Daniel Jacobs (out of Brooklyn) 162 -- Victor Lares 165 -- 8 rounds

NASCAR celebrated champions week this week in New York. We caught up with a few of the drivers to see what they thought about The Sweet Science.

Continue reading "Toe-to-toe with NASCAR driver Greg Biffle" »

Seamus McDonagh, who once went toe-to-toe with Evander Holyfield, dropped in on Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and the Wild Card Gym before team Pacquiao left for Vegas.

McDonagh, who took up acting after his career, was in Hollywood to vote on the annual SAG Awards. Between screenings, he and New York welterweight James Moore dropped by the gym.

"It's unlike any gym that I've ever been to," McDonagh told The Neutral Corner. "It's always packed. It's so crowded you can't even knock anyone down in there. The atmosphere is great. You can literally see a four-round fighter or a guy who just wants to train to stay in shape, training right next to a world champion like Pacquiao."

These were McDonagh's observations on Pacquiao: "He's a great fighter. I could tell just by watching him shadowbox. You can tell when you are looking at a special fighter. His hands are very fast. He carries himself with a lot of confidence. But at the same time, he talks to everyone. He's one of the nicest guys in the gym." -- CASSIDY

As the fight approaches, expect to hear a lot about a good big man always beats a good little man. The rationale behind the cliche is that when all other things are equal (talent, heart, etc), victory goes to the bigger guy. That is usually true. But history is not always on the side of the bigger guy. Some examples:

Continue reading "History suggests Manny Pacquiao can beat Oscar De La Hoya" »

The final episode. Here we go:

Best Oscar quote: "You've never been on the big stage unless you've fought Oscar." ... Sounds arrogant, but he's right.

Worst Oscar quote: "I think everything has happened for a reason in my life... coming back to Big Bear." Please. Blah, blah, blah. We were expecting something deeper, perhaps a revelation into some of his losses or the birth of his children. But we got Big Bear? Trust me, Oscar does not win or lose this fight because of Big Bear. One thing evident in this series is that Oscar says what he thinks he has to say or what he thinks he wants us to hear. Not sure we heard the real Oscar at all.

Best supporting cast: All those dudes in Manny's camp who lost more than 10 pounds. In total, Manny handed out $74,000 to his friends. Wow.

Freddie sez: "Tough guy" and "He must be scared." Remarks that were made when they both Oscar and Manny showed up at the UNLV track at the same time. Remarks like that usually mask some kind of insecurity.

Training Days: Manny has been with Roach for seven years and 18 bouts. It seems like over the last seven years, Oscar has had 18 trainers.

I loved that ... Manny took a bus to Las Vegas.

A plea to HBO: 24/7 is a wonderful series. You take us inside, we meet the men and their families. But next time, take us further. Let's see how these men and their families react after the fight. Please, just one post-fight episode next time?

For a look at all of the Neutral Corner's coverage of the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight, click here.

For more than 20 photos of Manny Pacquiao training and with Oscar De La Hoya, click here.

The De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight will be televised by HBO PPV on Saturday, Dec. 6th.

-- CASSIDY

Super middleweight Daniel Jacobs, 21, out of Brooklyn, takes on Corpus Christi's Victor Lares (14-3, 3 KO's), winner of three of his last four bouts on the De La Hoya-Pacquiao undercard. Jacobs is 12-0 with 11 knockouts and last fought on the Calzaghe-Jones undercard at MSG. -- CASSIDY

The big fight between Oscar and Manny is nearly upon us. Here are our predictions:

Continue reading "Predictions: Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao" »

It was the Thanksgiving episode. Let's give thanks to HBO for 24/7. It's great TV.

Best Oscar quote: "I'm so hungry for the knockout.... Sooner or later we're going to clash... There will be a knockout." .. They may clash sooner than Oscar thinks.

Freddie Roach quote: "He's (Oscar) not a real confident guy."

Best supporting cast: It again has to go to Buboy. First, the guy lives in a walk-in closet and watches fight films. Secondly, in the great "weight loss" contest sponsored by Manny, Buboy actually gained a pound. And third, we found out why. In a contrasting contest, in which Manny offered his boys $200 to polish off a huge plate of food, Buboy pocketed $400. Then licked the plate.

Freddie sez: "This is the biggest fight of my life." Interesting considering that he worked the Oscar-Mayweather fight, has worked with James Toney, Mike Tyson and more.

Giving thanks: Nice to see a Mexican-American family and a group of Filipinos celebrating Thanksgiving.

I loved that ... Freddie goes to a high-end, fancy, schmancy salon for a haircut. It's a great contrast to the Wild Card Gym. Loved that scene until the salon owner got in front of the camera and said "F--- Oscar." What I really want to see from the next episode of 24/7 is Oscar show up at the salon.

I loved that ... Sang happy birthday to his assistant trainer, Joe Chavez.

Old school: More than any other sport, boxing is old school in the sense that all that really matters is how you fight. Technology, nautilus, $300 running shows mean nothing. And my guess is that all the sea kelp, vitamins and fruit drinks Oscar is having won't mean a lot on fight night. Remember, many of these guys came from poverty. I know a fighter who became a world champ, but grow up in very difficult circumstances in Brooklyn. He told me the fanciest meal he ever had right up to the age of 17 was bologna and american cheese on a hero. In boxing, they used to do roadwork in Army boats. They ate steak and eggs for breakfast on the day of the fight. More than any sport, boxing is about character and courage and fortitude.

Guest starring: This week Mark Walhberg and Bernard Hopkins made cameos. Interesting that Walhberg and his son are Pacquiao fans. He's been in training to play the role of Micky Ward. B-Hop says that Oscar is fighting for "pride and dignity."

For a look at all of the Neutral Corner's coverage of the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight, click here.

For more than 20 photos of Manny Pacquiao training and with Oscar De La Hoya, click here.

-- CASSIDY

Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley have known each other since they were kids. They fought each other as amateurs and had two great fights as pros. Now they are business partners under the Golden Boy banner. But what kind of friend sends his buddy out to fight Antonio Margarito?

I'm just imagining the conversation in the executive suite at Golden Boy going something like this:

Richard Shaefer: Oscar, the entire world wants to see you fight Anontio Margarito.

Oscar: Yeah. I know. Did you see his fight against Miguel Cotto?

Richard Shaefer: I did ... Uhm... Why don't we call Shane?

Oscar: Hold on. He's in my Fave Five [Oscar dials] ... Hey Shane, listen, I'm trying lure Manny Pacquiao into a fight ... What? ... Yeah, I know the guy is basically a featherweight, but we'll make huge money... So listen, I have a title fight lined up for you... Yes, I really do. You're my main man. I always think of you... It's against Margarito... What? ... Yeah, I know he's a beast, but you've got the style to beat him, plus I'm faxing you a contract for $5-million ... What? Shane I can't hear you (Winks at Shaefer).. I'm losing you, talking to you later.

Richard Shaefer: Done deal?

Oscar: It's done.

-- CASSIDY

I know. You never look past your next fight. And, yes, I know that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is currently retired. But in boxing, no retirement is ever permanent. So this is why Pretty Boy Floyd will be rooting for Manny Pacquiao to whip Oscar De La Hoya this Saturday.

Continue reading "Why Floyd Mayweather will be rooting for Manny Pacquiao" »