Is Steve Wynn cutting off the ring for Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather bout? -- Las Vegas Sun

By John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Sun

Speculation surrounding major boxing events often is as reliable as former heavyweight flop Duane Bobick's chin. But for those interested in the latest chatter for the Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather mega-bout being planned for Nov. 13, here's some fairly solid fodder to ponder:

• Steve Wynn's name is becoming more prominent on the list of famous figures who might be involved in the promotion and staging of this fight. In tracking the Las Vegas supply-demand environment as discussion of the fight percolates, no room reservations are being taken at Wynn and Encore for the dates of Nov. 12-13, leading to speculation (that word again) that Wynn and Encore might well be the host resort for the fight — which of course is still unsigned. MGM Resorts International properties also have planned for a massive influx of tourists that weekend, but has merely increased its room rates, not listed rooms as totally sold out.

• If Wynn (as a person and as a corporation) is indeed involved, of course, that dismisses MGM Resorts arenas MGM Grand and Mandalay Bay as live fight venues. The Thomas & Mack Center would be the most likely site if Wynn were to lend his company's name and resources behind the fight. As T&M and Sam Boyd Stadium Director Daren Libonati said Friday afternoon, "We are in the mix. We're prepared to handle the fight. We've always had a good relationship with Bob (Arum, head of Top Rank Inc.) and Steve Wynn, and however this unfolds we will embrace all of them."

• Oh, and don't rule out MGM Resorts yet, even with Wynn's apparent interest. The company still is said to be eager to bring the bout to MGM Grand, or even Mandalay Bay Events Center. Pacquiao is said to favor the amenities at Mandalay Bay and would prefer fighting there over the MGM Grand. For one, he finds the chapel there to his liking, as he regularly prays and prefers privacy for that. His fans flock to the hotel, too. But they flock everywhere to see Pacquiao.

• Remember the temporary facility across the Strip from Wynn and Encore on the site of the imploded Frontier? The 30,000-seat, outdoor venue that was the proposed site of Pacquiao-Mayweather in 2009, before talks unwound over a drug-testing dispute between the two camps? There is a rumor coming out of Wynn-Encore that the venue could well be constructed for this fight with at least partial backing from Wynn.

It would cost, at the very least, $4 million just to build the framework for this venue. Whether this is a huge sum depends on who's cutting the check. Wynn just finished off a $69 million project — Encore Beach Club, a grand venue for knockouts of an different variety.

Wall Street Journal focuses on 'Screen vs. Strip'

More from the arena front: In a story published today the Wall Street Journal has focused on the competition for major events between Cowboys Stadium and Las Vegas — casting it as The Screen vs. The Strip. A triage of noteworthy segments of that piece, written by WSJ's Jordan Hirsch:

• "Though Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman confidently told me that Cowboys Stadium is 'nothing to worry about,' he later declared that he is 'no great believer in competition' — a sure sign of insecurity from a man whose city's reputation as a gambling Mecca and fight capital of the world is predicated on it."

• "(Cowboys owner Jerry) Jones and his son Stephen, chief operating officer of the Cowboys, are usually careful to argue that they mean no harm to Vegas. 'We're interested in accommodation,' the younger Mr. Jones told me. 'We don't think [Dallas and Las Vegas] are mutually exclusive.' But when I put the question to him directly, he admitted that he's 'interested in bringing events to Dallas permanently.' Dallas Convention Center Chairman Phillip Jones (no relation) unabashedly agreed, expressing his hope that 'Dallas can take all these events from Vegas.'"

• "Robin Leach, longtime Vegas resident and host of the '90s show 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,' cast the disparity in characteristically colorful terms. 'You may well have a larger stadium in Dallas thanks to Jerry, because everything is bigger in Texas,' he said to me. 'But Dallas rolls up the carpet and sidewalk at one in the morning, and we party 'till breakfast, when it's time for a Bloody Mary.'"

Cheadle: No more surfing "Ocean"

Don Cheadle, hosting his charity poker tournament "Ante Up for Africa" today at the Rio, said a reunion of the cast of the "Ocean's Eleven" film franchise is pretty unlikely.

"Everybody except for George (Clooney) has kids now," he said. "We've all kind of moved on. It would be hard to do that again. I think maybe 'Sons of Ocean' would work, though (laughs)."

Cheadle is also proud that "Iron Man 2" has, as expected, become a summer hit.

"In fact, I think it's one of the only hits of the summer, of you look at something that was supposed to be big that turned out big," said Cheadle, who plays Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes in the film. "It was a lot of fun to see, and it was a lot of fun to make."

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.

Source: lasvegassun.com

Pacquiao willing to give Cotto a rematch -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Manny Pacquiao is more than willing to give Miguel Cotto a chance to redeem himself following a brutal beating that he suffered against the Filipino late last year, Pacquiao’s adviser told the Puerto Rican press on Friday.

Canadian Mike Koncz told Carlos Gonzalez of Primera Hora that the pound-for-pound king has given the go-signal to meet Cotto for a second time in case negotiations for a megabuck matchup with Floyd Mayweather doesn’t prosper.

“I spoke with Manny in Philippines and he likes the idea of Cotto gunning for a revenge if the fight against Mayweather, Jr. doesn’t happen,” Koncz was quoted as saying.

Pacquiao had dealt Cotto a 12th round stoppage loss when they rumbled on November 13 in Las Vegas.

Koncz confirmed Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s ultimatum that Mayweather has been given two weeks to decide whether or not he will face Pacquiao for a fight being booked for Nov. 13 in Las Vegas since the fight proposal has been forwarded to the American’s camp for his approval.

“Mayweather has until July 15 to study the documents and sign them,” stressed Koncz, adding that, “Mayweather needs Manny more than Manny needs Mayweather.”

In the event a Pacquiao-Cotto takes place, Koncz said a catch weight would likely be in place. Cotto holds a version of the world super-welterweight (154 lbs) crown and Pacquiao will be aiming for his eight world title in as many weight classes against the Puerto Rican.

Koncz, who is in Puerto Rico to supervise the title crack of Bernabe Concepcion on July 10 against Juan Manuel Lopez said he doesn’t see any problem with Cotto agreeing to go down to 150 or 151 against Pacquiao.

Source: mb.com.ph

UFC 116: Battle of the best heavies -- ABS-CBN News

By Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN News

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - The battle for the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight title is the talk of the town in Sin City as it is happening on a 4th of July weekend, another income drawing event for Las Vegas.

Reigning champ Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin, 2 of the best and former national wrestling champions, will collide and strut off their real “combat” skills in the Octagon.

Thousands of UFC fans as well as a-list celebrities are expected to watch the fight live on Saturday at the MGM grand garden arena.

At the pre-fight press conference, the UFC championship belt is the main attraction.

“I take every fight in the UFC, UFC and the heavy weight division is full and bunch of heavy weights. I don’t care who you are fighting next, it’s gonna be a tough fight. I know that every fight that I’m gonna get into will have a tough opponent so I better be well prepared,” said Carwin.

“Shane is a stand up guy he is a tough heavy weight there is no slouches in the heavy weight division there really isn’t,” said Lesnar.

Carwin added that he may be the underdog for this fight but his undefeated record proves that he has determination and strength to go for a win.

Pacquiao fan

Meanwhile, Japanese Yoshihiro Akiyama, the only Asian fighter on the fight card, admires boxing superstar “Manny Pacquiao.”

“By watching Pacquiao, I gained a lot of courage…and I want to be like him. And also to show that an Asian fighter can also perform well in a world class stage,” said Akiyama.

Akiyama was supposed to fight Wanderlei Silva but due to a rib injury during training, Silva was replaced right away with Chris Leben.

Leben and Akiyama will slug it out as the co-main event of UFC 116.

UFC 116 will air live on Balls on Sunday 10:00 a.m. with a replay on Studio 23 at 10:00 p.m.

Source: abs-cbnnews.com

Manny Pacquiao: 'I Have Never Used Anabolic Steroids' -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

When seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao filed a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and his camp in late December, the WBO welterweight (147 pounds) titlist delivered a long statement defending himself against the Mayweather camp's alleged steroid use allegations.

"As I have stated before," Pacquiao said, in part, "I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like."

The suit also named Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, as well as Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and president, respectively, of Golden Boy Promotions, which handled Mayweather's part of the negotiations for a potential March 13 fight between the two.

"[The lawsuit is] based on their [defendant's] false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance -- knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," Pacquiao's attorney stated at the time.

Not long after Pacquiao's filing, the negotiations collapsed over an impasse involving drug testing protocol for both fighters.

Below is part of Manny Pacquiao's statement regarding blood testing:

"There seems to be concern from numerous members of the sports industry -- from writers to reporters, even other athletes, regarding why I am concerned with random blood testing. As I have stated before, I have never used anabolic steroids nor do I even know what they look like.

"I view using steroids, synthetic growth hormone, or any other illegal or banned substance as cheating. I would never cheat this sport that I love. I would never cheat the legacies of the great champions I have been blessed to challenge. I would never do anything to cheat such great champions as Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, all of the Mexican warriors that I have been blessed to go into the ring and do battle with.

"My concern as a fighter is that there should be some limitations and agreements on how much blood they can take from someone prior to a fight. My other concern is how close to the actual fight itself can they take the blood. It is my opinion that taking blood from a person can weaken you. I do not want to be in a weakened state when I enter the ring against any fighter.

"My concern has never been with someone randomly checking me with regards to blood or urine. I volunteered immediately to have my urine tested anytime someone wanted to -- all the way up to the time I am walking into the ring. It was later brought to my attention and the attention of my staff that you can not test for synthetic growth hormone through urine; you could only detect synthetic growth hormone through blood tests.

"Before all of these blood-testing and demands from other people, I had never even heard of synthetic growth hormone. I have never seen it before nor have I ever used it. I take my training very serious. I train 30 rounds a day to be in the best shape during a fight so I can give the fans the best show I can. I eat very healthy -- like chicken and fish and a lot of rice.

"In order to make these new heavier weight classes, I have to eat more then I have ever eaten in my life. I actually have to eat five times a day and bigger meals than I have ever eaten before."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Adviser: Manny Pacquiao's Still Suing Floyd Mayweather -- FanHouse

By Lem Satterfield, FanHouse

"I think they're pushing Pacquiao too much -- even if he's got 'roids in his body. In my honest opinion, I believe that he's on some type of supplements. I don't think that he can beat Little Floyd with steroids in him or not. He don't have that kind of talent or that kind of skill -- whatever he has in him."

Floyd Mayweather Sr., whose son, Floyd Mayweather Jr., is an undefeated six-time champion over five weight classes, in Michigan's Grand Rapids Press Newspaper on Sept. 15.

"Steroids? Where in the hell did that come from? You know, these guys, they had to come up with a reason why they lost. They lost because [Floyd Sr.] sucks as a trainer and I had the better fighter. Well [chuckles], we have taken him a couple of times to be tested, and we haven't tested positive yet. I think he's wrong, but all Manny's on is white rice."

Manny Pacquiao's three-time Trainer of the Year Freddie Roach on Sept. 15, upon hearing from FanHouse of Floyd Mayweather Sr.'s accusations regarding his fighter's alleged use of steroids.


"Maybe all of them -- they're using the steroids, and not me. You know what? I don't even know what a steroid is. I've never done that."

Manny Pacquiao responding to implications -- which he first heard from FanHouse on Sept. 15 -- by Floyd Sr. that he might have used steroids.


In late December, seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao filed a lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character naming six-time five-division titlist Floyd Mayweather. Jr., Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, as well as Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya, CEO and president, respectively, of Golden Boy Promotions, which handled Mayweather's affairs.

At the time of the filing, Pacquiao and Mayweather had been tentatively slated for March 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, having agreed on a 50-50 split of the revenue, as well as eight-ounce gloves and a clash at the welterweight (147 pounds) limit rather than a catch weight.

But Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank Promotions, said that the "filing of the lawsuit effectively terminates everything" that had been in place, effectively ending the negotiations. That led to subsequent victories by Pacquiao over Joshua Clottey on March 13 at The Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and Mayweather over Shane Mosley on May 1 at The MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Potentially the most lucrative matchup in boxing history, the Mayweather-Pacquiao bout was expected to garner a career-best of nearly $40 million for each fighter. But negotiations became increasingly contentious since they began shortly after Pacquiao's 12th-round knockout of Miguel Cotto on Nov. 14.

Now, it seems that Pacquiao and Mayweather have reached an agreement in principle to put Pacquiao's WBO welterweight (147 pounds) belt on the line against Mayweather on Nov. 13, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but with consideration for The Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

No documents have been signed, so the deal is not complete. And although concessions were made during the new negotiations since the first time around, Pacquiao's lawsuit still is in place, according to his adviser, Michael Koncz.

"The court case is not part of this negotiations. There was irreparable harm done to Manny's image, so we're going ahead with that," said Koncz. "As far as the fight and the court case, one is not contingent on the other."

Now, it seems that Pacquiao and Mayweather have reached an agreement in principle to put his Pacquiao's WBO welterweight (147 pounds) belt on the line against Mayweather on Nov. 13, likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but with consideration for The Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

No documents have been signed, so the deal is not complete. And although concessions were made during the new negotiations since the first time around, Pacquiao's lawsuit still is in place, according to his adviser, Michael Koncz.

"The court case is not part of this negotiations. There was irreparable harm done to Manny's image, so we're going ahead with that," said Koncz. "As far as the fight and the court case, one is not contingent on the other."

Koncz said that that the closing documents are in the hands of the Mayweather camp and would not elaborate on specific details of the negotiations.

The documents, however, reportedly include an agreement between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions on Mayweather's demand for a random drug testing protocol and a tentative agreement on a 50-50 split of the purse.

Koncz said that Mayweather's camp has two weeks -- "whether it's July 13, or, July 15, it doesn't matter" -- to sign and return the documents indicating their acceptance of the terms.

If not, Pacquiao would go ahead with plans to face either Cotto, the newly-crowned WBA junior middleweight (154 pounds) champ, Miguel Cotto, or former welterweight king, Antonio Margarito.

As far as the lawsuit, Pacquiao has commissioned senior attorney Daniel Petrocelli, whose Los Angeles-based O'Melveny and Myers law firm has taken on the case. Petrocelli is the same man who gained a wrongful death civil conviction against O.J. Simpson in 1997.

"[The lawsuit is] based on their [defendant's] false and defamatory statements about Manny Pacquiao -- specifically their publicly stating that Pacquiao was taking steroids or other illegal drugs to enhance his performance -- knowing that there is absolutely no basis for any such assertions," Petrocelli said of told FanHouse on Dec. 30.


Floyd Mayweather Sr.: Manny Pacquiao on supplements, steroids

Floyd Mayweather Sr.: Manny Pacquiao on supplements, steroids

"These guys have no right saying what they're saying. It's knowingly false, highly injurious," said Petrocelli. "Manny has an absolutely unblemished reputation, and accomplished extraordinary achievements through hard work and preparation. He can't sit by and allow people to accuse him of cheating because they can't beat him in the ring."

Koncz said that the case "still is in the discovery phase," meaning an attorney from Petrocelli's office has begun to ask questions.

"Oscar De La Hoya has been deposed, and Richard Schaefer has also provided a deposition," said Koncz. "We're still in discovery, and there are a lot of technical motions being done."

Koncz called it "a very foolish question" to ask if Pacquiao's reputation has been affected because of the steroid accusations, pointing out that the Felipino superstar has felt the need to defend himself, publicly, on a number of occasions.

"The publicity that we have received in the media worldwide has been damaging. If Manny and I didn't think that there was damage being done, we wouldn't be filing a suit," said Koncz. "And Manny wouldn't be spending days and hours and all of this money on attorney's fees that we have been spending. The point is, they made allegations that they have no right to make."

Koncz said, for example, that Pacquiao has numerous times, had to publicly validate his amended request not to have blood drawn any closer than within 14 days of the fight -- all because of the steroid accusations.

"I would never cheat God, I would never cheat myself and I would never cheat my country and my fans," Pacquiao told FanHouse in late December, adding that, "the truth is taking blood out of my body does not seem natural to me."

Pacquiao, whose career began at 106 pounds, attributes his ability to carry his power from lower to higher weight classes to the fact that "I eat foods that build muscle," and, "I work out hard."

"Mentally, I feel it will weaken me if blood is taken from me just days before the fight," said Pacquiao. "That does not make sense to me why anyone would do that."

Source: boxing.fanhouse.com

Bernabe Concepcion hits Puerto Rico, veteran cut man Miguel Diaz expected to land next Wednesday -- Examiner

By Chris Robinson, Examiner.com

Bernabe Concepcion was a man on a mission earlier this week during his training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, California. With a July 10th bout with Juan Manuel Lopez right around the corner the Rizal, Philippines fighter worked rigorously during his Monday afternoon session at the packed facility and appears to be leaving no room for error heading into the biggest bout of his career.

Concepcion’s older brother Bernard noted that he and Concepcion, along with other members of the team, would be hitting Puerto Rico on the first of the month and PR Best Boxing’s Jose Perez was on hand for the group’s arrival. The seemingly mild mannered Concepcion hasn’t had much to say in the way of trash talk heading into the fight, a sign of his professionalism, and he seems to be as likeable of a dark horse as you can find.

One man who will have a close view of the Concepcion-Lopez bout is veteran Miguel Diaz, who will be in the Filipino’s corner as a cut man. Diaz began working with Freddie Roach in late 2008 in the absence of Joe Chavez and has linked up with the Massachusetts trainer on and off ever since. This month alone Diaz made pit stops in New York and San Antonio, Texas to assist Wild Card fighters Vanes Martirosyan and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in their winning efforts against Joe Greene and John Duddy.

Speaking from Barry’s Boxing on the East side of Las Vegas, Diaz told the Examiner that he will be landing on the island next Wednesday and noted that the Lopez-Concepcion affair has all the makings of a dandy. Diaz is no stranger to Puerto Rico, having worked numerous training camps with Miguel Cotto in San Juan, and it will be business as usual for the affable Argentinean when he arrives.

Source: examiner.com

Mayweather-Pacquiao: Talks are back at a familiar crossroads -- 15Rounds

By Norm Frauenheim, 15Rounds.com

A reported agreement on terms for Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. should be reason for optimism. Maybe, the biggest fight in years will finally happen. But skepticism is the only reasonable reaction. We’ve been here before, haven’t we? We’re back at the scene of an old accident, waiting on Mayweather all over again. I’d prefer to wait on a root canal.

Mayweather is as unpredictable as he is elusive. Annoying, too, but give him this: He says – ad nauseam –that he is the face of boxing, that everything happens because of him. Few can argue with him on that one right now. In resurrected talks of negotiations that blew apart more than six months ago, Mayweather has the last say, yea or nay.

“It’s up to him,’’ Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum told Yahoo Wednesday.

Safe to say, Arum won’t leave it up to Mayweather for long. He’ll give it a couple of weeks. The Top Rank promoter says he will wait until mid-July for an answer from Mayweather. No reply presumably means Arum will turn to Plan B or C, Antonio Margarito or Miguel Cotto for a Pacquiao bout scheduled for Nov. 13.

But nobody knows how — or even if — Mayweather will respond. Mayweather’s representatives, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer and Leonard Ellerbe, have honored an initial agreement not to comment. If Mayweather-Pacquiao is going to happen in November, however, it’s time to take off the gag.

Mayweather must enjoy the power of being granted the last word. But it is double-edged with potential enough to destroy Mayweather’s attempts to spin himself into a less profane, more media-friendly personality before and after his brilliant victory over Shane Mosley in May.

In renewed talks however, it looks as if there is a reversal of roles. There was no deal six months ago because of a sudden, deal-breaking demand from Mayweather for random, Olympic-style drug-testing. Pacquiao said no, a refusal that then aroused speculation about whether he was in fact a user of banned substances despite a clean record of tests sanctioned by regulatory agencies, including the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

According to Arum, the drug issue has been resolved. Arum didn’t provide any specifics, but the assumption is that Pacquiao has agreed to some sort of random blood-testing under protocol set down by the Nevada commission, which appeared to consider possible methods and timetables during discussions last month with sports-medicine experts, physicians and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

If Pacquiao has agreed to drug testing, Mayweather has lost the high ground he had occupied amid repeated boasts that he was only try to clean up boxing. Drug testing is no longer the issue. But that doesn’t mean that Mayweather won’t find another one.

If he does, Mayweather will have to face renewed accusations that he just doesn’t want to fight Pacquiao.

Arum is right:

It is up to Mayweather.

Is it ever.

From this corner, it looks as if Mayweather’s only wiggle room is a delay until next year. In interviews with Yahoo and Filipino media, Arum seemed to prepare himself for Pacquiao-Mayweather at a later date.

He has to look only at Mayweather’’s recent record. The unbeaten welterweight has fought only four times over the last four years – twice in 2007 with victories over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, not once in 2008, once in 2009 with a lopsided decision over Juan Manuel Marquez and once this year against Mosley.

Even if Mayweather’s career is down to only one a fight year, it appears as if there is only one fight for him. It looks as if he can’t say no to Pacquiao. Then again, Mayweather has already shown that he can say just about everything and sometimes nothing at all. It’s impossible to know what he will do. The only thing anybody knows for certain is that he will make you wait.

Source: 15rounds.com

Edwin Valero was Murdered -- Ringside Report

By Geno McGahee, Ringside Report

The charge is serious and the conspiracy theory was born, created and firmly believed by the loved ones of deceased WBC Lightweight Champion, Edwin Valero. Valero, 27-0, 27 KO’s, was a terror in the ring, but reports would indicate that he was even more of a terror to his loved ones.

On April 18, 2010, the news broke that shocked the boxing world. The undefeated champion, seen as the successor to Manny Pacquiao as the most exciting fighter in the game, Edwin Valero, had murdered his 24 year old wife. It was an amazing and sad situation, but a foreseeable one to many. He had prior violent issues involving his wife and his mother, drinking problems, and wasn’t getting the proper help. He was a ticking time bomb.

Employees at the hotel where the murder took place as well as police officers have stated that Valero admitted his guilt, and while in his cell, hanged himself with a picture of his family in his mouth. The image of the Lightweight Champion hanging in a prison cell with the photograph of his loving family clinched between his teeth is far from the picture we had seen on February 6, 2010.

For years, Valero could only be seen by American audiences on youtube. The legend grew knockout by knockout, and the boxing fans began talking and expressing interest in seeing the man that had scored 18 first round knockouts. Medical problems stemming from a motorcycle accident prevented him from fighting in the US for quite a while, and he wouldn’t make his first big step there. He would make it in Mexico, but it would be picked up by Showtime.

Showtime presented a main event, pitting the Venezuelan power-puncher taking on the highly regarded Antonio DeMarco. This was the chance that boxing fans had waited for. We could see Valero live, against a good opponent, and he did not disappoint. Valero, suffering a horrible cut, persevered and stopped DeMarco in 9 rounds. It proved that he wasn’t just a brawler or a fraud. He was a true force with many marquee match ups set for the near future, if he could keep his focus and stay out of trouble.

The first sign of trouble came on March 25, 2010. Valero was accused of assault on his wife. She reported to the emergency room with a punctured lung with the story that she “fell down the stairs.” The story did not sit well with authorities as the injuries did not support the story they were given and when coupled with the fact that she had been treated for similar injuries before, the cause was obvious.

At the hospital, Valero erupted, displaying his violent behavior. He had a history of violence both inside and out of the ring and as courageous as he was inside of the ropes, he was equally despicable outside of them, beating women without mercy. When it came out that he had killed himself in his prison cell, it was not bad news and still isn’t. The story of suicide from guilt over the murder of his wife made a lot of sense, but not everyone is buying it. Some contend that the authorities murdered Valero.

Edward and Luis Valero requested that the body of Edwin be exhumed to prove that he was strangled to death by the police that took him into custody. Some point to the fact that he wore sweat pants (reportedly) into the prison cell but hanged himself with denim jeans. Another contention is that he had bruising that was inconsistent with suicide, and matched a struggle, supporting the theory that he was hanged by the police.

Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela came out during the investigation to state that Valero was innocent of the charge of murder in the case of his wife and was in fact murdered by his enemies. His coming forward with this theory, despite the long history of domestic abuse and admission of guilt, proves that had this murder gone to trial, Valero would have been a free man.

Despite my skepticism, some point to statements by Valero after his arrest, claiming that he and his wife were followed around by underworld figures, and that there was a plan to kidnap them both. He even claimed that a police officer had suggested that he checked into the very hotel where his wife was murdered. It was a set up!

An autopsy is supposed to prove the fact that Valero was murdered while in police custody, but even if this turns out to be true, it still doesn’t dismiss the fact that he beat his wife regularly and then murdered her. By no means is the police department right if it should come out that they killed the former champion to ensure that he would not be freed to fight again, but one can certainly understand their position.

The funeral for Valero was a strange sight with the streets full of mourners, all of them living vicariously through the fallen warrior…putting faith in him and refusing to give it up. “Champion,” was chanted by the crowd as they laid him to rest and some collapsed in a heap of emotion as the body was carried to the gym where he once trained. I can appreciate the admiration for a fighter, but the murdered wife was somehow lost in the story by the Valero fans. That is the true tragedy.

The question is: Was Edwin Valero murdered?

The answer to the question is irrelevant. The police should be punished for killing an inmate without question if that should be proven to be the case, but the end result whether it be murder or suicide seems to be justice for a woman that was beaten and killed. I wonder what goes through the mind of the mourners that wept for him and what they thought of his murdered wife’s life with him. Some fighters are elevated to Godly status and can do no wrong and perhaps this is a case of it.

With an undefeated record, a world of potential, and an enormous fan base, Edwin Valero had the world ahead of him and could have been in the big time right at this moment, perhaps facing off against Juan Manuel Marquez, but the monster inside the ring was not as ferocious as the monster outside of it, and because of that, we will never know what may have been.

Hugo Chavez and the Valero family may contend that this was some big conspiracy to set up Edwin and then take him out, but it is all nonsense. The history of abuse to his wife and others and drinking problem says it all. He murdered his wife and most likely, took his own life. The only big loss is that of the 24 year old woman that was once married to the lightweight champion.

Source: ringsidereport.com

MGM increases room rates on day of potential Pacquiao-Mayweather fight -- Las Vegas Sun

By Ray Brewer, John Katsilometes, Las Vegas Sun

Room rates are spiking at MGM Resorts properties on the Strip for Nov. 13, when the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. could happen at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

As of Thursday afternoon, less than one day after word spread of the mega-fight inching closer to reality, a basic room at the MGM Grand for Nov. 13 skyrocketed to $260. It's $180 on both Nov. 6 and 20, the Saturdays before and after the proposed date.

The hotel has a 4,300 room capacity, and once full, would refer customers to the group's other properties on the Strip — such as Monte Carlo, Luxor and Mandalay Bay. The MGM also has another 2,500 rooms in its signature tower, which has the more high-end and expensive suites.

Rooms at Mandalay Bay are $229 on Nov. 13 and $129 the following Saturday. At the Luxor, rooms rates start at $160 for Nov. 13 and $105 for Nov. 20.

Increases in room rates for specific weekends months in advance are not uncommon, MGM Resorts Vice President of Public Affairs Gordon Absher said. Variables that boost room rates vary from hot concerts like Lady Gaga to popular annual events like the National Finals Rodeo.

But Absher also said the announced Nov. 13 date for the Pacquiao-Mayweather bout has led MGM Resorts officials to adjust room rates to meet a potential demand for a huge influx of fight fans on that weekend. This is true even without a signed contract to bring what doubtless will be an extraordinarily lucrative fight to the Grand Garden Arena.

"This is similar to airline rates rising and falling according to market conditions," Absher said. "Were there to be a major sporting event on any given date, people will most likely pay more for a room. In effect, we're protecting room rates on that date. We're protecting inventory."

Absher said MGM officials who set room rates were well-aware of recent coverage that the fight is likely to be held Nov. 13 in Las Vegas. But if it is held elsewhere, the rates will adjust accordingly.

"These variables influencing room rates change day-to-day, even hour-to-hour," Absher said.

Room rates at Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Tex., which was the host hotel for Pacquiao's March 13 fight with Joshua Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, are not any higher than a typical weekend. The base rate is $199 for Nov. 13, $199 for Nov. 20.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank said Wednesday that several negotiation hurdles that previously prevented the fight from happening have been cleared.

The two sides couldn't agree on drug-testing methods in the spring, with Mayweather agreeing to take the fight only if Pacquiao agreed to be tested through blood sample.

So, Pacquiao fought Clottey and Mayweather took on Shane Mosley on May 1 at the MGM Grand. Both were victorious.

Mayweather, whose Golden Boy Promotions has a policy against commenting on fight negotiations, said after the Mosley fight that he didn't want to fight again in 2010. He would have to ditch that stance for the mega-fight to occur in the fall.

Source: lasvegassun.com

Ryan Rhodes targets WBC clash with Margarito -- BBC Sport

BBC Sport

Ryan Rhodes believes he is closing in on a clash with Mexico's Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC world light-middleweight title.

The 33-year-old from Sheffield will first have to defend his European light-middleweight belt against Lukas Konecny in Birmingham on 18 September.

"Margarito is number one with the WBC and I'm number two," said Rhodes.

"It is a dream fight for me and it appears like it can happen if I can beat Konecny on 18 September."

Part of promoter Frank Warren's 'The Magnificent Seven', the billing at the LG Arena in Birmingham will also feature Nathan Cleverly, Kell Brook, Michael Jennings, James DeGale, Enzo Maccarinelli and Derek Chisora.

Margarito made a winning return to the ring in May after his license was revoked for 12 months for attempting to fight Shane Mosley with an illegal plaster-like substance placed inside his hand wraps.

Rhodes added: "Margarito is an unbelievable fighter, though not as strong and aggressive as when he was at welterweight.

"I'd be too fast and too strong for him. I campaigned for seven or eight years at middleweight and more than held my own."

"Fighting him is a mouth-watering prospect and would be a dream fight for me.

"He hasn't reapplied for his license to fight in the United States but of course I'd go to Mexico to face him.

"There's a shadow over his win against Miguel Cotto because of his ban after the Mosley fight, but it was a lovely fight to watch but terrible to be involved in.

"By the end of this year I should be fighting for a world title, preferably against Margarito for the WBC belt."

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Arum: It's all up to Mayweather -- Philippine Star

By Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines - Floyd Mayweather Jr. has a couple of weeks to decide whether or not he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao.

Otherwise, Top Rank president Bob Arum said Pacquiao, the best boxer in the planet today, will start looking elsewhere, and move on to his scheduled return to the ring on Nov. 13.

In an article posted by BoxingScene.com yesterday, Arum hinted that everything’s been agreed upon between Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, which represents Mayweather in the talks that have gone on and off for a few months now.

“There’s no actual date of a deadline, but it’s sometime in the middle of July,” Arum told Rick Reeno of the boxing website.

“If we haven’t gotten this thing locked up and done then we’re going ahead and taking another opponent. We’re not just going to sit there and blow our chances for a fight in November,” Arum was quoted as saying.

“We’re waiting on Floyd. Floyd has to decide whether or not he’s going to fight this year or next year or not at all. It’s up to him. He isn’t up to any obligation. We want the fight this year, and if he doesn’t take the fight this year, then we’ll fight somebody else.”

Mayweather has yet to clarify statements he made a month ago that he wants out of the sport for “a year or two,” and those who said he wasn’t serious when he said that are those who want the fight to happen.

But it’s Mayweather who has to make the final decision. Only this time, he’s been given a couple of weeks to do it.

Or Pacquiao, now a new congressman, might end up facing either Miguel Cotto or Antonio Margarito in November, in Las Vegas, or take a break from boxing himself, and return to the ring early next year.

Now the burden is not on Pacquiao to make the fight happen. Two days ago, a day after he took his oath as congressman of Sarangani, the Pinoy icon went scuba-diving in a resort near his hometown.

He can fight either Cotto or Margarito and make as much as $15 million, more than enough to cover his personal expenses during the recent campaign.

It appears that both sides have agreed on the conditions regarding the random blood-testing, which could go on 14 days before or even closer to the fight, and the purse split, which may end up at fifty-fifty, and should leave everybody smiling.

There’s only one thing that may cause some concern regarding the talks, and it involves the defamation suit that was filed by Pacquiao against Mayweather, his dad, his uncle, and the Golden Boy top brass, including Oscar dela Hoya.

Pacquiao filed the case after the Mayweathers came out with allegations that Pacquiao is into performance-enhancing drugs, leading to the breakdown of the initial talks that should have made the fight happen last March.

Pacquiao said a few months ago that there’s no way they would drop the case, and that they had no intention of using it as a leverage or a bargaining chip for the fight that sees both fighters earning around $40 million apiece.

Reports said the details that have been given the stamp of approval by the negotiators are now with Mayweather, and now it’s up to the undefeated American and self-proclaimed pound-for-pound champ to decide on.

Source: philstar.com

Mundine considers Waters way to world title -- Sydney Morning Herald

By BRAD WALTER, The Sydney Morning Herald

ANTHONY MUNDINE will consider taking up a challenge from fellow light-middleweight Ryan Waters if the fight can help land a bout with the division's No.1 boxer, Miguel Cotto.

Waters crashed the ring immediately after Mundine's first fight in the 69.9-kilogram division against tough Argentinian Carlos Aden Jerez at Brisbane Entertainment Centre to call out the three-time world champion. With WBA and WBO top-10 rankings, Waters could be an avenue to another title shot for the former Dragons star.

''He's a world-ranked fighter, so maybe that could happen,'' Mundine said. ''He's rated in the top 10 by the WBA [7th] and in the top five by the WBO, so maybe that could be an eliminator for a world title.''

While Mundine acknowledged after the fight that he needed to work on his power and strength as a light-middleweight, his performance against the hardworking Jerez gave him confidence that he could become the first boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions in descending order.

To do so, the two-time WBA super-middleweight champion and former IBO middleweight titleholder is aiming to win either an interim title fight or an eliminator bout.

Already ranked the No.2 contender by the WBA, he then hopes to force Cotto into a mandatory title defence. Fights against Mexico's Antonio Margarito, the WBA's No.1 contender, and interim titleholder Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan are other options.

However, Margarito may be off the radar as he has been linked with a bout against Manny Pacquiao after negotiations for the Fillipino pound-for-pounder to fight Floyd Mayweather jnr again appear to have broken down.

Mundine eventually hopes to fight Mayweather and believes that the way to achieve that is by beating Cotto to claim the light-middleweight crown.

Before then, he has to honour an agreement to fight The Contender champion Garth Wood, possibly in December.

Mundine will look to fight again before then and Waters is now looming as a likely opponent. ''He's Australian so I am giving another Australian a pay day and a day to shine,'' Mundine said.

Source: smh.com.au

Floyd must decide soon – Arum -- Manila Bulletin

By NICK GIONGCO, Manila Bulletin

Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s patience is getting thinner each passing day.

Arum said on Thursday that he is giving Floyd Mayweather, Jr. until mid-July to decide whether he’ll face Manny Pacquiao or not in a megabuck matchup booked for November 13 in Las Vegas.

Speaking to the on-line edition of Sports Illustrated, Arum said the unbeaten American has to make a decision because time is apparently running out.

“This really depends, as I see it, on whether Mayweather wants to fight (Pacquiao). By mid-July, he’s either in or out. We’re not going to wait forever. We’re going to have a fight on November 13 and we would love it to be Mayweather.”

Arum said he has two guys on standby: Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto and Mexican Antonio Margarito.

Although the 78-year-old Harvard-educated lawyer admits that the Mayweather fight is going to command more money and media mileage, Arum said he has no other choice but to look elsewhere.

Cotto looks like the first option in the event Mayweather decides to back off from a Pacquiao fight since Cotto holds a portion of the world super-welterweight crown even if he had been beaten by the Filipino last year.

Against Cotto, Pacquiao will be gunning for an eighth world title, making it an intriguing clash.

Arum, who has been promoting Pacquiao the past six years, said the other day that negotiations have ended between the two camps and that the ball is now in Mayweather’s court.

Source: mb.com.ph