Pacquiao vs Marquez

One of my best memories in the sport of boxing was chronicling my good friend Nate Campbell's title pursuit of Juan 'Baby Bull' Diaz's lightweight crowns in early 2008. Despite being a heavy 5-1 underdog heading into the contest, those close to Campbell's camp down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida seemed to know that something special was on the horizon.

Campbell carried his rough and jovial demeanor with him all the way to Cancun, Mexico, the setting for his date with destiny, as he readied to challenge Diaz on the 8th of March. Serving as the co-feature to and HBO World Championship Boxing telecast, Campbell and Diaz would end up duking it out at the Plaza de Toros, an old, dirty, bullring in the heart of Cancun.

Campbell would end up producing his finest outing as a professional, holding off an early charge from Diaz before turning the tide of the fight and bullying his younger foe around the ring over the final rounds. Nate was awarded a split-decision verdict and I will forever remembering being in the ring with him when he was announced as the newly-crowned champion of the world inside of the Plaza de Toros.

Over three years later and I have come to find out that Juan Manuel Marquez, who now holds the WBA and WBO belts that Campbell captured on that night, will himself be making a visit to the aforementioned bull ring as he meets Columbian Likar Ramos. Marquez must find a way to defeat Ramos in order to pave the way for a huge November meeting with Manny Pacquiao inside of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marquez vs. Ramos has flown under the radar a little bit simply because the bout isn't showcased by a major network in America. Still the card is worth note, as Marquez's younger brother Rafael will return to the ring against Nicaragua's Osejo Eusebio while Roman 'Chocolatito' Gonzalez will defend his WBA flyweight title against Mexico's Omar Salado.

David Diaz was originally being considered as a foe for Marquez but the fight fell apart over money issues. The 25-year old Ramos has a decent record at 24-3 with 18 knockouts but is known just as well for his stoppage loss to former champ Jorge Solis last year as he is for any of his wins.

Surely Marquez has respect for Ramos but you can sense he is looking past him and on to Pacquiao.

"This fight is not just for me to prepare, there are a lot of things. It's been five years since I fought next to my brother and that motivates me, and I will probably get better prepared than expected for the third fight with Manny Pacquiao. He knows who beat him twice and this time there will be no controversy. Either I win by knockout or he knocks me out."

Mayweather Jr. edges out Manny Pacquiao in PPV buys for Shane Mosley fight

Manny Pacquiao might be winning the battle with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in court of public opinion, unfortunately Manny has lost in the PPV battle against Floyd. On Monday, Fighthype.com has reported that the PPV buys for the May 7th fight of Manny Pacquiao vs. Shane Mosley drew 1.3 million PPV buys. Floyd Jr. and Mosley drew 1.4 million PPV buys in May 2010.

The difference might seem insignificant to some, however, if you have been following Boxing for the last 1 1/2 years, the feud between Floyd and Manny is so tense that Team Pacquiao wanted to defeat Floyd in the PPV buys and outcome of their fight with Mosley.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Mayweather Jr. edges out Manny Pacquiao in PPV buys for Shane Mosley fight - National Fight Sports | Examiner.com

Manny Pacquiao keeps his feet firmly on the ground

We continue to receive comments about Charice’s appearances on “Glee,” the film she’s currently shooting with Salma Hayek (“Here Comes The Boom”), and her upcoming international album.

From Elvie Calumpang, a housewife: “Charice has released a number of singles to jumpstart her second album. Unfortunately, the first single, Bruno Mars’ ‘Before It Explodes,’ didn’t quite ‘explode’ on the charts. What’s ironic is that, on local radio, it’s Alexandra Burke’s version that is getting a lot of airplay.

“Another single, the dance tune, ‘Louder,’ does better and is now No. 84 on iTunes’ top 100 chart. Do Charice’s followers prefer up-tempo tunes over lung-busting power ballads?

Other notes:

Marian Day, student: “It’s amazing that some people survive on vegetables alone. Take Geneva Cruz, Yasmien Kurdi, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Raymond Bagatsing, Alicia Meyer and Cory Quirino, who are vegetarians. They’d rather change their eating habits than subject animals to a painful death. Hats off to them!”

Makeovers

Remo Pierre Occena, student: “I admire Manny Pacquiao for keeping his feet firmly on the ground. Yes, he splurges on parties, as well as his wife and mother’s physical makeovers—but he can afford them. After many years of living in poverty, Manny is finally enjoying the good life he richly deserves!

“Some people have reservations about his foray into politics. I think he sincerely wants to help his constituents, and I hope he stays upright.”

Tristan Caballero, nurse: “One former child actor I admire is Jiro Manio. He was so moving in Maryo J. delos Reyes’ ‘Magnifico’ that I predicted a bright future for him in the acting profession. Alas, I was wrong. I was saddened to learn about his being hooked on drugs and glad that he is now in a rehabilitation center.

“At the recent Urian awards, when Delos Reyes received a special award for ‘Magnifico’ (as one of the past decade’s best films), he cried as he remembered his movie’s lead star. I hope Jiro gets his act together, so he can return to acting—sooner than later!”