Pacquiao-Marquez III could be the biggest pay-per-view hit

source: Cedelf P. Tupas |

From all indications, the third fight against Mexican warrior Juan Manuel Marquez could end up as the biggest Manny Pacquiao fight in terms of pay-per-view buys.

With Top Rank Promotions pulling out all the stops to trumpet the fight, expectations are high that the November 12 bout in Las Vegas will exceed the 1.4 million PPV hits that Pacquiao’s duel against Shane Mosley registered last May.

“It has the potential to be the most watched Pacquiao fight on pay-per-view,” said Top Rank executive event producer Brad Jacobs Tuesday at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue in Manila.

“Were looking to surpass but I can’t put any numbers to that. Our goal is to exceed the expectations – get to 1.4 million and go past it,” he said. “These are two great champions getting into the ring for the third time. And a lot of people think it’s even at this point. So we have this trilogy.”

The buildup to the fight is unprecedented for a Pacquiao fight with a promotional tour slated to kick off at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Saturday. The tour will also take the two fighters to New York, Los Angeles and Mexico next week.

“It’s going to be spectacular,” said Jacobs.

“We want to show the world how big this fight is. It’s a great fight to begin with. We just need the awareness factor worldwide.”

Solar Sports is joining forces with Top Rank and GMA-7 in putting up the star-studded cultural show on Saturday.

Tek Major of Solar Sports expects a crowd of at least 50,000 for the kickoff program, which will be highlighted by cultural presentations from both the Philippines and Mexico.

Pacquiao, 32, and Marquez, 38, fought to a controversial draw in their 126 lbs showdown in 2004. The rematch at 130 pounds in 2008 saw Pacquiao win via split decision.

“Marquez’s destiny is to fight Pacquiao,” Jacobs said. “Age and weight won’t matter so its going to be war.”

The Dream Match: Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Boxing fans from all around the world would love to see a match between two of the greatest boxing icons in this generation. It would be like seeing the prime Michael Jordan playing one-on-one basketball with Kobe Bryant. This matchup would certainly out stage several gigantic sporting events such as Superbowl and NBA finals. This event could provide life to the boxing community and its avid fans.

The matchup would surely provide entertainment for they are definitely the best boxers that have ever existed in this world. Their contrasting styles would even complement to such event. Manny is well-known for his relentless and massive attacks. He is called “Pacman” for the reason that he eats his opponents alive (not literally speaking). He has beaten the best boxers in the world that are much bigger, taller and heavier than him. He is an eight-division champion, a superb accomplishment that no boxer has ever done.

Floyd on the other hand is well-known for his defensive tactics. He is the best defensive fighter that the world has ever seen. No one is as quick, smart and witty in the ring than Pretty boy Floyd Mayweather Jr.  Sweet science in boxing could be the best way to describe him. His tactics are very unique and his executions are very precise and accurate. He is undefeated in the boxing ring and he could remain undefeated until the end of his boxing career.
The matchup between these two welterweights has been planned for a very long time. Negotiations have turned ugly and sour which caused so much dismay to the boxing fans from all around the globe. Floyd eventually retired and Manny continued to pound on the opponents that the Top Rank promotions have given him. However there is still hope for all the boxing fans. Floyd recently unretired and has prepared for a showdown to the WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz this coming September.

The signs are crystal clear that the dream matchup would eventually happen. Boxing experts have analyzed that Floyd is preparing for the greatest boxing match in the history of the sport. Victor Ortiz fights similarly to Manny Pacquiao, they are both southpaws and they are both volume punchers. Others would even call the match-up between Ortiz and Mayweather as a Floyd’s tune-up match before fighting the Pacman.
The boxing match of the century could eventually occur if everything would go well. Manny has to be victorious against Juan Manuel Marquez this upcoming November and Floyd must also be successful against Victor Ortiz. We are all hoping that they would come out victorious in their respective matchups. Marquez and Ortiz are not easy obstacles for both fighters. They are very gritty and efficient boxers.

The boxing community awaits the grandest stage in boxing history. Will we ever see Floyd and Manny slugging it out in a single ring? Who would be victorious in such match? These questions could be answered next year if the fight hopefully goes on. For now, we have to wait and see on what the future holds for them.

After win, Petron wants to improve roster for next tilt

source: Waylon Galvez | mb.com.ph 


Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin said their bid for PBA back-to-back championships hinges largely on whether they can get key players in the trade or during the Annual Rookie Draft on Sunday.

One of the players he is eyeing is former Petron (San Miguel Beer) star Dondon Hontiveros who he said can ably provide additional firepower to the team following injuries to several stars, including Jay Washington.

He added that Hontiveros can be of great help at the shooting guard spot, a position occupied by import Anthony Grundy during the Boosters’ championship campaign in the just-concluded Governors’ Cup where they stunned the ‘grand slam’ seeking Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in seven games.

“Malaking bagay kung makukuha namin si Dondon uli,” said Agustin of the 6-foot-2 Hontiveros during Petron’s victory party – the team’s 19th championship – Wednesday at the San Miguel Corp. compound in Ortigas.

“Kailangan kasi namin palakasin yung shooting guard, ito kasi yung position ni Grundy. Kung mawala s’ya, we need a two-guard na makaka- contribute,” added Agustin, who will also have to let go of Lordy Tugade and Jojo Duncil as they will rejoin their original team ShopPinas. 

Slaughter, Ravena not looking for individual glory

They are ranked first and second in the most valuable player (MVP) race in Season 74 of the UAAP, but Ateneo’s Greg Slaughter and Kiefer Ravena maintain that they are not looking for individual awards. 

"The important thing is we are ranked number 1 as a team at the end of the 1st round," Slaughter said.

Slaughter topped the player rankings with 65.1429 statistical points, while Ravena came in second with 62.0000 statistical points.

But their primary concern is leading the Ateneo Blue Eagles to another championship.

"Greg and I aren't looking for individual awards," Ravena said. "We're just playing our best."

For Ravena, their rankings in the MVP standings are a product of their team success.

"It's probably because we're winning, it's a big factor," Ravena said, addingthat they received bonus statistical points for every won game.

"Dadating naman yun (awards) as long as we win," Ravena said.

"Coach Norman (Black) always tells us, as long as we play as a team, we'll win. I'm not really too concerned about being number 1 in the MVP rankings," Slaughter added.

Four times the pressure

After the Blue Eagles swept the first round of the UAAP season, expectations of a four-peat are beginning to get bigger.

"There's always pressure," Slaughter said. "But coming into this season, I had expectations for the four-peat."

"I came in here, hoping to win and expecting to win, and I'm sure my other teammates came in expecting to win, too," Slaughter added.

The 7'0 Slaughter had transferred from the University of the Visayas to Ateneo, where he sat out a one-year residency.

Rare sweep

The dominance of Ateneo has also led to rumblings that the Blue Eagles can sweep the elimination round of the UAAP, giving them a straight path to the Finals.

"Of course, we want to sweep the eliminations, we're in the position already," Ravena admitted.

"But at the same time, we take it one game at a time," he added.

Their plan was almost derailed by the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, whom they faced in their first game of the 2nd round. The Tamaraws led by as much as 16 points in the game.

But the Blue Eagles managed to pull off the win in overtime.

"It's probably a wake-up win for us," Ravena said of their game against FEU. "We don't have time to relax."

"Everyone's gunning for us, everyone wants to beat us," he said.

Ravena added that the Eagles will have a harder time in the 2nd round of the eliminations.

"It's a round that everyone wants to win every game, and every win counts going into the Final Four," he said.

The Blue Eagles can become the first team to book a slot in the Final Four if they win against the University of the East Red Warriors on Thursday. 

France youth squad GK Alphonse Areola shows Azkals interest

A highly-rated 18-year-old goalkeeper currently playing for France’s youth squad has expressed interest in joining the Philippine football team.

Alphonse Areola, who plays club football for Paris Saint-Germain in the French first division, has been personally invited by Azkals manager Dan Palami to join the Azkals for future competitions.

Palami, who was in Paris to watch several matches of the Philippine Homeless World Cup team, said Areola is still focused on his duties with France but did not discount the possibility of joining the Azkals in the future.

The 6-foot-3 Areola, whose parents are both Filipino, is the first-choice keeper for the French Under-19 squad. He has been tipped as a future top-choice keeper for France’s senior side.

“We have really formidable goalkeepers in the team,” said Palami. Neil Etheridge is currently the No. 1 keeper in the squad, while Filipino-German player Roland Mueller, the second choice goalkeeper of German second division side Duisberg, has also agreed to join the Azkals.



Azkals coach Michael Weiss said Filipino-German striker Kevin Ingreso will beef up the squad next year after getting clearance from his club, Hamburg.

Weiss also revealed that the German Football Association (DFB) is sending a technical adviser in Krautzen Ekhardt in October to make an assessment on the current state of the sport in the country, especially at the youth level.

At the same time, the DFB, is also inviting local coaches Yanti Barsales and Edzel Bracamonte to undergo a three-week extensive coaching course in Germany as part of the assistance package that came with the hiring of Weiss.

Another German coach, Michael Kruger, who was part of the backroom staff of the Tunisia team that reached the World Cup in 2006, will be arriving this month to join the coaching staff for the Azkals Under-23 squad for the SEA Games.

Azkals sponsor Cortal SQR recently gave the team P500,000 for its campaign in the Long Teng Cup in Taiwan next month as well as the SEA Games in December. Cortal also gave the Philippine Homeless World Cup team financial aid of P200,000. 

NBA 2011-2012 Season

There are several intriguing and unanswered questions in this upcoming NBA season. First of all, is there going to be a season? Are there games going to be played? Will the battle between billionaires (team owners) and millionaires (players) end soon? The NBA is in the lockout mode as for now and it would certainly cause so much dismay and discomfort to the fans if there will be no games played this upcoming October. Several NBA superstars are now considering playing overseas in countries such as China and Turkey. Kobe Bryant and Dwayne Wade are considering playing in China, while New Jersey Nets guard Jordan Farmar has already signed with an Israeli team. Farmar’s teammates Deron Williams and Sasha Vujacic are also committed to play for Turkish Teams.

 However, there are still several individuals such as avid fans and superstars like Lebron James and Amar’e Stoudemire that are optimistic that the lockout will end soon. As for now, let us assume and wish that the lockout will be over before November. There are several intriguing questions and controversial happenings that could captivate the interest of the hardcore avid basketball fans. Here are some of those intriguing questions with my personal opinion.

Can Kobe chase MJ’s six title rings with his deteriorating knees?

I have been a devoted fan of Kobe Bryant since his early days in the NBA. His career has been superb and spectacular. He is definitely the closest player that could ever be compared to the great Michael Jordan. However, time is not on Kobe’s side in terms of chasing MJ’s six title rings. Kobe needs one more championship run to commensurate MJ’s greatest accomplishment. He is still 32 years old, but he has been playing in the league since he was 18 years old. He has a lot mileage and he’s been to the most physical playoff matchups that we have ever seen. He’s knees and skills are deteriorating which was very evident in the previous playoff run. However, don’t count out “The Black Mamba” yet. He has undergone a knee surgery and he has the courage and heart of the lion. I still believe that he hast a couple of championship runs left in him.

Could the Dirk and the rest of the Mavericks repeat for the grand prize?

Dirk Nowitzki and the rest of the Mavericks raised some eyebrows with their recent Championship run. They were expected to be eliminated in the earlier rounds specifically in the first round against Portland. However, the Mavs showed composure and maturity which enabled them to win the NBA finals against the heavily favored Miami Heat.

The Dallas Mavericks were relatively known as the best offensive team in the league during the past few years. However, it was their defense that sealed their destiny. The presence of Tyson Chandler in the middle was the key to their recent championship run. Chandler must be resigned next season or else there will be no repeat for them. His role to the team is somewhat similar to the Kevin Garnett’s role with the Boston Celtics.

With Phil Jackson gone, are the Lakers still considered as title contenders?

The Zen Master is officially retired and the Lakers’ direction may be moving into unfamiliar territories. However, the team still has its core and talent depth. The Lakers are still contenders for the reason that they are very talented, big and deep. Kobe, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are still around the team, which basically makes them a formidable lineup to match up against for any team. Mike Brown’s arrival would even make this team tougher and rougher in the defense end. Coach Brown is a defensive specialist and he trains his team to be more physical in games. The Lakers were often labeled as a soft team, but the arrival of Mike Brown would certainly provide the needed toughness that could win multiple championships.               

                                                                

Could LeBron James and the rest of the Miami Heat recover from their Finals Meltdown?

The Miami Heat were heavily favored against the Mavericks team during the 2011 Finals. They have the two of the best players in league and they were coming off an impressive series victory over the Chicago Bulls. Mavs should receive full credit for their Championship run, but things would have been different if Lebron James played to his full potential. James was very ineffective during the entire series, basketball experts have speculated that he didn’t get enough touches to keep his game going. He was limited to becoming Dwayne Wade’s sidekick. However, there is still time for him to recuperate from such devastating loss. He is still young and he still has a bright future ahead of him. I expect that Lebron James would win the regular season MVP award next season and I also expect them to be successful in the playoffs again next season.

                                                                 Do the older teams such as Boston Celtics and san Antonio Spurs have enough left in their tanks?

Age is not of the side of for both of these teams. They still have the young pieces that surround their respective older stars, but it is still not enough to match up against the younger teams. Boston Celtics have to up against the younger teams such as Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic and the Miami Heat in the East. The San Antonio Spurs on the other hand will have to face hungrier and younger teams such Oklahoma Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trailblazers. Trouble could be on the way of these old teams, but let us never underestimate the heart of these champions.

  

Is the future bright for young teams such as Bulls, Thunder and Grizzlies?

Absolutely. The Bulls need a few changes to their lineup especially in the 2 guard position to succeed against the elite teams in the Eastern Conference. Their defense is the best in the league and they just need a scorer to help Derrick Rose in the scoring department. Carlos Boozer must step up more in the offensive end. He is paid enormously by the franchise and he should play to his potentials. He was very ineffective against the Heat in Eastern Conference finals.

The Thunder have all the necessary tools for a championship caliber team except for experience. They were very close to the Western conference title, but it was their lack of experience that cost them to lose to the Dallas mavericks. Russell Westbrook has to get his teammates more involved instead of taking 20 shots per game for them to be successful in the league.

The Grizzlies humiliated the Spurs and they were very close to winning the series against the Thunder. Things would have been much different for them if their All Star Rudy Gay played in the playoffs. Things are definitely looking bright for this team.

Will we see highlights and brilliant plays?

Hell Yeah!

Gilas trains two weeks with full cast

Smart Gilas Pilipinas will only have a little over two weeks to train for the FIBA Asia Championship with a complete lineup after Talk n Text players Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams and Ranidel de Ocampo said they would only join the Nationals starting Aug. 29.

The three are coming off a grueling seven-game PBA finals series against eventual champion Petron Boosters and have asked for some time to rest.

“They’ll join the team on Aug. 29,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

That gives the team 16 days to practice together and blend in time for the FIBA Asia meet set Sept. 15-25 in Wuhan, China which stakes a lone berth in next year’s London Olympics.

Alapag, Williams and de Ocampo were supposed to join Smart Gilas in the four-team pocket tournament starting today in Doha, Qatar. But Toroman decided to cancel the trip at the last minute to give the three reinforcements more time to rest.

“I guess the three would need to rest for a week more or less,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.

The team, meanwhile, is looking to play a couple of tune-up games with the Jordanian national team tentatively set Sept. 8 and 9 in Manila. It is also trying to arrange another set of matches with the Chinese nationals in China.

“We hope to play as many games as we can with the TnT players but we haven’t finalized a single one yet,” said Toroman.

Meanwhile, team captain Chris Tiu and JV Casio will rejoin the team’s practice today.

Tiu tweaked his left ankle in the battle for third place against Chinese Taipei in the Jones Cup where the Philippines finished third behind Iran and Korea.

“I’m doing rehab for my ankle, JV also. We resume practice tomorrow (today),” said Tiu, who decided to forego his pro plans and stay with the Smart Gilas program for another two years.

Alapag, Williams and de Ocampo will join Meralco’s Asi Taulava as the four PBA players reinforcing Smart Gilas in Wuhan after Air21’s Dondon Hontiveros quit the team due to fatigue.

Tiu said he’s trying to convince Hontiveros to reconsider his decision.

“As for Dondon, I’m still trying to convince him because he is a big asset to the team,” said Tiu.

The other members of the squad are naturalized Marcus Douthit, Mark Barroca, Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael, Chris Lutz, Japeth Aguilar, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros.

Mayweather vs. Ortiz

All is set and ready for an exciting fight this coming September 15, 2011 between Victor “Vicious” Ortiz (29-2-2, 22 KOs) versus the retuning Floyd “Money” Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs).  The matchup provides so many questions to all the boxing fans all over the world. Is Ortiz ready for prime time? Could Floyd’s 16 months of boxing inactivity affect him in the ring? Is Floyd using Ortiz as a preparation for a colossal matchup between him and Pacquiao? All these questions could be answered this upcoming September 15 as Ortiz defends his WBC title against the former pound for pound champion Floyd Mayweather.

As for now, we are going to a look at some of the key factors that could decide the match.

Endurance

Youth is eventually in the side of Ortiz, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he has the advantage in this area. Mayweather’s inactivity doesn’t also mean he could be rusty in the ring. He always trains, despite being inactive or in retirement, he always keeps himself in excellent shape in the boxing gym. He constantly trains even without matches scheduled for him. Ortiz on the other was labeled as a “great fighter with no heart” in the past which could often be a result with the lack of endurance and conditioning. I’m not thoroughly convinced of Ortiz’s endurance and he must be able to improve his conditioning for him to be victorious over Floyd.

·         Advantage : Mayweather

Power

Floyd is not well-known as a big puncher or a knockout artist; he is a methodical boxer that virtually frustrates his opponents with his unique defensive tactics. He surely could hurt several boxers, but he doesn’t possess the knockout power of someone like Victor Ortiz. Floyd has won several fights in the past with his defense and not with his punching power. Ortiz on the other hand has a superb knockout ratio with 29 wins coming from 22 knockouts. Ortiz could possibly win the match with a single power punch.

·         Advantage: Ortiz

Momentum

Ortiz’s victory over Andre Berto was one of the defining moments of his career. His career and reputation eventually changed after he won the WBC title from Andre Berto. Such is the reason why is he pitted against the boxer who could virtually be the best in business. Floyd’s recent victory was against Shane Mosley which was quite a long time ago.

·         Advantage: Ortiz

Skills

Is there anyone more skillful in the boxing ring than Floyd Mayweather? He did not get to be an undefeated fighter for nothing.  Watching him in the ring is like watching a classic opera. Nothing could be more beautiful than the way he fights in the ring. His skills are perhaps too much for Ortiz to handle. He was trained by his father and uncle and at a very young age which enabled him to master his skills and capabilities. He is not the best in the world for nothing.

·         Advantage: Mayweather

Experience

Ortiz is a decade younger than Mayweather and he certainly doesn’t have the experience of someone like Mayweather. Ortiz has not fought a fighter that is as seasoned and experienced as of Mayweather. A matchup would often come down on who has the most experience in critical situations. Mayweather could basically win various ways using his experience and athletic abilities.

·         Advantage : Mayweather

Intelligence

A lot of boxers don’t possess this quality and they often rely on their respective trainers to help them succeed in their matches. But such is not the case with Floyd Mayweather. He basically studies his opponent’s styles and breaking them down which could cause frustrations to his opponent. He is a boxer that relies on his strategy. He doesn’t even need the help of his uncle or trainer (Roger Mayweather) in analyzing the fighting styles and techniques of his upcoming opponents.

·         Advantage: Mayweather

Overall

I would basically place my bets on to where “Money” is. Mayweather is too much for someone like Victor Ortiz. Ortiz thought has the knockout power to score the possible upset, but is very likely to happen against a defensive specialist like Floyd Mayweather.

·         MY prediction: Mayweather wins via 12-round unanimous decision