Four of the best Filipino boxers of the decade are set to see action in the ring next year, just 6 months after the highly successful “Pinoy Power 2” in Las Vegas, Nevada.

World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight champ Nonito Donaire, Jr. will defend his title against veteran Mexican fighter Gerson Guerrero in “Pinoy Power 3” on February 13.

The event, which features 4 Filipino boxers going against 4 Latino fighters, is also called “Latin Fury 13.” It will be held at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

*NOTE: FIGHTERS AGREE TO PARTICIPATE IN OLYMPIC-STYLE DRUG TESTING

LAS VEGAS (February 3, 2010) - It's official. Boxing's biggest superstar and six-time world champion Floyd "Money" Mayweather made his upcoming fight with welterweight mega-star and five-time world champion Sugar Shane Mosley, official today when he signed the contract that pits the two fighters against each other on Saturday, May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a mega-bout which will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View®.

"This one is definitely for the fans as I wasn't going to waste anyone's time with a meaningless tune-up bout and asked to fightShane immediately," said Mayweather. "I have said ever since I came back to the sport that I only wanted to fight the best. I think Shane is one of the best, but come May 1, he still won't be great enough to beat me."

"I have always wanted to fight Floyd and now it is finally coming true," said Mosley, who signed his side of the deal last Friday inLas Vegas . "I am already in great shape and ready to show everyone on May 1 that I am stronger, faster and better than he is. I will have no problem beating him."


In addition to the fight being one of the most competitive and talked about contests in each of the fighters' careers, Mayweather and Mosley have agreed to Olympic-style drug testing for the fight.

"Floyd has been trying to make this fight for the last 10 years, so he is extremely excited about the opportunity to face Shane," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO, Mayweather Promotions. "He can't wait to extend his undefeated record and perform at the highest level. More importantly, he is also happy to set the precedent for random blood testing in order to ensure fair and safe contests for allfighters."

"When two champions of this caliber meet in the ring, you can expect nothing but excellence and that is what we are going to see on May 1," said Richard Schaefer, CEO, Golden Boy Promotions. "Shane Mosley is one of the greatest fighters of this era and I commend him for not only agreeing to the fight against Mayweather, but also agreeing to participate in a testing process that can only help the integrity of the sport."

"Mayweather-Mosley is a showdown of superstars that fans have been talking about for years", said Mark Taffet of HBO Pay-Per-View. "It has all the elements of a pay-per-view mega-fight."



A 1996 Olympic Bronze medalist for the United States, Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO's) has since gone on to strike Gold in the professional ranks, winning six world titles in five weight classes to firmly establish himself as one of the most elitefighters of his era. With dominating wins over the likes of world champions Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton, Mayweather was on a meteoric rise to hall of fame greatness when he announced his retirement from the ring in 2008. But he left the door open for a return if the right challenge presented itself and after 18 months of a much needed physical and emotional break from the ring, he returned to boxing on September 19, 2009 with a dominating and spectacular victory over future Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez.

A future Hall of Famer with five world titles to his name, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KO's) has ruled the lightweight, welterweight and junior middleweight divisions over his storied 16-year career and at 38 years old, the Pomona, Calif. native seems to be getting better and better as the years pass. Winner of seven of his last eight fights dating back to 2005, Mosley has defeated the likes of Fernando Vargas (twice), Luis Collazo and Ricardo Mayorga, but his most recent victory also was one of his most spectacular -- a ninth round stoppage of Antonio Margarito in January 2009 to win the welterweight world title for the third time.

By Eric Thomas: The mega fight between unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley is on for May 1st, at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Yahoo Sports news writer Kevin Iole is reporting that Shane Mosley has signed the contract for the fight against Mayweather on May 1st. Mosley, 38, took a flight to Las Vegas, according to Iole, and signed the contract for the fight. Once Mayweather signs the contract, a news conference is expected shortly to officially give the announcement for the Mayweather-Mosley fight. Mayweather, 32, was looking to fight World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao on March 13th, at the Dallas Cowboy stadium, in Arlington, Texas.

That Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was unable to be negotiated because Mayweather wanted Olympic style random blood tests to be taken in the weeks leading up to the fight. Pacquiao wasn’t comfortable with the blood testing because of his belief that it weakened him. However, Pacquiao did eventually agree to take the blood tests, but didn’t want to take any inside of 24 days before the fight. Mayweather wanted the random blood testing to stop at 14 days before the fight.

Should Mayweather get by Mosley on May 1st, Mayweather and Pacquiao may need to revisit the random blood testing issue if they want to negotiate for a huge mega fight in the future. If Mayweather drops the idea of blood testing, it shouldn’t be too hard to put together a fight with Pacquiao. However, it’s unlikely that Mayweather will want to back off his desire to have the random blood testing take place for a fight against Pacquiao. Mosley reportedly has no issues with taking the random blood tests for his fight against Mayweather.

By Esteban Garduno: World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KO’s) has been named Fighter of the Year for 2009 for his wins over Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN. The voting was done by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Also, Pacquiao has been selected as the Fighter of the Decade – 2000-2009.

Other fighters who were in the running for that award was Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley and Marco Antonio Barrera. It’s a subjective thing, because some people might feel that the unbeaten Calzaghe or the forever young Hopkins might have better deserved the award.

Additionally, there are some people who think that Pacquiao lost to Marquez in 2008, a fight in which Pacquiao won by a 12 round split decision. Calzaghe was unbeaten during the entire decade, as well as his entire career. He certainly deserved a good hard look when it came to the voting.

As for the 2009 fighter of the year, unbeaten super middleweight Andre Ward also was one to consider giving the award to. Ward defeated knockout artist Edison Miranda and WBA super middleweight champion Mikkel Kessler. At the time that the young 25-year-old Ward beat Kessler, the Danish fighter was considered to be the best fighter in the division and was picked to be the winner of the Super Six tournament.

Pacquiao defeated Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in 2009. There are many people who say that neither fighter is at the top of their game anymore. Indeed, Cotto had been beaten badly only a year earlier in 2008 by Antonio Margarito, and had looked poor in a subsequent fight against Joshua Clottey in 2009. Hatton had been knocked out byFloyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007, and staggered badly in a fight against Juan Lazcano in 2008.

Hatton had been going up in down in weight between fights and had recently picked up a new trainer in Floyd Mayweather Sr. at the time that he fought Pacquiao. As you can see, this award could have easily have gone to another fighter. Another fighter who might have deserved the fighter of the decade award is Mosley. Shane has wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Fernando Vargas, Luis Collazo and Antonio Margarito, among many others. He’s won titles in the welterweight and light middleweight divisions.

SOURCE: EXAMINER.COM

According to Floyd 'Money' Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao is on something so good that helped him become the best boxer of this decade that it only proves how "the Philippines have the best enhancement drugs".

Unfortunately, Pacquiao's drugs can't help the Philippines in winning a single gold medal in the Olympics thus far.

According to Floyd Mayweather Sr., the substance Pacquiao is taking makes him stronger, wild and not feel anything.

Unfortunately, Pacquiao's drugs can't help his brother Bobby nor the rest of his other countrymen not named Donaire or Nietes, dominate the way he is doing in the sport of boxing.

Roger Mayweather said that the drugs Pacquiao is taking used to make Philippine soldiers 500 years ago "bulletproof" and further added, "they weren't even dying".

Unfortunately, Pacquiao's drugs could not help the "immortal" Filipino super soldiers from stopping the Spaniards, the Japanese and the Americans from conquering their land.

Paulie Malignaggi said Pacquiao is on something "fishy".

Unfortuantely, Pacquiao's drugs, as evidenced in Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7, could not help him swim like a fish.

dSource is serving it up today and the special on the menu is 'sarcasm'. If you don't get it in your area, 'here, have some'. ForPacquiao 's undetectable super steroids drugs may be the best thing that was ever invented since sliced bread and the shiznit is so potent even a caveman can use it.

SOURCE: 8COUNTNEWS.COM

The pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao returns home to 8CountNews and shares his thoughts on his big upcoming fight against Joshua Clottey. Pacquiao pulls no punches in this exclusive interview, he goes right after Floyd Mayweather and questions why he would purposely discredit his good name. Pacquiao also breaks down his fight against Clottey, and touches on his political career as well. Check out what else the pound for pound king had to say ONLY on 8CountNews!

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO INTERVIEW BELOW

8CN - Manny thank you for joining us tonight.

MP - Hello 8CountNews.com how are you doing?

8CN - Doing good, OK let's talk about Joshua Clottey. What does Clottey bring into the ring that gets your attention?

MP - Joshua Clottey is a good fighter and a strong fighter, he can punch. I truly believe that we can bring a good fight, and create a lot of boxing in the ring.

8CN - Are you concerned by how strong Clottey's chin is? He is tough to hurt.

MP - Yes, that's what I am saying, Clottey is tough. He can punch, and he is very strong.

8CN - He is going to be bigger and you are going to be faster. Do you think that he will suffer the same fate as your other opponents? Do you think you will be too fast for him?

MP - My advantage is my speed, but I have to use that properly. I have to use my speed in the fight correctly.

8CN - I was talking to Evander Holyfield, and he said that he noticed that when you punch you use your legs. He said that you use your legs to get leverage on your punches. Do you agree with him?

MP - Yes, you know the power of my punches is from my legs. Evander Holyfield is my idol, I always watch his fights.

8CN - Evander supports you, he said that Mayweather should not have accused you of taking steroids. That must be important for you to hear someone like Evander say that.

MP - Yes, and I don't understand Floyd. Maybe he just doesn't want to fight me. Maybe he needs more time to make a decision to fight me.

8CN - Do you think that was part of Floyd's plan? Do you think he was looking for an out the whole time?

MP - That's right, I believe that.

8CN - Training camp for Clottey is a little bit shorter this time. Do you have any concerns with the camp being shorter?

MP - No, training is good. Right now I have pretty good movement. I am throwing good combinations, and I will be ready for the fight on March 13th.

8CN - I want to get back on the Floyd Mayweather situation. How disappointed are you for the fans and all of boxing that this fight will not happen?

MP - Well I am disappointed actually, I feel bad because if he doesn't want to fight, why get into a big alibi by ruining my name?

8CN - Your reputation could have taken a real hit because of that....

MP - Cutting in - I don't know what his story is. I don't know why he would accuse me like that.

8CN - Put it into your words how important it is for you to maintain your integrity and reputation to all of the boxing fans.

MP - The boxing fans and the Filipino boxing fans believe that Floyd is just making an alibi to cancel the fight, he's not ready to fight.

8CN - Do you think you will ultimately fight Floyd one day?

MP - I think he is scared to lose. I think he knows that if he fights me, he has a good chance to lose.

8CN - I think a lot of fans think that Manny

MP - (Laughs)

8CN - How many more fights do you think you have left in your career?

MP - It's hard to say right now but 3 to 4 more fights.

8CN - If you do win your seat in the election, will you still be involved in boxing?

MP - Maybe I will keep on fighting.

8CN - So you might still fight even if you win the election?

MP - Yes.

8CN - OK, Manny I know you're busy so do you have any closing thoughts for the fans out there?

MP - OK Brad thank you, and to all of the fans I say thank you very much. I hope everyone watches my fight on March 13th in Dallas. Thank you Brad.



Special thanks to our friend Rob Peters

SOURCE: RINGTV.COM

1. Is Clottey a worthy opponent? Short answer: yes. Pacquiao is THE RING’s No. 1-rated welterweight; Clottey is No. 5. That’s a good matchup. The Ghanian is coming off a loss to Miguel Cotto, one of the most-respected fighters in the world, but some believe he did enough to win a close decision. Clottey has never been knocked out and has good defensive skills, which means he’ll probably survive at least until the late rounds. That said, it’s difficult to get excited about Clottey’s chances or the fighter himself. He’s merely a very good boxer with pretty good power, which won’t be enough to stave off a fierce, quick-handed marvel like Pacquiao. The Filipino is roughly a 4-1 favorite for a reason. And Pacquiao went from Floyd Mayweather Jr. to a relative unknown for his opponent. A drop off that enormous will limit the buzz surrounding the fight.

2. Can Pacquiao hurt Clottey? Pacquiao has faced two welterweights. One, Oscar De La Hoya, could barely fight back. The other, Cotto, doesn’t have the best chin in the world. Clottey is different. The reason he has never been knocked out is he can take a punch. He has proved that over and over again. Thus, there is a very real possibility that the Clottey will remain standing for the full 12 rounds. I don’t see that happening, though. I believe Pacquiao has legitimate welterweight power. Plus, Clottey has never seen this kind of hand speed or punches coming from so many unpredictable directions. The punches that hurt opponents most are the ones they don’t see coming. Pacquiao might not take Clottey out with one punch but an accumulation of them should do the job. If not? Doesn’t matter. Pacquiao will just outbox his inferior foe.

3. Are Pacquiao’s last four victories misleading because of the opposition? Pacquiao supporters will roll their eyes when they read this but it’s a legitimate question. Diaz is good but limited; De La Hoya had nothing left; Hatton was overrated and some will argue that Cotto never fully recovered from the beating he took from Margarito. So what does that say about Pacquiao? Not much. As his trainer, Freddie Roach, has pointed out, we thought these opponents were all pretty good going into their meetings with Pacquiao. It was afterward, for the most part, that we began to question to them. Clottey might actually be the most-difficult to criticize even after the fact because he has had a fine career and has shown no signs of decline. Still, some will find serious fault with him and anyone else Pacquiao fights short of Mayweather or Mosley. The bottom line is that he’s destroying whomever they put in front of him. Let’s enjoy it.

4. Has Pacquiao’s reputation taken a hit after the failed negotiations with Mayweather? I don’t think so. Most fans seemed to blame Mayweather for the impasse, insisting that he was out of line to make blood-testing demands outside normal protocol even though Pacquiao has never failed a drug test. I also don’t think many people believe he has taken performance-enhancing drugs. Most adhere to the innocent-until-proven-guilty philosophy, which is the only fair approach to take. Undoubtedly, a small percentage feel strongly that he should’ve taken the blood test two weeks before the fight if he had nothing to hide. And a smaller percentage, those convinced he couldn’t have such success at heavier weights without some help, will accuse Pacquiao of wrong doing. That’s a very small group, though. He is relatively unscathed.

5. Will Pacquiao suffer a letdown after his epic showdown with Mayweather fell through? Not a chance. Pacquiao is the most-focused, most-professional boxer I’ve ever seen in spite of myriad distractions. In part, that’s just how he is. He is so committed that he left his homeland and traveled halfway around the world seeking a good trainer simply because he wanted to tap into what he knew was vast potential. The fact he has the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on his shoulders also is an immensely powerful motivating factor. He knows too much is riding on every fight to let down. And even if he were to slip up, Roach would be there to give him a good kick in the behind. Pacquiao will be as ready as ever on March 13.

6. Could Pacquiao’s demanding schedule the past few years catch up to him? Pacquiao, 31, hasn’t had a particularly hard fight since the rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez in March of 2008. He cruised past David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, although the first few rounds against Cotto were brutal. However, Pacquiao, one of the hardest workers in the world, has been training diligently to perfect his craft for 15 years without a significant break. That includes countless sparring sessions in which he has absorbed considerable punishment. Also, no one has a more hectic and demanding personal schedule than the Filipino idol. It’s not farfetched to wonder whether all of the above will take a toll on him at some point.

7. How many people will attend the fight at the new Cowboys Stadium in Dallas? An estimated 20,000 tickets were sold the first day they were available. That’s probably a tribute to Pacquiao’s growing popularity in the U.S., a large number of boxing-friendly Latinos in the Dallas area, a strong sports culture in Texas and the novelty of the first boxing card there. The stadium reportedly will be configured for 45,000 seats. I doubt that many people will buy tickets but I won’t be surprised to see a large crowd. I suspect the atmosphere will be festive but those in attendance shouldn’t necessarily expect electricity. I attended the Wladimir Klitschko-Ruslan Chagaev fight at a packed 60,000-seat soccer stadium in Germany and the energy dwindled to nothing when it became clear that Klitschko was going to win easily. Then again, the 126,000-seat Estadio Azteca in Mexico City rocked throughout the Julio Cesar Chavez-Greg Haugen fight.

8. How many pay-per-view buys will the fight generate? Pacquiao-Mayweather, featuring the two biggest pay-per-view draws in the U.S., might’ve smashed records by generating a record 3 million-plus buys. Pacquiao-Clottey? I think 800,000-900,000 –- or just shy of the 1 million Pacquiao-Cotto drew -- is realistic. Clottey isn’t nearly the attraction Cotto is in part because he doesn’t have a Latino fan base in the U.S. However, the fascination with Pacquiao is still growing and the unusual venue -– Cowboys Stadium -– adds to the appeal of the event. Plus, Antonio Margarito’s return from suspension would give the show a significant bump if he receives a license in Texas.

9. What if Pacquiao wins? Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, has come up with a fascinating plan to have his star attraction fight Antonio Margarito this year if the disgraced Mexican fighter receives a license in Texas. That would be a very lucrative matchup. The fact Margarito would be returning from his suspension in California –- for illegal hand wraps -– and a large following among Mexicans and Mexican-Americans would make him a hot commodity and the fight much more attractive than Pacquiao-Clottey. Thus, we might be looking at 2011 for the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown. That’s assuming neither of the star participants slips up in the meantime and can get past blood-testing issues in the end.

10. What if Clottey wins? A Clottey victory would turn the boxing world upside down. Suddenly, the sport’s most-popular figure would be exposed as human after all and lose the remarkable momentum that has experts comparing him to the greatest fighters of all time. The landscape would be far less interesting, to say the least. Pacquiao would remain an attraction –- particularly if he could beat Clottey in a rematch -– but he probably would never be quite the same. Pacquiao-Mayweather or Pacquiao-Mosley would still be big but, with a diminished Pacquiao, wouldn’t smash pay-per-view records. Clottey would set himself up for some healthy paydays but will never be a true star. This is fantasy, though: Clottey isn’t going to win.