Pacquiao Looks Ageless After Dominating Victory Over Broner

By Tony Mangia

While many have been looking at boxer Manny Pacquiao as past his prime in recent years, the future Hall of Famer looked ten years younger after convincingly defeating American challenger Adrien Broner to retain his WBA welterweight title in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

No, make that 11 years younger.

The 40 year-old Pacquiao (61-7-2) won a unanimous decision (117-111, 116-112, 116-112) over the 29 year-old Broner (33-4-1) defending his 147-pound belt in dominating fashion in front of 13,000 appreciative fans at the MGM Grand Arena.

It was Pacquiao's first fight in the United States in over two years and his first bout since a title-winning seventh-round knockout of Lucas Matthysse in July in Malaysia. Now fight fans are hoping last night's bout could serve as an tempting incentive for a rematch with another perennial — Floyd Mayweather Jr..

Pacquiao claimed a shoulder injury limited his effectiveness going into that Mayweather fight and has expressed his desire for another shot at the champ after losing a unanimous decision to him back in 2015. Mayweather was ringside for last night's fight.

Manny Pacquiao lights up Adrian Broner in the 7th round! #Boxing #Broner #BronerPacquiao #PacquiaoVsBroner #PacquiaoBroner pic.twitter.com/zT6HRvQRZQ

— Enos Tonnie (@ItsEnos) January 20, 2019

It was Pacquiao's first fight since turning 40 years old and the the first one since being reunited with his longtime trainer Freddie Roach after a brief separation.

The Filipino senator used body shots to work over Broner in the early rounds before unleashing a wild flurry of head shots in the seventh. Pacquiao completely controlled the tempo of the fight and the stats don't lie. During the 12 rounds bout he landed 82 of 197 power punches to 39 of 180 for Broner. Pacquiao connected on 47 body shots. Broner landed a grand total of three.

"I don't believe my career is over," the boundless Pacquiao said after the bout. " I proved it again at the age of forty."

On the other side, Broner's remarks after the fight might not be ageless, but they certainly will be timeless.

pic.twitter.com/IVsom1GcIz

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) January 20, 2019

Pacquiao gets speedbag with the face of Mayweather on it (PHOTOS)

Manny Pacquiao hardly needs any added motivation in preparation of his May 2 fight against Floyd Mayweather, but a personalized gift from celebrity lawyer Robert Shapiro has provided some nevertheless.

The Filipino fighter laughed with trainer Freddie Roach on Monday after Shapiro, most known for representing O.J. Simpson in the infamous 1995 trial, gave him a custom-made speedbag with Mayweather's face painted on it.

Sport picture of the day: Manny Pacquiao gets something to aim at http://t.co/4ti6z7KIgZ (Photo: AP) pic.twitter.com/mciXpSxg5L
— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) April 14, 2015

Speed is one of the weapons Pacman is expected to utilize against Mayweather when they face each other at the MGM Grand Garden Area in Las Vegas.

But punching bags don't hit back.

Amir Khan blames Freddie Roach's Parkinson's disease for leaving trainer

Amir "King" Kahn seems to have a lot of excuses after he loses a fight.  If it's not the referee and judges like his loss to Lamont Peterson in December, it's the pre-fight taunts from Danny Garcia's trainer Angel Garcia — whom he attributed the fourth-round knockout in July.

During Tuesday's press conference at the Los Angeles Sports Arena to promote his upcoming Showtime fight against Carlos Molina (17-0-1, 7 KO's) on Dec. 15, Khan took his blame game to a place where nobody should go.

Instead of pinning the loss on himself, Khan (26-3, 18 KOs) said the reason he replaced Freddie Roach with trainer Virgil Hunter after the Garcia loss was because Roach's Parkinson's disease was affecting his ability to coach.

"Freddie's illness, it's very hard to see him as he's getting older.  I believe that he's getting worse, and I wish him all the best.  Freddie is still, with the Parkinson's disease, doing a great job working the mitts and working with fighters day in and day out.  I just believe that I need someone who is going to work me that bit harder and get the best out of me."

The 25-year-old British boxer has never faulted his glass jaw or defensive lapses and might just be miffed that Roach — one of the world's most sought after trainers — didn't stop working with Manny Pacquiao or any of the other boxers he trains to spend all of his time with Khan. That's fine.  But don't diss the man because he is ill.

"Freddie, with the Parkinson's disease, he was struggling with instructions and couldn't move."

Still, it was Khan who went to Roach fully knowing that the successful trainer has battled Parkinson's for years.  You aren't named Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America five times if the only thing you can do is work the mitts.

Khan has a chance to redeem himself with Hunter in his corner, but a loss to Molina — in the 12-round 140 lb. bout — could end his career as a a big time draw.

The skilled Khan had every right to switch trainers but laying blame on Roach's illness is just a low blow.

Freddie Roach: Pacquiao will get Bradley in late rounds

The New York media was hoping for something controversial to happen at the Manny Pacquiao-Tim Bradley press conference in Manhattan Thursday afternoon and nothing happened— again.

No slaps to the face or spit in the eye for these two fighters.  Not even an overturned desert dish at the Hudson River catering hall— just plain old respect.

For reporters looking for something to spice up the upcoming June 9 world welterweight title fight in Las Vegas it seemed more like vanilla pudding.

The fighters complimented each other from the dais then stood face-to-face and smiled.

It was a repeat of the civilized press conference they held two days earlier in Beverly Hills— where the most excitement was when Pacquiao snatched a photographer's camera and took snapshots of his opponent.

Maybe the only thing that can motivate Pacquiao these days is Floyd Mayweather Jr..

Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach had a better explanation and said his fighter "has changed."


 "Manny has really found God," he said.

"No more gambling, no more drinking, no more nothing," he said.

Asked if he was concerned that Pacquiao didn't finish off any of his opponents over his last four fights and Pacquiao's new-found pacifism could affect his bout with Bradley, Roach didn't sound worried.

"Yeah.  He could have definitely knocked out two, but didn't want to hurt them," said Roach.  "He's a compassionate person.  He won't embarrass them, but I tell him every fight to get a knock out so there won't be any questions asked."

Roach claims Pacquiao hasn't lost any of his killer instinct in the ring and will bring it when necessary.

"Bradley is not the type to be your friend in there," he said.

"Bradley comes out aggressive.  It's going to be a fast start," said Roach.  "He doesn't know how hard Manny punches and once he feels that power— we'll get him.  It will take a while to break this guy down."

For Pacquiao, a KO of Mosley is the Next Best Thing to Beating Mayweather and Quieting Hopkins

There have been huge paydays and much adulation on Manny Pacquiao's resume but the only thing that has eluded the holder of a record eight weight-class boxing titles is that fight with Floyd Mayweather, Jr..

If Mayweather continues avoiding getting into the ring with Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KO's), the next best thing for Pac-Man would be knocking out "Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-6-1, 39 KO's)--a fighter who almost knocked Mayweather out and went the distance with the Pacquiao-ducking fighter.

Like they say;  if you can't meet 'em, knock out some one they couldn't.

Pacquiao, who defends his WBO welterweight title against Mosley on Saturday night at the MGM Grand, could kill two birds with one punch this Saturday night.  A knockout would send a big message to Mayweather...and Bernard Hopkins, as a foot note.

First, Pac-Man can dispose of a common opponent, Mosley, who had the undefeated Mayweather beaten in the second round of their May 1, 2010 bout and, even though Mosley faded and was thoroughly dominated after that round, hung on for the final bell and lost in a 12-round unanimous decision.

Nothing would be a better measuring stick--maybe the only gauge for Pacquiao against Mayweather--than to brag that he did what Mayweather couldn't--put away the same fighter who almost knocked "Money" out.

Secondly, Pacquiao can lay to rest Hopkins' absurd rantings that the Filipino had never beaten a "black boxer from the streets," even if it might be considered that the 39 year-old Mosley was past his prime.

The only black fighter Pacquiao has defeated was Joshua Clottey last March, but in November, Hopkins railed that the Ghanaian didn't count because he wasn't "from the states with a slick style."

Still, there will be detractors, even if the Philippines senator KO's Mosley.  Besides being seven years closer to collecting social security than Pacquiao, Mosley is an 8/1 underdog and, unbelievably, hasn't won a fight in over two years.  Even Norm MacDonald has publicly put 25-grand on Pac-Man.

The only thing that makes this fight relevant is Pacquiao.  The song-recording, fragrance-making brand-name is like Beyonce and Old Spice rolled together in the world of boxing.  Even so, the champ better not take Mosley too lightly.

Pacquiao's Mom Says It's His Last Fight!

By Tony Mangia

While Manny Pacquiao prepares for this year's biggest fight--basically carrying the rating-starved sport of boxing on his sinewy shoulders and, if you believe his mother, and the unconfirmed rumors that have dogged the world champion since his last fight--this will be Pacquiao's last bout.

A Youtube video shows Pac-man's mom, Dionesa Pacquiao, making it clear through an interpreter or that she will be ringside at her son's WBA fight Saturday night on the condition it is his final boxing match.  Now what mother hasn't said that before and what son didn't listen.  It's a standard plot which dates back to boxing films of the '30's.

Saturday night, Pacquiao goes into the ring against Antonio Margarito at Cowboys Stadium in an effort to clinch the vacant WBC Super Welterweight World Title.  Pacquiao will attempt to win a historic 10th world title in eight different weight classes.

Rumors of Pacquiao's 'retirement' have swirled incessantly around the Filipino since he defeated Joshua Clottey in a one-sided decision last May.  Pacquiao was elected congressman in the Philippines House of Representatives after the fight which fueled more talk of his permanent exit from the ring.

Pacquiao's  trainer, Freddie Roach, has admitted his fighter's political responsibilities have taken a piece of the world champion"s training routine. Now his mom has thrown a towel into the ring.

His mom's attendance at this fight will be the first time she has seen her boy inside the ropes. The religious woman said she doesn't go to his fights but always prays "he will win."  She knows her support is important to her son.

If this is Pacquiao's last fight, it could be a classic.  He is facing a devastating puncher in Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) a boxing pariah who is fighting in the U.S. since being suspended for using illegally-loaded hand wraps in an upset loss against Shane Mosley last year.  The lanky Margarito is sure to test the champ's chin even without the plaster-of-paris padding. In 2005, the Mexican fighter literally ripped Sabastian Lujan's ear in half and later beat Miguel Cotto into a bloated pulp.

Many fans have called for the lifetime ban of Margarito for his corner's dangerous and disgusting stunt. His camp denies the allegations and  claim the 'confiscated, saved and analyzed wraps' were legal and blown out of proportion.

Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs)  will have his hands full and his belly empty. He believes his speed was being compromised by going up in weight classes and has opted for being lighter and quicker against Margarito.  On fight night Pacquiao could be 20 pounds lighter than his opponent.  Even Roach is concerned about Pac's lack of bulk, but has faith in his fighter.  "He has been doing this a long time," the trainer said,"He knows what he is doing."

While California wouldn't allow the fight, Texas welcomed the bout with open arms and without a hearing.  Top Rank  (which represents both fighters) put the fight together after "The Fight of the Decade" with Floyd Mayweather didn't pan out.

Pacquiao is arguably the best-known fighter in the world but Mayweather has the undefeated record and is the only fighter in his class with the box office clout as Pacquiao.  The flamboyant "Money" has continually made excuses for not fighting Pac-man.  Meanwhile, Mayweather has a laundry list of domestic and criminal charges to contend with and was a recent no-show at his arraignment in Las Vegas.  Mayweather is equally adept at avoiding the ring as well as the court.

So the biggest fight of the year pits the people's champion against the cheater.  Margarito has a huge following in Mexico, where legions of fans turned up in support of his last fight in May.  This will be his return to U.S. boxing and his biggest payday.  As a thank you to the Pacquiao camp his trainers recently released a vulgar video spoofing Freddie Roach's Parkinson's affliction and stutter.  Margarito may have risen above the cesspool of his California license revocation but he still stinks.

Margarito might picture himself as Zorro in silk shorts repaying Pacquiao for his well-publicized dismantling of South-of-the-Border fighters like Eric Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera among others. He should draw a sizable home-crowd advantage in Arlington, Texas.

Mayweather has picked his nemesis Pacquiao to win.  In an interview with Fight Hype, he said," I'm going to tell you the truth.  It doesn't matter if he (Margarito) lay down or not--Pacquiao will still whoop his ass."

Mayweather's dad, Roger, chimed in and boasted his son was still better than the Filipino politician.  Sorry Mama Pacquiao, maybe there's still one more fight on the congressman's agenda.