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Manny Pacquiao's historic stoppage of Miguel Cotto, where he captured the WBO welterweight title, is the biggest boxing topic in the United States since the fight took place last Saturday in Las Vegas. One would expect the same in Pacquiao's country of the Philippines, where the fighter is viewed as a mega-star, but a brewing scandal back home has overshadowed his historic win.
IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green wants everyone to forget about the March 13 rematch between Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins. He plans to crush those plans by knocking Jones out on December 2 at Acer Arena in Australia. Green's team is not pleased with everyone overlooking their man by talking about a Jones-Hopkins rematch. Green is not looking for a decision, he wants to wear Jones down and knock him out.
It wasn't that long ago that Bernard Hopkins was considering a move to heavyweight for a bout with then WBC champion Oleg Maskaev. The fight never took place. He still wants a shot at some heavyweight gold. If on December 2 Hopkins beats Enrique Ornelas and Roy Jones Jr. beats IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green - Jones and Hopkins will clash on March 13 in Las Vegas [the tentative date for Manny Pacquiao's return].
Some very bold words from 19-year-old welterweight prospect "El Canelo" Saul Alvarez (29-0, 22KOs) of Mexico. Alvarez believes that in four or five fights, he will be ready to fight and beat Manny Pacquiao. During a recent interview, WBC president Jose Sulaiman told Mexican reporters that he believes Alvarez will be ready to fight Pacquiao in a year. There is no question that Alvarez is a talented prospect but he won't be nowhere near ready in four or five fights for boxer on the level of Pacquiao.
Former three division champion Juan Manuel Marquez wants a third crack at WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. They fought to a controversial draw in 2004 and then Marquez lost a controversial split decision to Pacquiao in 2008. Marquez is being considered as a possible option for Pacquiao in 2010.
According to a report in El Nuevo Dia, Jose Luis Castillo (60-9, 52KOs) is in the mix as a possible opponent for Miguel Cotto's return, which may not happen until June or July of next year. Castillo was at his best when he ruled the lightweight division several years ago, but he has been fighting at welterweight since 2008. He fought four times at welterweight in 2009 and won all four bouts by knockout. After two tough fights in 2009, against Joshua Clottey and Manny Pacquiao, Cotto needs a confidence building fight upon his return.
145-pounds is Manny Pacquiao's lucky number. It was the contracted catch-weight for last Saturday's bout with Miguel Cotto, where Pacquiao captured the WBO welterweight title with a twelve round stoppage. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach would also like 145-pounds as the contracted weight for a super-fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. If a deal for Pacquiao-Mayweather falls apart, a likely option is a trilogy bout with Juan Manuel Marquez. One would expect for that fight to take place at junior welterweight, but Roach would want that fight to be a welterweight title defense at, you guessed it, 145-pounds.
IBO cruiserweight champion Danny Green has brought in two American sparring partners, light heavyweight Cedric Agnew (11-0, 4KOs) and middleweight Anthony Greenidge (14-3, 5KOs) to prepare for his title defense against Roy Jones Jr. on December 2 before a wild Aussie crowd of 18,000 at Acer Arena.
WBC President has made it known that he was distinctly underwhelmed by the latest fight of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The biggest and richest fight in boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao, has a very difficult path to getting done. Both sides are taking a hard line on the money. Mayweather sees no reason to split the money 50-50 with Pacquiao. Based on his past interviews, he wants at least a 60-40 split or better. Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, who advises the fighter on some of business aspects during negotiations, will demand a 60-40 split in Pacquiao's favor and a catch-weight of 145-pounds.