Madcow's Standing 8 Count (6/29/09)

by Madcow

Aside from actually being written, this week's column will be a little different.

Last week, as you all know, Michael Jackson died. I have had a special relationship throughout my life with Jackson. No, I never got to visit Neverland ranch as a child and I was never able to share a can of Jesus Juice with the "one-gloved-one."

My connection with Jackson isn't even about music. Actually, I'm luke warm to his talents.

No. My link with Jackson goes directly through Lori C, Madcow's first love and a very fine looking High School Junior with bubble gum lip gloss and a teddy bear backpack.

I had taken "Ms. C" to the Junior Prom and, to spare all the details, that was the night your favorite bovine became a man.

On the way home, I turned on the radio in my clunker in absolute glee and the first song on the radio was "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. Not my type of music, but on that particular night, it was the greatest song I had ever heard.

So, this column is dedicated to Michael Jackson, "Billie Jean," and beautiful Lori C, who was more woman at 17 than all 3 of my wives put together. But enough with this sappy crap.

In a "Thriller," Marcos Maidana overcame knockdowns and all obstacles to force Victor Ortiz into submission. Now, after an embarrassing quit job and a non-fighter-like post-fight interview, Ortiz has to seriously take a look at the "Man in the Mirror" and decide if he really wants to continue fighting or if he just wants to "Beat It."

"Smooth Criminal," Oscar De la Hoya desperately tried to spin Ortiz's quit job into something quite the opposite, but nobody is buying it. Overall, it hasn't been a good time to be a Golden Boy prospect. Abner Mares split, Ortiz was just crushed and "King of Pop," James Kirkland is eating bologna and mayonaise sandwiches behind bars.

"Remember the Time" when PPV dates were reserved for only the elite fights, the best of the best? The Latin Fury show this Saturday was just, plain "Bad." I would like to run into the chump who paid 35 bucks to see this suck-fest so I can sell him some bumper car tickets at Neverland Ranch. Wake me up when Juanma Lopez starts fighting someone with a pulse.

Arthur Abraham defended his title against some guy named Oral on Showtime Saturday. I'm sorry, but the only thing I'm watching with the name "Oral" on it is a PPV movie from The Spice Channel.

Everything else this Summer has been a big let-down. Cancelled or postponed fights, combined with weak matchups. Boxing is in a serious "Jam" and needs to fix things fast or, maybe next year, there won't be anyone buying these shows for broadcast.

Well, seeing that its been a slow news Summer and that I've exhausted my Michael Jackson references, I think I'll end this special edition of Madcow's Standing 8 Count.

Besides, I've just called the escort service and told them to send their best; Doesn't matter if they're "Black or White," I just "Wanna be Startin' Somethin'." Now, "Leave Me Alone."

RIP Michael

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Even The Yanks Agree: Bring Back Bunce!

One of my favorite weekly rituals was downloading Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour podcast and getting the 411 about what's happening in boxing. With just the right mix of journalism and pub-style fun, Bunce, along with co-host Andy Kerr, gave something to the sport that was sorely lacking...A professional centerpiece news magazine; Essentially, the Sportscenter of the Boxing world...

With the collapse of Setanta Sports in the UK, British fight fans will be missing out on some great action and, maybe just as important, the Bunce Boxing Hour will be silent.

In order for Boxing to keep afloat and maintain interest in a Summer full of cancelled bouts and an economy that is struggling, shows like "the Boxing Hour" are essential...and voices like Bunce's are crucial to keeping the fires burning until better days come.

The BTBC is urging its members, friends and fans to support the "Bring Back Bunce" campaign by signing the online petition and doing everything possible to bring this show back on the air so that the UK and fans from around the world can once again have this source for Boxing news and commentary.

http://www.bringbackbunce.net/

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Maidana Conquers Ortiz in Wild LA Brawl.

From Fightnews.com:

In an all out war filled with spectacular exchanges, Marcos Maidana (26-1, 25 KOs) of Universum Box-Promotion scored a brilliant sixth round KO over hometown favorite Victor Ortiz (24-2-1, 19 KOs) to claim the interim WBA super lightweight title on Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ortiz dropped Maidana during a wild exchange during round one, but was immediately floored in return by Maidana. Ortiz dropped Maidana twice at the end of round two. But Maidana hung in and turned the fight around with a huge round five, cutting Ortiz and continually rocking him with his right hand. Maidana went on the attack immediately in the sixth, flooring Ortiz again and the bout was stopped. Time was :46

*********

The source fails to mention the the ref's decision was preceeded by Ortiz practically turning his back on Maidana and indicating that he was done.

After the bout, the 22-year old Ortiz indicated that he may be considering retirement.

Maidana is now in line for a shot at the winner of the Khan-Kotelnik bout in July.

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Former World Champ, Rocky Lockridge: Homeless

Former boxing champ Rocky Lockridge is homeless in Camden

This is a disgrace for the entire boxing world and yet another reason the sport desperately needs a national commission. We need to start taking care of the warriors who literally invest their hearts and souls into entertaining us.

Nothing should shame us more than a former champ who is literally begging for money on the street.

In case you're not familiar with Lockridge, he became the WBA Super Featherweight champion in 1984 via spectacular 1st round knockout of Roger Mayweather.

He also held victories over Cornelius Boza Edwards and took part in Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year in 1988 against Tony Lopez. In 1985, he lost a controversial decision to Puerto Rican legend Wilfredo Gomez in Puerto Rico.

Over the course of his 14 year career, he took on some of the very best, including: Mayweather, Lopez, Edwards, Gomez, Julio Cesar Chavez, Juan La Porte, Rafael Ruelas, Sharmba Mitchell, and Eusebio Pedroza.

Rocky Lockridge finished his career in 1992 with a record of 44-9 (36 KOs)and is ranked as the 11th best Super Featherweight of all time by Boxrec.

Here is a look at Lockridge's stunning 1st round KO over Mayweather:

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Nate Campbell Foils Robbery

Courtesy of Fightnews.com:

Former unified lightweight champion Nate Campbell foiled a strong arm robbery today in Tampa, Florida.

Campbell, along with advisor Terry Trekas were exiting a Publix Supermarket in Tampa when they witnessed two men snatch a purse from a woman loading groceries into her vehicle. Campbell and Trekas chased the suspects to a nearby apartment, where the suspects barricaded themselves inside. Multiple units from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene in minutes, and captured both suspects inside the apartment. The victim’s purse was found inside the suspect’s vehicle.

Sheriff officials on the scene advised Campbell that the men and their vehicle were suspects in at least six additional strong-arm robberies in the area.

“Man, look here. That could have been my mom, my sister, or my wife. If someone wants to jack a dope man or something, that’s one thing, because they chose that life. But to do that to this woman, who is just minding her business getting her groceries, man I can’t let that go. Had it been my mom or something, I hope someone else would do the same,” said Campbell.

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Pacquiao: Exposed

by Madcow

Enough with the silliness, ok?

Everyone knows that most Manny Pacquiao fans wouldn't know a heavy bag from a douche bag, so I cut them some slack for a few weeks, but as the Pinoy Illusionist starts to wind up the hype machine for another bogus fight with yet another shell-shocked and boiled-down name fighter, I have no choice but to step in and bring some much-needed reality back to the boxing world.

Pacquiao, beyond a shadow of a bovine doubt, is sporting the most overblown, overrated ring record and list of accomplishments in, probably, the history of the sport. Sure, he beat a near-prime Barrera and Morales, but for crissake, how long can he coast along based on just two fights?

Instead of wasting my wonderful Madcow prose on a topic that makes me feel dirty inside, I'll just list the cold, hard facts behind the farce that is Manny Pacquiao:

• A lot has been made about Pacquiao winning 6 titles in 6 weight classes, but the downside never gets mentioned: In his entire career, he's only made 4 successful title defenses, with the last being way back in 2003!


• 5 Of Pacquiao's last 11 opponents came into their fight directly following a loss.


• Of his "history making" wins versus Barrera, Morales and Marquez, only the first Barrera win is without taint. His second win against Barrera was a farce, Morales was horribly shot by the time of their third fight and, actually, had been beaten solidly by Zahir Raheem before Pacquiao-Morales 2. And most everyone acknowledges that Marquez won the second Pac-JMM fight while some say JMM won both.


• Yes, Pacquiao started out at 106 lbs., but he was 16 years old! De la Hoya, at 16, weighed 106 lbs. too.


• After the toughest tactical fight of his career, Pacquiao went soft by picking on the weakest Lightweight champ around, David Diaz while still having unfinished business with Marquez.


• Ivan Calderon could've knocked out the Nicole Ritchie-esque Oscar De la Hoya that night they fought.


• Ricky Hatton is a bum and not even among the Top 5 best Jr. Welters.


• If you hate Mayweather, then you must hate Pacquiao even worse for absolutely perfecting the cherry-pick as Pacman insists on fighting only those who will give in to all of his wacky demands.

So, all in all, I'm glad to be the one to teach you the folly of your ways. Please address all thank you letters to Paul Magno's e-mail: boxing_times@yahoo.com. Make sure to write- Attn: Madcow so he can forward all your letters of apology and donated cash to me.

Now, go and find another hero who actually wants to make real fights.

P.S. Pacquiao's music sucks too!

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Friday's Roundup: Molitor Bores, Jacobs Scores

Fighting with the urgency of old ladies at a Vegas buffet line, former IBF Jr. Featherweight Champ, Steve Molitor (29-1, 11 KOs) and Heriberto Ruiz (41-8-2, 23 KOs) simulated their way through 12 listless rounds of an IBF Super Bantamweight Title Eliminator.

Somehow, the judges were divided on the outcome as one judge scored it 116-112 for Ruiz and the other two had Molitor up by the same score. The BTBC had it scored firmly for Molitor, 118-110.

With the win, Molitor becomes the #2 contender for the IBF 122 lb. title that Celestino Caballero took from him last November and will face the #1 contender for either a shot at the title, or should Caballero vacate like many expect, for the title itself.

After the fight, Molitor's management said that their fighter will likely be fighting for the title by November of this year....Swell!

*********

Daniel Jacobs (17-0, 15 KOs) continued on his road to stardom by pummelling journeyman, George Walton (20-4, 12 KOs). Early on, the fight became little more than a sparring session for Jacobs who knocked Walton down in second and pretty much had his way throughout the bout.

The one-sided beating was waved off in the 8th by referee, Bobby Ferrara

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto: Meaningless

There, I said it. Pacquiao vs. Cotto is meaningless.

Now, before the loyal Pacquiao and Cotto fans, boxing's most bullishly loyal fans ever, begin to throw garbage at the screen, let me clarify a few things.

There's no doubt in my mind that this encounter will be exciting beyond belief, almost a sure candidate for Fight of the Year. Even the lead-in, with both fan bases going at it, will be amusing.

However, what purpose does this fight serve? Team Pacquiao has already said that they have no intention of campaigning at Welterweight and Cotto, should he win, will still have just a couple of decent fights available to him.

Nobody, other than the fighters' bank accounts and those of their management, stand to really gain much from this showdown of two indisputably talented warriors and pound-for-pound stars.

But, after the dust settles on this contest, the biggest loser will be boxing itself as we will be trading in one exciting hour of Cotto vs. Pacquiao for the short-term well-being of two absolutely stacked divisions.

For Cotto, fighting Pacquiao may be a nice injection of cash into the wallet, but it really stops his ultimate goal of Welterweight dominance in its tracks.

Should Cotto win, he would get a boost in publicity but there will still be only two fights that would make sense before he retires: Cotto-Mosley 2 and Cotto-Mayweather. So, ultimately, other than a few headlines and a payday, he gets nothing from fighting Pacquiao.

But should Cotto lose, he would lose everything. His career would effectively be over as it would no longer make good business sense for either Mosley or Mayweather to fight him. He'd be clear second-tier fodder...and that's if he even remained active.

Now, switching things up and looking at Manny, a win for him would be another notch on his belt and another huge payday, but it really earns him nothing else. He has no intention of campaigning as a Welterweight and a win would either force him into fighting foes with whom his team isn't a hundred percent sure, like Mayweather and Mosley or into retirement.

On the other hand, a loss would take him out of the Celebrity Boxing circuit and force him into tougher bouts for less pay, which may be a good thing since the Jr. Welterweight division is starting to heat up with the rise of Victor Ortiz and bouts like Timothy Bradley-Nate Campbell, Junior Witter-Devon Alexander and Andreas Kotelnik-Amir Khan on the horizon. These rising stars need their lineal champion to take on the best amongst them and not to be looking for genetically engineered celebrity exhibitions.

Sports have to maintain a narrative voice in order to be truly special. The big contests have to mean something and, more importantly, they have to follow through on a story; They have to bring closure to a long series of battles.

The LA Lakers could've had a more exciting, more profitable series against the Boston Celtics, but they had to beat the Magic to be crowned champions. Anything else would've been false and anti-climatic.

Boxing also has its own narrative and should follow through on its own story lines if it wants to stay long-term relevant in a sporting world that is continually marginalizing it.

To go the "Celebrity Boxing" route, as Nate Campbell called it, is a disservice to the sport and it's future. It shows a complete disdain for the natural order of things and it creates a permanent upper class where a handful of big names fight one another for big bucks while freezing the rest of the fighters out and refusing to allow any torches to get passed to the younger fighters.

Freddie Roach expressed this point of view in a recent interview from maxboxing: "Titles don’t really matter anymore. Its match-ups."

And that's fine and dandy for the one percent of fighters who can be considered "big enough" to sell a million PPVs, but what about the young prospects and the prime boxers still looking to grow? Unless a guy like Pacquiao or Mayweather is willing to fight once every three weeks to appease the fans, they are essentially creating a sport outside of the mainstream structure of the actual sport and further removing the fans from the game.

Boxing needs its biggest stars and it needs them to take an active part within their own divisions. It needs these stars to dominate in their prime, go to war when they're slightly past their prime and to pass the torch when they simply can't go on. That's the natural order of things in boxing and that's how the future stars of the sport are made.

Divvying up mega-paydays among a small group of fighters in cherry-picked contests and retiring when no more cash fits into your Brinks truck, is not in the best interest of the sport.

Pacquiao vs. Cotto may be a quick fix to some of boxing's short-term needs, but a meaningless fight only inspires more meaningless fights..and that can only be bad for boxing.

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The BTBC News Wire (6/22/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

The fall-out from fights falling out
Danny Jacobs gets big shot on ESPN2
Juanma is Already Considering a Jump To Featherweight•
Wladimir Does a Go-Slow, Haye Pulls a No-Show
Rocky Juarez Plans To Fight on Ortiz-Maidana Card
Sources: Chris John is Ill, Juarez Rematch Postponed
Haye Fires Back at "Boring, Petrified" Wladimir Klitschko
Khan Continues To Talk About Fighting Ricky Hatton

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The BTBC News Wire (6/21/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Amir Khan questioned by cops over Molesting Allegations
Edgar Sosa Retains For The Ninth Time, Stops Melo
Arbitrator nixes forced V. Klitschko-Maskaev tilt
Hatton Comeback Talk Continues, Against Amir Khan?
Roach's Weight Demand Could Collapse Pacquiao-Cotto
Easy Walk For Klitschko, Claims The Lineal Crown
Freddy Curiel Returns with Win Over Francisco Osorio
Tye Fields Returns, Knocks Out Firtha in Six Rounds
Odlanier Solis Says "I Will End Wladimir Klitschko"
Klitschko Dominates, Batters Chagaev For The Stoppage
Andy Lee Decisions Olegs Fedotovs on Klitschko-Chagaev
Fernando Guerrero Stops Brian Norman In Two Rounds
Beltran Impressive In Tireless Effort Over Meza-Clay
Refusing Defeat, Pascal Outlasts Diaconu In 175 Lb. War

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Klitschko Beats Chagaev with One Arm: It's Official! The Heavyweight Division is Dead!

by Paul Magno

Taking David Haye's place in today's heavyweight title fight against Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47 KOs) was Ring Magazine's #3 Heavyweight, The BTBC's #2 Heavyweight and The WBA's "Champion in Recess," Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1, 17 KOs).

Surely, a battle between a #1 fighter and a #3 contender, at worst, would be a thrilling match-up with many ups and downs and shifts in momentum. I mean, look at recent match-ups between top 3 guys: Cotto vs. Clottey, Adamek vs. Cunningham, Timothy Bradley vs. Kendall Holt, etc...

But, in the Heavyweight division of 2009, quality control is not a legit concept...Hell, to be honest, there is no quality to control.

Chagaev came into this fight with either no game plan or no desire to adapt to the "impossible" task of dealing with Klitschko's long arm measuring him the entire fight. So, presented with the daunting task of a straight left arm in front of him, "White Tyson" Chagaev, went to his plan B: stay on the outside and absorb every punch that Klitschko would throw.

Wlad knocked Chagaev down in the second, essentially eliminating any pretense the WBA Chump in Recess had of even trying to get inside of Klitschko's jab.

The rest of the fight was smooth sailing for the reigning WBO, IBF and Ring Champion as he pawed with his left and swatted with his right with no fear of retribution as Chagaev was always at an arm's length.

In the 8th, Klitschko opened a cut over the Hepatitis B-infected Chagaev's left eye that was bleeding profusely and surely making fans at ringside cringe.

Referee Eddie Cotton called an end to the farce before the start of the 10th round.

61,000 German fans went crazy at an outdoor soccer stadium while millions of boxing fans around the globe shook their heads in disgust.

This leaves the Heavyweight division with a clear Top 2, but a Top 2 who will never fight each other (Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko). The rest of the Heavyweight division looks like rejects from a Star Wars convention: A painfully passive Wookie (Nikolay Valuev), A Mexican Jabba the Hut (Chris Arreola) and the rest of the rejects from the Star Wars cantina scene (Eddie Chambers, Alex Povetkin, John Ruiz, etc). Unfortunately for us fans, this convention has no Luke Skywalkers, Han Solos or even a Darth Vader...

David Haye is on the outside looking in, facing a possible shot at Vitali Klitschko (Vitali, earlier, won his arbitration case against the WBC and can now choose his next opponent instead of being forced to face another Heavyweight retread, Oleg Maskaev). Haye, at the very least, brings some flash and excitement to the dreary division.

Barring an almost impossible win by David Haye, we are going to be stuck in the muck of the heavyweight division; trapped in the Klitschko Bros. vortex of Jab, Jab, Jab and of opponents who simply don't have the skill or the will to find a path to victory.

RIP Heavyweight Division.

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The Paq-Man Fever Post of the Week

This week we have another look into the zany life of potential Pacquiao stalker, Tommy Harris. In this video we learn that Manny "did it for us" and then we learn way too much about Mr. Harris as he tells us about how his wife left him because he was "fat."

Then, as a special added bonus, we get to see Tommy's boxing workout! God Bless You, Mr. Tommy Harris! Enjoy...





Every week The BTBC will bring you the best in outlandish, hyperbole-filled posts made by Manny Pacquiao's goofiest nut-huggers.

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The BTBC News Wire (6/19/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Oscar De La Hoya on Who Manny Pacquiao Fears!
Mosley Sounds Off on Arum, Cotto-Pacquiao Bout
Team Pavlik Lashes Out Over Rumor
The Klitschko-Chagaev Clash Won’t Re-establish Lineage
Ricky Hatton Hinting That He Might Fight Again?
Enzo: I turned down fight
Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev Deserve a Hand
Mosley vs Clottey, Arum is Interested in The Fight
Minto To Face Holmes, Hires Freddie Roach as Trainer
Paul McCloskey Faces a Very Tough Test Against M'Baye
Universum Counters False Information About Chagaev
Mahir Oral is Very Confident of Beating Arthur Abraham
Kell Brook, Kevin Mitchell Added To Khan-Kotelnik Card
Cancelled Fights Have A Considerable Impact On Boxing
Roach Says Kotelnik Faked Toothache in Khan Withdrawal

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The BTBC News Wire (6/18/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Kelly Pavlik: Anatomy of a Fallen Star
Arum Says Cotto Meeting Went Well For Pacquiao Clash
Bobby Gunn Promises "Garden State War" with Adamek
Donaire vs. Cazares Appears To Be On For WBA Title
Adrian Diaconu Fires Back at Pascal Over Comments
McCall vs Lawrence is Set For August 21 in Las Vegas
Younger Curiel Preparing For Debut, A Family Affair
Hopkins To Return in January? Against Froch or Adamek?
Pacquiao/Cotto Negotiations in Full Force, Deal Expected
Kelly Pavlik Enters Alcohol Rehab Center
Mosley breaks out big guns in bid for Pacquiao
Montiel vs. Morel Appears To Be Heading To September
Chavez vs LeHoullier, Gamboa vs Garcia on July 25
Henry/George Card in Houston is Brewing, Not Final
David Haye's Future Plan To Be Decided Very Soon
“Vicious” Vivian Harris Annoucement
Hide Continues To Bait Huck, Vivian Harris a Free Agent
Abraham-Oral: Arthur Ready To Impress on Showtime
Joe Calzaghe Beats Warren in Court, Awarded £1.8million
Amir Khan Can Benefit From Kotelnik Venue Switch
Donaire May Face Concepcion For Interim WBA Title, 8/15
Pacquiao Still Wants Floyd Mayweather Jr. Most of All

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The BTBC News Block (6/17/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Gamboa Eyes Big Things For The Future With Top Rank
Jean Pascal Claims Diaconu and 175 Will Be No Problem
Roy Jones: "Mayweather, Mosley Will Beat Pacquiao"
Valero to fight in Vegas?
Ultimate Rainy Day: Top 5 Modern Fight Cancellations
Alex Arthur Set For Comeback on Burns-O'Hara Card
Joe Calzaghe Would Consider a 10 Million Dollar Return
Wladimir Klitschko Calls Chagaev The True WBA Champion
Miguel Cotto: “I Had a Duty To Finish The Fight”
Want A RINGing Endorsement? Sanction Dawson-Johnson

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Pro Debut of George "Monk" Foreman III

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BTBC Boxing News Wire (6/16/09)

(Updated Throughout the Day)

Does Floyd Jr have Broken Ribs? Team De La Hoya answers
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Mauel Marquez in September
De La Hoya Will Comeback To Fight Williams - Dogs Attack
Roy Jones vs Danny Green Appears To Be Legit
Pacquiao’s Choice Should Be a Real "Welterweight" Fight
Nick Firtha Will Test The Chin of Tye Fields Early On
Manny Pacquiao Returns Back Home, Vacation Time
Lewis punches ticket into boxing's hall of fame
Cotto-Clottey And The Subjectivity Of Our Sport
Wladimir Klitschko Says Heavyweight Division is Not Dead
Fernando Lumacad is Ready For War With Jorge Arce
Shaun George, Chris Henry Clash on July 10, ESPN
Montiel Injured, Jorge Arce Replaces Him on 6/27
Pacquiao vs. Mosley Should Be Next, Says Schaefer
Salud Says "Catch-Weight" Cotto is Easy For Pacquiao
Klitschko-Chagaev May Have WBA Title at Stake
UK News: British Boxing Results Round Up
Brian Viloria To Return on August 22 in Cebu City
Arum Will Try To Close Pacquiao-Cotto This Week
Khan vs. Kotelnik Has Been Pushed Back To July 18

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(Updated Throughout the Day)

Joshua Clottey Targets Paul Williams, Wants Him Next
Mayweather-Marquez May Get Pushed To September 19
Adamek issues hit list!
Cotto-Clottey: The Ringside Post-Fight Report Card
Dettloff: Morel's return
Pacquiao Orders Arum To Make Cotto Bout, Nov. 14
Cunningham vs. Braithwaite, IBF Eliminator on 7/11
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs Juan Mauel Marquez is Off!
Ray Mercer Knocks Tim Sylvia Out in Nine Seconds
Clottey's No Closer

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Is Mayweather Going Straight at Pacquiao Next?

Sometimes, in Boxing, the best stories are the ones between the lines.

Following the announcement that Mayweather-Marquez was off, The BTBC couldn't help putting the clues together that would lead to the theory that Mayweather is planning on going right into a Manny Pacquiao fight without the benefit of a tune up.

Mayweather's rib injury came right after Bob Arum just surprisingly announced that he would be willing to make a 50/50 split on a Pacquiao/Mayweather bout...Also, with Cotto suffering a deep gash over his eye, an October Cotto/Pacquiao bout is not realistic and, by all accounts, Manny is not at all interested in fighting Shane Mosley.

That would leave Mayweather as the only major money bout available to the Pacquiao camp.

On Mayweather's side, early indications had to point to the fact that his bout with Marquez would not be selling as well as previously thought and, with the help of the Golden Boy brain trust, a change in plans had to be made in order to save an embarrassing spanking at the box office and among PPV buyers.

Don't be surprised if Mayweather-Marquez is called off soon and Mayweather-Pacquiao is announced...Also, if that happens, expect Juan Manuel Marquez to be tossed the consolation prize of a bout with Edwin Valero and a promise to fight the winner of Floyd vs. Manny.

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