Pacquiao Readies For Big Stage
Manny Pacquiao ran roughshod through four sparring partners this week, and boxing’s pound-for-pound king plans to churn through just as many today.
He’s been peppering the speed bag, pounding the heavy bag, and doing enough running to make Usain Bolt fall over in a heap. Under the watchful eye of trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao is putting himself in position to knock out Joshua Clottey when they fight March 13 in Dallas.
“Manny is getting better all the time,’’ Roach marveled after a training session yesterday at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles. “I know Clottey is a big, strong guy. I respect him, he’s a great fighter. But Manny I feel is going to overwhelm him with his speed and combinations.’’
If it sounds simple, that’s because Pacquiao has little trouble when fights are decided in the ring. Things aren’t so easy when the fight is contested with words.
That continues to be the case with Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., after their proposed blockbuster fell through because of drug testing protocol. Mayweather and his relatives have accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs, either directly or by innuendo, while the Filipino champion has balked at taking a blood test within 14 days of a fight.
Pacquiao will instead fight Clottey at Cowboys Stadium, while Mayweather is headed for a showdown May 1 against welterweight champion Shane Mosley. Along with the verbal jabs, Pacquiao and Mayweather can also fight over who generates bigger pay-per-view numbers.
“We’re not happy with his remarks and Manny really wants to fight him in the future because of the remarks he made,’’ Roach said. “Manny, sometimes when he’s shadowboxing, he shows me how Mayweather fights and how he’ll take care of the problem, and I’ve never seen that before.’’
Promoter Bob Arum still believes that Mayweather never wanted to fight Pacquiao, and his strict adherence to blood testing – which is far more extensive than urine analysis required by the Nevada Athletic Commission – was his way of getting out of it.
“We don’t have to be geniuses to know what they were trying to do. They were trying to get into Manny’s head so he’d be discombobulated,’’ Arum said. “Mayweather against Manny is a no-contest, no contest. Manny would wipe the ring with Floyd Mayweather.’’
If that’s ever to happen, he’ll first have to wipe the ring with Clottey. By Dave Skretta, The Boston Globe
A Family Holiday
A good beach, lively pool area, and some ability to roam around within the resort, is often the best medicine for a family on holiday. Many people know that they want to go somewhere with their family, but don’t know where to go or the best places to stay. Does that sound like you? Well, there is enough to keep you busy for more than a week at orlando vacation homes, where you will most likely be staying. Nevertheless, if you are traveling with family or a group of friends and you need spacious and comfortable vehicle, an airport shuttle is the most convenient way for transportation. Not all the hotels provide shuttles from the airport and if they do they are often far from convenient or comfortable. The cruise line shuttles can even cost you more, because they charge you per person, and private shuttle might be just the right thing for you. So ease up, enjoy and have some fun.
The Unique & Pure Aruban Atmosphere
While may be having a retreat to the shoreline or pool deck, imagine yourself walking through a lush tropical rain forest amidst flowers and trees, ponds and a trickling waterfall with butterflies flying overhead and all around you in their own natural paradise. Well, that’ll be a dream come true for you, if you’ll now be making your aruba vacations or simply have it anytime soon.
Nevertheless, the ultimate white sand beach, breezy, sunny days with its lush, tropical gardens offering an exciting variety of flowering plants, exotic palms and shrubs, find comfort and relaxation surrounded by parrots, hummingbirds, butterflies and iguana’s and take in the unique and pure Aruban atmosphere. Do as little or much as you choose, it’s all included
Have A Glass Of Local Wine On The Patio
As travelers focus on value and owners of second homes look to generate extra income in today’s economy, many markets are seeing significant increases in new vacation rental listings. In 2010, only two percent of travelers say they will be unable to take a vacation due to the economy, a decrease from the eight percent who were affected in 2009. And the fact that so many travelers who have stayed in a vacation rental home are bent on returning to rent again really shows the high satisfaction they had with their experience.
But above and foremost, what really is an outer banks vacation rentals? Well, it is a home away from home. That instead of probably booking for a full service hotel or a modest roadside motel for your vacation, travelers can opt to stay in a modest condominium, a lavish private home, or even at a celebrity estate. From there, you can explore the place you’re visiting and live like the locals. Have appetizers and a glass of local wine on the patio enjoying the sunset. And head out to the beach next morning or a hike in the mountains with a picnic lunch. Isn’t it amazing guys?
Filipino Boxer Pacquiao Sets Sights On Record Seventh Title
Manny Pacquiao will be looking to make history Saturday night when he takes on Miguel Cotto in a welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The 29-year-old Filipino superstar, who made a grand entrance along with his opponent at the scene of the fight Tuesday afternoon to begin final preparations, hopes to become the first boxer to win titles in seven weight divisions. He has held title belts from 112 pounds to 140 pounds.
Saturday’s bout (HBO pay-per-view, 9:30 p.m. ET) is considered a welterweight fight, even though it will be fought at a catch weight of 145 pounds, 2 pounds below the welterweight limit.
Cotto, however, has no intention of allowing himself to become Pacquiao’s seventh victim. It is Cotto’s WBO belt they’re fighting for, and the three-time champion, known for his powerful body punching, has held a title every year since 2004.
“If he thinks he is going to win seven titles in seven weight divisions now, he has picked the wrong moment, the wrong fighter and the wrong opponent,” Cotto said in a recent conference call. “If he thinks he is going to win the seventh title against Miguel Cotto, he is very wrong.”
Yet despite the fact that Cotto, also 29, from Puerto Rico, is a natural welterweight, and Pacquiao started his career in 1995 at 108 pounds, Pacquiao comes in as a heavy favorite. He’s listed at -350, meaning you need to place $350 to win $100.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs) is coming off a spectacular second-round knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton last May, while Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) fought through a bad cut over his eye to win a split decision against African Joshua Clottey a month later.
The only loss of Cotto’s career came in a brutal beating at the hands of Antonio Margarito in July 2008. But there’s a cloud over Margarito’s victory since he was discovered before his next fight to have hardened plaster in his gloves, was subsequently KO’d by Shane Mosley, and then suspended from fighting in the USA for at least a year.
Cotto is undeterred by the odds against him.
“I don’t know anything about the betting business,” he said. “I am just here to try and bring my best every day … and I am working to beat Manny. If the people bet for Manny, it’s all right with me. All the people that are betting for Manny Pacquiao are not going to change the result of this fight.”
Pacquiao’s success against Mexican fighters has been well-documented. He was tagged as “The Mexican Assassin” after beating the best Mexican fighters of his era, including legends Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez.
Cotto, however, says all that success means nothing against a fighter from Puerto Rico, which has its own proud boxing history, from world champions Wilfredo Benitez, Esteban DeJesus and Wilfredo Gomez to Carlos Ortiz and Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
“Different fighters and different styles, they had their moments with him,” Cotto said of Pacquiao’s Mexican opponents.
“It is going to be totally different with me. I have prepared myself for anything and everything that he brings. No matter who talks, or whoever says he is going to win, I know I am very confident that I am going to come out with a victory that night.” By Bob Velin, USA Today