ishy
07-09-2008, 08:00 AM
Manny Pacquiao put in a fantastic performance to be pound for pound number one last weekend with a stunning win over David Diaz in Las Vegas.
The Filipino won the WBC lightweight title, the fourth weight he has become a world champion at.
He is now Ring Magazine's P4P champ.
Pacquiao's only real challenger to number one status is Joe Calzaghe ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=4), the best at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.
Calzaghe in a few months will beat Joe Louis' record for a reign as world champion, which spanned a little less than 11 years.
When you take into account the fact Louis only fought once between 1942 and 1946 because of WWII, I think Calzaghe has got a strong claim on the record books already.
One thing is for sure, I can't see this latest landmark ever being beaten.
That said, if Pacquiao decided to remain at lightweight, there's a good chance he could have a lengthy reign.
I know Amir Khan ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=9) watched the Diaz fight, and he now appreciates the standard he has to match if he is to become world number one.
I still believe that though, that in 12 months' time, he'll have improved so much he'll be ready for the likes of the Pac Man.
By that time, odds are that Manny will have stepped up to light-welterweight, where's it rumoured that he'll face Ricky Hatton in 2009.
Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has tried to persuade Hatton to get IBF champ Paul Malignaggi to step aside from a proposed fight with him in November so he's man could come in.
But Ricky has rejected the offer.
Instead, Pacquiao will take on another leading lightweight contender, and then look for a shot against the Hitman next year.
Although Pacquiao began his career as a flyweight, he's a dangerous opponent for Hatton, and will take advantage of the Hitman's lack of head of movement.
Pacquiao is also a formidable puncher.
At 29, he is also entering his prime.
The same could be said of his promoter Arum, who turns 77 this year, a time when many people would be putting their feet up by the fire.
Written off by many a few years ago with the rise of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy outfit, Arum now has Pacquiao, Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Cotto in his stable, all in the top 10 P4p lists, and Juan Manuel Lopez, who will be a big star in a couple of year's time.
Not bad for a golden oldie.
***
I've had some success recently in British title fights, with my fighters Dean Francis, Kell Brook and now Matthew Marsh ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=96) all getting their hands on the coveted Lonsdale belt. They are definitely the best of British.
***
Mike Tyson was back in the headlines this week when it was alleged that he had offered a $50,000 reward for a hit on the killers of his boyhood friend, Darryl "Homicide" Baum.
Iron Mike denied the allegation.
Meanwhile Tyson is preparing for a speaking tour in Australia, which he is getting paid around £4m for.
Predictably, there were protests down under that a man with such a bad criminal record should be allowed into the country.
It was only 200 years ago that it was a requirement for entry.
***
Japanese doctor Joji Otsuki says bigger boxing gloves cause more damage to the brain because they increase the impact area and because of it, "rotational acceleration"
I think his findings make a lot of sense, but there's some debate in the boxing world as to whether bigger gloves are safer.
Any research that helps improve our understanding of the dangers faced by boxers is a good thing.
Seems as if ****** isn;t bearing any grudges or maybe he can't say anything negative since he's been singing Joe's praises for ages and would look a right prick if he starts slagging him off now.
The Filipino won the WBC lightweight title, the fourth weight he has become a world champion at.
He is now Ring Magazine's P4P champ.
Pacquiao's only real challenger to number one status is Joe Calzaghe ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=4), the best at super-middleweight and light-heavyweight.
Calzaghe in a few months will beat Joe Louis' record for a reign as world champion, which spanned a little less than 11 years.
When you take into account the fact Louis only fought once between 1942 and 1946 because of WWII, I think Calzaghe has got a strong claim on the record books already.
One thing is for sure, I can't see this latest landmark ever being beaten.
That said, if Pacquiao decided to remain at lightweight, there's a good chance he could have a lengthy reign.
I know Amir Khan ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=9) watched the Diaz fight, and he now appreciates the standard he has to match if he is to become world number one.
I still believe that though, that in 12 months' time, he'll have improved so much he'll be ready for the likes of the Pac Man.
By that time, odds are that Manny will have stepped up to light-welterweight, where's it rumoured that he'll face Ricky Hatton in 2009.
Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has tried to persuade Hatton to get IBF champ Paul Malignaggi to step aside from a proposed fight with him in November so he's man could come in.
But Ricky has rejected the offer.
Instead, Pacquiao will take on another leading lightweight contender, and then look for a shot against the Hitman next year.
Although Pacquiao began his career as a flyweight, he's a dangerous opponent for Hatton, and will take advantage of the Hitman's lack of head of movement.
Pacquiao is also a formidable puncher.
At 29, he is also entering his prime.
The same could be said of his promoter Arum, who turns 77 this year, a time when many people would be putting their feet up by the fire.
Written off by many a few years ago with the rise of Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy outfit, Arum now has Pacquiao, Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Cotto in his stable, all in the top 10 P4p lists, and Juan Manuel Lopez, who will be a big star in a couple of year's time.
Not bad for a golden oldie.
***
I've had some success recently in British title fights, with my fighters Dean Francis, Kell Brook and now Matthew Marsh ([Only registered and activated users can see links]******.tv/drill/indexboxers.php?page=boxers&id=96) all getting their hands on the coveted Lonsdale belt. They are definitely the best of British.
***
Mike Tyson was back in the headlines this week when it was alleged that he had offered a $50,000 reward for a hit on the killers of his boyhood friend, Darryl "Homicide" Baum.
Iron Mike denied the allegation.
Meanwhile Tyson is preparing for a speaking tour in Australia, which he is getting paid around £4m for.
Predictably, there were protests down under that a man with such a bad criminal record should be allowed into the country.
It was only 200 years ago that it was a requirement for entry.
***
Japanese doctor Joji Otsuki says bigger boxing gloves cause more damage to the brain because they increase the impact area and because of it, "rotational acceleration"
I think his findings make a lot of sense, but there's some debate in the boxing world as to whether bigger gloves are safer.
Any research that helps improve our understanding of the dangers faced by boxers is a good thing.
Seems as if ****** isn;t bearing any grudges or maybe he can't say anything negative since he's been singing Joe's praises for ages and would look a right prick if he starts slagging him off now.