Jethro's Blogosphere

Filipino-Greek professional wrestling star Batista will be toting one of Manny Pacquiao’s championship belts when the pound-for-pound king makes his way to the ring on Sunday for his fight with Ricky Hatton, a TV report said today.

Batista — David Michael Bautista Jr. in real life — has earlier expressed desire to be part of Pacquiao’s ring entourage after seeing fellow wrestlers the Undertaker and Christian Cage accompany the boxer during one of his previous fights.

A former World Wrestling Entertainment champion, Batista was born to a Filipino father and has publicly expressed pride for his Filipino heritage. In fact, he even sports a tattoo of the Philippine flag on his left bicep

from: yahoo.com news

On the eve of the official weigh-in, Manny Pacquiao was 137 pounds of pure muscle. And Ricky Hatton?

According to intelligence reports gathered by Pacquiao’s conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, the British superstar could be having some problems making the 140-pound limit for Friday’s weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

“I saw him yesterday and a source from UNLV, one of the strengthening and conditioning coaches there, saw them running out in the sun,” said Ariza whose main task is to make sure Pacquiao is in tip-top shape for the fight.

“So probably he’s still struggling to make weight. The tale would be after the weigh-in when I hear how much he weighs in. If he’s over 150 pounds (on fight night) his body is gonna be weak and I think Manny will go right after him.”

Ariza knows what his stuff, having been involved with past champions, including Diego Corrales, the former super-featherweight and lightweight champion who died in a motorcycle accident in 2007 here in Las Vegas.

Hatton said many times that he plans to climb the ring at around 154 pounds, and that he’ll be the biggest fighter Pacquiao ever faced. He said Pacquiao “may be smaller and faster” but he’ll be “bigger and stronger.”

Pacquiao plans to climb the ring on Saturday at 148 pounds.

There were also reports of a “personality problem” within the Hatton camp, a fire that was easily extinguished by chief trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.

He did not reveal the details of the matter that was reported by Jim Slater over the Internet.

“I’m a no-nonsense trainer,” Mayweather was quoted as saying. “I saw a situation and problem I had and I addressed it. We have a very clear understanding. I respect them and I want them to do the same with me.”

He was asked if there was an issue between him and his assistant, Lee Beard.

“It’s not just me and Lee. A lot of people are in there. But you could be on the right trail. It doesn’t mean the camp is not a good one because a person has a problem with another person. It was a problem that could be taken care of without being in the media. It got straightened out.”

Pacquiao did his last workout Thursday afternoon at the IBA Gym, and even when his chief trainer, Freddie Roach, had wanted him to stop, the Filipino boxer with boundless energy kept asking for more.

“Uno mas, uno mas!” said Pacquiao after what was supposed to be the third and last round of mitts.

“No, Manny. I’m tired,” said Roach who had to give in anyway, and allowed Pacquiao another three minutes of non-stop, two-handed pounding of the mitts.

“Dalawang tulog na lang bakbakaan na (Two more night and it’s fight time),” Pacquiao blurted as he did his thing.

Ariza said Pacquiao’s body is too strong right now that if Hatton thinks he could hurt the Filipino with body punches, he’s mistaken.

Terribly mistaken.

“You can hit Manny right now with a sledge hammer and he’s not going down. His sparring partners are much bigger than Hatton. You know what’s funny is that everybody’s saying Manny is the smaller guy. But when everybody takes off their clothes tomorrow and steps on the weighing scale, we’ll see who’s the smaller guy is and that’s gonna be Hatton.”

Boxing’s pound-for-pound champion is ready to rumble, and is in great shape with no problem at all making 140 pounds even when he fought Oscar dela Hoya at 147 pounds only last December.

The weigh-in is scheduled at 2 p.m. All eyes will be on Hatton.

“Everything is right on track. It’s the way we planned it to be. We’re just a couple of pounds away, by the end of the workout, Manny will probably be a couple of pounds under. Freddie’s main concern was to make sure Manny is able to eat at least a couple of times before the weigh-in like before the Dela Hoya fight,” said Ariza.

True enough, Pacquiao left the IBA Gym at 137 pounds. He actually weighed 138 pounds with shoes and trunks on.

“I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t going to lose more than 138 before the weigh-in. He should be 140 exactly on the nose. So he should have breakfast tomorrow and a light snack before the weigh-in. You know his body, if you’ve seen it, he’s so muscular now, and his body is like a machine it’s just burning too much calories,” Ariza said. -

from:yahoo.com news

The scare over the disease formerly known as swine flu has dampened the much-awaited “Battle of East and West,” but Team Pacquiao is not pushing the panic button because of it.

In fact, Manny Pacquiao, just two days before his big fight with Ricky Hatton, continued to welcome guests in his hotel suite, although with some restrictions.

The virus that causes swine flu, renamed H1N1 Influenza, has caused some concern here, but despite its first detection in Nevada, on a two-year-old girl from Washoe County, tourists continue to flock in.

They’re here for a big weekend, one that features the highly awaited showdown between two great boxers coming from opposite ends of the world, on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time) at the MGM Grand.

In Pacquiao’s suite, everything is swine flu-free.

The only visitor so far who came to the room wearing a facemask was Rod Nazario, Pacquiao’s former business manager. He said at his age, in his seventies perhaps, he’s just playing it safe.

Visitors came in groups to visit Pacquiao late Thursday afternoon, after he returned from a workout at the IBA Gym, and stayed there until dinner time. Visitors are allowed to remain only until 8:30 p.m.

They are allowed to take pictures, but with no flash. Autographs are a no-no.

“Kung maaari lang nga huwag munang magla-lalabas. Istrikto sila dahil may swine flu kaya sana maintindihan nila (If possible, I should not keep going out. They’re strict and I hope they understand),” said Pacquiao.

Still, it doesn’t seem to be that way as Pacquiao continued to mingle with people inside his suite.

The other night, almost the entire Philippine basketball team came up to his 60th floor nest, each one of them having pictures taken with the boxing superstar. Among the visitors Thursday was actor Richard Gomez.

“Ang daming tao sa kuwarto (There are too many people in the room),” said Pacquiao’s brother Bobby along the hallway.

Everything will change though on the eve of the fight when the “no-visitors” rule will be observed based on tradition.

An invite from Clinton

But the pound-for-pound champion’s admirers also include the rich, the mighty, and the famous.

No less than former US President Bill Clinton has wished him luck for his match with Hatton.

Pacquiao was just getting ready to sleep at around 10 p.m. Wednesday when they got a very important call that the former president, who’s in town to deliver a speech for a global convention on recycling, wanted an audience with him.

He had just finished praying the rosary when the call came. He literally jumped out of bed, changed clothes, and in no time was at the grand lobby of Mandalay Bay.

A private limousine was sent to pick up the boxer and a small entourage. They were brought to the Four Seasons Hotel where Clinton was waiting.

Pacquiao was led into a room along with his close friends, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, national security deputy adviser Chavit Singson, trainer Michael Moorer and Canadian Mike Koncz who set up the meeting.

According to a witness, security was tight in and out of the room, with probably a dozen Secret Service agents on hand. Only one camera was allowed inside, one that took a rare picture of Pacquiao and Clinton together.

The Filipino boxing icon, in case Clinton didn’t know, heads Task Force Kalikasan (Nature) back home.

The meeting lasted for about 10 minutes.

“He just said good luck to me,” said Pacquiao Thursday when asked to recall the meeting with Clinton, who used to be the world’s most powerful man.

“It is my honor to meet him. He said a few other things but I couldn’t remember them. But we talked about the fight and I knew he likes boxing. He was kind. But it was quick because I had to rest,” he said.

Precautionary measures

And with only several hours before the big night, hotels in this gambling capital have started taking precautions, which include procedures to distribute medication, conduct quarantine and keeping the public aware of the contagious disease.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman continued to welcome visitors.

“The hotels have no problems as I have been told by the health department. There is no reason not to come here. It’s probably safer to come here than where they are,” the mayor said.

It’s just about the same case in Pacquiao’s suite.

But some Filipinos in Reno are going to miss out on the live action at the MGM Grand.

With one confirmed case of H1N1 Influenza virus infection in Reno, some Pinoy boxing enthusiasts worry about going to crowded areas. They would rather stay indoors and watch the match on television.

“We’re trying to avoid unnecessary exposure to certain viruses that may be happening in crowded places,” said Jun Aragon.

In Manila, the Department of Health advised Filipinos who will troop to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Hatton fisticuffs to wear protective gear.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is a possibility that anyone of the spectators could be affected by the deadly virus because of the venue’s proximity to Mexico where the virus was said to have originated.

Duque also issued the same appeal to Pacquiao fans all over the country who are expected to converge in theaters, bars and other recreational places to watch the live coverage.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), on the other hand, has assured the public that vital installations will be secured during Pacquiao’s fight.

Just like in his previous fight, police are anticipating that there will be zero crime rate for the duration of the bout.

TIME magazine’s elite

Meanwhile, Pacquiao’s popularity has transcended cultural differences.

Lennox Lewis, a Briton and former world heavyweight champion, was all praises for the Filipino southpaw and said he sees Pacquiao becoming the Philippine president one day.

Lewis, who wrote a tribute for the pound-for-pound champion in TIME magazine’s annual “World’s 100 Most Influential People,” was in awe of Pacman’s god-like appeal.

“The grip he holds over the Philippines is similar to Nelson Mandela’s influence in South Africa. I can surely see Manny becoming the Philippine president one day,” Lewis wrote.

He even rationalized Pacquiao’s 2007 debacle in the congressional polls, saying the “voters thought he could do more for the country as an inspirational champion boxer. I agree with the Filipino people.”

Lewis became a Pacquiao fan after the 30-year-old boxer beat Oscar de la Hoya last December.

The former world champion went on to praise Pacquiao for keeping controversies at bay while he is fighting in the ring.

“Boxing needs a guy like Manny,” Lewis said. “Too often, when something positive develops, the sport takes two steps backward; you never know where the black eye is going to come from. With Manny, you don’t have to worry about that. He just loves the sport and knows he’s carrying the hopes of his country in the ring.”

Pacquiao emerged as the 22nd most popular vote-getter in the online polls conducted by TIME magazine for its annual issue.

He is only the second Filipino to be included in the TIME 100 list after former President Corazon Aquino.

The Filipino ring icon even bested newly elected US President Barack Obama, who came in at No. 37.

Aside from Obama, those who fell behind the Filipino pugilist after the final tally were Britney Spears (30), Vladimir Putin (35), Arnold Schwarzenegger (39), Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (44 and 45), Hillary Clinton (54), Rafael Nadal (60), Clint Eastwood (68), Michael Phelps (72), George Bush (75), Pope Benedict XVI (78), Oprah Winfrey (98).

Pacquiao is the first athlete that the Philippine Postal Corp. has honored with his own stamp. –

from; yahoo.com news

Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao both look to make history in their boxing blockbuster on Saturday but the winner's richest prize could be a showdown with retired unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

The US superstar welterweight who called it quits after defeating England's Hatton 17 months ago is already training for a comeback, according to his father Floyd Mayweather Snr., who also serves as Hatton's trainer.

"He's back in the gym," Mayweather Snr said.

Mayweather, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, abdicated his pound-for-pound throne after stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December of 2007, avoiding several rivals such as then-unbeaten Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico.

"I would love another crack at him," Hatton said. "It would be a different outcome."

Filipino hero Pacquiao, now regarded as the pound-for-pound king, admits looking at a Congressional run in his homeland in 2010 but plans also to keep fighting for a while, said he would welcome a chance to meet Mayweather.

"I would fight him if he decided to fight again," Pacquiao said. "I can fight at different weights. It depends on the fighter."

Mayweather Snr taunted Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, with his take on the prospect of a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight should Hatton lose Saturday.

"I know Freddie Roach does not want Manny Pacquiao fighting my son. He knows what's going to happen," Mayweather Snr said. "You know he ain't going to see Floyd. He's going to get knocked out by Ricky. Trust me."

Roach said that while the fight would likely come at a catch weight between 140 and 147 pounds, he had no problem with the idea.

"Manny is not afraid of anyone," Roach said. "Whatever comes next comes next. If Floyd comes out of retirement, OK."

Should Hatton win, that could mean Mayweather Snr training against his son, something he did not do when Mayweather won a split decision over Oscar de la Hoya in May, 2007. De la Hoya retired after losing to Pacquiao last December.

"This is a business," Mayweather Snr said. "He doesn't take care of me so I have to take care of myself."

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported Friday that MGM Grand officials are holding open July 18 for what could be a Mayweather return bout against World Boxing Association super champion Juan Manuel Marquez, 50-4 with one draw and 37 knockouts. Pacquiao defeated Marquez in a split decision last year.

Mayweather played the loud-mouth role to the hilt against de la Hoya to help spark the richest fight in boxing history and also against Hatton in another huge pay-per-view moneymaker.

De la Hoya's large Hispanic following and Hatton's loyal British supporters were the financial engines driving the bouts but the challenge of Mayweather spurred profits and his return could help with de la Hoya now solely promoting and economic conditions worse than before.

Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum indicated a catch weight would be part of putting together a deal for a Mayweather fight.

"A lot of these fights will be made at a catch weight. A fight with a Cotto or a Mayweather would be at a catch weight, 144-145 pounds. That would have to be negotiated."

The streets of the Philippines could resemble a ghost town for a few hours on Sunday morning as everyone from taxi drivers to petty thieves makes time to watch Manny Pacquiao's fight against Ricky Hatton.

Pacquiao, known as the "nation's fist," is idolised in the Southeast Asian nation and his every appearance in the ring has a majority of the 90 million people glued to their television and radio sets, causing a surge in demand for electricity.

"In terms of sports events, every Pacquiao fight is the Philippines' Super Bowl," said Carlito Claudio, vice president for systems operations at the National Grid Corp of the Philippines.

Power demand normally rises by two percent, or around 140 megawatts, whenever Pacquiao fights and this Sunday is likely to be no different, Claudio told Reuters by phone.

Pacquiao, a former four-weight world champion, will try and snatch the IBO light-welterweight title from Hatton in a 12-round bout in Las Vegas on Sunday morning Phillipines time.

"I'll skip work in the morning to watch the fight," Danilo Santos, a 28-year-old taxi driver in Manila, told Reuters.

"I'm sure all Filipinos will also stay home so it will just be a waste of time driving around. If Manny wins, then I'll have a busy afternoon," added Santos, who expects people to be partying in the streets should their man triumph.

Lolita Cruz has set up a cable television at her small, neighbourhood canteen in a Manila suburb so her customers can watch the fight while eating.

"I am praying for Manny's victory because that will bring honour and pride to all Filipinos anywhere in the world," Cruz said. "He's my hero because he always makes us proud."

SATELLITE LINK-UP

Restaurants with cable television will open early as will shopping malls with cinemas, where people can watch the fight live via satellite.

The SM group, the country's largest cinema operator, said the tickets, priced at 551 pesos each, were selling fast.

"So far we've sold only 50 percent of the tickets but many people usually buy during the day of the match," said Armando Cortez, supervisor at the SM North EDSA cinemas which sold the most tickets in the country for Pacquiao's December 7 defeat of Oscar de la Hoya.

Pacquiao, nicknamed "Pac-man," is clearly popular with the nation's criminals as well.

"We have historical and statistical data to show that there's always zero crime during Pacquiao's actual match," said Nicanor Bartolome, national police spokesman.

In the southern Mindanao island, government soldiers will set up a giant screen in a former camp of the militant rebel group Abu Sayyaf to watch the match, according to a local radio report.

Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, has also distracted politicians.

Congress adjourned its session early this week so about 50 lawmakers, including the speaker of the House of Representatives, could fly to Las Vegas for the fight.

from: yahoo.com news