January 2009 Archives

UPDATE: Various reports posted on Pacland, a website dedicated to Manny Pacquiao, indicates that the fight is on. +++ By Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer MANILA, Philippines -- A day after promoters declared the fight has been called off after an impasse over the prize money, Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao has agreed to accept the offer to fight British superstar Ricky Hatton on May 2, a report on philboxing.com said. The report quoting Pacquiao's close friend and confidante Rex "Wakee" Salud said the Filipino idol was convinced when told that he would receive a $12 million guarantee and 52 percent of the pay-per-view shares. Eric Pineda, Pacquiao's business manager, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that the "other camp has reached out to salvage the fight." Pineda, however, stopped short of confirming that the fight was back on track. "All I can say right now is that there are developments in the negotiations," he said in a telephone interview. Pacquiao had been insisting on a 60-40 deal, even though his promoter, Bob Arum, and Hatton's camp had agreed to an equal split. This did not sit well with Pacquiao, who did not sign the contract before the Wednesday deadline, prompting Arum and Golden Boy Promotions chief Richard Schaefer to announce that the super-fight between the world's top pound-for-pound fighter and the king of the 140-pound division had been called off.

INQUIRER.net GEN. TRIAS, Cavite - Abe Avena of Mt. Malarayat reached the semifinals for the third time in as many years by making short work of his power hitting Korean foe Dong Kyun Goh of Lake Caliraya in the men's division even as Carmela Lee of Ayala Greenfield shocked ladies top seed Grace Atienza in the fourth National Tournament of Club Champions (NTCC) at the Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club here. Avena, a losing semifinalist in all his three stints here, used his accuracy to handle the brute force of the muscular Goh, taking a 3-up lead at the turn en route to a 5&4 victory that earned him a shot at the No. 1 ranked Chino Raymundo of Valley in the Final Four on Friday. Raymundo got a free ride into the semis when his opponent Tootsie de Jesus of Tagaytay Highlands failed to show up due to an earlier commitment he made with a business partner for a member-guest tourney. Cho Han Pyo, representing Eagle Ridge, followed up his conquest of John Papa in the Round-of-16 with a 2&1 victory over Ricky delos Santos of Aguinaldo. He battles Rodel Mangulabnan of Royal Northwoods who ousted Lito Abiera of Tagaytay Midlands, 4&3. Lee showed the door to Atienza, 4&3, and forged a semis clash with Vinice Godio, the double champion from Alabang and Sta. Elena who eliminated Imee Garcia of Rancho Palos Verdes, 6&5. Manila Golf's Richie Garcia and Bryan Cockrell, the president of Sta. Elena who is representing his club, remained on track for a glamour pairing by upending their respective foes. Garcia survived Bong de Guzman of Northwoods, 3&1, while Cockrell pounced on the struggling play of Joe Marfori of Palos Verdes for a 7&5 triumph. Garcia will be up against King Sumulong of Eastridge who nipped Cres Bendijo of Manila Southwoods, 1 up. Cockrell takes on quintuple bypass survivor Francis Bawal of Mt. Malarayat, a 1 up victor over Gen. Romulo Narcida of Villamor. The semifinal schedule of the tournament co-presented by Inquirer Golf, HSBC and Eagle Ridge on Friday also includes the semifinal pairing of Wack Wack's Nicole Serapio and Aguinaldo's Matet Salivio in the special ladies division. The winner will meet Crystal Superal of Orchard in the finals on Saturday. Matches Today Men's Division (Norman course): 7 a.m. Rodel Mangulabnan (Royal Northwoods) vs. Cho Han-pyo (Eagle Ridge) Ladies Division (Faldo): 7 a.m. Leana Farrales (Canlubang) vs. Beachie Abiera (Tagaytay Midlands/Manila Southwoods) Senior Division (Aoki): 7 a.m. Bryan Cockrell (Sta. Elena) vs. Francis Bawal (Mt. Malarayat) Special Division: 7 a.m. Matet Salivio (Aguinaldo) vs. Nicole Serapio (Wack Wack)

By Agence France-Presse MANILA--A planned May 2 showdown between Britain's Ricky Hatton and Philippines star Manny Pacquiao has been called off after two of the sport's top draws failed to agree on how to split the purse. "Basically, the two camps could not agree on the purse," Pacquiao aide Jeng Gacal told reporters in Manila on Thursday of the reported 24-million-dollar kitty for what had been billed as one of the biggest fights in years. Pacquiao, the WBC lightweight champion considered the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, let a Wednesday night Hatton deadline lapse on the Briton's final offer of a 52-48 split in the Filipino's favour. "Manny did not sign it," Gacal added, confirming earlier reports the mega fight, scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, was off. Pacquiao, who had earlier demanded a 60 percent share of the prize, later lowered it to 55-45. He also made it clear he would even agree to a 52-48 split "for as long as the minimum guaranteed purse is raised," Gacal said. However, "the Hatton camp refused to give in", he said. Richard Schaefer, chief executive for Hatton backers Golden Boy Promotions, told ESPN and the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that the bout was called off by Hatton after Pacquiao would not sign by the deadline. "The fight is off," Schaefer told ESPN. "We're pursuing our other options. That's it. The Hattons called me and asked again if we had a signed deal from Pacquiao and when I said we didn't, they said they won't sit around anymore." Bob Arum, who promotes Pacquiao, earlier said the Filipino hero wanted more money and a bigger split of the profits. "Manny decided not to sign. He was unhappy with the terms," Arum told ESPN. "The fight is off. The suits can posture but it's the fighters who have to go in the ring and fight. But I am not thrilled right now." The fighters were set to tour from next week to promote the fight. Now Hatton is scrambling to find another opponent to face on May 2. Hatton, 45-1 with 32 knockouts, hopes to fight Oscar de la Hoya, the winner of next month's fight between Juan Diaz and Juan Manuel Marquez or retired star Floyd Mayweather. Such a bout might even be staged at London's Wembley Stadium. A Mayweather-Hatton fight would be a rematch of the 2007 bout in which Mayweather stopped the Englishman in the 10th round at Las Vegas. Mayweather has not fought in the 13 months since and declared himself retired. Four-time world champion Pacquiao, 48-3 with two drawn and 36 knockouts, could still step in and save the fight by agreeing to the deal before another rival was signed, but that wasn't seen as a likely possibility. Arum said Pacquiao's next possible foes include Humberto Soto, but the payday would be far less than a fight with Hatton. Gacal, the Pacquiao aide, said that if no matchup materialises the Filipino star "will concentrate on getting a college degree." He said Pacquiao "deserved due respect" through a bigger share of the purse after the way he effectively sent boxing legend Oscar de la Hoya into retirement in a Las Vegas non-title bout last month. "Hatton does not have Pacquiao's status," Gacal added.

By Agence France-Presse LOS ANGELES--If Kobe Bryant was looking for an added challenge against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, then the Los Angeles Lakers superstar got more than he bargained for. Playing through the pain of dislocated right ring finger, Bryant had 20 points, 12 assists and a half dozen rebounds in the Lakers 105-88 win over Cleveland at Staples Center arena. Bryant sustained a dislocated finger in the opening minutes of the first quarter of Monday's game as the Lakers finally beat Cleveland after failing in their previous five attempts. "My teammates looked at it and looked away," Bryant said of the injury. "No fun." It was a matchup that pitted the teams with the best records in their respective conferences and the leading contenders for the Most Valuable Player award. "It was a big game for us because they're a physical team and that's been one of our weaknesses in the past," Bryant said. "I felt like it was a great test for us to play against a team this tough." Bryant aggravated the injury in the third quarter but continued to play. Trainers taped the ring finger to his pinky finger so he could stay in the game. The reigning NBA MVP sparked a pivotal 11-1 run midway through the fourth quarter, scoring seven points during the stretch, to help turn a close contest into a comfortable 91-73 cushion. "Kobe has a lot of years left in the NBA, he isn't going to get just one MVP," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "He's on the hunt for championships and to be the best player ever." James, who currently poses the biggest threat to dethrone Bryant in the search for his first MVP award, did his best to keep things close. He finished with 23 points and his basket with 2:56 remaining cut the deficit to 93-85, but the Cavs would get no closer. James struggled with his shot, hitting just nine-of-25 attempts, but added nine rebounds and four steals. "It's always great playing Kobe," James said. "When you go against the best, it brings out the best in you. He's one of the ultimate competitors we have in the game today. I enjoy going against him." Bryant, who has Tuesday off to rest and recuperate, is also sporting a bandage over his right eye after receiving four stitches to close a cut suffered in a recent game against Miami. "He's got a number of issues," said Laker coach Phil Jackson. "He seems to fight his way through it."

By Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao on Saturday rejected a fresh proposal for a 52-48 revenue sharing with British superstar Ricky Hatton in their 140-lb battle in May. And the latest twist in the negotiations could open the door for Floyd Mayweather Jr., whose handlers, Pacquiao disclosed, have been communicating with his camp for a possible match that could lure the former pound-for-pound king out of his retirement. But Pacquiao isn’t about to give up on the Hatton fight just yet. “Kita mo, nagbago din sila (You see, they changed their minds),” Pacquiao said with a laugh as if to stress that he is still the draw in this planned super fight pitting the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter against the king of the junior welterweight division. “Hindi pa din kami magkasundo. Wala pa kaming final decision. Maybe may adjustment pa on their part. (We still haven’t agreed to anything yet. We haven’t made a final decision. There might be adjustments on their part).” He added: “Hindi tayo pwedeng magulangan ng mga dayuhan. (We can’t let these foreigners put one over us.)” Pacquiao, though, wore a sheepish smile when asked if he was amenable to a 55 percent share of the fight and pay-per-view revenues, an idea which was broached by his American trainer Freddie Roach. Pacquiao, who had demanded for a 60-40 sharing, said he is considering his trainer’s proposal during a press conference before the opening of the Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championships here. Pacquiao said a final decision on the fight will be known as early as next week, though his business manager Eric Pineda, in a separate interview, claimed that the Filipino champion has set a deadline for the negotiations on the first week of February. “Maybe Monday, we will have a decision or within next week,” the 30-year-old Pacquiao said. The Hatton camp and Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum had agreed verbally to an equal sharing for the British Hitman and the Filipino idol late last month, after Pacquiao demolished American star Oscar De La Hoya.

By Cedelf P. Tupas Philippine Daily Inquirer As far as Manny Pacquiao is concerned, there is still no deal to fight British slugger Ricky Hatton. This was confirmed Friday by Pacquiao adviser Rex “Wakee” Salud, who said that the Filipino superstar isn’t fighting Hatton unless the revenue sharing tilts to his favor. “Manny’s stand is the same; he is not fighting unless the numbers move to his favor,” Salud told the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Pacquiao is demanding 60 percent of fight and pay-per-view purses, a sharing that does not sit well with the Hatton camp, which claimed that a verbal arrangement for a 50-50 split had already been made. Salud’s statement conflicted with that of Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, who claimed Wednesday that the fight is back on track after Pacquiao was promised half of the PPV revenue in Britain, where Hatton has a huge following. In an interview with boxingconfidential.com’s Michael Marley, Arum said Pacquiao could earn more than the $10 million he got from shaming Oscar De La Hoya last month. “Manny just got 32 percent in the De La Hoya fight,” Arum was quoted as saying. Arum also said the MGM Grand Arena has been selected as the venue for the fight. Asked if Pacquiao would be amenable to a 55-45 deal, an idea broached by trainer Freddie Roach, Salud replied: “He might. But he is still thinking about it.” Pacquiao is expected in Bacolod City today to grace the opening of the Smart-ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championships.

Agence France-Presse MELBOURNE--Roger Federer Tuesday backed his own chances for lifting a fourth Australian Open title while marveling that British bookies are tipping untried Andy Murray for the trophy. "Murray's the favorite? Good for him, but it doesn't help him a lot," said the Swiss player at the presentation of the eight-man Kooyong Classic, considered the top tune-up for the grand slam starting on Monday. But after losing twice to the Scot this month, once at an unofficial exhibition and in the Doha ATP semi-finals, Federer does give the number four player his due. "He's put himself into a great position," said the 13-time grand slam champion who could pull level on the all-time best of 14 held by Pete Sampras with a title in Melbourne. "He's playing well and finished well last year. But I'm surprised that the bookies say he's the favorite. He's never won a slam, it's surprising to hear," he said. Murray, losing US Open finalist to Federer four months ago, has come out on top in his most recent meetings against four major rivals: Rafael Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and most recently Andy Roddick in the Doha final. "Andy shown for a year that's he's knocking on the door," said Federer. "He's playing with good confidence. "But winning a slam is a different animal [that] not many guys have been able to do it. Rafa and I have taken a lot of them. They don't come easy, but he has a chance like many other players." Federer will open his Kooyong campaign on Wednesday when he faces likeable Spanish veteran Carlos Moya, whom he has beaten all seven times they've met. The rest of the opening-day lineup at the promotion-relegation special event includes former Melbourne finalist Marcos Baghdatis against Federer's Swiss Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka, Croatian Marin Cilic facing Brisbane finalist Fernando Verdasco and event veterans Ivan Ljubicic taking on Fernando Gonzalez. Federer said he is pleased to be on full fitness and feeling good with his game after missing Kooyong a year ago with illness. And he still feels his lengthy run of grand slam success gives him the edge. "I have high hopes and aim to play well from the start," said the world number two. "Of course I'm trying to beat the record of 14 from Sampras so we will see how it goes." The Swiss player said he feel much less pressure at this stage than he did a few seasons ago. "I felt the most (pressure) when (I) reached six or seven slam titles and everyone was expecting me to win every match I played. That's gone away and it's a relief. "But I'm very motivated and will remain so for a long time. I just don't feel a lot of pressure now." (Photo by AFP/MARTIN BUREAU)