Tag Archives: Showtime

boxing, HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing

Mayweather-Pacquiao Undercard Update: Sid El Harrak eagerly awaiting Pearson Showdown!

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Los Angeles, CA (April 22, 2015) – In less than two weeks, Sid El Harrak will have the chance to change his life and boxing career when he faces undefeated Chris Pearson as part of the historic Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao card at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

 

To prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, El Harrak’s dedicated all of his time to various aspects of training. From cardio to strength and conditioning, sharpening his skills in the gym and intense sparring sessions, the California based Londoner is covering everything imaginable. Most importantly, he believes the grueling training sessions he’s gone through at both Wild Card Boxing Gym locations is already paying off.

 

“It’s very important to have an ample amount of time to train for a fight and that’s not something I’ve had my whole career,” said El Harrak, who is 12-2-2 with 7 wins by knockout. “Mentally, I feel 100 percent ready to go out there and shine in the biggest fight of my life. I’m still working hard to balance everything out so the world sees the best Sid El Harrak next Saturday.”

 

He also loves being considered the underdog against the 11-0 and heavily hyped Pearson.

 

“I have a lot of pride and knowing that I’m coming into this fight as the B-side pushes me that much more. I love the fact that Pearson’s supposed to be “the guy” in this fight. If I fought who he did, I’d be undefeated. At the same time, had he faced the opponents I did under the same circumstances, he’d have a few losses. To be honest, I’m sick of thinking about him. This is the most eager I’ve been for a fight in my career and I can’t wait to show everybody what I can do on May 2nd!”

 

The El Harrak-Pearson ten round junior middleweight bout will be televised on various networks throughout the world.

 

boxing, HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing

147-POUND WEIGHT CLASS TAKES CENTER STAGE AGAIN ON SATURDAY, MAY 2 AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA

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Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao Square Off
In Another Classic Showdown

 In The Welterweight Division

 

LAS VEGAS (April 20, 2015) — It has often been said that “as the heavyweight division goes, so goes boxing,” but that has not always been the case and, in fact, might not even be valid when viewed from a comprehensive perspective dating back to the late 19th century. In Boxing, German author Bertram Job’s epic, 420-page coffee-table dissertation on all aspects of the sweet science, he writes that, “Elegance is the trademark of the slim and nimble stars in the under 147-pound weight class that has attracted insiders and admirers of beauty like no other.”

 

And so it is with what will be another benchmark entry in the rich history of the division when, onMay 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, live on pay-per-view, welterweight champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) takes on fellow titlist Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao(57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a long-anticipated unification showdown that will be the richest prizefight in the sport’s history, and which has drawn comparisons to some of the premier matchups in a weight class imprinted with that elegant trademark to which Job referred.

 

Although Pacquiao, the only fighter ever to win world championships in eight weight classes, and Mayweather, who has reigned in five weight classes, have not campaigned solely or even mostly as welterweights, it is hardly a surprise that the most important intersection of their remarkable careers comes in the same division for which so many of boxing’s greatest legends are primarily known.

 

The “gold standard” to which all welterweights aspire remains the late, great Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith Jr., the skinny kid who had never fought in a sanctioned bout at any level was a tag-along with coach George Gainford to an amateur tournament in Kingston, N.Y. Asked if he had a flyweight he wished to enter, Gainford was about to say no when Smith tugged on his sleeve and said, “I’ll fight.” As it turned out, Gainford had an AAU card – you needed one to be certified as a non-professional – in the name of Ray Robinson, one of his boxers who had given up the sport. Smith/Robinson won a four-round decision, and, although no one knew it then, thus was a legend born.

 

Robinson was 85-0 as an amateur before turning pro at 19 in 1940. By 1951, he was 128-1-2 with 84 knockout victories. Although he is also remembered for winning the middleweight title five times, Robinson never lost as a welterweight, winning so often and so emphatically that the legendary trainer, Eddie Futch, was moved to observe that, “He had everything. Boxing skills, punching power, a great chin, mental strength. There was nothing he couldn’t do.”

 

Robinson also had an outsized ego, which perhaps is a necessary component to any great fighter’s mental makeup. Even a trace of doubt in one’s own ability is not conducive to success in the ring. Once, when asked about his “golf game,” Muhammad Ali, who didn’t play golf, responded, “I’m the best, greatest of ’em all. I just haven’t played yet.”

 

Mayweather certainly brings that aura of invincibility to his work, and maybe not just because he has yet to lose as a professional. In 2013, he said, “Of course I feel unbeatable. I’m the best. I’m not going into any fight figuring that I’m beatable. I want to make a legacy for myself as the greatest fighter who ever entered the ring.”

 

Pacquiao, while perhaps not as verbose, is no less secure in his own belief system. It is those heaping measures of talent and swagger that make Mayweather vs. Pacquiao a must-see event. Which of these outstanding fighters can make the other bend to his will? Who will have his name written in larger print in the big book of welterweights?

 

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has inducted 23 fighters who were, at one time or another, welterweight champions. In addition to Robinson, those whose plaques grace the hallowed hall include Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Julio Cesar Chavez, Pernell Whitaker, Carmen Basilio, Henry Armstrong, Emile Griffith, Pipino Cuevas, Jose Napoles, Curtis Cokes, Barney Ross, Kid Gavilan, Wilfred Benitez, Luis Rodriguez, Mickey Walker, Fritzie Zivic, Jack Britton, Jackie Fields, Ted “Kid” Lewis and “Mysterious” Billy Smith. Mayweather and Pacquiao are of course assured of joining their ranks as soon as they become eligible to go onto the ballot.

 

The lead-up to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has generated no shortage of comparisons to past welterweight clashes that are notable for the classic nature of those bouts, the widespread public interest attendant to them, or both.

 

Is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao more likely to be a repeat of, say, Leonard-Duran I, which Duran won on a rousing unanimous decision on June 25, 1980, in Montreal? The epic Leonard-Hearns I, on Sept. 16, 1981, which saw Leonard, trailing on the scorecards, rally for a dramatic, 14th-round TKO at Caesars Palace? Trinidad’s controversial majority decision over De La Hoya in their Sept. 18, 1999, unification showdown at the Mandalay Bay? Or will it make its own mark in such a distinctive way that no comparisons can or should be drawn?

 

When it comes to unforgettable welterweight bouts, by now it should be obvious that anything and everything is possible. Mayweather and Pacquiao will make history, and add to it, by attempting to bend destiny each to their own purpose.

 

# # #

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports, www.hbo.com/boxingand www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
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ANDRZEJ FONFARA STOPS JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., WINS BY 9TH-ROUND TKO AT STUBHUB CENTER

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Amir Imam Remains Unbeaten

With Unanimous Decision Over Walter Castillo

 

Unbeaten Moises Flores Outpoints Oscar Escandon To Win

WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Title; Omar Chavez Triumphs

By Decision, Fabian Maidana by Knockout on SHO EXTREME

 

Catch SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Replay
Monday, April 20, at 10 p.m.ET/PT on SHO EXTREME

 

 Click HERE To Download Photos

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

CARSON, Calif. (April 18, 2015) – Confident and determined, Andrzej “The PolishPrince” Fonfara (27-3, 16 KOs) spoiled the ring return of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (48-2-1, 32 KOs) in resounding fashion Saturday night, flooring the former middleweight champion one time en route to a one-sided ninth-round TKO in the main event ofSHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING live on SHOWTIME.

 

Fonfara, of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, dropped Chavez, of Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico, with a wide left hook 50 seconds into the ninth round before a boisterous crowd of 8,636 predominately-Chavez fans at StubHub Center. It was the first time in 52 professional fights that Chavez had hit the canvas from a punch.

 

Upon returning to the corner, Chavez could be heard on the telecast telling trainer Joe Goossen that he had hurt his right leg and could no longer continue. Moments later, the fight was halted. The busier and more accurate fighter throughout, Fonfara was comfortably ahead on the three judges’ scorecards by scored of 89-80 and 88-81 twice after nine full rounds.

 

Offered an ecstatic Fonfara, who had his fair share of Polish fans at the venue: “I knew he was a tough fighter, quick and in good shape but when he hit me for the first time in the first round, I knew I was going to win this fight. He didn’t punch as hard as everybody said he did.

 

“I saw his punches easily coming in. I know I threw more punches. I was a little surprised that he did not come out for the (10th) but he was cut, had been getting beat up and had just got knocked down, so he knew what would happen if he came out.

 

“Chavez said before the fight that he didn’t think I could take his body punches. I think I took them pretty good and passed that test.

 

“I know there are things I can still work on in training to become a more complete boxer, buttonight was a dream come true. I want a rematch with (Light Heavyweight World Champion) Adonis Stevenson.

 

Said Chavez, the son of legendary Mexican icon, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. in the ring afterward and before he was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, “Maybe 170,172 pounds is too big for me, maybe I’ll go back down. I’m not sure what my future holds. It was a very tough fight. But I congratulate Andrzej.”

 

Goossen told reporters afterward that he had “stopped the fight. It was my decision. I didn’t like what I saw. ”

 

In the first half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader, undefeated world-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (17-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y., won a lopsided 10-round decision over Walter “The Hammer” Castillo.

 

The talented, versatile, Imam, 24, controlled a fight that featured numerous exchanges especially early on with a left jab and straight right hand.

 

“My combinations were effective the whole night, we stuck to our gameplan and came out victorious,” said Imam. “I want any of the world champions next”.

 

Castillo, who saw a nine-fight winning streak come to an end, said “I thought I won the fight. I didn’t get credit for the punches I threw. The judge who scored it 100-90; well, that gives me no chance to win here. The cut bothered me in the early rounds, but was not a factor after.”

 

Earlier Saturday, on SHOWTIME EXTREME, undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (23-0, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico, captured the WBA Super Bantamweight Interim World Championship with a thrilling 12-round split decision over defending champion Oscar Escandon (24-2 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia.

 

Flores, making his 2015 debut and third start in a row in the United States, triumphed by the scores of 116-112 twice and 113-115.

 

An emotional Flores was near tears afterward. “This is a dream come true – more than a dream come true – for me,” he said. “I saw my family on the beach, eating meat. I saw my babies better dressed. For me this is a life-changing victory and, yes, I thought it was very, very close but I absolutely feel I won.

 

“I want to fight the best next, the top guys at 122 pounds and right now the top guy is Leo Santa Cruz. That’s who I’d like to fight next. I really want to thank all my team, from top to bottom, for giving me this wonderful opportunity. We’re very happy that we joined the Al Haymon team. We’re very loyal and we just really appreciate everything they’ve done for us.”

 

Escandon felt he’d done enough to win despite injuring the right index finger on his right hand in the seventh round.

 

“I did all that I could, everything was in my reach, but I think I broke or fractured my finger,” he said. “In boxing things happen that are out of your control. Because I hurt my hand, I couldn’t throw punches the way I wanted to with my right hand. I tried to do all I could with it. But I didn’t want to injure it further. I’m OK, but I definitely would love a rematch.”

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, super welterweight Omar “El Businessman”Chavez (33-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., won an exciting, hard-fought, give-and-take eight-round unanimous decision over Richard Gutierrez (28-16-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia.

Chavez won by the scores of 78-75 twice and 77-74. There were no knockdowns.

 

Unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana (6-0, 5 KOs), of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, registered a second-round TKO (32 seconds into the round) over outclassed Cory Vom Baur (2-3), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader will re-air this week as follows:

 

DAY                                                                 CHANNEL

Monday, April 20, 22, 10 p.m.. ET/PT  SHOWTIME Extreme

 

Tuesday, June 24, at 10 p.m. ET/PT                SHO Extreme

 

Saturday’s two-fight telecast will be available at SHOWTIME ON DEMAND beginning Sunday, June 22 27.

 

Mauro Ranallo called the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING action with Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein and former world champion Paulie Malignaggi commentating and Jim Gray reporting. In Spanish, Alejandro Luna called the blow-by-blow with former world champion Raul Marquez serving as color commentator. Barry Tompkins called the SHOWTIME EXTREME action from ringside with boxing historian Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst.

 

The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.

 

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” was a 12-round bout that took place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. And aired on SHOWTIME.

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
boxing, HBO Boxing, Showtime Boxing

Will Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Live up to the Hype?

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By: Rich Bergeron

Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 KOs) and Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) are set to clash on May 2nd, 2015 in one of the most hyped fights in boxing history. This fight is so huge they are even planning to sell tickets to the weigh-in due to crowd control issues. The proceeds will not be going to the promoters or the boxers, though. It all goes to charity. Still, this is a first for the state of Nevada, which traditionally requires that all weigh-ins be free of charge for fans to attend.

The level of anticipation surrounding this fight had a long time to build up. For the better part of the last decade, these two pound-for-pound juggernauts could not make this fight happen for one ridiculous reason after another. As someone who personally attended some of Mayweather’s public workouts in Vegas, I can attest to the fact that the undefeated welterweight champion repeatedly and relentlessly cited Pacquiao’s refusal to undergo Olympic style blood testing when asked about the attempts being made to get this fight signed over five years ago.

Mayweather even came up with a little rap lyric to express the issue in simple terms:

“If you wanna fight the best, you gotta take the test,” he belted out during a sit-up session at one of those open workouts.

Pacquiao changed his tune on the testing and overcame the biggest hurdle of all when he met personally with Mayweather and agreed that he would be the “B” side and should therefore get a smaller split of the purse. As the video above outlines, Mayweather was then able to dominate the negotiation process.

Although pundits still say this fight will be the biggest in the history of the sport, the question must be asked if this pairing is happening too late in the careers of both fighters for it to be as exciting as some experts predict it will be.

It was always clear to me this fight would happen, but it became obvious that the longer it took to sign the contracts, the better Floyd’s chances of winning would be. Still, Floyd did admit in 2012 that the real reason he didn’t want to fight Pacquiao was due to health concerns. He denied being scared, calling himself “smart” for thinking about his family and his health first. Still, he insisted that the main reason his health would be at risk in that fight was if Pacquiao was really doing steroids, as Mayweather alleged and ended up being sued over. The two settled out of court and the fight is now imminent, so some fans think it’s all water under the bridge. Others are just plain aggravated that we had to wait this long for this bout to come to fruition.

Boxing Legend Marvin Hagler even commented recently that Mayweather waited until Pacquiao aged a little more before signing to fight him. Hagler compared Mayweather’s tactics to Sugar Ray Leonard waiting until Hagler became a little “soft” himself before they signed their fight contract. That bout turned out to be hugely controversial and left Hagler extremely bitter about the sport that made him famous.

So, the May-Pac fight will happen, and Mayweather is the obvious favorite.  To learn more about the gambling side of this story, check out Boxing betting at William Hill site. The biggest payoff for any lucky bettor will be a successful bet on Pacquiao, but it’s easy to wonder if Pacquiao really is too old to win this time out. After all, there are tons of concerns with Manny’s calf muscles seizing up, and he reportedly uses a healing cream that costs thousands of dollars per bottle to address the problem.

Mayweather (38) is actually the older fighter, but the 36-year-old Manny’s fought 17 more bouts in the pro ranks and will likely be the most active puncher “Money” ever faced. Mayweather’s normally spectacular and overwhelming defensive prowess just might be tested.

This fight may not be worth every penny you spend on tickets or the Pay-Per-View feed, but the fact that it is finally happening is still special. It will still be a fight boxing fans everywhere around the world can enjoy and appreciate. It’s ultimately up to the fighters to prove they are both up to the task of making sure this fight lives up to expectations. Chances are, Floyd will do his best to leave the MGM Grand with an uneventful decision win. Let’s just hope Pacquiao has enough left in the tank to make sure this is the most competitive fight Mayweather’s ever been in. It may not be the most opportune time for this fight to happen, but it’s a lot better to get it late than never.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. vs. ANDRZEJ FONFARA AMIR IMAM vs. WALTER CASTILLO OFFICIAL WEIGHTS & PHOTOS 

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SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®  Live On SHOWTIME® Saturday, April 18, (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT) 

From StubHub Center In Carson, Calif. 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

Click HERE To Download Photos From Friday’s Weigh-In
Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.: 171 ½ Pounds
ANDRZEJ FONFARA: 171 ½ Pounds

AMIR IMAM: 140 Pounds
WALTER CASTILLO: 138 Pounds

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME:
OSCAR ESCANDON: 121 ¾ Pounds
MOISES FLORES: 121 ¼ Pounds

OMAR CHAVEZ: 159 Pounds
RICHARD GUTIERREZ: 158 ½ Pounds

(SHOWTIME EXTREME Swing Bout)
FABIAN MAIDANA: 146 ¼ Pounds
CORY VOM BAUR: 145 ½ pounds

# # #

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara”, a 12-round light heavyweight bout co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). In the co-main event, Amir Imam faces Walter Castillo in a 10-round jr. welterweight showdown. The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

Tickets for the event are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, are available for purchase online at AXS.com.

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.

boxing, Showtime Boxing

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. VS. ANDRZEJ FONFARA, AMIR IMAM VS. WALTER CASTILLO FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES & PHOTOS

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“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.”

– Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

 

“I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.” — Andrzej Fonfara

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® This Saturday, April 18,

Live On SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)

From StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

 

SHOWTIME BOXING ON SHO EXTREME Airs Live at 8 p.m. ET/PT

 

INSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO Premieres Immediately
Following SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING TELECAST

 

Tickets for Saturday’s StubHub Fights Are On Sale!

 

LOS ANGELES (April 16, 2015) – Popular Mexican superstar and former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and dangerous brawler Andrzej Fonfara participated in the final the final press conference Thursday at Crowne Plaza Hotel LAX, just two days before Saturday’s SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING doubleheader.

 

Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) of Culiacan, Mexico, and Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs) of Chicago by way of Radon, Poland, will meet in the 12-round light heavyweight main event live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) from StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.  Chavez will make his eagerly awaited return to the ring and first start for new trainer Joe Goossen.

 

Also participating in today’s press conference was undefeated top 10-ranked super lightweight Amir Imam (16-0, 14 KOs), of Davie, Fla., by way of Albany, N.Y. who will put his unblemished record on the line against fellow power-puncher Walter Castillo (25-2, 18 KOs) (25-2, 18 KOs), of Managua, Nicaragua, in the 10-round co-feature on SHOWTIME.

On SHOWTIME EXTREME® (8 p.m. ET/PT) this Saturday, WBA Interim Super Bantamweight World Champion Oscar Escandon (24-1, 16 KOs), of Tolima, Colombia, will make the first defense of his 122-pound title when he faces undefeated Moises “El Chucky” Flores (22-0, 1 NC, 16 KOs), of Guadalajara, Mexico.

 

In the SHOWTIME EXTREME co-feature, Omar “El Businessman” Chavez (32-3-1, 22 KOs), of Culiacan, the younger brother of Chavez, Jr. and son of legendary Julio Cesar Sr., will face Richard Gutierrez (28-15-1, 17 KOs), of Arjona, Colombia, in an eight-round middleweight fight. Also featured on the telecast, time permitting, will be a six-round match between unbeaten Argentine welterweight Fabian “TNT” Maidana, of Santa Fe, Argentina, the brother of former world champion Marcos Maidana, who’ll be opposed by Cory Vom Baur (2-2, 0 KOs), of Vancouver, Wash.

 

Tickets for the event co-promoted by Goossen Promotions and Chavez Promotions are priced at $200, $150, $100, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and service charges, and are on sale online at AXS.com.

What the fighters, trainers and executives said Thursday:

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR., Former World Champion

“I had a great training camp. I feel better than ever. I am ready for the fight.

 

“I know that this is a new weight class for me. I realize that Fonfara is very tough and bigger than me, but I am up for the challenge.

 

“I have worked on my boxing during my one year off, and I am very excited and motivated to get back in the ring.

 

“I have worked so hard for this fight because I am fighting in a new weight class. I must punch harder, so I have focused on getting stronger during this training camp.

 

“I have a great chin, I know how to take punches and my conditioning is great. A lot of fighters can take a punch, but I can take multiple punches and not be hurt.

 

“I think that Andrzej Fonfara is one of the best fighters in the light heavyweight division. Inside of boxing, everyone knows who Fonfara is. He knocked down one of the best boxers in the world in Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Fonfara is disciplined in the ring, but he doesn’t vary his punches.

 

“I understand that my dad didn’t want me to take this fight. I had bigger names I could’ve fought, but I think that Fonfara is a great challenge for me and I like the challenge.

 

“I would like to thank SHOWTIME for making this fight happen.”

 

 

ANDRZEJ FONFARA, World Title Challenger

“I’m prepared very well and I’m ready for this fight. It’s been a great camp like always. I train hard for each fight.  I’m a tough boxer who is feeling great. The weight is good and everything is perfect.

 

“I must put everything into Saturday night and I will win the fight.

 

“I must look even better than I did against Stevenson. Everyone said I looked good, but I lost the fight. I didn’t want congratulations because I did not win the fight. But this time I will win the fight.  I’m ready for a decision or for a knockout.

 

“I’m ready with a couple of plans. I don’t want to run around the ring, I want to fight tough. I’m going to use my jab and my right hand, which is my best punch.

 

“I’m not worried about what his father said about not fighting me. Chavez Jr. wants to fight and I will show him that his father was right.

 

“It doesn’t matter how I win, I want to win this fight and get my rematch with Adonis Stevenson.

 

“Chavez Jr. is a great fighter. He uses a lot of combinations and has a powerful punch that I must be ready for. I want to show the whole world how good I am when I win this fight on Saturday.

 

“If I get the chance, I’m going to knock him out. It’s boxing so you never know what will happen. I want to box round-by-round and win this fight.

 

“I lost the fight with Stevenson but I showed that I was a good boxer. I’m a much smarter fighter now because of that experience. That was a fight at the top championship level.

 

“It doesn’t matter what Chavez Jr. says at a press conference, we’ll be in the ring Saturdayand everything will happen there.

 

“Fan’s can expect heavy punches, knockdowns and a great fight.”

 

AMIR IMAM, Undefeated Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m confident going into this fight because of how I train. I have put my heart and soul into this sport since I moved to Florida three years ago. I left everything behind to better myself.

 

“I’m going to stay smart and composed in there and do everything I can to get the win.

 

“I don’t feel like I need the knockout to come away with a successful fight. But, you better believe that if there is an opportunity to knock him out, then I will take advantage of it.

 

“In 2015, I want to become a world champion. This is my breakout year. A lot of people have been buzzing about me. I want to become the WBC world champion, that’s what I’m heading for.

 

“I know he’s [Castillo] a good opponent, he’s got a great resume, and he’s coming to fight. He has a great record, so that alone shows what he’s capable of. Come Saturday night may the better man win.

 

“I’ve boxed styles like [his] plenty of times, but you never know, he could come out different Saturdaynight.

 

“I’m ready to put on a great show for the SHOWTIME audience.”

 

WALTER CASTILLO, Super Lightweight Contender

“I’m coming here to fight. I can tell you one thing, Amir Imam made a big mistake by taking this fight.

 

“I’ve fought a lot of tough fighters; my two losses were by decisions where I feel I was robbed. I’ve fought better fighters than Amir has.

 

“Come Saturday, I’m going to announce to the whole world that Walter Castillo is here to stay and he’s going to be a world champion.”

 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ SR.

“Being in Los Angeles is like being in Mexico for me; I have had many great memories. I became the world champion for this first time here and my son also became the world champion for the first time here, too.

 

“Julio definitely has a very difficult fight ahead of him.

 

“If I was Julio’s manager, I wouldn’t have taken this fight. Fonfara is a difficult and tough fighter.

 

“My son wants to fight fighters of quality and wants credibility in boxing.

 

“Julio has worked and trained very hard for this fight .He has the capability to win and we expect that it will go very well.”

 

JOE GOOSSEN, Chavez’ Trainer

“Julio has a window here the next five, six, seven years that he can capitalize on.

 

“I think he’s left the childish stuff behind, and we’re all guilty of being childish.

 

“I think that Julio has surprised his father with his determination heading into this fight.

He’s got a left hook to the liver that just sends a shock through your body.

 

“He’s not soft. He’s a real fighter. I have been around enough fighters to know that he’s a real fighter.  Number one, he has the never-say- die attitude in there.

 

“We’re up against a very well-schooled, blue collar, workmanlike  fighter in Fonfara.

 

“He is an athletic, improvisational fighter, in that you don’t know where everything’s coming from.

 

“I’ve watched a lot of Fonfara tape, and he pretty much repeats what he does, but he repeats it well.

 

“This is going to be a battle. You’ve got two contrasting styles and personalities.

 

“Julio has 51 fights under his belt. He’s no rookie and he comes from a great bloodline.  (In the short time I’ve been with him, it has been) more of an association than a dictatorial effort between the two of us.

 

“Based on former camps, he’s never really extracted himself from comfortable surroundings and put himself in a position where he is completely isolated like he was in Lake Tahoe.”

 

SAM COLONNA, Fonfara’s Trainer

“Fonfara could turn it up whenever. He could be down on the scorecards and one punch he throws could change someone’s world. He’s proven in the past that he has power in both hands.

 

“The styles in this fight are perfect for each other. When people ask about the fight I say it could go either way, it depends on who catches the other first.

 

“I’m looking for Fonfara to dominate, but Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a warrior, he comes to fight, he knows how to go to the body like his father used to, so we’ve been working on all of these strategies.

 

“A knockout win would be a dream come true to me. That’s what I’ve been looking for all these years. Winning this huge fight would change everything for Fonfara and myself.

 

“This camp that Andrzej had was the best we’ve ever had. He worked hard, he had time to train and there’s no excuses.

 

“We’re coming to fight a war. Don’t forget that wars are won by strategy.

 

“People say to listen to your father. His father told him not to take this fight, but he took it anyway and that was a mistake.

 

“I see this fight not going past 10 rounds,  with us getting the knockout.”

 

 

STACY  MCKINLEY, Imam’s Trainer

“Amir has always trained very hard, but I did see a change in him in this training camp after the last fight. He has stepped up his training by two levels.

 

“He learned a lot about his fight against [Fidel Maldonado] under the bright SHOWTIME lights at the MGM Grand.

 

“Amir is always confident going into each fight, but he made a mistake in the Maldonado fight. He rolled his right hand and forgot about  the left hand and was knocked down. He had to pay for his mistakes but it’s all a learning experience, he still has only 16 professional fights under his belt.

 

“Castillo has a great jab and good combinations. A guy like that throws a lot of punches, but there is a technique to breaking down a fighter like that.

 

“We can’t spend a lot of time on the ropes, and we must go after his body because his body is weak. Castillo is going to get knocked out on Saturday.

 

“I think that Amir is going to open up a lot of eyes on Saturday.”

 

# # #

 

“Chavez Jr. vs. Fonfara” is a 12-round bout that takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. and will air on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT). The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast will also be available in Spanish via secondary audio programming (SAP).

 

For more information visit www.sports.sho.com, follow on Twitter at @SHOSports, @jcchavezjr1, @andrzej_fonfara, @StubHubCenter and @Swanson_Comm, follow the conversation using #ChavezFonfara, become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SHOBoxing or visit the SHOWTIME Boxing Blog athttp://theboxingblog.sho.com.
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MANNY “PACMAN” PACQUIAO’S HOLLYWOOD MEDIA WORKOUT ATTRACTS RECORD MEDIA TURNOUT!

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Quotables From Notables

Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach and Bob Arum

16 Days Before The Fight of the Century      

 

SATURDAY, MAY 2, AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

 

Click HERE For Pacquiao Media Day Replay Link

Click HERE For Pacquiao Media Day Video Highlights

 

Click HERE For Mayweather Media Day Video Highlights

 

Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Click HERE For Photos From Chris Farina/Top Rank

 

Click HERE For Mayweather Photos From Tuesday’s Workout

Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 16, 2015) – It was Manny Media Mania at Wednesday’s media workout for Fighter of the Decade, eight-division world champion and boxing superhero Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO.  Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs), who represents the Sarangani province in the Philippines, hosted a Hollywood Media Workout with his Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach and Hall of Promoter Bob Arum.

 

Over 300 media from around the globe flocked to Wild Card Boxing Club to ask the trio about Pacquiao’s May 2 welterweight world championship unification battle against undefeatedFLOYD “Money” MAYWEATHER JR. (47-0, 26 KOs), at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

 

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

What Pacquiao, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum and Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach saidWednesday:

 

MANNY PACQUIAO, Eight-Division World Champion

 

“I feel very excited for the fight.

 

“I have a lot of sparring partners that are similar to Floyd’s fighting style, we have done well. We know what to expect.

 

“I have watched tape on Floyd to make sure that our strategy and technique in training camp is correct.

 

“My entire career defines my legacy; I have already accomplished great achievements in my career while excelling in different weight divisions. This fight is an additional achievement in my career; it’s the biggest fight in boxing history.

 

“I can say that beating Floyd would be the biggest victory of my career.

 

“More people are interested and informed about this fight now than they would’ve been five years ago.

 

“Style wise, I am the same fighter I was five years ago. My determination, inspiration and killer instinct is the exact same as it was five or six years ago.

 

“For me, boxing is my passion. I enjoy boxing and giving honor to my country of the Philippines. My concern is to bring an exciting fight to my fans. My first concern going into every fight is how will be to be able to entertain my fans, give them enjoyment and make them happy.

 

“The reason I am so loved by fans is because of my reckless style of fighting. People like exciting fights with actual punches being thrown.”

 

BOB ARUM, Top Rank CEO

 

“Manny is motivated, he’s ready for the fight. I expect a great performance from him.

 

“It’s a very interesting fight because Floyd is a defensive specialist who has a good right hand and picks off his opponents. He’s an extraordinarily good fighter.

 

“Pacquiao’s strength is speed, particularly his foot speed and the fact that he throws so many punches and attacks from low angles. He really hits harder than Floyd does, so that’s really what it’s going to be about.

 

“Floyd has a different defense than Juan Manuel Marquez. His defense is primarily his shoulder roll. A lot of his defense is geared against a right handed fighter. With that said, I think Manny is going to surprise a lot of people with how he is going to be able to reach Floyd.

 

“I would say Manny is more motivated for this fight than any other fight I’ve seen him prepare for.

 

“I’m looking forward to May 2. I love Manny’s chances of winning, that’s the main thing. He looks great, he’s motivated, no nonsense, and I think he’s going to put on a performance for the ages. It’s going to be hard for him to top his performance against Oscar De La Hoya, but I think he will in this fight.”


FREDDIE ROACH, Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame Trainer

 

“We have a great idea of when and where we are going to attack Mayweather.

 

“This fight was five years in the making. Promoters should realize that these types of fights are what’s best for boxing and we should have more fights like this. I’m not surprised by the hype surrounding the fight.

 

“Manny has really raised the bar in this training camp. He’s a different Manny Pacquiao than I have seen him going into previous training camps. He is punching so much harder in training for this camp.

 

“Manny is better than ever, his attitude is different and I’ve never seen him work this hard. His speed is faster, his punches are harder. I’m really happy where he’s at. His legs look great; he’s on his toes all the time.

 

“Mayweather is a good counter-puncher, but Manny has faster hands and his combinations are better than Floyd’s.

 

“Both fighters have great experience, so I don’t believe that will be a factor in the fight. The biggest thing is that each fighter comes in with a different style. Floyd is a counter-puncher but Manny must be the one to enforce the fight.

 

“I believe that Manny being a southpaw will be a factor in this fight. Manny showed me tape of Floyd fighting a southpaw and told me that that is exactly what we are going to do in this fight.

 

“I can tell how much this fight means to Manny because he has watched tape on Floyd. Manny has never watched tape on any fighter before.

 

“Since Manny moved to 147 he hasn’t knocked many guys out, so getting the knockout in this fight isn’t a concern for me. If Manny fights at 140, then he does knock guys out, but at this weight he is fighting guys who are bigger than him.

 

“Floyd may be a bigger guy, but we will still win the fight.

 

“This fight is much bigger than when Manny fought Oscar De La Hoya. Manny is a different person going into this fight. He hit me so hard the other day that I believe it’s the hardest I’ve ever been hit by a fighter who I’m training.

 

“I don’t believe that Floyd ever wanted this fight, he was forced to take it by the public and the media. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd pulled out now.”

 

# # #

 

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsportsandwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.
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CLIP LIFT OF EPISODE 1 OF INSIDE MAYWEATHER VS. PACQUIAO AVAILABLE NOW IN ADVANCE OF SATURDAY’S PREMIERE

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* * * VIDEO ALERT * * *

Saturday, April 18 on SHOWTIME® Immediately Following

SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING® Chavez vs. Fonfara

 

The fight the fans craved is finally here.  Now, after years of anticipation and negotiation, the reality of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao stepping into the ring is just over two weeks away.  Check out this clip lift from Episode 1 of the SHOWTIME Sports® documentary seriesINSIDE MAYWEATHER vs. PACQUIAO.  Don’t miss the full episode this Saturday immediately following SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Andrzej Fonfara at10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on SHOWTIME.

 

Click on this link to watch, share and embed this video: http://s.sho.com/1J4oInr

Photo Credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME

 

# # #

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather,www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiao www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions,www.facebook.com/TRBoxing, www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.

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FLOYD “MONEY” MAYWEATHER LAS VEGAS WORKOUT QUOTES AND PHOTOS SATURDAY, MAY 2, AT THE MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA IN LAS VEGAS LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW

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Click HERE For Photos From Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Click HERE For Photos From Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions

Click HERE For Photos From Will Hart/HBO

 

Click HERE For Workout Highlight Reel


LAS VEGAS – (April 15, 2015) – More than 200 accredited press members from around the world descended upon Mayweather Boxing Club for Tuesday’s Floyd Mayweather Media Day. It was the 11-time world champion Mayweather’s first and only open training session before his welterweight world championship unification mega-showdown against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas live on pay-per-view.

 

Superstars Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) and Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., the live pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and SHOWTIME PPV® beginning at9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 p.m. PT.

 

Several dozen television camera crews, newspaper columnists, boxing writers, radio broadcasters, web reporters, photographers and (video) bloggers watched as Mayweather went through the paces during  a 90-plus minute workout that included working the heavy bag, smacking the speed bag, hitting the mitts, jumping rope,  stretching and doing calisthenics.

 

Before a training session streamed in high definition across multiple platforms, including via satellite feed, YouTube and social media, Mayweather answered questions from the media inside a specially-constructed tent in a parking lot outside the gym.

 

What Mayweather, Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe, trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. and unbeaten WBC Super Bantamweight Champion Leo Santa Cruz, who will fight in the top pay-per-view undercard bout on May 2, said Tuesday:

 

FLOYD MAYWEATHER, 11-Time World Champion

 

“My training camp is basically running the same way. I think it has been smoother than others. I feel very comfortable and happy with my performances.  They push me hard at camp. They know what I need.

 

“The timing for this fight is right. This fight is about legacy, fans and family. I surround myself with all of the right people.

 

“I can’t say that this matchup is about hype. This is real life. This is two future Hall of Famers in a mega-fight.

 

“I’ve done record breaking numbers before and it looks like we’re going to do it again.

 

“Everything in life is about timing. I have no regrets that this fight didn’t take place five years ago.  I didn’t think it was that big then, but it continued to get bigger and bigger. Not just in boxing, but outside of the sport. Pacquiao has continued to grow outside of the sport. We didn’t need to rush anything.

 

“This is going to be an exciting fight.  Our styles are totally different.  He is very, very reckless. Every move I make is calculated. I’m always 5-10 steps ahead of my opponent.

 

“We’ll see what happens when the fight starts. But when all is said and done I’m going to be the winner.

 

“Pacquiao is strong and solid but I don’t know if he can make adjustments like I can. I feel tremendous.

 

“This was a difficult fight to make happen, but we made it happen. This fight is one of the biggest ever in boxing.

 

“I’m still going strong. The last time I looked, I was 47 and 0.

 

“Anyone can get hit with a great shot, but I can make more adjustments and Manny can’t.

 

“I don’t think Pacquiao expected me to look as strong or big when we faced off (at the L.A. press conference).

 

“I walk around at 150-152 pounds to weigh 147 pounds. Other boxers weigh around 160-170 before coming down.

 

“I’ve got one more fight on my contract. I couldn’t be happier with SHOWTIME and CBS.

 

“Las Vegas is the boxing capital. During a Floyd Mayweather fight weekend, you can shop, party, stay out late and do anything you want. The city of Las Vegas has everything.

 

“There were offers to fight other places, but MGM Grand is my home.

 

“Anything I’ve asked of MGM Grand, they’ve done for me in a heartbeat. They’re all about making entertainers and athletes happy.”

 

LEO SANTA CRUZ, WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion

 

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to fight on such an unbelievably huge card. I really want to thank Floyd Mayweather.

 

“Any boxer would like to be on this card where millions of people are watching. I’m happy to represent Mexico on this night and on this fight card.

“I look at it as a key opportunity for me to make an even bigger name for myself, which is my goal because one day I want to become a superstar like Floyd. That’s why I train really hard all of the time.

 

“There are no little fights for me. I consider every fighter dangerous. You lose when you think a fighter is not on your level and then he comes in hungrier than you. That will never happen to me.

 

“I don’t know who I’m fighting yet, but I’m sparring different guys with different styles.

 

“There’s always a lot at risk for me. People keep talking about all of these big fights, but if I don’t win now, there will be no big fights in the future.

 

“I know who I want to fight, but I don’t pick my opponents; I leave it up to my team. They make those kinds of decisions. My job is to fight and win.

 

“I have to stay concentrated. I have to maintain focus and concentration. I can’t get ahead of myself. I give 100 percent in training and in the ring. I always want to put on a great fight for the fans.”


LEONARD ELLERBE, CEO of Mayweather Promotions

 

“Boxing is at an all time high at the moment. There are a lot of great things going on. Between this fight and getting boxing back on network television, it’s all great for the sport.

 

“This fight will not only elevate the sport in general, but it will bring in the casual fan to the sport and that’s a great thing.

 

“The impact that Floyd Mayweather has had on this sport is immeasurable. People won’t be able to appreciate that until he retires. He’s done so much for this sport. He’s given fighters a platform to say to other promoters that they deserve the lion’s share of the money. He’s brought more sponsorships to the sport.

 

“Floyd Mayweather is the highest paid athlete in all of sports and he happens to be a boxer.

 

“I think the demand thus far only indicates how big this event is. This is a fight that’s been talked about for five years now and everyone is going to get exactly what they’ve been asking for.

 

“Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter. He’s been in a number of great fights and he’s had a terrific career thus far.  These are the two best fighters of this generation and come May 2 there will be one man standing and it will be Floyd Mayweather.

 

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be a great fight. I’m really excited. I can see firsthand the day-to-day preparation that Floyd puts in and he’s working just as hard as ever. The fans are going to get a great fight that night.

 

“I don’t know what Manny Pacquiao has to do on May 2, but I know what Floyd Mayweather has to do. He has to do what he normally does and go in there and execute his game plan and I really expect Floyd to knock him out.”

 

FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR., Mayweather’s Trainer & Father

 

“Floyd is as well rounded a fighter as there has ever been, but he’s really still here because of his defense.

 

“Other guys fight with their head and their mind and come up short. It’s his great defense that has kept him on top for so long.

 

“I want you all to see it. It’s so plain and simple what he’s going to do. Even Ray Charles could see it.

 

“I honestly never thought that this was going to happen. So many people were trying to say Floyd was scared. Lets see on May 2 who is scared.

 

“I can’t tell you why or how, but here’s an update, Floyd is going to kick his a** and knock Pacquiao out.

 

“I didn’t watch one tape on Pacquiao. There is no reason to study him. He’s not at this level.

 

“Floyd is the best, I must confess. Nothing is going to stop Floyd Mayweather.

 

“Pacquiao’s trainer Coach Roach (Freddie Roach) is lying to you. Trying to trick you all. Floyd’s not getting knocked down in the gym. Floyd is the one knocking people down. Roach blows smoke with no hope.”

## # #

 

 

For more information visit www.mayweatherpromotions.com, www.toprank.com,www.SHO.com/Sports,www.hbo.com/boxing and www.mgmgrand.com and follow on Twitter at @floydmayweather, @MannyPacquiao @mayweatherpromo, @TRBoxing, @SHOSports, @HBOboxing and @Swanson_Comm, and become a fan on Facebookatwww.facebook.com/FloydMayweather, www.facebook.com/TopRankMannyPacquiaowww.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions, www.facebook.com/TRBoxing,www.facebook.com/SHOsports andwww.facebook.com/HBOBoxing.