By Andy Clark: Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao ( last 5 fights W – W – W – W – W )- Pacquiao’s rise from apparently selling stolen cigarettes on the streets of Manilla, to the top of boxing’s P-4-P rankings is nothing short of spectacular. Pacquiao comes into the fight in excellent form, having won his last 13 fights in a row. Only his old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, has come even close to having his hand raised, after those championship rounds are over.
No one has found a definitive game plan that works since Morales I and the Pacquiao that will be stepping in the ring on fight night tomorrow will be unrecognizable, from that of his last defeat. Pacquiao has superior speed, head movement and power. I could go on and on about Pacquiao’s achievements and superior qualities but those crazy Mayweather Jnr fans would go berserk! Needless to say, Pacquiao is the established P-4-P king, in the prime of his fighting career.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley ( last 5 fights D – L – W – W – L )
Mosley’s last three fights have been The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. Good. Shane’s performance against Antonio Margarito. Before I knew about the scandal with Margarito’s gloves, I was nothing short of amazed at Mosley’s destruction of Margarito. However I’m sure the thought of his reputation and career being completed discredited, weighed on Margarito’s mind. I doubt the Margarito we saw vs. Miguel Cotto, would have been so easily dominated. Bad. I could be overly critical about his performance against Mayweather Jnr, but round 2 was a fantastic round. The aging legend on the verve of beating the superstar was amazing while it lasted, but Mosley just completed wore himself out after that. Ugly. Mosley’s performance against Mora was very poor and the decision even poorer. Mosley is not Bernard Hopkins, his body and skills are in decline. No matter how hard he tries to disguise that from himself and fight fans, he simply isn’t capable of beating an elite fighter anymore.
Prediction
I can only see this fight going one way. Shane has proven to be dangerous in the early rounds, so he has it in him to land that fight changing punch. However, a Mosley win via KO would be as unbelievable as Paulie Malignaggi knocking Nikolay Valuev out with one punch. Pacquiao, may well go toe to toe in the early rounds., that is until Mosley lands a few power shots. Then I expect Pacquiao to fight more cautiously and drag Mosley into the later rounds, keeping Mosley at bay with accurate combinations to the body and head. Freddie Roach has spoken about wanting to get one over on Mayweather Jnr, by being the first to stop Mosley. It is my prediction that this will also happen. It will happen in the late rounds. Mosley will look even worse than he did against Mayweather Jnr and Sergio Mora. Pacquiao may not completely knock Mosley out, like he did Ricky Hatton, but I do expect Kenny Bayliss to protect Mosley’s heath and call an end to the fight in rounds 9-10.
Going Forward
For Pacquiao, if the rumors are to be believed, Bob Arum has lined up JM Marquez to complete their incredibly competitive trilogy. This fight makes sense for all involved. JM Marquez has been chasing Pacquiao, ever since his split decision loss to Pacquiao back in March 2008. Pacquiao on the other hand will be determined to silence the critics, who believe JM Marquez has simply had the better of Pacquiao in their previous two fights. For Pacquiao, I can’t think of a better tune up fight, to prepare himself for the Mayweather Jnr fight in spring 2012 (wishful thinking I know).
Mosley doesn’t seem to have any interest in retirement just yet but after the Pacquiao fight he might need to take a long hard look at his future in boxing. He has a legacy that will not be forgotten, a bank balance to ensure he never has to work again, a son aiming to take the Mosley name to future success and a sensational new woman. Does he need any other possible reason to carry on fighting?
PRIZEFIGHTER INTERNATIONAL HEAVYWEIGHTS LIVE ON THE INTERNET
Two-thousand pounds of heavyweight boxing talent collides in the ring on Saturday night, fighting to be crowned the first Prizefighter International Heavyweight King – and for the first time fans from all over the world can watch the action live online.
The special edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournaments sees eight fighters from eight different countries head to Alexandra Palace in north London live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 from 9pm – and with huge interest in all four corners of the globe, an online stream will allow fans outside the UK to see the action.
www.liveprizefighter.tv is the official live video stream for the event and will be available outside the UK from 9pm GMT on Saturday night.
Irish-based Cuban Mike Perez kicks-off the night, putting his unbeaten record on the line against Trinidad and Tobago’s Kerston Manswell. The winner of that fight will face a semi-final clash against either giant Russian Evgeny Orlov or former French Heavyweight champion Gregory Tony.
The other side of the draw sees UK Prizefighter Champion Michael Sprott face American KO machine Tye Fields, with the victor facing either unbeaten Romanian Lucian Bot or the dangerous big-hitting German Konstantin Airich in the second semi-final.
Prizefighter International Heavyweights Draw (with weights)
Quarter-final one: Mike Perez (16st 6lb) v Kerston Manswell (18st)
Quarter-final two: Evgeny Orlov (22st) v Gregory Tony (16st 3lb)
Quarter-final three: Michael Sprott (17st) v Tye Fields (19st 5lb)
Quarter-final four: Lucian Bot (15st 10lb) v Konstantin Airich (16st 4lb)
Tickets for Prizefighter International Heavyweights at London’s Alexandra Palace on Saturday 7 May are available from on the door at Alexandra Palace from 7.30pm priced £35 unreserved and £50 and £60 ringside.
Weights and Quotes: Morby-Cadman II and Williams-Couzens
London – Friday, 6th May 2011 – Weights and Quotes: Morby-Cadman II and Williams-Couzens
Earlier today, at the TKO Boxing Gym in London, the weigh-in took place for the Paul Morby versus Daniel Cadman, Southern Area Super Middleweight Title, and the Leon Williams versus Danny Couzens, Southern Area Cruiserweight Title, which co-headline the Graham Earl ‘Redemption Day’ event at York Hall on Saturday.
Southern Area Super Middleweight Title
Paul Morby – 11st 13lbs 4oz
Daniel ‘The Slick’ Cadman – 11st 13lbs 8oz
Morby-Cadman II Quotes
Paul Morby, “Yeah, it’s a big day tomorrow, I’m feeling good, I’m feeling confident.
We’ve tweaked my training, we’ve changed it a little bit for this fight, Daniel will be able to see how much we’ve changed it tomorrow.
I’m gonna do what I have to do. Because the last fight was so close I’ve changed my training, I’m still doing the same things but I’ve added new dimensions and it’s these that are making me feel so confident.”
Daniel Cadman, “Just can’t wait to get in there, to be honest I just want to put the record straight.
Last time we fought I thought I’d won, a lot of people thought I’d won, so I’m going to put the record straight really.
The shows called Redemption Day, so hopefully there will be redemption and I’ll get a good win.
Training has been going really well. I’ve trained hard, longer than before. We were to fight in the last show but it didn’t happen which was a big disappointment.
I can’t wait, can’t wait.”
Southern Area Cruiserweight Title
Leon ‘Solid’ Williams – 14st 2lbs 12oz
Danny Couzens – 13st 5lbs
Williams-Couzens Quotes
Leon Williams, “It’s going to be a great day for Team Solid and there’s gonna be some bone crushing, I’m gonna crack his jaw man.
It’s a good fight and I’m ready to go, I’m excited, I’m pumped up. I’m sexually frustrated, I need to get this fight out of the way so I can get some love, yeah.”
Danny Couzens, “Personally I’m just going to go in there and show him my boxing skills and out box him, yeah that’s it.”
Super Middleweight
Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Oshunrinde – 12 st 5lbs
Sam Couzens – 12st 8lbs 3/4oz
Oshunrinde-Couzens Quotes
Emmanuel Oshunrinde, “I’m ready to go, I’m really excited. I feel great and I’m ready to go to work baby, you know how we do.”
Sam Couzens, “I’m gonna take him apart.”
Tickets for the Graham Earl Promoted ‘Redemption Day’ event at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London on Saturday 7th May 2011 are priced £35 (Unreserved) or £60 (Ringside).
For tickets call: 07960 850645, book on-line at www.tkoboxoffice.com or call in person at The TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA or at York Hall on the night.