Manny Pacquiao could decide today or tomorrow whether he will fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5th — this according to Manny’s trainer.
Freddie Roach just told TMZ Manny and promoter Bob Arum are in the Philippines, figuring out if they can put off several deals to fight other boxers … to clear the decks for a Mayweather fight in May.
Roach is scoffing at Mayweather’s tweet, in which he calls Pacquiao a “punk,” saying, “He should look in the mirror. He’s been ducking us for 2 years.”
As for what weight class Pacquiao will fight Mayweather … Roach said 147 lbs — that’s the upper limit of welterweight.
Of course, even if Pacquiao can rearrange his schedule, both sides have to agree on a financial deal. Roach says, “We’ll do it on even terms.”
PR BEST BOXING PROMOTIONS PRESENTS 2012 PLANS
GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO- After a non stop action in 2011, PR Best Boxing Promotions (PRBBP) presents its agenda for this 2012 when multiple events will be made from Puerto Rico to the World.
The successful series “A Puño Limpio”, that started in 2011 with 8 events and great prospects and contenders in action on WAPA America will be back with 10 shows this 2012. Also will be back the series “San Juan Boxing Nights”, as part of the Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate events, with 5 cards. Showtime will present the revenge between WBO Featherweight champion Orlando Salido and former two time champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez on March 10 at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente. “Pay Per View” shows and DIRECTV exclusive events will complete this year for PRBBP.
“We have a full agenda for this 2012 with about 20 events in Puerto Rico. We will present shows from January and month after month for the boxing fans”, Promoter Ivan Rivera, PRBBP president, said. “In these shows you will see our former champions with their chances to win titles again, our contenders in title fights and our prospects in action”.
PRBBP will start this 2012 with the return of the series “San Juan Boxing Nights” this Saturday, January 21 at the coliseo Pedrín Zorrilla in Hato Rey, San Juan, in a show to be televised on Telefutura’s Solo Boxeo Tecate. “San Juan Boxing Nights” will returne on March 24, May 19, August 18 and October 13.
While, the series “A Puño Limpio” will be back on February 3 from the coliseo Luis Aymat in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico live on WAPA América (9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET). “A Puño Limpio” returns Friday, March 2 at the coliseo Angel “Cholo” Espada in Salinas. Then, Friday, April 13, Friday, May 4, Friday, June 1, Friday, July 6, Friday, August 3, Friday, September 7, Friday, October 5 and Friday, November 2. Venues will be announced.
About boxers, Lopez will be face Salido on March 10, Ivan “Iron Boy” Calderon (35-2-1, 6 KOs), the former 105 and 108 pounds champion, will challenge WBO mínimum champion Moises Fuentes son. Calderon is the WBO #2 ranked in 105 pounds. Meanwhile, former WBO junior lightweight champion and current #4 ranked Roman “Rocky” Martinez (25-1-1, 16 KOs) must fight in a title bout or a title eliminator fight in theses months.
Also, world contenders as Jonathan “Polvo” Oquendo (22-2, 15 KOs), Jose “Chelo” Gonzalez (18-0, 13 KOs), WBO ranked #2 and #5 in the 122 and 135 divisions, respectively, superflyweight WBO #4 ranked Juan Mercedes (26-3, 17 KOs), former WB supermiddleweight champion Manuel Alejandro Siaca (24-7, 20 KOs) and junior middleweight contender Jorge “Destroyer” Melendez (21-2-1, 20 KOs), will have their chances.
PRBBP prospects as amateur world champion McWilliams Arroyo (9-1, 8 KOs) and David Quijano (13-2-1, 9 KOs) will headline the first “San Juan Boxing Nights”. Unbeatens McJoe Arroyo (9-0, 5 KOs) and Luis Joel Gonzalez (9-0-1, 5 KOs) in the first “A Puño Limpio”. Also, in action soon Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (7-0, 6 KOs), Camilo Perez (6-0, 4 KOs), Rafael Gonzalez (6-0, 6 KOs), Kenneth Diaz (3-0, 3 KOs), Carlos Negron (13-1, 9 KOs), Victor Bisbal (19-1, 13 KOs) and Osenohan Vazquez (4-1, 2 KOs).
PRBBP will present a DIRECTV event on April 28 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and two Pay Per View shows on August 25 and October 20 in venues to be announced.
ESPN’s Friday Night Fights: Martin vs. Kennedy on January 13; First 2012 Friday Night Fights telecast on ESPN 3D
First 2012 Friday Night Fights telecast on ESPN 3D
ESPN’s Friday Night Fights presented by Corona Extra will originate from Las Vegas, on January 13 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D and ESPN3 when junior featherweights “Marvelous” Chris Martin (23-1-2, 6 KOs) and Teon “The Technician” Kennedy (17-1-1, 7 KOs) meet in the 10-round main event.
Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas will be ringside at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino describing the action, while studio host Bernardo Osuna will present all the latest boxing news and highlights. The card is presented by Top Rank.
Friday’s show will be the first 2012 Friday Night Fights telecast on ESPN 3D. Pictured in photo are ringside analysts Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas wearing 3D glasses. ESPN 3D presented boxing for the first time in the U.S. last February. Muhammad Ali’s 70th birthday will also be recognized within Friday’s show.
This Friday San Diego’s Martin, will look to rebound after an October 10-round split decision loss to Jose Branza. Previously, Martin scored his career-best win in a 10-round decision against previously undefeated Chris Avalos.
“The key to fighting this guy (Kennedy) is the jab and movement,” Martin said. “I think Kennedy’s a straight-forward fighter, and that’s what we’re working on – lateral movement and combinations. I’m working on throwing more punches and landing more punches.”
Philadelphia’s Kennedy said, “I’ve been training really hard for this fight, and am well-prepared. I’ve seen a couple of tapes on Chris Martin. He has a lot of skills, but I also see a lot of mistakes that I can capitalize on. My approach is to keep the jab out there and see what he can do with it.”
Friday’s card will also feature 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist/undefeated junior welterweight Yordenis Ugas (10-0, 5 KOs) against Esteban Almarez (10-4, 4 KOs). Miami’s Ugas is coming off a second-round knockout win over Rynell Griffin, while Texas’s Almarez is coming off an eight-round majority decision loss to Jose Reynoso.