Showing posts with label HBO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HBO. Show all posts
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Pacquiao-Cotto HBO 24/7 Special Review
Here's a review of HBO 24/7 Special of Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto Fight by Cliff Rold of BoxingScene.com.
It feels like only weeks since the last journey though reality TV waters…mostly because it has been. Unlike the last time out, the hype this time surrounds a fight that isn’t a foregone conclusion, isn’t just a showcase.
Narrator Liev Schreiber’s voice over plays as the image of Yankee Stadium in unveiled. “…in the bowels of a modern sports temple,” we are introduced to the warriors at the heart of what will be the most viewed, and anticipated, fight for the rest of 2009. They share the same space but, at least for the cameras, don’t look much in each other’s directions. Highlights of one man’s highs, and another’s highs and lows, lead to clips of their press conference on the New York diamond.
“This is Pacquiao-Cotto, 24/7.”
Cue the music and real-timish review.
Raindrops fall over Baguio City as the World Jr. Welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO) does his roadwork fish-style. A typhoon in the Philippines makes hitting the asphalt untenable so laps in the pool are the order of the day. It is reminiscent of Rocky III in that Pacquiao is struggling because he’s not much of a swimmer.
It’s hard to imagine this ending with a montage of Pacquiao looking Michael Phelps in the days before the fight, pulling Paulie in the pool while Apollo chuckles but, hey, one can hope.
The typhoon, of course, is no laughing matter. The haunting images evoke Katrina as citizens float down rivers which shouldn’t be, struggling to survive the wrath of Typhoon Parma (or Pepeng) amidst 28 inches of rain. Pacquiao’s choice to train at home, rather than in Los Angeles, is explored and Pacquiao states what would be the only thing he can, balancing his feelings for his nation and his need to prepare. “I feel bad. My sympathy to those people who are suffering in the storm. Right now I’m very focused and I don’t want to think about anything aside from boxing.”
Trainer Freddy Roach smiles uncomfortably describing how he’d liked to have had camp in Canada nut but was overruled because ‘it rains too much’ in Vancouver. A view of the Pacquiao entourage reveals the usual cast of characters from Pacquiao’s last two 24/7 outings, including a hair dresser…because ‘pound for pound’ can’t have split ends.
Roach laughs off the size of the crew and the episode segues to highlights of Pacquiao’s last victory, the second round decapitation of then-140 lb. king Ricky Hatton which made him the first fighter in history to capture lineal World titles in four weight classes. “I hate to say this about a World champion,” Roach states, “but he wasn’t that good.”
Pacquiao certainly made it look that way.
Dramatic drums and some singing in Spanish carry us to the camp of WBO Welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO). Schreiber describes that Cotto started training a full month ahead of Pacquiao, establishing the seriousness of the stoic Cotto before setting the storyline for why he needs to be serious.
Clips of some of Cotto’s 34 victories play out over the narration with images of leather landed against Zab Judah and Shane Mosley leading to a big Cotto “Whoo!” The festive music gets all dramatic as attention turns to Cotto’s lone loss at the hands of Antonio Margarito last summer. Cotto’s late, willful surrender in the contest is replayed and Cotto gives a reasoned reaction to that end. “Stop the fight for my benefit, for the benefit of my kids.”
Cotto’s father reflects on the struggle of seeing his son battered. The sport’s biggest controversy in 2009, the discovery of attempted altered hand wraps on Margarito prior to the Mexican’s loss to Mosley earlier this year moves to center stage. Schreiber asks, “How long had Margarito been fighting dirty? Had he broken the rules when he gave the brutal beating to Cotto?”
Fair questions.
Cotto simply states that there are people who know how long it went on. He’s had more to say in the press previously and has opined that he believes Margarito was dirty against him. History will probably never get a clear answer.
The cameras join Cotto for lunch and introduce Cotto’s trainer, Joe Santiago. Mitt work plays as the messy divorce of Cotto and uncle/trainer Evangelista Cotto is described. “The success of any relationship is the communication and Joe and me have great communication.”
The typhoon has settled as attention is returned to Camp Pacquiao. Roach heads out for his morning walk…culminating at Starbucks. There’s something oddly perverse about this image as the show plays out. Amidst the devastation wreaked upon the land, Starbucks still stands. During a montage of the masses devastated by, among other things, brutal landslides, Schreiber tones in that “disasters like this take the most from those who have the least.”
Starbucks still stands.
Images of refugee camps, families displaced by the flooding, are almost too tough to watch. Members of Team Pacquiao head into disaster areas to lend moral support. The smiles of the people say how much such small gestures can mean.
Cotto’s final training day in Puerto Rico before leaving for Tampa, Florida features an open workout and chance for viewers to see that, like Pacquiao, Cotto is a national idol. Next we get a trip to the tattoo parlor where Cotto is touching up his ninth piece of ink as his children and wife look on.
Family time at the tat house…whod’a thunk.
Cotto’s marital struggles are briefly touched upon as the Welterweight titlist describes that he hasn’t “always been the best husband” (easy to understand given the, um, beauty of the island) but that he and his wife are working on reconciliation after a three year separation. A family dinner leads to farewell hugs.
Back in Baguio City, U.S. military assistance is landing while Pacquiao is able to return to normal roadwork. Former World Lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo arrives for sparring. Watching these two go at it could well be an episode in itself and, if they ever release these shows on DVD’s, the full sessions should be an extra feature.
The well reported, almost tabloid-esque, turmoil alleged in the camp of Pacquiao is alluded to with the physical confrontation between business advisor Michael Koncz and conditioning coach Alex Ariza a topic of chatter. Roach seems to laugh it off and Koncz downplays it while the cameras show stern faces around the gym to heighten the sense of drama, even danger, for Pacquiao.
Whatever.
Seriously, can anyone imagine if 24/7 had been around when Muhammad Ali was at his height? How about the time he got caught pawning off the wrong woman as his wife in Manila? That would have been good TV. Ali following it up by beating Frazier in the greatest Heavyweight fight ever was even better.
The lush climate of Tampa is the next stop and Team Cotto, in a rented mansion, is barbecuing and goofing at poolside while camp elders sip red spirits. The team heads “Renaissance Dogs” style into the gym. 76-year old cutman Joe Chavez is shown in his workout gear and, dear Lord, everyone should want to look like that at his age.
Dude is ripped for his age.
Cotto and crew express their focus and excitement at the success of camp so far. Santiago states, “Nothing else is on our minds besides Manny Pacquiao on November 14th.” Cotto speaks with measured calm. “(Pacquiao’s) just another fighter whose come to my division and challenge me for my title, you know. The night of the (fight), I’m going to be prepared for him and I’m pretty sure I’m going to beat Manny Pacquiao.”
Schreiber: “The fight is 21 days away.”
The episode finishes back in the Philippines where rain is pouring again as a new typhoon, Ramil, prepares to land. Roach is arguing to get out of Baguio and head to Manila but Pacquiao is resistant. He agrees and then relents the next morning, leading to Roach threatening to leave without the fighter, in front of a local politician. “I got pissed off enough to tell Manny, ‘you know what, if you don’t want me to be part of this, I quit.’ But he called and asked me to please calm down, so I did.”
The move shows off where Roach comes from in his school of thought. Mentored by the legendary trainer Eddie Futch, a man who more than once was said to threaten his fighters during fights that he’d sit out if they didn’t get it together, Roach’s ploy was classic. It all wraps up with Roach speaking to Koncz about how urgent the need to leave is.
Author’s note: Pacquiao is already in Los Angeles to finish training camp so don’t let the drama overwhelm the senses.
Final Thoughts: This was a fascinating start to the series. The tragedy in the Philippines added a weight and drama, a reality, this show often lacks in its various incarnations. It was impressive work by the documentary crew, balanced well against the Pacquiao camp issues and training story, never feeling exploitative. On the other side of the ledger, Cotto is hard to gimmick. He comes across as a fighter’s fighter going about his business.
If this show failed, and it has three episodes to correct it, it was in the lack of perspective given to Pacquiao’s career. It was a similar problem in the 24/7’s for his bouts with Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton. The full scope of what Pacquiao has done, and is attempting to do, is not being fully conveyed. Pacquiao’s status as a ‘pound for pound’ leader was mentioned. Not once in the show was it noted that Pacquiao is challenging Cotto for a title in a seventh weight class, a feat never seen even in this watered down era of ‘belts for all.’
This author has some problems with the catch weight stipulation for this bout, noted on air at 145 lbs. It can mitigate the fullness of the accomplishment if Pacquiao wins in November, as does the fact that there are multiple Welterweight title claimants. However, it would still be an accomplishment. Cotto is, at worst, the second or third best active Welterweight in the world with a victory over one man with a case for the top spot, Mosley, and a range of competition within the division former lineal king Floyd Mayweather has yet to face.
When this decade began, Pacquiao was 21 years old and just months removed from the lineal World title at 112 lbs. Ten years later, he is challenging for a piece of the Welterweight crown and is favored to win.
Boxing has a richness of history which is second to no other sport. No Flyweight champion had ever risen to win the Featherweight crown before Pacquiao. No former Featherweight champion, even with an unnecessary catch weight, has tested the peak of the Welterweight division like this since Henry Armstrong.
Being that this is essentially a hype show, a commercial engagement, it fails the viewer in not making those points. A couple camp members getting saucy is interesting stuff but there are available, non-soap opera, elements available to make the fight feel special.
And that’s what this is all about ultimately. On November 14th, the world should be getting one hell of a fight. Grade: B+
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
It feels like only weeks since the last journey though reality TV waters…mostly because it has been. Unlike the last time out, the hype this time surrounds a fight that isn’t a foregone conclusion, isn’t just a showcase.
Narrator Liev Schreiber’s voice over plays as the image of Yankee Stadium in unveiled. “…in the bowels of a modern sports temple,” we are introduced to the warriors at the heart of what will be the most viewed, and anticipated, fight for the rest of 2009. They share the same space but, at least for the cameras, don’t look much in each other’s directions. Highlights of one man’s highs, and another’s highs and lows, lead to clips of their press conference on the New York diamond.
“This is Pacquiao-Cotto, 24/7.”
Cue the music and real-timish review.
Raindrops fall over Baguio City as the World Jr. Welterweight champion, Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KO) does his roadwork fish-style. A typhoon in the Philippines makes hitting the asphalt untenable so laps in the pool are the order of the day. It is reminiscent of Rocky III in that Pacquiao is struggling because he’s not much of a swimmer.
It’s hard to imagine this ending with a montage of Pacquiao looking Michael Phelps in the days before the fight, pulling Paulie in the pool while Apollo chuckles but, hey, one can hope.
The typhoon, of course, is no laughing matter. The haunting images evoke Katrina as citizens float down rivers which shouldn’t be, struggling to survive the wrath of Typhoon Parma (or Pepeng) amidst 28 inches of rain. Pacquiao’s choice to train at home, rather than in Los Angeles, is explored and Pacquiao states what would be the only thing he can, balancing his feelings for his nation and his need to prepare. “I feel bad. My sympathy to those people who are suffering in the storm. Right now I’m very focused and I don’t want to think about anything aside from boxing.”
Trainer Freddy Roach smiles uncomfortably describing how he’d liked to have had camp in Canada nut but was overruled because ‘it rains too much’ in Vancouver. A view of the Pacquiao entourage reveals the usual cast of characters from Pacquiao’s last two 24/7 outings, including a hair dresser…because ‘pound for pound’ can’t have split ends.
Roach laughs off the size of the crew and the episode segues to highlights of Pacquiao’s last victory, the second round decapitation of then-140 lb. king Ricky Hatton which made him the first fighter in history to capture lineal World titles in four weight classes. “I hate to say this about a World champion,” Roach states, “but he wasn’t that good.”
Pacquiao certainly made it look that way.
Dramatic drums and some singing in Spanish carry us to the camp of WBO Welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KO). Schreiber describes that Cotto started training a full month ahead of Pacquiao, establishing the seriousness of the stoic Cotto before setting the storyline for why he needs to be serious.
Clips of some of Cotto’s 34 victories play out over the narration with images of leather landed against Zab Judah and Shane Mosley leading to a big Cotto “Whoo!” The festive music gets all dramatic as attention turns to Cotto’s lone loss at the hands of Antonio Margarito last summer. Cotto’s late, willful surrender in the contest is replayed and Cotto gives a reasoned reaction to that end. “Stop the fight for my benefit, for the benefit of my kids.”
Cotto’s father reflects on the struggle of seeing his son battered. The sport’s biggest controversy in 2009, the discovery of attempted altered hand wraps on Margarito prior to the Mexican’s loss to Mosley earlier this year moves to center stage. Schreiber asks, “How long had Margarito been fighting dirty? Had he broken the rules when he gave the brutal beating to Cotto?”
Fair questions.
Cotto simply states that there are people who know how long it went on. He’s had more to say in the press previously and has opined that he believes Margarito was dirty against him. History will probably never get a clear answer.
The cameras join Cotto for lunch and introduce Cotto’s trainer, Joe Santiago. Mitt work plays as the messy divorce of Cotto and uncle/trainer Evangelista Cotto is described. “The success of any relationship is the communication and Joe and me have great communication.”
The typhoon has settled as attention is returned to Camp Pacquiao. Roach heads out for his morning walk…culminating at Starbucks. There’s something oddly perverse about this image as the show plays out. Amidst the devastation wreaked upon the land, Starbucks still stands. During a montage of the masses devastated by, among other things, brutal landslides, Schreiber tones in that “disasters like this take the most from those who have the least.”
Starbucks still stands.
Images of refugee camps, families displaced by the flooding, are almost too tough to watch. Members of Team Pacquiao head into disaster areas to lend moral support. The smiles of the people say how much such small gestures can mean.
Cotto’s final training day in Puerto Rico before leaving for Tampa, Florida features an open workout and chance for viewers to see that, like Pacquiao, Cotto is a national idol. Next we get a trip to the tattoo parlor where Cotto is touching up his ninth piece of ink as his children and wife look on.
Family time at the tat house…whod’a thunk.
Cotto’s marital struggles are briefly touched upon as the Welterweight titlist describes that he hasn’t “always been the best husband” (easy to understand given the, um, beauty of the island) but that he and his wife are working on reconciliation after a three year separation. A family dinner leads to farewell hugs.
Back in Baguio City, U.S. military assistance is landing while Pacquiao is able to return to normal roadwork. Former World Lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo arrives for sparring. Watching these two go at it could well be an episode in itself and, if they ever release these shows on DVD’s, the full sessions should be an extra feature.
The well reported, almost tabloid-esque, turmoil alleged in the camp of Pacquiao is alluded to with the physical confrontation between business advisor Michael Koncz and conditioning coach Alex Ariza a topic of chatter. Roach seems to laugh it off and Koncz downplays it while the cameras show stern faces around the gym to heighten the sense of drama, even danger, for Pacquiao.
Whatever.
Seriously, can anyone imagine if 24/7 had been around when Muhammad Ali was at his height? How about the time he got caught pawning off the wrong woman as his wife in Manila? That would have been good TV. Ali following it up by beating Frazier in the greatest Heavyweight fight ever was even better.
The lush climate of Tampa is the next stop and Team Cotto, in a rented mansion, is barbecuing and goofing at poolside while camp elders sip red spirits. The team heads “Renaissance Dogs” style into the gym. 76-year old cutman Joe Chavez is shown in his workout gear and, dear Lord, everyone should want to look like that at his age.
Dude is ripped for his age.
Cotto and crew express their focus and excitement at the success of camp so far. Santiago states, “Nothing else is on our minds besides Manny Pacquiao on November 14th.” Cotto speaks with measured calm. “(Pacquiao’s) just another fighter whose come to my division and challenge me for my title, you know. The night of the (fight), I’m going to be prepared for him and I’m pretty sure I’m going to beat Manny Pacquiao.”
Schreiber: “The fight is 21 days away.”
The episode finishes back in the Philippines where rain is pouring again as a new typhoon, Ramil, prepares to land. Roach is arguing to get out of Baguio and head to Manila but Pacquiao is resistant. He agrees and then relents the next morning, leading to Roach threatening to leave without the fighter, in front of a local politician. “I got pissed off enough to tell Manny, ‘you know what, if you don’t want me to be part of this, I quit.’ But he called and asked me to please calm down, so I did.”
The move shows off where Roach comes from in his school of thought. Mentored by the legendary trainer Eddie Futch, a man who more than once was said to threaten his fighters during fights that he’d sit out if they didn’t get it together, Roach’s ploy was classic. It all wraps up with Roach speaking to Koncz about how urgent the need to leave is.
Author’s note: Pacquiao is already in Los Angeles to finish training camp so don’t let the drama overwhelm the senses.
Final Thoughts: This was a fascinating start to the series. The tragedy in the Philippines added a weight and drama, a reality, this show often lacks in its various incarnations. It was impressive work by the documentary crew, balanced well against the Pacquiao camp issues and training story, never feeling exploitative. On the other side of the ledger, Cotto is hard to gimmick. He comes across as a fighter’s fighter going about his business.
If this show failed, and it has three episodes to correct it, it was in the lack of perspective given to Pacquiao’s career. It was a similar problem in the 24/7’s for his bouts with Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton. The full scope of what Pacquiao has done, and is attempting to do, is not being fully conveyed. Pacquiao’s status as a ‘pound for pound’ leader was mentioned. Not once in the show was it noted that Pacquiao is challenging Cotto for a title in a seventh weight class, a feat never seen even in this watered down era of ‘belts for all.’
This author has some problems with the catch weight stipulation for this bout, noted on air at 145 lbs. It can mitigate the fullness of the accomplishment if Pacquiao wins in November, as does the fact that there are multiple Welterweight title claimants. However, it would still be an accomplishment. Cotto is, at worst, the second or third best active Welterweight in the world with a victory over one man with a case for the top spot, Mosley, and a range of competition within the division former lineal king Floyd Mayweather has yet to face.
When this decade began, Pacquiao was 21 years old and just months removed from the lineal World title at 112 lbs. Ten years later, he is challenging for a piece of the Welterweight crown and is favored to win.
Boxing has a richness of history which is second to no other sport. No Flyweight champion had ever risen to win the Featherweight crown before Pacquiao. No former Featherweight champion, even with an unnecessary catch weight, has tested the peak of the Welterweight division like this since Henry Armstrong.
Being that this is essentially a hype show, a commercial engagement, it fails the viewer in not making those points. A couple camp members getting saucy is interesting stuff but there are available, non-soap opera, elements available to make the fight feel special.
And that’s what this is all about ultimately. On November 14th, the world should be getting one hell of a fight. Grade: B+
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Pacquiao's 3rd Appearance in HBO 24/7 Special
Part 1 of Pacquiao-Cotto Bout an HBO 24/7 exclusive is now available on HBO.com.
Making his third '24/7" appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a familiar contingent of family and friends as he trains with trusted longtime associate Freddy Roach. HBO reality series newcomer Cotto, who never ducks a challenge, is taking on his biggest fight yet with trainer Joe Santiago as they seek to set a strategy to unseat the widely regarded pound-for-pound champ.
Click on the link below to watch it online...
PART 1
Making his third '24/7" appearance, Pacquiao is expected to surround himself with a familiar contingent of family and friends as he trains with trusted longtime associate Freddy Roach. HBO reality series newcomer Cotto, who never ducks a challenge, is taking on his biggest fight yet with trainer Joe Santiago as they seek to set a strategy to unseat the widely regarded pound-for-pound champ.
Click on the link below to watch it online...
PART 1
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pacquiao versus Cotto : HBO 24/7 Special
HBO 24/7 will be releasing their HBO 24/7 special this coming Saturday, October 24. Read the article below (written by Bobby Cassidy for newsday.com) to know what to expect from the Firepower scheduled on November 14 at the MGM Grand Las Vegas.
We caught a two-for-one lunch deal with HBO's Ross Greenburg this week. No, it wasn't one of those two-for-one type of restaurants. We're talking about the conversation, not the cuisine.
The talk centered around HBO's 24/7 franchise and how the network is now venturing into NASCAR. So to read the NASCAR portion of this post, you will have to click here and visit our Trading Paint blog. For a preview of the upcoming 24/7 Pacquiao-Cotto series, stay right here.
The Pacquiao-Cotto series debuts on Saturday and starts with Miguel getting his ninth tattoo and then saying goodbye to his wife and children in Puerto Rico. He heads to training camp in Tampa. But the real drama occurs in the Philippines, which were ravaged by typhoons and flooding while Pac Man was training in the mountains.
"Manila was under water," said Greenburg. "There were 25 inches of rain and in the midst of all of this, here's Manny Pacquiao training for a fight..."
Pause for effect.
"And we had the only cameras there," added Greenburg.
So compelling was the storm footage that Greenburg sent some over to CNN, which is a sister company.
Pacquiao selected Baguio -- six hours north of Manila by car -- as the site of his training camp because he could do road work in the mountains. But the rains made it nearly impossible to run, so instead, HBO has nice shots of him swimming in an indoor pool while it's storming outside.
Also, according to reports from the Philippines, Pac Man's entourage has grown, which always makes things entertaining.
Joining us for lunch was HBO's Ray Stallone, who said that the ratings for 24/7 continue to rise. "Anytime [Floyd] Mayweather is involved, we see a spike in ratings," said Stallone. "And it's going up in the 18 to 35 demographic. That's so heartening. These are our new fans."
There are a certain generation of people who are forever hooked on boxing because they watched the "Friday Night Fights," with their dad in the 1950s. Perhaps 24/7 has the same impact. Greenburg hears from all kinds of individuals who watch the series, including a lot of celebrities. One of them, NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson, will soon have his own 24/7 experience.
Greenburg first hatched the idea for 24/7 prior to the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Arturo Gatti fight. But HBO decided to wait for a mega fight and thus the series debuted with the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya showdown.
"Ross knew the future of boxing was not KO Nation," said Stallone.
The unequivocal star of the series has been Money Mayweather.
"In my mind, he and his family launched the show," said Greenburg. "That's what everyone was talking about around the water cooler, the Mayweathers."
So the ultimate 24/7 could end up being Mayweather-Pacquiao, a megafight that should be next if Pacquiao gets past Cotto. Despite the politics that can often cripple boxing, Greenburg feels that fight is too big not to make.
"I think it has to happen," he said. "You knew Leonard had to fight Hearns at some point. You knew Tyson had to fight Spinks at some point. When two fighters are on a collision course, the collision has to happen."
We caught a two-for-one lunch deal with HBO's Ross Greenburg this week. No, it wasn't one of those two-for-one type of restaurants. We're talking about the conversation, not the cuisine.
The talk centered around HBO's 24/7 franchise and how the network is now venturing into NASCAR. So to read the NASCAR portion of this post, you will have to click here and visit our Trading Paint blog. For a preview of the upcoming 24/7 Pacquiao-Cotto series, stay right here.
The Pacquiao-Cotto series debuts on Saturday and starts with Miguel getting his ninth tattoo and then saying goodbye to his wife and children in Puerto Rico. He heads to training camp in Tampa. But the real drama occurs in the Philippines, which were ravaged by typhoons and flooding while Pac Man was training in the mountains.
"Manila was under water," said Greenburg. "There were 25 inches of rain and in the midst of all of this, here's Manny Pacquiao training for a fight..."
Pause for effect.
"And we had the only cameras there," added Greenburg.
So compelling was the storm footage that Greenburg sent some over to CNN, which is a sister company.
Pacquiao selected Baguio -- six hours north of Manila by car -- as the site of his training camp because he could do road work in the mountains. But the rains made it nearly impossible to run, so instead, HBO has nice shots of him swimming in an indoor pool while it's storming outside.
Also, according to reports from the Philippines, Pac Man's entourage has grown, which always makes things entertaining.
Joining us for lunch was HBO's Ray Stallone, who said that the ratings for 24/7 continue to rise. "Anytime [Floyd] Mayweather is involved, we see a spike in ratings," said Stallone. "And it's going up in the 18 to 35 demographic. That's so heartening. These are our new fans."
There are a certain generation of people who are forever hooked on boxing because they watched the "Friday Night Fights," with their dad in the 1950s. Perhaps 24/7 has the same impact. Greenburg hears from all kinds of individuals who watch the series, including a lot of celebrities. One of them, NASCAR champ Jimmie Johnson, will soon have his own 24/7 experience.
Greenburg first hatched the idea for 24/7 prior to the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Arturo Gatti fight. But HBO decided to wait for a mega fight and thus the series debuted with the Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya showdown.
"Ross knew the future of boxing was not KO Nation," said Stallone.
The unequivocal star of the series has been Money Mayweather.
"In my mind, he and his family launched the show," said Greenburg. "That's what everyone was talking about around the water cooler, the Mayweathers."
So the ultimate 24/7 could end up being Mayweather-Pacquiao, a megafight that should be next if Pacquiao gets past Cotto. Despite the politics that can often cripple boxing, Greenburg feels that fight is too big not to make.
"I think it has to happen," he said. "You knew Leonard had to fight Hearns at some point. You knew Tyson had to fight Spinks at some point. When two fighters are on a collision course, the collision has to happen."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Pacquiao versus Cotto Fight Undercard
LAS VEGAS, NEV. (October 9, 2009) – Undefeated No. 1 contenders JULIO CÉSAR CHAVEZ, JR. and YURI FOREMAN, plus three-time world champion DANIEL SANTOS add more Firepower to the blockbuster card headlined by the Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto welterweight championship, taking place Saturday, November 14 at the sold out MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Promoted by Top Rank, in association with MGM Grand and Tecate, Fire Power: Pacquiao vs. Cotto will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT..
Chavez (40-0-1, 30 KOs), from Culiacan, Mexico, son of the legendary three-division world champion Julio César Chavez, stepped into the “family business” when he made his pro debut in 2003 at the age of 17, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Hernandez in Culiacan. Known for an aggressive style and an arsenal that includes razor-sharp combinations and a wicked left hook, Chavez is the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) No.1-world-rated super welterweight contender. He has knocked out 75% of the opponents he has faced, including fellow contenders Ray Sanchez III, Jose Celaya and Tobia Lorgia in a 10-month span -- the last two in WBC Continental Americas championship fights. Sanchez, Celaya and Lorgia had a combined record of 75-4-1 and a winning percentage exceeding 93% when they fought Chavez. This year, Chavez knocked out Jason LeHoullier (21-1-1) in the first round and tagged previously undefeated Luciano Cuello (23-0) with his first loss, winning a unanimous decision. Chavez will be facing TROY ROWLAND (25-2, 7 KOs), of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a 10-round middleweight bout. Rowland, who has won 21 or his last 22 bouts, has a resume that boasts victories over Epifanio Mendoza (20-2-1), Kenny Ellis (33-5-2) and Andrew Council (31-7-3). Rowland enters this fight riding a four-bout winning streak, with two of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Santos (32-2-1, 23 KOs), of San Juan Puerto Rico, will be making the first defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title, which he won last year with a sixth-round knockout of undefeated defending champion Joachin Alcine.
Santos won his first world title in 2000, knocking out defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Ahmed Katejev in the fifth round of their 2000 rumble. He successfully defended his title three times before vacating the title and capturing the vacant WBO junior middleweight title, knocking out former world champion Yori Boy Campas in the 11th round in 2002. Santos successfully defended that title four times during his three-year reign, including a 10-round technical decision over former world champion Antonio Margarito. Since losing the title to undefeated Sergei Dzindziruk, via a close decision in 2005, Santos has won all of his fights by knockout. Santos will be defending his title against No. 1 contender Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs), who was born in Belarus, raised in Israel and now lives in Brooklyn. The undefeated mandatory challenger is also a rabbinical student – a self-proclaimed “Talmud-studying boxer.” Foreman climbed up the ratings the old-fashioned way – by winning. With impressive victories over Anthony Thompson (23-1), and NABF super welterweight title victories over Andrey Tsurkan (25-2), Saul Roman (28-4) and James Moore (16-1), Foreman is on the cusp of realizing his dream – wearing a world championship belt around his waist.
Rounding out the televised undercard will be an exciting 10-round welterweight bout between ALFONSO GOMEZ and JESUS SOTO-KARASS. Gomez (20-4-2, 10 KOs), of Tustin Calif., is an alumnus of season one of “The Contender,” which aired on NBC. Gomez gained national notoriety with victories over Peter Manfredo, Jr. (21-0), and Ahmad Kaddour (18-1) and Jesse Brinkley (25-2) during the series. Since leaving “The Contender,” Gomez has gone 7-1-1 (6 KOs), including victories over former world champion Arturo Gatti and world title challenger Ben Tackie. His only loss during that span was to defending WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in April 2008. Soto-Karass (24-3-3, 16 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, enters this fight riding a four-15-bout unbeaten streak which has propelled him to No. 5 and No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and WBC welterweight ratings, respectively. His resume boasts WBC Continental Americas welterweight title victories over former world champion Vince Phillips (48-10-1), Michel Rosales (16-0), and Chris Smith (21-4-1), and an NABF welterweight title victory over David Estrada (22-4).
The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
HBO's® award-winning reality franchise “24/7” returns with an all new four-part series. “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” premieres Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their Nov. 14 pay-per-view showdown.
SOURCE
Chavez (40-0-1, 30 KOs), from Culiacan, Mexico, son of the legendary three-division world champion Julio César Chavez, stepped into the “family business” when he made his pro debut in 2003 at the age of 17, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Jonathan Hernandez in Culiacan. Known for an aggressive style and an arsenal that includes razor-sharp combinations and a wicked left hook, Chavez is the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) No.1-world-rated super welterweight contender. He has knocked out 75% of the opponents he has faced, including fellow contenders Ray Sanchez III, Jose Celaya and Tobia Lorgia in a 10-month span -- the last two in WBC Continental Americas championship fights. Sanchez, Celaya and Lorgia had a combined record of 75-4-1 and a winning percentage exceeding 93% when they fought Chavez. This year, Chavez knocked out Jason LeHoullier (21-1-1) in the first round and tagged previously undefeated Luciano Cuello (23-0) with his first loss, winning a unanimous decision. Chavez will be facing TROY ROWLAND (25-2, 7 KOs), of Grand Rapids, Mich., in a 10-round middleweight bout. Rowland, who has won 21 or his last 22 bouts, has a resume that boasts victories over Epifanio Mendoza (20-2-1), Kenny Ellis (33-5-2) and Andrew Council (31-7-3). Rowland enters this fight riding a four-bout winning streak, with two of those victories coming by way of knockout.
Santos (32-2-1, 23 KOs), of San Juan Puerto Rico, will be making the first defense of his World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title, which he won last year with a sixth-round knockout of undefeated defending champion Joachin Alcine.
Santos won his first world title in 2000, knocking out defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Ahmed Katejev in the fifth round of their 2000 rumble. He successfully defended his title three times before vacating the title and capturing the vacant WBO junior middleweight title, knocking out former world champion Yori Boy Campas in the 11th round in 2002. Santos successfully defended that title four times during his three-year reign, including a 10-round technical decision over former world champion Antonio Margarito. Since losing the title to undefeated Sergei Dzindziruk, via a close decision in 2005, Santos has won all of his fights by knockout. Santos will be defending his title against No. 1 contender Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs), who was born in Belarus, raised in Israel and now lives in Brooklyn. The undefeated mandatory challenger is also a rabbinical student – a self-proclaimed “Talmud-studying boxer.” Foreman climbed up the ratings the old-fashioned way – by winning. With impressive victories over Anthony Thompson (23-1), and NABF super welterweight title victories over Andrey Tsurkan (25-2), Saul Roman (28-4) and James Moore (16-1), Foreman is on the cusp of realizing his dream – wearing a world championship belt around his waist.
Rounding out the televised undercard will be an exciting 10-round welterweight bout between ALFONSO GOMEZ and JESUS SOTO-KARASS. Gomez (20-4-2, 10 KOs), of Tustin Calif., is an alumnus of season one of “The Contender,” which aired on NBC. Gomez gained national notoriety with victories over Peter Manfredo, Jr. (21-0), and Ahmad Kaddour (18-1) and Jesse Brinkley (25-2) during the series. Since leaving “The Contender,” Gomez has gone 7-1-1 (6 KOs), including victories over former world champion Arturo Gatti and world title challenger Ben Tackie. His only loss during that span was to defending WBA welterweight champion Miguel Cotto in April 2008. Soto-Karass (24-3-3, 16 KOs), of Los Mochis, Mexico, enters this fight riding a four-15-bout unbeaten streak which has propelled him to No. 5 and No. 7 in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and WBC welterweight ratings, respectively. His resume boasts WBC Continental Americas welterweight title victories over former world champion Vince Phillips (48-10-1), Michel Rosales (16-0), and Chris Smith (21-4-1), and an NABF welterweight title victory over David Estrada (22-4).
The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
HBO's® award-winning reality franchise “24/7” returns with an all new four-part series. “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” premieres Saturday, Oct. 24 at 10:15 p.m. ET/PT. The four-episode series chronicles the preparations and back stories of both fighters as they train for their Nov. 14 pay-per-view showdown.
SOURCE
Monday, September 28, 2009
Pacquiao-Cotto Fight : Firepower Promo from HBO
24/7 HBO series Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao begins on October 24 on HBO.
Enjoy watching.
Enjoy watching.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Pacquio-Cotto Ticket Details On Sale Today
The date is set for the mega-fight between boxing’s No. 1 pound-for-pound king and reigning Boxing Writers Association of America’s (BWAA) Fighter of the Year, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao, and the pride of Puerto Rico and three-time world champion Miguel Cotto. Manny Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto, “FirePower” will take place Saturday, Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and will be televised live on HBO Pay-Per-View beginning at 9 p.m. PST/6 p.m. PST.
Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale today, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 14,” said Top Rank Chief Executive Officer Bob Arum. Top Rank is currently working on a major media tour to commence immediately following Labor Day weekend. Details will be announced in the near future.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque” as he won world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocked out Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta. The winning streak continued in 2009 when he won another world title in a new weight division, dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a second-round knockout in May at MGM Grand.
Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006. He successfully defended it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title earlier this year as he knocked out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO Welterweight Champion. Notable victories on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Pauli Malinaggi and Demarcus Corley.
The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.
Source : Tickets for Pacquiao vs. Cotto "Firepower" Go On Sale Aug. 17
Tickets priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $300 and $150, not including applicable service charges, go on sale today, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. Ticket sales at $1,000, $750, $500 and $300 are limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person, with a total ticket limit of 12 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
“Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto have reached an agreement to fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 14,” said Top Rank Chief Executive Officer Bob Arum. Top Rank is currently working on a major media tour to commence immediately following Labor Day weekend. Details will be announced in the near future.
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), of General Santos City, Philippines, has won six world titles in as many different weight divisions ranging from 112 to 140 pounds. His performance in 2008 was described as “Henry Armstrongesque” as he won world titles at 130 and 135 pounds with victories over Juan Manuel Marquez and David Diaz, respectively, and knocked out Oscar De La Hoya at 147 pounds to complete the trifecta. The winning streak continued in 2009 when he won another world title in a new weight division, dealing defending junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton a second-round knockout in May at MGM Grand.
Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs), from Caguas, Puerto Rico, has held a world title every year since 2004. Puerto Rico’s most exciting fighter, Cotto held the World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior welterweight crown from 2004-2006. He successfully defended it six times before vacating it to capture the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title at the end of 2006, a title he held for nearly as long. He won his second welterweight title earlier this year as he knocked out Michael Jennings in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden to become the WBO Welterweight Champion. Notable victories on Cotto’s belt include Sugar Shane Mosley, Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey, Pauli Malinaggi and Demarcus Corley.
The Pacquiao vs. Cotto pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST, has a suggested retail price of $49.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry.
Source : Tickets for Pacquiao vs. Cotto "Firepower" Go On Sale Aug. 17
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Shane Mosley
Boxing Record Wins : 46
Wins by KO : 39
Losses : 5
No contests : 1
Wins by KO : 39
Losses : 5
No contests : 1
"Sugar" Shane Mosley (born September 7, 1971) is an orthodox boxer from Pomona, California. He has won world titles in three weight divisions. He is the current WBA Welterweight Super Champion. Mosley has been connected to the BALCO Labs steroid scandal, with documents seized from the lab showing that Mosley received "the clear" and "the cream", both designer steroids.
source
Manny Pacquiao
Boxing Record Wins :49
Wins by KO : 37
Losses : 3
Draws : 2
Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao (born December 17, 1978), known as Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao is a Filipino professional South Paw boxer, part-time actor and recording artist. He is the former WBC Lightweight world champion, WBC Super Featherweight world champion, IBF Super Bantamweight world champion, and WBC Flyweight world champion. He has also held the Ring Magazine titles for Featherweight, Super Featherweight, and Light Welterweight divisions. For his achievements, he became the first Filipino and Asian boxer to win five world titles in five different weight divisions. He is currently the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight champion and is rated by the Ring Magazine as the #1 pound-for-pound boxer in the world. He is also the first boxer to win the lineal championship ("the man who beat the man") in four different weight classes.
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