Pacquiao vs. Rios: The Full New York City Presser

09/15/201608/06/2013 Top Rank

After a tour through Asia, Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios returned to the U.S. for a press event in the Big Apple.

HBO Pay-Per-View will broadcast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT Fighter of the Decade, Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO (54-5-2, 38 KOs), the lone congressional representative from the Sarangani Province of the Philippines, versus former world champion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS (31-1-1, 22 KOs), of Oxnard, Calif.

Remaining tickets, priced from $1,275 to $115, and various ticket-hotel packages at Sands China’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, are now on sale and can be purchased online at www.venetianmacao.com/manny. U.S.-based fans may also order via a special toll-free number: 1-855-234-4410.

Pacquiao And Rios Disagree On Floyd Mayweather Jr.

09/15/201608/06/2013 Vitali Shaposhnikov

Is Shane Mosley over the hill or is he still capable of fighting?

Is Manny Pacquiao still the same fighter that he was before being knocked out by Marquez?

Does Floyd Mayweather Jr. run or fight?

To all the above mentioned questions, as well as any other similar ones, there will always be as many opinions as there are people discussing them. For instance, in the recent video discussion with Pacquiao and Rios posted by ESPN, both fighters disagree on how Mayweather Jr. fights.

“His style and my style if you look at it, he has an advantage because he always keeps running and not fighting,” stated Pacquiao.

Left-Hook Lounge: Mayweather/Pacquiao Demands, Khan/Alexander Riff, & Adrien Broner!!!

08/05/2013 Vivek Wallace

Byron M. (Tacoma, WA): Please tell me that Mayweather is joking about Pacquiao having to sign with Mayweather Promotions in order to secure a fight with him in the future! What is that about?

Vivek W. (ESB): I think the comments as printed were blown out of context. I’d be the first to say that Mayweather absolutely meant what he said. But the actual purpose behind the statement was never defined through the media source that initially reported, which made it appear that Mayweather was just doing what some feel Mayweather always does (talk). There appears to be a major disconnect relative to what he meant by this statement, so I think it can only help to add clarity.

In a nutshell, what it all comes down to is the fact that Mayweather, without question stands as the bigger draw. Once upon a time there may have been a debate. But right now, unequivocally, there are no questions. Without needing to elaborate much further, ask yourself this: why would Floyd – (who clearly feels he should get the lions share of the entire promotion) – take the bigger portion of the fight purse, yet concede the lions share of the promotional element of the purse (which isn’t small)?

Pacquiao-Rios Notebook: Beijing Edition

07/30/201307/29/2013 Top Rank

BEIJING (July 30, 2013) — Stop No. 2 on the Manny Pacquiao – Brandon Rios 23,722-mile international media tour to promote their historic 12-round welterweight rumble has landed them in Beijing. On Monday, Pacquiao, Rios and their respective trainers, Hall of Famer Freddie Roach and Trainer of the Year Robert Garcia, began the day with a little morning roadwork – approximately 3,000 steps worth — as they climbed a portion of the Great Wall, at Shuiguan, which was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and is famous for its precipitous cliffs and beautiful views.

Before embarking on the massive climb, Rios and Garcia ducked into a souvenir stand and emerged wearing cowboy hats. “The rancheros have hit Beijing,” exclaimed Rios to the delight of the hundreds of tourists visiting and the media covering.

Brandon Rios towers over Pacquiao in face-off in Macao

07/28/201307/27/2013 Rob Smith

pac90 Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) could be facing the equivalent of a better version of Antonio Margarito when he steps inside the ring against Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) on November 23rd at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China.

The two fighters met today in Macao, China in their media tour in China to start publicizing their November 23rd pay per view fight. When the two fighters stood face to face, you could see immediately the size difference between them.

Rios, 5’8”, not only looks a lot taller than the 5’6 ½” Pacquiao, but he also looks a lot heavier as well. Pacquiao could be dealing with a younger, more active version of a Margarito-like fighter. This is coming at a wrong time for the soon to be 35-year-old Pacquiao, because he took a lot of punishment against Margarito, but he did it when he was three years younger. Now nearing 35, it’s not good timing for Pacquiao to be facing this kind of puncher in Rios.

Pacquiao vs. Rios tickets go on sale

07/27/201307/27/2013 Top Rank

If Horace Greeley were a boxing promoter today he would undoubtedly be espousing, “Go East, young man.” And in boxing’s biggest demonstration of Manifist Destiny, Fighter of the Decade Congressman MANNY “Pacman” PACQUIAO and former world champion and reigning hellion BRANDON “Bam Bam” RIOS will battle each other in a 12-round welterweight rumble, Saturday, November 23, from The Venetian® Macao’s CotaiArena™, in Macao, China. Promoted by Top Rank® and Sands China Ltd., in association with MP Promotions and Tecate, Pacquiao vs. Rios will be produced and distributed live by HBO Pay-Per-View, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT.

Tickets, priced from $1,275 to $115, and various ticket-hotel packages at Sands China’s Cotai Strip Resorts Macao, go on sale, This Monday! July 29, at 10:00 a.m. local time (Sunday, July 28, at 10:00 p.m. ET). Boxing fans can purchase tickets online and get complete information at www.venetianmacao.com/manny.

Roach says he has a great plan for Pacquiao to beat Rios

07/25/2013 Rob Smith

roach1 Freddie Roach thinks he’s got the perfect airtight strategy for his fighter Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) to end his two-fight losing streak and beat former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) on November 23rd at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China.

Roach isn’t saying what this so-called perfect strategy is, but you can imagine it’ll be something similar to what Mike Alvarado used to defeat Rios by a 12 round unanimous decision last March in their rematch in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Left-Hook Lounge: Mayweather’s legacy, Pacquiao’s future, and a Trinidad vs GGG fantasy!!!

07/22/201307/22/2013 Vivek Wallace

Jeremy H. (Orlando, FL): How do you compare the legacy of Floyd Mayweather to other athletes in history? In other words, what are your thoughts about him as a man, an athlete, and overall as a person, when he look at his legacy compared to great athletes of the past?

Vivek W. (ESB): This is a very broad question to tackle in just a few paragraphs. I think to best answer it, we have to look at things from day one. When we look at the entire history of Mayweather, we see a man who has had a very storied career that has seen him dominate from a very early stage. Even prior to the professional ranks, you have to consider that there was an Olympic Bronze that would have been a Gold had it not been for a poor decision. From day one, this has been a fighter who has proven himself at every level.

Pacman dares Floyd; assures he’s not over-the-hill

07/20/201307/19/2013 Reni M. Valenzuela

pac73 “I was not mauled by Marquez, it was a lucky punch that knocked me out,” Manny Pacquiao explains in an ABS-CBN interview yesterday as he rejects Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s taunt and assures the fans he’s not over the hill yet.

Rightly so, Pacman was the one beating black and blue Juan Manuel Marquez into submission when the miracle blow suddenly hit the entire arena into shock during the quadrilogy. If not for the “lucky” punch, another round and Marquez would be out. The bloodied and bruised Marquez, gasping for breath, appeared to be the over the hill boxer in that bout had it not for the seer that hypnotized Pacquiao to fall twice.

Floyd: I’ll fight Pacquiao if he signs with Mayweather Promotions

07/20/201307/19/2013 Rob Smith

pac3 Floyd Mayweather Jr. is no longer setting a condition that Manny Pacquiao turn his career around before he’ll fight him. That was what Mayweather Jr. had previously asked for Pacquiao to do before he’d agree to fight, given that Pacquiao has lost his last two fights.

Mayweather Jr. now wants Pacquiao to sign with Mayweather Promotions before he’ll agree to fight him. Pacquiao currently is signed with Top Rank though 2014.

Mayweather Jr. said to Yahoo Sports “I’m just letting you know that he’s not getting a fight with me. The only way he’s getting a fight with me is if he signs with Mayweather Promotions. He’s got to give me fights with Mayweather Promotions. If he don’t give me no fights under Mayweather Promotions, then he’s not getting the fight. That’s how it’s working now.”