Hatton: Rios is a dangerous fight for Pacquiao

rios563 Ricky Hatton thinks that Manny Pacquiao could (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) could be in for a bit of a problem tonight against Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) if he’s unable to get Rios out of the ring by the 6th round in their fight in Macao, China.

Hatton thinks Rios’ power and his nonstop pressure could give Pacquiao major problems if he’s not able to get Rios out of there quickly to avoid having to take his massive shots round after round.

This is a fight that Hatton believes that Pacquiao will definitely win with his power and hand speed. Hatton expects Rios to walk into one of Pacquiao’s big shots that will end matters early on. Where Pacquiao could have problems though is if he Rios is able to take his power the way that Antonio Margarito did three years ago.

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Pacquiao out to mirror a nation ready to fight back

pac31 Manny Pacquiao is fighting to overcome more than just his sensational knockout loss last year, with the hopes of a nation devastated by Typhoon Haiyan pinned firmly on his shoulders this weekend.

There’s no getting away how big a star Pacquiao is in his homeland of the Philippines, a country which has been left reeling following the natural disaster which has claimed the lives of over 5000 people and displaced as many as 4 million.

In the early hours of Sunday morning on BoxNation the face of the Philippines steps back into the ring for the first time since his emphatic knockout loss to the Mexican counter-puncher Juan Manuel Marquez last December, when he takes on Brandon Rios in the gambling capital of the world – Macau.

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Video: Peter Fury on Tyson Fury retirement, Haye, Wilder, More; Hughie Fury Interview

Video by britishboxers.co.uk – Peter Fury, the uncle and trainer of unbeaten heavyweight contender Tyson Fury, has has denied the boxer has retired from fighting and will be back in the ring, after having Christmas off in the light of his fight against David Haye being called off for a second time. Fury and Haye were set to go head to head on February 8, at the Manchester Arena after the original September fight was postponed after Haye suffered a cut eye in sparring.

The contracts were signed for early next year, but again, Haye was forced to pull out after having shoulder surgery, putting and end to Fury’s biggest fight and frustrating him to the point that he announced his early retirement after becoming despondent with boxing. Listen to Peter Fury and his views on team Haye after pulling out of the fight again, a potential fight for Tyson Fury against Deonaty Wilder, he slams Golden Boy promoter Richard Schaefer, tells us about his son Hughies progress, and speaks about his traveller fighting background.

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Weights: Pacquiao 145, Rios 146.5

(Photo Credit: Top Rank/Chris Farina) Manny Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 KO’s) successfully made weight today for his fight for the vacant WBO International welterweight title against the younger 27-year-old Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KO’s) for their fight on Saturday night at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China.

Pacquiao weighed in at 145 lbs., and looked in great shape. Rios came in slightly heavier at 146.5. The Rios looked, he appeared to be a little drained, and it seems like he’ll rehydrate quite a big by tomorrow night. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Rios coming into the fight with a 10-15 pound weight advantage over Pacquiao tomorrow night.

Rios is definitely bigger fighter here, and it’s going to be interesting to see what he can do with his superior size. He won’t have the speed or the experience advantage, but it’s very possible that he could make up for that with his size and youth. He takes a great shot and he’s getting the 35-year-old Pacquiao at the ideal time with him coming off of a knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, and not having looked good in many years.

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Team Wilder open letter to Team Fury

Tyson, I know you are frustrated with the whole Haye situation. You are a top heavyweight with top people behind you. You want to fight the best and have always stepped up to the plate. Forget retirement. You have a long and bright future in front of you.

We at Team Wilder understand. We believe you and Deontay are the two best young heavyweights in the World and a fight between the two of you would put true heavyweight boxing back on top. We want to make this happen. This is the single biggest heavyweight fight that can be made now and the fans deserve it. You deserve it. Deontay deserves it.

You both should be paid accordingly and in line with the magnitude of the event. Every single person or corporation that would have attended, bought pay per view, sponsored, advertised or otherwise supported you vs. Haye would jump on board for you vs. Wilder.

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Boxing: Five Memorable “Psych Jobs”

Boxing is an inherently psychological undertaking. It is an activity that exposes the contestants to far more than the simple prospect of defeat: the potential combination of public humiliation and genuine physical harm percolate in a fighter’s mind to a degree that few who have not lived the experience can reasonably quantify. Far from being a mere test of physical skills then, boxing is perhaps one of the purest tests of human will power. Some of the biggest contests in boxing history have therefore been won or lost through cunning, bravery and fortitude as much as they have speed, strength and stamina.

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Froch vs. Groves weigh-in live stream

Carl Froch and George Groves had to be separated at today’s weigh-in for their World title clash at the Phones4u Arena in Manchester tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports Box Office, in association with bet365.

Froch tipped the scales the heavier man at 11st 13lbs 12oz with Groves over a pound lighter at 11st 12lbs 6oz, and as they squared up they had to be pulled apart after the champ twice whispered into the challenger’s ear.

Not even those on the stage would be able to hear what ‘The Cobra’ said to ‘Saint’ George over the raucous atmosphere created by the packed crowd at Manchester Central, but Froch was quick to tell Sky Sports News that he was leaving Groves in no doubt as to the magnitude of the occasion.

“I was just letting him know he is in deep water,” said Froch. “The time is now. David Haye will say the same, it’s just sort of bringing reality.

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Pacquiao vs. Rios: The Macau Massacre

This Saturday night which will be Sunday morning Macau time, Manny Pacquiao attempts to climb back on the horse that bucked him and ride that thing in to the sunset of his career.

The man that will be across the ring from Pacquiao is Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios, who’s full steam ahead style has everyone outside the Rios camp thinking this fight will be a one sided beat down not in his favor, and entertaining as hell while it lasts.

Can Manny bounce back from the nightmare that still lingers from his fourth encounter with the Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez?

Can Rios clip Manny with a fight changing punch making him an overnight star in the boxing world?

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Juan Carlos Gomez calls out Marco Huck!

Gomez: “I want to fight the best – and Huck is the best cruiserweight at the moment!”

“The Black Panther” back in action this Saturday in Hamburg

Only three weeks after his successful return to cruiserweight, former WBC world champion Juan Carlos Gomez will be back in action this Saturday (Nov. 23) in Hamburg, Germany, against Czech journeyman Jindrich Velecky. Velecky should surely be no serious test for Gomez but “The Black Panther” feels that he needs a high level of activity to get rid of the ring rust from his 14-months-lay-off.

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Pacquiao to Roach: “Are Those The Guys That Made Fun Of You? That’s All I Need To Know”

roach73 When Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza got into a scuffle, it was evident that this fight, at least the competitive angle of it, is going to change its course. Verbal back and forth is always a part of boxing, its marketing and hype. Nevertheless when Alex Ariza kicked Freddie Roach and made fun of his Parkinson’s, he signed his respect away, and boxing fans are unlikely to give it back anytime soon.

Roach was also out of line, and is now being dubbed a racist for saying a few things that are certainly worthy of such a title. But knowing Roach and Wild Card, it seems very unlikely that it was anything but the heat of the moment that made him say what he did, as his gym is probably the most international one of them all.

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