New York orders eye exam for Margarito, endangering Cotto rematch

The New York State Athletic Commission on Friday ordered a commission-authorized eye doctor to examen Antonio Margarito's right eye, raising doubts whether the Tijuana fighter would be issued a boxing license for his scheduled rematch against Miguel Cotto Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Margarito, who is training in Mexico for his bout against world super-welterweight champion  Cotto, will appear for the exam, his promoter Bob Arum said.

"We don't know when yet," Arum said Friday, shortly after the decision was announced by commission chairwoman Melvina Lathan. "Obviously, we'll go through the exam.

"We now have to work out the parameters of who the doctor is, how he'll be picked. We want him to be picked mutually."

Former world welterweight champion Margarito suffered a fractured orbital bone and developed a large cataract from his punishing loss to Manny Pacquiao in November, 2010. For months, there was talk that Margarito's career was over.

Arum, however, sent Margarito to an eye specialist at the prestigious Moran Eye Center in Utah, where a surgeon removed the cataract and said the fighter's vision would be strong enough to return to the ring.

"There's no longer an automatic rejection for cataract replacement surgery," Arum said. "We're confident [Margarito] is fine. [He was treated by ] the best eye doctor in the world."

Yet, Arum and others close to the fight were braced for New York to reject Margarito's bid for a license. And the promoter has discussed moving the HBO pay-per-view bout from New York -- where Cotto is an enormous draw -- to Texas, Denver or Mississippi.

The New York commission is also facing intense scrutiny over its decision, in part because Madison Square Garden is empty many nights because of the NBA lockout and the Cotto-Margarito bout is expected to be a sellout.

Margarito has said he's experienced no problems with his eye in training, and his surgeon from Utah, along with another expert, told the commission at a Wednesday hearing that he was fit to fight.

--Lance Pugmire   

Photo: Antonio Margarito suffers a beating in a loss to Manny Pacquiao in November, 2010. Credit:  Richard W. Rodriguez/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT.

 

New York deciding whether to accept Margarito-Cotto

A three-person panel of the New York State Athletic Commission is scheduled to render a decision Friday on whether to allow Tijuana's Antonio Margarito to fight Puerto Rico's world super-welterweight champion Miguel Cotto Dec. 3 at Madison Square Garden.

Margarito previously was denied a license by New York after concerns emerged over the cataract-removal surgery he underwent in May in Utah.

On Wednesday, the panel, including chairwoman Melvina Lathan, conducted a hearing that included statements and explanations by the doctor who performed Margarito's innovative surgery, along with experts in the field and Margarito's promoters.

"I didn't have a great feel either way for what will happen," said Carl Moretti, an executive for Margarito's promotional company Top Rank. "I felt like it was a slam dunk when I heard the commission doctors said Antonio had impeccable care with his procedure, but I know they don't like that there was a procedure in the first place."

Moretti said Margarito's operation is an example of medical advances that change how eye procedures, perhaps viewed as troubling in the past by athletic commissions, can now be embraced as effective.

"This was a painstaking, costly effort that was undertaken because the kid [Margarito] still wants to fight," Moretti said.

Bob Arum, Margarito's promoter, says more than 90% of tickets for the event at Madison Square Garden have been sold.

Yet Arum said he's been forced by uncertainty over the commission's stance on Margarito to scramble and find possible alternative locations for the bout. Arum on Thursday would not disclose who he's negotiated with.

Asked if he felt good about the fight remaining in New York, Arum said, "No," but maintained he remains hopeful the commission will accept Margarito.

Margarito, who previously was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for nearly wearing plaster-caked knuckle pads inside his hand wraps in a January 2009 loss to Shane Mosley at Staples Center, was relicensed by Texas for his November 2010 loss to Manny Pacquiao -- where he suffered the fractured orbital bone and eye injury.

Margarito and Cotto fought previously in 2008, with the Tijuana fighter producing a stirring late rally to win by an 11th-round knockout.

MORE:

Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Round-by-round recap

Manny Pacquiao doesn't look much like a champion

Marquez an appetizer for fans who want Pacquiao-Mayweather

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Miguel Cotto, left, Antonio Margarito. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images.

Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito face off

 

It was nearly two years ago now that someone passed along to me a photo that California officials attempted to introduce as part of the evidence they used to ban Antonio Margarito from boxing.

The picture showed Margarito celebrating his 11th-round knockout victory over Miguel Cotto in 2008 -- Cotto's first loss and a performance that made Tijuana's Margarito boxing's next big thing given his thundering power and big-hearted performance in the championship rounds.

Looking closer, you could see part of Margarito's hand wrapping had been torn in the knuckle area and that the covering underneath appeared to have a blood stain on it.

Months later, Margarito would have his hand wraps confiscated by state athletic commission officials after Shane Mosley's trainer, Naazim Richardson, found hardened pads over the knuckles that ultimately were found to be caked with plaster substances.

One of those knuckle pads was stained with blood, eerily in the same area where the post-Cotto photo showed the stain.

Cotto had concluded his final news conference for a fight he'd lose to Manny Pacquiao when I yelled to him that I had been given something he might want to see.

He summoned me to the back of his bus, alone, and reviewed the photograph.

"I know about this," Cotto said.

A look of sadness and confirmation overtook his face. Had his perfect career been sabotaged by a cheater? What could he do about it?

To me, it was one of the most powerful moments I've experienced covering the sport.

For a while, Cotto insisted he'd never allow Margarito to earn "another penny" off him, but as happens in boxing, the idea of this "Redemption" fight on Dec. 3 is just too rich not to happen.

Now, HBO has gotten Cotto and Margarito into the same room to let the pair hash out their differences in "24/7 Cotto/Margarito," which premieres Saturday.

And that photo plays a prominent role in the conversation. 

ALSO:

Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Round-by-round recap

Manny Pacquiao doesn't look much like a champion

Marquez an appetizer for fans who want Pacquiao-Mayweather

-- Lance Pugmire

Video: Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito meet face-to-face outside the ring for this exclusive interview with Max Kellerman in "24/7 Cotto/Margarito," which premieres Saturday on HBO. Credit: HBO

Pacquiao wants Marquez again before facing Mayweather, Arum says

Manny Pacquiao's promoter, Bob Arum, said Monday the Filipino superstar would prefer his next bout to be a fourth fight against Juan Manuel Marquez rather than a super-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"That fight [against Mayweather] can still be there for us" a year from now, Arum told The Times.

Pacquiao, the promoter said, feels that his controversial, majority decision over Marquez on Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas "did not have the finish he wanted," and justifies a fourth fight between the combatants.

Pacquiao, 32, and Marquez, 38, previously fought to a draw in 2004 and a split decision won by Pacquiao in 2008.

Marquez said he was so frustated by the judging of his impressive showing Saturday that he was pondering retirement.

Arum doesn't believe Marquez will retire with the promise of more riches in addition to his payout from Saturday's fight, which could reach $10 million based on estimates of a large pay-per-view audience.

As for Mayweather, Arum said it's his understanding that the unbeaten world welterweight champion has secured the MGM Grand for a early May date.

So Arum said he would stage Pacquiao-Marquez IV in April or June, either at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas or a specially constructed outdoor venue paid for by "the other casinos" in Las Vegas.

"Like we did in the old days, at Caesars Palace," Arum said. "Awesome."

For his fight, Mayweather would select from a field likely to include Amir Khan, Andre Berto, Sergio Martinez, Robert Guerrero or the unbeaten Tim Bradley.

RELATED:

Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Round-by-round recap

Manny Pacquiao doesn't look much like a champion

Marquez an appetizer for fans who want Pacquiao-Mayweather

— Lance Pugmire

Photo: Manny Pacquiao celebrates his majority decision victory against Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Pacquiao-Marquez: Round-by-round recap

The time had come for Manny Pacquiao to act on his desire to convincingly defeat Juan Manuel Marquez, his great rival from Mexico.

With the World Boxing Organization welterweight title on the line, Pacquiao received as well as he gave on Saturday night at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in winning a majority decision over Marquez, who had twice before taking the Filipino champion to the limit in earning a draw and losing a split decision.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge (116-112 ) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored it for Pacquiao. Robert Hoyle called it a draw, 114-114.

PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight

Here's a round-by-round recap (scoring is unofficial):

Round 1: Pacquiao jabs. Marquez swings a left. Pacquiao double-jabs. Marquez misses a left counter. Pacquiao lands one. Marquez pounds the body. Pacquiao with a left counter. Pacquiao throws a right-left combination. Marquez goes to body. Another classic close round between two. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9.

Round 2: A lot of jostling early here. Both boxers are looking for openings. Marquez misses with a right. Nice counter by Marquez. Jab by Pacquiao. Marquez right to body and blocked uppercut. Pacquiao surging with lefts. Marquez backs wisely. Marquez right. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Fight is even, 19-19.

Round 3: Pacquiao working jab. Marquez gets in a good right. Marquez jabs to the body. Nice lefts by Marquez, and an uppercut to the chin. Pacquiao jabs. Marquez gets in a right. Pacquiao lands a stronger right. He lands an extra shot, but just after bell. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 29-28.

Round 4: Nice hard left by Pacquiao. Marquez doesn’t land all of his left shot. Marquez with a jab. Nice left by Pacquiao. Heads collide softly. Good left by Pacquiao. They tie up. Pacquiao lands a flush left. Marquez answers to the body. Nice counter right by Pacquiao, but Marquez answers with two sharp rights, and pulls away impressed at bell. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Fight even, 38-38.

Round 5: Hard left uppercut by Marquez to the face of Pacquiao, who is swinging with ferocity. Chants of “Marquez!” in the arena. Marquez lands a jab. Pacquiao jabs back. Nice right by Marquez backs up Pacquiao. Now a hard left by Marquez. Great right by Marquez. Pacquiao flustered. He’s backing away. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 48-47.

Round 6: Both boxers jab. Pacquiao gets in a left. Marquez lands a left-right combination to the body. Hard right by Pacquiao. Now a good left by Pacquiao. Marquez tries to answer with a stiff right, and then a left to the head. Pacquiao lands a left to the body. Marquez gets in a combination to the body. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Fight even, 57-57.

Round 7: Marquez to the stomach. Pacquiao tries to jab. Nice shots by Marquez. Pacquiao charging, like he wants to go for the kill. Marquez lands a good right, though. Marquez then gets the best of an inside exchange. Pacquiao lands a left to the face. Marquez nails a sharp left to the body and right to the face. Marquez gets in a strong uppercut at bell. He’s here to win. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 67-66.

Round 8: Marquez landing jabs. Some at ringside have him up five rounds to two. Pacquiao to the body. Marquez pounds Pacquiao with a right as Pacquiao darts in. Marquez lands a left. Pacquiao answers with a combination. Pacquiao with a late combo to the face. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 77-75.

Round 9: Marquez strikes with a left and right. He sends Pacquiao to the ropes with a hard left. Wicked combination to Pacquiao's body and face by Marquez. Marquez works the jab. He keeps his right up to protect his head while beating Pacquiao in exchanges. It’s been an impressive effort by 38-year-old. Nice combo by Pacquiao, but Marquez whacks him with a right. Wow! Great combos by Pacquiao. Marquez backing up. Crowd is exploding. It's crazy in here. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 86-85.

Round 10: Marquez lands a right. Pacquiao answers with a combination. Hard right flush to the face by Marquez. Marquez slips, but he recovers and belts Pacquiao with rights as he works inside. Pacquiao looks cut on the right side of his head. Marquez's right eye is swelling. Marquez lands a right. Pacquiao connects with a left on a charge. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 96-94.

Round 11: Pacquiao’s cut looks like it came from an accidental butt in the 10th round. It’s not bad. Marquez works to the body. Pacquiao lands a combination. Marquez answers. Pacquiao is thinking now before charging forward. Marquez lands a clean right as he becomes the aggressor. Pacquiao lands a right. Pacquiao then strikes with a left. Marquez finishes with a right. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 105-104.

Round 12: Pacquiao has salve over the cut on top of his right eye. He starts slow, can't find an opening.  Marquez counters. Pacquiao throws a barrage of punches. Pacquiao jabs. No openings for Pacquiao, though. He's waiting, looking. Pacquiao jabs, Marquez answers stronger -– the story of the fight. Pacquiao loses mouthpiece in last minute. Marquez jab and combo. Pacquiao to the body. Marquez raises right fist at bell, stands on corner ropes. Pacquiao kneeling in corner, praying. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez wins fight, 115-113.

The judges have awarded Manny Pacquiao a majority decision. Glenn Trowbridge (116-112 ) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored it for Pacquiao. Robert Hoyle scored it 114-114.

ALSO:

Undercard: Bradley, Burgos and Alvarado win

These bouts worth more than a sequel in boxing

Hearing will be required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

--Lance Pugmire, reporting from Las Vegas

Photo: Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao square off during their WBO title fight on Saturday  night in Las Vegas. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Manny Pacquiao defeats Juan Manuel Marquez by majority decision

The time had come for Manny Pacquiao to act on his desire to convincingly defeat Juan Manuel Marquez, his great rival from Mexico.

With the World Boxing Organization welterweight title on the line, Pacquiao received as well as he gave on Saturday night at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in winning a majority decision over Marquez, who had twice before taking the Filipino champion to the limit in earning a draw and losing a split decision.

Judges Glenn Trowbridge (116-112 ) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored it for Pacquiao. Robert Hoyle called it a draw, 114-114.

PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs. Marquez fight

Here's a round-by-round recap (scoring is unofficial):

Round 1: Pacquiao jabs. Marquez swings a left. Pacquiao double-jabs. Marquez misses a left counter. Pacquiao lands one. Marquez pounds the body. Pacquiao with a left counter. Pacquiao throws a right-left combination. Marquez goes to body. Another classic close round between two. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9.

Round 2: A lot of jostling early here. Both boxers are looking for openings. Marquez misses with a right. Nice counter by Marquez. Jab by Pacquiao. Marquez right to body and blocked uppercut. Pacquiao surging with lefts. Marquez backs wisely. Marquez right. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Fight is even, 19-19.

Round 3: Pacquiao working jab. Marquez gets in a good right. Marquez jabs to the body. Nice lefts by Marquez, and an uppercut to the chin. Pacquiao jabs. Marquez gets in a right. Pacquiao lands a stronger right. He lands an extra shot, but just after bell. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 29-28.

Round 4: Nice hard left by Pacquiao. Marquez doesn’t land all of his left shot. Marquez with a jab. Nice left by Pacquiao. Heads collide softly. Good left by Pacquiao. They tie up. Pacquiao lands a flush left. Marquez answers to the body. Nice counter right by Pacquiao, but Marquez answers with two sharp rights, and pulls away impressed at bell. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Fight even, 38-38.

Round 5: Hard left uppercut by Marquez to the face of Pacquiao, who is swinging with ferocity. Chants of “Marquez!” in the arena. Marquez lands a jab. Pacquiao jabs back. Nice right by Marquez backs up Pacquiao. Now a hard left by Marquez. Great right by Marquez. Pacquiao flustered. He’s backing away. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 48-47.

Round 6: Both boxers jab. Pacquiao gets in a left. Marquez lands a left-right combination to the body. Hard right by Pacquiao. Now a good left by Pacquiao. Marquez tries to answer with a stiff right, and then a left to the head. Pacquiao lands a left to the body. Marquez gets in a combination to the body. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Fight even, 57-57.

Round 7: Marquez to the stomach. Pacquiao tries to jab. Nice shots by Marquez. Pacquiao charging, like he wants to go for the kill. Marquez lands a good right, though. Marquez then gets the best of an inside exchange. Pacquiao lands a left to the face. Marquez nails a sharp left to the body and right to the face. Marquez gets in a strong uppercut at bell. He’s here to win. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 67-66.

Round 8: Marquez landing jabs. Some at ringside have him up five rounds to two. Pacquiao to the body. Marquez pounds Pacquiao with a right as Pacquiao darts in. Marquez lands a left. Pacquiao answers with a combination. Pacquiao with a late combo to the face. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 77-75.

Round 9: Marquez strikes with a left and right. He sends Pacquiao to the ropes with a hard left. Wicked combination to Pacquiao's body and face by Marquez. Marquez works the jab. He keeps his right up to protect his head while beating Pacquiao in exchanges. It’s been an impressive effort by 38-year-old. Nice combo by Pacquiao, but Marquez whacks him with a right. Wow! Great combos by Pacquiao. Marquez backing up. Crowd is exploding. It's crazy in here. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 86-85.

Round 10: Marquez lands a right. Pacquiao answers with a combination. Hard right flush to the face by Marquez. Marquez slips, but he recovers and belts Pacquiao with rights as he works inside. Pacquiao looks cut on the right side of his head. Marquez's right eye is swelling. Marquez lands a right. Pacquiao connects with a left on a charge. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 96-94.

Round 11: Pacquiao’s cut looks like it came from an accidental butt in the 10th round. It’s not bad. Marquez works to the body. Pacquiao lands a combination. Marquez answers. Pacquiao is thinking now before charging forward. Marquez lands a clean right as he becomes the aggressor. Pacquiao lands a right. Pacquiao then strikes with a left. Marquez finishes with a right. Pacquiao wins round, 10-9. Marquez leads, 105-104.

Round 12: Pacquiao has salve over the cut on top of his right eye. He starts slow, can't find an opening.  Marquez counters. Pacquiao throws a barrage of punches. Pacquiao jabs. No openings for Pacquiao, though. He's waiting, looking. Pacquiao jabs, Marquez answers stronger -– the story of the fight. Pacquiao loses mouthpiece in last minute. Marquez jab and combo. Pacquiao to the body. Marquez raises right fist at bell, stands on corner ropes. Pacquiao kneeling in corner, praying. Marquez wins round, 10-9. Marquez wins fight, 115-113.

The judges have awarded Manny Pacquiao a majority decision. Glenn Trowbridge (116-112 ) and Dave Moretti (115-113) scored it for Pacquiao. Robert Hoyle scored it 114-114.

ALSO:

Undercard: Bradley, Burgos and Alvarado win

These bouts worth more than a sequel in boxing

Hearing will be required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

--Lance Pugmire, reporting from Las Vegas

Photo: Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao square off during their WBO title fight on Saturday  night in Las Vegas. Credit: Jae C. Hong / Associated Press

Tim Bradley, Juan Carlos Burgos, Mike Alvarado claim victories

The pay-per-view portion of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez card opened with a 10-round junior-lightweight bout between Tijuana’s Juan Carlos Burgos (27-1, 19 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Luis Cruz (19-0, 15 KOs).

Burgos is the nephew of Victor Burgos, the flyweight who was nearly killed after losing a 2007 title fight to Vic Darchinyan because of a blood clot in his brain that forced him into a coma.

PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs. Marquez weigh-in

Alex Camponovo, the promoter for both Burgoses, reports Victor has “fully recovered,” and is living in Tijuana.

There was good news Saturday for Juan Carlos Burgos as well as he backed up Cruz in the second and third rounds, and had caused the Puerto Rican’s right eye to swell excessively by the seventh round, when Burgos ducked a right and unloaded a hard left to Cruz’s side.

The only loss for Juan Carlos was a unanimous-decision road defeat to Hozumi Hasegawa last November in Japan for the vacant World Boxing Council featherweight title.

Burgos added two hard lefts in the ninth, then eased through the 10th round, winning by scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 95-95, to improve to 28-1.

“I was concentrating on getting my rhythm early and to control pace of the fight,” Burgos said. “I gained more confidence every time I would land a left hook. This was an opportunity I could not throw away on such a big stage as a Manny Pacquiao fight.”

Alvarado defeats Prescott by knockout

Mike Alvarado was about to become another unbeaten trophy of Colombia’s Breidis Prescott when he found a resolve that could make the Denver fighter a champion.

Juan Carlos Burgos, Mike Alvarado claim victories on Pacquiao-Marquez undercard

The pay-per-view portion of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez card opened with a 10-round junior-lightweight bout between Tijuana’s Juan Carlos Burgos (27-1, 19 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Luis Cruz (19-0, 15 KOs).

Burgos is the nephew of Victor Burgos, the flyweight who was nearly killed after losing a 2007 title fight to Vic Darchinyan because of a blood clot in his brain that forced him into a coma.

PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs. Marquez weigh-in

Alex Camponovo, the promoter for both Burgoses, reports Victor has “fully recovered,” and is living in Tijuana.

There was good news Saturday for Juan Carlos Burgos as well as he backed up Cruz in the second and third rounds, and had caused the Puerto Rican’s right eye to swell excessively by the seventh round, when Burgos ducked a right and unloaded a hard left to Cruz’s side.

The only loss for Juan Carlos was a unanimous-decision road defeat to Hozumi Hasegawa last November in Japan for the vacant World Boxing Council featherweight title.

Burgos added two hard lefts in the ninth, then eased through the 10th round, winning by scores of 97-93, 98-92 and 95-95, to improve to 28-1.

“I was concentrating on getting my rhythm early and to control pace of the fight,” Burgos said. “I gained more confidence every time I would land a left hook. This was an opportunity I could not throw away on such a big stage as a Manny Pacquiao fight.”

Alvarado defeats Prescott by knockout

Mike Alvarado was about to become another unbeaten trophy of Colombia’s Breidis Prescott when he found a resolve that could make the Denver fighter a champion.

Pacquiao vs. Marquez: Live coverage of WBO welterweight title fight

The time has come for Manny Pacquiao to act on his desire to convincingly defeat Juan Manuel Marquez, his great rival from Mexico.

With the World Boxing Organization welterweight title on the line, Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) will cap his trilogy tonight against Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Seats have been sold out for months for the pay-per-view bout.

Pacquiao, 32, and Marquez, 38, fought to a compelling draw in 2004, when the Filipino southpaw knocked down Marquez three times in the first round, but the gritty Mexico City counterpuncher rallied impressively, winning nearly every round afterward.

In 2008, Pacquiao knocked Marquez down once more and edged him by one point on the decisive judge’s scorecard to win a split decision.

Pacquiao has since proceeded to fantastic riches, beating Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito to routinely collect in excess of $20 million purses while claiming world titles in eight weight divisions.

Marquez, meanwhile, has stayed in pursuit of this third fight against Pacquiao by winning the world lightweight title, and he’s associated with controversial strength coach Angel “Memo” Heredia in preparation for this bout.

Marquez trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain is counting on what he perceives to be his fighter’s “technical” advantage to carry the night, but all involved acknowledge the massive strides Pacquiao has made since the 2008 bout in footwork, use of his right hand and maximizing his power.

It’s why Pacquiao is a 10-to-1 favorite to win the fight, according to Las Vegas sports books, and why his camp is projecting a knockout by the end of the seventh round.

The Times’ round-by-round coverage of the bout here at the Fabulous Forum will begin when the fight does, likely after 8:30 p.m. Pacific time.

ALSO:

Pacquiao vs. Marquez preview

These bouts worth more than a sequel in boxing

Hearing will be required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

--Lance Pugmire

Photo: Manny Pacquiao, left, and Juan Manuel Marquez face off during their weigh-in on Friday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Credit: Steve Marcus / Reuters

Joel Casamayor strips naked and still misses weight on first try

The wonders of boxing never stop. It has the decorum of a drunk at midnight Mass.

Friday in Las Vegas, they held the weigh-in for this weekend’s boxing card, featuring Manny Pacquiao versus Juan Manuel Marquez. A crowd of about 5,000 attended, raising questions again about the intellectual depth of our current society.

Weighing in before Pacquiao and Marquez were featured undercard fighters Tim Bradley and Joel Casamayor. They had to make 140 pounds and Casamayor came in at 141. So they did what any self-respecting sport would do. They had him strip off his underpants and held his sweat jacket in front of him to shield the vision of his private parts from the crowd. He still was 141, proving that underpants apparently weigh less than a pound.

All of this might have gone a lot better had the setting not been a sort of theater in the round. Nothing was left to the imagination, but, to their credit, the ever-present, skimpily dressed Tecate girls, standing a few feet away on each side of the stage, looked up and away.

Michael Buffer, marquee ring announcer (yes, there is such a thing), helped immensely with the taste issue when he announced to the crowd that Casamayor would have another chance in a hour to make weight and that “one trip to the restroom usually takes care of that.”

Casamayor did make weight on his next attempt.

ALSO:

Pacquiao vs. Marquez preview

These bouts worth more than a sequel in boxing

Hearing will be required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

--Bill Dwyre

Photo: Joel Casamayor, right, is held back as he and opponent Tim Bradley exchange some words during the weigh-in Friday. Credit: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Tim Bradley returns to action, sees Manny Pacquiao matchup in future

Should Manny Pacquiao defeat Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. not emerge as the Filipino superstar’s next foe, Coachella Valley’s Tim Bradley will.

The unbeaten Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) reappears from promotional problems Saturday when he defends his World Boxing Organization junior-welterweight title against veteran Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs) on the Pacquiao-Marquez III pay-per-view.

“I’m a lot stronger mentally after everything that’s happened –- the promoters, the criticism,” Bradley said.

Bradley burned with anger after being deprived of a substantial portion of site money given to his promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson by the Silverdome in Detroit in January. Bradley beat then-unbeaten Devon Alexander then.

Rather than accept a summer date against another 140-pound world champion Amir Khan, Bradley balked, opting to deprive the promoters of more cash. He was criticized for ducking Khan.

“It’s a sport, but it’s a business,” Bradley said. “I always wanted to fight Amir Khan. I still do. He’s one of the top guys on my list to fight, behind Pacquiao and Mayweather.”

By striking a nine-fight, three-year promotional deal with Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank, he’s well-positioned to ultimately get Pacquiao.

“I just have to take care of business Saturday,” Bradley said. “Line ‘em all up.”

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: Tim Bradley. Credit: Christina House/For The Times.

Previewing the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight

 

HBO Boxing commentators Jim Lampley, Max Kellerman and Emanuel Steward preview the upcoming HBO pay-per-view event, Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, which happens Saturday.

The widely anticipated bout is the third between the two men.

"There are personal feelings here," Pacquiao told The Times' Lance Pugmire recently after 15 rounds of sparring at a Hollywood gym. "I'm not saying I'm angry, or that I hate him, but those feelings give me more motivation in training, and they'll inspire me to fight as hard as I can, because I'm expecting him to be at his strongest."

The 32-year-old Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 knockouts) has risen to become boxing's top pound-for-pound fighter with 14 consecutive victories that included knockouts of Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, Erik Morales and Ricky Hatton.

Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs) has been the gritty counterpuncher who seems to have Pacquiao's number. Sure, Pacquiao knocked him down three times in the first round of their 2004 bout, but Marquez won nearly every round after and their first bout was called a draw.

In 2008, Pacquiao scored another knockdown of Marquez, but he was left bloodied in a back-and-forth 12-round battle. Pacquiao won the split decision by one point on the deciding judge's scorecard.

"They were wars," Marquez said. "You know you're not going to be short-changed watching us fight.

ALSO:

Manny Pacquiao video

These bouts worth more than a sequel in boxing

Hearing will be required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

--Houston Mitchell and Lance Pugmire

 

 

Tim Bradley returns to action, looks forward to facing Manny Pacquiao

Should Manny Pacquiao defeat Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather Jr. not emerge as the Filipino superstar’s next foe, Coachella Valley’s Tim Bradley will.

The unbeaten Bradley (27-0, 11 KOs) reappears from promotional problems Saturday when he defends his World Boxing Organization junior-welterweight title against veteran Joel Casamayor (38-5-1, 22 KOs) on the Pacquiao-Marquez III pay-per-view.

“I’m a lot stronger mentally after everything that’s happened –- the promoters, the criticism,” Bradley said.

Bradley burned with anger after being deprived of a substantial portion of site money given to his promoters Gary Shaw and Ken Thompson by the Silverdome in Detroit in January. Bradley beat then-unbeaten Devon Alexander then.

Rather than accept a summer date against another 140-pound world champion Amir Khan, Bradley balked, opting to deprive the promoters of more cash. He was criticized for ducking Khan.

“It’s a sport, but it’s a business,” Bradley said. “I always wanted to fight Amir Khan. I still do. He’s one of the top guys on my list to fight, behind Pacquiao and Mayweather.”

By striking a nine-fight, three-year promotional deal with Pacquiao’s promoter, Top Rank, he’s well-positioned to ultimately get Pacquiao.

“I just have to take care of business Saturday,” Bradley said. “Line ‘em all up.”

-- Lance Pugmire

Pacquiao-Marquez: Trainers discuss fight strategy

Las Vegas bookmakers have installed Manny Pacquiao as a near 10-1 favorite to defeat Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night, but Marquez trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain exuded confidence Thursday in projecting a strong showing by his 38-year-old fighter.

"Juan's always been a great technical fighter. He's perfected that and learned to control the combat zone," Beristain said. "He now knows how to handle left-handers."

Beristain embraced the fact that if Marquez had been able to avoid knockdowns -- three in their first bout (a draw) in 2004 and another in Pacquiao's split-decision triumph in 2008 -- the Mexican fighter has outboxed Pacquiao.

Beristain says Marquez can do it again as he flashes speed to complement a training camp dedicated to strength training.

"Obviously, Pacquiao has a great punch. Every minute of every round is danger," Beristrain said through an interpreter. "But no matter anyone says, we won that second fight. I'll go to my death saying that."

Beristain said he's spent dozens of hours reviewing replays of Pacquiao's fights since the March 2008 Pacquiao bout.

"You can lose a lot of sleep thinking how to beat Pacquiao," Beristain said. "That's what happens."

For Pacquiao, his training discipline is far superior to the way it was in 2008, when he struggled to make the 130-pound limit, then "ballooned to 149 [pounds] on fight day," according to Gary Poole book "PacMan," which was released in paperback this week.

Sipping from a holiday-red Starbucks cup Thursday morning, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach listed the improvements his fighter has made since that narrow escape in the second part of this trilogy.

"Manny's a compassionate guy and he's let the last couple of guys [Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito] off the hook," Roach said. "Manny will never predict a knockout, but I know the way he's trained and prepared for this fight. I've seen how he's meaner to his sparring partners. He wants this fight badly. He has a fire in him."

Hearing required to clear Antonio Margarito to fight

The New York State Athletic Commission will conduct a Nov. 18 hearing before granting a license to Tijuana's Antonio Margarito for his scheduled Dec. 3 rematch against Miguel Cotto at Madison Square Garden.

Margarito (38-7, 27 KOs) hasn't fought since losing a unanimous decision to Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 13 at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, where he sustained right eye damage that earlier this year was considered career-threatening. A Pacquiao left uppercut shattered an orbital bone.

In May, Margarito underwent cataract surgery at a prestigous eye care center in Utah, and was later deemed capable of fighting again.

Increased scrutiny by regulators was expected.

Margarito promoter Bob Arum said Thursday that Margarito will be accompanied at the New York hearing by the ophthamologist who performed his surgery, along with another eye expert and an individual Arum described as the leading sports opthamologist in the world.

"We're confident he'll be OK," Arum said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't be spending the money to show he's fine."

There was speculation that Arum was positioned to use Glendale's Vanes Martirosyan as a fill-in fighter if Margarito isn't licensed.

"We don't need a backup," Arum said.

ALSO:

Battling for lord of the ring in trilogy

Boxing needs a brilliant Manny Pacquiao now

Bill Dwyre: In death, Joe Frazier finally gets some separation

--Lance Pugmire

Photo: Antonio Margarito talks about his Dec. 3 bout against Miguel Cotto at a news conference in Los Angeles in September. Credit: Reed Saxon / Associated Press

Boxing needs a brilliant Manny Pacquiao now

Boxing's greatest hits of the last three months.

Aug. 13, Las Vegas: Abner Mares punches Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko square in the groin in the 12th round of their world bantamweight title tournament final -- an unquestionable low blow worthy of a point deduction.

Referee Russell Mora instead awards Mares a knockdown, inciting outrage among fans inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and Mares wins a decision. A sanctioning body is so flabbergasted by the horrific call that it orders a rematch Dec. 3 at Honda Center in Anaheim.

Sept. 17, Las Vegas: World welterweight champion Victor Ortiz, failing to establish a plan to penetrate Floyd Mayweather's defense, head butts the unbeaten fighter. Mayweather, visibly angered, waits for referee Joe Cortez's first indication that fighting can resume and unloads two punches to a distracted Ortiz that knock him out and end the fight in the fourth round.

Oct. 15, Staples Center: Chad Dawson lifts Bernard Hopkins off the canvas, and Hopkins slams backward, suffering a separated shoulder that ends the world light-heavyweight championship fight in the second round, sparking massive jeering in the arena. The WBC later refuses to install Dawson as the new champion, even though he was named the winner in the ring.

This leaves boxing's top performer, Manny Pacquiao, to end the carnage of bad big fights Saturday when he and Juan Manuel Marquez renew their rivalry in Las Vegas with their third fight.

Celebrated Muhammad Ali photos by Michael Brennan to go on display

If you are a Muhammad Ali fan, then you will love this.

The Artworks Gallery and Design Within Reach will present an exhibition by photographer Michael Brennan and his legendary series on Muhammad Ali, which will include the limited-edition photograph entitled "1977." "1977" will open with a reception on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Design Within Reach on Beverly Boulevard and run through Nov. 17. The exhibition will then move to the Artworks Gallery in Pasadena, where it will be on display through Jan. 17, 2012, Ali’s 70th birthday.

A very limited edition of "1977", above, will be available for sale signed by both Brennan and Ali. Six other Ali images will be on display and available for sale; many of these are also signed by the former heavyweight champion.

In addition, there will be a very rare collection of Brennan photos on display from a series featured in a 16-page story in Sports Illustrated entitled “Ali and His Educators” from September 1980. Brennan traveled extensively to locate and interview these elite few who had actually faced Ali in the ring. His efforts paid off with photographs and testimonials from the fighters about their experiences with Ali.

Most of Ali's "educators” are men who have fallen into absolute obscurity since their moment with the most famous boxer of all time. With careers varying from a chief of police to a building contractor, a convict to a CEO, they all give an account of their time with Muhammad Ali.

Design Within Reach is located at 8070 Beverly Boulevard and is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday noon-5 p.m.

See additional images.

ALSO:

Bill Plaschke: Joe Paterno should resign

Penn State scandal: Awaiting more answers from Joe Paterno

This isn't the ending anyone could have foreseen for Joe Paterno

-- Houston Mitchell

 

Manny Pacquiao: This will be the fight of the year

Manny Pacquiao is only days away from his third fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

At a recent media day, the members of Pacquiao's training camp said that he's become more of a complete fighter since their first two bouts. That he's more motivated. And that he has developed a strong disdain for his competitor.

"It's such a personal thing to him that I think he's using that as his motivation," said Alex Ariza, Pacquiao's strength and conditioning coach. "He's using this dislike for Marquez as motivation."

Their first fight in 2004 ended in a draw and Pacquiao won their last bout in 2008 by a split decision. Marquez believes he was cheated out of two victories and wore a shirt last November that said, "Marquez beat Pacquiao twice!!"

Pacquiao found that disrespectful.

"The different of this training camp is I'm very motivated," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum said that he's become more technically sound since he last fought Marquez.

"I look for Manny to win because of the improvement in his right hand," Arum said. "When he fought Marquez the first two times, he was a one-armed fighter. He attacked him with the left hand. Now you can't just concentrate on Manny's left because he hits you just as hard with the right hand."

When asked how many rounds the fight would last, Arum said he didn't know. Ariza said Pacquiao will deliver a knockout punch within the first three rounds.

Said Pacquiao: "This is our last fight. It's going to be the fight of the year."

Pacquiao has a secret weapon.

She's blond and rivals his speed (her hips may shake faster than he can deliver a punch.)

It's Shakira.

According to Ariza, Pacquiao listens to her music whenever he works out. He knows all of her songs by heart and sings and dances to them while warming up.

"I love the Shakira album," Pacquiao said.

When asked what's his favorite song, Pacquiao said, "All of the songs of Shakira."

Even though Pacquiao is the consummate hard worker, Ariza said that being his coach is anything but easy.

"Manny is a natural litigator by nature," he said. "Everything that you discuss with him or want him to do, it has to be an argument in it. It has to go back and forth for 15 to 20 minutes before he feels satisfied to do it."

Ariza said that when he tells Pacquiao to eat four eggs, the fighter will insist on eating three.

"We're always arguing something with Alex, but it's part of our joke," Pacquiao said with a smile.

One of Pacquiao's greatest challenges is maintaining weight.

"Its hard to do that," Pacquiao said. "I have to eat a lot every day, morning and afternoon."

Ariza said the fighter can burn up to 2,500 calories in a workout and can consume up to 6,000 calories in a day.

"I wish he had more cheat days," Ariza said. "Anything to keep the calories up."

As for his diet, Ariza said Pacquiao eats red meat three to four times a week and consumes a lot of eggs.

MORE:

Manny Pacquiao prepares for Marquez

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, round three

Bob Arum: I haven't seen Pacquiao train this hard since he fought Oscar De La Hoya

--Melissa Rohlin

George Foreman pays touching tribute to Joe Frazier

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who inspired Howard Cosell's legendary call, "Down goes Frazier!" in dethroning Joe Frazier as world heavyweight champion, has just distributed a statement on Monday night's death of Smokin' Joe.

"The term 'one and only' has been widely used to introduce many a celebrity, athlete and politician.  Generally they've appeared in print, TV or movies.

"With most of these folks, 'one and only' is the last definition they deserve. [Because when] you see them at home, at work, on the TV, campaigning, visiting the poor -- [and then] in the presence of the rich and famous -- you might see a different person.

"One hello for the rich, a goodbye for the poor.

"Even a special handshake for the haves and the have nots.

 

Joe Frazier: Where does he rank among all-time heavyweights?

Writers from around the Tribune Co. weigh in on boxing great Joe Frazier, who died Monday at age 67 after a brief battle with liver cancer. Check back throughout the day for more responses and join the discussion with a comment of your own.

Barry Stavro, Los Angeles Times

Frazier's greatness and immortality can be measured easily because you can't say Ali without saying Frazier, any more than you could say Dempsey without Tunney or Robinson without La Motta.

Frazier gave Ali the two worst beatings The Greatest suffered in his prime. In their first epic bout in 1971 Frazier, with one of the great left hooks in history, dumped Ali on the canvas in the 15th round to give Ali his first loss. Their third bout, "The Thrilla in Manila," in 1975 was the most punishing long fight I ever saw. Ali won it -- barely.

Both men continued to fight afterward but they weren't any good in the ring because they'd used up all their talent fighting each other. "Fight of the Century" is now a cliche in boxing, but Frazier and Ali genuinely produced two of them.

Where does Frazier rank? Easily among the best heavyweight champs of the modern era: along with Ali, Foreman, Liston and Tyson.

RELATED:

Photos: Joe Frazier through the years

Frazier vs. Ali: Fight of the century [Video]

Floyd Mayweather offers to pay for Joe Frazier's funeral

Photo: Joe Frazier, left, hits Muhammad Ali during the 15th round of their heavyweight title fight at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1971. Credit: Associated Press