Manny Pacquiao Starts His High Altitude Training in Baguio City
The Filipino champ Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao begins his high altitude training in Baguio City, Philippines in connection with the match preparation against “Sugar” Shane Mosley. This is the beginning of his 7 weeks training in the Philippines before he go to Los Angeles before the final phase on April 19. Despite the fact that they are behind a week than what is suggested by his long time trainer, Freddie Roach, his camp still believes that this is already sufficient to make him ready for the welterweight championship on May 7.
MANILA, Philippines – Showtime, the television brand of US media giant CBS Corp., and not cable giant HBO, will broadcast the world welterweight title clash between boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao and “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
This was confirmed by the Filipino boxer’s Canadian adviser, Michael Koncz, in an interview with Boxing Fanhouse.com.
Koncz said this decision took into account a wider viewership for the Filipino boxing champion
"It's a big benefit for us, economically, and he's going to be getting wider viewership," said Koncz. "It's a different platform for us, and I think that it's important to have a different platform. It's going to take it out of the regular pay-per-view audience because we have a lot of options with the network."
CBS reportedly could reach to 115 million homes compared to HBO's 28 million.
This will be the first time for a big Pacquiao fight to be aired outside of HBO Sports.
HBO played a major role in promoting the Filipino champion’s fights against boxing great Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito through its multi-part boxing documentary, HBO 24/7.
However, Koncz said CBS’ Showtime is also very much capable of televising a multi-part series similar to HBO's 24/7.
"We've worked with HBO for many, many fights, and it's always great working with them. But, you know, sometimes change is good for everybody involved. So we're making that change and we're going on Showtime this time," said Koncz.
The 8-division champion Pacquiao is set to battle Mosley, a 5-time world titlist, on May 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At stake in the bout is Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown.
Bev Llorente,
MANILA, Philippines – It’s still two months away from Manny Pacquiao’s May 7 fight date with “Sugar” Shane Mosley, but Las Vegas’s betting industry is already working feverishly.
Odds makers see Pacquiao as a 7-1 favorite over Mosley, a former world champion who has won several welterweight titles.
This means that every $700 bet placed on Pacquiao will only yield $100 while a $350 bet on Mosley will get $500.Even action star Steven Seagal is placing his bet on Pacquiao.
"He will [beat] Mosley by the 3rd round,” said Seagal, an Aikido black-belter. “I'll always bet for him. He’s my brother.”
Mosley, however, remains unfazed despite Pacquiao’s immense popularity.
He said he currently relishes the underdog tag, claiming that those who bet on him stand to earn lots of money.
"I do have the punching power to knock guys out. I would definitely bet on me if they want to win some money,” said the 39-year-old boxer.
Top Rank Promotions chief Bob Arum said Las Vegas, one of the cities hardest hit by the US fiscal crisis, sees the Filipino boxing superstar as a boon to its struggling economy.
"When Manny Pacquiao fights in Las Vegas, the whole economy benefits,” he said.
Some companies even want to ride on the Filipino boxer’s commercial appeal.
Pacquiao said one of these firms reportedly wanted him to endorse their shaving product.
“There’s some company… they want to shave my hair, but I don’t want it,” said Pacquiao, who is getting added attention for sporting a hairstyle similar to pop superstar Justin Bieber’s. –
Pacquiao vs Mosley Fight sold 16,000 tickets in just 3 hours
The Pacquiao vs Mosley fight was criticized and labeled as a garbage fight since Mosley is so under rated because he has done nothing with his last two fights; losing to Floyd Mayweather and a draw to Sergio Mora. But Pacquiao-Shane Mosley bout remains a hot sell.
Top Rank Inc., the promoter of this World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title fight, reported that roughly 16,000 tickets were sold for just 3 hours. This is incredibly large in figures. Even the Top Rank boss admitted that he has never promoted a fight that has sold so many tickets so instantly. This only means that Pacquiao is the main cast here and not Mosley.
The P4P king from the Philippines has astounded and never stopped to stagger the amazement of every one watching him and knew him with his triumph. That is why when he was matched with Mosley, negative and even creepy comments are coming in. Critics said that it is all about money fight and not to showcase anybody’s skills in the sport of boxing.
Pacquiao and Mosley are scheduled to clash on the 7th of May at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. These 2 fighters will begin their 5-city press tour to endorse their match on Feb, 10, 2011. The tour will start in Beverly Hills, California followed by stops in Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York and Washington. Hopefully crowd will do nothing to irritate these two fighters about their promotional tour of Pacquiao vs Mosley Fight.
