USA the three letter word means opportunity for some but to boxers it is considered the Mecca in boxing. Many have tried but failed to land a meaningful career in the US.
They say if you want to boost your standing then look for some willing patsies to fight you but if you want to be known globally fight in the US and that’s what Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Joe Calzaghe and some others have done. The newest edition to that roster would be Indonesia’s Chris John.
John is virtually unknown outside Indonesia but to diehard boxing fanatics he was the boxer who scored a win against the no.2 pound per pound king Juan Manuel Marquez. The former gold medalist in Wushu scored a unanimous decision win in his own turf against Pacquiao’s arch nemesis but other than that there isn’t much to talk about John aside from being undefeated boosting a 44-0-1 record. It’s quite astonishing to know that John a Catholic is love and praise by his countrymen especially in a predominant Muslim country. Everybody knows him and it’s not only that he has given Indonesia a world title but to the purist John is a great boxer who could shower you with volume of punches. He has great footwork with speed and power. There isn’t much of a competition in Asia and with his fellow Asian Manny Pacquiao globally known by people as the pound per pound king enjoying a huge success it was time to step up from his comfort zone and try his luck in the US.
John’s rags to riches story will now have a final chapter on his boxing career but with obstacles ahead of him he would have to face a bigger competition against a hungrier Rocky Juarez. Rocky who lost all four championship matches will be gunning for his fifth title run this Saturday and John will be in for a huge fight. This will be John’s first taste of the big league and his baptism of fire in the US. Winning will open doors of opportunity for John and losing… well losing right now is not an option. With future marquee fights coming with the likes of Humberto Soto, Edwin Valero and a rematch with Marquez this is the time Chris John let the world know his huge talent and his bigger heart. He calls himself “The Dragon”…and this Saturday the boxing world has just unleash a hungry monster called… Chris John.

As soon as Michael Buffer shouted his infamous phrase “Let’s get ready to Rrrrrumbllleee” and the people are at their feet anticipating one of boxing’s greatest showdowns in 2009… Juan Diaz is seemingly confident yet subtle on his ways and Juan Manuel Marquez glazed at Diaz with a stare that could melt Diaz out like a nuclear bomb waiting to explode.
This would likely be the scenario this Saturday as two of the greatest lightweights will battle out for supremacy. To up the ante Diaz IBO belt would be at stake and the winner will come closer to fighting the winner between Pacquiao-Hatton this May earning a bigger payday and top of the pound per pound list.
Juan Manuel Marquez
A bitter split decision loss against Pacquiao still continues to haunts Juanma up to this day. We waited 4 years for the rematch and how much more should we wait for the trilogy? Marquez is partly to blame after their controversial draw Manny offered an immediate rematch but Marquez declined and instead fought Chris John in Indonesia. After Manny’s victory there was no other reason to fight Marquez although the split decision win can go either way so to say. Marquez chase Manny up to the lightweight division knocking out the slick Joel Casamayor. With Manny going up to fight Oscar and fighting Hatton this May it looks like Marquez needs to up his name to lure Manny for another thrilling trilogy in boxing. Juan Diaz is the much logical dance partner for Marquez. A win against Diaz would book him the finale fight of his career and a loss could kiss him goodbye for his much awaited trilogy.
Juan Diaz
The Baby Bull’s first taste of defeat comes from the hands of Nate Campbell losing his WBA, WBO and IBF title in return. Diaz re-energized himself with a win against sturdy Australian Michael Katsidis. A relentless pressure puncher Diaz could spell trouble to Marquez with his speed and power. At age 25, Diaz still has years ahead of him so fighting Marquez is a win-win situation for him. It’s an acid test for the young Diaz. Greatness can only be measured through experience and Diaz needs a fight like Marquez to asses himself if he really destined for greatness. But Diaz has to be wise in picking his shots against Marquez since he will be fighting a great counterpuncher in fact Marquez personifies the art of counter punching in boxing. This could be the turning point of Diaz career.
Fans will be in for a great treat this Saturday and the action packed fight against Diaz and Marquez requires audience not to blink. I’ve got an inkling feeling this could be one of the greatest fight this year and much anticipated next to Pacquiao-Hatton fight.

“The fight ended with both fighters raising their hands to victory… Michael Buffer with his cold as ice voice “and the winner”…. Let’s hold that thought there as long as we all know the winner goes by the name of Juan right…

As Miguel Cotto raises his hand to victory against an unheralded opposition with little resistance it was evident that there was no Bob Arum on sight. The growing feud between the promoter and his once prize fighter is clearly apparent. Before the anticipated Cotto-Margarito match, Miguel was Arum’s favorite fighter having handled Shane Mosley a defeat and was riding on an undefeated record but when Margarito handled Cotto its first ever defeat with a KO, Arum and Cotto’s seemingly good relationship went sour and Miguel was in for a long layoff.
The handwrapping incident that Margarito was involved with eases Cotto’s painful experienced. We may never know if Margarito ever used his dirty tactics against Cotto on their fight but those things leave a doubt especially when a bloodied and bruised Cotto who has a granite jaw was seen bloodied and his face in a grosteque figure. Cotto doesn’t want to take away any of Margarito’s achievement he doesn’t want to be called a sour looser but when Bob Arum defended Margarito and even staging a rematch with Cotto on Mexico since Margarito was banned for a year in US soil.
Cotto was disheartened knowing that he have been a loyal Toprank fighter for the entirety of his career. He just wanted Bob to act neutral in that situation even if Margarito insist that he has nothing to do with the wrapping. But a fighter always knew and felt if there is really something inside beyond the wraps. Rashard Holloway who was Pacquiao’s top sparring partner had a one on one sparring session with Margarito and suffered an eye injury in return. He said that it was like a brick hitting him over and over again. Miguel Cotto was vocal in saying that after his contract with Toprank he will be looking for a new promoter. Bob Arum who is trying to book Margarito in Mexico for a fight will have his credibility questioned. People loves fighter who fights with his heart but not a fighter who cheats his way to fame.
Boxing is a dangerous sport and one failure can cause death or paralyzed a fighter in return.
When two loyal sons who fought for their father’s respect and one son cheated. It is apparent to see the Father console the trusting son who lost but redeemed himself by being an honest fighter. Bob Arum is now loosing two of Toprank’s prominent fighters Cotto and Margarito. And after Cotto’s victory against Jennings, Arum has to award Cotto with the winner between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton or else he will not only lose a prize fighter but also a loyal son.

It was just the same month last year when the Memphis Grizzlies starting center Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron Mckie and his brother Marc Gasol with two future draft picks. The trade shook the entire NBA teams and others are calling it unfair and unprecedented since the Grizzlies are more like giving away their franchise player with a bunch of bench players and underachieving center in Kwame Brown. The Lakers went on to become a title contender but fall short to the mighty Boston Celtics.
This year, with the nearing of the trade deadline teams are starting to reshuffle their roster and find prospective players to occupy some holes on their offense and defense. With the recent recession and global crisis teams are bending more on the financial side, releasing players who have multiple contracts and franchise players are now considered good trade baits for future and stability of a struggling franchise. There would be good and bad trades but not that shocking compared to last year. Amare Stoudamire is the biggest name around the trading block but so far there are no talks and no definite team who will take Amare’s athleticism although any team would take the young forward but Phoenix are trying for the best deal available for the team. Here are the supposed trades for teams who are making the good deal and teams who are on the worst end of the negotiations.
Tyson Chandler traded for Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox
It would have been a good trade deal for the Thunders since they are really in need of a talented center that could play solid defense and offense on the court. It would have been the worst deal for the Hornets considering the redundancy of positions against Ely, West and Armstrong but fortunately the deal was waived off with Chandler’s recurring toe injury the Thunders can’t afford to go on a losing streak again and decided to null the trade deal.
Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks for Jamario Moon and Jermaine Oneal
The talks about this trade surface way before the All-star weekend although Miami has doubts about the ailing center Jermaine Oneal but the trade pushes through. Miami is in dire need of a good center who could compliment their rookie Michael Beasley it would have been a bad deal but with the inclusion of forward Jamario Moon the Heat and the Raptors are in a fair proposition. The Raptors need the versatility of a Shawn Marion and with Andrea Bargnani rising to his level. Oneal has slowly lost his transition to the Raptors offense. With both teams loosing on their first game parading their new roster it just goes to show that they still need the chemistry more than anything.
Brad Miller and John Salmons for Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni
This trade benefited the Bulls organization, Miller could fill the veteran presence in the post and he shoots well in the perimeter with good defense. John Salmons is also a good pick although Gooden and Nocioni could shine there in Sacramento but the Bulls have the edged in this deal. Sacramento in the other end clears some space cap and gets quality players in return either team are in a win-win situation.
Players release
The Boston Celtics release Sam Cassel to Sacramento Kings for a future draft pick although Sam is a good veteran player but with Rajon Rondo playing superb basketball and his backup point guard Eddie House doing quite well, Sam needs some playing time and he could blend well with Sacramento with Bobby Jackson elevated to the two guard and Sam will serve as a backup point guard to Beno Udrih. Chris Mihm will now show his wares in a Memphis uniform being sideline most of his career but still manage to stay afloat despite playing limited minutes as a Laker.
Trade Prospects
Richard Jefferson- although the Bucks are vocally saying that Jefferson will be a Buck for the rest of the season but there are some talks that Cleveland want to trade Wally Szcerbiak for Jefferson. The Bucks could clear a lot of salary cap in that process but Cleveland should sweeten up the deal if they want this negotiation to materialize. How about adding Pavlovic for a change?
Vince Carter- The Blazers are dead serious in getting the services of Carter but they will also have to complement it with good marquee players and right now they are offering Travis Outlaw and Sergio Rodriguez those two have expiring contracts and the Nets needed that space cap to shop for some solid player this 2010.
Antawn Jamison- With his team on a downfall and with Gilbert Arenas still recuperating the Wizards might deal Antawn for a quality player. They need to inject some new blood to fill the scarcity on offense for the struggling Wizards. They could deal Antawn for a shooting guard or a power forward.
Raja Bell- the Celtics are pursuing Raja to fill the vacant position James Posey left last year but unfortunately there is no one in the roster that could make an appeal to Charlotte.
Amare Stoudamire- If any team who could pull this deal then they would be in for an exciting moment for the rest of the season. Amare provides the inside presence with his athleticism he is a proven shot blocker and a good post defender. But so far there isn’t any hope in landing Amare to a new team for now, hopefully before Thursday.

Trade Deadline is still a day from now and this would be the busiest week for any team in the NBA. Will we see any reminiscent from the “Pau” trade? Or will we see teams rebuilding? NBA… the drama continues.

Nate Campbell looses his WBA, IBF and WBO belts due to weighty problems. He went to the weigh-in 3 pounds overweight like a rendezvous from his supposed championship fight against Joan Guzman. After a very long lay off Nate’s inactivity cause him his belts. At age 36 turning 37 this March 7, Nate’s body could no longer fit in the 135 pound weight limit. Last September Joan Guzman who is moving up in weight challenged Nate Campbell who in return was three pounds overweight had to loose weight but instead had a trip to the hospital for over fatigue and dehydration. Nate Campbell retained his crown and had a whole year rest. But unlike the Guzman incident this time Campbell had the fight went on as scheduled against African Ali Funeka.
Dehydrated and exhausted Campbell managed to escape a split decision win against a charging Funeka.
Campbell who out hustled and out muscled Juan Diaz to claim his three belts went empty handed but at least went home with a win. Nate is almost close in unifying the lightweight division urging the winner of the Diaz-Pacquiao match into a square off but unfortunately Manny Pacquiao move up in weight staging a dream match up against Delahoya. Nate is consider to be a low rewarding, high risking matchup with any of the lightweight champions and after losing by default Nate will try his luck in the 140lb. division a division where two of the best pound per pound kings Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao will face off.
Nate is back to square one and at his age he can’t afford to have another setback. I still believed he has the power and agility to still fight. He has good handspeed and nifty footwork. He could challenge Miguel Cotto or the winner between Hatton and Pacquiao but Nate is just unfortunate to have such skills because no marquee fighters would be fighting him. He has no belts to booster his claim for a shot with the big guns on his division and he is a high risk fighter. The bandwagon is pointing towards light welterweight division and the only meaningful fight that I could think of is a rematch with Juan Diaz. At least there is still drama towards that match and people are gearing to see the revenge factor but until now. Nate Campbell seems to be a name around the corner a good fighter but a bad opponent. Well I guess Nate will have another layoff till he retires… poor Nate.

Grant Hill throws the spinning ball towards Christian Laettner with a 75-feet inbound pass with just 2.1 seconds remaining. As Laettner catches the ball he pulls up in the free-throw line and Duke won the ball game.

Life has been all ups for Grant since his playing days in high school. Being part of McDonald’s All-American team awarded as ACC’s defensive player of the year in 1993 and got the ACC player of the year the following year. The Detroit Pistons never had doubts in drafting him third overall. He was heralded as Michael Jordan’s second coming after Air Mike expresses his intentions in retiring.
Hill has to carry bigger expectations throughout his rookie year and eventually voted as co rookie of the year together with Jason Kidd. He made it to the all-NBA first team and got the no.1 spot in the NBA all-star balloting. He is called Mr. triple-double until he injured his ankle and all went downhill after that. Prior to his injury Hill after six seasons had a total of 9,393 points, 3,417 rebounds and 2,720 assist.
Grant demanded the Pistons to trade him after his ankle injury and the Pistons trade him to Orlando Magic for Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace. For 3 years he had to be sidelined with his recurring ankle injury and many advised him to retire. Grant wouldn’t have any problem with money since he would still have a hefty check with his remaining contract with the Magic. But he worked hard to get back and pay respect to the team who believed in him despite being injured most of his years in Orlando.
Hill went through a lot of therapies and saw his return in 2004 where he played a total of 67 games for the Magic. The fans saw Hill’s resiliency and was voted as a starter in the NBA all-star game.
Now Grant Hill still wears the no.33 and proud to be a Phoenix Suns after the Orlando Magic released him in 2007… Sometimes we fail to remember that all the struggles we encounter in life are ways of becoming a better person it is how a rough and raw stone turned into a diamond. The limelight and expectations has slowly died down… There would be nights that Hill would score a triple double and there also nights he struggles. The Grant Hill we knew before in any other way very different from the person we knew now. He is now a better person and a true gem inside and out. We never saw Hill play on his prime but with all the adversities he has gone through we are happy to see him still playing.

Grant Hill stared again at the spinning ball after practice. He reminisce all his accomplishments in the past and smiled… Life is like a spinning ball sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down and no matter how bitter and how hard life takes you always remember life is still spinning and sooner or later everything is going to be fine like what no.33 always ponder.

How do you define fearless? Mr. Webster defined Fearless as a person free from fear.

Brave and Fearless is one of the greatest attribute every fighter should have. Fighting a roaring Lion is a brave act but going into the Lions den is plain stupid.
Gerry Penalosa at age 36 will once again defies time and challenged rising pound per pound superstar Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico. Many have questioned Gerry’s decision in fighting a younger and talented fighter like Lopez. It looks bad physically and it looks worst in paper. Lopez was only six years old when Gerry turned professional; Lopez enjoys a 3-inch height advantage and a 4-inch reach not to mention that Lopez is a natural Bantamweight fighter and Gerry who started campaigning at 112 lbs. have ventured from 118,115 and 122lbs. The common denominator for both pugilists would be Daniel Ponce De Leon who Gerry went toe to toe and lost in a questionable unanimous decision but Gerry had to go to 12 grueling rounds while Lopez annihilated Ponce with just a round.
The level of opposition went to Gerry with Vorapin, Jhonny Gonzalez, In-Joo Cho and a bunch of other quality fighters he has faced.
Why Gerry took the fight?
At age 36, Gerry is way past his prime, a good tactician like Hopkins and has a very solid Jaw that throughout his career he has never been knockout or even down. He had stood his grounds against an awkward De Leon and took Ponce’s best shot with ease, countering with good and precise shots on his body and face. Juanma lacks the experience at age 25 and that’s were Gerry comes. The methodical dissecting of Jhonny Gonzalez with a liver shot was the game plan Gerry practices a testament of Gerry’s greatness. Juanma has a tendency to charge in right after the bell. He never face a defensive fighter like Gerry and although the stacks are quite bigger to the current champion but I still believe Gerry can still pull a win.
Going into Juanma’s territory is suicide for Gerry but he knows it’s the only chance he could face a bigger name and claim a third weight title in his sake. This would be Gerry’s last hoorah and there is nothing to loose.
Nicknamed “Fearless” maybe Gerry wanted to proved something… and eventhough the odds are likely going in his favor but business and boxing is more likely the same it’s all about taking risks. He knows his a heavy underdog but he doesn’t care. He believes in himself it’s how he validates his name… need I say more? Fearless…

Lamar Odom calmly sank two pressure free-throws with still 16 seconds left in overtime and the crowd was on their feet and shouting their lungs out “Beat LA, Beat LA, Beat LA”

It was just days ago when Ray Allen took a perfect pass from a slashing Paul Pierce with 0.5 seconds left and buried the heart breaking three from the baseline. The Celtics have carried a 12 game winning streak after having a skid of 2-7 record which Los Angeles made a halt to their 19 game winning streak. But this time the Lakers are singing a different tune. Andrew Bynum is playing a superb season and on their first meeting the Celtics had to work hard for their shot and sometimes double pump when they see Gasol and Bynum coming forward but there is no Andrew this time and the Celtics has already set their mind offensively… get the ball in the inside…
Kobe who enjoyed a worry free offense early in the season had to step up his game and feel the urgency to complement the hole that Bynum has vacated.
It was clear on his 61 point performance in New York when he opts to shoot more rather than a team facilitator. The Celtics covered Byrant and made him work defensively. Eddie House was hitting treys all over the court and Fisher and Vujajic can’t seem to find the answer on Ray Allen.
It was a perfect game for the Celtics and after a seesaw battle when free-throw matters LA only shot a dismal 50 percent from the line. KG after battling the flu has proved little resistance from Powell and Odom. But when the game was on the line Kobe carried his team with two crucial back to back three pointers.
LA was lucky enough to escape a win but it was clearly evident that they really need Andrew Bynum from the middle. It was last year when Bynum change the whole perspective when he went to a season ending injury.

With 3 seconds left, Fisher recently made a non-shooting foul and in the inbound pass Ray Allen tried a desperation three but Pau Gasol went to block the shot and the ball went on to the hands of Gasol and the ballgame ended.
Kobe feels he still has to step his game more but he also has to know that when the game is on the line it doesn’t need a 60 point outburst it just needs five players who work their butts off… and so far the Lakers has done that even without a Bynum in the paint.
As the crowd’s loud cheers “Beat LA” went deafening, Kobe and company knew that this time it’s all about team effort and after a humiliating game 6 loss in the finals on the same arena the Lakers gave a subtle but strong message. See you in the finals…

I listened to John Mayer’s famous album room for squares and had been mesmerized by one song called “Stupid Mouth”… the song reminds me of an outcast of society a stereotype of person that no matter how he tries to blend he still ends up a failure.

Vic Darchinyan had very well bounced back from his humiliating loss against Nonito Donaire Jr. his most notable wins would be against IBF champion Kirilov and WBC/WBA champion Christian Mijares. He feels his on top of the world even to the point of calling Manny Pacquiao who is 30 to 25 pounds heavier than him. Vic is starting his roll call of boxing’s pound per pound greats but before anything else he still has a bigger mountain to climb this Saturday. Standing on his way would be the Mexican slugger Jorge Arce. There is already bad blood rising from both fighters with Arce and Vic starting their word wars. We all know that both fighters will come to the fight blazing and although Vic’s former victim Cristian Mijares outclassed Arce, but Darchi doesn’t fight a methodical fight like Mijares in other words both are tailor made for each other.
Vic is already aiming to fight Israel Vasquez after Arce then move up to fight Pacquiao.
We cannot underestimate Vic’s will power. We all know what happened to Kirilov and Mijares. Both fighters fall into the Raging Bull’s power and at the start of the fight they already looked intimidated. Nonito wasn’t and neither would be Arce.
Arce would give Vic a fight and this time it’s gonna be a war.

So after Saturday we would be witnessing who would be singing “My stupid mouth has got me in trouble”….And if Vic or Arce will be facing Manny in the near future…
So call me captain backfire…..

My Stupid Mouth – John Mayer

Antonio Margarito is on the brink of losing his career. After his disappointing loss to Shane Mosley the Nevada commission is suspending Margarito’s license for an indefinite period of time he was suspected of an illegal hand wrapping and was putting a substance believed to be called the plaster of Paris which could harden like cement and is hard in the outside but flexible in the inside. It’s like being hit with tons of bricks in the head and could permanently damage or even death to a helpless boxer.
This is not the first incident of illegal hand wrapping in the history of boxing. We all remember the Billy Collins Jr. and Luis Resto fight in 1983 wherein the undefeated Collins went into the fight and after 10 grueling rounds his face was a grotesque figure and was beaten hands down by Resto. When they shook hands Collins father who serves as his trainer notice how hard Resto’s fist was. He ordered an investigation and was found out that Resto and his trainer was using the illegal plaster of Paris.
Collins Jr. ended his career in a bad note and was suffering from depression. He never again set foot to the ring and ended his life in a tragic car accident.
The hardest part in losing is when you know you are being cheated. The damage has been done and there’s no turning back. Collins could have been a world champion and perhaps earn more money and have a decent family but all was taken in that evening.
What if Margarito fought Mosley and left his illegal wrap unnoticed? Shane could have been in serious trouble and at age 37 his wear and tear could clearly affect him…His recovery would not be that fast like when he was still in his prime and Margarito could have killed him in the ring.
I always have a soft spot for boxers who fought their way out of poverty and Margarito is one of them he have been part of my pound per pound greats but what he did regardless of whom and who made the wrapping still he is part to be blame. He should have thought about the consequences. His credibility is now a question and his boxing career is now on jeopardy… Taking away Margarito’s license could end his dreams of fighting marquee boxers like Pacquiao and Mayweather and earn more money before retiring.
Taking away boxing licenses can be quite too harsh but taking away life for the purpose of winning is never acceptable. Life is too precious… Margarito’s boxing days might be over but at least he still has a life time to think about his mistakes.