Floyd Mayweather / Image: Zuma Press

Floyd started fast and furious. He was lightning quick with his punches, and his defensive moves were as sharp as ever. JMM couldn’t get a clean shot and was obviously frustrated throughout the fight. Floyd was not only bigger, he was obviously better. A Floyd hook knocked JMM down in the second round and it was an uphill battle from there for Numero Uno Dos.

I give credit to JMM for surviving. He is one tough son-of-a-gun to take a beating like that and not only stay on his feet but continue to fight back. I knew he was a warrior in the ring and he proved that again tonight. Late in the fight, Floyd was smiling and JMM had nothing but a blood red face and wobbly legs to show for his efforts. He was simply beat up (an understatement) by a better fighter—one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the history of boxing. And still undefeated—Floyd Mayweather Jr.—now 40-0.

Post from: EveryJoe

Mayweather Overwhelms Marquez

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez / Image: Zuma Press

I’m wondering if Floyd never intended to make weight and figured he would just pay off JMM for the difference. It’s a bizarre and interesting situation. And unfortunately a disturbing trend to pay off opponents instead of meeting your contractual obligations. I mean, it’s only a difference of a couple pounds but an agreement is an agreement. Or at least it should be.

Source: ESPN.com, HBO.com

Post from: EveryJoe

‘Weighing in’ on Mayweather vs. Marquez

Floyd Mayweather Jr. / Image: Zuma Press

Floyd released the following statement today:

“I am relieved to be cleared to fight, as I was already looking forward to getting back into the ring. I will destroy Marquez and reclaim my rightful place as boxing’s pound-for-pound king all in one night.”

Sadly, HBO’s 24/7 series, a behind-the-scenes look from inside the training camps of both fighters, has been rescheduled for a 10:15 p.m. premiere Aug. 29. Hey, it’s one of my favorite shows. I was looking forward to watching it beginning tomorrow night.

Source: MLive.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Mayweather-Manuel Fight Rescheduled

Floyd Mayweather Jr. to fight Juan Manuel Marquez July 18 / Photo: Newscom

I’m already excited for this one. As I mentioned in my Pacquaio/Hatton post, Floyd will have his hands full with Juan. Everyone wants to see a Pacquaio/Mayweather showdown, but it’s all pending the results of this fight, which could, in itself, become an instant classic because both these guys are future Hall of Famers.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Floyd Mayweather Jr. Officially ‘Unretires’

Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton / Photo: Newscom

There is little doubt that Manny is the pound-for-pound champion at this point. But what about all-time? Manny has compiled a 49-3-2 record in six different weight classes. Yes, six different weight classes. But under the tutelage of legendary trainer Freddie Roach, he has become quite possibly the most feared fighter in boxing today. Translation: he’s getting better with each fight.

I had little doubt that Manny would win this fight. Even with all the bravado of Ricky and his trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. leading up to the main event on HBO’s 24/7 series, I felt Manny was the faster, more technical fighter. But even Manny was surprised with the ease in which he disposed of his opponent:

“I’m surprised this fight was so easy but I did work hard since the beginning of March in training camp. Nothing personal. I am just doing my job, but this is as big a victory for me as when I beat Oscar De La Hoya.”

All the talk about Ricky being a bigger, stronger man — c’mon. He was a shade taller and a few pounds heavier. I did not, however, predict a second-round knockout for Manny. I thought Ricky had enough to possibly go the distance with him. After three months of training (to Manny’s two months), Ricky barely showed up for this fight.

Manny’s win sets up what I feel is an inevitable matchup with undefeated and unretired Floyd Mayweather Jr. in what could be one of the best fights of all-time. Sure, Floyd needs to get past Juan Manuel Marquez (July 18) in his first bout since “retirement.” And that could be a heck of a fight in it’s own right. But Pacquiao/Mayweather Jr. is what every boxing fan wants to see.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Manny Pacquiao Knocks Out Ricky Hatton

Imagine you are Antonio Margarito. Your impressive July beat down of Miguel Cotto was a rousing success both in pulling pay-per-view buys and in garnering media attention. Casual sports fans have started recognizing your name and maybe even your face.

The sky is the limit. Right? Well, not so much. There are so few people out there for you to fight for your deserved huge payday. Shane Mosley? Yawn, that guy never caught the public’s eye. Paul Williams? Nobody knows him and maybe he’s a little too dangerous. Zab Judah? I’d have a good time at least. Ricky Hatton? Um, maybe? Manny Pacquiao? Not for a while, but maybe. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.? He ain’t coming out of retirement for me. He’s scared of the Tijuana Tornado.

No, the guy I really want is Oscar De La Hoya and he says he’s done on December 6th. You then continue your daily morning routine, open your computer and check your boxing RSS feeds. Lo and behold there’s a new article from Dan Rafael about the Golden Boy.

Its headline is intriguing enough, “De La Hoya shies away from retirement talk.” You start to get really excited. Does he want to fight me? Please Oscar, please. I could retire after the money made from that fight. You scan down the page. Still no mention. But wait. Here it is:

“My dream is to fight at Estadio Azteca,” De La Hoya said at the news conference. “I want a big farewell fight to leave a lasting impression all over the world with a huge event…fighting there would be a dream come true, and that’s why I don’t rule out the possibility of having another fight next year.”

“Oh my heavens,” your inner Antonio must be thinking, “he must be talking about me! Who else would he fight at the Azteca? It ain’t gonna be Sergio Mora or Ricky Hatton I guarantee you that! I need to start training right now. It doesn’t matter if he wins or loses to Manny; everyone in Mexico will want to see that fight. I’ll be avenging my hero Julio Cesar Chavez. I can’t wait.”

Neither can we Antonio, neither can we.

Post from: EveryJoe

De La Hoya Not Set on Retirement; Magarito Ecstatic

Jeff Lacy was a rising super middleweight star prior to his March 4, 2006 demolition at the hands of Joe Calzaghe. Since then things haven’t been the same for the 2000 U.S. Olympian.

In December of 2006 Lacy staggered to a razor thin majority decision of Ukrainian Vitali Tsypko although few ringside observers felt Lacy had done enough to win. His next fight came a year later in December 2007 against The Contender favorite Peter Manfredo, Jr., a fight that appeared on the Ricky Hatton – Floyd Mayweather, Jr. undercard. Left Hook Lacy was again underwhelming in victory.

Tonight Lacy fights journeyman Columbian Epifanio Mendoza on ESPN2’s Wednesday Night Fights in only his third bout since Calzaghe and the first not seen on HBO. The fight is unlikely to answer questions about Lacy’s diminishing skills — Mendoza should give him little trouble — but it will be nice to see the consensus #5 super middleweight on free T.V. A convincing win might even solidify a fight against America’s other top ten super middle: Jermain Taylor.

Post from: EveryJoe

Does Jeff Lacy Still Have It?

After the fight Pacquiao indicated to the Top Rank interview (but not HBO’s Jim Lampley) that he wants to go up to 140 and fight Ricky Hatton. We’d love to see that one. The promise of the Pacquiao payday might also bring Floyd Mayweather out of retirement.

After the jump and/or below is a youtube of the HBO recap and Manny interview.
Below that is a youtube of David Diaz’ Top Rank interview. He’s really likable AND he drops the f-bomb four times! Enjoy

Post from: EveryJoe

Manny Pacquiao Dominates David Diaz

Here we go. The epic, historic, amazing Vince McMahon announcement. The entire WWE lineup has emerged from the locker room to hear what the Chairman has to say. How will the announcement “affect ever RAW viewer?”

Vince starts by telling us that there’s going to be another WWE Draft in four weeks. That’s been expected. No big deal there. Where’s the epic-ness, the monumental-ness, the historic-ness?

“It’s all about the money,” Vince begins “I’m going to give away cash money every week.” Oh yeah. Here it comes. We’re so excited. How much? How much? How much? How much?

Image details: $100 Bills served by picapp.com

“Each and every week on RAW I’m going to give away $1 Million.”

Then the show ends. That’s it. Huh? That announcement, while appealing, didn’t quite live up to the hype.

I guess a cool million could be cool but what are the details. Is it $1M in the sense of the $20M Floyd Mayweather, Jr. got for Wrestlemania XXIV? Is it $1M in the sense of Ted DiBiase’s millions or M.V.P.’s millions or JBL’s millions? Scratch that, JBL does actually have millions.

We’re guessing that right now the WWE website is being flooded with visitors and explanations so to spare their bandwidth we promise to do our own research at www.jabandgrapple.com and keep you informed on this this site how to make your wrestling viewing worth a lot.

Segment Grade: D The whole pay-you-to-watch gimmick is not nearly as epic as we wanted it to be. That said, if I happen to be the one who wins the million this grade turns into an A++++.

Post from: EveryJoe

Memorial Day Monday Night Raw: The Epic Announcement

At least that’s what Juan Lazcano, his opponent this Saturday, thinks. In today’s London Sun tabloid he referred to Ricky Hatton as the “Manchester Mexican” and generously opined “He’s got big testicles and you can’t do anything but tip your hat off to him.” Now that’s a compliment!

Do you want proof? How about 57 pints, 17 vodka and Red Bulls, four vodkas, three whisky chasers, and a bottle of Moet champagne. Yes, that was Hatton’s four-day long New Year’s Eve celebration intake as reported by London’s Daily Mail. During those hazy four days Hatton allegedly (and miraculously) stayed standing and upright avoiding his three-weeks-prior fate against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

At the time Hatton told the Daily Mirror “Unfortunately I lost in Vegas but that’s the end of it. A few more drinks and I won’t remember anyway!” We applaud his forgetfulness and are confident that our Ricky is ready to rebound.

Today Hatton admirably told the Times of London “Greatness in a fighter is coming back when your back’s against the wall and everyone is expecting you to go down. I lost to the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world but I’ll be damned if I go out of boxing that way.”

That sure sounds like a winner and someone ready to re-establish himself as the greatest 140-lb. boxer alive. We’re in your corner Ricky. However, not everyone is.

Paul “The Magic Man” Malignaggi, who is facing Lovemore N’Dou on the Hatton undercard, isn’t impressed with Manchester’s pride and joy. This week he’s offered to British press “I don’t think Ricky has as good a chin as people think he has,” and “Ricky is solid but not great. If he wins or loses, it is all just a matter of what the referee lets him get away with.”

If the Magic Man’s taunts are aimed at goading Hatton into a fight he be reminded of Junior Witter’s failed example. Witter called Hatton out dozens of times to no avail; Ricky didn’t want to give the impudent challenger a share of his prize money. But Paul, watch what you say while in Manchester, you might end up with so much to answer for.

Juan Lazcano’s trainer Ronnie Shields also doubts Hatton and his aforementioned partying lifestyle. He told the Sun today “Hatton lives a very bad lifestyle for a fighter. Anyone who goes out and drinks the way he does is going to have problems.” He then surmised that Hatton lifestyle will bring him the same fate as Mike Tyson. We think Shields is ridiculous. Don’t stop being who you are Ricky.

Photo Source: Newscom.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Ricky Hatton Has Big Testicles