News and notes leading up to Margarito vs. Mosley
By Zach Arnold | January 24, 2009
The LA Times reports that the show will have close to 20,000 fans in attendance. This, despite the fact that Mosley is a +275 underdog on the sportsbooks.
As far as the media is concerned, BALCO might be the biggest star heading into this fight. As mentioned in the LA Times article, Mosley is not interested in talking about his testimony to a grand jury made a couple of years ago in regards to what his relationship with Victor Conte was. Rest assured, Mosley can count on the fact that nothing serious has happened punishment-wise to Evander Holyfield when Sports Illustrated claimed he got HGH under the name “Evan Fields.”
Mosley had to use a second attempt to make weight for the fight.
Meanwhile, Oscar De La Hoya will supposedly be at the Affliction MMA show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. There may be some empty seats for that show, unlike the boxing fight at the Staples Center. (Affliction hopes to get 10,000 people or more in Anaheim — how many college-age kids can afford $450 USD tickets?) The LA Times reports that if Andrei Arlovski defeats Fedor, then Arlovski will head to boxing. Nothing says loyalty to MMA and to a promoter like proclaiming that you will go to another sport after you win a headlining event in the sport that made you famous in the first place. So, who will be Arlovski’s promoter if/when he boxes? Golden Boy. No wonder De La Hoya seems interested in the Affliction show.
Topics: Affliction, Boxing, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Affliction 1/23 weigh-in video
By Zach Arnold | January 23, 2009
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 7 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Need advice on a video capture device
By Zach Arnold | January 23, 2009
Use the contact form if you can provide me with any answers.
I have a lot of old VHS master tapes from the 80s and 90s of the Japanese fight scene and I am trying to convert some of the footage to DVD (without using a stand-alone DVD recorder). I have heard about products Like this, but there seems to be a lot of negative reviews. I am in need of good advice on what would be the best kind of video capturing device (USB or Firewire) and what software would work best with the capturing process. Also, if someone can explain MPEG2 vs. MPEG4 encoding on this front for DVD viewing, please let me know. Thanks.
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Pacquiao vs. Hatton is back on
By Zach Arnold | January 23, 2009
A day after Ricky Hatton was set to cancel his May 2nd fight date against Manny Pacquiao due to Pacquiao refusing to sign a contract, Pacquiao has now reportedly signed the fight contract. This was a similar tactic that Pacquiao used the first time around with Golden Boy last year when he negotiated for the Oscar De La Hoya fight. Bob Arum, who is Pacquiao’s promoter, was scheduled to fly to Manila to try to convince the fighter to sign the deal to fight Hatton. Apparently, this time around, some alcohol consumption got the job done.
Pacquiao originally wanted a 60/40 purse split and a higher guarantee up front. In the end, it’s now reportedly a 52/48 split (Hatton’s camp wanted 50/50).
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 22 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
As the world turns with Hatton, De La Hoya, Pacquiao, Mayweather, and Calzaghe
By Zach Arnold | January 22, 2009
So, Manny Pacquiao’s mouthpiece is challenging Ricky Hatton’s manhood in the Manila Bulletin. He claims that Richard Schaefer is at fault for not making the fight with Hatton happen. Ricky Hatton wants a re-match with Floyd Mayweather Jr., but apparently Mayweather sees that fight as a dead-ender and wants to fight Pacquiao instead. Hatton may end up being ‘stuck’ with fighting De La Hoya in the UK. The British media, meanwhile, has not given up hope on Pacquiao vs. Hatton happening in the near future.
Joe Calzaghe, in a separate boxing note, wants to fight Carl Froch.
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Oscar De La Hoya garners some media attention for Affliction in NY
By Zach Arnold | January 21, 2009
Update: Gilbert Yvel has been cleared by the California State Athletic Commission to fight Josh Barnett.
I was curious how Affliction would do in terms of media coverage in the various NYC newspapers and online for having Oscar De La Hoya show up for the first time since his loss to Manny Pacquiao.
As expected, the coverage was minimal (at best) and the focus from the media towards De La Hoya was about him and not so much about Affliction. You’re not surprised.
Tito Ortiz, of course, got in his shots on Dana White. The New York Times has a somewhat glowing profile piece on Fedor, with the ironic comment from a Russian newspaper writer that he is surprised that “that in Russia very few people know [Fedor].”
The most interesting angle here is how boxing fans will react. So far, they seem to be reacting to De La Hoya and not with much interest about Affliction, which of course defeats the purpose of what Affliction is trying to accomplish here.
Topics: Affliction, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 30 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Pacquiao vs. Hatton is officially canceled; what’s next for both men?
By Zach Arnold | January 21, 2009
Start with this Los Angeles Times article about Richard Schaefer, the Golden Boy promoter, calling the fight off on behalf of Ricky Hatton. What could go wrong?
Schaefer said he has canceled a press tour with the fighters to promote Pacquiao-Hatton in the U.K. next week, and that he feels as burned as he did about two years ago when Pacquiao accepted a briefcase filled with $250,000 in cash from Schaefer and De La Hoya to join Golden Boy Promotions, then recanted and signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank promotions.
Bob Arum is not a happy man. Look at that picture of Arum. Remember how he claimed that Dubai was going to be The Next Big Market and that this fight could draw there? Yep.
Questions are being asked in the British media about Manny Pacquiao and whether or not he will be fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. next. I love this jab at Pacquiao by Gareth A. Davies in the The London Telegraph:
There are several theories surrounding Pacquiao, one of which is that, in spite of having been guaranteed over $11 million (£8m) from the fight by Arum, the world No 1 pound-for-pound fighter does not fancy a contest against Hatton’s bustling, aggressive all-action style, and may be talking behind the scenes with Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
As to what Hatton will do next, the Los Angeles Times indicates that he’s considering a fight against Oscar De La Hoya.
Get a load of these comments from Pacquiao’s attorney. Manny… wants to go to school. Ron Borges tries to justify Pacquiao’s financial stance in the negotiations with Ricky Hatton.
Topics: Boxing, Media, Zach Arnold | 6 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Is the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight on or off?
By Zach Arnold | January 21, 2009
It seems that the media heat-up for Shane Mosley vs. Antonio Margarito seems more focused on Mosley’s supposed association with BALCO than it does with the actual fight itself.
So, we turn our focus to the boxing story that seems to be getting the most play — the media angle of ‘crazy’ Manny Pacquiao. It is rare to see boxing promoters on both sides of the coin publicly agree with each other — that would be Richard Schaefer and Bob Arum, respectively — about what could be the collapse of boxing’s biggest money fight of 2009.
If you believe the Philippine press, the fight is on and will happen. However, 30 minutes ago, Gareth A. Davies of The London Telegraph reports that the fight is off according to sources tied to Hatton’s camp.
So, where does Floyd Mayweather Jr. fit in now?
Update: GMA News and Public Affairs in the Philippines reports that Pacquiao will not accept the terms being negotiated, so the fight is being called off. Of course, Pacquiao used the same negotiating tactic with Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy when the inital offer of that fight was a 70/30 split in favor of De La Hoya. Reportedly, the split ended up being around 60/40.
Boxing Scene claims that Edwin Valero would likely be Pacquiao’s next opponent. Phil Boxing says the Hatton fight is off. The Philippine Star says Pacquiao wanted a $13 million USD guarantee.
Topics: Boxing, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 37 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Mosley/Margarito fight doing big business; will Affliction do the same?
By Zach Arnold | January 20, 2009
Last Friday on ESPN2 TV, ESPN.com boxing writer Dan Rafael reported that over 17,000 tickets were sold for the Shane Mosley/Antonio Margarito fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Ticket prices are in the $25-$300 range. (Tickets for the Affliction show are more expensive for the Anaheim event at the Honda Center.) Both the LA Times and Boxing Scene have articles questioning whether or not Mosley will be focused going into the fight due to BALCO-related PR issues.
The co-promoters for the boxing event on the 24th are Top Rank and Golden Boy. Intriguingly, Oscar De La Hoya has been promoted in the media for attending Affliction PR media sessions in New York and Los Angeles. However, a quick news search online hasn’t produced many articles covering the appearances.
On a separate boxing note, it appears that it is crunch time in relation to whether or not the Manny Pacquiao/Ricky Hatton fight will be signed. Rafael last Friday contended that the fight would likely happen in early May in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The Guardian newspaper claims that the fight is on.
Topics: Affliction, Boxing, Media, MMA, Zach Arnold | 15 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Ground & Pound Awards for 2008
By Zach Arnold | January 19, 2009
An update to the voting for the 2008 Ground & Pound Awards:
Media release from Tim Leidecker
The die is cast and the vote for the Fourth Annual Ground & Pound Awards is over. Fans, fighters, managers, promoters and trainers from all over the world have decided on the winners in the sixteen categories.
Here are the results:
* Fighter of the Year: Rashad Evans (USA)
* Female Fighter of the Year: Gina Carano (USA)
* Fight Team of the Year: Jackson’s Submission Fighting (USA)
* Rookie of the Year: Ronaldo Jacare (Brazil)
* Most Improved Fighter: Alistair Overeem (Netherlands)
* Best Young Fighter: Gegard Mousasi (Armenia)
* Cult Fighter of the Year: Melvin Manhoef (Netherlands)
* German Fighter of the Year: Peter Sobotta (Balingen)
* Boxer of the Year: Manny Pacquiao (Philippines)
* Kickboxer of the Year: Remy Bonjasky (Netherlands)
* Grappler of the Year: Roger Gracie (Brazil)
* Fight of the Year: Quinton Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin (UFC 86)
* Knockout of the Year: Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell (UFC 88)
* Submission of the Year: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia (Affliction “Banned”)
* Best Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
* Fight Event of the Year: UFC 84 “Ill Will”
We have recorded votes from all over the world including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, Brazil, USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, France, Norway, Denmark, Russia,
Thailand, Belgium, Croatia, Italy and Japan.
For complete results, the exact distribution of the votes and in-depth analysis, please go here:
http://www.groundandpound.de/News/Europa/Ground-Pound-Awards-2008.html
Many thanks to everybody who has participated!
Originally posted on January 1st
From Tim Leidecker
GROUND & POUND AWARDS 2008 It is time for the Fourth Annual Ground & Pound Awards, the internet award ceremony that lets you, the fans, make the decision!
The year 2008 is now officially in the books and not only international politics and financial market have experienced major changes, but mixed martial arts as well.
Former champions and super stars like Mirko Cro Cop, Wanderlei Silva and Semmy Schilt said goodbye to the top of the mountain, while exciting young talents like Gegard Mousasi, Thiago Alves and Shinya Aoki lay claim to be the sports’ future.
The UFC is circling solitarily on the MMA firmament and the former fighting Mecca Japan has to be at full stretch in order not to fall behind completely.
Contrary to many other websites and magazines which often have promotional and or political interests in advancing certain fighters, we are not deciding the winners ourselves, but we are giving you,the fans, the opportunity to select the best fighters, fights and events of the year.
Who will be Anderson Silva’s heir as Fighter of the Year? Which is the strongest fight team in the world? And which promotion consistently puton the best shows? You decide!
The ballot will be open for fourteen days and once again reflect theviews of fans, fighters, coaches and promoters around the world. If you want to smack down your vote as well, you can do so here:
http://www.groundandpound.de/limesurvey/index.php?sid=27397&lang=en
Voting runs until January 14 and the results will be published January 15, right here on Fight Opinion! Thanks for voting!
Topics: Media, MMA, Tim Leidecker, Zach Arnold | No Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
UFC 93 (1/17 Dublin, Ireland)
By Zach Arnold | January 17, 2009
Event reports: AOL Fanhouse | Sherdog | MMA Torch | MMA Junkie | Bloody Elbow | MMA on Tap
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 100 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
WEC coming to Corpus Christi, Texas on March 1st
By Zach Arnold | January 16, 2009
The top two fights on the card will be Mike Brown vs. Leonard Garcia for the WEC Featherweight Title and Carlos Condit vs. Brock Larson for the WEC Welterweight Title. The event is taking place at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, which is the same location that Elite XC ran with KJ Noons beating Nick Diaz for the 160-pound EXC belt. (It was also home to Kimbo Slice vs. Bo Cantrell, not so much a highlight.)
With knowledge that fighters under the Zuffa banner usually have a close-to-70% chance of winning a re-match if they beat their opponent in the first encounter, WEC is trying to do the hard sell on how or why Brock Larson will have a chance against Condit:
There’s been one man that has completely dominated the WEC’s 170-pound division and that man is Welterweight champion Carlos Condit (6’2”/170 lbs., fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.). With a first-round submission victory against Larson in 2007, Condit will be coming in with plenty of confidence. At only 24, the champion has compiled a 21-4 record and is 5-0 in the WEC with four wins coming via submission and one by TKO. Now the champion faces a man he knows all too well.
“I am excited for the matchup,” Condit said. “The first time out I was able to make it a short night. Since then he has evolved as a fighter and he is a very dangerous opponent. I think my new training camp will help me be better prepared for a very tough Brock Larson. I feel like I am facing the top 170-pounder in the WEC. Brock has been on fire as of late and I expect him to give me a very tough fight.”
Title shots are a luxury that some fighters never receive; and Brock Larson (5’11”/170 lbs., fighting out of Brainerd, Minn.), who has won his last two fights since losing to Condit, knows that a second shot at the belt is something that cannot be wasted.
“I’m confident that there’s going to be a different outcome,” Larson said. “I’ve been in there and felt how strong he is or isn’t. I’ve got everything to gain and he’s got everything to lose. I’ve got a lot more confidence and I know it’s going to be a war. I’m training for 25 minutes of hell. There’s no need to finish a fight in the first round. I’m going to go in there and do my thing. I’m going to slow it down, win the fight more strategically.”
Topics: Media, MMA, WEC, Zach Arnold | 27 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Sherdog charity radiothon starts at 3 PM EST today
By Zach Arnold | January 16, 2009
Media release
Sherdog.com is proud to announce that the Sherdog Radio Network will be hosting a 24-hour Charity Radiothon in conjunction with the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Starting with the UFC 93 Roundtable preview at 3pm EST this Friday, Jan. 16, the Sherdog Radio Network will host 24 straight hours of radio leading up to UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday.
The Radiothon will include Sherdog Radio personalities TJ DeSantis, Jordan Breen, Greg Savage, Scott Holmes, Lotfi Sariahmed, Jack Encarnacao, Rodney Dean and Jeff Sherwood, as well as Sherdog.com news editor Loretta Hunt, Luke Thomas from BloodyElbow.com, Jeff Cain from MMAWeekly.com and MMA referee Big John McCarthy. Confirmed guests will include Georges St. Pierre, David “Tank” Abbott, Kenny Florian, Bruce Buffer, Dave Meltzer, David Mayeda, Stephen Quadros, Joe and Dan Lauzon, Daniel Puder, Joe Stevenson, and Josh Gross.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was started in 1993 in honor of the former North Carolina State head coach Jim Valvano. Since its start, the V Foundation has raised more than $80 million USD for cancer research. Its mission statement is as follows:
The V Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by helping find a cure for cancer. The Foundation seeks to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of the war against cancer. The Foundation performs these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising and philanthropy.
Join us on the 16th and 17th for the 24-hour Sherdog Radiothon as we raise money for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Sherdog’s 24-Hour Radiothon Schedule:
January 16th (All Times are EST)
3pm-5pm: UFC 93 Roundtable
5pm-7pm: Loretta Hunt and Big John McCarthy
7pm-9pm: Jordan Breen and Luke Thomas
9pm-11pm: Scott and Rod (MMA Friday School)
11pm-1am (on the 17th): TJ DeSantis and Jack Encarnacao
1am-3am: Greg Savage and Jeff Sherwood (Savage Dog Show)
3am-5am: TJ DeSantis with a Special Guest
5am-8am: Lotfi Sariahmed and Jordan Breen
8am-9am: Jeff Sherwood and Jeff Cain
9am-11am: Scott and Rod (MMA Saturday School)
11am-1pm: Jordan Breen and Jack Encarnacao
1pm-3pm: Greg Savage and Jeff Sherwood (SDS)
Donation information will be provided at sherdog.com.
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