Archive for June, 2008

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Although Manny Pacquiao is the new 135-pound champion, he’s no mere lightweight.

At any weight, in any ring, the Filipino phenomenon looks like the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world.

Packing five new pounds of power in his usual stunning hand speed, Pacquiao captured a title belt in his fourth weight class Saturday night, stopping David Diaz in the ninth round to claim the WBC lightweight championship at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Read the rest of this entry »

LAS VEGAS (AP) — When Floyd Mayweather Jr. abruptly retired three weeks ago, he left a vacancy atop an imaginary list.

From sports bars around the globe to the Internet’s innumerable boxing crevices, fight fans love to argue about their hypothetical rankings of the world’s best boxers. With Mayweather out of the picture, many believe Manny Pacquiao is the man to assume that top spot. Read the rest of this entry »

At last, an athlete with conviction, Many will probably laugh at the claim of shooter Eric Ang that he will win the country’s first Olympic gold medal in the Beijing Games.

Speaking at a sports forum yesterday, Ang surprised his listeners by his declaration, something no Filipino athlete has ever had the courage to say. Read the rest of this entry »

When Nonito Donaire was tapped to face Vic Darchinyan, the fearsome Australian-Armenian for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight throne last year in Connecticut, it was universally thought Darchinyan would bowl over him with ease.

But Donaire put on a stunning performance, executing a stunning fifth-round knockout of the seemingly-invincible Darchinyan and taking away the IBF belt in the process. Read the rest of this entry »

With the Las Vegas betting line showing Manny Pacquiao a heavy favorite over David Diaz, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. yesterday advised the Filipino icon to ignore the odds, which could create a false sense of security.

Filipino fans began arriving from Manila a few days ago and are anticipating a slugfest in Pacquiao’s quest for a fourth world title at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas tomorrow night (Sunday morning, Manila). Read the rest of this entry »

LAS VEGAS — If David Diaz survives the first three rounds Saturday night, chances are high that he will score a 12-round decision over Manny Pacquiao.

That was the opinion of trainer Mike Garcia, a former fighter whose once promising career was cut short owing to an elbow injury. Read the rest of this entry »

In NBA history, there have been 12 former PBA imports who wore the Boston Celtics uniform.

They were Glenn McDonald, Carlos Clark, Kevin Gamble, Terry Duerod, Kenny Battle, Ronnie Grandison, Tony (Hurricane) Harris, Earl Tatum, David Thirdkill, Kelvin Uphsaw, Larry Robinson and Rick Brunson. Read the rest of this entry »

The University of the Philippines Mountaineers 31st anniversary run commemorates the university’s 100-year anniversary.

The University of the Philippines Mountaineers, one of the pioneering outdoor groups in the Philippines, will be celebrating its 31st anniversary Friday, June 27, at the UP Diliman Academic Oval. Traditionally, members of the UP Mountaineers run around the oval for a set number of hours corresponding to the number of years the organization has been in existence. This year, however, will be slightly different as the club pays tribute to UP’s centennial. Members of the UP Mountaineers will run a total of 100 kilometers from 5am and will end around 6pm. A party will cap off the day’s event at Arte’s Café on Sgt. Esgeurra, Q.C. Read the rest of this entry »

LAS VEGAS — Jim Strickland, former trainer of undisputed world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and now chief strategist for David Diaz, believes Saturday night’s clash between Diaz and Manny Pacquiao is going the full route. Read the rest of this entry »

Rookie Kim Lao of TBAM-Prima-RP National and Kuwaiti striker Jassim Darwish produced spectacular rounds Tuesday to bag the girls’ and boys’ Youth Masters titles, respectively in the 37th Philippine International Open tenpin bowling championships at SM Bowling Center-Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Read the rest of this entry »

Twelve of the country’s top cue artists, including newly-crowned First Senate President Manny Villar Cup Cebu Leg champion Gandy Valle, left for Doha yesterday to compete in the 2008 Qatar 9-Ball Championship, which starts tomorrow at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation Hall. Read the rest of this entry »

LAS VEGAS – A little cocky, Freddie Roach said only a miracle can save David Diaz against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday at Mandalay Bay (Sunday in Manila).

“For Diaz to win he’ll need a miracle,” said Roach. Not once, but twice. Read the rest of this entry »

After their embarrassing defeats in the team competitions, Filipino shuttlers are hoping and praying that luck will be on their side today when they compete in the individual and doubles events of the 14th ASEAN Schools Badminton Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Read the rest of this entry »

The Philippines takes on powerhouse Thailand today at the start of the 14th ASEAN Schools Badminton Championships at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Bannered by Palarong Pambansa discovery Gelita Castelo and Patrick Magnaye, the RP junior squad aims to draw the first blood in the team event slated at 10 a.m. Read the rest of this entry »

LOS ANGELES — Manny Pacquiao says there will be no excuses when he locks horns with David Diaz on Sunday at Mandalay Bay. Read the rest of this entry »