Pacquiao admits boxing career nears end

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA – Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao admitted that his colorful career in boxing is nearing its end.

When asked by his friend, former North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, if he’s boxing for three more years, the Filipino boxer said no.

“Three years? That’s too long,” the “Pacman” said in a casual conversation with Piñol, who manages several boxers.

Pacquiao, acknowledged as the best boxer ever produced by the Philippines, has been fighting for nearly two decades now.

He has collected a total of eight world titles in eight weight classes, beating the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Oscar de la Hoya.

Last December, he got stung by a crushing sixth round knockout at the hands of his long-time foe, Juan Manuel Marquez.

Pacquiao said he remains hopeful that he can fight in April before he gets busy with his re-election campaign as the lone representative of Sarangani province.

He and his adviser Michael Koncz are still looking for a suitable venue for the April fight.

“I am looking at Manila or Singapore as the venue of my next fight,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao gets $10-M offer to fight in Dubai

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao received a $10-million offer to fight in Dubai in April, according to his boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

“I got a phone call from someone in Dubai on Monday, who offered $10 million for Manny to fight there in April,” Roach told Sport360°'s Jon Turner.

“But I told him to call [Top Rank promoter] Bob Arum because I don’t make his fights; I just get him ready.”

Pacquiao has been planning to make his ring comeback in April following his sixth-round knockout defeat to Juan Manuel Marquez last December.

His camp, however, is still looking for a suitable venue that could host his tune up bout prior his supposed fifth ring encounter with Marquez.

Among the locations being considered for the April bout are Singapore and Manila. But with the $10-million offer, Roach said Dubai could also be an ideal venue for Pacquiao as well.

“A place like Dubai for a fight could be great. It’s a great location for pay-per-view and TV networks and it would be seen worldwide,” the boxing coach said. “There would definitely be a lot of interest for a fight to take place there so it has the potential to be a great event.”

Arum earlier said Pacquiao no longer wants to fight in the US because of tax issues.

"Pacquiao doesn't want to fight in the United States because he'd have to give close to 40% [in taxes] to the government,” Arum had said.

Spurs’ Duncan, Heat’s Bosh headline NBA All-Star reserves

source: www.interaksyon.com

NEW YORK – San Antonio’s Tim Duncan and the Miami Heat’s Chris Bosh headline the 14 players selected by NBA coaches as reserves for the 2013 All-Star Game next month.

Duncan was selected to his 14th All-Star Game and he’ll be joined by Spurs teammate Tony Parker, who was also named a reserve on Thursday.

The Chicago Bulls, keeping themselves in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference despite the prolonged injury absence of Derrick Rose, also had two players named as reserves in Joakim Noah and Luol Deng.

Noah is among five first-time All-Stars among the Eastern Conference reserves along with Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, Philadelphia’s Jrue Holiday and Indiana’s Paul George. Bosh was named to his eighth All-Star team.

Joining Duncan and Parker as reserves in the West are Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge, Houston’s James Harden, David Lee of Golden State, Zach Randolph of Memphis and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.

The mid-season exhibition will be played in Houston on Sunday, February 17.

The starters, selected by fan voting, were named last week with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant leading all players in votes in earning a record 15th successive All-Star selection.

Bryant is joined in the West starting lineup by the Los Angeles Clippers’ Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Lakers teammate Dwight Howard and Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.

Miami’s LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, New York’s Carmelo Anthony and Boston’s Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo will start for the East.

The East and West All-Star coaches will be determined by the best record in the conferences through February 3.

Mayweather looking to make ring return; Donaire in talks to face undefeated Mexican

source: www.interaksyon.com

LOS ANGELES – Unbeaten fighter Floyd Mayweather likely will return to the ring after a one-year layoff on May 4 in Las Vegas against fellow American Robert Guerrero, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The card would also feature Mexico’s undefeated Saul “Cinnamon” Alvarez, who many expect will face Mayweather later this year if both are triumphant in May.

Golden Boy Promotions chief executive Richard Schaefer told the Times that a deal could be set this week to send World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mayweather, 43-0 with 26 knockouts, against Guerrero, 31-1-1 with 18 knockouts.

Alvarez, 41-0 with one drawn and 30 knockouts, would defend his World Boxing Council super welterweight crown against Austin Trout, Alfredo Angulo or James Kirkland, according to the report.

Filipino star Nonito Donaire, promoted by Bob Arum, and Mexico’s undefeated Abner Mares, signed with Golden Boy, are in talks for an April 13 super-bantamweight unification bout, according to the report.

Mares is 25-0 with one drawn and 13 knockouts while Donaire is 31-1 with 20 knockouts.

Unbeaten American Tim Bradley is in talks to defend the World Boxing Organization title he took from Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao last year, the Times said, with undefeated Cuban Yuriorkis Gamboa as the likely opponent in suburban Los Angeles.

Knicks deal slumping Celtics fifth straight loss

source: www.spin.ph

BOSTON -- Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and won his rematch with Kevin Garnett as the New York Knicks ended an 11-game losing streak in Boston with an 89-86 victory over the Celtics on Thursday night (Friday, Manila time).

It came 17 days after a verbal clash between the All-Star forwards led to Anthony's one-game suspension following Boston's 102-96 victory in New York.

Anthony was booed frequently Thursday but there was no sign of hostility with Garnett. At one point, Anthony even extended his hand to a fallen Garnett and helped the Celtic to his feet.

Rajon Rondo led the Celtics with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Garnett had only eight points but finished with a game-high 12 rebounds.

There were 17 lead changes in the game but none in the fourth quarter.

In the first half, Anthony was booed nearly every time he touched the ball and cheered when he was called for fouls as fans reacted to the last meeting between the star forwards. One of the biggest cheers came when Garnett blocked Anthony's layup attempt with 3:15 left in the second quarter.

Garnett and Anthony had jawed with each other during the teams' previous matchup. After that game, Anthony walked toward the Celtics locker room before security personnel stepped in and sent him back toward the Knicks' room.

Comcast SportsNet New England posted a video on its website showing Anthony waiting near Boston's team bus after the game, with coach Mike Woodson and New York City police nearby.

The NBA suspended Anthony for the next game, an 81-76 loss at Indiana.

On Thursday, the Celtics took their last lead, 66-65, on a 3-pointer by Jeff Green with 2:22 left in the third quarter. Then Tyson Chandler put the Knicks ahead with a three-point play and they scored the last seven points of the period, taking a 72-66 lead.

They increased that to 84-76 before the Celtics cut it to two on a basket by Garnett and two by Rondo. Amare Stoudemire's tip made it 86-82 with 3:24 left before Rondo sank two free throws and J.R. Smith hit a 3-pointer. Rondo cut the lead to 89-86 with a field goal with 40 seconds to go and Jason Kidd missed a 3-pointer for the Knicks with 14 seconds remaining.

But Boston's last chance ended when Pierce lost the ball out of bounds as he was receiving a pass with 7.1 seconds left.

Anthony scored at least 20 points for the 27th straight game, third most in franchise history behind Richie Guerin's 29 and Patrick Ewing's 28.

The Knicks led 50-48 at halftime but trailed 60-59 with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Then they outscored the Celtics 13-6, with Anthony scoring six points.

Slaughter shows way as Gilas completes hat-trick

source: www.spin.ph

GILAS Pilipinas continued to show their might, scoring a 119-46 win over Malaysia on Thursday to wrap up the preliminary round unscathed in the 19th Super Kung Sheung Cup at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in Hong Kong.

The nationals improved to a 3-0 win-loss slate after earlier victories over Indonesia and host team Hong Kong in the first two days of the tournament.

Greg Slaughter, who missed Wednesday’s game against Hong Kong due to allergies, showed no ill-effects in his return as he scored a team-high 27 points.

College stars Kevin Alas and RR Garcia chipped in 18 points apiece, while PBA reinforcement KG Canaleta added 14.

The team got off to a good start, leading the Malaysians 55-24 at the end of the first half.

Gilas continued to step on the gas as they raced to an 87-42 advantage entering the fouth period, before unleashing a 32-4 blast to finish the game.

Coach Chot Reyes' wards rest on Friday before seeing action in the quarters on Saturday.

PBA board OKs lending at least one player per team for Gilas Pilipinas in FIBA Asia

source: www.interaksyon.com

The PBA Board of Governors on Thursday approved the proposal of commissioner Chito Salud to lend at least one player per team for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national squad that will compete in the FIBA Asia Championship in Manila in August.

“Lending one player per team is in the spirit of broad and equitable representation,” said Salud after the meeting at the league’s office in Quezon City. The commissioner clarified that the final selection of the composition of the team will still depend on SMART-Gilas coach Chot Reyes.

“If there are teams willing to lend more than one player, it’s okay with me. If in the judgment of the coach, he does not need any more players from the teams, then so be it.”

Salud said he will meet Reyes next week to discuss the composition of the squad. SMART-Gilas is currently competing in Hong Kong.

Prior to this new move, Reyes had submitted a list of 20 PBA players to form the national pool.

Teams like Talk ‘N Text and Meralco, which like SMART-Gilas is bankrolled by telecommunications mogul Manuel V. Pangilinan, as well as Rain or Shine, has expressed its willingness to lend more than one player for the national team, if necessary.

(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the news website of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)

Salud said he will also discuss with Reyes details about scheduling practice sessions for the national team.