by Alon Calinao Dy: Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao made his country proud once again after he won a thrilling fight against Former WBO light welterweight champion Brandon “Bam-Bam” Rios at the Grand Venetian Macao in China tonight. Known celebrities such as Paris Hilton, David Beckham, boxing superstar Miguel Cotto, and many others spotted watching the exciting battle of two fearless warriors.
Manny Pacquiao was possessed when he floored Rios in the first round of the encounter. He throwed a lot of punches at different angles and Rios didn’t know what to do to shield himself from further punishment.
Nevertheless, Rios was still a tough young fighter who never gave up. But Pacquiao was too much and sensational for him, and Rios has much things to learn. Rios has a lion heart, but Pacquiao turned into an “incredible hulk” to smach him.
Pacquiao made all his boxing fans at the fight scene very happy, especially his country who is in great despair right now after thousands of his countrymen had been killed in wake of super typhoon Haiyan on Nov. 8, 2013.
There was no doubt that Pacquiao was back to his old days. He became more entertaining and discipled fighter after Marquez defeated him last year. Also, this would be the first time for him to fight in China, and it seemed the Filipino boxing icon was enjoying the beautiful country.
Rumors circulated now around the boxing forums that Pacquiao versus Mayweather fight is going to happen next year. Well, It all depends between the two parties. Hopefully, everything will come to fruition. Not just gossips, but a sign contract or agreement for these two legend boxers in the world today.
However, Pacquiao could do a rematch against Juan Manuel Marquez or another intriguing fight with Timothy Bradley. And after what happened to Rios tonight, it would be difficult for the Mexican to say yes. Marquez made it clear to everyone that he would not give the former pound-for-pound king a second chance.
It was an impressive performance and victory for the Marquez, but the trauma of near beating and broken nose he suffered from Pacquiao was still evident. Most people believed it was a “lucky punch” that knocked Pacquiao out. And despite everything the Mexican fighter heard about himself, he would never let the Filipino boxer avenge his loss.
Finally, this was the best comeback of Manny Pacquiao. He has proven his critics wrong when they said he was old. Pacquiao sent a clear message to everyone that his time was not yet over. It was only the beginning for the Filipino congressman tonight, and the great things have not yet come.
HBO Replay of Paquiao vs. Rios
HBO Sports presents MANNY PACQUIAO VS. BRANDON RIOS, the replay of their hard-fought welterweight fight, SATURDAY, NOV. 30 at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO. The HBO Sports team, which was ringside for the live coverage from the Venetain Macao’s CotaiArena in Macau, China, calls all the action, available in HDTV.
The highly anticipated fight between two of boxing’s most accomplished pros was carried live Saturday, Nov. 23 on HBO Pay-Per-View®.
Immediately following the replay, HBO presents the previously announced “Boxing After Dark” doubleheader of light heavyweight title fights from Quebec City, featuring Adonis Stevenson vs. Tony Bellew and Sergey Kovalev vs. Ismayl Sillakh.
Other HBO playdates: Dec. 1 (3:30 p.m.) and 2 (12:25 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Dec. 1 (8:45 p.m.) and 3 (11:00 p.m.)
® BOXING AFTER DARK is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.
NEWS – EGM votes to accept new Articles and Board for the ABAE
At an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) today (Sunday 24 November 2013), the membership of the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE) voted to accept new Articles of Association and ratify a new Board of Directors.
The acceptance of new Articles and a new Board removes the threat of sanctions by the international governing body, AIBA, and ensures that Sport England will continue to fund the grassroots of the sport.
Eight Regional Associations and the Combined Services Association attended the meeting. Both resolutions were passed with a 9-0 majority in favour of the new Articles and the new Board. The representatives of the Regional Associations for London, East Midlands and Eastern Counties did not attend and therefore did not vote.
The new Articles have been drafted in conjunction with AIBA. They bring boxing in England into line with the rules and bylaws of international competition and put in place a code of conduct to ensure ongoing compliance by giving greater influence to clubs and extending the right to vote at General meetings to clubs with 20 or more members (instead of Regional Associations).
The ratification of the new Board is the final step in a process of modernising the governance of the ABAE. The new Board was initially announced in September 2013, following a decision by its membership to transform the way the organisation is governed, reduce the size of the Board and change the way Directors are selected from regional appointments to a skills-based recruitment process.
The Board of the ABAE said: “This is a momentous day for boxing in England. The decisions to accept new Articles and a new Board are the final parts of a process of modernisation, which has been going on for nearly two years, and now provide a basis for the sport to move forwards with an effective and ‘fit for purpose’ governing body which gives greater influence to grassroots clubs.
“The Board would like to thank all of the clubs that have supported the moves to modernise the structure of English boxing and made their views known to their voting representatives over the last two weeks. They have played a critical role in the outcome we have seen today and we would like to thank both the grassroots clubs and the voting representatives that put the interests of the sport first and voted in favour of modernisation.
“The new Board is committed to driving the sport forward and delivering the whole sport plan for boxing which will continue to grow participation, create opportunities to develop talent and support the clubs, coaches and volunteers who are the lifeblood of the sport at the grassroots.”
The new Board has more than 200 years of boxing experience and come from a range of professional backgrounds. The individuals are Giorgio Brugnoli, Darren Chapple, Nicholas Griffin, Henry Herbert, Luigi Leo, Dr Mike Loosemore and David Newth.
The seven Boxing Directors will be joined by four non-Executive Directors, appointed for their expertise, and an independent Chairperson to make-up the new 12-person Board.
Yigit and Wallin win in Bamberg
It was a good night for Swedish boxing in Bamberg. London 2012 Olympian Anthony Yigit scored his seventh professional victory with a TKO win over Michal Vosyka. Heavyweight Otto Wallin out-pointed Tomas Mrazek to secure his fourth professional victory.