Chinese boxing star makes debut

HONG KONG (AFP) – China’s two-time Olympic boxing champion Zou Shiming makes his professional debut on Saturday in Macau, embarking on what he and his ambitious US promoters hope will be a fast track to a world title. A household name in his homeland — where boxing was once banned under Mao Zedong — the three-time amateur world champion faces the little-known Mexican... 

Zou aims for the top

HONG KONG (AFP) ­- Two-time Olympic champion Zou Shiming says that he is aiming for the top, ahead of his professional debut next month, as he bids to become China’s first boxer to make it big on the world stage. The nimble Zou, light flyweight gold medallist at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, begins his quest for world domination in Macau on April 6 against the little-known Mexican... 

Rigondeaux reconsiders

Manila, Philippines – All’s well that ends well. Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux, main protagonists in Bob Arum’s April 13 card at the Radio City Musical Hall, will be on hand Thursday (Friday in Manila) in New York. Late Tuesday night, Arum could finally heave a sigh of relief after being assured that Rigondeaux will agree to random drug testing, a provision that the... 

Pacquiao not on Marquez’s radar

by Nick Giongco Manila, Philippines – Manny Pacquiao seems to be not on Juan Manuel Marquez’s bucket list anymore. Having scored the greatest victory of his career last year, Marquez has suddenly turned deaf to calls that he faces Pacquiao in a surefire hit on Sept. 14.  Read More »

Donaire fights Cuban April 13

Manila, Philippines – Start spreading the news. Pound-for-pound entrant Nonito Donaire will make a return trip to the Big Apple as he faces Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba in a unification world super-bantamweight title fight on April 13. Incoming search terms:donaire fights 2013 (4)donaire april 13 (1)what time is donaire fight with cuban (1)fight donaire april 13 (1)donaire incoming... 

Gonzalez next?

BY NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Bob Arum the world’s most powerful promoter, is reportedly keen on staging the mouth-watering matchup featuring Brian Viloria and Nicaraguan knockout king Roman Gonzalez possibly in Manila this year.  Read More »

Marquez eyeing two more fights

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – Juan Manuel Marquez is contemplating on two more fights, including a fifth faceoff with Manny Pacquiao, before finally hanging up his gloves. Marquez is turning 40 in August next year and Salvador Rodriguez, a leading boxing scribe in Mexico, said he “thinks Marquez will fight two more times” before closing the chapter to what has been an... 

Pacquiao remembers

By NICK GIONGCO Manila, Philippines – In between giving an impromptu tour of his ultra-modern residence at Forbes Park over the weekend, Manny Pacquiao rekindled the not-so-distant memories of his epic brawl with Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas, admitting that he got hit by a perfect punch and vowing that he will rebound from that horrifying loss. Incoming search terms:paquiao... 

Pacquiao to undergo brain exam

By NICK GIONGCO HOUSTON – So severe was Manny Pacquiao’s sixth-round knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez over the weekend that the Filipino won’t be allowed to fight within the next four months, according to Top Rank chief Bob Arum, who also revealed plans to have Pacquiao undergo an extensive brain examination at a renowned clinic in Las Vegas next year.  Read More »

Roach wants MP’s undivided attention

BY NICK GIONGCO LOS ANGELES – Exactly a week before the fight, Freddie Roach wants Manny Pacquiao all to himself when the Filipino star works out Saturday at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.  Read More »