Film Premieres in Bayonne at Frank Theatres, Friday, May 12

 â€œSometimes life is like a movie; sometimes its better,” – Chuck Wepner as portrayed by Liev Schreiber in the new film, CHUCK

By Sally Deering

Like the Rocky character Sylvester Stallone created based on Chuck Wepnerâ€s 1976 loss in the ring to Muhammad Ali, Chuck Wepnerâ€s match with Ali has been a huge part of his life. Five years ago, the documentary The Real Rocky aired on PBS and coming up on Fri, May 12, CHUCK starring Liev Schreiber premieres at the Frank Theatres at South Cove Commons in Bayonne. Directed by Philippe Falardeau, the film follows Wepnerâ€s life before and after his March 24, 1975 fight with Muhammad Ali. MAD MEN star Elizabeth Moss, Naomi Watts, and Ron Perlman co-star; and according to IMDB, CHUCKâ€s writing credits go to Jeff Feuerzeig, Jerry Stahl, Michael Cristofer and Liev Schreiber.

Live Schreiber as Chuck Wepner in the new

film CHUCK

Bruce Dillin, Wepnerâ€s PR man and owner of Dillinâ€s Tires in Bayonne, where he installed a museum of memorabilia from Wepnerâ€s career, and where Wepner sometimes gives press conferences, says the upcoming film premiere on May 12 is going to rock Bayonneâ€s world.

“Itâ€s the biggest thing to happen to Bayonne, ever,” Dillin says. “Over the years, Chuck was known as the real Rocky, but he never got the acknowledgement for that. He went to court and was given his acknowledgement from Warner Brothers studios that he is the real life Rocky. People were interested in the story, it eventually developed into a documentary, then a movie.”

These days, Wepner is swept away in TV appearances and speaking engagements to promote the show, Dillin says. He has done several talk shows with star Live Schreiber, director Faiardeau, and other members of the cast. Dillin attended the North American Premiere of CHUCK in Toronto, in September, and last Friday, Dillin, Wepner and Wepnerâ€s wife Linda attended the Tribeca Film Festival where the movie was premiering in New York. Meanwhile, Wepner, at 77, continues to stay in shape, especially for the filmâ€s busy PR campaign.

“He works out every day,” Dillin says.

Wepner had a 35-14-2 lifetime record in a 14-year career that ended in 1978. It was March 24, 1975, when Wepner boxed 15 rounds with Muhammad Ali and lost with a broken nose, cuts over his eyes and a bruised ego. But what the Bayonne boxer didnâ€t know was that an unknown named Sylvester Stallone was watching the fight on his TV set and three days later would write the screenplay to ROCKY based on Wepner. The film would become a major hit in 1976 and win three Academy Awards, earning Stallone fame and fortune. Yo! Letâ€s not forget the sequels, too.

More than 20 years later, Wepner sued Stallone over the use of his life story, and the case was settled out-of-court for an undisclosed sum. Since then, the boxer and the actor have been on good terms, Wepner said.

In 2011, Wepnerâ€s life was the subject of The Real Rocky an ESPN documentary on Wepnerâ€s championship boxing career and the backstory behind his bout with Ali. The one-hour documentary was directed by CHUCK screenwriter Jeff Feuerzeig, an award-winning director whose feature film The Devil and Daniel Johnston won top documentary directing honors at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.  On ESPN.go.com, Feuerzeig, who grew up in New Jersey, explained his inspiration for making the Wepner documentary.

“Iâ€ve been a Chuck Wepner fan ever since 1975, when I was 10 years old and my father took my brother and me to Sports Night at the Raritan High School gymnasium in Hazlet to see Chuck, aka ‘The Bayonne Bleeder,†just months before he was set to go up against Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title,” Feuerzeig told ESPN. “There were no figures who loomed larger in this 10 year-oldâ€s imagination than Evel Knievel, Andre the Giant and, especially, Muhammad Ali – “The Greatest” – and here was a 6-foot-5 behemoth (Wepner) in a full-length fur coat…and a ridiculous amount of jewelry leading us in a chant of ‘Whoâ€s gonna beat Ali? WEPNER!†And in that instant, Chuck Wepner became a real-life mythological figure — as real to me as the Jersey Devil that haunted the local Pine Barrens.”

These days, Wepner, the former New Jersey State Heavyweight Boxing Champion who was christened “The Bayonne Bleeder” for the hits he took boxing Sonny Liston, and Linda, Wepnerâ€s wife of more than 20 years, are riding high from the renewed interest in Wepnerâ€s career and the anticipated success of the film.  

One reviewer on IMDB.com, wrote: “Director Falardeau exquisitely turns what might easily have been another boxing movie into a relationship piece illuminating Wepner’s most difficult moments outside the ring. He depicts the 1970’s much like Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver – seedy, wild women, drugs, booze – along with exceptional highs and disastrous lows.”

On Sunday, May 7, Wepner and his wife Linda will enjoy another great success for the heavyweight champ. Thatâ€s the day he will be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame at the historic Convention Center in Asbury Park. A milestone in the champâ€s career and another opportunity for Wepner to get the recognition he deserves.

If you go

Fri, May 12

NJ Premiere of the film CHUCK

Frank Theaters

South Cove Commons

191 LeFante Way, BAY

(201) 437-6600

Fri, May 7, 7 pm

Chuck Wepner is Inducted into

The NJ Hall of Fame

For Tix: www.njhalloffame.org

The post ROCKY STAR Former Heavyweight Champ Chuck Wepner’s Life Now a Major Motion Picture first appeared on River View Observer.

Bobby Rooney past away this week and in his honor we would like to rerun an article about him .

Bobby Rooney has been in charge of the Bayonne Police Athletic League’s Boxing Club for almost a decade. Prior to taking over the Bayonne PAL program from his father, professional boxer Bob Rooney, Sr., who ran it for more than 30 years, Bobby Rooney was a professional fighter. He went pro in 2003, winning the WBF Continental Light Heavyweight Title in 2009, and finishing with a win-loss record of 12-3; 7 of his 12 victories were knock-outs, 4 of the victories against previously-undefeated boxers.

Rooney’s work with the Bayonne PAL often has him rubbing elbows with top talent, and not been by coincidence. His father was a sparring partner with Chuck Wepner – the inspiration for Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky – who often offers assistance to the Bayonne PAL. Robert Terry is a recent success story of the program, competing at the National Golden Gloves Tournament of Champions in Salt Lake City last  month.

Tyrell Wright, currently with a professional record of 8-0, is another multiple Golden Glove title winner with ties to the Bayonne PAL.

 RVO: How did you get involved with the Bayonne Police Athletic League?

BR: I started boxing at the Bayonne PAL when I was 10 years-old under the guidance of my father, Bob Rooney Sr., who ran the boxing program for 30+ years before he retired. I took over in 2008. In 1987 I won the State Junior Olympic title at 118 lbs…I finished with an amateur record of 21-5.

RVO: What do you enjoy most about working the Bayonne PAL?

BR: Some of these kids come into the gym very shy and quiet. Watching them build confidence is rewarding to me on a personal level. Other kids get involved because they’ve been getting into fights in the street and a parent brings them in to give them something to keep them busy. Watching a kid that may have been described a troublemaker or wise-ass become more behaved and a gentleman gives me pride.

I’d lie if I said winning isn’t a huge part of it.  Taking a kid from a shy or troubled 12-year old and making him a Golden Glove champ within a few years is what it’s all about. Myself and my partner John “Broz” Snyder take a lot of pride in knowing that these kids have a place to be where they’re safe and can feel part of something. There’s no cursing, no pants-sagging and no being disrespectful to others at any time in our gym.

I can remember when my father trained us in the 1980’s, walking down the street seeing two kids fist-fighting in the street. My father would grab both kids, bring them right to the gym, throw gloves on them and put them in the ring. “Let’s see who the real tough guy is,” he’d say. Believe it or not, some of those kids stuck around and became champions. My father definitely left big shoes to fill for me as a coach.

RVO: How long have you been residing in Bayonne?

BR: I was born in Bayonne and moved to Holmdel in 1999. I work in Toms River until 5 pm every day and then drive to Bayonne where we begin training at 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday. I do this as a volunteer. I pay for all the equipment, membership fees and team travel out of my pocket.

RVO: How did you first encounter Robert Terry?

BR: Robert Terry is the classic case of a â€œshy kid turned success story”. His mother brought him to me, to keep him off the streets back in 2008, when he was 14 years old. He was the quietest kid in the gym by far. Only spoke when spoken to, and usually one-word answers. In 2009 he had his first fight, a first round knockout. Soon thereafter his second fight, another first round knockout. Since then he’s won 3 Golden Glove titles and 2 Diamond Glove titles. In 2010 John and I took Robert along with other top fighters from New Jersey to compete in Northern Ireland.

BR: But more important than the success inside the ring is what he’s become outside. He is now a confident 22-year old gentleman. Robert comes from a rough neighborhood in Jersey City where it’s very easy to find trouble if it doesn’t find you first. Robert’s mother Samara and I speak often about his progress and she is his rock. Samara and Robert’s stepfather Kevin do a great job keeping him focused on work and his life outside boxing, and I feel like I’ve always had their support.

RVO: To become a great boxer, what do you think are the most important traits in a person?

BR: The obvious ingredients to (being) a good boxer would be agility, speed, power, conditioning and the ability to take a punch, but mental traits are important. Desire, mental toughness, and fortitude are just as important. Can you fight through pain? Can you get up when you’re down? Combat sports demand more from an athlete than any other sport. Other sports can be demanding as well, but try playing football, basketball or hockey when you’re exhausted and someone is punching you in your stomach or your face. It’s a different kind of toughness.

For more information on Bobby Rooney and Bayonne PAL Boxing,

call 732-616-9162 or visit the club on Facebook.

The post LORD OF THE RING-Bayonne native Bobby Rooney reflects on 30+Years in Boxing   first appeared on River View Observer.

The post Mayweather-vs-Pacquiao from Wallethub first appeared on River View Observer.

By Maureen Wlodarczyk

While researching my second book, Young & Wicked, I spent many hours ferreting out and reading 19^th century newspaper stories related to one of the central characters, Willie Flannelly, Jersey City bad boy and my great-grandmotherâ€s second cousin. Among the various true stories of his juvenile delinquency and anti-social behavior was one recounting his use of a slungshot (different from a slingshot) which was used to knock out a popular local featherweight boxer named Cal McCarthy. Slungshots, a maritime tool consisting of a weight attached to a heavy cord, were a favorite concealed weapon of thugs in those days. Ah, the misguided ingenuity of the criminal mind.

Callahan J. McCarthy was born in Pennsylvania in 1867 and came to the Horseshoe section of Jersey City with his Irish immigrant parents about five years later. One of six children, he made his first public appearance as an amateur boxer in 1887 in association with the Scottish-American Club of Jersey City. A bare knuckles fighter and all of 5†2” and 100 pounds, he won the American amateur 110-pound championship that year and turned pro in early 1888. McCarthy, called the “Wonder,” had a great left jab and quick cat-like movements. He went on to fight more than 40 bouts in various venues around the country, taking on both American and European opponents and won the Featherweight Championship of America. In 1890 in Boston, he took on George Dixon in a bout that went on for 70 rounds until a draw was declared. In their second meeting in 1891, Dixon beat McCarthy in 22 rounds. Following that defeat, McCarthy reportedly turned to drinking, soon losing his form and discipline but still fighting sporadically. The young boxer never regained his stride, was stricken with tuberculosis and, still planning a boxing comeback, died in 1895 at 28 years old. Despite that, he was remembered by fight fans and sports writers who, two decades later, still reminisced about McCarthy when talking about the latest crop of young featherweight and bantam boxers. 

In 1889, as McCarthy was turning pro, another Irish-American boy and future pugilist, Francis (Frankie) Burns was born in Jersey City. By 1910, the Burns family, living on First Street according to the 1910 U.S. Census, was headed by 20-year-old Frankie Burns, a “helper” at an express company, and included his twice-widowed mother Mary and several younger siblings. Burns had started boxing in 1908 and in January 1911, at 5â€5” and weighing in at 117 pounds, Burns fought Englishman Digger Stanley, the British bantam champion, in a ten-round bout at New Yorkâ€s National Sporting Club.

Newspapers covering the Burns-Stanley match mentioned Burns†rise from “tail boy” working the back end of Adams Express wagons to world champion contender in less than a year, describing the fight as “one of the greatest boxing bouts ever seen in this country between two little men,” and reporting that when the bell rang for the last round, “the crowd was on its feet” and “cheers almost shook the building.” While local papers called Burns the “practical winner” of the fight, boxing records call it a “no decision” or draw.

A week after the Stanley fight, the Wilkes-Barre (Pennsylvania) Times carried a piece titled “Frankie Burns – Great Bantam – Bread Winner of Family.” The article described Burns as a “clean living and ambitious young fellow” who had come from obscurity to within sight of a championship in just three years despite losing his father at age five and working since he was 11 to help support his mother and siblings, including paying medical bills for a handicapped sister.

Known as a talented, quick and clever boxer, Burns fought as both a bantam and featherweight and, in over a decade in the ring, had more than 150 matches as a consistent championship contender, taking on other top boxers of the day including Johnny Coulon, Eddie Campi and Johnny Kilbane. Burns was often compared to Cal McCarthy, one newspaper describing Burns as “the greatest little fighting man New Jersey has produced since Cal McCarthy, the idol of the Horseshoe.” The well-respected fighter passed away in 1961 at age 71 and, in 1969, he was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.

Maureen Wlodarczyk is a fourth-generation-born Jersey City girl and the author of two books about life in Jersey City in the 1800s and early 1900s:  Past-Forward: A Three-Decade and Three-Thousand-Mile Journey Home and Young & Wicked: The Death of a Wayward Girl and has just announced that the third book in her Jersey City trilogy, Canary in a Cage, will be available  beginning this month.  For info: www.canaryinacage.com.

The post Hudson Then…Again -The Fighting Irish of Jersey City first appeared on River View Observer.

The Real “Rocky”

  Bayonne Boxing Champ Chuck Wepner – the real Rocky Balboa – Star of ESPN Documentary

 By Sally Deering

At 72, Chuck Wepner of Bayonne stands 6â€5”, weighs 250 lbs, has biceps like ropes of steel, and looks like he can still go a few rounds in the ring – even though itâ€s been 36 years since his match with Muhammad Ali for the World Heavyweight title.

In 1975, Wepner boxed 15 rounds with Ali and lost with a broken nose, cuts over his eyes and a bruised ego. But what the Bayonne boxer didnâ€t know was that an unknown named Sylvester Stallone was watching the fight on his TV set and three days later would write “Rocky” based on underdog Wepner. The film became a major hit in 1976 winning three Academy Awards and earning Stallone fame and fortune. Yo! Letâ€s not forget the sequels, too.

On Tues, Oct 25 at 8 p.m., “The Real Rocky” a documentary about Wepnerâ€s life as a championship boxer and the story behind his bout with Ali airs on ESPN. (It also airs Wed, Oct 26 at 11 p.m. and Sat, Nov. 26 at 7:30 a.m. on ESPN2.)  And a film based on Wepnerâ€s amazing story is in pre-production and will star Liev Schreiber as Wepner.

The one-hour documentary is directed by Jeff Feuerzeig, an award-winning director whose feature film “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” won top documentary directing honors at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.  On ESPN.go.com, Feuerzeig, who grew up in New Jersey, explained his inspiration for making the Wepner documentary.

“ I’ve been a Chuck Wepner fan ever since 1975, when I was 10 years old and my father took my brother and me to Sports Night at the Raritan High School gymnasium in Hazlet to see Chuck, aka ‘The Bayonne Bleeder,†just months before he was set to go up against Muhammad Ali for the heavyweight title,” Feuerzeig told ESPN. “There were no figures who loomed larger in this 10 year-oldâ€s imagination than Evel Knievel, Andre the Giant and, especially, Muhammad Ali – “The Greatest” – and here was a 6-foot-5 behemoth (Wepner) in a full-length fur coat…and ridiculous amount of jewelry leading us in a chant of ‘Who’s gonna beat Ali? WEPNER!†And in that instant, Chuck Wepner became a real-life mythological figure — as real to me as the Jersey Devil that haunted the local Pine Barrens.”

These days, Wepner, the former New Jersey state heavyweight boxing champion who was christened “The Bayonne Bleeder” for the hits  he took in the ring boxing Sonny Liston,and his (third) wife of 18 years, Linda are riding high from the renewed interest in Wepnerâ€s career.  They ride around in the family “Caddy” with the vanity license plates “Champ” and make guest appearances in Bayonne and other cities to promote the documentary and upcoming film. Just recently, Wepner was in Philadelphia where he raced up the courthouse steps against Stallone, a publicity stunt for the documentary and a chance to meet up with his good buddy Stallone.

On a recent afternoon, Wepner took time out from his busy schedule to talk with the Riverview Observer in his beautiful Bayonne home about the renewed interest in his boxing career, his match with Ali and the upcoming documentary and film about his life in and out of the ring.

RO:  Can you talk about your early family life?

CW:  My father was a cop and became a professional fighter. He was a training partner for Jack Dempsey and James Braddock. I was born in New York City and when my parents separated my mother brought me and my brother to Bayonne to live. But even though I never saw my father until I was 25, when I was growing up my mother never said a bad word about him.  When we came to Jersey, my mother had her hat in her hand. We had no real place to live and a friend offered us a coal shed, which my mother converted into a room for us to live. She was a good mother who thought everyone was good.  Kids today think they have a tough life – theyâ€re full of it.

RO:  Did you make amends with your dad?

CW: I was 25, just turned pro and fighting for the National Championship Golden Gloves against John L. Sullivan in Madison Square Garden. My father came up to me and said, “Do you know me, son?” I said “yes.” He said to me, “Iâ€m cheering for you.” I beat Sullivan that night. My father and I made friends.

 RO:  What can you tell us about your famous bout with Ali?

CW: In Jersey City, the fight was broadcast on Closed Circuit TV at the Stanley Theater in Journal Square. I was the 40-1 underdog.  I was with Ali the night before the fight at the Cleveland Coliseum, a beautiful venue for the fight. We had dinner. The next time I saw him was in the ring.

RO:  Was it a knockout?

CW:  No. They stopped the fight with only 19 seconds left in the round. Tony Perez was the ref. Each round was three minutes. It was the 15^th round and from the 14^th round on, my legs were shaking. I was exhausted. I had been in the ring with Ali for an hour. In the 15^th round, when Ali hit me, I fell, but I was getting back up. Thatâ€s when Tony saw that my eyes were glazed and he stopped the fight with only 19 seconds left. Later, he told me, ‘If I had known there was only 19 seconds left, I would have continued the fight.” I was more shocked than anybody. I only got seven stitches. I got more cuts here (in Bayonne) on a Friday night. I was undefeated in bars, menâ€s rooms. Years ago, Bayonne was a rough town. It was a great town. It still is.

RO:  Were you scared to get in the ring with Ali?

CW: I was never scared. I was nervous about not doing well. Even if I didnâ€t win this fight, I wanted to prove I belong there. I owe Ali for so much; I became famous from the ‘Rocky†series.

 RO:  Did you see Ali after the fight?

CW:  We were friends. I made appearances with him and I made friends with his daughters. Heâ€s a great guy.

RO:  What was it like the first time you saw “Rocky”?

CW:  I went to a theater in New York City for the premier. I remember thinking I hope this movie is good. As the movie started going, Iâ€m thinking this is a good movie. I never realized ‘Rocky†would be the biggest grossing movie. Stallone made 23 billion on all the ‘Rockysâ€.

 RO:  Did you train by hitting sides of beef in a meat locker?

CW:  No. Stallone added the sides of beef. It was a good idea.

RO:  How do you stay in shape? Still boxing?

CW:  I donâ€t box anymore. I donâ€t need it anymore. I earned a Black Belt in Ju Jitsu, but dropped that. I lift weights, keep myself decent looking so when people say ‘Heâ€s the former champ†they donâ€t see me looking old and decrepit.

 RO:  Can you talk about the upcoming movie about your life?

CW:  Itâ€s been in pre-production for eight years. First it was John C. Reilly who was gonna play me, then Vince Vaughn, and now Liev Schreiber. Heâ€s right for it. Heâ€s 6â€2”, weighs 220 and heâ€s a good actor.

 RO:  Youâ€re good friends with Sly Stallone?

CW:  I love Stallone. When I was getting ready for the race up the Philadelphia Courthouse steps, he sent me an email: ‘Iâ€ll be waiting on the steps for you.†He was good to me. I think heâ€s a terrific guy.

 “The Real Rocky” based on the life and boxing career of Chuck Wepner airs Tues, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. on ESPN

For more info, go to www.espn.go.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Boxing Legend Chuck Wepner “The Real Rocky” interview with Sally Deering of the River View Observer first appeared on River View Observer.

Pacquiao Cements Best P4P Reputation At

Hattonâ€s Expense

 

After the first minute of the recent Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao tiff, it only became of matter of when ‘Pac Man†would starch the Britisher, not IF he would. While the pre-fight odds favored Pacquiao (bettors rooting for the favorite had to lay $250 to win $100), and many fight game cognoscenti figured the Fightin†Filipino to eventually lay waste to the pallid U.Kâ€er, absolutely no one was prepared for the brutal and sudden demolition of the heretofore resilient Hatton.

 

Within the first sixty seconds of the opening bell–which saw a strangely haggard-looking Hatton go after his foe with murderous, if ineffective, intent, scintillating southpaw Pacquiao immediately countered and penetrated the Britâ€s guard with a blistering assortment of punches. With less than a minute left in the first, Manny slipped a Hatton jab and sent Ricky face first into the canvas with a textbook right hook. Arising at the count of eight, Hatton looked bewildered, and unsuccessfully attempted to elude Pacquiao, who trapped Hatton in his own corner and put him down for a second time, this coming by way of a vicious straight left.  After again receiving the mandatory eight from ref Kenny Bayless, who looked ready to halt the proceedings right there, Hatton arose and stubbornly traded shots with Pacquiao.

 

Between rounds it was obvious that Hatton was a hurt fighter, as he barely acknowledged his cornerâ€s commands. With the start of the second stanza, Pacquiao showed steely patience as he deftly avoided a desperate, lunging attack from Hatton and sized his man up for a finishing blow. As Hatton tried grappling Pacquiao, trying to turn the fight into a brawl, Manny cooly kept his guard up and countered occasionally. Towards the end of the second Manny drilled home a punishing right jab and quickly sent a short left cross into Hattonâ€s mush, sending him crashing into the canvas, the back of Rickyâ€s head making a resounding thud. Bayless didnâ€t bother with a count, simply waving the fight over as medical personnel rushed into the ring to aid the stricken Hatton.

 

It was several minutes and much medical attention before Hatton was able to show signs of life to a now-relieved crowd at Las Vegas†MGM Grand. A jubilant Pacquiao picked up the RING Magazine junior welterweight championship belt and cemented his current standing as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.

 

Besides the shockingly-quick and easy demolition of Hatton, who managed to suffer through almost ten rounds of punishment before being TKOâ€d by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in their 2007 welterweight title bout, a quick rundown of Pacquiaoâ€s ring accomplishments over the last six or seven years gives ample ammunition to those who prop him up as an all-time great; heady stuff for a 30-year old fighter.

 

After making his American debut as a super bantamweight (122 pounds) back in June, 2001, stopping African Lehlo Ledwaba in six rounds to lift his IBF title (Pacquiao had already held the WBC flyweight diadem), Manny gained many American fight fans for his reckless, power-packed displays, ones that usually featured blood, sometimes even his own. Such was the case when in his first bout after the Ledwaba win Manny took on seasoned Agapito Sanchez. In a super bantam match that equaled anything featherweights Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler threw at each other in their legendary, foul-filled bouts of the 1950’s, the late Sanchez and Manny used an assortment of low blows, elbows and foreheads, culminating in a six round technical draw.

 

After that, Pacquiao made three successful defenses of his belt before meeting Marco Antonio Barrera in November, 2003. In that one Manny fairly dominated and punished Barrera, with the Mexicanâ€s corner finally throwing in the towel in the 11^th round. Manny followed that impressive win up with a May, 2004 challenge of world featherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez. That one went the full, scintillating 12 rounds, with Marquez retaining his title with a draw. What shocked everyone watching the fight was the Mexican champâ€s ability to rise from the three knockdowns that Pacquiao scored on him in the opening round, going on to give as good as get for the remainder of the bout.

 

Manny engaged yet another legendary Mexican, super featherweight champion Erik Morales, in a trilogy of action fights that saw Pacquiao lose the first via close 12 round decision; win the second by scoring a 10^th round TKO, and finish things with a flourish in the rubber match, scoring a vicious 3^rd round knockout.

 

He then took on Barrera again, this time taking a clear-cut decision win and effectively ending Barreraâ€s time as a world class fighter. Manny took a squeaker of a split 12 round duke over Juan Manuel Marquez in their March, 2008 rematch, then stepped up to the lightweight division to relieve David Diaz of his WBC belt via 9^th round TKO in June of the same year. These auspicious wins set up the mega fight with ‘Golden Boy†Oscar De La Hoya that December, and saw Oscar receive the most sustained and brutal beating of his long, illustrious career.

 

Moving back down to the 140-pound limit in taking on Hatton, there were many who felt that Pacquiao had fattened his record at the expense of old and/or war-worn battlers such as Oscar, Marquez and Morales. They could make no such argument for Hatton, whose only loss came against Mayweather in their 2007 bout. Prior to that Hatton had been the long time ruler of the junior welters, even ending the great Kostya Tszyuâ€s career back in 2005 via a brutal 11^th round stoppage win.

 

It was argued that Hatton was the naturally stronger, bigger guy, more used to fighting at the 140-pound limit. That was hardly the case in this one as Pacquiao easily mauled and clutched with Hatton when the Britisher attempted to go phone-booth style on him. Manny also looked like the ‘After†picture in a Charles Atlas muscle-building ad, whereas poor, pale and drawn Hatton resembled the guy getting sand kicked in his face by the bully.

 

After viewing this particular fight, it can be safely said that there is currently no one in this weight class that will offer a serious challenge to Pacquiao. And while former undefeated welterweight boss Floyd Mayweather, Jr. announced his comeback with a July, 2009 bout against Juan Manuel Marquez in a catchweight bout around the 140-pound mark, he is a fair distance away from being ready to take on Pacquiao, assuming, that is, that he gets past Marquez with no great difficulty. If he does score big over the popular Mexican action fighter, look for a Pacquiao-Mayweather, Jr. championship bout to be the biggest event of the summer of 2010.

 

Ring Wise Trivia Question: Even though there have been a few sons who followed their fathers†footsteps into the squared circle, one duo shares the unfortunate distinction of both being knocked out by the same man, many years apart.  Can you name the father, son and opponent?  Hint: The victor has a “Jersey” connection.

 

Any boxing questions, comments, opinions, etc. may be sent to: http://ringwise@earthlink.net

The post Ringwise – Scott Yaniga – Boxing first appeared on River View Observer.